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Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

With the diagnosis “cancer” that most people have been offering a death sentence. Few realize that surgery can be performed even in the lungs – and sometimes because life can be saved or prolonged.

To operate on the lungs, the patient must first get a general anesthetic. Then there are various possibilities for the surgeon to provide access to the lungs. He can set the example by the intercostal space through a cut or cut through the breastbone. The incisions and subsequent scars are not large, because the cameras and surgical instruments are so small now that they can be inserted through small incisions. Read the rest of this entry »

There are a number of different staging methods used for cancers and the specific staging criteria varies among cancer types. According to the NCI, the common elements considered in most staging systems are as follows:

• Site of the primary tumor
• Tumor size and number of tumors
• Lymph node involvement (spread of cancer into lymph nodes)
• Cell type and tumor grade* (how closely the cancer cells resemble normal tissue cells)

• The presence or absence of metastasis

However, there are two main methods that form the basis for the more specific or individual cancer type staging. The TMN staging is used for most solid tumors while the Roman numeral or stage grouping method is used by some clinicians and researchers on almost all cancer types.

The following is how the NCI describes the TNM staging system:

1. The TNM system is based on the extent of the tumor (T), the extent of spread to the lymph nodes (N), and the presence of distant metastasis (M). A number is added to each letter to indicate the size or extent of the primary tumor and the extent of cancer spread (higher number means bigger tumor or more spread).

Primary tumor (T)

TX – Primary tumor cannot be evaluated

T0 – No evidence of primary tumor

Tis – Carcinoma in situ (CIS; abnormal cells are present but have not spread to neighboring tissue; although not cancer, CIS may become cancer and is sometimes called pre-invasive cancer)

T1, T2, T3, T4 – Size and/or extent of the primary tumor

2.

Regional lymph nodes (N)

NX – Regional lymph nodes cannot be evaluated

N0 – No regional lymph node involvement

N1, N2, N3 – Involvement of regional lymph nodes (number of lymph nodes and/or extent of spread)

3.

Distant metastasis (M)

MX – Distant metastasis cannot be evaluated

M0 – No distant metastasis

M1 – Distant metastasis is present

Consequently, a person’s cancer could be listed as T1N2M0, meaning it is a small tumor (T1), but has spread to some regional lymph nodes (N2), and has no detected metastasis (M0).

The Roman numeral or stage grouping method is described by the NCI as follows:

As mentioned above, variations of these staging methods exist. For example, some cancer registries use surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program (SEER) termed summary staging. SEER groups cancer cases into five main categories:

• In situ: Abnormal cells are present only in the layer of cells in which they developed.

• Localized: Cancer is limited to the organ in which it began, without evidence of spread.

• Regional: Cancer has spread beyond the primary site to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.

• Distant: Cancer has spread from the primary site to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.

• Unknown: There is not enough information to determine the stage.

Staging of cancer is important; it helps the physician to decide on the most effective therapeutic protocols, provides a basis for estimating the prognosis (outcome) for the patient, and provides a system to communicate the patient’s condition to other health professionals that become involved with the patients’ care.

A physical exam and medical history, especially the history of symptoms, are the first steps in diagnosing cancer. In many instances, the medical caregiver will order a number of tests, most of which will be determined by the type of cancer and where it is suspected to be located in or on the person’s body. In addition, most caregivers will order a complete blood count, electrolyte levels and, in some cases, other blood studies that may give additional information (for example, a PSA or prostate specific antigen test may guide the caregiver to do additional tests, such as a prostate biopsy).

Imaging studies are commonly used to help physicians detect abnormalities in the body that may be cancer. X-rays, CT and MRI scans, and ultrasound are common tools used to examine the body. Other tests such as endoscopy, which with variations in the equipment used, can allow visualization of tissues in the intestinal tract, throat, and bronchi that may be cancerous. In areas that cannot be well visualized (inside bones or some lymph nodes, for example), radionuclide scanning is often used. The test involves ingestion or IV injection of a weakly radioactive substance that can be concentrated and detected in abnormal tissue.

The preceding tests can be very good at localizing abnormalities in the body; many clinicians consider that some of the tests provide presumptive evidence for the diagnosis of cancer. However, in most patients, the definitive diagnosis of cancer is based on the examination of a tissue sample from the tissue that may be cancerous by a qualified pathologist. Some biopsy samples are relatively simple to procure (for example, skin biopsy or intestinal tissue biopsy done with an endoscope equipped with a biopsy attachment). Other biopsies may require surgery (for example, brain tissue or lymph node biopsy). In some instances, the surgery to diagnose the cancer may result in a cure if all of the cancerous tissue is removed at the time of biopsy.

The biopsy can provide more than the definitive diagnosis of cancer; it can identify the cancer type (for example, a primary or metastatic type of brain cancer) and the “stage” of the cancerous cells. The stage or cancer staging is a way for clinicians and researchers to estimate how advanced or how severe the disease is. The following section describes the general staging methods for cancers.

There are over 200 types of cancer; far too numerous to include in this introductory article. However, the NCI lists several general categories (see list in first section of this article). This list is expanded below to list more specific types of cancers found in each general category; it is not all inclusive and the cancers listed in quotes are the general names of some cancers:

• Carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs — “skin, lung, colon, pancreatic, ovarian cancers,” epithelial, squamous and basal cell carcinomas, melanomas, papillomas, and adenomas

• Sarcoma: Cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue — “bone, soft tissue cancers,” osteosarcoma, synovialsarcoma, liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, rhabdosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma

• Leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood — “leukemia,” lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL and CLL), myelogenous leukemias (AML and CML), T-cell leukemia, and hairy-cell leukemia

• Lymphoma and myeloma: Cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system — “lymphoma,” T-cell lymphomas, B-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and lymphoproliferative lymphomas

• Central nervous system cancers: Cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord — “brain and spinal cord tumors,” gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, primary CNS lymphomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors

Not included in the above types listed are metastatic cancers; this is because metastatic cancer cells usually arise from a cell type listed above and the major difference from the above types is that these cells are now present in a tissue from which the cancer cells did not originally develop. Consequently, if the terms “metastatic cancer” is used, for accuracy, the tissue from which the cancer cells arose should be included. For example, a patient may say they have or are diagnosed with “metastatic cancer” but the more accurate statement is “metastatic (breast, lung, colon, or other type) cancer.”

The first rays of sun after the winter make us smile. Even in everyday life, shows the power that can be in jets. Also, medical radiation is often used: X-rays for fractures are already something special, radiation therapy to tumors is an important treatment option for cancer.

At a high dose of radiation is blasted at the tumor area to bring the malignant cells to die. The rays that are directed against a tumor, are either electromagnetic radiation (eg sunlight) or particle (eg, charged atoms). Read the rest of this entry »

Ovarian cancer (also known as ovarian cancer) is a malignant tumor of the ovary (ovary). It is the second most common cancer of female reproductive organs. The peak age is 60 years. But young girls are susceptible to ovarian cancer.

The exact cause of ovarian cancer is still unclear. But apparently play a role in hormonal processes. Thus reducing pregnancies and to suffer the taking of the “pill” the risk of developing ovarian cancer by up to 60%. In addition to the hormonal factor is also the hereditary observed. Thus, in 10% of cases a familial predisposition may be detected. Read the rest of this entry »

Screening for gynecological cancer screening as part of the legal program of the cervical smear test is to diagnose diseases like breast cancer and cervical cancer in time. This is the vaginal secretions from the vagina with an appropriate utensil taken and examined under a microscope to see evidence of infection. Tumor cells can be examined under the microscope benign or malignant. Read the rest of this entry »

Bad Sooden-Allendorf (ng) – “Drink some strong coffee or you from sleeping properly.” Sandra K. hear this phrase often by well-meaning friends. Because the breast cancer patient is suffering from fatigue, chronic fatigue in cancer. But with “a cup of coffee” is not done: “The Fatigue Syndrome can not fix themselves by getting enough sleep,” explains Professor Dr. Manfred home of the oncology rehabilitation clinic Sonnenberg, Bad Sooden-Allendorf. In one study, which promotes the German Cancer Aid, with almost 80,000 euros, he uses a special exercise program. It examines the effectiveness of scientists in this program and its actual impact on quality of life of breast cancer patients with chronic fatigue. The study carried out in cooperation with the University of Goettingen. Read the rest of this entry »

You are 50 years or older and feel healthy and active? Well. To make this even in the decades that way, you can even do much for you and your health, because from the 50th Age increases the risk of developing colon cancer, sharply.

The latest data from the Robert Koch Institute, show how important it is to deal with the issue and cancer prevention: Each year about 70,000 people nationwide suffer from bowel cancer, he is the most common cancer incidence in Germany. About 30,000 die from the consequences. Read the rest of this entry »

Symptoms and signs of cancer depend on the type of cancer, where it is located, and/or where the cancer cells have spread. For example, breast cancer may present as a lump in the breast or as nipple discharge  while metastatic breast cancer may present with symptoms of pain (if spread to bones), extreme fatigue  (lungs), or seizures  (brain). A few patients show no signs or symptoms until the cancer is far advanced. However, there are some signs and symptoms, although not specific, which usually occur in most cancer patients that are fairly easy for the person to detect. They are as follows:

• Fever (no clear infectious source, recurrent or constant)

• Fatigue (not relived by rest)

• Weight loss  (without trying to lose weight)

• Pain (usually persistent)

• Skin changes (coloration, sores that do not heal,  wart changes)

• Change in bowel or bladder functions (including trouble swallowing  or constipation)

• Unusual bleeding (mouth, vaginal, and bladder) or discharge

• persistent cough or change in voice

• Lumps or tissue masses

Anyone with these signs and symptoms should consult their doctor.

Many cancers will present with some of the above general symptoms but often have one or more symptoms that are more specific for the cancer type. For example, lung cancer may present with common symptoms of pain, but usually the pain is located in the chest . The patient may have unusual bleeding, but the bleeding usually occurs when the patient coughs . Lung cancer patients often become short of breath, and then become very fatigued.

Because there are so many cancer types (see next section) with so many nonspecific and sometimes more specific symptoms, the best way to learn about signs and symptoms of specific cancer types is to spend a few moments researching symptoms of a specific body area in question. Conversely, a specific body area can be searched to discover what signs and symptoms a person should look for in that area that is suspected of having cancer. The following examples are two ways to proceed to get information on symptoms:

• Use a search engine (Google, Bing) to find links to cancer by listing the symptom followed by the term “cancer.” For example, listing “blood in urine  and cancer” will bring a person to web sites that list possible organs and body systems where cancer may produce the listed symptoms.

• Use a search engine as above and list the suspected body area and cancer (for example, bladder and cancer), and the person will see sites that list the signs and symptoms of cancer in that area (blood in urine being one of several symptoms listed).

In addition, if the cancer type is known (diagnosed), then even more specific searches can be done listing the diagnosed cancer type and whatever may be questioned about the cancer (symptoms, tumor grades, treatments, prognosis, and many other items).

Your own research should not replace consulting a health-care provider if you ae concerned about cancer.