Cancer

Understanding Sarcoma Cancer

August 27 in Cancer, Health by admin | No Comments

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Sarcoma is a very rare form of cancer. It is also different from most types of cancer because it occurs and grows in connective tissue. The cancer cells grow in parts of the body that support or connect other types of tissue to the body. While the tumors can appear anywhere, they are most commonly found in the muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, fat, and nerves. They are also seen in the blood vessels of the legs and the arms. There are over 50 types of sarcoma and they are divided into three categories, bone sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and osteosarcoma.

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Sarcoma?

It is unknown exactly what causes sarcoma, however, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely for people to develop this type of cancer.

Radiation exposure: If you had radiation to treat a previous cancer, you are more at risk.
Family history: If a member of your family had sarcoma, your chances of getting it are higher.
Genetic disorders: Certain genetic disorders such as retinoblastoma, neurofibromatosis, Gardner syndrome, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome put you at greater risk.
Bone disorder: If you have the bone disease called Paget’s disease, you are at risk of developing sarcoma.
Age: Children and young adults are more prone to developing an osteosarcoma.

What Are the Symptoms of Sarcoma?

In its early stages, sarcoma doesn’t show any symptoms. They can be hard to spot because they can grow anywhere in your body. If it is a soft tissue sarcoma, the first sign would be a painless lump. As it grows larger, it can press against the nerves or muscles causing pain. An osteosarcoma shows symptoms much earlier than the other types. There would be pain in the effected bone that comes and goes. Also, the pain is often worse at night. The area can also swell.

What Is the Treatment For Sarcoma?

How the cancer is treated would depend on the type, where it is located, and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body. The most common treatments include:

Surgery: A doctor can perform surgery and remove the tumor from the body. It is possible for the doctor to remove the cancer cells, therefore, there would be no need for the effected limb to be amputated. If all of the cells cannot be removed, amputation might be your only chance of survivial.
Radiation: If surgery isn’t an option, radiation is used. It can also kill any cells left behind after another treatment.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used either with surgery or if surgery isn’t possible. It is also used if the cancer has spread.
Targeted therapies: This is a relatively new treatment and the doctors use man made antibodies from the immune system. They are placed to block the growth of cancer cells without damaging any of the normal cells.

What is the Survival Rate For Someone With Sarcoma?

In most cases, soft tissue sarcoma can be cured with one surgery. If it is an aggressive tumor and the cancer has spread, it can be harder to treat. With osteosarcoma, if the cancer has not spread the survival rate is between 60 and 80 percent. If the cancer can be completely removed with surgery, the chance of a full recovery is excellent. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the treatment would need to be more aggressive and the chances of being cured completely are much lower.

Sarcoma is a rare and serious type of cancer. If it is caught early enough, the chances of survival are great.

Signs of Lung Cancer

July 16 in Cancer, Health by admin | No Comments

Image result for lung cancer image

Lung cancer does not have a lot of noticeable signs in the early stages. Most people do not usually get a diagnosis until when the disease has progressed. However, there are signs you can look out for that will show if you have lung cancer. Noticing the signs can help you get diagnosed at the early stages.

Unending cough

You should be keen on any new cough that is prolonged. A normal cough that is associated with a cold or respiratory infection is likely to go after a week or at most, two weeks. However, a persistent cough can be a sign of lung cancer. If you notice a cough lingering for more than two weeks, you should visit your doctor to have more tests done.

Cough changes

You should also pay attention to your cough if it starts changing. It is especially the case if you are a smoker. Some things to look out for is if your cough gets deeper if you get an increased amount of mucus or start seeing blood.

Breathing changes

A lung tumor can cause fluid buildup in the chest, and the cancer can also block or narrow an airway. One way you can identify this is if you notice that you start getting easily winded or have extreme shortness of breath.

Pain in the chest area

Lung cancer is known to cause chest pain in some patients. The chest pain may be sharp, constant, dull or intermittent. It can also occur throughout the chest or can be confined to one spot. The pain can be due to enlarged nymph nodes or metastasis to the lining around the lungs, the chest wall or ribs.

Wheezing

You experience wheezing when the airway becomes constricted, inflamed or blocked. It can be easily diagnosed as a symptom of allergies or asthma and treatment is simple. However, if the cancer blocks the airway, wheezing might also occur and should be taken seriously.

Drop in weight

One common symptom of any type of cancer is loss of weight. If you notice that you have lost about 10 pounds without trying to lose weight, you should find out the reason.

Bone pain

If the cancer progresses, it might spread to the bones leading to bone pain. The pain might increase and usually gets worse at night. You should take note f any unexplained neck, back, chest, shoulder or arm pain that worsens at night.

Headache and fatigue

If the cancer spreads to the brain, you might experience headaches. However, it can also mean that the cancer is putting unnecessary pressure on the superior vena cava that triggers the headache. Another thing to look out for is fatigue even when you have not done any work. If the fatigue does not wear off even after resting, then you should visit your physician to find out the cause.

Nervous system problems

There are patients who experience nervous system problems when the cancer causes the immune system to start attacking parts of the nervous system. It can lead to muscle disorders characterized by difficult getting up from a sitting position, loss of balance and lack of steadiness in the arms and legs, weakness in the hips and trouble swallowing.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is important to visit a physician as soon as possible. Early screening is important especially if you are at high risk of getting the disease.

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Understanding Radiation Therapy

June 28 in Cancer, Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Radiation-Therapy

If there is one illness that many people are afraid of, it’s cancer. This is because cancer is one of the most fatal illnesses that is hard to treat. Moreover, there is really no definite treatment for it yet.

Although chemotherapy is the most popular treatment for cancer, there is still no guaranty it can cure all types of cancer. This is why another type of treatment has been developed to treat cancer. This treatment is called radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy Explained

Radiation therapy is the use of radiation such as gamma rays and X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This happens with the help of three types of radiation therapy such as:

External-Beam Radiation Therapy
Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy
Systemic Radiation

External-Beam Radiation Therapy

This type of radiation therapy is done with the use of a radiation machine. The machine is similar to the X-ray machine will release its charged particles through a beam radiation. The radiation will penetrate the cancer-infected area from outside the body.

Internal Radiation

Internal radiation, on the other hand, is the method of directly placing the radioactive materials in the area around cancer cells. The process is a bit complicated, but it can be more potent.

Systemic Radiation

Meanwhile, systemic radiation treatment is the use of radioactive substances that can move through the blood to reach the areas with cancer cells. This works like a regular medicine in the sense that the substances are absorbed into the blood stream. An example of a radioactive substance is radioactive iodine.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work Against Cancer?

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by damaging cell DNA. This also can happen by creating free radicals within the cells that kills the cancer as well.

Does Radiation Therapy Kill Other Cells?

The drawback in using radiation therapy is that it kills not only the cancer cells but also other cells nearby. This problem causes side effects depending on which cells are damaged as the result of killing cancer cells. Nevertheless, our tissues have a certain level of tolerance against radiation. It’s your doctor who will determine such levels before this treatment is performed.

Why Is Radiation Therapy Needed?

Radiation therapy is a powerful treatment against cancer. It’s so strong that other cells may also be sacrificed in the process. Nonetheless, the result is significant. It’s needed when the purpose is to completely eliminate the cancer. This means radiation therapy is used for curative intent, and it can also be used for palliative care to shrink tumors.

On the other hand, radiation therapy can also be applied along with chemotherapy. It can also be used for curative intent, control treatment, and palliative care at the same time.

How Is Radiation Therapy Scheduled?

Before radiation therapy is scheduled, your oncologist will ask you to undergo several tests such as CT scans, MRI, PET, and ultrasounds. All such tests will determine the location and the position of cancer infections inside the body. Once identified, radiation therapy will be applied in the target areas.

Conclusion

Radiation therapy may be much stronger than chemotherapy. However, there are risks involved as the radiation can also damage other non-cancer cells. Radiation therapy is ideal for curative intent as it requires patients to be much healthier and tolerant against certain radioactive materials and substances.

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What is Oral Cancer?

June 27 in Cancer, Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image result for oral cancer ad

Oral cancer is a persistent growth or sore inside the mouth that is caused by an uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage. It will not go away on its own. It includes the following surrounding tissues:

Throat
Tonsils
Sinuses
Hard and Soft Palate
Floor of the Mouth
Cheeks
Tongue
Lips

What are the Symptoms?

There are numerous symptoms associated with oral cancer. The most common ones are:

Any lesions or swelling on the lips, gums, or other areas inside your mouth
Unexplained oral bleeding
Unexplained numbness, tenderness, or pain in any areas of the mouth, face or neck
Persistent sores in the mouth or the neck and face that do not heal within two weeks.
Red, white, or red and white speckled patches in your mouth
A feeling that something is caught in the back of your throat
Difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
Chronic sore throat, hoarseness, or change of voice
Earache
A change in your teeth or the way your dentures fit together
Large weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with your dentist or primary care physician as soon as possible.

Who is at Risk?

It is estimated that over 40,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Men face twice the risk than women, and men over the age of 50 face the greatest risk of all.

Oral cancer risk factors include:

Smoking. Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe, you are six times more likely to contract oral cancer than nonsmokers.
Using smokeless tobacco. Chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip makes you 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the lining of the lips, gums, or cheeks.
Drinking a lot of alcohol. You are six times more likely to contract oral cancer than nondrinkers.
Family history of cancer. If cancer runs in your family, then you are more genetically predisposed.
Too much sun. If you have excessive exposure to the sun, especially when you are young, it increases your odds of contracting oral cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), some strains put you at a higher risk for contracting oral cancer.

It is important to note, however, that 25% of diagnosed cases of oral cancer do occur in nonsmokers and social drinkers.

What Can You Do to Prevent a Diagnosis?

There are some things you can do to lower your risk, such as:

Drink alcohol in moderation, and do not smoke or use any tobacco products.
Maintain a well-balanced diet.
Limit your exposure to the sun, and when you are out in the sun, apply UV-A/B sun blocking products on your skin and lips.

Early Detection is Key

The earlier you see any symptoms, the greater the chance of successful treatment. You can also take an active role in early detection by doing the following:

Do a Self Exam Once per Month – Use a bright light and a mirror to examine all the surfaces of your mouth and lips. Feel for lumps and thoroughly look over every part of your mouth, throat, and gums. Check for enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. If you find anything suspicious, contact your health care professional immediately.
See your Dentist Regularly – No matter how thorough, you can’t always see everything, so ask your dentist to conduct an exam at your next visit.

Remember, understanding what oral cancer is and how to detect it increases your chances of successful treatment.

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Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

June 19 in Cancer, Health by admin | No Comments

`Your thyroid is a butterfly shape gland located at the base of your neck. The purpose of the thyroid is to produce hormones that regulate your weight, your body temperature, and your heart rate.

Although thyroid cancer is not the most common type of cancer in the United States, over the years, the rates have been increasing. The reason for this is because doctors use new technology that helps them catch thyroid cancer in the early stages. This technology wasn’t available before, therefore, it was not picked up in the past. The new technology helps doctors detect thyroid cancer early on, increasing the patients’ chances of survival.

Who Is At Risk For Thyroid Cancer?

The cause of thyroid cancer is unknown. While the causes are not clear, there a few risk factors that can put you at risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Exposure to radiation: If a person has been in contact with radiation, they are at risk of developing thyroid cancer. For example, if a person has undergone radiation treatment either as an adult or as a child, they are at risk. If a person works at a nuclear power plant, if they work doing weapons testing, or if there was an accident at a power plant, they could be at great risk.
Being a Female: If you are a woman, you are more at risk of developing thyroid cancer than a man. Thyroid cancer is twice as common in women than men.
Inherited genetic syndromes: If a person has a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia, they are at risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

There are various symptoms of thyroid cancer that a person should look for, especially if they have any of the thyroid cancer risk factors.

A lump in the neck: If you discover a lump in your neck, you should see a doctor. In some cases, the lump will grow rapidly.
Neck swelling: If you have noticed swelling in your neck and you were not injured, you should see a doctor.
Pain in the neck: Pain is a common symptom of thyroid cancer. The pain typically radiates in the front of the neck. In some cases, it can travel up to your ears.
Voice changes: If your voice changes or becomes hoarse and it doesn’t go away, it is a common symptom of thyroid cancer and it warrants a visit to the doctor.
A constant cough: If you are suffering from a constant cough that is not associated with a cold, you should make an appointment to see a doctor.
Trouble swallowing: Trouble swallowing is a common symptom in the later stages of thyroid cancer.
Difficulty breathing: Wheezing and trouble breathing are two symptoms that can occur in the later stages of thyroid cancer.

It is important to understand that each of these symptoms could be symptoms of other medical conditions. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is not a guarantee that you have cancer. You should, however, make an appointment so that your doctor can order the appropriate test to determine they causes of the symptoms.

Fortunately, if thyroid cancer is caught early, it can be treated. Despite treatment, it is possible for thyroid cancer to return even if the thyroid has been removed. This can happen if microscopic cancer cells spread beyond the thyroid before the thyroidectomy. Your best chance at beating the cancer is knowing what symptoms to look for and seeking treatment as quickly as possible.

Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

May 29 in Cancer, Health by admin | No Comments

Skin Care In The Month Of May

It’s May out, the sun is getting hotter, and before you spend too much time suntanning, you may want to check out SkinCancer.org. Did you know May is skin cancer awareness month? It’s true, and it makes sense: as the season changes, you want to go into it with an awareness of risks that can be associated with certain activities, and which are generally not accounted for. In recognition of this month, following several aspects of skin cancer will be considered: how to detect it, and how to prevent it.

Detecting Skin Cancer

First, know that if you are able to detect the presence of skin cancer, then you’re likely able to prevent it. This is why SkinCancer.org endorses the practice of regularly examining yourself head-to-toe in order to determine if you’ve got anything to be concerned about. If you can find an instance of skin cancer, you can get it swiftly removed. In almost all cases, it is ultimately curable.

Look for new moles and growths. Keep an eye on existing growths to see if they’ve gotten larger than they previously were. If you have lesions that change, don’t heal, itch, or bleed, you should know that these are alarm signals. Check out this helpful article to understand the ABCDEs of detection. Another method of detection is “the ugly duckling” sign. This is basically a legion or mole that looks different than others.

Preventing Skin Cancer

A lot of skin cancer prevention involves strategic sun safety. First and foremost: don’t let yourself get burnt! Use sunscreen to keep yourself from burning if you’re in the sun too much. Between about ten in the morning and four in the afternoon, you should find areas that are shady. Keep yourself clear of those tanning beds that use UV light. Make sure you’ve got clothing that covers sensitive skin. When using sunscreen, ensure it is at an SPF rating of fifteen or greater. The quantity you’re looking to apply is about an ounce, which you should coat your whole body with about a half an hour prior going outside. Put more on right after you either swim or sweat, and put more on every two hours. If you’ve got toddlers or newborns, try to keep them out of the sun as best you can. Ensure also that you give your skin a thorough monthly examination. Last, but certainly not least, you should make a yearly appointment with a qualified professional to have your skin examined.

Healthy Prevention

The truth is, there are a broad variety of cancers which have an environmental component to them, whether it be an addiction, chemical substances, or radiation of some variety. The sun will radiate you, and if your body isn’t protected or adapted, you’re literally going to feel the burn.

Generally, here will be the best way to avoid not just skin cancer, but any cancer: eat healthy foods that aren’t processed and don’t include either GMOs or chemical foodstuffs. Supplement with vetted vitamin and mineral supplements if you can’t directly acquire these kinds of foods. Exercise regularly, and to the proper limits of your physical ability. Also, avoid situations where there might be cancer causing agents–like excessive sun, or previously radiated areas that include biological hazards. Bio-hazards in general are to be avoided at all costs. Also, cut down on substance abuse. Eliminating it entirely is wise.

The summer is set to be beautiful, and if you’re going to fully enjoy it, you want to exercise proper sun safety. So keep an eye on yourself, and wear sunscreen!

What You Should Know During Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March 5 in Cancer by admin | No Comments

Now that it is March we need to focus our attention on Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Each March (and all year), medical professionals, patients, caregivers and survivors make it their mission to bring awareness to colon cancer and educate people on the prevention of this disease. At one time it seemed like colon cancer was something that people got diagnosed with much later in life but people are being diagnosed with colon cancer younger and younger in life. Ideally, prevention is key and this can be achieved thanks to proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and screening.

What Is Colon Cancer?

When tumors form in the lining of the large intestine, this is considered colon cancer as this area is where the colon and the rectum are located. In many cases a polyp is the first sign of an issue within the color. Over time if left untreated or not removed, the polyp can turn cancerous. It takes knowledge and proactive care to prevent, diagnose and treat colon cancer.

Who Should Be Screened?

In general, everyone, man and woman, should be screen for colon cancer starting at the age of 50. People who have a history of colon cancer or have a history of colon cancer in their immediate family may need to be screened before this age. Typically, you would discuss your need for screening with a trusted medical professional and go from there. The screening process involves a simple colonoscopy which is performed by a doctor while you are somewhat sedated. Your doctor will scope your colon and the other nearby areas to check for things like polyps which can turn into cancer. Since it is the fourth most common cancer in the United States currently, colon cancer affects many different people and demographics. Some of the risk factors associated with this form of cancer can include:

-Family members that have had or currently have colon cancer

-Personal past history of other gastrointestinal cancers such as cancer of the rectum

-Personal history of breast cancer, ovary cancer or endometrium cancer

-History of polyps

-Crohn’s disease

-History of colitis

What If Something Is Found?

If your doctor performs a colonoscopy and finds polyps he or she will likely remove a sample of the polyp. It will then be sent to a lab where it will be tested for a number of things, including cancer. It takes a few weeks to receive the results and your doctor will also advise you if you need further testing and if so, when that would occur. Sometimes your polyps will be fine and not require much more than routine monitoring. Other times, polyps can test as being pre-cancerous and will be watched more closely. Cancerous polyps will require further investigative work and treatment.

What Are The Symptoms?

While symptoms can vary and sometimes symptoms are unnoticed, some of the symptoms associated with colon cancer can include:

-Diarrhea

-Constipation

-Bowel habit changes

-Blood in feces

-Bleeding from the rectum

-Bloating, cramping and pain for no known reason

-Loss of appetite

-Fatigue

-Pain

-Weight loss

-Anemia

-Jaundice

-Frequent vomiting

Educating yourself on colon cancer is the first step towards preventing it. Knowledge is power and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, periodic screening for colon cancer is very important. You can also limit the amount of alcohol that you consume on a frequent basis and abstain from smoking. As with all cancers and other diseases, adopting a healthy lifestyle that incorporates healthy eating and exercise into your daily routine is very important. Ongoing routine medical care is essential as well for optimal health.

What Is Chemotherapy?

February 21 in Cancer by admin | No Comments

There are many different types of illnesses we should be aware of in order to prevent them. However, prevention may be too late if the illness is severe. Some illnesses can be treated by regular medicines while others are so serious a different type of treatment is needed such as chemotherapy.

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is known to be a method for treating for cancer. However, it can also be used in several types of illnesses such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells. This can be administered in several ways such as through:

Intravenous Fluid
Injections
Pills
Liquid form
Topical Cream

Whatever the method is, the purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells. This won’t happen overnight as the ultimate objective is to kill the cells, there are three levels of treating cancer:

Palliation
Control
Cure

Palliation

When cancer has already grown malignant, many symptoms start showing. These symptoms are very inconvenient as most of them are painful. One example is infection that causes discomfort and pain. Through palliation, these symptoms such as infections and tumors can be treated separately to provide temporary relief.

This method doesn’t actually eliminate cancer nor weaken it. It focuses on immediate effects of cancer. Any kind of treatment that aims to reduce only the symptoms is called palliative care.

Control

Control is another method of treatment that does not also eliminate cancer. In this method, it may be considered during a particular stage when the cancer starts spreading. The purpose of the control method is to contain and reduce the growth of the illness in order to prevent further symptoms.

Just like diabetes and heart diseases, cancer also has a control stage where patients take some maintenance pills. There are times that the cancer seems to have gone away because there are no more symptoms present. However, it may come back in an instant without any warning. If this happens, a control chemotherapy will be performed again.

Cure

This method of chemotherapy may be obscure as the term “cure” is still theoretical. It means there is still no exact cure for cancer, but this method aims to cure it. It aims to kill and eliminate cancer.

This is possible in some cases especially at a very early stage. There are cases that cancer is cured on this method. However, there is always no guaranty that every cancer can be eliminated this way. This is why this method is called curative intent.

When to Start Chemotherapy?

If you suspect that you have cancer, it is recommended you look for cancer doctor called an oncologist. It is your oncologist who will determine the diagnosis and the proper treatment.

When your oncologist found that you have a cancer, they will then prescribe which combinations of medicine to use in a particular chemotherapy and which method of therapy should be used.

If your cancer is already malignant, your oncologist will ask you to undergo certain surgical operations to remove some tumors. However, if the stage is still early, the curative intent may be applied.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy is still the ultimate method of treatment for cancer. While research on cancers cure is still ongoing, this medical method proves helpful. However, not all patients can undergo this process because it is very expensive. If you have a cancer, it is better to immediately control it before you reach the palliative stage. Nevertheless, prevention is the best method.

Cancer

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Sarcoma?

What Are the Symptoms of Sarcoma?

What Is the Treatment For Sarcoma?

What is the Survival Rate For Someone With Sarcoma?

Unending cough

Cough changes

Breathing changes

Pain in the chest area

Wheezing

Drop in weight

Bone pain

Headache and fatigue

Nervous system problems

Radiation Therapy Explained

External-Beam Radiation Therapy

Internal Radiation

Systemic Radiation

How Does Radiation Therapy Work Against Cancer?

Does Radiation Therapy Kill Other Cells?

Why Is Radiation Therapy Needed?

How Is Radiation Therapy Scheduled?

Conclusion

What are the Symptoms?

Who is at Risk?

What Can You Do to Prevent a Diagnosis?

Early Detection is Key

Who Is At Risk For Thyroid Cancer?

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Skin Care In The Month Of May

Detecting Skin Cancer

Preventing Skin Cancer

Healthy Prevention

What Is Colon Cancer?

Who Should Be Screened?

What If Something Is Found?

What Are The Symptoms?

What Is Chemotherapy?

Palliation

Control

Cure

When to Start Chemotherapy?

Conclusion

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