radiation therapy

What is Colon Cancer?

October 8 in Cancer, Health by admin | No Comments

Colon cancer is the accumulation of cancer cells in the lower part of the large intestine. These tumors typically begin as small benign growths referred to as polyps that turn into malignant tumors over time.

Stages of Colon Cancer

When a patient is diagnosed with colon cancer, they will be diagnosed with a stage of the disease, depending on it advancement. Colon Cancer is broken up into stages Tis to T4b.

Tis -In this stage, cancer cells are only found in the top layers on lining in the colon.
T1 –At this stage, the cancer cells have begun to spread to the tissue below the lining of the colon.
T2 – During stage T2, the cancer cells have developed into the deeper tissue that is involved in pushing along waste during the digestive process.
T3 – At T3 the cancer has spread to the connective tissue that connects the colon to other parts of the body, as well as permeating into some of the other surrounding tissues.
T4a – At this point the cancer cells have grown throughout all parts of the colon.
T4b – At this final stage the cancer cells have spread past the colon into other parts of the body.

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Symptoms of colon cancer can come on suddenly or develop gradually over time. Often times symptoms of colon cancer are mistaken for gastrointestinal issues or discomfort. Some symptoms of colon cancer include,

Blood in the stool
Weakness
Fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Abnormal changes in your bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than a month
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Fullness in bowel even after going to the bathroom.

Risks for Colon Cancer

While there is no specific cause for every case of colon cancer there are risks that may make you more likely to develop colon cancer.

History of Polyps

While many times polyps are found and easily removed, repeated development of polyps is linked to an increase in colon cancer.

Low Fiber Diet

Low fiber and high fat diets have been linked to an increased chance for developing polyps and colon cancer.

Obesity

Those with a BMI in the obesity level have an increased risk of getting colon cancer as well as an increased risk of suffering more complications from it.

Inflammatory Gastrointestinal Problems

Chronic disease of the gastrointestinal track, including colitis and Crohns disease, can increase the risk of development of colon cancer.

Age

Most colon cancer patients are 50 years of age or older.

Genetics

A family history of colon cancer increases your chance of developing the disease as well. There are also genetically passed conditions that can greatly increase your risk for colon cancer including,

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, otherwise known as lynch syndrome
Familial adenomatous polyposis, which leads to an increase of the development of polyps in the colon.

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

Diagnosis of colon cancer is either done through routine screenings that are part of annual physicals or testing when gastrointestinal problems are present. To diagnose colon cancer patients will,

Receive blood tests to check for cancer markers
Undergo a colonoscopy which involves a camera scope of the patient’s rectum, colon and intestinal track.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for colon cancer are typically determined based on the stage of cancer the patient is in. Treatment options can include,

Polyp removal during colonoscopy
Partial colectomy
Removal of lymph nodes
Colon resection
Targeted drug therapies
Chemotherapy
Radiation treatment

When it comes to treating colon cancer, routine wellness screenings are important as early diagnosis will lead to the best prognosis.

Tagged abdomen, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abnormal cells, adenocarcinomas, adenomatous polyps, American Cancer Society, Anaemia, anal area, anti-cancer regimen, basal cell cancer, basal cells, beam radiation, benign, Benign tumors, bloating, blood, blood disorder, Blood in stools, blood stream, blood vessel, bodily pains, body tissue, bowel, bowel habits, brain, brain tumor, breast cancer, Cancer, cancer cells, cancer-infected area, cancerous, cells, changes in stool consistency, chemo, chemotherapy, chronic inflammation, colon, Colon Cancer, Colorectal, Colorectal cancer, colostomy, compress the brain, control, cramping, CT scans, Cure, deformed cells, digestive system, digestive tract, discomfort, dna, drugs, epithelial tissue, External-Beam Radiation Therapy, fibroid, fibroids, Fibromas, gamma rays, gas, genealogy, growth, Headaches, health, Hemangiomas, hemorrhoids, Hormonal syndromes, hormone, illness, illnesses, immune system, infection, Injections, Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy, intestine, Intravenous Fluid, Itchiness, large intestines, leukemia, Liquid form, Local excision, lung cancer, lungs, lupus, lymphatic system, lymphoma, main artery, malformed cells, malignant, malignant tumors, mass of cells, melanoma, Meningiomas, mole, MRI, Multiple Sclerosis, nerves, noncancerous, oncologist, organ connective tissue, organs, pain, Palliation, palliative care, PET, Pills, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, prevention, primary nerve, prostate cancer, protective sac, radiation, radiation machine, radiation therapy, radioactive, radioactive iodine, radiotherapy, Rectal cancer, rectum, remove the cancer, Resection, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid arthritis, scan, screening, skin, small cell clumps, spinal cord, stress, symptoms, Systemic Radiation, test, Topical Cream, treatment, tumor, tumors, ultrasounds, uterus, warning signs, warts, weight loss, x-rays, xrays

Understanding Colorectal Cancer

September 3 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Colorectal cancer is most common if there is a family history of it, colon polyps present and long bouts of ulcerative colitis without treatment. With that said, colon cancer can affect anyone. Sometimes all it takes for the cancer to occur is poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking and exposure to toxins that create damaging free radical cells that harm the DNA. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of the cancer can help with early detection, but sometimes there isn’t any, which is why colon screening is essential. Screening usually starts around the age of 50, but if there is a family history it may be best to start sooner.

What are some of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

Extreme Fatigue and Weakness
Shortness of Breath
Change in Stool Shape, Size and Color
Red or Dark Stools
Bleeding During Bowel Movements
Drastic Weight Loss
Suffering from Anemia
Constant Abdominal Pains
Headaches
Pain During Bowel Movements
Nausea
Vomiting

How is the cancer detected?

Colorectal cancer is detected by doing a barium enema x-ray to locate any tumors, or through a colposcopy, which views the entire lining of the colon for cancerous growths. If any cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be done. After, surgery will be scheduled to remove the cancerous growths and a recommended treatment plan will be provided if one is necessary. Sometimes further treatment is only needed if the cancer has spread throughout other areas of the body. It all depends on the stage of cancer you have.

How many stages of colon cancer are there?

There are four stages of colon cancer. The first two stages typically only require surgery to remove the cancerous parts of the colon. The last two stages usually require surgery plus chemotherapy or radiation. Therefore, catching colon cancer early is extremely important for saving lives. The last stages of colon cancer and more difficult to treat and eventually end in death since it has spread to other parts of the body that can be hard to treat.

Are there any preventative measures you can take for preventing colon cancer?

Yes, there are preventative measures you can take for preventing colon cancer. Some include:

Eating a good balance diet
Exercising daily
Getting plenty of rest
Not smoking or drinking acholic beverages
Taking daily vitamins
Increasing your fiber intake
Getting colon cancer screening when recommended

Bottom Line

When it comes to preventing colon cancer from taking your life, colon cancer screening is your best line of defense for catching and treating it early. If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of the cancer it is time to visit your doctor now for a checkup.

Tagged abdomen, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abnormal cells, adenocarcinomas, adenomatous polyps, American Cancer Society, anal area, basal cell cancer, basal cells, benign, bloating, blood, blood disorder, Blood in stools, body tissue, bowel, bowel habits, breast cancer, Cancer, cancer cells, cells, changes in stool consistency, chemotherapy, colon, Colon Cancer, Colorectal, Colorectal cancer, colostomy, cramping, digestive system, digestive tract, gas, health, hemorrhoids, hormone, intestine, large intestines, leukemia, Local excision, lung cancer, lungs, lymphatic system, lymphoma, melanoma, mole, noncancerous, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, prostate cancer, radiation therapy, Rectal cancer, rectum, remove the cancer, Resection, screening, skin, small cell clumps, stress, tumor, warning signs, warts, weight loss

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.

Tagged abnormal cells, American Cancer Society, Anaemia, anti-cancer regimen, basal cell cancer, basal cells, beam radiation, benign, Benign tumors, blood, blood disorder, blood stream, blood vessel, bodily pains, body tissue, brain, brain tumor, breast cancer, Cancer, cancer cells, cancer-infected area, cancerous, cells, chemo, chemotherapy, chronic inflammation, colon, Colon Cancer, compress the brain, control, CT scans, Cure, deformed cells, digestive tract, discomfort, dna, drugs, epithelial tissue, External-Beam Radiation Therapy, fibroid, fibroids, Fibromas, gamma rays, genealogy, growth, Headaches, health, Hemangiomas, Hormonal syndromes, hormone, illness, illnesses, immune system, infection, Injections, Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy, Intravenous Fluid, Itchiness, leukemia, Liquid form, lung cancer, lungs, lupus, lymphatic system, lymphoma, main artery, malformed cells, malignant, malignant tumors, mass of cells, melanoma, Meningiomas, mole, MRI, Multiple Sclerosis, nerves, oncologist, organ connective tissue, organs, pain, Palliation, palliative care, PET, Pills, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, prevention, primary nerve, prostate cancer, protective sac, radiation, radiation machine, radiation therapy, radioactive, radioactive iodine, radiotherapy, rectum, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid arthritis, scan, skin, spinal cord, stress, symptoms, Systemic Radiation, test, Topical Cream, treatment, tumor, tumors, ultrasounds, uterus, warning signs, warts, weight loss, x-rays, xrays

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.

Tagged abdomen, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abnormal cells, adenocarcinomas, adenomatous polyps, American Cancer Society, Anaemia, anal area, anti-cancer regimen, basal cell cancer, basal cells, beam radiation, benign, Benign tumors, bloating, blood, blood disorder, Blood in stools, blood stream, blood vessel, bodily pains, body tissue, bowel, bowel habits, brain, brain tumor, breast cancer, Cancer, cancer cells, cancer-infected area, cancerous, cells, changes in stool consistency, cheeks, chemo, chemotherapy, chronic inflammation, colon, Colon Cancer, Colorectal, Colorectal cancer, colostomy, compress the brain, control, cramping, CT scans, Cure, deformed cells, digestive system, digestive tract, discomfort, dna, drugs, epithelial tissue, External-Beam Radiation Therapy, fibroid, fibroids, Fibromas, gamma rays, gas, genealogy, growth, hard palate, Headaches, health, Hemangiomas, hemorrhoids, Hormonal syndromes, hormone, illness, illnesses, immune system, infection, Injections, Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy, intestine, Intravenous Fluid, Itchiness, large intestines, leukemia, lips, Liquid form, Local excision, lung cancer, lungs, lupus, lymphatic system, lymphoma, main artery, malformed cells, malignant, malignant tumors, mass of cells, melanoma, Meningiomas, mole, mouth, mouth cancer, MRI, Multiple Sclerosis, nerves, noncancerous, oncologist, oral, oral cancer, organ connective tissue, organs, pain, Palliation, palliative care, PET, Pills, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, prevention, primary nerve, prostate cancer, protective sac, radiation, radiation machine, radiation therapy, radioactive, radioactive iodine, radiotherapy, Rectal cancer, rectum, remove the cancer, Resection, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid arthritis, scan, screening, sinuses, skin, small cell clumps, sof palate, spinal cord, stress, symptoms, Systemic Radiation, test, throat, tongue, Tonsils, Topical Cream, treatment, tumor, tumors, ultrasounds, uterus, warning signs, warts, weight loss, x-rays, xrays

Understanding Colon Cancer

June 8 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Colon cancer is synonymous with the cancer of the large intestines, which is the lower region the digestive system. In the United States, over twelve thousand people are diagnosed with this form of cancer every year. The American Cancer Society released this data. Usually, the new cases of colon cancer start with small cell clumps then developing into dangerous cancer cells over time.

How does cancer come about?

Generally, cancer comes about when healthy body cells start to fight other cells within the body. Before the actual cancer cells have begun developing, you will often not notice any symptoms. For this reason, it is critical to get an early screening of the cancer cells as it is the only surest way of detecting the colon cancer and acting on it appropriately to terminate its growth and development.

What are the common signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

Cancer has a plethora of signs and symptoms which include:

Blood in stools
Change in bowel habits
Bloating and abdominal pain
Recurring cramping
Gas

While blood in stool can be indicative of cancer, it can also indicate some conditions such as hemorrhoids in the anal area. You should immediately visit a health center the moment you notice recurring blood in your stool.

Risk factors

There is a myriad of risk factors which may significantly increase your risk of being ill with colon cancer. They include

Age (fifty years or older are more predisposed)
A family history of colon cancer
Long-standing inflammatory infections of the colon

As well, colon cancer has been linked to dieting that has little fiber but high fat content as well as calories. In as much as scientists have not agreed on the effect of junks in relationship to cancer, it is general knowledge that junks have a lot of unhealthy fats which has been shown to affect a patient’s health negatively.

Couch potatoes stand a higher risk of getting colon cancer. As well, obesity, smoking, and consumption of large amounts of alcohol are all predisposing factors of colon cancer. It is, nevertheless, imperative to note that these pieces only increase the risk of getting cancer significantly and does not in any way mean that whoever smokes will get colon cancer.

Treatment of colon cancer

The standard treatment for cancer is surgery in all the stages of the colon cancer. There are three types of surgery which specialist can opt for to remove cancer. They include:

Local excision- this is mainly for cancer that is still in the early stages. The doctor will insert a tube into your rectum then push it through to the colon. He then cuts the cancerous section of the colon
Resection- doctors often opt for this method when cancer has grown significantly large. The doctor will make a careful incision into the abdomen and get rid of the affected part of the colon. As well, they will remove small sections of healthy tissues that surround the part of the bowel which is diseased.
Resection and colostomy- sometimes, the surgeon may find it difficult to sew the ends of the colon after the surgery together. In that instance, a whole will be made in the abdomen, and one end of the colon will be brought towards this hole. The patient will need to wear a bag over the opening to collect the waste being expelled from the colon. This is commonly referred to as colostomy.

Tagged abdomen, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, adenocarcinomas, adenomatous polyps, American Cancer Society, anal area, benign, bloating, Blood in stools, bowel, bowel habits, Cancer, cancer cells, changes in stool consistency, chemotherapy, colon, Colon Cancer, Colorectal, Colorectal cancer, colostomy, cramping, digestive system, gas, hemorrhoids, intestine, large intestines, Local excision, noncancerous, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, radiation therapy, Rectal cancer, rectum, remove the cancer, Resection, screening, small cell clumps, tumor

What is Oral Cancer?

April 11 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image is from Market My Laser

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.

Tagged abdomen, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abnormal cells, adenocarcinomas, adenomatous polyps, American Cancer Society, Anaemia, anal area, anti-cancer regimen, basal cell cancer, basal cells, beam radiation, benign, Benign tumors, bloating, blood, blood disorder, Blood in stools, blood stream, blood vessel, bodily pains, body tissue, bowel, bowel habits, brain, brain tumor, breast cancer, Cancer, cancer cells, cancer-infected area, cancerous, cells, changes in stool consistency, cheeks, chemo, chemotherapy, chronic inflammation, colon, Colon Cancer, Colorectal, Colorectal cancer, colostomy, compress the brain, control, cramping, CT scans, Cure, deformed cells, digestive system, digestive tract, discomfort, dna, drugs, epithelial tissue, External-Beam Radiation Therapy, fibroid, fibroids, Fibromas, gamma rays, gas, genealogy, growth, hard palate, Headaches, health, Hemangiomas, hemorrhoids, Hormonal syndromes, hormone, illness, illnesses, immune system, infection, Injections, Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy, intestine, Intravenous Fluid, Itchiness, large intestines, leukemia, lips, Liquid form, Local excision, lung cancer, lungs, lupus, lymphatic system, lymphoma, main artery, malformed cells, malignant, malignant tumors, mass of cells, melanoma, Meningiomas, mole, mouth, mouth cancer, MRI, Multiple Sclerosis, nerves, noncancerous, oncologist, oral, oral cancer, organ connective tissue, organs, pain, Palliation, palliative care, PET, Pills, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, prevention, primary nerve, prostate cancer, protective sac, radiation, radiation machine, radiation therapy, radioactive, radioactive iodine, radiotherapy, Rectal cancer, rectum, remove the cancer, Resection, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid arthritis, scan, screening, sinuses, skin, small cell clumps, sof palate, spinal cord, stress, symptoms, Systemic Radiation, test, throat, tongue, Tonsils, Topical Cream, treatment, tumor, tumors, ultrasounds, uterus, warning signs, warts, weight loss, x-rays, xrays

Understanding Sarcoma Cancer

March 23 in Uncategorized by admin | No Comments

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.

What is Colon Cancer?

March 22 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image is from Everyday Health

Stages of Colon Cancer

When a patient is diagnosed with colon cancer, they will be diagnosed with a stage of the disease, depending on it advancement. Colon Cancer is broken up into stages Tis to T4b.

Tis -In this stage, cancer cells are only found in the top layers on lining in the colon.
T1 –At this stage, the cancer cells have begun to spread to the tissue below the lining of the colon.
T2 – During stage T2, the cancer cells have developed into the deeper tissue that is involved in pushing along waste during the digestive process.
T3 – At T3 the cancer has spread to the connective tissue that connects the colon to other parts of the body, as well as permeating into some of the other surrounding tissues.
T4a – At this point the cancer cells have grown throughout all parts of the colon.
T4b – At this final stage the cancer cells have spread past the colon into other parts of the body.

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Blood in the stool
Weakness
Fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Abnormal changes in your bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than a month
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Fullness in bowel even after going to the bathroom.

Risks for Colon Cancer

While there is no specific cause for every case of colon cancer there are risks that may make you more likely to develop colon cancer.

History of Polyps

While many times polyps are found and easily removed, repeated development of polyps is linked to an increase in colon cancer.

Low Fiber Diet

Low fiber and high fat diets have been linked to an increased chance for developing polyps and colon cancer.

Obesity

Those with a BMI in the obesity level have an increased risk of getting colon cancer as well as an increased risk of suffering more complications from it.

Inflammatory Gastrointestinal Problems

Chronic disease of the gastrointestinal track, including colitis and Crohns disease, can increase the risk of development of colon cancer.

Age

Most colon cancer patients are 50 years of age or older.

Genetics

A family history of colon cancer increases your chance of developing the disease as well. There are also genetically passed conditions that can greatly increase your risk for colon cancer including,

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, otherwise known as lynch syndrome
Familial adenomatous polyposis, which leads to an increase of the development of polyps in the colon.

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

Diagnosis of colon cancer is either done through routine screenings that are part of annual physicals or testing when gastrointestinal problems are present. To diagnose colon cancer patients will,

Receive blood tests to check for cancer markers
Undergo a colonoscopy which involves a camera scope of the patient’s rectum, colon and intestinal track.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for colon cancer are typically determined based on the stage of cancer the patient is in. Treatment options can include,

Polyp removal during colonoscopy
Partial colectomy
Removal of lymph nodes
Colon resection
Targeted drug therapies
Chemotherapy
Radiation treatment

When it comes to treating colon cancer, routine wellness screenings are important as early diagnosis will lead to the best prognosis.

Symptoms of Sarcoma Cancer

March 15 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image is from Sarcoma Foundation of America

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that forms in the connective tissues of the bones, tendons, muscles, nerves, cartilage, blood vessels, fat, and other areas within the body. While there are dozens of types of sarcoma cancer, they are typically broken down into two main types, including soft tissue sarcoma and osteosarcoma.

Hard to Detect Sarcoma Cancer

Not only does this type of cancer only affect a small percentage of the population, it also can be extremely difficult to detect. This is because the cancer is not specific to one area of the body, but rather it can be practically anywhere throughout the body. Another issue that makes detection difficult is the fact that the cancer starts to grow in the connective tissues. This allows the tumor to grow undetected for quite some time. This makes it very important to know what the various symptoms of sarcoma cancer are.

Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Unfortunately, most people experience no symptoms during the early stages of sarcoma. As the tumor in the soft tissues grows, it can push against the nearby nerves. This, in turn, can cause a person pain or soreness in the area of the tumor or a shortness of breath. The most common areas affected by soft tissue sarcoma are the knees, legs, shoulders, abdomen, and hips. Other common areas include the arms, hands, head, and neck.

Symptoms of Osteosarcoma

Although adults are not immune to osteosarcoma, it is most common among young adults and children. Like soft tissue sarcoma, osteosarcoma is hard to detect, especially during the early stages. The first sign is bone pain in the area of the cancer. Since, children frequently experience growing pains, this early symptom is often overlooked.

The primary differences between pain associated with osteosarcoma and other types of pain are that the pain usually worsens in the evening and the pain is centralized in just one arm or leg and not both. Within a few weeks of the first sign of pain, you may notice some swelling in the affected area. The pain and swelling may eventually cause a slight limp.

Due to the difficulty of detecting sarcoma cancer, it is extremely important that you discuss any unusual pain with your doctor. A biopsy, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and/or bone scan are often used to diagnose sarcoma. In many cases, sarcoma is treated with just surgery, if caught early enough.

Colorectal Cancer

March 2 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image is from Colon Cancer Alliance

What are some of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

Extreme Fatigue and Weakness
Shortness of Breath
Change in Stool Shape, Size and Color
Red or Dark Stools
Bleeding During Bowel Movements
Drastic Weight Loss
Suffering from Anemia
Constant Abdominal Pains
Headaches
Pain During Bowel Movements
Nausea
Vomiting

How is the cancer detected?

How many stages of colon cancer are there?

Are there any preventative measures you can take for preventing colon cancer?

Yes, there are preventative measures you can take for preventing colon cancer. Some include:

Eating a good balance diet
Exercising daily
Getting plenty of rest
Not smoking or drinking acholic beverages
Taking daily vitamins
Increasing your fiber intake
Getting colon cancer screening when recommended

radiation therapy

Stages of Colon Cancer

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Risks for Colon Cancer

History of Polyps

Low Fiber Diet

Obesity

Inflammatory Gastrointestinal Problems

Age

Genetics

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

Treatment Options

What are some of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

How is the cancer detected?

How many stages of colon cancer are there?

Are there any preventative measures you can take for preventing colon cancer?

Bottom Line

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

How does cancer come about?

What are the common signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

Risk factors

Treatment of colon 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?

Stages of Colon Cancer

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Risks for Colon Cancer

History of Polyps

Low Fiber Diet

Obesity

Inflammatory Gastrointestinal Problems

Age

Genetics

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

Treatment Options

Hard to Detect Sarcoma Cancer

Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Symptoms of Osteosarcoma

What are some of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

How is the cancer detected?

How many stages of colon cancer are there?

Are there any preventative measures you can take for preventing colon cancer?

Bottom Line

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