What is Cancer - Incidence, diagnosis, causes, symptoms, treatment and prognosis

Cancer is the second cause of cardiovascular disease and death in the Western world. Although cancer is primarily a disease of the elderly with more than 60% of cancer deaths that occur in those over 65 years, cancer can strike even the youngest.

Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. Cancer can develop in any organ ortissues such as lung, colon, breast tissue, skin, bone or nerve.

Most common sites are:

The 24% fall down
Breast 13%
Pulmonary 13%
Colon and rectum 9%
The bladder 3%
Uterus 2.5%

The cause of cancer is believed to be a combination of genetic and outside carcinogens such as snuff, viruses, infection, asbestos, vinyl chloride, an inadequate diet.

Cancer often has no specific symptoms, so it is important to limit the riskfactors and cancer exams properly. The signs and symptoms depend on tumor location, tumor size, and what affects the organs or structures.

If the cancer spreads (metastasizes), then symptoms can appear in different parts of the body. As it grows, it begins to push on nearby organs, blood vessels and nerves. If the tumor is in a critical area, as someparts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause early symptoms.

But sometimes cancers start in places that do not cause any symptoms until the tumor has grown quite a bit. Tumors of the pancreas, for example, usually do not grow large enough to be heard from outside the body. By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs and symptoms, usually in an advanced stage.

A cancer may alsocause symptoms common to many other problems, such as fever, fatigue and weight loss. This may be due to the fact that cancer consumes most of the energies of the body and can cause the release of substances that affect metabolism.

Some lung cancers of hormone-like substances that affect levels of calcium in the blood, that affects the nerves and muscles and cause weakness and dizziness.

It is important to know that some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptomscancer, but remember to have one of these does not mean you have cancer.

Most cancers can be treated and cared for some, depending on the specific location, and stage. The earlier the cancer is, the better the prognosis.

A good example of the importance of the discovery of early cancer of the skin cancer melanoma. Skin cancer can be easy to remove if not developed in depth in the skin, and 5-year survival rate (Percentage of people who live at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this stage is nearly 100%.

The breast cancer screening with mammography has been shown to reduce the average stage of diagnosis of breast cancer in the population. Colorectal cancer can be detected by testing for fecal occult blood and colonoscopy, which reduces both the "incidence colon cancer and mortality, presumably through the detection and removal of premalignant polyps. Similarly,> Cervical cytology testing (using the Pap smear) leads to the identification and removal of precancerous lesions.

Testicular self-examination is recommended for men age 15 years to detect testicular cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The pain may be an early symptom of some cancers such as bone cancer or testicular cancer.

In the long term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may bea sign of colon cancer.

Painful urination, blood in urine or changes in bladder function (such as urinating more frequently or less frequently) could be related to bladder or prostate.

Skin cancers may bleed and look like sores that do not heal.

A long wound in the mouth can be a tumor of the oral cavity and must be addressed immediately, especially in patients who smoke, chew or snuff frequently consume alcohol.

Wounds inpenis or vagina may be signs of an infection or cancer early, and should not be overlooked.

Bleeding can occur either early or advanced cancer.

Blood in the sputum (phlegm) may be a sign of lung cancer.

Blood in the stool (or black or dark stool) could be a sign of cancer of the colon or rectum.

Blood in the urine may be a sign of cancer of the bladder or kidneys.

A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a signbreast cancer.

Many cancers can be felt through the skin, especially at the breast, testes, lymph nodes (glands), and soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early sign of cancer or later.

Although they tend to have other causes, indigestion or difficulty swallowing may be a sign of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx (throat).

A cough that will not go away may be a sign of lung cancer.

A cancerMay be suspected of a number of reasons, but the definitive diagnosis of most malignancies must be confirmed by histological examination of cancer cells by a pathologist.

TREATMENT

Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Radiation therapy can be used to treat almost all types of solid tumors, including brain tumors, breast, cervix, larynx, lung, pancreas, prostate, skin, stomach,uterus, or soft tissue sarcomas.

Most forms of chemotherapy target all rapidly dividing cells and are not specific to cancer cells, despite a certain degree of specificity may come from the inability of many tumor cells to repair DNA damage, while normal cells is usually possible.

Modern methods to generate an immune response against cancer include intravesical BCG immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer and the use of interferons and other cytokines to induce an immune response in renal cell carcinoma and melanoma patients.

Analgesics such as morphine and oxycodone, and anti-emetics, drugs to control nausea and vomiting are common in patients with cancer-related symptoms. Transmission of the organism.

Advances in cancer research have made ​​a vaccine designed to prevent cancer available. The vaccine protects against four HPV types which together cause 70% of cervical> Cancer and 90% of genital warts.

The consensus on diet and cancer is that obesity increases the risk of developing cancer. The fight against cancer of the food components are also proving to be more numerous and varied than previously thought, so patients are advised to consume more and more fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for maximum health benefits.

Colon cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Care

Colon cancer is also known by many as the colon and rectum. This is a common type of cancer develops slowly, with more than 34,000 people are diagnosed each year in the United Kingdom. Over 80% of people diagnosed with colon cancer are over 60 years. Symptoms of the disease may include changes in bowel habits, constant diarrhea or constipation, blood or mucus in the feces of the loss, fatigue and weight or a pain or lump in the abdomen.

The exact cause of the> Cancer remains unknown, but there are several factors that make people most at risk. Research suggests that diet may be a factor, while those with a diet rich in animal fat and protein and low in fiber have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer. Even those who have a high consumption of alcohol may be at risk higher. People with a history of colon cancer in the family may have a slightly higher risk of developing the disease, but only 5-10% of patients have familywith the same disease.

If you think you have symptoms of this type of cancer you should see your doctor immediately early diagnosis and treatment are important for disease control. The doctor will perform a physical exam and referral to a specialist hospital if they think that a tumor may be present.

There are three tests that can be carried out by hospital specialists to diagnose cancer;

Barium enema is a special x-raythe large intestine, where the past is a mixture of barium and air through the passage again in the intestine, the doctor can observe the transit of barium through the bowel X-ray screen and abnormal areas can be seen .

Proctoscopy / sigmoidoscopy is where air is pumped into the colon and then a tube with a tiny light and camera is passed into the intestine by the abnormal cells can be seen. This test can be uncomfortable but not painful.

Colonoscopies are done when your doctordoes the entire length of the intestine, the intestine must be empty and a colonoscope is inserted into the intestine. It is a long flexible tube with a light and camera on the end to help show abnormal areas or swelling. In the test images and samples of cells in the colon can be taken. A sedative is usually given to make the procedure more comfortable.

Treatment depends on the stage and location of the tumor. Colon cancer that affects theand those involving the rectum are treated in different ways. Patients with early stage cancer contained within the intestinal wall can be completely cured with surgery. If the tumor has spread through the bowel wall muscle and lymph nodes is the possibility that the cancer can come back so that chemotherapy is often done with surgery. People with rectal cancer radiation therapy can also be given before or after surgery.

With advancedstage bowel cancer, where cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the abdomen, liver and lungs, is generally not possible to cure completely, but the treatment you will be able to control for a long time, reducing the symptoms and give a good quality of life.

Symptoms, causes and diagnosis of ovarian cysts

Usually, most of the cysts show no sympt ny WHO, are small and benign. Problems can occur if you have large cysts. Times may change, be irregular, lighter or heavier than usual, you may feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, and even pain. Sometimes the pain gets stronger after sex.

Cysts may put pressure on the bladder or intestines, the determination to go to the bathroom more often, or sometimes can cause the production of abnormalamount of hormones to begin with. Of course, other sympt er WHO may seem too much, especially if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis.

Cysts may also cause other problems. A cyst can rupture, leading to the emergence of a huge pain in the lower abdomen. The intensity of pain depends on several factors, such as whether the cyst is infected, or if there is any bleeding, and also depends on what the contents of the cyst. If this problem occurs, you must goimmediately to hospital for treatment. Another problem can occur if the cyst is growing on a stalk from an ovary. In this case, the mother can become twisted and cause a deep pain in the lower abdomen as the blood supply to the cyst will stop.

A functional ovarian cysts appear most often. Follicular cysts appears when, after releasing the egg, the follicle does not shed its fluid, or if the follicle does not release an egg. Continuing to fillfluid, the follicle becomes a cyst. This is the most common cyst can reach five or six inches wide, and usually disappears in a few weeks without treatment.

Another type, which is not as common as follicular cysts corpus luteum cyst. Appears when the corpus luteum fills with blood or fluid. This type of cyst can grow to six feet wide and usually disappear within a few months. Although cysts can be divided, and that causes pain and internalbleeding.

Other types that may appear is that dermoid cysts. It develops from cells that produce eggs in the ovaries, and may contain tissue such as skin, hair or teeth. This cyst usually occurs in young women, and may require surgical removal.

Cystadenomas are cysts that should be eliminated, although they are usually not cancerous. They can grow very large, and are often connected to an ovary. Some of them are filled with mucus, and others with aaqueous fluid.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the cause of the appearance of small benign cysts, which will grow if the hormones produced by the ovaries are not exactly balanced. Endometriosis can cause the development of ovarian cysts.

In general, an ovarian cyst was found by chance during a physical exam. This is because a lot of ovarian cysts do not show sympt WHO. If the doctor suspects you have an ovarian cyst, is being sent to the gynecologist. TheVagina visit a gynecologist to see if there is any swelling, and usually have an ultrasound as well. Another method is to follow your doctor may place a small round tube into the vagina to examine the ovaries. After the ultrasound, the doctor will know if the cyst is functional or not, will have information on their density, but you may need to have another scan or MRI as well. A blood test is another way to see ifa tumor. The doctor is caring for the level of the protein CA-125 due to high levels can be a sign of ovarian can cer.

Ovarian cysts are very common, and this means that rarely can differentiate into an ovary cancer. Approximately 95% of ovarian cysts are not cancerous.

Symptoms, causes and diagnosis of ovarian cyst

In general, most of the cysts have no symptoms, are small and benign. Problems can occur if you have large cysts. Times may change, become irregular, lighter or heavier than normal, you may feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, or even pain. Sometimes, this pain is stronger after having sex.

Cysts may put pressure on the bladder or intestines, the decision to go to the bathroom more often, or sometimes can cause abnormal productionamount of hormones to start. Of course, other symptoms may appear too, especially if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis.

Cysts can cause other problems. A cyst may burst, resulting in the appearance of a huge pain in the lower abdomen. The intensity of pain depends on factors such as whether the cyst is infected, or if there is bleeding, and it depends on what the contents of the cyst. If this problem occurs, you willimmediately to hospital for treatment. Another problem that can occur when the cyst is growing on a stalk of an ovary. In this case, the mother can become twisted and cause intense pain in lower abdomen, since the blood supply to the cyst will stop.

A functional ovarian cysts occur more often. The follicular cyst occurs when, after releasing the egg, the follicle does not shed its fluid, or if the follicle releases an egg. Continuing to fillfluid, the follicle becomes a cyst. This is the most common cyst can reach five or six inches wide, and usually disappears within a few weeks without treatment.

Otherwise, it is not as common as the follicular cyst is the corpus luteum cyst. Appears when the corpus luteum fills with blood or fluid. This type of cyst can grow up to six centimeters wide and usually disappear within a few months. Although cysts can divide and cause pain and internalbleeding.

Another type that can appear both in the dermoid cyst. It develops from cells that produce eggs in the ovaries, and may contain tissue such as skin, hair and teeth. This cyst usually occurs in young women, and may require surgical removal.

Cystadenomas are cysts that must be removed, although usually not cancerous. They can become very large, and are often related to an ovary. Some of them are full of mucus, and others with aaqueous fluid.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the cause of the appearance of small benign cysts, which will grow if the hormones produced by the ovaries are not exactly balanced. Endometriosis can also lead to the development of ovarian cysts.

In general, an ovarian cyst was found by chance during a physical exam. This is because a lot of ovarian cysts have no symptoms. If the doctor suspects you have an ovarian cyst, is being sent to the gynecologist. L 'gynecologist will perform a vaginal examination to see if there is inflammation, and usually also have an ultrasound. Another method is to follow your doctor may place a small round tube into the vagina to examine the ovaries. After the ultrasound, the doctor will know if the cyst is functional or not, information on how dense it is, but you need to have more than CT or MRI as well. A blood test is another way to see ifThere is a type of cancer. The doctor is the treatment of CA-125 protein level is due to a high level can be a sign of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cysts are common, and rarely become the media of ovarian cancer. About 95% of ovarian cysts are not cancerous.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer represents about 25% of all female genital tract malignancies. However, there are more deaths from this form of cancer each year in the United States than from endometrial cancer and cervical cancer combined. The lifetime risk of developing spontaneous ovarian cancer is about 1.7%. Epithelial ovarian cancer was expected cause 15,520 deaths in 2008. Mean age at diagnosis is 60. There has been a significant improvement in the five year survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer. This is likely a combination of better tumor debulking surgeries and better chemotherapeutic options.

Most patients with this type of ovarian cancer do not have signs or symptoms until disease spreads to the upper abdomen. 70% of patients present with advanced disease. Symptoms for early stage ovarian cancer can include nonspecific pelvic discomfort, urinary frequency and constipation which are caused by an enlarging pelvic mass. With advanced disease, patients experience abdominal pain, bloating, anorexia, nausea and constipation.

The best tumor marker for ovarian cancer is CA 125. Minor elevations in CA 125 can also be seen in endometriosis, benign tumors, fibroids and in pregnant and postpartum women. In addition, moderate elevation of CA 125 can be seen in other adnocarcinoma such as breast and endometrial cancer. The sensitivity of CA 125 is 70% to 80% and the specificity is 98.6% to 99.4%. However, in the average risk population with low prevalence of ovarian cancer, the false positive can be unacceptably high.

The National Cancer Institute recommends screening for ovarian female cancer with known genetic syndromes associated with this disease and for women with strong family history. Routine screening of women without family history of ovarian cancer is not recommended. The known genetic syndromes include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome associated with BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer Syndrome (HNPCC). The absolute risk of ovarian cancer in the presence of either BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation ranges from 16% to 60%. For patients with HNPCC syndrome, the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 9% to 12%.

Epithelial cancer accounts for about 90% of ovarian cancers. Common histologies include serous, mucinous, endometroid, transitiona and clear cell types. Germ cell tumors include dysgerminoma, endodermal sinus tumor, malignant teratoma embryonal carcinoma or primary choriocarcinoma. Stromal tumors include granulose tumor or Sertoli-Leydig tumor.

Upon initial presentation, surgery is used for confirmation and staging the cancer. Stage I disease is confined to one or both ovaries. Stage II involves one or both ovaries with extension to the pelvic viscera. Stage III is associated with implants on the abdominopelvic wall or the serosal surface of the liver or involves small bowel or omentum. Stage IV disease involves distant metastasis. The 5 year survival for stage IA disease and grade 1 or 2 histology is greater than 90%. For high risk stage I disease and stage II disease, 5 year survival is 80%. For patients with stage III disease after optimal debulking, 5 year survival is 20% to 30%. This reduces to be less than 10% for stage III patients with suboptimal debulking and stage IV disease.

Stage I ovarian cancer with favorable prognostic features can be treated with surgery alone. For women with high risk, early stage cancer (Stage I grade 3 or stage II disease), adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum based agents show an 11% improvement in progression free survival and 8% improvement in overall survival. For stage III and IV disease, the current standard of care include maximal attempt at surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy with platinum based agents.

Optimal debulking is an important part in the treatment of cancer in the ovaries. Retrospective data have shown that survival is better for women who receive chemotherapy in the presence of low volume disease. In the setting where optimal surgical cytoreduction cannot be achieved, an alternative approach is for the patient to receive chemotherapy up front. For patients who have a partial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, it may be appropriate to attempt surgical removal of macroscopic disease at that time.

As for the standard of care in chemotherapy for advanced ovarian-type cancer, studies have shown that paclitaxel/cisplatin combination is superior to cyclophosphamide/cisplatin combination. Later studies showed that carboplatin/paclitaxel is at least as effective as cisplatin/paclitaxel.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is an appealing approach for treating a disease that is largely confined in the peritoneal space. GOG 172 which was a phase III clinical trials demonstrated that this regional approach resulted in superior progression free survival and overall survival when compared with the intravenous approach alone. The disadvantage of this approach includes local toxicity, and requirement for intraperitoneal catheter placement.

Because of the high recurrence rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, the issue of whether consolidation chemotherapy may improve time to progression and overall survival was examined in a phase III trial comparing 3 and 12 cycles of taxol. Progression free survival favored the 12 cycle arm. However, overall survival was not different between the two arms. Therefore, the oncologist needs to discuss with the patient and allow them to decide whether the improved progression free survival justifies toxicities including peripheral neuropathy and alopecia.

For many patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have an initial treatment response, disease relapses at a later time. The treatment of patients with recurrent disease or resistant disease needs to be individualized. For people with long treatment free interval, similar drugs many be reused. There are also a number of single agent drugs with activity in ovarian cancer. These include altretamine, bevacizumab, docetaxel, etoposide, gemcitabine, liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel, tamoxifen, topotecan and vinorelbine.

Radiation can also play a role in the palliation of some patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Symptoms such as pain from growing pelvic mass or bone metastasis can be palliated. Very rarely cerebral metastasis can develop which can also be treated with radiation.

The best treatment of ovarian cancer needs a team approach between the primary care physician, gynecological oncology surgeon, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. As more chemotherapeutic agents become available and as we further understand the biology of epithelial ovarian cancer, we hope to further improve the overall survival and quality of life of our patients.

Symptoms, Causes, and the Diagnosis of the Ovarian Cyst

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Usually, most of the cysts don't show any symptoms, they are small and benign. Problems can appear if you have larger cysts. Your periods may change, becoming irregular, lighter or heavier than usually, you may feel discomfort low down in your abdomen, or even pain. Sometimes, this pain becomes stronger after you have sex.

The cyst may put pressure on the bladder or bowels, determining you to go to the toilet more often, or sometimes it can cause the production of abnormal quantities of hormones to start. Of course, other symptoms can appear too, especially if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome or endometriosis.

Cysts can cause other problems too. A cyst may burst, having as a result the apparition of a great pain in the lower abdomen. The intensity of the pain depends on a few factors like whether the cyst is infected, or whether there is any bleeding, and it also depends on what the cyst contained. If this problem occurs, you will have to go immediately to the hospital for treatment. Another problem that may appear is when the cyst is growing on a stem from an ovary. In that case, the stem can become twisted, and that will cause a deep pain in the lower abdomen, because the blood supply to the cyst will be stopped.

A functional ovarian cyst appears more often. The follicular cyst appears when, after releasing the egg, the follicle doesn't shed its fluid, or, if the follicle does not release an egg. Continuing to fill with fluid, the follicle becomes a cyst. This is the most common cyst, it can reach five or six centimeters wide, and usually it disappears in a few weeks without any treatment.

Another type, that is not as common as the follicular cyst is the corpus luteum cyst. It appears when the corpus luteum fills with blood or fluid. This kind of cysts can grow up to six centimeters wide and usually disappear in a few months. Although, the cyst can split, and that will cause pain and internal bleeding.

Another type that can appear is the dermoid cyst. It develops from cells that produce eggs in the ovaries, and can contain tissues like skin, hair or teeth. This cyst usually appears in younger woman, and it might be necessary its surgical removal.

Cystadenomas are cysts that also need to be removed, although they are not usually cancerous. They can grow very large, and are often attached to an ovary. Some of them are filled with a mucous substance, and others with a watery liquid.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is provoking the apparition of small benign cysts, which will develop if the hormones produced by the ovaries are not proper balanced. Endometriosis can also determine the apparition of ovarian cysts.

Usually, an ovary cyst is found by chance, during a medical examination. That happens because a lot of ovarian cysts show no symptoms. If the doctor suspects that you have an ovarian cyst, he will send you to the gynaecologist. The gynaecologist will perform a vaginal examination, to see if there is any swelling, and usually you will have an ultrasound scan too. Another method the doctor might follow is to put a small rounded tube in your vagina, to scan the ovaries. After having the ultrasound scan, the doctor will know whether the cyst is functional or not, will have information about how dense it is, but it is possible that you will need to have additional CT or MRI scans also. A blood test is another method to see if there is a tumour. The doctor is looking after the CA-125 protein's level, because a high level can be the sign of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cysts are very common, and it rarely means they will turn into ovarian cancer. About 95% of the ovarian cysts are non cancerous.

Learn About Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

There is no standardized screening process for the detection of ovarian cancer. However, if your doctor suspects, after reviewing any symptoms you have, that you may have ovarian cancer, he will suggest that you take one or more of the following diagnostic procedures:

A pelvic examination. in this procedure, your doctor examines your vagina, uterus, rectum and pelvis, including your ovaries, for masses or growths. If you've had your uterus removed (hysterectomy) but still have your ovaries, continue getting regular pelvic exams.

An ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. Pelvic ultrasound provides a safe, noninvasive way to evaluate the size, shape and configuration of the ovaries.

Ultrasound can't reliably differentiate a cancerous growth from one that's not cancerous. Ultrasound can also detect fluid in your abdominal cavity, a possible sign of ovarian cancer. Because this develops in many conditions other than ovarian cancer, however, its presence necessitates more testing.

A CA 125 blood test. CA 125 is a protein made by your body in response to many different conditions. Many women with ovarian cancer have abnormally high levels of CA 125 in their blood. However, a number of noncancerous conditions also cause elevated CA 125 levels, and many women with early-stage ovarian cancer have normal CA 125 levels. Due to this lack of specifics, this test is not a regular procedure for average risk women.

There are other tests you may take including, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which both provide detailed, cross-sectional images of the inside of your body. Your doctor also may order a chest X-ray to determine if cancer has spread to the lungs or to the pleural space surrounding the lungs, where fluid can accumulate.