Medizines

Bone cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all new tumors. Not all bone tumors are fatal in fact benign (non cancerous) abnormalities are more common than malignant ones. Most are secondary and have been spread from another site. Primary bone cancer which starts in the bone is quite rare constituting less than one per cent of all malignant tumors. They are more common in males, especially in children and adolescents. The most common type of primary cancer is osteosarcoma. This type of carcinoma usually affects young adults. It can affect any bone, but the arms, legs and pelvis are more commonly affected. Other less common forms of primary bone cancer include Ewing sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and chondrosarcoma.

Primary Bone Cancer

The causes of primary bone tumours are not known; however, adults who have Pagets disease (a bone disease) may have an increased risk.

Secondary bone cancer

Secondary bone cancer is the most common bone cancer. It is a carcinoma that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads (metastasises) to the bone. The most common cancers that spread to the bone originate in the breast, prostate, lung, kidney and thyroid.

Reticulum cell sarcoma of the bone

A cancerous tumor of the bone marrow presenting in more males than females.

Leukaemia

Cancer of the blood, which starts in the bone marrow

Symptoms of bore cancer

Symptoms tend to develop slowly and depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor. The signs and symptoms of bone carcinoma include: painful bones and joints, swelling of bones and joints, problems with movement, susceptibility to fractures. Less common symptoms include: unexplained weight loss, tiredness, fever and sweating.

Remember this conditionr is very rare so if you have any of these symptoms it is likely to be caused by another condition. Always see your doctor if you have for a diagnosis.

Causes

Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity.

Diagnosis

Bone cancer can present itself in any of the bones of the body, but it is diagnosed most often in the long bones of the arms and legs.

Diagnosing bone cancer involves a number of tests, including: X-rays and bone scans to show the exact location and size of the cancer (these are always done prior to biopsy), bone biopsy where a small sample of the cancer is removed from the bone and examined in the laboratory for the presence of malignant cells, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan similar to a CT scan but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build three-dimensional pictures of your body.

Treatment

The treatment and prognosis depends upon multiple factors including the type and extent of the cancer, the patient's age and overall health status. Tumors may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

Primary bone cancers:

The tumor, surrounding bone tissue and nearby lymph nodes are surgically removed. In severe cases, the affected limb may need to be amputated, but this is rare. Treatment may also include radiotherapy (x-rays to target and kill the cancer cells) and chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs). These may be given before surgery, to shrink the cancer and/or afterward to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Secondary bone cancer:

Treatment depends on the treatment for the original tumor, but usually includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Surgery may be needed to strengthen the affected bone.

Prognosis

Overall, the chance of recovery (prognosis) for bone cancers has improved significantly since the development of modern chemotherapy. The chance of recovery will depend on a variety of influences; if the cancer has spread, the type of cancer, the size of the tumour, location, the person's general health and other individual factors.

If the tumor is very small and localized, the five-year survival rate is close to 90 percent. If the cancer has begun to spread, however, survival becomes more difficult. The five-year survival rate is only about 60 percent, and the prognosis is poor once the cancer spreads.

Bone cancer in cats and dogs

Bone carcinoma in dogs and cats can be a challenging disorder. Osteosarcoma is by far the most common bone tumour if dogs, usually striking the leg bones of larger breeds. Chemotherapy significantly prolongs the survival of animals with osteosarcoma when used in conjunction with surgery. For dogs Cisplatin alone or in combination with doxorubicin markedly improves survival time to a median of 8-10 months with the percentage of dogs alive after11 months at 50%.

Feline Osteosarcoma unlike its canine counterpart it has a much lower rate of metastasis and longer term survival can be expected with complete excision. Median survival for cats with osteosarcoma is approximately 2 years with many cats outreaching that.
By Dick Aronson 

Stomach cancer is common throughout the world and affects all races, it is more common in men than women, and has its peak age range between 40 and 60 years old. Mortality is higher in Japan and Chile, presumably because of the different diets in those countries where they are less dependent on red meat.
Over the last 25 years the incidence of this type of cancer in the western world has decreased by 50% and the resulting death rate is less than a third of what it used to be but in less developed countries it is still a major cause of death, probably because in these countries by the time the disease is diagnosed (usually by means of a Barium meal) the stomach cancer is at a very advanced stage.
TYPES OF STOMACH CANCER
There are several different types of stomach cancer, some of which are very rare. The most common types start in the glandular cells of the stomach lining (adenocarcinomas), this is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made, and where most cancers start. When the tumor becomes more advanced, it can travel through the bloodstream and spread to organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones. Cancers that start in the lymphatic tissue (lymphoma), in the stomach's muscular tissue (sarcoma) or in the tissues that support the organs of the digestive system (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are less common and are treated in different ways.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early clues to stomach cancer are chronic dyspepsia and epigastric discomfort, followed in later stages by weight loss, anorexia, a feeling of fullness after eating, anemia and fatigue. Blood in the stools may also be present and if the Cancer is in the Cardia (top) vomiting may occur.
CAUSATION
The exact cause is unknown although the presence of the Helicopter pylori bacterium seems to be a major factor. Predisposing factors include environmental influences such as smoking and high alcohol intake. Because stomach cancer is more common amongst those with a family history and with people with type A blood, genetic factors are also implicated. Dietary factors, particularly methods of food preservation such as pickling, smoking or salting also have an influence on the prevalence.
DIAGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is diagnosed through an examination that may include an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series; endoscopy or gastroscopy where a thin flexible tube is passed down the throat so the doctor can see into the stomach, esophagus and upper part of the bowel Barium meals and Barium swallows. Because the cancer can spread to the liver, the pancreas, and other organs near the stomach as well as to the lungs, the doctor may order a CT scan, a PET scan, an endoscopic ultrasound exam, or other tests to check these areas.
The cancer can spread (metastasize) to the esophagus or the small intestine, and can extend through the stomach wall to nearby lymph nodes and organs. Metastasis occurs in 80-90% of individuals with stomach tumors, with a five year survival rate of 75% in those diagnosed in early stages and less than 30% of those diagnosed in late stages.
TREATMENT
Although the cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, in many cases surgery is the treatment of choice. Even in patients whose disease is not considered surgically curable, resection offers a palliative effect and improves potential benefits from chemotherapy.
The nature and extent of the cancer determines what kind of surgery is most appropriate. Common surgical procedures include, partial and total removal of the stomach.
Antiemetics can control nausea, which increases as the cancer advances. In the more advanced stages, sedatives and tranquilizers may be necessary to control anxiety. Narcotics are commonly necessary to control sever and unremitting pain.
In some cases of advanced stomach cancer, a laser beam directed through an endoscope can vaporize most of the tumor and relieve obstruction without an operation.
PROGNOSIS
Stomach cancer is curable if detected early, but most people don't seek medical help until the disease is quite advanced, possibly because symptoms occur late and are often vague and non-specific. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidant vitamins (such as A and C) appears to lower the risk of stomach cancer. The rate of cancer is about doubled in smokers so the cessation of smoking is essential.
In the United States and most of the Western world, the 5-year survival rate ranges from 5-15%. In Japan, where stomach cancer often is diagnosed early, the 5 year survival rate is about 50%. Five year survival rates for more advanced stomach cancers range from, around 20% for those with regional disease to almost nil for those with distant metastases.
Treatment for metastatic stomach cancer can relieve symptoms and sometimes prolong survival, but long remissions are not common. The survival of inoperable stomach cancer is usually only a few months if untreated. With chemotherapy the average survival is about 12 months. If cancer is found before it has spread, the five-year relative survival rate is about 61%.

Testicular cancer starts with cancer cells attacking the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. This type of cancer is relatively uncommon as it only accounts for roughly 1% out of all cancers in men.
It's hard to pinpoint the exact cause, however aside from the symptoms, there are also certain risk factors that have to be looked out for. Young men between the age of 15 to 39, for example, are more likely to be targeted than those falling in higher or lower age brackets. Although the disease can and may affect men of any race or age, studies have also shown that Caucasian men are more likely to be affected than men of any other race.
Some testicular cancer symptoms that you will have to look out for are swelling or lumps that you can feel in one or both of the testes. Along with this can come pain in either the testes or the scrotum although there is a chance that it might not be present, despite the swelling. Even if the pain may not be present in the scrotum itself, it may manifest as a dull feeling in the lower abdominal area, groin or lower back.
However, symptoms aren't limited to just the testicles. Sometimes you can also feel an ache in your lower back, pelvis or groin area. Of course these can also be symptoms of injury or another, less severe condition.
The next few symptoms are the most important to watch out for:
* Hydrocele. A hydrocele is a painless buildup of fluid around one or both testicles that causes the scrotum or groin area to swell. Even though the swelling may be unsightly or uncomfortable, it is not painful. An acquired hydrocele can occur at any age but is most common in men older than 40.
* Varicocele. A varicocele is an enlarged, twisted vein (varicose vein) in the scrotum, most often on the left side. It feels like a "bag of worms" and may occasionally cause discomfort.
* Spermatocele. A spermatocele (epididymal cyst) is a sperm-filled cyst in the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm (epididymis). It feels like a smooth, firm lump in the scrotum.
* Orchitis. This is an inflammation or infection of the testicle that may be caused by a virus or bacteria. Orchitis occurs most often in men who have mumps.
* Epididymitis. This is an inflammation and infection of the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle and collects sperm (epididymis). Epididymitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection but may also occur following a urologic procedure. Sexually transmitted diseases cause most cases of epididymitis in men younger than 35.
Doctors do not know the exact cause, but a number of risk factors for development of this disease have been identified. Young men between the ages of 15 and 39 are most often affected. White men are affected more than men of other races, although the disease can occur in men of any age and race, including children. Men who have an undescended testicle (termed cryptorchidism), even if surgery has been performed to remedy the condition, have an increased risk. Other risk factors include the genetic condition known as Klinefelter's syndrome, abnormal development of the testicles, and having relatives who have had any of these problems.
Testicular cancer is highly curable when detected early, and 95% of patients diagnosed are alive after a five-year period. However, about half of men do not seek treatment until it has spread beyond the testicles to other locations in the body (as in the case of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong).
Most cases are found by men themselves. Doctors recommend that men perform an examination of their testicles once a month (referred to as TSE or testicular self-examination) to facilitate detection of it in its early, treatable stage. The TSE involves gentle examination, one at a time, holding each testicle between the thumb (on top) and middle and index fingers below. Look for any small, hard lumps within the testicles or changes in the feel of the testicles.
Other symptoms and signs include:
* pain or swelling in the testicles,
* lumps or nodules in the testicles, whether painful or not,
* enlargement of the testicles or change in the way a testicle feels,
* pain in the lower abdomen, back, or groin areas, and
* swelling of the scrotum or collection of fluid within the scrotum.
Many men will not feel ill and may report no symptoms. It's also important to remember that other, benign conditions can cause the symptoms listed above. However, since it is highly curable in it's early stages, men should see a doctor if they have any of the warning signs or symptoms. He or she can perform tests that determine whether the symptoms are due to cancer or another condition.
In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 cases are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of testicular cancer is roughly 1 in 250 (four tenths of one percent, or 0.4 percent). It is most common among males aged 15-40 years, particularly those in their mid-twenties. This type of cancer has one of the highest cure rates: in excess of 90 percent; essentially 100 percent if it has not metastasized. Even for the relatively few cases in which it is malignant and has spread widely, chemotherapy offers a cure rate of at least 85 percent today. Not all lumps on the testicles are tumors, and not all tumors are malignant; there are many other conditions such as testicular microlithiasis, epididymal cysts, appendix testis (hydatid of Morgagni), and so on which may be painful but are non-cancerous.
Malignant neoplasm is the medical terms for the uncontrolled or unstoppable duplication and multiplication of cancerous cells which bring about the production of abnormal cells. These carcinogenic or abnormal cells then rapidly increase in number and cause injure and obliteration of cells, tissues, and organs whether near or far because cancer is capable of spreading in the entire human body.
There are many ways to avoid or prevent the occurrence of this disease and one of them is very simple and easy to do. All males should regularly examine and check themselves for signs or testicular cancer symptoms. This routine self-examination and checking greatly saves one from discovery an underlying case which may lead to a more difficult treatment process or delayed discovery and attention may be the cause of one's demise and "misfortune".
Checking one's self for possible symptoms or signs is easy. Here are some of the most common signals to watch out for.....The first thing to do is ask check if you have any feeling or sensation of pain and discomfort in the groin and abdomen area especially the testicles. Other testicular cancer symptoms include either the enlargement or deflating testicles this may be due to the uneven blood supply to and from the testicles. Emotional instability and decreased sexual arousal are one of the symptoms to look after when examining ones self. Basically, any odd or strange feeling and sensation should be a cause of alarm for any male.
If continual and persistent testicular cancer symptoms occur and meddle in daily life then it is best to have a medical check-up with a trustworthy and able doctor. There are doctors known as that specialize in the male over all and reproductive anatomy. These specialized doctors are capable of helping you in any way they can like providing you with the proper cure or medications. Always do keep in mind that the regular self check up goes a long way because prevention is definitely better than cure itself.

By Groshan Fabiola