Showing posts with label cancer symptoms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer symptoms. Show all posts

Friday, August 29, 2014

Stomach Cancer, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis

10:20:00 AM
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. Stomach cancer 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 stomach 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 of stomach cancer start in the glandular cells of the stomach lining (adenocarcinomas), this is where stomach acid and digestive enzymes are made, and where most stomach cancers start. When the stomach cancer becomes more advanced, it can travel through the bloodstream and spread to organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones. Stomach cancers that start in the lymphatic tissue (lymphoma), in the stomach 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 of stomach cancer 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 of stomach cancer.

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 stomach 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.

Stomach 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 cancer, 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 stomach 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 do not 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 stomach 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% to 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%.
Author: Dick Aronson

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Can Tattoo Inks Cause Skin Cancer?

6:18:00 AM
It seems today most people obtaining tattoos are more concerned about the quality of the tattoo and the effect of aging altering the tattoo, than any potential long term health risks. The health dangers associated with being injected by hundreds of needles into the dermis or the inner layer of the skin are widely publicised and most tattoo artists take these issues very seriously. We have all heard about Aids and Hep C, but are you aware of the current debate on the possible skin cancer risks associated with tattoo inks?
Recent years have seen an increase in stories associated with the potential of getting skin cancer from tattoo inks. Limited studies taken to date have not confirmed a direct link between cancer and tattoo inks..
Phthalates and other chemical ingredients used in tattoo inks have raised questions about the long term risks on our health such as skin cancer.It has been reported that some forms of phthalates are believed to have the potential to disrupt testosterone or mimic estrogen. Phthalate exposure has been identified to possible sperm defects and altered thyroid hormones. The phthalates in tattoo inks are believed to be cleared from the body within hours unlike many other forms of phthalate exposure. A study reported that Phthalates applied to the skin in a lotion were absorbed and metabolised and the same thing is likely to happen with the phthalates in tattoo inks. It would be well advised for pregnant and nursing women to avoid any exposure to phthalates.
Injecting tattoo inks, containing exogenous pigments, into the dermis creates a unique situation, due to the large amount of metallic salts and organic dyes remain in the skin for a lifetime. The potential carcinogenic risks of tattoo inks remain debatable. Several studies have identified the presence of potential carcinogenic or procarcinogenic products in tattoo inks.One chemical commonly used in black tattoo ink called benzo(a)pyrene is known to be a potent carcinogen that causes skin cancer in animal tests. As tattooing injects inks such asbenzo(a)pyrene directly into the dermis damaging the skin. You could conclude it may contribute to skin cancer.
Scientists and health professionals continue to debate the possible link between tattoo inks and cancer. In the last forty years there have only been 50 documented cases of squamous cell carcinoma, malignant skin melanoma or basal cell carcinoma with possible connections to tattoos, compared to the millions of tattoos obtained. Epidemiological studies on the effects of tattoo ink could be taken, although they would not be easy. A large number of tattooed people would have to be monitored over a long period of time to see whether they developed problems such as skin cancer near their tattoos. The low number of reported skin cancers arising in tattoos could be considered coincidental.
Further in depth studies will need to be carried out to give more conclusive evidence on the effects of tattoo ink and the cancer risks associated. The FDA is growing more concerned about the ingredients in tattoo ink. In the early 2000's, the FDA received a large number of complaints associated with giving and receiving tattoos. Since then the FDA has commenced more research into the chemical components of tattoo inks. The FDA is investigating how the body breaks down the tattoo ink as it fades over time. Is the body absorbing the ink or is it fading from sun exposure? A common pigment in yellow tattoo inks, Pigment Yellow 74, is believed to be a risk of being broken down by the body.
When skin cells containing tattoo inks are killed by sunlight or laser light, the tattoo inks break down and could possibly spread throughout the body. It is believed that tattoo inks could spread into lymph nodes whether this has unknown health concerns or not is still unknown. Our lymph nodes filtering out disease-causing organisms any interference in that process could have devastating effects on our health.
It is recommended not to have a tattoo placed too close to a mole. Changes occurring in a mole such as asymmetry, border, color, size, shape, texture are all warning signs of a possible melanoma or another skin cancer. Ensure all moles are left completely visible to prevent possible delays in detecting any changes. When a melanoma is discovered early it is usually curable where as more advanced melanomas are far harder to cure. A tattoo covering a mole could delay detection and be extremely dangerous even life threatening. If you get a tattoo, make sure it is placed a good distance from any mole. This is especially important for people who have multiple moles or dysplastic nevus (atypical mole) syndrome, due to the increased risk of developing melanoma, potentially within one of their moles.
It's imperative to be extremely diligent in caring for our skin correctly after a tattoo and monitor any changes that may occur to the skin. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and has many important functions. It protective us against injury and disease, regulates our temperature and maintains our bodies hydration. There are three layers to our skin the first layers is the epidermis the outer layer of the skin. The second layer is the dermis or the inner layer and the third layer is the subcutaneous fat layer.
Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Normally the body's cells grow and divide in an orderly fashion. Some cells may grow and divide abnormally growing into a lump, a tumour. Tumours can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in a malignant tumour have the ability to spread to over areas in the body, if left untreated. These cells can destroy surrounding tissue and break away from the original cancer, affecting other organs in the body. These cells can then form another tumour referred to as a secondary cancer.
Skin cancer begins in the basal layer of the epidermis. There are three main types of skin cancer basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanomas start in the pigment cells while basal and squamous cell carcinomas develop from the epidermal cells. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common but least dangerous type of skin cancer. They grow slowly but if left untreated, a deep ulcer can occur. Fortunately they very rarely spread to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinomas are most commonly found on the face, neck and upper trunk. They appear as a lump or scaly area and are pale, pearly or red in colour. Squamous cell carcinomas are less common but more dangerous. They typically grow over a period of weeks to months. These cancers may spread to other parts of the body if not treated immediately. Squamous cell carcinomas appear on areas of skin most often exposed to the sun. They have scaling, red areas which may bleed easily and ulcerate, looking like an unhealing sore. The major cause of these skin cancers is sun exposure for years. Melanoma is the rarest but most dangerous skin cancer. It is often a fast growing cancer which if left untreated can spread quickly to other parts of the body to form secondary cancers. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body. The first sign of a melanoma is usually a change in a freckle or mole, or the appearance of a new spot. Changes in size, shape or colour are normally seen over a period of several weeks to months. Melanoma typically appears from adolescence onwards, most commonly seen between 30 and 50 years of age.
Any sign of a crusty, non-healing sore, a small lump which is red, pale or pearly in colour, or a new spot, freckle or mole changing in colour, thickness or shape over a period of several weeks to months. Any spots that range from dark brown to black, red or blue-black should be checked by a doctor immediately. A very high per cent of basal and squamous cell carcinomas that are found and treated early are cured.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer

9:16:00 AM
Melanoma Skin Cancer is started in the cells that produce pigments. These cells are called Melanocytes. The Melanin that is the cause of skin, eyes and hair colour is the result of these cells. According to the NCI (National Institute of Cancer), there are over 68,000 new cases and near 9,000 deaths of Melanoma Skin Cancer each year in US.
The first sign of melanoma is normally a change in shape or colour and maybe size of a currently existed mole. You should see your doctor if you see a sudden or continuous change in the shape and size or colour of a mole. Sometimes melanoma appears on your skin as a new mole.
It's very easy to memorize what you look for. There are five parameters involved that we can refer to as "ABCDE" that are:
1. Asymmetry: when the shape of one half of the mole is not the same as the shape of the other half.
2. Border: when the pigment is spread into the nearby skin so the borders and edges are normally blurred and ragged.
3. Colour: it is normally uneven. Normally there are brown or black shades or some areas are white, gray and red or sometimes pink.
4. Diameter: the size can be very different but normally the melanomas are larger than 6 millimetres or ¼ inch.
5. Evolving: when the mole has changed during the past few weeks or months.
But have in mind that not all the melanomas show all of the above mentioned features. Sometimes the changes are only in one or two of the ABCDE.
There are some other warning signs and symptoms:
a. When you see a new bump
b. When colour is spread into the nearby skin areas
c. When you see a redness or swelling that is beyond the mole itself
d. When you feel pain
e. When you feel itching
f. When the mole bleeds
g. Sometimes oozing
h. Tenderness can be a sign as well
i. And scaly appearance
When the melanoma is more advanced, the texture of the mole may change. The skin becomes harder and the surface of the skin sometimes breaks down and scraped. Sometimes even bleeding has been reported and it may get itchy or painful.
Your doctor is definitely a person who can help you. Make sure if there is anything that bothers you, go and see your doctor.
What causes Melanoma Skin Cancer
The most dangerous cause of Melanoma Skin Cancer is the exposure to sunlight ultra violet rays. Melanocytes make more melanin under the sun light. That's why our skin is tanned under the sun. Scientist believe that enough exposure to UV radiation can hurt the DNA in melanocytes and causes them to grow more than normal and out of control.
It's good to know that Melanoma Skin Cancer happens more often in fair skin people than brown and black skin people. Fair or white skin people have less melanocyte cells in their skin hence more dangerous the UV ray is for them.
Doctors believe that Melanoma Skin Cancer is related not only to exposure to sun, but genetics plays a big role in this cancer. Because Melanoma Tumors can occur in the areas of the body that are not normally exposed to the sun. So people with family history of melanoma are more likely to develop the cancer. According to researches done by NCI (National Cancer Institute) One out of ten people diagnosed with melanoma have a family member who was previously diagnosed with the disease.
How to treat Melanoma Skin Cancer
Like most of the diseases and cancers, there is a good chance of good prognosis when the cancer is caught early. If the brown or black lesion has not spread beyond the skin surface, a simple surgery may be enough to cure the cancer.
But in more advanced cancer, the one that melanoma has spread to other parts of body, it is difficult to treat. According to NCI the chances of 5-year survival rate are:
1. 98% localised melanoma. 84% of melanoma cases are diagnosed at this stage
2. 62% if melanoma is spread under the skin to nearby lymph nodes
3. 16% if it spreads to distant parts of the body
In the last two cases doctors use Chemotherapy, radiation or biological therapy to treat the cancer.
How to prevent Melanoma Skin Cancer
It is not very easy to treat this cancer and it can take a lifelong, but it only takes some very simple precautions to decrease the risk.
The first and maybe the most important factor is avoiding tanning beds. Wearing sunscreens with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of above 15 is another simple step. Wearing hats, visors and tightly woven clothing is very good to block the sunlight UV ray. And the last one is staying out of the sun during 10 am and 4 pm when the sunlight is very strong and UV level is at the highest.
By

Thursday, April 17, 2014

What Are The Symptoms And Stages Of a Brain Tumor?

12:28:00 PM
From the latest research in the field of medicine it is evident that there are lots of patients who are suffering from the painful condition of brain tumor. It is a disease which has taken many lives and still many are struggling hard to survive from this detrimental syndrome. For the cure, many neurologists have been successful in fighting back this disease but still there is a lot more to do to face this challenge. And for this reason, the experts from cancer treatment and radiation therapy are coming forward to participate in the fight against cancer.
Brain tumor is a very harmful and dangerous disease. It only results in the patient's death if it is not controlled in its earlier stage. By reading this article you will know more about Brain tumor, its symptoms and its treatment process. This information will be helpful if you are suffering from the same condition.
Symptoms:
There are many symptoms of brain tumor which neurologist describe. Among them, the most common symptoms are Headaches, Nausea, Hearing troubles, Sight misperception, Vision problem and sometimes problems in the behavioral functioning.
Headaches:
Regular headaches are common in a brain tumor patient. These are regular and frequent and can take place at any instant. When the headaches are in the primary stage, they are preventable, but when the disease enters a severe stage, they are unstoppable and can even take the patient's life. Well it can be and cannot be a complete sign of a brain tumor. If the patient is receiving constant headaches then it can be a sign but consulting the experienced practitioner to find out if it is really a symptom of this condition or not.
Vomiting and Nausea:
These symptoms are sometimes rare and sometimes frequent in the patient. Vomiting and nausea can be a middle stage symptom of the brain tumor, but for confirmation the patient should consult the neurologist. With the latest research, the experts have declared that there are 22 patients out of hundred who had called Nausea as brain tumor's symptom.
Loss of hearing and vision:
According to the latest report, there are 25% patients who had loss of hearing and vision. But it is also not a true symptom for brain tumor. Sometimes, it depends upon the tendency of the patient as to what sort of symptoms he or she is carrying with the disease.
Stages:
Stage 1:
This is a very primary stage of brain tumor in which the cells are not fully shaped and they do not even start to multiply. The cure is easy in this stage as the cells can easily be separated from the brain through a surgery.
Stage 2:
This is a stage where the cell activates in a slow growth form. This stage requires instant surgery; otherwise there is chance for the disease to go into its third stage which is more dangerous and risky,
Stage 3:
This stage is proficient for the cells to split up. They starts growing more rapidly and it requires a serious attention if the patient is to be recovered.
Stage 4:
This stage is the extreme of all stages where the cure becomes very difficult because the tumor cells have populated the entire brain section. This stage is very difficult to cure but can be cured if an urgent surgery is carried out. Most of the brain tumor's patient die in this last stage as many times the surgery does not remove the disease. That is why many neurologists advice the patients to treat it the very first stage so that the disease stops spreading.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Testicular Cancer - The Symptoms of Cancer of the Testicals

11:30:00 AM
It is common with testicular cancer to show no symptoms at all; however, in some men quite obvious symptoms may appear. These symptoms may include: a lump within the testicle, a swelling in the scrotum, a pain in the testicles, the sensation of discomfort in the area of the abdomen or the pelvis. Sometimes a general sensation of malaise (bodily discomfort, fatigue, or unpleasantness) may also be experienced, but this usually depends on the type and stage of the cancer, and the general health of the sufferer.
When symptoms do appear, a doctor usually refers the patient to a urology specialist (a urologist). It is his job to diagnose, stage, and treat the patient for the symptoms that are being experienced. This is usually first with a physical examination of the testicles, followed by blood tests, ultrasound imaging and computerized tomography (CT) scans, all which tend to give the patient little or no discomfort. However, many symptoms men experience with their testicles are not usually testicular cancer symptoms at all, but those of a problem with the prostate.
These symptoms may include: urinary retention (the lack of ability to urinate), microscopic hematuria (excess traces of microscopic blood in the urine), and gross hematuria (blood in the urine that can be seen by the naked eye). These common symptoms may well lead to some form of surgery for the sufferer in the future. The indicated surgeries are usually for: prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or kidney surgery (usually for renal cell carcinoma). Surgery is also the favored method for the urologist to remove cancerous testicles.
Testicular cancer symptoms can often be discovered by regular monthly self-checks, and not only by the feeling of discomfort or pain that may be experienced. When self-checking for testicle cancer, it is best advised to do it while either taking a hot bath, or while under a hot shower. The hot water tends to soften the scrotum making it easier for the fingers to manipulate the contours of the testicles which in turn may allow any abnormalities that may be present to be easily located.
Although these testicle cancer self-checks do not diagnose testicular cancer on their own, what they do is give a good indication that a quick trip to the doctors may be needed. With the opportunity of an earlier check-up that may of otherwise not been taken, a potential testicular cancer sufferer may have a better chance of catching the cancer at an earlier stage, rather than at a later stage when it may be too late to save the testicle.
By

Saturday, March 8, 2014

First Signs of Breast Cancer

6:46:00 AM
Initially, breast cancer may show no actual signs or symptoms that it is present, although a lump too small to be felt by touching may actually exist. Because of this, unusual changes in the breasts are not noticed and only tend to be picked up when a screening mammogram (breast x-ray) is taken. Depending on what the screening shows, further test may be needed.
However, the first sign of breast cancer is usually a painless lump that can be felt in the breast which was not previously there. Lumps that are hard with uneven edges have a high probability of being cancer; however, not all breast lumps tend to be hard. Sometimes a soft lump with rounded edges may also be discovered which can also indicate possible breast cancer.
Typical Breast Cancer Symptoms
1. Either a hard lump (with uneven edges), or a soft lump (with rounded edges) that can be found by touch in any part of the breast.
2. Any size lump or swelling that may appear in the area of the underarm (armpit).
3. Swelling of all or part of the breast.
4. General pain in the breast.
5. Nipple pain, or the nipple is noticed to be turning inwards.
6. Discharge of the nipple when not a new mother.
7. Thickening of the skin on either the nipple or the breast.
8. Redness or scaliness on either the nipple or the breast.
9. Skin irritation or dimpling of the breast.
10. Any type of change in the breast that seems to be abnormal.
Breast cancer can strike at any age, although it is more commonly found in women over the age of 50 years. Many different types of this cancer exist, such as: Ductual Carcinoma (DCIS), Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), Inflammatory, Metastatic, Recurrent, and Male Breast Cancer, etc.
IDC is associated with approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases, and is now considered to be the most common. It is important to note that not all changes in the breasts are associated with cancer, as infections, lymph node swellings, and cysts are also quite common in women these days.
However, a self-examination of the breasts should be undertaken on a regular basis and if any irregularities are discovered, a prudent move would be to visit the doctor. Self-examinations are often considered to be best taken while in the shower, as the hot water and soap make the skin softer which makes it easier to find any small lumps that may be present.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

First Signs of Breast Cancer

10:50:00 AM
Initially, breast cancer may show no actual signs or symptoms that it is present, although a lump too small to be felt by touching may actually exist. Because of this, unusual changes in the breasts are not noticed and only tend to be picked up when a screening mammogram (breast x-ray) is taken. Depending on what the screening shows, further test may be needed.
However, the first sign of breast cancer is usually a painless lump that can be felt in the breast which was not previously there. Lumps that are hard with uneven edges have a high probability of being cancer; however, not all breast lumps tend to be hard. Sometimes a soft lump with rounded edges may also be discovered which can also indicate possible breast cancer.
Typical Breast Cancer Symptoms
1. Either a hard lump (with uneven edges), or a soft lump (with rounded edges) that can be found by touch in any part of the breast.
2. Any size lump or swelling that may appear in the area of the underarm (armpit).
3. Swelling of all or part of the breast.
4. General pain in the breast.
5. Nipple pain, or the nipple is noticed to be turning inwards.
6. Discharge of the nipple when not a new mother.
7. Thickening of the skin on either the nipple or the breast.
8. Redness or scaliness on either the nipple or the breast.
9. Skin irritation or dimpling of the breast.
10. Any type of change in the breast that seems to be abnormal.
Breast cancer can strike at any age, although it is more commonly found in women over the age of 50 years. Many different types of this cancer exist, such as: Ductual Carcinoma (DCIS), Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), Inflammatory, Metastatic, Recurrent, and Male Breast Cancer, etc.
IDC is associated with approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases, and is now considered to be the most common. It is important to note that not all changes in the breasts are associated with cancer, as infections, lymph node swellings, and cysts are also quite common in women these days.
However, a self-examination of the breasts should be undertaken on a regular basis and if any irregularities are discovered, a prudent move would be to visit the doctor. Self-examinations are often considered to be best taken while in the shower, as the hot water and soap make the skin softer which makes it easier to find any small lumps that may be present.
First Signs of Breast Cancer
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