Types of Cancer
Types of Cancer
cancer has very many types, there are types that happens in all over the world and also a types that happens only in some country. this rare type is kind of cancer that not much people in other country have heard about it and don't really know what it is. I will try to describe this rare cancer type because its a very good knowledge even if it doesnt happen in all countries in the world.
Breast cancer
What is the breast?
The breast is a collection of glands and fatty tissue that lies between the skin and the chest wall. The glands inside the breast produce milk after a woman has a baby. Each gland is also called a lobule, and many lobules make up a lobe. There are 15 to 20 lobes in each breast. The milk gets to the nipple from the glands by way of tubes called ducts. The glands and ducts get bigger when a breast is filled with milk, but the tissue that is most responsible for the size and shape the breast is the fatty tissue. There are also blood vessels and lymph vessels in the breast. Lymph is a clear liquid waste product that gets drained out of the breast into lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, pea-sized pieces of tissue that filter and clean the lymph. Most lymph nodes that drain the breast are under the arm in what is called the axilla.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they cannot spread or threaten someone's life. These are called benign tumors. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Theoretically, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or the glands. Because it may take months to years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it.
Am I at risk for breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in North America and Europe. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. Close to 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any particular woman getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8 although the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower at 1 in 28.
Risk factors for breast cancer can be divided into ....[read more]
How can I prevent breast cancer?
The most important risk factors for the development of breast cancer cannot be controlled by the individual. There are some risk factors that are associated with an increased risk, but there is not a clear cause and effect relationship. In no way can strong recommendations be made like the cause and effect relationship seen with tobacco and lung cancer. There are a few risk factors that may be modified by a woman that potentially could influence the development of breast cancer. If possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, have children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain through exercise and proper diet, and limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day or less. For women already at a high risk, their risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by about 50% by ....[read more]
What are the signs of breast cancer?
Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. As a tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of symptoms including:
lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
-change in size or shape of the breast
-nipple discharge or nipple turning inward
-redness or scaling of the skin or nipple
-ridges or pitting of the breast skin
If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor.
How is breast cancer diagnosed and staged?
Once a patient has symptoms suggestive of a breast cancer or an abnormal screening mammogram, they will usually be referred for a diagnostic mammogram. A diagnostic mammogram is another set of x-rays; however, it is more complete with close ups on the suspicious areas. Sometimes, particularly if your doctors think that you may have a cyst or you are young and have dense breasts, you may be referred for an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to outline the suspicious areas of the breast. It is painless and can often distinguish between benign and malignant lesions.
Depending on the results of the mammograms and/or ultrasounds, your ......[read more]
What are the treatments for breast cancer?
-Surgery
-Chemotherapy
-Radiotherapy
-Hormonal Therapy
-Biologic Therapy
-Follow-up testing
What screening tests are available?
The earlier that a breast cancer is found, the more likely it is that treatment can be curable. For this reason, we screen for breast cancer using mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams. Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast. The breast is placed between two plates for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. If ....[read more]
Do Antiperspirants / Deodorants Cause Breast Cancer?
Claim unsupported by evidence, experts say
Published in 1999 (important updates below)
One of the more persistent medical misconceptions still striking fear into the hearts of Internet gossipers is the claim that the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants is "the leading cause of breast cancer" (see full text of email rumor).
The scare story has been thoroughly trounced by reliable sources, including the American Cancer Society. According to researchers, antiperspirants have no known (or even suspected) connection with breast cancer. It goes without saying they are not its "leading cause."
In a May 1999 article by Dawn MacKeen on...[read more]
LEUKIMIA
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. There are several types of leukemia and these are classified by how quickly they progress and what cell they affect. In order to understand how leukemia affects the cells, it is helpful to first understand what normal blood cells do.
-White blood cells (also called leukocytes) are the body's infection fighting cells.
-Red blood cells (also called erythrocytes) give blood it's red color, but more importantly, carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs as waste.
-Platelets (also called thrombocytes) help the body form blood clots to control bleeding.
-In addition to these three cell types, the blood also contains a fluid called plasma.
All of these products are formed in the bone marrow, a spongy area located in the center of bones. Larger bones have more bone marrow, and therefore produce more cells. The larger bones include the femur (top part of the leg), the hip bones, and parts of the rib cage. The bone marrow contains a small percentage of cells that are in development and are not yet mature. These cells are called blasts. Once the cell has matured, it moves out of the bone marrow and into the circulating blood. The body has mechanisms to know when more cells are needed and has the ability to produce them in an orderly fashion.
In the case of leukemia, one blood cell goes awry (in the majority of cases this cell is a white blood cell) and the body produces large numbers of this cell. When looked at under a microscope, these abnormally produced cells look different then the healthy cells and do not function properly. The body continues to produce these abnormal, non-functional cells, leaving little space for healthy cells. This imbalance of healthy and unhealthy cells is what causes the symptoms of leukemia.
What Are The Types of Leukemia?
Leukemias are classified by two factors, how quickly the disease develops and what cells are affected. The disease is either classified as acute or chronic, referring to how quickly it develops and progresses. In acute leukemias, the white blood cells multiple very rapidly and are very immature, and therefore cannot function properly (immature cells are called blasts). The blood fills with blasts quickly, causing the patient to develop symptoms and seek medical attention.
In chronic leukemia, the blasts form more slowly, allowing the body to continue to produce functional cells, causing fewer symptoms for the patient. These cases are often diagnosed during a routine physical. Chronic leukemia may cause the spleen to become enlarged, which can be felt by the doctor during a physical, prompting further investigation.
The types are further divided by which type of white blood cell is affected - lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. These types are called lymphocytic leukemia and myelogenous leukemia, respectively.
The types include:
-Acute myeloid leukemia (also called AML) - occurs in both children and adults.
-Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) - the most common type seen in children, but also seen in adults over 65.
-Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) - occurs mostly in adults.
-Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) - most often seen in people over age 55, can affect younger adults, but almost never seen in children.
Am I at Risk for Leukemia?
Unfortunately, we do not know what causes leukemia. Several things have been identified as risk factors - that is, exposure to them puts a person at a higher risk of developing leukemia, but it is ...[read more]
How Can I Prevent Leukemia?
Because we do not know the exact cause, it is not possible to recommend ways to prevent leukemia. If possible, one should avoid exposure to radiation and the chemical benzene.
What Are The Signs of Leukemia?
The blast cells are unable to perform their normal function of fighting infection, so patients may develop fevers or infections that won't go away. As the number of immature cells (blasts) increases, the normal cells are crowded out. This leads to...[read more]
How is Leukemia Diagnosed?
In both acute and chronic leukemia, the doctor asks about medical history and conducts a physical exam. During the exam, abnormalities such as enlarged spleen, liver or lymph nodes may be detected, prompting further investigation. A laboratory test called a complete blood count would find blast cells present in the blood, thus suggesting a diagnosis of leukemia. This test can reveal that the patient has leukemia, but further testing is required to determine the type.
To determine the type of ...[read more]
What Are The Treatments For Leukemia?
Treatment is dependent on the type of leukemia, and may differ dependent on the patient's age, health and extent of the disease. For specific treatments, look below for links to the National Cancer Institute's PDQ.
Leukemia is a complex disease, and with about 30,800 cases per ...[read more]
What Screening Tests are Available?
Leukemia is not a cancer that we screen for because it is rather rare (accounting for 2.5% of all new cancer cases), and early detection does not improve survival in most cases. To determine if a person has leukemia, a blood count would be drawn by the doctor, which would show an abnormally low or high number of white blood cells in a person with the disease. Regular physicals by your doctor are your best method of screening.
Follow-Up Testing
Patients with acute leukemia are followed closely, with frequent monitoring of blood cell counts, to watch for relapse, after therapy has induced a remission. Patients who have a remission that lasts five years are generally considered cured. In chronic leukemia, blood counts may be monitored for years, with or without treatment, depending on the case.
There have been many promising advances in the treatment of leukemia over the past 40 years. In 1960, only 14% of all patients with leukemia were alive five years after diagnosis. This number increased to 35% in 1970, and is now about 46%. The death rate of children with all types of leukemia has decreased by 61% since the 1970s. Survival of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, specifically, has increased from 53% to 82% during the same time period. These advances have been made possible by researchers dedicated to studying leukemia and clinical trials of innovative leukemia therapies.
For More Information Visit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lung Cancer
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer happens when cells in the lung begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. Any of the tissues in the lung can become cancer; but most commonly, lung cancer comes from the lining of the bronchi. Lung cancer is not really thought of as a single disease, but rather a collection of several diseases that are characterized by the cell type that makes them up, how they behave, and how they are treated. Lung cancer is divided into two main categories:
-Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) - the rarer of the two types (about 20% of all lung cancers), small cell lung cancer is more aggressive than non small cell lung cancer because is grows quicker and is more likely to spread to other organs
-Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - the more common of the two types (80% of all lung cancers), non small cell lung cancer is generally slower growing than small cell lung cancer and is divided into three different types based on how the cells look that make it up- adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma
Am I at risk for lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the world for both men and women. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 163,510 people will die from lung cancer in 2005. In comparison, 127,500 people are expected to die from colon, breast and prostate cancer combined in 2005 (the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most common cancers in the U.S.). In the U.S., there has been a striking increase in the number of women getting lung cancer; in the 1990s, lung cancer overtook breast cancer as the most common cause of cancer death amongst women.
Every smoker is at risk for lung cancer. It is estimated that ...[read more]
How can I prevent lung cancer?
The best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking, or to never have started in the first place. You should try and avoid being around people who are smoking; and also avoid pipes, cigars, and marijuana. If you live in an area with radon, you should make sure there is adequate ventilation in your basement to get rid of it. Use a detector to make sure the radon levels are low. If you work in an industry where you are exposed to substances known to cause lung cancer, make sure and use all the proper protective equipment and attire made available by your employer.
There has been some ...[read more]
What are the signs of lung cancer?
Unfortunately, the early stages of lung cancer may not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of symptoms including:
-cough (especially one that doesn't go away or gets worse in character)
-chest pain
-shortness of breath
-coughing up blood or bloody phlegm
-new onset hoarseness or wheezing
-recurrent problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
-weight loss
-loss of appetite
-fatigue
-bone pain
-dizziness or double vision
-numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
-turning yellow (jaundice)
Many of these symptoms are non-specific, and could represent a variety of different conditions; however, your doctor needs to see you if you have any of these problems. Most patients (85%-90%) who are diagnosed with lung cancer have symptoms that prompt a doctor to order tests to look for a problem. A cough is the most common presenting symptom of lung cancer; however, many long term smokers have a chronic cough, so it is especially important for someone with a chronic cough to see their doctor if their cough changes in character or severity.
How is lung cancer diagnosed and staged?
When a patient at risk for lung cancer has symptoms suggestive of a lung tumor, they will usually first be referred for a chest x-ray. If the chest x-ray looks abnormal, then they will be referred for a CT scan (a 3-D x-ray) to better characterize the lesion. The other thing that your doctor may do is called sputum cytology, which means examining your phlegm for cancer cells.
Depending on the results of the sputum cytology, chest x-rays, and/or CT scans, your doctors may recommend that ...[read more]
What are the treatments for lung cancer?
-Surgery
-Targeted Therapies/Biologic Therapies
PASSIVE SMOKING DOES CAUSE LUNG CANCER
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been publicly accused of suppressing information. Its opponents say that WHO has withheld from publication its own report that was aimed at but supposedly failed to scientifically prove that there is an association between passive smoking, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and a number of diseases, lung cancer in particular. Both statements are untrue.
The study in question is a case-control study on the effects of ETS on lung cancer risk in European populations, which has been carried out over the last seven years by 12 research centres in 7 European countries under the leadership of WHO's cancer research branch -- the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The results of this study, which have been ...[read more]
Mesothelioma
What is mesothelial tissue?
The mesothelium is a protective sac that covers and protects most internal organs in the body. It is composed of two layers, one layer covers the organ and the second layer forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the lungs) to move easily. The area between the two layers is often called the pleural space. Mesothelial tissue is found lining the abdominal cavity organs, the lungs and the heart. What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma occurs when the mesothelial cells grow out of control. These cells also lose the ability to stop producing the lubricating fluid when there is enough. This results in organs being encased with a thick rind of tumor tissue and excess fluid build up, causing symptoms. These cells can grow and invade other organs, or spread to other areas of the body. When the cells spread to other areas of the body, it is called metastasis.
The majority of mesotheliomas are found in the lining of the lung. About ten percent of cases are found in the abdominal cavity lining, and even more rarely, mesothelioma is found in the lining of the heart.
Am I at risk for mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, with only 2,300 cases diagnosed in 2000, in the United States. It is eight times more common in men, which is due in most part to work-related exposure to asbestos. Risk also increases with age. The biggest risk factor for developing the disease is exposure to asbestos, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of all cases. Asbestos has been used in many products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. Particles can be released from these products, particularly during the manufacturing process, and inhaled. Prior to knowing the dangers, asbestos miners and other workers exposed to asbestos worked without wearing any protection. Since the 1970's, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure and requires protective equipment in the workplace. Family members of people who worked with asbestos were also exposed to the toxin when it was carried home on clothing and hair, putting them at increased risk for mesothelioma. It takes 20 to 40 years from the time of asbestos exposure until mesothelioma is detected. This exposure was usually over a period of time, but has been reported to be as little as one or two months of exposure. Smoking does not seem to increase the risk of developing the disease.
The incidence of mesothelioma in Western Europe is much higher, with 5,000 new cases in 2000. This is because maximal exposure to asbestos in Europe occurred around 1970, whereas the maximum exposure in the U.S. was from the 1930s to 60s. It is expected that rates in the U.S. should begin to decline, whereas rates in Europe are expected to plateau in 2018 before declining.
What are the signs of mesothelioma?
The symptoms of mesothelioma are caused by a build-up of tumor tissue surrounding the lung and fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lung from expanding fully. This causes pressure on the lung, leading to pain and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, patients may lose weight and have a dry, hacking cough. In the abdomen, this fluid and tumor tissue causes abdominal swelling, pain and weight loss.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed and staged?
Patients who present with symptoms worrisome for mesothelioma may have a chest x-ray done, indicating a build-up of fluid in the lining of the lung. These patients would then undergo CT scan to further evaluate the cancer. In the case of abdominal mesothelioma, a CT scan obtained to visualize the anatomy in the abdomen.
Patients would then undergo a biopsy to have the diagnosis confirmed. In the lung, a thoracoscope is used to go through the chest wall, between the ribs to obtain a sample of the tissue. A peritoneoscope is used to enter the abdomen to obtain a tissue sample in abdominal mesothelioma. [read more]
How can I prevent mesothelioma?
By decreasing exposure to asbestos, the risk of mesothelioma is decreased. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on the job should wear protective clothing and masks. These workers should change their clothing before leaving the work site to avoid carrying any particles home. OSHA has set standards regulating these procedures. What screening tests are available?..[read more]
What are the treatments for mesothelioma?
Treatment is dependent on the stage of the disease, the location of the tumor, the patient's age and state of health at the time. Younger, healthy patients, with early stage disease may be candidates for surgery that removes the mesothelial tissue around the tumor. This surgery is extensive and it is not well understood how much benefit it provides the patient.[read more]
Follow-up testing?
The physician will follow the patient with physical examinations, chest x-rays, and CT scans.
Treatment Options
After diagnosis, your doctor or oncologist (cancer specialist) will provide you with information on the treatment options that are available to you.
-Surgery
-Radiotherapy
-Chemotherapy
-Alternative Therapies
Note: If you make one choice for Mesothelioma treatment, you may preclude other courses of treatment. However, sometimes several forms of treatment are used in combination. You should try to make your decision as soon as possible after diagnosis
Mesothelioma Surgery
There are two types of surgeries, those that actually remove the cancer itself and those that help alleviate pain and suffering (symptoms).If the cancer has not spread to too many organs, surgery can be used to remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen. The purpose of this surgery is to simply remove the cancer cells from the body by removing the tissues with large numbers of cancer cells. More serious operations can remove large parts of the lung or the diaphragm. However, the more serious operation requires the patient to be in excellent health.
If the cancer has spread to several organs, it is impossible to remove all of the tissue infected with cancer. In this case, surgery can only be used to relieve symptoms. One operation is a thoracentesis, where fluid in the chest is removed by placing a needle into the chest cavity, may help to improve comfort and breathing. This procedure does nothing to cure the cancer, only to relieve the symptoms.
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Alternative Therapies
More information about Mesothelioma Photodynamic Therapy
What You Need to Know about a Mesothelioma Law Suit, Mesothelioma Law and a Mesothelioma Law Firm There is some important information you should be aware of if you are considering pursuing a Mesothelioma Law Suit. Prior to pursuing a Mesothelioma Law Suit you should seek advice from a reputable Mesothelioma Law Firm and gain an understanding of Mesothelioma Law.[read more]
Seeking Mesothelioma Help : If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with, or thinks that they might have Mesothelioma Cancer, it is often daunting and can be difficult to know where to seek help. However, you are not alone, there are organizations and doctors who can help. With the current research and new knowledge about Mesothelioma Cancer, seeking help has become easier, as there are.......[read more].
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