CANCER

lymph node cancer

2008-12-24T00:06:00.000-08:00

Secondary cancer in the lymph nodesThis information is about secondary cancer in the lymph nodes. This describes the situation where cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes from a cancer that began elsewhere in the body.

The lymphatic system
Cancer in the lymph nodes
How cancers can spread
Signs and symptoms
How it is diagnosed
Treatment
Your feelings
References

A lymph node biopsy removes lymph node tissue to be looked at under a microscope for signs of infection or a disease, such as cancer. Other tests may also be used to check the lymph tissue sample, including a culture, genetic tests, or tests to study the body's immune system (immunological tests).Lymph nodes are part of the immune system. They are found in the neck, behind the ears, in the armpits, and in the groin. See an illustration of lymph nodes and the immune system。Lymph nodes in healthy people are usually hard to feel. However, lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin can get bigger and become tender. Swollen lymph nodes usually mean an infection, but the swelling can also be caused by a cut, scratch, tattoo, a drug reaction, or cancer.There are several ways to do a lymph node biopsy. The lymph node sample will be looked at under a microscope for problems.
A fine-needle aspiration biopsy puts a thin needle into the lymph node and removes cells to look at. A needle biopsy is done to check the cause of a big lymph node.
A core needle biopsy uses a needle fitted with a special tip. The needle goes through the skin to the lymph node to take a sample of tissue about the size of a pencil lead.
An open biopsy makes a cut in the skin and removes the lymph node. If more than one lymph node is taken, the biopsy is called a lymph node dissection. Open biopsy and lymph node dissection let your doctor take a bigger sample than a needle biopsy.

Why It Is Done Lymph node biopsy is done to:
Check the cause of big lymph nodes that do not go away.
Check the cause of symptoms, such as an ongoing fever, night sweats, or weight loss.
Check to see if a known cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This is called staging and is done to plan cancer treatment.

Remove cancer.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer bracelet

2008-12-24T00:02:00.000-08:00

Cancer Awareness Bracelet Features
● Sterling Silver Alphabet beads engraved on all four sides
● .925 Bali Silver spacers and Sterling Silver beads
● Choice of Sterling Silver clasps
● Optional Swarovski Crystals, the highest quality crystals available
● Crystal color choices based upon American Cancer Society designations
o Brain Cancer - Gray
o Breast Cancer - Pink
o Childhood Cancer - Amber
o Colon Cancer - Royal Blue
o Colorectal Cancer - Brown
o Leukemia - Orange
o Lung Cancer - Clear
o Melanoma - Black
o Ovarian, Cervical, Uterine Cancer - Teal
o Pancreatic Cancer - Purple
o Prostate Cancer - Light Blue
o Other Cancers - Lavender
● A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Cancer Bracelet is donated to the American Cancer Society
● Free Shipping - Quick Delivery
All of these features combined with attention to detail come together in creating your Personalized Cancer Bracelet, a Bracelet of lasting beauty.
Pink Silicone Breast Cancer Bracelets

This is a very popular pink silicone breast cancer bracelet. It has the words Hope, Faith, Courage and Strength. Awareness ribbons sit between each word. The wristband comes in two sizes: Adult 8" and Youth 7".

Shanrene, Inc. has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Coalition. For each breast cancer wristband sold, Shanrene donates $.25 directly to the NBCCF! Your purchase of this pink silicone breast cancer bracelet will benefit charity!

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

early symptom of lung cancer

2008-12-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

Early Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
● A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time
● Constant chest pain
● Coughing up blood
● Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
● Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
● Swelling of the neck and face Loss of appetite or weight loss
● Fatigue
These symptoms may be caused by lung cancer or by other conditions. It is important to check with a doctor.
The symptoms of lung cancer frequently go unrecognised in the early stages of the disease, experts say.
Lung cancer typically makes itself known through coughing, breathlessness and weight loss, said Professor Dieter Koehler, president of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine in Werne, North Rhine Westphalia.

Further symptoms are pains in the chest and swollen fingertips, the so-called clubbed finger.

An X-ray, an endoscopic examination of the lungs or an analysis of the mucus the patient coughs up are ways of determining whether the patient has lung cancer, said Michael Barczok of the German Federal Association of Pneumologists in Heideheim.

People at greatest risk of lung cancer are current and former smokers, as well as people whose relatives have already developed lung cancer or chronic obstructive lung diseases, experts say. The risk of getting a bronchial cancer is two to three times greater among people who have a biological relative who had lung cancer, Koehler said.

The disease usually begins at a younger age among people with a genetic disposition, according to Koehler.

"They become ill at age 50 as opposed to age 70," he said. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the survival rate. Only 15 percent of the people age 70 or older who are diagnosed with the disease are still alive five years later. Lung cancer is the cause of death for more than 40,000 people annually in Germany, making it one of the most common malignancies.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

bladder cancer symptom

2008-12-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

The symptoms for bladder cancer are not specific. Many other diseases, including inflammatory conditions, involving the bladder and kidney may cause similar symptoms. However, since early detection is important in curing bladder cancer, if you have these symptoms, you should bring them to the attention of your doctor.
The most common first symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine called hematuria. Hematuria is either visible or microscopic.
o Gross hematuria describes urine that appears red or brown and can be seen with the naked eye
o Microscopic hematuria means the red blood cells are visible if a urine sample is examined under a microscope Irritative urination symptoms may also be associated with bladder cancer and include:
o pain and burning on urination,
o a sense of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination and
o having to urinate more frequently or at shorter intervals.
The symptoms above could also indicate problems (less serious) other than bladder cancer.Bladder Cancer Symptoms
Bladder cancer is common disease in the United States. Research tells us that it occurs mainly in industrialized countries, such as the US, France, and Canada.

Bladder cancer symptoms are few, yet very noticeable. Bladder cancer symptoms include:
● Blood in the urine: The presence of blood in urine, is called hematuria. Blood can either be seen by the eye, in which it is called gross hematuria. Blood can also be seen under a microscope, and it is then called microscopic hematuria.
● Pain during urination: Pain during urination is called dysuria. Pain can range from mild to severe.
● Frequent urination: Having to urinate often and during the night is also a symptom.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

sign of colon cancer

2008-12-23T23:55:00.000-08:00

Colon Cancer Symptoms & Signs
With proper screening, colon cancer should be detected BEFORE the development of symptoms, when it is most curable.
Most cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
· Diarrhea, constipation, or other change in bowel habits that does not resolve
· Blood in the stool
· Unexplained anemia (anemia in any adults other than menstruating women should almost always be evaluated by a colonoscopy)
· Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
· Intestinal obstruction
· Weight loss with no known reason
· Stools narrower than usual
Some citations in the text of this section are followed by a level of evidence. The PDQ editorial boards use a formal ranking system to help the reader judge the strength of evidence linked to the reported results of a therapeutic strategy. Refer to the PDQ levels of evidence summary for more information. Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. It is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the United States as well as the second most common cause of cancer death. Surgery is the primary treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of patients. Recurrence following surgery is a major problem and often is the ultimate cause of death. The prognosis of colon cancer is clearly related to the degree of penetration of the tumor through the bowel wall and the presence or absence of nodal involvement. These 2 characteristics form the basis for all staging systems developed for this disease. Bowel obstruction and bowel perforation are indicators of poor prognosis. Elevated pretreatment serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have a negative prognostic significance. Many other prognostic markers have been evaluated retrospectively in the prognosis of patients with colon cancer, although most have not been prospectively validated. Age greater than 65 years at presentation is not a contraindication to standard therapies; acceptable morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term survival, are achieved in this patient population. Because of the frequency of the disease, the identification of high-risk groups, the demonstrated slow growth of primary lesions, the better survival of early-stage lesions, and the relative simplicity and accuracy of screening tests, screening for colon cancer should be a part of routine care for all adults starting at age 50 years, especially for those with first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer. There are groups that have a high incidence of colorectal cancer. These groups include those with hereditary conditions, such as familial polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), Lynch I Syndrome, Lynch II Syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. Together they account for 10% to 15% of colorectal cancers. Patients with HNPCC reportedly have better prognoses in stage-stratified survival analysis than patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, but the retrospective nature of the studies and possibility of selection factors make this observation difficult to interpret.[Level of evidence: 3iiiA] More common conditions with an increased risk include: a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomas, first degree family history of colorectal cancer or adenomas, and a personal history of ovarian, endometrial, or breast cancer.These high-risk groups account for only 23% of all colorectal cancers. Limiting screening or early cancer detection to only these high-risk groups would miss the majority of colorectal cancers.For more information on this subject, consult the PDQ summaries on screening for colorectal cancer and prevention of colorectal cancer. Following treatment of colon cancer, periodic evaluations may lead to the earlier identification and management of recurrent disease.The impact of such monitoring on overall mortality of patients with recurrent colon cancer is limited by the relatively small proportion of patients in whom localized, potentially curable metastases are found. To date, there have been no large-scale randomized trials documenting the efficacy of a standard, postoperative monitoring program.
Postoperative monitoring may detect asymptomatic recurrences that can be resected or metachronous tumors.CEA is a serum glycoprotein frequently used in the management of patients with colon cancer. A review of the use of this tumor marker suggests: that CEA is not a valuable screening test for colorectal cancer due to the large numbers of false-positive and false-negative reports; that postoperative CEA testing be restricted to patients who would be candidates for resection of liver or lung metastases; and that routine use of CEA alone for monitoring response to treatment not be recommended. However, the optimal regimen and frequency of follow-up examinations are not well defined, since the impact on patient survival is not clear.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

blood cancer

2008-12-23T23:54:00.001-08:00

It is unacceptable that blood cancers are considered incurable.
Research in finding more effective treatments and cures for blood cancers is proceeding at an extrordinary and positive pcae. In my laboratory at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center - which leads the nation in blood cancer research - we are pursuing many innovative approaches. We constantly increasing our understanding of the genetics, immune resposnse, and diet on the course of cancer. We're not only involved in the discovery of genes involved in blood cancer, but also determinig how thoses genes affect the overall progress of blood cancers.
To continue with this rapid pace of research and discovery, I need to recruit more of the talented scientist in the world to join our team at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center. The key to our success lies in the ability to explore every potential avenue to a cure. Simply put, the more scientists we can train, attract, and support to assist in the research process, the sooner we will find the treatments that will control cancer. Our research is not confined to the laborartory, in the unique setting of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, we are helping cancer patients everyday. Our goal is to serve patient from the laboratory bench to there bedside. In today's world of limited governmental resources, to sustain our progress we need to ask for your help! Only your gifts will allow us to accelerate the pace of our research leading to a cure in our lifetime. Without your help too many people with cancer will not be saved; too many families will needlessly suffer the loss of a loved one.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer chemotherapy

2008-12-23T23:50:00.000-08:00

ANNOUNCER: Patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer must deal with a serious disease, but they have many therapeutic options available to them.
HAROLD BURSTEIN, MD: Treatments for metastatic breast cancer are not designed to eradicate the tumor once and for all. We don't have that ability right now. On the other hand, the good news is that there are many drugs and many treatments that can actually help keep the tumor under control for a very long time. And increasingly, women with advanced breast cancer have both multiple treatment options, are benefitting from newer therapies, and are living longer and better with their disease.
We are increasingly treating the tumor based on the biology of the disease. So we always test all breast cancers to determine whether or not they are sensitive to certain kinds of drugs.
KIMBERLY BLACKWELL, MD: In tumors that are estrogen receptor positive or in very simple terms need the female hormone estrogen to grow, we will almost a 100 perecent of the time recommend some sort of tablet form of antihormonal therapy.
ANNOUNCER: Chemotherapy also has an important role in helping to control advanced cancer.
HAROLD BURSTEIN, MD: What almost all chemotherapy drugs share in common is that they target the DNA machinery of the cell, or they target the so-called microtubules, the small structural elements within the cancer cell that help maintain the normal shape and function of the cell.
ANNOUNCER: There are many different classes of chemotherapy drugs.
HAROLD BURSTEIN, MD: These include anthracyclines, drugs like doxorubicin and epirubicin; taxanes, that's paclitaxel and docetaxel and derivatives of paclitaxel; vinca alkaloids, drugs like vinorelbine; alkylator-type chemotherapy drugs, cyclophosphamide and carboplatin; drugs that are so-called antimetabolites, drugs like capecitabine or 5-FU or gemcitabine.
ANNOUNCER: Combinations of the drugs are sometimes given to patients. Hair loss, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, low blood counts, mouth sores and neuropathy, a tingling in the hands and feet are common chemotherapy side effects. Anti-nausea medicines and medicines to help regulate blood counts have improved the patient experience.
ERIC WINER, MD: Most of our large studies have demonstrated that giving single agents one after the other gives you ultimately as good a result as giving combinations and giving single-agent chemotherapy tends to be associated with fewer side effects. ANNOUNCER: Doctors are finding newer and safer ways to give old chemotherapy drugs.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer picture

2008-12-23T23:47:00.000-08:00

CHICAGO - An experimental ultrasound technique that measures how easily breast lumps compress and bounce back could enable doctors to determine instantly whether a woman has cancer or not without doing a biopsy.
In a small study of 80 women, the technique - called “elastography” - distinguished harmless lumps from malignant ones with nearly 100 percent accuracy.
If the results hold up in a larger study, elastography could save thousands of women from the waiting, cost, discomfort and anxiety of a biopsy, in which cells are removed from the breast - sometimes with a needle, sometimes with a scalpel - and examined under a microscope.
“There’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of stress, a lot of fear involved” with biopsies, said Susan Brown, manager of health education for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. “And there’s the cost of leaving work to make a second appointment. If this can be done instead of a biopsy, there would be a real cost reduction.”
Up to 1 million biopsies are performed each year on suspicious breast tissue detected by mammograms and self-exams, but as many as eight out of 10 of these biopsies find that the lumps are benign.Rapid results
Biopsies can cost $200 to $1,000, depending on whether some fluid or an entire lump is removed, and it can take days or weeks to get the results. The cost of elastography is not yet clear, but some experts said the procedure might run $100 to $200. And it can yield results in minutes. When checked against biopsies of women’s breast tissue, the ultrasound technique correctly identified 17 out of 17 cancerous tumors, and 105 out of 106 harmless lesions. The findings were reported at a national radiology meeting in Chicago this week.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer story true vixen

2008-12-23T23:43:00.000-08:00

CANCER VIXEN: A True Story by Marisa Acocella Marchetto
On Friday October 20th, Marisa will make a special appearance at St. Vincent's Cancer Center at 325 West 15th Street in New York City, to help celebrate their National Mammography Day event. She will be signing copies of her book at this event. Ten percent of every purchase will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
About the Book
"What happens when a shoe-crazy, lipstick-obsessed, wine-swilling, pasta-slurping, fashion-fanatic, single-forever, about-to-get-married big-city girl cartoonist with a fabulous life finds . . . a lump in her breast?" That’s the question that sets this powerful, funny, and poignant graphic memoir in motion. In vivid color and with a taboo-breaking sense of humor, Marisa Acocella Marchetto tells the story of her eleven-month, ultimately triumphant bout with breast cancer-from diagnosis to cure, and every challenging step in between.
But Cancer Vixen is about more than surviving an illness. It is a portrait of one woman’s supercharged life in Manhattan, and a wonderful love story. Marisa, self-described "terminal bachelorette," meets her Prince Charming in Silvano, owner of the chic downtown restaurant Da Silvano. Three weeks before their wedding, she receives her diagnosis. She wonders: How will he react to this news? How will my world change? Will I even survive? And . . . what about my hair? From raucous New Yorker staff lunches and the star-studded crowd at Silvano’s restaurant to the rainbow pumps Marisa wears to chemotherapy, Cancer Vixen is a total original. Marisa’s wit and courage are an inspiration-she’s a cancer vixen, not its victim. Cancer Vixen can be purchase wherever books are sold, and online at http://www.randomhouse.com/

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

bone cancer symptom

2008-12-23T23:42:00.000-08:00

Bone Cancer is the most common malignant growth that occurs in bone results from cancer that has spread from other parts of the body - secondary bone cancer. Bone cancer can be extremely painful and frightening for the children and adults that it strikes. Cancer that arises in the bone itself is primary bone cancer. All forms are rare. The best bone cancer treatments combine several types of therapies. For example, our surgeons, oncologists, and radiation therapists work together to improve the success rates of bone cancer surgery by using chemotherapy treatments prior to surgery.
The most common forms of primary bone cancer are:
1. Osteosarcoma , which occurs primarily in growing bone tissue. Osteosarcoma also called osteogenic sarcoma, arises in bone-forming cells. It can occur at any age but is most common between 10 and 20. Any bone can be affected, but more than half of all osteosarcomas develop around the knee. Osteosarcoma causes a painful swelling of the affected bone.
2. Chondrosarcoma , which occurs in cartilage. Chondrosarcoma usually develops in middle age, and the tumour grows slowly in the early stages. Later it may spread to nearby soft tissues and to other parts of the body. The diagnosis can only be made by biopsy, and treatment is by surgical removal of the tumour. In some cases, amputa-tion of the bone above the tumour is advised to improve the chance of cure.
3. Ewing's sarcoma , which arises primarily in immature tissue in bone marrow. If Ewing's sarcoma is suspected from its X-ray appearance and confirmed by biopsy, CAT and radionuclide scanning of the whole body is advised to discove whether, and how far, the cancer has spread Treatment is with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and sometimes by surgery. There is a good chance of cure if the diagnosis is early.
Depending on the type of cancer you have and whether it has spread, your doctor may use chemotherapy to:
· Eliminate all cancer cells in your body, even when cancer is widespread
· Prolong your life by controlling cancer growth and spread
· Relieve symptoms and enhance your quality of life Symptoms of Bone CancerHere is the list of some of the common sign and symptoms of bone cancer :
· Weakened bones, sometimes leading to fractures
· Joint swelling and tenderness (for tumors in or near joints)
· Fatigue
· Fever
· Weight loss
· Anemia In a few cases, bone cancers may have a hereditary component, such as in:
· Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This condition is characterized by an increased risk of many different cancers, including osteosarcoma, leukemia, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and others.
· Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. This condition causes short stature, skeletal problems and rashes, and increases risk of bone cancer.
· Hereditary retinoblastoma. Children with this rare cancer of the eye have an increased risk of osteosarcoma.
· Multiple exostoses. Children with this inherited condition that causes cartilage bumps to form on your bones have an increased risk of chondrosarcoma.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer clinic

2008-12-23T23:37:00.000-08:00

The Columbus Cancer Clinic provides helping hands to the community, assisting those affected by cancer and those wishing to be screened. It is a non-profit United Way agency that has served the greater Columbus area since 1921. The Clinic educates the public about cancer prevention and the benefits of early detection; offers affordable, accessable screening examinations, mammograms and tests; and provides home care support services. All clients can receive needed services, regardless of ability to pay.
As of May 1, 2005, the Columbus Cancer Clinic is provided by LifeCare Alliance, a local United Way agency founded in 1898 by the Columbus Cancer Clinic’s founder, Carrie Nelson Black. The name will continue to be Columbus Cancer Clinic and no program or staff changes are planned. The Clinic will continue to operate from its Clintonville location at 65 Ceramic Drive. For more information about LifeCare Alliance, visit http://www.lifecarealliance.org/.
Celebrating almost 50 years of treating patients with tumors and cancer of the Head and Neck.Head and Neck Cancer, Tumor Information
● Oral Cancer
● Lip Cancer
● Tongue Cancer
● Squamous Cell Cancer of the Oral Tongue
● Squamous Cell Cancer of the Base of Tongue
● Voice Box Cancer
● True Cord Cancer
● Subglottic Squamous Cell Cancer
● Medical Director Information or related links to websites with more information on oral cancer, throat cancer, tongue cancer, lip, larynx, tongue, oral cavity, oropharynx, paranasal sinuses, cervical esophagus, neural tumors, carotid body tumors, melanoma, and reconstruction needs.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer information

2008-12-23T23:36:00.000-08:00

Pulmonary metastatic soft tissue sarcoma curable with surgical excision
Reuters Health Posting Date: January 19, 2007
Last Updated: 2007-01-19 14:13:32 -0400 (Reuters Health) NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Resection of soft tissue sarcoma metastatic to the lungs can be accomplished with very low morbidity and mortality, surgeons in Germany report, and may in fact be curative. Although pulmonary soft tissue sarcomas (STS) resection is a common procedure, lead author Dr. Alexander Rehders and his associates note in the Archives of Surgery for January, agreement as to which patients make the best candidates has yet to be established. Their current results suggest that "it seems worthwhile to operate on every patient with lung metastasis unless serious comorbidity or technically unresectable metastatic disease is present." At University Hospital in Hamburg-Eppendorf, all patients with operable lung STS metastasis undergo radical surgery with curative intent. The only exceptions are failure of the primary tumor to regress at least partially after 6 months of chemotherapy, extensive involvement of the mediastinum or chest wall, unresectable lung disease or metastatic disease outside the lung, other comorbidities, or insufficient pulmonary function. Between 1991 and 2002, 61 of 121 patients at their institution who developed pulmonary metastasis of STS underwent sternotomy or anterior lateral thoracotomy for metastasectomy, including wedge resection or lobectomy. There were no cases of perioperative mortality. Nine patients experienced transient alveolar leakage requiring pleural drainage, three had wound infections, and three experienced hypoventilation. Otherwise, there were no major complications. After a mean follow-up of 60 months, survival time averaged 33 months (range 2 to 125 months), the authors report. The 5-year survival rate was 25%. None of the common risk factors assessed - age, gender, tumor grade, number of metastatic lesions, bilateral involvement, histologic type, site of primary tumor, and interval before STS metastasis was diagnosed - had any significant effect on survival. Dr. Rehders and his associates report that six patients underwent repeat STS excisions, and that these patients were among the 13 who lived the longest. Arch Surg 2007;142:70-75. Copyright ? 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer cell

2008-12-23T23:33:00.000-08:00

On the cover: The cover is a rendered image of a retina taken from a neonate mouse treated with an anti-VEGF antibody. Blocking neuropilin-1 function in combination with anti-VEGF therapy further reduces vascular density both in the developing mouse retina and in tumor models. Additionally, anti-NRP1 and anti-VEGF combination therapy enhances tumor growth inhibition when compared to either treatment alone. For details, see p. 53.

This page has information on cancer cells and how they are different from normal body cells. There is information on
● The characteristics of normal cells
● How cancer cells are different >
● Cancer cells don't stop reproducing
● Cancer cells do not obey signals
● Cancer cells do not stick together
● Cancer cells do not become specialised
● 'Grade' and cancer cells
● More information on how cells and tissues grow
The characteristics of normal cells

Normal body cells have a number of important characteristics. They can
● Reproduce themselves exactly
● Stop reproducing at the right time
● Stick together in the right place
● Self destruct if they are damaged
● Become specialised or 'mature'
How cancer cells are different
Cancer cells are different to normal cells in several ways. These are some features of cancer cells
● They carry on reproducing
● They don't obey signals from other neighbouring cells
● They don't stick together
● They don't become specialised, but stay immature
● They don't die if they move to another part of the body Cancer cells don't stop reproducing

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells do not stop reproducing after they have doubled 50 or 60 times. This means that a cancer cell will go on and on and on doubling. So one cell becomes 2, then 4, then 8, then 16....

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer prevention

2008-12-23T23:30:00.000-08:00

Since passage of the 1971 National Cancer Act, the overall incidence of cancer in the U.S. has escalated to epidemic proportions, now striking 1.3 million, and killing about 550,000 annually. The median age for the diagnosis of cancer is adults, and six in children
Tobacco and Cancer

Smoking damages nearly every organ in the human body, is linked to at least 10 different cancers, and accounts for some 30% of all cancer deaths. And it costs billions of dollars each year. Yet one in four Americans still light up. If you or someone you love uses tobacco, here's what you need to know about how tobacco kills, and how to get the help you need to quit. function tobaccoNews()
Sun Safety

A sunburn will fade, but damage to deeper layers of skin remains and can eventually cause cancer. That's why sun-safe habits should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.

----Food and Fitness Eating right, being active, and maintaining a healthy weight are important ways to reduce your risk of cancer-as well as heart disease and diabetes. Learn the American Cancer Society's guidelines for diet and activity and find tips for a healthy lifestyle and community.

Environmental Carcinogens

Environmental factors can include smoking, diet, sun exposure, and infectious diseases, as well as chemicals and radiation in our homes and workplaces. Learn more about these risks and how you can reduce them.

Environmental Carcinogens

Environmental factors can include smoking, diet, sun exposure, and infectious diseases, as well as chemicals and radiation in our homes and workplaces. Learn more about these risks and how you can reduce them.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

metastatic breast cancer

2008-12-23T23:27:00.000-08:00

Recurrent and Metastatic Breast Cancer
We know you really don't want to be here, reading about breast cancer recurrence or metastasis. If you've had breast cancer, the possibility of recurrence and spread (metastasis) of breast cancer stays with you. You may be here because you fear this possibility. Or you may be here because it's already happened.
Keep in mind that a recurrence of breast cancer or metastatic (advanced) disease is NOT hopeless. Many women continue to live long, productive lives with breast cancer in this stage. It is also likely that your experience with treatment this time will be somewhat different from last time. There are so many options for your care and so many ways to chart your progress as you move through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.
Because there are so many options, this is a long section. You may want to read just a few pages at a time. You might find it very difficult to concentrate, think straight, and remember what you've read. That's natural when you're anxious, uncertain, overwhelmed. We'll do our best to help you find what you're looking for.
If you're already feeling stuck in the fear and you need to deal with that first, here are a few places to try right away:
· Start with the TALK BACK TO FEAR button, to find some comfort as well as logical answers for your fears.
· Then read about coping with fear of recurrence
· Also visit the discussion boards and chat rooms, where other women who've been there are ready to reach out and help you get through the whole experience.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer stage

2008-12-23T23:22:00.000-08:00

Improved ways to access and analyse stored medical data for the staging of lung cancer patientsMuch of the current global information explosion is due to the emergence of new digital technologies for acquiring and storing medical data. This is especially true in the health domain; in particular, new digital medical imaging systems are emerging with increasing resolution and new enterprise-wide information systems are accumulating vast amounts of both structured and unstructured medical data. While the richness of this data brings a range of potential benefits to the health system, often these can be overwhelmed by the burden of processing such sheer volumes of data.
Multimedia Content Analysis (MCA)
MCA is a field of research that facilitates the management and interpretation of large amounts of multimedia data, encompassing text, image, audio and video, as well as traditional structured databases. The field draws on diverse research areas, including sensor technologies, signal processing, pattern recognition, machine learning, information retrieval and human computer interaction.
Research Focus
The CSIS project builds upon a core research capability in multimedia content analysis within the health domain, focusing on a particular application: support systems for cancer management, both for individual patients and population-level analyses.
The cancer "stage" is a categorisation of its progression in the body, in terms of the extent of the primary tumour and any spreading to local or distant body sites. While staging has a fundamental role in cancer management, due to the expertise and time required and the multi-disciplinary nature of the task, cancer patients are not always routinely staged. By automating the collation, analysis, summarisation and classification of relevant patient data, the reliance on expert clinical staff can be lessened, improving the efficiency and availability of cancer staging.
Initial work will investigate the summarisation and categorisation of patient reports to assist with staging lung cancer. Longer term research will investigate extending this in three ways:
§ Extensions to handle other data and cancer types. Initial work is focusing on staging lung cancer using text reports radiology, histology), however opportunities exist to extend this to bowel and other cancers, and also to use information extracted from other forms of data, for example, radiological images.
§ Classifying cancer characteristics other than stage. The techniques used to classify cancer stage may be extended to other tasks, such as filtering of patient data, for example, screening for cancer / non-cancer, or classification of cancer types.
§ Population-level analyses. Statistical models may be used to identify trends and anomalies in cancer patient demographics or treatment / response characteristics, based on metadata extracted through the automatic content analysis techniques (for example, cancer type, cancer stage, etc). The CSIS project will produce engineered software prototypes and evaluate these in appropriate proof-of-concept and clinical user trials.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

asbestos cancer

2008-12-23T23:14:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma Treatment Review
For your convenience, we have consolidated mesothelioma treatment information for your review. This section is updated on a weekly basis to cover the latest on conventional treatments, experimental treatments and ongoing clinical trials.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous, chronic lung illness caused by exposure to asbestos.
Significant exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.
Risk depends on duration, frequency, concentration, & type of asbestos fibres.
Diseases from asbestos exposure take a long time to develop. Most cases of asbestosis occur in asbestos workers 15 or more years after initial exposure to asbestos.
Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in workers exposed to asbestos (although smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma).
Mesothelioma (asbestos cancer)
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer which may affect the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).
Most mesotheliomas are caused by exposure to asbestos.
Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women.
Risk increases with age.
Symptoms & Signs
Shortness of breath (this is the primary symptom)
A persistent and productive cough
Chest tightness
Chest pain
Loss of appetite/weight loss
A crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.
Diagnosis
History of asbestos exposure.
Chest X-rays are the most common method of detecting asbestos-related disorders.
Other tests:
Physical Examination
Pulmonary Function Tests
Biiopsy/Bronchoscopy CT scan

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer de mama

2008-12-23T23:10:00.000-08:00

Definición Volver al comienzo
Es un crecimiento maligno (canceroso) que comienza en el tejido mamario. Durante su vida, a una de cada ocho mujeres se le diagnosticará este tipo de cáncer.
Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo Volver al comienzo
Existen varios tipos diferentes de cáncer de mama.
· El carcinoma canalicular o de conductos: comienza en las células que recubren los conductos que llevan leche al pezón y es responsable por más del 75% de los cánceres de mama.
· El carcinoma lobulillar: comienza en las glándulas secretoras de leche de las mamas pero es, a excepción de esto, muy similar en su comportamiento al carcinoma canalicular. Otras variedades de cáncer de mama pueden desarrollarse a partir de la piel, grasa, tejido conectivo y de otras células presentes en las mamas.
Algunas mujeres tienen lo que se conoce como cáncer de mama positivo para HER2. HER2 es la abreviación de receptor 2 del factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano, un gen que ayuda a controlar el crecimiento, la división y la reparación de las células. Cuando las células tienen muchas copias de este gen, el crecimiento celular se acelera. Se cree que el HER2 juega un papel clave en la transformación de células sanas en células cancerosas. Algunas mujeres con cáncer de mama tienen demasiado HER2 y, por lo tanto, se las considera positivas para dicho gen. Las investigaciones sugieren que las mujeres con cáncer de mama positivo para HER2 tienen una enfermedad más agresiva y un riesgo mayor de recurrencia que aquellas mujeres con cáncer de mama negativo para este gen.
Los factores de riesgo para el cáncer de mama abarcan:
· Edad y género: como sucede con la mayoría de los cánceres, la edad es un factor muy importante. De hecho, un 77% de los casos nuevos y 84% de las muertes por cáncer de mama ocurren en mujeres de 50 a?os o más. Más del 80% de todos los casos ocurre en mujeres de más de 50 a?os y menos del 1% ocurre en hombres. El riesgo de cáncer de mama está claramente relacionado con influencias hormonales, pero aún no está claro cómo afectan éstas la enfermedad y particularmente los tipos de enfermedad.
· Factores genéticos y antecedentes familiares de cáncer de mama: algunas familias parecen tener una tendencia genética para el cáncer de mama. Se han encontrado dos genes variantes que parecen intervenir, el BRCA1 y el BRCA2. Los genes p53 y BARD1 también parecen ser importantes. Los investigadores han identificado otros genes defectuosos que pueden causar cáncer de mama, entre los cuales están el BRCA3 y el Noey2 (que es una enfermedad heredada sólo del lado paterno de la familia). Estos descubrimientos sugieren que el cáncer de mama ocurre cuando los sistemas de control y vigilancia del cuerpo contra el cáncer, que normalmente eliminan las células anormales, no logran funcionar. La reducción en la capacidad del cuerpo para eliminar las células anormales lleva a que se presente da?o que se acumula gradualmente. Las mujeres portadoras de mutaciones del BRCA1 y/o del BRCA2 comienzan con una disfunción preexistente de este sistema y tienen una "ventaja inicial" en este proceso de da?o. Las hormonas son importantes porque estimulan el crecimiento celular. Los altos niveles hormonales durante los a?os reproductivos de una mujer, especialmente cuando éstos no han sido interrumpidos por los cambios hormonales del embarazo, parecen aumentar las posibilidades de que las células genéticamente da?adas crezcan y causen el cáncer.
· Menarquia temprana y menopausia tardía: las mujeres que inician tempranamente sus períodos menstruales (antes de los 12 a?os) o llegan a la menopausia después de los 55 tienen un riesgo mayor. Igual sucede con aquellas que no tuvieron hijos o los tuvieron después de los 30 a?os de edad.
· Anticonceptivos orales: los anticonceptivos orales pueden aumentar ligeramente el riesgo de sufrir cáncer de mama, dependiendo de la edad, el tiempo de uso y otros factores. Nadie sabe por cuánto tiempo se mantiene este efecto después de suspenderlos.
· Terapia de reemplazo hormonal: se ha demostrado que el uso de la terapia de reemplazo hormonal aumenta el riesgo de sufrir cáncer de mama.
· Características físicas: el papel de la obesidad como factor de riesgo sigue siendo controvertido. Algunos estudios muestran que sí lo es y que se asocia posiblemente con la producción de altos niveles de estrógenos en las mujeres obesas.
· Consumo de alcohol: el alto consumo de alcohol (más de 1 ó 2 tragos al día) se relaciona con un mayor riesgo de sufrir cáncer de mama.
· Químicos: varios estudios han se?alado que la exposición a sustancias químicas similares a los estrógenos, que se encuentran en pesticidas y ciertos productos industriales, puede aumentar también este riesgo.
· DES: las mujeres que tomaron dietilstilbestrol (DES) para evitar abortos pueden tener un riesgo alto de sufrir cáncer de mama después de los 40 a?os.
· Radiación: las personas que han estado expuestas a la radiación, particularmente durante su infancia, pueden tener igualmente un riesgo alto de cáncer de mama en su vida adulta, sobre todo quienes recibieron radiación en el tórax por cánceres anteriores.
· Otros factores de riesgo: varios estudios han mostrado que el haber tenido tumores previos en las mamas, útero, ovarios o colon, y antecedentes de cáncer en la familia aumentan el riesgo de sufrir cáncer de mama. Tales antecedentes pueden ser indicio de factores genéticos descritos anteriormente.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer bracelet

2008-12-23T23:05:00.000-08:00

IBC typically cannot be identified through:
Mammogram – Because IBC usually does not occur in the form of a lump (the cancer is spread throughout breast tissue), it is difficult to detect with a mammogram. The most characteristic mammography findings consist of swelling of the skin.
Ultrasound – This test confirms the swelling (edema) of the skin and can better identify breast nodules (if present). It also is the most appropriate test for the evaluation of lymph nodes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – This is probably the most sensitive test because it includes a functional description of the abnormal findings. It should be included among the diagnostic tests once the pathological diagnosis is confirmed. It is extremely useful in evaluating the clinical response to chemotherapy.
Core biopsy – Typically, fine-needle aspiration or a core biopsy (removal of tissue with a needle) is performed to obtain a pathological diagnosis of invasive disease, but these diagnostic procedures are not appropriate for IBC because of the peculiar growth pattern in the breast lymphatic system.

What diagnostic tests identify IBC?
Surgical biopsy – Most of the time a skin biopsy or a surgical biopsy is necessary. These procedures are able to collect larger samples that include the skin and underlying tissue with higher chances to identify the cancer cells.
PET Scan – In the near future, this could be one of the most important diagnostic/staging tests for IBC, though it still is under study. We have found that with the PET scan we can see more disease.

We can see lymph nodes far from the breast, which tells us we have a metastatic cancer already at the time of diagnosis. If we limit staging to mammogram, CT (computed tomography – computerized X-rays) and bone scans we may miss different components of this inflammatory spreading, which may have significant consequences in the way we treat the cancer and the way we process patients.

What is the survival rate for IBC?
The five-year median survival rate for inflammatory breast cancer is approximately 40%. The main reasons for such a disappointing outcome are multiple and include: a delay in diagnosis, the lack of expertise in treating IBC because it is so rare and the relative resistance the disease has to standard chemotherapeutic agents.

With regard to the first critical issue, it is important to keep in mind that IBC is a fast-growing cancer (it can spread within weeks), and it is often mistaken for something other than breast cancer, such as a rash or infection.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer picture

2008-12-23T23:02:00.000-08:00

Inflammatory breast cancer is a unique and uncommon type of breast cancer. It is unique in that inflammatory breast cancer does not produce a distinct mass or lump that can be felt within the breast. The lack of a lump or mass also makes inflammatory breast cancer difficult to detect by mammograms. Inflammatory breast cancer cells infiltrate the skin and lymph vessels of the breast. When the lymph vessels become blocked by the breast cancer cells the breast typically becomes red, swollen, and warm. The skin changes associated with inflammatory can cause the breast skin to look like the skin of an orange a finding called peau d'orange. The appearance of the breast is similar to other inflammatory conditions such as cellulitis or mastitis. Other possible associate symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone on the affected side.

Inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed based upon the results of a biopsy and the clinical judgment of the treating physician. Typically, inflammatory breast cancer grows rapidly and requires aggressive treatment. There are two aspects to treating all breast cancer, local treatment and systemic or total body treatment. Because inflammatory breast cancer is aggressive, most oncologists recommend both systemic and local treatment. The typical sequence of treatment is to start with chemotherapy, systemic treatment, followed by surgery and radiation therapy, which are the local treatments, often followed by additional chemotherapy and possibly hormone treatments. With aggressive treatment using this multimodality approach, the 5 year survival for inflammatory breast cancer has improved significantly from an average survival of 18 months to an approximately 50% survival rate at 5 years.

How many cases of IBC are diagnosed each year?
The numbers vary, but approximately 1% to 2% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers (that have spread beyond the breast) in the United States are described as inflammatory breast cancers.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

beating cancer with nutrition

2008-12-23T23:00:00.000-08:00

by Patrick Quillin, Ph.D., R.D.
"I'm sorry, but you have cancer." These words from a doctor introduce fear into the heart of any patient.
The good news is that supportive nutrition therapy can significantly increase cancer patients' quality and length of life and improve their chances for a complete remission. Better yet, a healthy lifestyle that includes a wholesome diet, sufficient exercise, positive attitude and toxin avoidance can prevent up to 90 percent of cancers.
Now for the bad news. Conventional medicine does not have a high success rate with the disease. By the turn of this century, cancer will become the leading cause of death in America. During the past 26 years, NCI spent $37 billion in research with a resulting increase in cancer incidence and deaths. Clearly, medicine cannot produce a "magic bullet" to cure cancer while patients go on living on soft drinks, pollutants and stress.
On December 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon confidently declared a "war on cancer" and promised a cure by the 1976 Bicentennial. However, as late as 1991, a group of 60 noted physicians and scientists called a press conference and made the following statement: "The cancer establishment confuses the public with repeated claims that we are winning the war on cancer. ... Our ability to treat and cure most cancers has not materially improved." this article, I will briefly explore the reasons for failure in combating cancer and give rational directions to improve outcomes for the 2.5 million cancer patients being treated in America today.
Developing A Strategy
In early research, the techniques of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy looked like the best approaches to cancer. The goal was to cut away, burn and poison the abnormal cells. While such therapies can temporarily reduce tumor burden, they do not cure cancer. Only by changing the underlying cause of the disease can a cancer patient expect to return to health.
Doctors now know that eliminating cancer begins with changing the conditions that support tumor growth, not just applying cytotoxic therapies to kill cancer cells. Here's an analogy: Fungus grows on the bark of a tree due to the favorable conditions of heat, moisture and darkness. You can cut, burn and poison a fungus all you want, but as long as favorable conditions persist, it will flourish. Similarly, cancer develops in a human when conditions are right. Documented factors that favor tumor formation include toxic burden, immune suppression, malnutrition, mental depression and elevated blood glucose. More speculative causative factors include reduced pH, dysbiosis (abnormal bacteria in the gut), hypothyroidism, insufficient gland and organ output (i.e., insufficient DHEA, enzymes and hydrochloric acid) and parasites. Unless we correct these cancer inducers, cytotoxic therapies are doomed to failure.

The best way to correct the problem is through therapeutic use of nutrients. But, as a word of caution, while nutrition should be an integral component of every cancer patient's treatment program, nutrition therapy alone is probably insufficient for most advanced cancers. The reasons for using therapeutic nutrition in cancer treatment are numerous and include the following: * Malnutrition: Undernourishing your body can have devastating, even fatal consequences. In fact, more than 40 percent of cancer patients die from malnutrition, not the cancer itself.2 Cancer induces a metabolic abnormality akin to getting your car stuck on ice--the wheels spin and the engine guzzles gas, but you don't go anywhere. Yet, cancer patients often eat less food than they did before their illness began. One reason is that tumors induce a hypermetabolic state and secrete a substance called cachectin that suppresses appetite. Chemo and radiation therapy can also cause anorexia and alone are sufficient biological stressors to induce malnutrition.3 Because cancer patients need more calories than healthy people, they eventually waste away, a condition called cachexia. Weight loss increases the mortality rate for most types of cancer, while also lowering the positive response to chemotherapy.4 In addition to proper eating, nutrient-dense "shakes," canned nutritional formulas, protein powders, hydrazine sulfate, enzymes, DNA loading and other therapies can reverse the weight loss that consumes far too many cancer patients. If cancer patients lose 10 percent or more of their body weight after cancer diagnosis, all other nutrition strategies are irrelevant until this problem is addressed. A word of caution: Do not fill up a fragile stomach with vitamin pills when nutrient-dense foods are more important.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

liver cancer treatment

2008-12-23T22:58:00.000-08:00

Physicians Stop Liver Cancer with Millions of Glass BeadsUniversity of Cincinnati (UC) physicians are using a new technique that involves injecting patients with millions of tiny radioactive glass beads to control advanced, inoperable liver cancer.
No wider than a single strand of human hair, the beads kill liver cancer cells from inside the tumor.

Darryl Zuckerman, MD, offers the minimally invasive procedure, known as TheraSphere, at University Hospital and is the only physician in Ohio trained to perform it. UC’s Academic Health Center is one of 28 medical centers across the United States offering the treatment.

“The only real cure for liver cancer is an organ transplant,” explains Zuckerman, an associate professor and interventional radiologist at UC. “But this procedure allows us to stabilize the patient’s condition by controlling cancer growth and shrinking the tumor. Then we can deal with it surgically, or as a stand-alone therapy for patients who aren’t good candidates for surgery.”

This treatment is intended for patients with a form of cancer known as advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which starts in the liver’s cells and develops into one or multiple tumors that cannot be removed in surgery.

Primary liver cancer-which grows from within the organ as opposed to spreading there from another area of the body-is rare but is increasing at a very rapid rate in the United States, according to Zuckerman. HCC is the most common type of primary liver cancer in adults and accounts for 80 percent of all primary liver cancers. Colorectal, breast and gastric cancers also commonly spread to the liver.

“By delivering highly targeted radiation from inside the body,” says Zuckerman, “we can help minimize damage to surrounding tissue and slow the progression of the liver cancer for patients awaiting liver transplant. For other patients, this procedure can reduce the size of the tumor to a point where it can be removed surgically, giving patients new hope for survival.”

Two weeks before treatment patients undergo an angiogram, which allows an interventional radiologist to identify blood vessels feeding the liver tumor. Depending on the anatomy of the blood vessels, the radiologist may place metal coils in surrounding blood vessels to prevent the beads from traveling to other organs in the body.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer ribbon

2008-12-23T22:56:00.000-08:00

For over FIFTEEN years a pink ribbon is the international symbol of breast cancer awareness.Wear a pink ribbon, so that people will ask you what it's all about. Do your self exams. Early detection is the best chance for a long life. If you notice anything strange see your doctor, don't wait. Pinkribbons spread awareness and are used to raise money to fund research that will lead to a cure.This is shareware and not copyrighted."It is free because the power of movements begin with symbols and ideas that spread unimpeded."- Carol Sutton
My mandate is to give away free, copyright free pink ribbon symbols, graphic, icons, images, pinkribbon visual material and the like for the use and promotion of raising awareness of breast cancer. Toward that end many people worldwide have donated their designs and services to help in the cause. To date many people worldwide have used my free ribbons to make products that produce funds for breast cancer research and help the cause of creating more awareness of the pink ribbon symbol.
The pink ribbon considered world wide to be an international symbol for breast cancer. The pink ribbon is ubiquitous, or seeming to exist everywhere at once, and be omnipresent. No one company or organization or foundation owns the rights to this worldwide symbol. However, individual pink ribbon designers can hold all rights reserved on their copyright, for example Avon has its own, as does Estee Lauder.Make your own design and add text. Then make a page offering it to the world wide web or internet.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

tropic of cancer

2008-12-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

Tropic of Cancer, parallel of latitude at 23°30' north of the equator; it is the northern boundary of the tropics. This parallel marks the farthest point north at which the sun can be seen directly overhead at noon; north of the parallel the sun appears less than 90° from the southern horizon at any day of the year. The sun reaches its vertical position over the Tropic of Cancer at about June 22, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. When the Tropic of Cancer was named, the sun was in the constellation Cancer at the time of the summer solstice.
Where is it?
All of us who have looked at a map have noticed a little dotted line called the Tropic of Cancer. In fact, here in Mazatlan, this little dotted is less than 15 miles north of us. But what is it, and what if anything does it have to do with Cancer? The answer is both simple and complicated. The simple answer is that the Tropic of Cancer is 23.5 degrees north latitude. So what? The real answer is a bit more complicated, and very interesting.
Some History Back in the old days, before television, cellular phones, and the internet, people who had a lot of free time on their hands used to look up at the stars and the sky. They noticed a bunch of remarkable things. One of the things they noticed was that the sun and the stars did not appear in the same place at the same time every day. In the northern hemisphere, from winter until summer, the sun gradually rose higher and higher in the sky each day, while from the summer until winter, the opposite happened. By carefully measuring how high the sun rose at mid day, they discovered that around June 21 (in our current calendar, but that is another story) the sun got as high as it was ever going to get, and that around December 21 the sun stayer lower in the sky than on any other day. To make matters worse, how high and how low the sun gets depends on where you live. For the folks living near the equator, on June 21 the sun was up in the northern sky, their day was long and hot, but things cooled off at night, while for the folks living up near the north pole, the sun was to the south and moved in a small circle. In fact they were in the middle of 6 months of constant daylight. Something funny is clearly going on.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

endometrial cancer

2008-12-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

Introduction
Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in American women. In fact, about 40,000 American women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer each year, making it the fourth most common cancer found in women - after breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer.
Endometrial cancer usually begins in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus - a hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ where fetal development occurs. Endometrial cancer is most common after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer, but there are other cells in the uterus that can become cancerous - such as muscle or myometrial cells. These form much less common cancers called sarcomas and account for less than 5 percent of uterine cancers.
Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause. If discovered early, this slow-growing cancer is likely to be confined to the uterus. Removing the uterus surgically often eliminates all of the cancer. In fact, stage I endometrial cancer is successfully treated more than 90 percent of the time. Unfortunately, not all endometrial cancer can be successfully treated. In these cases, the cancer has spread beyond the uterus by the time it's detected. About 7,000 American women die each year of endometrial cancer.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

testicular cancer symptom

2008-12-23T22:44:00.000-08:00

Testicular cancer
Published by BUPA's Health Information Team
February 2004
Testicular cancer is a rare disease in men caused by abnormal growth of cells of the testicle. The testicles (or testes) are located inside the scrotum, the loose bag of skin that hangs below the penis. Each testicle (or testis) produces sperm.
About testicular cancer
Cancer of the testicles is not a common cancer overall, and is responsible for less than one per cent of all cancer deaths. However, it is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 34. It is important for men to be aware of the disease so that they can recognise the symptoms. If caught early, testicular cancer can usually be treated and cured.
Types of testicular cancer
The most common types of testicular cancer are seminoma and teratoma. Seminomas are made up of a single type of cell, whereas teratomas consist of more than one type of testicular cell. Occasionally, the cancer can be a combination of seminoma and teratoma. Other types of testicular cancer, such as lymphoma, arise from lymphatic tissue (tissue that forms part of the immune system) within the testicle. These are very rare.
What causes testicular cancer? The causes of testicular cancer are unknown, but men born with an undescended testicle (one that remains in the abdominal cavity rather than descending into the scrotum) may be at greater risk of developing the disease.
Other factors that are thought to make testicular cancer more likely include:
● having a brother who had testicular cancer
● fertility problems
● being from a wealthier social group
● having a rare complication of mumps called mumps orchitis (painful swelling of the testis)Symptoms of testicular cancer
The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump, irregularity or swelling in one testicle. Other symptoms that may be present are:
● a pulling sensation or feeling of unusual heaviness in the scrotum
● a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
● pain or discomfort (which may come and go) in the testicle or scrotum
● tenderness or enlargement of tissue in the breast area
● a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum (called a hydrocele). Most lumps in the scrotum are not testicular cancer. However, anyone who notices one or more of the symptoms above should see their GP for advice.
Detecting testicular cancer
Testicular cancer can't be prevented. To help detect it early, you should be aware of how your testicles feel normally, so that you notice any unusual lumps, irregularities, enlargements or areas of firmness.A good time to feel the testicles is when you are having a warm bath or shower, when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Feel each testicle by rolling it between thumb and forefinger.

You may notice that one testicle is slightly larger than the other, which is normal. Also, it is normal to feel the epididymis - a small, firm, tube-like structure at the back of the testicle. This stores and transports sperm.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer treatment center of america

2008-12-23T22:35:00.000-08:00

Midway between Chicago and Milwaukee you'll find a special kind of hospital.Located in a restorative, rural setting in Zion, Illinois, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center is one of the premier providers of cancer care in the world. We offer the best of traditional treatment-chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery-but go well beyond those disciplines to treat the whole person-not just the disease.Unlike other facilities that rely on a narrow spectrum of isolated treatments, CTCA constantly pushes the envelope to find the best combination of approved therapies for our patients' particular cancer. In fact, many of the nation's other leading cancer facilities are just beginning to embrace the whole-person approach we've been perfecting for the last 25 years.

Our approach to care in Zion has attracted an internationally recognized team dedicated to eliminating cancer-many are professionals you just can't find at other hospitals. For instance, we have a female gynecologic oncologist on staff. Even though the National Institute of Health recommends women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers be treated by a specialist for optimal treatment outcome, most local and community hospitals do not have a gynecologic oncologist on staff.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

small cell lung cancer

2008-12-23T22:27:00.000-08:00

Alternative names
Cancer - lung - small cell; Small cell lung cancer; SCLC
Definition
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing type of lung cancer. It tends to spread much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer.
There are three different types of small cell lung cancer:
● Small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer)
● Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma
● Combined small cell carcinoma
Most small cell lung cancers are the oat cell type.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
About 15% of all lung cancer cases are small cell lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Small cell lung cancer is a bit more common in men than women.
Smoking almost always causes small cell lung cancer. This type of lung cancer is rare in those who have never smoked.
Small cell lung cancer usually starts in the air tubes (bronchi) in the center of the chest. Although the cancer cells are small, they grow quickly and create large masses (tumors) that can rapidly spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, liver, and bone.
Symptoms
● Cough
● Bloody sputum
● Shortness of breath
● Wheezing
● Chest pain
● Loss of appetite
● Weight loss
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
● Weakness
Swallowing difficulty
Nail abnormalities
Hoarseness or changing voice
Fever
Facial swelling Signs and tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. You will be asked if you smoke, and if so, how long you have smoked.When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the health care provider can sometimes hear fluid around the lungs, which could (but doesn't always) suggest cancer.Small cell lung cancer has usually spread by the time it is diagnosed.Tests that may be performed include:
● Chest x-ray
● CBC
● Sputum test
● Bone scan
● CT scan
● MRI
● Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
● Thoracentesis In some cases, the health care provider may need to remove a piece of tissue from your lungs for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. There are several ways to do this:
● Bronchoscopy combined with biopsy
● Pleural biopsy
● CT scan directed needle biopsy
● Mediastinoscopy with biopsy
● Open lung biopsy
● Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy
Usually, if a biopsy reveals cancer, more imaging tests are done to find out the stage of the cancer. (Stage means how big the tumor is and how far it's spread.) However, the traditional staging system, which uses numbers to tell how bad the cancer is, is usually not used for patients with SCLC. Instead, SCLC is grouped as either:
● Limited (cancer is only in the chest)
● Extensive (cancer has spread outside the chest)

Most cases are extensive.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

sign of cancer

2008-12-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

What Are Symptoms and Signs? A symptom is an indication of disease, illness, injury, or that something is not right in the body. Symptoms are felt or noticed by a person, but may not easily be noticed by anyone else. For example, chills, weakness, achiness, shortness of breath, and a cough are possible symptoms of pneumonia. A sign is also an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are defined as observations made by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. Fever, rapid breathing rate, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope are possible signs of pneumonia. The presence of one symptom or sign may not give enough information to suggest a cause. For example, a rash in a child could be a symptom of a number of things including poison ivy, an infectious disease like measles, an infection limited to the skin, or a food allergy. But if the rash is seen along with other signs and symptoms like a high fever, chills, achiness, and a sore throat, then a doctor can get a better picture of the illness. In many cases, a patient's signs and symptoms do not provide enough clues by themselves to determine the cause of an illness, and medical tests such as x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy may be needed. How Does Cancer Produce Signs and Symptoms? Cancer is a group of diseases that may cause almost any sign or symptom. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, the size of the cancer, and how much it affects the surrounding organs or structures. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), then symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. As a cancer grows, it begins to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure creates some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can produce early symptoms. Sometimes, however, cancers form in places where there may be no symptoms until the cancer has grown quite large. Pancreas cancers, for example, do not usually grow large enough to be felt from the outside of the body. Some pancreatic cancers do not produce symptoms until they begin to grow around nearby nerves, causing a backache. Others grow around the bile duct, which blocks the flow of bile and leads to a yellowing of the skin known as jaundice. By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, it has usually reached an advanced stage. A cancer may also cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or weight loss. This may be caused by cancer cells using up much of the body抯 energy supply or releasing substances that change the body抯 metabolism. Or the cancer may cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these symptoms. Sometimes, cancer cells release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms not usually thought to result from cancers. For example, some cancers of the pancreas can release substances which cause blood clots to develop in veins of the legs. Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that affect blood calcium levels, affecting nerves and muscles and causing weakness and dizziness. How Are Signs and Symptoms Helpful? Treatment is most successful when cancer is found as early as possible. Finding cancer early usually means it can be treated while it is still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure, especially if initial treatment is to be surgery. A good example of the importance of detecting cancer early is melanoma skin cancer. It is easily removed if it has not yet grown deeply into the skin, and the 5-year survival rate (percentage of people living at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this stage is nearly 100%. But once melanoma has spread to other parts of the body the survival rate drops dramatically. Sometimes people ignore symptoms either because they do not recognize the symptoms as being significant or because they are frightened by what they might mean and don抰 want to seek medical help. General symptoms, such as fatigue, are more likely to have a cause other than cancer and can seem unimportant, especially if they have an obvious cause or are only temporary. In a similar way, a person may reason that a more specific symptom like a breast mass is probably a cyst that will go away by itself. But neither of these symptoms should be discounted or overlooked, especially if they have been present for a long period of time or are getting worse. Most likely, any symptoms you may have will not be caused by cancer, but it抯 important to have them checked out by your doctor, just in case. If cancer is not the cause, your doctor can help figure out what is and treat it, if needed. In some cases it is possible to detect some cancers before symptoms occur. The American Cancer Society and other health groups encourage the early detection of certain cancers before symptoms occur by recommending a cancer-related checkup and specific tests for people who do not have any symptoms. For more information on early detection tests, see our document, "American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer." Keep in mind, however, that these recommended tests do not diminish the importance of reporting any symptoms to your doctor. General Cancer Signs and Symptoms It is important to know what some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptoms of cancer are. They include unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, pain, and changes in the skin. Of course, it important to remember that having any of these does not necessarily mean that cancer is present -- there are many other conditions that can cause these signs and symptoms as well. Unexplained weight loss: Most people with cancer will lose weight at some time with their disease. An unexplained (unintentional) weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer, particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung. Fever: Fever is very common with cancer, but is more often seen in advanced disease. Almost all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, particularly if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system and reduces resistance to infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as with leukemia or lymphoma. Fatigue: Fatigue may be a significant symptom as cancer progresses. It may occur early, however, in cancers such as with leukemia or if the cancer is causing a chronic loss of blood, as in some colon or stomach cancers. Pain: Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers, such as bone cancers or testicular cancer. Most often, however, pain is a symptom of advanced disease. Skin changes: In addition to cancers of the skin (see next section), some internal cancers can produce visible skin signs such as darkening (hyperpigmentation), yellowing (jaundice), reddening (erythema), itching, or excessive hair growth.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer site

2008-12-23T22:21:00.000-08:00

Every year at this time, cancer doctors and researchers gather at the annual Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Texas, to hear the latest news in the field.
This year we heard surprising news from investigators at M.D. Anderson: there was an overall 7 percent relative decline in diagnosed cases of breast cancer between 2002 and 2003. The number of breast cancer cases had increased in the 20 years before 2002.

The steepest decline - 12 percent - occurred in women between ages 50 and 69 diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive (ER-positive) breast cancer. ER-positive breast cancer depends on hormones for tumor growth. One reason for the decline, according to the researchers, may be the 2002 announcement that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a major contributor to breast cancer growth. The announcement led thousands of women to stop taking these drugs.
Although the researchers aren't 100 percent sure that stopping HRT is the only reason for the decline, Peter Ravin, Ph.D., the study's senior investigator, says "it makes perfect sense" if you consider that use of HRT may be an important contributing factor to breast cancer development. "Research has shown that ER-positive tumors will stop growing if they are deprived of the hormones, so it is possible that a significant decrease in breast cancer can be seen if so many women stopped using HRT," he says.We want everyone to help us raise funds for breast cancer research.
There are many ways you can get involved, whether you fundraise for us by organising your own activity or buy merchandise.
Register your interest now to find out about our sponsored walks taking place across the UK this Autumn.
Together we will beat cancer.
ABOUT THE BREAST CANCER SITE
Your click on the "Fund Free Mammograms" button helps fund free mammograms, paid for by site sponsors whose ads appear after you click and provided to women in need through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation to low-income, inner-city and minority women, whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited.
EARLY DETECTION: DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS?

This year in America, more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 will die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

tongue cancer

2008-12-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

What is tongue cancer?
There are two parts to your tongue, the oral tongue and the base of the tongue. Cancer can develop in either part. The oral tongue is the part you see when you ‘poke your tongue out’ at someone. This is the front two thirds of your tongue. Cancers that develop in this part of the tongue come under a group of cancers called mouth (oral) cancer.

The base of the tongue is the back third of the tongue. This part is very near your throat (pharynx). Cancers that develop in this part are called oropharyngeal cancers (pronounced oar-o-farin-gee-al). Types of tongue cancer
The most common type of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). Squamous cells are the flat, skin-like cells that cover the lining of the mouth, nose, larynx, thyroid and throat. Squamous cell carcinoma is the name given to a cancer that starts in these cells.
Symptoms

The symptoms of tongue cancer may include
● A red or white patch on the tongue, that will not go away
● A sore throat that does not go away
● A sore spot on the tongue that does not go away
● Pain when swallowing
● Numbness in the mouth that will not go away
● Unexplained bleeding from the tongue (that is, not caused by biting your tongue or other injury)
● Pain in the ear (rare)Do bear in mind that these symptoms may be due to a less serious medical condition. But it is important to check symptoms with your GP just to make sure

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

liver-cancer-symptom

2008-12-23T22:13:00.000-08:00

Liver cancer is sometimes called a "silent disease" because in an early stage it often does not cause symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
------Pain in the upper abdomen on the right side; the pain may extend to the back and shoulder
------Swollen abdomen (bloating)
------Weight loss
------Loss of appetite and feelings of fullness
------Weakness or feeling very tired
------Nausea and vomiting
------Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice
------Fever
Some of the possible causes of Liver cancer are included in the list below:
------Other cancers - liver cancer is a common metastasis
------Breast cancer
------Colon cancer
------Lung cancer
------Stomach cancer
See full list of 16 causes of Liver cancer
Detailed information about the causes of Liver cancer including medication causes and drug interaction causes can be found in our causes pages.
With a diagnosis of Liver cancer, it is also important to consider whether there is an underlying condition causing Liver cancer. Underlying medical conditions are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Liver cancer.
Treatments for Liver cancer include:
------Chemotherapy
------Hepatic arterial infusion
------Hepatic arterial infusion pump
------Chemoembolization
Radiation therapy

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

rectal cancer

2008-12-23T22:09:00.000-08:00

Definition of colon cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

Definition of rectal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus).

Estimated new cases and deaths from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2007:

-------New cases: 112,340 (colon); 41,420 (rectal)

-------Deaths: 52,180 (colon and rectal combined)
Prognostic factors
The prognosis of patients with colon cancer is clearly related to the degree of penetration of the tumor through the bowel wall, the presence or absence of nodal involvement, and the presence or absence of distant metastases. These 3 characteristics form the basis for all staging systems developed for this disease. Bowel obstruction and bowel perforation are indicators of poor prognosis. Elevated pretreatment serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have a negative prognostic significance. The American Joint Committee on Cancer and a National Cancer Institute-sponsored panel recommended that at least 12 lymph nodes be examined in patients with colon and rectal cancer to confirm the absence of nodal involvement by tumor. This recommendation takes into consideration that the number of lymph nodes examined is a reflection of the aggressiveness of lymphovascular mesenteric dissection at the time of surgical resection and the pathologic identification of nodes in the specimen. Retrospective studies demonstrated that the number of lymph nodes examined in colon and rectal surgery may be associated with patient outcome.

Many other prognostic markers have been evaluated retrospectively for patients with colon cancer, though most, including allelic loss of chromosome 18q or thymidylate synthase expression_, have not been prospectively validated. Microsatellite instability, also associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), has been associated with improved survival independent of tumor stage in a population-based series of 607 patients younger than 50 years with colorectal cancer. Treatment decisions depend on factors such as physician and patient preferences and the stage of the disease rather than the age of the patient. Racial differences in overall survival after adjuvant therapy have been observed, without differences in disease-free survival, suggesting that comorbid conditions play a role in survival outcome in different patient populations.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

rectal cancer

2008-12-23T22:04:00.000-08:00

Definition of colon cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

Definition of rectal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus).

Estimated new cases and deaths from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2007:

--------New cases: 112,340 (colon); 41,420 (rectal)

--------Deaths: 52,180 (colon and rectal combined)
Prognostic factors
The prognosis of patients with colon cancer is clearly related to the degree of penetration of the tumor through the bowel wall, the presence or absence of nodal involvement, and the presence or absence of distant metastases. These 3 characteristics form the basis for all staging systems developed for this disease. Bowel obstruction and bowel perforation are indicators of poor prognosis. Elevated pretreatment serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have a negative prognostic significance. The American Joint Committee on Cancer and a National Cancer Institute-sponsored panel recommended that at least 12 lymph nodes be examined in patients with colon and rectal cancer to confirm the absence of nodal involvement by tumor. This recommendation takes into consideration that the number of lymph nodes examined is a reflection of the aggressiveness of lymphovascular mesenteric dissection at the time of surgical resection and the pathologic identification of nodes in the specimen. Retrospective studies demonstrated that the number of lymph nodes examined in colon and rectal surgery may be associated with patient outcome.

Many other prognostic markers have been evaluated retrospectively for patients with colon cancer, though most, including allelic loss of chromosome 18q or thymidylate synthase expression_, have not been prospectively validated. Microsatellite instability, also associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), has been associated with improved survival independent of tumor stage in a population-based series of 607 patients younger than 50 years with colorectal cancer. Treatment decisions depend on factors such as physician and patient preferences and the stage of the disease rather than the age of the patient. Racial differences in overall survival after adjuvant therapy have been observed, without differences in disease-free survival, suggesting that comorbid conditions play a role in survival outcome in different patient populations.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

sign of breast cancer

2008-12-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death (exceeded by lung cancer in 1985). Breast cancer is three times more common than all gynecologic malignancies put together. The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing steadily from an incidence of 1:20 in 1960 to 1:7 women today.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 211,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year and 43,300 patients will die from the disease. Breast cancer is truly an epidemic among women and we don't know why.
Breast cancer is not exclusively a disease of women. For every 100 women with breast cancer, 1 male will develop the disease. The American Cancer society estimates that 1,600 men will develop the disease this year. The evaluation of men with breast masses is similar to that in women, including mammography.The incidence of breast cancer is very low in the twenties (age) gradually increases and plateaus at the age of forty-five and increases dramatically after fifty. Fifty percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women over sixty-five indicating the ongoing necessity of yearly screening throughout a woman's life.Breast cancer is considered a heterogenous disease, meaning that it is a different disease in different women, a different disease in different age groups and has different cell populations within the tumor itself. Generally, breast cancer is a much more aggressive disease in younger women. Autopsy studies show that 2% of the population has undiagnosed breast cancer at the time of death. Older women typically have much less aggressive disease than younger women.
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer farrah fawcett

2008-12-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

Like any cancer, the exact reason why one person gets esophagus cancer and another does not remainsunknown. However, various "risk factors" have been noted to increase the risk for developing esophagus cancer.

People don't think much about their esophagus (food tube) unless it gets diseased. Esophagus cancer used to be uniformly fatal, but newer treatments offer more hope of survival and comfort than ever before.

It is critical to get the right treatment for esophagus cancer- this can literally make the difference between life and death. Understanding your choices gives you the peace-of-mind of knowing that you have done everything possible to fight esophagus cancer successfully.
CancerAnswers's material explains, in plain English, the definition, types, frequency, symptoms, evaluation, historic treatment and latest effective treatment for esophagus cancer. We describe surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and tell you their results. We tell you everything you need to know to make the right choices today to deal with an esophagus cancer problem.

This is just an excerpt of CancerAnswers's report on esophagus cancer. Much more, including latest can be sent to you by mail when you order at a nominal cost. Thank you for using CancerAnswers as your information resource.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

anal cancer

2008-12-23T21:57:00.000-08:00

There were12,500 new cases of esophagus cancer and 11,000 deaths attribute-bale to the disease in 1996. It Accounts for 5% of Gastrointestinal cancers and about 1% of all new cancers in the U.S.A. The overall number of cases each year is steadily increasing. In some places, like Northern China, it is 10 times more common than in North America. It is the 7th most common cancer worldwide. In the U.S.A. men are affected more than twice as commonly as women, and Black men 3 times as often as White men. The average patient is 60 years old.

The most common type had always been "squamous cell carcinoma" arising fromthe upper 2/3 of the esophagus. Now, however, there has been a dramatic increase in another type, called "adenocarcinoma", which tends to arise in the lower 1/3 of the esophagus. Currently, the number of each of these two types of cancer cases is about equal, and together they make up nearly 100% of today's esophagus cancers. White men tend to get the disease more commonly in the lower esophagus, while Black men get it in the middle and upper esophagus.

There are occasional rare cancers found in the esophagus, such as "sarcomas" which arise from the muscular wall, "cylindroma" which begins from glands, and "lymphoma" that starts from the body's immune system cells within the esophagus.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer cure

2008-12-23T21:53:00.000-08:00

The esophagus, like all body tissues, is made up of individual cells. Normally, cells within the forming esophagus divide and grow very rapidly in the womb, in early childhood, and through puberty. In adulthood, new cells are only formed to replace those which have died from injury, old age or disease. The division of cells to produce new ones is under tight control by the "genes" within each cell. These genes are made up of DNA, and if it becomes damaged, the cell may start dividing out of control.Esophagus cancer starts in a single cell which has become abnormal. This cells produces millions, and eventually billions, of copies of itself. The copies are called"clones". These clones fail to function as normal esophagus tissue, but instead divert resources from healthy cells to fuel their own growth. When there are about 1 billion cells, they form a clump, or "tumor" 1/2 inch across. A "tumor" merely means a swelling, it can be caused by infection, inflammation, cancer or whatever. If a tumor only grows in it's local area (even very large) but does not have the capacity to spread to distant body areas, it is called"benign" and isnot cancer. If, however, the tumor has the ability to spread to distant body areas, it is called "malignant" andthis is cancer. The actual process of spread is called"metastasis", and can occur to any area of the body.

The most common type of benign esophageal tumor arises from the muscular layer, and is called a "leiomyoma". Unfortunately, a quickly growing tumor within the esophagus is most likely to be cancerous.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

pancreatic cancer symptom

2008-12-23T21:49:00.000-08:00

The esophagus has an outer lining, called the "adventitia", which surrounds the muscular layers and separates the esophagus from other nearby organs. The heart is directly behind the middle esophagus, while the windpipe ("trachea") is directly in front of it. The esophagus is also very close to the liver, lungs, and major blood vessels from the heart ("aorta and venal cava"). The esophagus receives most of it's blood from the aorta and drains it to the liver and venal cava. A system of "drainage channels" runs through the esophagus, between the mucosal and muscular layers. These are called "lymph channels" and act to purify the blood serum, by transporting it to nearby "lymph nodes" (glands) where the serum is filtered. Both the blood supply, and lymph channels and glands, can act as conduits to spread infection or cancer. This spread may be along the length of the esophagus, around it's diameter, to local lymph nodes or organs, or to distant body areas.

When a person has shrinkage ("cirrhosis") of the liver due to excessive alcohol or chronic infections, it places back pressure on the blood draining from the esophagus. This results in swelling of the blood vessels in the lower esophagus, called "varices". These may spontaneously bleed when there is a lot a pressure between the liver and esophagus ("portal hypertension") and is a medical emergency. Other common problems with the esophagus (besides cancer) are "rings" or "webs"-- areas of protrusion into the normally hollow interior ("lumen") of the esophagus where food can get caught. A "stricture" is an area of narrowing of the esophagus, often from scarring from ingested chemicals (i.e. lye). Achalasia is a disease where the nerves in the esophagus don't coordinate swallowing properly, so food gets caught there. An inflammation is "esophagitis", caused by bacteria, virus, or fungi, drugs or radiation.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

esophagus cancer

2008-12-23T21:42:00.000-08:00

The wall of the esophagus has several layers. Cancer of the esophagus -- also referred to as esophageal cancer ... People with Barrett esophagus are at a highly increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus (estimated at 30-100 ...
Esophageal cancer is a disease where malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the tissues of the esophagus. ... There are two main types of esophageal cancer (depending on how the cells appear under the microscope); approximately half are ...
The esophagus (UK spelling: oesophagus) is a long hollow muscular tube which connects the throat to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is a disease where malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the tissues of the esophagus. The most common symptom is difficulty in swallowing. It can also be associated with weight loss and sometimes pain or discomfort behind the breast bone or in the back - these symptoms should be checked by a doctor but not are sure signs of cancer. There are two main types of esophageal cancer (depending on how the cells appear under the microscope); approximately half are classed as "squamous cell carcinomas" and half as "adenocarcinomas". People with frequent gastric reflux leading to barrest’s have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
The esophagus is a hollow tube that transfers food from the throat to the stomach, that is the "food tube". The tube starts just below the "epiglottis", the flap that keeps food from going into our trachea (air pipe) when we swallow. It ends at where it joins with the upper portion of the stomach, called the "cardia". The actual area of coinage is called the "gastroesophageal junction". The esophagus is muscular, to help propel food downward with swallowing. It has a complex array of nerves ("plexus") that work to coordinate the swallowing motion. The upper 2/3 of the esophagus has a inner lining ("mucosa") of a special type of cell, called "squamous" cells, which are also found in the mouth and anal region. These cells resist abrasion and heat and are able to heal quickly if damaged, say by the sharp edges on food. The lower 1/3 of the esophagus has an inner lining of a different type of mucosa called "columnar" cells.

This becomes important for considering the cancers that arise in the esophagus. If the lower portion of the esophagus becomes infiltrated with intestinal-like glands, as it is prone to do with prolonged irritation, then this is called "Barrett's" esophagus and is a risk factor to get cancer, as will be seen.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

colorectal cancer

2008-12-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Such cancer is sometimes referred to as "colorectal cancer."
Other types of colon cancer such as lymphoma,carcinoid tumors, melonema, and sarcomas are rare. In this article, use of the term "colon cancer" refers to colon carcinoma and not these rare types of colon cancer.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. (However, in almost all cases, early diagnosis can lead to a complete cure.)
There is no single cause for colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as benign polyps, which slowly develop into cancer
Certain genetic syndromes also increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
What you eat may play a role in your risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer may be associated with a hight-fat, low-fiber diet and red meat. However, some studies found that the risk does not drop if you switch to a high-fiber diet, so the cause of the link is not yet clear

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

lung cancer treatment

2008-12-23T21:34:00.000-08:00

Treatment
As is true of many cancers, the treatment of lung cancer depends upon a variety of factors. The most important factors are the histopathologic (diseased tissue) type of tumor that is present and its stage. Once a lung cancer has been staged, the physician and patient can discuss treatment options. An individual then has a better idea of the value of different forms of therapy. Other factors that are taken into account include the person's general health, medical problems that may affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), and tumor characteristics.
The characteristics of the lung tumor help to separate individuals into two groups: (1) those who are at low risk of cancer recurrence and (2) those who are at high risk of cancer recurrence. Specific prognostic - disease-forecasting - factors place patients in either of these groups. In particular, the histopathologic groupings of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) versus non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) may be used to better predict a patient's prognosis and response to therapy.
Surgical resection, or cutting away, of the tumor generally is indicated for disease that has not spread beyond the lung. Such resection may be conducted using a variety of techniques. Thoracotomy - the opening of the chest wall for surgical procedures - and median sternotomy - surgery performed by cutting through the breastbone - are standard methods used for lung cancer surgery. Alternative approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), thoractomy performed on the frontal chest using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), thoracotomy performed on the frontal chest near the underarm), and posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT) thoracotomy performed on the back/side region of the trunk. ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy - that is, it involves less disturbance of the body by incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less surgical blood loss, less postoperative drainage, and less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.
Recently, surgeons have developed other less invasive procedures for the removal of tumorous tissue. For example, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), otherwise known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), uses a video camera to help visualize and operate upon the lung within the chest cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are much smaller than those needed for thoracotomy or sternotomy. However, some physicians caution that VAT does not allow complete lung examination to identify and remove metastases that are not detected by preoperative chest X-ray. VAT is perhaps most appropriate for Stage 1 and Stage 2 cancers that require lobectomy (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with lymphadenectomy (removal of one or more lymph nodes) and for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors that can be removed by wedge resection. In such cases, follow-up is required to establish a long-term prognosis.
Computed tomography (CT) scans also have been added to VAT technology to improve lung cancer surgery. Experts have found that percutaneous (through the skin) CT-guided localization wires help to identify tumorous lung nodules. In this way, wires can be used to assist VAT in cases that need sublobectomy resection (partial removal of a lung lobe).
Unfortunately, surgical procedures may cause lymphocytopenia - low number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the blood - which is linked with shorter survival times among patients with advanced lung cancer. Lymphocytopenia may be related to a deficiency in interleukin-2 (IL-2), a hormone that controls the activity of T lymphocytes (thymus-dependent lymphocytes). Preoperative treatment with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) may help to prevent the lymphocyte decrease that occurs after surgery for operable lung cancer.
If the tumor is more aggressive and/or widespread, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (radiation therapy) also may be necessary. In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, other treatments are now available for the management of lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be especially useful for the care of persons with inoperable lung cancer.
Photodynamic therapy begins with the injection of a light-activated drug (e.g., hotofrin/polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Then, during bronchoscopy (examination of the airways using a flexible scope), the lung tumor is illuminated by a laser fiber that transmits light of a specific wavelength. At that time, the laser light is used to destroy the sensitized tumor tissue. Skin photosensitivity (light sensitivity) is a side effect of PDT. The curative potential of PDT is the most exciting aspect of this therapy in lung cancer patients whose tumors are occult (hidden, unseen) on chest X-ray. The tissue-sparing effects of PDT may be particularly important for individuals with limited lung function.
Electrosurgery
· A lump is detected, which is usually single, firm, and most often painless.
· A portion of the skin on the breast or underarm swells and has an unusual appearance.
· Veins on the skin surface become more prominent on one breast.
· The breast nipple becomes inverted, develops a rash, changes in skin texture, or has a discharge other than breast milk.
· A depression is found in an area of the breast surface. Women's breasts can develop some degree of lumpiness, but only a small percentage of lumps are malignant.
While a history of breast cancer in the family may lead to increased risk, most breast cancers are diagnosed in women with no family history. If you have a family history of breast cancer, this should be discussed with your doctor.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

throat cancer symptom

2008-12-22T22:20:00.000-08:00

Cancer Treatment Centers of America has provided this brief summary on throat cancer symptoms. It is important to see your doctor or some qualified medical professional if you are experiencing throat cancer symptoms.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America is your source for integrative throat cancer treatment. Cancer patients at CTCA will have a variety of cancer therapies that are designed to use each patient's strengths in the fight of their lives against cancer.
Throat Cancer Symptoms are related to other head and neck cancer symptoms.
Common throat cancer symptoms are a lump or sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, a change in the sound of the voice, and a new hoarseness in the voice.Throat Cancer Symptoms: Other Symptoms
Please keep in mind that while your symptoms may seem like throat cancer symptoms, they may be caused by other unrelated and less serious health conditions. Tell your doctor about any throat cancer symptoms you are feeling.
Throat cancer symptoms, and head and neck cancer symptoms, may also include trouble breathing, trouble with speaking, pain in the ears and frequent headaches. Throat cancer symptoms and head and neck cancer symptoms may also include sinuses that are blocked and will not clear. Throat cancer symptoms and head and neck cancer symptoms may also include bleeding through the nose, pain in the upper teeth, headaches, and swelling in the eyes. Throat cancer symptoms and head and neck cancer symptoms may also include chronic sinus infections that do not go away when treated with antibiotics.There is more to learn about throat cancer symptoms. If you have any of these throat cancer symptoms, it is important that you see your doctor.
Possible Throat Cancer Symptoms
● Throat cancer symptoms and head and neck cancer symptoms may also include numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face.
● Throat cancer symptoms and head and neck cancer symptoms may also include pain that does not go away in the face.
● Throat cancer symptoms and head and neck cancer symptoms may also trouble pain that does not go away in the neck.
● There is more to learn about throat cancer symptoms. If you have any of these throat cancer symptoms, it is important that you see your doctor.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

awareness better book breast cancer cook edition garden home limited new pink plaid

2008-12-22T22:14:00.002-08:00

New Cook Book, Limited Edition Pink Plaid
For Breast Cancer Awareness
(Hardcover)
by Better Homes and Gardens; Tricia Laning
In Stock: Ships within 2-3 days.
Promoting breast cancer awareness, the complete 12th edition "New Cook Book" features all the goodness and reliability that's made the Red Plaid a trusted kitchen resource for millions of families. An all-new 64-page "pink" section includes healthful dietary and lifestyle suggestions and 60+ delicious recipes containing wholesome "super foods" associated with a reduced risk of cancer.
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis:
The complete 12th edition New Cook Book with all the goodness and reliability thats made the Red Plaid a trusted kitchen resource for millions of families.
Inspiration at its finest, with more than 1,200 delicious recipes and 700 full-color photos.Hundreds of hints and tips.
Easy-to-read cooking charts.
Complete nutrition and exchange information for every recipe.
Plus all the best-loved recipes found in the Red Plaid version.
All new remarkable 64-page pink section that includes:
Healthful dietary and lifestyle suggestions.More than 60 delicious recipes containing wholesome super foods associated with a reduced risk of cancer.
Triple gift impact: a sought-after limited edition cookbook, meaningful cancer-fighting information, and a significant contribution to a highly-visible, respected foundation.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

Oral cancer

2008-12-22T22:14:00.001-08:00

Oral cancer is part of a group of cancers called head and neck cancers. Oral cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity or oropharynx. Most oral cancers begin in the tongue and in the floor of the mouth. Almost all oral cancers begin in the flat cells (squamous cells) that cover the surfaces of the mouth, tongue, and lips. These cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas.
When oral cancer spreads (metastasizes), it usually travels through the lymphatic system. Cancer cells that enter the lymphatic system are carried along by lymph, a clear, watery fluid. The cancer cells often appear first in nearby lymph nodes in the neck.
Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the neck, the lungs, and other parts of the body. When this happens, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells as the primary tumor. For example, if oral cancer spreads to the lungs, the cancer cells in the lungs are actually oral cancer cells. The disease is metastatic oral cancer, not lung cancer. It is treated as oral cancer, not lung cancer. Doctors sometimes call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection from oral sex may have increased rate of tonsillar cancer, a study from Sweden hints.
Reports from both the US and Finland have documented a rise in the incidence of tonsillar cancer. This occurred in the absence of any increase in smoking or alcohol consumption, two well-known causative factors for the malignancy. This led Dr. Eva Munck-Wikland, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and colleagues to look for other epidemiologic trends that might explain the growing incidence of tonsillar cancer.
HPV is known to be associated with tonsillar cancers. Whether an increase in HPV-positive cases drove the recent increase in incidence, however, was unclear.
In their study, reported in the International Journal of Cancer, the investigators found that the incidence of tonsillar cancer rose by 2.8-fold in Sweden during the study period, 1970 to 2002. Cases of the disease in women rose by 3.5-fold, while cases in men increased by 2.6-fold.
At the same time, the proportion of HPV-positive cases of tonsillar cancer increased 2.9-fold, the report indicates. In the 1970s, 23.3 percent of cases were HPV-positive compared with 68 percent in 2000 to 2002.
This may be related to patterns of sexual behavior, with high-risk HPV-16 infections, not uncommon in the genital area, also becoming more common in the mouth due to an increase in oral sex, Munck-Wikland and colleagues note
They hypothesize that an "epidemic" of HPV infection in the oral cavity, due to changed sexual habits, "may contribute to the significant increase in incidence of tonsillar cancer." If HPV does, in fact, cause tonsillar cancer, it might stimulate interest in developing a vaccine for preventing the malignancy, they suggest.
SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, December 1, 2006.

cancer
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sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

canadian cancer society

2008-12-22T22:11:00.001-08:00

Canadian Cancer Statistics
This publication reports cancer incidence and mortality in Canada, analyzed by gender, age and province/territory. It includes current year estimates of incidence and mortality, probabilities of developing or dying from cancer, causes of premature death in Canada, patterns of cancer in children and youth and annual special topics.
The goal of Canadian Cancer Statistics is to provide health professionals, researchers and policy-makers with detailed information that is intended to stimulate new research and will help decision-makers and policy-makers at all levels make decisions and set priorities.
Welcome to the National Cancer Institute of Canada
Funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and The Terry Fox Foundation, the National Cancer Institute of Canada is the country's premier research organization dedicated to supporting outstanding cancer research and advancing cancer control. Last year, we provided $67 million to support excellent cancer research and related programs across the country.

Panel I: Clinical Trials and Clinical Studies Grants submitted to Panel I range across the spectrum of patient-focused studies related to cancer prevention, detection, pharmacokinetic evaluation of new therapies and outcome analysis. In addition, side effects of therapy and psychosocial effects of therapy are considered by this panel. Clinical studies range from small feasibility studies to multi-center phase III studies. Primary disease sites include all types of cancer

cancer
early symptom of lung
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sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

stomach cancer symptom

2008-12-22T22:02:00.000-08:00

About Stomach Cancer Symptoms: Many times, stomach cancer does not present any symptoms in the early stages. It is so important to talk about any symptoms or discomforts you are experiencing early on. These symptoms of stomach cancer are also symptoms of many other illnesses.
Blood in the stool: Seeing blood in the stools is a symptom of stomach cancer. Sometimes, you cannot always see blood in the stools, as it is within them. Blood can also be detected with a stool sample.Losing weight without trying: If you have experienced a weight loss and haven't been try to lose weight, you really should get checked out by a doctor. Unintended weight loss can mean many things, and are not always indicative of cancer.
Nausea and/or vomitting: Feeling nauseous and vomiting that lasts more than a day or two is a symptom of stomach cancer, also. Persistent stomach upset is not only uncomfortable, but harsh on the stomach and esophagus.
Loss of appetite: Not feeling like eating for a day or two can be okay, but anything longer should be reported to your doctor.
Do you bloat, especially after eating?: This is one of the more common symptoms of stomach cancer. If you are bloated a lot, try to take notice if it occurs after eating. Keep in mind, that bloating in general is also a symptom.
Abdominal pains and discomfort: This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. This is the symptom of stomach cancer that usually prompts people to get care.

Changes in bowel habits: Diarrhea and/ or constipation can be symptoms of stomach cancer. If ignored, both can lead to other medical problems.

cancer
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lung cancer picture

2008-12-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

Lung Cancer Pictures and Photos
One of the dangers of lung cancer is that it may metastasize and spread to other parts of the body.
Below is graphical lung cancer picture of the spreading of lung cancer to the brain.
Lung Cancer and Metastasis
Below is a healthy lung photo and
a diseased lung cancer picture.
Healthy Lung Photo
Lung Cancer Photo
ung Cancer X Ray
Lung Cancer X Ray

Lung Cancer shows itself as a shadow caused by the tumor as marked by a "Ca". However, the development of shadowing on the lung cancer on the X ray lags behind formation of the cancer and a lesion has to be over a centimetre in diameter before it can be recognised. Thus a negative chest X-ray does not exclude cancer. Often an MRI will have to be done to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

cancer research

2008-12-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

The Cancer Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1953 to foster the science of cancer immunology, which is based on the premise that the body's immune system can be mobilized against cancer. This field, which CRI helped pioneer and develop, has been recognized throughout the world as offering great hope for the ultimate prevention and treatment of human cancer.

For five decades, the Institute has been a sustaining force in cancer and immunology research. The Institute has supported more than 2,780 scientists and clinicians at leading universities and research centers worldwide. All such funding decisions are made by its Scientific Advisory Council consisting of 68 of the world's leading immunologists, including 5 Nobel laureates, 28 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 23 members of the Academy of Cancer Immunology.
As the initiator and steward of unprecedented global scientific and clinical collaborations like the Cancer Vaccine Collaborative, a joint program with the international Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and the Coordinated Cancer Initiatives, the Cancer Research Institute is ushering in a new era of scientific progress, hastening the discovery of effective cancer vaccines and other immune-based therapies that are providing new hope to cancer patients.
The Cancer Research Institute has one of the lowest overhead expense ratios among non-profit organizations, with the majority of its resources going directly to the support of its science, medical, and research programs. This has consistently earned CRI an A grade or higher for fiscal disclosure and efficiency from the American Institute of Philanthropy and top marks from other charity watchdog organizations

cancer
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skin cancer picture

2008-12-22T21:20:00.001-08:00

Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it also can form on areas that rarely see the light of day - the palms, spaces between the toes and the genital area.
A cancerous skin lesion can appear suddenly or develop slowly. Its appearance depends on the type of cancer.
SKIN CANCER
The skin is the body's outermost covering and offers protection from heat and light, injury, and infection. It also helps regulate body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. The skin is made up of two main layers: the outer epidermis and the inner dermis.
There are 3 main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (which are referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer) and melanoma. Melanoma is the rarest and most serious form of the disease. The epidermis is made up of squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells from which melanoma begins to develop.
Risk of skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Some of these risk factors for skin cancer are as follows:
Race - Skin cancer is most common among fair-skinned individuals who sunburn or freckle easily. Sex - Rates of skin cancer deaths in white males have increased in recent years, possibly as a result of the increase in outdoor recreation activities.
Age - Rates of melanoma rise rapidly in Caucasians older than 20 years.
Individual History - Persons with certain types of moles or those with a family history of dysplastic nevus syndrome are at a higher risk for developing melanoma. Patients who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer are at a higher risk for developing the disease again. Individuals who are exposed to the sun, x-rays, or ultraviolet light for long periods of time have a greater risk.
Screening for skin cancer
Routine examination of the skin increases the chance of finding skin cancer early. Most melanomas that appear in the skin can be seen by the naked eye. Usually, there is a lengthy period when the tumor expands beneath the top layer of skin but does not invade the deeper skin layers. This period allows for early detection and full recovery if the tumor is discovered before spreading deeper.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
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cancer horoscope

2008-12-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

General behavior:
Cancer (the crab) is one of the most difficult zodiac signs to understand. Cancerians can have many different personalities. Most Cancerians like to be at their home, and enjoy large families. You seem unsociable to some people, but you enjoy chatting and gossiping as much as anyone else. You tend to day-dream very often and can be found in a state of fantasy. You enjoy art, writing, and drama, but acting may not be a good career for you because of your tendency to Overact. Cancer is the sign most likely to believe in the zodiac, as well as other psychic happenings. You make a loyal friend and also very patriotic.
Romantic behavior:
You tend to form relationships quickly and get sentimental about your love partners. Although you tend to go in for love affairs aplenty, you always feel dissatisfied; so does your partner if he/she can't understand you well.
Important Information on Cancerians
● Good career choices for you are:

Journalist
Nurse
Politician
Housekeeper
Chef
Real-Estate-Broker
Gardener
● Cancerians (ironically) are prone to cancer as well as poor eyesight.
● Your ruling planet: Moon.
● The crab is associated with Cancer.
● Your lucky color: silver.
● Your lucky gemstone: pearl.

● Your lucky numbers : 4 and 6.

cancer
early symptom of lung
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sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

esophageal cancer

2008-12-22T21:18:00.001-08:00

Introduction
The hard-drinking, chain-smoking lifestyle of mid-20th-century Hollywood took a huge toll - hundreds of noted actors eventually lost their lives to lung, throat or esophageal cancer. One of them was Humphrey Bogart, who died of esophageal cancer at age 57.
Less well known than lung cancer, but no less serious, esophageal cancer starts in the inner layer of the esophagus, the 10-inch long tube that connects your throat and stomach. The most common symptom, which usually occurs late in the disease, is difficulty swallowing and a sensation of food sticking in your throat or chest.
In Bogie's day, the outlook for people with esophageal cancer was poor. But survival rates have improved, in part because close monitoring of Barrett's esophagus - a serious, premalignant complication of acid reflux disease - can help detect cancer early, when it's more likely to respond to treatment. Even more important is that diet and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the chances of ever developing this type of cancer.
Overview
The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach.
It is part of the digestive system and is located between the windpipe (trachea) and the spine. In adults, the esophagus is about 10 inches long. Esophageal cancer usually originates in the lining of the esophagus (called the mucosa) and can develop in the upper, middle, or lower section of the organ.
The most common types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma develops in flat cells that line the esophagus. Approximately 60% of squamous cell carcinomas develop in the middle third of the organ, 30% occur in the lower third, and 10% occur in the upper third.
Adenocarcinoma develops in the lining of the esophagus and is associated with a condition called Barrett's esophagus. This type usually occurs in the lower third of the esophagus.
Incidence and Prevalence
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), esophageal cancer is the third most common cancer of the digestive tract and the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Overall incidence of the disease is highest in men over the age of 50.
Incidence of esophageal cancer varies considerably according to geographic location. It is more common in northern China, northern Iran, and southern republics of the former Soviet Union, and is less common in Japan, Great Britain, Europe and Canada. In the United States, incidence is highest in urban areas and overall incidence is about 5 in 100,000.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus accounts for most cases worldwide and about 40% of cases in the United States. This type is more common in African American men and is associated with cigarette smoking and high intake of alcohol.

According to the NCI, incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, which is associated with Barrett's esophagus, is rising in the United States. This type is more common in Caucasian men over the age of 60.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

pancreas cancer

2008-12-22T21:16:00.001-08:00

Descript_ion of Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer of the pancreas is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. The pancreas is about 6 inches long and is shaped something like a thin pear, wider at one end and narrowing at the other. The pancreas lies behind the stomach, inside a loop formed by part of the small intestine. The broader right end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow left end is the tail.
The pancreas has two basic jobs in your body. It produces juices that help you break down (digest) your food, and hormones (such as insulin) that regulate how your body stores and uses food. The area of the pancreas that produces digestive juices is called the exocrine pancreas. About 95% of pancreatic cancers begin in the exocrine pancreas. The hormone-producing area of the pancreas is called the endocrine pancreas. Only about 5% of pancreatic cancers start here. This statement has information on cancer of the exocrine pancreas. For more information on cancer of the endocrine pancreas (also called islet cell cancer) see the PDQ Patient Information Statement on Islet Cell Carcinoma.

Cancer of the pancreas is hard to find (diagnose) because the organ is hidden behind other organs.
Organs around the pancreas include the stomach, small intestine, bile ducts (tubes through which bile, a digestive juice made by the liver, flows from the liver to the small intestine), gallbladder (the small sac below the liver that stores bile), the liver, and the spleen (the organ that stores red blood cells and filters blood to remove excess blood cells). The signs of pancreatic cancer are like many other illnesses, and there may be no signs in the first stages. You should see your doctor if you have any of the following: nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss without trying to lose weight, pain in the upper or middle of your abdomen, or yellowing of your skin (jaundice).

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

alternative cancer treatment

2008-12-22T20:45:00.002-08:00

Alternative Cancer Treatments and Protocols
There are many definitions to alternative cancer treatments, but let's just define them, for the sake of logical orientation, as non-traditional treatments for cancer. Richard Walters has organized them this way in his book Options: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book. It's a good place to start. We spend a good deal of our time evaluating the most promising components of many of the following historical programs, as well as talking with consultants possessing years of experience. Alternative cancer treatments include, but are not limited to the following (Please note: No endorsement by Alternative Cancer Treatments is implied by being listed here):
Biological and Pharmcologic Therapies
----Antineoplastons
----Gaston Naessens Therapy (714X)
----Revici Therapy
----Hydrazine Sulfate
Immune Therapies
----Immuno-Augmentative Therapy (IAT)
----Issels whole-body immune therapy
Herbal Therapies
----Harry Hoxsey formulas
----Essiac tea
----Mistletoe (Iscador)...as used by Suzanne Somers
----Pau D'Arco
----Chaparral
Nutritional Therapies
----Wheatgrass Therapy
----Macrobiotics
----Moerman's Anti-Cancer diet
Metabolic Therapies
----Gerson
----Kelley's Nutritional-Metabolic Therapy (as modified by Nicholas Gonzalez, MD)
----Hans Nieper, M.D.
Adjunctive Therapies
----Oxygen Therapies (including Ozone)
----Hyperthermia
----DMSO therapy
----Chelation
----Live Cell therapy
Energy Medicine
----Bioelectric Therapies
----Homeopathy
----Airhead
----Chinese Medicine
Mind-Body Approaches
The most successful practitioners seem to be those who integrate various components of the alternative cancer treatments listed above, without painting themselves into a corner by being committed to a particular model.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

mouth cancer

2008-12-22T20:45:00.001-08:00

Cancer of the Mouth and Throat OverviewThe oral cavity (mouth) and the upper part of the throat (pharynx) have roles in many important functions, including breathing, talking, chewing, and swallowing. The mouth and upper throat are sometimes referred to as the oropharynx. The important structures of the mouth and upper throat include the following:
● Lips
● Inside lining of the cheeks (buccal mucosa)
● Teeth
● Gums
● Tongue
● Floor of the mouth
● Back of the throat, including the tonsils (oropharynx)
● Roof of the mouth (the bony front part [hard palate] and the softer rear part [soft palate])
● Area behind the wisdom teeth
● Salivary glandsMany different cell types make up these different structures. Cancer occurs when normal cells undergo a transformation whereby they grow and multiply without normal controls.
● As the cells multiply, they form small abnormalities called lesions. Eventually, they form a mass called a tumor.
● Tumors are cancerous only if they are malignant. This means that, because of their uncontrolled growth, they encroach on and invade neighboring tissues.
● Malignant tumors may spread to neighboring tissues by direct invasion or by traveling along lymphatic vessels and nerves or through the blood stream.
● They may also travel to remote organs via the bloodstream.
● This process of invading and spreading to other organs is called metastasis.
● Tumors overwhelm surrounding tissues by invading their space and taking the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function.Tumors in the mouth and throat include both benign and malignant types.
● Benign tumors, although they may grow and penetrate below the surface layer of tissue, do not spread by metastasis to other parts of the body.

● Benign tumors of the oropharynx are not discussed here.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

uterine cancer

2008-12-22T20:34:00.003-08:00

What is cancer of the uterus?
Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. Cancer of the uterus is cancer in the womb, the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during a woman's pregnancy. There are different types of uterine cancers. Two types are endometrial cancer and uterine sarcomas. In the United States, endometrial cancer is a common cancer of the female reproductive system. This type of cancer happens when cancer begins in the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium). Uterine sarcomas occur when cancer grows in the muscles or other supporting tissues in the uterus. Uterine sarcomas account for only a small portion of cancers of the uterus.
Why should I be concerned about cancer of the uterus?
Some women who get uterine cancer have certain risk factors, or things in their life that cause them to have a higher chance of getting this disease. But there are women who get uterine cancer who do not have any of these high risk factors. Uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause. But it may also occur around the time that menopause begins. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood. Women should not assume that abnormal vaginal bleeding is part of menopause. If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause, talk with your health care provider.
Malignant Tumors

Malignant tumors are cancer. They invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues and organs. Cancer cells also can metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body and form new tumors. When cancer of the uterus spreads, it may travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancer cells can be carried along by blood or lymph, an almost colorless fluid discharged by tissues into the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes scattered along this system filter bacteria and abnormal substances such as cancer cells. For this reason, surgeons often remove pelvic lymph nodes to learn whether they contain cancer cells.

Because uterine cancer can spread, it is important for the doctor to find out as early as possible if a tumor is present and whether it is benign or malignant. As soon as a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin. Each year, more than 32,000 women in the United States find out they have cancer of the uterus.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

celebrex cancer

2008-12-22T20:34:00.001-08:00

Nov. 30, 2004 -- The popular pain drug Celebrex activates a "death receptor" that makes cancer cells self-destruct, a new study shows.
Normal doses of Celebrex may be too low to trigger significant anticancer effects. But the new finding points the way to new Celebrex-based anticancer therapies. It also suggests that combining Celebrex with new kinds of designer molecules might have powerful anticancer effects.
The findings come from Xiangguo Liu, PhD, Shi-Yong Sun, PhD, and colleagues at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. The study appears in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"The approach of [Celebrex]-based combination regimens for cancer chemoprevention and therapy and identification of [Celebrex]-derived novel anticancer drugs with more potent efficacy should be explored further," Liu and colleagues write. "We suggest that death-receptor induction be evaluated as a target for screening novel [Celebrex]-based anticancer drugs."
Indeed, the researchers note that new Celebrex-based compounds with more powerful anticancer activity have already been discovered.
The researchers' studies confirm earlier work showing that Celebrex fights cancer in a completely different way than it fights pain. They found that the drug plugs into a molecular keyhole on the outside of cancer cells - the so-called death receptor. This turns on a self-destruct program.A helper molecule called TRAIL greatly increases this anticancer effect. Liu and colleagues suggest that a drug based on this molecule might be given together with Celebrex.

The FDA has already approved Celebrex for the treatment of adenomatous polyposis, an inherited disease that predisposes a person to colon cancer. Clinical trials are exploring whether Celebrex - alone or in combination with other agents -- can prevent or fight several different kinds of cancer, including lung cancer.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer awareness

2008-12-22T20:33:00.001-08:00

About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection. It works through a nationwide education campaign aimed at the general public, state and federal governments, health care professionals, employers, and women of all ages and ethnic groups.
Breast Cancer Care's press pack for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2006, is available to download from the foot of this page.
Evelyn Lauder
In 1993 Evelyn Lauder introduced Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the world. Since then October has been awash with pink ribbons, now a global symbol for breast cancer awareness.
Breast Cancer Care was the first breast cancer charity in the UK to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month and through it has helped bring the subject of breast cancer to the forefront of people's minds and to the top of the health agenda in this country.
Supporting
Breast Cancer Care uses Breast Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity to make people aware of the ways in which it helps those affected by breast cancer.
The charity also focuses a lot of its key fundraising activities around the month including events, corporate partnerships and the sale of pink-themed merchandise, including the pink ribbon pin badge.
Campaigning
Breast Cancer Awareness Month also provides a platform for Breast Cancer Care to push for better treatment and support for people affected by breast cancer through its high-profile Government-lobbying campaigns such as 80over50 (2003) and Same Difference (2005).
Fundraising
Breast Cancer Awareness Month sees a hive of activity from Breast Cancer Care's corporate supporters with many pink products on sale to raise money for the charity.
Long-standing partners include ASDA, with its highly successful Tickled Pink campaign and Boots which not only raises money but awareness through its Be Up Front campaign.The charity is also lucky enough to have support from high profile brands including QVC, Dorothy Perkins, Swarovski and Interflora among others.

The Lavender Trust
The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care has also been supported this year by brands including Elemis, Le Creuset, Prestige and KitchenAid

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

kidney cancer

2008-12-22T20:32:00.002-08:00

Introduction
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They're located behind your abdomen, one on each side of your spine. Like other major organs in the body, the kidneys can sometimes develop cancer. In adults, the most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (renal adenocarcinoma), which begins in the cells that line the small tubes within your kidneys. Children are more likely to develop a kind of kidney cancer called Wilms' tumor.
Kidney cancer seldom causes problems in its early stages. But as a tumor grows, you may notice blood in your urine or experience unintentional weight loss or back pain that doesn't go away. Kidney cancer cells may also spread (metastasize) outside your kidneys to nearby organs as well as to more distant sites in the body. Yet if kidney cancer is detected and treated early, the chances for a full recovery are good.
Kidney cancer: Who's at risk?

Kidney cancer develops most often in people over 40, but no one knows the exact causes of this disease. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops kidney cancer and another does not. However, it is clear that kidney cancer is not contagious. No one can "catch" the disease from another person.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop kidney cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.Studies have found the following risk factors for kidney cancer:
Smoking: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop kidney cancer. Cigar smoking also may increase the risk of this disease.
Obesity: People who are obese have an increased risk of kidney cancer.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure increases the risk of kidney cancer.
Long-term dialysis: Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys do not work well. It removes wastes from the blood. Being on dialysis for many years is a risk factor for kidney cancer.
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome: VHL is a rare disease that runs in some families. It is caused by changes in the VHL gene. An abnormal VHL gene increases the risk of kidney cancer. It also can cause cysts or tumors in the eyes, brain, and other parts of the body. Family members of those with this syndrome can have a test to check for the abnormal VHL gene. For people with the abnormal VHL gene, doctors may suggest ways to improve the detection of kidney cancer and other diseases before symptoms develop.
Occupation: Some people have a higher risk of getting kidney cancer because they come in contact with certain chemicals or substances in their workplace. Coke oven workers in the iron and steel industry are at risk. Workers exposed to asbestos or cadmium also may be at risk.
Gender: Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with kidney cancer. Each year in the United States, about 20,000 men and 12,000 women learn they have kidney cancer.
Most people who have these risk factors do not get kidney cancer. On the other hand, most people who do get the disease have no known risk factors. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

type of cancer

2008-12-22T20:32:00.001-08:00

The list of common cancer types includes cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States. Cancer incidence statistics from the American Cancer Society and other resources were used to create the list. To qualify as a common cancer, the estimated annual incidence for 2007 had to be 30,000 cases or more.
The most common type of cancer on the list is non-melanoma skin cancer, with more than 1,000,000 new cases expected in the United States in 2007. Non-melanoma skin cancers represent about half of all cancers diagnosed in this country.
The cancer on the list with the lowest incidence is thyroid cancer. The estimated number of new cases of thyroid cancer for 2007 is 33,550.
Because colon and rectal cancers are often referred to as "colorectal cancers," these two cancer types were combined for the list. For 2007, the estimated number of new cases of colon cancer is 112,340, and the estimated number of new cases of rectal cancer is 41,420.
Kidney cancers can be divided into two major groups, renal parenchyma cancers and renal pelvis cancers. Approximately 85 percent of kidney cancers develop in the renal parenchyma, and nearly all of these cancers are renal cell cancers. The estimated number of new cases of renal cell cancer for 2007 is 43,512.
Leukemia as a cancer type includes acute lymphoblastic (or lymphoid) leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myelogenous (or myeloid) leukemia, and other forms of leukemia. It is estimated that more than 44,000 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the United States in 2007, with chronic lymphocytic leukemia being the most common type (approximately 15,000 new cases).
The following table gives the estimated numbers of new cases and deaths for each common cancer type:
Cancer Type Estimated New Cases Estimated Deaths
Bladder 67,160 13,750
Breast (Female -- Male) 178,480 -- 2,030 40,460 -- 450
Colon and Rectal (Combined) 153,760 52,180
Endometrial 39,080 7,400
Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer 43,512 10,957
Leukemia (All) 44,240 21,790
Lung (Including Bronchus) 213,380 160,390
Melanoma 59,940 8,110
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma 63,190 18,660
Pancreatic 37,170 33,370
Prostate 218,890 27,050
Skin (Non-melanoma) >1,000,000 <2,000 Thyroid 33,550 1,530 References 1. American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2007. Also available online. Last accessed January 18, 2007. Lipworth L, Tarone RE, McLaughlin JK: The epidemiology of renal cell carcinoma. Journal of Urology 176(6 pt 1):2353-2358, 2006. [PUBMED Abstract]

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breast cancer information

2008-12-22T20:31:00.003-08:00

What are the "stages" of breast cancer?

STAGE 0 (carcinoma in situ) is sometimes called noninvasive carcinoma or carcinoma in situ.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) refers to abnormal cells in the lining of a lobule. These abnormal cells seldom become invasive cancer. However, their presence is a sign that a woman has an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This risk of cancer is increased for both breasts. Some women with LCIS may take a drug called tamoxifen, which can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Others may take part in studies of other promising new preventive treatments. Some women may choose not to have treatment, but to return to the doctor regularly for checkups. And, occasionally, women with LCIS may decide to have surgery to remove both breasts to try to prevent cancer from developing. (In most cases, removal of underarm lymph nodes is not necessary.)
carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells in the lining of a duct. DCIS is also called intraductal carcinoma. The abnormal cells have not spread beyond the duct to invade the surrounding breast tissue. However, women with DCIS are at an increased risk of getting invasive breast cancer. Some women with DCIS have breast-sparing surgery followed by radiation therapy. Or they may choose to have a mastectomy, with or without breast reconstruction (plastic surgery) to rebuild the breast. Underarm lymph nodes are not usually removed. Also, women with DCIS may want to talk with their doctor about tamoxifen to reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer.
Women who have stage IV breast cancer receive chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy to destroy cancer cells and control the disease. They may have surgery or radiation therapy to control the cancer in the breast. Radiation may also be useful to control tumors in other parts of the body.Redirecting to new URL
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cancer
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cancer symptom

2008-12-22T20:31:00.001-08:00

cancer center

2008-12-22T20:30:00.001-08:00

NCC---National Cancer Cencer
NCC-CIR started as one activity of G7 sub project, MEDIREC (Medical Image Reference Center). It provides medical images and information that are helpful to physicians in diagnosing cancer cases.Relevant information on NCC-CIR is available under this menu.
University of Virginia Cancer Center
Welcome to the website of the University of Virginia Cancer Center. Here you'll find complete information on the clinical services, research and physicians available at U.Va.'s National Cancer Institute Clinical Cancer Center. You'll also find a comprehensive library of information about cancer, treatment, diagnosis, nutrition, genetics and more.
Spreading the word about HPV and cervical cancer
Eleven of the nation's second-in-commands, including Minnesota Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, have joined forces to educate the public about the highly preventable nature of cervical cancer and its direct link to a certain virus--the human papillomavirus (HPV), a focus of University research.
Molnau officially kicked off the National Lieutenant Governor Association's "Ending Cervical Cancer in Our Lifetime: Make the Connection" campaign on Jan. 18 in Sanford Hall on the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. It was a particularly appropriate setting since women of undergraduate age are the target audience. Molnau was joined by Levi Downs, a researcher with the University of Minnesota Medical School and Cancer Center; Amy Clute, a leading member of the student organization SHADE (Sexual Health Awareness and Disease Education); and Margaret Carlson, executive director of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
"I learned about [HPV] from friends and students coming to me with questions [such as] how do I get this and what do I tell my sexual partner," says Clute, a senior majoring in family social science and psychology. "[As a peer educator with SHADE], I feel like a surrogate parent, and like parents, I want to give them the information that they need. The age that HPV typically strikes is late teens and early 20s--that's the undergraduate population here at the U. I hope this campaign can create a national dialogue [about HPV and the risks and treatment options available for cervical cancer]." About 11,150 women in the United States are expected to develop cervical cancer this year, reports the National Cancer Institute, and 3,700 of them will die from the disease. In Minnesota, about 200 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year.

A new vaccine called Gardasil, recently approved by the FDA, holds the promise of changing this scenario. The vaccine, licensed for use in females aged 9 through 26, can prevent the HPV infections that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers, says Downs, who is also an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U.

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Prostate Cancer Symptoms

2008-12-22T20:29:00.002-08:00

If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:
● A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
● Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
● Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
● Painful or burning urination;
● Difficulty in having an erection;
● Painful ejaculation;
● Blood in urine or semen; or
● Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed in an estimated 80% of men who reach age 80. Find in-depth articles here on prostate cancer prevention, symptoms, and treatments. Plus, get daily support in our online support group.

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cervical cancer symptom

2008-12-22T20:29:00.001-08:00

ll of the organs of the body are made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue, called a growth or tumor, can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancerous. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. The most important thing is that cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are not a threat to life. Polyps, cysts, and genital warts are types of benign growths of the cervix.
Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor. Cancer cells also can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the lymph system or the bloodstream. This is how cancer of the cervix can spread to other parts of the body, such as nearby lymph nodes, the rectum, the bladder, the bones of the spine, and the lungs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Like all other organs of the body, the cervix is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. Cancer of the uterine cervix, the portion of the uterus that is attached to the top of the vagina. Ninety percent of cervical cancers arise from the flattened or "squamous" cells covering the cervix. Most of the remaining 10% arise from the glandular, mucus-secreting cells of the cervical canal leading into the uterus.
According to The National Cancer Institute, the vast majority of cervical cancers can be prevented. Since the most common form of cervical cancer starts with preventable and easily detectable precancerous changes, there are two ways to prevent this disease.
Here is a diagram showing where your cervix is located. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.

What Are the Symptoms?
In its early stages, cervical cancer causes no pain or other symptoms. The first identifiable symptoms of the disease are likely to include:
● Watery or bloody vaginal discharge, sometimes heavy and foul-smelling.
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual periods, or after menopause; menstrual periods may be heavier and last longer than normal. If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, symptoms may include:
● Difficult urination and possible kidney failure.
● Painful urination, sometimes with blood in urine.
● Dull backache or swelling in the legs.
● Diarrhea, or pain or bleeding from the rectum upon defecation.
● Fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, and general feeling of illness.
prostate cancer symptom
The main symptoms are: difficulty passing urine, inability to urinate, passing urine often (particularly at night), weak or interrupted urine flow, pain when urinating, blood in the urine and pain in the lower back, hips and upper thighs. However, all of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions such as benign prostate enlargement. Men with any of these symptoms should consult their doctor.

cancer
early symptom of lung
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blood cancer

throat cancer

2008-12-22T20:28:00.002-08:00

Introduction
Recently, you've noticed a pale lump inside your mouth that doesn't seem to be healing. It's not like anything you've seen before. What you may have encountered is an early sign of oral or throat (oropharyngeal) cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 30,000 new cases of oral and throat cancer occur annually in the United States. Oral cancer includes cancer of your lips, mouth, tongue, gums and salivary glands. Throat cancer involves cancer of the part of your throat just behind your mouth. It's estimated that more than 7,000 Americans die of oral and throat cancers annually.
Periodic self-examination of your mouth is the best way to detect the early signs of oral and throat cancer. And, when detected early, oral cancer is almost always successfully treated. Unfortunately, many oral and throat cancers are far advanced by the time a doctor is made aware of the situation. This is because oral and throat cancers are usually painless in their early stages or have minor symptoms similar to other health problems, such as a toothache.
Alternative names
Vocal cord cancer; Throat cancer; Laryngeal cancer; Cancer of the glottis
Definition
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
People who smoke or otherwise use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an extreme risk for the development of throat cancers.
Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.
Symptoms
● Hoarseness that does not resolve in 1 to 2 weeks
● Sore throat that does not resolve in 1 to 2 weeks, even with antibiotics
● Neck pain
● Difficulty swallowing
● Swelling in the neck
● Unintentional weight loss
● Cough
● Coughing up blood
● Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds
Signs and tests
An examination of the neck and throat may show cancer of the throat. The sputum may appear bloody. A lump may appear on the outside of the neck. A laryngoscopy, which is examination by use of a tube with a small lighted camera (laryngoscope), allows the physician to look into the mouth and down the throat to see the tumor.
A neck or cranial CT scan or cranial MRI may show throat cancer. These tests will also help determine if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck.
Biopsy and analysis of tissues that appear abnormal may confirm the presence of a cancerous tumor.

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brain cancer

2008-12-22T20:28:00.001-08:00

Overview
There are two types of brain tumors: primary brain tumors that originate in the brain and metastatic (secondary) brain tumors that originate from cancer cells that have migrated from other parts of the body.
Primary brain cancer rarely spreads beyond the central nervous system, and death results from uncontrolled tumor growth within the limited space of the skull. Metastatic brain cancer indicates advanced disease and has a poor prognosis.
Primary brain tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Both types take up space in the brain and may cause serious symptoms (e.g., vision or hearing loss) and complications (e.g., stroke). All cancerous brain tumors are life threatening (malignant) because they have an aggressive and invasive nature. A noncancerous primary brain tumor is life threatening when it compromises vital structures (e.g., an artery).
Small Blood Vessels Linked to Brain Tumors
TUESDAY, Jan. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Small blood vessels associated with brain tumors create a nurturing environment for self-renewing cancer stem cells, U.S. researchers report.
They also found that antiangiogenic drugs that disrupt this environment reduce the number of cancer stem cells and halt tumor growth.
Cancer stem cells comprise only a small fraction of most brain tumors but play a critical role in tumor growth and survival, according to background information in the study, published in the January issue of the journal Cancer Cell.
Researchers at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis found that cancer stem cells in human brain tumors are associated with blood vessels and that, in culture, vascular cells interact with and help brain cancer stem cells survive. This kind of interaction was not seen in most kinds of non-cancer stem cell tumor cells.The researchers also transplanted human brain tumors, with or without vascular cells, into mice. The mice that received the vascular cells showed an increase in cancer stem cells and increased tumor activity.
When the mice were given antiangiogenic drugs to diminish tumor blood vessels, the team saw a reduction in cancer stem cells. Tumor growth was also halted, the study authors said.
"Our data identify a possible role for niche microenvironments in the maintenance of CSCs (cancer stem cells) and identify a mechanism by which antiangiogenic drugs inhibit brain tumor growth," researcher Dr. Richard J. Gilbertson said in a statement. "If the notion that niches protect CSCs proves correct, then targeting these microenvironments could prove highly effective treatments of cancer."
cancer
early symptom of lung
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blood cancer

bladder cancer

2008-12-22T20:27:00.002-08:00

Overview
Bladder cancer accounts for approximately 90% of cancers of the urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, urethra). The bladder is an organ located in the pelvic cavity that stores and discharges urine. Urine is produced by the kidneys, carried to the bladder by the ureters, and discharged from the bladder through the urethra.
Types
Bladder cancer usually originates in the bladder lining, which consists of a mucous layer of surface cells that expand and deflate (transitional epithelial cells), smooth muscle, and a fibrous layer. Tumors are categorized as low-stage (superficial) or high-stage (muscle invasive). In industrialized countries (e.g., United States, Canada, France), more than 90% of cases originate in the transitional epithelial cells (called transitional cell carcinoma; TCC). In developing countries, 75% of cases are squamous cell carcinomas caused by Schistosoma haematobium (parasitic organism) infection. Rare types of bladder cancer include small cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, primary lymphoma, and sarcoma.

Incidence and Prevalence According to the National Cancer Institute, the highest incidence of bladder cancer occurs in industrialized countries such as the United States, Canada, and France. Incidence is lowest in Asia and South America, where it is about 70% lower than in the United States. Incidence of bladder cancer increases with age. People over the age of 70 develop the disease 2 to 3 times more often than those aged 55-69 and 15 to 20 times more often than those aged 30-54.

Bladder cancer is 2 to 3 times more common in men. In the United States, approximately 38,000 men and 15,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and the eighth most common type in women. The disease is more prevalent in Caucasians than in African Americans and Hispanics.
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early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
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inflammatory breast cancer

2008-12-22T20:27:00.001-08:00

1. What is inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This type of breast cancer is called “inflammatory” because the breast often looks swollen and red, or “inflamed.” IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. It tends to be diagnosed in younger women compared to non-IBC breast cancer. It occurs more frequently and at a younger age in African Americans than in Whites. Like other types of breast cancer, IBC can occur in men, but usually at an older age than in women. Some studies have shown an association between family history of breast cancer and IBC, but more studies are needed to draw firm conclusions
2.What are the symptoms of IBC?
Symptoms of IBC may include redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, often without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, reddish purple, or bruised. The skin may also have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange), which is caused by a buildup of fluid and edema (swelling) in the breast. Other symptoms include heaviness, burning, aching, increase in breast size, tenderness, or a nipple that is inverted (facing inward). These symptoms usually develop quickly-over a period of weeks or months. Swollen lymph nodes may also be present under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places. However, it is important to note that these symptoms may also be signs of other conditions such as infection, injury, or other types of cancer.
2. How is IBC diagnosed?
Diagnosis of IBC is based primarily on the results of a doctor’s clinical examination. Biopsy, mammogram, and breast ultrasound are used to confirm the diagnosis. IBC is classified as either stage IIIB or stage IV breast cancer (2). Stage IIIB breast cancers are locally advanced; stage IV breast cancer is cancer that has spread to other organs. IBC tends to grow rapidly, and the physical appearance of the breast of patients with IBC is different from that of patients with other stage III breast cancers. IBC is an especially aggressive, locally advanced breast cancer.
Cancer staging describes the extent or severity of an individual’s cancer. (More information on staging is available in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) fact sheet Staging: Questions and Answers at on the Internet.) Knowing a cancer’s stage helps the doctor develop a treatment plan and estimate prognosis (the likely outcome or course of the disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence).
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breast cancer treatment

2008-12-22T20:26:00.002-08:00

With this report, women with breast cancer have access to information on the way breast cancer is treated at the nation’s leading cancer centers. Originally developed for cancer specialists by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), these treatment guidelines have now been translated for the public by the American Cancer Society.
Since 1995, doctors have looked to the NCCN for guidance on the highest quality, most effective advice on treating cancer. For more than 90 years, the public has relied on the American Cancer Society for information about cancer. The Society’s books and brochures provide comprehensive, current, and understandable information to hundreds of thousands of patients, their families and friends. This collaboration between the NCCN and ACS provides an authoritative and understandable source of cancer treatment information for the public. These patient guidelines will help you better understand your cancer treatment and your doctor’s counsel. We urge you to discuss them with your doctor. To make the best possible use of this information, you might begin by asking your doctor the following questions:
How large is my cancer? Do I have more than one tumor in the breast?
What is my cancer’s grade how abnormal the cells appear) and histology (type and arrangement of tumor cells) as seen under a microscope?
Do I have any lymph nodes with cancer (positive lymph nodes, i.e. nodal status)? If yes, how many?
What is the stage of my cancer?
Does my cancer contain hormone receptors? What does this mean for me?
Is my cancer positive for HER-2? What does this mean for me?
Is breast-conserving treatment an option for me?
In addition to surgery, what other treatment do you recommend? Radiation? Chemotherapy? Hormone therapy?
What are the side effects?
Are there any clinical trials that I should consider?
Inside Breast Tissue
The main parts of the female breast are lobules (milk-producing glands), ducts (milk passages that connect the lobules and the nipple), and stroma (fatty tissue and ligaments surrounding the ducts and lobules, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels). Lymphatic vessels are similar to veins but carry lymph instead of blood. Most breast cancer begins in the ducts (ductal), some in the lobules (lobular), and the rest in other breast tissues.
Lymph is a clear fluid that has tissue waste products and immune system cells. Most lymphatic vessels of the breast lead to underarm (axillary) lymph nodes. Some lead to lymph nodes above the collarbone (called supraclavicular) and others to internal mammary nodes which are next to the breastbone (or sternum). Cancer cells may enter lymph vessels and spread along these vessels to reach lymph nodes. Cancer cells may also enter blood vessels and spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
Lymph nodes are small, bean shaped collections of immune system cells important in fighting infections. When breast cancer cells reach the axillary lymph nodes, they can continue to grow, often causing swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit or elsewhere.

If breast cancer cells have spread to the axillary lymph nodes, it makes it more likely that they have spread to other organs of the body as well.
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
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thyroid cancer

2008-12-22T20:26:00.001-08:00

There are about 20,000 new cases of thyroid cancer each year in the United States. Females are more likely to have thyroid cancer at a ratio of three to one. Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30 and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. The majority of patients present with a nodule on their thyroid which typically does not cause symptoms. Remember, over 99% of thyroid nodules are not cancer! But, when a thyroid cancer does begin to grow within a thyroid gland, it almost always does so within a discrete nodule within the thyroid.
What Is Thyroid Cancer?
The thyroid gland is located under the Adam's apple in the front part of the neck. In most people, it cannot be seen or felt. It is butterfly shaped, with 2 lobes - the right lobe and the left lobe - joined by a narrow isthmus (see diagram). The thyroid gland makes a hormone (called thyroid hormone), which is important for many body functions. The production of this hormone depends on iodine, and the thyroid gland absorbs iodine from the blood.
Thyroid hormone regulates a person metabolism. Too much hormone causes a person to be hyperactive, feel nervous, warm, hungry, and often lose weight. Too little hormone causes a person to slow down, feel tired and gain weight. All this is regulated by the pituitary gland, at the base of the brain, which produces a substance called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) The thyroid gland contains mainly 2 types of cells:
§ Thyroid follicle cells actually make and store thyroid hormone. They also make a special thyroid protein called thyroglobulin.
§ C cells make another hormone, calcitonin, which helps regulate the body calcium metabolism. Different cancers develop from each kind of cell. The differences are important because they determine the seriousness of the cancer and the type of treatment needed.
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national cancer institute

2008-12-22T20:25:00.000-08:00

NCI Researchers Identify Molecular Switch for Protein Chaperone
A protein that plays a major role in controlling normal cell growth and promoting tumor development by acting as a chaperone to other proteins was found to require a specific chemical modification for normal function, according to a new study of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). This research was conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with other institutions* and appears in the January 12, 2007, issue of Molecular Cell**.
"This new appreciation for the way cells regulate Hsp90 activity may help us better understand more of the basic cell signal pathway alterations involved in cancer development and, hopefully, identify new targets for anticancer therapies," said NCI Director John E. Niederhuber, M.D.
After they are synthesized, most proteins must be folded into their final form in order to function normally. Hsp90 chaperones other proteins through this process by assisting in their folding and escorting them to their proper locations inside the cell. Over 100 proteins have been identified as 'clients' of Hsp90. Under stress conditions, Hsp90 production increases sharply to assist in either refolding or elimination of damaged proteins, thereby helping cells return to a normal state and increasing their ability to survive.
Hsp90 levels are elevated in many types of cancer cells. Hsp90 binding helps sustain cancer-causing mutations in certain client proteins, allowing the cells to escape growth regulation and develop into tumors. Previous studies have shown that chemical inhibitors of Hsp90 can help block cell division, encourage cell suicide, and reduce the spread of a tumor. Several different Hsp90 inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials to test their efficacy in the treatment of cancer.
Leonard M. Neckers, Ph.D., who led this study in the Urologic Oncology Branch in NCI's Center for Cancer Research, and his colleagues previously showed that treating cells with an inhibitor of the enzyme histone deacetylase (HDAC) had the same effect as directly inhibiting Hsp90 with drugs. HDAC removes certain chemicals, called acetyl groups, from a wide range of proteins. Adding acetyl groups to proteins at specific locations -- a process called acetylation -- is one mechanism cells use to control protein activity. HDAC inhibitors block the removal of these acetyl groups. The purpose of this current study was to understand the role of acetylation in regulating Hsp90 function.

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prostate cancer treatment

2008-12-22T20:24:00.002-08:00

Prostate Cancer can be diagnosed in about 13-15% of men of European descent. Men of African or African-American descent are twice as likely to have prostate cancer cells as men of European descent. Millions of men are diagnosed with prostate cancer... there is a lot you can learn from us.

If you are reading this, you are not dead. Even diagnosed with prostate cancer, chances are good that your cancer won't kill you anytime soon.
There are many choices in the treatment of prostate cancer. The main options include surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and watchful waiting. In deciding which treatment option is most appropriate for you, you and your doctor will consider several factors, including the cancer stage and expected benefits and risks of treatment.
In this section, you will find information on benefits of each treatment option, and the most common side effects. Although prostate cancer is best treated when detected at an early stage, therapies are available that can help even after the cancer has spread outside of the prostate. Your doctor will determine which of these treatments is most appropriate for you.
Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men. As men age, the prostate may get bigger and block the urethra or bladder. This may cause difficulty in urination or can interfere with sexual function. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or of other problems in the prostate may be similar to symptoms of prostate cancer. Normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A normal prostate does not block the flow of urine from the bladder. An enlarged prostate presses on the bladder and urethra and blocks the flow of urine.
Possible signs of prostate cancer include a weak flow of urine or frequent urination.
These and other symptoms may be caused by prostate cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
● Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
● Frequent urination (especially at night).
● Trouble urinating.
● Pain or burning during urination.
● Blood in the urine or semen.
● A pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away.
● Painful ejaculation.
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bladder cancer symptom
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testicular cancer

2008-12-22T20:24:00.001-08:00

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles.The testicles (also called testes or gonads) are a pair of male sex glands. They produce and store sperm and are the main source of testosterone (male hormones) in men. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male physical characteristics. The testicles are located under the penis in a sac-like pouch called the scrotum.
Based on the characteristics of the cells in the tumor, testicular cancers are classified as seminomas or nonseminomas. Other types of cancer that arise in the testicles are rare and are not described here. Seminomas may be one of three types: classic, choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumors. Testicular tumors may contain both seminoma and nonseminoma cells.
Testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers in men in the United States. About 8,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer, and about 390 men die of this disease each year (1). Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34. It is most common in white men, especially those of Scandinavian descent. The testicular cancer rate has more than doubled among white men in the past 40 years, but has only recently begun to increase among black men. The reason for the racial differences in incidence is not known.
Overview
Testicular cancer develops in the testicles (testes), the male reproductive glands. The testicles are located in the membranous pouch below the penis (scrotum) and are suspended from the body by the spermatic cord. They produce male reproductive cells (sperm) and testosterone. Testicular cancer is treated successfully in more than 95% of cases.
Anatomy
The testicles are primarily made up of a mass of seminiferous tubules in which sperm develop. The tubules are lined with Sertoli cells, which protect and supply nutrients to developing sperm. Sertoli cells also secrete the hormone inhibin, which is involved in the regulation of sperm production.
Leydig cells, located in tissue between the seminiferous tubules, secrete testosterone and androsterone. These hormones stimulate the development of male sex organs, beard growth, muscle mass, and deepening of the voice.
Incidence and Prevalence
Incidence of testicular cancer is rising. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 7600 cases are diagnosed and about 400 men die of the disease each year in the United States. The disease is most prevalent in men between the ages of 18 and 32 and is approximately 5 times more common in Caucasians than African Americans. Germany, Scandinavia, and New Zealand have the highest incidence of testicular cancer and Asia and Africa have the lowest.
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cancer treatment

2008-12-22T20:23:00.001-08:00

Cancer (medicine), any of more than 100 diseases characterized by excessive, uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, which invade and destroy other tissues . Cancer develops in almost any organ or tissue of the body, but certain types of cancer are more lethal than others. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and second only to heart disease in the United States. Each year, more than 1.2 million Americans and 132,000 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer, and more than 1,700 people die from cancer each day in the United States and Canada. For reasons not well understood, cancer rates vary by gender, race, and geographic region. For instance, more males have cancer than females, and African Americans are more likely to develop cancer than persons of any other racial and ethnic group in North America. Cancer rates also vary globally-residents of the United States, for example, are nearly three times as likely to develop cancer than are residents of Egypt.
Introduction to Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment varies depending upon your type of cancer, stage of cancer, and overall condition. Additionally, your treatment may vary depending on whether or not the goal of your treatment is to cure your cancer, keep your cancer from spreading, or to relieve the symptoms caused by cancer. Depending on these factors, you may receive one or more of the following:
● Surgery
● Chemotherapy
● Radiation therapy
● Hormonal therapy
● Targeted therapy
Angiogenesis means the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a process controlled by certain chemicals produced in the body. These chemicals stimulate blood vessels or form new ones. Other chemicals, called angiogenesis inhibitors, signal the process to stop.
Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and spread of cancer. New blood vessels “feed” the cancer cells with oxygen and nutrients, allowing these cells to grow, invade nearby tissue, spread to other parts of the body, and form new colonies of cancer cells.
Because cancer cannot grow or spread without the formation of new blood vessels, scientists are trying to find ways to stop angiogenesis. They are studying natural and synthetic angiogenesis inhibitors, also called anti-angiogenesis agents, in the hope that these chemicals will prevent the growth of cancer by blocking the formation of new blood vessels. In animal studies, angiogenesis inhibitors have successfully stopped the formation of new blood vessels, causing the cancer to shrink and die.
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

breast cancer symptom

2008-12-22T20:00:00.001-08:00

There is no right way for a person to deal with a diagnosis of cancer. In this section, we simply hope to share options and coping skills with you that have worked for others.
As you go through the process of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, you’ll likely experience side effects from the treatment. It’s different for everyone. Some drugs cause nausea or hair loss. You may feel physical symptoms, such as pain or fatigue. Your feelings and emotional coping skills may be challenged by the trauma of facing a serious, sometimes life threatening illness. If you are a spiritual person, you may find your faith tested.
These many kinds of distress are common among people who are going through what you are going through. Because they are common, your healthcare team can offer you choices for managing them in ways that suit your personality and lifestyle. Ask for advice on ways to cope with side effects. Other sections of this Guide address the type of help available to you from support groups, complementary therapy, and your spiritual advisors. This section reviews some ways to find relief from some of the physical symptoms you may experience.
Whenever a symptom comes up that concerns you, no matter how insignificant that symptom might seem, talk with your doctor or nurse about it. Don’t wait until the symptom feels almost unbearable. The sooner you let someone know what is bothering you, the sooner you will be offered ideas about ways of managing it.
Many breast cancers are detected by mammography before any symptoms are noticed. Other signs include breast lumps (although most of these are benign), change in size or shape of the breast, dimpling of breast skin, nipple inversion, change in the nipple, swelling or lump in the armpit and very rarely a blood-stained discharge from the nipple or rash around the nipple.
A recent meta-analysis concluded that breast self examination is not an effective method of reducing breast cancer mortality. The NHS recommends that all women are 'breast aware': know what is normal for them and what signs of disease to look for , and that women aged 50 or over attend for breast screening.
Treatment guidelines have been published to improve and standardise the treatment of breast cancer in the UK. 3-7
Surgery and radiotherapy are used to control local disease, and systemic treatments (chemotherapy and /or hormonal therapy) to combat frank or occult metastatic disease.
Systemic treatments may also be administered up front as a primary treatment to reduce the size of the tumour prior to surgery. Nearly all patients, whatever the stage of their disease, have some form of surgery. Other tests are carried out to assess the extent of the disease. The main stages of invasive breast cancer are shown in Table 6.1.
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

stomach cancer

2008-12-22T19:59:00.001-08:00

Digestive Diseases:
Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
Cancer of the stomach, also called gastric cancer, is a malignant tumor arising from the lining of the stomach. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the estimated numbers of new cases and deaths from gastric cancer in the United States in 2005 were:
● New cases: 21,860
● Deaths: 11,550
The NCI also reports that gastric cancer now ranks 14th in incidence among the major types of cancer malignancies in the US.
Stomach cancers are classified according to the type of tissue where they originate. The most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the glandular tissue of the stomach and accounts for 90 to 95% of all stomach cancers. Other forms of stomach cancer include lymphomas, which involve the lymphatic system, and sarcomas, which involve the connective tissue (such as muscle, fat, or blood vessels).
Stomach cancer can often be cured if it is found and treated at an early stage. Unfortunately, the outlook is poor if the cancer is already at an advanced stage when discovered.
What Causes Stomach Cancer?
The exact cause of stomach cancer is unknown, but a number of conditions can increase the risk of the disease. These include:
● Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection of the stomach. H. pylori is a bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and causes chronic inflammation and ulcers.
● Advanced age.
● Male gender.
● A diet low in fruits and vegetables.
● A diet high in salted, smoked or preserved foods.
● Chronic gastritis.
● Pernicious anemia.
● Some gastric polyps.
● Family history of gastric cancer.
● Smoking.
What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
In the early stages of stomach cancer, you may have very few symptoms. These may include:
● Indigestion and stomach discomfort
● A bloated feeling after eating
● Mild nausea
● Loss of appetite
● Heartburn
These symptoms are similar to those caused by a peptic ulcer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see a doctor so that a proper diagnosis can be made and timely treatment given. A stomach cancer can grow very large before it causes other symptoms.In more advanced cancer, you may have:
● Discomfort in the upper or middle part of the abdomen.
● Blood in the stool (which appears as black, tarry stools).
● Vomiting or vomiting blood.
● Weight loss.
● Pain or bloating in the stomach after eating.
● Weakness or fatigue associated with mild anemia (a deficiency in red blood cells)

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

ovarian cancer symptom

2008-12-22T19:58:00.001-08:00

INTRODUCTION
Recurrent ovarian cancer and its treatment can cause an array of symptoms and side effects. The challenge for you and your health care team is to proactively prevent, manage, and control the extent to which your quality of life is affected by these side effects. It can be helpful to think about what is important to you in your life as you discuss your treatment goals with your physician. Many women find that the use of conventional medicine combined with emotional support and mind-body practices provides the greatest sense of relief and control in coping with the adverse affects of cancer treatment.There are several other issues to consider when living with ovarian cancer. Many women desire to “take back” control of their lives after the ovarian cancer diagnosis is made. Some women feel as if control is incrementally removed from the very onset of the disease. By becoming knowledgeable about the disease and treatment options, you can begin to regain control and maintain an active partnership with your health care team. You can also take control by making specific choices about how to care for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout treatment and beyond. For example, maintaining wellness through good nutrition is very important. Although treatment may alter your desire for food, alter taste and smell, or cause nausea and vomiting, eating a diet high in protein and carbohydrates is essential to restoring balance and health because of damage caused by the cancer and the treatment.

Physical activity is equally important to your physical and emotional well-being. Simple exercise such as walking can increase your appetite and improve your nutritional status, cause improved breathing patterns that aid adequate oxygenation of tissues, and stimulate the release of hormones in the brain that arouse feelings of euphoria (happiness) and reduce distress. Physical exercise does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. Your health care team can help you design an exercise plan that is appropriate for your situation.
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

bone cancer

2008-12-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

What are symptoms of bone cancer?

Symptoms of bone cancer tend to develop slowly. They depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor.

Pain is the most frequent symptom of bone cancer. Sometimes a firm, slightly tender lump on the bone can be felt through the skin. In some cases, bone cancer interferes with normal movements. Bone cancer can also cause bones to break.

These symptoms are not sure signs of cancer. They may also be caused by other, less serious problems. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms should consult a doctor.How is bone cancer diagnosed?
To diagnose bone cancer, the doctor asks about the patient's personal and family medical history and does a complete physical exam. In addition to checking the general signs of health, the doctor usually orders blood tests and x-rays. X-rays can show the location, size, and shape of a bone tumor. On x-rays, benign tumors usually look round and smooth, with distinct edges. Bone cancers generally have odd shapes and irregular edges.

If x-rays show that the tumor is possible cancer, some of the following special tests may be done. These tests can also show whether the cancer has begun to spread.

Bone scans outline the size, shape, and location of abnormal areas in the bone. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream. This material collects in the bones and is detected by a special instrument called a scanner.

CT or CAT scan is an x-ray procedure that gives detailed pictures of cross-sections of the body. The pictures are created by a computer.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging also creates detailed pictures of cross-sections of the body. MRI uses a very strong magnet linked to a computer.

Angiograms are special x-rays of the blood vessels. A dye that shows up on x-rays is injected into the bloodstream so that the vessels can be seen in detail. This test is also done to help plan surgery.A biopsy is the only sure way to tell whether cancer is present. Biopsies are best done at a hospital where doctors are experienced in the diagnosis of bone cancers. The doctor removes a sample of tissue from the bone tumor. A pathologist looks at the tissue under a microscope. If cancer is found, the pathologist can tell the type of sarcoma and whether it is likely to grow slowly or quickly.

If a diagnosis of bone cancer is made, it is important for the doctor to know exactly where the cancer is located and whether it has spread from its original location. This information is very important for planning treatment. The results of exams, tests, x-rays, scans, and the biopsy are all used in staging the cancer. The stage indicates whether the disease has spread and how much tissue is affected.
cancer

colon cancer symptom

2008-12-22T19:56:00.000-08:00

A Word About Colon Cancer Symptoms: Colon cancer does not always present symptoms. Colon cancer symptoms sometimes do not appear until the disease has progressed into an advanced stage.
Bleeding - Blood in Stool: This is the most commonly experienced colon cancer symptom. As a tumor grows larger, the passage of feces can cause the tumor to bleed. it is common to see blood if the tumor is near the anus, but it is much more common for the blood to be hidden inside the stools.
Weight Loss: An unexpected weight loss accompanied by other symptoms can indicate colon cancer. The pain and discomfort caused by a tumor can lead to loss of appetite, which in turn results in weight loss.
Changes in Bowel Habits: If you are consistently constipated or have diarrhea, this must be evaluated by a physician. Changes in bowel habits also include gas and producing thinner stools. Thinner stools are usually the result of a tumor obstructing the passage of feces. This is one of the more common colon cancer symptoms.
Abdominal Discomfort: Abdominal discomfort can mean many things - bloating, swelling, cramping and feeling full.
Abdominal Pain: Swelling and pain of the abdomen are also symptoms of colon cancer. This usually occurs when the intestine is blocked by a tumor. If the tumor grows large, then nausea and vomiting can occur.
Fatigue: Fatigue is a symptom of many cancers. It can also be a symptom of many other conditions that aren't cancer related. Fatigue experienced with cancer can be mild or severe.

Talking to Your Doctor: Many people feel shy to talk about bowel habits with their doctor, especially women. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I can't stress how important it is to talk to your doctor! Better to be safe than sorry!
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

lung cancer symptom

2008-12-22T19:51:00.002-08:00

General symptoms of lung cancer

The symptoms of lung cancer can be

● Having a cough most of the time
● A change in a cough you have had for a long time
● Being short of breath
● Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
● An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
● Loss of appetite
● Fatigue
Losing weight Less common symptoms of lung cancer

There are other symptoms of lung cancer that are less common. They are usually associated with more advanced lung cancer. You may have
● A hoarse voice
● Difficulty swallowing
● Swelling of the face caused by a blockage of a main blood vessel from the head (SVCO)
● Swelling in the neck caused by enlarged lymph nodes
● Pain or discomfort under your ribs on your right side (from the liver)
● Shortness of breath caused by fluid around the lungs (called pleural effusion)
SVCO
SVCO stands for superior vena cava obstruction. The vena cava is a large vein that carries blood from the brain and head back to the heart. If it is blocked, there is a build up behind the blockage causing fluid to seep out from the bloodstream and collect in the tissues of the face, causing swelling.

All of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases apart from lung cancer. So, you should always see your doctor if you are worried about any symptoms. You may have a chest infection, or other illness that is easily treatable. If you do have lung cancer, the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat it.

Pancoast tumours
Doctors sometimes call lung cancer that is growing right at the top of the lung a 'pancoast tumour'. These tumours can cause very specific symptoms. The most common is severe shoulder pain. They can also cause a collection of symptoms called 'Horner's syndrome'. These are
● Drooping or weakness of one eyelid
● Small pupil in that eye
● Loss of sweating on that same side of the face
These symptoms of Horner's syndrome are caused by the tumour pressing on or damaging a nerve that runs up from the neck to that side of the face.

Odd symptoms of lung cancer
Sometimes lung cancer cells produce hormones that get into the bloodstream. These hormones can produce strange symptoms that you may not realise are anything to do with lung cancer. You may hear your doctor call these 'paraneoplastic symptoms' or say you have 'paraneoplastic syndrome'. These hormone related symptoms include
● Pins and needles or numbness in fingers or toes
● Muscle weakness
● Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness or confusion
● Breast swelling in men
● Tendency to have blood clots (thrombosis)
These symptoms are rarely caused by lung cancer. But they can be. So it is important you tell your doctor about any new symptoms you have noticed. They may be nothing to do with your cancer and so your mind can be put at rest. If they are, then they can treat them and help you to feel better.
cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

liver cancer

2008-12-22T19:51:00.001-08:00

What is Liver Cancer?
There are two main kinds of liver cancer. Heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma is cancer of the hepatocytes. (The main functioning liver cell). Hepatoma is primary liver cancer. Hepatoma usually grows in the liver as a ball-like tumor, invading the normal tissue surrounding it. A history of infection with the hepatitis B virus puts individuals at risk of developing heptoma.
Cancer of the bile duct cells is called cholangiocarcinoma. Cholangiocarcinoma originates in the bile ducts and is often caused by infestation with the liver fluke Clonorchis (a parasite). The cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is hard to find on X-ray studies.
Most cases of liver cancer are actually cancers that started in another organ. This is called metastases. Because of its very high blood flow and many biological functions, the liver is one of the most common places for metastases to grow. Tumors that originally arise in the colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast can spread to the liver.
Liver cancer is much more prevalent in many of the developing countries than in the industrialized world. Its incidence is highest in subSaharan Africa, China, southern Asia, and Japan. Japan is the exception of the industrialized countries. China accounts for about 45% of the world's cases. What Causes or Increases Risk for Liver Cancer?
Once cause of liver cancer is exposure to vinyl chloride. Other causes of liver cancer are unknown. However certain risk factors have been identified. The risk factors are: Chronic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis of the liver and liver flukes (parasites).
Treatments for Liver Cancer?
Treatments will vary according to the individual. Some of the possible treatments are: surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy and radiation.
Liver transplantation is the replacement of one liver with another.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Surgery is usually not an option. Surgery is usually not an option because leukemia cells can spread to all the organs via the blood stream and the lymph vessels.
Radiation therapy is the use of x rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

cancer
early symptom of lung
bladder cancer symptom
sign of colon cancer
blood cancer

mesothelioma cancer

2008-12-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma Lung Cancer News and InformationMesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the tissues of cells that line the lungs, heart and stomach. These tissues are called mesothelial cells and they become infected by inhaling particles of dust from asbestos fibers. Once these cells become infected they dry up the fluids surrounding these major organs of the body and tumors begin to develop. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for 75% of all malignant cases however there are two other types peritoneal, and pericardial which you may be interested in reading about.

Understanding Mesothelioma Dealing with mesothelioma is a very difficult process. It will require a lot of physical and emotional endurance, a strong family and social network, and expert medical and professional advice and assistance. The best way to approach dealing with mesothelioma is to first learn everything that you can about the disease. This should include the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mesothelioma.

Symptoms

Since mesothelioma takes a long time to develop inside a human body it is often difficult to identify the symptoms. In the early stages there may not even be any symptoms at all. When they do appear the most common early symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pains. These symptoms on their own will not usually identify the disease and are often misdiagnosed as asthma or other respiratory problems like pneumonia.

Mesothelioma Information & Help

If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or think you might be at risk for developing the disease, you might feel scared, confused or angry. But you don need to be alone. We can help.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can be difficult to diagnose. Several diseases can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma. To get the best treatment for lung related diseases, it important to seek medical help as early as possible. An early diagnosis provides the best chance for effective treatment to prolong your life. Promising research is going on right now that gives hope for better treatments, and hopefully a cure for this aggressive disease in the future.

Mesothelioma has been conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses have occurred in workers in many industries where this insulating material was used. However, people exposed to asbestos secondarily can develop lung-related medical problems. If you have worked in an asbestos-related industry or lived in close contact with someone who did, there is a chance you may develop lung problems, including mesothelioma.

cancer

pancreatic cancer

2008-12-22T19:49:00.001-08:00

Cancer of the pancreas is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This year approximately 32,000 Americans will die from cancer of the pancreas. The disease is not only common, it is also extremely difficult to treat. For these and other reasons, cancer of the pancreas has been called "the challenge of the twenty-first century."

The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions has become the leading center for the treatment and study of pancreas cancer. We created this web page to:

1. Educate patients and family members with the hope of empowering them as they make complex medical decisions; and

2. Provide a virtual Web family of support and caring for those facing this disease. Introduction

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas - a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. By that time, the cancer is likely to have spread to other parts of the body and surgical removal is no longer possible.

For years, little was known about pancreatic cancer. But researchers are beginning to understand the genetic basis of the disease - knowledge that may eventually lead to new and better treatments. Just as important, you may be able to reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer with some lifestyle changes.

cancer