Cancer Archive

Articles

Lung cancer: Not just for smokers

People who never smoked may have a different form of the disease that responds better to a new generation of targeted medications.

"Did he smoke?"

That's often the first response to news that someone has lung cancer. It's an understandable reaction: We've been reading and hearing about the link between smoking and lung cancer ever since the 1964 Surgeon General's report. Cancer epidemiologists estimate that 85%–90% of those who die from lung cancer in the United States were smokers.

The cervical cancer vaccine

A new vaccine promises to save lives, but won't replace the Pap test.

Cervical cancer once killed many American women — mothers, daughters, and wives. But over the past 30 years, the number of cervical cancer deaths in the United States has dropped by half. Today, fewer than 4,000 American women die each year from the disease.

Recognizing and treating basal cell carcinoma

It's the most common skin cancer and the least dangerous — but it's far from a trivial matter.

With summer around the corner, our thoughts and plans naturally turn to outdoor activities and the opportunity to bask in the warmth of the sun. But there's a dark side to the time we spend in the sun — it's called a tan. Despite its association with prosperity, good looks, and good health, a tan in reality is a sign that the sun has damaged the skin cells. For some people, such damage can result in skin cancer. The sun is the chief cause of more than 1.3 million skin cancers each year in the United States.

Recognizing and treating basal cell carcinoma

It's the most common skin cancer and the least dangerous — but it's far from a trivial matter.

From the Harvard Women's Health Watch, May 2006

With summer around the corner, our thoughts and plans naturally turn to outdoor activities and the opportunity to bask in the warmth of the sun. But there's a dark side to the time we spend in the sun — it's called a tan. Despite its association with prosperity, good looks, and good health, a tan in reality is a sign that the sun has damaged the skin cells. For some people, such damage can result in skin cancer. The sun is the chief cause of more than 1.3 million skin cancers each year in the United States.

There are three main types. Melanoma is probably the most familiar — not because it's common but because it's so deadly. It accounts for only 4% of skin cancers but 75% of skin cancer deaths. A second type, squamous cell carcinoma, occurs three times more often than melanoma. Although it's less serious, it can metastasize and cause extensive damage. About 3%–4% of people with squamous cell carcinoma die from the disease.

Pancreatic cancer: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention

Hard to detect and quick to spread, pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest of cancers. Scientists hope that genetic research will make it more like other cancers-a treatable disease. But even if it's caught while confined to the pancreas-and it rarely is-just 16% of patients are alive five years after the initial diagnosis. By comparison, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 86%. If the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas, the likelihood of living another five years is just 2%. Only the statistics for liver cancer are as grim.

Fortunately, pancreatic cancer is uncommon compared with other major cancers. About 50,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in the United States, in contrast to about 250,000 new cases of breast cancer, and 225,000 new cases of lung cancer. But because it's so untreatable, pancreatic cancer causes about 40,000 deaths each year. It is the 4th leading cause of cancer death.

Testosterone, prostate cancer, and balding: Is there a link?

We can thank the Greeks for the name doctors apply to male hormones. Androgen comes from the words meaning "man-maker," and it's a well-chosen term. Testosterone is the most potent androgen, and it does make the man. It's responsible for the deep voice, increased muscle mass, and strong bones that characterize the gender, and it also stimulates the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

In addition, testosterone has crucial, if incompletely understood, effects on male behavior. It contributes to aggression, and it's essential for the libido or sex drive, as well as for normal erections and sexual performance. Testosterone stimulates the growth of the genitals at puberty, and it is one of the factors required for sperm production throughout adult life.

When You Visit Your Doctor - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Have you had fevers, chills, fatigue, or weight loss?
  • Have you had any recent infections?
  • Do you have a cough?
  • Do you have sinus congestion?
  • Do you know when to seek medical attention for infections?
  • Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
  • Have you had nosebleeds or easy bruising?
  • Do you get short of breath with minimal exertion?
  • Are you lightheaded?
  • Have you been unusually tired?
  • Have you had abdominal pain or swelling?
  • Have you noticed swollen lymph nodes?


Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Lymph nodes (neck, axilla, groin)
  • Heart
  • Lungs
  • Abdomen (for enlargement or tenderness of the liver or spleen)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Complete blood count
  • Routine blood chemistries
  • Immunoglobulin levels
  • Blood test for flow cytometry
  • Bone marrow biopsy.
 

When You Visit Your Doctor - Colonic Polyps

Colonic Polyps

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Do you have a family history of colonic polyps?
  • Do you have bleeding from the rectum or bloody stools?
  • Do you frequently have rectal pain or the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement?
  • Do you have anemia (low blood count)?
  • Do you have a family history of colon cancer?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Abdominal exam
  • Rectal exam

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Stool testing for blood
  • Complete blood count
  • Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, possibly with a biopsy or removal of a polyp (if one is found)
 

When You Visit Your Doctor - After Hodgkin's Disease Treatment

Hodgkin's Disease (after the disease has been treated)

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Have you had fevers, heavy sweating at night, weight loss, itchy skin, or swollen lymph nodes?
  • Do you have pain in any of your bones?
  • Do you have a cough?
  • Are you fatigued?
  • Do you get lightheaded?
  • Do you bruise easily or have nosebleeds?
  • Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
  • Have you had any recent infections?
  • Do you have a cough?
  • Do you have sinus congestion?
  • Do you have nasal discharge?
  • Do you know when to seek medical attention for signs of infection?
  • Do you know that you still need to practice birth control (both men and women)?
  • Infertility is uncommon with newer chemotherapy regimens. If you are a woman and have undergone early menopause, have you considered hormone replacement therapy?
  • Are you short of breath at rest or with minimal exertion?
  • Do you get chest pain or pressure with exertion?
  • Do you have swelling in your legs?
  • Do you know that chemotherapy and radiation can increase your risk of developing certain other cancers?
  • Are you up-to-date on all of your cancer screening tests?
  • If you are a woman, have you discussed the need for regular mammograms and breast examinations with your doctor?
  • Are you gaining weight?
  • Are you constipated?
  • Are you always cold?
  • Do you have dry skin?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Neck veins
  • Heart
  • Lungs
  • Abdomen (for enlargement or tenderness of the liver or spleen)
  • Bones and spine (looking for areas of tenderness)
  • Skin (looking for skin cancers)
  • Lymph Nodes (neck, axilla, elbow, groin)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Blood tests for complete blood counts, kidney and liver function tests
  • CT scans of the chest and abdomen
 

When You Visit Your Doctor - Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Have you had any recent infections?
  • Do you know when to call your doctor with symptoms of infection?
  • Do you have pain in any of your bones? If so, is it constant, or does it occur only when you move?
  • Have you had any recent fractures?
  • Do you have pain in your spine? Does it radiate to another part of your body?
  • Have you noticed a decrease in sensation or strength in your hands or feet?
  • Have you had loss of bladder or bowel control?
  • Do you know when to seek medical attention for back pain?
  • Have you been fatigued?
  • Have you been lightheaded?
  • Have you been short of breath with minimal exertion?
  • Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?
  • Do you bruise easily, or get nosebleeds?
  • Have you been weak, nauseated, constipated, or confused?
  • Have you had a headache or a change in your vision?
  • Can you feel any lumps or masses under your skin?
  • Are you aware of the possible complications that can develop from multiple myeloma?
  • Do you know which symptoms should cause you to call your doctor?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Skin
  • Heart
  • Lungs
  • Arms and legs
  • Spine
  • Neurology examination (to check for strength and sensation in your hands and feet)
  • Lymph nodes (neck, axilla, and groin)

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Blood tests for complete blood count, electrolytes, kidney function, uric acid, calcium, and beta-2 microglobulin
  • Serum protein electrophoresis or SPEP
  • Urine protein electrophoresis or UPEP
  • Quantitative immunoglobulin levels in the urine and blood
  • Immunoelectrophoresis
  • 24-hour urine collection for protein
  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • Skeletal radiographs
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
 

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