Category Archives: Cancer

Lung Cancer Treatment

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The most commonly used treatments for lung cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The exact treatment a lung cancer patient receives will depend on several factors. These include the type of cancer, the stage or extent to which it has spread at the time of diagnosis, and the overall health of the patient.

Non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for about 80 percent of lung cancer cases, is treated depending on its stage at diagnosis. Lung surgery is the mainstay of treatment for the early stages of lung cancer. Cancerous tissue, along with a margin of healthy tissue, is removed. Patients who are unable to have surgery may be treated with radiotherapy. While cure rates for early lung cancer are good, it is rarely detected in its early stages. As non-small cell cancer spreads within the chest, it is treated with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Once cancer has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy and radiotherapy replace surgery as the main treatment options. A number of drugs are available, and many more are being tested in clinical trials. Radiotherapy is palliative, and while it may ease symptoms such as pain and cough, it will not stop cancer growth. If the cancer obstructs a major airway, using a laser, freezing the tumor or keeping the airway open with a stent or tube may remove the obstruction.

Small cell lung cancer, which is found in about 20 percent of lung cancer patients, is more aggressive and more likely to have spread by the time of diagnosis. It is therefore treated primarily with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy to the chest may also be used to kill off remaining cancer cells. This type of cancer often spreads to the brain. This is why radiotherapy to the brain may be used as a prophylactic even if no cancer is detected in the brain.

Prolong Your Life — Get Checked For Prostate Cancer Now

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Men, who are younger than 40, are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer. The male hormone testosterone contributes to the growth of cancer. About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer. It’s estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease.

Prostate cancer is deadly but can be cured if it’s caught early enough. If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you’re looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help.

Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. There are several symptoms to be aware of. Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain.

If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer. Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for.

There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm.

There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not.

Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician’s office. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options.

Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy.

Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what’s important is picking the best treatment for you. The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all.

Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial.

In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.

It’s important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over. Consider sites, such as this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn about prostate cancer.