cancer Cancer Signs Cancer Symptoms * Signs or symptoms of Cancer * Seven signs or Symptoms of Cancer Cancer often presents with non-specific features that may also be explained by benign, more common causes. This makes a high index of suspicion necessary in order to investigate and diagnose it correctly. Signs and symptoms of Cancer Signs and symptoms will depend on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, and how much it affects the surrounding organs or structures. The common mechanisms that cause symptoms are compression, occlusion, erosion and invasion of organs and structures, such as nerves, joints and vessels. If a cancer metastasises, then symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. For example, in certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumour may produce symptoms. In contrast, pancreatic cancers may not cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. In some cancers, the metastases may produce symptoms before the primary tumour. In prostate cancer, it is not uncommon for bone/joint pain to precede any urinary symptoms. Some general signs and symptoms of cancer include: * Weight loss: unexplained (unintentional) weight loss may be the first sign of cancer, particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, oesophagus, or lung. * Fatigue: may be an early or late symptom. * Fever or night sweats: more often seen in advanced disease. * Pain: often a symptom of advanced disease. * Skin changes: certain cancers can produce visible skin signs such as hyperpigmentation, jaundice, erythema, itching, or excessive hair growth. More specific signs and symptoms include: * Change in bowel habit/bladder function: chronic constipation or diarrhoea may be a sign of colon cancer. * Unusual bleeding or discharge: blood in sputum, faeces or urine; abnormal breast or vaginal discharge. * Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): may indicate cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, or pharynx. * Hoarseness/cough: A persistent cough may be a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness may indicate cancer of the larynx. * Non-healing sores: A persistent sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer and should be dealt with promptly, especially in patients who smoke, chew tobacco, or frequently drink alcohol. The Seven Signs and Symptoms of Cancer Many people refer to the "Seven Signs and Symptoms of Cancer": * Change in bowel or bladder habits. * A sore on the skin or in the mouth that does not heal. * Unusual bleeding or discharge from the rectum, bladder or vagina. * A new lump in the breast or testes. * Indigestion or trouble swallowing. * Obvious changes to moles or warts. * Nagging cough or hoarseness that persists for four to six weeks.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body

Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.

Recent findings and perspectives on medical research.

Six Killers | Cancer

Cancer Patients, Lost in a Maze of Uneven Care

By DENISE GRADY

Treating cancer can be very complicated, and it is difficult for even the most educated patients to be sure they have the best care.

Alternative Names

Carcinoma; Malignant tumor.

Causes

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.
There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.
There are many causes of cancers, including:

• Benzene and other chemicals
• Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
• Certain viruses
• Radiation
• Sunlight
• Tobacco

However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.
The most common cause of cancer-related death is lung cancer.
The three most common cancers in men in the United States are:

• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer
• Colon cancer

In women in the U.S., the three most common cancers are:

• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer

Some cancers are more common in certain parts of the world. For example, in Japan, there are many cases of gastric cancer, but in the U.S. this type of cancer is pretty rare. Differences in diet may play a role.
Some other types of cancers include:

• Brain cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Skin cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Uterine cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. The most common skin cancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma which all trace back to the mutation of melanin cells. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages. There are three common and likely types of skin cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. Unlike many other cancers, including those originating in the lung, pancreas, and stomach, only a small minority of those afflicted will actually die of the disease.Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer.Melanoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is the most serious—for example, in the UK there are 9,500 new cases of melanoma each year, and 2,300 deaths.More people now die of melanoma in the UK than in Australia. It is the most common cancer in the young population (20 – 39 age group).It is estimated that approximately 85% of cases are caused by too much sun.^{[citation needed]} Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common skin cancers. The majority of these are called basal cell carcinomas. These are usually localised growths caused by excessive cumulative exposure to the sun and do not tend to spread.

Risk factors

Skin cancer has many potential causes, these include:

1. Studies have show that smoking tobacco and related products can double the risk of skin cancer.
2. Overexposure to UV-radiation may cause skin cancer either via the direct DNA damage or via the indirect DNA damage mechanism. Overexposure (burning) UVA & UVB have both been implicated in causing DNA damage resulting in cancer. Sun exposure between 10AM and 4PM is most intense and therefore most harmful. Natural (sun) & artificial UV exposure (tanning salons) are possibly associated with skin cancer.
   1. UVB rays primarily affect the epidermis causing sunburns, redness, and blistering of the skin when overexposed. The melanin of the epidermis is activated with UVB just as with UVA; however, the effects are longer lasting with pigmentation continuing over 24 hours.
3. Chronic non-healing wounds, especially burns. These are called Marjolin's ulcers based on their appearance, and can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
4. Genetic predisposition, including "Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Syndrome". CMNS is characterized by the presence of "nevi" or moles of varying size that either appear at or within 6 months of birth. Nevi larger than 20 mm (3/4") in size are at higher risk for becoming cancerous.
5. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is often associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the genital, anal, oral, pharynx, and fingers. It is believed that the HPV vaccine might help to prevent these cancers as well as cervical cancers.
6. Skin cancer is one of the potential dangers of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.

Complied From Wkikpedia.com

Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer

What is oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is any cancerous tissue growth located in the mouth. It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the oral tissues, by metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the nasal cavity or the maxillary sinus. Oral cancers may originate in any of the tissues of the mouth, and may be of varied histologic types: teratoma, adenocarcinoma derived from a major or minor salivary gland, lymphoma from tonsillar or other lymphoid tissue, or melanoma from the pigment producing cells of the oral mucosa. Far and away the most common oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, originating in the tissues that line the mouth and lips. Oral or mouth cancer most commonly involves the tissue of the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gingiva (gums), or palate (roof of the mouth). Most oral cancers look very similar under the microscope and are called squamous cell carcinoma. These are malignant and tend to spread rapidly.

Symptoms

Skin lesion, lump, or ulcer:

• On the tongue, lip, or other mouth area
• Usually small
• Most often pale colored, may be dark or discolored
• Early sign may be a white patch (leukoplakia) or a red patch (erythroplakia) on the soft tissues of the mouth
• Usually painless initially
• May develop a burning sensation or pain when the tumor is advanced

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Tongue problems
• Swallowing difficulty
• Mouth sores that do not resolve in 14 days
• Pain and paraesthesia are late symptoms.

Signs and tests

An examination of the mouth by the health care provider or dentist shows a visible and/or palpable (can be felt) lesion of the lip, tongue, or other mouth area. As the tumor enlarges, it may become an ulcer and bleed. Speech/talking difficulties, chewing problems, or swallowing difficulties may develop, particularly if the cancer is on the tongue.
There are a variety of screening devices that assist doctors in detecting oral cancer, including the Velscope, Vizilite Plus and the identafi 3000. While a dentist, physician or other medical professional may suspect a particular lesion is malignant, the only definitive method for determining this is through biopsy and microscopic evaluation of the cells in the removed sample. A tissue biopsy, whether of the tongue or other oral tissues, and microscopic examination of the lesion confirm the diagnosis of oral cancer.

Treatment

Surgical excision (removal) of the tumor is usually recommended if the tumor is small enough, and if surgery is likely to result in a functionally satisfactory result. Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery, or as the definitive radical treatment, especially if the tumour is inoperable. Surgeries for oral cancers include

• Maxillectomy (can be done with or without Orbital exenteration)
• Mandibulectomy (removal of the mandible or lower jaw or part of it)
• Glossectomy (tongue removal, can be total, hemi or partial)
• Radical neck dissection
• Moh's procedure
• Combinational e.g. glossectomy and laryngectomy done together.

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer

What is Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, which is the invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. The vast majority of primary lung cancers are carcinomas of the lung, derived from epithelial cells. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and also the most common in women, is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually.^[1] The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), and weight loss.
The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. This distinction is important, because the treatment varies; non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is sometimes treated with surgery, while small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiation.The most common cause of lung cancer is long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.The occurrence of lung cancer in nonsmokers, who account for as many as 15% of cases, is often attributed to a combination of genetic factors,^[6][7] radon gas,asbestos,and air pollution, including secondhand smoke.
Lung cancer may be seen on chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT scan). The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy. This is usually performed via bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy. Treatment and prognosis depend upon the histological type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient's performance status. Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With treatment, the five-year survival rate is 14%

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms that suggest lung cancer include:

• dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• chronic coughing or change in regular coughing pattern
• wheezing
• chest pain or pain in the abdomen
• cachexia (weight loss), fatigue, and loss of appetite
• dysphonia (hoarse voice
• clubbing of the fingernails (uncommon)
• dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

Causes

The main causes of lung cancer (and cancer in general) include carcinogens (such as those in tobacco smoke), ionizing radiation, and viral infection. This exposure causes cumulative changes to the DNA in the tissue lining the bronchi of the lungs (the bronchial epithelium). As more tissue becomes damaged, eventually a cancer develops.^[3]

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Waht is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast, usually in the inner lining of the milk ducts or lobules. There are different types of breast cancer, with different stages (spread), aggressiveness, and genetic makeup. With best treatment, 10-year disease-free survival varies from 98% to 10%. Treatment includes surgery, drugs (hormone therapy and chemotherapy), and radiation.
In the United States, there were 216,000 cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,000 deaths in 2004. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death.In 2004, breast cancer caused 519,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths).
Breast cancer is about 100 times as frequent among women as among men, but survival rates are equal in both sexes
Some breast cancers require the hormones estrogen and progesterone to grow, and have receptors for those hormones. Those cancers are treated with drugs that interfere with those hormones, usually tamoxifen, and with drugs that shut off the production of estrogen in the ovaries or elsewhere; this may damage the ovaries and end fertility. Low-risk, hormone-sensitive breast cancers may be treated with hormone therapy and radiation alone. Breast cancers without hormone receptors, or which have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits, or which express certain genetic characeristics, are higher-risk, and are treated more aggressively. One standard regimen, popular in the U.S., is cycophosphamide plus doxorubicin (Adriomycin), known as CA; these drugs damage DNA in the cancer, but also in fast-growing normal cells where they cause serious side effects. Sometimes a taxane drug, such as docetaxel, is added, and the regime is then known as CAT; taxane attacks the microtubules in cancer cells. An equivalent treatment, popular in Europe, is cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF).Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, are used for cancer cells that have the HER2 mutation. Radiation is usually added to the surgical bed to control cancer cells that were missed by the surgery, which usually extends survival, although radiation exposure to the heart may cause damage and heart failure in the following years.

Causes

The primary risk factors that have been identified are sex,age, childbearing, hormones, a high-fat diet,alcohol intake, obesity, and environmental factors such as tobacco use, radiation^[26] and shiftwork.However, studies of environmental and lifestyle factors only attribute a small increase in breast cancer to each factor. Furthermore, these studies are not randomized, controlled trials, and so they may associate breast cancer with factors that don't actually cause breast cancer
No cause is known for 95% of breast cancer cases, while approximately 5% of new breast cancers are attributable to hereditary syndromes. In particular, carriers of the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at a 30-40% increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer, depending on in which portion of the protein the mutation occurs.

• Personal history of breast cancer: A woman who had breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting cancer in her other breast.
• Family history: A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer. The risk is higher if her family member got breast cancer before age 40. Having other relatives with breast cancer (in either her mother's or father's family) may also increase a woman's risk.
• Certain breast changes: Some women have cells in the breast that look abnormal under a microscope. Having certain types of abnormal cells (atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ [LCIS]) increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Race: Breast cancer is diagnosed more often in Caucasian women than Latina, Asian, or African American women.
• No physical activity: Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer. Being active may help decrease risk.
• Tamoxifen may interact unfavorably with certain antidepressants when used for prevention of breast cancer recurrence.
• Abortion-breast cancer hypothesis: Mainstream organizations such as the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute have concluded there is no link between induced abortion and breast cancer, although a minority of doctors continue to disagree.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. Each year in the United States, about 42,470 individuals are diagnosed with this condition and 35,240 die from the disease. The prognosis is generally poor; less than 5 percent of those diagnosed are still alive five years after diagnosis. Complete remission is still extremely rare.
About 95% of exocrine pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas (M8140/3). The remaining 5% include adenosquamous carcinomas, signet ring cell carcinomas, hepatoid carcinomas, colloid carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, and undifferentiated carcinomas with osteoclast-like giant cells.^[3] Exocrine pancreatic cancers are far more common than endocrine pancreatic cancers (also known as islet cell carcinomas), which make up about 1% of total cases.

Signs and symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a "silent killer" because early pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms,^[5] and the later symptoms are usually non-specific and varied.^[5] Therefore, pancreatic cancer is often not diagnosed until it is advanced.^[5] Common symptoms include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen that typically radiates to the back^[5] (seen in carcinoma of the body or tail of the pancreas)
• Loss of appetite and/or nausea and vomiting^[5]
• Significant weight loss
• Painless jaundice (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine)^[5] when a cancer of the head of the pancreas (about 60% of cases) obstructs the common bile duct as it runs through the pancreas. This may also cause pale-colored stool and steatorrhea.
• Trousseau sign, in which blood clots form spontaneously in the portal blood vessels, the deep veins of the extremities, or the superficial veins anywhere on the body, is sometimes associated with pancreatic cancer.
• Diabetes mellitus, or elevated blood sugar levels. Many patients with pancreatic cancer develop diabetes months to even years before they are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, suggesting that new onset diabetes in an elderly individual may be an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer.^[6]
• Clinical depression has been reported in association with pancreatic cancer, sometimes presenting before the cancer is diagnosed. However, the mechanism for this association is not known.^[7]

Diagnosis

Most patients with pancreatic cancer experience pain, weight loss, or jaundice.^[32]
Pain is present in 80 to 85 percent of patients with locally advanced or advanced metastic disease. The pain is usually felt in the upper abdomen as a dull ache that radiates straight through to the back. It may be intermittent and made worse by eating. Weight loss can be profound; it can be associated with anorexia, early satiety, diarrhea, or steatorrhea. Jaundice is often accompanied by pruritus and dark urine. Painful jaundice is present in approximately one-half of patients with locally unresectable disease, while painless jaundice is present in approximately one-half of patients with a potentially resectable and curable lesion.
The initial presentation varies according to location of the cancer. Malignancies in the pancreatic body or tail usually present with pain and weight loss, while those in the head of the gland typically present with steatorrhea, weight loss, and jaundice. The recent onset of atypical diabetes mellitus, a history of recent but unexplained thrombophlebitis (Trousseau sign), or a previous attack of pancreatitis are sometimes noted.
Courvoisier sign defines the presence of jaundice and a painlessly distended gallbladder as strongly indicative of pancreatic cancer, and may be used to distinguish pancreatic cancer from gallstones.
Tiredness, irritability and difficulty eating due to pain also exist. Pancreatic cancer is usually discovered during the course of the evaluation of aforementioned symptoms.
Liver function tests can show a combination of results indicative of bile duct obstruction (raised conjugated bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase levels). CA19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19.9) is a tumor marker that is frequently elevated in pancreatic cancer. However, it lacks sensitivity and specificity. When a cutoff above 37 U/mL is used, this marker has a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 87% in discerning benign from malignant disease. CA 19-9 might be normal early in the course, and could be elevated due to benign causes of biliary obstruction.^[33]
Imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT scan) can be used to identify the location of the cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is another procedure that can help visualize the location and can serve to guide a percutaneous needle biopsy, which is necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis.