Cancer in any form is a terrible diagnosis for any patient. Prostate cancer is of the most prevalent types of cancer in older men. Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, which is a small walnut-shaped gland responsible for producing seminal fluid for transporting sperm. Thankfully, most prostate cancers progress slowly, requiring no treatment, as long as they don’t spread outside of the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. Early diagnosis for prostate cancer that’s confined to the prostate gland is the best scenario for patients. The following information provides more detail about prostate cancer statistics, causes, diagnosis, and treatments, etc.: 1. Prostate cancer statistics Cancer.org explains that at least 1 in 9 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Most men who develop prostate cancer are at least 65 years of age or older, with the average age of diagnosis at the age of 66. African American males have a higher risk of developing this disease compared to any other race. At least 1 in 41 men who have been diagnosed with this disease will die from it. However, most men will survive prostate cancer after they have been diagnosed. Ultimately, prostrate is a men’s cancer.

Diagnosing bladder cancer often begins with a thorough discussion with a physician to review symptoms and risk factors. A physical exam is typically performed and includes a rectal and prostate exam (for men) or a recto-vaginal exam (for women) to examine the bladder for abnormal tissues (i.e., tumors). If abnormal tissues are detected, the physician will order: Urinalysis and urine culture: A urinalysis and urine culture to ensure an infection isn’t causing the symptoms. Depending on the outcome of the urinalysis and urine culture, more sophisticated testing will be ordered (i.e., a urine cytology), which involves laboratory testing of cancer cells. Cystoscopy: A cystoscopy may be performed in the urologists office using a flexible tube attached to a small camera, inserted into the urethra and bladder to inspect the lining of the bladder for a tumor. Biopsy: The urologist can take a biopsy of the bladder at this time. If no tumor is seen, imaging test may be ordered (i.e., CT or MRI). Bladder cancer staging uses the TNM system. T describes how far the tumor has grown through the bladder wall and whether it is into nearby tissues. N indicates if any cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the bladder.

Cancer treatment is administered with the goal of putting a patient in remission and stopping the spread of cancer. The treatment protocol will depend on the type of cancer, patient preference, patient health, and the stage of the cancer. Depending on a doctor’s diagnosis, patients may be subjected to a combination of the following treatment options, or just one. Let’s take a look at the most common treatment options used to treat various types of cancer: 1. Surgery A significant percentage of cancer patients go through surgical procedures as part of their treatment. Surgery entails the surgical removal of cancer-causing tumors from the body, and often also removes a margin of surrounding healthy tissues as well to prevent spreading. Most oncologists recommend surgical treatments when the cancer isn’t advanced; when it hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. 2. Chemotherapy It involves administering medication that kills cancerous cells directly into a patient’s body. The medication works by keeping cancer from spreading to other body parts while killing the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is preferred when cancer has already advanced and is already spreading (metastasizing) in the body. Chemo drugs come in various forms including oral pills, creams for rubbing on the skin, injections, or intravenous infusion.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the bloodstream. It develops when blood cells in the bone marrow change and become leukemia cells. Once they are leukemia cells, they divide at a faster rate than normal and build up in the bone marrow because they cannot die. The overcrowding causes them to move into the bloodstream from the bone marrow. It transfers to the rest of the body as the cells continue to increase. It also causes the number of white blood cells in the body to increase. The most telltale symptoms of leukemia include: Chills and fever Frequent nosebleeds Tender bones Bone pain Lymph nodes that are swollen Severe and frequent infections While the main cause of leukemia is not known, many scientists believe that it is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Patients with a family history of cancer have a higher chance of developing leukemia. Leukemia is mainly classified in two groups, which are determined by the progression rate and the type of white blood cell that is affected: 1. Acute leukemia In this type of leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are unable to carry out normal body functions because they are immature. This type of leukemia progresses rapidly and can worsen quickly if not treated quickly.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for between 80- to 85% of total lung cancer cases. NSCLC is classified as any type of epithelial lung cancer other than small cell lung carcinoma (or SCLC) that grows and spreads more slowly compared to small cell lung cancer. There are 3 main types of NSCLC, including: Squamous cell carcinomas, which develop in the center of the lung next to the bronchus (air tube). Large cell carcinomas, which can grow in any part of the lung. Adenocarcinomas, which develop in the outer tissue of the lung. Dependant on type and cancer progression NSCLC are typically treated using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and cancer surgery: 1. NSCLC surgery Surgery is a possibility when non small cell lung cancer diagnosis occurs in the early stages of the disease. Depending on tumor location, the following procedures may be effective: Pneumonectomy: If the tumor is close to the chest a pneumonectomy, which removes the lung, may be performed. Lobectomy: refers to the removal of a cancerous lung lobe while a partial lung removal is called a segmentectomy. Sleeve resection: involves removing the cancerous section of lung and suturing the healthy sections of lung together.

The two main categories of colon cancer treatments include system treatments, such as chemotherapy or targeted biologic therapies; and local treatments that focus on one specific area, such as radiation or surgery. The American Cancer Society notes that when colon cancer is detected in the early stages, the 5-year survival rate is 92%. The type of treatment recommended by an oncologist will depend on the stage of cancer, patient’s physical health, as well as the patient’s personal choice. Cancer patients often work with their doctor to design a treatment plan that encompasses a few of the following treatments: 1. Surgery Colon cancer surgery involves removal of the cancer cells through surgery. It is often applicable for early-stage colon cancers. Additionally, the type of surgery recommended depends on how far the cancer has spread, the cancer location, and the patient’s health. 2. Polypectomy Most of early colon cancers including stage 0, as well as some early stage 1 tumors, can be removed through colonoscopy. Additionally, most polyps can also be eliminated during a colonoscopy. A wire loop instrument is used during a polypectomy to the stalk of the cancerous polyp. The instrument is passed via the colonoscope, a long, flexible tube fixed with a camera and light at the tip.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. In the U.S. alone, more individuals are diagnosed with melanoma than any other type of cancer. Melanoma has grown into an epidemic over the years. This disease can certainly spread and potentially kill its host if left untreated. The vast majority of melanoma cases are due to excessive UV exposure, from the sun. Mole screening is an effective screening tool to catch pre skin cancer before it manifests. Melanoma treatment will depending on the size and stage of the cancer itself. For early stage treatments, melanoma can be very thin, which means it may be removed via biopsy. Surgeons will also remove a bit of surrounding skin as well as layer of tissue that’s beneath the mole or lesion. Biopsies are typically tested in a lab, and if found non-cancerous, generally require no further procedures. Melanoma that has spread beyond the skin could be a lot more difficult to remove. The treatment options can come in various forms, including: 1. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy can be effectively used to destroy skin cancer. This type of therapy comes in pill form, or it can be administered intravenously. Isolated-limb perfusion is the technique of choice because it will allow for the drugs to directly attack the melanoma without harming other areas of the body.

With advanced technology, research, and testing, patients now have more options for breast cancer treatment than ever before. With so many alternatives, it is a great idea to take time to understand what you are up against. The primary goal of any breast cancer treatment is to first, eradicate all traces of cancer, and secondly, to prevent the disease from recurring. Although the causes of breast cancer remain unknown, many cancer researchers link the disease to the BRCA genes (both BRCA 1 and 2). Other scientific research, however, counters the belief that BRCA genes do not cause cancer. Regardless of the cause (i.e., family history of breast cancer), these treatments are commonly used to fight breast cancer: 1. Surgery Surgery for breast cancer entails removing the tumor located in either or both breasts, as determined in a mammogram and typically a margin of surrounding healthy tissue as well. If the tumor is extensive, the oncologist will recommend a mastectomy, which removes the whole breast. 2. Radiation therapy The treatment utilizes controlled doses of high energy particles to destroy cancer cells. There are multiple choices under radiation therapy namely; brachytherapy, external beam radiation therapy, and intraoperative radiation therapy. Whichever method you choose, all have proven to be effective secondary breast cancer treatments.

Lymphoma can be a debilitating form of blood cancer that can have a significant effect on a quality of life. Having said that, there are two major types of the disease—Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). While both lymphoma types affect a patient’s life in much the same way, there is a fundamental difference between the two diseases: Hodgkin’s lymphoma spreads directly from one cluster of lymph nodes to another. The majority of HL cases are made up of Reed–Sternberg cells (or lacunar histiocytes), which are distinctive, giant cells. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma spreads in an indirect and often erratic way. While both forms of lymphoma have close to a hundred different subtypes, the vast majority are Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in nature. Treatment for lymphoma largely depends on the type and subtype diagnosed. However, there are a few common treatments regardless of HL vs. NHL. For instance: 1. Lifestyle changes Many lymphoma patients report reduced side effects of treatments (i.e., chemo and radiation) with yoga, massage, relaxation, and breathing exercises. 2. Cancer support groups Talking with other lymphoma patients have been shown to help the mental health of patients with lymphoma, and their loved ones. These groups provide a lot of emotional support and advice for patients who’ve gotten a cancer diagnosis, and are going through cancer treatment.

The most significant progress that we have made in containing cervical cancer pandemic is through early detection. Cancer of the cervix is diagnosed through a cervical cancer screening process. It can be done in two ways: papanicolaou test (or pap smear) and high-risk HPV testing. If cervical cancer is detected early, it usually is treatable. Cervical cancer treatments highly depend on the stage of cancer and how much it has spread to other body parts. Let us dig into the details pertaining to treatment options for cervical cancer: 1. Surgery Surgical intervention is known to be one of the most common cervical cancer treatments. The type of surgical procedure you will have depends on how huge the cancerous tumors have grown and how far spread its gone. Your doctor may advise on starting with radiation or chemotherapy to reduce the tumor into a size that will quickly be removed through surgery. Conization, for example, removes small cervical cancers. After the surgical procedure, one can still conceive and have children. 2. Hysterectomy A hysterectomy is yet another surgical intervention that removes the uterus and cervix entirely. It is preferred for containable cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the cervix. Pelvic exenteration, on the other hand, is set aside for patients whose cervical cancer recurs and spreads beyond the cervix.