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Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost 100 diseases. It is a genetic disease, with two main characteristics of uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of those cells to migrate from the original site...
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Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Cells are the building blocks of living things.
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The term "cancer" refers to a group of diseases in which cells grow and spread unrestrained throughout the body. It is difficult to imagine anyone who has not heard about this disease. Most people have been affected because either a loved one, a friend, or even they themselves are cancer survivors.
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Cancer is the end product of a multistep process(carcinogenesis) that occurs over many years. The term"cancer" actually refers to numerous distinct diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and differentiation.
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What if you had cancer and were not offered a new treatment because of your age? Studies show that some older cancer patients are not treated as aggressively as younger patients, or sometimes not offered certain treatments at all. For various reasons, there is a lack of older people enrolled in cancer clinical trials, so it is hard to know if cutting-edge treatments would benefit or harm them. Some researchers believe this is because of ageism, or age discrimination.
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With one out of every two or three people at risk for cancer, as suggested by the American Cancer Society, perhaps it comes as no surprise that the topic of cancer and stress are tightly linked. Long ago, man used the fight-or-flight response to survive natural threats, such as man-eating tigers. Today, the stress response has become a complicated dynamic, linking mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Ironically, what was originally designed to help us survive threats now can put us at risk for health problems and disease. But it doesn't have to be this way. Stress can also motivate you to seek help, resolve issues, practice forgiveness, and come to a sense of inner peace. The most effective stress management program, regardless of the circumstances, is based on the idea of balance. Many things can knock us off center, but it only takes the recognition of being off balance and the desire to return to balance that moves us toward equilibrium. First, let's look at some aspects of cancer associated with stress and then focus on ways to cope with stress, finding peace mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
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A preliminary list of cancers and related topics was compiled from a wide variety of sources, including professional medical guides and textbooks, as well as consumer guides and encyclopedias. The advisory board, made up of medical doctors and onc...
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A group of diseases characterized by uncontrollable cell growth.Cancer is a family of diseases in which cells replicate at an extremely rapid pace. A cancerous, or malignant, tumor begins its growth at a primary site, damaging surrounding tissue a...
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No matter what your age or lifestyle, the choices you make today and in the future can improve your chances of living a healthy and cancer-free life.
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Whether you're facing major surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, a second opinion can help ensure you're getting the most targeted, effective treatment for your condition.
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What kind of cancer do I have? Is it invasive? What lab tests were completed, and what did they show?
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Detailed information on the most common diagnostic procedures for cancer When symptoms suggest cancer, your physician may request/perform any of the following procedures to help positively diagnose it:
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Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to spread to distant sites(metastasis). If the spread is not controlled, ...
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Statistics are often used in news reports or in talking about someone's risk for getting cancer or whether a treatment will work. These statistics can be confusing or misleading if you do not understand how they are used. Statistics are collected and analyzed to help people better understand what is being observed. There are many examples of how statistics are used in our daily life—average temperature, median house price, etc. In addition, statistics are used to understand the probability or chance of something happening—of winning the lottery or being struck by lightning. Statistics help people make a ‘best guess' of any one situation but they cannot guarantee that something will or won't happen.
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A 4-foot northern pike stars in one of actor Rob Lowe's favorite tales about his father.
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Key Points Some cancers depend on naturally occurring sex hormones for their development and growth. Researchers are interested in learning whether the hormones in oral contraceptives affect cancer risk in women (see Question 1).
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Detailed information on cancer, including cancer diagnosis, cancer staging, cancer grading, cancer treatment, cancer surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, and cancer clinical trials
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Detailed information on coping with a cancer diagnosis in a child Learning that your child has cancer usually gives parents a feeling of their world being turned upside down. Everything in their life may suddenly feel out of control. This is because you did not choose for your child to have cancer. Your initial thoughts may be "How could this have happened to my child?" and "How will we get through this?"
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If they are unique and are important for growth of the cancer cell, it makes sense to target them directly. This describes the ambitious mission of gene therapy, whose goal is to supplement a deficient, necessary genetic pool or diminish the numbe...
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The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results(SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute is the most authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States. Established in 1973, SEER originally provided can...
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Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of tissue cells in the body and the invasion by these cells into nearby tissue and migration to distant sites.Cancer results from alterations(mutations) in genes that make up DNA, ...
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Detailed information on diagnosing cancer in children Unfortunately, there is no single test that can accurately diagnose cancer. A large number of tests are necessary to determine whether a person has cancer, or if another condition (such as an infection) is mimicking the symptoms of cancer. Sometimes, it is necessary to repeat testing if the child's condition changes, if a sample collected was not of good quality, or an abnormal test result needs to be confirmed. The correct diagnosis is necessary in order to determine treatment. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for cancer may include one, or more of, the following:
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Cyclist Lance Armstrong is proof that you can not only survive cancer, but that you can actually resume a normal livelihood, one of his doctors says.
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By Jim Rice As a rectal cancer survivor, I have had several caregivers. An enterostomal therapy nurse took care of me at the hospital after my colostomy surgery; home health care nurses came to my house for several weeks after the surgery; and my wife Gwyn has provided emotional support and physical caring throughout my cancer experience. For the first few months after my surgery, I felt as helpless as a baby because I could not attend to the basic personal duties that are necessary on a daily basis. I was totally exposed in the truest of senses. Having knowledgeable and caring caregivers allowed me to grow from cancer patient to cancer survivor.
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Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to spread to distant sites(metastasis). If the spread is not controlled, ...
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Life as a cancer survivor can be as rich and rewarding as you decide to make it. In fact, increased awareness of mortality is all some people need to feel more alive than ever.
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Cancer survivors know how important a job can be to their psychological and financial well being. Here are tips to improve the ability to continue working, as well as some ways to handle workplace discrimination during treatment.
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A Swedish study, over 29 years, finds 33 percent more cases of cancer among obese people than in the general population.
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What sexual impact should I expect from my cancer or its treatment?
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This year more than 145,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. In a large number of those cases, the cancer will be advanced. That means they'll be harder to treat. That also means they'll be more likely to be fatal. The earlier colorectal cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. And that makes a cure more likely. You can even prevent the disease if polyps in the colon and rectum are found and removed before they become cancerous.
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Nutrition plays a significant role in the treatment of cancer. In fact, you can improve your overall outcome by eating well. Patients who eat well during cancer treatment maintain their strength better, are more active, and are better able to decrease their chances of infection. Cancer and its treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery, may depress appetite and interfere with how food is digested, absorbed, and used in the body. Adequate nutrients and calories are needed for the body to heal and fight infection.
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August is a popular time of year for vacations. It's summer, the kids are out of school, and the mountains and beaches are beckoning. As someone with cancer, have you ever thought about taking a vacation from cancer? If you're currently undergoing treatment, is it possible?
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Most cancers are easier to treat when they are found in their earlier stages. Doctors find cancers when they are small and normally undetectable by using screening tests such as mammography, blood tests, CT scans, and other tests. Often, doctors recommend screening tests when a person shows no sign of cancer because the tests can detect cancer before symptoms develop.
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Cancer will change your life and the lives of people around you. Your routines may be messed up.
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Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost one hundred diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to di...
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Detailed information on the causes of cancer in children There is no one single cause for cancer. Scientists believe that it is the interaction of many factors together that produces cancer. The factors involved may be genetic, environmental, or constitutional characteristics of the individual.
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Although some complementary and alternative methods have been scientifically proven to promote healing or reduce symptoms, many have not.
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When Geri Malter was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal liposarcoma (a rare kind of tumor in the fatty tissues of the abdomen) in 1983, her first thought was, "I need to talk to someone else with this kind of cancer." Unfortunately, it was eight years before Malter met another liposarcoma patient.
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When cancer strikes, you may start thinking about health insurance in a new light. Chances are, you will use your health insurance more than ever before. You also may have more problems with insurance than ever before. Don't be alarmed or discouraged, but do be vigilant.
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Doctors use tests like mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans to help them screen for, diagnose, treat, and monitor cancer. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may have had one or more of these tests. You may have wondered why you had specific tests and not others or what exactly the doctor was looking for.
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Q: What is cancer? A: Cancer is what happens when a group of cells grows uncontrollably and in an abnormal and disorderly way. It is really a result of what happens when, for reasons that are only partly understood, the normal growth-control mechanisms fail. Cancer cells have two properties that make them dangerous: they can invade into neighboring tissues; and they can spread to distant areas of the body, forming secondary tumors or metastases.
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During the last two decades, the percentage of overweight and obese adults and children has been steadily increasing (see Question 2).
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Some studies have raised questions about a possible relationship between vasectomy (an operation to cut or tie off the two tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles) and the risk of developing cancer, particularly prostate and testicular cancer. Such a relationship, if proven, would be of importance because about 1 in 6 men over age 35 in the United States has had a vasectomy.
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Discusses the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer prevention and cites numerous studies on the protective value of NSAIDs and coxibs to a variety of cancers.
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The ins and outs of screening for testicular and prostate cancers, including an in-depth discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the leading prostate cancer test, the prostate specific antigen test.
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Many studies link exercise with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. The biggest reductions were for colon and breast cancer, but its effect on other cancers is so far inconclusive.
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Research has found that statin drugs may inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laborotory experiments, but much more research is necessary before any definite benefits can be determined.
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Detailed information the most common types of surgery to treat cancer, including biopsy, endoscopy, laparoscopy, laparotomy, laser surgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, and excisional surgery
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Detailed information on surgery for prostate cancer, including the different types and potential side effects
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Detailed information on treating cancer in children The group of healthcare professionals who work together to find, treat, and care for people with cancer is called the "cancer care team." The cancer care team may include any or all of the following healthcare providers, in addition to others:
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Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body and the ability of these malignant cells to spread(metastasize) to distant sites within the body. If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
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If you have cancer, eating the right kinds of foods can help you feel better and stay stronger. This means foods and beverages that contain vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat and water.
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Shark cartilage, green tea extract, phytomelatonin — these may sound like strange remedies for cancer, but they are actually the subjects of major clinical trials in progress. The supplements are being tested as treatments for cancer or as adjuvant therapy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds the studies, which are being conducted at cancer centers across the country.
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If you are a parent who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, there are few concerns that seem as important or basic as how to help your children cope with all the stress and changes facing your family. Children are very sensitive to changes in their parents' moods and behavior and may even sense that something is wrong before you even begin talking with them. Talking about cancer and the emotions that arise is not a one-time discussion, but rather a series of talks that will continue through your treatment. There is no way to change the fact that cancer is a serious illness that affects the entire family. In general, talking with your children in a calm, hopeful way, and being able to answer their questions, will help them to accept and meet the numerous challenges that arise. Recognizing and voicing feelings among family members can be the basis of finding strength and resilience for the entire family. The following questions and answers may help you anticipate and respond more easily to changes in your family rhythms and routines as a result of a parent's illness.
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Cancer is a major illness, but not everyone who gets cancer will die from it. Close to 9 million Americans alive today have a history of cancer. For them, cancer has become a chronic (on-going) health problem, like high blood pressure or diabetes.
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When cancer develops, many people need to learn to ask for and accept outside help for the first time. These are good ways to begin:
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If you are an adult who is getting on with your life after a diagnosis for cancer, this guide is for you. Whether your treatment took place in childhood, 5 years ago, or last week, you may share common concerns with other cancer survivors. The purpose of this guide is to present a concise overview of some of the most important survivor issues and practical ideas to help you look ahead. If you are just finishing cancer treatment, the information may prepare you for situations you have not yet experienced. As you read about handling possible problems, keep in mind that not everyone will have all these concerns. If you are a long term cancer survivor, many of these issues will not be new to you. But some of the ideas and resources may add to your own experience.
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After you have been treated for cancer, you will have two ongoing health needs. First, you'll want to take the health steps that doctors suggest for anyone your age. Second, you'll have special needs for caring for your body based on your type of cancer, treatment, and current state of health.
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Cancer clusters may be suspected when people report that several family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers have been diagnosed with the same or related cancer(s) (see Defining Disease Clusters section).
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You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.
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Key Points Follow-up cancer care involves regular medical checkups that include a review of a patient's medical history and a physical exam (see Question 1).
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A guide to the tests available for screening colon, lung, and skin cancers, and how to determine whether they're right for you.
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Cancer treatment can extend over weeks or months; side effects may come and go.
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Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Around the world, over 10 million cancer cases occur annually.
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Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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More people are surviving cancer than ever before. According to the American Cancer Society, almost 9 million Americans have a history of cancer, many of whom are survivors of childhood cancers. Over half of the people diagnosed with cancer are alive five years later, many of them cured. By 2010, it is estimated that one in every 250 adults will be an adult survivor of a childhood cancer. As more and more people survive longer, we are seeing new problems develop from the cancer or its treatment. These problems are called late effects.
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The words cure and heal are often used interchangeably. The fact is, however, that curing your cancer and healing your cancer are two very different things. References to this distinction are found throughout the best of medical literature. Put simply, healing is fundamentally your responsibility and choice, while curing is the domain of the physician or health professional. The physician may support or diminish the healing process, but ultimately, healing comes from within yourself.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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By: Debra Sickles My name is Debra and I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I underwent a radical hysterectomy at the age of 37. My purpose for writing this story is to reach out to all women around the globe so that they will have a better understanding of meeting with their OBGYN on a yearly basis, as I do not feel there is enough emphasis placed on this disease.
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"I wrote the following twhile undergoing radiation for prostate cancer." --Cal Begun
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All anticancer drugs target tumors in some way. Most conventional treatments, however, attack healthy cells as well as cancer cells. As a result, there can be serious side effects from the treatment. A new approach to cancer treatment may help reduce side effects. The new treatment is called molecularly targeted therapy. It takes a more direct aim at cancer cells. And that means less damage to healthy cells.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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By Barbara Bartlein, R.N., M.S.W I wish I could tell you that the whole thing happened because I'm caring and unselfish, but that wouldn't be true. It was 1979, and I had just moved back to Wisconsin from Colorado because I missed my family and Denver wages were terrible. I took a job at a hospice in Milwaukee and found my niche working with the patients and families. As the season changed into fall, the schedule for the holidays was posted:
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Expert-reviewed information summary about the influence of spirituality and religion on individuals who have cancer. Various approaches for management and intervention are discussed.
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Some friends will deal well with your illness and provide gratifying support. Some will be unable to cope with the possibility of death and will disappear from your life.
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Each person must work through, in his or her own way, feelings of possible death, fear, and isolation. Returning to normal routines as much as possible often helps.
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Cancer is not something anyone forgets. Anxieties remain as active treatment ceases and the waiting stage begins. A cold or a cramp may be cause for panic. As 6-month or annual checkups approach, you swing between hope and anxiety. As you wait for the mystical 5-year or 10-year point, you might feel more anxious rather than more secure.
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Cancer can be unutterably lonely. No one should try to bear it alone. Patient, family, and friends usually learn the diagnosis sooner or later. Most people find it easier for all if everybody can share their feelings instead of hiding them. This frees people to offer each other support.
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Some in the family are able to absorb the impact of diagnosis sooner than others. This can create clashing needs as some wish to talk and some need to be private and introspective.
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Many cancer survivors wonder whether having a cancer history will make a difference in their job prospects. Common questions include: Will I be able to return to work? Take time off for more treatment if I need it? Work as hard as I once did? Advance in my career?
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What kinds of feelings are "normal"? There is no "right" way to feel; the important thing is to handle your emotions in a way that works for you. Many survivors find that the key for them is talking their feelings out--with family and friends, health professionals, other patients, and counselors such as clergy and psychotherapists.
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If you are like most cancer survivors, the costs of initial treatment and continuing care are a major concern. What happens to insurance coverage and costs after you've had treatment for cancer?
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Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a virus that infects several species of monkeys and typically does not cause symptoms or disease in them.
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Regular exercise may prevent a recurrence of breast or colorectal cancer, or may decrease the risk of dying from the disease. But the reasons for the benefits are unclear.
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Cancer is increasingly viewed as a long-term chronic illness, rather than an acute one.
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A continuous process in which multiple alterations occur in genes that control cell division and differentiation that leads to cancer—the uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells. These genetic alterations are referred to as mutation...
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Seven to eight hours of sleep a night is important for your functioning and well-being. Cancer and cancer treatment can lead to a lack of sleep.
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Loss of appetite is a loss of the desire to eat. Not eating can lead to weight loss. Weight loss can cause weakness and fatigue, which affect your ability to perform normal activities. Proper nutrition also helps your body prevent and fight infection. Weight loss or lack of appetite may be due to the cancer or sometimes to treatments for the cancer.
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Change in taste can be a change in the sensation of sweet, salty, sour, or bitter. A change in the way foods taste may cause a dislike for foods, which may lead to lack of appetite or weight loss. The taste buds are affected by the cancer or its treatment.
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Constipation means being unable to move your bowels, having to push harder to move your bowels, or moving them less often than usual. Bowel movements will be small, dry, and hard. Constipation happens when you get less exercise, or when you eat and drink less than usual. Some medicines cause constipation. Constipation can cause pain and discomfort. Keeping your bowel routine regular and your bowel movements easy to pass is important. Your bowels should move every day with little or no strain. You are at risk for constipation if you have a:
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As someone with cancer or a caregiver for someone with cancer, you have enough on your mind without having to worry about payments and insurance. Unfortunately, some insurance companies may reject claims for certain health services. You do have the option to appeal, however. You can use this letter as a model for an efficient, effective appeal letter. You may also need to enlist the help of a legal professional. Make sure your doctor knows any issues you have with insurance, as he or she may be able to help you.
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Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage a person's skin, hair, and nails. Many of these changes will go away after treatment ends. But such side effects, particularly hair loss, may also damage a person's spirits. Boston-based makeup artist and esthetician David Nicholas offered some of his beauty tips and the insight he has gained after working with cancer patients for more than 20 years.
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Whether you are a spouse, child, sibling, parent, or friend of a cancer patient, it is important that you never stop expressing your love. Showing how much you care is not only important on holidays and special occasions; it should be done every day of the year. You don't have to spend a lot of money, effort, or time showing someone you love him or her, either. Here are a few simple and special ways to show a cancer patient that you care:
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A "60 Minutes" episode reported on the controversial topic of "compassionate drug use." Some people with late-stage cancer are hopeful about this practice, which allows them to receive new but unapproved drugs after traditional treatments have failed. Could one of these drugs be their miracle pill? What is "compassionate drug use," who can receive it, and how effective is it?
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A diagnosis of cancer followed by intense treatments is a big hurdle for a cancer patient to face. Another, perhaps more unexpected hurdle is dealing with body changes. Hair loss, weight gain or loss, or even severe disfigurements can result from cancer and its treatments, leaving some people with life-long physical and emotional scars. There are ways cancer survivors can cope, but it is not just about putting on a wig or finding the right shade of makeup to cover a scar. It must also come from within.
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The following poems were taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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The following Inspirational Story was taken from Silver Linings: The Other Side of Cancer, published by the Oncology Nursing Press, Inc.
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By Catherine Andrews, NIEHS Contractor, The Sister Study Would I remember the stories told about him as well as if I was there myself?
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By Cathy Lannae Remission is a strange word. I never use it. Bad omen, I think. I don't truly believe that there is remission in cancer, just waiting. Waiting for whatever comes next. Could be a long time or a short time, waiting nonetheless. Webster's defines remission, as, number one: reduction of a prison sentence based on good behavior. That fits, I think. Then, number two: remitting of a debt or penalty. That sort of fits, too, in a perverse, analytical way. Then there's number three: diminution of or a period of relief from disease or pain. Okay. And then number four: forgiveness--as in sins?? Well, three out of four have a temporary status. That's my point. Just waiting… an intermission, you might say.
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The past century has seen many remarkable advances against cancer, a disease known to mankind for thousands of years. The accomplishments of the last 10 years, such as human gene therapy, biotechnology products like monoclonal antibodies, the identification of disease genes, computer-assisted imaging, and the decline in the cancer death rate, all build upon knowledge gained earlier in the century. Throughout the 1900s, medicine and research saw great advances, and cancer research and cancer researchers were full partners in that growth.
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Cancer, not heart disease, is now the leading cause of death among Americans under age 85.
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Two medications, Metformin and cholesterol-lowering statins, have been shown to have some cancer prevention benefits in recent studies.
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Research shows that statin use is not associated with higher cancer risk.Statin drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor) are so widely used that even a whiff of suspicion can billow into a cloud of concern. If you go by the results of most trials, there's no reason to worry that taking a statin could increase your cancer risk. In fact, some research has found just the opposite: a protective effect, particularly against colon cancer.
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In an interview, a patient who chose active surveillance combined with lifestyle changes instead of surgery discusses the reasons for his decision, and its effects on his overall health and the progress of the disease.
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Detailed information on cancer, including primary and metastatic cancers, and benign and malignant tumors
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Detailed information on cancer in children, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, and coping
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Detailed information on cancer and complementary and alternative therapy Alternative therapy (or alternative medication) is a non-conventional approach to healing. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are usually discussed together, but are actually two different therapy approaches:
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Detailed information on cancer in children Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. Cancer cells rapidly reproduce despite restriction of space, nutrients shared by other cells, or signals sent from the body to stop reproduction. Cancer cells are often shaped differently from healthy cells, they do not function properly, and they can spread to many areas of the body. Tumors, abnormal growth of tissue, are clusters of cells that are capable of growing and dividing uncontrollably; their growth is not regulated.
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Bacteria are prokaryotes(unicellular organisms with no membrane-enclosed nucleus) with simple structures that typically range in size from about 0.5 to 20 micrometers.Bacteria are named according to the binomial(two-name) system of nomenclature fi...
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The bacterium Heliobacter pylori is the only one that can survive inside the human stomach. It causes gastritis and ulcers, but is generally treatable with a combination of antibiotics.
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Radiation therapy, sometimes called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy radiation treatment, cobalt therapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation uses high energy, penetrating waves or particles such as x rays, gamma rays, proton rays, or neutron rays to...
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Radiation therapy uses high powered x-rays or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.Cancer cells usually multiply faster than other cells in the body. Because radiation is most harmful to rapidly growing cells, radiation therapy damages cancer ce...
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Doctors first began using X-rays to treat cancer in the early 1900s. Since then, the field of radiation therapy has grown tremendously in its use to treat cancer patients. Today, radiation therapy is considered a standard treatment for cancer and its symptoms.
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Detailed information on radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, and to decrease their ability to divide. Radiation is often used to treat prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland, or has spread only to nearby tissue. If the disease is advanced, radiation may be used to reduce the size of the tumor and to provide relief from symptoms.
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Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy penetrating radiation(x rays, gamma rays, proton rays, and neutron rays) to kill cancer cells.The primary purpose of radiotherapy is to eliminate or shrink localized cancers. It is also sometimes used to trea...
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Radiation therapy can help you in your fight against cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
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Detailed information on radiation therapy, one type of cancer therapy Radiation therapy for cancer treatment:
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Radiation therapy, sometimes called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy radiation treatment, cobalt therapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation uses high energy, penetrating waves or particles such as x rays, gamma rays, proton rays, or neutron rays to...
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Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy can help you in your fight against cancer. It begins with a planning visit to map out your treatment. During the treatment course, you'll meet with your doctor on a routine basis. After your therapy is done, you will have one or more follow-up visits to check your progress. Keep all your appointments.
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Because radiation affects normal cells as well as cancer cells, you may have some side effects from this treatment. Usually, the risk of side effects is far less than the benefit of killing cancer cells. Many people have no side effects at all. If you do have them, they relate to the dose of radiation you get and the area of your cancer, and they are generally limited to the area that's been treated.
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This is one section from the guide "Radiation Therapy: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Radiation Therapy: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Radiation Therapy: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Radiation Therapy: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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Radiation therapy can help you in your fight against cancer. Your radiation therapy team will work with you. Together you will set treatment goals, make a plan, and carry out the treatment. To be an active member of this team, ask questions when you don't understand what is happening. And let your team know how you're doing.
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The side effects of radiation treatment vary from patient to patient. You may have no side effects or only a few mild ones through your course of treatment. Some people do experience serious side effects, however. The side effects that you have depend mostly on the radiation dose and the part of your body that is treated. Your general health also can affect how your body reacts to radiation therapy and whether you have side effects. Before beginning your treatment, your doctor and nurse will discuss the side effects you might experience, how long they might last, and how serious they might be.
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This is one section from the guide "Radiation Therapy: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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This is one section from the guide "Radiation Therapy: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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Radiation treatment to the chest may cause several changes. For example, you may find that it is hard to swallow or that swallowing hurts. You may develop a cough or a fever. You may notice that when you cough the amount and color of the mucus is different. Shortness of breath is also common. Be sure to let your treatment team know right away if you have any of these symptoms. Remember that your doctor and nurse have seen these changes in many radiation patients and they know how to help you deal with them.
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What is the goal of this treatment? How will the radiation be given? How many treatments will I get? Over what period of time?
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Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to treat your cancer. From the moment you found out you had cancer, you most likely have had questions about treatment. You are not facing cancer treatment alone. Loved ones, support groups, and counseling can help you. Keep a list of any questions you have for your radiation therapy team. Ask these questions during your visits, or call if you need to. And use the resources below for information.
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Is it safe for a child to be around a person undergoing radiation therapy? Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".
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Radiation therapy can help you in your fight against cancer. To feel better, get plenty of rest, exercise, and eat well. This will give your body the extra strength it needs right now. Also, look to family and friends for support and comfort.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem, autoimmune, connective-tissue disorder with a broad range of clinical presentations. There is a peak age of onset in young women between their late teens and early 40s and women to men ratio of 9:1.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus(also called lupus or SLE) is a disease where a person''s immune system attacks and injures the body''s own organs and tissues. Almost every system of the body can be affected by SLE.The body''s immune system is a network ...
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Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder. It may affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs.Disseminated lupus erythematosus; SLE; Lupus; Lupus erythematosus.SLE(lupus) is an autoimmune disease.
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Detailed information on systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with protean clinical manifestations that may affect any organs or system. shows the 1997 revised American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for the classification of SLE. The disease is characterized by flares, remissions and autoantibodies directed against several intracellular and cell-surface antigens.
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The following Clinical Topic Tour provides an overview of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and was adapted from materials published by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
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Because most therapeutic interventions in patients with SLE are associated with significant undesirable side effects, the physician must first decide whether a patient needs treatment and, if so, whether conservative management is sufficient or aggressive immunosuppression is necessary. Figure 76-1 presents an algorithm for this decision making.
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Nearly all people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a positive (abnormal) ANA -- that is, the sensitivity of the ANA for SLE is quite high. That also means that it is very rare to have lupus with a negative (normal) ANA.
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My mother was diagnosed a few years ago with lupus (non-systemic). Can this turn into systemic lupus?
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Systemic lupus erythematosus(also called lupus or SLE) is a disease in which a person''s immune system attacks and injures the body''s own organs and tissues. Almost every system of the body can be affected.The body''s immune system is a network of c...
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Malaria is a parasitic disease that involves high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, and anemia.Quartan malaria; Falciparum malaria; Biduoterian fever; Blackwater fever; Tertian malaria; Plasmodium.Malaria is caused by a parasite that is t...
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Detailed information on malaria, including symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and information for travelers
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Detailed information on malaria, including symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and information for travelers
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What are the long-term effects of malaria, especially if you have had it several times?
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Malaria is a serious, infectious disease spread by certain mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical climates.
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Malaria is a serious infectious disease spread by certain mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical climates.
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Malaria is the most clinically important parasitic disease worldwide. It kills as many as 2.7 million people annually.
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Malaria is a serious, infectious disease spread by certain mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical climates.
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We will be living in Nigeria with a 15-month-old child. Is there a way to prevent malaria in children this age?
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person''s immune system attacks the body''s own cells, causing tissue destruction.Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders, and it is suspected to be responsible for many more....
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An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders.Normally the immune system''s army of white blood cells hel...
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Detailed information on autoimmune diseases and pregnancy Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body makes antibodies against one's own normal body chemicals. In these diseases, antibodies cannot tell antigens in the inside of the cell from antigens outside of the cell. When the antibodies attack the internal cells, the reactions can be local - in just a small area, or systemic - throughout the whole body. The skin and connective tissues (cartilage, bone, tendons) are most affected but other tissues can be affected, as well, including nerve and muscle.
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person''s immune system attacks the body''s own cells, causing tissue destruction.Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders and suspected to be responsible for many more. Autoim...
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Doctors divide autoimmune diseases in two categories: Those that attack a specific organ and those that target many organs.
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Diseases in which the immune system attacks the body''s own healthy tissues, forming antibodies in an assault on mistakenly identified"foreign invaders.".Autoimmune disorders occur when the body''s immune system loses its ability to recognize the di...
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Felty syndrome is a rare disorder that involves rheumatoid arthritis, a swollen spleen, decreased white blood cell count, and repeated infections.The cause of Felty syndrome is unknown. It is more common in people who have had rheumatoid arthritis...
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Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body''s natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, the treatment removes waste products and excess fl...
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Dialysis is a method of removing toxic substances(impurities or wastes) from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so.Artificial kidneys; Hemodialysis; Peritoneal dialysis; Renal replacement therapy.Dialysis can be performed using several di...
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Hemodialysis is one kind of dialysis. It uses a machine that holds a filter called a dialyzer. As blood flows through the dialyzer, waste is removed and fluid and chemicals are balanced. Hemodialysis treatments are usually done at a special dialysis center. In some cases, treatments may be done at home.
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Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body''s natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, dialysis removes waste products and excess fluids ...
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Dialysis treatment replaces the function of the kidneys, which normally serve as the body''s natural filtration system. Through the use of a blood filter and a chemical solution known as dialysate, the treatment removes waste products and excess fl...
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Your kidneys remove waste from your blood. When your kidneys fail, they can no longer do this important work. Hemodialysis can take over the job of keeping your blood clean. Before this treatment can be done, an access (way to get to your blood) is needed. One type of access is a central vein access. A small, soft tube (catheter) is placed into a vein in your neck or chest. You may use a central vein access temporarily, while another type of access develops. Or, it may be your permanent access for hemodialysis.
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A hemodialysis shunt, graft, or fistula provides vascular access for hemodialysis, a treatment that cleans the blood by removing wastes and excess water from the body.Kidneys remove wastes from the blood through the urine, regulate the amount of w...
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Before hemodialysis can be done, an access (way for blood to leave and return to your body) is needed. A hemodialysis access is usually created in your arm.
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Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time(drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken(drug-food interactions).Some drugs are deliberately comb...
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Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug(medication).Adverse reactions to drugs are common, and almost any drug can cause an adverse reaction. Reactions range from irritating or mild side effects such as nausea ...
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Detailed information on different types of drug rashes, including acne, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hives, morbiliform/maculopapular rash, purpuric eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body''s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.Adverse reactions to medication m...
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If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.
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Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances.Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages. Interactions can lessen or magnify the desired therapeutic effect of a ...
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Detailed information on food-drug interactions A food-drug interaction can occur when the food you eat affects the ingredients in a medication you are taking, preventing the medicine from working the way it should.
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Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
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A guide to information available online and in print about the side effects of prescription drugs.
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Exploring the causes and treatment for loss of taste, which may result from years of taking high blood pressure medications.
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Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
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Pesticides are substances that protect plants against molds, fungi, and insects. The term pesticide refers to all pest control substances, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.The use of pesticides helps prevent crop l...
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Detailed information on the most common infections in newborns Fighting infectious diseases today is much easier than in the past. Proper hygiene and proper precautions, along with numerous vaccines and rapidly advancing medical technology, help prevent many infections. However, a newborn baby has limited ability to prevent and fight infectious diseases. Special care may be needed for babies who develop an infection before, during, or after birth.
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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981.
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AIDS(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 25- 44 in the United States, down from number ...
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Detailed information on HIV and AIDS, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS) is the final and most serious stage of the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. Symptoms begin when an HIV-positive person presents a CD4-cell(also called T cell, a type of immune cell) count...
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Detailed information on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) during pregnancy
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Detailed information on HIV and AIDS, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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A person with HIV can look and feel perfectly healthy. But that person can give HIV to others as soon as he or she is infected with the virus.
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Homosexuals and heterosexuals alike are at risk. Infected people can pass HIV on to anyone with whom they have intimate contact. Men can infect female or male partners, as can women.
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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). AIDS is the advanced form of infection caused by HIV and typically only manifests itself after a long latency period after initial ...
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If you're not quite sure what's up with AIDS these days, don't feel alone. Misconceptions and falsehoods concerning AIDS and HIV abound.
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New drug treatments can delay the effects of AIDS and are helping patients live longer. But the reality is that no medicine can cure AIDS or the virus that causes it, HIV. Once inside the body, HIV destroys immune system cells, making it difficult to fight off illness.
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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981.
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Detailed information on HIV and AIDS, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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What's true and what's not when it comes to AIDS? Here's a look at some common myths surrounding HIV infection and AIDS.
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Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) by infecting helper T cells of the immune system. The most common serotype, HIV-1, is distributed worldwide, while HIV-2 is primarily confined ...
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Often called the president's lead physician in the war against AIDS, Eric P. Goosby, M.D., has been a leading AIDS researcher for nearly two decades. He has directed HIV/AIDS policy for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 1995.
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Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is the final, life-threatening stage of infection with any of the human immunodeficiency viruses(HIV-1, its many subtypes, or HIV-2), which are transmitted from person to person sexually(including via a...
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Detailed information on HIV home care for your child Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infection means that the body's immune system may not fight off infections very well. Your child's body may not be able to fight back against illness, even a simple cold. Additional care is needed for a child with HIV in order to help him/her remain healthy.
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While new antiviral treatments have been developed, a vaccine has yet to be found. HIV causes AIDS(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), an unpredictable condition that may progress over many years and is characterized by a slow deterioration of th...
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Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that can affect the liver, lymph nodes, and oral cavity. While mononucleosis is not usually a serious disease, its primary symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy can...
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Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck.See also: Infectious mononucleosis(acute CMV infection).Mononucleosis, or mono, is often spread by saliva and close contact. It is know...
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Detailed information on infectious mononucleosis, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and transmission
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Detailed information on infectious mononucleosis, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and transmission
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Often called "mono" for short, mononucleosis is an infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the herpes viruses.
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Detailed information on infectious mononucleosis, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and transmission
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Detailed information on infectious mononucleosis, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and transmission
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Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which can affect the liver, lymph nodes, and oral cavity. While mononucleosis is not usually a serious disease, its primary symptoms of fatigue and lack of energy c...
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To what extent should a person who has been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis limit physical activities? And for how long? I know to avoid contact sports, but what about swimming, snorkeling or scuba activities once symptoms have eased?
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My 17-year-old daughter has mono for the third time within 1 1/2 years. Is this common? What could be done as a possible preventive? Should we be seeing an immunologist?
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Folate deficiency means you have a lower-than-normal amount of folic acid, a type of B vitamin, in your blood.
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Getting too little vitamin B12 may leave you feeling fuzzy in your thinking and lead to numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
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Genetics is the study of heredity, the process in which a parent passes certain genes onto their children. A person''s appearance-- height, hair color, skin color, and eye color-- are determined by genes.
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Detailed information on genetics and pregnancy Genetics is the study of the patterns of inheritance - how traits and characteristics are passed from parents to their children. Genes are formed from segments of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the molecule that encodes genetic information in the cells. DNA controls the structure, function, and behavior of cells and can create exact copies of itself.
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