Archive for the ‘Diseases And Conditions’ Category

Lung Cancer – Causes and Treatment

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
james sameul asked:

More than one in four of all diagnosed cancers involve the lung, and lung cancer remains the most common cancer-related cause of death among American men and women. In 1998, more than 160,000 lung cancer deaths were expected, outnumbering deaths from breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. Today, the rate of lung cancer is dropping among white men in the United States, but it continues to increase in African-American men and in both white and African-American women.

At the same time, it may well be that a great many lung cancers are preventable. Inhaling cancer-causing substances such as tobacco smoke may lead to changes in the lung tissue shortly after exposure — so-called precancerous changes. Nevertheless, cancer itself typically develops over a period of many years, and if detected at an early enough stage can be eliminated by a variety of treatments.

History: Lung cancers manifest with symptoms produced by the primary tumor, locoregional spread, metastatic disease, or ectopic hormone production. See Image 1 for a summary of all signs and symptoms. Approximately 7-10% of patients with lung cancer are asymptomatic and their cancers are diagnosed incidentally after a chest radiograph (CXR) performed for other reasons. The symptoms produced by the primary tumor depend on its location (ie, central, peripheral).

Understanding Lung Cancer

This information has been prepared to help you understand more about lung cancer. Many people feel understandably shocked and upset when told they have lung cancer. We hope this information will help you understand the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. We also include information about support services.

We cannot advise you about the best treatment for you. You need to discuss this with your doctors. However, we hope this information will answer some of your questions and help you think about the questions you want to ask your doctors.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

·    Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It grows more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

·    Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) grows quickly and often spreads to distant parts of the body.

Treatment

As is true of many cancers, the treatment of lung cancer depends upon a variety of factors. The most important factors are the histopathologic (diseased tissue) type of tumor that is present and its stage.

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Once a lung cancer has been staged, the physician and patient can discuss treatment options. An individual then has a better idea of the value of different forms of therapy. Other factors that are taken into account include the person’s general health, medical problems that may affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), and tumor characteristics.

Lung Cancer Prevention & Screening

Smoking & Tobacco Information

·    Tobacco & Cancer Website

·    M. D. Anderson’s Tobacco Treatment Program

The best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking, or to never start in the first place. You should try and avoid being around people who are smoking; and also avoid pipes, cigars, and marijuana. If you live in an area with radon, you should make sure there is adequate ventilation in your basement to get rid of it. Use a detector to make sure the radon levels are low. If you work in an industry where you are exposed to substances known to cause lung cancer, make sure to use all the proper protective equipment and attire made available by your employer.



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How to Prevent Lung Cancer?

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
james sameul asked:


Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. Lung cancer can affect everyone, that is why we should try on prevent this terrible ‘disease’. I will give you some ways how YOU!! can prevent lung cancer.

Lung Cancer – Prevention

The easiest way to avoid lung cancer is to stop smoking. It may be difficult to quit but it is not impossible. Millions of people have done it and those who quit lessen their chances of developing lung cancer by two-thirds.

Ninety percent of people who stop smoking do it on their own so start now before it’s too late. If you find that hard to do, you can join smoking cessation classes or enroll in a clinic that offers the same service. Choose the program that makes the most sense to you and enlist the help of friends or loved ones to make things easier for you.

Taking in high amounts of beta-carotenes can also lower the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Carotenoid compounds are found in certain produce like peaches, mangoes, melon, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and green leafy vegetables. Beta-carotene supplement however should be avoided. A study conducted by a Finnish group indicated that an 18 percent rise in lung cancer cases was seen in heavy smokers who were taking beta-carotene supplements. Moreover, the National Cancer Institute researchers also stopped their study on the effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene after smokers who were taking the supplements showed 28 percent more lung cancer than those taking placebos.

Stopping smoking reduces the risk of someone developing lung cancer, but the genetic damage it causes takes time to disappear – and half of all newly-diagnosed lung cancers occur in former smokers.

A cancerous tumor in the lung is usually removed surgically. It is sometimes necessary to remove an entire lobe of the lung. Because lung cancers are usually not detected until they are well advanced, surgery alone may not be able to eliminate them, and radiation and chemotherapy may be used in combination with or in place of surgery,” explained the editors of Consumer Guide’s “Family Health & Medical Guide.

Because the substance didn’t damage the healthy cells, researchers say the agent may hold great potential for both prevention and treatment of lung cancer. They say deguelin is highly specific and seems to work by zeroing in on a particular molecular pathway associated with lung cancer.

Stop smoking. The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking. Studies show that even lifetime smokers who quit can drastically reduce their chances of getting lung cancer.

Add plenty of fruits and vegetables, like cranberries and beans, to your diet. These foods are high in antioxidants and flavonoids, which work to repair cellular damage and guard your DNA. Doctors believe adding fruits and vegetables to your diet can prevent lung cancer.

Diet

Recent studies on the connection between diet and lung cancer have shown mixed results. One study shows that eating a diet rich in nutrients called phytoestrogens may help reduce your risk of lung cancer.17 Phytoestrogens are found in a wide variety of whole grains, legumes such as chickpeas, vegetables, and soy products. Other research shows that taking supplements of beta-carotene and other vitamins may actually be harmful and increase the risk of lung cancer in people who continue to smoke.



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Detailed Information on Lung Cancer

Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Juliet Cohen asked:


Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, among both men and women. An estimated 173,700 new cases of lung cancer and an estimated 160,440 deaths from lung cancer will occur in the United States. It claims more lives each year than colon, prostate, lymph and breast cancers combined.Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.Asbestos can cause a variety of lung diseases, including lung cancer. There is a synergistic effect between tobacco smoking.
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), chest pain ,repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis and weight loss. Many lung cancers have a rich blood supply. The surface of the cancer may be breakable, leading to bleeding from the cancer into the airway. Treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer’s specific cell type, how far it has spread, and the patient’s performance status. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Wedge resection to remove a small section of lung that contains the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue. Lobectomy to remove the entire lobe of one lung. Pneumonectomy to remove an entire lung. Bevacizumab stops a tumor from creating a new blood supply.

Bevacizumab is usually used in combination with chemotherapy and is approved for advanced and recurrent non-small cell lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy—(PDT) may be particularly useful for the care of persons with inoperable lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy inaugurated with the injection of a light-activated drug (e.g., photofrin/polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Elecctrosurgery is surgery performed using a needle, bulb, or disk electrode. Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. At least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Biking, swimming and walking are good choices. Stop smoking now. Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer, even if you’ve smoked for years.

Lung Cancer Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Stop smoking now. Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer.

2. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants.

3. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

4. Exercise daily biking, swimming and walking are good choices.

5. Avoid carcinogens at work. Take precautions to protect yourself.



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Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Juliet Cohen asked:


Lung cancer is the malignant transformation and expansion of lung tissue, and is the most lethal of all cancers worldwide, responsible for 1.2 million deaths annually. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk. There are many types of lung cancer. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently. Treatment also depends on the stage, or how advanced it is.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Lung cancer that originates in the cells of the lungs is called primary lung cancer; however, cancer may also spread to the lung from other parts of the body. Metastatic cancers spread to the lungs most commonly from the breast, colon, prostate, kidney, thyroid gland, stomach, cervix, rectum, testis, bone, and skin (melanoma). More than 90% of primary lung cancers start in the bronchi such lung cancer is called bronchogenic carcinoma.

The specific types of lung cancer are small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The last three types of lung cancer are often referred to as nonsmall cell lung cancers. Alveolar cell carcinoma originates in the small air sacs of the lung (alveoli). Although alveolar cell carcinoma can occur at a single site, it often develops simultaneously in more than one area of the lung. Less common lung tumors are bronchial carcinoid (which may be cancerous or noncancerous), chondromatous hamartoma and sarcoma. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system; it may start in the lungs or spread to them.

Lung cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal cells in the lung. It can start anywhere in the lungs and affect any part of the respiratory system . When we breathe in, the lungs take in oxygen, which our cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. When we breathe out, the lungs get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the body’s cells. Cancers that begin in the lungs are divided into two major types, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, depending on how the cells look under a microscope.

Causes of Lung Cancer

1. Breast cancer

2. Colon cancer

3. Rectal cancer

4. Stomach cancer

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

1. Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness.

2. Difficulty swallowing.

3. Fatigue.

4. Loss of appetite or weight loss.

5. Constant chest pain.

6. Breathlessness.

Treatment of Lung Cancer

1. Chemotherapy

2. Radiation therapy

3. Surgery



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Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
Dr.Badruddin Khan asked:


A symptom is an indication of disease, illness, injury, or that something is not right in the body. Symptoms are felt or noticed by a person, but may not easily be noticed by anyone else. For example, chills, weakness, achiness, shortness of breath, and a cough may be symptoms of pneumonia. A sign is also an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are defined as things that can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. Fever, rapid breathing rate, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.

Having one symptom or sign may not give enough information to suggest a cause. For example, a rash in a child could be a symptom of a number of things including poison ivy, an infectious disease like measles, an infection limited to the skin, or a food allergy. But if the rash is seen along with other signs and symptoms like a high fever, chills, achiness, and a sore throat, then a doctor can get a better picture of the illness. In many cases, a patient’s signs and symptoms do not give enough clues by themselves for the doctor to figure out the cause of an illness. Then medical tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy may be needed.

Cancer is a group of diseases that may cause almost any sign or symptom. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, the size of the cancer, and how much it affects the nearby organs or structures. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), then symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. As a cancer grows, it begins to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure creates some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause early symptoms.

But sometimes cancers start in places where it does not cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown quite large. Pancreas cancers, for example, do not usually grow large enough to be felt from the outside of the body. Some pancreatic cancers do not cause symptoms until they begin to grow around nearby nerves (this causes a backache). Others grow around the bile duct, which blocks the flow of bile and leads to a yellowing of the skin known as jaundice. By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, it has usually reached an advanced stage.

A cancer may also cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the body’s energy supply or release substances that change the body’s metabolism. Or the cancer may cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these symptoms. Sometimes, cancer cells release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms not usually thought to result from cancers. For example, some cancers of the pancreas can release substances which cause blood clots to develop in veins of the legs. Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that affect blood calcium levels, affecting nerves and muscles and causing weakness and dizziness.

Treatment is most successful when cancer is found as early as possible. Finding cancer early usually means it can be treated while it is still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure, especially if initial treatment is to be surgery. A good example of the importance of finding cancer early is melanoma skin cancer. Skin cancer can be easy to remove if it has not grown deep into the skin, and the 5-year survival rate (percentage of people living at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this stage is nearly 100%. But once melanoma has spread to other parts of the body the survival rate drops dramatically.

Sometimes people ignore symptoms either because they do not know that the symptoms could mean something is wrong or because they are frightened by what they might mean and don’t want to seek medical help. General symptoms, such as fatigue, are more likely to have a cause other than cancer and can seem unimportant, especially if they have an obvious cause or only last a short time. In a similar way, a person may reason that a more specific symptom like a breast mass is probably a cyst that will go away by itself. But neither of these symptoms should be discounted or overlooked, especially if they have been present for a long time or are getting worse.

Most likely, any symptoms you may have will not be caused by cancer, but it’s important to have them checked out by your doctor, just in case. If cancer is not the cause, your doctor can help figure out what is and treat it, if needed. In some cases it is possible to detect some cancers before symptoms occur. The American Cancer Society and other health groups encourage the early detection of certain cancers before symptoms occur by recommending a cancer-related check-up and specific tests for people who do not have any symptoms. Keep in mind, however, that these recommended tests do not decrease the importance of reporting any symptoms to your doctor.

It is important to know what some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptoms of cancer are, but remember that having any of these does not mean that you have cancer. There are many other conditions that can cause these signs and symptoms, too. Most people with cancer will lose weight at some time with their disease. An unexplained (unintentional) weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer, particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever is very common with cancer, but is more often seen in advanced disease. Almost all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, especially if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system and makes it harder for the body to fight infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as with leukemia or lymphoma. Fatigue may be an important symptom as cancer progresses. It may happen early, though, in cancers such as with leukemia, or if the cancer is causing an ongoing loss of blood, as in some colon or stomach cancers. Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers such as bone cancers or testicular cancer. But most often pain is a symptom of advanced disease. Along with cancers of the skin, some internal cancers can cause skin signs that can be seen. These changes include the skin looking darker (hyper pigmentation), yellow (jaundice), or red (erythema); itching; or excessive hair growth.Along with the above general symptoms, you should watch for the following common symptoms, which could be an indication of cancer. Again, there may be other causes for each of these, but it is important to bring them to your doctor’s attention as soon as possible so that they can be investigated.

Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may be a sign of colon cancer. Pain with urination, blood in the urine, or a change in bladder function (such as more frequent or less frequent urination) could be related to bladder or prostate cancer. Any changes in bladder or bowel function should be reported to your doctor. Skin cancers may bleed and look like sores that do not heal. A long-lasting sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer and should be dealt with right away, especially in patients who smoke, chew tobacco, or frequently drink alcohol. Sores on the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and should not be overlooked.

Unusual bleeding can happen in either early or advanced cancer. Blood in the sputum (phlegm) may be a sign of lung cancer. Blood in the stool (or a dark or black stool) could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Cancer of the cervix or the endometrium (lining of the uterus) can cause vaginal bleeding. Blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer. Many cancers can be felt through the skin, mostly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer. Any lump or thickening should be reported to your doctor, especially if you’ve just discovered it or noticed it has grown in size.

While they commonly have other causes, indigestion or swallowing problems may be a sign of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx (throat). Any wart, mole, or freckle that changes in color, size, or shape, or loses its definite borders should be reported to your doctor without delay. The skin lesion may be a melanoma which, if diagnosed early, can be treated successfully. A cough that does not go away may be a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness can be a sign of cancer of the larynx (voice box) or thyroid. While the signs and symptoms listed above are the more common ones seen with cancer, there are many others that are less common and are not listed here. If you notice any major changes in the way your body functions or the way you feel, especially if it lasts for a long time or gets worse, let your doctor know. If it has nothing to do with cancer, your doctor can investigate it and treat it, if needed. If it is cancer, you’ll give yourself the best chance to have it treated early, when treatment is most likely to be effective.

 



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Carcinogenesis and Cancer

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
Ahmed El Sayed asked:


Carcinogenesis is the creation of a cancer.

Cancer is, ultimately, a disease of genes. Typically, a series of several mutations is required before a cell becomes a cancer cell. We distinguish between oncogenes, which promote cancer when “switched on” by a mutation, and tumor suppressor genes, which prevent cancer unless “switched off” by a mutation. These mutations can have various causes: radiation or chemicals called carcinogens; some inherited predisposition is not uncommon; some viruses that can cause cancer have also been described. Usually, they carry in their genome some oncogene or tumor suppressor inactivating gene. In about 15% of all cancers, viruses seem to play a role. Finally, damage by free radicals, which are a natural by-product of oxygen metabolism, can cause mutations in the DNA.

For most of the cancers, it cannot be told which event was the initial cause. However, with molecular biology, it is possible to characterize the mutations within a tumor, and to a certain extent to predict its behavior. For example, about half of the tumors are deficient in the tumor suppressor gene p53, also known as “the guardian of the genome”. This is associated with poor prospects for the patient, since those tumor cells are unlikely to go into apoptosis (programmed cell death) after they are damaged by therapy. There are more mutations that make a tumor more malignant. Telomerase mutations enable a tumor cell to divide indefinitely. Other mutations enable the tumor to grow new blood vessels to feed it, or to detach from the surrounding tissue, spreading to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors such as carcinoma or sarcoma, lymphoma or leukemia originate from a cell or a group of cells in a multicellular organism that have several distinct properties:

increased cell division rate

not controllable by growth factors anymore

altered differentiation (specialization) ability

no ability for contact inhibition

ability to invade neighbouring tissue

ability to build metastases

ability to promote blood vessel growth

A cell that degenerates into a tumor cell does usually not acquire all these properties at once, but its daughter cells are selected to build them. This process is called cellular evolution. A first step in the development of a tumor cell is usually a small change in the DNA, often a point mutation, which leads, among other things, to a genetic instability of the cell. The instability increases to a point where the cell loses whole chromosomes, or has double ones. Also, the DNA methylation pattern of the cell changes, activating and deactivating genes more or less at random. Cells that divide at a high rate, such as stem cells, show a higher risk of becoming tumor cells than those which divide less or not at all, for example, neurons. If the initial tumor cell (or group of tumor cells) is not removed by the immune system, it will develop into cancer.

In cellular model systems, cells are exposed to carcinogenic influences (chemicals, radiation). In these systems, the first signs of a cell developing into a tumor cell are :

Immortality. The usual number of cell divisions for a mammalian cell is 50-60 (cell senescence), then it ceases to divide. Tumor cells keep dividing forever.

Altered morphology.

Building of cellular clusters (Foci).

Loss of contact inhibition.

Low or no need for growth factors.

Metastasis

Cancers are capable of spreading through the body by two mechanisms: local invasion and distant metastasis. Invasion refers to the direct migration and penetration by cancer cells into neighboring tissues. Metastasis refers to the ability of cancer cells to penetrate into lymphatic and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, and then invade normal tissues elsewhere in the body. Cancer is most deadly when it metastasizes.

Forms of cancer

The term cancer is very broad and covers many different illnesses including:

Bladder cancer

Bone cancer

Brain tumor

Breast cancer

Cervical cancer

Colorectal cancer (includes colon, rectum, anus, and appendix)

Cancer of the esophagus

Hodgkin’s disease

Kidney cancer

Cancer of the larynx

Leukemia

Liver cancer

Lung cancer

Lymphoma

Melanoma

Moles and dysplastic nevi

Multiple myeloma

Muscular Cancer

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Oral cancer

Ovarian cancer

Cancer of the pancreas

Prostate cancer

Skin cancer

Stomach cancer

Testicular cancer

Teratoma

Thyroid cancer

Cancer of the uterus

Clinical aspects

The field of medicine concerned with the treatment of cancer is oncology.

Cancer has become an important problem with the rise in life expectancy, as the above mentioned mutations become more likely the longer a person lives. Though great progress in treatment has been made, most cancers in advanced stages remain incurable and ultimately fatal.

Treatment of cancer typically involves surgery to remove tumors and nearby lymph nodes to which the cancer may have spread, combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. The latter two target cells in the body that are rapidly dividing. This includes the cancer cells but also certain healthy ones, which is the reason for the severe side effects of these treatments.



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cancer

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
Bishal Boro asked:


Cancer is the type of common disorder or diseases that is characterized by the unrestrained partition of the cells. Millions of people all over the world are affected by these dreaded diseases and majority of people are ignorant about the cure and its treatment and thus leads to most of the death in many countries. These cells have the aptitude to invade additional normal tissues. This disease occurs either by the insertion into the isolated sites by the metastasis or by the direct growth into the contiguous tissue throughout the invasion. The unregulated growths of all the cells are much caused by the damage of the “DNA”, which consequences in the mutations to the genes that instruct proteins scheming cell division. These mutations are much caused by the chemical and corporeal agents called as the carcinogens; it is also caused by the close contact to radioactive resources and by certain viruses which can put in their “DNA” into the human genome.

There are numerous types of cancer such as the adrenalin cancer, anal cancer, aids related lymphoma, bladder cancer, brain metastasis, brain tumors, breast cancer, cervical cancer colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, gall bladder cancer, gastric cancer, kidney cancer, laryngeal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, maesothelomia, ovarian cancer, penile cancer, pituitary cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, small intestine cancer, small cell lung cancer, bone cancer and pancreatic cancer.

All these types of cancer are serious in its kinds and are needed proper care and treatment otherwise it would worsen up. If untreated, any type of cancers can ultimately cause poor health and ultimately death, Cancer is a serious disease which afflicts people at all ages but mostly during the later years of human where the body becomes to weak for fighting against the various bacterial influence.. Cancer is one of the most important causes of death in many urbanized countries. The majority of cancers have appropriate treatment and some are cured and treated by depending on the exact type, phase and location.

Some of the common forms of treatment that we have in the fast and developed medical techniques are biological therapy, bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, clinical trials, some of the complementary medicines, gene therapy, general treatment concerns, hormone therapy, proton therapy, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, targeted therapies, vaccines therapies and in most of the cases surgeries are done. In every thousand of people all over the world today we can see two of them are effected by cancer, but due to modern technology and proper treatment it can be cured to an extent cut are not able to get rid of the root of cancer.



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Lung Cancer Symptoms – General Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
A. Susanto asked:


You should know some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptoms of cancer. But remember , having any of these does not mean that you have cancer – many other things cause these signs and symptoms, too.

Unexplained weight loss

Most people with cancer will lose weight at some point. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more (when you’re not trying to lose weight) may be the first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever

Fever is very common with cancer, but it more often happens after cancer has spread from where it started. Almost all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, especially if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system. This can make it harder for the body to fight infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Fatigue

Fatigue is extreme tiredness that does not get better with rest. It may be an important symptom as cancer grows. It may happen early, though, in cancers like leukemia, or if the cancer is causing blood loss, which can happen with some colon or stomach cancers.

Pain

Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers such as bone cancers or testicular cancer. A headache that does not go away or respond to treatment may be a symptom of a brain tumor. Back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovary. Most often, pain that is linked to cancer is a symptom of cancer that has already metastasized (spread from where it started).

Skin changes

Along with cancers of the skin (see the next section), some other cancers can cause skin symptoms or signs that can be seen. These signs and symptoms include:

darker looking skin (hyperpigmentation)

yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)

reddened skin (erythema)

itching

excessive hair growth

Lung cancer symptoms are commonly not experienced until the disease had advanced, sometimes delaying diagnosis. The symptoms of lung cancer also mimic the symptoms of other benign illnesses.

The most common lung cancer symptoms experienced are :

1.Onset of wheezing

2.Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis

3.Shortness of breath

4.A persistent cough that does not go away

5.Coughing up blood

6.Hoarseness

7.Weight loss or loss of appetite

If you are experiencing any of the above Lung cancer symptoms, please see your doctor. The symptoms described are also symptoms for many other illnesses. Consult your physician for a definitive diagnosis.



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