Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

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Risk Factors of Skin Cancer

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

skin cancer factorsThe reason that causes this type of cancer is not entirely known. Yes, we have studied some factors that influence their occurrence.

Environmental factors

Excessive exposure to the sun influences the production of these cancers. People who work outdoors, such as farmers and sailors, have a higher incidence. Often occur on exposed skin, often in head and neck.

Although sunlight helps to synthesize vitamins A and D, overexposure, produce or burns, increases the risk of developing skin cancer, including malignant melanoma.

There is a correlation between risk of melanoma and latitude. It also influences the time period during which a person has lived in Ecuador-latitude countries, which means excessive sun exposure maintained for a period of life.

Not only influences but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight exposure, on time, on holiday for example, is a risk factor for melanoma.

Melanomas differ from malignant tumors non-melanoma skin about sex, age and body location. The majority of cutaneous malignant melanomas occur in areas not receiving the accumulated UV dose increased.

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Types of Skin Cancer

Monday, June 28th, 2010

skin cancerWhat is It?

Skin cancer is a disease caused by the development of cancer cells in any of the layers of the skin.

There are two types: nonmelanoma and melanoma.

The non-melanoma cancer is the most common and is called nonmelanoma because they formed from other skin cells are not accumulating pigment (melanocytes).

Within this type are all skin cancers less malignant melanoma is less common and more malignant, and which is explained later.

Skin cancer is more common in white skinned people and have spent much time exposed to sunlight, especially when sun exposure occurred in childhood and there were numerous sunburn.

Although it may appear anywhere on the skin, is more common than is presented on the face, neck, hands and arms. This cancer is one of the most common of all cancers, and an estimated two million are diagnosed new cases per year worldwide.

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Diagnostic and Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

cervical cancerHow is cervical cancer diagnosed?

The Papanicolaou (Pap) is the diagnostic test for cervical cancer. HIV-positive women should have a Pap smear every six months for a year, if the results of these tests are normal, repeat once a year. The Pap smear can detect dysplasia.

When dysplasia is found, it is necessary to make another examination with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope. The colposcope can see the abnormal tissue so that it can perform a biopsy.

Most times it is only dysplasia but sometimes it may be cancer. After an examination with a colposcope, you may feel some discomfort and some bleeding.

When cervical cancer is detected, further testing is needed before starting to plan treatment. This process is called staging the cancer (classification of the extent and severity of the disease). Staging is a series of tests and assessments that indicate how advanced the cancer.

How is cervical cancer?

A very small cancer (called microinvasive cancer), can be completely removed through a procedure called a cone biopsy.

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Introduction and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

cervical cancerWhat is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a malignant growth that occurs in the cervix. It connects the uterus with the vaginal canal. You can touch it with their fingers inside the vagina.

It is believed that cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Only certain types of HPV can cause cancer.

Usually, this virus causes cancer in the cervix, but HPV can also be responsible for cancer in the vagina, vulva, and ano-rectal area (in men or women) and on the penis.

It’s called “dysplasia” to the appearance of abnormal cells in the cervix. When dysplasia is diagnosed and treated early, it can prevent cancer. Cervical cancer begins in some cells, but gradually grows in size. This growth usually occurs over a period of ten years or more.

When this growth can be seen and felt in a pelvic exam, called a tumor. If the tumor is not treated, can spread to other areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. If cervical cancer is not treated can become a lethal condition.
Who is at risk of developing cervical cancer?

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Other Cancers in Adolescents

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

other cancers in adolescentsCancer is rare in adolescents. Diseases like breast cancer usually affect adult women, it is unlikely that adolescents develop this cancer. But of all cancers, some teens are more likely to develop.

Testicular cancer, for example, tends to affect men more than young adults. Read on to learn more about the types of cancer that can affect adolescents.

Cancers that occur in adolescence, have one thing in common: cells, the basic components of the human body. Cancer occurs when cells develop abnormally and grow uncontrollably.

This article contains information about the types of cancer that teens may face, including warning signs and symptoms and possible treatments for these cancers.

While not common, other cancers that may be suffered by adolescents are testicular cancer and rhabdomyosarcomas.

Although testicular cancer is rare in adolescence, is the most common cancer in men aged 15-35 years. If detected and treated early, testicular cancer is almost always curable.

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Lymphoma in Adolescents

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

lymphoma in adolescentsThe term lymphoma refers to cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, adenoids, tonsils and bone marrow.

The role of the lymphatic system is to fight the germs that cause infection and disease. Most adolescents with lymphoma have Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymph tissue) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of immune system cells that circulate in our bodies).

Hodgkin’s disease usually occurs in adolescents and young adults. May arise in lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, chest or other parts of the body. Lymph nodes were enlarged but are usually not painful.

Hodgkin’s disease is characterized by the presence of large abnormal cells, called Reed Sternberg cells are detected with a microscope after a biopsy (a procedure in which a doctor takes a small tissue sample for the presence of cells cancer). Chemotherapy and often radiation are used to treat Hodgkin’s disease.

The non-Hodgkin lymphoma is similar to leukemia (ALL) because both are characterized by the presence of malignant lymphocytes (white blood cells in the lymph nodes) and because they share many symptoms. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with chemotherapy.

Most adolescents with Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and complete treatment a complete remission with no signs of the disease.

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Brain Tumors in Adolescents

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

brain tumor in adolescentsBrain tumors are not common in adolescents. There are two types: primary brain tumors that originate in the brain cells, and secondary brain tumors, which originate from a cancer that started elsewhere in the body (eg, osteosarcoma) and spreads to the brain.

Most brain tumors in adolescents are primary. Two of the most common forms are astrocytomas and ependymomas. Astrocytomas are brain tumors that originate in the brain cells called astrocytes.

This type of tumor does not usually spread outside the brain and spinal cord, and usually does not affect other organs. Ependymomas are tumors that usually begin in the lining of the ventricles of the brain.

The brain has four ventricles, or cavities, that are a pathway for cerebrospinal fluid, a liquid substance that protects the brain and spinal cord, and absorbs shock.

No one knows exactly what causes primary brain cancer. One possibility is that a problem occurred with the cells into the brain and spinal cord.

Treatments vary depending on the type of tumor and its location. If possible remove a tumor, surgery is usually performed, followed by radiation. Some patients also receive chemotherapy.

The odds of surviving a brain tumor depend on the type, location and treatment. But if it is possible to remove the tumor and additional treatment, it is likely to cure cancer.

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Leukemia in Adolescents

Monday, June 7th, 2010

leukemia in adolescentsLeukemia is one of the most common cancers in childhood. Appears when the bone marrow is invaded by a large number of abnormal white blood cells called leukemic blasts and, in some cases, enters the bloodstream.

Because these abnormal blood cells are defective, they do not help protect the body against infections, as do normal white blood cells.

And because they grow uncontrollably, they take over the bone marrow and interfere with the production of other types of cells important to blood flow, as red blood cells (which carry oxygen) and platelets (which help blood clot) .

Leukemia causes problems like bleeding, anemia (low red blood cell count), bone pain and infections. You can also spread to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain and in the case of men, the testicles.

The most common types of leukemia in teens are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Virtually all persons with ALL and AML are treated with chemotherapy and some also receive stem cell transplants. During this procedure, given new stem cells from another person.

Bone marrow transplants are a common form of stem cell transplantation. Some people also receive radiation. The duration of treatment and types of medicine given will vary depending on the type of leukemia.

The chances of cure of certain types of leukemia are very good. With proper treatment, most patients with ALL and many patients with AML are cured of the disease and it does not reappear.

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Treatments of Osteosarcoma in Adolescents

Friday, June 4th, 2010

osteosarcoma treatment

Treatment for osteosarcoma usually involves chemotherapy (medication intravenously, or IV, which destroys cancer cells) as well as surgery to remove the tumor. In a few cases in which these procedures fail to fully overcome the cancer, the doctor may need to amputate a part or all of the limb to fight cancer.

Doctors can also perform surgery for limb salvage. In this intervention, the bone is removed to prevent cancer and the amputation of the limb by filling the space with a bone graft or a metal rod special.

The loss of a limb can be devastating, especially for teens who are going through other bodily changes. The psychological and physical therapy (also called “physical rehabilitation) can be very useful in this situation.

In general, adolescents who are receiving must practice amputation prosthesis or artificial limb, to help them adapt. Most adolescents are able to return to normal activities, including sports.

Most people develop side effects such as hair loss, bleeding, infection and heart or skin problems, from medicines used in chemotherapy treatment for osteosarcoma. Chemotherapy may also increase a patient’s risk of developing other cancers in the future. The good news is that most teens with osteosarcoma do recover.

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Osteosarcoma in Adolescents

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

osteosarcomaOsteosarcoma is the type most common bone cancer. It usually occurs in adolescent boys, in general, they begin to “stick spurts.”

Osteosarcoma affects twice as many boys than girls and often occurs in people with higher than average.

Some medical problems may be due to genes, such as retinoblastoma, a tumor that develops in the retina, may predispose some adolescents to develop osteosarcoma. The same happens if a teenager has received radiation treatments for other bone cancers.

The most common symptoms of osteosarcoma are pain and swelling of the legs or arms, sometimes accompanied by the appearance of a package. Some people suffer more pain at night or when exercising.

Often, osteosarcoma is found in the bones around the knee, but can also occur in other bones.

In exceptional cases, a tumor can spread or metastasis outside the bone, nerves and blood vessels of the limb. (The word metastatic disease is the term doctors use when cells from a tumor break away from the original cancer site and move to different tissues or organs).

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