Posts Tagged ‘elderly care’
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Numerous, if not most, men over the age of fifty or so worry concerning the likelihood of their prostrate causing them concerns in the near future. The fact is that many men will have concerns with their prostate and the proportion is quite high.
For most men, this will mean little more than recurrent visits to the bathroom, where urination will be sparse. Nocturnal visits to the toilet are also common. Some men might find themselves in the upsetting situation of ‘dripping’, which involves a wet patch on the trousers.
These are fairly dismal prospects, but there is much worse that can occur. It all has to do with the prostate which encircles the tube from the bladder to the penis. It swells from the inside not the outside and so it ‘bites’ on the urethra cutting off the flow of urine.
This produces the feeling of having a full bladder but not being able to evacuate it fully. This in turn can lead to urinary tract infections (UTI’s) and produce issues for the kidneys which may become life-threatening.
Some people think that a diet containing certain foodstuffs in quantity can defer or even prevent serious concerns with the prostate gland. Here are two of the most important ones:
Lycopene: is a robust antioxidant which is accountable for the red colouring in numerous foods such as carrots, red grapefruit, watermelons, papayas and tomatoes (but not cherries or strawberries). It is a carotene that exists in many red-orange natural foodstuffs.
Lycopene is deposited in the adrenal glands, the liver and the testes, which seems to make it particularly effective against prostate cancer. Research continues and there is not enough proof to persuade the world’s Western health authorities yet, but it is accredited as a non-dangerous food dye in the USA, Europe and Australia.
Lycopene is normally best eaten raw, but with one extraordinary exception – tomatoes. The chemical is more readily absorbed from cooked tomatoes. Hence the advice to eat unsweetened tomato sauce.
Lycopene is not merely beneficial for men as it will help in glandular, heart and liver concerns as well. It is worth keeping an eye on the development of this research vigilantly and adding red fruits to your diet anyway.
Quercetin: is a flavonoid discovered in fruits, vegetables, leaves, grains, and both green and black tea. It is particularly present in (red) onions, red grapes, raspberries, lingonberries, cranberries and tomatoes. (Nota bene all the red fruits).
Studies have shown that naturally produced or wild fruits have a lot more quercetin than the ‘intensively farmed’ varieties. 70% more in with regard to tomatoes. Comparable percentage increases, between 50% and 100%, were discovered for most wild fruits.
Quercetin has anti inflammatory characteristics and some research has indicated that it might help reduce the risk of cancer, but as yet, no leading health authorities have been persuaded that it is functional at preventing or curing cancer. Another one to watch though.
It is not at all difficult to add some of these foodstuffs into your diet. Scientists have been telling us for decades to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, simply make certain you add a few more red ones and drink tea rather than coffee.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with the proton prostate cancer treatment. If you want to know more go to What is the Treatment for Prostate Cancer?
Tags: cancer, disease, elderly care, family, fitness, food, health, illness, medicine, men's issues, other, prostate cancer, therapy, unclassified
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Thursday, January 19th, 2012
As men become older they run more and more danger of developing prostate cancer. Some doctors recommend regular check-ups after the age of 50 or even 60, but others suggest that you ought to begin checking at 40.
It seems wiser to begin checking as early as you are able and definitely at 40 or 50 years of age, because the earlier it is noticed, the more chance you have of surviving it. The difficulty with prostate cancer is that it spreads more quickly than most cancers.
In this article, we will try to give answers to a couple of basic questions that you may have concerning this male illness. However, there is only room here for the basics, so please take serious questions to your doctor.
What is the prostate gland and where is it? The prostate is around the size of a walnut, but is conical in shape. It is part of the male reproductive system and is linked to the penis because it is wrapped around the urethra right up near to the bladder.
This puts the prostate somewhere between the anus and the penis. Because of its location, it is not easy to get at and so most examinations are rectal ie from the colon. Many men find this embarrassing, which is why a lot of men put of a check-up until it is too late.
What are the chances of having prostate cancer? White American males over the age of 50 have a one-in-six risk of getting some malignancy.
Hispanics and Blacks have a one-in-four risk. However, all these figures increase if there is a history of prostate cancer in the family.
What are the indications of prostate cancer? This question is not simple to answer, because the symptoms can look like other concerns and everyone knows that ‘all old men’ have bladder concerns
The prostate swells as it grows older anyway, so this could be the cause of urination concerns. This is characterized by urinating a little at a time, but having to urinate often. Sometimes there are drips as well after you have put it away.
The indications of prostate cancer are comparable but may include blood in the urine and lower back pain. If you have anything like these problems, you need to have a check-up as soon as possible.
Can prostate cancer be diagnosed early enough to save life? Luckily, the answer to this is yes. There are two forms of examination: 1] the DRE – digital rectal exam (or ‘finger up the bum’) and 2] the PSA blood test (prostate specific antigen), although this test is frequently only carried out if the DRE raises suspicions.
If the cancer is caught early enough through regular screening, the chances of living more than five years are over 90%. Continued success depends on several causes, but the cancer can also be totally eradicated never to return.
It can not be stressed too much, that, as with some female-specific cancers, success fighting this cancer depends on catching it early.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with the proton prostate cancer treatment. If you want to know more go to What is the Treatment for Prostate Cancer?
Tags: cancer, disease, elderly care, family, fitness, health, illness, medicine, men's issues, other, prostate cancer, surgery, therapy, unclassified
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
The prostate is an organ only existing in the male body – women do not have one. It is located deep within the under part of the body and surrounds the neck of the bladder and the first section of the urethra. It is quite small being about three by four centimetres and is most easily accessed from the back passage.
A few things can go wrong with the prostate and it is very probable that one of them will affect every man in later life to some degree or another. Some of the most common concerns are:
prostatitis which is the swelling of the prostate due to bacterial disease
the benign enlargement of the prostate which is a common part of the aging process, affecting numerous men over 50 years of age
prostate cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in men
The growth of prostate cancer seems to be definitely linked to the presence of the male hormone androgen. Castration has a noticeable positive effect on the growth of prostate cancer.
The prostate is conical in form, but has five distinct lobes. Cancer nearly always develops in the rear-most lobe, whereas benign growths appear to prefer the other lobes.
All concerns with the prostate have the effect of making urination a problem. This is why older men tend to go to the toilet often. Prostate cancer also grows faster than most other variations of cancer.
Because of this, older men should have tests for prostate cancer fairly often. Not only does prostate cancer grow rapidly, but it also spreads rapidly. The medical term for this spreading is ‘metastasis’.
If this kind of cancer is not caught early, it will spread rapidly through the diverse internal organs, the lymph nodes and the blood. Death may happen soon after diagnosis, unless it is caught at a very early point.
Self diagnosis is almost impossible because it is a small internal organ buried between the penis and the anus. One of the first symptoms is a difficulty with urination, but by then it can already be too late to prevent metastasis.
If the cancer spreads to the bladder and urethra, urination will get painful and there might be blood in the urine as well. If the cancer is advanced, urination may be impossible and kidney issues will follow soon. Kidney failure or kidney disease is a frequent side-effect of prostate cancer.
If the metastasis is well advanced, there could be back pain in the lumbar area or in the hips. Shortage of breath would indicate a further progression of the cancer to the lungs. A general feeling of weakness might be the next symptom.
if caught early enough, prostate cancer can be treated quite successfully. Often a catheter is needed, but it could also mean dialysis if the kidneys have been badly affected.
Part of the prostate can be removed, but it is also possible to remove it completely, although not without consequences. Other solutions include hormones and chemotherapy.
Some individuals believe that prevention can be procured by homeopathic treatments or a healthy diet, but the jury is out on that one officially.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a variety of subjects, but is now involved with the proton prostate cancer treatment. If you want to know more go to What is the Treatment for Prostate Cancer?
Tags: cancer, diet, disease, elderly care, family, health, illness, medicine, men's issues, other, prostate cancer, surgery, therapy, unclassified
Posted in prostate cancer | No Comments »
Monday, January 9th, 2012
Numerous, if not most, men over the age of fifty or so worry concerning the likelihood of their prostrate causing them concerns in the near future. The fact is that many men will have problems with their prostate and the proportion is fairly high.
For most men, this will mean little more than frequent visits to the toilet, where urination will be meager. Nocturnal visits to the toilet are also common. Some men might find themselves in the upsetting situation of ‘dripping’, which involves a wet patch on the trousers.
These are pretty dreary prospects, but there is a lot worse that can happen. It all has to do with the prostate which encircles the tube from the bladder to the penis. It swells from the inside not the outside and so it ‘bites’ on the urethra restricting the flow of urine.
This produces the feeling of having a full bladder but not being able to evacuate it fully. This in turn may cause urinary tract infections (UTI’s) and produce problems for the kidneys which can become life-threatening.
Some individuals think that a diet containing certain foods in quantity can defer or even prevent significant issues with the prostate gland. Here are a couple of the most important ones:
Lycopene: is a robust antioxidant which is accountable for the red colouring in many foodstuffs such as carrots, red grapefruit, watermelons, papayas and tomatoes (but not cherries or strawberries). It is a carotene that exists in numerous red-orange natural foodstuffs.
Lycopene is deposited in the adrenal glands, the liver and the testes, which appears to cause it to be especially effective against prostate cancer. Research continues and there is not enough evidence to convince the world’s Western health authorities yet, but it is recognized as a non-dangerous food colouring in the USA, Europe and Australia.
Lycopene is usually best consumed raw, but with one extraordinary exception – tomatoes. The chemical is more readily absorbed from cooked tomatoes. Hence the recommendation to eat unsweetened tomato sauce.
Lycopene is not merely beneficial for men as it will help in glandular, heart and liver issues too. It is worth keeping an eye on the development of this research carefully and adding red fruits to your diet anyway.
Quercetin: is a flavonoid discovered in fruits, vegetables, leaves, grains, and both green and black tea. It is especially present in (red) onions, red grapes, raspberries, lingonberries, cranberries and tomatoes. (Notice all the red fruits).
Studies have shown that naturally grown or wild fruits have far more quercetin than the ‘intensively farmed’ varieties. 70% more in with regard to tomatoes. Similar percentage increases, between 50% and 100%, were found for most wild fruits.
Quercetin has anti inflammatory characteristics and some research has suggested that it might help reduce the danger of cancer, but as yet, no leading health authorities have been convinced that it is useful at preventing or curing cancer. Another one to watch though.
It is not at all a problem to add some of these foodstuffs into your diet. Doctors have been telling us for decades to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, simply make sure you add a few more red ones and drink tea rather than coffee.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a number of topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more go to Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more go to Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: aging, cancer, Depression, diet, disease, elderly care, food, health, illness, men's issues, nutrition, other, prostate cancer, unclassified
Posted in prostate cancer | No Comments »
Monday, January 9th, 2012
The prostate is an organ only present in the male body – women do not have one. It is located deep inside the under part of the body and surrounds the neck of the bladder and the first section of the urethra. It is quite small being around three by four centimetres and is most easily accessed from the back passage.
A few things could go wrong with the prostate and it is very likely that one of them will affect every man in later life to some degree or another. Some of the most common concerns are:
prostatitis which is the inflammation of the prostate due to bacterial disease
the benign enlargement of the prostate which is a common feature of the aging process, affecting numerous men over 50 years of age
prostate cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in men
The growth of prostate cancer appears to be positively linked to the presence of the male hormone androgen. Castration has a noticeable positive impact on the growth of prostate cancer.
The prostate is conical in shape, but has five definite lobes. Cancer nearly always develops in the rear-most lobe, whereas benign growths seem to prefer the other lobes.
All worries with the prostate have the impact of making urination difficult. This is why older men tend to go to the toilet frequently. Prostate cancer also developes faster than most other types of cancer.
Because of this, older men ought to have tests for prostate cancer quite frequently. Not only does prostate cancer grow quickly, but it also spreads rapidly. The medical term for this spreading is ‘metastasis’.
If this form of cancer is not caught soon, it will spread rapidly through the various internal organs, the lymph nodes and the blood. Death can occur soon after diagnosis, unless it is noticed in a very early point.
Self diagnosis is virtually impossible because it is a small internal organ hidden between the penis and the anus. One of the first indications is a problem with urination, but by then it could already be too late to avoid metastasis.
If the cancer progresses to the bladder and urethra, urination will become painful and there might be blood in the urine as well. If the cancer is advanced, urination might become impossible and kidney issues will follow soon. Kidney failure or kidney disease is a common side-effect of prostate cancer.
If the metastasis is well advanced, there could be back pain in the lower back region or in the hips. Shortage of breath would indicate a further development of the cancer to the lungs. A general feeling of weakness might be the next symptom.
if caught early enough, prostate cancer can be treated fairly successfully. Frequently a catheter is needed, but it could also mean dialysis if the kidneys have been badly affected.
Part of the prostate may be removed, but it is also possible to remove it entirely, although not without consequences. Other treatments include hormones and chemotherapy.
Some individuals believe that prevention can be procured by homeopathic medications or a healthy diet, but the jury is out on that one officially.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a number of topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more go to Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: aging, cancer, Depression, diet, disease, elderly care, fitness, health, illness, men's issues, nutrition, other, prostate cancer, unclassified
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Sunday, November 20th, 2011
The uncontrolled growth of cells is a disease known as cancer. Other malignant properties of cancer are an invasion that destroys adjacent tissues and metastasis i.e. the spreading to other areas of the body by means of the blood or the lymph glands. Benign tumors are unlike cancer in that they do not invade or metastasize.
Either environmental or hereditary factors can be the cause of cancer. Primarily, it is an environmental disease with enhanced danger from genetic influences. The main environmental reasons behind the cause of cancer are obesity, smoking, pollution, illness and radiation etc..
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common sorts of cancer. It occurs in the ovaries of women which is why it is called ovarian cancer. There are two ovaries in females, one on either side of the uterus. Both eggs and hormones i.e. estrogen, testosterone and progesterone are made by the ovaries.
Usually, it occurs in those women who have reached their menopause. Usually an ovarian cancer is a kind of epithelial cancer i.e. cancer in the outer cells of an ovary. Most common kinds of epithelial cancer of the ovaries are serous. Less commonly known kinds are clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancers
Almost 85% of the women treated for ovarian cancer are above the age of 50, although there are possibilities of its occurrence in younger females too. Multiple genetic mutations are the cause of this cancer. The risk of the disease is greater in those women who have never had a baby.
The danger is higher for those whose menstrual cycle starts at an early age and whose menopause occurs late. Infertility is the biggest danger factor behind this disease. Personal or family history of breast cancer increases the risk of ovarian cancer too.
The indications of the disease are not specific to it and it normally begins stealthily. Some of the indications of ovarian cancer are pelvic pain, abdominal pressure, indigestion or wind, constipation, lower back pain, the frequent need to urinate, loss of appetite, pain with intercourse, alterations in the menstrual cycle and a deficiency of energy.
The indications of ovarian cancer tend to be persistent and they worsen with time. An appointment with a physician must be made if any of the above mentioned indications occur every day for two to three weeks. If someone has a family history of this cancer, she should make contact with her doctor for further diagnosis of the worries.
The most widespread diagnostic procedures and check ups are pelvic examination, ultrasound, CA 125 blood test and surgery for removing samples to test (biopsy). Four stages of ovarian cancer are recognized according to the concentration of the disease.
The treatment of ovarian cancer is possible. Researchers are working on creating ways of identifying it at earlier stages because it is very difficult to treat it at later stages. The most common form of treatment for ovarian cancer is a blend of chemotherapy and surgery.
Healthy habits like eating a balanced diet, exercising and getting enough sleep can be useful to control your symptoms of the disease. Although there is no certain way to protect you from this illness, the risk of getting ovarian cancer can be reduced by thinking about the risks and benefits of using birth control pills and discussing issues with your doctor.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on quite a few topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you would like to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: cancer, death, disease, elderly care, health, hospital, illness, other, palliative care, recuperation, self improvement, Uncategorized, unclassified, womens issues
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Melanoma is the most common kind of skin cancer and skin cancer is the most prevalent kind of cancer in the Western world. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes.
Melanocytes are found under the skin, which is made up of two strata: the epidermis on the outside and the dermis below that. To be accurate, melanocytes are found in the lowest levels of the epidermis, but not actually in the dermis.
These cells produce melanin, which has an effect on the epidermis? pigmentation, both natural skin colour and because of exposure to the sun as in tanning.
Sometimes, a group of near-by melanocytes combine with a little local tissue to form a mole (also called a nevus; plural nevi). The average individual has between ten and forty moles, which usually seem before the fortieth birthday. They often fade or disappear with age.
Moles are non-malignant (non-cancerous) and can be flat or raised in shape and almost any colour. Usually, they are slightly darker than one?s natural skin colour. Dark skinned individuals tend to have more moles.
Cancer begins in cells where the normal cycle of decay and replacement by regeneration has been Upset. Under these conditions, cells do not always die when they should and new cells are produced unnecessarily.
This, in turn, creates a growth (also known as a tumor), which can be either benign or malignant (that is to say cancerous or non-cancerous).
Benign tumors can be surgically taken away and hardly ever come back. They do not spread or affect surrounding tissue.
Malignant tumors are cancerous and can have an effect on adjacent tissue and organs. In these cases, cancerous cells can break away from the primary tumor and affect other organs or enter the blood stream (lymphatic system), whereby it will spread to other parts of the body (metastasis) very quickly. The rate of metastasis is a deciding factor in how a surgeon deals with cancer.
Melanoma happens when melanocytes become malignant. It can happen at any age, but the likelihood rise with age. Fair-skinned people are more probable to develop it than dark-skinned individuals. In fair-skinned races, men tend to get it on the upper body and neck, whereas women get it on their calves (lower legs).
Dark-skinned individuals seldom suffer from melanoma, but if they do, it is normally under the finger and toe nails or on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. When cancerous cells from melanoma enter the lymphatic system and affect other organs, it is still attributed to melanoma. For instance, if the liver becomes affected by cancerous cells from melanoma, it is referred to as metastatic melanoma, not liver cancer.
Frequently, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, colour, or texture of an existing mole, although it frequently first manifests itself with a new mole or moles. Self-diagnosis is not to be relied on – always seek professional advice if you have any concerns relating to your skin. However, it is wise to keep in mind ?The ABCD of Melanoma?, which goes thus:
Asymmetry: the outline of one half of the mole is not the same as the other side.
Border: the border or edges of the mole are not plainly defined; a bit tattered or the colouration ?leaks? into the surrounding skin.
Colouration: the mole is not uniformly of one colour, although it is not so vital what that colour is.
Diameter: there is a modification in size or a new mole gets larger than 5mm in size.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on quite a few topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: cancer, death, disease, elderly care, health, hospital, illness, other, palliative care, recuperation, self improvement, skin cancer, Uncategorized, unclassified
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011
Ovarian cancer that accounts for over 25,000 newly diagnosed cases of cancer every year only in the United States Of America is generally detected in the later stages when it has already spread outside the ovaries. Ovarian cancer or a group of malignant tumors begin in tissues of different sorts in the ovary.
Most cancers of the ovary start in the epithelial or outer layer of cells, with rarer kinds beginning in the egg forming germ cells or the stroma in the ovaries. However it is incorrect to assume that all tumors and cysts could become cancerous, for non-cancerous or benign tumors are more common than cancer of the ovary.
Cancer of the ovary or ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer among women in America; with only one out of five cases diagnosed in the early stage when effectual treatment can be implemented. However most women might like to know the risk factors for ovarian cancer and take care to go in for early analysis.
It is best to realize that danger does not mean a certainty, it only indicates an increased likelihood to develop this type of cancer.
They say that a confirmed family history of cancer of the breasts, uterus, colon and rectum could expose a woman to cancer of the ovaries as well. A family history might include one’s blood relations like grandmother, mother, daughter or sister, with a family history of cancer at a young age contributing to a higher chance for ovarian cancer. A genetic counselor could suggest genetic check ups for you, certain genetic alterations indicating an increased danger for cancer of the ovaries.
It is important to note that each woman that has a personal history of cancer and has been already afflicted with cancer of the breast, uterus, colon or rectum stands a higher likelihood to get ovarian cancer.
It is to be observed that cancer has the tendency to spread rapidly and chemotherapy and radiation can only treat or remove cancer for some time. In addition to the growth of new cells there is every opportunity for it to spread to other organs of the body also.
It is true that women that have attained menopause and older women that have never had children have a higher likelihood to develop cancer of the ovaries. Postmenopausal use of hormones like hormone replacement therapy for a period of 10 years and more could increase the likelihood of getting ovarian cancer, with estrogen replacement therapy or ERT having the highest risk followed by estrogen-progestin replacement therapy or EPRT. It is also the case that obesity and use of talcum powder also create a higher risk factor.
The indications of ovarian cancer after it develops to some extent could be pressure with or without pain and bloating experienced in the abdomen, pelvis, back and legs, feeling of nausea with indigestion, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea and a feeling of tiredness most of the time. In rare instances you could experience shortness of breath, the frequent urge to urinate and heavy periods after stoppage of periods.
However it can be difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer and the only one who can do it in the right manner is a physician.
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on quite a few subjects, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: cancer, death, disease, elderly care, health, hospital, illness, other, ovarian cancer, palliative care, recuperation, self improvement, Uncategorized, unclassified
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011
Really there is no such medical condition known as ?throat cancer?, although several kinds of cancer can develop in the throat and neck. The proper medical term for the throat is the ?pharynx?, which can be defined as: ‘the passage that ensures that food and drink go to the stomach and air to and from the lungs’.
The pharynx is made up of three parts: the oropharynx (the back of the mouth, including the soft palate and back of the tongue); nasopharynx (connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth); laryngopharynx (connecting the oropharynx and nasopharynx to the start of the gullet (oesophagus) and the windpipe (trachea) via the voice box (larynx)).
The laryngopharynx is sometimes called the hypopharynx. ?Throat cancer? can be cancer of any of these, although the most common form of ?throat cancer? is nasopharyngeal cancer.
Just to make the term ?throat cancer? even more inadequate and puzzling, some individuals apply it to cancer of the thyroid gland (situated at the front of the base of the neck), cancer of the voice box (larynx), cancer of the gullet or cancer of the windpipe (trachea), which actually comes into the lung cancer group.
Most head and neck cancerous cells are squamous, which is to say that they do not travel far from their origin, although they frequently affect the lymph nodes. In fact, the first indication of head or throat cancer is frequently an enlarged neck lymph node, which is also sometimes called throat cancer.
Another sign could be the manifestation of white areas or spots in the mouth that will not respond to treatment. Called leukoplakia, 33% of them become cancerous. It is estimated that 7,000 Americans die of a throat cancer each year, frequently because it was discovered late. Ethnicity might also play a part, since African American men are 50% more at risk of throat cancer than Caucasian men.
These cancers are quite painless in early stages and can be confused with toothache, earache, sore throat or croakiness. Once established however, they develop very quickly, although if caught at an early stage, they can almost always be effectively removed.
There is a wide variety of reasons why someone can be at a heightened danger for a throat cancer, including smoking; chewing tobacco and other things, such as betel nut, gutkha, marijuana or pan; heavy alcohol consumption; poor diet resulting in vitamin deficiencies (worse if this is caused by heavy alcohol intake); weakened immune system; asbestos exposure; prolonged exposure to wood dust or paint fumes; exposure to petroleum, industrial chemicals, and being over the age of 55 years.
The existence of acid reflux disease (gastroesphogeal reflux disease – GERD) or larynx reflux disease can also be a key factor. In the case of acid reflux disease, stomach acids flow up into the oesophagus and harm its lining, making it more prone to throat cancer.
Because successful therapy depends on early detection, regular oral examination is suggested. Your dentist will have been trained to be on the look out for early symptoms, making a bi-annual visit to the dentist even more worthwhile
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on quite a few topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you would like to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: cancer, death, disease, elderly care, health, hospital, illness, other, palliative care, recuperation, self improvement, throat cancer, Uncategorized, unclassified
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Saturday, September 10th, 2011
Thyroid cancer (cancer of the thyroid gland) comes in four variations: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. Papillary and medullary are slow-growing and sometimes return, but respond well to treatment in patients under middle age.
Medullary also responds well to treatment, if it has not already spread. Anaplastic developes rapidly and responds badly to healing. The spread of these kinds of cancer is not uniform throughout the world, but is roughly: 78% for papillary; 17% for follicular; 4% for medullary and 1% for anaplastic.
Usually, the first symptom of difficulty is the growth of a nodule or nodules in the neck in close proximity to the thyroid gland. However, only 5% of these are malignant. Occasionally an early warning sign is discomfort or even pain; sometimes, the lymph nodes swell, the voice changes or there is hypo- or hyper- thyroidism.
Diagnosis usually takes place after a nodule is discovered during a (routine) physical examination. The patient is then referred to an endocrinologist or a thyroidologist, who will arrange an ultrasound test or a biopsy. Using a thin needle enough cells can be taken to perform an accurate test on the precise state of the thyroid and whether the nodules are cancerous.
Papillary thyroid cancer more frequently occurs in women and frequently in the 30-40 year old age group and is often characterized by bulging eyes. If the growth is less than 1cm in size a partial thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy would probably be recommended.
Above 1cm and a full thyroidectomy is preferred. Some surgeons would rather a full thyroidectomy anyway because the cancer cannot come back then.
Follicular thyroid cancer is more common in women over 50 years of age. Therapy is most often full thyroidectomy as the threat of recurrence of this aggressive form is quite big for partial surgery.
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) begins in the cells that produce the hormone calcitonin. Increased levels of calcitonin in the blood are a reasonable indication of MTC, although these elevated levels of calcitonin are almost certainly not harmful in themselves.
Mutations in the DNA concerned in cell growth and development are responsible for nearly all cases of hereditary or familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. Hereditary medullary thyroid cancer is inherited as a 50/50 probability from each affected parent. DNA analysis makes it feasible to identify children who carry the mutant gene.
Surgical removal of the thyroid in children who bear the mutant gene is effective if the whole thyroid gland is removed at an early age, before there is a spread of the tumor. Hereditary MTC accounts for around 25% of all cases of MTC. The other 75% of cases are called sporadic MTC and usually happen in older patients.
Frequently the disease is well advanced in these cases as there has been no screening as in hereditary MTC. The first sign is frequently diarhoea. The likelihood of surviving MTC seem to be linked to the rate at which the patient?s post operative calcitonin levels double.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is highly aggressive and likelihood of survival are almost zero. It is resistant to all known cancer medications and invades nearby tissue rapidly.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on quite a few topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Tags: cancer, death, disease, elderly care, health, hospital, illness, other, palliative care, recuperation, self improvement, thyroid, Uncategorized, unclassified
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