Lung Cancer Causes Treatment

The most common of all cancers is lung cancer, which is caused due to sudden improper and rapid growth in the tissue cells of the lungs. Lung cancer alone is responsible for 1.2 million deaths annually.

The number of people suffering from lung cancer has increased which can be accredited to the changing lifestyle of the general population. Shortness of breath, coughing, bleeding while coughing and weight loss, are some of the common symptoms of lung cancer.

Cigarette smoking is regarded the most common cause of lung cancer. According to various studies, the risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked in due course. Pipe and cigar smoking also cause lung cancer however; the threat is not the same as with cigarette smoking.

Apart from cigarette smoking high levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure can also increase the possibility of contracting lung cancer.

The two basic types of lung cancers can be:

• Small Cell Lung Cancer: Smoking is one of the most common cause for SCLC.

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: NSCLC can of four types, they are Squamous cell carcinoma (also called epidermoid carcinoma), Large Cell Carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Characteristically, cancer develops over a period of many years and if identified at an early stage can be eliminated by treatment. There are no specific signs or symptoms in the early stages as they only occur in the advanced stages. Therefore, its treatment must be based on the specific type of cell, the location of the lung tumor, the stage of the disease with probable metastasis (spread to other parts of the body) keeping in mind the general health of the person in question.

Some of the common methods in which lung cancer can be detected include chest radiography and computed tomography (CT). Once lung cancer is detected it is only confirmed with a biopsy. Biopsy refers to a medical test based on removing cells from a living tissue and thereby examining the same. One of the important factors for the treatment of lung cancer is histopathology, that is, the identification of the location and stage of the diseased tissue type of tumor. Some other treatment plans may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery.

Acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins and special diet plans are some alternative treatments which have found their way in recent times.

Copyright 2009

How to Manage Skin Cancer Symptoms and Treatments

Skin cancer can occur to any individual and is the most common type of skin cancer in the U.S. The frequency of skin cancer has reached such a level that nearly one million people are affected by skin cancer every year. Due to lack of knowledge many people are unable to treat skin cancer on time, as certain skin outgrowths, moles and discoloration of the skin are regarded as normal skin problems.

In skin cancer the normal cells are affected by the cancerous cells which weaken the normal functioning of the organs. Subsequently cancer spreads to the other organs as well. The individual suffering from skin cancer suffers with an uneasy feeling as the skin of the body is affected.

There are three types of skin cancers; namely basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. With early detection these can be treated because once skin cancer spreads its very difficult to be treated. There are no specific symptoms of skin cancer before its occurrence. However, the common causes of skin cancer may include heredity (family history of skin cancer), exposure to ultraviolet rays, over exposure to sunlight, and exposure to certain deadly chemicals. Therefore, sunburns or to-much of suntan must be avoided with the application of ointments in order to stay protected from harmful radiations from the sun.

The skin cancer initiates from the moles of the skin which is known as dysplastic nevi. The moles may change in colour or size and/or may start bleeding. Aged people are more prone to such disease.

There are various standard and alternative treatment options available for skin cancer which may include the following:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Electro chemo therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Hyperthermia
• Photodynamic therapy
• Nutritional therapy
• Pain management
• Naturopathy
• Psycho-neuroimmunology
• Spiritual support therapy
• Biological therapy

It is the melanomas form of skin cancer which needs to be surgically removed, whereas other skin cancers, that is, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma treated by removing affected and surrounding tissues.

In case of low risk cancer radiation treatment and cryotherapy may help in early treatment of the cancer. As compared to the cases where cancer is spread and metastasized then surgery and/or chemotherapy is required. Therefore, it is important to note any oddity in the skin, such as the appearance of a blemish on the skin or a discoloration or change in a mole.

Copyright 2009

Testicular Cancer Scrotum

Cancer may affect any part of the body; lungs, stomach, respiratory organs and other parts. Testicular cancer is a common form of cancer in men, which occurs in the male egg shaped sex glands in the scrotum. It is the testicles which produce and store sperms which secrete male hormones.
This type of cancer is accountable for only one percent of all the cancers in the men. However, it occurs in young men ageing between 15-34 years with being more prevalent in white men than in Asian and blacks. Like other cancers, an early and infancy detection of testicular cancer can help in increasing the survival ratio along with appropriate administration of treatment.

Testicular cancer is also known as germ cell tumor. It is of two types, namely:

Seminoma: This accounts for about 40% of testicular cancer

Nonseminoma: This is further categorized into choriocarcinoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumors

Mixed germ cell tumors: The cancer which is the combination of both cancers

There are no specific symptoms of testicular cancer as it can only be detected by an accident. Therefore, regular self examination of the private parts is very important to detect any unusual lump.

Certain abnormal symptoms may include:

• A pea, or egg size protuberance (of any size)
• Inflamed swollen testicles
• A sensation of heaviness or sudden flow of liquid in the scrotum

Apart from the above some other symptoms which need a physician’s examination may be related to a dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin, or an unusual tenderness in the breasts.

Underdevelopment of testicles, Klinefelter’s syndrome where the man experience sterility, small testes, breast enlargement and lesser male hormones and those who have had testicular cancer are all prone developing cancer on the other testicle in the 25 years after the attack.

There are three stages of testicular cancer, namely:

Stage 1: Where the cancer is timely detected and is limited and confined to the testicles

Stage 2: Where the cancer may spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes which are situated at the back of the body below the diaphragm

Stage 3: Where the testicular cancer spreads beyond the lymph nodes to other parts of the body

The treatment is determined on the basis of type and stage of the testicular cancer, which involve the removal of the affected testicle. Before opting for any kind of surgery the side effects of fertility and sexuality must also be looked upon.

Copyright 2009

Testicular Cancer Causes

The testicles are also known as the testes or gonads which form the male sex glands. They are located behind the penis in a pocket of skin known as the scrotum. Testicular cancer arises when the cells become wicked (cancerous) in either one or both of the testicles.

The testicles are responsible for production and storage of sperms apart from being the main source of male hormones. The development of other male features like body, facial hair, voice, shoulders and other reproductive organs is based on such hormones.

Testicular cancer amounts to about 1-2% of cancers in men, with the number slowly increasing with time. Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 15 and 39.

The reasons for the cause and increase of testicular cancer are yet to be identified by the researchers. However, some of the reasons can be linked with:

• Exposure to female hormones in a watery environment, from the oral contraceptive pill
• Undescended testicles also known as cryptorchidism where one or both testicles stay inside the body after birth and never form part of the scrotum. Even the surgery to move the testicle into the scrotum cannot avoid the risk associated with cancer, which is further applied to both testicles
• Congenital abnormalities when men with abnormalities of the testicles, penis or kidneys are at high risk
• Men who are born with a hernia in the groin area are at a greater risk
• The risk of testicular cancer increases with conditions such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, where the testicles do not develop normally
• Mumps orchitis where an rare complication of mumps on one or both testicles become inflamed
• Men who have had testicular cancer are at a greater risk of developing cancer in other testicle
• Family history, that is, a male with a close relative, a sibling or father with testicular cancer is more likely to develop the disease a compared to other men
• Nationality also plays an important role as testicular cancer is more common among Caucasian males as compared to African or Asian men

Regular self examination of the private parts is very vital for the identification of any oddity with regards to any lump or swelling or discomfort in the testicle. In case of which doctor’s examination is a must. Who would further decide the treatment process based on the type of cancer, that is, seminomas or nonseminoma.

Copyright 2009

Skin Cancer Health Guide

Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States which usually affects the white skinned people who have been exposed to the sun, x-rays, or ultraviolet (UV) light for prolonged periods. Nearly 600,000 caucasians are affected by skin cancer every year.

The main cause of skin cancer is the overexposure to sunlight, especially with outcomes in the form of sunburn and blistering, and this further been confirmed by medical experts as well. Repetitiveness of getting sun burnt causes cancer of the skin. However, overexposure to sun may also cause the development of certain skin illnesses including cancer and skin carcinoma.

Though sun shades are considered a must have rather than a fashion accessory. Though usages of tanning beds also pose common parable risks of cancer, therefore, there usage can be limited.

Ultraviolet is part of the spectrum of radiation emitted by the sun, which is divided into different wavelengths known as UVA, UVB and UVC. Of these the UVC has the shortest wavelength and is the most dangerous for the skin. UVB on the other hand increases in quantity during the summertime. It is the UVB radiations which cause the burning of the skin and is related with the common skin cancers.

UVA has the longest wavelengths of all and has the tendency of penetrating deeply into the skin. And they pose less tanning and burning sensations with low doses.

Sun beds are different from natural sunlight, as the sun beds provide UVA and UVB. Though the sun bed tan does provide protection up to a certain degree but it does not help in a naturally produced tan.

There is significant amount of UVB in the natural sun, which causes the surface of the skin called the epidermis to thicken which gives an added Skin Cancer and Sun Protection.

The repeated use of sun beds can cause the following problems:
• Premature wrinkles
• Brown patches
• Broken blood vessels
• Leathery looking skin
• Increased risk of melanoma type of skin cancer which is the most fatal

Exposure to tons of lethal ultraviolet sunrays can not only develop into bad sunburn but may also be the cause of peel cancer. A mixture of radiation care and cryotherapy (or freezing) is used to treat and control the low risk cancer. But in cased the disease spreads then treatments like chemotherapy are advised.

Copyright 2009