Showing posts with label Stages. Show all posts

What Is Prostate Cancer? Prostate Cancer Stages

Monday, December 12, 2011 · Posted in , ,

Counted amongst one of the most dangerous diseases today, prostate cancer is the cancerous growth consisting of the cells from the prostate gland in males. Most commonly, the tumor grows and remains confined to the gland only for years together. However, as the cancer advances to further stages, it can spread significantly beyond the prostate, affected the adjoining tissues. Additionally, in worst cases, the cancer can also spread to other areas of body and significantly impact the functioning of other important organs including lungs, liver and also bones.

Although the causes of prostate cancer are unknown, the risk factors include aging, heredity factors, hormonal influences, and to an extent also environmental factors such as exposure to toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. While age is a major factor, heredity factors too play a significant role in the risk of developing prostate cancer. While the time the tumor grows in the prostate gland, it rarely shows any symptoms upon physical examination as they are generally associated with the later stages of the cancer. However, in rare cases, the tumor might show a very rapid growth and result in a significant deterioration of the health of the affected individuals. Normally, a prostate cancer is first tested with a major abnormality on blood tests or as a hard lump in the prostate gland. In more advanced cases however, the cancerous tissues may enlarge and press on the urethra resulting in painful urination. As the tumor grows, it further blocks the flow of urine.

A significant measure of the gravity of the person's health is the Gleason score which is calculated by trained pathologists upon observing prostate biopsy specimens under the microscope at regular intervals. Considering the fact that the disease is the second most common cancer after lung cancer, going by the experts' advice, it is recommended to undergo the screening for prostate cancer to be on the safe side.


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Prostate Cancer Stages and Treatments

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 · Posted in , , ,

The prostate is a chestnut shaped gland located in men under the bladder in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when cells within the prostate grow out of control, creating tumors. It is the leading cause of cancer in American men. The risk of getting prostate cancer increases with age. Over 700,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year. For early stages of prostate cancer, signs and symptoms are usually not evident. Prostate cancer is rare in men under 50, but those with a family history should get checked regularly.

In order to confirm cancer stages in the prostate, a biopsy must be performed. If the biopsy confirms that cancer exists, the next step is to know what stage the cancer is in. The prostate cancer stage will help determine the best course of treatment to take. Various tests are done to determine if the cancer has spread, including imaging and blood tests. The clinical stage uses results fro the digital rectal exam, trans-rectal ultrasound or needle biopsy.

A common staging system used for prostate cancer is the TNM system. This means T-Tumor, N-Nodes and M-Metastasize. First, the size and extent of the primary tumor is described/measured. Then checks are done to see of the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or metastasized elsewhere.

In the T stages (T1-T4) the cancer is rated from 0 to 4 depending on evidence of the cancer being localized in the prostate gland and surrounding areas. For T-0, there is no evidence of a primary tumor in the prostate. T-1 (a, b, or c) shows a tumor in the prostate, with a less than 5%, b greater than 5% and c -there is evidence of a tumor as identified by a needle biopsy. For T-2 stages, the tumor is confined within the prostate. In the T2a stag, the tumor affects one-half or less of one lobe, In the T2b stage, the tumor affects more than half of one lobe but not both lobes. For T2c, the tumor affects both lobes. When the tumors are confined to the prostate in stages T1-T2, the disease usually has cure rates of 90% or higher.

T3a stage indicates the tumor has extended beyond the prostate capsule. Stage T3b, the tumor has invaded the seminal vesicle. For stage T4, the tumor has invaded surrounding areas.

One of the best treatments for prostate cancer (T1 and T2 stages and some T3 cases) is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, since the cure rate is very high, but it is non-surgical and non-invasive, so side effects are minimal. Speak to your urologist about HIFU and other forms of treatment if you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. HIFU is particularly suited to younger men (50-75) who don't want the risk of impotency and incontinence generally associated with prostate cancer surgery. For more information, you can view the Hifu.ca website, as they are the oldest and most popular HIFU clinic in North America, and provide a wealth of information on options, stages and research.

Nancy Stonecutter is a nurse who writes about family and child care. Visit her blog at http://www.nancythenurse.wordpress.com/ for more information.


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Lung Cancer - Classification, Stages, Symptoms, Causes, Effects, Prevention, Detection and Treatment

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 · Posted in , , , , , , , ,

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Lung cancer is caused by uncontrolled rapid growth of cells in tissues. This type of cancer is most common and results in more than a million deaths every year. This form of cancer is indicated by weight loss or coughing up blood or regularly going out of breath. It can be noticed on chest radio graph also called CT Scan. The treatment that one gets depends on the stage that one is in. Treatment of cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

CLASSIFICATION

Lung cancers are classified after studying under them microscope. Classification is necessary as different type of cancer is treated differently. Large portion of lung cancer are carcinomas - malignancies that grow from epithelial cells. Lung-carcinomas are categorized into two types: non -small and small-cell lung carcinoma. Non-small cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma account for 80. 4% and 16. 8% frequency of lung cancer, respectively.

1. NON -SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA

The non -small cell lung carcinomas are grouped together as their prognosis and management are same up to some extent. They are further classified into three types: squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell lung carcinoma. Squamous cell lung cancer originates near a central bronchus. They account for 25% of lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma starts in peripheral lung tissue. The cases of adenocarcinoma are a result of smoking. They accounts to 40% of non -small cell lung cancers.

2. SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA

This type of lung cancer is rare. It is sometimes referred to as "oat cell" carcinoma. Most of the times they originate from larger airways (primary and secondary bronchi ) and from there they grow at a rapid pace. This type of lung cancer if mostly associated with smoking.

SECONDARY CANCERS

These cancers are classified on the basis of site of origin like breast cancer but has spread to the lung. Majority of the lung cancers in children are secondary.

STAGING OF LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer staging is used to asses the degree of spread of the cancer from its place of origin. It is an important factor that determines the potential treatment of lung cancer. The degree starts from 1A to 4, 1A being best prognosis and 4 being worst.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Following are the symptoms of lung cancer: 1. Voice becoming hoarse. 2. Sudden loss of weight. 3. Feeling pain in chest region or abdomen. 4. Difficulty in swallowing. 5. Loss of appetite. 6. Running out of breath. Many of the symptoms mentioned above are non -specific. By the time they notice symptoms or signs, cancer has already spread from place of origin. Very few people with this cancer have signs at time of diagnosis, these cancers are noticed on routine chest radio graph.

CAUSES

The three main causes of cancer are: carcinogens (which is found in tobacco ), viral infection and ionizing radiation. If exposed, it causes changes to DNA in tissue lining the bronchi of the lungs. With more and more tissues getting damaged, cancer develops.

1. SMOKING

Smoking is the main cause of cancer. In one cigarette, there are 60 different known types of carcinogens like radioisotopes and nitrosamine. Smoking is believed to cause 80% of these type of cases. The risk is generally less in non -smokers. The time that a person smokes proportionately increases the chances of this cancer. There has been cases that if a person stops smoking, the damaged cells gradually gets repaired. In non-smokers, passive smoking is the main causes of lung-cancer. Passive smoking is one inhaled from another person smoking.

2. RADON GAS

The gas produced from breakdown of radium. This gas is colourless and odorless. Exposure to radiation ionize the genetic material, causing mutations that sometimes turn cancerous. Exposure to radon gas is the second major cause of lung-cancer after smoking.

3. ASBESTOS

Asbestos is responsible for causing a number of cancer, one among them is lung cancer. In UK, asbestos accounts for 2 to 3% of the total cases of this cancer.

4. VIRUS

Viruses are responsible for causing lung-cancer in animals. And research has shown of similar potential in humans.

5. PARTICULATE MATTER

Particulate matter has a direct link to lung cancer cases. The size and quantity of particles in air determines the risk of getting lung-cancer. If concentration of particles increases beyond 1%, then the chances of getting this increases by 14%.

PATHOGENESIS

Just like may other cancer forms, lung cancer is started by activation of ocnogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressing genes. Ocnogenes are those genes that make people more vulnerable to cancer. Ocnogenes are produced from proto-ocnogenes, when the latter is exposed to particular carcinogens. In k-ras proto-oncogene, mutations takes place which are responsible for 10 to 30% of lung adenocarcinomas. Tumor invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell profileration are regulated by the Epidermal growth factor receptor. Mutations and amplification of EGFR are common in non -small cell lung cancer. The basis for treatment with EGFR-inhibitors are also provided by Mutation and amplification of EGFR. Chromosomal damage can lead to loss of heterozygosity which can result in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Damage to four of these chromosomes:3p, 5q, 13 q and 17 p are common in small cell lung-carcinoma. The p53, which is a tumor suppressor gene, located on chromosome 17p is affected in most of the cases. c-MET, NKX2-1, LKB1, PIK3A and BRAF are also mutated or amplified. Various genetic polymorphisms are supplementary to this cancer. Some of them include polymorphisms in genes coding for interleukin-1, cytochrome p450, apoptosis promoters such as caspase-8, and XRCC1, which is DNA repair molecule. People having these polymorphisms are more likely to develop lung cancer on being exposed to carcinogens. The research has revealed that MDM2 309G allele is a low-penetrant risk factor for developing this in Asians.

DIAGNOSIS

If a person has reported symptoms that might suggest cancer related to lungs, then chest radio graph is performed in the first step. The test reveals the widening of mediastinium, atelectasis and pleural effusion. Even if there are no radio graphic findings but the hint of this is high because of things like the person being heavy smoker with blood-stained sputum then CT-Scan may provide the necessary data. If findings are unnatural in cells in sputum, then they multiplies the risk of this type of cancer. Early detection can be done by Sputum cytologic examination together with other screening examinations. The differential diagnosis for those patients who show irregularities on chest cardiograph consider cancer related to lungs along with non malignant diseases. These consider infectious reasons like tuberculosis or pneumonia. The above mentioned diseases can lead to lung nodules.

PREVENTION

Prevention, just like always, is better than cure. Steps in this direction have been taken by may countries by identifying carcinogens and banning them but tobacco, which is the major cause of lung cancer, is still common. Eliminating cigarette smoking is first hand target in the prevention of lung cancer. Steps to lessen Passive smoking have also being taken by banning smoking in public places and workplaces. New Zealand has restricted smoking in open places. A similar step is also taken by Chandigarh, India. Bhutan has criminalized smoking since 2005.

SCREENING

Screening is used to detect disease by doing medical tests when the patient is not showing any symptoms. Chest radio graph or computed tomography are the tests used for screening of lung cancer. But, results have shown, that screening tests for lung cancer rarely has shown any benefit.

TREATMENT

The treatment of lung cancer can be done in following ways, depending on the stage or degree of cancer:

1. SURGERY

If doctors have detected lung cancer, then CT scan and positron emission tomography are usually applied to check if the disease is placed and surgery can be done or it has moved to the point where performing surgery is not possible. Surgery can only be performed if spirometry reveals good respiratory reserve, but if it is poor, then surgery is not possible. Even surgery has a death operative rate of 4. 4% but that is because of patient's lung function and other factors.

2. CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy, along with radiation, is used to treat small cell lung carcinoma. Primary chemotherapy is also used in metastatic non -small cell lung carcinoma.

3. RADIOTHERAPY

Radiotherapy, with chemotherapy, is given when patient is not fit to under go surgery. This type of high intensity radiotherapy is called radical radiotherapy. CHART (continuos hyperfractioned accelerated radiotherapy ) is refined version of this technique in which a high dose of radiotherapy is given for a short period of time. When cancer affects a short section of bronchus, then brachytherapy is given.

EPIDEMOLOGY

Lung cancer is the most widely reported cancer. There are 1. 35 million cases every year and 1. 18 million deaths. Lung cancer develop among those who have a history of smoking over a long period of years i. e 50 years and above. In addition to smoking, passive smoking is also a factor that causes lung cancer. Even the emissions from factories, automobiles, power plants pose a threat to human health. Lung cancer is found to have a reciprocal effect with sunlight and UVB exposure. This is due to effect of Vitamin D, produced in skin during exposure to sunlight.

We, whealthfitness means world fitness health provide important and valuable health and fitness like Lung Cancer Information on our latest Disease Information Blog. For more information visit our website whealthfitness.com.

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Stopping Premature Ejaculation - Discover the Stages of Sexual Arousal and Achieve Superior Control

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 · Posted in , , , , , , , , ,

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Learning how to control your sexual arousal is considered to be the most important step, especially it is important for stopping premature ejaculation during sexual activity. In other words, you can last longer in bed if you can understand and control each stages of your arousal. If you don't know about the stages of arousal, below is the answer.

There are 10 stages of arousal during your sexual activity.

First Stage: You are beginning with the excitement, but you will not feel it yet.

Second Stage: You start to notice your excitement as mentioned, such as, rapid heartbeat. This condition usually happens when you are playing around with your partner (foreplay).

Third Stage: Your penis should be contacted in this stage, by hands or mouth.

Fourth Stage: Your excitement will increase.

Fifth State: The real sexual intercourse should start in this stage.

Sixth Stage: You are in the middle of the intercourse and your excitement will increase more.

Seventh Stage: Your excitement begins to peak and you are entering the point of no return.

Eighth Stage: Your muscles start clenching in pleasure.

Ninth Stage: This is considered to be the last point before your pleasure peaks. You can't turn back at this point.

Tenth Stage: You reach your climax and ejaculate.

These are the 10 basic stages of the sexual arousal. Well, it may look too difficult if you have to go through all 10 stages as mentioned. So, just follow these tips in order to understand and control over your excitement.

Episode 1 (stage 1 to 3): This is the beginning of your excitement.

Episode 2 (stage 4 to 8): This period is called "arousal plateau". Your arousal does not rise in this time, but it presents in the steady level. So, you should try your best to stay in this period as long as you can.

Episode 3 (stage 9 and 10): This is the last episode and your ejaculation should happen because this episode contains the point of no return. Keep in mind that you cannot avoid ejaculation once you enter this episode. So, if you still want to stay in bed with your partner, then you should try your best to stay away from this one. Just practice for a while and you will be able to know which stage you are in and you will be able to stop premature ejaculation.

Episode 4 is not in the listed above, but for me, this is considered to be the best and effective episode for Stopping Premature Ejaculation and helped me to last at least 15 minutes longer in bed.

THIS CLICK will make you say good bye to premature ejaculation and you will not be laughed at again, forever. Guaranteed!

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

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