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Cancers Other... |
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» Bladder Cancer Bladder Cancer Explanation TBA Who is at risk Cigarette smoking is the number 1 cause of bladder cancer. By giving up the use of tobacco products, people can significantly lessen the risk of developing bladder cancer in the future. Other factors which may be associated with bladder cancer include: Schistosomiasis-this parasitic infection is associated with bladder cancer because it irritates the bladder wall. Signs and Symptoms Usually the first and only sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, usually in the absence of pain. Urine colour can vary from one day and not reappear for days, weeks or months. Other signs include frequent urination, strong urges to urinate and discomfort or burning during urinating; if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, see a physician. Prevention TBA Diagnosis TBA Treatment Options TBA Surgery Most bladder cancer is treated by surgery. Single papillary tumours generally can be removed during cystoscopy. A small wire loop attached to the end of the instrument encircles the stem of the tumour, snips it off and cauterizes (kills cells by electric current) the tissue lying underneath. The tumour is removed from the bladder along with the cystoscope. Patients with papillary tumours usually have cystoscopies at regular intervals to look for and excise new growth if they appear. Patients with more invasive and aggressive bladder cancer sometimes require surgical removal of their bladders. This procedure is called a cystectomy. When the bladder is taken out, it is replaced with a short section of the patient?s small intestine. The urethras which carry urine from the kidney to the bladder are attached to one end of this new pouch: the other end of the pouch is attached to the lover urinary passage to allow near normal urination or to the abdominal wall, near the navel, where it forms an opening called a stoma. A bag is placed over the stoma and removes the urine. Radiation Therapy can also be used to treat bladder cancer. It rarely interferes with potency in males or with urinary control in both sexes. Chemotherapy A catheter is inserted and a chemotherapeutic agent is passed into the bladder: it stays there for a few hours and soaks the lining of the bladder. This procedure may be repeated to reduce the risk of developing new tumours. It is also given intravenously when cancer cells from the bladder have spread to other parts of the body. Other TBA Kidney Cancer Explanation TBA Who is at risk Smoking cigarettes, pipes and cigars is strongly associated with developing cancer of the kidney. Working around coke ovens may also increase people?s risk for developing this type of cancer. Signs and Symptoms The earliest sign of kidney cancer may be hematuria (blood in the urine). Although bloody or dark urine may be caused by conditions other than cancer, anyone who passes blood in the urine should immediately see a physician. Later symptoms of kidney cancer include a pain in the side or a lump in the abdomen. Prevention TBA Diagnosis TBA Treatment Options TBA Surgery Surgery is the primary treatment form kidney cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body. A radical nephrectomy, during which the kidney, portions of the surrounding tissue, and nearby lymph glands are removed, is the major type of surgery performed. The other kidney generally takes up the functions formerly shared by both Radiotherapy Radiotherapy consists of giving a dose of radiation to cancer cells which will result in their destruction with minimal damage to surrounding normal tissue. Chemotherapy and Hormones Treatment of kidney cancer with anticancer agents, including hormones and drugs (chemotherapy) has not had good results. Other TBA Ovarian Cancer Explanation TBA Who is at risk There are no known causes of ovarian cancer. Women with a family history of ovarian, breast and/or colon cancer are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Childbirth and the use of oral contraceptives appear to decrease the risk of developing ovarian cancer Signs and Symptoms The early signs of ovarian cancer might include vague and persistent digestive disturbances such as stomach distention, discomfort and gas. If it remains undetected and untreated, other symptoms appear. The most common one is an enlarged abdomen. The swelling is caused by a collection of fluid contained within the tumour (called a cyst). Another symptom of ovarian cancer can be abnormal vaginal bleeding. Prevention The cause of ovarian cancer is still unknown. Some studies have shown that a diet high in fruit and vegetables may decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. Diagnosis TBA Treatment Options Ovarian cancer is generally treated by a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment is individualized to each patient?s needs and is determined by the type of tumour and whether it has spread Surgery Ovarian cancer is most often treated by surgery. During the operation, one or both of the ovaries is removed. Often times, the uterus and fallopian tubes are taken out as well as precautionary measure or because cancer cells have spread to them. Other TBA Pancreatic Cancer Explanation TBA Who is at risk Cigarette smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer. Caffeine consumption has already been linked to pancreatic cancer. However, diet may also be implicated in the onset of this type of cancer. Signs and Symptoms A vague pain in the upper abdomen that sometimes spreads around or through the back. Back pain, usually persistent, that worsens while eating or lying down and is relieved by sitting up or bending forward. A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. ( If this sign appears, see a physician immediately.) Although these signs and symptoms are probably unrelated to pancreatic cancer, if they last longer than two weeks a physician should be seen. Prevention By eating a well-balanced varied diet low in fat and high in fibre and by not smoking, you are decreasing your chances of getting pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis TBA Treatment Options TBA Surgery Most successfully treated by removal of the pancreas. Recent advances in surgical procedures and pre-and postoperative care have made this extensive surgery relatively safe. Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used to damage or destroy cancer cells while minimally harming the nearby normal tissue. Other TBA Stomach Cancer Explanation TBA Who is at risk There is no known cause of stomach cancer, although it is thought that diet plays a key role. Signs and Symptoms The first noticeable signs of stomach cancer are a vague digestive discomfort or mild abdominal pain, slight but persistent nausea or heartburn. If these signs persist over a period of several weeks, or keep recurring from time to time, consult your doctor. Other signs such as blood in the stool, vomiting, extreme fatigue or rapid weight loss should also be checked out by your doctor. Prevention TBA Diagnosis TBA Treatment Options The best treatment option is surgery, which involves part or all of the stomach being removed. Sometimes, other abdominal organs such as the spleen or the pancreas, which are in the immediate neighbourhood of the stomach tumour, must also be removed. Treatment with drugs (chemotherapy) may also occur, either by itself or in conjunction with surgery. Other TBA Thyroid Cancer Explanation TBA Who is at risk The only known risk for thyroid cancer is radiation. From the 1920?s to the mid-1950?s, thousands of children received x-ray treatments to the head and neck areas. Back then, x-ray therapy was used to treat swollen tonsils and adenoids, ringworm of the scalp, acne and other non-cancerous conditions; no one foresaw its long-term complications. Signs and Symptoms Thyroid cancer tumours may grow silently for years. Aside from an enlarged thyroid gland or lumps in the neck, there are no early signs or symptoms for this type of cancer. Left undetected and untreated, however, the later stages of thyroid cancer might cause hoarseness or difficulty in breathing. Prevention TBA Diagnosis TBA Treatment Options TBA Surgery is most often used therapy, some people also use radiation therapy. When the thyroid gland is partially or completely removed, the procedure is called a thyroidectomy. When the entire thyroid is removed, thyroid hormone pills are taken for a lifetime. Thyroid pills control the body's metabolic rate just as the thyroid?s naturally-produced thyroxine. Other TBA Other Cancers » Bladder Cancer
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