Author Archive
Once upon a time in San Antonio
San Antonio is a Texas city with few attractions, apart from the archaeological remains of the battle of the Alamo. However, few are dedicated to breast cancer pilgrimage there almost every year. The reason is the international symposium on breast cancer, the most important of all dedicated to the most common malignant tumor of women, the global meeting of experts where they reveal the results of more substantial research.
On 10 December, Dr. Josep Baselga (Hospital Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona and Massachusetts in the U.S.) occupied the central lectern ‘of SanAntonio’ to communicate the results of neo-ALTTO trial. This is a coordinated effort of 24 countries in Europe, America and Asia, with a huge turnout of SOLTI, a group of researchers from spain. Read the rest of this entry »
Childhood Psoriasis
Indeed, his suspicions were confirmed: These lesions responded to the first symptoms of the condition. Now the child is 10 years and the truth is that “although we know that is chronic, when not being very aggressive. In fact, we are only using topical products (creams, ointments, …). ”
Angeles summarizes the daily routine of its small: “A good moisturizer after showering and at night, depending on how you, try the head, body and everything.” As he explains, if you feel your child scratches his head and begins to have an outbreak, has four topical medications to be combined, some other softer and more steroids. Read the rest of this entry »
Lung Cancer Increased in 2020
Are two curves diverge: while lung cancer mortality in Spain and most other EU countries lower among men (the exception is Portugal), among women not only rises, but is accelerating. Specifically, between 1990 and 2007, a spokesman for the Spanish Health Ministry said that the lung cancer mortality in men decreased by 19% in the EU, and 4% in Spain. In contrast, among women increased by 39% in the EU, a rate that Spain doubles and reaches 73%. 20% of women smoke, a figure that increases slightly in each National Health Survey.
Compared with what is, by far, the first female cancer, both incidence and mortality, “the breast, is that in the EU, the mortality has fallen by 9% between 1990 and 2007, and Spain 24%. The projection of what will happen in Spain seems clear. With the delay due to the late entry of women to smoking, the country follows the same path traveled by U.S. and northern Europe, where lung cancer is already the leading cause of death in women, ahead of breast (in large studies comparing these two women with colorectal cancer, which are the first, and in men breast changes the prostate). For example, this is the case in Denmark since 1996. In Hungary the case since 2005 or so. And if it confirms the trend, and there is no indication that it will not be confirmed, the projections are that Spain will occur after 2020, indicates Massutà Bartholomew, secretary of the Spanish Group for Lung Cancer (GEPC). Read the rest of this entry »
Cancer and Semen Quality
A report released by the European Science Foundation (ESF, according to its acronym in English) warns of the deteriorating reproductive health of men and reveals that the poor “can have effects on the overall health of man.”
The key is the primary male hormone, whose role is not limited to the sexual sphere. “It has been observed that young people have lower levels of testosterone, which increases their risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes,” said Nicolas Olea, Professor, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Granada, who was part research.
The causes of the dramatic worsening of male reproductive health are not entirely clear, but more and more clues. The ESF report describes several genetic factors that are associated with poorer quality of sperm, but experts believe that lifestyle is the decisive factor. Read the rest of this entry »
What is the FIT?
The fecal immunochemical test for blood in stool with the help of antibodies, is the most appropriate and least costly for the prevention of colorectal cancer, according to studies by Canadian researchers at the University of Calgary.
The advantage of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which can be carried out annually compared to colonoscopy, which is carried out every ten years as a preventive measure is that it offers more opportunities for abnormalities, the researchers led by Branden Manns.
For the study, whose results were published in the online edition of the journal PLoS Medicine (November 2010, Volume 7), we used data from two groups of people between 50 and 64 and 65 to 75, which had a risk average of developing colorectal cancer. Read the rest of this entry »
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Gorlin syndrome is a genetically determined disease in which there are multiple basal cell carcinomas with ‘pits’ on the palms of hands and soles of the feet and other systemic disorders such as jaw cysts, rib and vertebral abnormalities, among others.
The pits (circular punctate lesions of one or two mm) are presented in soles and palms. Are due to an alteration in the maturation of the cells that form this special skin (palmoplantar). In particular, result from the premature desquamation of keratin immature resulting from the delay in the maturation of epidermal basal cells. In some patients, at the base of the lesions detected small basal cell carcinomas.
You should never remove carcinomas with liquid nitrogen or any other system discussed previously. It should be a histologic diagnosis of carcinoma before treating. There are currently no invasive diagnostic methods (confocal microscope) to avoid taking a biopsy. The confocal microscope is a method for analyzing cells in situ on the patient, and non-invasive (no need for skin or stitches).
Tracking Ovarian Cancer : Commentary
During the last decade, research efforts have focused on protocols for detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer in early stages. Unfortunately, achieving this goal has been difficult and to date not been demonstrated that monitoring strategies or systematic screening tests have reduced mortality from ovarian cancer.
Since 80% to 90% of women who presented ovarian tumors have no family history of the disease and that screening in the general population is not yet effective, it is important for patients and physicians know the symptoms of cancer ovary to establish the diagnosis as quickly as possible. Theoretically lead to early diagnosis of tumor detection in early stages, when the chance of cure is significantly higher. Even if that early diagnosis through symptoms does not detect early stage disease, will make optimal cytoreduction in advanced disease. Read the rest of this entry »
Tracking Ovarian Cancer
Frequency of Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer in women attending primary care centers
More severe symptoms or more frequent than expected and newly emerging diagnostic warrant further investigation because it is more likely to be associated with both benign and malignant ovarian masses.
Introduction
Ovarian cancer has been called the “silent murderer”, because it is believed that the symptoms do not appear until the advanced stages of the disease, when chances for cure are limited. However, several retrospective studies indicated that most patients have symptoms, although not necessarily a gynecological nature. These studies were criticized by the small number of patients included and the retrospective analysis used for data collection.
The aim of this study was to identify the frequency, severity and duration of symptoms typically associated with ovarian cancer in a population of women presenting in primary care. Comparisons were made with 128 patients with ovarian masses were monitored for symptoms prior to surgery, and before the establishment of the diagnosis of cancer or benign tumor. Read the rest of this entry »
Lung Cancer : Diagnosis
Can early diagnosis?
At present there is no evidence that meet the requirements to be considered for early diagnosis of lung cancer in the general population. In 2006 published a study that evaluated the role of CT in smokers as a method of early detection. Although initial results were encouraging, did not increase survival. However, due to the frequency of occurrence of this tumor research efforts to get them do not stop.
How is it diagnosed?
The first step is the realization of the history. It is essential to know the symptoms for the patient comes to the consultation and to investigate whether or not smoking, the type of work done, family history of disease and personal history of another tumor. The second step is the realization of the physical examination of the patient for signs and symptoms that could correspond to the Lung Cancer. Read the rest of this entry »
Lung Cancer : Symptoms
In the early stages of the disease, lung cancer, does not produce any symptoms or are too specific. The diagnosis at this stage is usually accidental, that is diagnosed by tests that are performed to discover other health problems. In most cases, lung cancer is diagnosed when symptoms require the patient to seek medical advice. Due to the fact that the symptoms are delayed, often lung cancer is diagnosed in advanced stages.
The symptoms depend on the location and extent of the tumor. The most common are: Read the rest of this entry »