Cancer Diagnosis
Cervical Cancer
As many already know, cancer is a diverse group of diseases that cause the body of an affected person produces a surplus of large malignant cells , which can sometimes metastasize and, consequently, the emergence of tumors that can reach be malignant (and in many cases can cause death).
The cervical cancer (also known as cervical cancer or carcinoma), meanwhile, develops in the lower fibromuscular uterus that projects into the vagina. This is the second most common cancer among women, not to mention also established as the most lethal cancer for women.
This is because the vast majority of patients suffering from this disease (especially when they pass through stage IV) die before long. Note that the best way to save a cancer of this magnitude is detected early and treated appropriately. Because cervical cancer generally do not present any symptoms, it is essential that all the women to have Pap tests annually to determine an abnormality.
On the other hand, note that the risk factors for cervical cancer may vary depending on the characteristics of the virus as the infected. On the other hand, it is essential to consider both cervical cancer and any type of cancer can develop in a few months or be produced for over ten years.
Main symptoms and diagnosis
Cervical cancer is most often develop in women who do not undergo medical checkups regularly. The symptoms of this disease include abnormal bleeding (outside the menstrual period), unexplained vaginal discharge, pain in the pubis and uncomfortable sensations when you have sex (intercourse).
Regarding the diagnosis of cervical cancer , it is essential to consider that this disease rarely produces symptoms. Despite this, sometimes the symptoms usually occur earlier mentioned, so it is essential to have an urgent medical investigation. While these symptoms may indicate another type of disorder, also may try to cervical cancer which needs to be treated immediately.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment for cancer cervical varies the extent of cancer, but usually consists of surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Therapy should be chosen depending on the severity of the cancer in question.
With regard to prevention methods that can be used against this disease, it is essential that women be vaccinated against human papilloma virus. On the other hand, is very important to undergo a Pap test every year and avoid maintaining sexual relationships with many people (otherwise it is essential to use condoms).
Finally, it is important to note that the snuff and the excessive intake of alcohol can also contribute to the development of this disease.
General concepts of vascular tumors
Cavernous angiomas are vascular tumors and tuberocavernosos that usually appear in the first weeks of life. It is usually present at birth. It tends to grow, sometimes rapidly during the first two years of life. Later remains stationary and usually subsides after the third or fourth year. In some of these tumors predominantly superficial vascular component, adopting a color erythematous papillomatous surface alive and so are called “strawberry angiomas” or tuberous. In other deep vascular component predominates, have a bluish color and are called corpora cavernosa. The surface component is referring almost entirely, which often manifests as a central ulceration or necrosis. Although there are scattered cases of angiomatosis, most cases are not associated with angiomas in other locations. Therapeutic abstention is recommended considering the autoinvolución of most injuries. Those located in vital areas like the eyelids, mouth, etc., Must be referred to a dermatologist.
The flat angiomas, unlike the above are present at birth and remain stable throughout life. Those are located in the territory of the trigeminal angiomatosis occasionally associated with cerebral calcifications and that can lead to seizures. When displayed on a limb can cause hypertrophy of the latter. Some patients are tributaries of laser treatment.
Radiation therapy and hormonal therapy in prostate cancer
It can be given external beam radiation therapy using high-energy linear accelerators or radioactive rods implanted or 198Au 125 in the prostate. The rates of impotence and urinary incontinence are somewhat lower than those that occur with surgery. Radiation therapy is the most widely used treatment for prostate carcinoma stage C.
Hormone therapy and chemical castration get a reduced androgenic stimulation of tumor. It is used as an alternative therapy for advanced-stage disease, though probably not increase survival, it does improve the quality of life for these patients. Among the options used are estrogens, LHRH analogues and antiandrogens.
The synthetic analogs of LHRH (leuprolide, buserelin, goserelin, triptorelin) act on the anterior pituitary, inhibiting the release of gonadotropins and serum testosterone levels achieved in the range of castration at 2 weeks of starting treatment. Avoid the trauma of orchiectomy and side effects of estrogen, such as gynecomastia.
Antiandrogens (cyproterone acetate, flutamide, megestrol acetate, nilumida) are competitive inhibitors of the natural receptors of androgens in target tissues, normal or malignant. Other anti-androgen drugs include finasteride, ketoconazole and suramin.
Esophageal cancer incidence and risk factors
Esophageal cancer ranks ninth in order of frequency, among malignancies in the world, although in developing countries reached fifth place. From the epidemiological point of view are tumors that have a wide geographical variation, being highest incidence in countries like China and Iran.
Predominates in males, with a male / female ratio equal to 4 / 1, although the very high incidence areas of this relationship is reduced.
Several are considered precancerous esophageal lesions, including esophagitis, caustic stand, Barrett’s esophagus, achalasia and dysphagia sideropenic (Plummer-Vinson syndrome).
Other conditions are associated significantly with the development of esophageal neoplasia, such as palmoplantar keratosis and celiac disease, but their relationship is still not fully confirmed.
There are several risk factors that significantly increase the likelihood of developing this cancer, such as chronic use of snuff and alcohol. These have been mentioned as the main risk factors in Europe and America.
Diets low in vegetables and fruits, beverages and food intake excessively hot, and the presence of nitrosamines in foods are also certain risk factors, especially in areas of highest incidence.
Overview and classification of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
The anatomical region of transition between the columnar epithelium of the endocervical canal and the squamous epithelium of ectocervix is of great biological cellular activity due to the transformation of epithelium to another (metaplasia). Various physical, chemical and biological agents acting on this unstable cell population can induce cell morphological changes and structural and architectural epithelium, resulting in what is now called NCI, the original concept of Richart (1967), which has displaced to other concepts such as histological dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Today it is considered that maturation and cellular alterations that occur in the epithelium of the cervix are sufficiently similar to conclude that developmental stages are the same entity, which only differ by the degree of total thickness of the epithelium is affected.
The histologic features of the NCI are:
1. The changes affect only the surface epithelium, although they may affect the stuffing glands.
2. Loss of stratification and cell polarity.
3. Lack of differentiation and maturation.
4. Nucleus / cytoplasm ratio increased and different size and cell morphology.
5. Hyperchromasia and irregular chromatin distribution.
6. Increased number of mitosis and abnormal mitosis.
The NCI is classified into three grades:
NCI grade I (mild dysplasia synonymous). Alterations affecting the lower third of the total thickness of the epithelium.
NCI grade II (moderate dysplasia synonymous). The alterations affect between one and two thirds of the total thickness of the epithelium.
NCI grade III (severe dysplasia synonym: carcinoma in situ). The changes extend throughout the thickness of the epithelium.
Human cancer biology and diagnosis
Cancer is a complex of diseases caused by alterations of different genes. All alterations of normal cellular processes as signal transduction, cell cycle control, DNA repair, growth and cell differentiation, regulation of translation cellular aging or apoptosis (programmed cell death) can cause a malignant phenotype or rather cell with malignant potential.
Have been linked to two main types of genes with the development of cancer: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Both operate in the normal cycle of cell reproduction anoint, but when it fails any of them increases the likelihood of developing cancer.
The symptoms and physical signs are important to recognize benign neoplasms and potentially lethal in children, adolescents and adults. In addition to the classic manifestations should be evaluated for any signs or symptoms and without clear explanation persistent and may be due to a precancerous or cancerous box itself.
As part of the diagnostic evaluation, the physician or oncologist should include communication of the diagnosis to the patient or his family in a sensitive and informative.
Teenagers would be more prone to certain types of cancer
So say studies in Britain and released this week, in which data were collected to allow us to say that the incidence of testicular cancers, uterine and skin would be increasing in adolescents compared with the incidence of these diseases in adult patients.
These studies were presented at the world conference on cancer in adolescents conducted in the English capital. The authors warn that some cancer rates rose faster in adolescents than in adults in England in the period 1979-2003. However, even would fail to establish why the rates differ, ie if there is a genetic cause, hormonal, or if you have to do with the environment, lifestyle or a combination of these factors.
According to research funded by Cancer Research, among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years uterine cancer increased about 7 percent per year. Meanwhile, the percentage of cases of skin cancer increased in all age segments, but most markedly among people over 20 years.
Jillian Birch, director of the Research Group Paediatric and Familial Cancer UK said: “The question is whether there are special reasons why these young people are cancers that are usually typical of adults.” The expert also said both physicians and parents should work harder to ensure that children and adolescents should have protection against cancers that are preventable.
Oesidad as a risk factor for colorectal cancer in women
In a study at the University of Stony Brook in New York and the University of Connect, indicated that obesity is the main risk factor for developing colorectal cancer in women.
The research was based on a population of 1,525 women who underwent fibrocolonoscopy, and hence they are classified by age, smoking history, family history of colorectal cancer and body mass index. Obesity was established as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
The results showed that of all polyps detected was the fifth of patients with a BMI over 30. Of the patients with neoplasia 20% were obese. The study also compared to obesity and smoking as risk factors, most significant being the first variable.
Based on these results highlight the importance of obese women reduce their BMI as a way to prevent colorectal cancer. Especially considering that in Western societies constantly increasing number of obese women.
Advances in oral cancer detection
Researchers have a portable test kit for diagnosing an early diagnostic method, simple and effective oral cancer type.
He himself is a kind of “lab on a chip” that so far has only shown efficacy in cell lines, but with support and funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the U.S..
Until now, patients had to undergo an uncomfortable biopsy tissue of the mouth and wait several days to get results.
This new method is able to yield reliable results within 10 minutes.
The test is designed to measure levels of a protein called EGFR receptor (epidermal growth factor).
It is present on the surface of all cells, but their levels rise abnormally in the case of malignant cells.
Anyway, is believed to still take months to make the transition from cell lines to patients of meat and bone, as noted in their work, have a much greater heterogeneity of cells in your saliva.
Cancer Prevention Part I
Since prevention is one of the most important tools in the fight against cancer, it is important that cancer be detected as soon as possible, thus preventing it from spreading.
The signs of cancer include: A lump or thickening in the breast or testicles, change in a wart or mole, skin pain or persistent sore throat that does not heal, a change in bowel or bladder habits, a persistent cough or coughing up blood, constant indigestion or trouble swallowing, unusual bleeding or discharge and chronic fatigue.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor for testing.
The following are symptoms that can occur in certain types of cancer:
Bladder cancer: Read the rest of this entry »