Cancer
All Cancer articles
284 articles · showing 61–90
Cervical Cancer - Stages
Stage IB: This stage includes cancers that can be seen without a microscope. It also includes cancers seen only with a microscope that have spread deeper than 5 mm (approximately 1/5 inch) into connective tissue of the cervix or are wider than 7 mm.
Cervical Cancer - Diagnosis
The most common side effects of cone biopsy include cramping/discomfort and moderate or mild bleeding for a few weeks after the procedure. Patients should avoid sexual intercourse, tampons, and douching until the incision is completely healed, which may take several weeks.
Cervical Cancer - Additional Resources and References
The American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/) is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service
Cervical Cancer - Stages
Staging is the process physicians use to assess the size and location of a patient’s cancer. Identifying the cancer stage is one of the most important factors in selecting treatment options. The FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) system is used to stage cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Vaccine (Gardasil)
In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine does not prevent all forms of cervical cancer, and thus it is important for women to receive regular Pap tests to screen for the disease.
Cervical Cancer - Diagnosis
In most instances, pre-cancerous or cancerous cells of the cervix are first detected with a Pap smear. All women should receive yearly Pap smears to help screen for cervical cancer beginning at age 21.
Cervical Cancer News
2011 HPV Test Beneficial in Detecting Cervical Abnormalities 2010 Large Study Reveals Benefits of Cervical Cancer Vaccine 2009 Survey: About One-Third of U.S. Girls Getting the Cervical Cancer Vaccine U.S.
Breast Cancer Glossary of Medical Terms
The terms which are underlined have active hyperlinks. Click on an underlined word for a more comprehensive discussion of the term.
Cervical Cancer - Introduction
The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina. The opening of the cervix remains small except during labor when it expands to allow the baby to pass from the uterus to the vagina.
Cervical Cancer - Stages
Staging is the process physicians use to assess the size and location of a patient’s cancer. Identifying the cancer stage is one of the most important factors in selecting treatment options. The FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) system is used to stage cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer - Treatment
Simple Hysterectomy A simple hysterectomy involves surgically removing the uterus through an incision in the abdomen or vagina under general or epidural (regional) anesthesia.
Cervical Cancer - Risk Factors and Symptoms
Most women who develop cervical cancer tend to have one or more identifiable factors that increase their risk for the disease. It is uncommon but not impossible for women to develop cervical cancer without any of these risk factors.
Cervical Cancer - Treatment
The treatment of cervical cancer depends on the stage of the cancer and other prognostic factors. In many cases, physicians will also perform some type of treatment on patients with pre-cancerous conditions to prevent these conditions from developing into cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer - Risk Factors and Symptoms
HIV: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, also increases the risk of cervical cancer. This occurs because HIV damages the body’s immune system, making it easier for women to contract HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that may increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer - Diagnosis
In most instances, pre-cancerous or cancerous cells of the cervix are first detected with a Pap smear. All women should receive yearly Pap smears to help screen for cervical cancer beginning at age 18 or when they first become sexually active, whichever occurs earlier.
Cervical Cancer - Treatment
The treatment of cervical cancer depends on the stage of the cancer and other prognostic factors. In many cases, physicians will also perform some type of treatment on patients with pre-cancerous conditions to prevent these conditions from developing into cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer - Introduction
Updated: June 9, 2008 Return to Cervical Cancer Main Menu
Cervical Cancer - Risk Factors and Symptoms
Most women who develop cervical cancer tend to have one or more identifiable factors that increase their risk for the disease. It is uncommon but not impossible for women to develop cervical cancer without any of these risk factors.
Understanding Clinical Trials
What are Clinical Trials and Why are They Important? A clinical trial is an organized research study designed to investigate new methods of preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating an illness or disease, such as cancer.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
How is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Treated? Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive cancer that can grow and spread quickly. If the inflammatory cancer has not spread beyond the breast, a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) may be performed to remove the tumor.
Ductal Lavage
Ductal lavage is a diagnostic procedure being developed by breast surgeon Susan Love, MD and researchers at the company, Pro-Duct Health, to be used in addition to clinical breast exams and mammography.
Classes of Breast Cancer Drugs
Classes of Chemotherapy Drugs Used to Treat Breast Cancer Class Action Examples Anthracyclines Deform DNA structure of cancer cells Adriamycin (doxorubicin) Ellence (epirubicin) Taxanes Prevent cancer cells from dividing Taxol (paclitaxel) Taxotere (docetaxel) Alkylating Agents Target DNA of cancer
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is the chronic swelling or feeling of tightness in the arm or hand due to an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the soft tissue of the arm.
HER2, Herceptin, and Tykerb
HER2 human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of breast cancer cells. Some breast cancer patients have extra copies of HER2 that can be associated with more aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers. Herceptin and Tykerb are two drugs approved by the U.S.
Abortion and Breast Cancer
The link between abortion and breast cancer risk is controversial. While several studies over the past few decades have explored the possible connection between abortion and breast cancer risk, the results have been contradictory.
HER2, Herceptin, and Tykerb
What Have Clinical Trials with Herceptin Shown? Herceptin was shown to slow the growth and spread of cancerous tumors in a number of clinical trials prior to FDA approval in 1998. In some cases, cancerous tumors completely disappeared in patients taking Herceptin.
Breast Reconstruction
Advantages and Disadvantages to Immediate Breast Reconstruction The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo some type of breast surgery as part of their treatment.
Neutropenia
How are Patients with Neutropenia Treated? Leukine GM-CSF growth factor used to treat neutopenic patients Most common side effect is fluid retention Leukine is also used to treat leukemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues) Most patients with neutropenia develop fever and are treated with antibiotics.
Breast Prostheses and Post-Mastectomy Products
What is a Breast Prosthesis? An external breast prosthesis is an artificial breast form that can be worn after the breast has been surgically removed. There are several different types of prostheses.
United States Drug Approval Process
Over 60 years ago, Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDC) of 1938 in hopes of reforming the drug industry. The action was taken after more than 100 people died from drinking Elixir Sulfanilamide, a form of sulfa medicine that was manufactured and sold in the United States.