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  • Prostate Cancer Treatment

    Deciding on a prostate cancer treatment with your doctor is an
    understandably difficult journey and series of tough decisions. First,
    it is important to note that prostate cancer treatment options vary
    according to patient’s age and overall health as well as the stage of
    the cancer, if it is the first appearance or a reoccurrence, and if it
    is confined to the prostate gland or has spread. These factors also
    influence the overall prognosis and probable success of treatment. 
    Once all of the individual’s physical and psychological needs are
    factored into deciding a prostate cancer treatment, there are four main
    types of treatment which may be offered. The National Cancer Institute
    deems the four standard prostate cancer treatment options as: watchful
    waiting, surgery, radiation and hormone therapy.

    Watchful waiting
    is a process in which a patient’s health is carefully monitored and
    treatment does not begin until a change or onset of symptoms.  This
    gives the doctor valuable insight as to the rate of growth and stage of
    cancer, thereby narrowing to the best possible treatment option. 
    Surgery provides the removal of the cancerous cells, in hopes to slow
    and stop their growth. The type of surgery depends on the location of
    malignant cells and may remove the lymph nodes from the pelvis area,
    tissue surrounding the prostate, or the entire gland itself.  Radiation
    therapy may be used in conjunction with surgery and utilizes high does
    of radiation targeted at the cancerous cells in an attempt to kill
    them. Radiation can come from an external source via machine or
    internally through the use of needles and catheters.  A newer course of
    treatment called hormone therapy blocks or suppresses certain hormones
    which are used by the cancer to spread.   Although these are currently
    the standard prostate cancer treatment options, there are many clinical
    treatment trials in the works as medical technology advances.

  • Breast Cancer

    The most well-known and common risk factor for breast cancer is
    being female.  Breast cancer is primarily known as a cancer that
    affects women.  While the majority of people who are diagnosed with
    this type of cancer are female, it is not isolated to only women.  Men
    have been and are diagnosed with breast cancer, just not as
    frequently. 

    Your age also plays a factor in how likely you
    are to have breast cancer.  Some women are diagnosed in their 40’s but
    the majority of people diagnosed are over 50 years old.  This does not
    mean if you are in your 20’s or 30’s you cannot have breast cancer.  It
    does mean the likelihood (or chances) are far less when you are younger.

    Scientists
    and doctors have isolated some genes that can point to a likelihood you
    will develop breast cancer.  This means that you have inherited certain
    genes from your parents that are called mutations and can increase your
    chances up to 80% that you will develop breast cancer in your
    lifetime.  In the majority of scenarios, you will not know of these
    genes unless you decide to undergo genetic testing.  This may be an
    option for you if there is a family history of breast cancer.

    Two
    other risk factors for breast cancer are race and if you have been
    diagnosed with breast cancer already.  Caucasian women have a higher
    risk of developing breast cancer over many other races (African
    American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American).  It has been noted
    that they mortality rate is higher in African American women than it is
    in Caucasian women who have been diagnosed.  In addition, if you have
    been diagnosed with this type of cancer before, you are at an increased
    risk to do so again.  This is not the same cancer returning but a new
    instance of breast cancer in your body.

  • Malignant Melanoma

    A cancer that arises from melanocytes ( the cell which
    produces the melanin – synthesizing ). More common between the ages
    of 45 and 55.

    There is 3 type of melanoma: 1.) superficial spreading melanoma,
    2.) nodular

    malignant melanoma, and 3.) lentigo malignant melanoma.

    Melanoma spreads through the lymphatic and vascular systems and metastasizes
    to
    the regional lymph nodes, skin, liver, lungs, and the CNS ( central nervous
    system ).
    Superficial lesions are usually curable, while deeper lesions tend to metastasize
    (transfer of disease from one organ or part of the body to another).
    Prognosis varies
    with tumor thickness. Prognosis is better for a tumor on an extremity
    (which is
    drained by one lymphatic network) than for one on the neck, head, or trunk
    ( drained
    by several networks)

    The cause of malignant melanoma is unknown. Risk factors include,
    a family history
    of melanoma, excessive sunlight exposure, skin type ( more common with
    those who
    have blond or red hair, fair skin, and blue eyes), and history of severe
    sunburns.
    Pregnancy may increase risk and exacerbate tumor growth.

    Symptoms:

    Suspect melanoma when any skin lesion or nevus ( a circumscribed stable
    malformation of the skin and occasionally of the oral mucosa) is enlarge,
    if it changes
    color, becomes inflamed and or if it is sore, itches, ulcerates, bleeds,
    change texture, or
    shows signs of surrounding pigment regression.

    * Superficial Spreading melanoma: Most common type.

    Characteristics; red, white, and blue color over a brown or black background

    Irregular, notched margins

    Irregular surface

    Small, elevated tumor nodules that may ulcerate and bleed.

    May have a horizontal growth pattern.

    * Nodular malignant melanoma: It usually metastasizes early.
    Usually grows
    vertically and invades the dermis. May be grayish, resembling a blackberry.
    Occasionally, it may match the skin color. It may have pigment flecks
    around the
    base, which may be inflamed.

    * Lentigo malignant melanoma: Rare type. Usually develops over
    many years
    from a lentigo maligna on an exposed skin surface. The lesion usually
    looks like a
    large ( 2.5 to 6.4 cm ), flat freckle. Color range from, white, slate,
    tan, brown, and
    black. It may have scattered black nodules on the surface and may
    become
    ulcerated.

    Diagnostic test: May include: physical examination, skin biopsy,
    lab studies, CT scan,
    X-ray

    Treatment:

    Wide surgical resection is imperative for malignant melanoma. The
    extent of resection
    depends on the size and location of the primary lesion.

    Surgery may also include regional lymphadenectomy.

    Chemotherapy with DTIC and cisplatin, and biotherapy with interferons or
    interleukin
    -2 to eliminate or reduce the number of tumor cells, for deep primary lesions.

    Radiation therapy is usually reserved for metastatic disease. Prognosis
    depends on
    tumor thickness.

    * Call your doctor if you suspect any of the above symptoms promptly.

     

    Cancer Treatments:

    Cancer treatments seek to destroy malignant cells while sparing normal
    ones, to
    reduce pain, and to induce cure or remission. A single primary treatment
    or a
    combination of treatments may be used. These treatments can provide
    local and
    systemic therapy and offer doctors the advantage of attacking cancer cells
    with
    several mechanisms. They include:

    * Chemotherapy – which interrupts malignant cells life cycles, inhibiting
    or destroying
    their ability to divide

    * Radiation – which also inhibits cell division by impairing DNA synthesis
    and causing
    cell membrane lysis. Radiation can be used as a primary treatment
    or as an adjunctive
    procedure intended to kill cancer cells that may have survived other treatments.

    * Biotherapy ( immunotherapy ), which employs biological response modifiers
    that
    act on malignant cells by inhibiting division and by enhancing the body’s
    immune
    responses to such cells.

    * Bone marrow transplantation, which is used to replace or replenish the
    bone
    marrow of patients with leukemia or multiple myeloma

    * Surgery, which removes tumors or reduces their size. Surgery enables
    other
    treatments because there are fewer malignant cells to combat.

    * Several new cancer treatments are emerging. surgical treatments
    using lasers and intraoperative radiation can effectively remove tumors or reduce their
    size at the time
    of initial surgery and staging. Hyperthermia – the use of heat to
    destroy cancer cells is
    being investigated as a single modality and in combination with radiation
    and
    chemotherapy.

  • Munchhausen Syndrome

    Munchhausen Syndrome:  Repeated fabrication of physical
    illness – usually acute, dramatic and convincing – by a person who wanders from hospital to
    hospital to hospital and doctor to doctor for treatment.  Patient
    actually may have ingested or injected substances (poison) so they can
    seek medical attention.

    Munchhausen syndrome patients may simulate many physical disorders,
    such as; Myocardial infarction, acute abdominal conditions and fever of
    unknown origin.  Their abdomen may be criss-crossed with scars from
    multiple abdominal surgeries.  The patient may have had a limb or
    a digit amputated.  many have lengthy surgical histories.  These
    patients eventually become the responsibility of the medical community
    – doctors, hospitals and surgical clinics.  However, this illness
    is primarily psychiatric.  It is far more complex than simply dishonest
    simulation of symptoms.  It is associated with severe emotional difficulties. 

    Patients may have prominent histrionic personality features; they are usual
    intelligent and resourceful.  They know how to simulate disease and
    are sophisticated regarding medical practices.  They differ from malingerers
    because although their deceits and simulations are conscious, their motivations
    for forging illness and quest for attention are largely unconscious. 
    Commonly there is and early history of emotional and or physical abuse. 
    They appear to have problems with their identity, intense feelings, inadequate
    impulse control, a deficient sense of reality, brief psychotic episodes
    and unstable personal relationships.  Their need to be taken care
    of conflicts with their lack of trust of any authority figures, whom they
    manipulate and continuously provoke or test. 

    Patients with Munchhausen
    syndrome and psychotic psychopathology as part of a character logic disorder
    are rarely treated successfully.  Acceding to their manipulations
    relieves their tension, but their provocation’s escalate, ultimately surpassing
    what physicians are willing or able to do.  Confrontation or refusal
    to meet treatment demands results in angry reactions, and patients generally
    move to another hospital or doctor.  Psychiatric treatment is usually
    refused or circumvented; but consultation and follow up care may be accepted.
    at least to help relieve a crisis.  Management is generally limited
    to recognizing the disorder early and avoiding risky procedures and excessive
    or unwarranted use of drugs.

    Munchhausen Syndrome By Proxy:  or MSBP is a bizarre
    variant in which a child is used as a surrogate patient .  The parent
    falsifies history and may injure the child to simulate a disease. 
    The parent seeks medical care for the child and always appears to be deeply
    concerned and overly protective.  The child is often seriously ill,
    and requires frequent hospitalization and may even die.   
    MSBP is very hard to detect.  MSBP victims may undergo numerous lab
    tests, multi medication trials, and surgical procedures that aren’t really
    needed.

    Munchhausen syndrome by proxy parent or caregiver has a need to feel
    “special”  or heroic to stimulate attention from people, such as family,
    friends, community, and medical professions.  Often using their child
    as the victim, and the child has been under medical care most of their
    young life.

    When MSBP is suspected, health care professionals/providers are required
    by law to report their concerns to law enforcement and social service agencies.

    Munchhausen’s syndrome was named for the fictitious Baron Munchhausen
    – who told many ‘tall tales’.

  • E. Coli

    Escherichia coli O157:H7 or E. coli for short, is
    a growing cause of food borne illness.
    Each year, 10,000 to 20,000 new cases of E. coli infection
    occur in the United States.

    Symptoms:

    E. coli often causes severe bloody diarrhea and
    abdominal cramps, although nonbloody diarrhea or no symptoms can be
    present. Kidney failure can also occur.

    Associated
    foods:

    Most E. coli illness has been associated with
    eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef.
    Infection can also occur after drinking raw milk and after
    swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water.

    Prevention:

    • Cook all ground beef and hamburger
      thoroughly. Because ground beef can turn brown before
      disease-causing bacteria are killed, use a digital instant-read
      meat thermometer to ensure thorough cooking. Ground beef should be
      cooked until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads
      at least 160¼ F.

    • If you are served an undercooked
      hamburger or other ground beef product in a restaurant, send it
      back for further cooking. You may want to ask for a new bun and a
      clean plate, too.

    • Avoid spreading harmful bacteria in
      your kitchen. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Wash
      hands, counters, and utensils with hot soapy water after they
      touch raw meat. Never place cooked hamburgers or ground beef on
      the unwashed plate that held raw patties. Wash meat thermometers
      in between tests of patties that require further cooking.

    • Drink only pasteurized milk, juice, or
      cider. Commercial juice with an extended shelf-life that is sold
      at room temperature (e.g. juice in cardboard boxes, vacuum sealed
      juice in glass containers) has been pasteurized, although this is
      generally not indicated on the label. Juice concentrates are also
      heated sufficiently to kill pathogens.

    • Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly,
      especially those that will not be cooked.

    • Drink municipal water that has been
      treated with chlorine or other effective disinfectants.

    • Avoid swallowing lake or pool water
      while swimming.

    • Make sure that persons with diarrhea,
      especially children, wash their hands carefully with soap after
      bowel movements to reduce the risk of spreading infection, and
      that persons wash hands after changing soiled diapers. Anyone with
      a diarrhea illness should avoid swimming in public pools or
      lakes, sharing baths with others, and preparing food for others.

    Treatment:

    Most persons recover without antibiotics or other
    specific treatment in 5-10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics
    improve the course of disease, and it is thought that treatment with
    some antibiotics may precipitate kidney complications. Antidiarrheal
    agents, such as loperamide (Imodium), should also be avoided.

    In some persons, particularly children under 5
    years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause a
    complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood
    cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. About 2%-7% of infections
    lead to this complication. This life-threatening condition is usually
    treated in an intensive care unit. Blood transfusions and kidney
    dialysis are often required. With intensive care, the death rate for
    hemolytic uremic syndrome is 3%-5%.

    People
    at risk:

    Anyone, but especially children under 5
    years of age, immunocompromised persons, and the elderly

  • Salmonella

    What it is:

    Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella.

    The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans.  They are microscopic living creatures that pass from the feces of people or animals, to other people or other animals.

    There are many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria:

    Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis are the most common in the United States.  Salmonella has been known to cause illness for over 100 years.  They were discovered by a American scientist named Salmon, for whom they are named.

    Symptoms:

    Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.  The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.  However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.  In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

    Associated foods:

    Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds.  Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. 

    Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal.  Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables, may become contaminated.  Many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, but fortunately, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.  Food may also become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler, who forgot to wash his or her hands with soap after using the bathroom.

    Prevention:

    •  Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly before eating. Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs, or raw unpasteurized milk.

    •  If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, don’t hesitate to send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.

    •  Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.

    • Be particularly careful with foods prepared for infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.

    •  Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles or birds, or after contact with pet feces.

    •  Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or immunocompromised persons.

    •  Don’t work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time.

    •  Mother’s milk is the safest food for young infants.  Breast-feeding prevents salmonellosis and many other health problems.

    Treatment:

    Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often do not require treatment unless the patient becomes severely dehydrated or the infection spreads from the intestines.  Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration, often with intravenous fluids.  Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines, then it can be treated with ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin.  

    Unfortunately, some Salmonella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, largely as a result of the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of feed animals.

    People at risk:

    Salmonellosis is more common in the summer than winter.  Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis.  Young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are the most likely to have severe infections.  It is estimated that approximately 1,000 persons die each year from acute salmonellosis. 

  • Medical Library P-Z

    Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal

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  • Medical Library A-O

    Banish Tinnitus in 3 Simple Steps!
    Silence The Ringing Once and For All

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  • Inflammatory Breast Cancer

    Think all breast cancers are alike?  Guess again.  The newly
    recognized inflammatory breast cancer may be one of the sneakiest
    combatants in our war against this type of condition. 

    Below, we’ll look at the “ABCs” of inflammatory breast cancer, including how it’s detected and how it’s treated. 

    A.  What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

    Inflammatory
    breast cancer (also known as “IBC”) is a very serious form of breast
    cancer with a lower-than-average survival rate.  Because it affects the
    breasts differently than “standard” breast cancer, lumps do not form. 
    Instead, hardening of the breasts and breast enlargement take place;
    unfortunately, these symptoms are often misdiagnosed or ignored.

    Though
    mastectomies are an excellent way to detect inflammatory breast cancer,
    they are not always a surefire method; in addition, a biopsy and
    bloodwork may be necessary to ensure a proper diagnosis. 

    B.  What are the Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

    As
    noted previously, inflammatory breast cancer’s signs are much different
    than one might expect.  No lumps are present; instead, the breast is
    tender, sore, usually swollen, and often “hardened.”  Severe pain may
    also be present, though that’s not always the case.

    Again,
    many females ignore these symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer at
    first, assuming that they are simply having “PMS” or are experiencing a
    hormone-related concern.  But it’s important to never underestimate or
    avoid talking with a physician about symptoms, even those that appear
    at first to be mild, because inflammatory breast cancer can spread
    rapidly.

    C.  What are the Treatments of Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

    Like
    other breast cancers, treatment of inflammatory breast cancer usually
    includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.  The
    length of treatment and the response to treatment will vary from
    patient to patient; however, when diagnosed in Stage 1 or 2,
    inflammatory breast cancer is highly treatable and the remission rate
    is excellent.

  • Esophageal Cancer

    Get Back Your Health
    QUIT SMOKING TODAY!

    Esophageal cancer is the presence of malignant cancer cells within the tissue that lines the muscular tube through which food travels on its way to the stomach, the esophagus.   The National Cancer Institute estimates as many as 15,560 new esophageal cancer cases in 2007 with a reported 13,940 deaths over the same time period.  Because early detection is crucial in the successful treatment of esophageal cancer, it is important to understand the risk factors and symptoms as well as different screening and diagnostic options available.

    The risk factors associated with esophageal cancer include those which are genetic and cannot be prevented such as being male or African American as well as those which require a certain behavior such as cigarette smoking and continued heavy consumption of alcohol.  It is also important to note that the risk of developing esophageal cancer increases with age and/or declining health.  Because treatment is much more difficult and statistically not as successful in the cancer’s later stages it is important to note how many of the risk factors you possess, coupled with your family history so you may speak with your doctor about the potential benefits of screening for esophageal cancer even if no symptoms are present.  In many cases of esophageal cancer, the onset of symptoms often did not occur until the malignant cancer cells had time to spread.  Without screening, these patients did not become aware of their esophageal cancer until it was much harder to treat.  The symptoms of esophageal cancer often include, but are not limited to, unexplained weight loss, painful and difficult swallowing, chest pain and indigestion or heartburn.  It is important to speak with your doctor immediately if experiencing any of these symptoms.

    For high risk patients or those experiencing symptoms, there are a few different tools available to your doctor to aid in diagnosis.  Some of the diagnostic tools your doctor may utilize are standard chest x-rays and upper GI series barium x-rays.  An esophagoscopy is a procedure in which a camera is inserted into the esophagus, allowing doctors to inspect the esophageal lining for abnormal cells.  If any suspicious cells are located, a biopsy will then be performed to detect if the cells are malignant in nature and thus cancerous.