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Posts Tagged ‘Skin Cancer’

What is cancer? 

According to natural process of our body system cells of our body grow and die in a predictable manner. This cycle of growing of cells, dyeing of cells and their replacement by new cells continue. But if something goes wrong too many cells may grow in a uncontrolled manner. Due to any disorder of cell growth cells divide at an excessive rate faster than healthy body cells and behave abnormally. These abnormal cells which invade and damage surrounding healthy tissues are cancer cells and the disease is known as cancer. Cancer cells may spread to different parts of the body via blood stream or lymphatic system. 

There are various types of cancer:-

 (i) Kidney Cancer

(ii) Liver Cancer

(iii) Lung Cancer

(iv) Leukemia

(v) Brain Cancer

(vi) Skin Cancer

(vii) Ovarian Cancer

(viii) Breast Cancer

(ix) Gal bladder Cancer

(x) Stomach Cancer

(xi) Pancreatic Cancer

(xii) Thyroid Cancer

(xiii) Throat cancer

(xiv) Colon Cancer, etc.

Symptoms of all types of cancer are not the same and depend upon the types and locations of cancer. As for example: – Diarrhea or Constipation pain in abdomen, coming of blood with stool may be the symptoms of colon cancer.

Shortness of breath, pain in chest, coughing may be symptoms of lung cancer.

Sweat at night, pain in bones, weight loss and weakness, bleeding in gums, excessive or easy bruising etc. may be symptoms of blood cancer.

Diagnoses and treatment

Based on symptoms cancer is suspected and physical examination is done. Some types of imaging studies and tests are done as for example:-

(i) X-ray

(ii) Ultra sonography

(iii) CT Scan

(iv) Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI)

(v) Blood tests and complete blood counts

(vi) Biopsy

According to types and locations of cancer, different tests are done. As for example if a person is suffering from cough, chest pain and loosing weight then X-ray of chest might be done by a doctor.

Bone narrow biopsy might be done for leukemia.

Treatment 

Surgery is done for removing malignant tumor. When surgery is unable to remove all of the cancer then the option for treatment is radiation or chemotherapy. Sometimes both radiation and chemotherapy are required for treatment of cancer.

In some cancers a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy is required.

Causes and prevention

Causes of cancer: - 

      (i) Certain type of viruses

      (ii) Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight etc.)

      (iii) Tobacco Smoking

      (iv) Environmental Pollution

      (v) Too much consumption of alcohol

      (vi) Benzene.

Prevention 

Vegetarians have lesser risk of acquiring various types of cancers like stomach cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer etc. than meat eaters.

Controlling diet and adopting proper life style risk of having some types of cancer can be reduced.

Try to avoid red meat and processed meat. Eat vegetables, fish etc. Avoid smoking. Reduce alcohol consumption.
Author: S.N.Bhattacharya

Skin cancer, which is also known as skin neoplasia is the most common form of human cancer, is a malignant growth on the skin that will never heal. It is a disease where the cancer cells-in the form of a visible tumor-are found on the outer layers of the skin called epidermis which is why most skin cancers detectable at the early stage. Skin Cancer is more common in the people with light colored skin. Skin Cancer refers to three different conditions, from the least to the most dangerous, they are:

1) Basal Cell Carcinoma or Basal Cell Carcinoma Epithelioma (BCC).
 
2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma or The First stage of which is called Actinic Keratosis (SCC).
 
3) Melanoma.

The two most common forms of skin cancer are Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. These two are together referred to as Nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Melanoma is generally the most serious form of skin cancer because it tends to metastasize throughout the body quickly.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. These cancers rarely metastasize to other parts of the body. But they can however, cause damage by growing and invading surrounding tissues, even going as deep as the bone. If not treated, it can damage the skin and cause an ulcer, known as Rodent ulcer. A small rodent ulcer may come back on the same area of the skin after treatment which is known as Local Recurrence. Mostly basal cell carcinoma develops on the exposed areas of the body like, the face, head, lips, scalp, neck, ear, back of the hands etc. Their growth rate depends on their type. This type of cancer can appear as a red patch; a pink patch, red or white bump that is shiny or pearly; a crusty, open sore that will never heal; a scar like area. Basal Cell Carcinoma may have slightly raised edges with crusty intended centre. It can also occur in places where the skin has exposure to arsenic or radiation or complications occurring in places on the skin where there are scars, burns or tattoos.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer but it can metastasize to the fatty tissues right beneath the skin and also to other parts of the body. So it is important to treat it as early as possible. It usually occurs on sun damaged skin especially in light skinned individuals with a long history of sun exposure. Squamous cell carcinoma generally appears as nodules; or as red, scaly patches of skin. It is typically is found on the rim of the ear, face, lips and mouth. Squamous Cell Carcinoma tends to be more aggressive than basal cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinomas can also occur in places where the skin has been damaged, even on parts of the body that are not exposed to the sun. These areas include burns, scars, persistent sores, and sites that have been exposed to x-rays, arsenic, or certain petroleum byproducts. Conditions that suppress the body’s immune defenses, such as HIV infection or the prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs, may also promote the development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Other types of Nonmelanoma skin cancer includes:-

1. Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans.
2. Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
3. Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Melanoma is the most serious of the common types of skin cancer. It can spread rapidly to the lymph system and internal organs and can be fatal. Melanoma begins in the melanocytes, which are the cells in the epidermis that give skin its color. Melanoma may develop in a mole that is already present on the skin or may look like a new mole. Because the melanocytes produce the dark pigment melanin, melanomas are usually brown or black. However, it is possible for melanomas to have no special pigmentation and be the same color as the surrounding skin. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body. In men, they occur most often on the chest, stomach, or back. In women, they occur most often on the lower parts of the legs. The face and neck are other common sites for melanoma in both sexes. This is a very severe cancer that can develop many years after excessive exposure to the sun and is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of Melanocytes. It may also occur due to genetic factors and immune system deficiencies. There are several types of melanoma that can be categorized based on their appearance, either with the naked eye or microscopically:

1. Superficial spreading: The most frequently observed melanoma. This form may develop in any region of the skin. Lesions are usually raised around the edges and a brown color with hints of pink, white, gray and blue.

2. Nodular type lesions: Also arise on all regions of the body and are typically black or brown in color.

3. Acral lentiginous lesions: Characterized by flat, brown or black tumors that often develop on the hands and feet.

4. Lentigo maligna melanoma: Develop on an individual’s face, distinguished by its irregular border and than to brown color.

Author: Amrita Bhattacharya

Breast cancer is known to be a disease that can affect women and sometimes men in rare cases. Most people are unaware of this disease and hence, unable to treat it timely. Breast cancer can occur at any age.

It is important to know about this disease if you want to be detected on time and save yourself from a lot of health and emotional problems it brings along with.

Here are some important things regarding this disease. Read and understand the information for your own health benefits.

The part affected

In case of a breast cancer, the malignant cancer develops inside the cells that provide lining to the ducts. This can also be referred to as a ductal breast cancer. Most of the time, cancerous cells tend to develop inside the lobules. This can be referred to a type of lobular breast cancer. The cancer can also develop in other tissues of the breast.

Risk factors

There are several risk factors for development of breast cancer. Here are some of these:

a) Woman

Being a woman is the biggest risk factor.

b) Early periods

Some women tend to get their period prior to the age of 12. This increases the chances of developing breast cancer.

c) Family history

This plays an important role. Doctors usually consider sisters, mothers and daughters when analyzing family history for breast cancer detection. In case, anyone in your family gets diagnosed, it puts you at greater risk.

d) Alcohol

If you are taking more than about two alcoholic beverages on a daily basis, you are at risk.

e) Diet with excess fats

Make sure that you don’t have a diet that consists of high amounts of saturated fat. If you do, then there are more chances of carrying this disease. Try to avoid food that is too high in fat content. Also do not eat foods that contain poly unsaturated fat.

f) Late pregnancy

Pregnancies after the age of 26 are risky as far as development of breast cancer is concerned.

g) No pregnancy

Women who have never had pregnancy are also at risk of developing breast cancer.

h) Personal history

Women with personal history of breast cancer can also develop this cancer later in their life. Hence, regular breast check ups are necessary.

Treatment options

There are several treatment options available for people with breast cancer. If detected at an early stage, this disease can be treated easily. There are some standard treatments for this disease. One is usually advised to go for a treatment clinical trial at first. It is a type of research where new treatments are found for this disease.

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