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Genes contain the proteins a cell needs to stay healthy and function normally. There are specific genes and proteins that can influence how breast cancer behaves. They can also influence its response to specific treatments. Cancer cells are tested on a tissue sample. From there, they are either normal or abnormal. The proteins they make can also be broken down and tested. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is one such gene that plays a role in the development of breast cancer. When...
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A majority of diagnosed breast cancers are ER-positive, which means that the cancer cells grow as a result of the hormone estrogen. There are several different ER2 breast cancer treatment options available. Surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are some of the treatment options that may also help reduce breast cancer symptoms. Depending on the severity and stage of your breast cancer, these treatments may also remove the cancer entirely. ER2 Breast Cancer Treatment Options Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase inhibitors are a type of...
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IBRANCE, or palbociclib, is a cancer therapy drug. The use of IBRANCE in combination with the hormonal therapy Femara (letrozole) or Faslodex (fulvestrant) is a popular treatment for breast cancer. IBRANCE palbociclib breast cancer treatments specifically help treat HER2-negative post-menopausal women when hormonal therapy did not work. IBRANCE Palbociclib Breast Cancer Treatments This treatment works by inhibiting the protein that is in control of cell division. This helps to stop cancer cells from spreading. If you have HER2-negative breast cancer, your doctor may prescribe IBRANCE as an oral pill in...
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Keytruda, or pembrolizumab, is a clinical trial immunotherapy drug. Specifically, it is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that may help with the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Keytruda breast cancer treatments work by making the immune system work more efficiently in order to attack cancer cells. Specific proteins on the surface of cells, known as immune checkpoints, can usually distinguish between cells that are a part of ‘yourself’ and other possible harmful outsiders. In the case of cancer, cancerous cells will use these proteins to avoid detection and attack by...
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Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a devastating experience for women. Along with the fear of death, surgery, and harsh cancer treatments, breast cancer also elicits fears of a loss of sexuality and body image. It is of utmost importance that the patient and her physician have an in-depth discussion so that they can make the best decisions about her care. There are treatment centers all around the country that are famous for their cutting-edge technology and best breast cancer treatment methods. Of...
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Prostate cancer is a painful and potentially deadly disease that all men should be aware of. It’s wise to speak with your doctor and learn about your personal risk factors. You can begin to educate yourself on this topic by learning about the following three prostate cancer risk factors. Age Above all else, the older a person is, the more likely he is to develop prostate cancer. It’s relatively rare in men younger than 50 and almost unheard of for those under the age...
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Going to the doctor for a prostate exam can cause men quite a bit of anxiety and dread. Unfortunately, this may cause men to put off or completely avoid this potentially life-saving procedure. Reasons for shunning a prostate exam may include feelings of embarrassment; fear of physical discomfort; or the man may simply not realize the vast importance of having the exam. The benefits of prostate exams drastically outweigh the discomforts. When a tumor in the prostate is caught in the early stages of...
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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is basically an enlarged prostate gland. The growth of the prostate occurs in two phases as a man matures; in the first phase, the prostate doubles in size as a boy reaches puberty, and then later around the age of 25 growth continues. As a man ages, the prostate may increase in size- however, this growth is benign, meaning it is not related to cancer. In some cases, though, cancer may appear next to BPH, but not because of it. As...
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There are many reasons why a person may have certain health problems and unless they go to the doctor and have an overall physical check up, he/she can’t know what’s wrong for sure. For instance, cancers are already affecting millions of people around the world and most cases are only detected due to its severity. One of the most common cancers nowadays is multiple myeloma. Also known as Kahler’s disease, this cancer involves white blood cells as well as antibody production. As the abnormal cells collect themselves in...
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Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia is a plague of the bone marrow, a cancer of the white blood cells, and a destroyer of families. Not many people are familiar with much CML information, thus it needs to be shared. Chronic myelogenous leukemia affects the body’s white blood cells. The meaning of the word “chronic” in CML has to do with the cancer’s slow progression. The second word “myelogenous” concerns the type of blood cells affected by leukemia. Chronic granulocytic leukemia affects senior adults, young adults, and even...
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Chronic myelogenous leukemia (or CML) is a cancer of the blood found specifically in white blood cells. CML causes the rapid proliferation and growth of mostly myeloid cells within the bone marrow. These cells build up within the blood and cause numerous problems. CML is a stem cell disorder of the bone marrow where an uncontrolled proliferation of granulocytes (eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils) and their precursors is the source of the condition. The disease is related to a chromosomal disorder known as the Philadelphia chromosome. Testing...
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Kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma cancer usually occurs in older people and accounts for about 2 to 3% of cancers in adults, affecting about twice as many men and women. This tumor begins in the cells, which is in the lining of the small tubes within the kidneys. Kidney carcinomas rarely strike young adults as well as children. The exceptions are a form of pediatric cancer called Wilms’ tumor, and some forms of hereditary kidney tumors, such as Von Hippel-Lindau disease. What Causes...
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Renal cell carcinoma makes up approximately nine out of ten kidney cancer cases in adults. This type of kidney cancer originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, which is part of the small tubes in the kidney that transport waste from the blood to the urine. The symptoms of this disease are typically very hard to recognize, which explains why the cancer has often already spread by the time it is diagnosed. Symptoms and Signs Most patients don’t start showing symptoms for...
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Kidney cancer, also referred to as renal cancer, manifests itself through the uncontrollable growth of a tumor on a kidney after the affected cells become malignant. Kidney cancer is normally detected earlier than other forms of cancer before it spreads to neighboring organs. The ability to detect this condition in its early stages makes it easier to treat. Causes Although there are no scientifically established causes of kidney cancer, some lifestyle conditions are highly related to this ailment. Smoking is often related to this...
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Kidney cancer is generally found in older people. 2-3% of all cancer cases in older people are kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney tumor which is found mostly in adults. Kidney cancer symptoms are not generally observed in children or young people. Important Facts about Kidney Cancer There are also some exceptions. There is a tumor called Wilms tumor, which is a type of pediatric kidney cancer. There’s also von Hippel-Lindau disease which is a type of hereditary kidney cancer....
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Kidney cancer is a life-threatening condition that can interfere with the kidneys’ ability to remove toxins from the bloodstream. Fortunately, if you are aware of the risk factors that contribute to kidney cancer, you can reduce your likelihood of developing this condition. Understanding Kidney Function You have two bean-shaped kidneys in your body, each about the size of your fist. The kidneys are located on either side of your spine in the lower-middle section of your back. Your kidneys may be small, but they...
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Kidney cancer or renal cancer develops in the cells of the kidney; the various types of renal cancers are determined based on the specific cells in which cancerous cells are detected. The detection and prevention of kidney cancer can be challenging as they develop in unlikely ways and have varied long term effects and hence the stages and occurrences should be monitored precisely in order to adopt the most suitable treatment method. Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of kidney...
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What are the Causes of Brain Cancer? Brain cancer is possibly one of the scariest forms of cancer because it has limited treatment options and can affect the body in multiple ways. Since the brain controls all of the actions of the body, cancer can play a large role in altering and disabling a person quickly. Many people do not understand what causes brain cancer or brain tumors so it is helpful to learn a little background including what can be done to prevent...
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There are at least eight different types of cancer that begin in the brain. Cancer in other parts of the body may metastasize (spread) to the brain as well—often referred to as secondary brain tumors. To provide an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment options, healthcare professionals must also determine the stage the cancer is at. Here’s a look at how brain cancer stages are organized. Staging and Grading Most types of cancer are assessed using the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)’s TNM (tumor, lymph...
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When malignant (cancerous) cells arise in the brain tissue to form a tumor, this disease is referred to as brain cancer. Usually, these tumors will grow enough to interfere with essential brain functions including memory, sensations, and muscle control. Other, non-cancerous tumors can develop in the brain as well—these are referred to as benign tumors. If the tumor originates in the brain and is composed of brain tissue, then it is a primary brain tumor, while tumors that have spread from other body sites...
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Brain cancer is a disease that affects the tissue inside your brain. When cells begin to develop in an abnormal mass, this is referred to as a brain tumor. There are different types of brain cancer that are classified based on the location of brain tumors and where the brain tumors originated. If they develop exclusively inside the brain, these are known as primary tumors. If the cancer began in another part of the body and has spread to the brain, this is called a secondary tumor. Treatment...
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Metastatic breast cancer refers to cancer that resurfaces in or spreads to another part of your body after treatment. Medical experts refer to the process of cancer spreading as metastasis. You can get a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis after receiving treated for early stage breast cancer, or after your cancer has already spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). The treatment options available to treat your metastasis will typically be dependent on some factors, the most important of which is the hormone receptor...
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Cancer is a general name given to over 100 different individual diseases that develop because cells begin to reproduce out of control. When this occurs, these new abnormal cells can then invade other healthy tissues. Once there are enough cancer cells, they will then form a tumor, although there are some that do not, such as those found in patients with leukemia. Causes Cells become cancerous due to damage of the genetic material found in DNA. Some of this damage is inherited, but some also occurs naturally during the cell replication cycle. Additionally, there are...
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From the moment that cancer is detected, it can be very scary. After all, cancer is one of the leading causes of death for all age groups and both genders. However, while cancer is not yet curable, there have been many advances that have changed the way that it is treated. After being diagnosed the stage and type of cancer that you have will determine what treatment options will be available to you. Of course, your own preferences and your overall health will also...
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We’ve all heard cancer described as being in a particular stage, with higher numbered stages more serious than lower numbers. But what do these numbers actually mean? Most doctors use a staging system called TNM, which measures tumor formation (T), lymph node involvement (N), and the presence of metastasis. 1. Stage 0 – Cancer described as stage 0 is typically in the earliest, most treatable stage. Specifically, cancer cells at stage 0 are only found in the top layer of cells in the place of...
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Bones make the core structure of our body. Total 200 bones are there in our body which are meant for providing support to us and holding our body. It also provides protection to the organs of our body. The number of cases of this cancer is not huge like other types but we cannot neglect the effects of it as it is very dangerous. Treatments may be highly effective if it is detected at the early stage. Two types of bone cancer exist in...
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Bone cancer is a primary or secondary form of cancer. Primary bone cancer is where it begins in the bone. From there, the cancer will then begin to develop in the cells of the bones. Secondary bone cancer is where it begins in other areas of the body. Once this has occurred, the cancer will then start to spread to the bones. When a tumor in the bone develops, it will press on the healthy tissues of the bones. As a result, these tissues...
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It is still unknown exactly what causes most cases of pancreatic cancers. However, some risk factors have been linked to an increased chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Recent research has shown that some of these risk factors, such as smoking or heavy drinking, can affect the DNA of cells in the pancreas, which can lead to abnormal cell growth and may cause tumors to form. Common Causes Age Gender Race Diet Obesity Substance abuse Environmental factors Risk Factors While there is no...
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When it comes to treating pancreatic cancer, there are three main options for those suffering from this disease. Depending on the advancement of the cancer, these treatments can be used individually or in conjunction with one another. Treatment options include: Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Surgery Surgery is generally used for one of two reasons. The first and initial focus of pancreatic surgery is to remove all the cancer in an effort to cure the patient of disease. This type of surgery is called the Whipple...
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The pancreas is the organ that is responsible for delivering enzymes to the body that are essential for digesting food and metabolizing sugar. Cancer of the pancreas occurs when the tissues of the organ are overtaken by harmful tumors that inhibit the way the pancreas functions. Even when pancreatic cancer is detected early, the patient’s health is still in serious jeopardy. This is because the cancer spreads through the body very quickly, making it the fourth most common reason for cancer-related death in the...
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The prominence and mortality rates of cancer victims have led to a desperate search for more effective means of dealing with this frightening variety of illnesses. Although any cancer can be fatal, many have been researched to the extent that they can be diagnosed quickly, leading to a more effective cure. Unfortunately, this isn’t true of cancer types the body over, and pancreatic cancer is one of those still requiring a better solution to achieve a cure. Here’s a look at the chances of surviving...
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The pancreas is a six-inch-long organ located behind the lower part of your stomach. Its function is to secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon that help regulate sugar metabolism and enzymes that aid digestion. When the hormones are not working properly, diabetes is often the result. Pancreatic cancer occurs when out-of-control cell growth begins in the pancreas. These cells don’t develop into healthy pancreas tissue but instead collect together to form lumps called tumors. These tumors don’t allow the main function of the pancreas to...
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Dealing with cancer is difficult, but when the verdict is pancreatic cancer, the survival rate is only 25 percent for the first five years after the diagnosis. Like all other cancers, staging occurs from the beginning. The oncologist will base the stages upon various factors, such as if the cancer has spread beyond the initial location and the size of the tumor. Like other cancers, the cause of pancreatic cancer can vary from things like genes to environmental factors, from a person’s lifestyle to a...
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Lung cancer is a cancer that begins in lungs. The lungs are located in the chest and are responsible for taking in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, when cancer grows in these organs, it is a very serious disease. In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States and takes more lives than other cancers combined. Fortunately, there is a life expectancy for lung cancer and the chance of survival increases significantly with early detection. Types of Lung...
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Lung cancer causes more deaths worldwide than any other form of cancer. There are two main forms of the disease: small cell and non-small cell, and the vast majority of cases (85 to 90 percent) belong to the latter category. Small cell (or oat cell) tumors often originate in the bronchi and multiply and metastasize rapidly. The two forms require different treatments, as indicated below in the treatment section of this article. The non-small cell category embraces several subtypes, most of which start closer...
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There are three vital things you should know about lung cancer: it is an equal opportunity “killer;” non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type and grows and spreads more slowly than other affected cells; and recent findings show that lung cancer survival rates have improved. Therefore, the prospects for people with advanced disease are better in 2014 that they were several years ago. Lung cancer causes involve the usual two suspects: smoking followed closely by asbestos (think Mesothelioma). Next you can...
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Lung cancer is cancer that begins in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest and are responsible for taking in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, when cancer grows in these organs, it is a very serious disease. In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States and takes more lives than other cancers combined. Fortunately, there is a life expectancy for lung cancer and the chance of survival increases significantly with early detection. Types of Lung...
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Lung cancer is a type of disease that starts in the small tissue of the lung. In many cases, it begins by forming in cells that are lining a person’s air passages. Lung cancer comes in two different forms known as small and non-small cell. In order to diagnose the type of cancer, doctors have to look at the cells under a microscope. Lung cancer is the primary cause of death among patients who have cancer, for both women and men. With that stated,...
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Once a person is determined to have a malignant tumor or the diagnosis of breast cancer, the healthcare team will determine staging to communicate how far the disease has progressed. Determining the stage helps to determine the best way to contain and eliminate the breast cancer. Staging is based on the size of the tumor within the breast, the number of lymph nodes affected, and whether or not the breast cancer has invaded other organs within the body. If breast cancer has spread, or...
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Cancer is the malignant growth of body cells. Breast cancer affects the mammary tissues and is ranked second killer form of cancer in women after lung cancer. Although it affects men it is not common and only a small number get affected. However, with the laid out measures to fight the disease it is evident that in some years to come the number of death related to it will surely go down. Here is a breakdown of facts you should know about breast cancer:...
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Breast cancer begins in different areas of the breast: the ducts, the lobules, or the tissues in between. Differing types of breast cancer depend upon where the cancer cells originate. Learn more about these different types of breast cancer below, including non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells have been found in the lining of the breast milk duct. The term “situ” in the title means “in its...
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Many of the cancer treatment and therapies nowadays are strong and efficient in the battle against cancer. Long gone are the days when humans were powerless against cancer and its consequences. It is widespread knowledge that cancer is still difficult to cure. However, the advancements in treatment strategies today, particularly metastatic breast cancer treatments, make these therapies better than before. Breast cancer is perhaps one of the most common and formidable cancer types. When the disease is diagnosed at stage 4 breast cancer (or...
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The most dangerous part of melanoma is its ability, in later stages, to spread (or metastasize) to different parts of the body. Metastatic melanoma, also known as Stage IV melanoma, is the stage where melanoma cells of any kind (mucosal, cutaneous, or visual) have spread through the lymph nodes to other organs in the body. These metastases frequently influence the lungs, liver, brain and bones. Similarly, as with different cancers, metastases happen when melanoma is not in the early stages. Often, symptoms only manifest...
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The majority of cases of skin cancer essentially happen on parts of the body that are not exposed to direct sunlight. Besides, many deaths due to skin cancer are actually not more than ten thousand in the complete population of the U.S. To be more exact, there is a 10 times bigger chance for an American to die in traffic than for them to die of skin cancer. Anticipating Skin Cancer In any case, this has not discouraged Americans from burning through billions of...
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Melanoma is a type of skin cancer considered by medical professions to be the worst type. It develops deep in the cells that form skin pigment and is typically caused by overexposure to harmful UV rays such as those found in tanning beds or produced naturally by the sun. Skin biopsies are common tests done to determine if it is skin cancer. Here we examine the signs of melanoma from the early symptoms to stage 4 melanoma. Treatment of melanoma begins immediately upon detection, but...
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Metastatic melanoma is a form of skin cancer. There are various types of skin cancer, but melanoma is the most severe. Melanoma can spread very fast to other parts of the body. Therefore, it is recommended to visit an oncologist detect and treat melanoma during its early stages. Most cancer illnesses, including melanoma, are categorized into different groups referred to as stages, depending on the system created by oncologists. There are five major stages from 0-4.each represented by a Roman numerical. Melanoma usually spreads...
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How is Colon Cancer Treated? Treatment for colon cancer depends upon the stage of the cancer when discovered. Initial screenings such as colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies can detect pre-cancerous tumors in the colon. These tumors can be removed and tested for cancer. These preventative screenings are extremely important in preventing and delaying the diagnosis of colon cancer. At stage 0, colorectal cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon. Treatment usually involves a polypectomy, a removal of the tumor and a small...
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Colon cancer is the development of cancer in the colon, or large intestine. It generally begins as small, noncancerous lumps, known as adenomatous polyps, that are asymptomatic and can take some time to turn into full-blown cancerous cells. This is largely the reason yearly colon cancer screenings are recommended—the sooner this type of cancer is detected, the more fully it can be treated. Whether through annual screenings or because of suspicious symptoms, more than one manner of diagnosis is available. Here is a look at how colon...
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Important Facts To Know About Colon Cancer The colon is considered as one of the most important parts of our digestive system. When the malignant tissue in Colon grows then the Colon Cancer is occurred. The digestive system is harmed by it very seriously. It is the most harmful cancer. Colon Cancer is mainly caused by incorrect eating habits. High fiber diets like vegetables and fruits are responsible for reducing the risk of Colon Cancer. If anyone in the family has had this disease...
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What Causes Colon Cancer? Colon cancer is the name given to cancer in the large intestine, usually resulting from the cells of the colon mutating and multiplying to form cancerous polyps on the intestine. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers identified in both men and women in the United States. It is the third most diagnosed cancer in the world, though the majority of diagnoses occur in developing countries. Despite being treatable, this type of cancer poses a high risk for...