By Tim Gorman
Prostate Cancer Stages - There are 5 relevant prostate cancer stages that one must be aware of to understand the full scope of the disease. Prostate cancer is one of the deadliest cancers affecting men today. More men die from Prostate Cancer then any other form of cancer. Yet, Prostate cancer is one the few cancers that, if it is caught early enough, can be corrected or controlled.
The first of the 5 prostate cancer stages is usually only found through a blood test or biopsy in the affect region of the body. It is usually found through a prostate-specific antigen level in the blood test. This stage is called T-1, professionally. It consists of a microscopic tumor that is only in the prostate itself. It is undetectable by rectal exams and ultrasounds and usually presents no symptoms. T-1 cancers are usually local cancers.
The second stage of prostate cancer is called T2, professionally. This stage is one where the tumor can be felt through a digital rectal exam. It can also be viewed through ultrasound. The tumor is still confined to the prostate area. T2 cancers are usually local cancers.
The third stage of prostate cancer is a spreading tumor. This stage is professionally known as stage T3. The cancer at this stage will now start to move to the seminal vesicles and close-by tissues. It has not spread yet to the lymph nodes in the body. T3 cancers usually are regional cancers that affect areas just beyond the prostate.
The fourth stage of prostate cancer is afflicting the organs and tissues that reside nearest the prostate. This stage is professionally known as T4. T4 cancers are usually cancers that are regionally located. They reach just beyond the prostate area of the body.
The fifth stage of prostate cancer is afflicting the whole of the body. It can affect any organ, bone or lymph node. This stage is professionally known as N+ or M+. The N+ portion means that it is affecting the pelvic lymph nodes. The M+ portion of this stage means that the cancer is affecting the other lymph nodes, organs and bones that are distant from the prostate area of the body. All the parts that are mentioned for Stage M+ do not have to be afflicted with cancer in order to be classified as M+. At this stage, the cancer is considered to be a metastatic cancer, meaning that the cancer is reaching lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Prostate cancer stages are hard to diagnose without the help of your doctor. Early detection can save your life or the life of someone you know. The National Cancer Center for Health Statistics stated that of prostate cancer sufferers on record, 99.9% had survived 5 years. Though there were people who had lived considerably longer than that, the study didn't indicate any further life expectancies beyond this one.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Pancreatic Cancer Stages - Know Your Chances
By Mert Ozge
Pancreatic Cancer Stages indicates the number or percentages of people who were able to extend their lives 5 years of more after they were diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. A long time ago, cancer survival stages are measured in a 10 year period but recently statistical reports have lessened their time periods into 5 years. Patients who were under this study are those suffering from pancreatic cancer - whether or not they have shown symptoms but are still receiving treatment for this disease.
Medical professionals continually inform the public that it is unwise to predict your life expectancy period based on these survival stage charts. They may be used as basis, but since there are no 2 or more patients with the exact same case, it is still advisable to maintain an uplifted spirit and continue the prayers.
There are some factors that may highly affect the Pancreatic Cancer Stages and they are as follows:
Surgery - whether the tumor is removed or not
Stages - the earlier the stage, the higher chances of survival
General Health Condition - patients undergoing chemotherapy will drastically decrease the functionality of their immune system, therefore, those who are already unhealthy even before being diagnosed are at risks of getting more diseases during the treatment. Also, there are patients who may not be able to survive surgery due to existing lung and heart diseases in addition to old age
Recurrent - if the cancer is recurrent, there is a lesser chance of survival
EmedTv have released a relative report of the Pancreatic Cancer Stages in the US and it is not exactly something one could smile about. Since the pancreas is one of the most vital organs in the body, in some books even more important than the liver, the Pancreatic Cancer Stages is one of the lowest amongst all types of cancer.
The general average of people surviving this cancer is only at 15-20%. Below is the percentage of patients who were able to survive 5 years after confirmed diagnosis:
• At stage 1, there were only 16.4 percent of patients who survived
• At stage 2 and 3, there were only 7 percent of patients who survived
• At stage 4, there were only 1.8 percent of patients who survived
•For patients whose cancer stage was unknown or was not precisely confirmed, there were only 4.3 percent of patients who survived
Many patients would like to know more other than their Pancreatic Cancer Stages. A great source of cancer information you can use is here.
Pancreatic Cancer Stages indicates the number or percentages of people who were able to extend their lives 5 years of more after they were diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. A long time ago, cancer survival stages are measured in a 10 year period but recently statistical reports have lessened their time periods into 5 years. Patients who were under this study are those suffering from pancreatic cancer - whether or not they have shown symptoms but are still receiving treatment for this disease.
Medical professionals continually inform the public that it is unwise to predict your life expectancy period based on these survival stage charts. They may be used as basis, but since there are no 2 or more patients with the exact same case, it is still advisable to maintain an uplifted spirit and continue the prayers.
There are some factors that may highly affect the Pancreatic Cancer Stages and they are as follows:
Surgery - whether the tumor is removed or not
Stages - the earlier the stage, the higher chances of survival
General Health Condition - patients undergoing chemotherapy will drastically decrease the functionality of their immune system, therefore, those who are already unhealthy even before being diagnosed are at risks of getting more diseases during the treatment. Also, there are patients who may not be able to survive surgery due to existing lung and heart diseases in addition to old age
Recurrent - if the cancer is recurrent, there is a lesser chance of survival
EmedTv have released a relative report of the Pancreatic Cancer Stages in the US and it is not exactly something one could smile about. Since the pancreas is one of the most vital organs in the body, in some books even more important than the liver, the Pancreatic Cancer Stages is one of the lowest amongst all types of cancer.
The general average of people surviving this cancer is only at 15-20%. Below is the percentage of patients who were able to survive 5 years after confirmed diagnosis:
• At stage 1, there were only 16.4 percent of patients who survived
• At stage 2 and 3, there were only 7 percent of patients who survived
• At stage 4, there were only 1.8 percent of patients who survived
•For patients whose cancer stage was unknown or was not precisely confirmed, there were only 4.3 percent of patients who survived
Many patients would like to know more other than their Pancreatic Cancer Stages. A great source of cancer information you can use is here.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Overview of Cervical Cancer Stages and Their Treatment
By Steve Walter
Cervical Cancer Stages - Cervical cancer is a type of malignancy that occurs in women. Women at higher risk for cancer of the uterine cervix are those who begin sexual intercourse at an early stage, those who have multiple sex partners, history of multiple pregnancies, develop cervical dysplasia or sexual relations with high risk males. Studies suggest that during adolescence, cervical epithelial cells are particularly sensitive to carcinogenic change.
Cervical cancer is classified and treated according to four cervical cancer stages of differentiation. Stage one is characterized as growth limited only to the cervix. When growth extends beyond the cervix, it is already considered as stage two. It is classified as stage three once the growth has extended into the pelvic wall. Lastly, if the growth has extended to adjacent organs then it has already reached the fourth stage.
Patients with cancer of the cervix may present with symptomatic or asymptomatic disease. Symptoms indicative of early stages of cervical cancer are prolonged menstrual periods, watery vaginal discharge and slight intermenstrual vaginal bleeding after coitus, travel or exertion. These findings may be present for months before additional irregularities occur. As the lesion becomes more extensive, symptoms are more pronounced. Hemorrhage occurs with advanced infiltrative tumors.
The first symptoms produced by the tumor after menopause is usually alarming because they are unexpected. Consequently the patient usually promptly seeks attention. However, if the symptoms begin two to three years after menopause, the patient may think that menstruation has resumed and will delay seeking medical attention.
In later stages, a serosanguinous or yellowish vaginal discharge may be present. It is often foul-smelling due to the sloughing of epithelium and may be associated with profuse bleeding. Pain in the lumbosacral area is usually a late sign and occurs with lymph node involvement. Urinary and rectal symptoms may appear when advanced local disease has invaded the bladder and rectum.
Treatment of cervical cancer is determined by the clinical findings, stage of disease, overall condition of the patient, and whether she wishes to preserve the reproductive mechanism. The treatment of preinvasive lesions can consist of cryotherapy, electrocautery, laser therapy, or conization. For the first level of cervical cancer stages, carcinoma can be conservatively managed by cervical conization, vaginal radiation therapy, and laser treatment. Patients who are conservatively managed should be closely evaluated at least yearly for further appearance of cancer.
Either surgery or radiation therapy are used for stages 1 and 2. Radiation therapy may be used alone for stages 2 and 3. For stage 4, pelvic exenteration may be performed. In advanced tumors in stages 3 and 4, external radiation therapy may be beneficial. External, internal and interstitial radiation therapy may be used. Systemic chemotherapeutics or regional chemotherapeutics are also treatments for cervical cancer.
The earlier the stage at which cancer is diagnosed means a better the prognosis. Preinvasive cancer commonly is diagnosed in women 30 to 40 years of age. Most patients with invasive carcinoma are 40 to 50 years old. Thus, 5 to 10 years are required for the chance to penetrate the basement membrane and become invasive. After invasion, death usually occurs in 3 to 5 years in the untreated patient. That is why to prevent any complications, watch out for early signs of cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Stages - Cervical cancer is a type of malignancy that occurs in women. Women at higher risk for cancer of the uterine cervix are those who begin sexual intercourse at an early stage, those who have multiple sex partners, history of multiple pregnancies, develop cervical dysplasia or sexual relations with high risk males. Studies suggest that during adolescence, cervical epithelial cells are particularly sensitive to carcinogenic change.
Cervical cancer is classified and treated according to four cervical cancer stages of differentiation. Stage one is characterized as growth limited only to the cervix. When growth extends beyond the cervix, it is already considered as stage two. It is classified as stage three once the growth has extended into the pelvic wall. Lastly, if the growth has extended to adjacent organs then it has already reached the fourth stage.
Patients with cancer of the cervix may present with symptomatic or asymptomatic disease. Symptoms indicative of early stages of cervical cancer are prolonged menstrual periods, watery vaginal discharge and slight intermenstrual vaginal bleeding after coitus, travel or exertion. These findings may be present for months before additional irregularities occur. As the lesion becomes more extensive, symptoms are more pronounced. Hemorrhage occurs with advanced infiltrative tumors.
The first symptoms produced by the tumor after menopause is usually alarming because they are unexpected. Consequently the patient usually promptly seeks attention. However, if the symptoms begin two to three years after menopause, the patient may think that menstruation has resumed and will delay seeking medical attention.
In later stages, a serosanguinous or yellowish vaginal discharge may be present. It is often foul-smelling due to the sloughing of epithelium and may be associated with profuse bleeding. Pain in the lumbosacral area is usually a late sign and occurs with lymph node involvement. Urinary and rectal symptoms may appear when advanced local disease has invaded the bladder and rectum.
Treatment of cervical cancer is determined by the clinical findings, stage of disease, overall condition of the patient, and whether she wishes to preserve the reproductive mechanism. The treatment of preinvasive lesions can consist of cryotherapy, electrocautery, laser therapy, or conization. For the first level of cervical cancer stages, carcinoma can be conservatively managed by cervical conization, vaginal radiation therapy, and laser treatment. Patients who are conservatively managed should be closely evaluated at least yearly for further appearance of cancer.
Either surgery or radiation therapy are used for stages 1 and 2. Radiation therapy may be used alone for stages 2 and 3. For stage 4, pelvic exenteration may be performed. In advanced tumors in stages 3 and 4, external radiation therapy may be beneficial. External, internal and interstitial radiation therapy may be used. Systemic chemotherapeutics or regional chemotherapeutics are also treatments for cervical cancer.
The earlier the stage at which cancer is diagnosed means a better the prognosis. Preinvasive cancer commonly is diagnosed in women 30 to 40 years of age. Most patients with invasive carcinoma are 40 to 50 years old. Thus, 5 to 10 years are required for the chance to penetrate the basement membrane and become invasive. After invasion, death usually occurs in 3 to 5 years in the untreated patient. That is why to prevent any complications, watch out for early signs of cervical cancer.
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