Causes and symptoms of leukemia
Cancer

Causes and symptoms of leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells of the body. This type of cancer starts in the bone marrow and spreads to the lymphatic system. In this type of cancer, the white blood cells of the body increase in number and don’t function like they’re supposed to. So, it may lead to numerous problems in the body. This type of cancer occurs because of issues in the production of blood cells in the body. Leukemia can occur to anybody and at any age. Causes The main cause of this type of cancer is damage to the DNA of immature cells of the blood, primarily in the white blood cells. Due to this damage, the blood cells divide and grow constantly, and this will increase the number of blood cells enormously. Due to this, the healthy blood cells may get damaged, and these healthy blood cells are then replaced by new blood cells. These new blood cells are defective, and they do not die. They may start accumulating and occupying more space. In this way, this form of cancer spreads all over the body. Symptoms There are several symptoms of this type of cancer. Fatigue The most common symptom of leukemia is excessive tiredness.
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How does chemotherapy work
Cancer

How does chemotherapy work

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells keep growing and dividing, not knowing when to stop, which results in cells to keep doubling and ending up forming a lump (tumor) that keeps growing in size. Eventually, nee gets a full tumor from the original cancer cell. Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy these cancer cells. These chemotherapy drugs keep cancer cells from dividing and growing. And as cancer cells usually grow faster than normal cells, chemotherapy drugs affect cancer cells better than normal cells. These drugs are pretty powerful, and they can cause some damage to healthy cells. Treatment Cancer treatment with such powerful drugs is called standard chemotherapy or traditional chemotherapy. There are other drugs that help with treating cancer. Several newer drugs are called targeted drugs, as they damage cancer cells by blocking the proteins that are found in the cancer cells. But, as these treatments work particularly on the cancer cells, their effect on the normal cells is usually damaging. Goals Depending on the type of cancer, the goal of chemotherapy varies. Sometimes, the goal is to get rid of cancer completely and make sure it doesn’t come back. If that’s not possible, then chemotherapy helps you delay or slow down cancer growth.
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A brief guide to liver cancer
Cancer

A brief guide to liver cancer

Liver cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the inner layer of the liver and the liver tissues. Liver cancer is also known as hepatic cancer and sometimes as primary hepatic cancer. When cancer starts elsewhere in the body and metastasizes to the liver, it is called secondary liver cancer. Primary liver cancers are quite rare. Secondary liver cancer accounts for more than 90 percent of all tumors in the liver. One of the main functions of the liver is to filter out toxins from the blood. So, if cancerous cells are spreading through the body, it is sure to be deposited in the liver, and in this way, cancer spreads to the liver. Types of liver cancer Several types of liver cancer occur in the body, depending on the cells in which it begins. Hepatocellular carcinoma Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas Hemangiosarcomas and angiosarcomas Hepatoblastoma Benign liver tumors Risk factors  The most common risk factor for liver cancer is an infection of the liver with both hepatitis B and C virus. These viral infections are chronic. Chronic inflammation for many years may lead to changes in the liver cells, and these changes may lead to cancer. The two viruses (Hepatitis B and C) can spread when a person comes into contact with body fluids of people infected with these viruses.
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An overview of soft tissue sarcoma
Cancer

An overview of soft tissue sarcoma

Cancer begins when cells start growing without control. There are several types of soft tissue tumors, and not every type is cancerous. Several benign tumors, noncancerous tumors, are found in soft tissues. However, there are a few soft tissue tumors that show signs of both benign and cancerous tumors. They are called intermediate soft tissue tumors. Cancer that begins within the tissues that connect, support and surround alternative body structures is soft tissue sarcoma, which is a rare type of cancer. This includes muscle, blood vessels, fat, nerves, tendons and also the lining of your joints. With more than 50 subtypes of soft tissue diseases, some probably have an effect on children, while others have an effect on adults. These tumors are troublesome to diagnose; as a result, they are mistaken for several alternative issues. Soft tissue sarcoma occurs anywhere in your body; however, the foremost common type occurs within the arms and legs, and within the abdomen. Surgical removal is the most common treatment, though radiation and chemotherapy could also be suggested depending on the scale, type, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor. Causes of soft tissue sarcoma In most cases, there are no clear reasons to relate to the causes of soft tissue sarcoma.
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All you need to know about brain tumor
Cancer

All you need to know about brain tumor

Abnormal growth of cells inside the brain or skull is commonly known as Brain Tumor. The tumors can either grow from the brain tissue or cancer from elsewhere in the body can spread to the brain. The brain tumor is otherwise known as an intracranial tumor. It is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably. There are two main groups of brain tumors termed primary and metastatic. The primary brain tumors include the tissues of the brain or the brain’s immediate surroundings. This is classified as glial or non-glial. Metastatic brain tumor refers to cancer which starts somewhere else in the body but spreads to the brain. What causes brain tumors? The causes of brain tumors are not certain. As per some researchers, brain tumors can grow, when certain genes on the chromosomes of a cell are no longer functioning properly. People at risk for brain tumors include those who have: Cancerous cells in the body Exposure to pesticides Exposure to industrial solvents, and chemicals Inherited diseases, such as neurofibromatosis What are the symptoms? The tumors may usually affect the brain by destroying the normal tissue. It can compress normal tissues by increasing intracranial pressure. The signs and symptoms differ depending on the tumor’s type, size, and location which includes:
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Stages of cervical cancer and the associated signs
Cancer

Stages of cervical cancer and the associated signs

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the entrance of the uterus. The cervix which is the narrow part of the lower uterus gets affected by this. This lower part is often referred to as the neck of the womb. In the early stages of this disease, it may not even show any symptom. In the later stages, the most common signs and symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, bleeding after menopause, pain during sex, and pelvic pain. So, take a look at the stages of this disease here and what signs you should watch out for. Stages Knowing the stage of cervical cancer is very important as it helps in deciding the kind of treatment needed. The process of staging tells us about how far cancer has developed and whether it has reached or affected any nearby organ or sometimes may be distant organs too. There is basically a 4-stage system used to describe this. Stage 0 In this stage, precancerous cells are present. Stage 1 In this stage, the cancer cells grow and get deeper into tissues of the cervix and possibly into the uterus and also to the nearby lymph nodes. Stage 2 In this stage of cervical cancer, the cancerous cell spreads beyond the cervix and also the uterus but not as far as the walls of the pelvis or lower part of the vagina.
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Effective ways to treat ovarian cancer
Cancer

Effective ways to treat ovarian cancer

  Cancer that originates in the ovaries is known as ovarian cancer. In many cases, it gets overlooked until the cancer has spread to other organs in the pelvis. At this stage, ovarian cancer can be difficult to treat but if diagnosed in the early stages, ovarian cancer can be easily treated in many different ways. The different ways in which ovarian cancer can be treated are: Surgery Surgery is usually the first step of treatment for ovarian cancer. This procedure is aimed at removing the tumor to check if it is cancerous or not. This type of investigative surgery is also known as a biopsy. A biopsy helps doctors determine what stage the cancer is at and how far it has spread. A biopsy may be followed by more surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The extent of surgery required depends on how far your cancer has spread to the other organs in the pelvic cavity. In some cases, it may also have affected the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. If so, these may need to be removed as well. Other tissue that are typically removed during surgery includes the fatty tissue covering the intestines, also known as the omentum, and the lymph nodes.
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Causes and types of lung cancer
Cancer

Causes and types of lung cancer

When malignant cells start developing in the lungs, it is termed as lung cancer It is a significant cause of death in both the genders in the United States and claims more lives than prostate, colon, breast, and ovarian cancers combined. The initial symptoms include persisting cough, chest pain, hoarseness in voice, shortness of breath, loss of weight, and bone pain. Causes of lung cancer Smoking tobacco According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90 percent of the cases of lung cancer occur due to incessant cigarette smoking. Studies reveal that tobacco contains about 7000 carcinogens including nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. Smoking initiates a change in the lung tissue which may ultimately lead to cancer. Genetics If any immediate blood relative, including parents, siblings, grandparents, uncle or aunts has suffered from lung cancer, then chances of contracting the disease increase manifold. Even if the individual does not smoke, he or she remains susceptible to this disease. Age The American Cancer Society reveals that the chances of suffering from lung cancer increase with the age of patients. Every two out of three individuals diagnosed with lung cancer are above 65 years of age. History of lung diseases Occurrences of severe lung diseases in the past including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema also increase the risk of lung cancer.
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Dietary tips for renal cancer patients
Cancer

Dietary tips for renal cancer patients

Kidney or renal cancer is a condition in which a tumor develops in the kidney. In most cases, renal cancer first originates in the small tubules of the kidney. Some of the common risk factors of kidney cancer are smoking, obesity, exposure to harmful chemicals, hypertension, and a family history of the same. Dietary tips Individuals with renal cancer need a proper diet that is well-balanced and provides the essential nutrients and energy to the recuperating body. In addition, chemotherapy and radiation therapy makes a person very weak, and, in several instances, patients lose their appetite. A common diet may not suit every renal cancer patient because diet selection also depends on whether the person has other health conditions like cardiovascular disorder or diabetes. There are some dietary tips that need to be followed for renal cancer patients: Eat small portions : It is not an essential requirement but, in most cases, treatment for renal cancer can cause vomiting or nausea, making it important to eat small portions to avoid any distress to the digestive system. Consume sufficient fruits and vegetables : Fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet. They are a rich source of fiber, especially soluble fiber, and contain antioxidants, vitamins, and several minerals.
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Warning signs of uterine cancer to look out for
Cancer

Warning signs of uterine cancer to look out for

The uterus is a part of the female reproductive system. A malignant tumor in any part of the uterus is named as uterine cancer. There are many types of uterine cancers, depending on the location of the tumor and the part of the uterus affected by it. Some examples of uterine cancers are endometrial carcinoma, endometrioid carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, uterine sarcoma, and gestational trophoblastic disease. Women having uterine cancer may experience some signs and symptoms depending on the tumor type and stage. It is advisable to consult your doctor immediately if you notice any one or a few of these symptoms – Abnormal vaginal bleeding This is the most commonly observed symptom of uterine cancer. The flow can be watery and blood streaked or thick with excessive blood. Abnormal bleeding especially, during or after menopause indicates problems in the uterus. Women of reproductive age can experience vaginal bleeding between periods or irregular menstrual period with heavy bleeding. Foul-smelling vaginal discharge It may appear pink and watery or brown and thick. Difficulty and pain during urination This is a common symptom of urinary tract infections. However, if the pain and discomfort do not go away with medications and is recurrent it might be a sign of uterine cancer.
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