It is very important that skin cancer is recognized as early as possible in order for it to be treated effectively so that it does not cause much harm. In order for one to do that it is necessary that a person knows what skin cancer looks like whether it is on the face, arm, leg or nose. What skin cancer looks like on the face, arm, leg and nose will vary depending on the type of cancer it is. The symptoms for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are different and may appear different as well. Sometimes these marks go un-recognized and it is thus important to get regular skin check ups done.
What Does Skin Cancer Look Like – Face, Arm, Leg and Nose
January 11th, 2010Basal Cell Skin Cancer Pictures
January 9th, 2010Basil Skin cancer accounts for 90% of all skin cancers found in the United States. It can occur anywhere (head, face, etc.), grows slowly and rarely spreads. Most of the time, this can be cured although people who have suffered from it are at a high risk of getting other skin cancers. It can be diagnosed during a regular skin examination where the skin is checked for bumps or spots that look abnormal in size, shape, texture or color. Then a biopsy is conducted where the abnormal growth is cut off the look for presence of cancer cells. The 3 types of biopsies that can be conducted are shave biopsy, excisional biopsy and punch biopsy. The treatment mostly involves surgery. The cancer is removed completely and no other treatment is required. Below are two basal cell skin cancer pictures:
Lung Cancer Radiation Side Effects
January 9th, 2010There are many lung cancer radiation side effects. A few of them are listed here below:
- During the initial stages of the treatment it is quite common to feel tired. The fatigue gradually increases and as time goes by it severely reduces ones ability to take part in normal everyday activities.
- Hair loss in the chest wall area included inside the radiation field is common in some patients. Depending on the intensity of the radiation this may temporary or permanent.
- Skin irritation always occurs after a few weeks of radiation treatment. This area may become reddened, dry, tender and itchy. During an extended period of treatment, this reaction may become quite severe.
- It is quite common for patients to suffer from a temporary loss of appetite.
- Esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus, is quite common after radiotherapy and can be quite severe.
- Radiation pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs, can also develop around 3 to 9 months after the therapy is over.
Lung Cancer Metastasis
January 7th, 2010The process of spread of lung cancer to other parts of the body is termed as metastasis. The areas of tumor growth are called metatstases. As lung cancer spreads very early in its course, it is considered very threatening and is very difficult to treat. Lung cancer metastasis can occur to any organ of the body although the most commonly affected organs are the adrenal glands, brain, bones and liver.
The lungs are a very common place for metastasis from tumors in other parts of the body. Tumor metastases are made up of the same types of cells as the original or primary tumor. Example:- If prostate cancer spreads to the lungs via the bloodstream, it will be called metastatic prostate cancer in the lung and not be called lung cancer.
Basal Cell Skin Cancer Treatment – Carcinoma Skin Cancer
January 4th, 2010Basal cell skin cancer treatment – carcinoma skin cancer can be treated successfully in many ways with a success rate of 90% or more. The best treatment for each patient is planned based on the location and size of the tumor, age, health and medical history. The methods that are used to treat this are:
- Curettage and desiccation – Consists of scooping out basal cell carcinoma using spoon like instrument called curette.
- Surgical excision – Tumor is cut out and skin is stitched up.
- Radiation therapy – Used for skin cancers in areas difficult to operate on.
- Cryosurgery – involves freezing basal cell carcinomas using liquid nitrogen.
- Mohs micrographic surgery – Developed by Dr. Frederic Mohs and is better termed as microscopically controlled excision.
- Medical therapy using creams – Involves use of creams that attack cancer cells or stimulate the immune system.
ADENOCARCINOMA LUNG CANCER PROGNOSIS
January 2nd, 2010Adenocarcinoma lung cancer prognosis does not tell a very pretty picture. It does depend on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed and the overall health of the patient. But, in general the prognosis is poor, especially if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes of the mediastinum or areas outside the chest wall.
This type of cancer can only be cured with surgery or radiation therapy, but only if this can completely remove the tumor. However most of the time, this cancer is diagnosed at a stage when therapy is of no use. Only 17% of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma survive for more than 5 years.
Advanced Lung Cancer – What to expect?
December 24th, 2009You are diagnosed with advanced lung cancer when the cancer spreads from the lungs to any other part of the body. This may occur either when you are diagnosed or even after treatment.
Lung cancer can spread either within the lung itself or to other parts of the body.
The advanced lung cancer is most likely to spread to the lymph nodes within the chest, abdomen, neck or armpits, the liver, the bones or the brain.
Please remember, just because you have cancer does not mean that all aches and pains that you get is caused by the cancer. It is very important to immediately tell your doctor or any new symptoms that start worrying you. They may not be caused by the cancer. Here, the doctor will be able to help.
ALTERNATIVE LUNG CANCER TREATMENTS & THERAPIES
December 18th, 2009There are many alternative lung cancer treatments that may be used. Which of these treatments to undertake depends on the severity of the cancer and the location of the tumor. When lung cancer is at stage one or two, surgery is the best option unless you have any health issues like heart problems or other lung problems.
Also, if the tumor is close to any of the vital organs, surgery might be ruled out and it is obviously best to take the advice of your physician as to which treatment to start. Some of the alternative lung cancer treatments are:
- Wedge resection or segmentectomy
- Lobectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Video-assisted thorarcic surgery
Brain Metastasis Lung Cancer
December 8th, 2009Brain metastasis lung cancer is when lung cancer has spread to the brain. It can also occur when cancer from any other part of the body spreads to the brain, although it is most likely to come from the lungs. There can be multiple brain metastases and different parts of the brain can be affected.
Brain metastasis has similar symptoms as primary brain cancer. These include headaches, vomiting, nausea, and tiredness. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, different parts of the body might also get affected and having difficulty in speaking or walking is a common occurrence.
Pictures of Skin Cancer
November 29th, 2009
It is very difficult to recognize skin cancer. Most of the time it is so well hidden that you tend to over look it till it has reached a very advanced stage. Skin cancer can look like many things. It can look like a sore, spot, mole, lesion or any other type of skin abnormality.
The actual look of the skin cancer depends on the type of skin cancer that has infected you. Depending on whether it is basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma, the symptoms and marks vary. There are a lot of skin cancer pictures available on the World Wide Web and if you for some reason have a mark that matches any of them you should visit a doctor immediately.