Treatment for anal cancer will depend on various factors, including how big the tumor is, whether or not it has spread, where it is, and the general health of the patient. If the tumor is small it can be removed surgically, and that's it.
The type of surgery a patient will require depends on the size and position of the tumor.
Resection - this removes a small tumor and some surrounding tissue. This type of surgery can only be carried out if the anal sphincter is not sacrificed. Patients who undergo a resection do not have their ability to pass a bowel movement affected.
Abdominoperineal resection - the anus, rectum and a section of the bowel are surgically removed. The patient will need a colostomy - the end of the bowel is brought out onto the skin on the surface of the abdomen. A bag is placed over the stoma - the opening of the bowel - and collects the stools (feces) outside the patient's body. Although this sounds shocking, people with colostomies can lead normal lives, play sports and have active sex lives.
In most cases, the patient will probably have to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy treatments (chemoradiation) are commonly used to destroy the anal cancer cells. Treatments are either given simultaneously or consecutively. This combined therapy approach has led to a much higher percentage of patients with an intact anal sphincter - survival and cure rates are good.
Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs (antineoplastics) - cytotoxic drugs prevent the cancer cells from dividing. They are administered either by injection or orally.
Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays that destroy the cancer cells. This can be given by an external beam or internally (brachytherapy).
Showing posts with label Radiotherapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Radiotherapy. Show all posts
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
What are the treatment options for oral cancer
Treatment will depend on various factors, such as where the cancer is, its stage, as well as the patient's general health and personal preferences. Some people may have to undergo a combination of treatments
Surgery - this may include:
* Surgical removal of the tumor - the tumor is surgically taken out, as well as a margin of healthy tissue around it. If the tumor is small surgery will be minor. Larger tumors will require more extensive surgery, such as the removal of some of the jawbone or some of the tongue.
* Surgical removal of cancer that spread to the neck - mouth cancer tends to spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. The surgeon may perform a neck dissection - cancerous lymph nodes and related tissue in the neck are surgically removed. A radical neck dissection involves the removal of a tumor from the neck as well as additional normal tissue of at least 2 cm surrounding the tumor, as well as removing the lymph nodes from the neck. In a radical dissection not only is the affected tissue removed, but also nearby tissue that may be affected (but not clearly identified as such).
* Mouth reconstruction - if surgery significantly changed the appearance of the face, or the patient's ability to talk and/or eat, surgeons may transplant grafts of skin, muscle or bone form other parts of the body to reconstruct the face. To help in eating, implants may replace the patient's natural teeth.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) - about 40% of all types of cancer patients undergo some kind of radiotherapy. It involves the use of beams of high-energy X-rays or particles (radiation) to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA inside the tumor cells, destroying their ability to reproduce. Radiation therapy can be delivered from outside the body (external beam radiation) or from radioactive seeds and wires that are placed near the cancer inside the body (brachytherapy). Oral cancers are especially sensitive to radiotherapy.
Internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) - often used to treat patients with early stages of cancer of the tongue. Radioactive wires or needles are stuck directly into the tumor while the patient is under a general anesthetic. The wires/needles release a dose of radiation into the tumor. While the patient is receiving internal radiation therapy he/she will stay in a single room at the hospital. Although levels of radiation are generally safe, hospital staff will only be able to spend short periods in the same room during treatment. This is because staff members are dealing with radiation every day of their lives and their exposure, although small each time, can accumulate over the long-term.
Most courses of brachytherapy last from 1 to 8 days.
The patient's mouth will swell and he/she will have some pain five to ten days after the implants are taken out. Within a few weeks the pain will ease and go away. Patients may find that consuming cool, plain, soft foods is easier. Smoking tends to make the pain worse.
Individuals in early-stage mouth cancer may be fortunate enough to have radiation therapy as their only treatment.
Radiation therapy is often used before and after surgery. It is usually given after surgery to help prevent recurrence (cancer coming back). It is sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy.
For those with advanced cancer radiation therapy may help relieve pain.
Chemotherapy - When the cancer is widespread chemotherapy is commonly used with radiotherapy. If there is a significant risk of recurrence (cancer coming back) chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy may be used.
Chemotherapy involves using powerful medicines that kill cancer; they damage the DNA of the cancer cells, undermining their ability to reproduce.
Targeted drug therapy (monoclonal antibodies) - this involves drugs that change aspects of cancer cells that help them grow. Cetuximab (Ebitux) is used for some head and neck cancers - it stops the action of a protein found in many kinds of healthy cells, but is more prevalent in the surface some cancer cells. The protein is called epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR).
Sometimes targeted drugs are used in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Cetuximab is given through a drip into the vein over a period of a few hours during the first administration - subsequent weekly doses take about an hour each.
Surgery - this may include:
* Surgical removal of the tumor - the tumor is surgically taken out, as well as a margin of healthy tissue around it. If the tumor is small surgery will be minor. Larger tumors will require more extensive surgery, such as the removal of some of the jawbone or some of the tongue.
* Surgical removal of cancer that spread to the neck - mouth cancer tends to spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. The surgeon may perform a neck dissection - cancerous lymph nodes and related tissue in the neck are surgically removed. A radical neck dissection involves the removal of a tumor from the neck as well as additional normal tissue of at least 2 cm surrounding the tumor, as well as removing the lymph nodes from the neck. In a radical dissection not only is the affected tissue removed, but also nearby tissue that may be affected (but not clearly identified as such).
* Mouth reconstruction - if surgery significantly changed the appearance of the face, or the patient's ability to talk and/or eat, surgeons may transplant grafts of skin, muscle or bone form other parts of the body to reconstruct the face. To help in eating, implants may replace the patient's natural teeth.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) - about 40% of all types of cancer patients undergo some kind of radiotherapy. It involves the use of beams of high-energy X-rays or particles (radiation) to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA inside the tumor cells, destroying their ability to reproduce. Radiation therapy can be delivered from outside the body (external beam radiation) or from radioactive seeds and wires that are placed near the cancer inside the body (brachytherapy). Oral cancers are especially sensitive to radiotherapy.
Internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) - often used to treat patients with early stages of cancer of the tongue. Radioactive wires or needles are stuck directly into the tumor while the patient is under a general anesthetic. The wires/needles release a dose of radiation into the tumor. While the patient is receiving internal radiation therapy he/she will stay in a single room at the hospital. Although levels of radiation are generally safe, hospital staff will only be able to spend short periods in the same room during treatment. This is because staff members are dealing with radiation every day of their lives and their exposure, although small each time, can accumulate over the long-term.
Most courses of brachytherapy last from 1 to 8 days.
The patient's mouth will swell and he/she will have some pain five to ten days after the implants are taken out. Within a few weeks the pain will ease and go away. Patients may find that consuming cool, plain, soft foods is easier. Smoking tends to make the pain worse.
Individuals in early-stage mouth cancer may be fortunate enough to have radiation therapy as their only treatment.
Radiation therapy is often used before and after surgery. It is usually given after surgery to help prevent recurrence (cancer coming back). It is sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy.
For those with advanced cancer radiation therapy may help relieve pain.
Chemotherapy - When the cancer is widespread chemotherapy is commonly used with radiotherapy. If there is a significant risk of recurrence (cancer coming back) chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy may be used.
Chemotherapy involves using powerful medicines that kill cancer; they damage the DNA of the cancer cells, undermining their ability to reproduce.
Targeted drug therapy (monoclonal antibodies) - this involves drugs that change aspects of cancer cells that help them grow. Cetuximab (Ebitux) is used for some head and neck cancers - it stops the action of a protein found in many kinds of healthy cells, but is more prevalent in the surface some cancer cells. The protein is called epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR).
Sometimes targeted drugs are used in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Cetuximab is given through a drip into the vein over a period of a few hours during the first administration - subsequent weekly doses take about an hour each.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
What are the risk factors for mouth cancer
A risk factor is anything that increases that likelihood of developing a disease or condition. For example, regular smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer; therefore smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. The risk factors for mouth cancer include:
- Smoking - studies indicate that a 40-per-day smoker has a risk five times great than a lifetime non-smoker of developing oral cancer.
- Chewing tobacco.
- Taking snuff (snorting tobacco).
- Both heavy and regular alcohol consumption - somebody who consumes an average of 30 pints of beer per week has a risk five times greater than a teetotaler or somebody who drinks moderately.
- Heavy smoking combined with heavy drinking - as tobacco and alcohol have a synergistic effect (their combined effect is greater than each one added together separately), people who drink and also smoke a lot have a significantly higher risk of developing oral cancer compared to others. Somebody who smokes 40 cigarettes per day AND consumes an average of 30 pints of beer a week is 38 times more likely to develop oral cancer compared to other people.
- Too much sun exposure on the lips, as well as sunlamps or sunbeds.
- Diet - people who consume lots of red meat, processed meat and fried foods are more likely to develop oral cancer than others.
- GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) - people with this digestive condition where acid from the stomach leaks back up through the gullet (esophagus) have a higher risk of oral cancer.
- HPV (human papillomavirus) infection.
- Prior radiation treatment (radiotherapy) in the head and/or neck area.
- Regularly chewing betel nuts - these nuts, from the betel palm tree, are popular in some parts of south east Asia. They are slightly addictive and are also carcinogenic.
- Exposure to certain chemicals - especially asbestos, sulphuric acid and formaldehyde.
Monday, November 2, 2009
What is the treatment for ovarian cancer?
Treatment for ovarian cancer consists of surgery, chemotherapy, a combination of surgery with chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy. The kind of treatment depends on many factors, including the type of ovarian cancer, its stage and grade, as well as the general health of the patient.
Some studies have indicated that specialized hospitals tend to have better survival rates for ovarian cancer patients, compared to general hospitals
Surgery
The surgical removal of the cancer is performed in the vast majority of ovarian cancer cases, and is often the first treatment the patient will undergo.
Unless the ovarian cancer is very low grade, the patient will require an extensive operation that includes the removal of both ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby lymph nodes, and the omentum (a fold of fatty abdominal tissue). Cancer often spreads into the omentum. In most cases the operation will be carried out by a gynecologic oncologist surgeon - a specialist in surgery for women with cancer of the reproductive organs. This operation, sometimes referred to as a total hysterectomy, will mean that the woman will begin her menopause immediately. Recent research by Canadian scientists found that premature removal of the ovaries increases the risk of lung cancer.
If the cancer is confined to just one of the ovaries the surgeon may just remove the affected ovary and the adjoining fallopian tube. The woman will have a chance of being able to conceive. If both ovaries are removed it will not be possible to conceive.
Surgery for ovarian cancer will require a hospital stay of up to two weeks, plus a recovery period of at least six weeks when the patient gets back home.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals (medication) to treat any disease - more specifically in this text, it refers to the destruction of cancer cells. Cytotoxic medication prevents cancer cells from dividing and growing. When health care professionals talk about chemotherapy today, they generally tend to refer more to cytotoxic medication than others. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, as well as most other cancers, is used to target cancer cells that surgery cannot or did not remove.
Patients will typically receive a combination of carboplatin (Paraplatin) and paclitaxel (Taxol) intravenously (injected into the bloodstream). As it is injected into the bloodstream it can target cancer cells in the reproductive system, as well as any cancer cells that may have reached elsewhere in the body.
Treatment usually involves 6 to 12 chemotherapy sessions which will be given three to four weeks apart so that the body has time to recover. One session usually consists of a 3-hour gradual injection of the medicine into the body; sometimes it may be extended to 24 hours. Extended injections require an overnight stay in hospital.
Radiotherapy
Radiation is not the mainstay of ovarian cancer treatment - it is not generally considered effective for ovarian cancer. It may be used if there are small traces of cancer in the reproductive system, or to treat the symptoms of advanced cancer. External radiotherapy may be used to clear traces of cancer left after chemotherapy, while internal radiotherapy may be used for advanced cancer. Radiotherapy may cause the following symptoms; some symptoms may not appear until a long time after treatment is over:
Some studies have indicated that specialized hospitals tend to have better survival rates for ovarian cancer patients, compared to general hospitals
Surgery
The surgical removal of the cancer is performed in the vast majority of ovarian cancer cases, and is often the first treatment the patient will undergo.
Unless the ovarian cancer is very low grade, the patient will require an extensive operation that includes the removal of both ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby lymph nodes, and the omentum (a fold of fatty abdominal tissue). Cancer often spreads into the omentum. In most cases the operation will be carried out by a gynecologic oncologist surgeon - a specialist in surgery for women with cancer of the reproductive organs. This operation, sometimes referred to as a total hysterectomy, will mean that the woman will begin her menopause immediately. Recent research by Canadian scientists found that premature removal of the ovaries increases the risk of lung cancer.
If the cancer is confined to just one of the ovaries the surgeon may just remove the affected ovary and the adjoining fallopian tube. The woman will have a chance of being able to conceive. If both ovaries are removed it will not be possible to conceive.
Surgery for ovarian cancer will require a hospital stay of up to two weeks, plus a recovery period of at least six weeks when the patient gets back home.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals (medication) to treat any disease - more specifically in this text, it refers to the destruction of cancer cells. Cytotoxic medication prevents cancer cells from dividing and growing. When health care professionals talk about chemotherapy today, they generally tend to refer more to cytotoxic medication than others. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, as well as most other cancers, is used to target cancer cells that surgery cannot or did not remove.
Patients will typically receive a combination of carboplatin (Paraplatin) and paclitaxel (Taxol) intravenously (injected into the bloodstream). As it is injected into the bloodstream it can target cancer cells in the reproductive system, as well as any cancer cells that may have reached elsewhere in the body.
Treatment usually involves 6 to 12 chemotherapy sessions which will be given three to four weeks apart so that the body has time to recover. One session usually consists of a 3-hour gradual injection of the medicine into the body; sometimes it may be extended to 24 hours. Extended injections require an overnight stay in hospital.
Radiotherapy
Radiation is not the mainstay of ovarian cancer treatment - it is not generally considered effective for ovarian cancer. It may be used if there are small traces of cancer in the reproductive system, or to treat the symptoms of advanced cancer. External radiotherapy may be used to clear traces of cancer left after chemotherapy, while internal radiotherapy may be used for advanced cancer. Radiotherapy may cause the following symptoms; some symptoms may not appear until a long time after treatment is over:
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