Archive for November, 2009

The esophagus is a muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach through which the food passes. There are two types of esophageal cancer squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In squamous cell carcinoma the cancer begins in flat cells lining the esophagus, in adenocarcinoma type the cancer begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids. It is more commonly seen in men than in women. The use of smoking and tobacco along with alcohol increase the risk of esophageal cancer. The main cause of this cancer is Barrett’s esophagus which is a secondary chronic reflux disease due to which the movement of the contents of stomach in to esophagus takes place. Other causes of esophagus cancer are tobacco, alcohol, high fat, low protein diet, exposure to nitrosamines, esophageal irritation. Only very few cases are diagnosed in its early stage. At later stages the patients will have difficulty in swallowing solid food. Other symptoms of this cancer are weight loss, loss of appetite, cough, hoarseness, bone pain, and shortness of breath. To diagnose an endoscopy has to be done to visualize the esophagus. Then as usual regular procedures like CT scan or MRI, then a biopsy followed by the tissue analyzed by a pathologist has to be done . then a fine needle aspirartion or surgical biopsy can be done. Mos t patients are treated with the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.Beneath the coupled gold faints the painless catalog.

The anus is the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body. It is the last part of the large intestine. Cancer that forms in the tissues of the anus is called as anal cancer. Anal cancer is mere common in American women than men. It is often seen above age of 60 years. In younger adults anal cancer is more common in homosexual single men. The most common type of anal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Other types are basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and melanoma. Receptive anal intercourse increases the risk of developing the anal cancer. Genital warts also increase the risk of anal cancer. The symptoms of this anal cancer are bleeding, pain and discomfort in the anal area. But the patients may or may not feel the cancer tissue. When the patient is suspicious of anal cancer an endoscopy is examined to visualize the anus and rectum. A CT scan or MRI should also be done, if an abnormal area is seen a biopsy is done and examined by a pathologist. This disease is highly curable with the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If the disease is in very early stage then surgery is the most appropriate option.

Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach is called as stomach cancer. It is also called as gastric cancer. This stomach cancer is ten times more common in Japan. It occur more frequently in men than in women and in African Americans. The average year of diagnosis is 60 years. The actual cause of stomach cancer is still unknown. However, people with blood type A and a history of pernicious anemia have greater risk of developing this cancer. This type of cancer usually grows for very long time without showing any sign, so unfortunately most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages when cure is not possible. Some of the symptoms of stomach cancer are abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, blood in the stool, vomiting, blood vomiting, and anemia. While the patient is suspected an endoscopy, study of stomach should be performed. Later it is followed by a biopsy. A CT scan and Ultrasound examination of the abdomen helps in establishing the extent of cancer. The treatment involves in surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The survival of patients with stomach cancer depends on the extent of the cancer at the time of initial diagnosis. Stomach cancer can be prevented by evaluating the salt intake, high intake of diet containing fruits and veggies, and knowing proper medical history.

Testicles are male sex glands found behind the penis in a bag of skin called scrotum. These glands are responsible for producing and storing sperms and other male hormones. Testicular cancer begins within the testicles and grows out of control. Testicular cancer usually occurs in young man of age group 15-35. It is uncommon in African-Americans. this disease is five times more common in whites than in blacks and Asians. Some of the factors linked to increase the risk of developing this cancer are prior testicular cancer, undescended testis, certain genetic disorders and exposure to certain chemicals. Men with affected first degree relative have higher risk of this testicular cancer. There are two types of testicular cancer seminoma and nonseminoma. Seminoma cancer accounts for 30% of all testicular cancer and nonseminoma cancer type has 70% tumor. The symptoms and signs of this testicular cancer are mainly testicular swelling then enlargement of lymph nodes in groins, low back pain, and abdominal pain. The treatment involves in surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This cancer is highly sensitive to treatment and completely curable. In very advanced stage if usual treatment did not response properly then bone marrow transplantation may be done to increase the survival period.