BONE CANCER and types of Bone Cancer

BONE CANCER is one of the uncommon cancer of all other types of cancers. Bone cancer generally affects the normal tissue of the bones and affects the working of bones. Bone cancer can be primary or secondary. Primary bone cancer begins within the bone whereas secondary bone cancer begins in other parts of the body and spread to nearby bones and affects them. Bone cancer may be malignant(fatal) or non-malignant. This mainly occurs in the long bones of the body particularly in arm bones and leg bones. The most common symptom of bone cancer if pain in joints.

There are various types of bone cancers that are as follows :-

1. Osteosarcoma :- Osteosarcoma is is the most common bone cancer that mainly affects the age group of 5 to 20 years. It arises from a bone tissue named osteoid. It mainly occurs in long bones such as thigh bone and arm bone. It is the third most common cancer that develops in children after  brain tumors and leukemia.

2. Chondrosarcoma :- This type of bone cancer mainly develops in adults of age group of 40 to 50 years. It mainly occurs in the cartilage tissue of bones. These mainly occurs in upper arms of body, shoulder, upper leg and between the hip bones known as pelvis.

3. Ewing sarcoma :- This type of bone cancer mainly occur in main bone area and also it can occur in the soft parts and tissues of body such as fibrous, muscle, fat tissues, blood vessels and other supporting tissues. This occurs in the young age group of 10 to 20 years of age. It mainly develops in backbone and pelvis.

4. Spindle cell sarcoma :- This type of bone cancer is likely to osteosarcoma which occurs in adult age group of age more that 40 years of age. It occurs in thigh bones and arm bones similar to osteosarcoma.




REFERENCES :-
National Cancer Institute
NHS Choices
US Mediline Plus

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS of BLOOD CANCER

BLOOD CANCER is one of the uncommon cancer but it is a fatal one if not discovered at early stages. There are various types of blood cancers namely leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. There are various signs and symptoms of blood cancer which if taken care can save a life. Various signs and symptoms of blood cancer are as follows :-

Fever

1. Fever :- Fever is one of the earliest symptom of blood cancer. It is not a common fever. In this a body feels fatigue for a long time. This fever is uneven which heals and come back again and again. If there is fever which shows abnormality then you should report to the doctor to sort out the reason.



2. Unexplained weight loss :- If there is an unexplained weight loss without any indication or reason then it may indicate blood cancer. So you must go for a whole body scan to detect blood cancer.

3. Chills :- Sometimes a person may feel like chilling in normal temperature. This is also a symptom of blood cancer.

Swollen lymph nodes

4. Swelling of lymph nodes :- If there is swelling in the lymph nodes then it may be the blood cancer. Lymph nodes that swell may or may not be painless. If there is any indication of swelling of lymph nodes then its a alarm to go to the doctor to find out the reason.




5. Lack of energy :- In some of the cases person feels lack of energy without doing any sort of work or person may easily exhaust with little or no work. This may indicate the blood cancer

Night sweating

6. Night sweating :- Sweating unreasonably is a symptom of blood cancer. If you experience sweats at night without reason or without doing any work then it is time to worry and you must visit a doctor for bady checkup to know the exact cause.


7. Itching :- In some cases a person  is in a abnormal state due to itching on body without any reason. This also indicates blood cancer.
If all these signs and symptoms are taken in mind at earlier stages of blood cancer then we can stop that cancer to become fatal.

REFERENCES :-
Lymphoma.org
American Society of hematology
Leukemia and Lymphoma research
Leukemia & Lymphoma society

BLOOD CANCER & TYPES OF BLOOD CANCER

BLOOD CANCER as the name suggest is associated with the blood forming tissues. It is an uncommon type of cancer. In blood cancer white blood cells rapidly start growing which doesn't allow the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. It affects the functioning and formation of blood. Most of the blood cancers originates from the blood formation tissue that is bone marrow. It also affects the lymphatic system and formation of plasma cells. There are three major types of blood cancer that are Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma and these are discussed as follows :-

1. Leukemia :- It is a type of blood cancer which originates from bone marrow. In this type of blood cancer White blood cells or W.B.C.s lost control over their formation and starts growing rapidly and obstructs the formation of Red blood cells or known as R.B.C.s and platelets which are helpful in fighting the infections. Leukemia is of two types that are acute and chronic and involves two types of cells that are lymphoid and granulocyte cells or myelocyte cells. Due to this reason leukemia is categorized into four major types that are as :-
(i)   Acute Lymphocytic leukemia or ALL which is common in children and in adults too.
(ii)  Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia or CLL which affects people of older age groups more than 55 of age.
(iii) Acute myelogenous leukemia or AML which affects mostly adults.
(iv) Chronic myelogenous leukemia or CML that also target adults.

2. Lymphoma :- In this type of blood cancer as the name suggests, it affects the lymphatic system of the body which is responsible for removing excess fluids and generates the immune cells. Lymphocytes or immune cells are generally white blood cells that protect us from infections. Lymphocytes which shows abnormal action becomes lymphoma cells and starts dividing abnormally and collects in lymph nodes and other parts of body. Later on they start retarding our immune system. 

There are two types of lymphocytes that are B cells and T cells. B & T cells both collectively fights with infections of body. B cells act as an indicator which stick to the pathogen to be destroyed and T cells actually attack and destroy the pathogen. Lymphoma occurs when these B and T cells transforms and began growing rapidly. These may collect in lymph nodes and forms lump and doesn't let the oxygen to reach other body parts. It may also spread to other parts and can metastatize and spreading of tumor to other parts of body other that lymph nodes is referred to as extra nodal disease.

3. Myeloma :- It is another type of blood cancer which affects the plasma cells of blood which are generally white blood cells that are responsible for producing antibodies that fights infections and certain diseases. Myeloma weakens the body as the immune system gets retarded due inability to fight infections. In multiple myeloma a group of  plasma cells shows abnormal action and become cancerous and they multiplies raising the number of abnormal plasma cells and affects bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count.

REFERENCES :-

Lymphoma.org
American Society of hematology
Leukemia and Lymphoma research
Leukemia & Lymphoma society

TREATMENT OF SKIN CANCER

Skin Cancer is the most common cancer and it has been studied that one out of two persons in America and Australia develops skin cancer in their lifetime. There are three types of skin cancers which have their specific signs and symptoms. Now the question before us is to control and treat this most common type of cancer and following are some of the methods by which we can treat skin cancer. Skin cancer treatment is known as actinic keratoses. It may be treated by using some surgical operations or by using other methods of treating skin cancer.

Curettage

1. Excision :- It is a surgical treatment in which the tumor is cut down by making the skin numb by the dermatologist. It is a very simple and easy method of  treatment. Wounds are healed without stitches.

2. Electrodesication and curettage :- This is also a surgical process which is adopted to treat cancer on superficial layer of skin such as small basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers. In this the affected skin is scrapped with curette and if there are more cancerous cells left then they are burned with electric needle.

3. Mohs treatment or surgery :- As the name suggests it is a surgical treatment in which a specialized dermatologist treats the patient by removing layer by layer of the affected skin area. This treatment is used when there is difficulty in locating the skin cancer. It has very high rates of success.

4. Cyrosurgery or freezing :- In this the doctor or dermatologists freezes the affected skin area with liquid nitrogen which destroys the affected area and the cancer cells are removed.

Chemotherapy

5. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy :- In immunotherapy body of a patient is treated in such a way that its own body fights with the cancer cells. In chemotherapy several medicines & ointments are used to treat the skin cancer. The medicine generally used for treatment of skin cancer is 5-fluorouracil or 5-FU which is applied on affected area and it destroys that affected area and instead of that new skin appears. Several drugs are also taken to destroy cancer cells but along with cancer cells some normal cells are also destroyed. It results in side effects such as hair loss, weakness and vomiting.

Radiotherapy

6. Photo-dynamic therapy :- It is done in two phases. Firstly a chemical is applied on skin and kept for several hours and then this is exposed to a certain light which destroys cancer cells.

7. Radiation therapy :- It is the least recommended treatment for skin and done in case where the skin cancer covers a major area and it is hard to do surgery. It is recommended for patients of old age. There is a risk for developing other type of skin cancer.

REFERENCES :- 

MayoClinic
Cancer Council Australia
WebMD
American Academy of Dermatology

Signs and symptoms of Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer as we have read about the types of skin cancer and according to the types of skin cancer there have various risk factors and cause of skin cancer which led to development of skin cancer. Now the signs and symptoms of skin cancer depends upon the type of skin cancer.

Signs and symptoms of skin cancer are different for different types of skin cancer and these types are Basal Cell skin cancer or carcinoma, Squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma ans Melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma or skin cancer and these three different types of skin cancer has their own signs and symptoms and let us discuss about them one by one.

Signs and symptoms of Basal cell carcinoma(B.C.C.) :- This is the most common skin cancer and it happens on the parts which are highly exposed to sunlight such as face, neck and head and also it can affect the hidden parts of body such as genitals. This is not deadly cancer and it has its specific signs and symptoms which are as follows :-

1. Pearly bump of pink or flesh colored :- If your body develops a pearly bump or lump of red, brown or flesh color, then it may indicate the basal cell skin cancer.

2. Bleeding sore that may return after healing :- If your skin develops sore and it bleed for unnecessary period of time then it may indicate any sort of abnormality in cells of skin and skin cancer too.

3. Hard white or yellow patch on skin :- If your skin experience any sort of patch coloring white or yellow that fells hard then it may indicate the skin cancer of this type.

4. Unclear pimples :- If you are experiencing pimples that are unable to clear indicate abnormality in skin cells and it may be skin cancer.

5. Red or brown patch that wont heal :- It is common to form patches on skin but if the patch does not heal then it may be skin cancer.

6. Waxy scars (white, yellow or skin colored) :- If your skin experience scars that appear waxy white, yellow or skin colored then you must visit doctor to check out the problem as it may be skin cancer.

7. Slowly growing group of red and pink scars type growths :- If your skin experience growth of group of tiny scars that grows slowly and may bleed on scratch indicate skin cancer.


Signs and symptoms of Squamous cell carcinoma or skin cancer (S.C.C.) :- It is also one of the most common types of skin cancer. It is slightly dangerous from B.C.C.. It may spread to other parts but chances are negligible. It can happen inside mouth, between lips and genital parts. It may also affect the parts which are exposed to sunlight. It may be caused by burns or exposure to chemicals. They are some signs and symptoms of S.C.C. which are as follows :-

1. Reddish pearly bump or nodule that hardens :- If there is a bump on skin surface that hardens and does not heal. Then it may indicate skin cancer.

2. Open scar that may bleed :- If your skin has a scar that bleeds and it heals and again it occurs or  start bleeding. It may indicate S.C.C.

3. Patch on lips :- If your lips experience patches white in color and it does not heal within a specific time period then it may indicate the abnormality in skin cells.

4. Hardening of lips :- If your lips harden and and doesn't heal then you should visit doctor as it may be skin cancer.


Signs and symptoms of Melanoma :- It is the rarest of skin cancers but it is the most deadly form of skin cancer. There are high chances of spreading this cancer to other parts of body. Some general signs and symptoms of melanoma are as follows :-

1. Mole on skin that grows unevenly or changes shape and color :- If your body experience mole that grows and changes its shape and size thus its a cause of concern and must visit a doctor to review.

2. Dark spot that grows quickly :- If there is any black spot on the body that look like mole but grows quickly and doesn't heal on time may result in melanoma.

3. Black or brown streak under nails :- In some cases black streaks appear under finger and toe nails which represents abnormal skin cells and symptom of melanoma.

4. Bleeding unknowingly in new spots of skin :- If there is pain and bleeding at any new spot on the body unknowingly then there is a chance of melanoma.

5. Bruise or infection that doesn't heal :- If you have bruised your foot or there is any infection in the skin and it is for over a large span of time. Then it may point to melanoma

REFERENCES :-
MayoClinic
Cancer Council Australia
WebMD
American Academy of Dermatology

Risk factors and causes of Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is one of the most common cancer of all cancers. One out of two Americans develops skin cancer in his life time. About 80% of the cancers are not fatal but skin cancers like Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and may affect life. People having fairer skin tend to develop skin cancer earlier than those have darker one. There are various risk factors and causes which are responsible for developing skin cancer and these are as follows :-

1. Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiations and Sunburn :- Ultraviolet or UV radiations in short are the main cause for skin cancer. Prolonged exposure to UV radiations can cause genetic changes in cells of skin which affect the working of skin cells and may led to formation of cancerous cells. The main source of UV radiation is sun and prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause sunburn and changes in skin cells.

2. Environment and geographical area :- Environmental conditions of a geographical area greatly affects the skin cancer. As we know that there is ozone layer which protects us from UV rays and due to environmental degradation this layer is depleting and UV rays are coming to earths surface. Areas having high pollution levels let more UV rays to reach earth led to more risk of skin cancers.

3. Color of skin :- Skin cancer also decide the extent of skin cancer. People having fair skin are more prone to skin cancer as compared to people having dark one as the people having fair skin produces melanin that is a protective skin pigment in very less amount.

4. Age :- Age is an another risk factor for skin cancer. People of old age are more prone to skin cancer than younger ones.

5. Weak immune system :- If a person already had treatment or organ transplant in his lifetime then this weakens the immune system and that body is more likely at higher risk of developing skin cancer.

6. Drugs and medicines used for other diseases :- There are certain drugs such as thiopurines which are used to treat inflammatory diseases, consumption of which increases the risk of skin cancer.

7. Chemical exposure :- Exposure to certain chemicals such as coal tar, soot, pitch, asphalt, creosote, paraffin wax, petroleum products, arsenic and many more chemicals are responsible for having skin cancer.

8. Radiation therapy and past history :- If a person have undergone radiation therapy or you have some past history of any type of skin cancer then that person is at more risk than those who does not have any past history of skin cancer.

REFERENCES :-

Cancer Research Uk
Cancer Quest
Cancer Council Australia
Stanford Cancer Institute

SKIN CANCER and its types

SKIN CANCER basically refers to the cancer which arises or develop in the tissues of the skin and make changes in the cells of skin. It is one of the most common cancers of all the cancers. Every year about one million new cases are registered and these rates are increasing day by day and its gaining public concern. It has been estimated that one out of two Americans develops skin cancer in their life time. One thing that is on our side is that skin cancer has the highest survival rates all over the globe of about 75%.

There are three types of skin cancer that are described as :-

1. Basal cell skin cancer :- This is the most common skin cancer which is found among the skin cancer patients. About 75% of skin cancers that are diagnosed are supposed to be basal cell skin cancer or basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely been fatal. This is most easily treated skin cancer and most common in people having fair skin. This is mainly caused by prolonged exposure of body to sunlight. It experiences irritation, yellow or white scar, blood from the affected area or pink pearly bump on face or neck.

2. Squamous cell skin cancer :- This is second type of skin cancer which attacks our squamous cells and it is slightly more harmful than basal cell skin cancer. This is common in people having dark skin. This type of skin cancer is developed in areas which are not exposed to sunlight such as under arms, under legs, hands and fingers and hidden parts of body. In people having fair skin it develops in areas more prone to sunlight. It is more likely to spread in other body parts than basal cell skin cancer.

3. Melanoma :- It is the rarest of skin cancer but most dangerous of all three skin cancers. It is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. This type of cancer it most treatable if it is detected earlier. It happens on skin of head, neck and between hips.  It is rarest in people having dark skin but if it happens in them it happens on fingers and palm of hand. Melanoma affects the skin causes change in skin color or mole on skin. It forms irregular lining and it may be fatal if not treated.


REFERENCES :-
Cancer Quest
National Cancer Institute
About.com