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There is a long-standing debate in health care between traditional medicine and alternative treatments. The drug industry is much more heavily regulated than alternative therapy and each medication has to be strenuously tested before it can be issued to the public. Because of this, the drug industry claims to be safer for the patient than alternative methods that may be unproven. On the other side, drug critics claim that traditional practitioners frequently over-medicate their patients and that many drugs have dangerous side effects. Be aware of what alternative treatments are available for your condition before you determine which option is…
The prostate is a small organ in the male reproductive system; it's about the size of a peach pit and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder). The prostate assists in the production of semen. Prostate cancer usually affects older men and is accompanied with certain symptoms. Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, there are different stages and different treatment options, depending on the stage.
Oncology is the branch of medicine that treats cancer. Doctors who treat cancer patients are called oncologists. There are four main areas of oncology: surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pediatric oncology and medical oncology. Surgical oncology manages surgeries, including removing tumors as well as biopsies. Radiation oncology supervises radiation therapy treatments. Pediatric oncology specializes in treating children with cancer. Medical oncology treats cancer with drugs, usually chemotherapy, and also manages pain and discomfort. Medical oncologists also often oversee the care of a cancer patient.
Oncology involves the study, diagnosis and treatment of cancerous tumors, according to OncologyChannel.com. Because doctors and other professionals in the field of oncology work with patients who fear the possibility of death, these individuals must be compassionate and sympathetic to cancer patients and their families. The field of oncology is very complex and typically requires at least 11 years of schooling beyond high school for doctors.
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, accounting for to close 192,000 new cases annually. This cancer rarely develops in men, with close to 2,000 cases diagnosed annually worldwide. People ages 50 to 60 are most commonly affected by breast cancer, with close to 10% of them being diagnosed with the condition. Generally, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the preferred ways to treat elderly breast cancer patients, as surgery might be risky for an older person.
Once throat cancer has been diagnosed, the type, stage and location of the tumor, the patient's health, and the patient's desires are all taken under consideration before a plan of treatment can be executed. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the standard treatments used to treat cancer and are approved by the FDA. Clinical trials are also possible treatment options. Speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns. Communication is imperative to a favorable outcome.
Breast cancer forms in the cells of breast tissue. When breast cancer is discovered in its earliest stages, treatment has a very high success rate. Many treatment options are available. Usually, several treatments are combined in order to gain the best result. If you notice any change in your breast's shape or discover a lump in your breast, you should see your physician immediately. If cancer is found, you will be referred to an oncologist, a cancer specialist, for treatment.
Bladder cancer is a form of cancer that affects the tissues of the bladder. It can occur in anyone of any age but is most commonly found in older adults. The treatment for bladder cancer greatly depends on the severity of the cancer when diagnosed. When diagnosed early, bladder cancer is highly treatable.
With modern treatment methods, skin cancer is fairly easily, and quickly, removed. Surgery is the most common course of treatment for skin cancer but your physician may also discuss topical chemotherapy, radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy with you. All treatment methods are fairly different so it's important to have a full understanding of what each treatment entails before undergoing the procedure.
Ovarian cancer presents challenges in diagnosis and, consequently, treatment. Symptoms are often absent until the tumor has already grown and spread to other organs. When present, the symptoms are general and are often misattributed to other conditions. Ovarian cancer is treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
Prostate cancer is when cells grow at an uncontrollable rate in the tissue of the prostate, forming small tumors. The cancer cells are not regulated and outlive normal cells. At this point in time, prostate cancer can be curable at a rate of 90 percent or more after surgery or radiation, which is used to remove or kill the cells. Unfortunately, there is no way to know the rate of growth for prostate cancer. If the tumors in the prostate are not treated and continue to grow and form new tumors, it can spread and be transported into other parts…
Kidney cancer refers to cancer that originates in one or both kidneys. The most common type of cancer is caused by renal cell carcinoma, which is responsible for nine out of every 10 cases of cancer. Many of the standard forms of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, are not effective methods of treating kidney cancer; surgery and biotherapy are usually recommended.
Metastatic adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that typically occurs in people that are 50 years or older. For women, the most common sites of this condition include the lungs or breast. In men, the cancer is typically located in the prostate or lungs. However, both men and women may also experience this condition in the liver and colon. Many people who are diagnosed with this condition ask, "How can I treat this type of cancer?" Fortunately, there are treatment options that will assist in minimizing discomfort associated with this condition.
This year, there will be 21,130 new cases of stomach cancer and 10,620 deaths from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk for developing stomach cancer is 1 in 100 for Americans. Certain populations--like Central Europeans, South Americans and Asians--are more predisposed to this type of cancer. In America, it's believed the use of antibiotics has decreased the rate of this once deadly cancer. If caught early, the five-year survival rate is 50 percent for lower stomach cancer and 10 to 15 percent for upper stomach cancer, with an average 21 percent survival rate overall.
Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, is compressed -- commonly by a herniated disc. Pain can shoot down from the lower hip through the thigh. Sciatica is diagnosed by nerve testing, observation of pain, MRI and x-ray. A variety of treatment options are available from avoiding sudden movements to surgery. Non-invasive procedures work best, as surgery is often not necessary.
Neuromuscular disorders affect the nerves that control the voluntary muscles in the body. Neurons send out electrical messages that control the muscles in the arms and legs, and when the neurons become unhealthy and die from the neuromuscular disorder, the communication between the muscles and the nervous systems breaks down. Types of neuromuscular disorders include amyotropic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis and spinal muscular atrophy. While there is no cure for neuromuscular disorders, a combination of various therapies and individual and family counseling can help manage the symptoms.
Cancer is when the body's cells grow uncontrollably. This abnormal growth crowds out and kills normal-growing cells. Liver cancer can begin in the liver, or can spread to the liver from other cancerous organs. There are several treatment options to stop or cure liver cancer.
Lung cancer occurs when cells within the lung tissue become mutated. Although some of these mutations can occur via the exposure to environmental toxins, such as tobacco smoke and radon, others occur seemingly at random. Once these cells mutate, they may grow uncontrollably, which leads to the generation of cancerous cells. Not only can these cells disrupt the normal function of the lungs, but they can also spread to other tissues (a process known as metastasis), where they can cause further damage.
The term myelodysplastic syndrome refers to several distinct but closely related hematological conditions, all of which involve dysfunctional production of white blood cells. It is marked by low white and red blood cell counts, low platelet counts, and blood cell abnormalities. Myelodysplastic syndrome may be idiopathic or the result of past cancer treatments or exposure to certain chemicals.
Myelofibrosis is a bone marrow disorder in which the body does not produce blood cells as it should. As a result, the bone marrow becomes scarred, and patients develop severe anemia and fatigue and, in many cases, the spleen and liver become enlarged. There is no known cause for myelofibrosis, but several treatment options are available to help alleviate symptoms.
The esophagus is a tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. Esophageal cancer is a cancerous growth or tumor within the esophagus. According to the Mayo Clinic, esophageal cancer is more common in men than women and is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70 years. Treatment options vary according to the type and extent of the cancer.
Erectile dysfunction is a persistent inability to maintain an erection during sexual activity.Unlike in the past, when it was taboo to talk about, erectile dysfunction is a topic that today is openly discussed; this is good news for the 30 million men in the U.S. experiencing and seeking treatment for this condition.
A variety of treatments and options are available for men with prostate cancer. Like all cancers, the earlier the disease is identified, the more likely non-surgical options are possible. It generally takes three years for prostate cancer to develop into a life-threatening disease. According to American Cancer Society, as of 2008, approximately 186,000 Americans develop prostate cancer each year. The same organization says that although prostate cancer is seen in men as early as 30 years old, 95 percent of those diagnosed are over the age of 45.
Prostate cancer treatment options vary according to what stage the cancer is in. If the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate, the three most common treatment options are a radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy and watchful waiting. Once the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, radiation therapy and surgery are not effective and other treatment options must be considered.
Men with advanced prostate cancer have several treatment options. The choice of treatment depends on age, personal preference and how far advanced the cancer is. Prostate cancer is considered to be advanced when it has spread (metastasized) beyond the prostate gland to other areas of the body. There is no cure for advanced prostate cancer, but treatments can help slow its growth, minimize spreading and ease symptoms.
