Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, more precisely malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs, the mesothelium. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.
Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

• Shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall)

• Chest wall pain
• Weight loss

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

• Chest wall pain
• Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue or anemia
• Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body. Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Ascites or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
• A mass in the abdomen
• Problems with bowel function
• Weight loss

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

• Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
• Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Low blood sugar level
• Pleural effusion
• Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
• Severe ascites

A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Causes Of Mesothelioma

• Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure which occurs when fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body and become lodged in body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries. When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline.
  More than 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are  veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.

Mesothelioma Types

There are five known types of mesothelioma. The four listed below are malignant  cancers, and benign mesothelioma is a non-cancerous condition.

Pleural Mesothelioma:

This type of  mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 75 percent of cases being pleural in origin.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
Comprising approximately 20 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane.
Pericardial Mesothelioma:

This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Approximately 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.
Testicular Mesothelioma:
Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of the cancer.

SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer is a disease in which skin cells lose the ability to divide and grow normally. Healthy skin cells normally divide in an orderly way to replace dead cells and grow new skin. Abnormal cells can grow out of control and form a mass or 'tumor'. When abnormal cells originate in the skin, the mass is called a skin tumor.

A skin tumor is considered benign if it is limited to a few cell layers and does not invade surrounding tissues or organs. But if the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues it is considered malignant or cancerous.

Cancer cells crowd out and destroy nearby healthy cells forming growths called malignant tumors.

Most skin growths, however, are non-malignant, benign (not harmful) tumors.

• Some forms of skin cancer also metastasize. That is, they spread to other parts of the body and start new tumors.
• Skin cancer that spreads to vital organs like the brain or liver can be life threatening.

The skin, which is the human body's largest organ, has several functions. It prevents the body from losing water and other fluid, stores fat, cools the body when sweat evaporates, and makes vitamin D. The skin also protects the body from infection, light, and injury.

A tumor is considered benign (not cancerous) if it is limited to a few cell layers and does not invade surrounding tissues or organs. But if the tumor spreads - or has the potential to spread - to surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered malignant, or cancerous.

Cancer (malignant growths) occur when:

• Some cells in the body begin to multiply in an uncontrolled manner.
• The body's natural defenses, such as certain parts of the immune system, cannot stop uncontrolled cell division.
• These abnormal cells become greater and greater in number.

Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

The most common symptoms are:

1. A new growth on the skin.

2. A change in an existing skin growth.

3. A sore that does not heal.

Not all changes in the skin are symptoms of skin cancer. Most moles and other growths are harmless and do not need to be removed. Moles that are unattractive, or in areas where they are constantly irritated by clothing, can be removed by a doctor.

PROSTATE CANCER

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis that's found only in men. It's located between the penis and the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis.

The main function of the prostate is to help in the production of semen. The prostate produces a thick white fluid that is then liquefied by a special protein known as prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The fluid is then mixed with sperm, produced by the testicles, to create semen.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It is responsible for 25% of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in England and Wales.

The chances of developing prostate cancer increase as you get older. Most cases develop in men aged 65 or older.

For reasons that are not understood, prostate cancer is more common in men who are of Afro-Caribbean or African descent and less common in men of Asian descent.

The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown.

The outlook for prostate cancer is generally good despite it being relatively challenging to treat. This is because, unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer usually progresses very slowly. It can take up to 15 years for the cancer to spread from the prostate to other parts of the body (metastasis), typically the bones. In many cases, prostate cancer won't affect a man's natural life span.

Once the cancer has spread to the bones it can't be cured, and treatment is focused on prolonging life and relieving symptoms. Approximately 9,000 men die from prostate cancer every year in England and Wales.

People who are at higher risk include:

• African-American men
• Men who are older than 60
• Farmers
• Tire plant workers
• Painters
• Men who have been exposed to cadmium

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• difficulty in starting to pass urine
• a weak, sometimes intermittent flow of urine
• dribbling of urine before and after urinating
• a frequent or urgent need to pass urine
• pain when passing urine
• rarely, blood in the urine
• erectile dysfunction

Causes of prostate cancer

The cause of prostate cancer isn't fully understood at present, but you are more likely to develop prostate cancer if:

• you're over 50
• you have close relatives who have had prostate cancer
• several women in your family have had breast cancer - you may have inherited a faulty gene which may increase your risk of prostate cancer
• you're African-Caribbean or African-American
• your diet is high in fat
• you're overweight

Diagnosis of prostate cancer

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing

The main test for prostate cancer is the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, which looks for raised levels of PSA in the blood. Prostate cancer increases the production of PSA, so the test may be able to detect prostate cancer in its early stages.

However, the test is problematic:

• Up to 20% of men who do have prostate cancer will not have a raised PSA level;
• Over 65% of men with a raised PSA level will not have cancer. PSA levels tend to rise in all men as they get older.

Digital rectal examination

The next step to confirming a diagnosis of prostate cancer is a digital rectal examination (DRE). This can be done by your GP.

During a DRE, your GP will insert a finger into your rectum (back passage). The rectum is close to your prostate gland, so your GP is able to check to see if the surface of the gland has changed. This will feel a little uncomfortable but it should not cause you pain.

Prostate cancer can cause the gland to become hard and bumpy. However, in some cases, the cancer causes no changes to the gland and a DRE may not be able to detect the cancer.

DRE is also useful in ruling out benign prostatic hyperplasia, as this causes the gland to feel firm and smooth.

Biopsy

Your GP will assess the risk of you possibly having prostate cancer based on a number of factors, including your PSA levels, the results of your DRE and associated risk factors such as age, family history and ethnic group. If it is felt that the risk is significant you will be referred to a hospital to discuss the options of further tests.

The most commonly used test is known as a transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS).

During a TRUS biopsy, an ultrasound scanner (a machine that uses sound waves to build up a picture of the inside of your body) is used to study your prostate. This also allows the doctor to guide a needle through your rectum which is then used to take small samples of tissue from your prostate (biopsy).

The procedure can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. You may be given a local anaesthetic to minimize any discomfort. The biopsy may also cause complications such as bleeding and infection.

Although it is much more reliable than a PSA test, a biopsy may miss up to 20% of cancers. Therefore, you may need to undergo another biopsy if your symptoms persist, or your PSA level continues to rise.

Gleason score

The samples of tissue from the biopsy are then studied in a laboratory. If cancerous cells are found, they can be studied further to see how quickly the cancer will spread.

This is done by giving the samples a grade, known as a Gleason score. The lower the score, the less likely the cancer will spread.

• a Gleason score of 6 or less means the cancer is unlikely to spread,
• a Gleason score of 7 means that there is a moderate chance of the cancer spreading, and
• a Gleason score of 8 or above means that there is a significant chance that the cancer will spread.

Treatment of prostate cancer

Your treatment for prostate cancer will depend on a number of factors, such as your age and whether the cancer has spread, and if so, how far. There are various treatments available. Some can have serious side-effects so it's important to speak with your doctor who will advise you on the best treatment for you.

Active monitoring

Sometimes, particularly for slow-growing tumours, no treatment is the best course of action. This is often called active monitoring or watchful waiting. Your condition will be monitored closely with routine check-ups. Your doctor may start treatment if your tests show that the cancer is growing or causing symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment for prostate cancer. It's most suitable for otherwise healthy men (usually, those under 70) whose cancer hasn't spread beyond the prostate.

The most common technique is a radical prostatectomy. This is a major operation, which removes the whole of the prostate and some surrounding healthy tissue.

New surgical developments include keyhole surgery (a laparoscopic prostatectomy) where the prostate is removed through smaller incisions and robot-assisted surgery.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells. Techniques for treating prostate cancer include conformal radiotherapy (CRT), high-resolution intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and brachytherapy.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy blocks the action of the male sex hormone (testosterone) that helps cancer grow. This can slow the growth and spread of prostate tumours but won't kill the cancer cells.

Medical hormone therapies include goserelin (Zoladex) and bicalutamide (Casodex).

Alternatively, surgical hormone therapy involves removing your testicles, which permanently gets rid of the main source of testosterone. This operation is called an orchidectomy.

Chemotherapy

If hormone treatment stops working (hormone refractory cancer) your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. Drugs such as docetaxel (Taxotere) are used to destroy cancer cells.

Cryotherapy

This is surgery to freeze the prostate with liquid gas and kill cancer cells. This treatment may be used if you have a recurrent or refractory prostate cancer.

Ultrasound

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a treatment given using a machine that gives off high frequency sound waves. This heats up the targeted cancer cells and destroys them.

PANCREATIC CANCER

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that form tumours , damage normal tissue, and that may eventually metastasize (spread throughout the body). Most (95%) pancreatic cancers develop in the pancreatic ducts and sometimes develop in the enzyme-producing cells of the exocrine pancreas.Endocrine pancreatic tumors are usually less aggressive than exocrine tumors and are rarer. They may be benign tumors (those that do not metastasize, such as(insulinomas) or malignant (a group of cancers called islet cell cancers). They often are detected earlier than exocrine cancers because they tend to produce excessive amounts of the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Since the pancreas is deep in the body, tumors that develop cannot usually be seen or felt during a physical examination and by the time symptoms develop, the cancer has often spread throughout the pancreas and beyond. One exception to this is ampullary cancer, a cancer that forms where the pancreatic and bile duct empty into the duodenum. Since ampullary cancer often obstructs the flow of bile from the bile duct and causes jaundice, it has the potential of being detected earlier than most exocrine cancers.

Pancreatic cancer is a form of cancer that occurs and develops within the pancreas tissues when cancerous cells grow and divide abnormally, resulting in tumors. Pancreatic cancer often spreads rapidly and is difficult to diagnose in its early stages due to a lack of obvious symptoms which are more prevalent in other types of cancers. Unfortunately, these symptoms don't become noticable until the cancer is in an advanced stage.

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

The most common signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:

• Jaundice (the skin and eyes becomes yellow): Almost half of all patients with pancreatic cancer display this symptom. This symptom is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the tissue and blood. Bilirubin is a dark green-colored substance produced by the liver. Jaundice occurs when there is a blockage in the bile duct which prevents bile from reaching the intestine. Sometimes, jaundice is preceded by a darker color urine, (because the bilirubin is eliminated from the body through the urine).
• Constant or intermittent pain in the upper or middle abdomen and back: The pain can be caused by the tumor which spreads to the adjacent nerve network that surrounds the pancreas.
• Weight loss: Weight loss occurs when the cancer interferes with and restrains the normal food-processing function of the pancreas.
• Digestive problems: Pancreatic cancer affects the normal function of the pancreas, preventing pancreatic juice from being released into the intestine. For this reason, patients with pancreatic cancer find it difficult to digest fat foods.
• Gallbladder enlargement: Sometimes, the pancreatic cancer blocks the bile duct and causes the bile to accumulate in the gallbladder. This can make the cancer detected earlier due to the enlarged gallbladder which is easily detected during a physical examination or imaging test.
• Blood clots or fatty tissue abnormalities: In some cases, a sign of pancreatic cancer may be the development of a blood clot in a large vein or present itself as uneven texture of fat tissue right beneath the skin. This abnormal fat tissue mass is caused by the release of the pancreatic enzymes that digest fat foods.
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Depression

MEDICAL TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Unfortunately, there are no laboratory tests available for the early detection or diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis is usually made after the cancer has already spread, using imaging tests and biopsy.

Some diagnostic and imaging tests that may be used include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan: useful for detecting pancreatic masses and checking for metastasized cancer
• Biopsy: used to confirm diagnosis of cancer, often in conjunction with CT scan
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): a test that uses a flexible scope inserted through the nose, stomach, and into the pancreas and may be used to introduce a dye for X-rays or to place a stent (a metal or plastic tube that can help keep a duct open and functioning)
• Transabdominal ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): a type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to see the pancreas, its ducts, and the bile ducts more clearly, often used before or instead of ERCP
  

OVARIAN CANCER

A women's reproductive system has two ovaries, one on either side of the uterus. The ovaries, each about the size of an almond, produce eggs (ova) as well as the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Eggs are fertilized by sperm from the male to produce offspring (children).

Ovarian cancer starts in the cells of the ovary or ovaries. The ovaries are two small, oval-shaped organs that lie deep in the pelvis on either side of the uterus (womb), close to the end of the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system.

Each month, in women of childbearing age, one of the ovaries releases an egg (ovum). This is called ovulation. The egg travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus, where it may be fertilized by a sperm and develop into a fetus. If the egg is not fertilized, it is shed as part of your monthly period.

The ovaries also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone help control reproduction and sexual development. As a woman ages and reaches menopause, the ovaries make less of these hormones and periods gradually stop.

There are three main types of ovarian cancer. For each type, the cancer starts in a different type of cell found in the ovaries.

• Epithelial cell cancer starts in the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary.
• Germ cell tumours start in the egg cells within the ovary and generally occur in younger women. Germ cell cancer can even develop in children.
• Stromal tumours start in the connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Ovarian cancer in its early stages often does not cause any symptoms at all. When symptoms do start, they are often vague and easily mistaken for more common illnesses.

Often these symptoms can be cause by other less serious health problems, not cancer. Testing is needed to make a diagnosis. 

Ovarian cancer, in its early stages, may cause:

• abdominal discomfort, pressure or pain
• abdominal swelling
• change in bowel habits
• feeling full after a light meal
• indigestion
• gas
• upset stomach
• feeling that the bowel has not completely emptied
• nausea
• fatigue
• pain in lower back or leg
• more frequent or urgent urination
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• menstrual disorders
• pain during intercourse

If these symptoms increase in intensity or severity or last longer than 2 to 3 weeks, you should contact your doctor.

Treatment of ovarian cancer

Treatment depends on the type of ovarian cancer and how far it has spread.

Surgery

Almost all women with ovarian cancer will need surgery for the best chance of successful treatment. The extent of surgery depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. If it hasn't spread beyond the ovary, it may be possible to remove only the single affected ovary and fallopian tube.

If the cancer has already spread beyond the ovary, both ovaries and your womb, together with nearby lymph nodes and any surrounding tissues that the cancer may have spread to, need to be removed. This is called a total hysterectomy and oophrectomy.

Other types of surgery for more advanced ovarian cancer are used to remove, or 'debulk' as much of the tumour as possible.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to destroy cancer cells and can cause side-effects, including tiredness and feeling sick or vomiting. Your chemotherapy treatment will vary depending on the type of ovarian cancer you have. Chemotherapy is usually used to shrink ovarian tumours. However, if you have the rarer type of germ cell ovarian cancer, chemotherapy can sometimes cure the disease.

After surgery, most women with ovarian cancer will be offered chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells that were not removed by surgery or if there is a risk the cancer may return. Women with very early stage ovarian cancer don't usually need chemotherapy.

If ovarian cancer comes back (relapses), you may be treated with the same chemotherapy medicine or an alternative, depending on the timing of the relapse and whether the cancer has developed resistance to previous chemotherapy medicines.

Your doctor may give you information on clinical trials that are being run to test new treatments for ovarian cancer.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells. However, it's not often used to treat ovarian cancer.

Cancer Fighting Food

Antioxidants work well in an anti cancer diet since they prevent free radical reactions. They also prevent faulty cell metabolisms and protect the intestinal membrane cells. Beta carotene fights against cancer by both boosting the immune system and releasing a specific chemical called tumor necrosis factor.
Vitamin C in your diet can help in fighting potent carcinogens, especially those found in processed meats. It also boosts the production of lymphocytes, thereby giving a fillip to your immune system. Women who have low levels of Vitamin E and selenium are more likely to contract breast cancer.

1. Eat the right foods
2. Limit dietary fat and keep your weight under control
3. Include a healthy exercise regimen into your lifestyle
4. Keep stress at bay
5. Include daily supplements of Vitamin C, Calcium, Flaxseed, Vitamin E and Selenium
6. Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption
7. Quit smoking

Cancer Fighting Food
broccoli	sweet potatoes	papayas
brussel sprouts	tomatoes	peaches
cabbage	yams	tangerines
carrots	apricots	almondss
cauliflower	blueberries	sweet potato
eggplant	grapefruit	spinach
green beans	grapes	pumpkin
peppers	lemons	yogurt
radishes	mangoes	Salmon
squash	oranges	tuna