What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland in men.The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It makes a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. Prostate cancer can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body, or it can grow slowly and stay in the prostate. Three out of 4 cases of prostate cancer are the slow-growing type that causes few, if any, problems.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer begins in breast tissue. Most of the tumors that develop in breast tissue are benign. Some breast tumors are cancerous, but have not yet spread to other parts of the body. This type of breast cancer is called "in situ," and it can almost always be cured with treatment. The most serious type of breast cancer is invasive, meaning that the cancerous tumors have spread to other parts of the body.Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women (behind skin cancer). The good news is that the rate of death from breast cancer has declined over the last few years. This is probably because more tumors have been found early, when treatment can help the most. Mammograms and breast exams (both self-exams and exams by a doctor) can help find breast cancers early.

What is lung cancer?

There are 2 major forms of lung cancer: non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer, and it generally grows and spreads more slowly. Small cell lung cancer is almost always caused by smoking. In fact, cigarette smoking is the single most important risk factor for developing lung cancer. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. He or she can help you figure out how to kick the habit.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Fortunately, it is also the most curable. There are 2 forms of skin cancer: melanoma (the less common but more serious form) and nonmelanoma (the common, very treatable form). More than 1 million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. Most will have nonmelanoma skin cancer. Almost all skin cancers are the result of too much exposure to ultraviolet light, which is in sunlight and in lights used in tanning salons.It's important to find skin cancer as early as possible. The best way to do this is to keep an eye on your skin, especially moles. The ABCDE rule (see below) can help you remember what to look for when you're checking any moles on your skin. If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor right away.

How is vulvar cancer treated?

Vulvar cancer is usually treated with surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size, depth and spread of the cancer. Your doctor will review all the options for surgery and the pros and cons of each option. Some people may also need radiation therapy.When vulvar cancer is found and treated early, the cure rate is over 90 percent. The key to a cure is to tell your doctor about any warning signs early and to have a biopsy right away.

What are the signs of vulvar cancer?

Tell your doctor if you have any of these warning signs of vulvar cancer:
Vulvar itching that lasts more than one month
A cut or sore on the vulva that won't heal
A lump or mass on the vulva
Vulvar pain
Bleeding from the vulva (different from your usual monthly bleeding)
Burning in the area that lasts even after your doctor has treated the burning
Any change in size, color, or texture of a birthmark or mole in the vulvar area

Who is affected?

Vulvar cancer most often affects women 65 to 75 years of age. However, it can also occur in women 40 years of age or younger. Vulvar cancer may be related to genital warts, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

What is vulvar cancer?

The vulva is the skin and fatty tissue between the upper thighs of women, from the area of the anus to about an inch below the pubic hairline. Cancer of the vulva most often affects the two skin folds (or lips) around the vagina, known as the labia.Vulvar cancer is not very common. However, it is very serious because it can affect a woman's sexual functioning. It can make sex painful and difficult. This makes some women feel sad and worthless. If found early, vulvar cancer has a high cure rate and the treatment options involve less surgery.

What are some signs of testicular cancer?

A hard, painless lump on the testicle (this is the most common sign)
Pain or a dull ache in the scrotum
A scrotum that feels heavy or swollen
Bigger or more tender "breasts"
Testicular cancer is very treatable if it's found early. Your doctor can check your testicles during an exam. A self-exam is another good way to check for testicular cancer (see below for self-exam directions). If you find anything unusual during a self-exam (like a lump or swelling), see your doctor right away

Who gets testicular cancer?

Cancer of the testicles is the most common cancer in young men (15 to 34 years old). A man is more likely to get testicular cancer if any of the following are true about him:
Is white.
Has a father or brother who has or has had testicular cancer.
Has a testicle that did not come down into the scrotum (called an undescended testicle). This applies even if surgery was done to remove the testicle or bring it down.
Has small testicles or testicles that aren't shaped normally.
Has Klinefelter's syndrome (a genetic condition where male infants are born with an extra X chromosome).

What is testicular cancer?

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide and then die. Sometimes, cells mutate (change) and begin to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Rather than dying, these abnormal cells clump together to form tumors. If these tumors are cancerous (also called malignant tumors), they can invade and kill your body's healthy tissues. From these tumors, cancer cells can metastasize (spread) and form new tumors in other parts of the body. By contrast, noncancerous tumors (also called benign tumors) do not spread to other parts of the body.Testicular cancer begins in one or both of the testicles. The testicles are located in the scrotum, the skin “sack” that hangs beneath the penis. They manufacture male hormones and produce sperm. A normal adult testicle is about the size of a golf ball and is round, smooth and firm.

How often should I check my breasts?

You should check your breasts every month beginning at about age 20. At this early age, any small lumps are probably just normal breast glands and ducts. Over time you will get used to how your breasts normally feel so that you're able to tell if a new lump appears. Check your breasts a few days after your period (when your breasts are usually less sore). If you don't have periods or if they come at varying times, check your breasts at the same time every month.

How often should I get a mammogram?

Women age 40 and over should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. If you have risk factors for breast cancer, such as a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may want you to have mammograms more often or start having them sooner.

How is a mammogram performed?

Your breast will rest on a shelf and the X-ray machine will slowly press against your breast until you feel pressure. This pressure is needed to spread your breast out so that a better X-ray can be taken. The X-ray takes 1 or 2 minutes, and the entire process usually takes no more than about 20 minutes.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is the most effective way to find breast cancer early, up to 2 years before the lump is even large enough to feel. A mammogram is a special kind of X-ray of your breasts. The amount of radiation used in the X-ray is very small and not harmful. Mammograms detect cancer because cancer is more dense (thicker) than the normal part of the breast. A radiologist will look at the X-rays for signs of cancer or other breast problems.

What happens after prostate cancer treatment?

You should get PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests every 6 months for 5 years, and then once every year. A rise in PSA levels usually means that the cancer has come back. A digital rectal examination should be done once a year.

What is the purpose of hormone therapy?

The purpose of hormone therapy is to lower the level of the male hormones, called androgens, which are produced mostly in the testicles. This is because androgens, such as testosterone, help the prostate tumor grow. Monthly shots can be given or the testicles can be surgically removed. Once the testosterone is out of your body, the prostate cancer usually shrinks. Hormone treatments are most often used in patients with cancer that has already spread beyond the prostate gland.While prostate cancer usually responds to 1 or 2 years of hormone therapy, after some time most tumors start to grow again. Once this happens, the treatment goal is to control symptoms. No treatment can cure prostate cancer after hormone therapy stops helping.

What are the risks and benefits of watchful waiting?

Many prostate cancers are small and grow slowly. Because many men with a slow-growing tumor have the same life expectancy as men who don't even have prostate cancer, it may not be necessary to treat very small, very slow-growing prostate tumors. Also, some men feel that the side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits. In watchful waiting, you get no treatment, but you see your doctor often. If there's no sign the cancer is growing, you continue to get no treatment. Hormone therapy can be started if the cancer starts to grow.It can be hard to tell if a small tumor is going to grow slowly or quickly. Your doctor will get clues about the way your tumor will grow by checking your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, examining the biopsy tissue and giving you a rectal exam. The choice of watchful waiting is up to you.

What is radical prostatectomy?

Radical prostatectomy is a surgery to remove the whole prostate gland and the nearby lymph nodes. Most men who have this surgery are under general anesthesia (puts you into a sleep-like state). After the prostate gland is taken out, a catheter (a narrow rubber tube) is put through the penis into the bladder to carry urine out of the body until the area heals.

Visage Cosmetic surgery system 5000-10

Make/model information: Visage Cosmetic surgery system 5000-10 manufacturer year: 2001/2002 condition: never used
The Visage Cosmetic Surgery System is a bipolar, high frequency electrosurgical system designed for use in general dermatology procedures where ablation and coagulation ofsoft tissue is desired. The System consists of three components: an electrosurgicalgenerator called the Controller, the disposable Handpiece Tip, and the reusableHandpiece and Cable Unit. The Controller utilizes radio frequency (RF) energy as apower source. RF energy is delivered to the patient via the Handpiece and Cable unit andthe Handpiece Tip. The Handpiece and Cable unit is designed to attach to the Controllerand Handpiece Tip for patient treatment. The single use, sterile, Handpiece Tip is thepatient contacting component of the System. The Handpiece Tip configuration rangesfrom single to multiple electrodes incorporating straight, screen, loop, and sheet shapedelectrodes. The Visage Cosmetic Surgery System uses bipolar technology in the designof the Handpiece Tip eliminating the need for a patient contacting dispersive pad used inmonopolar devices.
The Visage Cosmetic Surgery System was found to be both safe and effective for skin resurfacing for the treatment of wrinkles, rhytids, and furrows.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery involves the use of a liquid nitrogen spray or a very cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells. This technique is sometimes used to treat pre-cancerous conditions, such as those affecting the cervix. Cryosurgery is also being studied as a treatment for some cancers, such as those of the prostate.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasound devices can be attached to the end of some endoscopes. This allows doctors to look at the layers of the esophagus (swallowing tube), bronchus (main breathing tube), and parts of the large intestine (bowel). Nearby lymph nodes can be seen, too. Using the ultrasound pictures to guide it, a needle can be placed through the endoscope and cells can be collected from lymph nodes that do not look normal.

Surgery to diagnose and stage cancer

A biopsy is a procedure done to remove a tissue sample so that it can be looked at under a microscope. Some biopsies may need to be done in surgery, but many types of biopsies involve removing tumor samples through a thin needle or an endoscope (a flexible lighted tube). Biopsies are often done by surgeons, but they can be done by other doctors, too. Some of the more common ways to do a biopsy are reviewed here.

Palliative surgery

This type of surgery is used to treat complications of advanced cancer. It is not intended to cure the cancer. Palliative surgery can also be used to correct a problem that is causing discomfort or disability. For example, some cancers in the abdomen may grow large enough to block off (obstruct) the intestine. If this happens, surgery can be used to remove the blockage. Palliative surgery may also be used to treat pain when the pain is hard to control by other means.

Curative surgery

Curative surgery is done when a tumor appears to be confined to one area, and it is likely that all of the tumor can be removed. Curative surgery can be the main treatment for the cancer. It may be used alone or along with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can be given before or after the operation. Sometimes radiation therapy is actually used during an operation. This is called intraoperative radiation therapy.

Diagnostic surgery

This type of surgery is used to get a tissue sample to tell whether or not cancer is present or to tell what type of cancer it is. The diagnosis of cancer is often made by looking at the cells under a microscope. Many methods are used to get a sample of cells from a suspicious-looking area. These are described in the section, "Surgery to diagnose and stage cancer."

Preventive (prophylactic) surgery

Preventive surgery is done to remove body tissue that is likely to become cancerous (malignant), even though there are no signs of cancer at the time of the surgery. For example, pre-cancerous polyps may be removed from the colon.
Sometimes preventive surgery is used to remove an entire organ when a person has an inherited condition that puts them at a much higher risk for having cancer some day. For example, some women with a strong family history of breast cancer are found to have a change (mutation) in their DNA in a breast cancer gene (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Because their risk of getting breast cancer is high, these women may want to consider prophylactic mastectomy (the breasts are removed before cancer is found).

Why is surgery used for cancer?

Surgery can be done for many reasons. Some types of surgery are very minor and may be called procedures, while others are much bigger operations. The more common types of cancer surgeries are reviewed here

Why is surgery used for cancer?

Surgery can be done for many reasons. Some types of surgery are very minor and may be called procedures, while others are much bigger operations. The more common types of cancer surgeries are reviewed here

Surgery

Surgery is the oldest form of cancer treatment. It also has a key role in diagnosing cancer and finding out how far it has spread (staging). Advances in surgical techniques have allowed surgeons to successfully operate on a growing number of patients. Today, less invasive operations often can be done to remove tumors while saving as much normal tissue and function as possible.
Surgery offers the greatest chance for cure for many types of cancer, especially those that have not spread to other parts of the body. Most people with cancer will have some type of surgery.

gadopentetate dimeglumine (GAD-oh-PEN-teh-tayt dy-MEG-loo-meen)
A substance used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help make clear pictures of the brain, spine, heart, soft tissue of joints, and inside bones. Gadopentetate dimeglumine is being studied in the diagnosis of cancer. It is a type of contrast agent. Also called Gd-DTPA and Magnevist.

An enzyme

An enzyme that is involved in many cell processes, such as cell division. The gene for c-ABL is on chromosome 9. In most patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), the part of chromosome 9 with c-ABL has broken off and traded places with part of chromosome 22 to form the BCR-ABL fusion gene.
c-erbB-2
A protein involved in normal cell growth. It is found in high levels on some breast cancer cells. Also called HER2/neu and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.

B lymphocyte
A white blood cell that comes from bone marrow. As part of the immune system, B lymphocytes make antibodies and help fight infections. Also called B cell.

Dictionary of Cancer Terms

ABCD rating
A staging system for prostate cancer that uses ABCD. “A” and “B” refer to cancer that is confined to the prostate. “C” refers to cancer that has grown out of the prostate but has not spread to lymph nodes or other places in the body. “D” refers to cancer that has spread to lymph nodes or to other places in the body. Also called Jewett staging system and Whitmore-Jewett staging system.
abdomen (AB-doh-men)
The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
abdominal
Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.