A Simple Guide to PECOMA Cancer
-----------------------------------------
What are PECOMA Cancer?
-------------------------------------
Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a neoplasm composed chiefly of HMB-45-positive(a marker which is relatively specific for melanoma) epithelioid cells with clear to granular cytoplasm and a perivascular distribution.
Such tumors have been reported in different organs
Although rare, only 20 + cases worldwide, PEC tumors (PEComas) should be regarded as a tumor of uncertain malignant potential.
Who is at risk of getting PECOMA Cancers?
------------------------------------------------------------
The median patient age was 46 years (range, 15-97 years).
There is a marked female predominance (22 females, 4 males).
Sites of involvement included
1.the omentum or mesentery (6 cases),
2.uterus (4 cases),
3.pelvic soft tissues (3 cases),
4.abdominal wall (2 cases),
5.uterine cervix (2 cases),
6.vagina,(1 case).
7.retroperitoneum,(1 case).
8.thigh,(1 case).
9.falciform ligament,(1 case).
10.scalp,(1 case).
11.broad ligament,(1 case).
12.forearm, (1 case).
13.shoulder,(1 case).
14.neck (1 case).
The tumors ranged from 1.6 to 29 cm in size (median, 7.8 cm).
Tumors were
1.epithelioid (N = 9),
2.spindled (N = 7), or
3.mixed (N = 10).
What are the Symptoms of Pecoma Cancer?
---------------------------------------------------------
Among the common warning signs are:
1.weight loss,
2.pain in the bones
3.swelling of lymph nodes
4.Persistent fever
5.loss of appetite
6.generalised weakness and pallour
What are the Causes of Pecoma Cancer?
----------------------------------------------------------
Unknown.
Certain genetic abnormalities may be present.
They are more common in women.
How do you diagnose Pecoma Cancer?
-------------------------------------------------
1.HMB-45-positive(a marker which is relatively specific for melanoma)is present in all cases
2.Perivascular epithelioid cell present on biopsy
What is the Treatment of Pecoma Cancer?
-----------------------------------------------------
The onset of PEComa Cancer has been known to be very rapid.
Because of its vascular origin, it can spread very fast.
Surgery will be useful if detected at the early stage.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the main treatment for Pecoma cancer.
Besides these treatments, stem cells infusion also give patients and their families another source for a cure.
What are the Prognosis for Pecoma Cancer?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Generally poor because onset is fast and spread diffuse.
Showing posts with label bladder cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bladder cancer. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
A Simple Guide to Menorrhagia
A Simple Guide to Menorrhagia
-----------------
What is Menorrhagia?
-----------------
Menorrhagia is defined as excessively heavy or prolonged bleeding through the vagina either during menstrual period or any time between menses or after menopause in women.
It is a symptom not an illness.
What is the cause of Menorrhagia?
------------------------------
The cause of Menorrhagia is abnormal uterine bleeding.
The most common causes are
1.hormonal imbalances.
During a normal menstrual cycle, there is a balance between estrogen and progesterone, two female hormones in the body. These regulate the buildup of the endometrium which is the lining of blood and tissuein the wall of the uterus and which is shed each month during menstruation.
Menorrhagia can occur because of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone.
As a result of this imbalance, the endometrium keeps building up. When it is eventually shed, there is heavy bleeding.
Hormone imbalances are often present in adolescents and in women approaching menopause. This type of menorrhagia also known as Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding is fairly common in these groups.
2.fibroids and benign tumour of the uterus
Another frequent cause of menorrhagia is uterine fibroids (benign tumours of the lining of the womb).
Together, hormone imbalances and fibroids account for about 80% of menorrhagia cases.
Other causes include
3.cancer of the uterus(endometrial cancer) or cervix
4.inflammation or infection of the vagina, cervix, or pelvic organs
5.polyps which are small growths on the cervical or uterine wall
6.thyroid diseases
7.liver, kidney diseases
8.blood bleeding diseases,
9.the use of blood-thinning drugs
10.stress affects the hormonal imbalance
11.injury or disease of the vaginal opening as a result of intercourse, infection, polyp, genital warts, ulcer, or varicose veins.
12.vaginal injury from insertion of foreign objects, from malignancy, or from infection
13.dry vaginal walls from lack of estrogen after menopause
14.abortion spontaneous or induced
15.stopping and starting birth control pills or estrogens
16.low thyroid function
17.IUD or intrauterine device use for contraception can cause occasional spotting
18.abnormal pregnancy eg.ectopic pregnancy
19.drugs such as oral contraceptives and anticoagulants
20.cervical conization or cauterization procedures
Bleeding may be more serious in women over 50 (post-menopausal) or younger than 12 (prepubertal).
The risk of cancer increases with
1.age.
2.obesity,
3.taking estrogen (without progestin),
4.young women who have not established a regular ovulation cycle,
5.approaching menopause.
What are the Signs of Menorrhagia?
-------------------------------------------
The most common sign is excessive bleeding per vagina.
Make sure that bleeding is coming from the vagina and not from the rectum or in the urine.
Some women may experience paleness and fatigue (anaemia)due to loss of blood.
Women with menses which consistently last more than seven days or whose periods are less than 21 days apart (unless that's normal for the woman) may be required to have a medical examination.
For a married woman or non-virgins,
1.a pelvic exam (examination of the internal reproductive organs),
2.a Pap smear test.
3.blood tests for hormonal changes and bleeding tendencies
4. urine and stool tests for conditions of the gastrointestinal and urinary systems.
5.investigations to determine ovulation
6.pregnancy test may be done if you are sexually active.
7.tests for any sexually transmitted diseases.
8.colposcopy- examination of the inside ot the uterus with a small amount of tissue taken from the endometrium may be taken for testing for canceror hormonal disorders.
Cancer should be ruled out in older women (aged 35-40) or in younger women with longer duration of exposure to unopposed estrogen.
For a non-married woman or virgin, the same examination may be done except care is taken to avoid damaging the hymen.
What is the Treatment of Menorrhagia?
----------------------------------------------
Any underlying medical condition (eg infection,bleeding disease)causing menorrhagia should be treated first.
If a hormone imbalance is responsible for Menorrhagia, hormonal treatment or replacement may be started.
Polyps are generally removed.
Anti-bleeding drugs such as daflon, dicyclone, etc can be given but may not necessarily work.
If the bleeding do not stop in spite all these measures, hysterectomy sometimes may be your only option.
Recently there is a procedure makes use of lasers or microwave technology to remove the lining of the womb (which is the part that bleeds) while leaving the rest of the womb intact.
Fibroids may require myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy and radiation are the usual treatment for endometrial cancer.
Bed rest may be recommended if bleeding is heavy.
The number of pads or tampons used should be recorded (so that the doctor can determine the amount of bleeding). Change tampons regularly, at least twice a day.
To help in relieving menstrual cramps, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. mefenemic acid and ibuprofen are prescribed.
The menstrual cycle is not the same for every woman. Menstrual flow occurs about every 28 days, lasts about 5 days, and produces an average of 30 - 40 mls (six to eight teaspoons) total blood loss. The menses may be regular, irregular, light, heavy, painful, pain-free, long, or short, and still be normal. Any variation in the menstrual cycle is medically less important than bleeding, pain, or discharge between menses.
The best prevention of Menorrhagia is having annual pelvic examinations with a cervical smear test (Pap smear).
-----------------
What is Menorrhagia?
-----------------
Menorrhagia is defined as excessively heavy or prolonged bleeding through the vagina either during menstrual period or any time between menses or after menopause in women.
It is a symptom not an illness.
What is the cause of Menorrhagia?
------------------------------
The cause of Menorrhagia is abnormal uterine bleeding.
The most common causes are
1.hormonal imbalances.
During a normal menstrual cycle, there is a balance between estrogen and progesterone, two female hormones in the body. These regulate the buildup of the endometrium which is the lining of blood and tissuein the wall of the uterus and which is shed each month during menstruation.
Menorrhagia can occur because of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone.
As a result of this imbalance, the endometrium keeps building up. When it is eventually shed, there is heavy bleeding.
Hormone imbalances are often present in adolescents and in women approaching menopause. This type of menorrhagia also known as Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding is fairly common in these groups.
2.fibroids and benign tumour of the uterus
Another frequent cause of menorrhagia is uterine fibroids (benign tumours of the lining of the womb).
Together, hormone imbalances and fibroids account for about 80% of menorrhagia cases.
Other causes include
3.cancer of the uterus(endometrial cancer) or cervix
4.inflammation or infection of the vagina, cervix, or pelvic organs
5.polyps which are small growths on the cervical or uterine wall
6.thyroid diseases
7.liver, kidney diseases
8.blood bleeding diseases,
9.the use of blood-thinning drugs
10.stress affects the hormonal imbalance
11.injury or disease of the vaginal opening as a result of intercourse, infection, polyp, genital warts, ulcer, or varicose veins.
12.vaginal injury from insertion of foreign objects, from malignancy, or from infection
13.dry vaginal walls from lack of estrogen after menopause
14.abortion spontaneous or induced
15.stopping and starting birth control pills or estrogens
16.low thyroid function
17.IUD or intrauterine device use for contraception can cause occasional spotting
18.abnormal pregnancy eg.ectopic pregnancy
19.drugs such as oral contraceptives and anticoagulants
20.cervical conization or cauterization procedures
Bleeding may be more serious in women over 50 (post-menopausal) or younger than 12 (prepubertal).
The risk of cancer increases with
1.age.
2.obesity,
3.taking estrogen (without progestin),
4.young women who have not established a regular ovulation cycle,
5.approaching menopause.
What are the Signs of Menorrhagia?
-------------------------------------------
The most common sign is excessive bleeding per vagina.
Make sure that bleeding is coming from the vagina and not from the rectum or in the urine.
Some women may experience paleness and fatigue (anaemia)due to loss of blood.
Women with menses which consistently last more than seven days or whose periods are less than 21 days apart (unless that's normal for the woman) may be required to have a medical examination.
For a married woman or non-virgins,
1.a pelvic exam (examination of the internal reproductive organs),
2.a Pap smear test.
3.blood tests for hormonal changes and bleeding tendencies
4. urine and stool tests for conditions of the gastrointestinal and urinary systems.
5.investigations to determine ovulation
6.pregnancy test may be done if you are sexually active.
7.tests for any sexually transmitted diseases.
8.colposcopy- examination of the inside ot the uterus with a small amount of tissue taken from the endometrium may be taken for testing for canceror hormonal disorders.
Cancer should be ruled out in older women (aged 35-40) or in younger women with longer duration of exposure to unopposed estrogen.
For a non-married woman or virgin, the same examination may be done except care is taken to avoid damaging the hymen.
What is the Treatment of Menorrhagia?
----------------------------------------------
Any underlying medical condition (eg infection,bleeding disease)causing menorrhagia should be treated first.
If a hormone imbalance is responsible for Menorrhagia, hormonal treatment or replacement may be started.
Polyps are generally removed.
Anti-bleeding drugs such as daflon, dicyclone, etc can be given but may not necessarily work.
If the bleeding do not stop in spite all these measures, hysterectomy sometimes may be your only option.
Recently there is a procedure makes use of lasers or microwave technology to remove the lining of the womb (which is the part that bleeds) while leaving the rest of the womb intact.
Fibroids may require myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy and radiation are the usual treatment for endometrial cancer.
Bed rest may be recommended if bleeding is heavy.
The number of pads or tampons used should be recorded (so that the doctor can determine the amount of bleeding). Change tampons regularly, at least twice a day.
To help in relieving menstrual cramps, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. mefenemic acid and ibuprofen are prescribed.
The menstrual cycle is not the same for every woman. Menstrual flow occurs about every 28 days, lasts about 5 days, and produces an average of 30 - 40 mls (six to eight teaspoons) total blood loss. The menses may be regular, irregular, light, heavy, painful, pain-free, long, or short, and still be normal. Any variation in the menstrual cycle is medically less important than bleeding, pain, or discharge between menses.
The best prevention of Menorrhagia is having annual pelvic examinations with a cervical smear test (Pap smear).
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A Simple Guide to Bladder Cancer
A Simple Guide to Bladder Cancer
-----------------
What is Bladder Cancer?
-----------------
Bladder cancer is a growth of abnormal cells forming a malignant tumour in the bladder. Most bladder cancers start in the inner lining of the bladder.
What are the different types of Bladder Cancer?
-----------------------------------------------
There are 2 main types of Bladder Cancer:
1.superficial cancer
the cancer is contained on the inner lining of the bladder.
They may occur as a small, wart-like growths on the inside of the bladder, which can be removed in a simple operation and usually will never recur.
2.invasive cancer
where the cancer has spread into the muscle wall of the bladder.
Examples are:
a.large growth in the muscle wall of the bladder, which requires major surgery to remove.
b.mushroom-like growths( papillary cancers)on the inside lining of the bladder. They have a short stem attached to the lining of the bladder and can spread into the wall of the bladder.
Treatment is different for these two types of bladder cancer.
What are the causes of Bladder Cancer?
-----------------------------------------------
There are a few factors which increase the risk of getting bladder cancer:
1.Smoking
chemicals in a cigarette have been found to contribute to bladder cancer. The more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk.
2.Exposure to harmful, cancer-causing chemicals
Certain chemicals at the workplace, for example, those used in dye factories, rubber, gasworks, plastics and other chemical industries, can cause a higher risk of contracting bladder cancer in workers.
It can take about 25 years after exposure to these chemicals before bladder cancer develops.These chemicals may have been banned in some countries.
3.Frequent bouts of cystitis
Cystitis caused by repeated bacterial infections and bladder stones can lead to the development of bladder cancer.
4.Age and Gender
Bladder cancer occurs mostly among people aged between 50 - 70 years.
It is twice as common in men as in women.
It is rare in people below age 40.
What are the symptoms of Bladder Cancer?
---------------------------------------------------
The most common symptom is
1.blood in the urine which usually occurs suddenly and is generally not painful.
The blood may not be present constantly but eventually it does recur.
In some cases, blood clots can form and these may cause painful muscle spasms in the bladder. The amount of blood present is however not related to the extent of the cancer.
2. burning feeling when they pass urine.
3. frequency of urination.
While these are also symptoms of bladder irritation, further tests would be necessary if they persist and do not clear with antibiotics.
How can Bladder Cancer be treated?
------------------------------------------
The treatment for bladder cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage and grade.
It also depends on the health of the patient.
Superficial cancers:
Superficial cancers, which can be single or multiple, are usually removed using a cystoscope. Anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) may be instilled into the bladder to try to prevent the cancer recurring.
Invasive cancers
the options are as follows:
Surgery
The most common treatment method is surgery to remove a part of the bladder.
A new bladder is sometimes constructed if it has to be removed.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy may be used instead of surgery to avoid removal of the bladder. Radiotherapy may also be used before surgery in cases of large tumours to facilitate the tumour removal or if there is a high risk of cancer cells left behind after surgery.
Chemotherapy
In some cases, chemotherapy is given before surgery or radiotherapy to shrink the tumour so that it can be treated more effectively. Chemotherapy is also applied after surgery to reduce the recurrence of the tumour.The drug can be instilled into the bladder to maximise contact with the cancer cells.
Once the cancer has spread outside the bladder, the main treatment is chemotherapy.
Removal of bladder
------------------------
In a small proportion of people with bladder cancer, the bladder may completely removed.
The surgeon will then give the patients an urostomy - an artificial opening from the urinary tract.The opening is usually formed on the abdomen, to the right of the navel. Wrinkles, scars and prominent underlying bones must be avoided, as placing the opening near them may cause problems with leakage later on.
Ensure that the bag is emptied and changed as often as necessary.
At first the opening will be slightly swollen.
It may take several weeks for it to reduce to its normal size.
There may also be mucus (a thick white substance) from the opening. The amount of mucus will gradually reduce over time but will never disappear completely.
Most people with an urostomy live a normal life. Many return to their jobs and take up their favourite pastimes again, including swimming.
Now with advancement of plastic surgery a new bladder can be constructed easily and the days of urostomy may be over.
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