| cancer, larynx | Cancer of the voice box. The larynx is the voice box located at the top of the windpipe (trachea). Cancer of the larynx occurs most often in people over the age of 55 years. People who stop smoking can greatly reduce their risk of cancer of the larynx. Painless hoarseness can be a symptom of cancer of the larynx. The larynx can be examined with a viewing tube called a laryngoscope. Cancer of the larynx is usually treated with radiation therapy or surgery. Chemotherapy can also be used for cancers that have spread. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| cancer, leukaemia | Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. Leukaemias are grouped by how quickly the disease develops (acute or chronic) as well as by the type of blood cell that is affected. People with leukaemia are at significantly increased risk for developing infections, anaemia, and bleeding. Diagnosis of leukaemia is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, and examining blood under a microscope. Leukaemia cells can be detected and further classified with a bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy. most patients with leukaemia are treated with chemotherapy. Some patients also may have radiation therapy and/or bone marrow transplantation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, lung | Cancer of the major organ of respiration the lung. Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Since the majority of lung cancer is diagnosed at a relatively late stage, only 10% of all lung cancer patients are ultimately cured. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small cell or non-small cell cancers. Persistent cough and bloody sputum can be symptoms of lung cancer. Lung cancer can be diagnosed based on examination of sputum, or tissue examination with biopsy using bronchoscopy, needle through the chest wall, or surgical excision. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, lymphoma, hodgkin's | A type of lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system). The most common symptom of Hodgkin's disease is a painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin. Hodgkin's disease is diagnosed when abnormal tissue is detected by a pathologist after a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. Treatment usually includes radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Regular follow-up examinations are important after treatment for Hodgkin's disease. Patients treated for Hodgkin's disease have an increased risk of developing other types of cancer later in life, especially leukaemia. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, lymphoma, non-hodgkin's | A lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is a painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are diagnosed with a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. Follow-up examinations are important after lymphoma treatment. Most relapses occur in the first 2 years after therapy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, malignant melanoma | A skin cancer that begins in cells called melanocytes that can grow together to form benign (not cancerous) moles. A change in size, shape, or colour of a mole can be a sign of melanoma. Melanoma can be cured if detected early, before spread (metastasis) to other areas of the body. Diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy of the abnormal skin. Sun exposure can cause skin damage that can lead to melanoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, melanoma | A skin cancer that begins in cells called melanocytes that can grow together to form benign (not cancerous) moles. A change in size, shape, or colour of a mole can be a sign of melanoma. It can be cured if detected early, before spread (metastasis) to other areas. Diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy of the abnormal skin. Sun exposure can cause skin damage that can lead to melanoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, multiple myeloma | A bone marrow cancer involving a type of white blood cell called a plasma (or myeloma) cell. The tumour cells can form a single collection (a plasmacytoma) or many tumours (multiple myeloma). Plasma cells are part of the immune system and make antibodies. Because patients have an excess of identical plasma cells, they have too much of one type of antibody. As myeloma cells increase in number, they damage and weaken the bones, causing pain and often fractures. When bones are damaged, calcium is released into the blood leading to hypercalcaemia (excess calcium in the blood) and that causes loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, fatigue, muscle weakness, restlessness, and confusion. Myeloma cells prevent the bone marrow from forming normal plasma cells and other white blood cells important to the immune system so patients may not be able to fight infections. The cancer cells can also prevent the growth of new red blood cells, causing anaemia. Excess antibody proteins and calcium may prevent the kidneys from filtering and cleaning the blood properly Cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is a painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are diagnosed with a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. Follow-up examinations are important after lymphoma treatment. Most relapses occur in the first 2 years after therapy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, myeloma | A bone marrow cancer involving a type of white blood cell called a plasma (or myeloma) cell. The tumour cells can form a single collection (a plasmacytoma) or many tumours (multiple myeloma). Plasma cells are part of the immune system and make antibodies. Because patients have an excess of identical plasma cells, they have too much of one type of antibody. As myeloma cells increase in number, they damage and weaken the bones, causing pain and often fractures. When bones are damaged, calcium is released into the blood leading to hypercalcaemia (too much calcium in the blood) and that causes loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, fatigue, muscle weakness, restlessness, and confusion. Myeloma cells prevent the bone marrow from forming normal plasma cells and other white blood cells important to the immune system so patients may not be able to fight infections. The cancer cells can also prevent the growth of new red blood cells, causing anaemia. Excess antibody proteins and calcium may prevent the kidneys from filtering and cleaning the blood properly. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, oesophagus | Cancer of the swallowing tube that passes from the throat to the stomach. The risk of cancer of the oesophagus is increased by long-term irritation of the oesophagus, such as with smoking, heavy alcohol intake, and Barrett's oesophagitis. Cancer of the oesophagus can cause difficulty and pain with swallowing solid food. Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer can be made by barium X-ray of the oesophagus, and confirmed by endoscopy with biopsy of the cancer tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, oral | Cancer of the mouth area. A sore in the mouth that does not heal can be a warning sign of oral cancer. A biopsy is the only to know whether as abnormal area in the oral cavity is cancer. Oral cancer is caused by tobacco (smoking and chewing) and alcohol use. Surgery to remove the tumour in the mouth is the usual treatment for patients with oral cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, ovarian | Cancer of the egg sac of females (ovary). In women under age 30, most ovarian growths are benign, fluid-filled sacs called cysts. There are several types of ovarian cancer. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague. Detection of ovarian cancer involves physical examination (including pelvic exam), ultrasound, X-ray tests, CA-125 blood test and biopsy of the ovary. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, ovary | Cancer of the egg sac of females. most ovarian growths in women under age 30 are benign, fluid-filled cysts. There are several types of ovarian cancer. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague. Detection of ovarian cancer involves physical examination (including pelvic exam), ultrasound, X-ray tests, CA-125 blood test and biopsy of the ovary. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, pancreas | Cancer of the organ which produces many juices that are important for digesting food as well as hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Pancreatic cancer has been called a silent disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumour blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine darker as a result of accumulated bile pigment called bilirubin. This condition is referred to as jaundice. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, pancreatic | Cancer of the organ which produces many juices that are important for digesting food as well as hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Pancreatic cancer has been called a silent disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumour blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine darker as a result of accumulated bile pigment called bilirubin. This condition is referred to as jaundice. (12 Dec 1998) |