Vaginal Cancer

Signs & Symptoms

Unfortunately, vaginal cancer in its early stages is asymptomatic. Symptoms occur when the cancer is already advanced. Some of the most common signs of vaginal cancer include:
Unusual bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge not related to the period.
Difficulties or pain during urination.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Constipation.
Pain within the pelvic area.
Pain in the back or legs.
Edema (swelling in the legs).
The presence of a lump inside the vagina.
However, these can be symptoms or signs of other medical conditions, and is recommended to consult a specialist when the above signs occur. Only a doctor can establish a cancer diagnosis.

Treatment Options
The treatment plan varies from patient to patient, and depends on a number of factors such as: (1) the patient age and general overall health state, (2) the tumor location and size, (3) and the need to maintain the function of the vagina. The course of treatment is often a group decision between the patient and the specialist team (gynecologic oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist).
SurgerySurgery is one of the most common treatment for patients with vaginal cancer, and is mainly used as a primary treatment. According to the tumor size and cancer stage, there are five type of surgeries performed to treat vaginal cancer:
1. Laser surgery: This is a type of surgery that uses a laser beam (a narrow beam of intense light) to remove the tumor. The laser beam is used as a knife, only that the cut is bloodless or leaves no bleeding. The laser removes the tumor by burning off the tissue. This type of surgery is usually used for patients with early stages of cancer, where the tumor together with additional tissue are removed to reduce the risk of a relapse.
2. Wide local excision: This is a surgical procedure where the cancer is removed together with the tissue around it. In some cases, the patient needs reconstructive surgery to rebuild the vagina. This is done with the help of skin grafts removed from other parts of the body (usually buttock or thigh).
3. Vaginectomy: This is a surgical procedure where parts of the entire vagina are removed in some cases together with the lymph nodes (if they are also affected by the cancer), in a procedure called lymphadenectomy.
4. Radical (total) hysterectomy: This is a surgical procedure where the entire vagina is removed together with the surrounding organs or structures (such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or cervix). There are two type of radical hysterectomy:
Abdominal hysterectomy: During this procedure the vagina and adjacent organs are removed through a large incision in the abdomen.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy: During this procedure the vagina and adjacent organs are removed through small incision with the help of a special instrument called a laparoscope (slender endoscope inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall in order to examine the abdominal organs or to perform surgery).
5. Pelvic exenteration: This is a surgical procedure where the vagina is removed together with the rectum, colon, bladder, and/or part of the bowel (if the cancer invaded this organs or structures). This surgery is followed by a reconstructive operation where artificial openings, called stomas, are created. These stomas allow the stool and urine to collect into a special bag.
The surgery’s most common side effects include:
Intercourse discomfort.
Little or no natural lubrication of the vagina.
Body changes (the urine and stool might be flow out of the body through new ways).
Psychological problems (caused by the new body changes).
Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high-energy rays or particles (that focuses on a specific area) to destroy cancerous cells. This type of treatment can be administrated as: (1) a primary treatment, in the attempt to avoid the uncomfortable side effects of the surgery, or (2) an adjuvant treatment, in addition to the surgery to lower the risk of a cancer relapse, or in combination with chemotherapy for a better outcome.Vaginal cancer patients receive two types of radiation therapy:
I. External beam radiation therapy: This is the most common procedure to deliver the radiation beam through a device called a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator generates an external beam that is concentrated on the tumor area and breaks it up into smaller pieces. The treatment is administered for about 6 weeks (or more depending on the cancer type and size), 5 days a week. Unfortunately, this treatment does not only destroy the tumor, it also affects the healthy tissue causing a series of side effects, such as:
Skin burning sensations
Fatigue
Nausea
Diarrhea
Irritation of the intestines and rectum
Urethral stricture (the tube that carries out the urine from the bladder narrows)
Intestine perforations
Fistulas (abnormal connections) between the vagina and the bladder, rectum, or uterus.
The four last side effects occur only when the treatment uses high doses of radiation for patients with advanced stages of vaginal cancer.
II. Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy: This is a type of treatment where the beam is received from inside the body close to the tumor location (inside the vagina). There are two types of brachytherapy used for patient with vaginal cancer:
1. Intracavitary radiation: This treatment uses low doses of radiation therapy, where the radioactive materials are placed within a cylindrical container inserted into the vagina. Usually, this type of treatment is administered for one or two days, and in most cases the patient has to stay in bed to keep the device inside the vagina. The doctor places gauze packing to assure that the radioactive device will not come out.
2. Interstitial radiation: This type of treatment uses needles (with radioactive material) placed directly into the tumor to administer the radiation beam.
In some cases, for a better outcome, the patient receives a combination of the two types of brachytherapy.
The most common side effects caused by the internal radiation therapy include:
Vaginal stenosis (the vagina shrinks or narrows).
Damages to the normal tissue inside the vagina.
Intercourse difficulties or problems.
Irritation of the intestines.
Diarrhea.
ChemotherapyChemotherapy is a type of treatment (affects cells throughout the entire body) that uses drugs either to stop the abnormal growth and dividing process of the cancerous cells, or to kill them. This treatment involves either a single drug, or a combination of several drugs, and it is usually administered in cycles where a treatment period is followed by a recovery period. Chemotherapy can be administrated intravenous in the vain or through a catheter, as pills, or direct into the tumor.
When the treatment is received through pills or intravenously, the chemotherapy is classified as a systemic type of therapy, because the drugs enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body to reach and destroy the cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy as a systemic therapy has not proven to be effective in treating vaginal cancer. However, it is mostly used in women with advanced stages of vaginal cancer.
The main side effects of this approach are:
Lower resistance to infections (caused by a reduced number of white blood cells).
Easy bruising and bleeding (caused by a reduced number of platelets which help the blood to clot).
Anemia (caused by a reduced number of red blood cells).
Nausea and vomiting.
Mouth sores.
Temporary hair loss.
Loss of appetite.
Fatigue.
Some of these side effects can be diminished and controlled with proper medication. The intensity of the side effects depend mainly on the drug dosage and the length of the treatment period.
When the treatment is administrated directly into the tumor, the chemotherapy is called regional chemotherapy. This type of treatment is used in women with early stages of vaginal cancer.

kidney cancer

Kidney Cancer Symptoms

There are many variations of kidney cancer. The most commonly diagnosed type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. It accounts for more than 85% of kidney cancer diagnosis'.The most commonly experienced kidney cancer symptoms (renal cell carcinoma) are:
Chronic fatigue
Unexplained, rapid weightloss
Leg and ankle swelling
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Fever
Presence of blood in urine (seen either by the eye, or microscopically)
Pain in side or lower back
Mass or lump in the abdomenKeep in mind that these symptoms are also the signs for many other illnesses. Please see a health care professional if you are experiencing anything abnormal for further diagnosis.

Cancer Treatment

By Lisa Fayed, About.com Guide to Cancer
Cancer treatment can involve one or several different treatments. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are standard methods of treatment in many types of cancer. Before you begin any treatment regimen, you should become aware of what to expect, side effects, and the risks and benefits of treatment. The more educated you are about your cancer treatment, the better you can communicate with your healthcare team and be proactive in your treatment decisions.


Surgery
Surgery is often recommended for many types of cancer. Primarily, surgery is done to treat cancer, but can also serve as a prevention and diagnostic tool. Preparing for surgery can help you to become a more confident patient and also contribute to a timely recovery.

Chemotherapy and Other Medications
Chemotherapy is another widely used type of cancer treatment. It is often combined with another therapy, like surgery or radiation therapy, to ensure treatment success. While chemotherapy and other treatment medications can be common, they aren't for everyone

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is also an option for treating cancer. This type of treatment uses certain types of high energy beams to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells. It is not effective in all types of cancer and isn't meant for everyone.

Managing Treatment Side Effects
Treatment for cancer can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Many times it is a combination of two or three types, which can compromise your quality of life, both physically and mentally.

Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies conducted with volunteers, who participate for a variety of reasons, mainly when their body has stopped responding to treatment or when no treatment is available. Before beginning a clinical trial, you should consider a few issues.

Breast Cancer

Symptoms

The first sign of breast cancer is often a painless lump. But early breast cancer is often found on a mammogram before a lump can be felt. Other symptoms of breast cancer may not appear until the cancer is more advanced. These include: A thickening in the breast or armpit. A change in the size or shape of the breast. Changes in the skin of the breast, such as a dimple or skin that looks like an orange peel. A change in the nipple, such as scaling of the skin or a nipple that turns in. A green or bloody fluid that comes from the nipple. A change in the color or feel of the skin around the nipple (areola). About 1% of breast cancer occurs in men. Although most men diagnosed with breast cancer are older than 65, the disease can appear in younger men. For this reason, any breast lump in an adult male is considered abnormal.7 Inflammatory breast cancer is a specific type of breast cancer that involves the skin of the breast. It occurs when breast cancer cells form "nests" and block the lymphatic drainage from the skin of the breast. Symptoms include redness, tenderness, and warmth. Thickening of the skin of the breast (an orange-peel appearance), rapid breast enlargement, and ridging of the skin of the breast may also be present. Some women may also develop a lump in the breast. For more information, see the topic Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Treatment Overview

Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery, medicine, and radiation therapy. Because of improved screening methods, diagnosis at an early stage, and improved treatment techniques, the number of deaths from breast cancer has been steadily declining over the past few years. Decisions about how to treat breast cancer are based on a combination of factors that include specific information about the cancer, your preferences, and your health. When making decisions about treatment for your breast cancer, you and your doctor will consider: The size and location of your breast cancer (stage). How aggressive the breast cancer is. Whether your breast cancer has receptors to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, called estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status. Whether your breast cancer cells contain human epidermal growth factor (HER-2/neu). Whether your breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in your underarm area (axilla). You and your doctor will also consider your personal preferences and health when developing a treatment plan for you. This will include: Your feelings about keeping your breast. Your personal and family history of breast cancer. Your age and whether you have other serious health problems. Most people with breast cancer have surgery to remove the cancer from the breast. Some or all of the lymph nodes under the arm are also usually removed to find out whether the breast cancer has spread to this area. Even if your doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of your surgery, you may be treated with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy or hormone therapy may also be recommended to make sure that the breast cancer cells have been destroyed. You may also be given chemotherapy or hormone therapy to shrink your breast cancer before surgery. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. Initial treatmentInitial treatment of breast cancer may include: Surgery to remove the cancer. This may be done by removing the whole breast (mastectomy) or just the part of the breast that contains the breast cancer (breast-conserving surgery, or lumpectomy). Some of the lymph nodes under the arm will also be removed using either axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel node biopsy. Radiation therapy, which is the use of high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy, which is the use of medicine to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment, because the medicines enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and can destroy cancer cells outside the target area. Hormone therapy with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, to change the way hormones in the body cause cancer growth. Treatment with trastuzumab (Herceptin) if your breast cancer tests positive for human epidermal growth factor (HER-2/neu).