Asbestos cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that can be separated into thin threads. Asbestos fibers resist heat and fire and for this reason, have been used in many products that need to be resistant to heat and fire such as brake pads, gaskets and pumps. Unfortunately, however, asbestos-containing products can cause asbestos cancer.

Asbestos cancer: The types

There are different types of asbestos cancer. They include lung cancer and mesothelioma. There are two types of lung cancer:

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Small cell lung cancer is the less common form of lung cancer and constitutes about 20% of lung cancer cases. Small cell lung cancer occurs almost exclusively in cigarette smokers. It is the more aggressive type of lung cancer and by the time it is diagnosed, it has usually spread to many areas of the body.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer occurring in about 80% of lung cancer cases. Non-small cell lung cancer can have various causes including asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is also a form of asbestos cancer. It affects the mesothelium, which is the membrane that covers the body’s internal organs. The mesothelium produces a fluid to allow organs to glide against adjacent structures. The peritoneum is the mesothelium that covers organs within the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the mesothelium that covers the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium is the mesothelium that surrounds the heart.

Types of mesothelioma:

Pleural mesothelioma

The pleura is the lining of the sacs of the chest. A cancer of this lining is known as pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. Some symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain and cough.

Peritoneal mesothelioma

The peritoneum is the lining of the abdomen. A cancer of the abdominal lining is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal swelling, bowel obstruction and nausea.

How does asbestos lead to the development of cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma?

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become trapped in the body’s internal organs such as the lungs. Asbestos fibers can remain within lung tissue for a lifetime. Asbestos fibers within the body can trigger chemical reactions that can lead to the development of asbestos cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos cancers generally have a long latency period, i.e., they can develop decades after exposure to asbestos has taken place.

Who is at risk for asbestos cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma?

People who work with asbestos-containing products are at the highest risk of developing asbestos cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Because asbestos was used in many products, many workers are at risk of developing asbestos cancers. Some workers who are at risk include:

Mechanics

Carpenters

Shipyard workers

Welders

Construction workers

In addition, the household members of people who work with asbestos products are also at risk of developing asbestos cancer because of secondary asbestos exposure. Secondary asbestos exposure occurs because asbestos fibers can cling to the clothing of people who work with asbestos products. When these workers come home, their household members can inhale those fibers and develop asbestos cancers decades later.

Asbestos Cancer: Treatment options

Lung cancer treatment

Treatment options for lung cancer depend largely on the type of lung cancer and on the stage of the cancer. Treatment techniques for lung cancer include:

Surgery – this treatment technique involves cutting away the lung cancer tumor. Surgery is effective when the cancer has not spread beyond the lung. Surgical procedures for lung cancer are:  

Thoracotomy – surgery performed through the chest wall

Median sternotomy – involves cutting through the breastbone

Anterior limited thoractomy – performed on the front area of the chest  

Anterioraxillary thoractomy – performed on the front part of the chest near the underarm

Posterolateral thoracotomy – performed on the rear of the trunk

Photodynamic therapy – is the treatment technique that is used when surgery is not feasible. It involves the use of a specific type of light to kill cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma treatment

Treatment techniques for the asbestos cancer mesothelioma include:

Surgery – this procedure usually involves removing part of the lining of the chest or the abdomen. The lining of the chest is removed if the cancer is pleural mesothelioma. The lining of the abdomen is removed if the cancer is peritoneal mesothelioma. In some cases, an entire lung may have to be removed. Also, sometimes the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs) is removed.

Radiation therapy – involves the use of light rays to kill cancer cells and reduce tumor size. This treatment technique is only effective for the area of the body that is subjected to radiation. External radiation therapy involves radiation that comes from a machine. Internal radiation therapy involves the insertion of substances that produce radiation through tubes to the area where cancer cells exist.

Chemotherapy – involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are usually administered by intravenous injection.

Immunotherapy – involves manipulating the immune system so that it attacks cancer cells. Normally, the human immune system does not kill mesothelioma cancer cells because it does not know that the cancer cells are harmful. In a type of immunotherapy known as active immunotherapy, mesothelioma cancer cells are removed and converted into a vaccine. The vaccine is then injected into the patient. The hope is that the patient’s immune system will recognize the vaccine as harmful and therefore recognize mesothelioma cancer as harmful as well.

For further information Contact Andrew Calcagno, Esq. at andrew@nynjlaw.net

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ProjectBoobies.com is different than other companies selling breast cancer tee shirts because our sole focus is how can we help.  In the late fall, we had the opportunity to help a small college in Iowa make a difference in their community and we would also love to help your college team and/or organization do the same so that we can beat breast cancer through self exams and raising money.

 

Our regular focus charity is Kokolulu Farms and Cancer Retreats that is located in Hawaii.  In case you don’t know, Kokolulu is a miraculous non-profit that focuses on helping cancer survivors to win the mental battle with cancer and we sell our breast cancer shirts to help them raise funds.  Additionally, the logo on our breast cancer tee shirts and tagline of “Grab A Feel so Cancer Can’t Steal” are reminders for people to do self checks for breast cancer because the best way to defeat this horrific disease.

 

This fall, we found an opportunity to team with the Iowa Central Cross Country Team in their 4th annual “Race to Erase Breast Cancer”. While it was not an actual race, their team sold breast cancer tee shirts, along with other donation avenues, to raise money for the Fort Dodge Trinity Regional Cancer Center.  The results were outstanding and this small college team was able to make a big impact and raise nearly $2,000 for this medical center.  Our part was to provide breast cancer shirts at a price that just covered our costs and the result was over 100 projectboobies.com shirts sold!  The college had created their own awesome shirt design but found that our breast cancer tees outsold theirs by multiple times.  We are very humbled by the outcome that college students loved our breast cancer clothes design which resulted in so much money being raised to fight breast cancer.

 

So how can we help your high school, college, or other organization raise money to help a regional cancer charity raise money with our breast cancer shirts?  The first step is to check us out because we want you to be comfortable that we are really in breast cancer clothes to beat breast cancer.  Feel free to contact Lew at Kokolulu Farms and Cancer Retreats as we have worked with their charity on multiple fronts as they work to help cancer survivors win the mental battle with cancer.  Contact the cross country coach at Iowa Central in Ft. Dodge to verify we were great partners to work with for their breast cancer fundraiser.  Check out our Twitter account that has over 3,000 followers.  The other option is to use Google, Yahoo, Bing, and/or other search engines and do a search.  If you search breast cancer tees, breast cancer clothes, or breast cancer shirts, you will find projectboobies.com on the first or second page of search results.  We are passionate about beating breast cancer and it shows in everything we do!  Please visit our website to learn more about breast self checks, breast cancer statistics, and to check out our breast cancer tee shirts.

 

Hopefully this communication helps you understand a little about our goals and how we’d like to work together to kick breast cancer’s ass!  If you are a celebrity, we would love it if a brave one would be the first to help us.  We can be reached on email at howcanwehelp@projectboobies.com or you can @projectboobies us on Twitter to find out how we can work together.

 

 

OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian cancer is a disease produced by the rapid growth and division of cells within one or both ovaries-reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, and the female sex hormones are made. The ovaries contain cells that, under normal circumstances, reproduce to maintain tissue health. When growth control is lost and cells divide too much and too fast, a cellular mass or tumor is formed. If the tumor is confined to a few cell layers, for example, surface cells, and it does not invade surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered benign. If the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered malignant, or cancerous. When cancerous cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic vessels, and grow within other parts of the body, the process is known as metastasis.

Ovarian cancer is not a single disease. There are actually more than 30 types and subtypes of ovarian malignancies, each with its own histopathologic (diseased tissue) appearance and biologic behavior.

Causes of OVARIAN CANCER

The exact cause of ovarian cancer isn’t known. It’s more common in women who live in developed countries. Other factors that are thought to make ovarian cancer more likely include:

* a family history of ovarian cancer – women who have two or more close relatives (mother, sister or daughter) with ovarian cancer are more at risk.
* having a non-cancerous condition called endometriosis.
* starting your period early and having the menopause late.

More research is needed to find out whether the risk of ovarian cancer is increased by : -

* having fertility treatment.
* having hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
* being overweight or obese.

Studies have shown that ovarian cancer may be less common in women who : -
# have used the contraceptive pill.
# have had children.
# have breastfed their children.
# have had a hysterectomy.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Most women with early-stage cancer of the ovary don’t have any symptoms for a long time.
When symptoms occur they may include any of the following : -

1. loss of appetite.
2. vague indigestion, nausea, excess gas (wind) and a bloated, full feeling.
3. unexplained weight gain.
4. swelling in the abdomen – this may be due to a build up of fluid, known as ascites, which can cause shortness of breath.
5. pain in the lower abdomen.
6. changes in bowel or bladder habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea or needing to pass urine more often.
7. lower back pain.
8. pain during sex.
9. abnormal vaginal bleeding, although this is rare.

DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN CANCER

1. Pelvic exam (for Ovarian Cancer) includes feeling the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum to find any abnormality in their shape or size. (A Pap test, a good test for cancer of the cervix, is often done along with the pelvic exam, but it is not a reliable way to find or diagnose ovarian cancer.)
2. Ultrasound refers to the use of high-frequency sound waves. These waves, which cannot be heard by humans, are aimed at the ovaries. The pattern of the echoes they produce creates a picture called a sonogram. Healthy tissues, fluid-filled cysts, and tumors look different on this picture.
3. CA-125 assay (for Ovarian Cancer) is a blood test used to measure the level of CA-125, a tumor marker that is often found in higher-than-normal amounts in the blood of women with ovarian cancer.
4. Lower GI series, or barium enema, is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum. The pictures are taken after the patient is given an enema with a white, chalky solution containing barium. The barium outlines the colon and rectum on the x-ray, making tumors or other abnormal areas easier to see.
5. CT (or CAT) scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
6. Biopsy is the removal of tissue for examination under a microscope. A pathologist studies the tissue to make a diagnosis . To obtain the tissue, the surgeon performs a laparotomy (an operation to open the abdomen). If cancer is suspected, the surgeon performs an oophorectomy (removal of the entire ovary). This is important because, if cancer is present, removing just a sample of tissue by cutting through the outer layer of the ovary could allow cancer cells to escape and cause the disease to spread.
7. If the diagnosis is ovarian cancer, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of disease. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body. Staging may involve surgery, x-rays and other imaging procedures, and lab tests. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER in India

Treatment
There are three main forms of treatment for ovarian cancer offered in India : -

1. Surgery to remove cancerous tissue.
2. Chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells using strong anti-cancer drugs.
3. Radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells by high-energy radiation exposure.

There are also many combinations of these treatment methods and it is usually worthwhile to get a second opinion about treatment before entering into a specific program. Treatment depends upon a number of factors (e.g., stage and grade of the disease, the histopathologic type, and the patient’s age and overall health).

Surgery for Ovarian Cancer in India

Surgery usually is required to treat ovarian cancer. Most patients undergo surgery in addition to another form of treatment (e.g., chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy). Surgery helps the physician to accurately stage the tumor, make a diagnosis, and perform debulking (removal of as much tumor mass as possible). Debulking surgery is especially important in ovarian cancer because aggressive removal of cancerous tissue is associated with improved survival. Patients with no residual tumor mass, or tumor masses that measure less than 1 cm, have the best opportunity for cure.

 

 

 

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We Care Core Values

“We have a very simple business model that keeps you as the centre.”

Having the industry’s most elaborate and exclusive Patient Care and Clinical Coordination teams stationed at each partner hospital, we provide you the smoothest and seamless care ever imagined. With a ratio of one Patient Care Manager to five patients our patient care standards are unmatched across the sub continent.

Medicine is the divine hand of the almighty and hospitals in India endeavor to redeem this benefaction. Treatment of Vaginal Cancer in India is done at cities like Mumbai and Delhi in hospitals having state of art operation theatre using sterile techniques, complete range of sophisticated instruments and above all meticulous care during surgery avoiding complications.Surgeonsin India work as a team sharing patient care and expertise to provide the highest standard of healthcare.  Treatment of Vaginal Cancer in India is done byexperienced and knowledgeable surgeons providing international level healthcare and hospitality.

 

What is Vaginal Cancer?

Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that occurs in your vagina — the muscular tube that connects your uterus with your outer genitals. Vaginal cancer most commonly occurs in the cells that line the surface of your vagina, which is sometimes called the birth canal. While several cancers can spread to your vagina from other places in your body, cancer that begins in your vagina (primary vaginal cancer) is rare. Vaginal cancer comprises only 2 to 3 percent of gynecologic cancers. About 2,400 women are diagnosed with vaginal cancer each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Women with early-stage vaginal cancer have the best chance for a cure. Vaginal cancer that spreads beyond the vagina is much more difficult to treat. There are many different types of cancer of the vagina: squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma), adenocarcinoma, malignant melanomas and sarcomas. About 90% of vaginal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that begin in the epithelial lining of the vagina. About 5% of vaginal cancers are adenocarcinomas. The most common type of vaginal adenocarcinoma usually develops in women over age 50. Malignant melanoma is a cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Malignant melanomas are usually found on sun-exposed areas of the skin but occasionally form on the vagina or other internal organs. About 2% to 3% of vaginal cancers are sarcomas.

Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer

 

Early Vaginal cancer may not have any signs and symptoms. As it progresses, vaginal cancer may cause signs and symptoms such as:

Unusual vaginal bleeding, such as after intercourse or after menopause
Watery vaginal discharge that may be bloody and foul smelling
Lump or mass in your vagina
Painful urination
Constipation
Pelvic pain

Treatment options for Vaginal Cancer

Surgery: Surgery is the most common treatment for all stages of Vaginal cancer. A doctor may remove the cancer using one of the following:

Laser Surgery: A narrow beam of light is used to kill cancer cells. It may be used for the very earliest stages of Vaginal cancer, when the cancer has been confined to the place of its origin which is also known as in situ cancer.

Wide Local Excision: A type of surgery that removes the Vaginal cancer and some of the tissue around it. A patient may need to have skin taken from another part of the body or grafted, to repair the vagina after the cancer has been removed.

Vaginectomy: In some cases, an operation in which the removal of vagina may be recommended. When the cancer has spread outside the vagina, vaginectomy may be combined with surgery to take out the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is called a radical hysterectomy. During these operations, lymph nodes in the pelvis also may be removed.

Exenteration: If the cancer has spread outside the vagina and the other female organs, the doctor may take out the lower colon, rectum or bladder — depending on where the cancer has spread — along with the cervix, uterus and vagina.

Radiation Therapy:Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body, called external beam radiation therapy. Another form or radiation therapy, called internal radiation, works by placing materials that produce radiation, called radioisotopes, through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found. Radiation may be used alone, in combination with chemotherapy or after surgery.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in a vein. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and can kill cancer cells outside the vagina. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with radiation treatment, or alone.

Recovery after treatment of Vaginal Cancer

Recovery after treatment of Vaginal cancer depends on the overall health of the patient before surgery. It also depends on the stage and type of cancer that to be treated. Surgeon may prescribe some medications for faster recovery.

Why India?

The outcome of treatment of Vaginal cancer in India is quite satisfactory and successful. Indian hospitality and friendliness are already world-famous and thus India has excelled as a premier medical destination for decades. Medical tourism in India provides integrated travel & health services with trust, integrity and creativity by anticipating emerging trends in the industry. Planning and coordination, travel arrangements, concierge services and personal attention are an integral part of the benefits provided by medical tourism in India. To get more info on Vaginal cancer in India, visit us at http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com or mail your queries at enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com or you may call on +91-9371136499, +91-9860755000

Know Complete Cervical Cancer and Its Treatment – Cervical cancer is a malignancy that occurs in the cervix. Cervical cancer is also called cervical cancer or cervical cancer begins in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancer is formed very slowly. First, some changes from normal cells into cells pre-cancerous and then into cancer cells. This can happen for many years, but sometimes it happens faster. These changes are often called dysplasia. They can be found with Pap smear tests and can be treated to prevent cancer. To understand cervical cancer, it helps us understand the anatomy of a woman’s uterus in advance.

There are 2 main types of cervical cancer. Approximately 8-9 out of 10 species present is squamous cell carcinoma. Under the microscope, this type of cancer formed by cells such as squamous cells that cover the surface of the cervix. Most of the remainder are adenocarcinoma. Cancer begins in cells that make mucus glands. Rarely, cervical cancer have both kinds of features above and is called mixed carcinoma. Other species (such as melanomas, sarcomas, and lymphomas), which most often occurs in other parts of the body. If you have cervical cancer, ask your doctor to explain what type of cancer you have.

How many women get cervical cancer?

The number of women with cervical cancer prevalence in Indonesia is quite large. Every day, found 40-45 new cases with the number of deaths reaches 20-25 people. While the number of women at risk of the virus reaching 48 million people. Doctor Laila Nuranna SpOG (K), Head of Oncology Division of Obstetrics Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, said that most cases of cervical cancer were detected in hospitals has been so difficult to treat advanced stage. “If the cancer is found early, the handling will be easier and greater life expectancy,” he said during a discussion Effort Campaign and Cervical Cancer Treatment at the Hotel Lumire Jakarta, Monday, April 12, 2010.

Some researchers think that non-invasive cervical cancer (which only occurs in the cervix when found) is about 4 times more common than invasive cervical cancers. When found and treated early, cervical cancer often can be cured.

Cervical cancer tends to occur in middle-aged women. Most cases are found in women who are under 50 years. It rarely occurs in young women (aged 20 years). Many women do not know that when you get old, they are still at risk for cervical cancer. That is why it is important for older women to continue to undergo regular Pap smear tests

Cervical Cancer Treatment

Three main types of treatment for cervical cancer are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Precancerous stage up to 1A typically treated with hysterectomy. If the patient still wants to have children, methods of LEEP or cone biopsy may be an option.

For stage IB and IIA cervical cancer:

* When the tumor size <4cm: radical hysterectomy or radiotherapy with or without chemo
* When the tumor size> 4cm: radiotherapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy, hysterectomy, or cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by hysterectomy

Advanced-stage cervical cancer (IIB-IVA) can be treated with radiotherapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy. In the very late-stage (IVB), the doctor may consider a combination of chemo drugs, such hycamtin and cisplatin.

If recovery is not possible, the goal of treatment is to remove or destroy as many cancer cells. Sometimes treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms. This is called palliative care.

Other factors that may affect your treatment decisions include your age, your overall health, and your own preferences. Often wise enough to get a second opinion (second opinion) that gives you another perspective of your disease.

Surgery for Cervical Cancer

There are several types of surgery for cervical cancer. Some involve the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), others do not. This list includes the most common type of surgery for cervical cancer.

Cryosurgery

A metal probe cooled with liquid nitrogen is inserted into the vagina and the cervix. This kills the abnormal cells by freezing them. Cryosurgery is used to treat cervical cancer, which only ad adi in the cervix (stage 0), but not an invasive cancer that has spread beyond the cervix.

Laser Surgery

A laser beam is used to burn the cells or remove a small portion of uterine tissue to be studied. Laser surgery is used only as a treatment for pre-invasive cervical cancer (stage 0).

Konisasi

Cone-shaped piece of tissue will be removed from the cervix. This is done by using a scalpel or laser tau using a thin wire heated by electricity (this procedure called LEEP or LEETZ). This approach can be used to find or treat early stage cervical cancer (0 or I). It is rarely used as the sole treatment except for women with early stage cervical cancer who might want to have kids. After the biopsy, tissue (cone shaped) was appointed to be examined under a microscope. If the boundary edge of the cone that contains pre-cancerous or cancerous cells, further treatment will be needed to ensure that all cancer cells have been removed.

Hysterectomy

Simple hysterectomy: The uterus is removed, but does not include the network that are nearby. Both the vagina and pelvic lymph nodes are not removed. The uterus can be surgically removed at the front of the abdomen (stomach) or through the vagina. After this operation, a woman can not become pregnant. Hysterectomy is used to treat several early-stage cervical cancer (I). It is also used to pre-stage cervical cancer (o), if cancer cells are found at the boundary edge konisasi.

Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection: in this operation, the surgeon will remove the entire uterus, nearby tissue, upper vagina bordering the cervix, and some lymph nodes in the pelvic area. This operation is most often done by cutting through the front of the abdomen and less frequently through the vagina. After this operation, a woman can not become pregnant. A radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection is a common treatment used for stage I cervical cancer, and less frequently also used in some cases of stage II, especially in young women.

Sexual impact of hysterectomy: After a hysterectomy, a woman can still feel sexual pleasure. A woman does not need a uterus to reach orgasm. If cancer has caused pain or bleeding, however, surgery can actually improve a woman’s sexual life in a way to stop these symptoms.

Trachelektomi

A procedure called radical trachelectomy allows certain young women with early stage cancer to be treated and still be able to have a child. This method involves the removal of the cervix and upper vagina and put it on the seam is shaped like a pouch that acts as the opening of the cervix in the uterus. Nearby lymph nodes are also removed. This operation is done either through the vagina or abdomen.

After this operation, some women may have long-term pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby by caesarean section. In one study, pregnancy rates after 5 years more than 50%, but the risk of miscarriage is higher than normal women in general. The risk of cancer recurrence after this approach is quite low.

Hip Ekstenterasi

Besides taking all the organs and tissues mentioned above, in this type of operation: bladder, vagina, rectum, and most of the large intestine was also removed. This operation is used when cervical cancer recurrence after previous treatment.

If the bladder has been removed, a new way to store and dispose of small water needed. A piece of short bowel can be used to create a new bladder. Urine can be emptied by placing a small tube (called a catheter) into a small hole in the stomach (called: urostomi). Or urine can flow into a small plastic bag placed in front of the abdomen.

If the rectum and part of colon removed, a new way to pass faeces / stool is needed. This is done with a colostomy, which made a hole opening in the abdomen where the dirt can be removed. Or the surgeon may be able to reconnect the colon so that no outside body bags required. If the vagina is removed, a new vagina made of skin or other tissue can be created / reconstructed.

It takes a long time, 6 months or more, to recover from this operation. Some say it took about 1-2 years to really adjust to this radical change. But women who have undergone this surgery can still lead happy and productive life. With practice and patience, they also can have sexual desire, pleasure, and orgasm.

Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer

Radiotherapy is treatment with high-energy rays (such as X-rays) to kill cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Before radiotherapy done, you are likely to undergo blood tests to find out if you suffer from anemia. Cervical cancer patients who experience bleeding in general suffer from anemia. For that, blood transfusions may be necessary before radiotherapy is started.

In early stage cervical cancer, the doctor will usually give radiotherapy (external and internal). Sometimes radiotherapy is given after surgery. Lately, doctors often perform a combination therapy (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) to treat cervical cancer who were between stages IB to IVA. Namely, among others, when the tumor size larger than 4 cm or if the cancer is found to have spread to other tissues (excluding cervix), for example to the bladder or colon.

Radiotherapy there are 2 types, namely external radiotherapy and internal radiotherapy. External radiotherapy means of X-rays are directed into your body (pelvic area) through a large machine. While the internal radiotherapy means any radioactive material implanted into the uterus / cervix you for some time to kill cancer cells. One method of internal radiotherapy is frequently used brachytherapy.

Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

Brachytherapy has been used to treat cervical cancer since the beginning of this century. This treatment is successful enough to overcome the malignancy in the female organs. Both radium and cesium have been used as a radioactive source to deliver radiation internally. Since the 1960?s in Europe and Japan, introduced the HDR system (high dose rate) brachytherapy.

HDR brachytherapy is given in just minutes. To prevent potential complications of HDR brachytherapy, HDR brachytherapy is usually given in a few insertions. For patients with cervical cancer, standard treatment is 5 insertions. Time where the applicator is in line female (vagina, cervix and / or uterus) for each insertion was approximately 2.5 hours. For endometrial cancer patients who received brachytherapy alone or in combination with external radiotherapy, it would require a total of 2 inserts with each time about 1 hour.

The advantage of HDR brachytherapy are among others: patient enough outpatients, economical, radiation dose can be adjusted, there is no possibility of shifting the applicator. Enough plays an important role for the success of brachytherapy is the experience of the treating doctor.

Radiotherapy Side Effects Some side effects of radiotherapy, namely:

* Fatigue
* Heartburn
* Often backward (diarrhea)
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Changes in skin color (like burning)
* Drought or scarring of the vagina causing painful intercourse
* Early menopause
* Problems with urination
* Brittle bones that fracture easily
* The low number of red blood cells (anemia)
* The low number of white blood cells
* Swelling in the legs (called lymphedema)

Discuss with your doctor or nurse about side effects you might experience. Often no treatment or other methods that will help. Because smoking increases the side effects of radiotherapy, if you smoke then you must immediately stop.

Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Usually the drugs are given via infusion into a vein or by mouth. Once drugs enter the bloodstream, they spread throughout the body. Sometimes several drugs are given at one time.

Chemotherapy can cause side effects. These side effects will depend on the type of drugs given, the amount / dose given, and how long treatment lasts. Side effects can be inaccessible:

* Heartburn and vomiting (doctors can give medicine nausea / vomiting)
* Loss of appetite
* Short-term hair loss
* Sprue
* Increase the likelihood of infection (white blood cell deficiency)
* Bleeding or bruising in the event of injury (due to lack of blood)
* Shortness of breath (from low red blood cell count)
* Fatigue
* Early menopause
* Losing the ability to become pregnant (infertility)

Most adverse events (except for menopause and infertility) stops when treatment is completed. If you have any problems with side effects, talk with your doctor or nurse, because often there are ways to help. Giving chemotherapy at the same time as radiotherapy can improve the patient’s recovery prospects, but can give side effects worse. You will supervise a team of doctors these side effects and can provide medicines to help you feel better.