Common Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

ByMelissa B Hernandez

Esophageal cancer is typically a carcinoma that develops in the epithelium, or surface layer, of the esophagus. This type of cancer is most easily diagnosed through a series of tests including endoscopy, PET and CT scans. Esophageal cancer symptoms, unfortunately in a majority of cases, only become pronounced enough for the patient to see their doctor when the disease is in the latter stages of development.

Classifications

The overwhelming majority of esophageal cancers can be classified into one of two categories for the purposes of diagnosis, squamos cell and adenocarcinoma. As an informal general rule, the squamos cell version of the disease occurs in the upper two-thirds of the esophagus, while the adenocarcinoma occurs in the lower one-third.

Esophageal Cancer Symptoms

In the latter stages of the disease, when the patient begins to recognize a problem, esophageal cancer symptoms can present themselves in an obvious manner. Initial symptoms include odynophagia, or pain when swallowing, or dysphagia, difficulty swallowing. Difficulty swallowing is generally the first noticeable symptom that presents itself.

Pain, very similar to heartburn, can present as severe and will worsen when the patient attempts to swallow any but the softest of foods or fluids. This pain is present almost daily, with little to no relief from common heartburn medications. Another symptom in proximity to the throat is a husky or raspy cough, which is a result of the cancer advancing on the laryngeal nerve.

The tumor(s) may produce, in some patients, additional symptoms. The esophageal cancer symptoms can include vomiting blood, nausea, lack of appetite and rapid weight loss, along with an increased risk of contracting aspiration related pneumonia.

When are Symptoms Diagnosed

In a majority of esophageal cancer patients, unless the disease is detected in the early stages through a full physical or cancer screening, symptoms are not significant enough to see their doctor until the tumor involved is fairly significant in size. Normally, symptoms present themselves in a significant way only after approximately half of the esophagus is restricted, or blocked.

Additional complications that may arise from a late stage diagnosis of esophageal cancer include metastasis into other organs and body parts. Esophageal cancer most commonly metastasizes into the liver, lung or lymph nodes. Once metastasis has occurred with the disease, it is much more difficult to treat effectively.

Prognosis for Esophageal Cancer Patients

The prognosis for patients is far lower than the survival rates for some other types of cancer. This is most commonly due to the fact patients only present themselves for diagnosis once symptoms are present, which generally only occurs late in the disease. The percentages for survival depend on the stage the cancer is initially treated in and whether the cancer has metastasized into structures outside the esophagus. The approximate overall five year survival rate for patients who present with esophageal cancer symptoms is 15% and a large number of patients do not survive the first year after diagnosis.

Are you worried or concerned about ongoing illness or symptoms suffered by you or a loved one? Worried it could be more serious?

You should obviously consult a doctor to have a professional diagnosis administered. However our website has articles on all types of on cancer symptoms. Learn more about the common Bowel cancer symptoms and many more variants of cancer.

Get informed and keep you and your loved ones one step ahead of the dreaded 'Big C'.

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Kidney Pain Can Mean Kidney Cancer - Common Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

ByMelissa B Hernandez

Being aware of kidney cancer symptoms is very important, as it can help a person get treatment before the disease gets worse. Anybody who has any experience with cancer, whether they have had it or know someone who has dealt with it, knows just how serious and devastating it can be. That's why it's important to make an appointment with a doctor whenever any symptoms of cancer present themselves. If the disease can be caught early, the patient has a much better chance of survival and may not have to go through drastic treatment options.

How Kidney Cancer Starts
Kidney cancer is the result of kidney cells becoming cancerous and rapidly growing out of control, forming a tumor, or in some cases multiple tumors. Doctors are not yet sure what causes this type of cancer, though some risk factors of the disease have been identified. Most kidney cancers start in the lining of the small tubes in the kidneys, and there are few symptoms of the disease at this stage. Despite the lack of symptoms at the earliest stage, most cases are discovered before the disease spreads to the surrounding organs.

Common Kidney Cancer Symptoms
Just like most diseases, one or two symptoms alone may not be indicative of kidney cancer or cause for alarm, though they should still be checked out. However if the patient notices several of the symptoms, particularly if they persist over time, it is best to call a doctor. Kidney cancer symptoms include: Blood in the urine (this may appear as a red or pink color), a lump or pain in the side or abdomen, seemingly random weight loss or fever. These are the most common symptoms. Occasionally other symptoms can appear alongside the most common indicators. These additional symptoms include: Fatigue, a general feeling of poor health, loss of appetite, anemia and swelling in the ankles or legs. Sometimes kidney cancer will spread, whether it's being treated or not, and when this is the case, additional symptoms can be noticed. Symptoms that this has happened are shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and even bone pain. If the patient notices any of these, please contact a doctor immediately. Sometimes a change in treatment or medication may be needed.

What Happens After Kidney Cancer Symptoms are Noticed
The doctor will likely perform one or more tests to determine if the patient has kidney cancer or something else, like kidney stones. He or she may order a urine test or blood test to check for problems and see how well the kidneys are functioning. An ultrasound may also be used to determine if a tumor, if one is present, is filled with fluid or is a solid mass. CT scans and MRIs are often used to take pictures of the kidneys. A procedure called Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) can be used to determine the presence of tumors as well. In this procedure, a dye is inserted and travels through the urinary tract, while the kidneys are being X-rayed. This allows any tumors to be highlighted. CT scans have largely replaced the need for the IVP procedure.

Though the symptoms listed above can be signs of kidney cancer, they may indicate some other problem, instead of cancer. One or two symptoms alone is not cause for panic, though it certainly should be brought to a doctor's attention. For a diagnosis, contact a doctor as quickly as possible. If the symptoms noticed are indeed kidney cancer symptoms, it is important to begin treatment quickly to kill the cancer and remove any tumors before it spreads and becomes more severe.

Are you worried or concerned about ongoing illness or symptoms suffered by you or a loved one? Worried it could be more serious?

You should obviously consult a doctor to have a professional diagnosis administered. However our website has articles on all types of cancer symptoms. Learn more about the common Mouth cancer symptoms and many more variants of cancer.

Get informed and keep you and your loved ones one step ahead of the dreaded 'Big C'.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

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Most Common Form Of Cancer Affecting The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland, found in the throat below the Adam's apple, is made up of two lobes. It is situated on either side of the windpipe joined at the front by an isthmus. This gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolic processes such a growth and energy levels.

There are several major conditions that can affect the thyroid gland: hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and cancer to name a few.

Today I want to focus on the common type of cancer affecting the thyroid gland. There are four types of cancer that attacks this gland:

Papillary carcinoma is the most common accounting for 70- 80 percent of thyroid cancer cases diagnosed. A slow growing cancer, it affects the cells producing the thyroid hormone
Follicular carcinoma accounts for about 10 percent of the cases. Like the papillary type it affects the cells producing thyroid hormone but it grows quickly.
Medullary carcinoma accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of cases. This type of cancer does not affect the hormone producing cells. It tends to be hereditary and mimics the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. If there has been a blood relative diagnosed with this type of carcinoma in your family you can be genetically tested.
Anaplastic carcinoma the rarest yet the most aggressive and malignant type accounts for about 7 percent of cases of thyroid cancer. Often it grows very quickly and will usually block the windpipe causing the patient to require a tracheostomy This form is most likely to spread to other organs beyond the thyroid and the lymph nodes.

With Papillary carcinoma being the most common type of cancer affecting the thyroid gland let's have a look at the symptoms.

swelling in the throat and neck areaa lump or lumps may be obviousswollen lymph nodes with no other cause such as a cold or fluchanges in your voicehoarseness of the voicesore neckpersistent coughdifficulty swallowing

There are several methods that can be used to diagnosis this disease of the thyroid gland. The cancer may be found during a physical examination, through abnormal blood results, ultra sound and fine needle aspirations, and by a tissue biopsy of the thyroid or nodule.

When it comes to the treatment of thyroid cancer there are factors that are considered. They are the type, size and stage of the cancer, the age and health of the patient. The treatment options are:

Surgery: the gland is removed either totally or in part depending on the size of the carcinoma and how much of the gland is affected. This procedure is used in the treatment of papillary, follicular, and medullary carcinoma. It is normal to remove nearby lymph nodes, especially if they look suspicious, and they are sent for biopsy to check if the cancer has spread.
Radioactive Iodine Treatment: this procedure is used to destroy any remaining any thyroid cells that may produce hormones. This method requires the patient to follow a protocol for several weeks prior. They have to stop the thyroid hormone replacement medication which causes the thyroid hormone stimulating hormone levels to rise. In turn, this causes stimulation of remaining thyroid cells to absorb the radioactive iodine.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement: this is used following surgery to replace the natural hormones. The patients are usually prescribed a dosage to suppress the production of the thyroid stimulating hormone, thereby suppressing the growth of thyroid cells.

Women are more susceptible to thyroid cancer than men. It can affect any age. If a child is diagnosed and the cancer was in an early stage the prognosis is excellent, usually a full recovery. For adults the prognosis once again depends on several factors including age, type of thyroid carcinoma, location of the carcinoma, stage of the carcinoma and the general health of the person.

Elaine Savard is a thyroid cancer survivor since 1997. At http://papillarythyroidcancerguide.com/ much more valuable information on thyroid cancer can be found.

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