• cancer
    Risk factors and preventive measures of metastatic mouth cancer

    Mouth cancer is a result of cells growing out of control on the surface of common areas that include your lips, gums, tongue, the inner lining of the cheeks, roof, and floor of the month. Cancer occurs due to certain mutations in healthy body cells, causing them to rapidly multiply and allow cancer to grow.

    These changes in the DNA of healthy cells in your mouth lead to mouth cancer or oral cancer and cavity. Due to metastasis, the cancerous cells spread to nearby body parts and organs through the circulatory systems and lymph nodes.

    Once cancer has achieved metastasis, treatment options are often futile and offer poor results as the cells rapidly grow out of control, not allowing healthy cells to rejuvenate in time. The survival rate is also low in advanced stages when metastasis is severe. Metastatic mouth cancer is a condition in which the malignant cells spread and destroy healthy cells inside the mouth, neck or your head.

    It is unclear as to what causes the mutation in healthy living cells that leads to a developing metastatic mouth cancer condition. The diagnosis in most cases is late, and your chances of survival are severely affected.

    Risk factors that increase the chances of developing cancer

    • Mutation can normally be a result of a weak immune system as your body is unable to monitor and control the rapid growth of unhealthy cells
    • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can also cause the cancerous cells to develop rapidly, mainly affecting your lips
    • Smoking and alcohol are habits can accelerate the growth of unhealthy cells and increase the risk of cancer

    Here are a few ways to reduce the risk of developing metastatic mouth cancer

    Routine dental checkup
    A dental checkup is not only reserved for your pearly whites. Ask your dentist to perform a complete oral examination to identify any abnormalities that might indicate a developing cancer condition. Lumps, excess muscle tissue growth, discoloration, and sudden shifting of teeth are among some of the primary indicators.

    Consume alcohol in moderation
    Can’t kick the habit? Then consume alcohol in moderation. Limit the number of drinks to one a day if you are an excessive drinker. For women, you must limit your alcohol intake to a maximum of two per day.

    Stop chewing and smoking tobacco
    Tobacco contains cancer-causing chemicals that can aggravate the condition further by regular chewing. If you are in the habit of smoking, you must reduce the number of cigarettes per day to fall out of habit eventually.

  • cancer
    Benefits of genetic screening in prostate cancer

    Prostate cancer is one of the most common conditions that affect men. In this disorder, there is an abnormal multiplication in the growth of cancer cells that go on to form a tumor. The prostate gland is one that aids in the production of semen and it is situated around the male urethra.

    Typically, prostate cancer is painless in the initial stage; thus, there may be no signs and symptoms that indicate the growth of cancer cells. This is a major reason for a large population of men being unaware of the prevailing condition. However, as the condition becomes serious, one may include a slew of issues such as an abnormal flow of urine, pain during ejaculation, and the feeling of being unable to completely empty the bladder. The above changes or symptoms are seen in several other genital conditions and do not always imply the development of prostate cancer.

    The severity of the condition can greatly vary from one man to another. In most cases, if the prostate cancer is in its early stage, there can be treatment methods mapped for successful treatment. Also, in some older men, the tumor may grow very slowly and can surprising never cause an issue in their daily routine. On the other hand, some men may suffer from a malignant growth in the cancer cells and it can have fatal effects.

    Prostate cancer can develop due to several reasons that include age, race, obesity, and family history. Despite being a small percentage, cancers that are hereditary are associated with inherited mutation of genes. Also, hereditary cancer is more likely to affect an individual when in the early stages of life.

    Benefits of a genetic screen in prostate cancer
    The genetic screen has been found to play an important in role in prostate cancer. The medical field has, thus, begun to put greater focus on using this testing to greatly aid treatment and management of the condition.

    Diagnosing prostate cancer earlier
    As mentioned above, there is a growing awareness of the fact that metastatic prostate cancer is commonly a result of an identified mutation that is inherited. Genetic screening or testing can aid in diagnosing the condition early on. Moreover, it can also help the relative of the male to better understand and manage the risk early in time.

    Aid in treatment decisions
    Genetic testing can also aid in taking choosing the right treatment route and ensuring that the treatment is working. Understanding the mutations also enables the doctor to predict the response of certain kinds of drugs or medications.

    Eligibility for clinical trials
    In some cases, a genetic test can also affect one’s eligibility to be a part of clinical trials.

  • cancer
    Importance of genetic screening in prostate cancer

    Today, prostate cancer is one of the most common conditions that has affected men across the world. The prostate is a male gland that carries out the function of producing seminal fluid for the nourishment and transportation of sperm. Cancer is triggered when there is an abnormal growth of cells in a part of the body. Likewise, prostate cancer sparks off when cells in the prostate begin to grow in an uncontrolled fashion. Initially, the growth can be harmless; however, a malignant spread can cause major harm. When detected in the early stages, prostate cancer comes with the greater chance of being treated successfully.

    According to research, family history can greatly impact the risk of prostate cancer in men. Men with inherited mutations in BRCA genes are more susceptible to suffering from cancer in the gland. Thus, there is an increased emphasis on undergoing routine testing to detect any mutations well in time.

    Genetic screening for prostate cancer
    Genetic screening or testing comprises of examining an individual’s DNA and find out the order in which the DNA molecules are put together. Typically, there are two different types of genetic screening methods employed.

    The first kind of genetic screen or testing used aims to look at the specific DNA in the person’s cancer cells. Under this testing, the clinicians may find the cells to find it to be different or the same to that of “normal cells.” The inspection can also aid in understanding the cancer with better precision. In most cases, the doctor can zero in on a better treatment method and right management route with this type of genetic screening.

    The second type of genetic screening inspects the genes in the normal cells. This process helps pinpoint if there are any changes in genes that one may have inherited from the parents. This helps the doctor understand if an individual is at the risk of suffering prostate cancer. The method is also widely used to understand the chances of suffering from other diseases.

    Most commonly, genetic screening in prostate cancer involves looking for specific mutations linked to the disease. This eliminates the need of fishing through and helps get to the conclusion faster.

    There are a number of challenges attached in using genetic screening for prostate cancer. The major issue lies in the fact that genetic screening is expensive. Moreover, most cancers are not caused by a single genetic mutation; thus, testing everyone could be futile.

  • cancer
    Effective treatments for squamous cell carcinoma

    At an early stage, most squamous cell skin cancers are treated. This is only when the cancer cells can be removed or destroyed with local treatments. Small squamous cell carcinoma can be cured by these treatments. However, large squamous cell cancers are difficult to treat. Also, this is a fast-growing type of cancer and has a great risk of reoccurring. In some cases, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to lymph nodes and other distant parts of the body as well. Below are some effective squamous cell carcinoma treatments that are recommended by the doctors.

    • Surgery
      Different types of surgeries can be conducted to treat squamous cell carcinoma. Excision is one of the types where the tumor is cut along with a small margin of normal skin. The other approach is curettage and electrodesiccation, which is usually used to treat cancer that is smaller than 1 centimeter. It is not recommended for larger tumors. Also, Mohs surgery has the highest rate of curing this type of cancer, and hence, it is one of the best squamous cell carcinoma treatments. It is especially useful for squamous cell carcinoma that is larger than 2 centimeters. It is also recommended for cancer that may have reoccurred after other treatments, for cancer that has spread to the face or genital areas, and for cancer that has spread along the nerves. This surgery, however, is more complex and time-consuming than other types of surgeries.
    • Radiation therapy
      For people who are diagnosed with a large area of cancer, radiation therapy is a good option. Radiation therapy is a good squamous cell carcinoma treatment option for areas where it can be difficult to perform surgeries like nose, eyes, and ears. It is a great alternative to surgeries. For young patients, it is usually not the first treatment option as it may have long-term risks associated. In case the cancer was not removed in a surgery, a radiation is sometimes used after the surgery. Radiation is also used in cases where cancer comes back even after a surgery or if the cancer is too large or deep to be removed by a surgery.
    • Cryotherapy
      This is a squamous cell carcinoma treatment option in case of early diagnosis or when people aren’t able to have a surgery. However, it is not a recommended treatment for large invasive tumor or tumor in certain areas of the body like nose, eyelids, legs, or scalp.
    • Lymph node dissection
      This is an advanced squamous cell carcinoma treatment. If the cancer cells are very large or have grown deeply into the skin as well as the lymph nodes, then removing the nearby lymph nodes may be recommended. The removed lymph nodes are diagnosed under a microscope for cancer cells. Sometimes, radiation therapy is also recommended after lymph node dissection.
  • cancer
    All you need to know about squamous cell carcinoma

    The second most common form of skin cancer, the squamous cell carcinoma is found in those areas of the body that are damaged by the UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Hands, legs, face, neck, and back are usually the areas that are exposed to the sun. The squamous cell carcinoma is a fairly slow type of cancer compared to the other types. It spreads to not only the tissues and bones but also the lymph nodes. These places become difficult to treat. An early diagnosis can help in the squamous cell carcinoma treatment.

    Risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma
    The risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma include aging, fair skin, blonde or red hair, and spending more time exposed to the sun’s UV rays. Moreover, men and people who have blue, green, or grey eyes are more prone to squamous cell carcinoma as compared to others. Also, tanning beds and bulbs, Bowen’s disease, exposure to radiation, inherited DNA condition, and long-term exposure to chemicals such as arsenic are some of the risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma.

    Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma
    A dome-shaped bump, red, patchy, or irritating skin are some of the common symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma. The skin usually gets rough and crusty and can bleed easily when scraped. The large growth may itch or hurt. There may be chronic skin sores or scars, where the cancer is developed.

    Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma
    Your doctor may probably ask you to visit a dermatologist, who specializes in this condition. They will ask you about your medical history, exposure to the sun, history of indoor or outdoor tanning, the time when the spots started appearing, and experience of any pain on those spots. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination in order to know about the size, shape, texture, and color of the spot. The dermatologist will examine all the spots in your body. They will also examine the lymph nodes to makes sure that they aren’t harder or bigger than usual. If the doctor suspects anything unusual, then they will ask you to conduct a skin biopsy to send to the lab for testing.

    Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma
    Squamous cell carcinoma treatments are usually performed in a hospital clinic or doctor’s office by conducting minor surgeries. The squamous cell carcinoma treatment may vary depending on the size and location of squamous cell carcinoma. Some of the squamous cell carcinoma treatments that your doctor may choose are excision, Mohs surgery, lymph nodes surgery, dermabrasion, cryosurgery, topical chemotherapy, and even targeted medical treatment.

  • cancer
    A brief insight into the age-specific PSA levels chart

    While the age-specific PSA level chart is highly beneficial in detecting cancer at an early age, it remains to be one of the contested methods in the medical industry. This is generally because the age-specific PSA test does not always yield conclusive results. While the logic of several researchers about the association of the increasing size of the prostate glands, PSA levels and age may hold true in most cases. Several instances of age-related PSA levels test being fruitless in detecting cancer makes this method a highly controversial one. Here are a few things you must know about age-related PSA levels.

    The ethnic constitution also has a role to play
    It is essential to know that age-specific PSA levels may vary according to races as well. For instance, in men between the ages of 40 to 49 the PSA levels may differ in cases of Caucasians, Asian Americans, and African Americans. Listed below are the normal race and age-specific PSA level charts.

    Men aged between 4049

    • Caucasian: 0 to 2.5 ng/mL
    • African American: 0 to 2.0 ng/mL
    • Asian American: 0 to 2.0 ng/mL

    Men between the ages of 5059

    • Caucasians: 0 to 3.5 ng/mL
    • African Americans: 0 to 4.0 ng/mL
    • Asian Americans: 0 to 3.0 ng/mL

    Men between the ages of 6069

    • Caucasians: 0 to 4.5 ng/mL
    • African Americans: 0 to 4.5 ng/mL
    • Asian Americans: 0 to 4.0 ng/mL

    Men between the ages of 7079

    • Caucasians: 0 to 6.5 ng/mL
    • African Americans: 0 to 5.5 ng/mL
    • Asian Americans: 0 to 5.0 ng/mL

    Limitations of age-specific PSA levels
    It is a fact that mere age-specific PSA levels are not sufficient for diagnosing cancer. It has been observed that several men detected with prostate cancer had normal PSA levels. It is, therefore, recommended that men who wish to undergo age-specific prostate tests go through invasive methods like prostate biopsies and rectal examinations along with the PSA level reference test for an adequate and conclusive diagnosis. Similarly, people with heightened PSA levels may often not have cancer but get severe stress and anxiety. Since PSA levels may elevate as a result of several factors like infection, recent ejaculation, medical procedures, urinary tract infections, and prolonged bike rides, it may get difficult to detect the normal levels merely by the age-specific PSA levels reference tests.

    Benefits of age-related PSA levels
    One of the best advantages of an age-specific PSA level test is that it may facilitate the detection, monitoring, and treatment process involved in prostate cancer. While PSA screenings can help a great deal, it is essential to back it up with additional diagnostic methods.

  • cancer
    Here’s what you must know about age-specific PSA levels

    Prostate-specific antigen or PSA is a glycoprotein that is produced in the prostate gland to retain the liquid form of the seminal fluid and aid sperm movement. While PSA typically stays in the prostate ducts, a small portion may leak into the bloodstream; this allows experts to detect prostate diseases such as cancer. Since several factors affect PSA levels, doctors can utilize factors like age and conduct age-specific PSA levels to determine if further screening for cancer must be conducted. This method was devised a few decades ago to estimate abnormal PSA levels and correlate it with age-specific ranges.

    Since prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers to affect men, it became essential to detect prostate abnormalities proactively. Most experts conduct age-specific PSA levels tests along with a digital rectal exam to determine the presence of cancer. This is especially beneficial in men over the age of 50 who may be at the highest risk of developing prostate diseases. In an age-specific PSA levels examination, the result of 4 nanogram/milliliter (ng/ml) of blood is considered to be abnormal. Patients with these results must be prompt to get additional screenings done at the right time. While escalated PSA levels are abnormal and indicate prostate cancer, chances are that a man with PSA levels below 4ng/ml may have prostate cancer. PSA levels are known to vary throughout the course of a man’s life; therefore, age-specific PSA levels have various reference points for all age groups. According to these reference levels, a PSA level that is greater than 2.5 ng/ml is abnormal for men up to the age of 49. Similarly, for men between the ages of 50 and 59, the PSA levels that are greater than or equal to 3.5 ng/ml may indicate cancer. Men who are 60 or older should, therefore, be tested for cancer if their PSA levels are equal to or greater than 4 ng/ml.

    Since prostate cancer, quite like other cancer types, do not show apparent symptoms in its infancy, an age-related PSA level test can increase the chances of detecting cancer in younger men. The method is highly effective in successful cancer diagnosis and treatment. Many experts suggest that the invention of an age-specific PSA level has dramatically lowered the occurrence of advanced stage cancer. While the age-specific PSA testing proves helpful in nipping the problem at the bud, several other reference ranges of PSA may also prove fruitful. Apart from age, for instance, certain races, ethnicities, and geographical differences may be susceptible to prostate cancer. Since relying only on an isolated age-specific PSA level reference may not be appropriate, several researchers are developing newer ways to effectively detect cancer based on underlying diseases, races, and lifestyles along with age groups.