Radiation therapy is as effective against bladder cancer such as surgery to remove the organ, according to a study released in the UK.

A team of experts from the University of Leeds (Northern England), led by Dr Anne Kiltie, noted that the survival rate among cancer patients treated with radiotherapy were the same as for those who had undergone cystectomy . …read the rest of this entry»

Many people today suffer from the condition known as colon cancer. Contrary to what many think, there are many measures that can help prevent disease.

First, be considered a nutritious diet rich in …read the rest of this entry»

Treatment for these patients consist of a combination of several techniques that are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Each of them will be more effective than the other depending on the type of cancer and the stage where they are. In fact, treatment depends on four factors: the type and extent of spread of the tumor, the patient’s health status and functional status of the various body systems (heart, liver, kidney, neurological, etc.)

Surgery is the treatment modality most likely to be curative, therefore, is resorted to if all of the cancer can not be removed and respiratory status of the patient to tolerate the removal of the portion of lung to be removed.

Small cell lung cancers are very rarely operate, since it is almost always diagnosed extensive stage when only limited is operable. Approximately half of non-small lung cancers can be removed due to its extension. It is therefore essential that there are no lymph metastasis and central area of the chest (mediastinum) are free of tumor and the tumor has not invaded ineradicable structures as the trachea, the aorta or the pleura. …read the rest of this entry»

There are four types of treatment for bladder cancer are:

Surgery involves removing, from surgery, cancer of the bladder. You can use several methods:

- Transurethral resection: used a cystoscope inserted into the bladder through the urethra. In the end will incorporate a system to cut the tumor and remove it. It can also lead a system with high-energy electricity to burn the cancer. Can be applied to tumors that are not too large or deep and are not scattered in several pockets on the inside of the bladder. Its great advantage is that it keeps the bladder and urine may follow naturally. …read the rest of this entry»

Type of breast cancer: Non-invasive Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.

Initial Treatment: Surgery… Lumpectomy, Sentinel node biopsy.

Post Surgery: No post-surgical treatments, although the standard treatment of radiation was recommended (Tamoxifin would have been recommended except for my age and the possibility that I may still want to have children). My decision to forego radiation was based on a second opinion I received from a pathologist who specializes in DCIS. He based his recommendation on my tumor size, grade of cancer and the fact that I had clear margins. His own research had shown that, in cases like mine, adding radiation wouldn’t make a difference in the recurrence rate (7% either way). Rather, I chose to be very proactive in my follow up with my surgeon and also includes MRI scans in addition to mammograms.

…read the rest of this entry»

Type of breast cancer: invasive ductal carcinoma, stage II, 2.1 cm tumor DCIS lobular carcinoma in situ

Initial Treatment: Surgery…lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection (21 lymph nodes removed, 3 malignant) mastectomy and tissue expander inserted behind chest wall for future reconstruction because I did not get a clear margin with my lumpectomy and a re-excision would deform my breast breast reconstruction using silicone implant and a saline implant in the other breast to match the reconstructed one since I went up a size from an A to a B!

Post Surgery: 6 months of chemotherapy CMF-(cytoxan, methotrexate and fluorouracil) followed by 6 weeks of radiation (because I still didn’t get a clear margin with the mastectomy), tamoxifen for 5 years because my tumor was hormone receptor positive

…read the rest of this entry»

Bringing colon cancer out of the closet

ANDREW:
Hello, and welcome to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors’ Network, the service created by and for cancer survivors. In Seattle, I’m your discussion leader, Andrew Schorr. Our topic: colon cancer in men between the age of 50 and 65. On the phone with us are two colon cancer survivors from across the country, men who are between 50 and 65 and are currently in treatment. Over the next few minutes, we’ll discuss issues such as: developing and maintaining a positive attitude; breaking barriers to screening and early diagnosis; being your own advocate by gaining knowledge and also by using the Internet; dealing with changing insurance policy rules, and treatment decisions based on money; and building support through new organizations like the Colon Cancer Alliance. Well, let’s begin. Joining us today is Richard from Amsterdam, New York. Richard, I know you’re 65, you’re married, and have four grown children. I think you were first treated for colon cancer back in 1997. Is that right?

RICHARD:
That’s correct, Andrew.

ANDREW:
Since then, you’ve had surgery, chemo, two more surgeries for metastases, followed by more chemo. I know you’re currently receiving treatments as part of a Memorial Sloan Kettering study. Is there more surgery scheduled for next month?

RICHARD:
Yes, there is, Andrew. I have been undergoing treatment as part of a study at Memorial Sloan Kettering under the supervision of Dr. Nancy Kemmeny. It seems that the combination of exoloplaten, which is a relatively new chemo being used in the United States, and CTT-11 has been rather effective. I had a CAT scan just recently and it seems that the tumors might be dead. That is the hope that the doctors have, and the hope that I certainly have.

ANDREW:
Well, as my dad would say, “From your lips to God’s ear.” You know I hope that that is true. I know that you are a founder and board member of something called the “Colon Cancer Alliance.” What is so vital about people seeking support? What gap does this fill for colon cancer survivors who seek out organizations such as yours? …read the rest of this entry»

Saving lives in your own family

GINA:
Hello, and welcome to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors’ Network, a service created by and for cancer survivors. In Seattle, I’m your discussion leader, Gina Tuttle. Our topic, colon cancer for women under 50. On the phone with us are three colon cancer survivors from across the country, women who are all under 50 and who recently completed their treatment.

Over the next few minutes, we’ll discuss such issues as: family history as an indicator for insisting on a thorough examination; ways to deal with treatment fatigue, and making daily life normal; using the Internet for information on effective treatments; adjusting to the changes in body functions; feelings surrounding being misdiagnosed until cancer reaches a more advanced stage; and how to effectively talk to your children about your cancer experience. Let’s begin. Joining us today is Jeanne from Bellevue, Washington. Jeanne’s 46, and she had colorectal cancer in 1998. Jeanne, you had surgery?

JEANNE:
Yes, I did. However, I first had treatment where I had five weeks of chemotherapy, 24 hours a day. I carried around a fanny pack, it was called 5FU, along with five days a week of radiation.

GINA:
Before they even did the surgery?

JEANNE:
Yes, my tumor was seven centimeters, and only an inch into the rectum. So in order to try to preserve my rectum, they needed to try to shrink the tumor, which was very successful. One thing I want to remind people, if they have radiation, it does continue working four to six weeks after treatment. I was living proof of that. Two and a half weeks after my treatment ended, my tumor was still five to six millimeters. Two-and-a-half weeks after that, or five weeks after ending treatment at surgery, it had almost disappeared.

GINA:
That’s good news.

JEANNE:
Excellent news.

GINA:
You also had a resection then, using the stapling method?

JEANNE:
Correct. My tumor, like I said, was very low in the rectum. Had they not been able to use the stapling method, I would have had a permanent colostomy. But upon doing my surgery, and a quick freeze in surgery, they found that the tissue they had, while not having the full two centimeter margin that they like, was clean. So they were able to use the stapling method to put me back together.

GINA:
You are just sounding so positive about it. You’re talking about how well this all worked, but at the time, it must have been a lot to go through.

JEANNE:
It was. It was very frightening. I have lost both of my parents to cancer, although not colon cancer. My mother to ovarian, my father to lung. So, it was pretty frightening at the time it was being diagnosed. And then going through all the treatments and surgery, and to have eight of ten lymph nodes involved, and to go on to have more treatment. But I successfully completed it, and am doing very well at this time. …read the rest of this entry»

Welcome and Participant Introductions

Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks:
Hello, and welcome to the American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network. I’m Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks, your host. Today I’ll be talking with three survivors who are all single mothers. As a two- time cancer survivor myself, I am pleased to be your host for today’s conversation. We’ll be talking about the effects of cancer on the family, as well as coping with changes in physical appearance and ability to work. We’ll be talking about: insurance and financial concerns; living with cancer–what helps most and what really hurts; and, of course, our fear of recurrence.

Our first guest is Leesa K., a 44-year-old survivor from Florida. We call her Leesa K. because we have two Lisas with us today. This Leesa is a divorced, single mom with three children, ages 25, 17 and 15. The youngest two still live at home. Welcome, Leesa.

Leesa K.:
Hello.

Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks:
In 1992, Leesa, you noticed a small, painful lump on your nose. The first two physicians attributed this to allergies. A third doctor did a biopsy and diagnosed you with squamous cell carcinoma [a type of skin cancer]. Your treatment included radiation and surgery. You lost most of your nose and a jaw bone so you underwent reconstructive surgery. A prosthetic jaw was implanted and you wear a prosthetic nose. You have now been cancer-free for six years. Thank you so much for joining us today, Leesa.

Leesa K.:
Well, thank you for asking me to be here.

Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks:
Also with us is another Lisa. She’s a 41-year-old survivor from Texas. Lisa E. is a single mom, divorced with two children–a girl, five years old, and a boy of seven. Welcome, Lisa.

Lisa E.:
Thanks for having me, Bobbi.

Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks:
In 2000 you didn’t heal after an elective surgery, and you developed pneumonia and subsequently were diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). You started chemotherapy and went into remission after the first cycle, and remain so today. Thank you for joining us, Lisa.

Lisa E.:
Thanks for having me, Bobbi. …read the rest of this entry»

Dick Foley:
Hello, and welcome to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors Network. I’m your host, Dick Foley. In this program I’ll be talking one-on-one with four cancer survivors on the subject of pain. As a cancer survivor myself, I always am particularly pleased to speak with these guests on topics having to do with cancer, and today we’ll be talking with our guests about: overcoming fears of pain and recurrence; managing pain in everyday life; getting medical professionals to take your pain seriously; and the impact pain has had on their outlook on life.

Dick Foley:
I’m speaking today with Jeff, who is a 51-year-old cancer survivor from Tennessee. Jeff, thanks for joining us.

Jeff:
And good afternoon.

Dick Foley:
You were diagnosed, as we understand it, with thyroid cancer in October 1991, just after your 40th birthday.

Jeff:
Correct.

Dick Foley:
A doctor found lumps in your throat, and they did a biopsy. The tumors were removed during surgery, and then you underwent a kind of treatment, is it L-31 or I-131?

Jeff:
I-131.

Dick Foley:
I-131. All right. During your thyroid surgery, doctors examined your right leg and then found a rare cancer usually found in a woman’s uterus. …read the rest of this entry»