Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

What is cancer of the hypopharynx? Cancers of the hypopharynx are tumors of the lower pharynx. They are found mostly in males from the ages of 49 to 60.Hypopharyngeal carcinoma may be a malignant neoplasm within the area of the hypopharynx (lower pharynx). Hypopharyngeal carcinoma may be a sort of laryngeal carcinoma. Alcohol abuse and nicotine abuse especially together favor the event of hypopharyngeal cancer. Furthermore, occupational exposure to metal dusts, coal and tar products, and asbestos cement are often carcinogenic. Poor oral hygiene, which results in a pathological composition of saliva, may be a risk factor. Hypopharyngeal carcinomas are usually moderately differentiated epithelial cell carcinomas. Piriform sinus carcinomas often have a submucosal spread pattern and show only the "tip of the iceberg" in . There are three clinical regions of the hypopharynx: Piriform sinus (approx. 90%) Posterior throat wall (approx. 5%) Post-cricoid region (app...

Does cancer of the penis ever occur?  Cancer of the penis is quite rare. It usually occurs on the tip of the penis and is almost exclusively found in uncircumcised males between the ages of 50 and 70. In others, cancer of the penis is found to be a metastasis from the bladder, prostate , lung, pancreas, kidney, testicle , or ureter. What symptoms should alert a man to the possibility of cancer of the penis?   A pimple or sore, small nodule, white thickened patches, raised, velvety patch, wart or ulcer especially a painless ulcer are all suspicious symptoms. Bleeding associated with erection or intercourse, persistent abnormal erection without sexual desire, foul smelling discharge, or a lump in the groin should all be carefully investigated. What is the usual treatment for cancer of the penis?  The usual treatment is surgery. Approximately 90 percent of patients with cancer of the penis, if it is found in the early stages, will be cured through the surgical re...

How does lung cancer spread?  Lung cancer usually begins as a tiny spot, most often on the inner lining of a bronchial tube. Lungs have a rich supply of blood and lymph vessels close to the cancer cells. If these cells get into the bloodstream or the lymph system, they can act as seeds and spread to other parts of the body. When this happens, it is called a metastasis. A metastasis (or "met," as it is sometimes called) is not a new kind of cancer, but is the lung cancer which has moved to another part of the body and begun to grow there. Therefore, even if it has spread to the bone, for example, it is not bone cancer but simply an extension or metastasis of the lung cancer. The metastasis looks and behaves in the same way as the original lung cancer, and therefore the same treatment which has been used to contain the lung tumor is likely to be used in treating the metastasis. How does the original lung tumor affect the lung?   There can be several effects on the proces...

When will the doctor usually order a bone marrow study?   Usually bone marrow studies are ordered if some abnormality shows up in the complete blood count or peripheral smear. It is a routine test for suspicion of leukemia or to check if cancer has spread to the bone marrow. The presence of abnormal blood cells is frequently an early sign of tumor cell invasion of the bone marrow. Link What is a metastatic workup?  A metastatic workup is done to see if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It usually consists of bone and liver scans; sometimes brain and lung scans are added. Why would the doctor order a bone scan if my cancer is in the breast?  This is a relatively routine check, so don't let it frighten you. It is done because the bone is a common place for breast cancer to spread. What does the doctor determine from the liver scan test?  Although they are not truly diagnostic, these tests are valuable in alerting the doctor to the presence of...