The methods used to treat Hodgkin's disease are very powerful. The treatment often causes side effects, both short-term and permanent. Side effects depend on the type of treatment and on the part of the body being treated. Also, each patient may respond di...
Radiation therapy is delivered by exposing cancer cells to high-energy rays or particles to destroy them. The most common method of radiation therapy is known as external beam radiation or teletherapy. With this method, a beam from a machine outside the bo...
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to fight the disease. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, which means the anticancer drugs travel through the bloodstream, reaching all parts of the body. In general, chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing ce...
The methods used to treat endocrine cancer are very powerful. That's why treatment often causes side effects. Fortunately, most side effects are temporary. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs given and the individual response of the patien...
The symptoms depend on the size of the tumor and the location. Symptoms are caused by damage to vital tissue and by pressure from the tumor or swelling, which may happen if the tumor blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Headaches that tend to be worse i...
Clinical trials are designed to determine whether a new approach is both safe and effective. Treatments that may be studied include: Radiation twice daily Hyperthermia, in which a tumor is heated to increase the effect of radiation Drugs injected into the ...
Stereotactic radiosurgery is another way to treat brain tumors. An MRI or CT scan is used to pinpoint the location of the tumor, and the treatment is given in one session. High-energy rays are aimed at the tumor from many angles. A high dose of radiation r...
There are primary and secondary brain tumors. Tumors that begin in brain tissue are known as primary tumors. Secondary tumors are when cancer spreads from another site to the brain, which is called metastasis. Brain tumors are classified by the type of tis...
Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells, but they can press on sensitive areas in the brain and cause symptoms. They are usually a collection of extra cells that cause a mass of tissue called a "tumor." They typically have clear borders and do not ...
To diagnose bone cancer, the doctor asks about the patient’s personal and family medical history and does a complete medical exam. The doctor may suggest a blood test, since some bone tumors can be associated with increased levels of certain proteins in th...
The symptoms of bone cancer vary from person to person, depending on the location and size of the cancer. Pain is the most common symptom. Tumors that occur in or near joints may cause swelling or tenderness in the affected area. Bone cancer can also inter...
Primary bone cancer refers to cancers that start in the bone. Secondary bone cancer is cancer that spreads to the bone from another part of the body. Primary bone cancer is rare, with approximately 2,400 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States....
Cancer that starts in the bone (primary bone cancer) is relatively rare, with about 2,500 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. The most common types of bone cancer occur more frequently in children and young adults, while other bone cancer is pr...
Check the other breast. Some lumpiness is normal. However, if the lump is new or unusual, it warrants examination by a physician. A lump found during a breast self-exam, a clinical breast exam or a mammogram does not necessarily mean that a woman has breas...
There are no acne treatments specifically for use on dark skin. Acne treatments are generally as safe and effective on dark skin as on light skin. Some treatments for acne scars may cause temporary lightening of dark skin. Acne is a common skin disease tha...
The time for improvement depends upon the product being used, but in almost all cases it is more a matter of weeks or months instead of days. Most dermatologists would recommend the use of a medication or combination of medications daily for 4 to 8 weeks b...
Scarring is best prevented by getting rid of the acne. Dermatologists can use various methods to improve the scarring caused by acne. The treatment must always be individualized for the specific patient. Chemical peels may be used in some patients, while d...
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