Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Ovarian Cancer Treatment and Surgery in India


It is one of the most common cancers in women after breast and cervix cancer. It is called a 'silent killer' as it is asymptomatic in early stages and 75 per cent of cases are diagnosed in the advanced stage. 

What constitutes ovarian cancer?
It largely means tumours of epithelial origin, but it can also arise from other elements namely germ cells and stroma. Epithelial ovarian cancers typically occur in postmenopausal women and are in advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, whereas germ cell tumours occur at a young age, are detected in the early stages and are completely curable.

Who are at risk?
The majority of women with ovarian cancer have no known risk factors. Early menarche, late menopause, being over the age of 30 at first childbirth, and nulliparity are said to increase the risk.

What are the protective factors?
Childbirth, breast-feeding, oral contraceptives, tubal ligation, bilateral removal of ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy), and hysterectomy.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are non-specific like pelvic pain, back pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating, early satiety, vaginal bleeding, and frequent urination. Ovarian masses are sometimes detected on pelvic examination.

How is it diagnosed?
Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVU) is an important diagnostic tool in evaluation
of patients with pelvic mass. Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) help in defining the extent of the disease. MRI is sometimes helpful. Tumour markers like CA 125 are adjunct to imaging and useful in follow up.

Are all ovarian masses cancers?
All masses in the ovary are not cancers. TVU helps distinguish benign from malignant ovarian cysts. Complex cysts, defined as cysts with both solid and cystic components, septations and echogenicity, are malignant and require exploration. In contrast simple cysts that are thin walled, less than 5-10 cm and without septations are usually benign.

Can we detect  early?
Screening for ovarian cancer has not been successful as natural history of ovarian cancer is not well understood. There is no well-defined precursor lesion and the length of time from localised tumour to dissemination is unknown. Multiple efforts are underway to develop effective screening methods. Pelvic examination, CA 125, and TVU with Doppler are studied as screening methods in high-risk individuals.

Is ovarian cancer genetic?

Around 5-10 per cent of patients carry germline mutation. Breast-ovarian cancer syndrome accounts for approximately 90 per cent of hereditary ovarian cancer and is suspected whenever there are multiple affected family members with , bilateral or early onset breast cancer, both breast and ovarian cancer in the same individual, or a male relative with breast cancer.


What are the treatment of Ovarian Cancer modalities?

Ovarian Cancer Treatment depends on the age, stage, tumour type and the desire to preserve fertility. Surgery and chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment.

What complications can I expect after chemotherapy?

The most common early complications are loss of hair, nausea and vomiting. There can be reactions during infusion of chemotherapy, which are prevented with good premedication. Late complications include tingling and numbness in fingers and toes.

How do I prevent?

Chemoprevention is by oral contraceptives. Surgical prevention is by bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation and hysterectomy. Risk-reducing bilateral  oophorectomy is strongly recommended in women who carry germline mutation for hereditary ovarian cancer, because of high mortality of ovarian cancer and lack of effective screening and preventive approaches. Fortunately, risk of ovarian cancer does not rise dramatically until the late 30s in women with germline mutation, so women have the opportunity to complete their family prior to surgery. Since ovarian cancer is one of the common cancers in women and there are no effective population screening methods, high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis. With the new trends in chemotherapy, survival is increasing in ovarian cancer patients and awareness is necessary among the public for seeking early medical attention.

Thursday, 12 November 2015

World Most Advanced Uterine Cancer Treatment in India - Best Cancer Hospital India


Uterine Cancer Treatment in India


The uterus, or womb, is part of a woman's reproductive system. It's about the size and shape of a hollow, upside-down pear. The uterus sits low in the abdomen between the bladder and rectum and is held there by muscle. It's joined to the vagina (birth canal) by the cervix, which is the neck of the uterus. The uterus is where a foetus grows.
The uterus is made up of two layers:
  1. Myometrium: the outer layer of muscle tissue. This makes up most of the uterus.
  2. Endometrium: the inner layer or the lining of the uterus.
In a woman of childbearing age, the endometrium changes in thickness each month to prepare for pregnancy. If the egg isn't fertilised, the lining is shed and flows out of the body through the vagina. This flow is known as a woman's period (menstruation).

When a woman releases an egg from her ovary (ovulates), the egg travels down her Fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg is fertilised by a sperm, it will implant itself into the lining of the uterus and grow into a baby.

Menopause occurs when a woman no longer releases the hormones that cause ovulation and menstruation. A menopausal woman's periods stop, and she's not able to become pregnant. The uterus becomes smaller and the endometrium becomes thinner and inactive. 

The most common cancer of a reproductive system of a woman is known as uterine cancer. This cancer starts in cell layers that form the lining of the uterus. This cancer can be detected in its early stage as it causes abnormal vaginal bleeding. The surgical removal of the uterus can cure uterine cancer.

Types of Uterine Cancer :- 

Sarcoma: Sarcoma cancer grows in the supporting tissues of the uterine glands or in the myometrium. This cancer accounts for 2-4% of uterine cancers.

Adenocarcinoma: This cancer is considered as the main type of uterine cancer that grows from the cells in the uterus lining. Endometrial cancer is the other name of this cancer.

The Symptoms of Uterine Cancer include :
·         Unusual Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge
·         Trouble Urinating
·         Pelvic Pain
·         Pain during sexual intercourse
·         Discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen

Diagnosis of  Uterine Cancer
  • Pelvic Exam : Doctor checks your uterus, vagina, and nearby tissues for any lumps or changes in shape or size.
  • Physical Exam : A Thorough Medical History and Physical Examination is done
  • Ultrasound : An Ultrasound device uses sound waves that can't be heard by humans. The sound waves make a pattern of echoes as they bounce off organs inside the pelvis. The echoes create a picture of your uterus and nearby tissues. The picture can show a uterine tumor. For a better view of the uterus, the device may be inserted into the vagina (transvaginal ultrasound).
  • Biopsy : The removal of tissue to look for cancer cells is a biopsy. A thin tube is inserted through the vagina into your uterus. Your doctor uses gentle scraping and suction to remove samples of tissue. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. In most cases, a biopsy is the only sure way to tell whether cancer is present.

World Most Advanced Uterine Cancer Treatment in India
  • Surgery :During exploratory surgery, oncopathologist, who specialize in tissue study examine the cancer tissue so that gynaeoncologist can determine how much tissue to remove. In most cases, gynaeoncologist will recommend a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or a complete hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries). To find out whether the cancer has spread, gynaeoncologist also removes tissue from the lymph nodes near the uterus and other abdominal sites.
  • Chemotherapy : Certain types of chemicals are used for killing the cancer cells. One or more chemotherapy drugs may also be combined. The injection of these drugs can be done either through the mouth or into the veins. Women who are suffering from recurrent or advanced stage of uterine cancer that has spread beyond the uterus are treated with the help of chemotherapy. The drugs then enter into the bloodstream that moves in the entire body for destroying the cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy : High-energy radiation beams are used in this therapy for killing the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is also recommended for reducing the risk of recurrence after surgery. Also this therapy is also beneficial after surgery for shrinking the tumor so that can be easily removed. This therapy may involve –
    • Radiation given within the body : This involves the placement of a radiation-filled device like a cylinder, small seeds or wires within the vagina for a short duration. This process is known as internal radiation or Brachytherapy.
    • Radiation given through a machine outside the body : This process makes use of machine that is placed outside the body. The radiation is then directed at a specific point in the body and this process is known as external beam radiation.
  • Hormone therapy Gynaeoncologist may recommend progestin (synthetic progesterone) to help stop the cancer from spreading. Patient may take progestin with other medications.

Thursday, 5 November 2015

CyberKnife System to Treat Brain Cancer - Brain Cancer Treatment India


The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System improves on other radiosurgery techniques by eliminating the need for stereotactic frames. As a result, the CyberKnife System enables doctors to achieve a high level of accuracy in a non-invasive manner and allows patients to be treated on an outpatient basis. The CyberKnife System can pinpoint a tumor’s exact location in real time using X-ray images taken during the brain cancer treatment that reference the unique bony structures of a patient’s head.

The CyberKnife System has a strong record of proven clinical effectiveness.  It is used either on a stand–alone basis or in combination with other brain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery or whole brain radiation therapy.
CyberKnife brain cancer treatments involve a team approach, in which several specialists participate. The team may include:

·         a radiation oncologist
·         a neurosurgeon
·         a medical physicist
·         a radiation therapist
·         other medical support staff

Once the team is in place, preparations begin for the CyberKnife treatment. Generally there are three steps involved:

1.     Set up and imaging
2.     Treatment planning
3.     CyberKnife treatment
Unlike other radiosurgery systems, the CyberKnife System does not require patients to be fitted with an invasive head frame. In the set-up stage, the radiation therapist will create a soft mesh mask that is custom-fitted to the patient’s face. This comfortable and non-invasive mask helps the patient keep his or her head and neck still during treatment. While wearing the mask, a CT scan will be performed. The CT data then will be used by the USC CyberKnife team to determine the exact size, shape and location of the tumor.

An MRI, PET scan or angiogram also may be necessary to fully visualize the tumor and nearby anatomy. Once the imaging is done, the face mask will be removed and stored until the CyberKnife treatment begins. Then a medical physicist and the patient’s doctor use the data to custom-design the patient’s treatment plan. The patient does not need to be present at this time.

 During the CyberKnifetreatment planning phase, the CT, MRI and/or PET scan data will be downloaded into the CyberKnife System’s treatment planning software. The medical team will determine the size of the area that must be targeted by radiation and the radiation dose. They also will identify critical structures where radiation should be minimized. Using this information, the CyberKnife System calculates the optimal radiation delivery plan to treat the tumor. The treatment plan will take full advantage of the CyberKnife System’s extreme maneuverability, allowing for a safer and more accurate treatment.

After the brain cancer treatment plan is developed, the patient will return to USC Norris Cancer Hospital for the CyberKnife treatment. The doctors may choose to deliver the treatment in one session, or stage it over several days. Typically, brain cancer treatments are completed within five days. For most patients, the CyberKnife treatment is a completely pain-free experience. Patients dress comfortably in their own clothes and may bring their own music CD's to listen to during the treatment. Patients also may want to bring something to read while they wait, and have a friend or family member with them to provide support before and after treatment.

When it is time for treatment, the patient lies on the table while their custom-fitted face mask is secured into place. The CyberKnife System’s computer-controlled robot will move around the patient’s body to the various locations from which it will deliver radiation to the tumor. Nothing will be required of the patient during the treatment, except to relax and lie as still as possible.

Once the CyberKnife treatment is complete, most patients quickly return to their daily routines with little interruption in their normal activities. If the treatment is being delivered in stages, the patient will need to return for additional treatments over the next several days, as recommended by their doctors. Side effects vary from patient to patient. Generally some patients experience minimal side effects from CyberKnife treatments, and these often go away within a week or two. Prior to treatment, the doctor will discuss with the patient all possible side effects they may experience. The doctor also may prescribe medication designed to control any side effects should they occur.

After completing CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment, it is important that the patient schedule and attend follow-up appointments. They also must keep in mind that their tumor will not suddenly disappear. Response to treatment varies from patient to patient. Clinical experience has shown that most patients respond very well to CyberKnife treatments. As follow-up, doctors will monitor the outcome in the months and years following a patient’s treatment, often using either CT scans and/or PET-CT scans.


Wednesday, 4 November 2015

What are the Breast Cancer Risk Factors - Breast Cancer Treatment Hospital India


Every woman wants to know what she can do to lower her risk of breast cancer. Some of the factors associated with breast cancer -- being a woman, your age, and your genetics, for example -- can't be changed. Other factors -- being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking cigarettes, and eating unhealthy food -- can be changed by making choices. By choosing the healthiest lifestyle options possible, you can empower yourself and make sure your breast cancer risk is as low as possible.

The known risk factors for breast cancer are listed below. Click on each link to learn more about the risk factor and ways you can minimize it in your own life. If a factor can't be changed (such as your genetics), you can learn about protective steps you can take that can help keep your risk as low as possible.

Below you will find a summary of the factors that increase risk for developing breast cancer, including both factors that we cannot change and those we can.

Risk Factors We Cannot Change

Gender

Women account for more than 99 percent of all breast cancer cases.

Age

After gender, age is the most influential risk factor for developing breast cancer. Women younger than age 40 account for only 4.7 percent of invasive breast cancer diagnoses and only 3.6 percent of in situ breast cancer diagnoses. Over 70 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses are made in women who are 50 or older.

Personal History

If a woman has had cancer in one breast, she is at increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.

Family History

Women with a relative who has had breast cancer are at higher risk of developing breast cancer themselves, particularly if it is a first-degree relative, such as a mother, sister or daughter.
That risk is further increased if a woman has multiple first-degree relatives who have had breast cancer, or if she has a first-degree relative who developed breast cancer at a young age or in both breasts.

Radiation

Exposure to high doses of chest radiation, such as for medical therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma, particularly during childhood, can greatly increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers have found that the age at which radiation was received is inversely related to the acquired risk. Thus, women who received radiation after their menopausal years incurred very little risk.

Age at Menstruation

A woman's amount of exposure to estrogen and progesterone during her lifetime is believed to be a risk factor. The longer a woman is exposed, the more likely she is to develop breast cancer. Therefore, if a woman begins menstruation before age 12, she is believed to be at slightly higher risk.

Age at First Birth

It has been observed that women who have their first child after age 29, or who do not have any children, are at slightly higher risk for breast cancer than women who have their first child before age 29. It has been proposed that breast changes during pregnancy may have protective effects against cancer development because risk of breast cancer appears to decrease with each additional childbirth.

Age at Menopause

Women who go through menopause after the age of 54 have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than women who go through menopause at age 54 or younger. Their higher risk may be related to their higher lifetime exposure to estrogen and progesterone.

Breast Density

Studies have consistently shown that higher breast density is linked with increased risk of breast cancer. Research is examining whether breast density may be modifiable by changing women's hormones or diet. One medication that has been demonstrated to reduce breast density is tamoxifen.

Risk Factors We Can Change

Obesity

Studies have shown a clear association between obesity and increased risk of post-menopausal breast cancer. Because having more fat tissue can increase a woman's level of estrogen, it is important for a woman to attempt to control her weight, particularly after menopause. Once a woman has stopped menstruating, her levels of estrogen and progesterone are much lower than they once were. Excess fat tissue may cause significant increases in her hormone levels.

Physical Activity

Physical activity not only helps a woman reduce her risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy body weight, it may also have its own benefits to risk reduction. Some studies have shown that physical exercise throughout a woman's life reduces her risk, independent of her weight.

Alcohol Consumption


Many epidemiological studies spanning the past 20 years have shown an association between alcohol consumption and increased risk of breast cancer. Studies have consistently found that women who consume at least three alcoholic drinks per day are at higher risk for developing breast cancer than women who do not drink alcohol. Furthermore, study findings have shown that for women who drink two alcoholic drinks or more per day, breast cancer risk is related to the amount of alcohol consumed — higher consumption of alcohol equals higher breast cancer risk.

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Most Advanced Stomach Cancer Surgery and Treatment in India - Best Cancer Hospital India

Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer is sometimes called gastric cancer. Worldwide it is one of the most common cancers. Stomach cancer is more common in men than in women and ten/ds to occur mainly in older people. Most people who develop stomach cancer are over the age of 55.
In most cases, stomach cancer begins from a cell which is on the inside lining of the stomach (the mucosa). This type of stomach cancer is called adenocarcinoma of the stomach. As the cancer cells multiply :
Types of Stomach Cancer
Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer
If you have symptoms that suggest stomach cancer, your doctor will check to see whether they are due to cancer or to some other cause. Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a doctor whose specialty is diagnosing and treating digestive problems. Your doctor will ask about your personal and family health history. You may have blood or other lab tests. You also may have :
Stages of Stomach Cancer
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove all of the stomach cancer and a margin of healthy tissue, when possible. Options include :
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body, killing cancer cells that may have spread beyond the stomach. Chemotherapy can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to help shrink a tumor so it can be more easily removed. Chemotherapy is also used after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to kill any cancer cells that might remain in the body.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy may be used to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be administered using a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or using needles, seeds, wires, or catheters placed in the body in or near the cancer (internal radiation therapy). External radiation therapy uses a machine outside of the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer.

Monday, 2 November 2015

Best Cancer Hospitals in India for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate Cancer Treatment in India 

Prostate is a reproductive gland in males; it is relatively small organ and is located under the bladder. Prostate cancer is caused by the uncontrolled division of mutated prostate cells. These cancer cells form a tumor and obstruct the normal function of the prostate and the bladder.
It is rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include being over 65 years of age, family history and some genetic changes.
Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate may include
Problems in Passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling.
How Prostate Cancer is Diagnosed?
Most Advanced Technology for Prostate Cancer Treatment - Low Cost Prostate Cancer Treatment in India
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
The treatment of prostate cancer depends on several factors such as
Laser Surgery for Enlarged Prostate Cancer
Surgical Treatment for Prostate Cancer