Bladder cancer is a disease that affects the bladder, an elastic organ that is responsible for storing urine that is released by the kidneys. It is the fifth most common type of cancer in the U.S. and when diagnosed in the early stages, it is highly treatable.
There are several types of bladder cancer, some being more common then others. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, accounting for about 90% of bladder cancer cases. The remaining types of bladder cancer are considered rare. They include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, and, melanoma.
Bone cancer
Bone cancer is a type of cancer that can affect both children and adults, although it is more common in children and teens. It is categorized based on whether the cancer originated in the bone (primary) or whether it spread from another location to the bone (secondary). Secondary bone cancer, or cancer that has spread to the bone from another part of the body, is much more common than primary bone cancer. In fact, primary bone cancer is considered rare. We'll focus specifically on primary bone cancer here.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are the result of uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the brain. They can affect children and adults, but are considered to be rare among both populations. Brain tumors can be classified as malignat (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Malignant tumors tend to be more aggressive than benign types, but both are very serious and can be fatal. For educational purposes, this article references subject matter related to malignant brain tumors affecting adults only.
Breast cancer
A mammogram is the gold standard for breast cancer screening and early detection. The American Cancer Society recommends that women 40 years old and older have an annual mammogram, though some other medical associations move that up to age 50. Mammograms can help detect 85 to 90% of all breast cancers, even before you can feel a lump.
Liver cancer
Liver cancer is a type of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the liver, the second largest organ in our body. The liver weighs about 2 to 6 pounds and is located in the right upper abdomen. The liver has many duties, such as detoxifying substances, secreting bile and metabolizing carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Like other organs in our body, the liver is susceptible to diseases, including cancer. There are several types of cancer that can develop in the liver of adults, including:
- hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as hepatoma (most common type of liver cancer)
- cholangiocarcinomas
Kidney Cancer
The kidneys are an essential part of our urinary system. We have two kidneys, and they are located on either side of the spine in our lower back. They are about the size of a fist and bean shaped.
The primary function of the kidney is to filter waste from our blood. About 50 gallons of blood enter our kidneys every day. They also process approximately two quarts of extra water and waste products. The waste and extra water is turned into urine. The urine then travels down tubes, called ureters, and is stored in the bladder until excretion (urination).
Leukemia
Leukemia is a disease that affects blood-forming cells in the body. It is a cancerous condition characterized by an abundance of abnormal white blood cells in the body. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and spreads to other parts of the body. Both children and adults can develop leukemia.
Thyroid cancer
Definition
Thyroid cancer is a cancerous growth of the thyroid gland.
Alternative Names
Tumor - thyroid; Cancer - thyroid
Causes
Thyroid cancer can occur in all age groups.
People who have had radiation therapy to the neck are at higher risk. Radiation therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids and tonsils, and skin disorders. People who received radiation therapy as children are at increased risk for getting thyroid cancer.
Other risk factors are a family history of thyroid cancer and chronic goiter.
There are several types of thyroid cancer:
- Anaplastic carcinoma(also called giant and spindle cell cancer) is the most dangerous form of thyroid cancer. It is rare, and does not respond to radioiodine therapy. Anaplastic carcinoma spreads quickly and invades nearby structures such as the windpipe (trachea), causing breathing difficulties.
- Follicular carcinoma accounts for about 30% of all cases and is more likely to come back and spread.
- Medullary carcinoma is a cancer of non-thyroid cells that are normally present in the thyroid gland. This form of the thyroid cancer tends to occur in families. It requires different treatment than other types of thyroid cancer.
- Papillary carcinomais the most common type, and usually affects women of childbearing age. It spreads slowly and is the least dangerous type of thyroid cancer
Prostate cancer's spread is often described inaccurately by those who have it themselves, their families, and even their doctors. Here's a quick breakdown of how to accurately describe the extent of prostate cancer that has spread.
Locally advanced prostate cancer is cancer that has grown through the wall or capsule of the prostate and invaded into the nearby normal tissues.
Metastatic prostate cancer is cancer that has spread from the prostate into areas of the body distant from the prostate. For example, prostate cancer that has spread to the bines is called "metastatic prostate cancer".
That's pretty much it. If the cancer has spread beyond the region immediately adjacent to the prostate, then it is no longer just "locally advanced" - it is now more appropriately called "metastatic".