EXTENSIVE Tumors spread beyond one lung or to other organs Chemotherapy
In the 1990s, new cancer drugs used in combination were found to be more successful and seemed to cause fewer side effects. There are newer treatments in development show promise of further improving lung cancer survival rates, as well as patients’ quality of life. These include:
? New chemotherapy regimens (altered dosage, timing, and sequencing of drugs)
? Monoclonal antibodies (engineered antibodies that target specific cancer proteins)
? Photodynamic therapy (combination treatment with chemicals and light)
? Anti-angiogenesis agents (drugs that inhibit blood vessels that feed tumors)
? Lung cancer vaccines (treatment to stimulate effective immune response)”
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. If diagnosed and removed while it is still small and limited to the outermost skin layer, it is almost 100% curable. Once it advances and spreads to other parts of the body, it is hard to treat and can become deadly. During the past 10 years the amount of cases of melanoma has increased more rapidly than that of any other cancer. Nearly 42,000 new cases are reported each year, and it is probable that a great many more occur and are not reported. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles. The majority of melanomas, are black or brown. But melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment. When that happens, the melanomas may no longer be dark, but are skin-colored, pink, red, or purple.
Melanomas fall into four basic categories. Three of them begin in situ and sometimes become invasive. The fourth however is invasive from the start. It is helpful to recognize the names and be able to define the characteristics of each type. Superficial spreading melanoma is by far the most common type accounting for about 70 percent of all cases. As you might expect, this melanoma travels along the top layer of the skin for a fairly long time before penetrating into the skin. The first sign is the appearance of a flat or slightly raised discolored patch that has irregular borders and is somewhat geometrical in form. The color varies, and you may see areas of tan, brown, black, red, blue, or white. Sometimes an older mole will change in these ways, or a new one will arise. The melanoma can be seen almost anywhere on the body, but is most likely to occur on the trunk in men, the legs in women, and the upper back in both. Most melanomas found in the young are of the superficial spreading type. Lentigo maligna is similar to the superficial spreading type, as it also remains close to the skin surface for quite a while, and usually appears as a flat or mildly elevated mottled tan, brown, or dark brown discoloration. This type of in situ melanoma is found most often in the elderly, arising on chronically sun-exposed, damaged skin on the face, ears, arms, and upper trunk. Lentigo maligna is the most common form of melanoma in Hawaii. Lentigo maligna melanoma is the invasive form. The third type of melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, also spreads superficially before penetrating more deeply. It is quite different from the others, though, as it usually appears as a black or brown discoloration under the nails or on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. This type of melanoma is sometimes found in dark-skinned people. It is the most common melanoma in African-Americans and Asians, and the least common among Caucasians. Unlike the other three types, nodular melanoma, is usually invasive at the time it is first diagnosed. The malignancy is recognized when it becomes a bump. The color is most often black, but occasionally is blue, gray, white, brown, tan, red, or skin tone. The most frequent locations are the trunk, legs, and arms, mainly of elderly people, as well as the scalp in men. This is the most aggressive of the melanomas, and is found in 10 to 15 percent of cases.
The risk factors for melanomas include a family history of melanoma, unusual- looking moles, previous melanoma, immunosuppressive therapy, server, blistering sunburns, many freckles, fair skin and light eyes. People with blond hair or with read hair and blue eyes usually are more likely to get melanoma. Melanoma can sometimes be prevented. By using protection while in the sun like SPF 15 when out side at all times, can help cut the risk in half. Wear a hat and even long sleeves while out in the sun, and even try not to spend a lot of time out in the sun. I work outside in the sun, so I know how hard it is to always remember to put on sunscreen and wear long sleeves living in Florida.
After the doctor performs tests on the patent, a treatment will be planed out. The choices of plans depend on type of tumor, and the stage of the tumor when it is diagnosed. There are also some other factors such as age, health and personal preferences. There are four types of treatment. They are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
These three types of cancers are only a few of the major types of cancers. Like I said in the beginning of this paper there are over 100 types of cancer. These I personally think are the ones that most people in the world need to know about. I also think that people know about cancers, but not how to prevent them or how to find treatment. If anyone thinks that they might have cancer they should visit their doctor as soon as possible. I have lost and aunt to breast cancer, I have had a great uncle that had lung cancer, and my dad, a family friend and I have had skin cancer. I am sure everyone knows someone that has had some form of cancer. Right now not all cancers can be cured. But I truly believe that someday down the line we will have cures for all forms of cancer.
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