With the advent of a number of ways to treat breast cancer, the hopes of survival are rising among the women suffering from this disease, with many making a comeback to the mainstream of life. But the responses to the various treatments depend largely upon the general health of the individual and the stage of the breast cancer. All forms of treatment of breast cancer is followed by some side effects that too varying with each individual. So it is always important to consider the side...

On confirmation of the breast cancer from biopsy report, the doctors go through an extensive study about the extent or the stage of the cancer that will help to adopt the right type of treatment best suitable for the patient. Whether the cancer is localized or has spread to other parts of the body can be determined by staging that involves different types of screening including the blood test.

Bone scan is done by entering a small amount of radioactive substance into the...

Breast cancer does not show any symptoms in the initial stages. Formation of lumps and cysts in the breasts are quite common and most of them are benign in nature. But these lumps, cysts or fibroids can turn cancerous depending on the individual. One should go for various screening tests of breast cancer if certain changes are observed in the breast.

Symptoms

1. Formation of lumps or hardening around the breast or in the under arms.
2. Any change in the shape...

Esophageal cancer radiation side effects can be felt for a shorter time duration which includes inflammation of mouth, esophagus and throat lining called as mucositis, fistulas formations along with esophageal perforation, bleeding, infection, dryness of mouth or xerostomia and fatigue. Changes happening on the skin and esophagus of the esophageal cancer patients normally go away in six or twelve month's time. Certain patients who respond well to esophageal cancer radiation therapy can...

Methotrexate is known for its interference with some growth of body cells. Particularly with cells which reproduce faster like skin cells, cells of the bone marrow and cancerous cells. Hence, methotrexate is used for treating some kinds of cancer of skin, neck, head, breast and lungs. It is also found to be effective in treating patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Methotrexate for esophageal cancer and other types are given to the patients only twice...

Esophageal cancer normally starts attacking the lining of the esophagus's interiors and starts to multiply rapidly in a very abnormal manner. Even though the exact reasons for the cause of esophageal cancer is not known researchers have found out that it might be associated with various risk factors. Out of which smoking is said to be a significant one. It is because when the smoke is inhaled by the smoker, the DNA of the esophagus cells gets damaged. According to researches smoking a...

Stage IV esophageal cancer is said to be the metastatic stage of cancer which has spread to various parts of the body from esophagus. During this stage patients are subjected to various kinds of treatments like palliative surgery, clinical trials, chemotherapy, photodynamic treatment, thermal laser therapy, esophageal dilation and esophageal prostheses or stents. Survival of patients at this stage of cancer might be prolonged if treatments are combined effectively. Even though cure...

Esophagus is said to be a muscular tube that is hollow and which moves liquid and food from throat into the stomach. The esophagus's wall is normally constructed of various tissue layers including muscle, connective tissue and mucous membrane. Normally esophageal cancer begins in the esophagus's inner lining and spreads to other layers in the outward direction when it progresses.

The esophageal cancer that affects the upper and middle part of the esophagus is called as...

Asbestos exposure carries a measurable risk of developing mesothelioma cancer.  Determining the point of exposure can be difficult sometimes.  Some workers are exposed as a consequence of their occupation, while others are exposed simply by living near a plant of mine.

One interesting study is called, "Multicentric study on malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-occupational exposure to asbestos" by C Magnani, A Agudo, C A González, A Andrion, A Calleja,...

Mortality and death rates increase as cumulative exposure to asbestos increases.  One group of employees that have been closely studied are those in the railroad industry.

One interesting study is called, "Mortality among asbestos-exposed workers in a railroad workshop." By Ohlson CG, Klaesson B, and Hogstedt C. - Scand J Work Environ Health. 1984 Oct;10(5):283-91.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - The mortality experience of a cohort of 3 297 railroad...