OHSU Health Information Library Topics

Cancer

About Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen has been used to treat both advanced and early stage breast cancer. More recently, tamoxifen is being used as an additional therapy following primary treatment for early stage breast cancer.

About Taxol

Taxol, or paclitaxel, is a drug used for treating certain women who have advanced breast or ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel is a compound that is extracted from the bark of the Pacific yew tree.

Actinic Keratosis (A Precancerous Condition)

Detailed information on actinic keratosis, including causes and treatment

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Detailed information on acute lymphocytic leukemia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Detailed information on acute myelogenous leukemia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Adrenal Tumors / Pheochromocytoma

Detailed information on adrenal gland tumors and pheochromocytoma, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Alternative Therapy - Art Therapy, Dance Therapy, Music Therapy, and Imagery

Art, dance, music?all are examples of mind-body therapy. Although these therapies do not cure cancer, they provide an outlet for emotions and can improve mental and physical well-being.

Alternative Therapy - Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a technique used to train your mind to control the way your body works. It does not appear to affect cancer cells, but it has helped patients reduce severity and occurrence of headaches and chronic pain.

Alternative Therapy - Dietary and Herbal Supplements

No dietary changes have been found to cure cancer, but good nutrition is an essential part of your treatment plan. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian before trying any dietary supplements.

Alternative Therapy - Distraction

Distraction does not cure cancer, but it helps push patients? minds away from unpleasant thoughts, procedures, and pain.

Alternative Therapy - Hypnosis

Hypnosis is not a medical treatment for cancer, but it may have an important role in managing cancer. Hypnosis has been effective in helping patients reduce pain, stress, and depression, and calm fears and anxiety.

Alternative Therapy - Massage Therapy

Short periods of massage can provide physical and emotional benefits for cancer patients. Massage can provide relief of muscle tension, low back pain, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Alternative Therapy - Overview of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary medicine is used in conjunction with other therapies. It usually serves to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Alternative medicine is used alone, without standard treatment.

Alternative Therapy - Physical Exercise

Exercise is an effective activity for many people with cancer. Scientists are still learning about how physical activity helps cancer patients and what impact it has on the immune system.

Alternative Therapy - Yoga

Yoga means "union"?a union of the mind, body, and spirit?and uses slow movement, precise posture, meditation, and breathing exercises to reach a state of relaxation.

Anatomy of Female Pelvic Area

The female pelvic area contains a number of organs and structures: the endometrium, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Anatomy of the Bone

A typical bone in your body contains three types of tissue?a hard outer tissue, a sponge-like inner tissue, and smooth tissue at the ends.

Anatomy of the Brain

The brain is an important organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, respiration, temperature, hunger, and every process that regulates your body.

Anatomy of the Breasts

Each breast has 15 to 20 sections (lobes), which are arranged like the petals of a daisy. Each lobe has many smaller lobules, which end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk.

Anatomy of the Prostate Gland

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the neck of a man?s bladder and urethra?the tube that carries urine from the bladder.

Anatomy of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system includes the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and lungs.

Anatomy of the Skin

The skin is the body's largest organ. It serves as a protective shield against heat, light, injury, and infection.

Anatomy of the Urinary System

Detailed anatomical description of the urinary system, including simple definitions and labeled, full-color illustrations

Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Sometimes called antiangiogenic therapy, this treatment may prevent the growth of cancer by blocking the formation of new blood vessels.

Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T)

The risk for breast cancer may be increased for women who carry the A-T gene. Ataxia telangiectasia is a rare childhood disease that affects the nervous system and other body systems.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Detailed information on basal cell carcinoma, including risk factors and how the disease develops

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (Gorlin Syndrome)

The risk for ovarian cancer and skin cancer is increased with basal cell nevus syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

Basic Anatomy of the Heart

Located almost in the center of the chest, the adult human heart is about the size of two fists held side-by-side.

Biliary Cirrhosis / Bile Duct Cancer

Detailed information on biliary cirrhosis and bile duct cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Bladder Cancer

Detailed information on bladder cancer, including symptoms, types, causes, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

Bone Marrow Transplantation

Detailed information on bone marrow transplant, including preparation, types of transplant, transplant team, and possible procedure-related complications or side effects

Brain Tumors

Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment

Brain Tumors

Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment

Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT)

BCPT was a clinical trial that studied tamoxifen as a prevention therapy for those at high risk for breast cancer. Data showed the results of tamoxifen treatment to be "highly significant," with a 49 percent reduction in the number of invasive breast cancers seen across all age groups.

Breast Cancer Statistics

Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women after lung cancer.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction surgery involves creating a breast mound that comes as close as possible to the form and appearance of the natural breast.

Cancer Diagnosis - Before Undergoing Genetic Testing

Testing methods vary from laboratory to laboratory and may affect the likelihood that the lab will identify a mutation in the gene if one is present. Different laboratory studies have the ability to detect different types of mutations. Accuracy will vary, depending upon the type of genetic testing method performed.

Cancer Diagnosis - Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer Diagnosis - Coping With Terminal Cancer

Detailed information on coping with terminal cancer, the concept of loss, how children and youth view death, how adults deal with death, anticipatory grief verses sudden loss, and anticipated loss

Cancer Diagnosis - Coping With the Diagnosis of Cancer

Learn as much as possible about your disease. Arm yourself with information in order to lessen frustration. Don't hesitate to ask questions about your disease. Consider keeping a notebook with all of the medical records and information about your diagnosis.

Cancer Diagnosis - Diagnostic Imaging

Imaging?X-rays, CT scans, MRIs?is a process that produces pictures of body structures and organs. It is used to detect tumors and other abnormalities, to determine the extent of disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

Cancer Diagnosis - Endoscopic Examination

An endoscope is a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.

Cancer Diagnosis - Hospice Care For Persons With Cancer

Detailed information on hospice care for persons with cancer, including a description of the various settings for hospice care, and the types of hospice services

Cancer Diagnosis - Important Decisions to Be Made in the Dying Process

Detailed information on important decisions to be made in the dying process, including advanced directives, do not resuscitate order, autopsy decisions, hospice care, and right to refuse treatment

Cancer Diagnosis - Laboratory Tests

Lab tests are used in cancer diagnosis to look for tumor markers. These are substances either released by cancer cells into the blood or urine or substances created by the body in response to cancer cells.

Cancer Diagnosis - Physical Needs of the Person With Terminal Cancer

Detailed information on the physical needs of the person with terminal cancer, including nutritional needs, elimination and respiratory changes, and pain management

Cancer Diagnosis - Providing Support for the Bereaved

Detailed information on providing support and assistance for the bereaved

Cancer Diagnosis - Supportive (Palliative) Care For Persons With Cancer

Detailed information on supportive care for persons with cancer, including patient's rights, and palliative care services

Cancer Diagnosis - The Experience of Grief

Detailed information on the experience of grief, including the symptoms of grief, the stages of grief, and discussing death

Cancer Diagnosis - Tumor Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope. Some biopsies can be performed in a doctor's office; others need to be done in a hospital setting.

Cancer Diagnosis - Types of Genetic Testing

Chromosome studies may be performed when a child is born with multiple birth defects or when people have certain types of leukemias and lymphomas, to look for specific chromosome rearrangements associated with these types of cancers. Direct DNA studies look directly at the gene in question for an error.

Cancer Diagnosis - Uses of Genetic Testing

Diagnostic testing is one type of genetic testing. It is used to identify or confirm the diagnosis of a disease or condition and is sometimes helpful in determining the choice of treatment. Examples of diagnostic testing include chromosome studies, direct DNA studies, and biochemical genetic testing.

Cancer Overview

Cancer cells don't function properly, and they can spread to many areas of the body. Tumors are clusters of cells that are capable of growing and dividing uncontrollably; their growth is not regulated.

Cancer Treatment - Anemia and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and anemia, including strategies to help manage anemia and fatigue

Cancer Treatment - Appetite / Taste Changes and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on appetite, taste alterations, and chemotherapy

Cancer Treatment - Biological Therapy For Cancer Treatment

Biological therapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. The cells, antibodies, and organs of the immune system work to defend the body against bacteria and viruses. The immune system may also be able to determine the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells and eliminate the cancer cells.

Cancer Treatment - Blood Clots / Bruising and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on side effects of chemotherapy, including platelet count, and bleeding

Cancer Treatment - Bone Marrow Suppression and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and bone marrow suppression, including symptoms

Cancer Treatment - Cancer Treatment

Cancer Treatment - Cancer Treatment Methods

Detailed information on cancer treatment methods

Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy Drugs and Side Effects

Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments such as radiation or surgery. Often, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order depending on the type of cancer it is being used to treat.

Cancer Treatment - Chemotherapy's Effects on Organs / Body Systems

Because anticancer drugs are made to kill growing cells, they also affect normal, fast-growing cells such as blood cells forming in the bone marrow and cells in the digestive tract, reproductive system, and hair follicles. Some anticancer drugs may affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system.

Cancer Treatment - Constipation and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and constipation, including strategies for reducing constipation

Cancer Treatment - Diarrhea and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and diarrhea, including foods for diarrhea control, and ways to reduce the severity of diarrhea symptoms

Cancer Treatment - Hair Loss and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and hair loss causes and management

Cancer Treatment - Hormone Therapy For Cancer Treatment

With some cancers, patients are given hormone therapy as soon as cancer is diagnosed, before any other treatment. It may shrink a tumor, or it may halt the advance of the disease. In some cancers, such as prostate cancer, hormone therapy helps ease the painful and distressing symptoms of advanced disease.

Cancer Treatment - Hyperthermia For Cancer Treatment

Heat therapy may help shrink tumors by damaging cells or depriving them of the substances they need to live. Research studies are underway to determine the use and effectiveness of hyperthermia in cancer treatment.

Cancer Treatment - Infection and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and infections, including symptoms and ways to prevent infections

Cancer Treatment - Laser Therapy For Cancer Treatment

Laser therapy can be used to cut a very tiny area to remove very small cancers without damaging surrounding tissue. Lasers also are used to apply heat to tumors in order to shrink them and are sometimes used with drugs that are activated by laser light to kill cancer cells.

Cancer Treatment - Mucositis / Mouth Sores and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and mucositis or mouth sores, including symptoms and treatment

Cancer Treatment - Nausea / Vomiting and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy and nausea and vomiting, including types of nausea and vomiting, causes, and management strategies

Cancer Treatment - Pain and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on chemotherapy pain, including ways to describe pain

Cancer Treatment - Preparing a Patient For Treatment

The first step in preparing for your cancer treatment is to find an oncologist and treatment center. Ask your general or primary care physician for a referral or contact government and professional medical organizations, such as your state's health department, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Medical Association, for information on cancer specialists and treatment centers in your area.

Cancer Treatment - Radiation Therapy For Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is given through different methods, depending on the type of cancer, the location of the cancer, and the patient's health. Sometimes, radiation therapy is used in combination with other treatments.

Cancer Treatment - Skin / Nails and Chemotherapy

Detailed information on how to manage skin and nail related side effects of chemotherapy

Cancer Treatment - Surgery For Cancer Treatment

One type of surgery for cancer is curative. This procedure removes the cancerous tumor or growth from the body. Surgeons use curative surgery when the cancerous tumor is in one specific area of the body. This type of treatment is often considered the primary treatment, but other types of cancer treatments, such as radiation, may be used before or after the surgery.

Cancer Treatment - The Cancer Treatment Team

Oncologists may be known as medical oncologists or radiation oncologists. Your oncologist will work with you to create a treatment plan. He or she usually acts as the coordinator of your cancer care.

Cancer Types - Adrenal Glands: Location and Function

Detailed information on the adrenal gland, its anatomy and function

Cancer Types - Diagnostic Procedures For Prostate Cancer

Detailed information on prostate cancer diagnosis, including use of digital rectal examination, prostate specific antigen testing, transrectal ultrasound, and biopsy

Cancer Types - Testicular Cancer

Detailed information on testicular cancer, including symptoms, staging, causes, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and testicular self-examination

Cardiac Sarcoma

Cardiac sarcoma is a rare type of cancerous tumor that occurs in the heart.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer develops from abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix that spread deeper or to other tissues or organs. This type of cancer occurs most often in women older than 40.

Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

Your oncologist will determine how long and how often you will have chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy can be administered intravenously or by pill, and is usually a combination of drugs.

Chemotherapy For Prostate Cancer

Chemotherapy may be used when the cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland, or it may be used in combination with other therapies.

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant type of bone cancer that primarily affects the cartilage cells of the femur, arm, pelvis, knee, and spine.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Detailed information on chronic lymphocytic leukemia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Detailed information on chronic myelogenous leukemia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Clinical Trials For Prostate Cancer

Several clinical trials to evaluate prostate cancer have been completed or are currently underway.

Clinical Trials Overview

Most clinical research progresses in a series of phases. Phase I trials are the first studies to evaluate how a new therapy should be administered. Phase II trials provide preliminary information about how well the new therapy works. Phase III trials compare a promising new therapy or procedure with a current standard of treatment. Phase IV trials continue the evaluation after FDA approval.

Colorectal Cancer

Most people who have colorectal cancer are older than 50. This type of cancer is also associated with a diet high in fat and calories and low in fiber.

Cowden Syndrome

The risk for breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and thyroid cancer is increased with Cowden syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Detailed information on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Diagnosis and Staging of Melanoma

Detailed information on diagnosis and staging of melanoma, including use of excisional biopsy, incisional biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, punch biopsy, shave biopsy, and skin biopsy

Diagnosis Procedures for Breast Cancer

It is important to remember that a lump or other changes in the breast, or an abnormal area on a mammogram, may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems.

Effects of UV Exposure

Detailed information on the effects of ultraviolet light and the increased risk of skin cancer, premature aging, cataracts, and immune system damage

Endometrial Cancer

Cancer of the endometrium is a disease in which cancerous cells are found in the lining of the uterus. It is highly curable when found early.

Esophageal Cancer

Detailed information on esophageal cancer, including symptoms, stages, types, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment

Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma can occur in any bone, but is most often found in the extremities and can involve muscle and the soft tissues around the tumor site.

Ewing Sarcoma

Detailed information on Ewing sarcoma, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Facts About Skin Cancer

Statistics relating to skin cancer

For Family Members Coping With Prostate Cancer

What can you do to help the man in your life with prostate cancer? Keep the lines of communication open.

Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms

Timing your mammogram when your breasts are not tender is important. In premenopausal women, this is usually one week after a menstrual period.

General Information About Breast Cancer

Ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, and Paget's disease are several types of breast cancer.

Genetics and Cancer - Autosomal Dominant Inheritance

A mutation is a change in a gene that prevents it from working properly. We inherit mutations from our parents in specific ways, one of which is called autosomal dominant inheritance.

Genetics and Cancer - Autosomal Recessive Inheritance

This type of genetic inheritance means that both copies of the gene must have a mutation for a person to have the trait. One copy of the mutation is inherited from the mother, and the other from the father. A person who has only one recessive gene mutation is a "carrier" for the trait or disease, but he or she does not have any health problems from carrying this one mutation.

Genetics and Cancer - Description of Chromosomes

A chromosome is a structure in the nucleus of each cell that contains your genes. Your genes determine your traits, such as eye color and blood type.

Genetics and Cancer - Description of Genes

Each cell in your body contains about 25,000 genes, which determine your hair color, your height, and other characteristics that make you unique.

Genetics and Cancer - Description of Genetics

Cancers develop because of alterations, or mutations, in genes that normally promote controlled cell growth. Most cancers are caused by mutations that occur only in the tissue that is affected by the cancer.

Genetics and Cancer - DNA Testing For Cancer Genetic Susceptibility Genes

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that genetic testing for cancer be offered when families have a well-defined inherited cancer where the test result will affect medical care.

Genetics and Cancer - Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

FAP is a syndrome characterized by a large number of benign polyps in the colon and rectum. Without treatment, a person with FAP has a nearly 100 percent risk of colorectal cancer.

Genetics and Cancer - Features of Inherited Cancers

A family medical history helps determine whether relatives have an increased chance of developing specific types of cancer, how great the risk of cancer might be, and whether genetic testing might be useful.

Genetics and Cancer - Genetic Services: When, Where, How

If you have a family history of multiple cases of the same or related types of cancer, you may need genetic counseling. Generally, you can find genetic counseling and other genetic services at large hospitals or medical centers.

Genetics and Cancer - Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)

This type of colon cancer is also known as Cancer Family Syndrome. It raises the risk for other cancers, including those of the endometrium, stomach, small intestine, liver and biliary tract, brain, ovary, ureters, and renal pelvis.

Genetics and Cancer - How Genes Cause Cancer

Genes that have alterations, or mutations, can cause cells to become cancerous. Some mutations are inherited and others are "acquired," occurring by chance over time.

Genetics and Cancer - Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC)

This rare type of thyroid cancer has several forms, depending on the mutations that cause it. Most cases of medullary thyroid cancer, though, are sporadic?they occur without any family history of thyroid cancer.

Genetics and Cancer - Multifactorial Inheritance

Multifactorial inheritance means that many factors are involved in causing a health problem. The factors are usually both genetic and environmental, where a combination of genes from both parents, in addition to unknown environmental factors, produce the trait or condition.

Genetics and Cancer - Other Colorectal Cancer Syndromes

Several rare syndromes raise the risk for colorectal cancer. These disorders include Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis coli, and MYH-associated polyposis.

Genetics and Cancer - Ovarian Cancer and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)

A woman with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer is at increased risk for ovarian cancer. This type of colon cancer usually is caused by mutations in one of several mismatch-repair genes.

Genetics and Cancer - The Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Researchers have found specific genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers that are inherited. Certain genetic syndromes also associated with an increased risk for these cancers.

Genetics and Cancer - The Genetics of Colorectal Cancer

Detailed information on the genetics of colorectal cancer, including nonpolyposis colon cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis, and other colorectal cancer syndromes

Genetics and Cancer - The Genetics of Lung Cancer

Ninety percent of lung cancers are caused by smoking, but not everyone who smokes will develop lung cancer. Researchers believe that normal genetic variations, known as polymorphisms, may make some people more likely to develop lung cancer if they smoke.

Genetics and Cancer - The Genetics of Prostate Cancer

The majority of cases of prostate cancer are sporadic, which means that one person in the family developed prostate cancer by chance at a typical age for this cancer. In these cases, other male relatives have little to no increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Genetics and Cancer - The Genetics of Skin Cancer

Up to half of all Americans 65 and older will have at least one bout of skin cancer. The most common types of skin cancer in the United States are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. These are generally the result of sun exposure.

Genetics and Cancer - The Human Genome Project

This project, completed in 2003, mapped all human genes?known as the human "genome." Researchers now have detailed information about the structure, organization, and function of 25,000 human genes.

Genetics and Cancer - Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL)

VHL is a rare genetic disorder marked by an increased risk of developing benign tumors in the brain, spine, retina, and adrenal gland, and cancerous tumors in the kidney.

Genetics and Cancer - X-Linked Inheritance

X-linked inheritance means that the gene alteration causing the trait or the disorder is located on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y. Mutations in X chromosome genes can be recessive or dominant.

Germ Cell Tumors

Detailed information on germ cell tumors, including causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Glossary - Cancer Center

Glossary of terms relating to cancer

Grading of Prostate Cancer

The cancer grading system is based on a number range. The lower the number, the lower the grade, and the slower the cancer is growing.

Hepatoblastoma

Detailed information on hepatoblastoma, including causes, stages, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Herbal Remedies For Prostate Cancer

Talk with your health care provider before using any type of dietary or herbal supplements in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.

Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (BRCA1 / BRCA2)

A woman with this syndrome may develop breast cancer before age 50 and is at higher risk for developing cancer in both breasts or in both the breasts and ovaries.

Hodgkin Disease

Detailed information on Hodgkin's lymphoma, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Detailed information on Hodgkin's lymphoma, including causes, symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment

Hormone Therapy For Prostate Cancer

The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body, particularly testosterone.

How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

By doing BSE regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally feel so that you are more apt to detect any change.

Kidney Cancer

Detailed information on renal cell cancer, the most common type of kidney cancer, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Laryngeal Cancer (Cancer of the Larynx)

Detailed information on laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx), including symptoms, cause, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment

Leukemia

Detailed information on leukemia in childhood, including symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Li-Fraumeni syndrome raises the risk for breast cancer and many other types of cancer.

Liver Transplantation

Detailed information on liver transplantation, including donor lists, organ rejection, details of the procedure, and long-term outlook following a liver transplant

Liver Tumors

Detailed information on liver tumors, including types, symptoms, staging, diagnosis, and treatment

Lung Cancer

Detailed information on lung cancer, lung cancer symptom, lung cancer treatment, lung cancer sign, lung cancer medication, malignant lung tumor, lung cancer cause, benign lung tumor, lung cancer risk factor, lung cancer prevention

Lymphedema Following a Mastectomy

Whenever the normal drainage pattern in the lymph nodes is disturbed or damaged?often during surgery to remove the lymph nodes?the arm may swell. This swelling, caused by too much fluid, is called lymphedema.

Mammography

Melanoma

Detailed information on melanoma, including symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment

Merkel Cell Cancer

Detailed information on merkel cell cancer, including diagnosis and treatment

Myeloma Bone Disease / Multiple Myeloma

Myeloma bone disease is cancer that affects certain white blood cells called plasma cells.

National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)

Detailed information on breast cancer clinical trials, including the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project

Neuroblastoma

Detailed information on neuroblastoma, including causes, stages, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Detailed information on non-Hodgkins lymphoma, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Detailed information on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including causes, staging, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Nutrition and Cancer - Clear Liquids and Full Liquids

Clear liquids are helpful for many of the side effects of cancer. Generally speaking, clear liquids are liquids that are easy to see through and to pour. Full liquids have more calories, protein, and nutrients, and are easy to pour or can be sucked through a straw.

Nutrition and Cancer - Dietary Guidelines For Americans

Aim for a healthy weight, and be physically active every day. Let the food pyramid guide your food choices. Choose a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.

Nutrition and Cancer - Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support For Adults

Enteral nutrition is nutrition given through tube feedings, as a supplement or as the sole source of nutrients. Parenteral nutrition is a special mixture of glucose, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals given through an IV.

Nutrition and Cancer - Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support For Children

Detailed information on nutritional support for children with cancer, including information on enteral and parenteral nutrition support

Nutrition and Cancer - Exercise

Detailed information on the health benefits of exercise, including how to calculate your target heart rate zone and basic exercise guidelines

Nutrition and Cancer - Food Guide Pyramid

The food guide pyramid can help you eat a variety of foods while encouraging the right amount of calories and fat.

Nutrition and Cancer - General Nutrition Guidelines

You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals instead of three large ones. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals.

Nutrition and Cancer - High-Calorie Snacks

To boost your calories, add butter or margarine to puddings, casseroles, sandwiches, vegetables, cooked cereal, breads, and pasta. Add wheat germ to hot cereals, meat dishes, cookie batter, and casseroles.

Nutrition and Cancer - High-Protein / High-Calorie Diet

Detailed information on high protein, high calorie diets for children having trouble maintaining adequate nutritional intake due to cancer

Nutrition and Cancer - High-Protein Foods

Hypermetabolism can occur with some cancers. This condition affects how the body uses proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and you may need to increase your calorie and protein intake. Discuss this with your doctor or registered dietitian.

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutrition and Cancer

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutrition Before Cancer Treatment Begins

The main goal during treatment is to try to keep your weight constant. In order to minimize weight changes, heal properly, and maintain the energy to cope with all the new challenges treatment may bring, you should try to eat a wide variety of high-calorie and high-protein foods.

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Chewing and Swallowing Difficulties

Detailed information on managing swallowing and chewing difficulties associated with cancer treatment, including suggestions for food and drinks

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Constipation

Detailed information on managing constipation through nutritional changes, including suggestions for foods and beverages to relieve constipation

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Diarrhea

Detailed information on managing diarrhea through nutritional changes, including suggestions for foods and beverages to relieve constipation

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Loss of Appetite

Detailed information on nutritional management of appetite loss for persons with cancer, including suggestions for managing loss of appetite

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Nausea / Vomiting

Detailed information on managing nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatment, including tips on eating

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Taste Alterations

Detailed information on changes in taste related to cancer treatment, including tips to improve the taste of foods

Nutrition and Cancer - Nutritional Management of Treatment Side Effects For Children

Detailed information on cancer treatment side effects including decreased appetite, mouth sores, taste alterations, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and tooth decay

Nutrition and Cancer - Phytochemicals, Antioxidants, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Eating lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains and cereals, and beans containing phytochemicals may decrease the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Nutrition and Cancer - Recipes For High-Calorie Drinks

Try these nutritious, high-calories beverages: chocolate-peanut butter shake, strawberry crush, peaches and cream, grape slush, and an old-fashioned milk shake.

Online Resources - Cancer Center

List of online resources to find information on cancer

Oral Cancer

Ninety percent of oral cancer cases are caused by tobacco use. Oral cancer can affect the lips, teeth, gums, and lining of the mouth.

Oral Cancer and Tobacco

Detailed information on the link between tobacco and oral cancer, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco and snuff

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma usually affects the long bones around the knee. It occurs most often in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Osteosarcoma

Detailed information on osteosarcoma, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Other Causes and Risk Factors For Skin Cancer

Detailed information on causes and risk factors for skin cancer, including heredity and environment

Other Types of Skin Cancer: Kaposi's Sarcoma

Detailed information on Kaposi's sarcoma

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer can develop in one of three types?the first, on the surface of the ovary; the second, in the cells that form the eggs; the third, in the cells that produce female hormones.

Ovarian Cancer and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)

A woman with this type of hereditary colon cancer is at increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Overview of Leukemias

Detailed overview of leukemia, including types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Pain Management - Pain Management

Detailed information on pain and cancer, including pain management techniques, causes of pain and pain treatments

Pancreatic Cancer

Detailed information on pancreatic cancer, including types of benign tumors in the pancreas, malignant pancreatic cancers, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Pap Test

A Pap test is a way for your doctor to examine cells collected from the cervix for infection, inflammation, or cancer.

Parathyroid Tumor

Detailed information on parathyroid tumors, including symptoms and treatment

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

People with this syndrome have dark moles around the mouth, nose, and eyes, as well as multiple polyps in the intestines.

Pituitary Tumors

Detailed information on pituitary gland tumors, including symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment

Post-Mastectomy Prosthesis

A prosthesis can be worn against the skin, inside the pocket of a mastectomy bra, or attached to the chest wall. Prosthetic devices are designed to look feminine and be comfortable.

Preventing Skin Cancer

Detailed information on skin cancer prevention

Prostate Cancer

In the past 20 years, the five-year survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer combined has increased from 67 percent to 99 percent.

Prostate Cancer

Detailed information on prostate cancer, including statistics, anatomy of the prostate, risk factors, genetics, diagnosis, staging, grading, symptoms, surgery, radiation treatment, hormone treatment, chemotherapy, angiogenesis, coping, and clinical trials

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Cancer