Cancer - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

All of these symptoms can be caused by a variety of things besides prostate cancer, so experiencing them doesn't necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. When older men have problems urinating, it is usually caused by process called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is not prostate cancer. These symptoms can also be seen in prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).

4. Is it possible to prevent prostate cancer by adhering to a certain diet?

There is some evidence that a man's diet – such as a high fat diet, particularly high in animal fats – may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Also, a few studies have suggested that a diet low in vegetables increases the risk of prostate cancer. There are a few foods that have been implicated in decreasing prostate cancer risk; diets high in tomatoes (lycopene), omega-3-fatty acids (oils found in fish like salmon and mackerel), selenium, vitamin D, and soy have all been suggested to decrease prostate cancer risk but we still need more data before any particular food or supplement can be endorsed for preventing prostate cancer. Currently, there are studies looking at selenium, lycopene, vitamin A and other retinoids, vitamin D, vitamin E, and soy for prostate cancer prevention.

5. Are there any medications that could prevent prostate cancer?

There is also interest in preventing prostate cancer by using drugs. We know that hormones like testosterone can cause prostate cancers to grow and develop, so there are experiments looking at drugs that can decrease the levels of testosterone in the prostate to attempt to stop prostate cancer from forming and growing. Drugs like Flutamide and Finasteride work in this manner, and they are currently under investigation for prostate cancer prevention.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MELANOMA (SKIN CANCER)

1. Who is at risk of developing malignant melanoma of the skin?

The risk of developing melanoma correlates with the amount of sun exposure. The ultraviolet (UV) component is responsible for damaging a certain cell that resides in the skin (melanocytes). Usually, this damage can be repaired by the body, but this repair mechanism can be overwhelmed leading to melanoma formation. A large dose of UV, such as results in a severe sunburn rather than gradual tanning can result in this damage. Risk factors for melanoma related to ultraviolet radiation exposure include a history of sunburn or sun sensitivity, a tendency to freckle, the presence of lightly pigmented skin, blue eyes, and blond or red hair. Other risk factors include a family or personal history of melanoma and the presence of a large number of moles or any atypical moles.

2. What are the sources or exposure to ultraviolet light?

Sources for exposure to ultraviolet radiation include sunlight and artificial light (eg, tanning booths), both of which can cause acute sunburn.

3. At what age is a person most vulnerable to the damaging effects of sunlight?

Excessive sun exposure and severe sunburns in the first 10 to 15 years of life can result in a threefold increase in the lifetime risk of developing melanoma.

4. Has melanoma become more or less common in recent years?

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for about 4 percent of skin cancer cases, but it is also the most serious and most aggressive type. In the United States, an estimated 62,190 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed and approximately 7,910 people will die of the disease in 2006. The incidence of malignant melanoma has risen 1,900% since 1930, a trend attributed to the increase in recreational exposure to skin areas left covered in the past.

5. Have we made strides in the treatment of melanoma to counteract the increase of melanoma cases?

From 1973 through 1992, the overall percentage increase in the rate of deaths from melanoma (34.1%) was the third highest of all cancers; for males, the percentage increase for melanoma (47.9%) was the highest for all cancers. During the same period, the increase in the rate of deaths from melanoma was greater for white males than for other racial and sex groups. During 1973-1975 and 1990-1992, death rates were highest for white men over the age of 50. The death rate increased more with age for males than for females during 1990 to 1992.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MULTIPLE MYELOMA

1. In multiple myeloma, so-called plasma cells to turn into cancerous cells. What are plasma cells to begin with?

Plasma cells reside in the bone marrow which occupies the inner, hollow space of bones. Plasma cells produce proteins (immunoglobulins). Immunoglobulins play an important role in fighting infections.

2. What is the result of a plasma cell turning into a cancerous (malignant) multiple myeloma cell?

Myeloma cells behave more aggressively and have a tendency to grow into the bones causing defects in form of punched out lesions. They also tend to produce increased amounts of a particular type of immunoglobulin (" monoclonal protein"). This abnormal amount of protein can have damaging effects on the nerves, kidneys and other functions of the body.

3. What are the causes of multiple myeloma?

The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown. Exposure to radiation, benzene, and other organic solvents, herbicides, and insecticides may play a role. As examples, an increased risk of multiple myeloma has been noted in atomic bomb survivors, radiologists exposed to large doses of long-term radiation, workers in nuclear plants and farmers who use herbicides and insecticides . However, the number of cases is small with each of these risk factors, and the data for chemical exposure is not convincing. An increased risk has not been found in people living close to nuclear plants.

4. Can multiple myeloma be inherited?

There have been reports of multiple myeloma clustering in certain families and increased frequency if firstdegree relatives are affected. Overall, the role of inherited factors, however, remains unclear.

5. How common is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma accounts for approximately 1 percent of all malignant diseases in the United States.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GASTRIC CANCER

1. Are there any risk factors that increase the risk of developing gastric cancer?

There appears to be an association between gastric cancer and environment and diet because of the difference in incidence seen in different parts of the world. Gastric cancer occurs nearly 10 times as frequently in Japan as in the United States. Low consumption of vegetables and fruits and high intake of salts and nitrates have been associated with an increased incidence of gastric carcinoma. Occupational exposure in coal mining and processing of nickel, rubber, and timber has been reported to increase the risk of gastric carcinoma. Individuals with blood group A may have a greater risk of developing gastric carcinoma than do individuals with other blood groups. Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with gastric carcinoma. Although reports suggesting that patients undergoing gastric resection for benign disease (usually, peptic ulcer disease) are at increased risk of subsequently developing gastric cancer, this association has not been definitely proven. Although it has been widely reported that pernicious anemia is associated with the subsequent development of gastric carcinoma, this relationship also has been questioned.

2. What are the typical signs or symptoms of gastric cancer?

There are no early warning signs. Most gastric cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Presenting signs and symptoms are often nonspecific and may include pain, weight loss, vomiting, and loss of appetite. A minority of patients vomit blood (hematemesis). Some patients are found to have enlarged lymph nodes, or increased girth due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites). The latter signs usually indicate advanced disease in gastric cancer patients.

3. Is there any role for screening for early detection of gastric cancer?

Routine screening for gastric cancer is generally not performed in western countries because the disease is so uncommon. Mass screening is appropriate in high-risk areas, such as Japan.

4. What kinds of tests are helpful in diagnosing gastric cancer?

Barium study (x-ray): This x-ray study is helpful in delineating a tumor in the stomach. Only endoscopy, however, allows both visualization and biopsy of a tumor mass. A biopsy is essential in making a diagnosis of gastric cancer. Once a diagnosis has been established and careful physical examination and routine blood tests have been performed, CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis should be obtained to help assess tumor extent. These tests are part of the tumor “staging”. CT may demonstrate spread of the cancer to lymph nodes or extension of the gastric tumor to the liver, spleen, or pancreas. Ascites, intraperitoneal seeding, and distant metastases (liver, lung, bone) can also be detected. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a relatively new staging technique that complements information gained by CT. Specifically, depth of tumor invasion can be assessed more accurately by EUS than by CT. Bone scan A bone scan should be obtained if the patient has bone pain or vertain abnormal blood tests (elevated alkaline phosphatase level).

5. What are the types of gastric cancers found on biopsy?

Adenocarcinoma is the predominant form of gastric cancer, accounting for approximately 95 percent of cases. Primary lymphoma of the stomach may be difficult to distinguish from adenocarcinoma. Infrequently, other histologic types are found in the stomach.