Medullary Breast Cancer is a rare type of cancer with a better than average prognosis. Here’s everything you need to know about the disease. Similar to most other types of breast cancer, medullary breast cancer may not manifest in any type of visible symptoms during its early stages. This is a rare type of breast cancer that accounts for only about 5 percent of all breast cancer cases. However, the good news is that medullary breast cancer actually offers a better prognosis and survival rate as compared to other breast cancers . If you have been diagnosed with medullary breast cancer, here’s everything you need to know about its symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. What is medullary breast cancer? Medullary breast cancer is a rarely-occurring type of invasive ductal breast cancer. One of the pivotal risk factors of this cancer is a genetic mutation known as BRCA-1. People who are carriers of this genetic mutation have a higher chance of getting medullary breast cancer. Similar to other types of invasive ducal breast cancer, this type of cancer also starts in the milk duct of breasts before spreading to other tissues eventually. The word “medullary” comes from the fact that the epidemiology of the tumors of medullary breast cancer resemble the graying soft tissue matter in the medulla or the brainstem. How is medullary breast cancer different from other breast cancers? As compared to other types of ductal breast cancers, medullary breast cancer differs on a number of counts. The medullary tumors are actually smaller than average at about 2cms or so. Even though they are small, the cells of this cancer are high grade ones. This means that the cells look very distinct from normal cells, and are generally dividing very rapidly. Known as triple-negative tumors, these cells generally test negative for progesterone and estrogen receptors, as well as the protein HER2 or neu.

It’s the final and most fatal form of cancer, but did you know these facts about your breast cancer metastasized diagnosis? While being diagnosed with any type of cancer is a frightening experience, learning that you have reached the breast cancer metastasized stage can be very overwhelming for anyone. As you battle the feeling that your worst nightmare has come true, it is important for you to know a few essential things about MBC or breast cancer metastasized. Education and active management of this condition has ensured that many women continue to live active and full lives even after their breast cancer metastasized diagnosis. Here are a few things that you probably did not know about your breast cancer metastasized diagnosis that will help you understand your forthcoming journey better. Breast Cancer Metastasized is Fatal Accepting the truth about your condition is perhaps the first step to understanding, and then aiding your own recovery journey. Breast cancer metastasized diagnosis means that your breast cancer has reached its final stage or Stage IV. This fatal stage means that your cancer has metastasized or spread to areas beyond the breast. More often than not, breast cancer metastasized spreads to parts such as the brain, liver, lungs, and bones. Accounting for approximately 40,000 annual deaths in the United States alone, this cancer is chronic, progressive, and eventually fatal. There is No Cure Scientists and researchers are yet to understand exactly why the breast cancer metastasized outside the breast area. Once the breast cancer has metastasized, there is no cure to be had. However, this does not mean that there is no hope. There are a number of treatment options that are designed to control the condition and allow you to live a rich life even after your breast cancer metastasized diagnosis. Being aware and educated about breast cancer metastasized becomes even more important when you consider that it is a disease that will need to be treated for the rest of your life.

Is this new treatment option as “promising” or “revolutionary” as it is touted to be? Here’s what they do not want you to know about Cancer Immunotherapy treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute , approximately 1.6 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2015, while around 600,000 people are likely to die of the disease this year. The most common cancers in 2015 were breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma of the skin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer, kidney and renal pelvis cancer, endometrial cancer, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer. However, the statistics also show that the number of people who will live beyond a cancer diagnosis will touch 19 million by 2024. This indicates an improvement in early detection techniques as well as cancer treatment options. The newest treatment option is that of cancer immunotherapy treatment. Touted to be a “revolutionary” approach to solving the cancer problem, and one of the most “promising” and “encouraging” treatment options out there, here’s the truth about cancer immunotherapy treatment that you ought to know. What is cancer immunotherapy treatment? Also known as biologic therapy, cancer immunotherapy treatment is a type of treatment that is designed to improve the body’s immune system and natural defenses to fight cancer. Unlike most other diseases, cancer is not an invading disease. In case of invader diseases, the body’s immune system is designed to fight and target the foreign cells. However, because cancer cells are the body’s own cells that have gone rogue, the immune system is not designed to target them as they are not recognized as foreign cells at all. Cancer immunotherapy treatment uses immunotherapy drugs to switch the immune system back on and target the cancerous cells as they would other foreign bodies. What are the main types of cancer immunotherapy treatment?

You know about headaches and seizures, but did you know that this common condition is one of the brain tumor symptoms you ought to watch out for? Brain tumors manifest in symptoms for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the brain is a very compact organ, and there is little to no space to accommodate the growth of other tissue inside the brain. Secondly, depending on exactly where they are growing inside the brain, these tumors push against and impose pressure on certain parts, and cause varying symptoms. Perhaps, the most common early warning symptom of brain tumors is a headache . Headaches may be severe to start off with, or may have a tendency to worsen early in the morning or after any activity. The second most commonly reported symptom of brain tumors is seizures or fits. Also known as convulsion, motor seizures are characterized by sudden involuntary movements of the muscles in a person’s body. Depending on the area that the tumor is pushing against, you may experience different types of seizures. The most common ones are myoclonic and tonic-clonic or Grand Mal seizures. Less common brain tumor symptoms include changes in sensory perceptions without being unconscious, personality/memory changes, nausea and vomiting and fatigue . Most of these brain tumor symptoms have been spoken about much, and there is plenty of awareness regarding these. However, there are rare brain tumor symptoms that you probably do not even know about. One of these rare brain tumor symptoms is a common condition that is known to affect millions of people across the globe. Secret Brain Tumor Symptoms A 54-year-old woman found herself enjoying daily activities lesser than usual. She ended up spending more and more time simply lying down in bed, unable to get up and just live her life.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that generally appears on the surface of your skin. But not always. Known as the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanomas are responsible for the deaths of more than 10,000 people per year in the United States alone. Caused mainly due to exposure to occasional yet intense UV rays, melanoma symptoms are more likely to appear in people who are genetically predisposed to getting this condition. When it comes to skin cancers like melanomas, the common idea that the masses go by is that it is a “skin” cancer, and therefore can only appear on patches of skin that are directly exposed to the sun. However, this is not true when it comes to melanoma symptoms! In general, when skin cells suffer unrepaired DNA damage that triggers genetic mutations, the affected skin cells become cancerous, start to multiply at an exponential pace, and result in the development of malignant cancers. Melanoma symptoms are generally seen in the form of moles. The cancer develops in the melanocytes that are located in the basal epidermal layer of the skin. Where You Might See Melanoma Symptoms According to cancer research, the most common area for men to develop melanoma symptoms is the back/trunk area. Meanwhile, women reported their legs to be the most common site to see melanoma symptoms. While diagnosing melanoma due to irregular moles on the trunk or legs is not an easy prospect, these melanoma symptoms can definitely be watched out for. But you probably didn’t know that melanoma symptoms can appear inside one of the most delicate parts of your body – your eyes . Not only can your eyes be the place where melanoma symptoms manifest, they can also be the original source site of the melanoma cancer. Melanoma symptoms may either appear in the iris area of your eyes (colored ring around the pupil) or even inside your eye.

Bone cancer symptoms can be painful. Here are some of the medications your doctor may use to treat the disease and minimize its symptoms, and the side effects that these drugs may cause. Bone cancer is the type of cancer that creates malignant tumors which can damage the normal bone tissue in your body. It is a rare form of cancer and accounts for less than one percent of all cancer cases. The usual and not-so-common bone cancer symptoms include pain in the bones, inflammation and tenderness in and near the affected area, numbness and tingling, problems in movement, weaker bones that are susceptible to fractures, fatigue, unusual weight loss, and fever. If you have been experiencing any of these bone cancer symptoms, report it to the doctor at the earliest. These symptoms may also occur due to some other health condition and most people tend to mistake them for some less-serious problem, but getting it checked at the earliest is vital. There are treatment options available for bone cancer, and your doctor may recommend one depending on the specific type of cancer you have, the stage of your bone cancer, and other health issues that you may have. To treat the various bone cancer symptoms, the doctor may suggest some oral medicines. It is important for you to know about the medications that may be prescribed by your doctor to treat bone cancer symptoms. In addition, being aware of the side effects that these medicines may cause can help you understand what you can expect from your treatment. Here are some of the medications that may be recommended to provide relief from your bone cancer symptoms. For pain that is mild to moderate If you have been experiencing pain due to bone cancer and the pain is mild to moderate in intensity, you may be given over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), or some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The changes in your body that you have been ignoring may actually be cervical cancer symptoms. Here’s what you need to know. Cervical cancer is the type of cancer that affects the cells of the cervix in a woman—cervix is the narrow lower part of your uterus and is connected to the vagina. The cause of this form of cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually-transmitted infection that is quite common. When you are exposed to this virus strain, your immune system usually stops the virus from causing any harm. But in some women, this virus survives in their bodies for several years and adds to the process of causing cells on the surface of the cervix to turn cancerous. It is possible that a woman experiencing certain cervical cancer symptoms has been brushing it aside as some minor bodily change. This delay can lead to worsening of the symptoms, so visit a doctor at the earliest if you notice any of the following cervical cancer symptoms occurring in your body. Unusual vaginal bleeding Many women experience irregularities in the menstrual cycles, in addition to some harmless cases of bleeding between the regular cycles. However, it can also be one of the cervical cancer symptoms, so it is always safer to consult your doctor to determine the exact cause. Particularly, bleeding after sexual intercourse, longer and heavier periods than usual, and bleeding after you have reached menopause can be worrisome, so don’t delay getting such problems checked by a medical professional. Changes in vaginal discharge If you notice any unusual vaginal discharge, it may be an indication of cervical cancer. It is normal to have a small amount of discharge, but if it is one of the cervical cancer symptoms, the discharge may be watery, pale or brown in color, and have a foul odor.

Testicular cancer is a life-threatening disease. Early detection of the cancer results in a better prognosis. Watch out for these testicular cancer symptoms, and seek help if you notice them. Testicular cancer is a disease that is characterized by the growth of cancerous cells in the testes of the male reproductive system. The cancer is said to have metastasized if the cancer begins to multiply and spread to the other healthy organs of the body through the bloodstream. However, the good news is that unlike most cancer cases, testicular cancer can be cured even after metastasis. In general, testicular cancer begins in the cells that produce immature sperms in the testicle, these cells are called germ cells. . There are different types of testicular cancers, such as carcinoma in situ, seminomas, non-seminomas, stromal tumors, Leydig cell tumors, sertoli cell tumors, secondary testicular tumors, etc. Although it is curable, many people lose their lives to this cancer because the testicular cancer symptoms are not diagnosed early enough. In order to ensure early detection and treatment of the disease in time, it is essential to know about the various significant testicular cancer symptoms. Testicular Lump One of the early testicular cancer symptoms includes the development of a pea-sized swelling or a lump in either testicle. This lump or cyst also known as spermatocele develops in the epididymis. The lump may or may not be painful, however it may cause discomfort for the patient as the swelling increases. Pain in the Lower Abdomen Owing to the swellings and lumps in the testicles or in the scrotum, most patients experience pain in the lower abdomen and/or groin area. Shortness of Breath One of the common testicular cancer symptoms is the experience of shortness of breath also known as dyspnea, followed by excessive coughing and chest pains.

Some skin cancer symptoms are not as obvious as others. These are a few you should actively watch out for. The common assumption is that skin cancer symptoms and signs can only manifest on areas of skin that are exposed to the sun. While it is true that sun-exposed skin presents the primary area where skin cancer develops, this does not mean that skin cancer symptoms cannot show up in areas that almost never see the sun such as under your nails, on your palms or soles, on your genital area, etc. The problem with most skin cancer symptoms is that they can easily be mistaken for other skin issues. This often leads to a loss of time that prevents early diagnosis and a positive prognosis. By knowing the obvious as well as obscure skin cancer symptoms, you will know exactly what you need to watch out for, and which skin cancer symptoms should definitely not be ignored. Skin Cancer Symptoms to Watch Out For The first thing to understand is that there are a number of types of skin cancers that are classified under the broad marquee. These include basal cell skin cancers, squamous cell skin cancers, and melanoma. These are a few skin cancer symptoms you ought to wary about: If you have a sore or a spot that has consistently refused to heal for more than 4 weeks, it may be more than just a sore. Sores or spots that constantly itch, bleed, crust over, or get scabby for more than 4 weeks may be skin cancer symptoms. It is important to watch out for ulcers. An ulcer is basically an area that in the stages of breaking down, and is getting deeper. Once erosion takes place, ulcers ought to heal. If you find yourself facing an ulcer that does not heal within 4 weeks, and that too, for no apparent reason, do not ignore it as it is most likely to be one of the many skin cancer symptoms.

Lung cancer symptoms may easily be misdiagnosed. An early diagnosis is important for your survival – you can’t afford to ignore these telltale signs. Lung cancer is defined as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. Instead of developing into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells fail to carry out any of the functions of the lung. Their exponential growth is life-threatening as they may form tumors and prevent the healthy tissues from doing their job. Furthermore, these primary lung cancer cells may travel to other parts of the body. This results in metastatic lung cancer. Unfortunately, lung cancer signs and symptoms may take years to develop fully, and only manifest in later and more advanced stages of the disease. For approximately 40 percent of cases, diagnosis is only possible in advanced stages. Even though the disease gives you little to no warning, there are a few lung cancer symptoms that you can watch out for. Those who are at a high risk for lung cancer are advised to sign up for early screening. Early detection of lung cancer symptoms makes a huge difference in your survival rate. If any of the following innocuous-looking symptoms persist, do not ignore them, and instead, seek professional help immediately. Persistent Cough Most people tend to ignore a persistent cough by saying that it is “just a cough”, and nothing to worry about. This oversight may cost you dearly. In general, a cough associated with a cold or respiratory infection disappears within a week or two. If your cough seems more stubborn and lingers on for a while after that, see your physician immediately. It does not matter if your cough is a dry one or produces mucus; if it is persistent, it could be one of the lung cancer symptoms. Changes in Chronic Cough If you are a smoker, chances are that you suffer from a chronic cough.