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Friday, October 28, 2011

Eye Cancer. Causes, Symptoms, Treatment , Prevention

Melanoma of the Eye
The Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Melanoma of the Eye

Ocular melanoma, or melanoma of the eye, is a rare type of cancer that affects various parts of the eye, specifically the choroid, ciliary body, and the iris. Choroidal melanoma is the most common type of eye malignancy.

Many people are confused by the melanoma aspect of this type of eye cancer, as melanoma is most commonly associated with skin. Melanomas develop from melanocytes, cells that contain the dark pigment (melanin) that defines our skin coloring. Melanocytes aren't exclusive to the skin -- they can be found in the hair, the eyes, and the lining of some organs.

What Causes Ocular Melanoma?
Like many other types of cancer, we aren't quite sure what causes ocular melanoma, but there is suspicion that it is related to exposure to the UV rays of the sun. This theory has yet to be proven, however.

Even though the cause of ocular melanoma has yet to be pinpointed, researchers have identified risk factors for the disease. Risk factors for ocular melanoma include:

• being fair skinned or having a light hair color and eye color
• having dysplastic nevus syndrome, a condition that causes abnormal moles
• having oculodermal melanocytosis, a rare condition that causes increased and abnormal pigmentation of the eye and skin around the eye

Symptoms of Ocular Melanoma
There are sometimes no noticeable symptoms of ocular melanoma, especially in the early stages. In these instances, melanoma of the eye is usually diagnosed through a routine eye screening by an optician. Ocular melanoma symptoms include:

• blurred vision in one eye
• floaters (small "floating" spots in your vision field)
• change in iris color or dark spot on iris
• red and/or painful eye
• bulging eye
• loss of peripheral vision

Diagnosing Ocular Melanoma
Unlike other types of cancer, a biopsy is not usually needed for most cases of ocular melanoma. One of the first tests most people have is called an ophthalmoscopy, which uses a special scope to get an in-depth view of the eye. It is much like the tool your optician or physician uses to look at your eye. It is noninvasive and is painless.

An ultrasound may also be done to view the eye and surrounding structures. Numbing drops are given before the scan to prevent any discomfort. You may be asked to look in different directions to allow for different angles of viewing. Eye ultrasounds generally take about 15 minutes or less.

Other tests, like an MRI or CT scan, may be done if it is suspected that the cancer has spread beyond the eye. The liver is common site of metastasis for ocular cancer.

Treatment of Ocular Melanoma
Treatment of ocular melanoma is based on what part of the eye is affected and whether it has metastasized to other parts of the body. Surgery is a common method of treatment that involves removing part or all of the eye.

Removal of the eye (enucleation) may be necessary in some cases of large tumors when other treatment methods are not suitable. An artificial eye can be created in most cases. Prosthetic eyes today are much more realistic than in the past. They are created by talented, trained individuals called ocularists. It generally takes anywhere from 4 to 6 appointments to be fitted for a prosthetic eye and for it to be placed. Quality and artistic talent are two important characteristics to consider when choosing an ocularist.

Radiation therapy is also a common method treatment of ocular melanoma. It may be the sole treatment or done after surgery. There are two types of radiation therapy: external and internal. Both use specific types of energy to disrupt the activity of cancer cells to eliminate them and prevent them from undergoing cell division.

External radiation delivers radiation from a specialized machine that targets the tumor site externally. This method of radiation is specific and limits the damage to surrounding tissue.

Internal radiation (brachytherapy), often called plaque therapy when referencing the treatment of ocular melanoma, uses a radioactive "seed" or "plaque" that is implanted near the tumor site to deliver therapy. Normally, it remains implanted for about 7 days and is then removed.

Radiation therapy is effective against ocular melanoma, but does not come without side effects. Red, dry eyes are a common side effect. Cataracts sometimes result from therapy, but surgery may be an option to remove them. Eyelash loss and shortening may also occur. Less commonly, radiation therapy can cause optic nerve damage, glaucoma, and abnormal blood vessels in the retina.

How to Do a Testicular Self Exam

How to Do a Testicular Self Exam

Just as women need to do a monthly breast self exam(BSE), men need to do a self examination of their testicles. The testicular self exam helps men detect growths that could potentially be cancerous. Caught in the early stages, testicular cancer is almost always treatable.

Testicular cancer can be diagnosed in young men as young as 15 years of age. It is important for young males to learn about testicular health and the importance of doing a TSE regularly.
Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1. Stand naked in front of a full length mirror. Elevate one leg to get a better view of the scrotum. Look for any swelling on the skin of the scrotum.
2. Now, carefully examine each testicle with both hands. Using your thumb and fingers, roll each testicle around. Feel for any lumps. They can be as small as a pea, painful, painless, or tender.
3. Be sure to examine both testicles. Remember that it is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other or hang a little lower.

Tips:

1. Perform the exam after a warm bath or shower. This allows the scrotum to relax, making it easier to find lumps or masses.
2. Be sure to perform the exam every month.
3. Always report any abnormal findings to your doctor. Lumps may be painless or painful. Both still require medical examination. Do not wait to see if lumps go away on their own. Early reporting to your doctor equals early detection. When caught early, testicular cancer is often curable.
4. You will find the cord-like structure on the top and back of the testicles. This is called the epididymis and is completely normal. This is not to be confused with a lump.

Source:
"Can Testicular Cancer be Found Early?". Detailed Guide: Testicular Cancer. American Cancer Society. 14 Nov 2007. Accessed 28 June 2008.
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/TesticularCancer/DetailedGuide/testicular-cancer-detection


Testicular Cancer. Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Testicular Cancer - What Is Testicular Cancer?
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the testicle(s) of men. It is considered to be uncommon, with about 8,000 men diagnosed each year. The good news is that this type of cancer is highly treatable and curable.

Causes and Risk Factors of Testicular Cancer
Although researchers cannot pinpoint exactly what causes testicular cancer, they have identified several known risk factors for the disease. A risk factor is something that increases the likelihood that you may develop a disease, but is not a guarantee you will get it. Risk factors include:

having had an undescended testicle, although if this is corrected early in life, the risk is reduced
having had abnormal development of the testicles
having a personal or family history of testicular cancer
being diagnosed with Klinefelter's syndrome
being infected with HIV
being Caucasian

Testicular Cancer Symptoms
Common symptoms of testicular cancer include:

painless lump in the testicle or both testicles; less commonly, the lump will cause pain
heaviness, or feeling of swelling in the scrotum
discomfort or pain in the scrotum
ache in lower back, pelvis or groin area
collection of fluid in the scrotum

Other conditions that have similar symptoms include a hydrocele, spermatocele, varicocele, and inguinal hernia.

Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer
There is currently not a standard testicular cancer screening test, so the onset of symptoms or findings from a testicular self exam are what normally begins the diagnostic process. If testicular cancer is suspected, further tests are necessary to make a diagnosis.

A physical exam is the first step in diagnosing testicular cancer. Your doctor will check your scrotum and feel the testicles for lumps, swelling, or tenderness. He may also check your abdomen for lymph node swelling.

Abnormal findings may lead to an ultrasound, which will give the doctor an internal view of testicular lumps. An ultrasound may be able to differentiate between a cancerous and benign condition. Blood tests may also be ordered to check for specific enzyme and protein levels in the blood. The presence and elevation of these proteins and enzymes can indicate a testicular tumor.

Diagnostic surgery to remove and biopsy the abnormal tissue is necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. In this procedure the tumor and the testicle are removed. The abnormal tissue is sent to the pathology lab, where it is examined under a microscope to screened for cancer.

If cancer is found, the stage of the disease is then determined. Staging refers to how far the cancer has spread to nearby tissue or possibly organs. If advanced testicular cancer is suspected, further evaluation, like imaging tests, may be necessary to determine the stage. Treatment options for testicular cancer vary based on the type and stage of the disease.

Treatment of Testicular Cancer
The primary methods of treating testicular cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The type of testicular cancer, stage, and general health are factors that decide what treatment will be most effective.

Surgery. Removal of the testicle is a method of treatment for all stages of testicular cancer. For some men, surrounding lymph nodes may also be removed.

Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy is also an option for treating testicular cancer. This type of treatment uses certain types high energy beams of radiation to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells. Radiation therapy works by damaging a cancer cell's DNA, making it unable to multiply. Although radiation therapy can damage nearby healthy cells, cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation and typically die when treated. Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation are resilient and are often able to fully recover.

In cases of testicular cancer, external beam radiation therapy is often given after surgery to ensure all cancer cells and tissues that could not have been seen or removed is eliminated.

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
How to Manage Skin Side Effects Caused by Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is often used to treat testicular cancer that has spread beyond the testicle. Cancer is a result of cells that continue to multiply unnecessarily. Chemotherapy drugs work by eliminating these rapidly multiplying renegade cells. Other healthy cells multiply just as quickly, like hair follicle cells. Unfortunately, many chemotherapy drugs may not be able to discern the two, attacking healthy cells and causing side effects like hair loss.

Chemotherapy Side Effects
Hair Loss and Chemotherapy: Can It Be Prevented?
Combating Fatigue During Chemotherapy

Prevention of Testicular Cancer
Unfortunately, testicular cancer is a type of cancer that can't easily be prevented. There are simply no proven prevention methods.

With most cancers, the best method of prevention is to avoid the risk factors. There is no way to avoid the risk factors for testicular cancer because most are out of the person's control, like age, race, and conditions occurring at birth.

Sources:
"Do I Have Testicular Cancer?". Early Detection and Prevention. American Cancer Society. 02 Dec 2008. Accessed 19 June 2008.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Do_I_Have_Testicular_Cancer.asp

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