Prostate cancer is a result of cells in the prostate gland that start to grow uncontrollably. Situated below the bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate gland is found only in males and is responsible for making semen. When the malignant (or cancerous) cells in the prostate reach stage IV, it is medically referred to as metastatic.
Metastatic cancer usually spreads through bones and lymph nodes. Once spread in the lymph nodes, they start spreading in liver and lungs. It is rarer for these cancer cells to move to the other parts of the body, such as the brain.
If the prostate cancer spreads to the hip bone, it is not bone cancer, It is still prostate cancer. It contains the same prostate cancer cells that the original tumor had.
Nature of the spreading of cancer
Metastatic cancer cells sometimes break away from the original tumor and go to a blood lymph vessel. Once they enter the lymph vessel, they can easily move through any part of the body. These metastatic cells stop in blood capillaries and some tiny blood vessels at a distant location.
The metastatic cells then break through the wall of the blood vessel and get fused to any nearest tissue that they can find. Once attached to the tissue, they multiply and grow new blood vessels in order to bring nutrients to the so formed new tumor.
Prostate cancer cells prefer to grow at specific locations such as lymph nodes, ribs, pelvic bones, and the spines.
The dreadful fact about metastatic prostate cancer is that most of these cells that form into new tumors may not survive in the blood stream, some die while forming into a new tissue and some may lie inactive in the bloodstream over the years without showing any symptoms before they become active.
Diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer
When diagnosing for prostate cancer, doctors will order tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. These tests usually focus at the skeletal level, belly, and pelvic areas. These suggest sign of the extent to which the cancer has spread.
The doctors will also ask for blood tests, including to check the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels. Rise in the PSA levels is one of the first signs of the fact that the cancer may be growing.
On an average, it takes at least a decade from the time a patient is first diagnosed with prostate cancer to the discovery that it has become metastatic. Thus, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and get regular health checkups to avoid such fatal complications in the future.
Prostate cancer that has reached its stage IV or metastatic state is treatable but unfortunately not curable. Metastatic prostate cancer can usually be treated by standard therapies such as hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Using these treatments over a period of time, metastatic prostate cancer can be controlled for several years.
Hormone therapy
The simple theory behind the treatment through hormone therapy is that it deprives a man’s body of male hormones that are necessary for prostate cancer cells to grow. The treatment of hormone therapy, initially can be achieved with orchiectomy, which means removal of one or both the testicles, or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues solely or in combination with an anti-androgen.
Chemotherapy
Just like hormone therapy, chemotherapy is a systematic therapy in which the cancer-fighting drug circulates in the blood and to the parts of the body where the cancer may have spread. It can also kill or eliminate cancer cells at sites that are at great distances from the original cancer. Conventional chemotherapy drugs that are available for the treatment can have serious side-effects including loss of immunity, loss of hair, nausea, etc. because the drugs used in chemotherapy kill all kinds of cells that come in its way.
As a result, in the recent times, several new chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs have been developed to treat the metastatic stage of cancer with minimal side effects and damage to normal, healthy cells.
Immunotherapy
Immunologic therapy, or immunotherapy, is sometimes referred to as biological therapy. Biological therapy is a type of treatment that helps improving body’s allover immune system. This in turn facilitates in killing the cancer cells. The types of biological therapy or immunotherapy include interleukin, monoclonal antibodies, cytokines (colony stimulating factors), interferon, and vaccines.
Treating bone complications
Patients with advanced stage of prostate cancer might have cancer cells spread in their bones (usually hip bone or pelvis). This is called as bone metastases. Bone metastases usually cause immense pain in that region and increases the risk of fractures. The condition can further lead to life-threatening conditions which is characterized by increased level of calcium in the blood, called as hypercalcemia. Its treatment might include drug therapy or radiation therapy.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is done to provide ease from bone metastases which a byproduct of metastatic prostate cancer. In this therapy, high intensity X-ray beams are incident directly over the affected bone.
Male breast cancer is just as rare as it sounds, only it’s real. Of all the breast cancers, one percent of occurs in men. The causes and risk factors are similar as in any breast cancer in women. There are no defined causes for breast cancer but there are certain risk factors that increase the chances/risk of getting cancer in men and women. To prevent and/or cure cancer, we must know the risk factors, causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Coming to statistics, breast cancer has taken 0.22 % deaths of all cancers in men. The survival rate in both, men and women, breast cancer is on the rise to state a positive note.
Certain risk factors for male breast cancer include men having enlarged breasts with the increase of breast tissue in them and can find a small tissue that feels like a button, under the areola. This could be a condition of gynecomastia.
Similar to gynecomastia, Klinefelter syndrome is another condition that comes across as a risk factor for breast cancer in men. This condition is a rare genetic problem. The X chromosome is extra in men when they have this condition. Smaller testicles and enlarges breasts are the results of Klinefelter syndrome and if one feels he has that condition, then he must visit the doctor.
If there is a family history on breast cancer or genetic mutation (which is an event that changes the genetic structure in the body), it can increase the risk of breast cancer in men.
Survival rate in male breast cancer is rising because of the symptoms people notice. Dimpling of the skin on the breast tissues can be one of the early symptoms of breast cancer. Puckering of the skin around the breast area is another symptom of breast cancer.
If you notice anything difference in the nipples, such as, retraction, discharge, or if you notice redness or scaling of the breast skin, then take this matter to a doctor and up on prescription and get a diagnosis done so you can start with the cure. Pain in the nipple or sensitive nipples can also be one of the symptoms.
The early stages of breast cancer are curable and the later stages are fatal. Therefore, if you notice anything unusual or direct symptoms, get yourself checked medically. Awareness of male breast cancer is also important for people to look out for signs of the same disease.
Anyone who has a breast tissue can develop breast cancer. However, not many even know that male breast cancer exists. Male breast cancer is a rare disease as women suffer from breast cancer the most, but it does occur in men too.
Older men are more prone to male breast cancer but it can occur at any age. Just like most types of cancers, male breast cancer too can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage. But since it’s a rare disease, many people don’t take the symptoms seriously to get themselves checked.
According to some statistics based on a study on cancer, nearly 2,470 cases of breast cancer in men are likely to get diagnosed by the end of 2017. This type of cancer carries a chance of one in one thousand among men in America.
Similar to any other cancers, male breast cancer too has four stages where its curable up till the second stage and involves brain, lungs, liver, and bone by the fourth stage making the illness fatal.
Breast size in men is smaller as compared to women and that makes it easy to diagnose cancer or tumor in male breasts, but the tumor can be confused with general stiffness of the chest. Men under 35 rarely suffer from breast cancer. It usually affects older men, but not always.
There are certain risk factors of cancer in male breasts that include breast cancer in a close female relative, consuming estrogen, exposure to radiation in the chest area, liver disease (if severe can cause breast cancer), and testicle disease(s).
The seriousness of breast cancer in men was thought to be higher as compared to breast cancer in women; however, it turned out to be the same in both cases. The only reason some considered it more fatal was because the symptoms of men breast cancer is not known or recognized easily. The hardness of the chest/breast in men makes it hard to recognize any dissimilar stiffness in case of tumor leading to ignorance towards the symptoms and reaching the later stage of male breast cancer.
Mammogram; breast ultrasound; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the breast; nipple discharge exam; biopsy: fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, lymph node biopsy, lymph node dissection, and sentinel lymph node biopsy are some of the exams done to examines and evaluate breast cancer or disease related to the breast.
Advanced or stage IV breast cancer is termed as metastatic breast cancer. This is when the cancer spreads from the breast to other organs of the body such as the lungs, brain, or even the bones. Although the cancer has spread to the bones and the lungs, the treatment is still carried out by the same breast cancer killing drugs. It has been estimated that over 250,000 women in the U.S are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer annually. Another noteworthy feature of the metastatic breast cancer is that it occurs in people who have once undergone full treatment for the other three stages of cancer (1, 2 or 3). The people who fully recover from breast cancer can also get diagnosed with the metastatic version after a few months or years of their treatment. This phenomenon is called distant recurrence.
Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer
Metastasis is all about the spreading of cancer cells. Metastatic breast cancer signs are not only localized to the breasts but affect the parts of the body (which are possibly infected) as well. Most common symptom can be diagnosed upon self-examination. These may include lumps visible on the surface of the breasts or in your underarm, nipple discharge (the process of discharge of fluid from the nipples) when pressed or not, bone pain and fractures, decrease in stamina, cough, extreme fatigue, etc. Some people also experience Increased abdominal girth (this is a measurement of the distance around your abdomen), swollen feet and hands, memory loss, headaches, blurry vision, and the like.
Metastatic breast cancer treatments
Metastatic breast cancer can be treated by one or a combination of the following treatments.
Anti-estrogen treatment
Also known as endocrine treatment, this treatment includes, SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators). These compounds hinder estrogen from stimulating cells of the breasts. This is carried out by ingesting a pill orally. Side effects include hot flashes and uterine bleeding.
Aromatase inhibitors
These are agents which reduce the estrogen levels by blocking the protein that’s responsible for estrogen secretion inside the ovaries. Side effects include bone loss and bone fractures.
Pure anti-estrogen
These compounds block the impact of estrogen on the cancer-affected breast cells. These compounds are injected monthly. Side effects include hot flashes and pain at the injected site.
Sex steroid hormones
These include estrogens, progestins, and androgens. These agents are employed only in the third or fourth line of treatment.
Chemotherapy
This is the process of slowing down the growth of cancer cells. It’s done in a cyclic manner. A cycle is the amount of time required to carry out the procedure and letting the body recover from the side effects of the drugs used. A typical cycle lasts from three to four weeks.
Metastatic malignant melanoma is difficult to treat. Having said that, you still have options. Choosing a treatment depends on the severity of the spread of cancer, and the overall health of the individual. The goals of the treatment then are to shrink or stop the growth of the disease where it has spread thereby stopping it from spreading to new areas.
The most common types of treatment are radiation and chemotherapy. There are newer treatments that are being developed that are actually a combination of two different kinds of treatment. There are also newer drugs being developed that have less painful side effects and are intended to comfort the patient.
Some of the treatment options include
Surgery
Depending on the severity of the malignancy, the doctor might remove the complete organ that is the epicenter of the cancer. This will help the patient live longer with fewer symptoms.
Chemotherapy
One of the oldest methods of treating cancer, chemotherapy uses certain types of drugs that are given to the patient via injections, intravenous, intra-arterial, and tropically (a cream that you can rub on your skin).
What chemotherapy does is, it stops or slows down the growth of the cancer cells that are dividing quickly. The side-effects of chemotherapy are that healthy cells are collateral damage in the treatment. It damages the healthy cells with cancer infected cells. This results in decreased health, other health issues, hair loss, etc. However, the symptoms go away after chemotherapy is over.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy uses high intensity X-rays that destroy cancer cells and shrinks the tumor that is cancerous. The radiation damages the genetic material of the cancer by literally burning down the cancerous cells. Normal cells repair themselves while cancerous cells cannot. Side effect of radiotherapy is that it burns the area of the skin where the high intensity beam is incident.
Radiotherapy is given in two ways. External radiation therapy, which is the most common form of radio therapy. Internal radiotherapy, also known as brachytherapy is normally given to those cancer patients who have cancer spread in the genital area. Radioactive materials are placed into the vagina or the prostate of such patients and are usually sealed inside with needles, seeds, wires, or even catheters.
Immunotherapy
One of the recently developed therapies, immunotherapy attacks the cancer by simply boosting the immune system. It is done intravenously or through high shot of doses. Since it boosts immune system through drugs, it can cause some serious side effects but it can also shrink the metastatic malignant melanomas and help people live longer with very fewer symptoms.
The meaning of the word “metastatic” is rapid transition from one point to another. It is usually used with those types of diseases that have a nature of spreading to various parts of body. Metastatic is generally related with malignancy which is nothing but a medical term for cancer. Thus, metastatic malignant melanoma is nothing but an advanced stage of cancer.
The most dreadful aspect of metastatic malignant melanoma is its ability to spread in the later stages. It is also referred to as Stage IV skin cancer. The term is used when melanoma cells (malignant in nature) spread across the body with the help of lymph nodes. Once in lymph nodes, the malignancy can spread to the distant parts of the body. Brain, lungs, liver, and bones are most often affected by these metastases.
When it comes to malignant melanoma, it is very important to understand that the person should be aware of the changes happening in his or her body. With malignant melanoma, it has to do with the pigment or coloration (or discoloration) of a small portion of skin. What makes it difficult to treat malignant melanoma is that in the early stages, the abnormal growth on the skin (such as a mole or a brown discolored spot that itches a lot) may look very normal. Hence, it is very important that the person takes utmost notice of any such changes happening in their body.
In most of the cases, malignant melanoma is caused by exposure of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. What ultraviolet (UV) radiation does is that it damages the DNA of skin cells, and it starts to grow out of control.
Since malignancy or cancer is nothing but mutation of DNA and cells, there have been some cases where people have developed the said condition without being exposed to Ultra violet radiation. Thus, it has also been noticed that a person can also get malignant melanoma if their body does not get enough sunlight. Some of the common occurrences are in palms, inner thighs, chest, back, and sometimes in the genital area.
The person should get a thorough health check-up done if they experience symptoms like,
Hardened lumps under the skin
Frequent urination
For women, light, irregular bleeding even after menopause
A mole or brown discolored spot that has been itching a lot for a long time and bleeds
Headaches, seizures, or weakness or numbness in arms and legs
If tested positive for malignancy, Look for the best treatment options that are available and start taking measures to prevent further spread.
There are a number of common colon issues, colon cancer being the most feared one amongst the extensive list of ailments. But the risk factors that are associated with colon cancer are more the reason to get proper and immediate treatment.
Rick factors that increase the chances include old age, a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory intestinal conditions, inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk, family history of colon cancer, low fiber or high fiber diet, diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol amongst others.
In most of the cases the cause for colon cancer is not clear. The technical explanation states that colon cancer is caused when the healthy cells in the colon are courted due to DNA problems. DNA of a cell allows proper and regulated growth in the body, when this complex structure is corrupted, unhealthy cells start to grow even when they ae not needed which leads to cancer.
Many of the symptoms of colon cancer or any colon related issues for that matter may not be easily diagnosed, which is more the reason to check with a medical professional to treat the ailments at the early stages and curb the problem.
Some of the issues can be treated with medication, without the need for extensive surgery or treatment. But prevention is better than cure, this is true in case of sever ailments.
Most of the colon issues are preventable. Everything we eat passes through the digestive intestinal tract. The lining of the large intestine, the rectum, and colon contains the waste, digestive fluids, bile acids, and fiber.
Since the inner lining of the intestine is bathed by chemicals in the food, body’s own hormones and secretions, and healthy and unhealthy bacteria. This impacts the health of the tissue.
Imbalanced and improper diet can cause several colon issues. Most of the colon issues are a direct impact by your diet. Hence incorporating the following home remedies can treat colon issues.
Eat more garlic
Having a clove of garlic first thing in the morning, can help fight many colon issues, colon cancer being one of them. Garlic has antibacterial properties that fights the formation carcinogenic elements in the colon. They help to enhance, repair, and reduce cell proliferation. Garlic is high in minerals such as sulfur, selenium, as well as plant chemicals such as allicilin and flavonoids that can be beneficial for the colon. Other food plants that have similar properties include onions, leeks, scallions, and chives.
Vegetables rich in antioxidants
The deep, bright colors of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices contain a wide variety of antioxidants. Examples of antioxidant rich foods include, kale, cranberries, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, pomegranates, avocado, tomato, apples, red cabbage, blueberries, sage, oregano, and rosemary.
Cook food in olive oil
Olive oil contains plant chemicals that help in reducing bile acid and increases enzymes that help in regulating cell formation thus improving the inner lining of the intestine and promoting healthy tissue formation. The antioxidant compounds present in olive oil help in fighting several colon issues.
Omega 3 oil
Omega 3 oil has anti-inflammatory properties that helps in decreasing the incidence of colon issues such as colon cancer. Omega 3 oils decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules that promote colon cancer. Omega 3 oils are found in cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and cod. It is also found in flax oil.
Ginseng tea
There are several species of prized longevity herbs such as ginseng root that decreases the growth and proliferation of colon cancer cells. Both, Asian and American ginseng roots have properties that help fighting many colon related issues.
If you have serious colon issues, avoid highly processed food and most of all avoid red meat. Red meat is hard to digest and thus being in the digestive tract for a longer time can create toxins that can be harmful in many ways.
Metastatic breast cancer is a kind of breast cancer that has spread to other organs or lymph nodes surrounding the breast. Although incurable, there is treatment which can delay its progression and relieve its symptoms. Metastatic breast cancer patients usually survive for 18 to 24 months.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Symptoms
Metastatic breast cancer signs depend on the organs or parts of the body to which the cancer has progressed. In some cases, there are no prior signs of metastatic breast cancer. Here are some common signs of metastatic breast cancer: A lump in the breast or the underarm is the most common symptom. It denotes that the breast or chest wall might be affected. Other symptoms include discharge from the nipple and pain.
Metastatic breast cancer might also affect the bones. In such a case, symptoms include pain, fracture, and constipation. High calcium levels may cause decreased alertness which is a metastatic breast cancer sign. If the cancer affects the brain or the spinal cord, the individual may experience pain; headache; loss of memory; difficulty with speech, vision, and movement; or seizures. If it progresses to the lungs, metastatic breast cancer signs may include breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. When symptoms include nausea, swelling of hands and feet due to accumulation of fluid, itchy skin, yellowing skin, or increased fatigue, it usually denotes that the cancer has progressed to the liver.
Treatment
Research is ongoing for better treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The treatment available today seeks to prolong survival and relieve cancer-related symptoms. Systematic therapy is the most common treatment for metastatic breast cancer. However, in some circumstances, surgery or radiation may also be required. You should talk to your doctor regarding the appropriate treatment.
Systematic Therapy
This treatment includes chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and/or biologic agents depending on the nature and size of the tumor and specific symptoms. The kind of therapy to be implemented also depends on the status of hormone-receptors, i.e., estrogen and/or progesterone receptors. Metastatic breast cancer patients who are hormone-receptor positive may be treated with anti-estrogen therapy. It is also known as endocrine therapy. Hormone-receptor negative patients aren’t candidates for this therapy. Hormone-receptor positive patients may also undergo the tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen is a pill which is commonly prescribed for pre-menopausal women and patients with breast cancer at an advanced stage. It is a first-line endocrine therapy.
Surgery And Radiation Therapy
In case of certain symptoms or complications such as spinal cord fracture or herniation risk, a specific lesion may require treatment. It may require surgery or radiation therapy to treat or decrease the progression of the cancer from the affected area. This approach of treatment is tailored to be patient-specific.
You should consult your doctor without delay if you notice signs of metastatic breast cancer. Your doctor might require you to participate in clinical trials and consultation sessions to determine the best treatment approach.