Prostate-specific antigen or PSA is a glycoprotein that is produced in the prostate gland to retain the liquid form of the seminal fluid and aid sperm movement. While PSA typically stays in the prostate ducts, a small portion may leak into the bloodstream; this allows experts to detect prostate diseases such as cancer. Since several factors affect PSA levels, doctors can utilize factors like age and conduct age-specific PSA levels to determine if further screening for cancer must be conducted. This method was devised a few decades ago to estimate abnormal PSA levels and correlate it with age-specific ranges. Since prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers to affect men, it became essential to detect prostate abnormalities proactively. Most experts conduct age-specific PSA levels tests along with a digital rectal exam to determine the presence of cancer. This is especially beneficial in men over the age of 50 who may be at the highest risk of developing prostate diseases. In an age-specific PSA levels examination, the result of 4 nanogram/milliliter (ng/ml) of blood is considered to be abnormal. Patients with these results must be prompt to get additional screenings done at the right time. While escalated PSA levels are abnormal and indicate prostate cancer, chances are that a man with PSA levels below 4ng/ml may have prostate cancer.

What is multiple myeloma? The fundamental cause of cancer is the abnormal multiplication of cells in our body. Cells of any part of our body can become cancerous and this disease may spread to other parts of the body as well. When plasma cells become malignant, then this medical condition is called multiple myeloma. These cells reside in the bone marrow and play an important part in our immune system. They work together in fighting off the various infections and diseases that may affect our body. Lymphocytes or the lymph cells form an important part of the immune system. These cells are of two types- T cells and B cells. When there is an infection, the B cells become plasma cells. When they go out of control, they are called a plasmacytoma which is a kind of tumor. If a patient has more than one plasmacytoma, then he is suffering from multiple myeloma. How is multiple myeloma treated? There are various kinds of multiple myeloma treatments available to the patient. These are: • Chemotherapy and taking other drugs • Using bisphosphonates- Myeloma cells can weaken, dissolve or even break the bones where they are lodged. Bisphosphonates help the bones stay strong by slowing down this process.

Cancer can be scary but if diagnosed early enough it can be treated. Multiple Myeloma refers to a type of blood cancer. This causes plasma cells to multiply at a higher than normal rate. Plasma cells typically generate antibodies that help build immunity but in these cases, they release excessive amounts of immunoglobulin proteins into the blood and bones causing organ damage and weakened bones. Multiple myeloma treatment takes many forms depending on the extent of damage caused. When it comes to treating cancer like this, the earlier the condition is diagnosed; the easier the Multiple myeloma treatment. Hence it is important to recognise the symptoms associated with multiple myeloma. In its early stages, this condition may not present any symptoms but as it worsens, it can cause bone pain, weakness and weight loss. It can also cause the development of purplish lumps under the skin called extramedullary plasmacytomas. People suffering from conditions such as Solitary plasmacytoma or Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance have a high risk of suffering from multiple myeloma. The risk of suffering from this condition is also high is you are older than 65 years, an African American or have a family member who also suffers from it.

Pancreatic cancer arises in the pancreas of the patient. The problem with the detection and treatment of this disease is that there are very few symptoms that may point at the existence of this disease in the early stages. This is why it goes largely undetected. By the time the diagnosis happens, the progression of the disease makes it very difficult to treat and the outlook for recovery is generally not that great. Let us take a deeper look at the pancreatic cancer symptoms and signs. Symptoms based on the Location of the Disease: In this kind of cancer, the location plays a large role in the kind of symptoms that the patient would experience. If the cancer has started in the head of the pancreas, then it would come with various symptoms like headaches, nausea as well as vomiting, jaundice which would leave you with yellowing skin and eyes. Pain in the back and abdomen would also be felt if the pancreatic cancer has started in this portion. Itching and enlarged lymph nodes are some of the symptoms. If the pancreatic cancer has started in the body or the tail of the pancreas, then unexplained weight loss as well as back pain and discomfort in the belly would be the most commonly experienced symptoms.

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.

Renal cell carcinoma is a condition which causes cancer cells to develop in the tubules of your kidney, paving the way to kidney cancer. These tubes help filter the waste which is processed from your blood, then converted into urine. A metastatic renal cell carcinoma condition develops when cancer spreads beyond the kidney and affects the lymph system, other organs, and even your bones. The spreading of cancer cells is possible through a process called metastasis which results in the cancer cells spreading through one of three different ways: The cancer cells can enter the bloodstream which can be then easily carried to any organ in the body, thus causing widespread degeneration of healthy cells triggered through the source. Cancer cells can enter the lymph system. The lymph system is a network of tissues and organs, to process and help the body evacuate toxins, waste and unwanted materials. It is also responsible for transporting lymph fluid which contains healthy white blood cells to tackle infections. Cancer cells can easily use this interconnected network to migrate to other vital organs. Cancer cells can spread through the tissues surrounding the affected areas resulting in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. In its early stages, metastatic renal cell carcinoma is not very easy to identify.

While there are many kinds of cancers that both men and women may suffer from, there are certain forms of this disease that may specifically affect the reproductive organs of either the male or the female patient. Ovarian cancer is one such kind of cancer that only women suffer from and it refers to the cancer that spreads through the ovaries of the patient. Find out more about this disease here. • Ovarian Cancer: This kind of cancer usually happens when the abnormal cells within the ovaries multiply at a very fast rate and cause the manifestation of a growth or tumor which may or may not be malignant in nature. This tumor may go forth and spread to other parts and organs as well if not detected and contained on time, with the right kind of treatment. For this reason, it is especially important to know the various signs and symptoms of the disease. • Symptoms: Some of the earliest signs of the disease may be easily overlooked as routine aches and pains that most women go through, especially in and around the time of the menstrual period. One may experience some difficulty when it comes to working up and appetite and keeping down food in a normal manner.

Mouth cancer is a result of cells growing out of control on the surface of common areas that include your lips, gums, tongue, the inner lining of the cheeks, roof, and floor of the month. Cancer occurs due to certain mutations in healthy body cells, causing them to rapidly multiply and allow cancer to grow. These changes in the DNA of healthy cells in your mouth lead to mouth cancer or oral cancer and cavity. Due to metastasis, the cancerous cells spread to nearby body parts and organs through the circulatory systems and lymph nodes. Once cancer has achieved metastasis, treatment options are often futile and offer poor results as the cells rapidly grow out of control, not allowing healthy cells to rejuvenate in time. The survival rate is also low in advanced stages when metastasis is severe. Metastatic mouth cancer is a condition in which the malignant cells spread and destroy healthy cells inside the mouth, neck or your head. It is unclear as to what causes the mutation in healthy living cells that leads to a developing metastatic mouth cancer condition. The diagnosis in most cases is late, and your chances of survival are severely affected. Risk factors that increase the chances of developing cancer Mutation can normally be a result of a weak immune system as your body is unable to monitor and control the rapid growth of unhealthy cells Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can also cause the cancerous cells to develop rapidly, mainly affecting your lips Smoking and alcohol are habits can accelerate the growth of unhealthy cells and increase the risk of cancer Here are a few ways to reduce the risk of developing metastatic mouth cancer Routine dental checkup A dental checkup is not only reserved for your pearly whites.

Mouth cancer is caused due to rapid, uncontrolled growth of cells within the local region of your mouth. When cancer starts spreading to other areas of the mouth, neck, and head, the condition is referred to as metastatic mouth cancer. In metastatic mouth cancer, the cells grow out of control due to mutation and destroy healthy cells in the vicinity. Cancer can also spread to other parts of the body using the circulatory or lymph node system in severe cases. In most cases, cancer is detected at a later stage that reduces the chances of survival. Common signs and symptoms of mouth cancer A sore throat with persistent irritation is an indicator of developing cancer Open sores that bleed frequently in your mouth can indicate cell degeneration The unusual growth of muscle and tissue on the lining of your mouth Loose teeth indicate shifting due to damaged gums and surrounding muscle tissue Pain in your jaw as a result of tissue degradation All these symptoms commonly affect your lips, gums, tongue, the lining, roof, and floor of your mouth. They are identifiable in the early stages of the condition when you go for a routine dental checkup. However, the symptoms are far more severe once cancer reaches the lymph nodes.

Breast cancer is a condition that popularly affects women. It affects 1 in 8 women and the number is rapidly increasing. And although found in more women, men too can be affected by this condition. The breast cancer is one that forms in the cells of the breast. There are several symptoms that are related to this condition. Breast cancer passes through 4 stages and the symptoms will vary. While stage 1 symptoms may be mild, stage 4 breast cancer symptoms include nipple discharge, developing of breast lumps, skin scaling and more. Stage 4 breast cancer symptoms may be last warning and the cancer is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. There is no answer to what is the exact cause of breast cancer, however, there are several risk factors that may trigger the onset and lead to condition to stage 4 without an individual getting to know. Here are a few factors that are believed to lead to breast cancer: Body weight – Women tend to put on weight after menopause and this causes an increase in the levels of estrogen in the body. Thus, there is a higher chance of overweight women developing breast cancer.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a medical imaging technique used to examine the functions of certain organs in the body. A PET scan is a sophisticated and advanced test that employs a radioactive tracer that detects the variation in tissues on a molecular level. In a broader perspective, the test is developed to go beyond anatomy and understand the functions of the cell in the organ’s tissue. A PET scan can pinpoint the differences in the functions of the body that include the flow of blood, absorption of sugar molecules and more. Typically, a PET scan is used in monitoring the health of the lungs. When using a PET scan for the lungs, the technique is likely to be conducted in combination with a lung CT scan. A physician will ask a patient to get the above scans done in case he/she experiences the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The two scans provide a three-dimensional image that highlights and allows the physician to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. Performing a PET scan during lung cancer diagnosis The process of the PET scan begins by injecting the patient with a small amount of solution that includes glucose and a radioactive material.