Information. Penile cancer is not a common condition that happens when cells mutate and grow exponentially. These cells can join together to form a tumor. There can be penile tumors that are benign, but they need to be tested to make sure. Additionally, penile cancer usually occurs in uncircumcised men. Uncircumcised men still have a foreskin on the penis. This makes it easier for fluids to accumulate in the foreskin, contributing to the growth of cancer cells. Furthermore, this type of cancer is more prevalent in smokers, in men over 60, and in men who have a compromised or weakened immune system.

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Oral cancer is a subtype of neck and head cancer. It refers to all cancerous tissue increase situated in the oral cavity. It may occur by extension from a nearby anatomic structure, because of metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by a primary lesion originating in an oral tissue. 90% of oral cancers originate in the tissues that line the lips and mouth, called squamous cell carcinomas (though there are several types of oral cancers). Oral cancer commonly involves the tongue, but also may occur in the cheek lining, lips, gums, or floor/roof of the mouth.

Symptoms

There are early warning signs and symptoms in the mouth that may suggest oral cancer. For example, an ulcer, lump, or skin lesion that does not resolve in two weeks located on the lip, tongue, or in other mouth areas could indicate oral cancer. They are usually small and pale colored, although they may be discolored or dark. There may be a red patch or white patch on the soft tissues of the mouth. It may go unnoticed because it is initially painless, but may develop into severe pain or a burning sensation as the tumor advances. It may be located behind the ear or behind the wisdom teeth. People with oral cancer may have mouth sores which do not heal, tongue problems, or difficulty swallowing. They may have loose teeth or bleeding in the mouth. Sometimes oral cancer can cause an earache. It can cause thickening of the cheek, or a hoarse voice that lasts a long time. It may also make speaking difficult and cause a sore throat. Seniors with oral cancer may have difficulty wearing dentures.

Causes

Oral cancer occurs when the cells in your mouth or on your lips develop mutations in their DNA. While healthy cells would grow, divide, and die, mutations allow cancer cells to divide and grow without dying. This results in an accumulation of cancer cells in the mouth, which can form a tumor. In time, they can spread to other areas of the mouth, the neck, head, and other parts of the body. There are factors that increase the risk of oral cancer. Smoking is a common cause. Unprotected sun exposure and drinking excessive alcohol are also risks that increase the chances of developing oral cancer.

Prevention

It is possible for you to actively work to detect oral cancer early or preventing it entirely. It is important to floss and brush your teeth daily (twice daily preferably). Keeping your mouth clean and healthy improves the immune system and increases the chances that your body will successfully fight off potential cancers. You also want to avoid smoking or chewing any type of tobacco. Drink alcohol responsibly; try to drink 1-2 drinks per day maximum and avoid binge drinking. You also want to limit your exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer on your lips, so use sun protection with proper UV blocking capabilities. Be sure to exercise regularly, as an active and healthy lifestyle will work to boost the immune system and do what it can to help you fight off cancer. A healthy lifestyle includes a healthy diet. Eat cancer-fighting foods like beans, grapes, berries, and tomatoes. Go to your dental hygienist or dentist at least once every 6 months, and conduct a self examination at least once a month. This self examination may take only a few minutes but can help you detect oral cancer early, making it easier to get rid of. The Oral Cancer Foundation has more information and various prevention methods.

Treatment

Oral cancer treatment varies depending on the location and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. You may have to undergo a combination of cancer treatments, or you may need only one type of treatment.

 One of the treatments is surgery. This includes surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes in the neck, surgery to remove a tumor, or surgery to reconstruct the mouth. Surgery on the mouth can affect your ability to eat, speak, and swallow, and may affect your appearance. Sometimes radiation therapy is used following surgery, while other times it may be the only treatment required. IT uses high-energy beams to eliminate cancer cells. Other treatment techniques include chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

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Leukemia is a type of cancer of bone marrow or blood characterized by an abnormal increase of white blood cells. When you have leukemia, your bone marrow generates a lot of leukemia cells, which are irregular white blood cells. These leukemia cells crowd out regular blood cells, causing cancer and other serious problems like anemia, infections, and bleeding. Leukemia can affect people at any age, although about 90% of leukemia cases are diagnosed in adults. The name comes from the Ancient Greek meaning “white blood”. In the United States, there are almost 50 000 new cases of leukemia diagnosed each year, and about 24 000 deaths a year caused by leukemia.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of leukemia vary depending on what type you are diagnosed with. Common symptoms include fever, chills, and night sweats, bone pain or tenderness, headaches, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, a painful or swollen stomach because of an enlarged spleen, feeling tired or weak, easy bruising, and losing weight. People who have leukemia may also see tiny red spots appear on their skin, and are much more susceptible to suffering from various infections and viruses. The National Cancer Institute has more information about leukemia and the types of symptoms that come with the disease.

Causes

There is no one single known cause for leukemia, or any of its specific types. The few known causes are usually caused by factors beyond a person’s control, and account for only a few cases. Leukemia is caused by mutations in DNA, just like all cancer. Some mutations can trigger leukemia. These mutations may happen as an outcome of exposure to carcinogenic substances or radiation, or may happen spontaneously. There are several risk factors, however, that can increase your chances of getting leukemia. If you are exposed to certain chemicals (like benzene) or large amounts of radiation, if you have genetic problems like down syndrome, if you have undergone specific types of chemotherapy to treat another form of cancer, or if you are a chronic smoker. There are four major types of leukemia: acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Prevention

Unfortunately, most cases of leukemia cannot be prevented by lifestyle changes or taking medication. Researchers have been able to identify a few risk factors associated with leukemia, however. Smoking is one of these risk factors. Smoking puts you at risk for many types of cancer, such as acute myelogenous leukemia. Exposure to benzene also increases your risk for leukemia (benzene is a chemical product of petroleum and coal).

Treatment

The type of treatment you need depends on many factors, including the type of leukemia, how far along it is, and your overall health and age. Acute leukemia requires immediate treatment to prevent the rapid advance of leukemia cells.

In most cases, the treatment for acute leukemia makes it go into remission (not completely cured because there is still a chance it may come back). Chronic leukemia is rarely cured, but there is treatment available to help you control the symptoms and the disease. Chemotherapy is the main treatment used for almost all types of leukemia. It uses powerful medicines to eliminate cancer cells. Radiation treatments are also used. It uses high dose X-rays to shrink an enlarged spleen or swollen lymph nodes, and remove cells affected by cancer. Stem cell transplant can also be used. Stem cells boost your immune system and restore your supply of normal blood cells. Often chemotherapy or radiation is used first to make room for the new stem cells by destroying cells in the bone marrow. Other treatment options include biological therapy, which uses special medicines to improve the body’s natural defenses against cancer, and clinical trials.

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Lymphoma is a form of cancer in the blood. This disease is contracted when T or B lymphocytes live longer than they are supposed to or divide quicker than normal cells. T or B lymphocytes are white blood cells that protect the body from disease and infection and make up some of the body’s immune system. The cancer may develop in the many areas. This includes the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood or some other organs. In the United States, 7000 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 54 000 people are diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma annually.

Symptoms

Cancer symptoms vary from case to case, and depend on where the cancer has spread, where it was originally located, and how big the tumor is. Lymphoma usually begins with swelling under the arm, in the neck, or the groin. There may also be additional swelling in the spleen or any other area where lymph nodes are located. These enlarged lymph nodes can cause more swelling in the legs and arms, or a sense of numbness and tingling. It may also cause people to lose their appetite. Other symptoms include chills, a fever, night sweats, weight loss, itching and lethargy. The National Cancer Institute has more information about lymphoma and its encompassing symptoms.

Causes

Lymphoma, like all cancer, happens when cells grow uncontrollably and do not die. Regular cells follow a constant path: they grow, divide, and die. When this process breaks down, the result is cancer. Scientists do not know the exact cause of lymphoma, but have identified a few potential risk factors.  One of these risk factors is genetics. A genetic predisposition that causes lymphoma can be inherited from previous family members. You may be born with a fault in a gene or other genetic mutations that make it more likely for you to develop cancer such as lymphoma. Another risk factor is carcinogens. Carcinogens refer to a class of substances that aid or promote cancer and damage DNA. This includes exposure to certain herbicides, pesticides, and solvents that have been linked with lymphoma. Other medical factors include infection with hepatitis B or C or HIV, old age, autoimmune disease such as lupus, and other immunodeficiency diseases.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there are no known ways to prevent lymphoma. It is important to avoid viral conditions or infections that suppress the immune system. This means maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid viral infections, such as washing your hands, getting enough sleep and maintaining healthy sleeping patterns, eating properly and exercising daily. This also means avoiding viruses like HIV. HIV is caused by drug users sharing contaminated needles and unprotected sex, and can severely damage your immune system. Avoiding drugs and using protection are excellent methods to prevent HIV and thus reduce your risk of lymphoma. Some studies suggest that being obese or overweight may lead to lymphoma, but this has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, staying at a healthy weight and exercising frequently will help your health in general.

Treatment

Cancer treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer, how much it has spread, and the age and health status of the patient (as well as other characteristics). Lymphoma treatment is intended to completely remove the disease.

 Common lymphoma treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy. Radiation destroys cancer by using high-energy rays on the cells affected by cancer. Side effects include nausea, mild skin changes, fatigue and diarrhea. Chemotherapy targets cancer cells and all cells that are dividing rapidly. Side effects include nausea, hair loss, vomiting, and fatigue. Most aggressive forms of lymphoma can be treated and symptoms can be controlled. Patients who have a poor response to therapy however, have a worse prognosis. Patients with certain types of lymphoma live relatively normal lifespans (although the disease is incurable, and can never be completely removed). When the cancer has metastasized however, the survival rate drops to 59.9%.

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