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Understanding Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer consists of several varieties, the most common of which is renal cancer. Other types include transitional cell carcinoma and Wilms tumor the most common appearance of this disease in children. The problem usually begins first in the tubules of the kidney and spreads from there. If left unchecked, kidney cancer can affect other systems of the body and lead to life-threatening complications.Causes and Risk FactorsDoctors are not sure exactly what causes kidney cancer, only that it starts when the cells in the kidney begin to mutate and form a tumor. There are several risk factors that have been linked to the disease, the primary of which include:Age Kidney cancer appears most often in those above 40.Gender Men are almost twice as likely as women to be affected.Heredity Those with a family history are at higher risk.SmokingObesityHigh blood pressureExposure to chemicals such as asbestos, cadmium or benzene.Long-term dialysis as part of treatment for kidney failure.Certain diseases, including Von Hippel-Lindau disease, lymphoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma.While many of these can not be controlled, one can reduce their risk by removing the factors that they are able to.Symptoms of Kidney CancerThis condition rarely produces any noticeable symptoms during its early stages, though as it progresses, some of the following signs may appear:Blood in the urinePersistent pain in the side or backWeight loss and loss of appetiteConstant fatigueAnemiaSwelling in the ankles or legsPersistent or recurring feverA noticeable lump in the side or abdomen.Most of these symptoms can be attributed to other health problems, so it can be difficult to self-diagnose kidney cancer. If multiple symptoms appear with no other explanation, one should immediately see a doctor.Treatment of Kidney CancerThe type of treatment that one receives will depend on which type of cancer he or she has, as well as their general state of health and whether or not the cancer has spread. The first line of defense is the surgical removal of either part or the entire kidney. Sometimes this can involve removing the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes as well.When surgery is not possible, there are several other options available:Embolization Blocking blood flow to "starve" the tumor.Cryoablation Freezing the cancer cells.Radiofrequency Ablation Using electric current to burn out the cancer cells.Chemotherapy Using chemicals to kill the cancer.Immunotherapy Using the body's immune system to fight the disease.Targeted Therapy Attempting to stop the cancer cells from spreading.Any of these techniques may be combined with surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible and increase the effectiveness of other treatments.Kidney cancer that is allowed to progress will eventually destroy the kidney and spread throughout the body. There are many tests which can find kidney cancer, though early detection is important to successful treatment.
Cholangiocarcinoma?
DefinitionCholangiocarcinoma is a cancerous (malignant) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.Alternative NamesBile duct cancerCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCancerous tumorsof the bile ducts are usually slow-growing and do not spread (metastasize) quickly. However, many of these tumors are already advanced by the time they are found.A cholangiocarcinoma may start anywhere along the bile ducts. These tumors block off the bile ducts.They affect both men and women. Most patients are older than 65.Risks for this condition include:Bile duct (choledochal) cystsChronic biliaryirritationHistory of infection with the parasitic worm, liver flukesPrimary sclerosing cholangitisUlcerative colitisCholangiocarcinoma is rare. It occurs in approximately 2 out of 100,000 people.SymptomsChillsClay-colored stoolsFeverItchingLoss of appetitePain in the upper right abdomen that may radiate to the backWeight lossYellowing of the skin (jaundice)Signs and testsYour health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests will be done to check for a tumor or blockage in the bile duct. These may include:Abdominal CT scanAbdominal ultrasoundCTscan-directed biopsyCytologyEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)Blood tests that may be done include:Liver function tests (especially alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin levels)TreatmentThe goal is to treat the cancer and the blockage it causes. When possible, surgery to remove the tumor is the treatment of choice and may result in a cure. If the tumor is large, the entire liver may need to be removed and a liver transplant will be needed. However, often the cancer has already spread by the time it is diagnosed.Chemotherapy or radiation may be given after surgery to decrease the risk of the cancer returning. However, the benefit of this treatment is not certain.Endoscopictherapy with stent placement can temporarily relieve blockages in the biliary ducts and relieve jaundice in patients when the tumor cannot be removed. Laser therapy combined with light-activated chemotherapy medications is another treatment option for those with blockages of the bile duct.Support GroupsYou can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group with members who share common experiences and problems (see cancer - support group).Hospice is often a good resource for patients with cholangiocarcinoma that cannot be cured.Expectations (prognosis)Completely removing the tumor allows 30 - 40% of patients to survive for at least 5 years, with the possibility of a complete cure.If the tumor cannot be completely removed, a cure is generally not possible. With treatment, about half of these patients live a year, and about half live longer.ComplicationsInfectionLiver failureSpread (metastasis) of tumor to other organsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have jaundice or other symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma.ReferencesLewis RL. Liver and biliary tract tumors. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 206.
Snoring - adults?
DefinitionSnoring is a loud, hoarse, or harsh breathing sound that occurs during sleep. ConsiderationsSnoring is common in adults. It does not necessarily mean that you have a health problem.A doctor (or sleep specialist) can tell if you have sleep apnea by doing a sleep study either at home or in a hospital.Snoring is an important social problem. People who share a bed with someone who snores can develop sleep difficulties.Common CausesIn most people, the reason for snoring is not known. Some possible causes include:Being overweight -- the extra neck tissue puts pressure on the airwaysSwelling of the tissue during the last month of pregnancyBlockage in the nose caused by a crooked, bent, or deformed nasal septum (the structure that separates the nostrils)Nasal polypsStuffed nose from a cold or allergies, especially if it lasts a long timeChanges in the mouth and throat, such as:Swelling in the roof of the mouth (soft palate) or the uvula, the piece of tissue that hangs down in the back of the mouth. These areas may also be longer than normal.Swollen adenoids and tonsils that block the airwaysPoor muscle toneA large area at the base of the tongue, or a tongue that is large compared to the mouthAbnormalities in the bones of the faceUse of sleeping pills, antihistamines, or alcohol at bedtimeSometimes snoring can be a sign of a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This means you have periods in which you completely or partly stop breathing for more than 10 seconds while you sleep.The episode is followed by a sudden snort or gasp when you start breathing again. Then you start to snore again. If you have sleep apnea, this cycle usually happens many times a night. Sleep apnea is not as common as snoring.Home CareThe following tips may help reduce snoring:Avoid alcohol and other sedatives at bedtime.Don't sleep flat on your back. Sleep on your side, if possible. Some doctors even suggest sewing a golf or tennis ball into the back of your night clothes. This causes discomfort if you roll over and helps reminds you to stay on your side. Eventually, sleeping on your side becomes a habit and you don't need to be reminded.Lose weight, if you are overweight.Try over-the-counter, drug-free nasal strips that help widen the nostrils. (These are not treatments for sleep apnea.)If your doctor has given you a breathing device, use it on a regular basis. Follow your health care provider's advice for treating allergy symptoms.Call your health care provider ifTalk to your health care provider if you have:A change in your level of attention, concentration, or memoryBeen waking up in the morning not feeling restedEpisodes of no breathing (apnea) -- your partner may need to tell you if you are snoring loudly or making choking and gasping soundsExcessive daytime drowsinessMorning headachesRecent weight gainChildren with chronic snoring should also be tested for apnea. Sleep apnea in children has been linked to growth problems, ADHD, poor school performance, learning difficulties, bedwetting, and high blood pressure. Most children who snore do NOT have apnea, but a sleep study is the only way to tell for sure.What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will ask questions to evaluate your snoring. You will also have a physical exam that focuses on your throat, mouth, and neck.Questions may include the following (some of which your partner might have to answer):Is your snoring loud?Do you snore no matter what position you are lying in, or only in certain positions?Does your own snoring ever wake you up?How often do you snore? Every night?Do you snore throughout the night?Are there episodes when you are not breathing?Do you have other symptoms like daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, insomnia, or memory loss?You may need to be referred to a sleep specialist for sleep studies.Treatment options include:Dental appliances to prevent your tongue from falling backWeight lossIf you have sleep apnea, use of a CPAP mask (a device you wear on the nose while sleeping to decrease snoring and sleep apnea)Surgical procedures on your palateSurgery to correct a deviated septum or remove tonsils (tonsillectomy)Other types of surgery involving the airwayReferencesFranklin KA, Anttila H, Axelsson S, Gislason T, Maasilta P, Myhre KI, et al. Effects and side-effects of surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea--a systematic review. Sleep. 2009;32:27-36.Friedman M, Schalch P. Surgery of the palate and oropharynx. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007 Aug;40(4):829-43.Patil SP, Schneider H, Schwartz AR, Smith PL. Adult obstructive sleep apnea: pathophysiology and diagnosis. Chest. 2007 Jul;132(1):325-37.Basner RC. Continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2007 Apr 26;356(17):1751-8.Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/31/2011Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
What is the medical term meaning surgical treatment of snoring?
According to medical term snoring is a factor of sleep deprivation. Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting creates sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. So snoring is known as sleep disordered breathing. asonor.com
