Category Archives: Brain cancer

Integrative Addiction Medicine

Recurrent breast cancers

January 19, 2018

Recurrent breast cancers causes: The remnants of cancer cells

Recurrent breast cancers

Recurrent breast cancers causes will becomes evident when cells that were part of the patient’s original breast cancer break away from the original tumor

Recurrent breast cancers causes will becomes evident when cells that were part of the patient’s original breast cancer break away from the original tumor and hide nearby in the breast or in another part of the body. By and by, these cells multiplies again. All the treatment procedures like chemotherapy, radiation or hormone therapy you underwent during the first breast cancer diagnosis was intended to kill all cancer cells that may have remained after surgery. However, sometimes these treatments aren’t able to kill all of the cancer cells leaving some remnants. This is because there are certain cancer cells which can remain dormant over the years without causing harm. These dormant cells can be triggered gets activated causing them to grow rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. Why this happens, is yet to be established scientifically.

Recurrent breast cancer causes: Risk factors

For breast cancer survivors, factors that increase the risk of a recurrence include:

Lymph node involvement. Finding cancer in nearby lymph nodes at the time of your original diagnosis increases your risk of the cancer coming back. Women with many affected lymph nodes have a higher risk.

Larger tumor size. Women with larger tumors have a greater risk of recurrent breast cancer.

Positive or close tumor margins. During breast cancer surgery, the surgeon removes the cancer along with a small portion of the normal tissue surrounding it. A pathologist then examines the edges of the tissue looking for cancer cells. When the borders are free of cancer from the examination result, then we have a negative margin. However, if there are some cancer cells, it is a positive margin. In this case the risk of breast cancer recurrence is increased.

Lack of radiation treatment following lumpectomy. Most female patients who choose lumpectomy for breast cancer undergo breast radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Those who don’t undergo the radiation therapy have an increased risk of local breast cancer recurrence.

Younger age. Women below age 35 at the time of their original breast cancer diagnosis, face a higher risk of recurrent breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer. Women with inflammatory breast cancer have a higher risk of local recurrence.

Cancer cells with certain characteristics. If the breast cancer wasn’t responsive to hormone therapy or treatments directed at the HER2 gene (triple negative breast cancer), you may have an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Recurrent breast cancer causes: Prevention

Treatments that have been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence include:

  • Targeted therapy. For women whose cancer makes extra HER2 protein, the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin) can decrease the chance of the cancer recurring.
  • Radiation therapy. Women who’ve had a breast-sparing operation to treat their breast cancer and those who had a large tumor or inflammatory breast cancer have a lower chance of the cancer recurring if they’re treated with radiation therapy.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight may help decrease the risk of recurrent breast cancer.
  • Hormone therapy. Women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer may reduce their risk of recurrent breast cancer by taking hormone therapy after their initial treatment.
  • Regular exercise may reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence.
  • For women with breast cancer who have an increased risk of cancer recurrence, chemotherapy has been shown to decrease the chance that cancer will recur, and those who receive chemotherapy live longer.

Recurrent breast cancers causes: The remnants of cancer cells

 

 

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Invasive lobular carcinoma breast

January 18, 2018

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Breast : The milk producing glands

Invasive lobular carcinoma breast

Invasive lobular carcinoma breast. It begins when cells in milk-producing glands of the breast develop mutations in the patient DNA

Invasive lobular carcinoma breast is a type of breast cancer whose origin can be traced from the milk producing glands (lobules) of the breast. It simply means that the cancer cells have broken out of their formation point from the lobule where and have the greater potential of spreading to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center explains that the Invasive lobular carcinoma makes up a small portion of all breast cancers. Normally, most of the well-known types of breast cancer starts from the breast ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Naturally, this type of cancer does not form a lump as is common with other breast cancers. On the contrary, there will be some changes on the breast that feels like a thickening or fullness in one part of the breast which is different from the surrounding breast tissue.

Invasive lobular carcinoma breast: Symptoms

In the earliest stages of its formation, invasive lobular carcinoma it may not be easy to identify some signs and symptoms however, as it continues to grow, the following may become evident:

  • An area of thickening in part of the breast
  • A new area of fullness or swelling in the breast
  • A change in the texture or appearance of the skin over the breast in the texture of an orange peels
  • A newly inverted nipple

Invasive lobular carcinoma is less likely than other forms of breast cancer to cause a firm or distinct breast lump.

Invasive lobular carcinoma breast: When to see a doctor

Whenever you’re feeling strange in your body and having noticed some signs and symptoms, waste no time in seeking an appointment with your doctor. Depending on your condition, it is possible that the doctor will perform an examination to determine whether you need a diagnostic mammogram or a breast ultrasound. While at the doctor’s office, enquire from him/her to begin screening tests for breast cancer. This is essential in early detection of cancer way ahead even before the seeing any signs or symptoms. Routine test screening include a physical exam and a breast X-ray (mammogram).

And for those with a history of breast cancer or other factors that may increase risks of breast cancer in their lineage, experts are likely to recommend beginning screening mammograms or other tests at an earlier age. Like many other experts’, doctor Akoury is in agreement that invasive lobular carcinoma begins when cells in milk-producing glands of the breast develop mutations in the patient DNA. The mutations lead to the inability to control cell growth, which results in the cells dividing and growing rapidly. Depending on the aggressiveness of the cancer type, the cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. Lobular carcinoma cells has a characteristic of invading the surrounding breast tissue taking the shape of a star. The affected area may have a different feel from the surrounding breast tissue, more like a thickening and fullness without necessarily feeling like a lump. If you have any concerns about this disease, you may want to schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury today for further professional advice.

Invasive lobular carcinoma breast: The milk producing glands

 

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Toxic mold your silent killer

Inflammatory breast tumor

January 17, 2018

Inflammatory breast tumor: Blocking the lymphatic vessels

Inflammatory breast tumor

Inflammatory breast tumor symptoms are liken to the orange skin

Inflammatory breast tumor or cancer develops rapidly causing the affected breast to turn red, swollen and tender. It is a rare type of breast cancer in most patients. It will be experienced when cancer cells block the lymphatic vessel on the breast skin thereby causing the said characteristics. This type of cancer is known to be a locally advanced cancer because of its ability of spreading from its original location to the nearby tissues and even to the lymph nodes. According to the experts at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center, this disease (cancer) can easily be mistaken for a breast infection. Breast infections are commonly known for causing the redness and welling of the breast. This is a serious problem, and the moment you notice these signs, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Besides these, there are several other signs and symptoms as discussed below.

Inflammatory breast tumor: Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:

  • Unfamiliar warmth the affected breast
  • Thickness, heaviness or visible enlargement of one breast
  • Tenderness, pain or aching
  • Rapid and consistent changes in the appearance of one breast, over the course of several weeks
  • The nipple turning inward and flattening
  • Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
  • Discoloration, giving the breast a red, purple, pink or bruised appearance
  • Dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast, similar to an orange skin

In most cases the inflammatory breast cancer unlike other types of cancer, doesn’t form a lump.

Inflammatory breast tumor: When is it appropriate to see a doctor?

Whereas people should go for regular screening, it is important that as soon as you notice these signs and symptoms, you will need to seek an appointment with your doctor right away. Besides these facts, it is worth noting that the other more common conditions have signs and symptoms resembling those of inflammatory breast cancer. A breast injury or breast infection (mastitis) may cause redness, swelling and pain.

And like we had mention before, inflammatory breast cancer can easily be mistaken with a breast infections which are very common. At this stage, treatment may be administered using antibiotics for a week or so, and if the symptoms respond to antibiotics, then additional testing won’t be necessary. However, where the redness does not improve, a more serious cause like inflammatory breast cancer may be investigated by your doctor. Finally doctor Akoury reiterates that, for those who may have been treated for breast infection before, if their symptoms doesn’t improve a mammogram or other test to evaluate such signs and symptoms is highly recommended. But in doing all these, we must appreciate that the best way of determine if such symptoms are caused by inflammatory breast cancer is to do a biopsy to remove a sample of tissue for testing. We appreciate that this disease come with great shock and many suffer more form the shock than even the cancer cells. We would want to help you go through the whole exercise if only you can let us know your struggles.

Inflammatory breast tumor: Blocking the lymphatic vessels

 

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autologous stem cell

Inflammatory breast cancer

January 17, 2018

Inflammatory breast cancer: Blocking the lymphatic vessels

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer causes may not be known, but the risk factors are evident

Like it is with many other cancer, it’s not clear what causes inflammatory breast cancer. Experts across the globe are aware that the genesis of inflammatory breast cancer comes with the formation of an abnormal cell in one of the breast’s ducts. Mutations within the abnormal cell’s DNA facilitates its rapid growth and multiplying into several cells uncontrollably. Scientifically, doctor Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center adds that, the numerous abnormal cells penetrate and obstruct the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast. The obstruction or blockage in the lymphatic vessels causes red, swollen and dimpled skin which is a classic sign of inflammatory breast cancer.  So what are the risks factors?

Inflammatory breast cancer: Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of inflammatory breast cancer include:

Being a woman – Women are more vulnerable and are likely to be diagnosed with this type of cancer than men nevertheless, this doesn’t exempt men from develop inflammatory breast cancer.

Black skin – Black women have a higher risk of this disease than do white women.

Being obese – Weight management is important as it reduces the risks. Obese and overweight people have higher risk of contracting this disease compared with those of normal weight.

Inflammatory breast cancer: Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose inflammatory breast cancer include:

  • Physical exam – during your regular checkups, your doctor examines the breast to ascertain signs like decolonization of the breast to redness.
  • Imaging tests – the doctor may recommend a breast X-ray (mammogram) or a breast ultrasound primarily to look for signs of cancer in your breast like thickened skin. Additional imaging tests like MRI, may be recommended in certain situations.
  • Removing a sample of tissue for testing – a small sample of the affected area of the breast is removed for testing through a procedure known as biopsy. The tissue is analyzed in a laboratory to look for signs of cancer. A skin biopsy may also be helpful, and this can be done at the same time as a breast biopsy.

Inflammatory breast cancer: Determining the extent of the cancer

To ascertain this, more tests becomes necessary. Knowing the extent of the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes or to other areas of your body is essential for treatment. Such tests may include a CT scan, positron emission tomography (PET) scan and bone scan. Nonetheless, some tests may not be necessary and therefore, your doctor will identify the most relevant for each patient. Finally, it is out of these tests results that your doctor will determine the stage of cancer and with such information, he/she will be able to put you in the right treatment. And whichever treatment your doctor settles on, you will need all the support from your loved ones and friends. A good health facility to make the treatment friendly. In your quest of looking for the right facility, you can talk to us at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center for real time solutions.

Inflammatory breast cancer: Blocking the lymphatic vessels

 

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Breast cancer symptoms

January 16, 2018

Breast cancer symptoms and signs: What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer symptoms

Breast cancer symptoms. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor which is a collection of cancer cells arising from the cells of the breast.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor which is a collection of cancer cells arising from the cells of the breast. Although breast cancer mainly take place in women, it can also affect men. But for the purpose of this article, we are going to focus on women breast cancer beginning with the symptoms. Identifying breast cancer symptoms is not always immediate since breast cancer rarely show indications of signs and symptoms. It is possible for women have every cancers without the production of masses that can be felt or yields recognized changes in the breast. However, when symptoms appears, it will be a lump or mass in the breast which is always the most common symptom. Nonetheless, and according to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, besides the lump, there are other possible symptoms including:

  • Swelling of part of the breast.
  • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
  • Nipple discharge or redness,
  • Changes in the skin such as puckering or dimpling,
  • Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
  • A newly reversed nipple
  • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue

The use of screening mammography becomes necessary to detect any formation of cancer in good time. The difficulty in reorganizing early symptoms and signs of breast cancer is not limited to small breast cancer but extends to even the larger breast cancers. And as has been stated, when they do appear, the most common symptom is a lump or mass in the breast or underarm area says doctor Akoury. And though not so common, we have some types of cancers known as inflammatory breast cancers that are likely to produce redness and warmth of the affected breast. Breast pain is also not a typical symptom, but breast or nipple pain may occur in certain cases.

Breast cancer symptoms and signs: Breast cancer causes and risk factors

In understanding this point, it is true that we have several risk factors that can increase the chances of developing breast cancer, it is important to appreciate that, the exact reason for cancer development is not known scientifically. However, factors like family history of breast cancer and the presence of certain inherited genes like BRCA1, BRCA2 can increase the risk for developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer symptoms and signs: Available statistics on male breast cancer

Breast cancer is rare in men. Like for instance, only an approximately of 2,400 new cases are diagnosed per year in the U.S. which typically has a significantly worse outcome. This is partially related to the often late diagnosis of male breast cancer, when the cancer has already spread. Symptoms are similar to the symptoms in women, with the most common symptom being a lump or change in skin of the breast tissue or nipple discharge. Although it can occur at any age, male breast cancer usually occurs in men over 60 years of age. And because we care about your health, AWAREmed health center doors are open for you at any time for further consultation with our experts.

Breast cancer symptoms and signs: What is breast cancer?

 

 

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