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Cancer Care Center Of Decatur, 1310 14th Avenue SE, Decatur, AL (2025)

08/02/2014

Common types of benign tumours

There are many different types of benign tumours arising from different structures in the body. These are some of the most common types of benign tumours:

Adenomas are benign tumours starting in the epithelial tissue of a gland or gland-like structure. The epithelial tissue is the thin layer of tissue covering organs, glands and other structures. A common type of adenoma is a polyp in the colon. Adenomas might also grow in the liver or the adrenal, pituitary or thyroid gland.

In most cases adenomas can be removed with surgery. Although not common, this type of tumour can become malignant.

Fibromas are tumours of fibrous or connective tissue that can grow in any organ.

Another type of fibrous tissue tumour is a desmoid tumour. These tumours can cause problems by growing into nearby tissues.

Because they can cause symptoms, fibrous tissue tumours may need to be removed with surgery.

Haemangiomas are a build-up of blood vessel cells in the skin or internal organs. Haemangiomas are a common type of birthmark, often occurring in the head, neck or trunk. They may appear red or bluish in colour. Most go away on their own. Those that interfere with vision, hearing or eating may require treatment.

Lipomas grow from fat cells. They are the most common benign tumour in adults, often found in the neck, shoulders, back or arms. Lipomas are slow growing, usually round and movable, and soft to the touch. They may run in families and sometimes they result from an injury. Treatment may be needed if a lipoma is painful or growing quickly. This may include steroid injections or removal through liposuction or surgery.

Two other types of benign fat tumours are lipoblastomas, which occur in young children, and hibernomas.

Meningiomas are tumours that develop from the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. About nine out of 10 are benign. Many grow slowly, but others grow more quickly. Treatment varies depending on the location of the meningioma and the symptoms it causes. Symptoms may include headache and weakness on one side, seizures, personality changes and visual problems.

Sometimes the doctor will choose to monitor the tumour for a time. If surgery is needed, its success depends on your age, the location of the tumour and whether it is attached to anything. Radiotherapy may be used for tumours that can't be surgically removed.

Myomas are tumours that grow from muscle. Leiomyomas grow from smooth muscle, which is found in internal organs such as the stomach and uterus. They can start in the walls of blood vessels. In the wall of the uterus, leiomyomas are often called fibroids. Although not cancerous, uterine fibroids can cause heavy va**nal bleeding, bladder problems or pelvic pain or pressure. A rare benign tumour of skeletal muscle is rhabdomyoma. These tumours may be simply watched. To address symptoms, they may be shrunk with medication or removed with surgery.

Naevi (moles) are growths on the skin. They can range in colour from pink and tan to brown or black. You may develop new moles until you are about 40 years old. Moles that look different than ordinary moles (dysplastic naevi) may be more likely to develop into a type of skin cancer (malignant melanoma). For this reason it is important to have your skin checked by a healthcare professional if you notice a change. This is especially true if your moles look unusual, grow or change in shape, have irregular borders or change in colour or change in any other way. Sometimes it is necessary to remove a mole like this to check it for signs of cancer.

Neuromas grow from nerves. Two other types of nerve tumours are neurofibromas and schwannomas. These benign nerve tumours can occur almost anywhere in nerves that run throughout the body. Neurofibromas are more common in people with an inherited condition called neurofibromatosis. Surgery is the most common type of treatment for benign nerve tumours.

Osteochondromas are the most common type of benign bone tumour. These tumours usually appear as a painless bump or bumps near the joint such as the knee or shoulder. Often, the doctor will simply monitor this benign tumour with X-rays. Surgery may be needed if the tumour causes symptoms such as pain or pressure on nerves or blood vessels.

Papillomas are tumours that grow from epithelial tissue and project in finger-like fronds. They can grow in the skin, cervix, breast duct or mucous membrane covering the inside of the eyelid (conjunctiva), for example. These tumours can result from direct contact with an infection such as human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of papillomas go away on their own. In some cases surgery is needed to rule out cancer.

08/01/2014

What are Benign Tumors?

Benign tumors are noncancerous growths in the body. Unlike cancerous tumors, they do not spread to other parts of the body.

Benign tumors can form anywhere in the body. If you discover a lump or mass in your body that can be felt from the outside, it’s normal that you might immediately assume it is cancerous. For instance, women who find lumps in their breasts during self-examinations may become alarmed. However, most breast growths are benign. And, in fact, many growths throughout the body are benign.

Causes of benign tumours

What causes a benign tumour to form? Often the cause is unknown, but the growth of a benign tumour might be linked to:

Environmental toxins such as exposure to radiation
Genetics
Diet
Stress
Local trauma or injury
Inflammation or infection

07/31/2014

What is Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus — a long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. Your esophagus carries food you swallow to your stomach to be digested.

Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus, but in people in the United States, it occurs most often in the lower portion of the esophagus. More men than women get esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer isn't common in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Asia and parts of Africa, esophageal cancer is much more common.

Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Weight loss without trying
Chest pain, pressure or burning
Worsening indigestion or heartburn
Coughing or hoarseness

07/30/2014

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Often during the early stages people may experience no symptoms at all. That is why women should have regular cervical smear tests.
The most common symptoms are:
Bleeding between periods
Bleeding after s*xual in*******se
Bleeding in post-menopausal women
Discomfort during s*xual in*******se
Smelly va**nal discharge
Vaginal discharge tinged with blood
Pelvic pain

What are the causes of cervical cancer?
Cancer is the result of the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. Most of the cells in our body have a set lifespan; when they die new cells are produced to replace them. Abnormal cells can have two problems: 1. They don't die. 2. They continue dividing. This results in an excessive accumulation of cells which eventually form a lump - a tumor. Scientists are not completely sure why cells become cancerous. However, there are some risk factors which are known to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. These risk factors include:
HPV (human papilloma virus)

Human papilloma virus infection is a s*xually transmitted virus. There are over 100 different types of HPVs - 15 types can cause cervical cancer; probably 99% of them. In addition there are a number of types which can cause ge***al warts. It is estimated that HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cases cervical cancer while HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of ge***al warts.

Other HPV types can cause cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) - the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix.

Many s*xual partners, becoming s*xually active early

Cervical cancer-causing HPV types are nearly always transmitted as a result of s*xual contact with an infected individual. Women who have had many s*xual partners generally have a higher risk of becoming infected with HPV, which raises their risk of developing cervical cancer. There is also a link between becoming s*xually active at a young age and a higher risk of cervical cancer.

If a woman develops cervical cancer it does not mean she had several s*xual partners, or became s*xually active earlier than most other females. It is just a risk factor. Women who only ever had one s*xual partner can develop cervical cancer.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of developing many cancers, including cervical cancer.

Weakened immune system

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, or transplant recipients taking immunosuppressive medications have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

Certain genetic factors

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University found that women with certain gene variations appear to be protected against cervical cancer.

Long-term mental stress

A woman who experiences high levels of stress over a sustained period may be undermining her ability to fight off HPV and be at increased risk of developing cervical cancer it can cause, scientists at the Fox Chase Cancer Center reported.

Giving birth at a very young age

Women who gave birth before the age of 17 are significantly more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women who had their first baby when they were aged 25 or over.

Several pregnancies

Women who have had at least three children in separate pregnancies are more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women who never had children.

Contraceptive pill

Long-term use of the contraceptive pill slightly raises a woman's risk.

Other s*xually transmitted diseases (STD)

Women who become infected with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina found that HPV infections last longer if Chlamydia also is present.

Socio-economic status

Studies in several countries have revealed that women in deprived areas have significantly higher rates of cervical cancer, compared to women who live in other areas. Studies have also found higher rates in women of working age in manual jobs, compared to women in non-manual jobs. The most likely reason is a difference in the proportion of women who have regular screening. Scientists at King's College London found that some areas in South East England had rates that were three times higher than neighbouring areas.

07/29/2014

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles.

The testicles (also called te**es or go**ds) are a pair of male s*x glands. They produce and store s***m and are the main source of testosterone (the major male hormone) in men. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male physical characteristics. The testicles are located under the p***s in a sac-like pouch called the sc***um.

Based on the characteristics of the cells in the tumor, testicular cancers are classified as seminomas or nonseminomas. Other types of cancer that arise in the testicles are rare and are not described here. Seminomas may be one of three types: classic, anaplastic, or s***matocytic. Types of nonseminomas include choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumors. Testicular tumors may contain both seminoma and nonseminoma cells.

What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?

The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known. However, studies have shown that several factors increase a man's chance of developing this disease.

Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): Normally, the testicles descend from inside the abdomen into the sc***um before birth. The risk of testicular cancer is increased in males with a testicle that does not move down into the sc***um. This risk does not change even after surgery to move the testicle into the sc***um. The increased risk applies to both testicles.
Conge***al abnormalities: Men born with abnormalities of the testicles, p***s, or kidneys, as well as those with inguinal hernia (hernia in the groin area, where the thigh meets the abdomen), may be at increased risk.
History of testicular cancer: Men who have had testicular cancer are at increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.
Family history of testicular cancer: The risk for testicular cancer is greater in men whose brother or father has had the disease.

How is testicular cancer detected? What are symptoms of testicular cancer?

Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves. Also, doctors generally examine the testicles during routine physical exams. Between regular checkups, if a man notices anything unusual about his testicles, he should talk with his doctor. Men should see a doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms:

a painless lump or swelling in a testicle
pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the sc***um
any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels
a feeling of heaviness in the sc***um
a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin
a sudden collection of fluid in the sc***um

07/28/2014

Melanoma :-
Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body. They most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms and face. Melanomas can also occur in areas that don't receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of your feet, palms of your hands and fingernail beds. These hidden melanomas are more common in people with darker skin.

The first melanoma signs and symptoms often are:

A change in an existing mole
The development of a new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on your skin
Melanoma doesn't always begin as a mole. It can also occur on otherwise normal-appearing skin.

Normal moles

Normal moles are generally a uniform color — such as tan, brown or black — with a distinct border separating the mole from your surrounding skin. They're oval or round and usually smaller than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters) in diameter — the size of a pencil eraser.

Most people have between 10 and 45 moles. Many of these develop by age 40, although moles may change in appearance over time — some may even disappear with age.

Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma

To help you identify characteristics of unusual moles that may indicate melanomas or other skin cancers, think of the letters ABCDE:

A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders — characteristics of melanomas.
C is for changes in color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters).
E is for evolving.
Other suspicious changes in a mole may include:

Itching
Oozing or bleeding
Cancerous (malignant) moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all of the changes listed above, while others may have only one or two unusual characteristics.

Hidden melanomas

Melanomas can also develop in areas of your body that have little or no exposure to the sun, such as the spaces between your toes and on your palms, soles, scalp or ge***als. These are sometimes referred to as hidden melanomas because they occur in places most people wouldn't think to check. When melanoma occurs in people with darker skin, it's more likely to occur in a hidden area.

Hidden melanomas include:

Melanoma under a nail. Acral lentiginous melanoma is a rare form of melanoma that can occur under a fingernail or toenail. It can also be found on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. It's more common in blacks and in other people with darker skin pigment.
Melanoma in the mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract or va**na. Mucosal melanoma develops in the mucous membrane that lines the nose, mouth, esophagus, a**s, urinary tract and va**na. Mucosal melanomas are especially difficult to detect because they can easily be mistaken for other far more common conditions.
Melanoma in the eye. Eye melanoma, also called ocular melanoma, most often occurs in the uvea — the layer beneath the white of the eye (sclera). An eye melanoma may cause vision changes and may be diagnosed during an eye exam.

07/27/2014

What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a cancer that starts in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of skull. To understand nasopharyngeal cancer, it helps to know about the structure and function of the nasopharynx.

Signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer
About 3 out of 4 people with NPC complain of a lump or mass in the neck when they first see their doctor. There may be lumps on both sides of the neck towards the back. The lumps are usually not tender or painful. This is caused by the cancer spreading to lymph nodes in the neck, causing them to become larger than normal. (Lymph nodes are glands or organs that contain collections of immune system cells that are found throughout the body. Normally, they are smaller than the size of a pea.)

Other possible symptoms of NPC include:

Hearing loss, ringing in the ear, or feeling of fullness in the ear (especially on one side only)
Ear infections that keep coming back
Nasal blockage or stuffiness
Nosebleeds
Headache
Facial pain or numbness
Trouble opening the mouth
Blurred or double vision

07/26/2014

What is neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body. Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys. However, neuroblastoma can also develop in other areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and near the spine, where groups of nerve cells exist.

Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children age 5 or younger, though it may rarely occur in older children.

Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma vary depending on what part of the body is affected.

Neuroblastoma in the abdomen — the most common form — may cause signs and symptoms such as:

Abdominal pain
A mass under the skin that isn't tender when touched
Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea
Swelling in the legs
Neuroblastoma in the chest may cause signs and symptoms such as:

Wheezing
Chest pain
Changes to the eyes, including drooping eyelids and unequal pupil size
Other signs and symptoms that may indicate neuroblastoma include:

Lumps of tissue under the skin
Eyeballs that seem to protrude from the sockets (proptosis)
Dark circles, similar to bruises, around the eyes
Back pain
Fever
Unexplained weight loss
Bone pain

Causes of Neuroblastoma

In general, cancer begins with a genetic mutation that allows normal, healthy cells to continue growing without responding to the signals to stop, which normal cells do. Cancer cells grow and multiply out of control. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor).

Neuroblastoma begins in neuroblasts — immature nerve cells that a fetus makes as part of its development process.

As the fetus matures, neuroblasts eventually turn into nerve cells and fibers and the cells that make up the adrenal glands. Most neuroblasts mature by birth, though a small number of immature neuroblasts can be found in newborns. In most cases, these neuroblasts mature or disappear. Others, however, form a tumor — a neuroblastoma.

It isn't clear what causes the initial genetic mutation that leads to neuroblastoma.

07/25/2014

Thyroid cancer symptoms

Not all thyroid cancers produce symptoms. When symptoms do occur they may consist of:

lumps or nodules in front of the neck (single or multiple)
enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
problems with swallowing
hoarseness or voice changes
pain or discomfort in the neck
chronic cough

What are the causes of thyroid cancer?What is cancer? - cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function. Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign.

More dangerous, or malignant, tumors form when two things occur:
a cancerous cell manages to move throughout the body using the blood or lymph systems, destroying healthy tissue in a process called invasion
that cell manages to divide and grow, making new blood vessels to feed itself in a process called angiogenesis.

07/24/2014

Learn About Breast Cancer
Whether you’re worried about developing breast cancer, making decisions about treatment, or trying to stay well after treatment, we can help. Find detailed information in our Detailed Guide, or get a shorter, simpler version in our Overview Guide.
Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Staying at a healthy weight, being physically active, and limiting how much alcohol you drink can help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Regular screening can often find breast cancer early when treatments are more likely to be successful.
Breast Cancer Treatment and Support
If you are facing breast cancer, we can help you learn about your treatment options and possible side effects, and point you to information and services to help you get through treatment and live well afterward.
Explore Breast Cancer Research
The American Cancer Society is committed to relentlessly pursuing the answers that will save lives from breast cancer. In fact, the Society has been a part of nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough in recent history.

07/23/2014

Age, diet, and stomach disease can affect the risk of developing gastric cancer.

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors for gastric cancer include the following:

Having any of the following medical conditions:
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection of the stomach.
Chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach).
Pernicious anemia.
Intestinal metaplasia (a condition in which the normal stomach lining is replaced with the cells that line the intestines).
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or gastric polyps.
Eating a diet high in salted, smoked foods and low in fruits and vegetables.
Eating foods that have not been prepared or stored properly.
Being older or male.
Smoking ci******es.
Having a mother, father, sister, or brother who has had stomach cancer.
Symptoms of gastric cancer include indigestion and stomach discomfort or pain.

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by gastric cancer or by other conditions.

In the early stages of gastric cancer, the following symptoms may occur:

Indigestion and stomach discomfort.
A bloated feeling after eating.
Mild nausea.
Loss of appetite.
Heartburn.
In more advanced stages of gastric cancer, the following signs and symptoms may occur:

Blood in the stool.
Vomiting.
Weight loss for no known reason.
Stomach pain.
Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin).
Ascites (build-up of fluid in the abdomen).
Trouble swallowing.
Check with your doctor if you have any of these problems.

Tests that examine the stomach and esophagus are used to detect (find) and diagnose gastric cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
Blood chemistry studies : A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.
Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:
The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.
The portion of the sample made up of red blood cells.
Upper endoscopy : A procedure to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine) to check for abnormal areas. An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is passed through the mouth and down the throat into the esophagus.

07/22/2014

What Is Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus — a long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. Your esophagus carries food you swallow to your stomach to be digested.

Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere along the esophagus, but in people in the United States, it occurs most often in the lower portion of the esophagus. More men than women get esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer occurs when cells in your esophagus develop errors (mutations) in their DNA. The errors make cells grow and divide out of control. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor in the esophagus that can grow to invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body.

Types of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is classified according to the type of cells that are involved. The type of esophageal cancer you have helps determine your treatment options. Types of esophageal cancer include:

Adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma begins in the cells of mucus-secreting glands in the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma occurs most often in the lower portion of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of esophageal cancer in the United States, and it affects primarily white men.
Squamous cell carcinoma. The squamous cells are flat, thin cells that line the surface of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs most often in the middle of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent esophageal cancer worldwide.
Other rare types. Rare forms of esophageal cancer include choriocarcinoma, lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma and small cell cancer.

Signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer include:

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Weight loss without trying
Chest pain, pressure or burning
Worsening indigestion or heartburn
Coughing or hoarseness
Early esophageal cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms.

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