Cervical Cancer
Vulvar Cancer – Information on Vulvar Cancer
Nov 25th
Vulvar cancer is a relatively rare diagnosis, representing about 5% of all gynecologic cancers, and only about 1% of all female cancers in general. There are about 3,500 new cases reported annually in the US and approximately 900 death a year attributed to this disease. The incidence of vulvar cancers has remained stable over the past two decades but the rates of precancerous lesions has more than doubled over the same period of time. The cause for the growing number of cases is not well-understood.
Vulvar cancer is most common in women over 50 years of age. Additional risk factors for vulvar cancer include having multiple sexual partners, cervical cancer, and the presence of chronic vaginal and vulvar inflammations. This typeof cancer is often associated with sexually transmitted diseases.
The vulva is the skin and fatty tissue between the upper thighs of women, from the area of the anus to about an inch below the pubic hairline. Cancer of the vulva most often affects the two skin folds (or lips) around the vagina, known as the labia.
Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer. It forms in a woman’s external genitals, called the vulva. The cancer usually develops slowly over several years. First, precancerous cells grow on vulvar skin. This is called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), or dysplasia. Not all VIN cases turn into cancer, but it is best to treat it early.
Vulvar cancer forms in a woman’s external genitalia. The vulva includes the inner and outer lips of the vagina, the clitoris (sensitive tissue between the lips), and the opening of the vagina and its glands. Vulvar cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the vulva.
At the front of the vagina, the labia minora meet to form a fold or small hood of skin called the prepuce. Beneath it lies the clitoris, an approximately ¾-inch structure of highly sensitive tissue that becomes swollen with blood during sexual stimulation. At the lower end, just beneath the vaginal opening, is the fourchette, where the labia minora meet. Beyond the fourchette is the anus, the opening to the rectum. The space between the vagina and the anus is called the perineum.
Most women with cancer of the vulva are over age 50. However, it is becoming more common in women under age 40. Women who have constant itching and changes in the color and the way the vulva looks are at a high risk to get cancer of the vulva. A doctor should be seen if there is bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation (periods), severe burning/itching or pain in the vulva, or if the skin of the vulva looks white and feels rough.
Vulvar cancer is usually treated with surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size, depth and spread of the cancer. Your doctor will review all the options for surgery and the pros and cons of each option. Some people may also need radiation therapy.
It is best treated by excision or sometimes by laser evaporation. If a large area is involved and must be removed, then a skin graft can be applied. These premalignant conditions are likely to recur after treatment so continued follow up is a necessity. Another condition that can occur on the vulva and also cause itching and soreness is called lichen sclerosis. It is not a premalignant change, but an atrophy of the skin. It will not be improved by anti-yeast medications either. It can be diagnosed by biopsy.
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Cancer Malpractice
Nov 25th
Unfortunately, these days cancer has become more and more of a commonplace disease. Almost everyone knows someone who has battled cancer or has even suffered through the disease themselves. While the cause of cancer is not always known, physicians can often effectively diagnose and treat various types of cancer. However, on those occasions when cancer is misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, a life threatening situation can develop for the patient.
Frequently Misdiagnosed Cancers
Common cancers that are frequently misdiagnosed leading to medical malpractice lawsuits include:
· Breast cancer
· Lung cancer
· Rectal cancer
· Prostrate cancer
· Cervical cancer
· Ovarian cancer
· Testicular cancer
Statistics have shown that most cases of breast cancer malpractice are due to mismanagement of medical tests. The typical problem is when the severity of the breast lump or symptom is underestimated. A delayed breast cancer diagnosis can be extremely dangerous, as a more advanced cancer is harder to treat and more likely to spread.
The importance of early detection and treatment in cancer patient is crucial to their survival. For example, an incorrect diagnosis of lung cancer is often responsible for the unnecessary removal of a lung. A delayed diagnosis can be responsible for growth of the cancer, making it much harder to treat. Accordingly, the typical lung cancer malpractice case alleges misdiagnosis via poor diagnostic methods or the mismanagement of diagnostic tests.
Grounds for Cancer Malpractice Claim
Some of the most common bases of a cancer malpractice claim include:
· The results of a test were not reported to the patient
· Failure to perform a test that would have diagnosed the cancer
· Symptoms and their causes such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel or bladder habits, nagging cough or hoarseness, a lump in a breast or an abnormal pap smear were ignored or not followed up on sufficiently by the health care professional
· Symptoms were identified but the patient was not referred to a specialist
· X-rays, mammograms or other tests were not interpreted correctly
· X-rays, mammograms or other tests were not properly administered
Failing to diagnose cancer can result in death or severe injury and is one of the leading causes of medical malpractice lawsuits. Cancer malpractice victims may be entitled to recover their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages resulting form the missed diagnosis or negligent treatment.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cancer, please contact an experienced cancer malpractice attorney today for more information.
Uterine Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Nov 25th
Uterine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.
Type of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman’s uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman’s cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.
It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman’s uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.
There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.
Diagnosing the Disease
Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.
Treatment of Uterine Cancer
The treatment of uterine cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman’s uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.
Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don’t let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!
To Your Health!
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling. Abortion Clinic.
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