There are many medical terms that the common person does not know or understand. If you have recently been diagnosed with any form of cancer, it is important to have as much information as you can. This article will help you understand some of the more common medical terms associated with cancer. Learn these terms so when your doctor uses a technical term, you will understand what he is saying.
Being a full participant in your treatment program, as opposed to just letting doctors treat you, maximizes your chance of recovery. Avoid taking yourself away from the situation. Acting in this manner doe snot help you; however, a positive attitude will contribute to your victory over cancer.
There are many different types of tumors. These tumors can be either solid or fluid filled. Tumors occur when your neoplastic cells experience abnormal growth. Tumors can be either benign growths or malignant tumors.
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A benign growth is any tumor that is not cancerous. These growths can not metastasize because they do not contain cancer cells. There are many types of benign tumors including moles and uterine fibroids. Many benign growths do not need to be removed; while others may need to be removed especially if they are causing pain or are adversely affecting the patient.
Being your ideal weight can not only make you feel better, it can also reduce your risk of cancer. Being overweight increases your risks of getting different types of cancer. If you need to lose weight, consult a doctor to find a weight loss program that is right for you. If you are at your ideal weight, do your best to maintain this healthy status with a nutritious diet and a regular exercise routine.
Malignant tumors are tumors that contain cancer cells. These malignant tumors are generally characterized with invasiveness. Malignant growths can overtake adjacent tissue; thus, spreading the cancer even further.
Defend yourself when you need to. Plenty of people still live under false stereotypes of the "cancer patient". They may think you are unable to perform your job or may be contagious, take this chance to prove them wrong. Have a good answer planned in advance and answer them immediately. This can help you with your treatment.
Metastasis is the spread of any disease to other parts of your body. Metastatic cancer is any cancer that has started in another location and has overtaken a different location. Metastasis plays a key role in cancer stages.
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Cancer staging is used to describe the severity of your cancer. There are five stages in cancer. Stage 0 is cancer in situ. Cancer in situ, or CIS, is cancer that is still located in the site where the cancer originated. Stage 1 cancer is cancer located primarily in one site in the body. Stage 2 cancer is located in one site of the body; however, it is more advanced than Stage 1. Stage 3 cancers have advanced more than Stage 2 and has begun to inhabit nearby tissue. Lastly, Stage 4 cancer is any cancer that has spread to other organs in your body. With each increase in staging, survival rates drop.
If you don't have an open communication line with your doctor, find another one. Your doctor should available to you and not rush you or brush aside your concerns or fears. You should be able to have any and every concern addressed immediately.
Three terms that are often discussed is morbidity, morality along with survival rates. Morbidity is the percentage of people affected by a type of cancer. Morbidity can also be used to describe the adverse effects of a cancer treatment plan. Mortality is the death rate of any disease. This is the number of deaths that occur after diagnosis of a certain type of cancer. Finally, survival rate describes the percentage of people who have a type of cancer and survive the cancer and treatment for a minimum of five years.
If you, or a person whom you know, is afflicted with cancer, you have to read whatever you can on this topic. Staying confident actually benefits you a lot more than you actually think, so think positive.
There are several treatment options when it comes to battling cancer. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to combat the cancer cells. While radiation therapy uses radiation to shrink and kill the cancerous cells. Biological therapy is the newest form of cancer treatment. This type of treatment helps the body naturally fight cancer by increasing the immune system.
Try your best to act normal in every way you possibly can. Try to live life day to day, and be open when you need to make changes. Uncertainty about the future often makes it difficult to ensure that appropriate measures are in place. It's preferable and healthier to be present in the moment whenever you can.
Remission of cancer is the decrease or disappearance of symptoms and signs of cancer. If your cancer is in remission, the cancer is still present in the body; however, it is not active. Recurrence can occur at a later time.
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As this article has shown, there are many technical terms you need to learn about cancer. Cancer terminology can be difficult to understand; however, after reading this article, you should have a better understanding of the most common cancer terms.