A diagnosis of breast cancer typically requires a biopsy in order to microscopically examine tissue for cancerous cells. There are several kinds of biopsies, and the type used can depend on the size of the lump, location, the number of suspicious...
The prostate is a gland near the rectum. It is a part of the male reproductive system. The prostate releases fluid that makes up a component of semen, and prevents the flow of urine during ejaculation. Prostate cancer develops when cells in the...
Brain cancer is a serious cancer that may not always be diagnosed properly. Brain cancer has symptoms, such as headaches and nausea, common to many conditions, many patients never undergo the proper diagnostic tests and receive treatment....
Breast cancer is the result of cells in the breast---either milk producing lobular cells or ductal cells---developing genetic mutations that causes the affected tissue to divide very quickly. Cryo treatment is an alternative to surgery for breast...
Skin cancer is a condition characterized by abnormal skin cell growth. It occurs most commonly on areas that are regularly exposed to the sun. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are the three most common types of skin...
Breast calcifications are deposits of the mineral calcium located in breast tissue. While breast calcifications can sometimes indicate breast cancer, most breast calcifications do not. Breast calcifications occur commonly, particularly in...
The symptoms of oral thrush are the same for both adult men and adult women, and the most easily identifiable sign of the condition is the distinctive lesions that form in the mouth and on the tongue.
Oral thrush lesions are white in color, and...
Fat necrosis of the breast is a benign condition affecting women's breasts in which fatty tissue breaks down, causing localized inflammation and swelling. Treatment can involve complete excision of the necrotic area; alternatively, the necrotic...
The prostate is a relatively small gland (about the size of a walnut) that sits at the base of the penis. The prostate is responsible for the synthesis and excretion of the fluid portion of semen. Several diseases can afflict the prostate, ranging...
For decades, advocacy groups, medical health professionals and cancer specialists have stressed the impact of early detection on cancer survival rates. While some of the data has come under scrutiny in recent years, specialists continue to refine...
Breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer are just three types of cancers among many. Although the severity and locations of these cancers vary, the foundation for treatment does not waiver because three common types of treatment are used. In...
The symptoms of sore throat and swallowing difficulty frequently overlap because of the proximity of the neck structures. The mouth opens into the throat, which leads to the voice box for air and the esophagus for food. The throat, voice box and...
Gastric cancer is another name for stomach cancer. It usually begins in the lining of the stomach, in cells that produce mucus to aid in the digestion of food. According to the American Cancer Society, the early stages of stomach cancer rarely...
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies at the base of the throat. In response to signals from the pituitary gland in the brain, the thyroid secretes hormones responsible for the body’s metabolism. These hormones control the speed...
According to the American Cancer Society, the first step in diagnosing suspected skin cancer is a visual examination of the patient. Skin cancer typically begins as a change of color, size or texture of a freckle, mole or other spot of skin that...
After a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is made, the cancer is then staged, typically during surgery, when the surgeon can see the spread and extent of the cancer and biopsy various tissues in the pelvis. The cancer is staged using the size and...
During a colonoscopy, the rectum and entire colon of patients are examined using a colonoscope, which is thin, tube-like instrument with a small camera. A colonoscope is inserted into the colon through the anus. This facilitates visual diagnosis...
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. Should you begin displaying symptoms, such as coughing up blood, shortness of breath and a chronic cough, undergo testing as...
Doctors name cancers for the organ or region where they originate. For example, diagnosing "neck cancer" isn't specific enough for a doctor to plan the best course of treatment. However, sometimes doctors can't find the origin of the cancer. If a...
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the prostate. The prostate is a gland located around the urethra between the rectum and the penis. During sexual climax, the prostate pushes semen through the urethra and out of the penis. In the...
Unlike women, there is no regular screening for breast cancer in men at average risk for breast cancer. Breast cancer in males is in general detected because the patients have some symptoms associated with breast cancer, most notably the presence...
A prostate needle biopsy is performed to detect cancer. Suspicious rectal exams or irregular blood tests often are followed by a needle biopsy. Before undergoing the test, talk to your doctor about your levels of activity and the risks associated...
If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor might want to take a biopsy of your prostate. A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is taken from an organ in order to get a closer look at cells that may be abnormal. For prostate biopsies, there...
Prostate biopsy is a common procedure. According to the American Cancer Society, every year there are roughly 900,000 of prostate biopsies performed in the United States. Prostate biopsy involves taking samples from the prostate gland of the...
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Every year, there are roughly 27,000 deaths due to prostate cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Early detection of prostate cancer can improve survival of...
The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2010, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. They further state that a biopsy is the only way to be certain that cancer is present or not. This procedure involves the physical...
Breast cancer is a progressive and potentially life-threatening disease. It is characterized by the rapid and unregulated proliferation of breast cells leading to tumor formation and invasion of neighboring tissues. Physicians can use breast...
Lymphomas are a type of cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system includes small clusters of immune cells called lymph nodes, which often become involved in lymphoma. When a patient is suspected of having a lymphoma,...
The esophagus is a tube starting at the throat and ending at the stomach. Food and liquid that is swallowed travels through this tube to get to the stomach. Cancer that starts in this tube is called esophageal cancer, which was diagnosed in more...
Vulvar cancer is a growth of malignant cells in the vulva of women. Learn more about vulvar cancer including treatments and symptoms in this medical video.
Melanoma is a serious skin cancer, generally caused by sun damage. Learn more about melanoma skin cancer in this video.
Menstrual disorders refer to any abnormality in the menstrual cycle in a woman. Get expert tips and advice on diagnosing and treating menstrual disorders in this video.