Educational Archives - Page 2 of 3 - HHO Hunterdon Hematology Oncology

Of all the conditions that may affect you in your life, cancer is by far one of the scariest. Although many types of cancer are treatable, there are not many that have a true cure. Head and neck cancers are just two forms of cancer that may cause irreversible effects if not caught early.

Our team at Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC helps you when you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. If it’s head and neck cancer or another form, our expert team of oncologists and hematologists give you the treatment — and the care — you desperately need.

Cancers that affect your head and neck

Cancer can affect just about any part of your body, including your head and neck. They’re caused by cells that change (mutate) and grow out of control, forming masses called tumors.

When mutated cells grow in your head or neck, it may affect your throat, nose, and mouth. Your salivary glands and sinuses may also be involved. But what’s considered cancer of your head and neck? Here are some examples:

Hypopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer
Salivary gland cancer
Nasal cavity cancer

Cancer may also affect your sinuses, and is called paranasal sinus cancer. Head and neck cancers lead to several different symptoms. Knowing these symptoms may help you identify the cancer early, making it more likely to be treatable.

Symptoms to watch out for

The scary thing about cancer is it sometimes hits without real warning. One day you might be fine, and the next you notice something different. Head and neck cancers are like this as well.

The symptoms of these types of cancer are based on which part of your head or neck is affected. Whether it’s your throat or your nose, there are signs to look out for, including:

Lump in your neck
Sores that don’t heal
Sore throat that doesn’t heal
Chronic cough
Difficulty swallowing
Change in your voice
Frequent nosebleeds

Some of these signs can also be symptoms of less severe conditions like allergies or the common cold. But if you have more than one of these symptoms, or they don’t get better with conservative treatment, you should seek help at our facility as soon as possible.

But what if you could avoid these symptoms all together? Knowing what puts you at risk for head and neck cancers helps you lower your chances of this condition.

Are you at risk?

Head and neck cancers don’t just happen on their own — they’re sometimes caused by other factors that can be controlled. Although not all risk factors are controllable, knowing the ones that are help you avoid head and neck cancer altogether.

Here are six common risk factors for head and neck cancer:

1. Prolonged tobacco use

This is the number one cause of head and neck cancer. In fact, it’s linked to at least 85% of all types of head and neck cancers. Tobacco isn’t just cigarettes; it includes pipe tobacco, cigars, and chewing tobacco. Secondhand smoke also contributes to this disease.

2. Heavy alcohol consumption

Drinking large amounts of alcohol, or drinking alcohol frequently, greatly increases your risk of cancers like esophageal cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.

3. Exposure to the sun

Frequent exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays without protection may lead to skin cancer, especially on your lips. However, it may also cause skin cancer in the area of your head and neck.

4. Exposure to HPV

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is linked to certain types of head and neck cancer, especially in your mouth and throat. This is considered a sexually transmitted disease, but can be prevented through the vaccine.

5. Male gender

Men are much more likely, at least 2 to 3 times, to develop head and neck cancers than women. However, if you have other risk factors, gender may not matter as much.

6. Epstein Barr virus

This virus is best known for causing mononucleosis, also called mono. If you contract this virus, your risk of getting nasopharyngeal cancer is greatly increased.

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms or are worried about your risk of head and neck cancers, call our office in Flemington, New Jersey at 908-788-6461 to schedule an appointment with one of our amazing doctors today.

There are a lot of things that cause you to feel tired and weak; some are medical conditions, while others are lifestyle habits. One of the more common causes of fatigue is a blood disorder known as anemia. This disorder causes the tissues in your body to be deprived of oxygen, leading to multiple symptoms.

At Hunterdon Oncology and Hematology, our team specializes in many different types of blood disorders, including anemia. Our team is led by both board-certified oncologists and hematologists, who help you identify anemia and get you the treatment you need to feel yourself again.

What is anemia?

Anemia is a blood disorder caused by a low number of red blood cells, cells that carry oxygen to the tissues throughout your body. There are many different types of anemia, each with a different cause. However, a low red blood cell count is the main cause of this disorder.

When our doctors test you for anemia, they’re looking at a certain blood test called a hemoglobin and hematocrit test. Hemoglobin is a protein within your red blood cells that carries oxygen to all of the tissues in your body. If your hemoglobin is low, it means your tissues aren’t getting a good supply of oxygen. Hematocrit measures cells in a volume of blood.

It’s hard to determine if anemia is the reason you’re feeling lousy; however, there are symptoms that usually come with this disorder, including:

Dizziness
Headache
Rapid heartbeat
Cold hands or feet
Tiredness
Weakness

The symptoms you experience depend on several factors, including the severity of your anemia, and how long you’ve had it. Sometimes with mild cases, you won’t experience any symptoms at all.

Types of anemia

Although the symptoms of this condition are usually very similar, there are more than 400 different types of anemia. The type you hear about the most is due to a deficiency in iron. This type is detrimental to hemoglobin production.

The different types are split up into three categories, which include anemia due to blood loss, anemia from the destruction of red blood cells, and anemia due to decreased red blood cell production. Some of the common types of anemia include:

Aplastic
Sickle cell
Vitamin-deficient
Hemolytic

Each different type of this disorder has a different cause, but the end result is oxygen deprivation to your tissues from decreased red blood cells.

Risk factors to be aware of

There are many different risk factors for anemia, and understanding them can help you avoid this problem in some cases. Women have a higher instance of anemia due to heavy menstrual cycles or during pregnancy. Certain diets and medical conditions also come with a higher risk of developing anemia. Some of these medical conditions include:

Kidney disease
Cancer
Autoimmune disease
Liver disease
Thyroid disorder

Anemia may also be a problem if you suffer from any type of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis. Stomach ulcers also may lead to anemia, as well as prolonged use of medications like aspirin.

Although just about anyone can develop anemia, there are certain groups of people who are at higher risk. As stated before, women are more likely to suffer from anemia due to bleeding during menstruation and childbirth. Others who are also at an increased risk include:

Those over 65
Infants
Children up to 2 years
People on blood thinners

Of course, just because you fit into these categories doesn’t mean you’ll end up with anemia. However, if your risk is greater, it’s best to be followed regularly by one of our doctors to ensure early treatment, if necessary.

Treating your anemia

Treatment for anemia focuses on treating any underlying conditions that are causing your anemia. For example, if you have iron deficiency anemia, our team orders testing to see if you’re losing blood from somewhere.

On the other hand, if your anemia is caused by a nutritional deficit, our doctors recommend changing your diet. If that doesn’t work, our team prescribes dietary supplements to give your body the nutrients it needs.

We offer many other treatments, including blood transfusions and a hormone called erythropoietin that helps your body produce more blood cells. Bone marrow transplants are another possibility if other options don’t work.

If you’re experiencing symptoms and are worried they’re due to anemia, call our office in Flemington, New Jersey at 908-788-6461 to make an appointment.

There are many blood disorders out there, all of which affect your body very differently. Hemophilia is just one of these blood disorders, and it’s a very scary diagnosis if you don’t know much about it or what to expect. You may have heard things about it through the grapevine, but how do you know what’s true and what’s not?

At Hunterdon Oncology Hematology, our skilled team of doctors are experts in the care of blood disorders, and they can help you figure out a treatment plan after you’ve been diagnosed.

What is hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a disorder of the blood that results in impaired clotting. It’s usually an inherited problem, meaning someone else in your family had the same disorder. Hemophilia is under the broad umbrella of blood disorders, but its symptoms and treatment are unique to this specific problem.

Hemophilia is caused by a mutation in your genes that affects the production of clotting factors. This either means that your clotting proteins are completely missing, or they’re not working the way they should. This leads to bleeding that’s usually spontaneous, along with prolonged bleeding after an injury.

Your blood has proteins called clotting factors that allow your blood to coagulate, so you don’t bleed significantly with a minor injury. However, if you have hemophilia, your blood is deficient in either factor 8 or factor 9. These factors are vital to the ability of your blood to clot, so it leads to increased bleeding. Severity of your disorder depends on the level of these factors in your blood.

Weeding out the myths

Much like any other disorder or disease, hemophilia comes with its own misconceptions, most of which are completely false. However, if you don’t know how to pick out the myths, this disorder can seem very scary. Here are a few of the common myths associated with hemophilia, and the facts that disprove them:

Myth: Hemophilia only affects males

FACT: Although this disorder is traditionally a disease that affects boys more than girls, it doesn’t mean girls can’t have it. In fact, there are many women and girls who suffer from hemophilia, or who carry the gene for the disorder.

Myth: Hemophilia disorders are all the same

FACT: Hemophilia has two main types — either a deficiency in factor 8 or factor 9. The severity of your disorder greatly depends on which type you have. For example, if you have severe hemophilia, your clotting factors could be nearly non-existent, meaning you’re bleeding even where you can’t see it. However, in less severe cases, you might not have any symptoms until you suffer an injury.

Myth: You’ll bleed to death from a cut

FACT: This is simply not true. Hemophilia doesn’t make you bleed any quicker than someone who doesn’t have it, though you’ll definitely bleed longer than someone without the disorder. Routine care for cuts such as pressure and bandages is usually all you’ll need for a minor cut or injury.

Myth: You can’t have a normal life

FACT: You might think you can’t do the same things as everyone else if you’re dealing with hemophilia; however, this isn’t true at all. You’ll still be able to enjoy most activities such as playing sports or traveling. By working with our team of doctors, you’ll understand how to do your favorite things while still keeping yourself safe.

The truth is, although hemophilia is a scary diagnosis, you’re still able to live a normal life. Our doctors offer not only a plethora of knowledge about this disorder, but also treatment options to cut down on bleeding episodes. Treatment usually involves replacing the missing clotting factor in your blood, either prophylactically or when you end up with a cut or injury that causes bleeding.

If you’ve been diagnosed with hemophilia and would like to learn more about it, call our office in Flemington, New Jersey at 908-788-6461 to make an appointment.

Skin cancer is something everyone should be aware of over the course of a lifetime. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and it’s important to know what it looks like so you can seek medical care as soon as possible to prevent its spread.

Here at Hunterdon Hematology Oncology in Flemington, New Jersey, our expert oncologists explain the warning signs — commonly known as the ABCs of melanoma — and risk factors so you can get proper treatment in its early stages.

Melanoma isn’t common, but it spreads easily

You mostly hear about skin cancer in the summertime, but even in the fall and winter months, it’s just as important to protect your skin when you’re outside. Melanoma isn’t the most common type of skin cancer, but it can be the most dangerous type because of how quickly it can spread to other parts of your body if not treated soon enough.

There are several types of skin cancer that begin on the top layer, or epidermis, of your skin. These include:

Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma skin cancers

Melanoma skin cancer begins in the cells in your skin that normally make melanin — the tan color in your skin. These cells are called melanocytes. When you spend time in the sun or on a tanning bed, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes skin damage, which makes melanocytes produce more melanin.

If your skin absorbs too much UV radiation, or you get a bad sunburn, mutations can occur in the melanocytes that prompt these cells then grow out of control. The result is melanoma skin cancer. If not treated, melanoma may spread out of control and form a mass of cancerous cells.

Who’s at risk for melanoma?

According to the American Cancer Society, melanin helps protect the deeper layers of your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. If you’re naturally darker-skinned, you have less risk of developing melanoma, but it’s still possible. Fair-skinned people and women under age 40 are in the high-risk categories for developing melanoma.

Other risk factors include:

Family history of melanoma
Weak immune system
History of sunburns
Excessive UV radiation exposure
Having unusual moles

People who’ve lived closer to the equator or in an area of high elevation also have a greater risk of developing melanoma.

Recognizing the signs of melanoma: Know your ABCs

Melanoma typically develops on areas of your body that have the most sun exposure, such as:

Arms and legs
Face and neck
Chest and back

You can also get melanoma on the soles of your feet, palms of your hands, or even in your fingernails. When you know what to look for, you can seek treatment and decrease your risk of melanoma spreading throughout your body.

The first signs of melanoma often appear as a change to an existing mole or the development of a new, unusual-looking skin growth. The letters ABCDE can help you determine if you should seek medical care for a potential melanoma:

A is for asymmetry

Examine the moles and blemishes on your body to see what shape they are. Do you notice a mole that is asymmetrical in appearance? Melanoma could look like a mole made up of different irregular shapes.

B is for border

Do you have a mole with an irregularly shaped border? If most of the freckles and spots on your skin appear round, but you notice one that has a jagged edge, for example, that is a sign that it could be melanoma.

C is for color

A third indication of melanoma is the changing or uneven color of a mole or growth on your skin. Melanomas come in a variety of colors, including blue-black, pink, red, or brown. A melanoma may even appear white.

D is for diameter

Moles larger than a quarter-inch in diameter may be signs of melanoma. Don’t ignore the size of a mole. It’s best to get it checked out by one of our expert physicians before it continues to grow deeper into your skin.

E is for evolving

Do you notice a mole that seems to be changing over time? Changes may include color, size, and irritation, such as itching or bleeding.

Preventing melanoma and other skin cancers

While there’s no guaranteed method of completely preventing melanoma and other types of skin cancer, you can take precautions to reduce your risk. These include:

Limiting your exposure to UV rays
Wearing sunscreen all year long
Staying in the shade
Wearing a hat and sunglasses
Avoiding tanning beds

It’s a good idea to perform self-exams regularly to note any new moles, changes to your skin, and other growths that may indicate the presence of skin cancer.

If you notice anything unusual when watching for the ABCs of melanoma, schedule an exam with the expert team at Hunterdon Hematology Oncology as soon as possible, so we can evaluate your skin, diagnose any problems, and recommend an effective treatment plan. Call our office at 908-264-1798 to book an appointment today.

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition where the blood has an insufficient number of red blood cells; it occurs when there is not enough iron in the body to produce them. The body uses iron to make hemoglobin, which is the primary carrier of oxygen within red blood cells. Since red blood cells are the carriers of oxygen throughout the body, not enough oxygen reaches the tissues of the body. This results in the two most common symptoms: tiredness and lethargy (lack of energy). The primary natural sources of iron are meat, dried fruit, and some vegetables.

What Are The Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:

tiredness
lethargy (lack of energy)
shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
palpitations (irregular heartbeat)

Less common symptoms include:

tinnitus, the perception of a noise in one or both ears, such as a ringing in your ears or in your head
a sore tongue
headache
pica, a desire to eat non-food items, such as ice or clay
an altered sense of taste
difficulty swallowing
feeling itchy

You may notice additional signs of iron deficiency anemia, such as:

painful open sores in the corners of your mouth
a pale complexion
dry, flaking nails
spoon-shaped nails
an abnormally smooth tongue

What causes iron deficiency anemia?

As mentioned above, iron deficiency is a condition where the body (the blood) does not contain enough iron to effectively convey oxygen to the body’s tissues.

There are several potential causes for this condition.

Blood loss in the gastrointestinal tract.

The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is bleeding in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract). There are several causes of gastrointestinal bleeding:

Heavy, prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain-killing drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Bleeding stomach or intestinal ulcers. An ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or intestines, caused when the acid in the stomach eats into and through the stomach or intestinal lining. This can cause significant blood loss, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
Cancer. Rarely, gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by cancer of the stomach or colon.

Causes in women

The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia in women are:

Menorrhagia, which is the name for a condition whereby women experience unusually or particularly heavy menstrual bleeding over several consecutive cycles. The heaviness of the bleeding causes the overall blood level to decline, triggering iron deficiency anemia.
Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body requires extra iron to deliver the required amount of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the baby. Many women experience iron deficiency anemia because of this diversion of blood to the baby.

What complications can arise from iron deficiency anemia?

Generally, most people do not develop any serious complication from their iron deficiency anemia. But some people do, and here are the most common complications:

Tired/lethargic: Iron deficiency anemia can make you feel tired, weak and lethargic, making it more difficult to be productive and effective in the workplace. You might feel abnormally sleepy, and find it difficult to exercise normally.
Weakened immune system. Severe iron deficiency anemia can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to colds, the flu, and other illnesses, as well as infections.
Heart/lung complications. Severe anemia cases are at risk of developing tachycardia, which is an abnormally fast heartbeat, or heart failure, where the heart becomes unable to pump blood at its peak level of effectiveness. It has to work overtime to get the levels of oxygen where they should be.
Pregnancy complications. Women with severe iron deficiency anemia who become pregnant increase their risk for developing pregnancy complications during pregnancy and have a higher risk for post-natal depression.

Iron serves several very important functions in the human body. First and foremost, it is critical in the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the entire body. Second, iron is important in the maintenance of healthy cells, hair, nails, and skin.

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the level of hemoglobin in the blood is lower than normal; thus, the level of iron in the blood is significantly lower than normal. Your entire body cannot receive the amount of oxygen it requires to function effectively and normally. Among several other symptoms, iron deficiency anemia may make you tired and short of breath.

Iron deficiency anemia symptoms

Iron deficiency anemia can often be effectively treated with the simple addition of an iron supplement to your diet. However, one challenge in addressing iron deficiency anemia is that initially there may be no discernable symptoms, or the symptoms may appear to result from unrelated conditions. Because of these complications, additional tests and/or treatments for IDA may be necessary. This is particularly true if your doctor thinks that you may be bleeding internally. This is why detection and treatment of IDA may not be as simple and straightforward as taking an iron supplement. IDA symptoms can include:

Shortness of Breath
Headaches
Dizziness
Fast Heartbeat
Weakness
Brittle Nails
Chest Pain
Ice Cravings
Fatigue
Pale Skin

Symptoms cannot be used to diagnose IDA; if you are experiencing these symptoms it is important to consult with your doctor about Iron Deficiency Anemia testing and possible options for treatment.

Possible Complications of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Blood Loss

Certain cancers that lead to blood loss can lead to IDA. This is because when you lose blood you also lose iron.

Anticancer Therapies

Certain anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, can affect your red blood cells which may contribute to iron loss.

Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents

A medication that some patients may be prescribed to, to help them make red blood cells. However, erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) cause your body to use iron faster than normal. If you do not take extra iron you may develop IDA.

Inflammation

Inflammation in the body can drive up levels of hepcidin. Hepcidin is a hormone that helps regulate iron regulation. Cancer patients that experience inflammation may have trouble with iron absorption leading to IDA.

Nutrition Deficiencies

Common cancer symptoms and treatments can lead to appetite loss ultimately impacting the patient’s ability to take in food and absorb nutrients. If there is not enough iron being consumed in one’s diet it can raise the risk of developing Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment

Iron-deficiency anemia treatment will depend on its cause and severity. Treatments may include iron supplements, procedures, surgery, and dietary changes. Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require intravenous (IV) iron therapy or a blood transfusion. Iron supplements generally take several weeks or even several months to work at their full effect, so be patient and continue to take them as ordered by your doctor. Your doctor will monitor your blood iron levels throughout your course of treatment.

It is possible that iron supplements will not increase your blood’s iron levels; in that case, it is likely that the cause will require further testing, investigation, and treatment. This might involve:

Oral contraceptives that lighten menstrual blood flow
Surgery to remove a bleeding tumor, fibroid, or polyp
Antibiotics and other peptic ulcer medications
As mentioned above, if the iron deficiency is severe, treatment may require intravenous blood transfusions to quickly replace hemoglobin and blood iron.

Intravenous (IV) iron is given as well under several different situations:

When the patient doesn’t tolerate oral iron very well
Iron blood levels need to come up quickly (like at times prior to pregnancy or before or after surgery)
When iron absorption in the gut is an issue (e.g. people who have had a gastric bypass).
Not responding to iron tablets (e.g. due to chronic health conditions)
Have chronic kidney or heart failure
There are also several types of IV iron that can be taken without too many side effects.

Contact Hunterdon Hematology Oncology to learn more about iron deficiency anemia today!

At one time in the not-so-distant past, a cancer diagnosis was something close to a death sentence. That is far, far less true these days. As our understanding of the wide variety of cancers grows, and the spectrum of treatment options widens, a cancer diagnosis is no longer regarded as a death sentence. In fact, there is now a great deal of realistic hope for a long and healthy prognosis.

While we may have a ways to go in fully understanding the underlying mechanisms of cancer and in creating effective treatment options for all of them, we have in fact learned much about how cancer works, about what makes some forms of cancer more survivable than others, about what diagnosis procedures have the most promise in helping to create a near-guarantee of survival, and what treatments provide an extremely positive prognosis (estimate of outcome). Here’s a snapshot: the following table illustrates how much has changed in the cancer landscape, and what cancers are most “survivable”.

Table 1. The most survivable cancers according to the US SEER database of cancers diagnosed between 2005 and 2011.

Cancer Type	Median age at diagnosis	5-year relative survival
Skin (basal & squamous)	unknown	99.9%
Prostate	66	99%
Thyroid	50	98%
Testis	33	95%
Melanoma of the skin	63	92%
Breast (female)	61	89%
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma	38	86%
All childhood cancers	0-14	83%
All cancers (excluding skin)	65	67%

So, what are the most important factors in determining whether a particular form of cancer has a higher (or lower) rate of survivability? Let’s take a look at 3 of the top factors.

Early detection of cancer means earlier treatment and a higher cure rate

In other words, how soon do you feel sick? If unpleasant, odd or unusual cancer symptoms manifest early on in its development, it has a much higher chance of being detected early on in its growth and development. Then, it has a much higher chance of being effectively and completely treated. This is very good news.

First, if the cancer is located in a solid tumor and has not spread when detected, it can much more easily be completely removed/destroyed by the surgeon’s knife or effectively treated with some type of targeted radiation therapy.

Second, if the cancer is a blood cancer (and thus not removable by surgery), if it’s detected early on, hope is quite high for an effective treatment. Blood cancers tend to manifest unpleasant symptoms early in their life, so they tend to be detected and diagnosed early on in the process of disease progression. Again, this contributes to a high probability of very effective treatment.

The more diverse a cancer’s acquired mutations, the more resistant the cancer is to treatment

This factor overlaps with the first one to a degree. The longer a cancer progresses along undetected, the larger the number and more diverse the acquired genetic mutations that will accumulate. And in general, the greater the diversity of genetic mutations, the more likely that one or more of those mutations will prove to be resistant to non-surgical therapy.

So, early detection means more effective treatments and higher rates of survival. Cancers that are detected early on tend to have a smaller, limited number of mutations, making it more likely that a non-surgical treatment (e.g. chemotherapy) will be effective in targeting and killing the cancer cells.

Thus, earlier detection of solid-tumor cancers means a smaller degree of diversity of mutations. This means that early treatment has a greater chance of success, whether that treatment is surgery or a non-surgical treatment such as chemotherapy.

As mentioned earlier, immune system (blood) cancers tend to have unpleasant symptoms quite early in the cancer’s progression, which results in early detection. Again, this means that the cancer has had only a relatively short time (a few months to a few years) to accumulate treatment-resistant genetic mutations. And again, this means that non-surgical treatments for blood cancer such as chemotherapy have a much higher chance of success.

Indolence (slow growth) is a good thing

Certain cancers, such as prostate cancer and thyroid cancer, tend to be very slow-growing. Autopsies done in the US have shown that around 80% of men over 70 years old have some cancer living in their prostate; however, few of them died from this! Small nodules (tumors) of cancer living in the thyroid are so commonplace that they are looked upon as “normal”! Autopsy studies have shown that around 8% of the US population have minute nodules of thyroid cancer, which were not the cause of death either. All of these cancers are very slow-growing.

Let’s look at how these factors play out in several common cancers.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer has a 99.9% 5-year survival rate, and it’s not hard to understand why. First, while skin cancer is quite common, it is also very easy to remove surgically. Second, since they are on the surface of the skin, skin cancers are also quite easy to detect, early on in the progression of the cancer. Early detection means early treatment, which means a high survivability rate. Surprisingly, this includes melanomas, which are one of the most mutated forms of all the cancer types, and which spread easily to almost anywhere in the body. Yet, the overall 5-year survivability rate for skin melanomas is 98%. Again, this is due to early detection of a skin anomaly or lesion, early skin cancer diagnosis, and early skin cancer treatment (i.e. surgical removal).

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer has a 99% 5-year survivability rate. This is because prostate cancers tend to be indolent (slow-growing): they either grow very, very slowly or do not grow at all. This often results in a treatment regimen called “watch and wait,” which means frequent exams to determine if the cancer has changed in any way, such as getting larger or more aggressive. If no change is detected, nothing is done until the next exam. If any change is detected, prostate cancer treatment is generally addressed through surgery or targeted radiation therapy, such as tomotherapy.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer has a 5-year relative survival rate of 98–100 percent at stages 1 and 2. The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces hormones to support healthy bodily functions.

Most thyroid cancers grow slowly, which allows more time for treatment to take place. Even when cancer spreads into surrounding tissues in the throat, removing the thyroid gland can be an effective method of eradicating it.

Conclusion

These three cancers are just a sample of those with a greatly improving outlook for a cancer diagnosis and its ultimate prognosis. We are no longer in the dark about many of the underlying mechanisms and processes of cancer and its development, and we are learning more about them every single day. New medications, new forms of chemotherapy, new forms of radiation therapy, immunotherapies, and even more forms of treatment are just beyond the horizon. And we are here to support you in accessing these new and powerful cancer treatments.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is the name given to a group of naturally occurring substances in the body which the body can convert into hormones. The body uses vitamin D to help it utilize calcium and phosphorus in making strong, healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D also helps the immune, muscle, and nervous systems function properly. Chronically low levels of vitamin D in the body can lead to a weakening of the bones and the teeth; this condition is called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Where does Vitamin D come from?

The body naturally makes its own vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the sun. Sunshine exposure of even small but regular amounts, such as 15 minutes, only 3 times per week, is enough to allow the body to make all the vitamin D it needs. Of course, there is also the now-current knowledge that too much chronic sun exposure greatly increases the risk of skin cancers such as melanomas, so people today tend not to get enough sun to produce their own vitamin D.

Other ways to get enough vitamin D is through certain foods and supplements. Good food sources for vitamin D include salmon, steelhead trout, mackerel, catfish, herring, oysters, sardines, and eggs. The majority of vitamin D is obtained through consumption of “fortified” foods (i.e. the phrase “fortified with vitamin D” is contained somewhere on the food label) such as milk, yogurt, orange juice, and some brands of soymilk. You can also obtain a healthy level of vitamin D through dietary supplements.

Is there a relationship between Vitamin D and Cancer?

There is some data/evidence which suggests that chronically low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk for certain cancers (e.g. breast cancer), and that higher (but not too high) levels of vitamin D may inhibit the incidence or growth of certain cancers (e.g. breast cancer). However, the research study data available for all forms of cancer is not strong, and is not entirely conclusive.

Studies of cancer and tumors in mice have shown that higher levels of vitamin D may slow down or completely prevent the development of cancer. The research studies of human beings have been more inconsistent, mostly due to the focus and structure of the studies involved. Much more follow-up research will be required to firm up the data, evidence, and research conclusions; i.e. to clarify the exact nature of the relationship between vitamin D and human cancers.

You may have heard of immunotherapy, and at least understand that it represents a huge advancement in the treatment of cancer. You may also know that, in broad terms, immunotherapy works by helping the patient’s own immune system work more effectively in finding, attacking, and killing cancer cells. To learn more about what immunotherapy is, and how it works, click here.

Because immunotherapy simply trains the patient’s immune system to work more effectively, you might also think that immunotherapy has no side effects. What we are finding, however, is that that belief is incorrect. Immunotherapy does have a spectrum of side effects. Immunotherapy patients experience side effects approximately 5-10% of the time, and these cases of side effects are life-threatening around 1-2% of the time. Being forewarned is forearmed, so let’s explore the types of immunotherapy side effects that can occur.

Most common side effects: Fatigue & Inflammation

Just like other kinds of cancer treatment, fatigue is one of the most common side effects. Feelings of overall low energy, and/or becoming exhausted quickly and easily when exertion is required, are very common side effects. This kind of physical debilitation can occur within just a few weeks of commencement of treatment but can sometimes not happen until several months – or even years – have passed. Generally, this side effect tends to get better with enough passage of time. However, while this side effect does generally improve with the passage of time, you may not return 100% to your former levels of overall energy or stamina levels. There may be some lingering, low-level fatigue that remains.

Immunotherapy medications can also cause a variety of inflammations throughout the body. Skin inflammation can manifest as a rash, feeling itchy, or as pigment changes, sometimes without a rash. Inflammation of the colon may occur, causing diarrhea and/or abdominal pain. Inflammation of the lungs can occur, causing chest pain and a cough.

Rarer side effects: Diabetes, Endocrine system problems, and Hypophysitis

Side-effects that more rarely occur include development of diabetes (a chronic condition that negatively impacts how the body processes glucose, or in more severe cases, progresses to the point that the pancreas produces little-to-no insulin, the critically important hormone which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood).

Another rarely occurring side effect is damage to the body’s endocrine system, responsible for how the body produces and regulates hormones – all hormones, not just insulin. Another rare, but more concerning side effect is the inflammation of the pituitary gland, known as hypophysitis. Hypophysitis manifests in many different ways, so a definitive diagnosis requires blood work. Symptoms include headache, fever, or fatigue.

Side effects do not depend on cancer type

The side effects described above do not generally depend on the patient’s type of cancer. Rather, they depend more on the type of immunotherapy medication prescribed for cancer treatment.

Management of side effects

Research has found that the most appropriate treatment for the various side effects that occur depends on the severity of the effect. Many patients receiving immunotherapy have already received chemotherapy, so they have most likely already experienced the milder side effects like fatigue, rash, and/or cough. As a result, they have already developed the necessary coping skills and/or method of treatment for them.

When it comes to diarrhea, however, treatment approach is critical. The most highly preferred treatment approach is modification of diet. Limiting dairy products can be very important in this case. The reason that dietary changes are preferred is that anti-diarrheal medications can cause severe, even life-threatening, complications. If the diarrhea problem is severe, your doctor may recommend a temporary cessation of immunotherapy, and replacement with an immunosuppressant. This can help to reduce the inflammation behind the diarrhea to a safer level, yielding improvement in diarrheal symptoms.

Patients who develop diabetes may also require a temporary pause on the immunotherapy drugs, combined with insulin medication treatment. In any case, the temporary pause can help the body to recover, heal, and reduce the severity and/or existence of unwanted side effects. The ultimate goal, however, is to resume immunotherapy treatment; to attack and kill the tumor’s cancer cells.

Side effects have nothing to do with immunotherapy effectiveness

Patients often believe that the presence and severity of side effects is also a measure of the effectiveness of the immunotherapy treatment. This is not true. Patients whose immunotherapy treatment is highly effective often experience no side effects. This can lead them to suspect that they are only receiving a placebo medication in a secret clinical trial, or that the immunotherapy medication isn’t working at all. This is simply not true. Remember: only 5-10% of immunotherapy patients experience any side effects. So, 90-95% of immunotherapy patients have no side effects whatsoever!

Self-awareness is critical

So, the most important advice you can receive relative to the presence or absence of side effects is heightened self (and body) awareness. Pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you, right from the get-go! Make sure that your doctor, as well as your pharmacist, spend lots (and lots) of time with you, going over all the possible side-effects associated with your immunotherapy medication, and make sure you fully understand everything they are saying to you. Ask as many questions as you feel you need to and do not assume that you are a “burden” to them. After all, this is your treatment, and this is your life! You are the one whose life and well-being are being affected. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are completely comfortable with every aspect of your treatment. It is your doctor’s responsibility to ensure that you are, indeed, fully comfortable with all aspects of your treatment.

What is head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer is a collective label for cancers that develop in various areas of the head and neck. Most often they start to develop in the thin layer of moist, mucosal tissues that line the nose, throat, and mouth. These thin layers of tissue are made up of flat squamous cells. Most of the cancers that develop in these moist tissues are known as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. More uncommonly, cancer can develop in the salivary glands, but this article will focus on the squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

What causes head and neck cancers?

The two most important risk factors for developing head and neck cancer are drinking alcohol and using tobacco (in any form), particularly cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. 75% or more of head and neck cancers stem from alcohol and tobacco consumption. Also, as people get older, their risk of developing head and neck cancers increases. The majority of head and neck cancers develop in people who are older than 45. Further, head and neck cancers are more common among men. The reasons for this are not fully understood.

Another important risk factor for head and neck cancers is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is most commonly known for causing cervical cancer, among others. HPV is particularly implicated in cancers that involve the base of the tongue and the tonsils. HPV-related head and neck cancers generally have a better prognosis (chance of recovery) than those stemming from alcohol and tobacco use.

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?

As noted earlier, head and neck cancers can develop in a variety of locations. Because of this, there are also a large variety of symptoms that may indicate developing head and neck cancers. These include symptoms such as:

Difficulty and/or pain when swallowing
A lump or a sore that does not heal
A lump in the neck
A sore throat or pain in the neck that does not go away
Changes in the voice or increased hoarseness of the voice
A white or red patch on the lining of the mouth, the tongue, or the gums
Trouble breathing or speaking
Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear
Chronic sinus infections that do not respond to antibiotics
Bleeding through the nose
Frequent headaches

It is important to note, however, that these symptoms can also be associated with other, less serious conditions. So, make sure that you first consult with your primary care physician or dentist to determine whether or not your symptoms are due to a less serious, non-cancerous condition or illness.

How are head and neck cancers diagnosed?

If less serious conditions are ruled out, and your doctor suspects that head and neck cancer is possible, the first steps in diagnosing it include an evaluation of your complete medical history, and possibly of your family’s history of cancer. Next will be a detailed physical examination of the entire head and neck area, including the mouth, throat and nasal passages, and possibly other diagnostic tests will be ordered. Ultimately, however, a conclusive diagnosis of head and neck cancer will require surgical removal and examination of a small sample of tissue (a biopsy) under the microscope.

Determining how advanced the cancer is (known as the Stage) will require further studies such as X-ray, other imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT scan) or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and laboratory tests. Determining the Stage (extent) of the cancer will aid your doctor or health care team in making an appropriate, effective treatment plan recommendation.

How are head and neck cancers treated?

Appropriate treatment depends on the exact nature of the cancerous tumor, and factors unique to the individual. These factors include the size of the tumor, its exact location, the stage (extent) of the cancer, and on the individual’s general health and age. Treatments for head and neck cancer include surgery, radiation therapy/treatments, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. It will often require a combination of more than one treatment. Effective treatment generally will involve an entire team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nutritionists, and others.

What are the side effects of treatment?

The side effects of treatment for head and neck cancer depends on the type/location of the cancer, and on the type of treatment(s) followed. The most common side effects of radiation therapy can include fatigue, weight loss, difficulty and/or pain with swallowing, mouth sores, dry mouth, thickened saliva, redness and irritation. The common side effects of chemotherapy can include low blood counts, nausea, and changes or loss in taste (some foods may taste different, or be tasteless, after treatment). Loss of taste can have a negative effect on nutrition and needs to be watched carefully. Nausea generally improves soon after the chemotherapy treatments are over. Fatigue and problems with swallowing may take longer to get better.

Surgical removal of the tumor can change the patient’s ability to talk, swallow, or chew. The surgery may also cause swelling of the neck and/or face; however, the swelling generally dissipates after a few weeks. If lymph nodes were removed, this may cause additional swelling, which could last much longer. If the removed lymph nodes are in the neck, the neck and shoulder may become stiff and/or weak. If surgery includes removal of the larynx (laryngectomy) or involved other parts of the neck, the throat and neck may feel numb.

Long-term recovery requires the involvement of a competent team of medical professionals, not only in the treatment of cancer but also in managing recovery. Besides doctors, this team can include speech pathologists, dentists, dental hygienists, and dietitians/ nutritionists. They all play important roles in helping manage treatment side effects, both short and long-term. The patient may also choose to seek professional counseling and join a support group to aid in recovery.

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