Nuclear Oncology

Archive for the ‘Cancer Treatments’ Category

The effective cancer treatment is a two-pronged attack: first, the affected cells and destroys the other leaves of metastasis (spread to other body parts). A complete treatment should begin in the first stage only if it is not, as soon as detected to stop the damage to adjacent tissues. In this sense, the most effective treatment is surgery, which uproots the cancer cells of the roots, be careful that the remaining possibilities are adequately addressed.

Types of treatment

Surgery and treatment of cancer operate together, trying to relieve pain and stop its spread, thus avoiding complications.

Prophylactic surgery: In simplest terms, preventive surgery is a procedure which involves removal of body tissue to prevent metastasis.

Staging Surgery: This is similar to surgical diagnosis / biopsy and determines how far the cancer has affected the body. The procedure is more accurate than laboratory tests or imaging studies.

Curative surgery: We try to remove an entire tumor from an affected area

De-bulking/Cyto-reductive Surgery: This is when no curative surgery involves removing most of a tumor, which increases their susceptibility to radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Palliative Surgery: This is not to cure cancer but to relieve pain and complications in the advanced stages of cancer.

Support / Combined surgery: Comes as a treatment for existing cancer needs additional support, such as a catheter to deliver chemotherapy.

Reconstructive surgery: O, reconstructive surgery, this form does resume before the warp created by the cancer, not just an antique look, but also functionality. For example, breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Radiation: radiation therapy, palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and reduce suffering, uses high energy x-rays, gamma rays and charged particles to reduce malignant tumors, killing cancer cells.

The Pap test (named after the Greek physician who described it) is making by brushing and a wooden spatula between cells of the endocervix (inside the cervix), the ectocervix (outside of the cervix) and posterior vaginal background (hence also called the triple shot).

Cell samples are placed on a slide (glass) and fixed with a solution-type hair spray, to be preserved and sent to a laboratory expert in cellular assays (histologist) that by means of staining and microscopic examination determines the hormonal status of the cells received, the components (inflammatory cells, some cell infectious, etc.) and whether any cellular alteration in the smear analysis.
The primary objective of the Pap test is early diagnosis of cellular alterations that lead to cancer of the cervix, allowing us to take preventive action to avoid the development and consequences of the second gynecological cancer (the first is that of the breast).
According to this analysis gives a summary report that after many attempts to rank for all physicians, gynecologists and histologists the world mean the same thing (not easy), is as follows:

1. SMEAR NORMAL: no phones or inflammatory disorders.
2. ASCUS: Atypical cellular disorders but undefined (not cancer cells, but they are not normal).
3. LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion grade), bone, cancer cells altered in meaning, but low grade.
4. HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion grade). bone, cancer cells still localized and not visible to the naked eye.
5. Carcinoma: cancer cells, and possibly macroscopically visible (the eye)

Who and when to do Pap smear?

All women from the start of their sex should be made systematically at least once a year (sometimes at 2 years, even after menopause three years) a smear of control. The test frequency is decided by the gynecologist as the patient’s personal history (infections, history, etc)

(Personal note: do not be afraid to do it than if done with a little care and damages does not give any “pinch” to make it)