The largest organ in every animal is the liver. When it comes to humans, 30 out of 100,000 people are affected by liver cancer. Liver cancer is of two types. Cancer that begins in the liver is known as primary hepatic cancer. Cancer that has begun elsewhere and has spread itself to the liver is known as metastasis. The most common type of liver cancer that affects humans is Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The other types of liver cancer are very rare.
Causes
The main function of the liver is to filter the blood that passes through it. The liver removes toxins from the bloodstream and also absorbs important nutrients. Liver cancer is usually caused by birth defects, over consumption of alcohol, cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hemochromatosis which is a condition where there is a lot of iron in the liver. Liver cancer is also associated with obese people. It is found that for almost as half of the people affected with liver cancer, the main reason is over consumption of alcohol. Also for smokers, when the bloodstream is infected with toxic chemicals and herbicides, there is a very large chance to develop liver cancer. Also there a special type of cancer-causing substance known as Aflatoxins, which can rarely infect wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. The factors that influence an individual getting liver cancer are:
Gender: Men are more likely to get liver cancer than women.
Obesity: Obesity is the main reason for liver cancer.
Ethnicity: Liver cancer among Asian-Americans are more common than other races.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of liver cancer are:
Stomach Pain, Sudden loss of weight, Eyes become yellow, Pain on the lower part of the Ribcage, liver-enlargement, getting bruised easily, vomiting, fatigue, and nausea.
Diagnosis
Liver Cancer can be detected with the help of a blood test, to detect the presence of a special protein called alpha-fetoprotein which is synthesized by the tumor in the liver. Also, CT and MRI scan can be helpful in detecting liver cancer. Also, there is a method called biopsy where a sample of the tumor is surgically removed and analyzed. With that, it can be found if the tumor is cancerous or noncancerous.
There four stages of liver cancer:
1st Stage: The tumor is only in the liver.
2nd Stage: There are many small tumors in the liver, maybe one of them might have approached a blood vessel.
3rd Stage: There are many big tumors in the liver, maybe one of them might have approached a blood vessel.
4th Stage: Cancer has begun to spread to other parts.
Treatment:
In the case of curable liver cancer, the tumor can be removed from the liver surgically. Or the liver can be transplanted. In the case of incurable cancer, there are options like chemotherapy and radiotherapy which prevents the cancer condition from worsening.
Prevention:
For body piercing and tattoos, well-sterilized needles should be used. Drug addicts who use the same needle more than once, exchanging, sharing needles should be avoided at any cost. And also the main reason for liver cancer is alcohol consumption. The alcohol intake should be limited to moderation to prevent liver cancer.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.