The uterus is the pear-shaped female organ found in between the rectum and bladder. Its main purpose is to receive the ovum that is fertilized and will eventually become fetus. During pregnancy, it acts as the life support of the unborn baby until birth.

Cancer is defined as disease caused by abnormal or rapid growth of cells inside the body. In the United States, cancer of the uterus is the number one type of cancer affecting women’s reproductive system, representing 6% of the total reported cases of cancer. In 1998, more than 6,000 women mostly on the menopausal stage died because of this disease.

Although, uterine cancer is deeply associated with women aging from 45-50 years of age, recorded cases show that 30% of cancer victims are younger women who are obese and diabetic.

The common symptoms of uterine cancer are shorter or longer menstrual cycle (regular cycle is from 28-31 days) or bleeding between menstrual cycle, abnormal bleeding, which includes vaginal spotting, unusual heavy menses that last all through out the menstrual period, or vaginal discharge. The patient may also experience recurring pain or lump in the pelvic area and abdominal pain. For younger women, difficulty conceiving or infertility may also be associated with uterine cancer.

There are several factors causing uterine cancer. Some are the following:

1. Diabetes – studies show that diabetic women faces higher risk of developing uterine cancer compare to non-diabetic women.

2. Age – uterine cancer usually occurs when women reached menopausal stage or when they reached the age of 45-50.

3. Family history – Research found that this disease might run in the family.

4. Colon, breast or ovarian cancer – Women who have treated or untreated cancer associated with the reproductive organ has high risk in developing uterine cancer.

5. Infertility – which is characterized as not being pregnant within 1 year of unprotected sex. This may increase the risk if the patient took or is still taking fertility drug.

6. Irregular menstrual periods – frequent menses or long interval of menstrual period prevents the ovaries from producing egg cells or ovulating. This may due to hormonal imbalance that may lead to uterine or other cancer affecting the reproductive system.

7. Polycystic ovary syndrome – or the presence of pear-necklace-like cyst around the ovaries that stops the ovaries from producing egg cells.

Like most cancer or diseases associated with the reproductive organ, the cause of uterine cancer is still unknown though it is highly associated with estrogen and progesterone hormone imbalance. Studies show that taking contraceptive pills before the menopausal stage can prevent it. Regulating the body weight and sugar level will also help. It is also important to get immediate medical attention once one or more of the symptoms are experienced. This can prevent the cancer from developing and spreading through out the reproductive system.

Treatments

Women who are experiencing symptoms of uterine cancer go through pelvic exam to examine the vagina for any gynecological problem, dilation and curettage (D&C) to scrape the endometrium or the lining of the uterus and biopsy or the process or getting sample tissue from a woman’s body for further examination.

Like any other cancer, the best way to combat uterine cancer is through early detection and awareness. Regular pap smear is the strongest weapon to prevent it even before it starts.

The cancer of the uterus is the most common cancer that is acquired by females. It occurs mostly in the female reproductive system where there is tumor found in the inner lining of the uterus also known as the endometrium. The American Cancer Society has reported that there are 40,320 new cases of endometrial cancer in the United States. The good thing about it is that if the cancer is discovered and reported early, there is a great chance of surviving this cancer.

Most women who were detected early to have the symptoms of the cancer in the uterus are considered to be in their menopausal stages. The symptoms may occur in the vagina, where a woman would experience abnormal severe bleeding. Women who are in their 30’s have lesser risks in acquiring this kind of cancer, and there should be rare cases in females that are in their 40’s. When she experiences a hard time in urinating and she experiences severe pain in the vagina while having a sexual intercourse, she may have the symptoms of the cancer in the uterus.

Another symptom that can determine if a female has this kind of cancer is when she is experiencing an abnormal menstrual cycle. It is important that she should see an expert to see if she has a tumor in the uterus. Most cases that were not treated are those cancers, which are on their critical stages. Early detection of the cancer may lead to a better treatment and the survival percentage is higher.

Obesity is one big factor for someone to develop a cancer in the uterus. Other factors that can be considered as risks in having this kind of cancer is if the family has a history on cancers like in the colon especially if the profile is similar to the type of colon cancer on the hereditary part of the individual. If an individual does not have any children in her late stages or in her menopausal stage, the risks of having uterus cancer is very high.

If an individual has high blood pressure or if she has diabetes would indicate that she has a greater chance in having a cancer in the uterus. Statistics show according to the American Cancer Society that most Caucasian females have the most number of cases when it comes to the cancer of the uterine although more African-American die from uterus cancer.

The tendency to experience an irregular menstrual period in the near menopausal stages should be common to most females. There is the increase of hormonal levels and they fall unexpectedly. These circumstances may also show signs of uterine malfunction or early stages of uterine cancer.

If the menstrual cycle has stopped for several months and then the cycle started once more with severe bleeding in the vagina, it is advisable that the individual must tell the problem to her husband so that she will be accompanied in seeing a doctor for examination and biopsy if needed to detect any signs of cancer in the uterus.

Other hormonal abnormalities that can cause uterine cancer may include the bleeding of the adrenal glands and the thyroid glands. There are pre cancerous conditions which include polyps, infections in the uterus, Fibroids, and scar tissue that may lead to unexpected bleedings. It is important to tackle this kinds of symptoms with the help of a professional cancer doctor to know what kind of diagnostic examinations are needed to detect the cause of the abnormalities.

A few additional symptoms of throat cancer include:

- any unusual pain in the mouth - bleeding - having loose teeth - foul-smelling breath - a certain change in the way that a person speaks - difficulty with breathing or swallowing - a stain of blood with the cough - earaches and other pain in the neck and throat area - weight loss - unusually tender lymph nodes

Diagnosis and Treatment of Throat Cancer

If a physician sees cancer symptoms in a patient, then the throat will be examined. Doctors will look for lumps in the affected area. For more serious cases and a more thorough examination, the laryngoscope is used to go through the larynx.

The stages of larynx cancer is checked by locating the area where the cancer is spread. The treatment is done so that a patient would have no trouble speaking or swallowing.

Radiation therapy, laser treatment and surgery are just some of the options to treat throat cancer. Depending on the stage that a person is in once the disease is diagnosed, then the applicable treatment will be applied.

The earliest stages of throat cancer have the most positive results when it comes to patient recovery.

Some diseases, called laryngopharyngeal reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease can be another cause of throat cancer. These diseases damage the lining of the esophagus, thus leaving a person more susceptible to larynx or throat cancer.

Just like most types of cancer, it is much better if the condition will be diagnosed early so that the treatment would be more effective.

There are other conditions or ailments involving the throat which are not so serious. However, if any of the symptoms persist or they do not heal in about two weeks, it is better to consult a medical professional because the person may be exhibiting throat cancer symptoms.

There are hundreds of different types of cancer. Cancer types are usually identified and named based on the organ, tissue, or cell type affected.

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Among the many types of cancer, there is a kind which distinctly affects a person’s vocal cords. Vocal cords may also be also referred to as a “voice box” or larynx. If this is the part affected, then a person could have throat cancer if a person exhibits signs of having larynx or throat cancer, then it is best to consult a medical professional as soon as possible so that the disease can be treated.

What is the Voice Box?

The “voice box” is medically known as the larynx. The voice box and the vocal cords lets air flow through the mouth and lungs. This air flowing through the larynx makes vibrations in the throat, and this is how sound is produced from the voice box.

Causes of Throat Cancer

The number one cause of throat cancer is smoking. The risk of having cancer of the larynx is greatly increased with excessive alcohol consumption.

Vitamin deficiency and a weak immune system, especially if caused by alcohol consumption, also increases the probability that a person would have throat cancer. Some job-related causes that may lead to throat cancer are the following:

- exposure to asbestos - overexposure to wood dust or fumes from paint - overexposure to petroleum-related chemicals - a virus called human papillomavirus or HPV

Throat Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of cancer of the larynx include having a hoarse voice and sore throat. Do not just ignore a common sickness like cold or flu.

You will never know if these mighty be early symptoms of lung cancer. If a person has a lump in the mouth or if the sore throat symptoms do not heal after two weeks, then these may be signs of throat cancer.

Check out any unusual lumps or nodes in the neck because it might be a larynx tumor that is beginning to grow.

I’m sure not everyone knows that the throat is scientifically known as the larynx. Aside from the throat’s other moniker, it surely won’t hurt to know more important details about the throat, especially in terms of its medical conditions.

What exactly is the larynx?

The throat or larynx is that part of the windpipe, also known as trachea that is found on its uppermost. It is approximately five centimeters long and is also known as the “voice box”. Why voice box, you say? It contains the vocal cords. The vocal cords are those muscle tissue ridges that are V-shaped. They are found inside the larynx’s lining. To produce speech, as the air passes, these vocal cords vibrate.

For a more physical feel of it, try to feel your Adam’s apple. This is the prominent or protruded portion of the neck, which is just below your chin. The Adam’s apple is the front part of the larynx or throat.

To get into more details about your throat, here’s more of how it functions.

As one breathes, air gets into the larynx and goes down to the trachea going to the lungs. Upon swallowing, a slight upward motion is executed by the larynx. This way a cartilage tissue flap known as the epiglottis obstructs the entrance to the larynx. This epiglottis is found at the tongue’s back. This action makes sure that any swallowed food or drink goes down to the gullet or esophagus and not to the trachea. This is because if the food goes to the trachea, it will result to choking.

Now the gory part, what about delving into one dreaded medical condition of the throat known as throat or larynx cancer.

Usually, people over the age of 50 gets this disease. Those that are in the habit of smoking or excessive intake of alcohol are at greater risk of developing this kind of cancer.

As with many forms of cancer, it is mostly at its “curable” form when diagnosed at an early stage. Like many types of cancer, the more a cancer has grown and or spread, the less chance of treating it well.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Larynx Cancer

1. Hoarse Voice

This is usually the first sign that a larynx cancer is present. The reason behind this is that most throat cancers develops first on or near a vocal cord. But of course, not all people with hoarse voice have throat cancer. Oftentimes, it is also associated with simple laryngitis, which is an infection of the throat caused by a virus. What will tip off that it might be a throat cancer that your hoarse voice is trying to tell is that when your voice does not return to normal after two to four weeks.

2. Throat Lump or Lumps

Small nodes that develop around the throat may show even before having hoarse voice may warn about a throat cancer. This is especially true when the throat cancer does not start near the vocal cords.

3. Throat Discomfort upon Swallowing

Persistent pain when swallowing may be felt on the throat. And this can also warn one about the spreading of throat tumor, even before developing a hoarse voice.

4. Breathing Difficulty

The same (occurrence of lumps and pain) is true with having difficulty with breathing.

5. Other symptoms of throat cancer

Swelling of lymph nodes, mouth sores that don’t heal or decrease in size, red or dark patches or lumps inside the mouth, when the cheek thickens, difficulty to move or numbness of the tongue, weight loss that is not intended, difficulty to move or swelling and pain in the jaw, loosening or pain around the teeth, lumps in the neck, severe discomfort in an ear when one has a normal eardrum.

All those mentioned signs and symptoms may also be due to other medical conditions. So, it is still advisable to take tests to confirm that it is actually a throat cancer that is menacing the body of a person.

Nowadays, there are almost 100 different types of cancer that can develop in a person’s body. One type of cancer that is of a more serious nature is cancer of the mouth.

Mouth or oral cancer may affect the lips tongue and mouth area. The mouth is the first ‘tool’ that people use for digestion. This is why oral cancer can be considered quite serious because it affects the mouth which is used for food intake.

Mouth Cancer

The tongue, lips, the upper palate and the inside of the cheeks are considered to be included with the mouth area.

If a person has cancer of the mouth, there are a lot of neighboring regions that may be affected within the mouth and throat area.

This is why it is vital for the exact affected area to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible so that the cancer cells will not spread.

Because of the location and nature of the mouth, it is susceptible to heat, injury and a lot of abrasion.

Cancer in the mouth will start once the cells within the area divide in an unusual manner and the beginning of a benign and a cancerous tumor forms.

The difference between a benign and a cancerous tumor is that a benign tumor does not have the tendency to spread out to other affected areas.

Once treated or removed, a benign tumor is not very likely to occur again. Meanwhile, a cancerous tumor can spread throughout the affected area and this is where treatment should come in.

If breast and uterine cancer mostly affect women, with mouth cancer, men are affected twice as much.

More people are affected by mouth cancer as the years pass. Some additional statistical data about mouth cancer are:

- Black people are more susceptible to mouth cancer than white people. - There are more cases of mouth cancer among the middle class to below average citizens. - Mouth cancer affects people who are about sixty years of age.

Mouth Cancer Symptoms

A person who has ulcers or abrasion on the lips, inner cheeks, gums and other areas within the mouth which do not heal in a couple of weeks might be exhibiting symptoms of mouth cancer.

Also watch out for unusual patches within the inner mouth or the outer lips.

Other symptoms include gum swelling, lumps in the mouth or gums, not being able to tolerate spicy food, difficulty with swallowing or chewing, earache, changes in speech, foul breath and a feeling of numbness, inexplicable pain or sudden bleeding on the mouth.

Consult a medical professional as soon as these symptoms are shown so that proper diagnosis may be performed on the affected area.

Causes & Preventive Measures

You may perform a self-check to see if you have mouth cancer symptoms.

Check your head and neck to see if there are any lump that was not there before.

Feel the side of your neck for lumps or a bruise-like tenderness. Stand in front of a mirror and open your mouth to check for abrasions in your inner cheek and the roof of the mouth.

Also feel for lumps when you check the inside of your mouth. Finally, stick your tongue out and check for any change in appearance with the top and underside of the tongue.

As soon as you see anything which is unusual with the lips, and the inside of your mouth, consult a medical professional.

Tobacco and alcohol are the main causes of mouth cancer. Leading a healthy lifestyle by avoiding these will help prevent mouth cancer.

Also, visit your dentist regularly so that the inside of the mouth may be checked for unusual lumps of growths. Finally, maintaining a good oral hygiene will help lower the risks of mouth or oral cancer.

Early detection has helped save the lives of many cancer patients so as soon as you see any of these symptoms, consult a medical professional because it never hurts to be careful. Also, it would help a lot if you can try to learn everything about mouth or oral cancer.

This tumor, usually called an epithelioma, occurs most frequently on the lower lip in men as a chronic ulcer. Predisposing factors may be chronic irritation of a warm pipe stem, or prolonged exposure to the sun and wind. More significantly, however, is the tendency for the “smoker’s patch” to progress to an epidermoid lip cancer. Any wart or ulcer of the lip that does not heal in 3 weeks should undergo biopsies.

Because the mouth is such an accessible and observable site, more intensive professional and patient educational programs are needed for early detection of mouth lesions that may lead to oral cancers. The nurse should urge the patient with a white patchy area, sore spot, or ulceration of lips, gums, or mouth that fails to heal after 2 weeks to see a physician.

Often the individual feels a roughened area with his tongue. Since pain is often one of the last symptoms to appear, a painless condition should not prevent further professional examination; this includes swelling, numbness, or loss of feeling in any part of the mouth.

Other symptoms of oral cancers may include:

1. Difficulty in swallowing 2. Mouth problems including soreness and excruciating pain 3. Unusual taste

All of these symptoms when experienced by an individual should seek medical advice at once. The only cure is surgery following early recognition of the condition. The enlargement of lymph nodes indicates metastases.

Clinical Management

The patient with oral cancer requires patience and understanding. Quite naturally, he tends to withdraw from people, is self-conscious about mouth odors, and is sensitive about his appearance. Thus, the immediate family need to be aware of their supporting role and in turn, should be informed of the plan of therapy for the patient.

Oral cancers could be very dangerous and fatal just like any cancers known. However, correct knowledge about the disease and instant medical action could just be the start of the road to recovery.

As they say, what you do not know will definitely hurt you. Therefore, it is best to take some significant information about oral cancers today.

Leokoplakia buccalis, also called “smoker’s patch,” and the related keratosis labialis are seen in middle-aged adults, more than 80% of them men. These conditions are characterized early by the appearance of one or two small, thin, often crinkled, pearly patches on the mucous membrane of the tongue, the mouth, or both, due to “keratinization” of the mucosa and sclerosis of its underlying tissue.

Not frequently, cancers start in the keratonized patches.

Carcinoma may arise in any part of the cancer in this area, including cancer of the pharynx, accounts for 3% of all cancer deaths in the United States. Cancers in the mouth and the lips are commonly known as oral cancers.

Males are afflicted 3 ½ times more than females. Of the 7,000 oral cancer deaths annually, the distribution site is estimated as follows: lip (27%), tongue (22%), salivary gland (16%), floor of mouth (14%), other mesopharynx including tonsil (10%).

Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma constitutes over 90% of all oral cancer. The next most common type arises from the submucous glands, adenocarcinoma. The third grouping includes malignancy of the jawbone. The year cure rate is below 30%.

Alternatively, most causes of oral cancers are not known. However, experts say that oral cancers can be prevented by good dental care and no smoking.

In tobacco chewers, the mucous membranes of the cheek are the commonest site. A jagged tooth and poor dental hygiene may be the cause. Betel and areca nut, used widely for chewing in South India is believed to be related to that country’s high incidence of oral cancer.