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Hepatocellular cancer, CT scan
Hepatocellular cancer, CT scan
Lung cancer, frontal chest X-ray
Lung cancer, frontal chest X-ray
Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan
Lymphoma, malignant - CT scan
Pancreatic cancer, CT scan
Pancreatic cancer, CT scan
Stomach cancer, X-ray
Stomach cancer, X-ray
Skin cancer, melanoma - flat, brown lesion
Skin cancer, melanoma - flat, brown lesion
Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray
Adenocarcinoma - chest X-ray
Skin cancer, melanoma - raised, dark lesion
Skin cancer, melanoma - raised, dark lesion
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
Skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma - nose
Skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma - nose
Skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma - pigmented
Skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma - pigmented
Skin cancer, squamous cell - close-up
Skin cancer, squamous cell - close-up
Skin cancer, squamous cell on the hands
Skin cancer, squamous cell on the hands
Skin cancer, close-up of lentigo maligna melanoma
Skin cancer, close-up of lentigo maligna melanoma
Skin cancer, close-up of level III melanoma
Skin cancer, close-up of level III melanoma
Ovarian cancer metastasis
Ovarian cancer metastasis
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Cancer

Alternative Names:
Carcinoma; Malignant tumor

Treatment:

Treatment also varies based on the type of cancer and its stage. The stage of a cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location.

  • If the cancer is confined to one location and has not spread, the goal for treatment would be surgery and cure. This is often the case with skin cancers.
  • If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed.
  • If all of the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, the options for treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Some cancers require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.


Support Groups:

The diagnosis of cancer often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect one's entire life. There are numerous support groups for cancer patients.

Although some research suggests that support group participation can increase survival time, other studies have not replicated this, so patients should decide whether to use support groups depending on their own needs and preferences.



Expectations (prognosis):
Prognosis varies widely among different types of cancer. Even among people with one particular type of cancer, the outcome varies depending on the stage of the tumor at diagnosis. Some cancers can be cured, some that are not curable can still be treated well, and some patients can live for many years with the cancer. Other tumors are rapidly fatal.

Complications:
Spread of the cancer is one complication. Other complications vary with the type and stage of the tumor.

Calling your health care provider:
You should contact your doctor if you develop signs or symptoms suggestive of cancer.

Review Date: 11/7/2002
Reviewed By: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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