Cancer
Even though there are 100 different types of cancer, each one begins in your cells, your body's basic building blocks. When the cell creation process goes awry, abnormal cells are produced that can grow uncontrollably and cause cancer. When excessive cells form, benign or malignant tumors can develop throughout your body.
While benign tumors aren't cancerous, malignant ones can invade healthy tissue and spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis.
Early detection and treatment is key to fighting cancer.
Recently Answered
- Q Is there a cure for pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors?
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Pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors can be cured. The likelihood of this happening depends on the many characteristics about the tumor including its type, location, and size. Curability is also dependent on whether the tumor has spread to other body... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors?
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Endocrine cells of the pancreas (including those of islet cell tumors) produce and release hormones. These are usually hormones that regulate the levels of stomach acid and blood sugar. The symptoms of pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors depend on... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors?
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Three types of medications are given during treatment of pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors. Chemotherapy drugs target the tumor and kill the abnormal cells that form it. Medications that block the function of hormones (or remove them entirely) are... Full Answer
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- Q How do pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors affect the body?
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Pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors can cause endocrine cells to produce high levels of a hormone. This can cause abnormal blood sugar levels leading to changed mental status or increased levels of stomach acid resulting in nausea, vomiting, and... Full Answer
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- Q Are pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors serious?
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Pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors can lead to serious health problems (such as coma and ulcers) by causing abnormal blood hormone levels. They can also spread to other organs in the abdominal cavity, especially the liver. Left untreated, islet cell... Full Answer
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- Q What causes pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors?
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Tumors are caused by abnormally fast dividing cells that form a mass (a tumor) somewhere in the body. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Islet cell tumors are tumors that begin in endocrine cells of the pancreas. Full Answer
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- Q What are pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors?
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The pancreas contains two different types of cells, endocrine cells and exocrine cells. Endocrine cells cluster in the pancreas to form structures called islets. A benign or cancerous tumor that forms in the cells of an islet is called an islet cell... Full Answer
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- Q What cancers occur in childhood?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyWhile childhood cancers are rare in children under five, there are a few that can strike. You should let your parental instincts rule. If something doesn't seem right, then get it checked out. Some of them include: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (a... Full Answer
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- Q Are there alternative treatments for endocrine cancers?
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Alternative therapies have never been proven to cure any cancer, including endocrine cancers. However, they may help you deal with the side effects. For example, a cancer diagnosis can cause stress, which can be relieved by relaxation therapy, tai chi,... Full Answer
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- Q How does the government hear about a suspicion of a cancer cluster?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyBefore the government gets wind of a suspicion of a cancer cluster, it has to be reported. And that is usually the result of a hunch: A mother learns her son has a rare brain tumor and a few miles cross-town she hears there is another case; or coworkers... Full Answer
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