Cancer

Recently Answered

  • QWhat do I do if I have cancer and want to talk to my doctor between visits?
    1 Answer
    A
    LIVESTRONG
    A answered
    The most convenient time to communicate with your health care team is during scheduled appointments. This allows you to discuss your concerns in person. However, there may be times in between appointments when you need to talk. Ask your doctor what to do if this happens. 

    If your concerns are not urgent, but you do not want to wait until the next scheduled appointment, ask to have a health care team member call you. In many cases, this may be a nurse who will decide whether you need to also speak with the doctor. You can also write up a list of questions to fax, email or mail to your health care team. They can then prepare a response when they have time and call or email you to discuss it further.

    If you have a medical emergency, contact your hospital emergency room and your health care team right away. Do not try to wait until your next scheduled appointment.
  • QWhat are primary and metastatic tumors?
    6 Answers
    A
    Dr. Daniel A. Nader, DO - Tulsa, OK - Pulmonary Disease
    A Pulmonary Disease, answered on behalf of

    The primary tumor is the original site where the tumor was first discovered or originated. This is like having a single mass that's in the lung. This would be the primary source of lung cancer. A metastatic tumor is a tumor that's spread to another part of the body as a result of the original tumor. This would be like having a mass in the liver or the adrenal gland that came or was metastatic from the primary lung tumor.

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  • QWhat is a second cancer?
    2 Answers
    A
    LIVESTRONG
    A answered
    A second cancer is a different type of cancer than the original cancer. It is diagnosed after you have completed treatment for the first cancer. Second cancers occur in only one to three percent of survivors. The level of risk is very small. In general, greater numbers of cancer survivors are living longer due to improvements in treatment. However, even thinking about the possibility of having a second cancer can be stressful. 
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  • QWhat causes pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors?
    2 Answers
    A
    Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    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.

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  • QCan parathyroid cancer be prevented?
    1 Answer
    A
    Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    If you are able to avoid it, do not expose yourself to radiation that can lead to parathyroid cancer. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of genetic disorders that can cause parathyroid cancer. Together, you and your doctor can monitor your health and catch parathyroid cancer early to prevent it from spreading or causing hypercalcemia.

  • QWho is at risk for adrenal cancer?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Jay T. Bishoff, MD - Salt Lake City, UT - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of

    Worldwide, about 1 in 1 million people develop adrenal cancer annually. The incidence of adrenal cancer is slightly more frequent in men in their 40s and 50s and in children younger than 5 years old. In some cases, heredity can be a factor.

  • QDo pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors affect children differently?
    1 Answer
    A
    Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Pancreatic endocrine islet cell tumors seldom occur in children. When they do occur, symptoms similar to those seen in adults (such as hypoglycemia) develop. If you suspect your child has a pancreatic endocrine islet tumor, make sure to seek medical help.

  • QDoes parathyroid cancer affect children differently than adults?
    1 Answer
    A
    Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Parathyroid cancer is rare in adults and even rarer in children. Usually people do not develop the condition until they are over the age of 30. Once you are diagnosed with parathyroid cancer, you will need to work closely with a doctor to be sure the cancer does not return after treatment. Children will need to be vigilant about monitoring the possible return of parathyroid cancer for the rest of their lives.

  • QCan endocrine cancers be prevented?
    2 Answers
    A
    Dr. Ajay K. Sahajpal, MD - Sioux Falls, SD - Transplant Surgery
    A Transplant Surgery, answered on behalf of
    In general, most endocrine cancers are hereditary and can't be prevented but can be screened for such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes (MEN). Others can be sporadic and like other cancers have environmental influences like smoking.
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  • QHow do I manage my endocrine cancer on a daily basis?
    1 Answer
    A
    Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Depending on the type of endocrine cancer you have, you may need surgery, chemotherapy, and/or weeks of radiation treatments. You may need to start a long-term medication - for example, if you have thyroid cancer, you will need to take thyroid medication for the rest of your life after having your thyroid removed.

    Dealing with endocrine cancer can make you feel helpless and stressed. You may feel better if you take care of your overall health - eat right, get adequate rest, and exercise if it feels good. It can also help to share your feelings with a support group.