Doctors treat cancer using various methods, one of which is surgery. Depending on where the cancer is located, what stage it is at, and how much it has spread, a specific type of surgery may be recommended to manage or prevent the condition. Depending on the situation, the expert may sometimes even perform multiple surgeries. Knowing the different types of surgeries can help patients stay prepared and cope better in the long term. Types of cancer surgery Diagnostic surgery Diagnostic surgery, as the name suggests, is used to diagnose cancer. When doctors need to find out if certain cells are cancerous, they use this surgery. It involves removing and testing a small tissue to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. The tests carried out on the tissue also help doctors identify the type of cancer and its stage. Staging surgery Staging surgery helps doctors determine how far the cancer has spread. It involves examining the cancer-affected parts of the body and its surrounding organs. In laparoscopy, a type of staging surgery, doctors use a small viewing tube with a camera for examination. Preventive surgery Doctors use preventive surgery to remove any tissue that is not cancerous but can develop into a cancerous tumor. One of the most common examples of preventive surgery is the removal of polyps from the colon. It is important to note that preventive surgery can reduce cancer risk but cannot assure complete prevention. Curative surgery Curative surgery is usually considered the primary treatment as it is done when the cancer is in its early stage. The procedure involves removing the cancerous tumor or growth. It is important to note that doctors can only use this surgery when the cancer is limited to one specific part of the body. Debulking surgery Doctors use debulking surgery to remove a part of the cancerous tumor and reduce its bulk.

Today, there are many ways to manage cancer symptoms and remove cancerous cells if the condition is detected early. A common approach to targeting and getting rid of tumors is surgery. At times, surgical procedures can even help diagnose cancer, determine the stage of the disease, and even prevent cancer. Cancer surgery can also provide relief from symptoms. This mode of treatment is often combined with other management options and therapies to deal with cancer. Procedure A typical surgery to target cancer involves the removal of cancerous masses from the body. The procedure usually involves the use of surgical tools to extract the tumor and healthy tissue around it. The surgeon might also remove a few lymph nodes in the area, which are then tested to check for cancer cells. Types of surgical procedures Over time, a variety of surgical methods have emerged that can target cancerous cells in unique ways, For instance, cryosurgery involves the use of cold material to freeze and eliminate cancerous cells, while electrosurgery involves the use of an electric current to destroy cancer cells. Another option is laser surgery, which uses light to shrink the tumor. Other types of surgeries include: Mohs surgery: This procedure involves the removal of cancer layer by layer. As each layer is extracted, it is studied under the microscope for signs of cancer. The procedure is repeated until all the abnormal cells are removed. Mohs surgery is typically used for cancers on sensitive areas of the skin, such as around the eye. Laparoscopic surgery: This is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to make multiple small cuts in the body instead of one large cut. A tiny camera and surgical tools are inserted through the cuts, while an external monitor shows what the camera sees. The surgeon will use the images to guide the tools to remove cancer.

Myelofibrosis is a form of blood cancer. It causes scar tissue to develop in the bone marrow. A type of chronic leukemia, myelofibrosis also leads to increased production of abnormal blood cells. Over time, these abnormal cells start replacing normal healthy cells, leading to various symptoms such as anemia, which causes weakness and fatigue. Although myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer, its warning signs and symptoms are often similar to other chronic health conditions. Warning signs of myelofibrosis Myelofibrosis is known to progress slowly over several years. So, the symptoms do not become apparent in the early stages. In fact, nearly one-third of those who are diagnosed with myelofibrosis do not show the signs in the starting stage. Once the symptoms start to show up, they quickly become worse. So, a person usually experiences severe fatigue. Often, the spleen also becomes enlarged. Some of the common warning signs of myelofibrosis include the following- Fever Itching Pale skin Loss of appetite Night sweats Frequent infections Enlarged spleen or liver Bone or joint pain Pain or fullness below the ribs on the left side Unexplained blood clots Abnormal bleeding or bruising Enlarged veins in the stomach and esophagus, which may sometimes rupture and bleed Shortness of breath If any of these symptoms last long, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis An oncologist usually diagnoses myelofibrosis. They start by conducting a physical examination and asking about the patient’s health history. Then, they check for any symptoms that indicate anemia and an enlarged spleen. To determine if a person has myelofibrosis, the healthcare provider might recommend the following tests- Complete blood count test – Also known as CBC, this examination is done to check the number of blood cells in one’s body. If there is a low number of red blood cells and high levels of white blood cells or platelets, it might be due to myelofibrosis.

Myelofibrosis, a rare type of blood cancer, leads to the formation of scar tissues in the bone marrow. This negatively affects the marrow’s ability to make healthy blood cells, resulting in symptoms like fatigue and anemia, which can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks. However, if detected early, the condition and its symptoms can be managed. Additionally, a few lifestyle changes can make it even easier to manage myelofibrosis. 1. Try relaxation techniques Myelofibrosis and its treatment can take a toll on the body and mind. A great way to manage the associated stress is by trying certain relaxation techniques, like meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga. These activities can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. One can also try listening to relaxing music, which can also bring down stress levels. 2. Make time for fun activities A myelofibrosis diagnosis might come as a shock, following which one needs to work on their emotional health to fight the disease and go through with the treatment. One of the best ways to keep emotional health in check is by spending time on activities that bring one joy. These activities could be anything from reading or painting to gardening or taking walks. 3. Seek support After getting a myelofibrosis diagnosis, one can consider seeking some counseling to better cope with the emotional challenges of living with the condition and undergoing treatment. One can also approach their healthcare professional, who can address one’s concerns and challenges. Alternatively, one can consider joining a support group. This can help one find people who are also dealing with myelofibrosis and learn about how they cope with the condition, any challenges, and the associated stress. So, seeking support can help one better cope with the condition. 4. Get enough rest As myelofibrosis can cause fatigue and weakness, it is crucial to get adequate rest and proper sleep while dealing with the condition.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a serious complication that can occur after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. It occurs when the donor’s immune cells recognize the recipient’s tissues as foreign and mount an immune response against them. Acute GvHD typically develops within days following the transplant and can affect multiple organs, primarily the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. The condition is driven by the activation of donor T cells that attack the host’s tissues. Signs of Acute GvHD Skin rashes One of the most common symptoms of acute GvHD is reddened skin areas or rashes. These rashes can resemble sunburns and may cause the skin to be itchy or painful. They can start at the neck, ears, shoulders, or the palms of the hand, and in some cases, they can begin forming at the soles of the feet. As the disease progresses, the rashes can spread to other parts of the body. They can often be accompanied by intense itching, also known as pruritus. The redness and inflammation accompanied by rashes can cause erythema. This can cause blisters and peeling of the skin in intense cases. Gastrointestinal discomfort This is another common sign of the condition to look out for. The patients may experience moderate to severe abdominal pain following the grafting procedure. Some may even have watery or bloody diarrhea along with mucosal damage. Nausea and vomiting resulting from the condition can cause nutritional imbalance, insufficiency, and modified fluid balance. Patients might alternatively have to deal with constipation. It can cause severe bowel obstruction due to a lack of proper bowel movements. Jaundice Acute GvHD also impacts the patient’s liver. The increased bilirubin levels in the patient’s body lead to yellowing of the eyes, nails, and skin. Aside from bilirubin, there is also an observed elevation in the levels of other liver enzymes.

Cancer that starts in the prostate, the reproductive gland that produces seminal fluid, is known as prostate cancer. It is one of the most common cancers affecting people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Some reports suggest that one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lives. Although a serious disease, healthcare experts say it is treatable and curable when a person is diagnosed in the initial stages. Symptoms of prostate cancer While one may not experience any signs of prostate cancer early on, as the condition progresses, it may cause some warning signs. – Trouble during urination – Weaker stream of urine – Blood in the urine – Bone pain or pain in the back, hips, and/or pelvis – A frequent urge to urinate, mainly at night – Tiredness or fatigue Causes and risk factors Prostate cancer’s exact cause remains unknown, but researchers believe it develops as a result of specific changes in the glandular cells. These changes are referred to as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and are observed in over half the population of men over 50. The changes occur slowly, allowing any tumors to be diagnosed before cancer spreads. Although the causes aren’t known, certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of prostate cancer. – Age (increased risk of prostate cancer after 50) – Long-term exposure to certain chemicals or radiation – Higher intakes of calcium and dairy products (increases the risk by 30–50%) – A family history of prostate cancer – Genetic factors, such as inherited features to BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, or those with Lynch syndrome – Eating high-fat foods Treatment for prostate cancer As every case is unique, doctors choose a treatment based on the stage of cancer, Gleason score, and PSA levels. Watchful waiting For small and localized cancers, doctors may just wait and monitor their progression.

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a device used for measuring and tracking blood sugar levels. Unlike other glucose-measuring devices, a CGM is wearable. So, it is constantly attached to the body, making it able to measure glucose levels throughout the day and transmit data to a connected device, like a smartphone. Originally developed for those with diabetes, a CGM can now be used by anyone who wants to regulate their metabolism. Types of CGMs The basic function of all CGMs is to measure blood glucose levels. That said, the devices can differ in the ways they display and store this information. One of the most common types of CGMs is known as a real-time CGM device. One such device is the ADC Freestyle Libre 3 system, which automatically sends blood-glucose data to a receiver or smartphone so that results can be accessed anytime. Another type is intermittently scanned CGMs that also measure glucose levels on a continuous basis but share the data differently. To view or store this data, the devices have to be scanned by a receiver or a smartphone. A third type is also available, whose data is downloaded by a doctor at a later date. While CGMs could be of one of these three types, the devices differ from each other based on a few model specifications. – Location of the sensor—whether it is implanted within the skin or just placed on it – Replacement duration of the sensor – Time it takes for the CGM to warm up – Adjustment of the program settings Cost of CGMs The cost of these medical devices can differ based on the brand, model, and insurance coverage. In addition, the price of CGMs also varies depending on whether the device has been purchased through a membership shopping club, a retail pharmacy, or a third-party medical equipment company.

Kidneys are important organs that help remove waste products from one’s blood. Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the organ grow out of control. This health condition affects thousands of individuals worldwide every year. It can be cured if detected and treated in its early stages. Although traditional interventions such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy have been instrumental in fighting it, innovative approaches are constantly coming up, giving patients hope for better treatment outcomes.  Nonsurgical treatment In some cases, surgery might not be an ideal treatment option for the patient. One can determine the appropriate treatment after discussing one’s symptoms with a healthcare professional. Some popular nonsurgical interventions include radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation. For RFA, a trained interventional radiologist would insert a needle into the tumor to deliver an electric current to destroy the tumor. Cryoablation involves freezing cancer cells by inserting a cryoprobe after making a small incision on the patient’s body. Targeted therapy Targeted therapies work by earmarking any cell, tissue, or environmental component in the body contributing to cancer development. They can also target proteins and genes that contribute to cancer cells. Health experts can use the treatment on their own or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy. The chemical compounds being used for this treatment are constantly evaluated. This type of treatment limits the growth of cancer cells and the damage caused to healthy cells. It can also have a restricting effect on cancer spread. Immunotherapy As the name suggests, this treatment option uses the body’s natural fighting ability to deal with cancer. The treatment aims to empower the patient’s immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. There are different types of immunotherapy treatments that the doctor might suggest. The decision is based on the stage and spread of the cancer. For a patient with advanced kidney cancer, there is a different chemical.

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food and deriving nutrients to support overall health. But, there are some instances when the system faces certain hindrances, leading to one falling sick. For instance, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) can affect the pancreas, including cystic fibrosis, and may lead to difficulty in digesting foods. This condition can interrupt the normal functions of the digestive system, affecting nutrient absorption and potentially triggering additional health concerns. Signs and symptoms Affected individuals may struggle to obtain the right amount of nutrients from their regular foods. So, the most common symptoms one might experience are associated with digestive health. These may include diarrhea and fatty stools. Additionally, some individuals may experience abdominal pain, constipation, and bloating. Moreover, these symptoms may even make one feel full after eating a small portion of food due to the excessive pressure on the digestive system. Since EPI symptoms resemble other digestive issues, diagnosing and finding the right cause of the condition can be challenging. So, it is important to seek medical help and have the symptoms checked and evaluated by a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Treatment The treatment option prescribed for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and its associated signs may differ from one person to another. But, the primary goal of treatment is to compensate for the lack of pancreatic enzyme production. This is typically achieved through pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). It involves taking prescribed pancreatic enzymes during each meal or snack to accelerate food digestion and absorption of essential nutrients, thereby alleviating the symptoms. One must take the capsules based on the schedule set by the healthcare expert. If one experiences any complications from this treatment, consult a professional for immediate help and appropriate treatment. ReliZORB ReliZORB is a single-use digestive enzyme cartridge that helps EPI patients who face trouble breaking down fats.