Possible Ovarian Cancer Treatment Target Identified

“Ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage when it is incurable, and the same treatments have been used for virtually all patients,” says Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, director of medical gynecologic oncology in the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center, the study’s corresponding author. “Previous research from my lab indicated that different types and grades of ovarian tumors should be treated differently, and this paper now shows that even papillary serous tumors have differences that impact patient prognosis.” Birrer was with the National Institutes of Health when this study began and joined the MGH Cancer Center.

The fifth most common malignancy among U.S. women, ovarian cancer is expected to cause close to 15,000 deaths during 2009. Accounting for 60 percent of ovarian cancers, papillary serous tumors are typically diagnosed after spreading beyond the ovaries. The tumors typically return after initial treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, but while some patients die a few months after diagnosis, others may survive five years or longer while receiving treatment.

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Prostate Cancer PSA

The Prostate Specific Antigen known as PSA are protein formed by the prostate glands that is basically originated from the blood. A man suffering from a prostate cancer has a higher PSA levels compared to normal. Prostate specific antigen test was prepared to determine the height of PSA forming to blood. Using this test was permitted by FDA to distinguish the existence of this cancerous disease with the elderly men. Prostate cancer PSA testing was likewise accepted by FDA with those patients who have a prior history to be able to check the possible comeback of the disease.

When a man is suspected to have a higher level of PSA, it’s probably the cancer has occurred. Even though, there might be another reason for the rising of the PSA. A number of factors were taken to consideration by the doctors on taking the prostate cancer PSA test, blood samples can be typically taken throughout the prostate cancer PSA test and amount is can be measured in the laboratory. PSA was also named as the “tumor marker” or rather the “biological marker” for the reason that it was utilized for detection of the diseases and was created by body the cells.

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5 Ways to Diagnose Genital Warts

Obtaining a test for sexually transmitted disease cannot confirm if you have genital warts. If you believe you have genital warts and you’re wondering how the disease is diagnosed, here are the common ways doctors identify if the symptoms you’re having link to genital warts or not.

  1. Acetowhitening – The most common process used in identifying genital warts is by direct visual examination. More often than not, genital warts are not visible to the naked eye, so acetowhitening is used. This technique involves the application of 5% vinegar (acetic acid solution) to the affected area for five to ten minutes. The lesions would turn whitish if they are indeed genital warts.
  2. Colposcopy – Also known as magnification of the area, coloscopy is a painless examination wherein a lighted magnifying scope is used in viewing the lesions. This is commonly used in women when the lesions are within the internal reproductive organs, such as the cervix or vaginal canal.
  3. Pap smear – In women, doctors recommend annual pap smears because it helps determine if there are potential health problems within the female reproductive organs. With a routine pap smear, evidences of the HPV (the virus causing the genital warts) and abnormal cells on the cervix can be found.
  4. Biopsy – In rare cases when lesion appears unusual or the warts recur after proper treatment, a biopsy may be necessary. This process involves obtaining a small tissue sample from the cervix or affected area and examining it under a microscope. Tests results would confirm whether you have genital warts or not.
  5. Special Tests – If the results of the other tests still cannot confirm genital warts, the doctor may test for other conditions, such as pearly penile papules, skin cancer, genital herpes, moles, skin tag, seborrheic keratoses, condyloma lata, bowenoid papulosis and molluscum contagiosum.

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