Cancer diagnosis
Cancer is diagnosed by an expert by critically examining the tissue or the cell samples through a microscope. It can also be done by carrying out tests on cells of the DNA, RNA and proteins (Schwarzenböck et al., 2012). Physical assessment of the patient and family medical history are also essential during diagnosis. Furthermore, a doctor will have to carry out an imaging procedure of some body parts. These imaging procedures can be approached in several ways such as CT scan, nuclear scan, MRI, Ultrasound, X-rays, and PET scan. X-rays uses low doses of radiation to generate pictures whereas MRI is a strong magnet that is linked to a computer to create images. On the other hand, for a nuclear scan, the client will receive an injection of a radioactive material that will flow through the bloodstream and accumulate in certain bones or organs. The scanner will eventually produce pictures of organs or bones on film or computer screen. Lastly, a doctor can do a biopsy. This is a procedure whereby a doctor will remove a sample of cells or tissue and forward it to a pathologist for examination in relation to cancer and give the physician feedback concerning the findings.Cancer staging Staging of cancer refers to the explanation of the severity of the cancer in terms of the size and the extent to which primary tumor and has spread within the body (Schwarzenböck et al., 2012). The stage designation combines the results of surgical (pathologic stage) with that of clinical staging. Any new information about the changes of the cancer with time will be added to the first stage designation. The main common elements of the staging which are put into consideration include a regional lymph node involvement and tumor’s size, number, primary site and trade (Schwarzenböck et al., 2012). This stage is very crucial since it has several advantages to the client. The staging will assist the doctor to plan the proper treatment and estimate prognosis of the patient. Moreover, it assists researchers and health caregivers to swap over information about a patient that will make them arrive at a common terminology to use in evaluating and comparing the results of the clinical and different trials (Schwarzenböck et al., 2012). On the other hand, TNM system is the commonly used cancer staging systems. It is been widely accepted by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). TNM system is used by most medical facilities as a cancer reporting. This system is based on the size and the extent of the primary tumor, the total spread to nearby lymph nodes and the existence of metastasis formed by the spread of cancer cells to some other body parts. Tumor classifies the extent of the primary tumor, and is usually assign as T0 through T4. T0 stand for a tumor that has not yet started to attack the local tissues whereas T4 represents a big primary tumor that has invaded other body organs through direct extension. The lymph nodes classify the extent of regional lymph node involvement, and are normally given as N0 through N4. N0 means there is no lymph node involvement whereas N4 infer extensive involvement. Lastly, metastasis is either M0 if there is metastasis or M1 if there is a metastasis. Complications of the cancer treatment Cancer and its treatment can result in several complications as outlined. First, it causes weight loss to the patient. It drains food from the normal cells and prevents them from absorbing nutrients. This condition is life threatening because it is not affected by the kind or the number of calories one is eating, hence making it difficult to treat (National Cancer Institute, 2014). For instance, the adoption of the artificial nutrition through vein or tubes into the stomach has been in vain to help to change the weight loss. Secondly, cancer causes chemical changes in the body and unusual immune system reactions. At times, it upset the usual chemical balance in the body, therefore, increasing the patient’s risk of other serious complications. These resultant complications include frequent urination, confusion and excessive thirst. This illness leads to a reaction of the body’s immune system by attacking normal cells. Notably, it can result in the paraneoplastic syndrome which has signs and symptoms of seizures and difficulty in walking. Thirdly, it can cause brain and nervous system problems. This arises due to the fact that as cancer advances it press on neighboring nerves and cause pain which subsequently lead to the loss of function of some parts of the body. Cancer within the brain can result in headaches and symptoms and signs just like that one of stroke such development of weakness on one of the bodies. Furthermore, nausea is also a common complication. Notably, stomach cancer is mostly associated with nausea/vomiting and it come along with other symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain and food intolerances (National Cancer Institute, 2014). Some types of cancers spread to other parts of the body while some reoccur after treatment hence causing more complications.
Side effects of cancer treatment
Cancer treatment has a high likelihood to cause toxic effects on cancer cells as well as normal cells (DeSantis et al., 2014). For instance, the gastrointestinal tract including the mouth is more susceptible to damage. The oral complications result when most patients are treated for neck and head cancer which sometimes it become severe enough to stop treatment completely. In addition, surgical removal of tumors sometimes leads to nutritional and oral problems. One of the oral problems is mucositis which results after chemotherapy and radiation therapy (DeSantis et al., 2014). Mucositis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes, infection, bleeding and pain in the mouth. This will cause difficulties in swallowing which in turn result in malnutrition and dehydration. Pre-existing conditions of oral may increase the risk other infections. For instances, calculus, broken teeth, periodontal disease and tartar on the teeth will make therapy to be more difficult later on. The presence of the fungi and bacteria in the mouth will develop other complications when the immune system of the body has gone low due to treatment methods applied. Furthermore, radiation therapy to the neck and head at some points injure glands that are responsible for the production of the saliva or damage the joints and muscles of the neck and jaw. Radiation therapy may also cause a reduction in blood supply and vessels within the bones of mandible or maxilla (DeSantis et al., 2014). Moreover, it may cause osteonecrosis (bone death) and dental disease. Irritations of the soft tissues or gums may cause tissues to become thin and eventually waste away, causing sores in the mouth and reduces significantly the patient’s quality of life (DeSantis et al., 2014).Methods to lessen physical and psychological effects associated with cancer Dealing with the life changes of cancer diagnosis, treatment and different side effects, cancers have led to physical as well as emotional effects (National Cancer Institute, 2014). These effects are in most cases beyond the range of feelings a patient is used in dealing with. Different methods are applied to lessen the emotional feelings depending on the kind of psychological the patient is undergoing (National Cancer Institute, 2014). A person will feel overwhelmed when he/she learned that there is cancer. This is because the person will wonder if she/he is going to live a normal life. Evidently, personal routine will be disrupted by doctor treatments and visits. For one to take charge of these, he/she should learn more about cancer by asking doctor questions and creating a friendly environment with a doctor. It can also be lessened by making patients stay busy through taking part in activities such as reading, music and crafts (National Cancer Institute, 2014). Secondly, when someone is first diagnosed, he/she may have a rough time to accept or believe that he/she has cancer. This will prevent the patient from getting the necessary treatment on time. In order to curb this denial, close persons to the client will take him/her through denial and by the time treatments begin they will have accepted the fact and move forward. Thirdly, the moment people learned that they have cancer; they will develop feelings of fear about pain, looking different, hospital bills, maintaining the job, dying and taking care of their family (National Cancer Institute, 2014). For one, to cope up with worries and fears, they have to be well-informed about the fact of cancer other than relying on rumors. This helps them to know about their illnesses and treatment, hence making them to strictly follow their treatment advice and help them to recover quickly (National Cancer Institute, 2014). Additionally, a cancer patient should remain hopeful since there are millions of cancer survivors. They ought to focus their energies on positive and wellness instead of thinking of the worst (National Cancer Institute, 2014). Fourthly, people get depressed as a result of cancer leading to body changes such as unintended weight loss or gain, sleeping problems, feeling fatigue and pain in the body. Importantly, when a doctor discovers the patient is suffering from depression, he/she need to be given medicine or referred to other mental health experts (National Cancer Institute, 2014).
In conclusion, early diagnosing of cancer is very important because appropriate treatment will be given on time and this will help to curb its spreading and complication. Moreover, a patient will seek to know the medical name of the cancer, the stage, the grade of the tumor and the results of any special tests that are done on the tumor. Staging and diagnosis are also helpful since the client will be given copies of biopsy and operatives reports. A client will also be taught on the usefulness of technical literature of the illness such as understanding on how cancer is classified and staged as well as knowing staging system for any particular cancer.
References
DeSantis, C. E., Lin, C. C., Mariotto, A. B., Siegel, R. L., Stein, K. D., Kramer, J. L., & Jemal, A. (2014). Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2014. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 64(4), 252-271.
National Cancer Institute. (2014). Coping – Feelings and Cancer - National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings
Schwarzenböck, S., Souvatzoglou, M., & Krause, B. J. (2012). Choline PET and PET/CT in primary diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.Theranostics, 2(3), 318-30.
