general information

 

 

 

 

Facts & Figures

 

 

3D Models of The Human Body: Interactive Online Tool

 

Healthline offers a free interactive "Human Body Maps" tool that is fascinating.

BodyMaps is an interactive visual search tool that allows users to explore the human body in 3-D. With easy-to-use navigation, users can search multiple layers of the human anatomy, view systems and organs down to their smallest parts, and understand in detail how the human body works.

Using detailed 3-D models of body parts-including muscles, veins, bones, and organs-Body Maps offers a new way to visualize and manage your health. See how the coronary artery delivers blood to the heart, and learn how plaque build-up on artery walls leads to heart disease. Locate the exact location of a pulled muscle or broken bone, and find information on how to prevent injuries. View a cross-section of the human brain, and learn which areas control certain emotions and body functions.

By offering rich, detailed anatomical images alongside links to relevant and useful health information, BodyMaps allows you to leam about your body and your health in a personalized and revolutionary new way.

You can find it at: http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps

 

 


 

 

Statistics

It is now widely estimated that there are well over 57,000 laryngectomees living in the United States - and the ratio of men to women is about 6 to 1. According to the latest figures available, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006 about 9,510 people in the United States will be found to have contracted laryngeal cancer and about 3,740 (old and new patients) will die of this disease. The vast majority will survive diagnosis and treatment, via radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery, to go on to lead productive and meaningful lives, many often returning to their same profession. (The American Cancer Society estimates a total of 1,399,000 new cancer cases during 2006, and about 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people age of 55 and older ... so new larynx cancer cases represented only a very tiny percentage of these new cancer cases - about .0067% ... we are a small group.)

Update:

Definition of throat cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx (the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose), the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx), and the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the pharynx). Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of throat cancer. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales). Also called pharyngeal cancer.

Estimated new cases and deaths from throat cancer (including cancers of the larynx) in the United States in 2010:

New cases: 12,720 (laryngeal); 12,660 (pharyngeal)
Deaths: 3,600 (laryngeal); 2,410 (pharyngeal)

 

 


 

Cancer Staging

National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health  9/22/10

 

Key Points


Staging describes the extent or severity of a person’s cancer. Knowing the stage of disease helps the doctor plan treatment and estimate the person’s prognosis. Staging systems for cancer have evolved over time and continue to change as scientists learn more about cancer.


The TNM staging system is based on the extent of the tumor (T), whether cancer cells have spread to nearby (regional) lymph nodes (N), and whether distant (to other parts of the body) metastasis (M) has occurred.

Most tumors can be described as stage 0, stage I, stage II, stage III, or stage IV.


Physical exams, imaging procedures, laboratory tests, pathology reports, and surgical reports provide information to determine the stage of the cancer

What is staging?


Staging describes the severity of a person’s cancer based on the extent of the original (primary) tumor and whether or not cancer has spread in the body. Staging is important for several reasons:

Staging helps the doctor plan the appropriate treatment.
The stage can be used to estimate the person’s prognosis.
Knowing the stage is important in identifying clinical trials that may be suitable for a particular patient.


Staging helps health care providers and researchers exchange information about patients; it also gives them a common terminology for evaluating the results of clinical trials and comparing the results of different trials.
Staging is based on knowledge of the way cancer progresses. Cancer cells grow and divide without control or order, and they do not die when they should. As a result, they often form a mass of tissue called a tumor. As the tumor grows, it can invade nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. By moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, cancer cells can spread from the primary site to lymph nodes or to other organs, where they may form new tumors. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

What are the common elements of staging systems?


Staging systems for cancer have evolved over time. They continue to change as scientists learn more about cancer. Some staging systems cover many types of cancer; others focus on a particular type. The common elements considered in most staging systems are as follows:

Site of the primary tumor.
Tumor size and number of tumors.
Lymph node involvement (spread of cancer into lymph nodes).
Cell type and tumor grade* (how closely the cancer cells resemble normal tissue cells).
The presence or absence of metastasis.
*Information about tumor grade is available in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) fact sheet Tumor Grade: Questions and Answers, found at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/tumor-grade

What is the TNM system?


The TNM system is one of the most widely used staging systems. This system has been accepted by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Most medical facilities use the TNM system as their main method for cancer reporting. PDQ®, NCI’s comprehensive cancer information database, also uses the TNM system.

The TNM system is based on the extent of the tumor (T), the extent of spread to the lymph nodes (N), and the presence of distant metastasis (M). A number is added to each letter to indicate the size or extent of the primary tumor and the extent of cancer spread.

Primary Tumor (T)
TX Primary tumor cannot be evaluated
T0 No evidence of primary tumor
Tis Carcinoma in situ (CIS; abnormal cells are present but have not spread to neighboring tissue; although not cancer, CIS may become cancer and is sometimes called preinvasive cancer)
T1, T2, T3, T4 Size and/or extent of the primary tumor

Regional Lymph Nodes (N)
NX Regional lymph nodes cannot be evaluated
N0 No regional lymph node involvement
N1, N2, N3 Involvement of regional lymph nodes (number of lymph nodes and/or extent of spread)

Distant Metastasis (M)
MX Distant metastasis cannot be evaluated
M0 No distant metastasis
M1 Distant metastasis is present
For example, breast cancer classified as T3 N2 M0 refers to a large tumor that has spread outside the breast to nearby lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer T2 N0 M0 means that the tumor is located only in the prostate and has not spread to the lymph nodes or any other part of the body.

For many cancers, TNM combinations correspond to one of five stages. Criteria for stages differ for different types of cancer. For example, bladder cancer T3 N0 M0 is stage III, whereas colon cancer T3 N0 M0 is stage II.

Stage Definition

Stage 0 Carcinoma in situ.
Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III Higher numbers indicate more extensive disease: Larger tumor size and/or spread of the cancer beyond the organ in which it first developed to nearby lymph nodes and/or organs adjacent to the location of the primary tumor.
Stage IV The cancer has spread to another organ(s).

Are all cancers staged with TNM classifications?


Most types of cancer have TNM designations, but some do not. For example, cancers of the brain and spinal cord are staged according to their cell type and grade. Different staging systems are also used for many cancers of the blood or bone marrow, such as lymphomas. The Ann Arbor staging classification is commonly used to stage lymphomas and has been adopted by both the AJCC and the UICC. However, other cancers of the blood or bone marrow, including most types of leukemia, do not have a clear-cut staging system. Another staging system, developed by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, is used to stage cancers of the cervix, uterus, ovary, vagina, and vulva. This system uses the TNM format. Additionally, childhood cancers are staged using either the TNM system or the staging criteria of the Children’s Oncology Group, which conducts pediatric clinical trials.

Many cancer registries, such as NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), use summary staging. This system is used for all types of cancer. It groups cancer cases into five main categories:

In situ: Abnormal cells are present only in the layer of cells in which they developed.
Localized: Cancer is limited to the organ in which it began, without evidence of spread.
Regional: Cancer has spread beyond the primary site to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.
Distant: Cancer has spread from the primary site to distant organs or distant lymph nodes.
Unknown: There is not enough information to determine the stage.

What types of tests are used to determine stage?


The types of tests used for staging depend on the type of cancer. Tests include the following:

Physical exams are used to gather information about the cancer. The doctor examines the body by looking, feeling, and listening for anything unusual. The physical exam may show the location and size of the tumor(s) and the spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes and/or to other organs.

Imaging studies produce pictures of areas inside the body. These studies are important tools in determining stage. Procedures such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans can show the location of the cancer, the size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread.

Laboratory tests are studies of blood, urine, other fluids, and tissues taken from the body. For example, tests for liver function and tumor markers (substances sometimes found in increased amounts if cancer is present) can provide information about the cancer.

Pathology reports may include information about the size of the tumor, the growth of the tumor into other tissues and organs, the type of cancer cells, and the grade of the tumor. A biopsy may be performed to provide information for the pathology report. Cytology reports also describe findings from the examination of cells in body fluids.

Surgical reports tell what is found during surgery. These reports describe the size and appearance of the tumor and often include observations about lymph nodes and nearby organs.

How can a patient find more information about staging?


The doctor most familiar with a patient’s situation is in the best position to provide staging information for that person. For background information, PDQ contains cancer treatment summaries that describe the staging of each type of cancer.

These are excerpts. For full fact sheet, see website:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/staging

More update information may be available at:

https://www.cancer.gov/syndication 

 

resources - all cancers

 

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

For 100 years, the American Cancer Society has been leading the way to transform cancer from deadly to preventable.

http://www.cancer.org

Find Support & Treatment

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/index

Watch the Introduction Video
Learn about making treatment decisions, coping with side effects, handling financial matters, caregiving, and living well after cancer. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services to help you manage cancer treatment and recovery and find the emotional support you need. And our help is free.

Select a cancer type from the drop down menu to get more specialized information or try this:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/showallcancertypes/index

For the specialty related to our WebWhispers site:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/laryngealandhypopharyngealcancer/index

Whether you (or a loved one) are worried about developing laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, have just been diagnosed, are going through treatment, or are trying to stay well after treatment, this detailed guide can help you.

From this area, you can go to the section you need to read online or download a printable version of the information.

WebWhispers is listed there as an additional resource.

 

 


 

BLOCH CANCER FOUNDATION

Knowledge Heals - Ignorance Destroys

The goal of the R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation is limited to projects that will help people diagnosed with cancer have the best chance of beating it as easily as possible. Many other facets could be more important such as making people immune to cancer, eliminating the cause of cancer or finding a cure. However, these fields are best left to professionals.

All services of the Foundation are free, and no contributions of cash are ever solicited. Contributions are accepted so that the donor may be assured that all their funds are going to help cancer patients.

http://blochcancer.org

This web site contains a tremendous amount of information. It is a dynamic, growing instant resource available to cancer patients around the world, free to everyone and easily accessed. Some of the information it contains includes:

All 3 of our books
Up-to-date list of second opinion centers
Letter to newly diagnosed cancer patients
Mental Attitude Quiz
Patient Checklist
Access to PDQ from NCI or OncoLink
Access to current open protocols nationally
All our articles from Coping magazine
Cancer Survivors Park details
Brochure on our Foundation
Application to volunteer and e-mail access

Cancer Support Organizations

http://blochcancer.org/resources/big-list-of-cancer-resources/

Comments:

We are a Cancer foundation, founded by Richard and Annette Bloch in 1978.
We have three books that we send out regarding Cancer that Richard and Annette wrote,free.
We help with research for patients and families, have a matching program where we match a new cancer patient with a surviving patient. We help answer questions that they have, regarding treatments, 2nd opinions, etc.

 


 

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