14 minute read
Ocean Hematology & Oncology
Medical Professionals
Medical Professionals 7
Advertisement
What You Need To Know
Did you know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S.? Approximately 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and 27 percent of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer.
What causes lung cancer?
Smoking. Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Even though non-smokers can also get lung cancer, the risk is much higher in those who smoke. The more you smoke, the higher your risk. The likelihood of getting lung cancer decreases after you quit smoking. Tobacco smoke damages cells in the lungs, causing the cells to grow abnormally. Regular exposure to smoke from someone else’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes (called second-hand smoking) can increase a person’s risk of lung cancer, even if they are non-smokers. #Exposure to asbestos. Certain jobs such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, insulation or automotive brake repair may cause exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can irritate the lungs and cause cancer. When combined with smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer is much higher.
Radon. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas released by soil and some rocks. Exposure to higher levels of radon can cause cancer, especially lung cancer.
What are the types of lung cancer?
There are two different types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. This difference is based on the type of cancer cells. Most lung cancers are non-small cell. Among the non-small cell lung cancers, there are several subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell and large cell.
What are the symptoms and signs?
Symptoms and signs include coughing, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss. Most often, the symptoms do not manifest until the cancer is advanced. Sometimes lung cancer can be detected as a shadow in the lung on an X-ray done for other reasons.
How is it diagnosed?
Once your doctor suspects that you have lung cancer, you will be sent for CT scans and in some cases, a PET scan. A PET scan can detect cancer more accurately than other tests. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the suspicious lesions seen on the X-ray or CT scans. The scans also help to see if the cancer has spread to any other organs, a process called metastasis.
Are there different stages?
Staging is different for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers. Small cell lung cancer has only two stages: limited stage (confined within the lungs) or extensive (spread outside the lungs).
Non-small cell lung cancer has four stages: stages I to IV. Stage I is a small tumor that is confined to the lung, that has not spread to the lymph glands. Larger tumors and those that are spread to the lymph glands come under stages II and III. When the cancer has spread to other organs, it is stage IV.
What are the treatment options?
Treatment is based on the stage and the type of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is mainly treated with chemotherapy. In limited stage small cell lung cancer, radiation can be combined with chemotherapy.
Early stage non-small cell lung cancer is best treated by surgical resection. An experienced surgeon removes the tumor, surrounding normal lung tissue and the lymph glands around it. Even after removing the tumor, cancer cells can remain and cause recurrent cancer, either in the lung itself or in other organs. Chemotherapy, radiation or both are used after surgery to reduce the chance of recurrent cancer.
Advanced stage lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy. The types of chemotherapy drugs used are based on the type of lung cancer, age of the patient, other medical illnesses, etc. There is ongoing research to improve the outcome in patients with lung cancer.
What’s new in lung cancer?
Targeted agents: Medicines that target certain proteins or receptors on the cancer cells are being developed for the treatment of various cancers. These targeted agents attack the cancer cells specifically, sparing other cells. Targeted agents cause less severe side effects than chemotherapy.
A few different targeted agents are found to be beneficial in lung cancer. Tarceva (erlotinib) is a drug that works in certain types of lung cancers carrying a mutation in a receptor called EGFR. A new drug called crizotinib was approved recently for the treatment of lung cancer that carries a gene called ALK fusion oncogene.
No two tumors are alike! Even among lung cancers, there are different distinguishing features. Your oncologist chooses the type of treatment based on a number of factors, including the cell type, stage, different biological markers on the cancer cells, and your other medical problems.
November Is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month What you should know: • If you are a heavy smoker, and have been smoking for several years, ask your doctor if you need to do an X-ray or a CT scan. • Ask your MD about different methods to help you quit smoking. • If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, ask about the type of cancer you have, stage and other features such as EGFR mutation. • What is your treatment plan? • What are the side-effects of treatment? • Are there support services available? Immunotherapy in lung cancer.
Over the last few decades, immunotherapy agents have been studied in the treatment of many cancers, including lung cancer. Several immunotherapy drugs are now approved for use. Our immune system fights cancer cells normally, and thus reduces the chance of Medical Professionals transforming normal cells into cancer cells. But this does not work always, as people with normal immune systems also develop cancer. The principle of immune therapy is based on What You Need To Know boosting the immune system so that it can efficiently destroy cancer cells. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been a major breakthrough in cancer research. Did you know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer These drugs help to take the “brakes” off the immune system, so that they can recognize and kill cancer cells more effectively. deaths in both men and women in the U.S.? Approximately 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and 27 percent of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer. OPDIVO, KEYTRUDA, and TECENTRIQ are some of the immune checkpoint inhibitors that are used in lung cancer. Even though these drugs don’t have the typical side effects of What causes lung cancer? Smoking. Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Even though non-smokers chemotherapy, they still can cause reactions such as inflammatory disorders.can also get lung cancer, the risk is much higher in those who smoke. The more you smoke, the higher your risk. The likelihood of getting lung cancer decreases after you quit smoking. Tobacco smoke damages cells in the lungs, causing the cells to grow abnormally. Regular exposure to To learn more about lung cancer and the treatment of smoke from someone else’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes (called second-hand smoking) can increase a person’s risk of lung cancer, even if they are non-smokers. other cancers, contact Dr. Sarah Easaw at 732-961-0010 orExposure to asbestos. Certain jobs such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, insulation or automotive brake repair may cause exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can irritate the lungs visit www.oceanhemonc.com.and cause cancer. When combined with smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer is much higher. Radon. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas released by soil and some rocks. Exposure to higher levels of radon can cause cancer, especially lung cancer.
What are the types of lung cancer?
There are two different types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. This difference is based on the type of cancer cells. Most lung cancers are non-small cell. Among the non-small cell lung cancers, there are several subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell and large cell.
What are the symptoms and signs?
Symptoms and signs include coughing, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss. Most often, the symptoms do not manifest until the cancer is advanced. Sometimes lung cancer can be detected as a shadow in the lung on an X-ray done for other reasons.
How is it diagnosed?
Once your doctor suspects that you have lung cancer, you will be sent for CT scans and in some cases, a PET scan. A PET scan can detect cancer more accurately than other tests. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the suspicious lesions seen on the X-ray or CT scans. The scans also help to see if the cancer has spread to any other organs, a process called metastasis.
Are there different stages?
Staging is different for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers. Small cell lung cancer has only two stages: limited stage (confined within the lungs) or extensive (spread outside the lungs). Non-small cell lung cancer has four stages: stages I to IV. Stage I is a small tumor that is confined to the lung, that has not spread to the lymph glands. Larger tumors and those that are spread to the lymph glands come under stages II and III. When the cancer has spread to other organs, it is stage IV.
What are the treatment options?
Treatment is based on the stage and the type of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is mainly treated with chemotherapy. In limited stage small cell lung cancer, radiation can be combined with chemotherapy. Early stage non-small cell lung cancer is best treated by surgical resection. An experienced surgeon removes the tumor, surrounding normal lung tissue and the lymph glands around it. Even after removing the tumor, cancer cells can remain and cause recurrent cancer, either in the lung itself or in other organs. Chemotherapy, radiation or both are used after surgery to reduce the chance of recurrent cancer. Advanced stage lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy. The types of chemotherapy drugs used are based on the type of lung cancer, age of the patient, other medical illnesses, etc. There is ongoing research to improve the outcome in patients with lung cancer.
What’s new in lung cancer?
Targeted agents: Medicines that target certain proteins or receptors on the cancer cells are being developed for the treatment of various cancers. These targeted agents attack the cancer cells specifically, sparing other cells. Targeted agents cause less severe side effects than chemotherapy. A few different targeted agents are found to be beneficial in lung cancer. Tarceva (erlotinib) is a drug that works in certain types of lung cancers carrying a mutation in a receptor called EGFR. A new drug called crizotinib was approved recently for the treatment of lung cancer that carries a gene called ALK fusion oncogene. No two tumors are alike! Even among lung cancers, there are different distinguishing features. Your oncologist chooses the type of treatment based on a number of factors, including the cell type, stage, different biological markers on the cancer cells, and your other medical problems. The County Woman Magazine www.TheCountyWoman.com November/December 2018
Women and Cancer…Part lI
Cancer Of The Uterus
Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the reproductive organs among women in the US. It is estimated that about 52,000 women will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer this year.
Uterine cancer is rare in women 45 and under. Most cases are diagnosed in women over 55. November Is National Lung Cancer Awareness MonthRisk Factors: Hormonal factors: Prolonged exposure to the female hormone estrogen is directly linked to developing endometrial cancer. Women who had more What you should know: • If you are a heavy smoker, and have been smoking for menstrual cycles during their lifetime have an increased risk of getting several years, ask your doctor if you need to do an
X-ray or a CT scan.
cancer of the uterus. For example, if you started your period before age • Ask your MD about different methods to help you quit 12, and you have your menopause in the late fifties, you have an increased smoking. • If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, ask about the type of cancer you have, risk of endometrial cancer. Women who take estrogen alone as hormone stage and other features such as EGFR mutation. • What is your treatment plan? replacement therapy also have a high risk. The number of pregnancies a • What are the side-effects of treatment? woman had plays a protective role. In women who never had children, the • Are there support services available? Immunotherapy in lung cancer. risk of uterine cancer is high. Over the last few decades, immunotherapy agents have been studied in the treatment of many cancers, including lung cancer. Several immunotherapy drugs are now approved for use.
Tamoxifen, a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, may lead to Our immune system fights cancer cells normally, and thus reduces the chance of transforming normal cells into cancer cells. But this does not work always, as people with endometrial cancer in a minority of patients. normal immune systems also develop cancer. The principle of immune therapy is based on boosting the immune system so that it can efficiently destroy cancer cells.
Obesity: Endometrial cancer is common among overweight women The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been a major breakthrough in cancer research. These drugs help to take the “brakes” off the immune system, so that they can recognize and kill than those who are lean. Estrogen, the female hormone produced in the cancer cells more effectively. ovaries, is also made from fat cells. Having more fat tissue increases the OPDIVO, KEYTRUDA, and TECENTRIQ are some of the immune checkpoint inhibitors that are used in lung cancer. Even though these drugs don’t have the typical side effects of amount of estrogen in the body and thus increases the risk of endometrial chemotherapy, they still can cause reactions such as inflammatory disorders. cancer. To learn more about lung cancer and the treatment of other cancers, contact Dr. Sarah Easaw at 732-961-0010 or
Diet and exercise: Diets high in fat will increase the risk of uterine visit www.oceanhemonc.com. cancer. Exercise has a protective effect. Women who exercise regularly are less likely to develop endometrial cancer than those with sedentary habits.
Diabetes: Uterine cancer is four times more common in women who have diabetes; this is true for those who are obese as well as those with normal body weight.
Family History: Some genetic mutations, which are hereditary, can lead Compassionate Cancer Care, Close to Home to endometrial cancer and colon cancer. Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer Bleeding: Most patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer have abnormal vaginal bleeding. It could be a change in their periods or bleeding between periods or after menopause. It is important to seek medical attention for any irregular bleeding immediately. If you have gone through Sarah J. Easaw MD, FACP Board Certified Hematology & Oncology specialist Serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties for more than 15 years menopause, it is especially important to report any vaginal bleeding, • Clinical expertise in the treatment of Cancer and Blood Disordersspotting, or abnormal discharge to your doctor. • State-of the-art Cancer Care, in a warm and personalized
Non-bloody vaginal discharge may also be a sign of endometrial cancer. atmosphere Even if you cannot see blood in the discharge, it does not mean there is • Easily accessible location, close to GSP
• Affiliated with RWJ /Barnabas Health Medical Group, a Testimonials multispecialty physician network.
“Dear Dr. Easaw, I am writing to thank you for your kindness in caring for my Mom. My family has comfort in Treating Patients and Families with Respect and Care… knowing that she was taken care of by a compassionate group of folks who made her multiple trips to the office and hospital tolerable. I have also appreciated your kindness and patience in taking my Ocean Hematology & Oncology many calls to discuss my Mom’s schedule, results etc.” “I am so glad that I finally found a great doctor to help me navigate through my newly diagnosed cancer.” Dear Dr. Easaw & Staff, 1255 Route 70, 31S • Lakewood, NJ 08701 “Thank you all so much for the wonderful care that you gave Mom. You all added that personal 732-961-0010 touch, that most people, including my family couldn’t and wouldn’t give. For that we will always be thankful.” Visit our website: www.oceanhemonc.com
no cancer. In about 10 percent of cases, the discharge associated with endometrial cancer is not bloody. Any abnormal discharge should be checked out by your doctor.
Lower abdominal pain, pressure sensation, feeling a mass or lump in the lower abdomen and unexpected weight loss are some of the other symptoms of uterine cancer.
Diagnosis is made by doing a biopsy of the lining of the uterus. Before doing a biopsy, an ultrasound of the pelvis can be done to evaluate the size of the uterus and the thickness of the endometrial lining. Treatment
Hysterectomy is the main treatment for cancer of the uterus. In addition to removing the uterus, both ovaries and surrounding lymph nodes will be removed. Depending on the stage of the cancer and a few other factors, some women may require Radiation Therapy and/or Chemotherapy after surgery.
As with any other cancer, prevention, early detection and treatment are three important steps in reducing the fatality of uterine cancer. Lifestyle modifications, including eating a low fat diet, and daily exercise are key in lowering your risk. Awareness of the symptoms and seeking prompt attention is equally essential.
