Cancer Essay, Research Paper

Different Cancers

Leukemia

Symptoms

Feeling weak or dizzy after an activity

Pains in joints and bones

Constantly sick, one cold after another

Swelling in the neck and armpits, tender to the touch

Feeling warm with a pale complexion

A persons immune system has been damaged

High Risk Conditions

People with exposure to large amount of radiation

Treatment

There is no cure for all leukemia patients. However, they have found a number of ways of bringing about remission, which if permanent, will mean a cure for the patient. Often patients will undergo chemotherapy, which refers to using chemicals to treat the patient by cleaning out the bone marrow of the cancer cells.

Brain Cancer

Symptoms

Headache

Nausea

Visual changes

Convulsions

Lethargy

Personality changes

Psychotic episodes

Impaired mental function

High Risk Conditions

Brain cancer can occur at any age, but is most common in middle-aged adults.

Treatment

If the cancer is not too far into the brain, it can be operated on and be removed. In inoperable cancers, radiation may reduce the of the tumor and chemotherapy may halt the progress of the disease.

Lung Cancer

Symptoms

Persistent cough

Blood-streaked sputum

Chest pain

recurring pneumonia or bronchitis

High Risk Conditions

Smokers and people who have exposure to asbestos.

Treatment

Surgery is available for some, although the cancer must be caught at an early stage. If the cancer persists after the surgery, then chemotherapy is needed to reduce the size of the cancer.

Eye Cancer

Symptoms

Crossed eyes (strabismus)

a yellowish or white spot in the pupil

High Risk Conditions

Being a baby under the age of 2 or 3. (Disease is rare)

Treatment

Treatment depends on the extent of the cancer. If only one eye is infected, the cancer will be removed with as much of the optic nerve as possible. If both eyes are involved, the more cancerous eye is removed and usually cryotherapy or laser surgery is applied to the other eye.

Cancer of the Bone

Symptoms

Pain and swelling in the bones and joints

High Risk Conditions

Most of these cancers occurs in young people under the age of 20

Treatment

Usually the bone that is infected is removed and an anti-cancer drug is administered. A newer treatment includes applying radiation to the affected bone.