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Gong Chun
Oncology
About me
Hunan University of Chinese Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Attending Physician, has been engaged in clinical work in oncology for many years, with rich clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of common oncological diseases.
Proficient in diseases
Specializing in common cancers of the respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and circulatory system.
Voices
Breast cancer is a disease.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor of the breast that can occur in both women and men, though it is more commonly seen in women. Breast cancer arises when breast epithelial cells undergo genetic mutations under the influence of various carcinogenic factors, losing the characteristics of normal cells. Consequently, the structural organization of breast cancer tissue is disrupted, with loose cell connections, allowing cancer cells to easily detach and spread throughout the body via pathways such as blood or lymphatic fluid, leading to metastases in the lungs, brain, bones, etc. Therefore, this disease directly affects patient survival outcomes and should be taken seriously by everyone.
What are the symptoms and early signs of rectal cancer?
In the early stages of rectal cancer, there are no obvious symptoms. Only when the condition progresses to a certain extent do some clinical symptoms appear. The first is a change in bowel habits or the nature of the stool. The second possible symptom is abdominal pain. The third possible outcome is intestinal obstruction. The fourth symptom occurs when the tumor develops to a certain extent, and lumps can be felt in the abdomen. The fifth point includes possible symptoms of systemic poisoning such as anemia, weight loss, fever, and weakness. The sixth point is that in the advanced stages of rectal cancer, some metastatic lesions may appear, such as extensive pelvic metastasis and infiltration, leading to pain in the sacral area and sciatic neuralgia; if areas like the vaginal, rectal mucosa, or bladder mucosa are involved, there may be vaginal bleeding or blood in the urine, resulting in conditions like rectovaginal or rectovesical fistulas.
Postoperative Diet and Care for Rectal Cancer
Firstly, rectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract, so after surgery, it is recommended to eat foods that are easy to digest and absorb. Secondly, do not smoke, abstain from alcohol, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Thirdly, it is advised not to eat indigestible foods, such as bean products and foods that cause gas, and to consume them in smaller quantities. Fourthly, rectal cancer may deplete a large amount of nutrients in the body, coupled with the damage from surgery, so it is essential to ensure a nutrition-rich diet, consume nutritious foods such as soups, easily digestible congee, and high-quality proteins to increase the body's nutrients. Fifthly, attention should be paid to timely adding clothing to avoid catching a cold.
How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?
The first point is the diagnostic process for differentiated thyroid cancer. Initially, most patients may not have symptoms, while a minority might show symptoms due to invasion of surrounding organs. Ultrasound examination is the preferred method for diagnosing thyroid nodules. Ultrasound can clarify the number, nature, and location of thyroid nodules, as well as provide information on whether there are abnormally enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. It has a relatively high accuracy in identifying the nature of thyroid nodules. Currently, the most accurate test for determining the nature of thyroid nodules remains the fine needle aspiration cytology, which has a diagnostic sensitivity of 83-92% and specificity of 80-92%, but it is not 100% conclusive. The second point is about the diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer. Besides the tests common for thyroid cancers, additional tests for medullary thyroid cancer can include fine needle aspiration, ultrasound, and some serological tests, such as calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen tests.
Early symptoms of lung cancer
Early-stage lung cancer, especially peripheral lung cancer, often has no symptoms and is mostly found during chest X-rays or CT scans. The clinical symptoms of lung cancer are closely related to the location, size, pathological type of the tumor, whether it compresses or invades adjacent organs, and whether there is metastasis. The symptoms of lung cancer generally include: First, some symptoms of the primary tumor growing locally, including cough, hemoptysis, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. When the tumor grows inside a larger bronchus, it might cause some irritative coughing. Second, as the tumor continues to grow and affects the drainage of the bronchi, it may lead to secondary lung infections, presenting with symptoms such as cough and purulent sputum. Third, there might be bloody sputum streaked with blood or intermittent minor hemoptysis, though significant hemoptysis is very rare.
What causes lung cancer?
Lung cancer is caused by a variety of factors. Research indicates that lung cancer results from a combination of genetic defects, external and internal environmental factors, and personal factors. Numerous studies have confirmed that long-term and heavy smoking is the most significant carcinogenic factor for lung cancer. There is a positive correlation between the amount and duration of smoking and the incidence of lung cancer. The second factor is related to working in asbestos-related industries, which very much relates to the work environment, and also has a certain relation to smog. Indoor environmental pollution is also a very significant carcinogenic factor for lung cancer. This includes smoke from burning coal indoors, fumes from cooking oils in kitchens, and carcinogenic substances released by indoor decorating materials. Fourthly, internal human factors such as the immune status, metabolic abnormalities, genetic factors, and chronic lung infections are also related. The fifth factor involves irregular diet and rest habits, irritating foods, alcohol consumption, and heavy smoking.
Late-stage symptoms of breast cancer
The first symptom of advanced breast cancer is a lump in the breast, which may be larger than before, or there may be multiple lumps that are fixed to the surrounding tissues and have limited mobility. The second symptom is nipple discharge, which could be watery, serous, or milky. The third possible sign is changes in the skin, such as dimpling or an orange-peel texture. The fourth point includes the retraction of the nipple, abnormalities in the areola, and thickening and reddening of the nipple skin. The fifth point can involve pain in the breast. In advanced stages, the cancer may directly invade the nerves. Sixthly, advanced breast cancer may lead to metastases; for example, brain metastases might cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. If there are bone metastases, especially multiple bone metastases, symptoms could include pain in the lower back and pain along the sciatic nerve, among others.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. It is commonly found in individuals with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue eyes, who are often prone to this type of disease, particularly in tropical regions where the condition is more prevalent. The incidence rate increases after the age of fifty, and the rate of occurrence between men and women within the same group is quite similar. In a minority of cases, melanoma can also occur in parts outside of the skin, such as the anus, rectum, esophagus, or inside the eyes. When the tumor is confined within the epidermis, referred to as in situ carcinoma, it can be cured through surgery. If there is metastasis, treatment may include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or local radiotherapy.
Cervical cancer leukorrhea characteristics
The characteristics of vaginal discharge in cervical cancer may include the presence of blood in the discharge. This is because cervical cancer often leads to increased vaginal discharge, which may also increase in quantity and might contain streaks of blood or bloody material. The discharge could be thin and watery or resemble rice wash water, and it might have a foul smell. In advanced stages, due to necrosis of the cancer tissue accompanied by infection, there can be a substantial amount of foul-smelling, purulent discharge resembling rice wash water. Therefore, these characteristics of the vaginal discharge are specific symptoms of cervical cancer. If such symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek medical consultation promptly to evaluate for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer indicators
The main indicators of cervical cancer are still the examination of the cervix and cervical canal tissues. There are obvious cancerous changes, and under the microscope pathological sections can show tendencies of cell carcinogenesis, or already developed cancer. The second is the cytological examination of cervical scrapings, which detects the presence of cancer cells. The third is the iodine test, where areas that do not stain after iodine staining indicate a lack of glycogen in the epithelium, suggesting possible lesions. The fourth is colposcopy, which may reveal suspicious cancerous areas, allowing for biopsy to confirm cancer cells. The fifth includes ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc., which can detect mass occupying lesions, all of which are indicators of cervical cancer. Of course, abnormalities in tumor markers are also considered, but the main reliance is still on the indicators from pathological examinations to determine if it's cervical cancer.