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External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy (also called EBRT, or sometimes just “RT”) is a radiation oncology procedure. It uses high-dose radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. A machine aims radiation at cancer with high accuracy when treating a specific body part.

EBRT is used to treat several cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, uterine, leukemia, melanoma, and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Types of external beam radiation therapy3-D conformal radiation therapy

Here, CT, MRI, and PET scan images help plan the treatment area. A computer program analyses the images to design radiation beams that conform to the tumor shape.

HOW IT WORKS

It delivers beams from different directions. The precise shaping helps to use higher radiation doses on cancer.

TREATMENT SCHEDULE

The treatment is given once a day on weekdays. The number of treatments varies according to the type, stage, and size of cancer.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

It is an advanced type of 3-D conformal radiation therapy to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors.

HOW IT WORKS

The small radiation beams are targeted at the tumor from different directions. It is possible to change the beam strength in some areas to give higher doses.

TREATMENT SCHEDULE

Generally given once a day on weekdays. The number of treatments varies according to the type, stage, and size of cancer.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

It uses imaging scans for treatment planning and during radiation therapy sessions.

HOW IT WORKS

The computer processes CT, MRI, or PET, scans to detect tumor size and location. The repeated imaging helps the radiation dose to be adjusted during the treatment. It improves the accuracy of treatment.

TREATMENT SCHEDULE

The treatment is given once a day on weekdays. The number of treatments depends on the type, stage, and size of cancer.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

It uses high-energy and high-focused beams to treat brain and central nervous system tumors. It is an option if surgery is risky due to age, health problems, or tumor location.

HOW IT WORKS

A head frame limits the movement during treatment. The small radiation beams are targeted at the tumor from various directions. Each beam has a precisely aimed radiation dose delivered to the site.

TREATMENT SCHEDULE

The treatment is given once a day in a single dose or up to five doses.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

It is useful for small, isolated tumors located outside the brain and spinal cord. It is useful when surgery is not an option due to age, health problems, or the tumor location.

HOW IT WORKS

It uses special equipment to hold the body during treatment. It delivers a precise beam to the limited area.

TREATMENT SCHEDULE

Stereotactic radiation is given once a day in more than one dose, up to five doses.

Side Effects

Standard radiation therapy treatments may cause side effects depending on the treatment period and the body part being treated. For example:

Skin changes

Fatigue (Tiredness)

Nausea and vomiting

Hair Loss

Diarrhea

Difficulty swallowing

Tenderness and inflammation

Urinary symptoms like burning, blood in urine, pain

Questions to ask before treatment

What will be the length of the therapy?

What happens before the first treatment?

How to relax before treatment sessions?

What to wear for treatment?

What happens during a treatment session?

Will external beam radiation therapy make me radioactive?

What is Proton Therapy?

EBRT can be given using two types of particles:

Photons

Protons

PHOTONS (LIGHT PARTICLES)

The machine uses photon beams to reach the tumor. These beams can give off (“scatter”) some of their energy along their path and it also doesn’t fully stop after reaching the cancer. This is why photon beams cause some of their side effects in normal tissue in their path (like diarrhea because of gut inflammation).

PROTONS

Proton particles can reach tumors deep in the body without scattering radiation along their path. They stop once they get to the cancer, thus decreasing healthy tissue’s exposure to the radiation. It doesn’t always work better than regular photon-based EBRT, but proton-beam therapy is generally used for brain cancer and cancers in children.

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Cystoscopy | Ankr Health

Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure done to see the inside of the bladder using a thin, lighted tube. If your urologist also decides to look inside the ureter (a thin tube that drains urine from the kidney into the bladder), the procedure is called ureteroscopy.

Why Do I Need a Cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy is commonly done to:

Check for cancer of the bladder or urethra

Check the cause of blood in the urine

Diagnose the cause of problems passing urine

Diagnose the cause of repeated bladder infections

Help determine the cause of pain during urination

How is Cystoscopy Done?

Cystoscopy is done with an instrument called the cystoscope. This is a special tube with a small camera on the end (endoscope). There are two types of cystoscopes:

Standard, rigid cystoscope

Flexible cystoscope

The tube can be inserted in different ways. However, the test is the same. The type of cystoscope your health care provider will use depends on the purpose of the exam. The procedure will take about 5 to 20 minutes. The urethra is cleansed. Numbing medicine is applied to the skin lining the inside of the urethra. This is done without needles. The scope is then inserted through the urethra into the bladder.

Water or salt water (saline) flows through the tube to fill the bladder. As this occurs, you may be asked to describe the feeling. Your answer will give some information about your condition. As fluid fills the bladder, it stretches the bladder wall. This lets your provider see the entire bladder wall. You will feel the need to urinate when the bladder is full. However, the bladder must stay full until the exam is finished.

If any tissue looks abnormal, a small sample can be taken (biopsy) through the tube. This sample will be sent to a lab to be tested.

How to Prepare for the Test

Ask your provider if you should stop taking any medicines that could thin your blood. The procedure may be done in a hospital or surgery centre. In that case, you will need to have someone take you home afterwards.

How the Test will Feel

You may feel slight discomfort when the tube is passed through the urethra into the bladder. You will feel an uncomfortable, strong need to urinate when your bladder is full or a quick pinch if a biopsy is taken. After the tube is removed, the urethra may be sore. You may have blood in the urine and a burning sensation during urination for a day or two.

Normal Results

The bladder wall should look smooth. The bladder should be of normal size, shape, and position. There should be no blockages, growths, or stones.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

The abnormal results could indicate:

Bladder cancer

Bladder stones (calculi)

Chronic urethritis or cystitis

Scarring of the urethra (called a stricture)

Congenital (present at birth) abnormality

Cysts (fluid-filled structures)

Diverticula of the bladder or urethra

Foreign material in the bladder or urethra

Bladder wall decompression

Some Other Possible Diagnoses May Be:

Irritable bladder

Polyps

Prostate problems, such as bleeding, enlargement, or blockage

Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra

Ulcer

Urethral strictures

Are There Risks of Cystoscopy?

There is a slight risk of excessive bleeding when a biopsy is taken. Other risks include:

General risks associated with anaesthesia or a surgical procedure like bleeding

Bladder infection

Rupture of the bladder wall

What Should I Do/Expect After the Procedure?

Drink 4 to 6 glasses of water per day after the procedure. You may notice a small amount of blood in your urine after this procedure. If the bleeding continues after you urinate 3 times, contact your provider.

Contact your provider if you develop any of these signs of infection:

Chills

Fever

Pain

Reduced urine output

Alternative Names

Cystourethroscopy; Endoscopy of the bladder.

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XTANDI Treatment

The Basics of XTANDI

XTANDI® (ex-TAN dee) Generic name: Enzalutamide Formulation: Capsules (more common), tablets Category: Hormonal therapy

What is Enzalutamide/Xtandi used for?

Enzalutamide/XTANDI is a prescription medicine used to treat men with prostate cancer that:

· No longer responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone OR

· Has spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone.

· It is not known if XTANDI is safe and effective in females.

· It is not known if XTANDI is safe and effective in children.

How You Should Take XTANDI?

· Take XTANDI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.

· Take your prescribed dose of XTANDI 1 time a day, at the same time each day.

· Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed.

· Do not change or stop taking your prescribed dose of XTANDI without talking with your healthcare provider first.

· XTANDI can be taken with or without food.

· Swallow XTANDI capsules whole. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules.

· If you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy, you should continue with this treatment during your XTANDI treatment unless you have had a surgery to lower the amount of testosterone in your body (surgical castration).

· If you miss a dose of XTANDI, take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember that day. If you miss your daily dose, take your prescribed dose at your regular time the next day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose of XTANDI each day.

· If you take too much XTANDI, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You may have an increased risk of seizure if you take too much XTANDI.

What are the Side Effects of XTANDI?

XTANDI may cause serious side effects including:

· Seizure. If you take XTANDI you may be at risk of having a seizure. You should avoid activities where a sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to yourself or others. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have loss of consciousness or seizure.

· Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). If you take XTANDI you may be at risk of developing a condition involving the brain called PRES. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision or other visual problems. Your healthcare provider will do a test to check for PRES.

· Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions have happened in people who take XTANDI. Stop taking XTANDI and get medical help right away if you develop swelling of the face, tongue, lip or throat.

· Heart disease. Blockage of the arteries in the heart (ischemic heart disease) that can lead to death has happened in some people during treatment with XTANDI. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of heart problems during your treatment with XTANDI. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you get chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity or shortness of breath during your treatment with XTANDI.

· Falls and fractures. XTANDI treatment may increase your risk for falls and fractures. Falls were not caused by loss of consciousness (fainting) or seizures. Your healthcare provider will monitor your risks for falls and fractures during treatment with XTANDI.

Your healthcare provider will stop treatment with XTANDI if you have serious side effects.

The Most Common Side Effects of XTANDI Includes:

· Weakness or feeling more tired than usual

· Back pain

· Hot flashes

· Constipation

· Joint pain

· Decreased appetite

· Diarrhea

· High blood pressure

XTANDI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect the ability to father children. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of XTANDI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1–800-FDA-1088.

Precautions Before Taking XTANDI

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

· Have a history of seizures, brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.

· Have a history of heart disease.

· Have high blood pressure.

· Have abnormal amounts of fat or cholesterol in your blood (dyslipidemia).

· are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XTANDI can cause harm to your unborn baby and loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).

· Have a partner who is pregnant or may become pregnant.

· Males who have female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose of XTANDI.

· Males must use a condom during sex with a pregnant female.

· are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XTANDI passes into your breast milk.

Self-Care Tips for XTANDI

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. XTANDI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XTANDI works.

You should not start or stop any medicine before you talk with the healthcare provider that prescribed XTANDI.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Important Information for XTANDI

HOW SHOULD I STORE XTANDI?

· Store XTANDI between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).

· Keep XTANDI capsules dry and in a tightly closed container. Keep XTANDI and all medicines out of the reach of children.

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF XTANDI

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use XTANDI for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give XTANDI to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about XTANDI that is written for health professionals.

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN XTANDI?

Active Ingredient: enzalutamide

Inactive Ingredients: caprylocaproyl polyoxylglycerides, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, gelatin, sorbitol sorbitan solution, glycerin, purified water, titanium dioxide, black iron oxide.

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Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer means cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate is located below the bladder, in front of the rectum. It is found only in males. The urethra, which carries urine, passes through the prostate. It produces the fluid that is required for healthy sperm.

It is an uncontrolled and rapid growth of prostate cells. If cancer cells are spread to other organs, it is called metastatic prostate cancer.

About Prostate Cancer

Signs & Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer grows gradually over the years. Men with early-stage prostate cancer don’t have any visible signs or symptoms. It only shows up at a later stage or advanced stage.

Symptoms include difficulty in peeing, blood in the urine, erectile dysfunction, and body pain.

Here are some of the diagnostic tests:

PSA blood test: The prostate gland produces PSA protein. It is present in the blood. Enhanced PSA levels indicate prostate cancer. Blood tests check the PSA level and changes in the PSA level over time.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS): The doctor inserts a tiny wand into the rectum. It gives sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off the prostate. The echoes are represented as an image on a computer screen.

MRI: The radio waves and strong magnets help create detailed images of the body. It helps to detect the spread of cancer outside the prostate.

Prostate biopsy: The doctor removes small pieces of the cancerous part of the prostate with a long, hollow needle. TRUS or MRI helps to examine the prostate. The doctor checks the pieces for cancer cells.

Lymph node biopsy: The doctor may suggest lymph node biopsy if there is metastasis in lymph nodes.

CT scan: With the help of x-rays, it captures detailed pictures of the body. A CT scan shows the spread of cancer outside the prostate.

Bone scan: It checks the spread of cancer to the bones.

PET scan: It identifies the cancer spread. A small amount of a low-level radioactive substance is put in the blood, which attaches to the cancer cells. A special camera helps to detect the areas of radioactivity.

The doctor will find the spread of prostate cancer or the stage of cancer. It helps to determine the types of treatment best suited for you.

The stage is decided based on the cancer growth or cancer spread through the prostate. In the case of metastasis, it also includes the blood PSA level and the cancer grade. A grade is decided on the appearance of prostate cancer cells under a microscope. The cells with a different appearance from normal cells are of a higher grade. These cells are likely to overgrow. A Gleason score (between 6 and 10) or a Grade Group (between 1 and 5) determines the cancer grade. The grade helps to determine the treatments best suited for you.

Cancer has 1, 2, 3, or 4 stages. The lower number indicates less spread of cancer. A higher number suggests the severe spread of cancer outside the prostate.

The doctor may put non-metastasis cancers into a risk group. It depends on the extent of cancer spread, PSA level, and the prostate biopsy results. The risk group determines the need for diagnostic tests and the best-suited treatment options.

Ask the doctor about your cancer stage, grade, and risk group.

How Advanced is Cancer?

What are the Suitable Treatments?

The Treatments Available are Listed Below:

OBSERVATION

Prostate cancer grows gradually. Hence, older males and those with other health problems may not need treatment. The doctor may keep track of cancer. It is helpful if the tumor is localized, not causing any issues, and growing slowly.

ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE

Healthy young males having small- slow-growing prostate cancer are suitable candidates for active surveillance. The treatment includes monitoring cancer closely and treating it if any symptoms are present.

SURGERY

Surgery helps to cure or control cancer and make symptoms better. It is a standard treatment to cure prostate cancer if it is not spread outside the prostate. Radical prostatectomy is a type of prostate surgery. The surgeon removes the prostate, tissues around it and the seminal vesicles.

The common side effects of prostate surgery are urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, infertility, lymphedema, change in penis length, and groin hernia.

Ask the doctor about the type of surgery needed and what to expect.

RADIATION TREATMENT

Radiation is high-energy rays that kill cancer cells. There are two ways to treat prostate cancer radiation therapy. The first is by aiming at the prostate from a machine outside the body. The second is by putting small radioactive pellets, or tiny seeds, into the prostate.

The common side effects of radiation therapy are diarrhoea, leaking urine/stool, or blood in the urine/ stool; frequent urination, burning sensation while peeing; erectile dysfunction; fatigue; and edema.

Many side effects get better after radiation ends. Some might last longer. Ask your doctor about what you can expect.

HORMONE TREATMENT

It reduces or blocks the levels of androgens, male hormones to shrink prostate cancers or curb cancer growth. Hormone therapy does not cure prostate cancer.

The most common side effects are libido, erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, bone thinning, and weight gain. Ask the doctor about what to expect from hormone treatment.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemo medicines are injected intravenously or taken orally. These medicines move into the blood and spread through the body. The medicine is given in cycles or rounds. Each round of treatment has a rest time. Chemotherapy is beneficial only if cancer has spread outside the prostate.

The common side effects are fatigue, stomachache, and hair fall. These problems go away after the treatment ends. There are ways to treat chemo side effects. Talk to your doctor if any side effects appear.

The other treatment options may or may not be standard medical treatments. These treatments include vitamins, herbs, and diet. Some of these may be beneficial. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

What are the Other Treatment Options?

What to expect after treatment?

You will be constantly worried about cancer coming back or a recurrence. After treatment ends, visit your doctor every few months. Keep all follow-up visits. Your doctors will ask you about the symptoms. A physical examination might be needed to suggest diagnostic tests to check recurrence.

Dealing with cancer treatment is tough, but it can also be a time to think about improving your health. Contact us at https://ankr.us or talk to your doctor to find out what you can do to feel better.

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Ankr - Cancer Platform For Education and Cancer Navigation

Ankr is a Cancer Platform to educate and navigate the patients and developed by a team of cancer experts and patients. We have over 50 years of combined cancer care experience and a passion to put patients first in all that we do.

Benefits of Ankr Cancer Platform

Learning Center

Education is key to success when it comes to fighting cancer. Ankr has a powerful learning center that helps you get trusted information anytime, anywhere.

Best Cancer Treatment

Ankr’s revolutionary artificial-intelligence algorithm cuts the clutter and gives you the options relevant for you. Just put your cancer type and stage to get started.

All the Latest Treatments

Our library has over 500 treatments, all written by scientific experts in an easy to understand way. Whether you want to read about the latest and greatest, or the old and trustworthy, we got ’em all.

Your information is safe

We use industry’s highest-level security infrastructure. Also, bank-like encryption and industry-leading security practices to protect your information.

Friends and family sharing

Use Ankr app to make audio recordings of your Doctor’s office visits and share it seamlessly with friends and family, anytime, anywhere.

Customized to you and your Doctor

Ankr works with many health systems around the country to give you customized content, timely updates on clinic changes. Ask your doctor if they are on Ankr platform!

Information

In our national survey, only 4 out of 10 cancer patients and caregivers reported receiving “Appropriate and Adequate” information. What if we told you that decades of research shows that giving patients good quality knowledge at the right time can:

· prevent treatment complications

· decrease need for ER visits and hospital admissions

· improve quality-of-life

· decrease financial toxicity for patients and their health systems

Ankr was created by an internationally-renowned, award-winning team of Doctors, nurses and patients who firmly believe that knowledge is power. Don’t just take our word for it — read this Cancer Care Report on our website from a survey of over 3000 patients like you that came to the exact same conclusion.

Convenience

If your clinic gave you a thick paper binder with important information in your first visit as a cancer patient, that’s a red flag! Will you be able to read it in the middle of the night when you are about to throw up? Or find your Doctor’s number to call with questions? This is 2021, and 88% of patients and caregivers like you expect that their cancer team to use digital tools in the cancer care. Only 34% are and we at Ankr are on the mission to change that. Ankr is designed to work seamlessly with your cancer clinic — no matter how big or small — to make your convenience their priority. To help you in your journey and keep track of all the important information in the palms of your hands. Anytime. Anywhere!

Ask your Doctor if they are in the Ankr Care Network — if not, advocate for change by contacting us.

Support

You don’t have to walk this road alone and your caregivers don’t have to get frustrated by lack of accurate and timely updates. Here are some of the features in the Ankr platform to support you:

· Record your entire clinic visit (in audio) and share with family anywhere. in the world within seconds.

· Create your personal cancer journal by taking written or audio notes.

· Keep a list of all your medications, from any provider you see.

· Learn about side effects and prevent complications.

· Stay updated with your clinic — learn of schedule changes, patient seminars and more.

Ankr is free and available to download now. What are you waiting for?

Ankr is a Free Cancer Platform

Absolutely! We believe that cancer education makes a huge difference. We want Ankr to be accessible and useful for everyone. So, you can use the basic version of Ankr for free, forever!

Data Security

We care deeply about data privacy. As a result, our entire platform uses highest security standards (similar to your bank) and is compliant with government-established security best practices.

We also do not (and will never) show advertisements. Ankr is supported by our wonderful community of patients through their Ankr Pro subscriptions.

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Constipation

Constipation is a condition in which a person has three or fewer bowel movements in a week and a feeling that not all stool has passed. The stool can be hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass the stool. Almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not serious.

How bad is constipation?

Mild: Occasional or intermittent symptoms; occasional use of stool softeners, laxatives, dietary modification, or enema.

Moderate: Persistent symptoms with regular use of laxatives or enemas; limiting instrumental activities of daily life (preparing meals, managing money, shopping, doing housework, and using a telephone).

Severe: Obstipation with manual evacuation indicated; limiting self-care activities of daily life (eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet).

How to manage mild constipation?

Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber

Drinking plenty of water and other liquids

Getting enough exercise

Taking time to have a bowel movement

Use laxatives if recommended by physician

Asking your doctor if any medicines you take may cause constipation

How to manage moderate to severe constipation?

See a doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

Bleeding from rectum

Blood in stool

Constant abdominal pain

Inability to pass gas

Vomiting

Fever

Lower back pain

Abnormal weight loss

What causes constipation?

It may have multiple causes at a time. Cause may include

Inadequate consumption of food with fiber

Not drinking enough water or other fluids

Lack of physical inactivity

Cancer treatment may cause constipation. Pain medicine, chemotherapy, and drugs that treat nausea, vomiting, seizures, depression, diarrhea, or high blood pressure can affect digestion.

Scar tissue from surgery or cancer growing in the bowel, which can narrow or partially block the bowel

A tumor or scar tissue completely blocking the bowel (intestinal obstruction)

Cancer pressing on the spinal cord

High levels of calcium in the blood

Low potassium levels

Thyroid gland problems

Diabetes

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Cough

Cough is your body’s way of responding when something irritates your throat or airways. An irritant stimulates nerves that send a message to your brain. The brain then tells muscles in your chest and abdomen to push air out of your lungs to force out the irritant.

An occasional cough is normal and healthy. If it persists for several weeks or one that brings up discolored or bloody mucus may indicate a condition that needs medical attention. While an occasional cough is normal, a cough that persists may be a sign of a medical problem.

How Bad is Cough?

Mild: Mild symptoms; nonprescription intervention indicated.

Moderate: Moderate symptoms, medical intervention indicated; limiting instrumental activities of daily life (preparing meals, managing money, shopping, doing housework, and using a telephone).

Severe: Severe symptoms; limiting self-care activities of daily life (eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet).

How to Manage Mild Cough?

Over-the-counter remedies can help in a number of ways. Expectorants thin mucus and make it easier to hack up.

Drink warm fluids, inhale warm, moist air, and use drops. Add a spoonful of honey to hot tea, or choose a drop that has it.

Avoid triggers. If you have allergies or asthma, remove allergens from your home. Keep pets out of your bedroom. Use air conditioners to filter air.

Common viruses are the most likely causes. Over time your airways will heal and it will stop.

Elevate your head with extra pillows while sleeping.

Use cough drops to soothe your throat.

Gargle with warm salt water regularly to remove mucus and soothe your throat.

Avoid irritants, including smoke, tobacco and dust.

Add honey or ginger to hot tea to clear your airway.

Use decongestant sprays to unblock your nose and ease breathing.

How to Manage Moderate and Severe Cough?

Call your doctor if you have cough or if it involves any one of these:

Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm

Wheezing

Fever

Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)

Fainting

Ankle swelling

Abnormal weight loss

What Causes Cough?

Flu

Common cold

Laryngitis

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Hay fever

Chronic bronchitis

Asthma

Allergies

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Smoking

Throat disorders

Some medicines

CANCER RELATED COUGH

Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer

Cancers that affect the upper respiratory tract

Any cancer that has spread to the lungs or chest

Cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy)

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Dehydration is caused by the loss of too much fluid from the body. It happens when you are losing more fluids than you are taking in. Hence, your body does not have enough fluids to work properly.

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Chest Pain

Chest Pain ranges from a sharp stab to a dull ache. Sometimes it feels crushing or burning. In certain cases, the pain travels up the neck, into the jaw, and then radiates to the back or down one or both arms.

How Bad is Chest Pain?

Mild: Mild pain without limiting any activities of daily life.

Moderate: Moderate pain; limiting instrumental activities of daily life (preparing meals, managing money, shopping, doing housework, and using a telephone).

Severe: Severe pain; limiting self-care activities of daily life (eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet).

How to Manage Mild Chest Pain?

Lie down in a comfortable position with your head up.

Stop doing activities that causes pain. Remain calm.

If you have regular adult aspirin, chew one (as long as you are not allergic to aspirin). Chewing more than one will not do any good and may cause unwanted side effects.

Antacids or certain procedures for acid reflux and heartburn, which may treat the symptoms

Anti-anxiety medications, which may treat chest pain related to panic attacks

How to Manage Moderate to Severe Chest Pain?

Seek emergency treatment immediately if you think you may be having a heart attack and especially if your pain is new, unexplained, or lasts more than a few moments. Call your doctor, if you have any of these symptoms along with the pain:

A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back.

Sudden, sharp pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity.

Nausea, dizziness, rapid heart rate or rapid breathing, confusion, ashen color, or excessive sweating.

Very low blood pressure or heart rate.

Fever, chills, or coughing up yellow-green mucus.

Dysphagia (Painful swallowing).

Severe pain that does not go away.

What Causes Chest Pain?

While it is a well-established sign of a heart attack, it can also be caused by many other less serious conditions.

HEART-RELATED CAUSES

The following are heart-related causes of pain:

Heart attack

Certain chemotherapy medications like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Angina, which is pain caused by blockages in the blood vessels leading to your heart.

Pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the sac around the heart.

Myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle).

Cardiomyopathy, which is a disease of the heart muscle.

Aortic dissection (A rare condition involving a tear of the aorta, the large vessel that comes off of the heart).

GASTROINTESTINAL CAUSES

The following are gastrointestinal causes are

Heartburn (GERD/Acid Reflux

Swallowing problems related to disorders of the esophagus

gallstones

inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas

LUNG-RELATED CAUSES

The following are lung-related causes are

pneumonia

viral bronchitis

pneumothorax

a blood clot, or pulmonary embolus

bronchospasm

Bronchospasms commonly occur in people who have asthma and related disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

MUSCLE- OR BONE-RELATED CAUSES

The following are causes related to the muscles or bones:

bruised or broken ribs

sore muscles from exertion or chronic pain syndromes

compression fractures causing pressure on a nerve

OTHER CAUSES

Shingles can cause pain. You may develop pain along your back or before the shingles rash becomes apparent. Panic attacks can also cause chest pain.

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Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath or dyspnea is the feeling that you cannot get enough air into your lungs. It can signal an underlying health problem. It is worse when you are physically active or you lie down flat. You may have other symptoms (cough or fever).

How bad is my shortness of breath or dyspnea?

Mild: Shortness of breath with moderate exertion

Moderate: Shortness of breath with minimal exertion; limiting instrumental activities of daily life (preparing meals, managing money, shopping, doing housework, and using a telephone).

Severe: Shortness of breath at rest; limiting self-care activities of daily life (eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed or chair, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet).

How to manage mild shortness of breath?

Quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD.

Avoid breathing allergens and environmental toxins (chemical fumes or secondhand smoke).

Avoid extremes in temperature. Activity in very hot and humid or very cold conditions may magnify the dyspnea caused by chronic lung diseases.

If you have a medical condition that causes shortness of breath, discuss with your doctor what to do if your symptoms become worse.

Exercise can help improve physical fitness and the ability to tolerate activity. Exercise — along with weight loss if you’re overweight — may help decrease any contribution to shortness of breath from deconditioning.

Take your medications. Skipping medications for chronic lung and cardiac conditions can lead to poorer control of dyspnea.

Regularly check your equipment. If you rely on supplemental oxygen, be sure your supply is adequate and the equipment works properly.

How to manage moderate and severe shortness of breath?

Seek emergency medical care if your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, fainting, nausea, a bluish tinge to lips or nails, or a change in mental alertness — as these may be signs of a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.What causes shortness of breath?

Asthma

Lung diseases (emphysema)

Heart failure

Panic attacks

Allergies

Pneumonia

Lung Cancer

A blood clot in the lungs, air leakage around the lungs, and scarring of the lung tissue.

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Motion Sickness in Cancer– Ankr Healthcare

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion Sickness in Cancer  is a common problem in people traveling by car, train, airplanes, and especially boats. Anyone can get it, but children, pregnant women, and people taking certain medicines are at high risk. It can start suddenly, with a queasy feeling and cold sweats.

How Bad Is Motion Sickness?

Mild: You may have belching, hypersalivation, heartburn, and headache. The mild symptoms can be safely managed at home by following the tips given in the below section.

Moderate: You may have dizziness, nausea, and decreased cognitive performance. Moderate symptoms can sometimes be safely managed at home but may require the attention of the medical team.

Severe: It means you are having an exaggerated sense of motion, cold diaphoresis, and increased postural sway. It may be an emergency and require additional medical interventions. You should call your medical team for assistance immediately.

How to Manage Mild Symptoms  of  Motion Sickness?

·   Find something to focus on, whether it’s taking deep breaths or counting backwards from 100. Closing your eyes can help, too.

·   Look at a stable object. If you’re on a boat, look at the horizon. If you’re in a car, look through the windshield.

·   Avoid alcohol before and during the travel.

·   Eat lightly before travel but don’t fast.

·   Breathe fresh air.

·   Do not smoke.

·   Avoid reading.

·   Take medicine one to two hours before traveling.

·   Lie down when you feel sick.

·   Drink plenty of water.

How to Manage Moderate and Severe Motion Sickness?

It usually goes away once the journey is over. But if you’re still dizzy, have a headache, continue to vomit, notice hearing loss or chest pain, call your doctor.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

It is an imbalance between what you see and what you feel.

·   Family history

·   Inner ear disorders

·   Migraines

·   Pregnancy

·   Reading while in motion

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Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Why is Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) Prescribed?

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by helping your immune system to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

• To treat a certain type of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and contains mutations in mismatch repair genes;

• To curb melanoma (a type of skin cancer) that cannot be treated with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body, or in combination with other chemotherapy medications to treat and prevent the return of melanoma after surgery to remove it and any affected lymph nodes;

• To treat certain types of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that cannot be treated with surgery, other chemotherapy medications, or radiation therapy or that has spread to other parts of the body or worsened during or after it was treated with platinum containing chemotherapy medications (cisplatin, carboplatin), or in combination with other chemotherapy medications (paclitaxel, pemetrexed) to treat certain types of NSCLC that has spread to other parts of the body;

• To curb certain types of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body or worsened during or after it was treated with platinum containing chemotherapy medications (cisplatin, carboplatin) and at least one other chemotherapy medication;

• To treat a certain type of head and neck cancer that keeps coming back or has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be removed by surgery. It can also be used in combination with fluorouracil and a platinum containing chemotherapy medications (cisplatin, carboplatin) to treat a certain type of head and neck cancer that keeps coming back or has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be treated with surgery. Pembrolizumab is also used to treat a certain type of head and neck cancer that has worsened or spread to other parts of the body during or after treatment with chemotherapy medications;

• To treat a certain type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease) in children and adults that did not get better with other chemotherapy treatments or got better but returned after being treated three or more times with other chemotherapy medications;

• To treat a certain type of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL; non-Hodgkin lymphoma) in children and adults that did not get better with other chemotherapy treatments or returned after being treated two or more times with other chemotherapy medications;

• To treat a certain type of urothelial cancer (cancer of the lining of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract) that has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body in people who cannot receive platinum containing chemotherapy medications (cisplatin, carboplatin), or whose cancer worsened during or after it was treated with these chemotherapy medications;

• To treat a certain type of bladder cancer in people who did not get better with another medication (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin; BCG therapy) and who are unable to or who have decided not to be treated by surgery to remove the bladder;

• To treat certain types of colorectal cancer (cancer that begins in the large intestine) and certain types of solid tumors in children and adults that cannot be treated by surgery or that has spread to other parts of the body that worsened after it was treated with other chemotherapy medications;

• To curb certain types of gastric cancer (cancer of the stomach) or cancer located in the area where the stomach meets the esophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach) that has returned or that has spread to other parts of the body during or after 2 or more chemotherapy treatments;

• To curb a certain type of esophageal cancer that has returned and has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body after treatment with one or more other chemotherapy medications;

• To treat certain types of cervical cancer (cancer that begins in the opening of the uterus [womb]) that has returned or has spread to other parts of the body during or after treatment with another chemotherapy medication;

• To treat certain types of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; a type of liver cancer) in people who were previously treated unsuccessfully with sorafenib (Nexafar);

• To treat Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC; a type of skin cancer) in children and adults that has returned and spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body;

• In combination with axitinib (Inlyta) to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC; a type of cancer that begins in the kidneys);

• In combination with lenvatinib (Lenvima) to treat a certain type of cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) that has spread to other parts of the body or worsened during or after treatment with chemotherapy medications or that cannot be treated with surgery or radiation therapy;

• To treat certain types of solid tumors that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be treated by surgery in adults and children who were previously treated unsuccessfully with another chemotherapy medication and do not have other satisfactory treatment options;

• And to treat certain types of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC; skin cancer) that has returned or has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be treated with surgery or radiation therapy.

How is Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) given?

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is injected intravenously (into a vein) over 30 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. It is usually injected once every 3 or 6 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment.

Pembrolizumab injection may cause serious reactions during, or shortly after the infusion of the medication. If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: flushing, fever, chills, shaking, dizziness, feeling faint, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, itching, rash, or hives.

Your doctor may delay or stop your treatment with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), or treat you with additional medications, depending on your response to the medication and any side effects that you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with pembrolizumab injection and each time you receive a dose. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Other Uses for Pembrolizumab

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What Special Precautions Should Follow?

BEFORE RECEIVING PEMBROLIZUMAB INJECTION

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pembrolizumab, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in pembrolizumab injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• Tell your doctor if you have ever had an organ or bone marrow transplant and if you have or have ever had radiation therapy to your chest area; an autoimmune disease (condition in which the immune system attacks a healthy part of the body) such as Crohn’s disease (condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the digestive tract causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever), ulcerative colitis (condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), or lupus (condition in which the immune system attacks many tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys); diabetes; thyroid problems; any type of lung disease or breathing problems; or kidney or liver disease.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will have to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving pembrolizumab injection and for 4 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while receiving pembrolizumab injection, call your doctor immediately. Pembrolizumab injection may harm the fetus.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your doctor may tell you not to breastfeed while receiving pembrolizumab injection, and for 4 months after your final dose.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What Side Effects can Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) Cause?

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• joint or back pain

• swelling of body or face

• changes in skin color

• extreme tiredness or lack of energy

• fever

• nausea

• vomiting

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• blisters or peeling skin; skin redness; rash; or itching

• painful sores or ulcers in mouth, nose, throat, or genital area

• shortness of breath

• chest pain

• new or worsening cough

• diarrhea

• stools that are black, tarry, sticky, or contain blood or mucus

• severe abdominal pain

• severe nausea and vomiting

• increased or decreased appetite

• increased thirst

• pain in upper right part of the stomach

• yellowing of the skin or eyes

• easy bleeding or bruising

• fast heartbeat

• changes in weight (gain or loss)

• hair Loss

• increased sweating

• feeling cold

• deepening of voice or hoarseness

• swelling in front of the neck (goiter)

• tingling and weakness in the feet, legs, hands, and arms

• severe or persistent headache, muscle aches

• severe muscle weakness

• dizziness or lightheadedness

• fainting

• change in amount or color of urine

• pain or a burning sensation while urinating

• blood in urine

• changes in vision

• feeling confused

Pembrolizumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In Case of Emergency/Overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What Other Information You Should Know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to pembrolizumab injection. For some conditions, your doctor will order a lab test before you begin your treatment to see whether your cancer can be treated with pembrolizumab.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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All You Need to Know About Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer is it starts when cells that form the structure of the bladder start to grow out of control. As more cancer cells develop, they will form a tumor and, with time, spread to other parts of the body.

 The bladder is a hollow organ within the lower pelvis. It’s flexible, muscular walls that will stretch to carry urine and squeeze to send it out of the body. The bladder’s main job is to store urine. Urine is liquid waste made by the two kidneys then carried to the bladder through 2 tubes called ureters. Once you urinate, the muscles within the bladder contract and urine are forced out of the bladder through a tube called the urethra.

What are Bladder Cancer Risk Factors?

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease like cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. you’ll change some risk factors, like smoking or weight; others, like your age or case history, you can’t.

But having a risk factor, or maybe many doesn’t mean that you simply will get the disease. many of us with risk factors never get bladder cancer, while others with this disease may have few or no known risk factors.

Still, it’s important to understand the danger factors for bladder cancer because there could also be belongings you can do this might lower your risk of getting it. If you’re at higher risk due to certain factors, you would possibly be helped by tests that would find it early, when treatment is presumably to be effective.

Many risk factors make an individual more likely to develop bladder cancer.

SMOKING

Smokers have a 3 times higher risk of getting bladder cancer compared with non-smokers. So, if you smoke cigarettes/cigars/marijuana, the biggest action you can take to decrease your cancer risk is quit smoking. Smoking causes about half of all bladder cancers in both men and ladies.

WORKPLACE EXPOSURES

Several industrial chemicals are linked with bladder cancer. Chemicals called aromatic amines, like benzidine and beta-naphthylamine, which are sometimes utilized in the dye industry, can cause bladder cancer.

Workers in other industries that use certain organic chemicals also may have a better risk of bladder cancer. Industries carrying higher risks include makers of rubber, leather, textiles, and paint products also as printing companies. Other workers with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer include painters, machinists, printers, hairdressers (probably due to heavy exposure to hair dyes), and truck drivers (likely due to exposure to diesel fumes).

Cigarette smoking and workplace exposures can act together to cause bladder cancer. So, people that smoke who also work with cancer-causing chemicals have an especially high risk of bladder cancer.

CERTAIN MEDICINES OR HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of the diabetes medicine pioglitazone (Actos®) is linked with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The danger seems to be higher when higher doses are used.

Dietary supplements containing aristolochic acid (mainly in herbs from the Aristolochia family) are linked with an increased risk of urothelial cancers, including bladder cancer.

ARSENIC IN BEVERAGE

Arsenic in beverages can the increase risk of bladder cancer. Because contaminated water is the most likely source for arsenic exposure, your risk of arsenic-related bladder cancer depends on your water source.

NOT DRINKING ENOUGH FLUIDS

People who drink tons of fluids, especially water, every day tend to possess lower rates. This could be because they empty their bladders more often, which could keep chemicals from lingering in their bladder.

CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIATION THERAPY

Taking the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan for a long time can irritate the bladder and increase the risk of bladder cancer. If you are taking this drug, make sure to drink plenty of fluids to help protect the bladder from irritation.

Your risk of developing bladder cancer is also higher if you have ever received radiation to the pelvis.

Who treats bladder cancer?

Based on your treatment options, you would possibly have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include:

Urologists: surgeons who concentrate on treating diseases of the urogenital system and male genital system Radiation oncologists: doctors who treat cancer with radiotherapy Medical oncologists: doctors who treat cancer with medicines like chemotherapy and immunotherapy You might have many other specialists on your treatment team also, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutrition specialists, social workers, and other health professionals.

How can Ankr help?

Ankr is a cancer education and navigation platform developed by a team of cancer experts and patients. Ankr helps you learn about treatment options for bladder cancer, how can pancreatic cancer be cured, and helps you navigate through your chemotherapies and other treatments. By using Ankr, you can prevent and manage side effects and avoid an ER visit!

Get started now by signing up on the myAnkr website or by downloading the Ankr – Cancer Companion app on your phone.

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Colorectal Cancer

The human digestive system is consists of the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, and anus. The colon and rectum help the body get rid of solid waste (stool). Colorectal cancer means cancer of the colon or rectum. It is an uncontrolled and rapid growth of colon or rectum cells. The cancer cells may spread to other organs (liver, bladder). The cancer cells in the other organ appear similar to the cells that started growing in the colon or rectum.

Signs and symptoms

Colorectal cancer overgrows gradually over the years. These cancers begin as a polyp. If a polyp is removed early, it may prevent the malignancy. Symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in stool, bleeding in stool, appetite loss (anorexia), or stomachache.

Diagnostic tests

Colonoscopy: The doctor inserts a thin tube having a light on the other end through the anus, into the rectum and colon. If any abnormal mass or polyp is present, the doctor removes a piece of the mass to check for cancer cells.

CT scan: It is a kind of x-ray that takes detailed images of your insides. CT scan is helpful to detect cancer spread.

Ultrasound: The doctor moves a small wand around on the skin. It produces sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off tissues. The echoes are represented as an image on a computer screen. It helps to find cancer and cancer spread.

MRI: It uses radio waves and strong magnets to create detailed images. MRI helps screen the liver, brain, and spinal cord.

Chest x-rays: X-rays help to check cancer spread in the lungs.

PET scan: The doctor puts a small amount of a low-level radioactive substance in the blood, which attaches to the cancer cells. A special camera helps to detect the areas of radioactivity. These scans can help to show the cancer spread.

Biopsy: The doctor removes a small piece of a cancerous mass. The experts check the pieces in the lab for cancer cells. It is an accurate way to know the presence of cancer cells.

Gene and protein tests: The doctor tests cancer cells for proteins (KRAS, BRAF, MMR, and MSI) and genes. Knowing the type of genes or proteins can help the doctor decide the treatments.

How advanced is cancer?

Staging helps to determine the extent of cancer growth and spread through the layers of the colon wall or rectum wall. It identifies the severity of cancer spread to other organs.

Cancer has 0,1, 2, 3, or 4 stages. The lower number indicates less spread of cancer. A higher number indicates major cancer spread outside the colon or rectum. Ask your doctor about the cancer stage and what to expect from it.

What are the suitable treatments?

Listed below are the treatments for colorectal cancer:

SURGERY

Surgery helps to cure or control cancer and make symptoms better. It is a standard option to curb colorectal cancer if not spread outside the colon or rectum. For colon cancers, sometimes the doctor creates an opening (colostomy) on the stomach to get rid of stool.

For early-stage and close to the anus cancers, the doctor removes cancer through the anus, minus cutting through the skin.

In the case of advanced rectum cancer close to the anus, the doctor may remove cancer to make an opening (colostomy) on the stomach to get rid of body waste (poop).

If rectal cancer spreads to other organs, the doctor removes the rectum and the affected organs (bladder, prostate, or uterus). You may need a colostomy.

The common side effects of colorectal cancer surgery are frequent pooing, diarrhea (dysentery) or constipation, and feeling bloated.

RADIATION

Radiation is high-energy rays. It helps to shrink the tumor and kills cancer cells. There are two ways to treat colorectal cancer with radiation. The first is by focusing the rays at the colon or rectum from a machine outside the body. The second is by putting tiny radioactive pieces or seeds near the affected area using an endoscope.

The common side effects are fatigue (tiredness), skin discoloration, stomachache, and blood in the poop.

Most side effects may get better after radiation ends. Ask your doctor about what to expect.

CHEMOTHERAPY

You can administer chemo medicines orally or intravenously. These medicines spread through the body via the blood. The doctor schedules chemotherapy in cycles or rounds. Each cycle is followed by a rest time which helps the body recover from side effects. Most of the time, the doctor recommends two or more chemo medicines. Treatment lasts for a few months. Chemo is beneficial if cancer has spread to other organs.

The common side effects are fatigue, loss of appetite, body pain, and hair fall. These side effects go away after chemo treatment ends. If you have side effects, seek help from your doctor.

TARGETED THERAPY

Targeted therapy medicines majorly affect cancer cells more than normal cells. It is beneficial for certain types of colon and rectum cancer. Targeted therapy works when other treatments fail.

The common side effects are high blood pressure, low red blood cell count, heart and liver problems. Seek help from your doctor.

IMMUNOTHERAPY

It enhances your immune system to attack the cancer cells. Immunotherapy medicines are given into a vein or taken as pills.

The common side effects are fatigue, skin rash, stomachache, problems in the liver, intestines, and thyroid gland.

What are the other treatment options?

The other treatment options may or may not be standard medical treatments. These treatments include vitamin supplements, herbal remedies, and diet. Some of these may be helpful. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

What to expect after treatment?

You will always be worried about cancer coming back or a recurrence. After treatment ends, visit your doctor every few months. Keep all follow-up visits. Your doctors will ask you about the symptoms. A physical examination helps to suggest diagnostic tests to check recurrence.

Dealing with cancer treatment is tough. It can be a time to think about improving your health. Ankr is the best Cancer Platform in the USA. It has the best treatment for patients with all the latest treatments which improves the quality and expectancy of life of the cancer patients.

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The human respiratory system is consists of airways, lungs, and blood vessels. Lungs remove oxygen from the air and pass it into the blood. Lung cancer (SC) is an unrestricted and rapid growth of lung cells. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are two types of lung cancer.

About 15% of all lung cancers are SCLC or oat cell cancer. It overgrows and spreads faster than NSCLC. Around 70% of SCLC patients have cancer spread at the time of diagnosis. This cancer proliferates quickly. Hence, it responds well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, for many patients, cancer may reappear later.