Frequently Asked
Questions

Cancer develops when cells begin to divide rapidly and grow out of control. Normal healthy cells within the body have regulators that initiate cell growth and death. When this mechanism is disrupted or is ineffective the cells then begin to grow at a rate that is not controlled and become abnormal. These abnormal cells can then invade surrounding tissues and potentially break away where they can travel to distant regions of the body.

Benign refers to a tumor, which is not cancerous; they remain localized meaning they do not spread to other parts of the body. These types of tumors are usually removed surgically. Malignant tumors on the other hand are cancerous. These cells are abnormal and divide rapidly and can move to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or through the bloodstream.

This is when the cancer moves from its original origin to a different part of the body. Once this takes place these traveler cells begin to then grow and divide producing more abnormal cell and destroy healthy tissue.

No. The type of cancer you have depends on the first spot the cancer developed in. The primary site could be in blood, lymph nodes, muscle, bone, or in any organ such as the lung, liver, pancreas, or breast.

Oncologists use staging techniques to determine to what extent the cancer has progressed, if at all. Staging allows us to better evaluate the size of the tumor, the location, whether or not lymph nodes are involved, and if the cancer has spread to other regions of the body. It is very important for the doctor and the patient to understand how aggressive the type of cancer is in order to develop the most promising treatment plan for each particular type of cancer and the stage of that cancer.

Treatment options vary depending on the stage and type of cancer found. Options available include; surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. These options may be used alone or in conjunction with one another depending on what treatment plan has shown to be effective through research and trials for your particular type of cancer.

Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells. It is used for different reasons which include, shrinking the cancer prior to surgery, used after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning, in conjunction with chemotherapy, alone, or to reduce symptoms the cancer may be causing when the cancer is to advanced for curative measures.

The side effects you may experience will depend on the type of cancer you have (the site of radiation). Common side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Skin changes
• Swelling (Edema)

Surgery can often be used to help determine the diagnosis of cancer. Surgery is also used to remove the cancer and the surrounding tissue affected. However, surgery in the effort to remove the cancer is not an option for everyone. This decision is left up to the surgeon. Some cancers invade major organs such as the brain or lungs for example. Damage to these organs may not be permissible to life or the quality of life. Therefore, it is up to the patient and the surgeon to discuss the risk of having the surgery versus not having surgery.

Chemotherapy is a classification of medications that are known to destroy cancer cells and slow down the progression of the disease. Chemotherapy comes in many different forms and can be administered in different ways. Some chemotherapy medications are given in a pill form, some by intravenous infusions, or in the form of an injection. The type you receive depends on the type of cancer you have.

• Fatigue
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Hair Loss
• Depression
• Infection
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Mouth and throat problems
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in hands, feet, skin and nails
• Hand-foot syndrome
• Peripheral Neuropathy

Certain types of cancer such as breast and prostate cancer can be treated with hormones by altering the level of hormones in the body.

This treatment is a way to try and mimic the body’s natural immune system to aid in the fight against cancer. Natural proteins found in the body are used in order to trigger the immune system. When the immune system is activated it sends a signal to the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells to kill cancer cells.

Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms listed above. There are certain factors that help evaluate which symptoms you may develop. Certain chemotherapy agents have shown to cause some of these side effects and not others. It is important to discuss with your health care team the chemotherapy agents you will be receiving and the expected side effects.

Tell your health care provider as soon as you start to develop any of these side effects. Prior to starting chemotherapy your health care team should advise you of possible side effects and what they recommend you do in this case. There are many medications that can be given to help alleviate these symptoms.

Not everyone who receives chemotherapy will lose their hair. Again this depends on the type of chemo you receive. There are some agents that have demonstrated hair loss where other agents did not.

Fatigue is a symptom caused often times by anemia. Anemia is the result of a decrease in the number of circulating red blood cells in the bloodstream. Red blood cells are primarily responsible for delivering oxygen to all our organs and tissues. Oxygen is essential to carry out all of the body’s requirements. Hence when there is a reduction in the amount of oxygen being distributed to our cells the body gets easily tired.

Talk with your doctor first so the reason behind the fatigue can be evaluated. Listen to your body do not over-exert yourself, and allow yourself time to rest throughout the day. If the fatigue is anemia related, there are medications that could help correct the anemia.

Call your doctor. There are many medications that can help alleviate these symptoms. It is very important that your let you doctor know if you have been experiencing vomiting and how often. Vomiting can put you at risk for dehydration and an imbalance in essential electrolytes required by the body.

Call your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor how often you are having loose stools. This can be treated with medications. Diarrhea can place you at risk for dehydration so do not underestimate the impact diarrhea can have on your body.

Call your doctor. Your physician can advise you on over the counter medications or provide a prescription to help alleviate your symptoms.

Chemotherapy sometimes can cause mouth sores that may look like ulcers and are very painful. Others may even feel as though their throat is very irritated. This needs to be addressed when symptoms first develop. Eating and drinking can become difficult and the risk for dehydration and weight loss is greater. There is medication to help aid with these mouth sores and the pain associated. Also try to avoid foods and drinks that are acidic or spicy, which may irritate your mouth and throat when it is inflamed.

• Fever 100.5 F. degrees or greater
• Uncontrollable nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Pain is not well controlled
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Severe shaking or chills
• Bleeding from any location including skin, nose, gums and genital areas
• Blood in the urine or stool
• Black, tarry bowel movement
• Changes to skin at site of infusion or injection
• Constipation with intense abdominal cramping
• Changes in your vision or hearing

This is a symptom that may arise from the administration of chemotherapy. Sometimes this is characterized as tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. This is not common with all chemotherapy agents but does need to be addressed and noted.