TODAY’S issue of polkmd deals with some of the different types of cancers below the belt — prostate, colon, ovarian and kidney. Published: Friday, October 28, 2011 at 2:12 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, October 28, 2011 at 2:27 p.m.

LAKELAND | the correlation between smoking and bladder cancer keeps getting stronger and none of it is good news.

Facts Diagnosing Bladder Cancer

Blood in the urine is the first warning sign of most bladder cancers. the urine may be a very pale yellow-red or, less often, darker red. Blood can appear one day and not the next, usually reappearing with bladder cancer. Although the blood may come from other, non-cancerous causes, it needs to be checked by a doctor.changes in bladder habits or irritative symptoms: Bladder cancer can cause changes in urination, such as needing to urinate more often than usual, feeling pain or burning during urination; and feeling as if you need to go right away even when the bladder isn’t full. Conditions like infection, bladder stones, overactive bladder or enlarged prostate can cause this too, but it needs to be checked.if the cancer is large, people may have additional symptoms such as lower back pain or being unable to urinate.Source: American Cancer SocietyFor more on cancer, as well as other health-related articles, read Polk MD in Saturday’s Ledger.

The risk of bladder cancer among smokers is four times greater than in non-smokers, according to research findings released in August. Previous studies found a three-fold risk.

Women, previously believed to have a lower rate of bladder cancer directly linked to their smoking, now appear to have gained equal footing with male smokers. Roughly half of all bladder cancer cases in men and women now appear linked to their being or having been smokers, said an article in the August Journal of the American Medical Association.

That’s not exactly the kind of equality some cigarette ads aimed at women were meant to promote.

“It’s the only cancer other than lung cancer that’s directly causally associated with smoking,” said Dr. Graham Greene, a urologic oncologist at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center. “Smoking increases the risk of acquiring it and dying from it.”

Researchers have concluded there’s a cause-and-effect relationship, not just an overall increased risk.

Yet many patients and their doctors don’t realize the link, said Dr. Jens Carlsen, a urologist at Lakeland’s Watson Clinic.

“It’s not talked about in primary care very often,” Carlsen said. “Patients are even less aware.”

He said 80 percent of all bladder cancers are caused by environmental exposure — 50 percent by tobacco and 30 percent by different chemicals, such as those used in manufacturing and fabrics.

Smoking can cause cancer in the urethra and ureters, tubes draining the kidney and the bladders, Greene said.

Earlier detection improves the likelihood of successful treatment.

“There are many great treatments out there for superficial cancers that don’t invade the walls of the bladder,” said Dr. Faiyaaz Jhaveri, urologist at Urology Healthcare of Central Florida.

Bladder cancer is more easily managed if detected before it invades the bladder wall or escapes from the bladder, but Carlsen said in about one in four cases it has invaded the muscle of the bladder prior to detection.

The American Cancer Society and others haven’t recommended general screening for people at average risk.

Smokers, however, can consider themselves higher-risk individuals. and there are warning signs that should not be ignored, the urologists said.

Urinalysis can spot tiny bits of blood before it can be seen. if visible blood appears in the urine, the urologists said people need to see a doctor whether they’re smokers or not. In younger people, the blood is more likely to be kidney stones or some benign cause, Greene said, with the likelihood of it being bladder cancer increasing with age.

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can all help treat bladder cancer, depending on the severity of the cancer and the health of the patient. some tumors can be removed surgically with the bladder left intact.

In some cases, medical oncologists will be called in.

“We treat them with chemotherapy and radiation so they don’t have to have their bladder removed,” said Dr. Robert Cassell, medical director of Cassidy Cancer Center at Winter Haven Hospital.

Chemotherapy before surgery improves the survival rate, he said.

For some patients whose bladder cancer has spread, surgery to remove the bladder is essential.

“Muscle invasive bladder cancer can be lethal,” Greene said.

Even in those situations, however, there are options beyond the traditional practice of removing the bladder and redirecting urine flow to a bag outside the body.

One of them is taking a piece of the intestine and creating a bladder replacement inside the body.

It often needs more treatment and attention than the real bladder did, requiring someone who is highly motivated and able to take care of it, Carlsen cautioned, adding “If they really don’t take care of it, they will die.”

[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.blogs.theledger.com. Follow on Twitter at ledgerROBIN. ]

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Bone and joint pain is relatively common among obese people, but until a recent study by University of Utah pain management researchers, being seriously overweight had not been definitively linked to pain sensitivity and other symptoms of the chronic and sometimes debilitating pain disorder fibromyalgia.

In a study with 215 people, however, Akiko Okifuji, Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology at the U of U School of Medicine, and colleagues at the U of U Pain Research and Management Center and Department of Anesthesiology found that obese fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to pain, experience more physical disabilities, and don’t sleep as well as those who have the syndrome but are not obese.

The findings don’t establish a causal relationship between obesity and fibromyalgia syndrome, but they indicate a significant correlation between the two, according to Okifuji, who also holds the Scott M Smith MD Presidential Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology.

“Our research raises questions about the link between obesity and fibromyalgia,” she says. “Carrying those extra pounds might contribute to maintaining or exacerbating pain symptoms or even preventing people from getting better.”

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic, bodywide pain disorder of the musculoskeletal system that affects joints, muscles, and soft tissue and often is accompanied by fatigue, mood, sleep, and memory issues. It’s estimated that up to 5 percent of Americans, mostly women, have fibromyalgia. No underlying cause of the syndrome has been identified, but researchers believe it might be related to the way pain signals are processed in the brain. in many cases, symptoms build up for years, with no triggering event. however, for some people, symptoms begin after a physical trauma, infection, major psychological stress or surgery. 

Participants underwent a full fibromyalgia evaluation, including a tender point (TP) examination – which gauges pain sensitivity when an examiner uses a thumb to press 18 specific body points – physical performance testing, and a home sleep assessment.

Obese participants experienced significantly higher TP pain sensitivity (average rating of 5.92) than those of normal weight (average rating of 5.02) or who were somewhat overweight (average rating of 4.98). The obese group was particularly more sensitive to pain in the lower body, including the areas in the hips and knees.

The obese patients also showed reduced flexibility in the lower body, measured while they were lying on their backs and doing a straight leg raise.

In a home sleep assessment, participants wore a wristwatch-like device that measured sleep parameters for a week. Data showed the obese patients got an average of 41 minutes less sleep a night, were more restless and had a greater duration of waking time during sleep.

Overall, the study shows that obesity complicates the clinical picture for fibromyalgia, according to Okifuji. “I hope researchers now can begin to identify the mechanisms of how obesity influences fibromyalgia syndrome.”

Recent studies have shown that losing weight can alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia. Okifuji and her colleagues suspect that the relationship between weight loss and symptom reduction is indirect and mediated by currently unknown factors. A psychologist by training, Okifuji counsels her fibromyalgia patients to undertake sensible physical activity to lose weight – a daunting task for those with chronic pain who are not used to much physical exertion.

“It’s difficult to change your lifestyle even if you are healthy, let alone being overweight, sedentary, and fatigued,” she says. “But shifting to a healthier lifestyle may be one way these patients can reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

The study appeared in the December issue of The Journal of Pain. Perry G. Fine, M.D., U professor of anesthesiology and president-elect of the American Academy of Pain Medicine is senior author. Gary W. Donaldson, Ph.D., U professor of anesthesiology, and Lynn Barck, a physical therapist with University of Utah Health Care, are co-authors Print PageEmail PageShareGet ReprintsTop of Page

Lombard for News Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig, Chairman and Professor Department of Radiation Oncology.

The chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig, specializes in treating cancers of the chest. Over his 15-year career, he has provided care for 5,000 patients with lung cancer.Who’s at riskMore Americans die of lung cancer than any other cancer. Last year the disease killed about 160,000 people, which is an average of 437 deaths per day. “Lung cancer is just what it sounds like — a cancer in the lung,” says Rosenzweig.”We divide lung cancer into two main types: small-cell lung cancer, which tends to be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, and all other types, which are grouped together as non-small-cell lung cancer and treated with a combination of surgery, chemo and radiation.”The biggest risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. “If there were a top-10 list of causes of lung cancer, numbers one to nine would be smoking and other tobacco use,” says Rosenzweig. “About 10% of people who develop lung cancer never smoked.” Environmental factors like radon exposure can increase risk, and some people are genetically predisposed. “The main thing is smoking, smoking, smoking — there’s a correlation between how much you smoke and your risk of developing lung cancer,” says Rosenzweig. “People who quit smoking are at lower risk than a life-long smoker.”Although 10,000 more men are diagnosed with lung cancer than women, it’s still the leading cause of cancer death in women. “70,000 women a year die of lung cancer,” says Rosenzweig. “That’s more than deaths from breast, ovarian and cervical cancer combined. The deadliest woman’s cancer is actually lung cancer.” About 220,000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and most people who develop lung cancer die of the disease.Signs and symptomsThe textbook warning sign of lung cancer is persistent shortness of breath and a cough. “The most common symptoms are similar to a pneumonia that’s not getting better,” says Rosenzweig. “However, around this time of year, millions of Americans have a cough and fever, and almost none of these people have lung cancer.” Signs that you might have more than a garden-variety cold also include coughing up blood. “If your cold-like symptoms drag on for weeks to months, you should be evaluated by a doctor and perhaps get a chest X-ray,” say Rosenzweig.once lung cancer becomes more advanced and invades other parts of the body, it can cause nonpulmonary symptoms. “It can invade the nerves of the arm and cause arm pain,” says Rosenzweig, “Or, if it affects the nerve to the vocal cord, you can get a hoarse voice.” once a lung cancer gets big enough to cause problems, it usually makes itself known within months, not years.Traditional treatmentThe first step for treating or preventing lung cancer is the same: stop smoking. “It’s important to realize that there’s never a bad time to stop smoking,” says Rosenzweig. “If you think of cigarettes as a poison that you keep exposing yourself to, stopping will help you feel better.” as any smoker will tell you, quitting cold turkey is extremely difficult, and it only works about 10% of the time. “Seeing a doctor can help you quit, especially now that there are medicines that can help,” says Rosenzweig.After a diagnosis of lung cancer, treatment options depend on the stage. “An early-stage lung cancer could present as a small dime-sized lesion in the lung that hasn’t spread to any lymph nodes or outside of the lung,” says Rosenzweig. “The good news is that this is a very curable situation — the best long-term cure is to have it surgically removed.”For people who can’t tolerate surgery due to heart and lung problems, the standard treatment is radiation. “Radiation has improved dramatically over the past five years,” says Rosenzweig. “It used to mean getting treatments every day for six weeks, with a 50% success rate. now we can deliver just three large doses, with a 90% success rate for early-stage tumors.”For more advanced cancers that have larger tumors or have spread to lymph nodes, most patients undergo a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. “It used to be that the chemotherapy drugs were hard to tolerate,” says Rosenzweig. “Now, some of the best therapies offer targeted treatment that’s effective without causing a lot of side effects.” in some cases, chemo can be delivered as a pill that the patient takes at home.once cancer has spread too far to be curable, then doctors work to keep it in check with chemotherapy alone. “Fifteen years ago, most people only lived six months after being diagnosed,” says Rosenzweig. “Now, the medicines we use have improved so dramatically that survival has more than doubled, and we even see some long-term survivors.”Diagnosing lung cancer early, however, is still the key to improving the odds of a cure.Research breakthroughsOne of the biggest advances in lung cancer treatment has been the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy. “This allows us to do extremely precise radiation therapy treatments,” says Rosenzweig.”Previously we’d have to give a margin around the tumor of almost an inch; with the new precise pictures we’ve cut the margin down to 2 millimeters.” Treating less of the patient’s normal lung makes treatment less toxic and safer. “This improved the survival rate to almost 90%,” says Rosenzweig. “Before, we were probably missing tumors because we didn’t have good pictures.another breakthrough that is sought is the use of CT scans to screen for lung cancer before it becomes incurable. some recent studies suggest that if you are a heavy smoker, it may help to get a screening CT scan, but a general policy on when to do this hasn’t been set yet.Questions for your doctorIf you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, a key question to ask is, “What are the alternatives for treatment?” For some patients with early-stage lung cancer, radiation can take the place of surgery. be sure to ask about new surgical techniques: “Am I candidate for a more minimal surgery?” and since the drugs are changing every year, ask “Am I a candidate for a new or experimental procedures.What you can doConsult a specialist.Find a medical team that specializes in treating lung cancer.”The field is changing very rapidly, and only specialists can keep up with the technology,” says Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig.Quit smoking as a preventive.“The only lifestyle change that makes a big difference is not to smoke,” says Rosenzweig. Doctors haven’t found an association in terms of a food to eat that would cut your risk.Quit smoking if you’re in treatment.Patients diagnosed with lung cancer often think they may as well keep smoking because the damage is done. “There’s a lot of evidence that smoking sabotages the treatment we give,” says Rosenzweig. “So even if you have a lung cancer, you can improve your odds by stopping smoking.”

Sinusitis comes from the Latin, the suffix itis means inflammation in medicine because it sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. In the vicinity of the nasal cavity there are four of sinus maxillary sinus (located on the cheek), sinus etmoidalis (Both eyes), frontal sinuses (located on the forehead) and sfenoidalis sinuses/sinus maksilaris  (located behind the forehead). Sinusitis is the medical term for a sinus infection; the cavity is filled with air that is located in a cavity Heads around the nose.

There are several types of sinuses, namely:

-          The frontal sinuses are located in the forehead

-          Maxillary sinuses are located inside the cheekbones

-          Sinus etmoid located behind the bridge of his nose in the corner of the eye

-          Sinus sfenoid located behind the sinus etmoid

Each sinus is associated with a nose for the exchange of air and secretions (mucus). Nasal and sinus mucous membranes coated with each other. Infection or inflammation of the sinus infection generally occurs as a continuation of the nose. each condition in the nose that blocks the flow of fluid out the nose tends to cause infection of the sinuses. as a viral infection, bacteria or foreign substances cause allergies can cause swelling of mucous membranes of the nose and the same thing also happened in the sinus so close correlation between the sinuses and nose. Healthy sinuses contain air, in addition to the secretion of mucus membranes. If the flow into the nasal secretions accumulate and then blocked with air trapped in the sinuses and the bony sinus wall pressure causing pain.

Sinusitis can occur in acute, sub acute, chronic, and allergic or hiperplastiks. Symptoms of sinusitis vary depending on the type of infection. Symptoms commonly include nasal congestion and a runny liquid that drips from the back of the nose to the base of the esophagus.

Sinus Infection Signs and Symptoms Based On The Cause

• Sinus infections sign and symptoms caused allergies are like : sneezing, discharge blocked, nose feels hot and itchy. Allergic sinus infections associated with allergic rhinitis (catarrh).

• Sinus infections sign and symptoms on acute sinus infections are like: nasal congestion runny nose also followed after 24-48 hours and finally accompanied by nasal discharge pus. other symptoms of body aches, sore throat and headache.

• Sinus infections sign and symptoms on sub-acute sinus infections are like: symptoms of nasal congestion, bad on the face, fatigue, and nasal discharge accompanied by pus, which ends, more than 3 weeks after acute infection is over.

• Sinus infections sign and symptoms on Chronic sinus infections are similar to acute sinus infection, unless the chronic infection can cause discharge from the nose constantly and accompanied by pus.

• Sinus infections sign and symptoms on hyperplastic sinus infection causes chronic nasal congestion and headaches.

Pain In The Sinuses also Depends on the Location of a Sick Sinus.

• Pain in the forehead is typical symptoms of frontal sinusitis.

• Pain in the upper jaw and teeth are maxillary sinus infection symptoms.

• Etmoid sinus infections cause pain between the eyes, pain when touched the outskirts of the nose, nasal congestion and cannot be kissed.

Other symptoms of sinusitis is a breath smells. Sinusitis is usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, and allergies prolonged. Inhaled allergens such as dust, mold spores, animal dander, pollen flowers, and others cause allergic reactions and swelling that can influence on the incidence of sinusitis attack. Although sinusitis cannot be prevented but for sinusitis does not become chronic, the viral and bacterial infections should be avoided by increasing the immune system such as rest and adequate nutrition and regular exercise. also, avoid allergens such as dust, cigarette smoke and other pollutants as well as drugs and certain foods that can be cause allergies. Type of allergen must be known for subsequent reactions can be avoided or reduced. Diving and swimming should also be avoided because water can get into the sinuses, causing blockage or infection.

Sinusitis Treatment aims to remove the blockage, nasal sinus drain fluid and relieve infection and pain. Medicinal plants that can be used to help cope with sinusitis have such effects as anti-inflammatory or anti-infection, relieve pain, reduce the mucus blockage and Smooth breathing.

In the treatment had to be done by controlling the well, at least 2 weeks. also must maintain the physical condition, good eating and drinking drugs regularly. In healing, it needs to be able to improve the body’s cells becoming abnormal return to normal. Especially to kill all germs cells that accumulates in the sinus area Paranasalis.

There is good news for you … please check my friends experience of successful recovery from acute sinus infection.

Incoming search terms:sinus (1)

I have to write a paper about the correlation of the percents regarding the symptoms of high blood pressure, and the associated diagnostics between my clinic (Romania) and other (around the world). what I really need are some studies (links, books, articles) on this theme for country's around the world. thank you in avance!

Do your own homework..don't enlist people to do it for you. Google is your best friend.

Difficulty in urination.

Symptoms: urinary frequency, hesitancy when urinating and lack of erection. Causes who really knows what starts any cancer off

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but hormonal, genetic, environmental, and dietary factors are thought to play roles. the following risk factors have been linked with development of this condition:

Age: there is a strong correlation between increasing age and developing prostate cancer. the incidence of prostate cancer increases steadily from fewer than 1 in 100,000 for men aged 40 years to 1146 per 100,000 in men aged 85 years. the median age at diagnosis of prostate cancer is 70.5 years. more than 80% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65 years. Autopsy records indicate that 70% of men older than 90 years have at least one region of cancer in their prostate.

Race: African American men are 1.5-2 times more likely than white men to develop prostate cancer. African American men also appear to develop prostate cancer at an earlier age.

Genetic factors: Men who have a history of prostate cancer in their family, especially if it was a first-degree relative such as a father or brother, are at an increased risk. This risk may be 2-3 times greater than the risk for men without a family history of the disease.

Diet: A diet high in fat has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Chemical agents: Exposure to chemicals such as cadmium has been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.
There is no proven link between frequency of sexual activity and prostate cancer risk

Most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms. This is particularly true of early prostate cancer.

Most prostate cancers are discovered incidentally when a digital rectal exam is performed.

A digital rectal exam is part of a thorough regular health examination. Digital refers to finger.

During the digital rectal exam, the examiner inserts a gloved and lubricated finger in the rectum to feel the prostate for abnormalities.
Symptoms usually appear when the tumor causes some degree of urinary blockage at the bladder neck or the urethra.

The usual symptoms include difficulty in starting and stopping the urinary stream, increase in frequency of urination, and pain while urinating.

The urinary stream may be diminished (urinary retention), or it may simply dribble out.

Even after urination, there is a sense of bladder fullness because the bladder has not been fully emptied.
Less common symptoms are blood in the urine (hematuria), painful ejaculation, or impotence (inability to have an erection).

These 3 symptoms are uncommon in early stages of the disease. they usually occur when the cancer is advanced.

As the cancer advances to cause a greater blockage, bladder function may deteriorate further.

Men with such advanced cancers sometimes experience recurring urinary tract infections.
Despite these symptoms, many men do not seek medical care until the cancer has spread. Symptoms of metastatic disease include fatigue, malaise, and weight loss. Spread to the bones causes deep bone pain, especially in the hips and back, and bone fractures from weakening of the bone.

my uncle was diagnosis at 28 with p cancer he was extermely overweight

my father in law had prostate cancer 6 years ago, he had difficulty passing water, and alot of griping pains around his bladder region, he had radiotherapy and is still okay today, it is one of the most treatable cancers, sometimes if left too long it can go into your bones the cancer but i have to STIPULATE, this is not common and it never happened to my father in law, he was just told this at christies.

The cause is old age, the symptom is you fail a PSA blood test.

some times its only found through a blood test called Psa and you can have symtoms like not passing water properly or bladder pain my brother found out about his while seeing his uroligist over a bladder pain after him having kidney stones .hope this helps you.