Dr. Consultancy

Stomach cancer

Stomach Cancer (Gastric Cancer)

Overview

Stomach cancer usually begins in the mucus-producing cells that line the stomach, called adenocarcinoma.

  • Over the past decades, cancers in the main part of the stomach (body) have decreased worldwide.

  • In contrast, cancers at the gastroesophageal junction—where the upper stomach meets the lower end of the esophagus—are becoming more common.

  • Risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, excessive alcohol use, high-salt diet, chronic gastritis, and family history.

Symptoms

  • Poor appetite

  • Unintended weight loss

  • Abdominal pain, often vague or in the upper stomach

  • Feeling full quickly after a small meal

  • Heartburn or indigestion

  • Nausea and vomiting (may include blood)

  • Swelling or fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)

  • Blood in stool

  • Fatigue due to anemia

Effects / Complications

  • Obstruction of the stomach or intestines, causing vomiting and difficulty eating

  • Bleeding, leading to anemia and fatigue

  • Spread (metastasis) to liver, lungs, lymph nodes, or peritoneum

  • Severe weight loss and malnutrition

  • Reduced quality of life due to chronic pain and digestive problems

Treatment

1. Surgery

  • Gastrectomy: Partial or total removal of the stomach

  • Removal of nearby lymph nodes to prevent spread

2. Chemotherapy

  • Used before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors

  • Used after surgery (adjuvant) to kill remaining cancer cells

  • Can also be used for advanced cancer to relieve symptoms

3. Radiation Therapy

  • May be used along with chemotherapy for better control

  • Helps reduce tumor size or relieve pain

4. Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy

  • Drugs that target specific cancer cell proteins (e.g., HER2-positive cancers)

  • Immunotherapy helps the immune system attack cancer cells

5. Palliative Care

  • Focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life

  • May include pain management, nutritional support, and treatment of nausea

6. Lifestyle & Follow-Up

  • Balanced diet and nutritional support during and after treatment

  • Regular follow-ups for early detection of recurrence

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Medicine

Testicular Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Overview

Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), located in the scrotum, a loose pouch of skin below the penis.

The testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction. While testicular cancer is relatively rare compared to other cancers, it is the most common cancer in American men aged 15–35.

Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even if it has spread beyond the testicle. Treatment options depend on the type and stage of cancer, and often involve a combination of approaches.

Symptoms

  • Lump or enlargement in one or both testicles

  • Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

  • Dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin

  • Sudden fluid collection in the scrotum

  • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or scrotum

  • Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts

  • Back pain

Effects / Complications

If left untreated, testicular cancer may lead to:

  • Spread (metastasis) to lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or other organs

  • Fertility issues due to damage to healthy testicular tissue

  • Hormonal imbalances if both testicles are affected or removed

  • Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression

Treatment / Management

1. Surgery:

  • Orchiectomy: removal of the affected testicle

  • Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection if cancer has spread

2. Radiation Therapy:

  • High-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells, often after surgery

  • Common for seminoma type of testicular cancer

3. Chemotherapy:

  • Uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells

  • Often used if cancer has spread beyond the testicle

4. Follow-up & Monitoring:

  • Regular ultrasounds, blood tests, and scans to check for recurrence

  • Fertility preservation (sperm banking) may be considered before treatment

5. Lifestyle & Support:

  • Healthy diet and exercise during and after treatment

  • Emotional and psychological support, including counseling or support groups

Medicine

Throat cancer

Throat Cancer

Overview

Throat cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), or tonsils.

  • The pharynx is a muscular tube that starts behind the nose and ends in the neck.

  • Cancer often begins in the flat cells lining the throat (squamous cells).

  • The larynx (voice box) contains the vocal cords, which may be affected.

  • Risk factors: smoking, heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, exposure to harmful chemicals.

Symptoms

  • Persistent cough

  • Voice changes (hoarseness or difficulty speaking clearly)

  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

  • Ear pain

  • Lump or sore that does not heal

  • Persistent sore throat

  • Unexplained weight loss

Effects / Complications

If untreated, throat cancer can cause:

  • Spread (metastasis) to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or other organs

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing due to obstruction

  • Loss of voice or speech changes

  • Severe pain

  • Malnutrition and weight loss

  • Death, particularly if diagnosed late

Treatment / Management

1. Surgery

  • Removal of tumors or affected parts of the throat

  • Sometimes reconstruction of the throat or voice box

2. Radiation Therapy

  • High-energy rays target and kill cancer cells

  • May be used alone or with surgery

3. Chemotherapy

  • Drugs that kill or stop cancer cell growth

  • Often combined with radiation for advanced cases

4. Targeted Therapy / Immunotherapy

  • Drugs that target cancer-specific pathways or boost immune response

5. Supportive Care

  • Speech therapy, nutritional support, and pain management

Medicine

Thyroid cancer

Effects / Complications of Thyroid Cancer

If left untreated, thyroid cancer can cause:

  • Spread (metastasis) to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or distant organs

  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing due to obstruction

  • Voice changes or loss of voice from involvement of the vocal cords

  • Pain in the neck or throat

  • Malnutrition and weight loss from difficulty eating

  • General fatigue and weakness

  • Death, particularly if diagnosed at a late stage

Treatment / Management of Thyroid Cancer

Treatment depends on the type, stage, and location of the cancer:

  1. Surgery

    • Removal of part or all of the thyroid (thyroidectomy)

    • Sometimes removal of nearby lymph nodes

    • Reconstruction if necessary

  2. Radioactive Iodine Therapy

    • Used to destroy remaining thyroid tissue after surgery

    • Helps target cancer cells that absorb iodine

  3. External Beam Radiation Therapy

    • High-energy rays to kill cancer cells

    • Used if cancer cannot be removed surgically or has spread

  4. Chemotherapy

    • Drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells

    • Typically for advanced or aggressive thyroid cancers

  5. Targeted Therapy / Immunotherapy

    • Drugs that focus on cancer-specific pathways

    • Boost the body’s immune response to fight cancer

  6. Supportive Care

    • Hormone replacement therapy if thyroid is removed

    • Pain management, nutritional support, and speech therapy if needed

 

Medicine

Vocal cord

Vocal Cord Paralysis

Overview

  • Vocal cord paralysis occurs when the nerve impulses to the larynx (voice box) are disrupted, causing paralysis of the vocal fold muscles.

  • This condition can affect speech, breathing, and swallowing, as the vocal cords are crucial for producing sound and protecting the airway from food, liquids, and saliva.

  • Causes can include nerve injury, tumors, viral infections, or surgery affecting the neck or chest.

Symptoms

  • Breathy or weak voice quality

  • Hoarseness

  • Noisy or labored breathing

  • Loss of vocal pitch or inability to modulate voice

  • Choking or coughing when swallowing food, drink, or saliva

  • Frequent need to take breaths while speaking

  • Inability to speak loudly

  • Loss of gag reflex

  • Ineffective coughing

  • Frequent throat clearing

Effects / Complications

  • Difficulty communicating

  • Increased risk of aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway)

  • Breathing problems, especially during physical activity

  • Emotional distress due to impaired speech

Treatment / Management

  1. Voice Therapy: Speech-language pathologists help improve vocal strength and function.

  2. Surgical Interventions:

    • Vocal cord medialization or thyroplasty to improve closure

    • Reinnervation surgery to restore nerve function in select cases

  3. Lifestyle Modifications:

    • Avoid shouting or straining the voice

    • Stay hydrated and avoid irritants like smoke

  4. Monitoring: Regular evaluation by an ENT specialist for changes in voice or breathing

Medicine

Diseases

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