Limited Small Cell Lung Cancer
Overview Patients with limited disease small cell lung cancer have cancer that is confined to a single location in the chest that is not detectable outside the lung. Patients with this type of cancer are potentially curable, although many patients have undetectable areas of cancer outside of the chest at the time of diagnosis. The…
Extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer
Overview When small cell lung cancer has spread to both lungs or is detectable beyond the lungs, it is referred to as extensive. A variety of factors ultimately influence a patient’s decision to receive treatment of cancer. The purpose of receiving cancer treatment may be to improve symptoms through local control of the cancer, increase a…
Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer
Overview When lung cancer has been detected or has returned following an initial treatment with surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, it is referred to as recurrent or relapsed. A variety of factors ultimately influence a patient’s decision to receive treatment of cancer. The purpose of receiving cancer treatment may be to improve symptoms through local control…
Surgery for Lung Cancer
Overview The role of surgery in the management of lung cancer consists of obtaining a biopsy to make a correct diagnosis, determining the correct stage of the cancer in order to ensure optimal treatment and treating the cancer by surgical removal in selected situations. The decision to treat lung cancer surgically depends on the type…
Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is predominantly a disease of the skin, but may in rare instances occur at other sites, including the mucous membranes (vulva, vagina, lip, throat, esophagus and perianal region), as well as in the eye (uvea and retina). Melanoma arises from melanocytes, which are cells located in the upper layer of the skin that…