Renal cell carcinoma or RCC is the most prevalent type of kidney cancer among adults and obesity is one of the well-established risk factors for RCC. Those who are obese or overweight, run double the risk of having kidney cancer compared to those with a healthy body weight. Hypertension is another dominant risk factor. The reason obesity elevates kidney cancer risk so much is that excess body fat spikes the insulin levels and the insulin growth factor-1, known to trigger some cancer types. With the widespread use of CT scan as a diagnostic tool, more kidney cancers are being detected these da ..read more

Cancer which originates in the kidneys is called kidney cancer, with renal cell carcinoma being the commonest type among adults. Thanks to advanced imaging techniques, many more kidney cancers are now being detected early before they can metastasize. Are there any telltale signs and symptoms to be aware of? Early-stage kidney cancer often doesn’t produce any symptoms. However, symptoms might develop at a later stage like: # Blood in urine which might seem like the colour of cola # Nagging pain in the back # Appetite loss # Unplanned weight loss # Unexplained fatigue # Fever What are the known ..read more

Bone cancer is marked by the formation of an atypical tissue mass or tumor in a bone, also called bone sarcomas. The most common starting points are the pelvic bone or the long bones of the limbs like the femur, shinbone or upper arm. However, it can originate in any bone in the body. The cancer can also originate in another part of the body and spread or metastasize to the bones. What are the known types of bone cancer? Primary bone cancers which start directly in the bones or the surrounding tissue, although less common, are the most sinister and aggressive. More common are cancers that met ..read more

Cervix is the organ connecting the uterus with the vagina. Cancer which forms in the tissues of the cervix is known as cervical cancer. The best chance of detecting cervical cancer early and achieving maximum treatment success is through screening tests. Screening can even detect abnormal or pre-cancerous cells and thus help in preventing cancer through immediate treatment. Screening saves lives. There are two types of cervical cancer – squamous cell cancer which affects the outer surface of the ectocervix, and adenocarcinoma of the cervix, which is cancer of the endocervix. Nearly all cervic ..read more

Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluids which could form on and in the ovaries. Most such cysts that occur before menopause are benign and resolve on their own. Post-menopause, a small percentage of new cysts could be cancerous, but that percentage is extremely small. The incidence of malignancy in post-menopausal patients with unilocular cysts (without a solid component) is a mere 0.3%. Malignant changes have been noticed in a very small percentage of dermoid cysts and endometriomas. Pregnant women who have simple cysts less than 6cm in diameter, have a malignancy risk of below 1%. What are the kno ..read more

A group of cancers affecting that are found in the head and the neck regions of the body are more common among the male population, especially those above 40. This group of cancers is commonly collectively referred to as head & neck cancers. Tobacco and alcohol are the two main factors responsible for these malignancies. Another critical risk factor for some head and neck cancers is HPV or the human papillomavirus. Cancer of the oral cavity is the most common type of head and neck cancer. However, it can affect the salivary glands, sinuses, nasal cavity, tonsils, throat and lary ..read more

Bladder cancer is a quite common cancer type that starts in the cells of the bladder, a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The risk of bladder cancer rises as one gets older, and those diagnosed with the cancer are usually over 55. Men are certainly more prone to developing bladder cancer than women. Bladder cancers are more often than not detected at an early stage and are highly treatable. The challenge is these cancers have a tendency to relapse, hence meticulous follow-up tests are absolutely imperative even after the treatment cycle is over. What are the usual symptoms ..read more

A group of cancers affecting that are found in the head and the neck regions of the body are more common among the male population, especially those above 40. This group of cancers is commonly collectively referred to as head & neck cancers. Tobacco and alcohol are the two main factors responsible for these malignancies. Another critical risk factor for some head and neck cancers is HPV or the human papillomavirus. Cancer of the oral cavity is the most common type of head and neck cancer. However, it can affect the salivary glands, sinuses, nasal cavity, tonsils, throat and lary ..read more

Thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland at the base of our neck, below the Adam’s apple. The hormone produced here regulate our metabolism, heart rate and body temperature. Sometimes nodules are formed in thyroid that may or may not be malignant. Thyroid cancer is a form of endocrine cancer that is usually treatable, and the cure rate is very high. Almost 80% of thyroid cancers occur in the papillary muscles and are rarely fatal. Follicular, medullary and anaplastic are the other kinds of thyroid cancers, of which the last is the most aggressive and the toughest to treat. Who are more prone ..read more

Liver cancer contributes a major chunk to cancer-related deaths worldwide and scientists have observed that the mean onset age, as well as incidence of liver cancer of varied etiologies, has gradually increased over the past three decades. Hepatitis B virus or HBV is a major risk factor for liver cancer in Asia, while other primary causes include hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, etc. Available data shows that the age-adjusted incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in India for men ranges from 0.7 to 7.5 and for women 0.2 to 2.2 per 100,000 po ..read more