Question 1

whats a primary carcinoma?

Accepted Answer

See below: Primary cancer means the cancer arises from the organ or tissue primarily but not a spread from elsewhere. Example, primary brain cancer means the brain cells go abnormal and become cancerous whereas secondary brain cancer means cancer cells from elsewhere spread to the brain eg lung cancer spreading to brain.

Question 2

hi! i'm vem from ph. my mom was diagnosed with double primary ca. adenocarcinoma of the lungs, squamous cells carcinoma of skin. wil u help me?

Accepted Answer

What do you need?: The adenocarcinoma of the lung is extremely serious. The squamous carcinoma of the skin will almost certainly be cured by simple excision. Educate yourself about adenocarcinoma of the lung generally, and the markers and stage of her tumor and what is likely to be done for it. I'm glad you are there for her at this time.

Question 3

what are the odds of having adenocarcinoma of the left lung and adenosquamous  carcinoma of the right.  each is considered a primary cancer?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable odds: Both are quite common and if you have been offered double surgery for the chances of curing two primaries, by a physician you trust, then by all means go for it. It would be very uncommon for either cancer to metastasize as a lone nodule to the other lung, and the question is really, should we try to cure two separate primaries surgically.

Question 4

does a new diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma add points to the meld score of a cirrhosis patient? patient is going to be evaluate for transplant.  hepatologist has not started testing to see if hcc is primary or a metastasis?  shouldn't they be doing

Accepted Answer

HCC : Hcc is, by definition, primary in the liver.  If the tumor size and quantity fit within very specific criteria, then the patient is given extra points toward transplant.  However, if the tumor burden exceeds those limits or has metastasized outside of the liver, then the patient is not a candidate for transplant regardless of the meld score. If a tumor is smaller than 2 cm, it is not counted towards transplant

the criteria i've mentioned are called the milan criteria.  They specify the following: in order to qualify for transplant, a patient can have one hcc lesion up to 5 cm in size or as many as three hcc lesions as long as none of them is larger than 3 cm.

Question 5

the drug is taxotere (docetaxel) and cyclophosphamide used in chemo due to early stage of invasive lobular carcinoma does side effect cause insomia , depression?

Accepted Answer

Chemo and cancer: Dealing with cancer and its treatment is not something easy to do in many cases. Not only it is affecting your physical condition, emotionally, you can also develop  anxiety, depressed mood, depression etc through out the battle. The chemo themselves do not give you insomnia. However, steroids are given prior to chemo, and this can cause insomnia. Depression/anxiety cause insomnia too.

Question 6

squamous cell carcinoma, no skincancer. normal x ray/ct scan of lungs/abdomen/breasts/colon. metastasis in lymphnodes under armpits/collarbone. cough, weightloss, sob. ex smoker, nicorette addict. no primary tumour found. what type of cancer?

Accepted Answer

Squamous: Disseminated squamous cell carcinomas with no obvious primary often are ultimately found to have arisen in the nasal sinuses. There are even protocols for treating "squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary". We may still have something to offer that's worthwhile. Best wishes.

Question 7

what drugs are most commonly used to treat cancer?

Accepted Answer

Why this question?: If you have cancer that needs to be treated, go see an oncologist. There are more than 100 different drugs that we can use to treat various cancers. too long a list to outline here!

Question 8

what is the drug dabrafenib? does it treat cancer?

Accepted Answer

Dabrafenib: Dabrafenib is used to treat cancer. It is " approved for use with trametinib for unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations" See:  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/treatment/drugs/fda-dabrafenib

Question 9

what's primary vs secondary cancer?

Accepted Answer

Origin and spread: Primary cancer of an organs is one that originated in that organ, e.G, lung cancer in smokers.  Seconday cancer is one that spread from one organ to another, e.g., lung cancer spreading to liver, brain, bone etc would be secondary cancer for liver, brain, bone etc.

Question 10

could anti-cancer drugs be derived from sea-sponges?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Eribulin is a drug that works by interfering with proteins that form structures known as microtubules, vital for cell division and function. It is derived from sea sponges and it's currently used for patients with breast cancer.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Primary carcinoma drugs

A member asked:

Whats a primary carcinoma?

A member asked:

Hi! i'm vem from ph. my mom was diagnosed with double primary ca. adenocarcinoma of the lungs, squamous cells carcinoma of skin. wil u help me?

A member asked:

What are the odds of having adenocarcinoma of the left lung and adenosquamous carcinoma of the right. each is considered a primary cancer?

A member asked:

Does a new diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma add points to the meld score of a cirrhosis patient? patient is going to be evaluate for transplant. hepatologist has not started testing to see if hcc is primary or a metastasis? shouldn't they be doing

A member asked:

The drug is taxotere (docetaxel) and cyclophosphamide used in chemo due to early stage of invasive lobular carcinoma does side effect cause insomia , depression?

A member asked:

Squamous cell carcinoma, no skincancer. normal x ray/ct scan of lungs/abdomen/breasts/colon. metastasis in lymphnodes under armpits/collarbone. cough, weightloss, sob. ex smoker, nicorette addict. no primary tumour found. what type of cancer?

A member asked:

What drugs are most commonly used to treat cancer?

A member asked:

What is the drug dabrafenib? does it treat cancer?

A member asked:

What's primary vs secondary cancer?

A member asked:

Could anti-cancer drugs be derived from sea-sponges?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?