Cancer types (a brief overview for the listed cancers)

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women but can also occur in men. The majority of breast cancer is diagnosed in women over the age of 60. There are some risk factors for developing breast cancer, but most women with breast cancer do not have any of these risk factors or a family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer screening is highly recommended and include both mammograms and regular breast exams. Current treatments for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biologic therapy and hormonal therapy. Dallas Oncology currently offers many breast cancer clinical trials.

Lung cancer is currently the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women. 90% of lung cancer is associated with tobacco use. There are no current screening guidelines for lung cancer. Current treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biologic therapy. Dallas Oncology currently offers many lung cancer clinical trials.

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon and rectum, is currently the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Colorectal cancer screening is highly recommended in both men and women age 50 years or older and earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancers. Current treatments for colorectal cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and biologic therapy. Dallas Oncology is currently participating in colon cancer clinical trials.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer besides skin cancer in men. Many of the recently diagnosed prostate cancer is localized to the prostate and when treated appropriately, can be cured. Available screening tools include digital rectal examination and PSA. Treatment for prostate cancer is highly individualized and may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or chemotherapy.

Head and neck cancer, like lung cancer, is strongly associated with tobacco use.
Heavy alcohol use may increase the risk of head and neck cancers in smokers. The American Cancer Society projects that there will be almost 31,000 new cases of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer along with 9,500 new cases of laryngeal cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2006. There are no current screening guidelines for head and neck cancers. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and in selected patients, surgery.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer overall in the United States. Skin cancer can be divided into melanomas and non-melanomas. Almost all skin cancers are associated with sun exposure and sun burns. Nonmelanoma skin cancers can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, laser therapy or cryosurgery. Melanoma skin cancers are treated with surgery and in select patients, immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 38,900 people in the United States will develop kidney cancer in 2006. Men are affected nearly twice as often as women. The treatment of kidney cancer includes surgery, immunotherapy or biologic therapy. Dallas Oncology is currently participating in a nationwide clinical trial for kidney cancer that has recently been surgically removed.

Lymphomas are cancers of the lymph glands. There are two main categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-hodgkin’s lymphomas are more common than Hodgkin’s. The response to treatment is high for lymphomas. The current treatment strategies for lymphomas include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy and in some cases, radioimmunotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

More than 35,000 people will be diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells, the cells that help our body fight off infections. Leukemias can be chronic or acute. Many advances have recently been made in the treatment of chronic leukemias. Current available treatments include chemotherapy, biologic therapy and in some cases, stem cell transplantation.