Condition Lookup

Neuroblastoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Symptoms:
abdominal mass; pain; fever; weight loss; bone pain; bulging eyes; high blood pressure

Root Cause:
Cancer originating in nerve tissue, most commonly in the adrenal glands, sympathetic nervous system, or nerve tissue along the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound), biopsy, urine tests for catecholamine metabolites (VMA, HVA), bone marrow aspiration.

Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like cyclophosphamide , vincristine , doxorubicin , and cisplatin ; Immunotherapy drugs such as dinutuximab (Unituxin ); Pain medications such as acetaminophen or opioids for severe pain.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 100,000 children; accounts for 6-10% of pediatric cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic mutations (e.g., MYCN amplification), family history, certain congenital conditions like Hirschsprung disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the stage at diagnosis, age of the child, and response to treatment. The survival rate is approximately 70-80% for low-risk cases but significantly lower for high-risk cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor metastasis, organ dysfunction, hearing loss, developmental delays, long-term effects from chemotherapy and radiation.

Retinoblastoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
white or red eye reflex (leukocoria); strabismus; vision problems; eye pain; swelling around the eye

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor that arises from the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Eye examination, fundus photography, ultrasound, MRI, genetic testing for RB1 gene mutations.

Treatment:
Surgery (enucleation), chemotherapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like carboplatin , vincristine , etoposide ; medications for pain management or to control side effects.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 1 in 15,000 live births, with approximately 300 cases per year in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of retinoblastoma, RB1 gene mutations (inherited or spontaneous).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High survival rate if diagnosed early; 95% survival for unilateral, localized cases; poor prognosis for metastatic disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Vision loss, metastasis (rare), secondary cancers later in life due to radiation or chemotherapy.

Melanoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
new or changing mole; asymmetry in moles; irregular borders; multiple colors in a mole; increase in mole size; itching; bleeding or ulceration of the mole

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), often triggered by UV radiation-induced DNA damage or genetic mutations.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, dermoscopy, skin biopsy (excisional or punch), sentinel lymph node biopsy for staging, and imaging studies (e.g., CT, PET, or MRI) for advanced cases.

Treatment:
Surgical excision (wide local excision), immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy (less common), and radiation therapy (for advanced cases).

Medications:
Medications include immunotherapy drugs like nivolumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) or ipilimumab (a CTLA-4 inhibitor), and targeted therapies such as vemurafenib or dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitors) combined with trametinib (MEK inhibitor). These drugs belong to the classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted small molecule inhibitors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 27 men and 1 in 40 women are diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime; incidence varies by region and skin type.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Fair skin, excessive UV exposure, family history of melanoma, numerous or atypical moles, history of severe sunburns, and genetic mutations (e.g., BRAF mutations).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage melanoma has an excellent prognosis with a high survival rate, but advanced melanoma has poorer outcomes despite recent advances in therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, or bones; lymphedema; secondary cancers; and side effects from immunotherapy or targeted therapy.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
fast-growing, painless nodule; skin-colored, red, or blue lump on sun-exposed areas

Root Cause:
Neuroendocrine carcinoma originating from Merkel cells, often associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection or UV exposure.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, skin biopsy, imaging studies (e.g., CT, PET), and sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgical excision, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy for advanced cases.

Medications:
Avelumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) is FDA-approved for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with approximately 2,500 cases annually in the U.S.; more common in older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, fair skin, excessive UV exposure, immunosuppression, and MCPyV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; localized disease has a good prognosis, but metastatic cases have a high mortality rate.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rapid metastasis to lymph nodes and organs, recurrence, and complications from treatment.

Kaposi Sarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
purple, red, or brown skin lesions; lesions that may appear on mucous membranes or internal organs; swelling in affected limbs; gastrointestinal bleeding or respiratory symptoms in advanced cases

Root Cause:
Vascular tumor caused by infection with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), often occurring in immunocompromised individuals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, skin or lesion biopsy, immunohistochemical staining for HHV-8, and imaging studies to assess internal organ involvement.

Treatment:
Antiretroviral therapy (in HIV-associated cases), local therapy (cryotherapy, radiation, or surgical excision), systemic chemotherapy, and immunotherapy for advanced disease.

Medications:
Systemic therapy includes liposomal doxorubicin (a cytotoxic chemotherapy drug) and pomalidomide (an immunomodulator). Antiretroviral therapy is crucial in HIV-associated cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in immunocompetent individuals but more common in HIV/AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients, and older men of Mediterranean or African descent.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HIV infection, immunosuppression, organ transplantation, and infection with HHV-8.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable; excellent prognosis with antiretroviral therapy in HIV-associated cases, but poorer outcomes in systemic or aggressive forms.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Widespread systemic involvement, organ failure, and secondary infections.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Treatment-Related Complications

Symptoms:
hyperkalemia; hyperphosphatemia; hypocalcemia; elevated creatinine; nausea; vomiting; fatigue; muscle cramps; seizures

Root Cause:
The rapid release of intracellular contents from dying tumor cells, often after chemotherapy or other treatments, leading to metabolic disturbances.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests to measure levels of potassium, phosphate, calcium, creatinine, and uric acid. Clinical presentation and history of recent cancer treatment.

Treatment:
Hydration, medications to control electrolyte imbalances (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, allopurinol), dialysis if necessary, and monitoring in a hospital setting.

Medications:
Allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that reduces uric acid production), Rasburicase (an enzyme that breaks down uric acid), Sodium bicarbonate (to alkalinize urine and prevent uric acid crystallization), Calcium gluconate (to treat hypocalcemia), Potassium binders (to reduce hyperkalemia). These medications are considered urate-lowering agents, electrolyte modifiers, and anti-hyperkalemic agents.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
This is a relatively rare condition, occurring in approximately 5-10% of patients receiving chemotherapy for high-grade hematologic cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High tumor burden, especially in hematologic malignancies, rapid tumor cell turnover, and treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early detection and treatment, prognosis can be good. However, untreated tumor lysis syndrome can lead to organ failure and death.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and death if not managed promptly.

Osteosarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Bone Sarcomas

Symptoms:
pain in the bone or joint; swelling or a lump near the affected area; limited range of motion if near a joint; fractures due to weakened bone; redness or warmth in the affected area

Root Cause:
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that originates in the osteoblasts (cells that form bone tissue). It most commonly affects the long bones (e.g., femur, tibia, humerus).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, followed by a biopsy of the tumor to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Treatment:
Treatment generally includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. Surgical resection of the tumor is the primary treatment, often followed by chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs, including methotrexate , doxorubicin , and cisplatin , are commonly prescribed. These are cytotoxic drugs used to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Pain medications may also be prescribed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Osteosarcoma is relatively rare, accounting for approximately 3% of all cancers in children and adolescents, with around 400 new cases annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, familial retinoblastoma, and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome increase risk. Previous radiation therapy and rapid bone growth (in teens) are also risk factors.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis and the response to treatment. The 5-year survival rate for localized osteosarcoma can be as high as 70%, but decreases significantly if the cancer has metastasized.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include metastasis (especially to the lungs), recurrence of the tumor, and side effects from chemotherapy (e.g., cardiovascular issues, hearing loss).

Chondrosarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Bone Sarcomas

Symptoms:
persistent pain at the tumor site, especially at night; swelling or a mass near the affected area; limited mobility if the tumor is near a joint; bone fractures due to weakened bone

Root Cause:
Chondrosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that begins in cartilage cells. It typically occurs in the pelvis, femur, or shoulder blades and grows slowly compared to other bone cancers.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. A biopsy is required to confirm the presence of cancer cells and to distinguish it from benign cartilage tumors.

Treatment:
Treatment mainly involves surgery to remove the tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used in cases of high-grade or metastatic chondrosarcoma, though the tumor is often resistant to these treatments.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like methotrexate and doxorubicin may be used, although they are often less effective than in other sarcomas. Pain management includes NSAIDs or stronger opioids for pain relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Chondrosarcoma is relatively rare, accounting for about 20% of all primary bone cancers. It most commonly affects adults over the age of 40.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions such as Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome are associated with an increased risk. A history of previous radiation therapy may also increase risk.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis varies depending on the tumor grade and location. Low-grade chondrosarcoma has a better prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of about 80%, while high-grade tumors have a much poorer prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications include local recurrence, metastasis (typically to the lungs), and post-surgical complications like infection or loss of function.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Thoracic Cancers

Sub-category: Lung Cancer

Symptoms:
persistent cough; chest pain; shortness of breath; wheezing; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

Root Cause:
Abnormal and uncontrolled growth of lung cells leading to tumor formation in the lung.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves imaging tests (CT scan, chest X-ray), biopsy (either via bronchoscopy, needle biopsy, or surgery), and molecular testing for genetic mutations.

Treatment:
Treatment options depend on the stage and type but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin (alkylating agent) and pemetrexed (antimetabolite); targeted therapies like osimertinib (EGFR inhibitor); immunotherapies such as nivolumab (checkpoint inhibitor).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking (primary risk factor), exposure to secondhand smoke, environmental toxins (e.g., radon, asbestos), family history, older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis. Early-stage NSCLC has a better prognosis, with survival rates improving with surgery or targeted therapy; advanced stages generally have lower survival rates.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, metastasis to other organs, pleural effusion, recurrence after treatment, and side effects from treatments (e.g., chemotherapy-induced neutropenia).

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Thoracic Cancers

Sub-category: Lung Cancer

Symptoms:
cough; chest pain; shortness of breath; wheezing; hoarseness; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., siadh, cushing’s syndrome)

Root Cause:
Rapidly growing, aggressive cancer that typically starts in the bronchi and spreads early to other parts of the body.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis often involves chest imaging (X-ray, CT), biopsy (bronchoscopy or needle biopsy), and staging with PET scan to assess metastasis.

Treatment:
Treatment primarily involves chemotherapy and radiation. SCLC is less commonly treated with surgery due to its early spread.

Medications:
Chemotherapy regimens typically include etoposide (topoisomerase inhibitor) and cisplatin (alkylating agent). Immunotherapy agents like atezolizumab are also used in combination with chemotherapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
SCLC accounts for about 15% of all lung cancer cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking (strongest risk factor), secondhand smoke exposure, occupational exposures (asbestos, radon), genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
SCLC is aggressive with a poor prognosis. It often metastasizes quickly and is typically diagnosed at a later stage. However, with early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, some patients may achieve remission.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to brain, liver, and bones, paraneoplastic syndromes, treatment-related side effects, and cachexia.

Lung Carcinoid Tumors

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Thoracic Cancers

Sub-category: Lung Cancer

Symptoms:
persistent cough; wheezing; chest pain; shortness of breath; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; coughing up blood (hemoptysis); recurrent pneumonia

Root Cause:
Slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that form in the lung tissue, often originating from bronchial epithelial cells.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves imaging (CT scans, X-ray), biopsy (bronchoscopy or percutaneous biopsy), and possibly a bronchial lavage or cytology. Immunohistochemistry is used to confirm the neuroendocrine nature of the tumor.

Treatment:
Surgery is the primary treatment for localized carcinoid tumors. For advanced stages, treatments may include chemotherapy or somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide) for symptom control and slowing tumor growth.

Medications:
Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide ) for symptom control, chemotherapy agents such as streptozocin (alkylating agent) or etoposide (topoisomerase inhibitor) for advanced disease.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Lung carcinoid tumors are rare, accounting for about 1–2% of all lung cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking is less of a risk factor compared to other types of lung cancer. There may be associations with genetic conditions such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good prognosis, especially when diagnosed early. These tumors tend to grow slowly and are often treatable with surgery, with many patients surviving long-term after removal of the tumor.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis (though rare), recurrence of tumors, carcinoid syndrome (flushing, diarrhea, wheezing), and treatment-related side effects.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
slow-growing lump in the neck; hoarseness; difficulty swallowing; enlarged lymph nodes

Root Cause:
Malignant growth of follicular cells in the thyroid gland, often associated with mutations like BRAF or RET/PTC.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and molecular testing for genetic mutations.

Treatment:
Surgery (lobectomy or total thyroidectomy), radioactive iodine therapy, and levothyroxine for hormone suppression.

Medications:
Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement); sorafenib or lenvatinib (for metastatic cases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for 80–85% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Radiation exposure, family history, and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent prognosis with a 10-year survival rate over 95%.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence in lymph nodes or distant metastasis, hypothyroidism after treatment.

Follicular Thyroid Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
neck lump; difficulty swallowing; hoarseness; bone pain (if metastatic)

Root Cause:
Cancer develops in thyroid follicular cells; often associated with iodine deficiency or genetic mutations in the RAS or PAX8 genes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy, radioactive iodine scans, and molecular testing.

Treatment:
Surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Medications:
Levothyroxine for hormone replacement; sorafenib or lenvatinib for advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Second most common thyroid cancer, accounting for about 10–15% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Iodine deficiency, radiation exposure, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good prognosis if detected early; survival rates are 85–90% over 10 years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to bones and lungs, recurrence.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
lump in the neck; diarrhea; flushing; hoarseness; neck pain; enlarged lymph nodes

Root Cause:
Arises from C-cells (parafollicular cells) in the thyroid that produce calcitonin; often associated with genetic mutations, particularly in the RET proto-oncogene.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for elevated calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), fine-needle aspiration biopsy, genetic testing (RET mutation), and imaging (CT, MRI).

Treatment:
Total thyroidectomy, lymph node dissection, and sometimes external beam radiation.

Medications:
Calcitonin (for symptom relief in advanced cases), sorafenib or cabozantinib (targeted therapies for advanced or metastatic disease).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common, accounting for 3–5% of thyroid cancers; more frequently diagnosed in people with hereditary genetic conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of medullary thyroid cancer, genetic mutations (RET mutations), and MEN syndrome types 2A and 2B.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies depending on stage; localized cases have good survival rates (80–90%), while advanced or metastatic cases have poorer outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and bones; recurrence; and complications from treatment, such as hypocalcemia.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
rapidly growing neck lump; difficulty breathing; difficulty swallowing; hoarseness; painful throat

Root Cause:
Highly aggressive cancer that arises from thyroid follicular cells; often associated with mutations in TP53, BRAF, or RAS genes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy, imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans), and molecular testing for genetic mutations.

Treatment:
Surgery (if operable), external beam radiation, chemotherapy (doxorubicin, paclitaxel), and experimental targeted therapies.

Medications:
Doxorubicin (chemotherapy), paclitaxel (chemotherapy), and sorafenib (targeted therapy for advanced disease).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for 1–2% of thyroid cancers. More common in older adults, usually after the age of 60.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, prior history of thyroid cancer, genetic mutations (TP53), and environmental factors such as radiation exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Very poor prognosis with a median survival of 6 months; the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rapid growth, metastasis to distant organs (lungs, bones), airway obstruction, and difficulty in treatment due to its aggressive nature.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
red, scaly patch of skin; non-healing sore; raised growth with a central depression; wart-like growth that may bleed or crust

Root Cause:
Malignant proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis, frequently linked to UV damage, HPV infection, or chronic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, dermoscopy, skin biopsy (shave, punch, or excisional), and lymph node assessment for advanced disease.

Treatment:
Surgical excision (including Mohs surgery), cryotherapy, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy for advanced disease.

Medications:
Advanced or metastatic SCC may be treated with cemiplimab or pembrolizumab , both PD-1 inhibitors in the immunotherapy class.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Second most common skin cancer globally, with higher prevalence in older individuals and those with fair skin.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
UV exposure, fair skin, chronic wounds, immunosuppression, and HPV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for localized SCC; poorer prognosis for advanced or metastatic disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs, local tissue destruction, and secondary infections.

Carcinoid Tumors

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Rare Cancers

Symptoms:
flushing; diarrhea; abdominal pain; wheezing; heart valve problems; weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Carcinoid tumors arise from neuroendocrine cells, which produce hormones such as serotonin and other chemicals. These tumors often grow slowly and can secrete hormones that affect various body systems.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically through imaging studies such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans, and blood tests measuring elevated levels of serotonin or 5-HIAA (a serotonin metabolite). Biopsy and histopathological examination confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment:
Treatment may include surgery to remove the tumor, somatostatin analogs (like octreotide) to control symptoms, chemotherapy, and in some cases, liver-directed therapies (such as ablation or embolization) if the tumors have spread to the liver.

Medications:
Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide and lanreotide ) are often prescribed to control symptoms and inhibit hormone secretion. These medications are classified as peptide receptor drugs and can help reduce flushing and diarrhea. Chemotherapy agents may also be used, depending on the tumor's progression, such as streptozocin and temozolomide , which are alkylating agents.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Carcinoid tumors are rare, accounting for about 0.5% of all cancers, but the incidence of neuroendocrine tumors is rising, with an estimated prevalence of 2-5 cases per 100,000 people per year.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Risk factors include age (more common in older adults), a family history of neuroendocrine tumors, certain inherited genetic syndromes (such as MEN1 and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome), and conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract like Crohn's disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the location and spread of the tumor. Localized tumors have a relatively good prognosis with surgery, but metastatic or advanced cases can be more challenging to treat. The 5-year survival rate for localized carcinoid tumors is around 80%, while it drops significantly with distant metastases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include carcinoid syndrome (which leads to flushing, diarrhea, and heart valve problems), liver metastasis, and malnutrition due to nutrient malabsorption from the gastrointestinal symptoms.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; jaundice; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; swelling in the abdomen; loss of appetite

Root Cause:
Primary liver cancer arising from hepatocytes, often due to cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infection, or chronic liver damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound), AFP blood test, and liver biopsy in some cases.

Treatment:
Curative options include surgical resection or liver transplantation; other treatments include ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Medications:
Sorafenib and lenvatinib are first-line treatments; immunotherapy includes atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab . Regorafenib is used for advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common primary liver cancer; accounts for about 75% of liver cancer cases globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C infection, alcohol use, NAFLD, obesity, and diabetes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies widely; 5-year survival rate is about 33% for localized cases but poor for advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Liver failure, metastasis, and worsening cirrhosis.

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
headaches; nausea; vomiting; seizures; neurological deficits (e.g., weakness, vision changes); cognitive or personality changes; speech difficulties

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled proliferation of astrocytes, leading to a highly aggressive and infiltrative malignant tumor in the brain.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with contrast, biopsy for histopathological confirmation, molecular testing (e.g., MGMT promoter methylation, IDH mutation status).

Treatment:
Surgery for tumor resection, followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy. Experimental treatments include targeted therapies, tumor-treating fields (TTFields), and immunotherapy.

Medications:
Temozolomide (alkylating agent), bevacizumab (anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody), corticosteroids like dexamethasone (to reduce cerebral edema).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for approximately 15% of all primary brain tumors; incidence is 3.19 cases per 100,000 individuals annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, male gender, exposure to ionizing radiation, history of certain genetic disorders (e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Turcot syndrome).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor prognosis; median survival is 15-18 months with standard therapy, and 5-year survival rates are below 10%.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, neurological deficits, cognitive decline, seizures, recurrence of tumor.

Astrocytomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
headaches; seizures; neurological deficits such as weakness or vision changes; personality or cognitive changes; nausea and vomiting

Root Cause:
Tumors arising from astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. These tumors vary in malignancy, from low-grade (Grade I-II) to high-grade (Grade III-IV).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast for visualization, histopathology from biopsy, molecular analysis for IDH mutation and 1p/19q co-deletion (in relevant cases).

Treatment:
The treatment for astrocytomas depends on the grade and location of the tumor and typically includes - Surgery - Surgical resection to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving neurological function. Radiation Therapy - Used post-surgery for high-grade astrocytomas or when complete resection is not possible. Chemotherapy - Temozolomide is commonly used for high-grade astrocytomas like glioblastomas. Targeted Therapy - Bevacizumab may be used for recurrent cases to inhibit tumor-associated angiogenesis. Supportive Care - Includes corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling and anticonvulsants for seizure control.

Medications:
Temozolomide (alkylating agent), lomustine (alkylating agent), corticosteroids like dexamethasone to manage swelling and edema.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Astrocytomas represent approximately 25% of all primary CNS tumors. Low-grade astrocytomas are more common in younger patients, while high-grade ones are more prevalent in adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition (e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Neurofibromatosis), exposure to ionizing radiation, male gender, increasing age (for high-grade astrocytomas).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies significantly by grade

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor progression, recurrence, neurological deficits, increased intracranial pressure, seizures.

Meningiomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
headaches; seizures; focal neurological deficits (e.g., weakness, vision changes); personality or cognitive changes

Root Cause:
Tumors arising from the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord); most are benign but can occasionally be atypical or malignant.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast or CT scan, biopsy for histopathological confirmation (if necessary).

Treatment:
Observation for asymptomatic, slow-growing tumors; surgery for symptomatic or accessible tumors; radiotherapy for inoperable or recurrent cases.

Medications:
No standard chemotherapy; corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) may be used for symptom relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common primary brain tumor, accounting for about 30% of all CNS tumors, with higher incidence in middle-aged to elderly adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female gender (linked to hormonal factors), exposure to ionizing radiation, genetic disorders (e.g., Neurofibromatosis Type 2).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Benign meningiomas have an excellent prognosis with surgery (5-year survival >90%); atypical or malignant types have worse outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Neurological deficits, tumor recurrence, malignant transformation (rare).

Oligodendrogliomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
seizures; headaches; cognitive difficulties; weakness or paralysis; personality changes

Root Cause:
Tumors arising from oligodendrocytes, the glial cells responsible for myelin production in the CNS. Often associated with 1p/19q co-deletion and IDH mutations.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast, biopsy with histopathological examination, molecular testing for 1p/19q co-deletion and IDH mutation.

Treatment:
Surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (PCV regimen

Medications:
PCV regimen (procarbazine , lomustine , vincristine ), temozolomide , corticosteroids like dexamethasone for symptom relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for approximately 2-5% of all primary brain tumors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic mutations (1p/19q co-deletion, IDH mutation), exposure to ionizing radiation, family history of gliomas.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Better prognosis than glioblastomas; median survival for Grade II is >10 years, and for Grade III, 3-6 years with appropriate treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Seizures, neurological deficits, tumor recurrence, malignant progression.

Ependymomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
headaches; nausea; vomiting; hydrocephalus-related symptoms (e.g., balance issues, gait problems); visual disturbances; back pain (if spinal cord involvement)

Root Cause:
Tumors arising from ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast, biopsy for histological confirmation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis for metastatic disease.

Treatment:
Surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy; chemotherapy in select cases (especially in pediatric patients).

Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) for symptom management, chemotherapy agents like cisplatin and vincristine in some pediatric cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for 2-3% of all primary brain tumors; more common in children than adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes (e.g., Neurofibromatosis Type 2), exposure to ionizing radiation.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies by grade and resectability; 5-year survival rates for Grade II are 50-70%, while higher-grade tumors have poorer outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hydrocephalus, neurological deficits, tumor recurrence, metastatic spread in the CNS.

Medulloblastomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
headaches; nausea and vomiting; balance and coordination problems; visual disturbances (e.g., double vision); lethargy

Root Cause:
Aggressive, embryonal tumor originating in the cerebellum, often spreading through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most common in pediatric patients.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast, biopsy, CSF analysis for metastasis, molecular subgrouping (e.g., WNT, SHH subtypes).

Treatment:
Surgery for maximal safe resection, followed by craniospinal radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Molecular-targeted therapy is emerging for specific subgroups.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like cisplatin , vincristine , and cyclophosphamide ; corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) for symptom management.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for 20% of all pediatric brain tumors, with peak incidence between ages 3-8 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition (e.g., Gorlin syndrome, Turcot syndrome), family history of CNS tumors.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on molecular subtype and extent of metastasis; 5-year survival rates range from 50% (high-risk cases) to 80% (low-risk cases).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Neurological deficits, hydrocephalus, endocrine dysfunction, learning disabilities, tumor recurrence.

Pituitary Tumors

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
visual disturbances (e.g., bitemporal hemianopsia); headaches; hormonal imbalances (e.g., cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly); fatigue; nausea and vomiting

Root Cause:
Tumors arising from the pituitary gland; may be functional (hormone-secreting) or non-functional.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast, hormonal blood tests, visual field testing.

Treatment:
Surgery (transsphenoidal resection), medical therapy for functional tumors (e.g., dopamine agonists for prolactinomas), radiotherapy for residual or recurrent cases.

Medications:
Dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline , bromocriptine ) for prolactinomas; somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide ) for growth hormone-secreting tumors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively common, accounting for about 10-15% of all primary brain tumors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of pituitary tumors, genetic conditions like Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on tumor type and resectability; functional tumors may require long-term medical management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hormonal imbalances, vision loss, recurrence, hypopituitarism following treatment.

Salivary Gland Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Head and Neck Cancers

Symptoms:
painless lump in the mouth, jaw, or neck; numbness or weakness in the face; pain in the mouth or throat; difficulty swallowing; dry mouth

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors in the salivary glands, can arise in major (parotid, submandibular) or minor glands.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Fine needle aspiration biopsy, imaging (CT/MRI), ultrasound, sialography.

Treatment:
Surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, and in some cases, chemotherapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents such as Cisplatin and Doxorubicin ; radiation therapy may be used if surgery is not an option.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for less than 5% of all head and neck cancers; most cases are in the parotid gland.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, radiation exposure, genetic conditions (e.g., Cowden syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies by tumor type; overall 5-year survival rates are good for localized tumors but poor for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Facial nerve damage, difficulty eating and swallowing, recurrence after surgery.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Skin Cancers

Symptoms:
pearly or waxy bump on the skin; flat, flesh-colored or brown lesion; sores that bleed, crust, and don’t heal; rolled edges around a lesion

Root Cause:
Malignant transformation of basal cells in the epidermis, often caused by long-term UV radiation exposure or genetic predisposition (e.g., PTCH1 mutations).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, dermoscopy, and skin biopsy (shave, punch, or excisional).

Treatment:
Surgical excision (Mohs micrographic surgery for critical areas), topical therapies (e.g., imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil), cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or radiation therapy.

Medications:
Advanced cases may be treated with vismodegib or sonidegib , both of which are hedgehog pathway inhibitors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common skin cancer, with millions of cases diagnosed annually worldwide, especially in individuals over 50 with fair skin.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged sun exposure, fair skin, age, family history of skin cancer, and immunosuppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent prognosis with early detection and treatment; rarely metastasizes but can cause significant local tissue damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Local tissue invasion, disfigurement, and rarely metastasis in neglected or advanced cases.

Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal swelling or mass; abdominal pain; fever; blood in urine; nausea or vomiting

Root Cause:
A rare kidney cancer in children caused by genetic mutations affecting kidney development.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound, CT or MRI, and biopsy; genetic testing may be performed.

Treatment:
Surgery (nephrectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (in advanced stages).

Medications:
Chemotherapeutic agents like vincristine , actinomycin D, and doxorubicin are used in combination therapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Wilms tumor affects about 1 in 10,000 children, making it the most common pediatric kidney cancer.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of Wilms tumor, genetic syndromes (e.g., WAGR syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Favorable prognosis with a 5-year survival rate exceeding 90% for localized cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Kidney function loss, metastases to lungs or liver, and complications from chemotherapy or radiation.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Hematologic (Blood) Cancers

Sub-category: Lymphoma

Symptoms:
swollen lymph nodes (often painless); fever, chills, and night sweats; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; abdominal pain or swelling (if the spleen or liver is involved); chest pain or difficulty breathing (if mediastinal lymph nodes are affected)

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of abnormal lymphocytes (B-cells in particular), leading to lymphoma formation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through lymph node biopsy, immunohistochemistry, and imaging (CT/PET scans).

Treatment:
Treated with chemotherapy (e.g., R-CHOP for diffuse large B-cell), immunotherapy (e.g., rituximab), and targeted therapies, with radiation or stem cell transplant for certain cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like Cyclophosphamide (alkylating agent), Doxorubicin (antitumor antibiotic), and Vincristine (plant alkaloid), which are part of the CHOP regimen. Rituximab , an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody used to target B-cells. Prednisone , a corticosteroid, is used to help manage inflammation and enhance the effects of chemotherapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 19 cases per 100,000 people annually. It is the 6th most common cancer in the United States and can occur at any age, with increased incidence after age 60.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (more common in people over 60). Family history of lymphoma. HIV/AIDS and other immunocompromised states. Exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., pesticides, solvents). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (especially in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies widely depending on lymphoma type and stage at diagnosis. Follicular lymphoma may be indolent (slow-growing), while Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma can be aggressive but is treatable with chemotherapy. The 5-year survival rate ranges from 60-80%, depending on disease subtype and stage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of infections due to immunosuppressive treatments. Chemotherapy-related side effects like nausea, hair loss, and fatigue. Tumor lysis syndrome (when large numbers of lymphoma cells die rapidly). Second cancers due to radiation therapy. Relapse or refractory disease, especially in aggressive subtypes.

Plasma Cell Myeloma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Hematologic (Blood) Cancers

Sub-category: Multiple Myeloma

Symptoms:
bone pain, especially in the back, ribs, or hips; fatigue and weakness; anemia; frequent infections; unexplained weight loss; nausea or vomiting; hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) leading to confusion or constipation; kidney dysfunction or failure

Root Cause:
Plasma cell myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, which are white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies. The malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to problems with bone structure, immune function, and organ systems like the kidneys.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (including serum protein electrophoresis and free light chain assay). Urine tests (such as urine protein electrophoresis). Bone marrow biopsy. Imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, CT scans to detect bone lesions). PET scan for detecting active disease.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy (e.g., cyclophosphamide, melphalan). Targeted therapy (e.g., proteasome inhibitors like bortezomib). Immunotherapy (e.g., monoclonal antibodies like daratumumab). Stem cell transplant (autologous stem cell transplant). Radiation therapy for localized bone pain.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs - Melphalan (alkylating agent), Cyclophosphamide (alkylating agent). Proteasome inhibitors - Bortezomib (Velcade ), Carfilzomib (Kyprolis ). Immunomodulatory agents - Thalidomide , Lenalidomide (Revlimid ). Monoclonal antibodies - Daratumumab (Darzalex ). Steroids - Dexamethasone , Prednisone (for symptom management and to reduce inflammation).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Plasma cell myeloma accounts for about 10% of all hematologic malignancies. The incidence increases with age, with a median age at diagnosis of 69 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (most common in individuals over 60 years). Male sex. African-American ethnicity. Family history of multiple myeloma. Exposure to radiation, certain chemicals, or pesticides. Obesity. History of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Multiple myeloma is typically not curable, but with advances in treatment, survival rates have improved. Median survival is around 5-7 years, but this can vary greatly depending on the stage at diagnosis and response to treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bone fractures and osteoporosis. Kidney failure. Infections due to weakened immune system. Hypercalcemia (can lead to kidney damage, confusion, and coma). Anemia and fatigue. Neurological symptoms (e.g., spinal cord compression).

Smoldering Myeloma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Hematologic (Blood) Cancers

Sub-category: Multiple Myeloma

Symptoms:
asymptomatic in the early stages; mild or no pain (but may have some vague bone aches); no signs of kidney problems or infections at the time of diagnosis

Root Cause:
Smoldering myeloma is an early, asymptomatic form of multiple myeloma where there is an accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow but without the symptoms or organ damage seen in active myeloma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing elevated monoclonal protein levels. Bone marrow biopsy showing 10-60% plasma cells. Imaging tests to monitor for signs of bone damage or other complications.

Treatment:
Often no immediate treatment is required; careful monitoring is essential. Treatment may be initiated when symptoms or complications develop. Clinical trials and experimental therapies may be considered.

Medications:
Generally, no medications are required unless it transitions to active multiple myeloma. In cases of progression, chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies (similar to active myeloma) might be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Smoldering myeloma is diagnosed in about 10-15% of people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which is a precursor to multiple myeloma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar risk factors as for multiple myeloma, including older age, male sex, family history, and African-American ethnicity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Smoldering myeloma is considered a pre-myeloma state, with about 10% of individuals per year progressing to active multiple myeloma. The median time to progression is around 3 years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma, with associated bone lesions, kidney problems, and immune suppression. No immediate complications unless progression occurs.

Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Head and Neck Cancers

Symptoms:
nasopharyngeal obstruction; bloody nasal discharge; ear fullness or hearing loss; difficulty swallowing; neck lump; headaches; nasal congestion

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors arising in the nasopharynx, often linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, imaging (CT/MRI scans), biopsy of nasopharyngeal tissue, endoscopy.

Treatment:
Combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on stage and location.

Medications:
Chemotherapeutic agents such as Cisplatin (alkylating agent), Paclitaxel (taxane chemotherapy), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, antimetabolite).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in Western countries, more common in Southeast Asia and parts of North Africa.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Epstein-Barr virus infection, family history, consumption of salted fish and preserved foods, exposure to tobacco and alcohol.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if detected early, with a 5-year survival rate of around 60-80%; prognosis worsens in later stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs, difficulty with speech and swallowing, radiation side effects (dry mouth, thyroid dysfunction).

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Head and Neck Cancers

Symptoms:
sore throat; difficulty swallowing; ear pain; lump in the neck; unexplained weight loss; voice changes; mouth sores that don’t heal

Root Cause:
Malignant growths in the oropharynx, often associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, imaging (CT/MRI), biopsy, panendoscopy.

Treatment:
Surgery (if localized), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination, especially for HPV-positive cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like Cisplatin , 5-FU, and Docetaxel ; immunotherapy agents like Pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody) may be used in advanced stages.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Increasing incidence, especially in younger populations due to HPV-related cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HPV infection, tobacco use, alcohol use, poor oral hygiene.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
5-year survival rates vary, with HPV-related cancers having a better prognosis than HPV-negative cancers.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty swallowing, voice changes, metastasis to distant organs, radiation side effects.

Laryngeal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Head and Neck Cancers

Symptoms:
hoarseness; sore throat; pain when swallowing; difficulty breathing; persistent cough; lump in the neck

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor in the larynx, often associated with tobacco and alcohol use.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Laryngoscopy, biopsy, imaging (CT/MRI), neck ultrasound.

Treatment:
Surgery (partial laryngectomy or total laryngectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, voice rehabilitation post-surgery.

Medications:
Cisplatin , Docetaxel , and 5-FU are common chemotherapy agents; targeted therapies like Cetuximab (EGFR inhibitor) may also be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common in men aged 50-70, often linked to smoking and alcohol consumption.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, exposure to asbestos, HPV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage cancers have a good prognosis (around 80-90% survival rate); later stages have a poorer prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty swallowing, speech loss, airway obstruction, metastasis.

Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Head and Neck Cancers

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing; painful swallowing; hoarseness; chronic sore throat; neck mass; ear pain; weight loss

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor in the hypopharynx, commonly linked to smoking and alcohol use.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, imaging (CT/MRI), biopsy, panendoscopy.

Treatment:
Surgery (often involving partial or total laryngectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents such as Cisplatin , 5-FU, and Docetaxel ; radiation therapy may be used as adjunctive treatment.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare but more common in individuals over 50 years old, with a strong link to tobacco and alcohol use.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, HPV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often diagnosed at later stages, with a poor prognosis (5-year survival rates around 30%).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty swallowing, airway obstruction, metastasis, radiation side effects.

Oral Cavity Cancer (e.g., Tongue, Lips, Gums)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Head and Neck Cancers

Symptoms:
sore or ulcer on the tongue, lips, or gums; unexplained bleeding in the mouth; pain when swallowing; lumps in the mouth or neck; persistent bad breath

Root Cause:
Malignant growths in the oral cavity, most commonly squamous cell carcinoma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Oral examination, biopsy, imaging (CT/MRI), endoscopy, lymph node biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (wide excision), radiation therapy, chemotherapy (if advanced).

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like Cisplatin , 5-FU, and Docetaxel ; targeted therapies such as Cetuximab (EGFR inhibitor).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common in older adults, especially those with a history of tobacco or alcohol use.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, HPV infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage cancers have a good prognosis (5-year survival rate around 80-90%), but prognosis worsens in advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty swallowing, speech problems, mouth infections, recurrence of the tumor.

Esophageal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); unintended weight loss; chest pain; hoarseness; persistent cough; heartburn; regurgitation of food or liquids

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the esophagus, often associated with Barrett’s esophagus, chronic acid reflux (GERD), tobacco use, or alcohol consumption.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Upper endoscopy with biopsy, barium swallow study, imaging (CT scan, PET scan, or MRI), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for staging.

Treatment:
Treatment varies by stage and includes surgery (esophagectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Medications:
Medications include chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin (a platinum-based chemotherapy agent) and fluorouracil (a pyrimidine analog), targeted therapy like trastuzumab (for HER2-positive tumors), and immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 20,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; more common in men and in regions with high tobacco and alcohol use.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, heavy alcohol use, chronic acid reflux, Barrett’s esophagus, obesity, older age, and male gender.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis; 5-year survival rate ranges from 20% to 45% for localized cancer but is lower for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, esophageal strictures, metastasis to lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or other organs.

Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Thoracic Cancers

Symptoms:
chest pain or discomfort; persistent cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; weight loss; myasthenia gravis (in some cases); difficulty swallowing

Root Cause:
Thymoma is a cancer originating from the thymus gland, located in the chest. Thymic carcinoma is a more aggressive form of thymic cancer.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Chest X-ray. CT scan of the chest. MRI for better tissue detail. Biopsy (usually via CT-guided needle aspiration or mediastinoscopy). PET scan to check for metastasis.

Treatment:
Surgical resection (thymectomy) is the primary treatment, especially for thymoma. Radiation therapy if surgery is not fully effective or if cancer has spread. Chemotherapy for thymic carcinoma or advanced thymoma. Immunotherapy is sometimes considered in advanced stages.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin , doxorubicin , and cyclophosphamide are used for thymic carcinoma. For cases with myasthenia gravis, medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants (e.g., pyridostigmine ) may be prescribed. Targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab are being explored in clinical trials.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Thymomas are rare, with about 300-400 new cases annually in the U.S. Thymic carcinoma is even rarer.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Myasthenia gravis (autoimmune disorder). Other autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Family history of cancer. Genetic conditions like Li-Fraumeni syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis for thymoma is relatively good when detected early and treated with surgery. The 5-year survival rate is about 70-90%. Thymic carcinoma has a poorer prognosis, especially if diagnosed at advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence of cancer after treatment. Spread to surrounding organs (e.g., lungs, heart). Myasthenia gravis-related complications. Infection from treatments (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy).

Mesothelioma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Thoracic Cancers

Symptoms:
shortness of breath; chest pain (pleuritic pain); persistent dry cough; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; night sweats; difficulty swallowing

Root Cause:
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that affects the mesothelial cells lining the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Chest X-ray or abdominal X-ray. CT scan or MRI. Biopsy (thoracoscopic or peritoneoscopic). PET scan for staging. Blood tests (e.g., for markers like mesothelin, but these are not definitive).

Treatment:
Surgical resection (pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy). Radiation therapy, particularly for symptom control. Chemotherapy, often with drugs like cisplatin and pemetrexed. Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, ipilimumab). Palliative treatments to improve quality of life (e.g., pleurodesis for fluid buildup).

Medications:
Chemotherapy medications such as cisplatin and pemetrexed are commonly used to treat mesothelioma. Immunotherapy agents like nivolumab and pembrolizumab may be used for advanced stages of mesothelioma. Pain management drugs like opioids (e.g., morphine ) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Mesothelioma is rare, with approximately 3,000 new cases per year in the U.S. The prevalence is expected to rise due to the long latency period after asbestos exposure (20-50 years).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to asbestos, especially in occupational settings (e.g., construction, shipbuilding, mining). Family history of mesothelioma. Living with someone exposed to asbestos. Genetic mutations (in some cases).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Survival rates are higher in patients with localized disease treated with surgery.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the lungs). Difficulty breathing (dyspnea). Spread to other organs (e.g., liver, peritoneum). Blood clotting disorders. Cachexia (severe weight loss and muscle wasting).

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
typically asymptomatic, but may include a lump, nipple discharge, or calcifications detected on a mammogram

Root Cause:
Non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells are contained within the milk ducts of the breast and have not spread to surrounding tissues.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Mammogram (often showing microcalcifications), core needle biopsy, and sometimes breast MRI.

Treatment:
Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), often followed by radiation therapy; hormonal therapy in hormone receptor-positive cases.

Medications:
Hormonal therapy, such as tamoxifen (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) or aromatase inhibitors, to reduce recurrence risk in hormone receptor-positive cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for about 20% of newly diagnosed breast cancers; more common in postmenopausal women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of breast cancer, prior chest radiation, hormone replacement therapy, obesity, older age, early menarche, and late menopause.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely diagnosis and treatment; nearly 100% survival rate if treated before progression to invasive cancer.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential progression to invasive ductal carcinoma, treatment-related side effects (e.g., from surgery or radiation).

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
palpable breast lump; changes in breast size or shape; nipple retraction; nipple discharge; skin dimpling (peau d'orange)

Root Cause:
Malignant cells that begin in the milk ducts and invade surrounding breast tissue, with potential to metastasize.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical breast exam, imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI), and biopsy (core needle or excisional).

Treatment:
Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapies depending on receptor status (e.g., HER2 or hormone receptors).

Medications:
Hormonal therapy - tamoxifen , aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole , letrozole , exemestane ). Targeted therapy - trastuzumab , pertuzumab (HER2-positive cases). Chemotherapy - anthracyclines (doxorubicin ), taxanes (paclitaxel , docetaxel ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 70–80% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2), prolonged estrogen exposure, alcohol use, obesity, older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable based on stage and receptor status; generally excellent in early-stage cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis (lymph nodes, bone, lungs, liver), lymphedema, treatment-related effects (fatigue, hair loss, cardiac toxicity from trastuzumab).

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
subtle thickening or hardening in the breast; asymmetry of breasts; nipple inversion; changes in breast texture; may not form a distinct lump

Root Cause:
Cancer originates in the milk-producing lobules and invades surrounding breast tissue; potential for metastasis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, biopsy; imaging may be less sensitive compared to IDC.

Treatment:
Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation therapy, hormonal therapy for hormone receptor-positive cases, and chemotherapy if needed.

Medications:
Hormonal therapy

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for 10–15% of invasive breast cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar to IDC

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally favorable in early stages; slightly higher risk of bilateral breast cancer compared to IDC.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to unusual sites (e.g., gastrointestinal tract), treatment-related side effects.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
breast lump; breast swelling; breast pain; skin changes; nipple discharge; symptoms may progress quickly

Root Cause:
Lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it more aggressive and less responsive to hormonal or HER2-targeted therapies.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI), biopsy with immunohistochemistry to confirm receptor status.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy (often anthracycline- or taxane-based), surgery, radiation therapy; emerging targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors (e.g., olaparib).

Medications:
Chemotherapy (paclitaxel , carboplatin ), immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., atezolizumab ), PARP inhibitors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
10–20% of breast cancers; more common in younger women and African-American women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
BRCA1 mutation, obesity, younger age, family history, higher prevalence among certain ethnic groups.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poorer prognosis compared to hormone receptor-positive cancers; higher risk of recurrence within 3–5 years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Early metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy, higher mortality rates.

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
breast lump; breast swelling; nipple discharge; skin changes; nipple inversion

Root Cause:
Overexpression of the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) protein promotes aggressive cancer cell growth.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect HER2 protein overexpression or gene amplification, alongside imaging and biopsy.

Treatment:
Targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.

Medications:
Targeted therapy - trastuzumab (HER2 monoclonal antibody), pertuzumab , trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1). Chemotherapy - docetaxel , paclitaxel , carboplatin . Tyrosine kinase inhibitors - lapatinib , neratinib .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
15–20% of breast cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, genetic mutations, obesity, alcohol use, postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Improved dramatically with targeted therapies; prognosis depends on stage but generally better than untreated cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of metastasis (brain, liver, lungs), cardiac toxicity from HER2-targeted treatments.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
rapid onset of breast swelling; breast redness; breast warmth; breast pain; skin thickening (peau d'orange); inverted nipple; often mistaken for infection

Root Cause:
Aggressive cancer infiltrating lymphatic vessels of the breast skin, leading to characteristic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI), biopsy of breast tissue and skin, and lymph node assessment.

Treatment:
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery (mastectomy) and radiation therapy. Targeted therapy may be added if HER2-positive or hormone receptor-positive.

Medications:
Chemotherapy - anthracyclines (doxorubicin ), taxanes (paclitaxel , docetaxel ). HER2-targeted therapy - trastuzumab , pertuzumab (if HER2-positive). Hormonal therapy - tamoxifen , aromatase inhibitors (if hormone receptor-positive).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for 1–5% of breast cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Younger age, African-American ethnicity, obesity, late-stage diagnosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor compared to other breast cancers due to aggressive nature and high risk of metastasis; 5-year survival rate is lower than other subtypes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Early metastasis, recurrence, lymphedema, treatment-related side effects.

Male Breast Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Breast Cancer

Symptoms:
breast lump; nipple discharge (often bloody); pain; skin changes; nipple inversion

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in breast tissue due to genetic mutations, hormonal imbalances, or environmental factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical breast exam, imaging (mammogram, ultrasound), and biopsy. Hormone receptor and HER2 testing are also performed.

Treatment:
Surgery (mastectomy), often followed by radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy depending on receptor status.

Medications:
Hormonal therapy - tamoxifen (most common). Chemotherapy - taxanes (paclitaxel ), anthracyclines (doxorubicin ). Targeted therapy - trastuzumab (HER2-positive cases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancers; more common in older men.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
BRCA2 mutations, family history, radiation exposure, high estrogen levels (e.g., due to obesity, liver disease, or hormone therapy).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good if detected early; worse outcomes in advanced stages due to lack of awareness and delayed diagnosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Late-stage diagnosis, metastasis, treatment-related side effects (e.g., gynecomastia, fatigue).

Gastric (Stomach) Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain or discomfort; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; unintended weight loss; bloating; heartburn; melena (black, tarry stools); anemia

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the stomach lining, often linked to Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastritis, or genetic predisposition.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Upper endoscopy with biopsy, barium swallow, imaging (CT scan, PET scan), and staging laparoscopy in some cases.

Treatment:
Treatment involves surgery (total or partial gastrectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Medications:
Medications include chemotherapy agents like fluorouracil , oxaliplatin , and capecitabine ; targeted drugs like trastuzumab (HER2-positive tumors) or ramucirumab (anti-VEGFR2); and immunotherapy like nivolumab (anti-PD-1).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 26,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; more common in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
H. pylori infection, smoking, high salt intake, diets low in fruits and vegetables, family history, and obesity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on stage; 5-year survival is about 70% for early-stage cancer but less than 30% for advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis, gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, or malnutrition following surgery.

Colorectal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits; abdominal pain; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; persistent bloating; iron-deficiency anemia; narrow stools

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor formation in the colon or rectum, often due to genetic mutations (e.g., APC gene mutations) or progression from adenomatous polyps.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, stool-based tests (FIT, FOBT, or DNA tests), CT colonography, and imaging studies (CT or MRI) for staging.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on stage and includes surgery (colectomy), chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy (especially for rectal cancer).

Medications:
Common chemotherapy agents include oxaliplatin , capecitabine , and 5-fluorouracil; targeted therapies include bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) and cetuximab or panitumumab (anti-EGFR for RAS wild-type tumors). Immunotherapy, such as pembrolizumab , is used for MSI-high tumors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Over 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States; the third most common cancer worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high red/processed meat consumption, and low fiber intake.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early detection leads to excellent outcomes (90% 5-year survival for localized cancer); advanced cancer has poorer outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction, perforation, metastasis (commonly to liver and lungs), and recurrence after treatment.

Colon Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits; abdominal discomfort; fatigue; unintended weight loss; iron-deficiency anemia

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled cell growth in the colon, often linked to genetic predisposition, diet, or chronic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, stool-based tests, CT colonography, and imaging (CT/MRI) for staging.

Treatment:
Surgery to remove the affected portion of the colon (colectomy), chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Medications include oxaliplatin , irinotecan , and 5-fluorouracil for chemotherapy; targeted drugs like bevacizumab and cetuximab ; immunotherapy for specific genetic profiles.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 100,000 people annually in the United States; more common in older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, high-fat diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if detected early, with a 5-year survival rate over 90% for localized disease; poorer outcomes in advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction, perforation, metastasis, and secondary cancers.

Rectal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; narrow stools; bowel habit changes; abdominal pain; fatigue; iron-deficiency anemia

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors develop in the rectum, often due to genetic mutations or adenomatous polyps.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy with biopsy, rectal ultrasound, CT/MRI for staging, and stool tests.

Treatment:
Surgery (low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

Medications:
Medications include capecitabine and oxaliplatin for chemotherapy; targeted therapies like bevacizumab and cetuximab may also be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 45,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar to colon cancer, including family history, obesity, IBD, and poor diet.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for early-stage rectal cancer; worsens with advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction, fistulas, metastasis, and recurrence.

Liver Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
unexplained weight loss; loss of appetite; upper abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; fatigue; jaundice; swelling in the abdomen; dark-colored urine

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the liver, often linked to chronic hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (AFP levels), imaging (ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI), and liver biopsy.

Treatment:
Treatment includes surgical resection, liver transplantation, ablation therapies (radiofrequency or microwave), embolization, and systemic therapies like targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Medications:
Sorafenib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and lenvatinib are commonly used targeted therapies; atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) with bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) is an immunotherapy combination for advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Over 40,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; higher prevalence in regions with endemic hepatitis B or C.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic hepatitis infection, alcohol use, cirrhosis, obesity, diabetes, and aflatoxin exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on liver function and cancer stage; 5-year survival rate is about 30% overall but better for localized disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Liver failure, metastasis, portal hypertension, and ascites.

Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; nausea; jaundice; lump in the abdomen

Root Cause:
Rare subtype of HCC occurring in young adults without underlying liver disease; linked to DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion mutation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT, MRI), biopsy, and liver function tests.

Treatment:
Surgical resection is the main treatment; systemic therapies are less effective, though some targeted therapies are under investigation.

Medications:
No established standard systemic therapy; clinical trials for targeted and immunotherapy drugs are ongoing.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of liver cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Not associated with typical liver cancer risk factors; genetic mutations are implicated.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Better prognosis than typical HCC if treated early; 5-year survival rates vary based on resectability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence after surgery, metastasis to other organs.

Pancreatic Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
jaundice; upper abdominal pain; unintended weight loss; loss of appetite; nausea; dark urine; pale stools; new-onset diabetes

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor in the pancreas, most commonly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, often associated with genetic mutations or chronic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT scan, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound), CA 19-9 blood test, and biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (Whipple procedure), chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy includes gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel; FOLFIRINOX is used for advanced cases; targeted therapies like olaparib (PARP inhibitor) for BRCA-mutated cancers.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 62,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States; often diagnosed at advanced stages.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity, genetic predisposition (e.g., BRCA mutations).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor; 5-year survival rate is about 10% overall, but higher for early-stage resectable tumors.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis, bile duct obstruction, diabetes, and malnutrition.

Gallbladder Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant; jaundice; nausea; vomiting; unintended weight loss; loss of appetite; abdominal swelling; fever

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors originating in the gallbladder, often linked to chronic inflammation, gallstones, or genetic mutations.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and biopsy.

Treatment:
Treatment includes surgical resection (cholecystectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and occasionally targeted therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine and cisplatin are commonly used; targeted therapies are being explored in clinical trials.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; approximately 12,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States, with higher prevalence in South America and Southeast Asia.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, obesity, older age, female gender, and a history of bile duct abnormalities.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis; 5-year survival is about 65% for localized cancer but less than 10% for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Biliary obstruction, liver metastasis, and malnutrition.

Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
jaundice; itchy skin; abdominal pain; dark urine; pale stools; unintended weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the bile ducts, often associated with chronic inflammation, bile duct abnormalities, or liver fluke infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (MRI, CT, or MRCP), blood tests for tumor markers (CA 19-9, CEA), and biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (bile duct resection or liver transplantation), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Common chemotherapy drugs include gemcitabine and cisplatin ; targeted therapies like ivosidenib (IDH1 inhibitor) are used for specific mutations.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with approximately 8,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), bile duct abnormalities, liver fluke infections, chronic liver disease, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of about 10-15% overall, but better if caught early.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Biliary obstruction, liver failure, and metastasis.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; gastrointestinal bleeding; unintended weight loss; anemia; abdominal swelling

Root Cause:
Rare mesenchymal tumors arising from interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract, often caused by mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT or MRI), endoscopy with biopsy, and molecular testing for KIT or PDGFRA mutations.

Treatment:
Surgery is the primary treatment for localized tumors; systemic therapy is used for advanced or metastatic cases.

Medications:
Targeted therapy with imatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) is the first-line treatment; sunitinib and regorafenib are used for resistant or advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very rare, with an incidence of 4,000-6,000 cases annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
No strong environmental risk factors; some cases are linked to genetic syndromes like neurofibromatosis type 1.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for localized tumors treated surgically; 5-year survival rate for metastatic disease is about 50% with effective targeted therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor rupture leading to peritonitis, metastasis (commonly to the liver), and recurrence.

Anal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Symptoms:
rectal bleeding; pain or pressure in the rectal area; a lump near the anus; itching around the anus; painful bowel movements; change in bowel habits (e.g., diarrhea or constipation)

Root Cause:
Anal cancer typically develops from abnormal cells in the anus that grow uncontrollably. It is often associated with infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV types 16 and 18.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (including a digital rectal exam). Anoscopy or proctoscopy to examine the anus and rectum. Biopsy of suspicious tissue. Imaging tests (CT scan, MRI, or PET scan) to determine the extent of cancer spread.

Treatment:
Radiation therapy, often combined with chemotherapy, is the standard treatment. Surgery may be considered for advanced cases, typically when there is a tumor that hasn't responded to radiation or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, typically with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C, is often used in conjunction with radiation for locally advanced disease.

Medications:
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) - A chemotherapy drug that interferes with the cancer cell's ability to divide and grow. Mitomycin C - A chemotherapy drug that inhibits DNA synthesis in cancer cells. Cisplatin - A platinum-based chemotherapy that can be used for more advanced cases. Radiation sensitizers - Medications that enhance the effectiveness of radiation, such as cisplatin .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Anal cancer is relatively rare, accounting for about 2% of all gastrointestinal cancers in the United States. It is more common in people with a history of HPV infection, particularly those with HIV.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially types 16 and 18. HIV/AIDS, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Anal intercourse. A history of other cancers, such as cervical cancer. Smoking. Weakened immune system (e.g., organ transplant recipients, immunosuppressive medications).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis for anal cancer is generally good if it is diagnosed at an early stage and treated appropriately, with a 5-year survival rate of about 65-80%. The prognosis worsens for individuals diagnosed at later stages when the cancer has spread.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lymph nodes or distant organs (e.g., liver or lungs). Bowel dysfunction or incontinence following radiation therapy or surgery. Sexual dysfunction or psychological effects due to treatment, particularly in individuals who undergo surgery. Recurrence of cancer, particularly if not all of the tumor was removed or treated effectively.

Prostate Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
frequent urination; weak or interrupted urine flow; blood in urine or semen; pelvic discomfort; bone pain (in advanced stages); erectile dysfunction

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the prostate gland, often due to genetic mutations and hormonal imbalances.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, biopsy, MRI, and bone scans for staging.

Treatment:
Surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy (e.g., PARP inhibitors).

Medications:
Medications include androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) agents such as leuprolide (a GnRH agonist) and enzalutamide (an androgen receptor inhibitor). Chemotherapy drugs like docetaxel or cabazitaxel and targeted agents like olaparib (a PARP inhibitor) may also be prescribed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with an estimated 1.4 million cases annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age (over 50), African ancestry, family history of prostate cancer, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, high-fat diet.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally favorable if detected early; localized prostate cancer has a 5-year survival rate of nearly 100%, but metastatic cases have a poorer outlook.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, bone metastases, and complications from treatment like bowel dysfunction.

Bladder Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
blood in urine (hematuria); frequent urination; painful urination; pelvic pain; back pain (in advanced stages)

Root Cause:
Abnormal growth of malignant cells in the bladder lining, often linked to tobacco exposure or carcinogenic chemicals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis, cystoscopy, biopsy, urine cytology, CT urogram, or MRI.

Treatment:
Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), intravesical therapy (e.g., BCG), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radical cystectomy in advanced cases.

Medications:
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an immunotherapy for non-invasive bladder cancer. Chemotherapy agents include cisplatin and gemcitabine . Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) may also be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide, with over 570,000 cases annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, occupational exposure to chemicals (e.g., dyes, rubber), chronic bladder inflammation, and age (more common in individuals over 55).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies based on stage; early-stage bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate but good survival with treatment. Advanced stages have a poorer prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Urinary obstruction, kidney damage, metastasis to other organs, and complications from radical surgery.

Urothelial Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
blood in urine (hematuria); frequent or painful urination; lower back pain; pelvic pain (advanced stages)

Root Cause:
Malignant growth of transitional cells in the urothelial lining, primarily affecting the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Cystoscopy, biopsy, urine cytology, CT urogram, and MRI.

Treatment:
TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor), intravesical therapy (e.g., BCG), systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors), and surgery for advanced stages.

Medications:
Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is common, often combined with gemcitabine . Immunotherapies like atezolizumab and pembrolizumab (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) are used for advanced cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Urothelial carcinoma accounts for 90% of all bladder cancers; approximately 570,000 cases occur worldwide annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, exposure to industrial chemicals, age (typically over 55), chronic bladder irritation or infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage urothelial carcinoma has a good prognosis with treatment; invasive cases have a higher risk of recurrence and metastasis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Urinary tract obstruction, renal failure, metastases to lungs, liver, or bones.

Kidney Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
blood in urine; persistent back pain; lump or mass in the abdomen; unexplained weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Malignant growth of cells in the kidney, often arising from the renal tubules, caused by genetic mutations or environmental factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, biopsy, and urine or blood tests.

Treatment:
Surgery (partial or radical nephrectomy), targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and, in some cases, radiation therapy or ablation.

Medications:
Targeted therapies like sunitinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) or nivolumab (PD-1 inhibitor) are used. Immunotherapies include pembrolizumab or ipilimumab .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for 3-5% of all cancers, with over 430,000 cases annually worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, family history of kidney cancer, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Localized kidney cancer has a good prognosis with surgical treatment; metastatic cases have a poorer outlook.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spread to lungs, liver, bones, and complications from kidney function loss.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
blood in urine; flank pain; unexplained weight loss; fever; fatigue

Root Cause:
A subtype of kidney cancer originating in the renal tubules due to genetic mutations and environmental triggers.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging tests (CT, MRI, ultrasound), biopsy, and blood tests (to assess kidney function).

Treatment:
Surgery (nephrectomy), targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and in advanced cases, systemic therapies.

Medications:
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors like pazopanib and axitinib ; immunotherapies such as nivolumab (PD-1 inhibitor) or combination therapies like ipilimumab with nivolumab .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer, comprising about 85% of cases globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, obesity, hypertension, genetic predisposition (e.g., von Hippel-Lindau syndrome), chronic kidney disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High survival rates if detected early; metastatic RCC is challenging to treat and has a worse prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor metastasis, loss of kidney function, paraneoplastic syndromes.

Testicular Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
painless lump or swelling in the testicle; ache or heaviness in the lower abdomen or scrotum; sudden fluid collection in the scrotum; breast tenderness or growth (gynecomastia); back pain (in advanced stages)

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the testicles, often caused by genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, ultrasound, blood tests for tumor markers (e.g., AFP, HCG, LDH), and biopsy (usually post-orchiectomy).

Treatment:
Surgery (radical inguinal orchiectomy), radiation therapy (for seminomas), and chemotherapy (e.g., BEP regimen – bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin).

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin , etoposide , and bleomycin are standard treatments for advanced testicular cancer.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Testicular cancer is rare but the most common cancer in men aged 15–35, with about 95,000 new cases annually worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle), family history, HIV infection, Caucasian ethnicity, and prior testicular cancer.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly favorable; the 5-year survival rate exceeds 95%, even in advanced cases with chemotherapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infertility, secondary cancers due to chemotherapy or radiation, and metastasis to lungs, liver, or brain.

Seminoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
painless swelling or lump in the testicle; dull ache in the scrotum or abdomen; gynecomastia (breast tenderness or enlargement); fatigue; back pain in advanced stages

Root Cause:
A type of germ cell tumor in the testes, characterized by slow growth and high radiosensitivity.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound, blood tests for tumor markers (HCG, LDH), and post-orchiectomy histopathological examination.

Treatment:
Radical inguinal orchiectomy, followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending on the stage.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents such as carboplatin or cisplatin-based regimens. Radiation therapy is often used for early-stage seminomas.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Seminomas account for about 50% of all testicular cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Cryptorchidism, family history of testicular cancer, Caucasian ethnicity, and genetic predispositions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent, with nearly 100% survival for early-stage seminomas and high survival rates even in advanced cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare in early stages; advanced cases may metastasize to lymph nodes or lungs.

Non-Seminoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
testicular lump or swelling; lower abdominal or back pain; gynecomastia; fatigue; cough or shortness of breath (if metastasized)

Root Cause:
Aggressive germ cell tumors of the testes, often presenting as mixed histologies (e.g., embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma, teratoma).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound, tumor markers (e.g., AFP, HCG, LDH), CT scans for staging, and biopsy post-orchiectomy.

Treatment:
Radical inguinal orchiectomy followed by chemotherapy (BEP regimen) or surgery for residual tumors.

Medications:
Bleomycin , etoposide , and cisplatin are standard chemotherapeutic drugs used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Non-seminomas account for approximately 40-50% of testicular cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar to seminomas, including cryptorchidism, genetic predispositions, and prior testicular cancer.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Favorable for early stages, but lower survival rates compared to seminomas for advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to lungs, liver, and brain; complications from intensive chemotherapy.

Penile Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
lump or sore on the penis; redness or thickening of penile skin; discharge or bleeding; pain during urination or intercourse

Root Cause:
Malignant growth of squamous cells in the penile tissue, often linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, biopsy, imaging (MRI or CT for staging), and HPV testing.

Treatment:
Surgery (partial or total penectomy), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents include cisplatin , fluorouracil , and docetaxel .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an incidence of about 1 case per 100,000 men worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HPV infection, poor hygiene, uncircumcised status, smoking, phimosis, and older age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage penile cancer has a good prognosis with surgical treatment; advanced or metastatic cases have a poorer outlook.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Lymphatic spread, disfigurement, urinary dysfunction, and metastasis to other organs.

Urethral Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Genitourinary Cancers

Symptoms:
difficulty urinating; blood in urine; pelvic pain; discharge from the urethra; swelling in the groin

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors forming in the urethral lining, often associated with chronic inflammation or prior cancer history.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Cystoscopy, biopsy, imaging (CT, MRI), and urinalysis.

Treatment:
Surgery (partial or total urethrectomy), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy for invasive cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy regimens may include cisplatin and fluorouracil for advanced disease.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare; more common in women and individuals with chronic urinary tract infections or bladder cancer history.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic inflammation, prior bladder cancer, HPV infection, and advanced age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early diagnosis offers better outcomes, but advanced stages carry a higher risk of recurrence and metastasis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Urinary obstruction, kidney damage, metastases to lymph nodes or distant organs.

Ovarian Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal bloating or swelling; pelvic or abdominal pain; difficulty eating or feeling full quickly; frequent urination; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; menstrual irregularities

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the ovaries, often originating from the epithelial lining of the ovary.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), CT or MRI imaging, CA-125 blood test, and biopsy.

Treatment:
Treatment typically includes surgery (e.g., oophorectomy or debulking surgery), chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Medications:
Platinum-based chemotherapy agents (e.g., carboplatin , cisplatin ), taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel , docetaxel ), PARP inhibitors (e.g., olaparib , niraparib , rucaparib ), and anti-angiogenesis drugs (e.g., bevacizumab ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 78 women; lifetime risk is about 1.3%.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations, Lynch syndrome, early menstruation or late menopause, nulliparity, and endometriosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis; 5-year survival rate is approximately 49%, with higher survival rates for early-stage disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Intestinal obstruction, ascites, metastasis to distant organs, recurrence, and complications related to treatment such as neuropathy or anemia.

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
persistent pelvic or abdominal pain; bloating; early satiety; abnormal bleeding; fatigue; weight loss

Root Cause:
Abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells on the surface of the ovary or fallopian tube, often associated with genetic mutations such as BRCA1/BRCA2.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Transvaginal ultrasound, CA-125 blood test, imaging (CT/MRI), and surgical biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery to remove tumors and affected tissues, followed by chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.

Medications:
Carboplatin and paclitaxel are standard first-line treatments; PARP inhibitors (e.g., olaparib ) are used in cases of BRCA mutations.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for 85–90% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
BRCA mutations, older age, family history, endometriosis, and hormone replacement therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly dependent on stage at diagnosis; 5-year survival rate is 90% for localized disease but drops significantly for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spread to abdominal organs, bowel obstruction, and recurrence.

Germ Cell Tumors

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; swelling; mass or lump; difficulty breathing; chest pain

Root Cause:
Tumors originating from germ cells (cells that give rise to sperm and eggs) in the gonads or extragonadal sites.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound), biopsy, blood tests (e.g., for tumor markers like AFP, hCG).

Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin , etoposide , bleomycin .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively rare, but germ cell tumors are the most common type of ovarian and testicular cancer in children.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes, prior gonadal surgery.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good prognosis with surgery and chemotherapy, particularly for localized tumors.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, infertility, long-term effects of treatment.

Cervical Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
abnormal vaginal bleeding; pain during intercourse; pelvic pain; foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled cell growth in the cervix, often caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV types (e.g., HPV 16 and 18).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Pap smear, HPV DNA test, colposcopy, and biopsy.

Treatment:
Surgery (e.g., hysterectomy), radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Medications:
Cisplatin or carboplatin , often combined with radiation therapy; pembrolizumab for advanced or recurrent cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Fourth most common cancer in women worldwide; higher incidence in low-resource settings.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HPV infection, multiple sexual partners, smoking, immunosuppression, and lack of regular Pap screening.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for early-stage disease, with a 5-year survival rate of over 90%; drops significantly for advanced stages.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spread to nearby organs, lymph node involvement, recurrence, and treatment-related infertility.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
abnormal uterine bleeding; pelvic pain; pain during intercourse; unexplained weight loss

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium), often related to hormonal imbalances such as excess estrogen.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Endometrial biopsy, transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, and imaging (CT/MRI).

Treatment:
Surgery (hysterectomy and removal of ovaries), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Medications:
Progestins (e.g., medroxyprogesterone , megestrol acetate), chemotherapy agents (e.g., carboplatin , paclitaxel ), and immunotherapy (e.g., pembrolizumab for advanced cases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common gynecologic cancer in developed countries, with an estimated lifetime risk of 3%.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), unopposed estrogen therapy, tamoxifen use, and Lynch syndrome.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for early-stage disease, with a 5-year survival rate of 90%; worsens with advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spread to other pelvic organs, recurrence, and treatment-related side effects such as lymphedema or menopause symptoms.

Vaginal Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
abnormal vaginal bleeding; vaginal discharge; pelvic pain; pain during intercourse; lump in the vagina

Root Cause:
Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the vaginal lining, often associated with high-risk HPV infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Pelvic exam, Pap smear, colposcopy, biopsy, and imaging (CT/MRI).

Treatment:
Surgery (e.g., vaginectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

Medications:
Cisplatin is often used in combination with radiation therapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for about 1–2% of gynecologic cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HPV infection, history of cervical cancer, smoking, and DES (diethylstilbestrol) exposure in utero.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on stage; 5-year survival rate is approximately 50–70% for localized disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, metastasis, and treatment-related side effects such as scarring or infertility.

Vulvar Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
itching or burning of the vulva; lump or sore on the vulva; pain during urination; bleeding not related to menstruation

Root Cause:
Malignant growth in the external female genitalia, often related to HPV infection or chronic vulvar inflammatory conditions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, biopsy, and imaging (CT/MRI or PET scan).

Treatment:
Surgery (e.g., vulvectomy), radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Medications:
Cisplatin and fluorouracil (5-FU) are commonly used in advanced or recurrent cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for about 4% of gynecologic cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HPV infection, older age, lichen sclerosus, smoking, and weakened immune system.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for early-stage disease, with a 5-year survival rate of 70–80%; worse for advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, metastasis, and disfigurement from surgery.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (e.g., Choriocarcinoma)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Gynecologic Cancers

Symptoms:
vaginal bleeding; elevated hcg levels; pelvic pain; persistent nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath (in metastatic cases)

Root Cause:
Abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic cells, which are involved in pregnancy, often resulting in molar pregnancy or invasive choriocarcinoma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Elevated hCG levels, ultrasound, chest X-ray (for metastasis), and biopsy.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy for most cases; surgery (e.g., hysterectomy) may be required in resistant cases.

Medications:
Methotrexate , actinomycin D, or EMA-CO (etoposide , methotrexate , actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide , and vincristine ) for high-risk cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, occurring in 1 in 1,000 pregnancies for molar pregnancies and fewer for choriocarcinoma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced maternal age, prior molar pregnancy, and Asian ethnicity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for low-risk disease, with nearly 100% cure rate; high-risk cases also have good outcomes with appropriate treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to the lungs, brain, or liver; infertility in rare cases; chemotherapy-related side effects.

Primary CNS Lymphoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors

Symptoms:
headaches; cognitive impairment; neurological deficits; seizures; blurred vision or eye pain; weakness

Root Cause:
High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating within the CNS, often involving the brain, spinal cord, or eyes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast, biopsy for histological confirmation, CSF analysis, and blood tests for systemic lymphoma exclusion.

Treatment:
High-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy, sometimes combined with rituximab; whole-brain radiotherapy is considered for refractory cases.

Medications:
High-dose methotrexate (antimetabolite), rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody), corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) for symptom control.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for approximately 1% of all primary brain tumors, more common in immunocompromised individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immunosuppression (e.g., HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis has improved with methotrexate-based treatment; median survival is 2-5 years. Relapse is common.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Neurological deficits, tumor recurrence, systemic spread (rare), treatment-related neurotoxicity.

Thyroid Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
lump or swelling in the neck; hoarseness; difficulty swallowing; persistent cough not due to a cold; neck pain; enlarged lymph nodes

Root Cause:
Abnormal growth of cells in the thyroid gland, which may be caused by genetic mutations, radiation exposure, or other factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, blood tests (TSH, thyroglobulin), imaging (CT, MRI), and radioactive iodine scans.

Treatment:
Treatment options include surgery (thyroidectomy), radioactive iodine therapy, external beam radiation, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy.

Medications:
Targeted therapy drugs such as sorafenib and lenvatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) may be prescribed. Hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) is commonly required after thyroidectomy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1% of all cancers globally; more common in women and often diagnosed in individuals aged 30–60.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of thyroid cancer, exposure to radiation, genetic mutations (e.g., RET proto-oncogene), iodine deficiency, and female sex.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally favorable, especially for differentiated thyroid cancers like papillary and follicular types; survival rates exceed 90% with early diagnosis and treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent cancer, metastasis to other organs (lungs, bones), hypothyroidism after treatment, and damage to nearby structures (e.g., vocal cords, parathyroid glands).

Parathyroid Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
neck mass; hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels); fatigue; weakness; kidney stones; bone pain

Root Cause:
Rare malignant tumor of the parathyroid gland, often resulting in overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to hypercalcemia.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Elevated calcium and PTH levels in blood tests, neck ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans).

Treatment:
Surgical excision of the parathyroid tumor, with lymph node dissection if needed. Chemotherapy and radiation may be used for advanced disease.

Medications:
Cinacalcet (calcium-sensing receptor agonist to lower calcium), bisphosphonates (to manage bone pain and prevent fractures), and pazopanib (targeted therapy for advanced disease).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of parathyroid disorders.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous radiation exposure, hyperparathyroidism, and familial hyperparathyroidism.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on early detection and complete surgical resection; survival rates are lower in advanced cases due to frequent recurrence.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence of cancer, metastasis (especially to lungs and bones), hypercalcemia-related issues like kidney stones and osteoporosis.

Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Solid Tumors

Sub-category: Endocrine Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; back pain; weight loss; hypertension; fatigue; excessive hair growth (in women)

Root Cause:
Rare and aggressive cancer of the adrenal cortex; often associated with mutations in the TP53 gene or familial syndromes like Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT, MRI), blood tests for hormone levels (cortisol, aldosterone, etc.), biopsy, and genetic testing for mutations.

Treatment:
Surgical resection, adjuvant chemotherapy (etoposide, doxorubicin), and mitotane (a drug used to treat adrenal cancer).

Medications:
Mitotane (adrenal cytotoxic drug), etoposide (chemotherapy), doxorubicin (chemotherapy).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very rare, accounting for less than 0.5% of all cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis is poor with a 5-year survival rate of 15–40% for localized disease; survival rates drop significantly for advanced cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to liver, lungs, and lymph nodes; recurrence after treatment; and hormonal imbalances leading to Cushing's syndrome, Conn's syndrome, or virilization.

Liposarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Symptoms:
painful or painless mass; swelling or lump in soft tissue; decreased mobility due to tumor growth; weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor arising from fat cells, typically within the soft tissues of the body. It involves the abnormal growth of adipocytes (fat cells).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans, followed by a biopsy to confirm malignancy.

Treatment:
Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor. Radiation therapy may be used post-operatively to decrease recurrence risk, and chemotherapy may be considered for more advanced cases.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin (an anthracycline) and ifosfamide (an alkylating agent) are used in cases of advanced disease. These drugs fall under the category of anti-cancer agents, specifically cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Liposarcoma accounts for about 20% of all soft tissue sarcomas. It is rare, with an estimated annual incidence of 1 in 1 million people.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (more common in adults aged 40-60), previous radiation therapy, genetic factors (such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the tumor's grade and stage at diagnosis. Low-grade tumors have a better prognosis, while high-grade or metastatic liposarcomas have a worse prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence after surgery, metastasis to lungs or other organs, complications from chemotherapy such as fatigue and immunosuppression.

Leiomyosarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Symptoms:
painful lump; abdominal discomfort (if intra-abdominal); nausea; weight loss; fatigue

Root Cause:
Leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that arises from smooth muscle cells, which are found in organs such as the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans, and confirmed with biopsy for histological examination.

Treatment:
Surgical removal of the tumor is the primary treatment. In some cases, radiation therapy or chemotherapy is used if the tumor cannot be completely resected or if it is metastatic.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin and ifosfamide are commonly used. These drugs belong to the class of anthracyclines and alkylating agents, respectively, and are employed to treat various sarcomas.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Leiomyosarcoma accounts for approximately 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. It is relatively rare, with an incidence rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous radiation therapy, age (commonly affects adults), genetic disorders such as hereditary leiomyomatosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on tumor size, grade, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Recurrence is common, and the survival rate is lower for high-grade tumors.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of metastasis to the lungs, complications from surgery, recurrence of the tumor.

Synovial Sarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Symptoms:
painful mass; swelling; restricted joint movement; fatigue; fever in advanced cases

Root Cause:
Synovial sarcoma is a rare form of soft tissue cancer that typically develops near joints, particularly in the limbs, and originates from synovial cells, which are part of the lining of joints.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is confirmed through imaging (MRI, CT scans) and biopsy. A molecular test may be done to detect the specific gene translocation (SYT-SSX fusion gene).

Treatment:
Surgical resection is the primary treatment. If the tumor is inoperable or has spread, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be recommended.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like cyclophosphamide , ifosfamide , and doxorubicin may be prescribed. These are cytotoxic chemotherapy agents that target rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Synovial sarcoma is a rare condition, making up about 5% of all soft tissue sarcomas. It typically affects adolescents and young adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (commonly affects young adults), genetic mutations (SYT-SSX fusion gene), male gender.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the size, location, and grade of the tumor. The survival rate is generally lower for tumors with metastasis at diagnosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Local recurrence, metastasis (especially to the lungs), complications from chemotherapy or radiation.

Angiosarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Symptoms:
painful mass; skin discoloration; swelling; bleeding or bruising; fatigue; weight loss

Root Cause:
Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that arises from the lining of blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, leading to abnormal growth of endothelial cells.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through imaging techniques like MRI, CT scans, and a biopsy to confirm malignancy.

Treatment:
Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. For advanced or metastatic cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel (a taxane) and doxorubicin (an anthracycline) are used to treat angiosarcoma. These agents are cytotoxic and target rapidly dividing cells.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Angiosarcoma is rare, representing about 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas, with an annual incidence of approximately 0.3 per million people.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous radiation therapy, chronic lymphedema (Stewart-Treves syndrome), certain genetic syndromes (e.g., neurofibromatosis type 1).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Angiosarcoma has a poor prognosis due to its aggressive nature. The survival rate depends on the tumor's location, size, and whether it has spread.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
High risk of metastasis, particularly to the lungs and liver, recurrence, and complications from aggressive treatment regimens.

Ewing Sarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
bone pain; swelling; fever; fatigue; weight loss

Root Cause:
A type of bone cancer that most often affects the long bones, pelvis, and chest wall.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
X-rays, CT scans, MRI, biopsy, bone scans.

Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents such as vincristine , doxorubicin , cyclophosphamide , ifosfamide , etoposide .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Ewing sarcoma is rare, accounting for about 1-2% of childhood cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic mutations, family history.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Survival rates range from 70% for localized disease to lower rates for metastatic disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor recurrence, long-term effects from chemotherapy and radiation, organ damage.

Wilms Tumor

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal mass; abdominal pain; fever; blood in urine; high blood pressure; poor appetite; weight loss

Root Cause:
A type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children, usually involving one kidney, but can occasionally involve both.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, biopsy, blood and urine tests.

Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like vincristine , actinomycin D, and doxorubicin ; pain relievers such as ibuprofen or morphine for post-surgical pain management.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 7-10% of childhood cancers, with around 500 cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions like WAGR syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
90% survival rate in localized cases; survival rates decrease in cases with metastasis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, kidney damage, long-term effects from chemotherapy or radiation, high blood pressure.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
painless mass or swelling; pain at the site of tumor; difficulty swallowing or breathing; eye bulging or changes in vision

Root Cause:
A cancer of the muscle tissue, often occurring in areas such as the head, neck, bladder, or limbs.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound), biopsy, blood tests, bone marrow aspiration.

Treatment:
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine , cyclophosphamide , doxorubicin , ifosfamide , etoposide ; pain management medications.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 4 cases per million children per year.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes (e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome), previous radiation exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The survival rate varies based on the stage, location, and histology of the tumor, ranging from 60% to 80% for localized disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tumor recurrence, organ dysfunction, long-term side effects from treatments.

Medulloblastoma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
headaches; vomiting; balance problems; vision problems; personality changes; clumsiness

Root Cause:
Malignant tumor in the cerebellum (part of the brain), which affects balance, motor control, and coordination.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI, CT scan, biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Treatment:
Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin , vincristine , cyclophosphamide , carboplatin ; corticosteroids for swelling.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for 20% of all brain tumors in children, with around 350 cases annually in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions (e.g., Gorlin syndrome), prior radiation exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Survival rate is about 70% for localized cases, but much lower for metastatic disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Neurological impairments, growth problems, cognitive and motor deficits, secondary cancers due to radiation.

Pediatric Leukemias

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
fatigue; fever; paleness; bone or joint pain; bleeding or bruising; infections

Root Cause:
Abnormal proliferation of white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood, leading to impaired blood cell production.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture, flow cytometry.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, radiation therapy, targeted therapy.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate , vincristine , prednisone , cytarabine ; targeted agents like imatinib for certain types.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common cancer in children, with about 3,500 new cases of leukemia in children under 15 in the U.S. annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions (e.g., Down syndrome), family history, environmental exposures (e.g., radiation).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High cure rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with survival rates over 90% for low-risk cases; acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has a more variable prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infections, bleeding, organ damage, secondary cancers due to chemotherapy or radiation.

Pediatric Lymphomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Pediatric Cancers

Symptoms:
swollen lymph nodes; fever; night sweats; weight loss; fatigue; itching

Root Cause:
Cancer of the lymphatic system; can be either Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lymph node biopsy, imaging (CT, PET, MRI), blood tests.

Treatment:
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like doxorubicin , vincristine , cyclophosphamide , etoposide ; targeted therapies like rituximab .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Lymphomas make up 5-7% of all pediatric cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes, compromised immune system, Epstein-Barr virus infection (for HL).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High cure rates for Hodgkin lymphoma (over 90% for localized disease), while non-Hodgkin lymphoma prognosis depends on subtype and staging.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary cancers, organ damage from treatment, fertility issues, infections.

Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Rare Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; diarrhea; flushing; wheezing; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; heart palpitations; skin rashes

Root Cause:
Neuroendocrine tumors are cancers that develop from neuroendocrine cells, which have characteristics of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. These tumors can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. They can secrete hormones, leading to symptoms like flushing and diarrhea.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is through imaging techniques such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans to locate the tumor, blood tests for elevated hormone levels (e.g., chromogranin A, serotonin), and biopsy for histological confirmation.

Treatment:
Treatment often involves surgical resection of the tumor, if localized, and medications such as somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide or lanreotide) to manage symptoms. Chemotherapy and targeted therapies (e.g., everolimus, sunitinib) may be used for advanced or metastatic disease. In some cases, liver-directed treatments (like embolization) or peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) are used for metastases.

Medications:
Somatostatin analogs like octreotide and lanreotide help control the symptoms and reduce hormone secretion. These are classified as peptide receptor drugs. For advanced NETs, chemotherapy agents like temozolomide or streptozocin (alkylating agents) and targeted therapies like everolimus (an mTOR inhibitor) and sunitinib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) may be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The incidence of NETs has been increasing, with an estimated prevalence of around 2-3 cases per 100,000 individuals per year. NETs are rare but more common in older adults, with gastrointestinal and pancreatic NETs being the most frequent.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Risk factors include age (more common in people over 50), a family history of NETs, genetic conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies based on tumor type, location, and stage at diagnosis. For localized NETs, the 5-year survival rate is generally favorable (70-80%), while advanced or metastatic NETs have a lower survival rate (around 30-40%).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications include metastasis to the liver or other organs, carcinoid syndrome (which includes symptoms like flushing, diarrhea, and heart valve issues), hormonal imbalances, and malabsorption due to gastrointestinal involvement.

Small Intestine Cancer

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Rare Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; unexplained weight loss; nausea; vomiting; jaundice; blood in stool; changes in bowel habits; fatigue

Root Cause:
Small intestine cancer develops in the cells of the small intestine, often affecting the epithelial or neuroendocrine cells. The exact cause is unknown, but genetic mutations and conditions like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and Lynch syndrome can increase the risk.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically through imaging studies like CT scans, MRIs, or endoscopy (e.g., capsule endoscopy or push enteroscopy). Biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis through histological examination of the tumor tissue.

Treatment:
Treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor if detected early. Chemotherapy (e.g., 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, or oxaliplatin) is often used for advanced disease. Radiation therapy may be used in some cases. Targeted therapy or immunotherapy may also be considered depending on tumor type.

Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs like 5-fluorouracil (an antimetabolite) and oxaliplatin (a platinum-based chemotherapy drug) are commonly used. Targeted therapies like bevacizumab (an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody) and immunotherapies such as pembrolizumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor) may be prescribed for advanced or metastatic cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Small intestine cancer is very rare, representing less than 2% of all gastrointestinal cancers. Its incidence is estimated to be about 2-3 cases per 100,000 people per year.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Risk factors include genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and Crohn's disease. Celiac disease and a history of radiation therapy to the abdomen also increase risk.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. For localized small intestine cancer, the 5-year survival rate can be as high as 80%, while for metastatic disease, the prognosis is much poorer, with a 5-year survival rate closer to 30%.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include bowel obstruction, bleeding, malnutrition, and metastasis to the liver or lymph nodes. In some cases, the cancer can lead to the development of secondary tumors or complications from chemotherapy.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Rare Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; swelling in the abdomen; unexplained weight loss; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; fatigue; bloating; constipation

Root Cause:
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. It is most commonly caused by asbestos exposure, which leads to the development of malignant cells that grow and invade the peritoneal lining.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies such as CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds to detect fluid buildup (ascites) and tumors in the abdomen. A biopsy is needed for definitive diagnosis, often performed through laparoscopy or peritoneal biopsy.

Treatment:
Treatment options include surgery (e.g., cytoreductive surgery) to remove as much of the tumor as possible, often followed by heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) to target remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy (e.g., pemetrexed and cisplatin) is used for advanced cases, and radiation therapy may also be applied.

Medications:
Common chemotherapy drugs used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma include pemetrexed (an antifolate drug) and cisplatin (a platinum-based chemotherapy agent). These are used in combination to help shrink tumors and manage the disease. In some cases, targeted therapies or immunotherapy may be considered.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is extremely rare, accounting for approximately 10-20% of all mesothelioma cases. The overall incidence is low, with an estimated 300-500 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
The primary risk factor is exposure to asbestos, particularly in occupations like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing. Other risk factors include genetic mutations and a history of prior radiation exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma is poor, with a median survival rate of 12-24 months, depending on the stage at diagnosis. Patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC may have improved outcomes, but survival is still limited.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications include bowel obstruction, ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), malnutrition, and metastasis to other parts of the body, particularly the lungs. The treatment itself can also cause side effects like fatigue, nausea, and immune suppression.

Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Rare Cancers

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; swelling or mass; chest pain; coughing; shortness of breath; unexplained weight loss; fever; night sweats

Root Cause:
Extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCTs) arise from germ cells that are typically found in the gonads (ovaries or testes) but develop in areas outside of these organs, such as the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or pineal gland. These tumors are believed to be the result of abnormal migration of germ cells during fetal development.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves imaging techniques such as CT scans, MRIs, or chest X-rays to locate the tumor. Blood tests to measure tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are also used. A biopsy is necessary for histological confirmation.

Treatment:
Treatment for extragonadal germ cell tumors often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. The standard chemotherapy regimen includes bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP). Surgery is used to remove the primary tumor when feasible.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents such as bleomycin (an antibiotic used as a chemotherapy agent), etoposide (a plant alkaloid), and cisplatin (a platinum-based chemotherapy drug) are used to treat extragonadal germ cell tumors. These drugs are classified as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and plant alkaloids , respectively.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare, representing about 1-5% of all germ cell tumors. The incidence is lower than gonadal germ cell tumors, with approximately 2-3 cases per million people per year.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Risk factors include age (most common in adolescents and young adults), history of gonadal germ cell tumors, and certain genetic syndromes like Klinefelter syndrome. In rare cases, a family history of germ cell tumors or other related conditions may increase risk.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis for extragonadal germ cell tumors depends on the tumor's location, stage at diagnosis, and response to treatment. If caught early and treated aggressively, the 5-year survival rate can be around 70-90%, but survival rates drop significantly for metastatic or advanced disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include metastasis to the lungs, liver, or other organs, recurrence after treatment, and side effects of chemotherapy such as organ toxicity (e.g., to the lungs or kidneys), fertility issues, and secondary cancers.

Plasmacytomas

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Rare Cancers

Symptoms:
bone pain; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; anemia; frequent infections; weakness; numbness or tingling in limbs

Root Cause:
Plasmacytomas are abnormal growths of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. These tumors can occur in bone (solitary plasmacytoma of bone) or soft tissue (extramedullary plasmacytoma). They may develop in isolation or as part of a more widespread condition like multiple myeloma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to detect bone lesions or soft tissue masses. Bone marrow biopsy and blood tests (such as serum protein electrophoresis for monoclonal proteins) are used to confirm the presence of abnormal plasma cells. A biopsy of the tumor is performed for histological diagnosis.

Treatment:
Treatment typically involves localized radiation therapy or surgical resection, depending on the tumor's location. In some cases, chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation may be used if the plasmacytoma is part of a more systemic disease like multiple myeloma. For extramedullary plasmacytomas, radiation is often the treatment of choice.

Medications:
Chemotherapy agents like melphalan (an alkylating agent) and cyclophosphamide (another alkylating agent) may be used for advanced disease or when plasmacytomas are associated with multiple myeloma. Additionally, corticosteroids like dexamethasone can be prescribed to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Plasmacytomas are rare, with solitary plasmacytomas representing only about 3% of all plasma cell neoplasms. The incidence is estimated at 0.2-1 case per 100,000 people per year.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Risk factors include age (more common in older adults), a family history of plasma cell disorders, and conditions like multiple myeloma. Previous radiation therapy and certain infections (like HIV) may also increase risk.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis for solitary plasmacytoma is generally favorable, especially if it is diagnosed early and treated with surgery or radiation. The 5-year survival rate for localized plasmacytomas is around 80-90%. However, if plasmacytomas progress to multiple myeloma or involve multiple sites, the prognosis worsens significantly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications can include bone fractures due to bone involvement, pain management issues, spinal cord compression if the tumor involves the spine, and recurrence of the plasmacytoma. If it transforms into multiple myeloma, the complications and prognosis worsen.

Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; constipation; abdominal pain; fatigue; confusion; thirst; frequent urination; muscle weakness

Root Cause:
Malignant tumors release calcium into the bloodstream, often through secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) or osteolytic bone metastasis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing elevated calcium levels, alongside confirmation of underlying malignancy through imaging or biopsy.

Treatment:
Hydration, bisphosphonates (such as zoledronic acid), denosumab, corticosteroids, and calcitonin.

Medications:
Bisphosphonates (e.g., zoledronic acid) inhibit bone resorption, and denosumab , a monoclonal antibody, works by inhibiting osteoclast activity. Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) may be used if there is an underlying hematologic malignancy. Calcitonin helps to lower calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast function.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10-20% of patients with advanced cancer.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Patients with lung, breast, or hematologic cancers, and those with extensive bone metastasis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the underlying malignancy and the ability to control calcium levels. Treatment of the underlying cancer can improve the prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe hypercalcemia can cause kidney failure, arrhythmias, coma, and, if untreated, death.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Symptoms:
hyponatremia; nausea; vomiting; confusion; seizures; lethargy; muscle cramps

Root Cause:
Tumors produce excess antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests showing low sodium levels and high urine osmolality despite low serum osmolality. Imaging to identify the tumor may also be necessary.

Treatment:
Fluid restriction, hypertonic saline in severe cases, and vasopressin receptor antagonists (e.g., tolvaptan). Treating the underlying cancer may improve SIADH.

Medications:
Vasopressin receptor antagonists (e.g., tolvaptan ) help correct sodium imbalances by blocking the effects of ADH.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in patients with small cell lung cancer, as well as other malignancies like head and neck cancers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Small cell lung cancer, brain tumors, and medications such as cyclophosphamide or vincristine.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the underlying malignancy and successful management of fluid imbalances.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
If untreated, SIADH can lead to severe hyponatremia, seizures, and coma.

Cushing Syndrome (Ectopic ACTH Production)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Symptoms:
weight gain; moon face; central obesity; purple striae; osteoporosis; muscle weakness; hypertension; hyperglycemia

Root Cause:
Tumors, often lung carcinoid or small cell lung cancer, secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), stimulating excess cortisol production.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Elevated cortisol levels in the blood or urine, ACTH levels are often high, and imaging may identify the tumor.

Treatment:
Surgical removal of the tumor, if possible. Medications like ketoconazole or metyrapone can inhibit cortisol production, and mitotane may be used to suppress adrenal function.

Medications:
Medications like ketoconazole (a steroidogenesis inhibitor) and metyrapone (inhibits cortisol synthesis) can be used to control excess cortisol production.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but occurs in up to 10% of patients with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Small cell lung cancer, bronchial carcinoid tumors, or pancreatic tumors.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies with tumor type; successful tumor removal can lead to remission, though recurrence is possible.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and infections due to prolonged cortisol excess.

Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Symptoms:
muscle weakness; difficulty standing up; dry mouth; blurry vision; fatigue; constipation; impaired reflexes

Root Cause:
Autoimmune attack on presynaptic calcium channels at the neuromuscular junction, often associated with small cell lung cancer.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical symptoms, electromyography (EMG) showing impaired neuromuscular transmission, and detection of antibodies against voltage-gated calcium channels.

Treatment:
Treatment involves immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, azathioprine), plasmapheresis, and possibly 3,4-diaminopyridine.

Medications:
Immunosuppressive agents like corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ), azathioprine , and 3,4-diaminopyridine to improve neuromuscular transmission.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, typically associated with small cell lung cancer in 50-70% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Small cell lung cancer, other cancers like prostate or thyroid cancer.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis is dependent on the underlying malignancy and response to treatment. Symptoms may improve with cancer treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, difficulty swallowing, and persistent muscle weakness.

Neuromyelitis Optica (Anti-Aquaporin-4 Antibody Syndrome)

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Symptoms:
vision loss; optic neuritis; nausea; vomiting; paralysis; sensory disturbances; bladder dysfunction; extreme fatigue

Root Cause:
Autoimmune response against aquaporin-4 channels on astrocytes, causing inflammation of the optic nerve and spinal cord, often associated with malignancies.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detection of anti-AQP4 antibodies in the blood, MRI showing spinal cord and optic nerve lesions, and clinical presentation.

Treatment:
High-dose corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and rituximab (an immunosuppressive therapy).

Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone ), rituximab (a monoclonal antibody), and plasmapheresis may be used to manage acute relapses.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated 2-4 cases per million people annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Associated with autoimmune diseases, and may be paraneoplastic in some cases linked to cancers such as breast, lung, and ovarian.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Relapsing-remitting course in some patients; poor prognosis with significant long-term disability if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Vision loss, paralysis, and in severe cases, respiratory failure due to spinal cord involvement.

Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Treatment-Related Complications

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; pain in hands or feet; weakness; balance problems; sensitivity to touch; loss of reflexes

Root Cause:
Damage to peripheral nerves due to chemotherapy agents, especially those that interfere with microtubules, like taxanes or platinum compounds.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on symptoms, neurological exam, and sometimes electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies to assess nerve function.

Treatment:
Discontinuation or dose adjustment of the offending chemotherapy agent, use of medications to manage symptoms (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin), physical therapy for strength and balance, and occupational therapy.

Medications:
Gabapentin (an anticonvulsant used to treat nerve pain), Pregabalin (similar to gabapentin , used to treat neuropathic pain), Duloxetine (a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for neuropathic pain), and Lidocaine patches (used topically for localized pain). These medications are classified as pain relievers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
This affects up to 40-70% of patients receiving certain chemotherapy drugs, particularly those used in the treatment of breast cancer, lymphoma, and sarcomas.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High cumulative dose of chemotherapy agents like paclitaxel, cisplatin, or vincristine, pre-existing neuropathy, and age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Neuropathy may improve or resolve after chemotherapy completion, but in some cases, it can be permanent or progressive.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent pain, loss of function, risk of falls, and reduced quality of life.

Radiation-Induced Cancers

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Treatment-Related Complications

Symptoms:
unexplained weight loss; pain at tumor site; lumps or masses; fatigue

Root Cause:
Genetic mutations or damage caused by radiation therapy, leading to the development of new cancers years or decades after treatment.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging studies, biopsy, and a thorough medical history of prior radiation therapy.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the specific type of cancer but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and further radiation therapy.

Medications:
There are no specific medications for radiation-induced cancers; treatment is based on the type of cancer and may include chemotherapy agents (e.g., Doxorubicin , Cyclophosphamide ) and targeted therapies.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Radiation-induced cancers are rare, occurring in approximately 0.5-3% of patients who receive radiation therapy.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High radiation dose, younger age at the time of radiation exposure, and the area of the body treated.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the type of radiation-induced cancer and its stage at diagnosis, but generally, these cancers are treatable with conventional cancer therapies.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary cancers, long-term side effects of radiation, and reduced organ function.

Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) after Stem Cell Transplant

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Treatment-Related Complications

Symptoms:
skin rashes; diarrhea; liver dysfunction; jaundice; dry mouth; fatigue; abdominal pain; fever

Root Cause:
The immune cells from the donor (graft) attack the recipient's tissues (host) after stem cell transplantation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, biopsy of affected tissue (skin, liver, or gastrointestinal tract), and blood tests for liver enzymes and other markers of inflammation.

Treatment:
Immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., corticosteroids), antithymocyte globulin, and other agents to suppress the immune response.

Medications:
Prednisone (a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system), Mycophenolate mofetil (an immunosuppressive drug), and Tacrolimus (a calcineurin inhibitor). These medications are classified as immunosuppressants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Around 30-70% of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients experience some form of GVHD.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Donor-recipient mismatching, younger age of the recipient, and prior history of GVHD.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early treatment, GVHD can often be controlled, but it can lead to chronic disability and even death in severe cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic GVHD can affect multiple organs, including the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract, leading to long-term disability.

Immunotherapy-Related Adverse Events

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Treatment-Related Complications

Symptoms:
fatigue; diarrhea; rashes; pneumonitis; colitis; hepatitis; endocrinopathies; arthralgia

Root Cause:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1 inhibitors) inadvertently activate the immune system, leading to attacks on healthy tissues and organs.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical presentation, lab tests for organ function, and imaging to assess organ involvement.

Treatment:
Discontinuation of immunotherapy and corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone) to reduce immune system activity. In severe cases, additional immunosuppressive agents may be used.

Medications:
Prednisone (used to reduce inflammation and immune response), Mycophenolate mofetil (for severe cases), and Infliximab (a TNF inhibitor used to treat colitis). These are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Immunotherapy-related adverse events occur in about 30-40% of patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prior autoimmune conditions, combination therapy with immunotherapies, and high-dose treatments.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most immune-related adverse events resolve with early intervention, but severe reactions can result in permanent organ damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Organ-specific toxicities (e.g., pneumonitis, hepatitis, colitis), autoimmune disorders, and life-threatening conditions in rare cases.