Posts Tagged ‘death’

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer (cancer of the thyroid gland) comes in four types: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. Papillary and medullary are slow-developing and sometimes recur, but respond well to therapy in patients under middle age.

Medullary also reacts well to therapy, if it has not already spread. Anaplastic developes quickly and responds badly to therapy. The spread of these kinds of cancer is not uniform throughout the world, but is roughly: 78% for papillary; 17% for follicular; 4% for medullary and 1% for anaplastic.

Usually, the first symptom of a problem is the growth of a nodule or nodules in the neck in close proximity to the thyroid gland. However, only 5% of these are malignant. Sometimes an early warning sign is discomfort or even pain; sometimes, the lymph nodes swell, the voice alters or there is hypo- or hyper- thyroidism.

Discovery usually takes place after a nodule is discovered during a (general) physical examination. The patient is then referred to an endocrinologist or a thyroidologist, who will arrange an ultrasound test or a biopsy. Using a thin needle enough cells can be gathered to do an accurate test on the precise condition of the thyroid and whether the nodules are cancerous.

Papillary thyroid cancer more frequently takes place in women and often in the 30-40 year old age group and is frequently characterized by bulging eyes. If the growth is less than 1cm in size a partial thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy would probably be recommended.

Above 1cm and a full thyroidectomy is preferred. Some surgeons prefer a full thyroidectomy anyway because the cancer cannot come back then.

Follicular thyroid cancer is more common in women more than 50 years of age. Therapy is most frequently full thyroidectomy as the threat of recurrence of this aggressive form is quite great for partial surgery.

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) begins in the cells that produce the hormone calcitonin. Increased levels of calcitonin in the blood are a reasonable indication of MTC, although these elevated levels of calcitonin are almost certainly not harmful in themselves.

Changes in the DNA concerned in cell growth and development are responsible for nearly all cases of hereditary or familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. Hereditary medullary thyroid cancer is inherited as a 50/50 likelihood from every affected parent. DNA analysis makes it possible to identify children who carry the mutant gene.

Surgical removal of the thyroid in children who carry the mutant gene is effective if the entire thyroid gland is removed at an early age, before there is a spread of the tumor. Hereditary MTC accounts for around 25% of all cases of MTC. The other 75% of cases are called sporadic MTC and normally occur in older patients.

Frequently the disease is well advanced in these cases as there has been no screening as in hereditary MTC. The first sign is frequently diarhoea. The likelihood of surviving MTC seem to be linked to the rate at which the patient?s post operative calcitonin levels double.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is highly aggressive and likelihood of survival are almost zero. It is resistant to all known cancer medications and invades nearby tissue rapidly.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on quite a few topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

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Memorial Jewelry One Way To Remember The One You Love

Many wish for a unique way to remember the loved ones they have lost. They feel the need to keep a loved one close to their heart. One choice that is increasingly popular is to commission memorial jewelry. There are a variety of choices in the types of jewelry available. Pendants, bracelets, key chains, necklaces, and earrings are all used as a basis for memorializing a loved one.

There are those who create the jewelry with a very small portion of a cremated loved inside. There are still others that have a tiny compartment attached somewhere to the pieces of jewelry that are specially designed to contain the ashes placed inside it. Most often it is a necklace or bracelet that is used for this particular option.

Portrait pendants are also available as a choice in memorial jewelry. A laser is used etch a copied portrait onto the surface of the pendant. The portrait that was transferred permanently to the pendant is usually supplied by a close friend or relative of the departed one.

Cremation diamonds are also available and have become increasingly desired as a way of remembrance for those left behind. Hair or a small portion of the cremated remains are used in the creation of a diamond. Enough carbon is extracted to initiate the process. It is put under pressure and heated to extreme temperatures in a duplication of the forces deep within the Earth that create natural diamonds. When the stone is finished it is cut by diamond cutters into the desired shape. Colors and sizes are available to suit almost anyone.

For those who do not wish to have wearable jewelry there is the option of jewelry made to be displayed in the home. There are special domes made of glass that can display the jewelry you have chosen quite nicely. Boxes to store the jewelry are often included so there is no worry about how it can be safely tucked away or displayed when it is not worn.

Cuff bracelets made of stainless steel or other metal are also used as a memorial. Names of those lost in a military action are engraved upon them. A fitting symbol of someone that is still very dear to them.

In recent times memorial jewelry has become a preferred means of keeping the memory of a lost loved one close and alive. The available options almost guarantee that there is a jewelry piece that is the right choice for almost anyone.

Looking to find the definititve source of information on memorial jewelry?

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