Rapid molecular testing in the laboratories has greatly helped oncologists to diagnose cancers of the breast, lymphoma and leukemia.
One type of cancer that is a high-profile target for improved diagnostic testing is colon cancer. It is one of the most common malignancies in men and women. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 141,210 new cases of colon and rectal cancers will be reported and an estimated 49,380 Americans will die of these diseases this year. Anytime time a lab presents new testing it requires financial,clinical and operational resources. Since there is a high rate of colon cancer it is important to have more accurate testing. Past testing such occult blood and sigmoidoscopy are variable and can have false positives. The new testing is using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to detect only human blood in stool, this technology has improved specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, the White Paper reported.
In conclusion, the ability of new technologies to contribute to improved performance of assays used in screening individuals for colorectal cancer demonstrate how swiftly the standard of care in laboratory medicine can be changed for the better. New generation FOB lab tests are one example of the types of changes now occurring across the entire range of testing services offered by clinical laboratories and pathology groups.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Skin Cancer-Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. This cancers results from the uncontrolled rapid growth of abnormal cells.
The main symptom is a growing bump that may have a rough, scaly surface and flat reddish patches.
Below is a slide of a histology slide after biopsy of squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is caused by UV rays over a period of a lifetime. Although SCC is usually found on the skin that has been exposed to the sun SCC can also be found in the mucus membranes and genitals.
Skin biopsies are done using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine), which is injected into the area with a small needle. You will likely feel a small pinch and a little stinging as the medicine is injected, but you should not feel any pain during the biopsy. Any biopsy is likely to leave a scar. Since different methods produce different types of scars, you should ask your dermatologist about biopsies and scarring before the procedure is done.
Diagnosis begins with a biopsy of the suspicious growth on skin. This procedure needs to be performed by a dermatologist. Shave biopsy uses a thin surgical blade to shave off the top layers of skin. This is the most common method for diagnosing squamous cell skin cancer. Punch biopsy uses a round, cookie cutter-like tool. It is used to take a deeper skin sample.
Skin biopsies are done using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine), which is injected into the area with a small needle. You will likely feel a small pinch and a little stinging as the medicine is injected, but you should not feel any pain during the biopsy. Any biopsy is likely to leave a scar. Since different methods produce different types of scars, you should ask your dematologist about biopsies and scarring before the procedure is done.
The main symptom is a growing bump that may have a rough, scaly surface and flat reddish patches.
 | ||
| Squamous Cell Carcinoma under the nail |
Below is a slide of a histology slide after biopsy of squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is caused by UV rays over a period of a lifetime. Although SCC is usually found on the skin that has been exposed to the sun SCC can also be found in the mucus membranes and genitals.
Skin biopsies are done using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine), which is injected into the area with a small needle. You will likely feel a small pinch and a little stinging as the medicine is injected, but you should not feel any pain during the biopsy. Any biopsy is likely to leave a scar. Since different methods produce different types of scars, you should ask your dermatologist about biopsies and scarring before the procedure is done.
Diagnosis begins with a biopsy of the suspicious growth on skin. This procedure needs to be performed by a dermatologist. Shave biopsy uses a thin surgical blade to shave off the top layers of skin. This is the most common method for diagnosing squamous cell skin cancer. Punch biopsy uses a round, cookie cutter-like tool. It is used to take a deeper skin sample.
Skin biopsies are done using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine), which is injected into the area with a small needle. You will likely feel a small pinch and a little stinging as the medicine is injected, but you should not feel any pain during the biopsy. Any biopsy is likely to leave a scar. Since different methods produce different types of scars, you should ask your dematologist about biopsies and scarring before the procedure is done.
Above is a video of the histology of a squamous cell carcinoma by Washington Deceit. This explains how pathologists view cancerous tissue under the microscope to properly diagnosis the cancer for the doctor.
Below is a video of the treatment options of SCC by Dr. Shane Chapman
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Skin Cancer- Basal Cell
The chance of getting skin cancer needs to be taken seriously. Laying in tanning beds on a regular basis or not using protection when exposed to the sun such as hats,sunscreen ,etc will greatly increase the probability of skin cancer. Skin cancer is abnormal growth of skin cells. There are three types of skin cancer which are basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Basal cell cancer is the easiest to treat.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer is divided into two major groups: nonmelanoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.
Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. It grows slowly and is painless. A new skin growth that bleeds easily or does not heal well may suggest basal cell carcinoma. The majority of these cancers occur on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. They may also appear on the scalp. Basal cell skin cancer used to be more common in people over age 40, but is now often diagnosed in younger people.
Your risk for basal cell skin cancer is higher if you have:
Basil Cell Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma may look only slightly different than normal skin. The cancer may appear as skin bump or growth that is:
You may have:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer is divided into two major groups: nonmelanoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.
Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. It grows slowly and is painless. A new skin growth that bleeds easily or does not heal well may suggest basal cell carcinoma. The majority of these cancers occur on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. They may also appear on the scalp. Basal cell skin cancer used to be more common in people over age 40, but is now often diagnosed in younger people.
Your risk for basal cell skin cancer is higher if you have:
- Light-colored skin
- Blue or green eyes
- Blond or red hair
- Overexposure to x-rays or other forms of radiation
Basil Cell Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma may look only slightly different than normal skin. The cancer may appear as skin bump or growth that is:
- Pearly or waxy
- White or light pink
- Flesh-colored or brown
You may have:
- A skin sore that bleeds easily
- A sore that does not heal
- Oozing or crusting spots in a sore
- Appearance of a scar-like sore without having injured the area
- Irregular blood vessels in or around the spot
- A sore with a depressed (sunken) area in the middle
If your doctor is suspicious of skin cancer then they will cut out the abnormal section of skin which is called a biopsy.
Skin Cancer Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma Cancer presented by Dr. Shane Chapman
Treatment
- Excision cuts the tumor out and uses stitches to place the skin back together.
- Curettage and electrodesiccation scrapes away the cancer and uses electricity to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Surgery, including Mohs surgery, in which skin is cut out and immediately looked at under a microscope to check for cancer. The process is repeated until the skin sample is free of cancer.
- Cryosurgery freezes and kills the cancer cells.
- Radiation may be used if the cancer has spread to organs or lymph nodes or for tumors that can't be treated with surgery.
- Skin creams with the medications imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil may be used to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma.
- For more information go to: www.mayoclinic.com ; www.nih.gov
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