Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
Signs of Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, PSA Test, Treatments
What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Learn the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, along...
Understanding Cancer: Metastasis, Stages of Cancer, and More
Learn the basics about cancer including types, causes, how it spreads, symptoms and signs, stages and treatment options. Read...
Cancer-Fighting Foods: Resveratrol, Green Tea, and More
Experts have praised certain foods for their ability to reduce cancer risks. Learn which foods and eating strategies may help...
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Learn about pancreatic cancer signs, symptoms, causes, statistics, treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, biological...
Cervical Cancer Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment
Cervical cancer is typically caused by HPV infections. Learn about vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. Get information about...
Signs of Cancer in Women: Symptoms You Can't Ignore
Colon and stomach cancer symptoms can surprise women but can be treated if detected early. Learn about breast cancer signs and...
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms, Signs, Stages
Ovarian cancer symptoms and signs include abdominal pain, bloating, frequent urination, and a feeling of fullness. Ovarian cancer...
Cancer: How to Lower and Cut Your Risk of Cancer
About a third of all cases of cancer can be prevented. Find out how to lower your chances of getting it.
Top 10 Cancers Quiz
Take this quiz to learn the causes of cancer. Get the facts about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for the world's most...
What Are the Top 11 Cancer-Fighting Foods?
Foods that fight cancer include phytochemicals, berries, turmeric, onions, and more. Learn how you can lower your risk of...
Cervical Cancer Quiz
How is cervical cancer different from other cancers? Take this quiz to learn the basics of cervical cancer.
Prostate Cancer Quiz
Is prostate cancer the most common cancer in men? Take this prostate cancer quiz to find out and learn the causes, symptoms, and...
Cancer: Does This Cause Cancer?
Everything gives you cancer, right? Not really. WebMD's slide show tells you about the research into cancer and cell phones,...
Ovarian Cancer Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
How common is ovarian cancer and who is at risk? Take our Ovarian Cancer Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment for...
Lung Cancer Quiz: Signs and Symptoms
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S. and worldwide. Get the facts about lung...
Picture of Genital Warts (HPV)
A wart in the moist skin of the genitals or around the anus. See a picture of Genital Warts (HPV) and learn more about the health...
Lung Cancer: Early Signs, Symptoms, Stages
Learn about lung cancer early warning signs, symptoms and treatments. What causes stage IV lung cancer? Get more information on...
Picture of Pancreatic Cancer
An abdominal CT scan shows a small, vaguely seen 2-cm pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mass) causing obstruction of both the common...
Picture of Pancreatic Cancer Tumor
This is a gross section of a malignant tumor of the pancreas resected from the pancreatic body and tail. See a picture of...
Cancer: Cancer 'Remedies' That Don't Work
You may have read about an all-natural cure for cancer. While many therapies are helpful, some aren't worth your time or money....
Cancer: Visual Guide to Thyroid Cancer
Find out the symptoms of thyroid cancer, and learn how to treat it after you get a diagnosis.
Sexual Conditions: All About HPV
If you have sex, you'll probably have a form of this virus at some point in your life. Find out from WebMD how to protect...
Cancer: Symptoms of Common Cancers in Men
Can men get breast cancer? Cancer symptoms men need to watch out for include skin changes, difficulty swallowing, rapid weight...
Lung Cancer Risks: Myths and Facts
Learn about lung cancer myths and facts. Explore how cigar smoke, menthol, and pollution can increase your risk of lung cancer...
Things That May Slow Prostate Cancer Progression
Studies are ongoing, but are there certain foods and healthy practices that can slow the growth of tumors in the prostate? Learn...
Cancer Guide to Eye Cancers
Find out more from WebMD about the early signs of these types of cancer and how they’re diagnosed and treated.
Related Disease Conditions
What Foods Destroy Cancer Cells?
Eating a diverse range of healthy meals can help lower your risk of cancer. Certain foods contain beneficial components that may aid in cancer prevention.
How Does a Man Know if He Has HPV?
What is HPV, and what does it look like in men? Learn how to recognize HPV, when to see your doctor for HPV, and how to prevent and treat HPV in men.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Prostate Cancer
Read about prostate cancer symptoms, treatment, survival rates, stages, surgery, screening, causes and diagnosis. Learn lifestyle strategies to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause early symptoms. Typically, pancreatic cancer has metastasized (spread to adjacent organs, such as the liver) by the time most people receive a dignosis of pancreatic cancer. Symptoms and signs usually appear later in the course of the disease and include jaundice, back pain, nausea, weight loss, itching, and loss of appetite. Treatment depends upon the type of pancreatic cancer but may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small-cell or non-small-cell lung cancers.
Do All Cancers Show Up on Blood Tests?
Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer increase the chances of recovery and gives a better chance of survival. No single test can accurately diagnose cancer. An accurate diagnosis of cancer and the extent of its spread inside the body usually involves many tests. Blood tests are usually done in all cases of suspected cancer and may also be done routinely in healthy individuals. Not all cancers show up on blood tests. Blood tests can give information about the overall health status, such as thyroid, kidney and liver functions.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Infection
HPV or human papillomavirus is a group of viruses that infect human mucous membranes and skin. HPV is highly contagious. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and vaccines.
Can You Get HPV If You Are Not Sexually Active?
The human papillomavirus is transferred from person to person by skin-to-skin intimate contact with someone who has the infection. Transmission of HPV without sex, though uncommon, does happen.
What Is the Most Survivable Cancer?
Most of the cancers, if diagnosed and treated in early stages, are definitely survivable. Higher survival rates are largely because of several factors including not only early detection but also better treatment approaches.
What Lab Values Indicate Pancreatic Cancer?
Laboratory values can indicate pancreatic cancer, but they are not specific or sensitive for cancer of the pancreas. A laboratory blood test known as carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is also used in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The normal range of CA 19-9 is between 0 and 37 U/mL, but people with pancreatic cancer often have higher levels. As cancer progresses, CA 19-9 levels go on increasing.
What Happens If You Don't Treat Prostate Cancer?
If prostate cancer is left untreated, it may grow and possibly spread out of the prostate gland to the local tissues or distant sites such as liver and lungs.
Can HPV Come Back Once It Has Cleared?
Human papillomavirus, or HPV for short, is a common type of viral infection. While HPV doesn't come back after clearing completely, it's difficult to know if an infection has actually been resolved or is simply dormant.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Genital warts is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts are raised, flesh-colored lumps. Learn about symptoms, transmission, and treatment.
How Does Prostate Cancer Kill You in the End?
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland in men. Death from prostate cancer most often happens when cancer has spread (metastasized) to other organs in the body.
Can You Tell if You Have Cancer by Your Poop?
Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer. Noticeable changes to your poop that occur with colon cancer may include blood in the stool, loose stools, hard stools, and narrow stools.
Is Pancreatic Cancer the Most Painful?
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most painful types of cancer because it invades and presses on the nerves near the pancreas leading to pain in the back or abdomen. Pain seems to be the most distressing symptom in patients with pancreatic cancer.
What Foods Kill Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. There is no particular food or recipe that can directly kill prostate cancer cells. Some foods that may be helpful in prostate cancer recovery and relapse prevention include foods containing lycopene, beans, green tea, cruciferous vegetables and fruit like cranberries, strawberries, blueberries and pomegranates.
What Are the Rarest Cancers?
Rare cancer occurs in fewer than 15 out of 100,000 people every year. Learn the characteristics and types of rare cancers.
How Do You Know if You Have HPV in Your Throat?
Although most people infected with HPV remain asymptomatic, it may cause serious side effects, such as the following.
Where Does Your Back Hurt With Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas which is an organ located behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer occurs when the normal cells mutate and grow out of control forming a tumor. Pancreatic cancer spreads quickly and has a poor prognosis because it is often detected late. One of the important symptoms of pancreatic cancer is a dull pain in the upper abdomen (near the solar plexus) and/or middle or upper back.
Which Cancer Is the Most Painful?
Cancer spreading to the bone is the most painful type of cancer. Pain can be caused by a tumor pressing on the nerves around the bone. As the tumor size increases, it can release chemicals that irritate the area around the tumor.
Ovarian Cancer
There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
Can Prostate Cancer Kill You?
Yes. Like any other cancer, prostate cancer is a potential killer. However, this is true of the metastasized prostate cancer that has remained undiagnosed for a long time. The disease is vastly curable when diagnosed early.
Cancer Risk Factors and Causes
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Is Cancer Contagious?
Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. A variety of parasites and viruses have been linked to various cancers. Cancer may metastasize, spreading from its original location to other organs. If you have cancer, you should seek medical care immediately if you experiencehigh fever, shortness of breath, intense headaches, vomiting blood or passing blood rectally, chest pain or moderate to severe weakness, passing out (fainting), mental status changes, or seizures.
How Do You Check for Prostate Cancer at Home?
Prostate cancer is highly treatable in its early stages. Thanks to the increase in cancer screening, cancer is also being diagnosed early.
Can You Still Be Sexually Active With HPV?
Like other STIs, HPV is spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact during oral, anal and vaginal sex. It's possible to have sex even if you have HPV or you're concerned about getting it, but get vaccinated, practice safe sex, get tested regularly, and talk to your partners about it.
Can You Get Rid of HPV Once You Have It?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a type of virus that is different from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes virus (HSV). It is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. In most cases, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections can go away on their own.
Can Prostate Cancer Be Completely Cured?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Due to routine screening of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the United States, nearly 90% of prostate cancers get detected in early stages. When found early, there are several treatment options available and prostate cancer has a high chance of getting cured.
What Percentage of Smokers Get Lung Cancer?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer develops in around 10 to 20 percent of all smokers. Scientists believe that smoking is responsible for over 80 percent of lung cancers.
Can a Woman Give a Man HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a type of virus that is different from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes virus (HSV). It is the most common cause of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. Yes, human papillomavirus (HPV) can be transmitted from a woman to man and vice versa.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Regular pelvic exams, Pap testing, and screening can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Cervical cancer can be prevented by a vaccine. The most common signs and symptoms are an increase in vaginal discharge, painful sex, and postmenopausal bleeding. The prognosis and survival rate depend upon the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed.
What Are the 5 Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer rarely produces symptoms in the early stage; however, few signs can help in detecting prostate cancer.
Can Cancer Be Detected by a Blood Test?
While blood tests can’t absolutely detect all cancers, certain blood tests can give your doctor an idea of how your organs are functioning and if they have been affected by cancer. No blood test can detect colon cancer. However, your doctor may order blood tests to get a picture of your overall health and use other screening methods to look for signs of colon cancer.
How Does a Woman Get HPV?
Can Cancer Be Detected in Blood Tests?
When a person is suspected to have cancer, doctors may perform a variety of tests to help diagnose cancer. Different types of blood tests are done to check for abnormal cells, cancer cells, proteins, tumor markers or other substances made by the cancer cells. This helps determine if a person has cancer or any precancerous condition. Blood tests may also indicate if other organs of the body have been affected by cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer in Women?
The symptoms and signs of pancreatic cancer are usually common in both men and women. They areA general feeling of being unwell that lasts for more than a week or two and isn't related to an obvious cause, such as having the flu.
What Is Stage IV Prostate Cancer Life Expectancy?
The survival rate in most people with advanced prostate cancer is 30 percent at the fifth year of diagnosis. This means around 70 percent of the diagnosed men are not alive in the fifth year after diagnosis.
What Is the Difference Between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is a broader term for the condition in which the arteries narrow and harden, leading to poor circulation of blood throughout the body. Atherosclerosis is a specific kind of arteriosclerosis, but these terms are often used interchangeably. Both conditions lead to decreased blood flow to other parts of the body. Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease, which may either start in childhood or late adulthood.
Is Back Pain Constant With Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is cancer that begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. Pancreatic cancer occurs when the healthy pancreatic cells grow out of control, forming a tumor.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Back Pain Constant?
Cancer of the the pancreas is called pancreatic cancer. Pain in the upper abdomen and back is commonly seen in those who have pancreatic cancer. The back pain is generally not constant.
Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) consist of large cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) usually starts in the bronchi and typically appears in those who smoke. SCLC and NSCLC are staged in different manners, and SCLC tends to metastasize more quickly than NSCLC. Signs and symptoms of NSCLC and SCLC include shortness of breath, coughing up blood, recurring lung infections, and chest pain. Treatment may involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Can a Weak Immune System Cause Cancer?
Your immune system plays a vital role in maintaining your health. Although some cancers are caused by genetic mutations, some other factors like old age and a weakened immune system can also play a significant role in causing the disease.
What Type of Cancer Makes You Very Tired?
Extreme and recurrent tiredness is one of the common symptoms of most types of cancers. Tiredness is usually considered a warning sign of cancer progressing. Tiredness related to cancers usually does not get better with adequate rest or sleep.
What Are the Symptoms of Stage 1 Ovarian Cancer?
At stage 1 of ovarian cancer, the cancer is present only in the ovaries i.e. it has not spread in any other organs. Signs and symptoms at this stage may include a mass felt in the abdomen, distension or swelling of abdomen, abnormal vaginal bleeding (between menstrual periods or after menopause) and other signs. Stage 1 ovarian cancer has no symptoms in many women, however; often they may not experience symptoms until the cancer has spread significantly.
What Causes HPV in Females?
HPV — human papillomavirus — is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., with over 75 million people being infected, most of them young adults. There are more than 150 strains of HPV.
Can Pancreatic Cancer Be Detected by Blood Test?
Currently, there is no blood test to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. A doctor may suggest doing a blood tumor markers test for pancreatic cancer along with routine blood tests and radiological tests to confirm the diagnosis.
What Are the Odds of Getting Cancer?
The term cancer refers to uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. There are trillions of cells in our body. Under normal circumstances, the cells grow and divide according to the body’s needs. When the cells become old or develop any abnormality, they die.
Can Pancoast Lung Cancer Be Cured?
Pancoast tumors are a rare type of lung cancer that forms at the extreme top of either of the lungs. Due to their location at the top of the lung, there’s a high chance that cancer might attack the adjacent tissue and produce typical symptoms.
Do Blood Tests Show Pancreatic Cancer?
Blood tests are often used in combination with other clinical assessments and tests to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
What Are the Three Top Cancer Killers?
Cancer is a group of diseases that occur when abnormal cells spread uncontrollably throughout the body. The top three cancer killers are lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.
Can a Good Immune System Prevent Cancer?
Your immune system is your body's way of fighting off sickness, germs, and infection. Medical research suggests that a strong immune system does protect against cancer.
Types of Ovarian Cancer Medications
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your doctor may prescribe a treatment plan that includes different types of ovarian cancer medications.
Cancer Pain
Cancer pain is a common experience that may result from the disease, treatment, or diagnostic procedure. Check out the center below for more medical references on cancer, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cancerous Ovarian Cyst?
Cancerous ovarian cyst or early-stage ovarian cancer (stages I to II) rarely causes any symptoms. Advanced-stage ovarian cancer (stages III to IV) may cause a few nonspecific symptoms.