The Karnofsky Performance Scale Index is an assessment tool for functional impairment. Karfnofsky performance scale can be used to compare the effectiveness of different therapies and to assess the prognosis in individual patients. Lower the Karnofsky score, the worse the likelihood of survival. Lower Karnofsky score indicates a severe disease. The scale is frequently used […]
Oncology
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – Structure, Function, Test and Uses
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the placenta. It provides nourishment to the egg after it has been fertilized and attached to the uterine wall. HCG is used to detect pregnancy as well as to monitor it. It is also elevated in certain cancers, hence is used as a tumor […]
PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen – Structure, Function and Uses
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a glycoprotein enzyme produced by prostate gland. It. It is a marker of prostate cell activity and is present in small quantities in the serum of all healthy men. Blood levels of prostate specific antigen are raised in men having prostatic infection and prostate cancer or other prostatic disorders. It […]
Alpha fetoprotein – Structure Function and Uses
Alpha fetoprotein is a plasma glycoprotein found in humans. It is the most abundant plasma protein synthesized by the human fetus. It is produced mainly by fetal liver and yolk sac during fetal development. Although synthesis drops markedly after birth, small amounts of alpha fetoprotein continue to be produced in the adult. Alpha fetoprotein levels in […]
Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical and Vaginal Cytology
Bethesda system is a system for reporting cervical and vaginal cytology or Pap smear results. It was developed during a workshop sponsored by the National Cancer Institute at Bethesda, Maryland in the United States. It was first introduced in 1988 and later revised in 1991 and 2001. The primary objective of this system was to […]
Tumor – Causes, Types and Treatment
A tumor is a new growth of tissue (a mass). The tumor is also called neoplasm. But there is a slight difference between the usage. A neoplasm is an abnormal new growth of cells which could be benign or malignant (cancerous) growths. A tumor in an ideal situation is a synonym for neoplasm. But its […]
Lipoma Presentation and Treatment
A lipoma is the most common tumor present in the body. It is also the most common benign tumor in the body. It is composed of fat cells of adult type. It can occur anywhere in the body, that is why it is often called ‘universal tumor’ or ‘ubiquitous tumor’. A lipoma is the most common tumor […]
Sipuleucel-T or Provenge
Sipuleucel-T [APC8015], is a therapeutic cancer vaccine for prostate cancer. It has been approved by the FDA on April 29, 2010, as an autologous cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer. It is manufactured by Dendreon Corporation under the trade name of Provenge. The therapy […]
Renal Mass- Types, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Renal mass refers to the presence of growths in the kidney which could be cystic [mostly benign] or solid [often malignant]. Thus a renal mass can be benign or malignant swelling. The smaller renal masses are often benign but larger are malignant. Most of these are diagnosed when they are still localized. A localized mass […]
Lymphadenopathy – Sites, Causes and Characteristics in Different Conditions
Lymphadenopathy means lymph nodes which are abnormal in size, number or consistency and is often used as a synonym for swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. Image from Wikipedia under GNFL Causes of Lymphadenopathy Inflammatory Lymphadenitis Bacterial infection Tuberculosis Filariasis Syphilis Lymphogranuloma inguinale Malignancies Lymphosarcoma Secondary malignancies – carcinoma, sarcoma, malignant melanoma Hematological Hodgkin’s disease Non-Hodgkin’s […]