The Karnofsky Performance Scale Index is an assessment tool for functional impairment. Karfnofsky performance scale can be used to compare effectiveness of different therapies and to assess the prognosis in individual patients. Lower the 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). Tumor is also called neoplasm. But there is 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 synonym for neoplasm. But its use, more so […]
Lipoma Presentation and Treatment
What is Lipoma? A lipoma is the commonest and most benign of all tumors. 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’. More than half of lipomas encountered are subcutaneous in location. Subctaneous tissue of […]
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 made by Dendereon corporation by name of provenge. The therapy is prepared […]
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 […]
Dermoid Cyst Types, Presentation and Treatment
A dermoid cyst of skin is a cyst which lies deep to the skin and is lined by epithelium similar to that of skin (epidermis). So a dermoid cyst can be called an epidermal cyst. It contains thin-walled tumors that contain different amounts of fatty tissue. Occasionally, they contain horny masses and hair. These cysts […]