Thanks, I sent these 2 articles to our friend Sandie. Wow what a wealth of
info.
Sally
-----Original Message-----
From: GW0123 <GW0123@aol.com>
To: mol-cancer@lists.meds.com <mol-cancer@lists.meds.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 1998 6:34 PM
Subject: [MOL] squamous cell carcinoma
Medical names: squamous cell carcinoma, laryngeal carcinoma.
Other names: throat cancer, oral cancer.
Cancer is a general name for more than 100 different diseases characterized
by
uncontrolled cell growth resulting in excess tissue formations called
tumors.
When a tumor is malignant--has the capability to invade and destroy healthy
tissue and spread disease throughout the body--it is cancerous. Oral cancers
are cancers of the mouth, lip, tongue, or pharynx (throat). The larynx--or
voice box-- is used in breathing, talking, and swallowing. Located at the
top
of the trachea, or windpipe, its walls consist of cartilage; one large area
is
called the Adam's apple. Although both oral and laryngeal cancer can
spread--a
process called metastasis--to other sites within the head and neck,
including
the lymph nodes in the neck, oral cancer tends not to metastasize beyond
that
general area to other organs. Slightly fewer than 42,000 new cases of oral
and
laryngeal cancer are diagnosed in a year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLOSSARY
•Adjuvant therapy: chemotherapy or hormone therapy undertaken after the
completion of the primary treatment to destroy cancer beyond the reach of
surgery. •Buccal mucosa: the inner lining of the cheeks and
lips. •Carcinoma:
cancer that is generated in the lining or surface of an organ, gland, or
other
body structure. •Cervical lymph nodes: the lymph glands located in the neck.
•Chemotherapy: administration of drugs, usually intravenously, to combat
cancer. These drugs kill healthy cells along with cancerous ones, and may
cause hair loss and other side effects. •Endoscope: a flexible, tubular
instrument used to examine the insides of structures such as the throat and
esophagus. •Erythroplakia (or erythroplasia): a reddened patch with a
velvety
surface found in the mouth; it is considered a precancerous condition.
•Laryngectomy: surgical procedure to remove all or part of the voice box.
•Leukoplakia: a white patch in the mouth that could be a symptom of cancer.
•Lymphatic system: the tissue and organs, including the bone marrow, spleen,
thymus gland, lymph vessels, and lymph nodes, where a group of specific
cells
that fight infection are produced and stored. •Nasopharynx: the upper
portion
of the throat located behind the nose. •Prosthodontist: a dentist trained in
making replacements for missing teeth and other structures of the mouth.
•Staging: a method of classifying the extent of a cancer. The stage depends
on
both the size of the tumor and its spread, if any, to other parts of the
body.
The least advanced cancer is designated Stage I, and the most is Stage IV.
•Stoma: an opening created by a surgeon. An opening in the windpipe is
called
a tracheostomy. •Subglottis: the part of the larynx just below the vocal
cords. •Tumor markers: substances in the bloodstream or bodily fluids that
can
signal the existence of cancerous tumors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORGANIZATIONS
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
9000 Rockville Pike
Building 31, #10 A-24
Bethesda, MD 20892
800-422-6237
M - F 9 - 4:30 local time
Provides information relating to oral and laryngeal cancer. The service also
sends out a statement on current standard treatment practices for oral and
laryngeal cancer, along with related research articles. The 800 number is
answered regionally, putting you in touch with an information specialist who
can provide referrals to local support groups and appropriate research
centers. Detailed information on the availability, benefits, and risks of
clinical trials is available. If you have a fax machine, you can use
CancerFax, which will allow you to receive information on cancer in either
English or Spanish from Physician's Data Query, the NCI's database. Dial
301-402-5874 from your fax phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and
follow
the prompts.
Ask for....
•What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Larynx. •What You Need to Know
About Oral Cancer. •Oral Cancers: Research Report. •a complete publications
list.
American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30329-4251
800-227-2345
M - F 9 - 5 local time
Gives general background on cancer, specific information on oral and
laryngeal
cancer, and referrals to other organizations that can help. The 800 number
is
picked up regionally, putting you in contact with your local ACS office. A
special program for laryngectomy patients, International Association of
Laryngectomees, provides information for newly treated patients and assists
in
rehabilitation. The program I Can Cope is aimed at helping cancer patients
adjust to diagnosis and treatment.
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Rosemont, IL 60018-5701
800-467-5268
24-hour line
Offers information on oral cancer and makes referrals to surgeons in your
area.
The Wellness Community
2716 Ocean Park Blvd., #1040
Santa Monica, CA 90405-5211
310-314-2555
M - F 9 - 5 PST
This is the nation's largest organization devoted solely to providing free
psychological and emotional support for cancer patients and their families.
It
operates 13 facilities nationwide that offer both drop-in and ongoing
support
groups, as well as workshops on visualization, relaxation, and art therapy.
Alumni groups for cancer survivors meet once a week.
Ask for....
•Actions People with Cancer Can Take to Join with Their Physicians in the
Fight for Recovery, by sending aself-addressed, business-size envelope with
first-class postage.
American Institute for Cancer Research
1759 R St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
800-843-8114
M - TH 9 - 10 pm, F 9 - 5 EST
202-328-7744
M - F 8:30 - 5:30 EST
Focuses on the possible link between diet, nutrition, and cancer. Offers
information on specific cancers. The 800 line is staffed by registered
dietitians who field questions on nutrition and health for cancer patients.
Subscriptions to the quarterly AICR Newsletter are free upon request; it
covers current research findings and gives nutrition and health tips.
Ask for....
•Cancer Information: Where to Find Help.
Corporate Angel Network
Bldg. 1
Westchester County Airport
White Plains, NY 10604
914-328-1313
M - F 8:30 - 4:30 EST
Gives free flights (with five-day notice, if possible) on corporate jets for
cancer patients who need to travel to receive medical treatment. The patient
must be ambulatory and not need in-flight medical assistance. Companion seat
also available (two seats for parents traveling with a child under 16 with
cancer).
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
1010 Wayne Ave., 5th Fl.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-650-8868
M - F 9 - 5 EST
Provides assistance and referrals for insurance and employment
discrimination
problems. Retains attorneys who are available to answer questions and who
will
make individual referrals to attorneys in your area, if necessary.
Hospice Link
800-331-1620
M - F 9 - 4 EST
Distributes information on hospice principles and practice. Gives local
hospice care program referrals as well as concerned support.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOTLINE
Cancer Information and Counseling Hotline
AMC Cancer Research Center
800-525-3777
in Colorado: 303-233-6501
M - F 8 - 5 MST
Trained staffers provide counseling, answer questions about all types of
cancer, and send out pamphlets, brochures, and fact sheets on oral,
laryngeal,
and other cancers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
READING
The Doctor
by Edward E. Rosenbaum, M.D.
Ivy Books, 1988, $4.99
This cancer-survival story, the inspiration for the movie of the same name,
was written by a celebrated doctor who, in his words, got "a taste of his
own
medicine" after he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.
Understanding Cancer
by John Laszlo, M.D.
Harper & Row, 1988, $8.95
Written by the senior vice president of research at the American Cancer
Society, this book explains--in accessible language and examples--the
workings
of cancer and the medical logic of different treatment options. A good
primer.
Cancer Research Institute HelpBook: What to Do When Cancer Strikes
This eight-step manual for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer
includes information on how to work with the doctor and track down local
support groups. To order, send $2 postage and handling to Cancer Research
Institute HelpBook, P.O. Box 5199 FDR Station, New York, NY 10150-5199; or
call 800-992-2623.
The Chemotherapy Survival Guide
by Judith McKay, R.N., and Nancee Hirano, R.N., M.S.N.
New Harbinger Publications, 1993, $11.95
Written by two oncology nurses, this book explains everything from blood
tests
to chemotherapy. It also gives nutritional advice and recipes for fighting
nausea, constipation, and other side effects. To order, call 800-748-6273.
Choices: Realistic Alternatives in Cancer Treatment
by Marion Morra and Eve Potts
Avon Books, 1987, $12.95
This cancer overview uses a very effective question-and-answer method to
respond to patient concerns and questions. All major cancers and their
treatments are covered; includes many diagrams and charts.
You Don't Have to Suffer
by Susan S. Lang and Richard B. Patt, M.D.
Oxford University Press, 1994, $25 hardback; $10.95 paperback
Detailed information on managing cancer pain. The authors give advice on
types
of pain medication, offer strategies to avoid needless suffering
COMPUTER ACCESS
Medline:
Lists 3,600 references and abstracts from medical journals; contains a
cancer
database, CancerLit.
Access Medline through CompuServe or a software program, Grateful Med
(301-496-6308) $30 for the software, $1 per search.
Internet:
Web Sites: OncoLink | National Cancer Institute
Newsgroups: alt.support.cancer | sci.med.diseases.cancer
Database Search: CancerNet. cancernet@icicc.nci.nih.gov
Access via e-mail: Leave the subject line blank and type 'Help' in the body
of
the message.
List Servers: To join an e-mail roundtable on this topic, click on the
following highlighted text and send a message containing the words
"subscribe," the name of the list, and your first and last names. The
computer
on the other end will add you to the list. Cancer-L.listserv@wvnvm.wvnet.edu
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