Biomarker Test Could Predict Your RA Treatment Effectiveness
Types And Grades Of Cervical Cancer
The type of cervical cancer you have tells you the type of cell that the cancer started in. The 2 main types of cervical cancer are squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. The grade of a cancer tells you how much the cancer cells look like normal cells. Cancer cells are divided into 3 grades. Types Knowing the type of cancer you have helps your doctor decide on which treatment you need. There are 2 main types of cervical cancer: squamous cell canceradenocarcinomaThey are named after the type of cell that becomes cancerous. Squamous cell cancer Squamous cells are the flat, skin-like cells covering the cervix's outer surface (the ectocervix). Between 80 and 90 out of every 100 cervical cancers (80 to 90%) are squamous cell cancers. Adenocarcinoma Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that starts in the gland cells that produce mucus. The cervix has glandular cells scattered along the inside of the passage that runs from the cervix to the womb (endocervix). Adenocarcinoma is less common than squamous cell cancer, but has become more common in recent years. Between 10 and 20 out of every 100 cervical cancers (10 to 20%) are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinoma is treated in the same way as squamous cell cancer of the cervix. Adenosquamous carcinoma Adenosquamous cancers are tumours that have both squamous and glandular cancer cells. This is a rarer type of cervical cancer. Between 3 to 10 out of every 100 cervical cancers (3 to 10%) are this type. Adenosquamous cancers are treated similarly to squamous cell cancers of the cervix. Rare types Small cell cancer Small cell cancer of the cervix is a very rare type of cervical cancer. Less than 5 in every 100 cervical cancers (5%) diagnosed are this type. Small cell cancers tend to grow quickly and are treated differently from the more common types of cervical cancer. Other types Very rarely, other types of cancer can occur in the cervix. For example, lymphomas and sarcomas. They are treated in a different way to cervical cancer. Grades The grade of a cancer tells you how much the cancer cells look like normal cells. The grade gives your doctor an idea of how the cancer might behave and what treatment you need. The grades of cancer cells are from 1 to 3: grade 1 (low grade) look most like normal cellsgrade 2 look a bit like normal cellsgrade 3 (high grade) look very abnormal and not like normal cellsWhiplash Directory
Whiplash can happen when the head is suddenly forced backward or forward and snapped in the other direction, most often to drivers who are hit from behind. Symptoms -- which do not always appear immediately -- include pain and stiffness in the neck, headache, and sometimes pain in the chest, shoulders, and arms. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how whiplash occurs, its symptoms, treatment, and much more.
Medical Reference View All Features News Archive View AllSpinal Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis Of The Spine)
Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is a condition in which the protective cartilage that cushions the tops of bones degenerates, or wears down. This causes swelling and pain. It may also cause the development of osteophytes, or bone spurs.
Osteoarthritis of the spine is a breakdown of the cartilage of the joints and discs in the neck and lower back.
Sometimes, osteoarthritis produces spurs that put pressure on the nerves leaving the spinal column. This can cause weakness and pain in the arms or legs.
In general, osteoarthritis happens as people get older. Younger people may get it from one of several different causes:
For people younger than age 45, osteoarthritis is more common among men. After age 45, osteoarthritis is more common among women. Osteoarthritis occurs more often among people who are overweight. It also occurs more frequently in those who have jobs or do sports that put repetitive stress on certain joints.
Osteoarthritis of the spine may cause stiffness or pain in the neck or back. It may also cause weakness or numbness in the legs or arms if it is severe enough to affect spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Usually, the back discomfort is relieved when the person is lying down.
Some people experience little interference with the activities of their lives. Others become more severely disabled.
In addition to the physical effects, a person with osteoarthritis might also experience social and emotional problems. For instance, a person with osteoarthritis that hinders daily activities and job performance might feel depressed or helpless.
The best way to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis is by X-ray. The doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam to see if the person has pain, tenderness, loss of motion involving the neck or lower back, or if symptoms are suggestive, signs of nerve involvement such as weakness, reflex changes, or loss of sensation.
The doctor may order certain tests to aid in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the spine. These tests include:
In most cases, treatment of spinal osteoarthritis is geared toward relieving the symptoms of pain and increasing a person's ability to function. The goal is to have a healthy lifestyle.
Initial treatment may include losing weight if needed and then, for everyone, maintaining a healthy weight. It may also include exercise. Besides helping with weight management, exercise can also help:
Some of the exercises associated with osteoarthritis treatment include swimming, walking, and water aerobics. Exercise may be broken down into the following categories:
Including rest periods in the overall treatment plan is necessary. But bed rest, splints, bracing, or traction for long periods of time is not recommended.
There are non-drug treatments available for osteoarthritis, including:
Pain medications may also be used to treat osteoarthritis. Over-the-counter products include acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also available over-the-counter in certain strengths. Examples include aspirin, naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). NSAIDs may have serious side effects. Those include heart attack, stroke, stomach irritation and bleeding, and less frequently, kidney damage.
Topical ointments and creams are also available to treat pain. They are applied to the skin in the area that hurts, but generally, these are not effective. Examples of topical drugs include Ben-Gay and Aspercreme.
Your doctor may also recommend prescription drugs to treat symptoms, as there are no medications that reverse the process. These may include prescription painkillers, mild narcotics, or injections of corticosteroids around the spinal column called epidural steroid injections. It is important to understand that these injections do not correct the underlying problem and are sometimes used without clear indication of long-term benefit. Oral steroids are not commonly used.
Most cases of spinal osteoarthritis can be treated without surgery, but surgery is sometimes performed. Spinal osteoarthritis is one of the causes of spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal. In cases where bladder and bowel function is impaired, where the nervous system is damaged, or when walking becomes very difficult, surgery will likely be recommended.
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