Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Oncologic Disorders
Number of Conditions: 5
Breast cancer
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Sub-category: Oncologic Disorders
Symptoms:
lump in the breast; changes in the size or shape of the breast; skin dimpling or redness; unexplained pain or tenderness in the breast; nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
Root Cause:
The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. It can start in the milk ducts or the glands that produce milk (lobules).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, MRI scans, and clinical breast exams.
Treatment:
Treatment options include surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs (e.g., doxorubicin , cyclophosphamide , paclitaxel ). Hormone therapies (e.g., tamoxifen , aromatase inhibitors like letrozole ). Targeted therapies (e.g., trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer). Immunotherapy (e.g., pembrolizumab ). Pain management (e.g., opioids, NSAIDs).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
It is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with about 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (increasing risk with age). Family history of breast cancer. Hormonal factors (early menstruation, late menopause, use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy). Lifestyle factors (lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, obesity).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis, type of cancer, and the individual’s response to treatment. Survival rates are high for early-stage breast cancer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Lymphedema (swelling caused by removal of lymph nodes). Recurrence of cancer. Metastasis to other organs (e.g., bones, liver, lungs). Emotional and psychological impacts.
Prostate cancer
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Sub-category: Oncologic Disorders
Symptoms:
difficulty urinating or weak urine flow; frequent urination, especially at night; painful ejaculation; blood in urine or semen; pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
Root Cause:
The growth of cancerous cells in the prostate gland, typically starting in the gland’s cells that produce semen.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis includes a digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, biopsy, and imaging studies (e.g., MRI or bone scan).
Treatment:
Treatment includes surgery (prostatectomy), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and active surveillance (for less aggressive forms).
Medications:
Hormone therapy (e.g., leuprolide , goserelin ) to lower testosterone levels. Chemotherapy (e.g., docetaxel ). Targeted therapy (e.g., enzalutamide ). Pain relievers (e.g., opioids, NSAIDs).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with one in 8 men being diagnosed during their lifetime.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (higher risk in men over 50). Family history of prostate cancer. African American race. High-fat diet.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis is favorable in most cases, especially when caught early. Many men with prostate cancer can live for many years after diagnosis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Erectile dysfunction. Incontinence. Metastasis to bones and lymph nodes. Recurrence of cancer.
Colorectal cancer
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Sub-category: Oncologic Disorders
Symptoms:
changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation); blood in stool or rectal bleeding; abdominal pain or cramping; unexplained weight loss; fatigue
Root Cause:
The development of cancer in the colon or rectum, often starting as polyps that become cancerous over time.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis includes colonoscopy, biopsy, CT scans, and blood tests (e.g., carcinoembryonic antigen).
Treatment:
Treatment options include surgery (colorectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies.
Medications:
Chemotherapy (e.g., fluorouracil , oxaliplatin , irinotecan ). Targeted therapies (e.g., cetuximab , bevacizumab ). Immunotherapy (e.g., pembrolizumab for mismatch repair-deficient cancers).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (more common in people over 50). Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Diet high in red meat and low in fiber. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis and response to treatment. Early detection increases the chances of survival.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bowel obstruction. Metastasis to liver or lungs. Recurrence of cancer.
Lung cancer
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Sub-category: Oncologic Disorders
Symptoms:
persistent cough; shortness of breath; chest pain; wheezing; coughing up blood
Root Cause:
Abnormal growth of cells in the lungs, often starting in the lining of the airways. It may be non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis includes chest X-ray, CT scan, biopsy, and sputum cytology.
Treatment:
Treatment includes surgery (lobectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies.
Medications:
Chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin , carboplatin , paclitaxel ). Targeted therapies (e.g., erlotinib , osimertinib for EGFR mutations). Immunotherapy (e.g., nivolumab , pembrolizumab ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide, with higher incidence in smokers.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking (primary risk factor). Exposure to radon, asbestos, and environmental pollutants. Family history of lung cancer.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis is poor in advanced stages, but early-stage lung cancer can be treated successfully.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Metastasis to other organs (brain, liver, bones). Respiratory failure. Pneumonitis.
Skin cancer (e.g., basal cell carcinoma, melanoma)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Sub-category: Oncologic Disorders
Symptoms:
new growth or sore that doesn’t heal; changes in an existing mole or skin lesion; itchy, painful, or bleeding skin lesions; irregularly shaped or colored mole
Root Cause:
The uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type, while melanoma is more aggressive and often spreads.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis includes skin examination, biopsy, and dermatoscopy.
Treatment:
Treatment involves surgical removal, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, and topical treatments. Advanced melanoma may require immunotherapy or targeted therapies.
Medications:
Chemotherapy (e.g., dacarbazine for melanoma). Immunotherapy (e.g., nivolumab , ipilimumab ). Targeted therapies (e.g., vemurafenib for BRAF mutations). Topical treatments (e.g., imiquimod for basal cell carcinoma).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Skin cancer, particularly non-melanoma types like basal cell carcinoma, is one of the most common cancers worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Fair skin, light eyes.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early detection and treatment typically result in excellent outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Local tissue damage. Disfigurement. Metastasis. Life-threatening systemic involvement.