Apr 6, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Approximately one of every 250 males will develop testicular cancer during his lifetime. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month and Arizona Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, would like to remind men to speak with their healthcare providers about getting screened for the disease. In the United States, more than 9,760 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year (www.cancer.org). Despite being the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 35, testicular cancer is highly treatable and usually curable.
Arizona Oncology joins the American Cancer Society in recommending that all men have a testicular exam as part of their yearly physical examination and routine cancer check-up. During a testicular exam, the physician will inspect genital organs for the presence of lumps, swelling, shrinking or other visual signs of abnormalities. A testicular examination can detect the causes of pain, inflammation, swelling, and congenital abnormalities such as an absent or undescended testicle as well as lumps or diagnosed masses that may indicate testicular cancer.
While routine testicular exams are important, men themselves detect most testicular cancer either unintentionally or through self-examination. While no studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of testicular self-examination, it is important for all men to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and consult with their healthcare providers if they notice any change. Possible signs of testicular cancer include:
- a painless lump or swelling in a testicle
- pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
- any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels
- a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin
- a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
For men with certain risk factors, screening should begin earlier and conducted more often. While the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown, factors increasing risk for the disease include:
- Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): In about 3% of boys, one or both testicles do not move from the belly down into the scrotum before birth like they should. Most testicles will move down on their own in the child’s first year. Sometimes surgery (called orchiopexy) is needed to bring the testicle down into the scrotum. Men who have had cryptorchidism may have a higher risk for testicular cancer.
- Family history: A family history of testicular cancer may indicate an increased risk, yet few men with testicular cancer have a family history of it.
- HIV infection: Men infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) seem to have an increased risk of testicular cancer. This may be especially true for men who have AIDS.
- CIS (carcinoma in situ): Testicular germ cell cancers may begin as a non-invasive form of the disease called carcinoma in situ (CIS) or intratubular germ cell neoplasia. It isn’t clear how often CIS in the testicles becomes cancer. It is sometimes found when a man is tested for infertility. It may also be found when a man has a testicle removed because of cryptorchidism.
- Cancer of the other testicle: Men who have been cured of cancer in one testicle have an increased risk of getting cancer in the other testicle.
- Age: About half of testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 20 and 34, yet males of any age, including infants and older men, can develop it.
- Race and ethnicity: White American men are more likely to develop testicular cancer than other groups. The reason for this is not known.
- Body size: Several studies indicate a higher-risk for testicular cancer in tall men, but this is inconclusive as other studies have not shown a link.
Arizona Oncology has helped many men and their families win the battle against testicular cancer by providing easy access to a full range of advanced cancer care services in an environment that allows patients to remain close to their homes and their support networks of family and friends. As a member of The US Oncology Network, Arizona Oncology can quickly bring the latest advances in therapies, research and technology to convenient locations near patients’ homes and work. As a result, patients access the best possible treatment with the least amount of disruption to their daily lives.
(Updated May 2024. Originally posted April 2014.)
Apr 5, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Many patients worry about cancer getting in the way of daily life, which may include their summer vacation or travel plans. Initially, yes, a cancer diagnosis can put certain things on hold – but in most cases, it’s only temporary. Once your cancer treatment plan is in place, resuming everyday activities often becomes more manageable – even when it involves going on a trip. Traveling with cancer may involve some extra planning, but there are ways to help it be less stressful and more enjoyable. Here are some tips to get you started so you can enjoy the travel season.
Preparing for Travel When You Have Cancer
- Talk with your oncologist. Before you go, make an appointment with your cancer care team so they can determine if it is safe for you to travel. It is very important that you talk with them about all your travel plans so they can provide you with information pertinent to self-care during your trip as well as side effects that you may need to consider before traveling. It is also a good idea to request a copies of any medical records that can be taken on your trip.
Take a list of questions with you that address topics such as your potential needs, possible restrictions you may face, and how to handle days you feel ill. Asking your doctor to write a letter with details of your cancer and treatment plan is also a good idea.
- Make special arrangements if needed. If your doctor clears you for travel, you may want to notify the appropriate facilities (airline, hotel, etc) of any special requirements you have. For example, if flying you may want to request a seat with additional leg room or a seat close to the lavatory.
Remember, you may be more tired than usual because of cancer treatment so try to make life as convenient as possible while traveling. If staying at a hotel, you can request a room on the first floor or at least a room close to an elevator. A handicap accessible room may also be a good option if you’d prefer to sit to shower. They often have shower seats in these rooms.
- Get your medications together. Carrying your medications with you is also important (if you are flying, be sure to keep your medications in your carry-on). In addition to having your meds on hand, bring along a list of your current prescriptions and your doctor’s contact information. This makes it easier for a pharmacy or hospital to verify what you need should you happen to lose any medication while away from home.
- Pack snacks. If traveling by car, take a cooler full of healthy snacks so you have something better on hand when you get hungry. Energy bars as well as bags of nuts or trail mix will also work if taking a cooler isn’t an option. Taking along snacks you can tolerate gives you something to eat if nothing else sounds good.
- Have a backup plan. It doesn’t hurt to plan for the unexpected. Before you leave, compile a list of cancer treatment centers near your destination, so you’ll know where to go if you need help. You may want to call your insurance provider to see if you’re covered in the area you’re visiting.
During Travel
To keep from becoming overwhelmed, ask for help.Even though travel experiences differ among cancer patients, there are some common steps that can be beneficial whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile:
- Ask for assistance. Traveling can be stressful and exhausting. To keep from becoming overwhelmed, ask for help. This may include reserving a wheelchair, taking a shuttle between airport terminals or even using the airport “carts” that will take you to your gate so that you can reserve your energy.
- Eat right and stay active. Eating well can certainly be challenging for anyone when you’re on the go. During your travels, try to avoid fast food and fried foods. Instead, opt for grilled meats at restaurants and focus on eating enough vegetables, salads, and fruit. Be sure to ask whether certain foods contain uncooked or undercooked ingredients. If so, choose something else. Stay hydrated by drinking water and avoiding alcohol. When possible, try to get in some light exercise. Stretch your legs, take a walk, or have a swim. Stretching and walking is especially important as long flights and car rides can increase your risk of developing blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Practice sun safety. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can increase the sensitivity of your skin, making you more vulnerable to sun damage. Be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s at least 30 SPF or higher and reapply every 2 hours. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and light, protective clothing can also guard your skin from the sun. Keep in mind that the sun can reach you while in the water, on snow, and in the car.
- Wash your hands regularly. Certain cancer treatments can temporarily weaken the immune system. To prevent infection, take time to wash your hands. Ask any travel companions to wash their hands regularly as well. Carry some sanitizing gel with you for times you don’t have access to soap and water. Wearing a mask, especially while on a plane, can also provide an extra level of protection.
- Listen to your body. It is very important that you do not ignore any symptoms while away. Get enough rest and if you experience illness, such as fever, pain, sudden nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, or something entirely new, seek immediate medical care.
- Enjoy yourself! If this is a recreational trip, and you’ve prepared accordingly, be sure to enjoy the scenery and the company you’re with. It may be hard to keep your mind off your cancer but trying to do so can help you cope better.
Upon Return
Even if you’ve taken the best precautions prior to your trip, it’s a good idea to schedule another appointment with your cancer doctor once you’re back home. Your doctor will be able to verify whether or not you contracted any illnesses while you were away.
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Apr 3, 2023 | Southern Arizona
April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. Head and neck cancers are a group of different types of cancers that develop in the throat, nose, mouth, sinuses, or larynx.
Types of Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers include:
- Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer. Laryngeal cancer develops in the voice box, or larynx. Hypopharyngeal cancer develops in the lower throat.
- Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer. Oral Cavity cancers occur in the mouth and tongue. Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the middle part of the throat, behind the mouth.
- Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Nasopharyngeal cancer starts in the upper part of the throat, behind the nose.
- Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses Cancer. Nasal cavity cancer starts in the nasal cavity, the opening behind the nose. Paranasal sinus cancer starts in the sinuses.
- Salivary Gland Cancer. Salivary gland cancer starts in the glands that produce saliva, located inside and near the mouth.
Risk Factors for Head and Neck Cancer
Not all Head and Neck Cancers can be prevented, but some outside factors are strongly linked to the disease.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Cancers of the oral cavity, hypopharynx, and the voice box are linked to alcohol and tobacco use. This includes exposure to secondhand smoke and chewing tobacco. People who use both tobacco and alcohol have a greater risk of developing head and neck cancers than those who drink alcohol or use tobacco alone. Reducing or eliminating consumption of alcohol and tobacco products, or limiting secondhand tobacco exposure, may reduce cancer risk.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
The HPV virus has been linked to cancers found in the back of the throat, on the base of the tongue, and on the tonsils. HPV may cause up to 70% of oropharyngeal cancer cases in the United States. The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer also protects against the types of HPV known to cause oropharyngeal cancers. HPV infection risk can also be lowered by consistent and correct usage of condoms and dental dams.
Other Factors
Head and neck cancers may also be caused by other factors like radiation exposure or Epstein-Barr virus infection. Genetics may also play a role.
Signs and Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer
Signs and symptoms of head and neck cancers vary depending on the location and type of cancer, but may include:
- Mouth sores that won’t heal
- Red or white patches on gums
- A lump, thickening, or mass in the cheeks or neck
- Trouble chewing or swallowing
- Tongue numbness
- Voice Changes
- Difficulty moving tongue or jaw
These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions. Speak to your doctor or dentist if you develop these symptoms and have any concerns about head and neck cancer.
How is Head and Neck Cancer Treated?
A treatment plan will depend on the type and location of the cancer as well as factors like the stage of the cancer, the patient’s age, and their overall health. Treatment options may include:
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapies
- A combination of the above treatments
Radiation therapy may be recommended as the primary treatment for head and neck cancer, or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. The following types of radiation therapy may be used:
- External Beam Therapy (EBT). This form of radiation therapy delivers a beam of high energy x-rays to the tumor using a machine outside the body.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). This is a type of external radiation therapy that uses advanced technology to accurately direct the radiation beams at the tumor, avoiding healthy cells.
- Internal Radiation Therapy. Also called brachytherapy, this form of radiation is given through an implant that is placed in your body, near the tumor.
Head and neck cancer treatment is done to either remove the disease or control the growth of the disease. Care is also taken to preserve the function of the affected areas as much as possible and to provide support to help the patient return to normal activities as soon as possible.
Head and Neck Cancer Treatment at Arizona Oncology
At Arizona Oncology, we take a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, ensuring you receive premier, evidence-based care close to home. Our doctors and support staff take a patient-centered approach, listening to you and helping you navigate your cancer journey every step of the way. If you would like to make an initial appointment or schedule a second opinion with one of our oncologists across the state of Arizona, visit our portal or call one of our locations directly.
Mar 27, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer. This cancer, which accounts for 1% to 5% of all breast cancer diagnoses in the United States, forms in the cells that line the breasts’ milk ducts, but quickly spreads to nearby lymph nodes and sometimes, to other tissues in the body. The cancer is called “inflammatory” because the cancer cells usually block the lymph vessels in the breast. This blockage causes a buildup of fluid, which then leads to inflammation that is usually red and tender to the touch.
How Does Inflammatory Breast Cancer Differ From Typical Breast Cancers?
Compared to slower-growing forms of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer progresses and spreads through the body quickly. In some cases, it spreads in a matter of months or even weeks. Inflammatory breast cancer is also harder to treat than other breast cancers since it has usually spread to distant parts of the body (metastasized) by the time it is diagnosed. Traditional treatments for breast cancer (such as hormone treatment using the drug tamoxifen) aren’t effective treatments for inflammatory breast cancer. Breast cancer specialists report that inflammatory breast cancers are usually diagnosed more frequently in younger patients than other breast cancers. This type of cancer is also more common in women of African-American descent and people who are obese.
Signs and Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer can be hard to diagnose because it often doesn’t cause a breast lump like other types of breast cancer. This means inflammatory breast cancer may not be detected on a mammogram.
The most common symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:
- Swelling of the breast
- Tenderness or itching of the breast
- Redness involving one-third or more of the skin, on or around the breast
- Hardening of the breast
- Pitting or ridging of the skin of the breast (texture resembling an orange peel)
- Affected breast feels warmer or heavier than your other breast
- Swollen lymph nodes beneath the arm or near the collarbone
- Inverted nipple (especially if that was not typical for you)
If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above, that doesn’t mean you have inflammatory breast cancer. The symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer are very similar to other more common breast infections. However, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician right away for evaluation.
How is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Diagnosed and Treated?
Inflammatory breast cancer spreads rapidly. Your doctor may first suspect you have a breast infection and prescribe antibiotics if you are exhibiting any symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer. Because inflammatory breast cancer spreads rapidly, it is important to follow up with your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve within 7 to 10 days. If your primary care doctor suspects you might have breast cancer, he or she will refer you to a breast cancer specialist.
If an oncologist suspects inflammatory cancer, he or she will most likely order a biopsy and imaging tests, such as a mammogram or an ultrasound.
If cancer is detected, CT scans, lymph node biopsies, and bone scans are used to stage the cancer and find out if it has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer depends on how advanced the disease is. Breast cancer doctors generally treat inflammatory breast cancer first with chemotherapy, then with surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy treatment. In regards to treating inflammatory breast cancer specifically, this multimodal approach has been shown to be most effective.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer or any type of breast cancer, you undoubtedly have many questions. If you are researching your options for breast cancer treatment, we encourage you to contact the location nearest you.
Originally posted in 2019, updated in 2024.
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Mar 23, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women. March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and Arizona Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, encourages men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about the symptoms, risk factors and treatments for the disease. Also known as Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women.
The rate of new kidney cancers has been on the rise since the 1990s. Most likely this is due to improved technology such as CT scans which now help locate cancers that were not previous identified. The death rates for these cancers continue to decrease, making early diagnosis key to both treatment and survival.
More than 600,000 kidney cancer survivors are living in the United States today, according to healthline.com. Recent advances in diagnosis, surgical procedures and treatment options provide patients new hope to manage and live with the disease, with a high quality of life.
Based on American Cancer Society estimates, about 81,800 new cases of kidney cancer will occur this year, and more than 14,000 people will die from the disease. Most people with kidney cancer are older, with an average age of 64. Overall, the lifetime risk for developing kidney cancer is about 1 in 43 for men and 1 in 73 for women.
Factors that increase the risk of kidney cancer include:
- Smoking, which can double the risk of the disease
- Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may or may not increase the risk by 51%
- Obesity
- Faulty genes
- A family history of kidney cancer
- Having kidney disease that needs dialysis
- Being infected with Hepatitis C
- Previous treatment for testicular cancer or cervical cancer
In addition to being aware of the risk factors of kidney cancer, Arizona Oncology reminds all men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about this disease during their annual exams.
Originally posted 2015. Updated March 2024.
Mar 22, 2023 | Southern Arizona
At Arizona Oncology, we understand that cancer impacts every aspect of our patients’ lives, with effects that can last for a long time after initial therapy is completed. Here we answer some common questions about cancer survivorship and our survivorship program.
Am I a cancer survivor?
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, yes! You are considered a cancer survivor from the day of your diagnosis until the day of your death from any cause. You do not have to wait for a certain number of years, or be considered free of disease, in remission, or cured to be a cancer survivor.
What are some challenges that cancer survivors face?
Our survivors can experience the effects of cancer and cancer treatment in nearly every domain of their lives, including physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual. Some of these issues include fatigue, body image problems, nutritional alterations with weight gain or weight loss, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, fear of recurrence and worsening depression and anxiety. Certain chemotherapy treatments are known to increase risks for cardiovascular or lung disease or promote the development of secondary cancers. The experience of individual survivors is unique, however, and varies a lot from survivor to survivor; it is not uncommon that two cancer survivors of a similar age and cancer diagnosis have very different longterm effects and concerns following treatment. The challenges faced by survivors can depend on the diagnosis and treatments received, age at diagnosis, other co-existing health issues, individual coping skills and quality of a support network among other factors. This is why having a personalized survivorship visit and care plan is so important.
What will happen during my survivorship clinic visit?
First, we will review your diagnosis, cancer treatments received and any related symptoms or health issues you are experiencing. I prepare a written treatment summary and care plan for all survivors, which many patients find useful. This document outlines the frequency of follow up, the potential long term risks or complications which may occur, and what to expect going forward with your ongoing care, including expected schedule for follow up imaging, doctor visits and/or blood work. I also send the treatment summary and care plan to primary care providers, as keeping your relationship with a primary care provider is an essential component of healthy survivorship.
At your visit, we will also discuss wellness, quality of life and healthy lifestyle recommendations. We review schedules for cancer screening tests and vaccinations. Survivorship care is very much guided by to your personal situation and health goals. For example, I may assist one survivor with tools and prescription medicines to help with quitting smoking, while another survivor may be dealing with marital stress and need a referral for counseling. It is my goal that all cancer survivors have the tools and resources necessary to achieve the best health possible, so we often discuss nutrition, stress reduction techniques, and benefits of exercise. I also assist my patients in connecting with local community organizations, support groups, and other medical specialists as needed.
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