Disease Specific

Approximately 9.8 million people with a history of cancer are alive today.

Bladder Cancer
In 2007 approximately 67,160 new cases will be diagnosed in 2007 and 13,750 deaths will be attributed to of bladder cancer. Seventy to eighty percent of patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer will present with superficial bladder tumors (i.e., stage Ta, Tis, or T1). Prognosis varies based ion the stage of the disease. Superficial, noninvasive bladder cancer can often be cured. Invasive disease may also be cured with surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of modalities that include chemotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that some patients with distant metastases have achieved long-term complete response following treatment with combination chemotherapy regimens.

Breast Cancer
While mortality due to a breast cancer diagnosis is decreasing, it continues to be the number one cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. A variety of information and resources offer direction for the caregiver providing care to an individual with breast cancer and their developing family.

Central Nervous System
It is estimated that 20,500 children and adults will be diagnosed with primary malignant tumors of the brain and spinal cord in 2007. Primary central nervous system (CNS) cancers make up 1.3% of all cancers, and lead to 2.2% of all cancer deaths. CNS tumors do not discriminate based on socio-economic status, gender or ethnicity. There are currently no known causes. Although relatively rare, this diagnosis leads to profound impairments physically and cognitively. Standard treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Cervical Cancer
Invasive cervical cancer was the most common cause of death for women of childbearing age in the 1940's. Due to introduction of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear in the1950's, there was a 74% decline in the incidence of cervical cancer by 1992. Today, it is the 14th most common cause of female cancer in the United States . This resource area contains resources for professionals.

Colorectal Cancer
The American Cancer Society (ACS) identified colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer in both men and woman in the US. The ACS estimates the diagnosis of some153,760 new cases in 2007. It is estimated that one in eighteen Americans will potentially develop CRC in a lifetime.

Head and Neck Cancers
Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area, such as the mouth, nose, and throat. The majority of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Included are cancers of the oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, larynx and pharynx. Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all cancers in the United States. These cancers are more common in men and in people over age 50. It is estimated that about 39,000 new cases will develop this year.

Hematology
Hematology disorders can occur through out the life cycle. There are varying degrees to which one's lifestyle will be compromised by the disease states. Some individuals will experience little to no symptomatology while others have episodic compromised states. The diagnosis of a hematogenic disorder can be related to either a genetic and/or an environmental stimulus. This area explores hematologic disorders including: Aplastic Anemia, Deep Vein Thrombus, Hemochromatosis, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Polycythemia Vera (PV), Thalassemia and Von Willebrand Disease.

HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an ever increasing disease state found among populations all over the globe. Oncology nurses need to have an awareness of HIV/AIDS as a disease and maintain a knowledgeable approach to available antineoplastic agents in treatment of AIDS related malignancies. AIDS patients afford a unique set of oncology needs and treatment requirements. More information on HIV can be found here.

Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin Lymphoma (formerly Hodgkin's Disease) is a cancer that starts in lymphatic tissue. An estimated 8,190 cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma will be diagnosed in 2007 with approximately 1,070 deaths. Approximately 85% of all newly diagnosed patients with adult Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can be cured with combination chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. National mortality has fallen more rapidly for adult HL than for any other malignancy.

Lung Cancer
Supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both women and men in the United States, Canada, and China. In several other countries, lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in men and the second or third cause among women. The majority of lung cancers are related to tobacco use and can be prevented.

Melanoma
Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes . It may begin in a mole on the skin, but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.  It is estimated that there will be 62,480 new cases of melanoma in 2008, and the deaths from melanoma will reach 8,420.

Neuroendocrine
Neuroendocrine tumors are usually small, less than 1 centimeter, slow growing, and often misdiagnosed because they mimic commonplace conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. The hormonal release from these tumors is the cause of varying symptoms. The primary tumor can arise nearly anywhere in the body.  Low grade and intermediate grade Neuroendocrine carcinomas are broken down into primarily two types: Carcinoid and pancreatic endocrine or islet cell carcinoma.

Ovarian and Uterine Cancer
Woman's reproductive cancers include ovarian and uterine corpus (endometrial) cancers. The most common woman's reproductive cancer is uterine which is the fourth most common cancer among woman. Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women and accounts for about 3% of all cancers among women. It ranks second among gynecologic cancers following uterine cancer.

Pancreatic
The American Cancer Society estimates that 33,730 men and women (17,150 men and 16,580 women) were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer of which 32,300 died of the disease in 2006. This disease is often  diagnosed at a late and lethal stage making treatment outcomes poor.

Prostate Cancer
It is estimated that there will be 186,320 new cases and 28, 660 deaths attributed to prostate cancer in 2008. Prostate cancer is predominantly found in older men. If caught in an early stage, it is often curable. Prostate cancers grow at various rates. However, even those tumors that have metastasized to distant sites such as the bones may have a prolonged survival. Due to the age of diagnosis (median age 72 years) many patients, especially those with localized tumors, may die of other comorbidites without ever having suffered significant problems from the cancer. The approach to treatment is influenced by age, coexisting medical problems, disease state and patient preference.

Renal Cancer
Renal cancer accounts for 3% of all adult cancers. Often a cure can be obtained if the disease is diagnosed and treated when it is limited to the kidney or surrounding tissue. Even when regional lymph nodes or blood vessels are involved with tumor, some patients may achieve prolonged survival and possible cure. Because many patients are diagnosed when the tumor is still localized and can be surgically removed, approximately 40% of all patients with renal cancer survive 5 years. This resource area provides information on Renal Cancer.

Testicular Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society 8,090 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2008. Approximately 380 men will die of the disease. Testicular cancer has a very high cure rate.  There are presently 140,000 testicular cancer survivors.