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Targeted Cancer Therapies - American Family Physician

Feb 1, 2021 - Targeted cancer therapies involve chemotherapeutic agents that attack, directly or indirectly, a specific genetic biomarker found in a given cancer. Targeted oncology includes monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and immunotherapy. For example, the...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0201/p155.html

Breast Cancer Screening: Common Questions and Answers - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2021 - Breast cancer is the most common nonskin cancer in women and accounts for 30% of all new cancers in the United States. The highest incidence of breast cancer is in women 70 to 74 years of age. Numerous risk factors are associated with the development of breast cancer. A risk assessment ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0101/p33.html

Basal Cell and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Diagnosis and Treatment - American ...

Sep 15, 2020 - Keratinocyte carcinoma, traditionally referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer, includes basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and is the most common skin cancer malignancy found in humans. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends counseling about minimizing exposure ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0915/p339.html

Cervical Colposcopy: Indications and Risk Assessment - American Family Physician

Jul 1, 2020 - The practice of colposcopy, a diagnostic procedure to evaluate for vaginal, vulvar, and cervical dysplasia, has evolved to incorporate patient risk factors for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cancer. Changes in cervical cancer screening and guidelines, human ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0701/p39.html

Lymphoma: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2020 - Lymphoma is a group of malignant neoplasms of lymphocytes with more than 90 subtypes. It is traditionally classified broadly as non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma. Approximately 82,000 new U.S. patients are diagnosed with lymphoma annually. Any tobacco use and obesity are major modifiable ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0101/p34.html

Primary Care of Breast Cancer Survivors - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2019 - With declining mortality rates, the number of breast cancer survivors is increasing. Ongoing care after breast cancer treatment is often provided by primary care physicians. This care includes surveillance for cancer recurrence with a history and physical examination every three to six ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0315/p370.html

Renal Cell Carcinoma: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician

Feb 1, 2019 - Kidney cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the United States with 90% being attributed to renal cell carcinoma. Men, especially black men, are more likely to be affected than women. Renal masses, either cystic or solid, are best detected with contrast-enhanced, triple-phase ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0201/p179.html

Bone Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment Principles - American Family Physician

Aug 15, 2018 - Primary bone cancers include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. They account for less than 1% of diagnosed cancers each year and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis is challenging because of late patient presentation, nonspecific ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0815/p205.html

Delivering Bad or Life-Altering News - American Family Physician

Jul 15, 2018 - Delivering serious, bad, or life-altering news to a patient is one of the most difficult tasks physicians encounter. Broadly defined as information that may alter a patient’s view of his or her future, bad news may include information related to a chronic disease (e.g., diabetes ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0715/p99.html

Localized Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options - American Family Physician

Jun 15, 2018 - In the United States, prostate cancer will be diagnosed in one out of seven men in his lifetime. Most cases are localized, and only one in 39 men will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is most often detected using serum prostate-specific antigen testing. The National Comprehensive ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0615/p798.html

Oncologic Emergencies: Recognition and Initial Management - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 2018 - Most oncologic emergencies can be classified as metabolic, hematologic, structural, or treatment related. Tumor lysis syndrome is a metabolic emergency that presents as severe electrolyte abnormalities. Stabilization is focused on vigorous rehydration, maintaining urine output, and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0601/p741.html

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention - American Family Physician

May 15, 2018 - Colorectal cancer is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Most colorectal cancers arise from preexisting adenomatous or serrated polyps. The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer can be reduced with screening of average-risk adults 50 to 75 years of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0515/p658.html

Cervical Cancer Screening - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2018 - Screening in women has decreased the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. Precancerous cervical lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasias) and cervical carcinomas are strongly associated with sexually-transmitted high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which causes ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0401/p441.html

Cervical Cancer: Evaluation and Management - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2018 - Human papillomavirus infection is the precursor for the development of cervical cancer and is detectable in 99.7% of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cases. Early detection of precancerous lesions with Papanicolaou testing remains the primary mechanism for cancer prevention. ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0401/p449.html

Care of the Colorectal Cancer Survivor - American Family Physician

Mar 1, 2018 - Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States and has a five-year survival rate of 65%. The American Cancer Society and other experts have released guidelines on surveillance, health promotion, screening for other malignancies, and management of treatment ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0301/p331.html

Testicular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2018 - Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor among males 15 to 34 years of age, with an estimated 8,850 new cases and 410 deaths during 2017 in the United States. With effective treatment, the overall five-year survival rate is 97%. Risk factors for testicular cancer include ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0215/p261.html

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance in Individuals at Increased Risk - ...

Jan 15, 2018 - Individuals at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer include those with a personal or family history of advanced adenomas or colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, or genetic polyposis syndromes. In general, these persons should undergo more ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/p111.html

Bladder Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Oct 15, 2017 - Bladder cancer is the sixth most prevalent malignancy in the United States and causes more than 16,000 deaths annually. The most common clinical presentation is asymptomatic hematuria, which should prompt evaluation with cystoscopy, renal function testing, and upper urinary tract ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1015/p507.html

Multiple Myeloma: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2017 - Multiple myeloma accounts for 1.6% of all cancer cases and approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies in the United States. In 2015, an estimated 28,850 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in the United States, and the disease caused more than 11,000 deaths. Patients older ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p373.html

Esophageal Cancer - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2017 - Esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis and high mortality rate, with an estimated 16,910 new cases and 15,910 deaths projected in 2016 in the United States. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma account for more than 95% of esophageal cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma is more common...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0101/p22.html

Diagnosis and Management of Ovarian Cancer - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 2016 - Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Less than one-half of patients survive for more than five years after diagnosis. Ovarian cancer affects women of all ages but is most commonly diagnosed after menopause. More than 75% of affected women are diagnosed at an advanced ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0601/p937.html

Primary Care of the Prostate Cancer Survivor - American Family Physician

May 1, 2016 - This summary of the American Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines targets primary care physicians who coordinate care of prostate cancer survivors with subspecialists. Prostate cancer survivors should undergo prostate-specific antigen screening every six to 12 ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0501/p764.html

Diagnosis and Management of Adnexal Masses - American Family Physician

Apr 15, 2016 - Adnexal masses can have gynecologic or nongynecologic etiologies, ranging from normal luteal cysts to ovarian cancer to bowel abscesses. Women who report abdominal or pelvic pain, increased abdominal size or bloating, difficulty eating, or rapid satiety that occurs more than 12 times ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0415/p676.html

Cancer Screening in Older Patients - American Family Physician

Apr 15, 2016 - Although cancer is the second leading cause of death among persons 65 years and older, there is a paucity of clinical trial data about the effectiveness and harms of cancer screening in this population. Given the heterogeneous nature of the older population, cancer screening in these ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0415/p659.html

Diagnosis and Management of Endometrial Cancer - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2016 - Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. It is the fourth most common cancer in women in the United States after breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. Risk factors are related to excessive unopposed exposure of the endometrium to estrogen, including unopposed ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0315/p468.html

Primary Brain Tumors in Adults: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Feb 1, 2016 - Primary intracranial tumors of the brain structures, including meninges, are rare with an overall five-year survival rate of 33.4%; they are collectively called primary brain tumors. Proven risk factors for these tumors include certain genetic syndromes and exposure to high-dose ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0201/p211.html

Prostate Cancer Screening - American Family Physician

Oct 15, 2015 - Among American men, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has been used to screen for prostate cancer for more than 25 years, the test has low sensitivity and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/1015/p683.html

Atypical Moles: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 2015 - Atypical moles are benign pigmented lesions. Although they are benign, they exhibit some of the clinical and histologic features of malignant melanoma. They are more common in fair-skinned individuals and in those with high sun exposure. Atypical moles are characterized by size of 6 mm ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0601/p762.html

Lung Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment Principles, and Screening - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2015 - Lung cancer is classified histologically into small cell and non–small cell lung cancers. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and systemic symptoms such as weight loss and anorexia. High-risk patients who present with symptoms should undergo chest ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0215/p250.html

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance - American Family Physician

Jan 15, 2015 - Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women. The incidence and mortality rate of the disease have been declining over the past two decades because of early detection and treatment. Screening in persons at average risk should begin at 50 years of age; the U.S. ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0115/p93.html

Surveillance of the Adult Cancer Survivor - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2015 - The term cancer survivor refers to anyone living with a diagnosis of cancer. As the U.S. population ages, cancer screening increases, and cancer treatments improve, millions more Americans will be classified as cancer survivors in the future. Although many survivors wish to continue ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0101/p29.html

Screening for Cancer: Concepts and Controversies - American Family Physician

Nov 1, 2014 - Early detection of cancer is a core task in family medicine, and patients have come to expect screening tests, sometimes out of proportion to what evidence can justify. To understand the controversies surrounding screening and to provide sound advice to patients, family physicians ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/1101/p625.html

Leukemia: An Overview for Primary Care - American Family Physician

May 1, 2014 - Leukemia is a clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The four broad subtypes most likely to be encountered by primary care physicians are acute lymphoblastic, acute myelogenous, chronic lymphocytic, and chronic myelogenous. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0501/p731.html

Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Cancer - American Family Physician

Apr 15, 2014 - Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Risk factors include family history, smoking, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, heavy alcohol use, and possible dietary factors. Because more than two-thirds of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0415/p626.html

Common Questions About Barrett Esophagus - American Family Physician

Jan 15, 2014 - Barrett esophagus is a precancerous metaplasia of the esophagus that is more common in patients with chronic reflux symptoms, although it also occurs in patients without symptomatic reflux. Other risk factors include smoking, male sex, obesity, white race, hiatal hernia, and increasing ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0115/p92.html

Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Cancer: A Guide for Early Recognition - American Family...

Aug 1, 2013 - Although cancer in children is rare, it is the second most common cause of childhood mortality in developed countries. It often presents with nonspecific symptoms similar to those of benign conditions, leading to delays in the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment. Primary ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0801/p185.html

Gynecologic Procedures: Colposcopy, Treatments of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, ...

Jun 15, 2013 - Women who have abnormal Papanicolaou test results may undergo colposcopy to determine the biopsy site for histologic evaluation. Traditional grading systems do not accurately assess lesion severity because colposcopic impression alone is unreliable for diagnosis. The likelihood of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0615/p836.html

Breast Cancer Screening Update - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2013 - Breast cancer is the most common non–skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in North American women. Mammography is the only screening test shown to reduce breast cancer–related mortality. There is general agreement that screening should be offered at least biennially ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0215/p274.html

Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: A Primary Care Perspective - American Family Physician

Jan 15, 2012 - Cutaneous malignant melanoma accounts for 3 to 5 percent of all skin cancers and is responsible for approximately 75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer. Persons with an increased number of moles, dysplastic (also called atypical) nevi, or a family history of the disease are at ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0115/p161.html

Treatment Options for Localized Prostate Cancer - American Family Physician

Aug 15, 2011 - In the United States, more than 90 percent of prostate cancers are detected by serum prostate-specific antigen testing. Most patients are found to have localized prostate cancer, and most of these patients undergo surgery or radiotherapy. However, many patients have low-risk cancer and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0815/p413.html

Managing the Adverse Effects of Radiation Therapy - American Family Physician

Aug 15, 2010 - Nearly two thirds of patients with cancer will undergo radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. Given the increased use of radiation therapy and the growing number of cancer survivors, family physicians will increasingly care for patients experiencing adverse effects of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0815/p381.html

Treatment of Breast Cancer - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 2010 - Understanding breast cancer treatment options can help family physicians care for their patients during and after cancer treatment. This article reviews typical treatments based on stage, histology, and biomarkers. Lobular carcinoma in situ does not require treatment. Ductal carcinoma ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0601/p1339.html

Primary Care of Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer - American Family Physician

May 15, 2010 - There are approximately 300,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the United States, and most of them receive their medical care from primary care physicians. Adult survivors of childhood cancer are at considerable risk of long-term morbidity and mortality beyond the recurrence of their ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0515/p1250.html

Endometrial Cancer - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2009 - Endometrial cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer in the United States. Etiologically, endometrial carcinoma usually results from unopposed estrogen stimulation of the endometrium, although non-estrogen-related forms occur as well. The most common presentation of endometrial...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/1115/p1075.html

Diagnosis and Treatment of Bladder Cancer - American Family Physician

Oct 1, 2009 - Bladder cancer is the sixth most prevalent malignancy in the United States. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma, and cystoscopy remains the mainstay of diagnosis and surveillance. Fluorescence cystoscopy offers improvement in the detection ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/1001/p717.html

Ovarian Cancer: An Overview - American Family Physician

Sep 15, 2009 - Although ovarian cancer may occur at any age, it is more common in patients older than 50 years. Patients often present with nonspecific pelvic or abdominal symptoms. Initial diagnostic tests include transvaginal ultrasonography and serum cancer antigen 125 measurement; however, these ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0915/p609.html

Update on ASCCP Consensus Guidelines for Abnormal Cervical Screening Tests and Cervical...

Jul 15, 2009 - New data have emerged since publication of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology's 2001 consensus guidelines for management of abnormal cervical cytology and histology. The 2006 guidelines include recommendations for special populations (i.e., adolescents and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0715/p147.html

Colorectal Cancer: A Summary of the Evidence for Screening and Prevention - American ...

Dec 15, 2008 - Colorectal cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. The incidence of colorectal cancer can be reduced with increasing efforts directed at mass screening of average-risk adults 50 years and older. Currently, fecal occult blood test and flexible ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1215/p1385.html

Prostate Cancer Screening: The Continuing Controversy - American Family Physician

Dec 15, 2008 - Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, with a lifetime prevalence of 17 percent. Prostate cancer symptoms generally occur in advanced stages, making early detection desirable. Digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen testing are the most commonly used ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1215/p1377.html

Assessing Breast Cancer Risk in Women - American Family Physician

Dec 15, 2008 - Understanding modifiable and nonmodifiable factors that increase or decrease breast cancer risk allows family physicians to counsel women appropriately. Nonmodifiable factors associated with increased breast cancer risk include advanced age, female sex, family history of breast cancer, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1215/p1361.html

Cancer Screening in the Older Patient - American Family Physician

Dec 15, 2008 - Although there are clear guidelines that advise at what age to begin screening for various cancers, there is less guidance concerning when it may be appropriate to stop screening. The decision to stop screening must take into account patients' age; overall health and life expectancy; ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1215/p1369.html

Recent Advances in Radiation Therapy - American Family Physician

Dec 1, 2008 - Recent advances have improved the effectiveness, decreased the complications, and expanded the implications of radiation therapy. These advances include three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1201/p1254.html

Multiple Myeloma: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Oct 1, 2008 - Multiple myeloma, the most common bone malignancy, is occurring with increasing frequency in older persons. Typical symptoms are bone pain, malaise, anemia, renal insufficiency, and hypercalcemia. Incidental discovery on comprehensive laboratory panels is common. The disease is ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1001/p853.html

Role of the Primary Care Physician in Hodgkin Lymphoma - American Family Physician

Sep 1, 2008 - Approximately 8,200 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma are diagnosed annually in the United States. Common presenting features include painless lymphadenopathy (usually above the diaphragm), cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. To decrease late complications, treatment has gradually ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0901/p615.html

Lifestyle Interventions to Reduce Cancer Risk and Improve Outcomes - American Family ...

Jun 1, 2008 - There are more than one half million cancer deaths in the United States each year, and one third of these deaths are attributed to suboptimal diet and physical activity practices. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active throughout life, and consuming a healthy diet can ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0601/p1573.html

Primary Brain Tumors in Adults - American Family Physician

May 15, 2008 - Primary malignant brain tumors account for 2 percent of all cancers in U.S. adults. The most common malignant brain tumor is glioblastoma multiforme, and patients with this type of tumor have a poor prognosis. Previous exposure to high-dose ionizing radiation is the only proven ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1423.html

Colonoscopy Surveillance After Polypectomy and Colorectal Cancer Resection - American ...

Apr 1, 2008 - This article describes a joint update of guidelines by the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer delineating evidence-based surveillance recommendations for patients after polypectomy and colorectal cancer resection. Although there are some ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0401/p995.html

Diagnosis and Treatment of Testicular Cancer - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2008 - Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in men 20 to 35 years of age and has an annual incidence of four per 100,000. If diagnosed early, the cure rate is nearly 99 percent. Risk factors for testicular cancer include cryptorchidism (i.e., undescended testicles), family history, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0215/p469.html

Targeted Therapies: A New Generation of Cancer Treatments - American Family Physician

Feb 1, 2008 - Targeted therapies, which include monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, have significantly changed the treatment of cancer over the past 10 years. These drugs are now a component of therapy for many common malignancies, including breast, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0201/p311.html

Metastatic Carcinoma of the Long Bones - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2007 - Breast, prostate, renal, thyroid, and lung carcinomas commonly metastasize to bone. Managing skeletal metastatic disease can be complex. Pain is the most common presenting symptom and requires thorough radiographic and laboratory evaluation. If plain-film radiography is not sufficient ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/1115/p1489.html

Screening for Breast Cancer: Current Recommendations and Future Directions - American ...

Jun 1, 2007 - Breast cancer is one of the most significant health concerns in the United States. Recent reviews have questioned the value of traditional breast cancer screening methods. Breast self-examination has been shown not to improve cancer-specific or all-cause mortality in large studies, but ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0601/p1660.html

Primary Care of the Patient with Cancer - American Family Physician

Apr 15, 2007 - Care of patients with cancer can be enhanced by continued involvement of the primary care physician. The physician's role may include informing the patient of the diagnosis, helping with decisions about treatment, providing psychological support, treating intercurrent disease, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0415/p1207.html

Lung Cancer: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2007 - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with an average five-year survival rate of 15 percent. Smoking remains the predominant risk factor for lung cancer. Lung cancers are categorized as small cell carcinoma or non-small cell carcinoma (e.g., ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0101/p56.html

Treatment of Oncologic Emergencies - American Family Physician

Dec 1, 2006 - Most oncologic emergencies can be classified as metabolic, hematologic, structural, or side effects from chemotherapy agents. Tumor lysis syndrome is a metabolic emergency that presents as severe electrolyte abnormalities. The condition is treated with allopurinol or urate oxidase to ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/1201/p1873.html

Carcinoid Tumors - American Family Physician

Aug 1, 2006 - Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine neoplasms that often are indolent and may not become clinically apparent until there has been metastatic spread or evidence of carcinoid syndrome. Recent evidence has revealed that the overall incidence of carcinoid tumors has been ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0801/p429.html

Esophageal Cancer: A Review and Update - American Family Physician

Jun 15, 2006 - Although significant advancements have been made in the treatment of esophageal cancer, this aggressive malignancy commonly presents as locally advanced disease with a poor prognosis. Despite improvements in the detection of premalignant pathology, newer preventative strategies, and the...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0615/p2187.html

Retinoblastoma - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2006 - Retinoblastoma, a neuroblastic tumor, is the most common primary intraocular malignancy of childhood. Patients usually present with leukokoria (white reflex or white pupil), detected in primary care. The mean age at diagnosis is 12 months for bilateral tumors and 24 months for ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0315/p1039.html

Pancreatic Cancer: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician

Feb 1, 2006 - Although only 32,000 new cases of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas occur in the United States each year, it is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in this country. The overall five-year survival rate is 4 percent, and localized, resectable disease has only a 17 percent survival ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0201/p485.html

Management of Histologic Abnormalities of the Cervix - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2006 - The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology sponsored a consensus conference in 2001 to develop evidence-based guidelines for women with histologic abnormalities of the cervix. The options for management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1, 2, and 3 are ranked ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0101/p105.html

Cutaneous Melanoma: Update on Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment - ...

Jul 15, 2005 - Melanoma is an increasingly common malignancy, and it affects a younger population than most cancers. Risk factors for melanoma include white race, sun sensitivity, family history of melanoma, and melanocytic nevi. Sunburn and intermittent sun exposure appear to increase the risk of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0715/p269.html

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer: Evaluating the Evidence - American Family Physician

May 15, 2005 - Controversy surrounds the management options for localized prostate cancer-conservative management, prostatectomy, and radiation. Choosing among these options is difficult because of long-term side effects that include sexual, urinary, and bowel dysfunction. Some recent studies suggest ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0515/p1915.html

Care of Cancer Survivors - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2005 - Cancer survivors are at increased risk for recurrence of their original malignancy; development of second primary malignancies; and medical, developmental, and psychologic problems resulting from cancer therapy, genetic predisposition to cancer, and other risk factors. Surveillance ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0215/p699.html

Management of Cervical Cytologic Abnormalities - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2004 - The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology developed guidelines in 2001 for the management of cervical cytologic abnormalities. The guidelines incorporate the Bethesda System 2001 terminology and data from randomized studies of atypical squamous cells, low-grade ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1115/p1905.html

Diagnosis and Treatment of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas - American Family ...

Oct 15, 2004 - Rates of squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas have been increasing, possibly as a result of increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Primary care physicians can expect to diagnose six to seven cases of basal cell carcinoma and one to two cases of squamous cell carcinoma each ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1015/p1481.html

Diethylstilbestrol Exposure - American Family Physician

May 15, 2004 - Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen that was used to prevent miscarriage and other pregnancy complications between 1938 and 1971 in the United States. In 1971, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the use of diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0515/p2395.html

Gastric Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment Options - American Family Physician

Mar 1, 2004 - Although the overall incidence of gastric cancer has steadily declined in the United States, it is estimated that more than 12,000 persons died from gastric cancer in 2003. The incidence of distal stomach tumors has greatly declined, but reported cases of proximal gastric carcinomas, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0301/p1133.html

The 2001 Bethesda System Terminology - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2003 - The 2001 Bethesda System for reporting cervical or vaginal cytologic diagnoses is an incremental change in the uniform terminology introduced in 1988 and revised in 1991. The 2001 Bethesda System includes specific statements about specimen adequacy, general categorization, and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/1115/p1992.html

Serum Tumor Markers - American Family Physician

Sep 15, 2003 - Monoclonal antibodies are used to detect serum antigens associated with specific malignancies. These tumor markers are most useful for monitoring response to therapy and detecting early relapse. With the exception of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), tumor markers do not have sufficient ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0915/p1075.html

Breast-Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer - American Family Physician

Dec 15, 2002 - Surgical treatment of breast cancer has changed significantly in recent years. Fine-needle aspirations or core-needle biopsies can be used in the diagnostic process, thus avoiding scarring incisions. The preferred method of treatment for many women with early breast cancer is ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/1215/p2271.html

Lymphadenopathy and Malignancy - American Family Physician

Dec 1, 2002 - The majority of patients presenting with peripheral lymphadenopathy have easily identifiable causes that are benign or self-limited. Among primary care patients presenting with lymphadenopathy, the prevalence of malignancy has been estimated to be as low as 1.1 percent. The critical ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/1201/p2103.html

Vulvar Cancer - American Family Physician

Oct 1, 2002 - Vulvar cancer was reported in 3,200 women in 1998, resulting in 800 deaths. Recent evidence suggests that vulvar cancer comprises two separate diseases. The first type may develop from vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia caused by human papillomavirus infection and is increasing in ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/1001/p1269.html

Recent Developments in Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention - American Family ...

Jul 15, 2002 - Colorectal cancer is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. Studies published in the early 1990s, showing that screening for colorectal cancer can reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality, led many organizations to recommend screening in ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0715/p297.html

Neurologic Complications of Prostate Cancer - American Family Physician

May 1, 2002 - Neurologic complications continue to pose problems in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. From 15 to 30 percent of metastases are the result of prostate cancer cells traveling through Batson's plexus to the lumbar spine. Metastatic disease in the lumbar area can cause spinal cord ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0501/p1834.html

Assessing Oral Malignancies - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2002 - Oral cancers account for approximately 3 percent of all cases of cancer in the United States. An estimated 30,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and about one half of them will eventually die of the disease. The most common type of oral cancer is squamous cell ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0401/p1379.html

Osteosarcoma: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family...

Mar 15, 2002 - The treatment of osteosarcoma requires a multidisciplinary approach involving the family physician, orthopedic oncologist, medical oncologist, radiologist and pathologist. Osteosarcoma is a mesenchymally derived, high-grade bone sarcoma. It is the third most common malignancy in ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0315/p1123.html

New Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening - American Family Physician

Sep 1, 2001 - The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear has been used to screen women for cervical cancer since 1940. Recently, a number of new technologies have been developed to improve the detection of cervical cancer and its precursors. However, there is substantial controversy about whether the new tests ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0901/p780.html

Evaluation and Management of the AGUS Papanicolaou Smear - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 2001 - Atypical glandular cells on Papanicolaou smears are an unusual but important cytologic diagnosis. The Bethesda system classifies atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) as glandular cells that demonstrate nuclear atypia appearing to exceed reactive or reparative ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0601/p2239.html

Nasopharyngeal Cancer and the Southeast Asian Patient - American Family Physician

May 1, 2001 - Because of a documented increased incidence, nasopharyngeal cancer should be considered when signs or symptoms of ear, nose and throat disease are present in patients from southern China (in particular, Hong Kong and the province of Guangdong) or Southeast Asia. Environmental factors, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0501/p1776.html

Diagnosis and Management of Malignant Melanoma - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2001 - The incidence of malignant melanoma has increased in recent years more than that of any other cancer in the United States. About one in 70 people will develop melanoma during their lifetime. Family physicians should be aware that a patient with a changing mole, an atypical mole or ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0401/p1359.html

Cancer Screening Guidelines - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2001 - Numerous medical organizations have developed cancer screening guidelines. Faced with the broad, and sometimes conflicting, range of recommendations for cancer screening, family physicians must determine the most reasonable and up-to-date method of screening. Major medical organizations...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0315/p1101.html

Screening for Cancer: Evaluating the Evidence - American Family Physician

Feb 1, 2001 - Many patients expect to undergo screening tests for cancer. In evaluating screening procedures, physicians must take into account the known effects of lead time, length and screening biases, all of which can result in an overestimation of the benefits of screening. The gold standard by ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0201/p513.html

Prevention and Early Detection of Malignant Melanoma - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2000 - In addressing the problem of malignant melanoma, family physicians should emphasize primary prevention. This includes educating patients about the importance of avoiding excessive sun exposure and preventing sunburns, and advising them about the importance of prompt self-referral for ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1115/p2277.html

Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Screening - American Family Physician

Aug 1, 2000 - Approximately 180,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually, accounting for about 48,000 deaths per year in the United States. The screening guidelines for the diagnosis of breast cancer are continually changing. Because of increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0801/p596.html

Early Detection and Treatment of Skin Cancer - American Family Physician

Jul 15, 2000 - The incidence of skin cancer is increasing by epidemic proportions. Basal cell cancer remains the most common skin neoplasm, and simple excision is generally curative. Squamous cell cancers may be preceded by actinic keratoses-premalignant lesions that are treated with cryotherapy, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0715/p357.html

Interventional Radiology in Cancer Patients - American Family Physician

Jul 1, 2000 - Procedures performed by an interventional radiology specialist are becoming increasingly important in the management of patients with cancer. Although general interventional radiology procedures such as angiography and angioplasty are used in patients with and without cancer, certain ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0701/p95.html

Recognition of Common Childhood Malignancies - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2000 - Although cancer has an annual incidence of only about 150 new cases per 1 million U.S. children, it is the second leading cause of childhood deaths. Early detection and prompt therapy have the potential to reduce mortality. Leukemias, lymphomas and central nervous system tumors account ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2144.html

Update on Colorectal Cancer - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2000 - An estimated 129,400 new cases of colorectal cancer occurred in the United States during 1999. The lifetime risk of developing this cancer is 2.5 to 5 percent in the general population but two to three times higher in persons who have a first-degree relative with colon cancer or an ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0315/p1759.html

Cervical Cancer - American Family Physician

Mar 1, 2000 - Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide, after breast cancer. A preponderance of evidence supports a causal link between human papillomavirus infection and cervical neoplasia. The presence of high-risk human papillomavirus genital subtypes increases ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0301/p1369.html

Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Integrating Primary Care Recognition with Tertiary Care Center ...

Aug 1, 1999 - Soft tissue sarcomas account for fewer than 1 percent of malignancies diagnosed annually in the United States. These tumors usually present as an asymptomatic mass. Any lesion larger than 5 cm in diameter should be considered suspicious. Radiographs should be obtained as the initial ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0801/p567.html

Endometrial Cancer - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 1999 - Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, accounting for approximately 6,000 deaths per year in the United States. It is more common in women who are older, white, affluent obese and of low parity. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are also predisposing factors. ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0601/p3069.html