About Dr. David K Simson

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the slowest growing tumors in men. If diagnosed at an early stage, it is curable. The early symptoms of this cancer include obstruction while passing urine, feeling of incomplete evacuation of urine, poor urine flow, or blood in the urine. Pain isn’t a common symptom; however, it may appear at later stages of the disease.

The treatment modalities include hormonal therapy, radiation, or surgery. Even if this cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, with current advanced medicines and radiation techniques, the survival of men living with prostate cancer exceeds 5 to 10 years. Most of them lead an excellent quality of life.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer usually affects young men. The early warning signs of this disease are a heaviness felt in the affected testis and, sometimes, a dull pain. On self-examination, the man might feel a difference in the size of both testes. This cancer is curable even at higher stages. So, please do not ignore the warning signs. If you are in doubt, don’t shy away; please get medical help promptly. The treatment for this cancer is usually surgery. Sometimes, depending upon the final biopsy report after surgery, the patient may be subjected to a short course of chemotherapy or radiation.

Penis Cancer

Cancer of the penis is rare. This cancer is seldom seen in circumcised men. Hence, it is considered to be caused by poor hygiene. So, uncircumcised men, please take special care in cleaning your penis by retracting the foreskin all the way through while taking a shower.

In case if you can’t withdraw your foreskin, do not shy away from getting medical help. The early obvious warning sign of this cancer is an ulcer or lump on the penis. This ulcer/lump may not be painful in the beginning. Surgery and radiotherapy are the main treatments of this cancer. Rarely, if cancer spreads to the groin area, he might undergo chemotherapy and radiation to the affected area.

Kidney Cancer

Kidneys are the organs that remove toxins from our blood and excrete them in urine. Luckily, we have two kidneys located on either side of the abdomen. Even though one is affected by cancer and is removed, the other one will sustain you. The early warning signs of kidney cancer are blood in urine, pain on the side of the abdomen, and, sometimes, a growth felt in the belly. In most cases, surgery alone (robotic or laparoscopic) can cure this cancer. But, in some patients, targeted therapy is given as tablets which the patient takes at home.

On rare occasions, highly focused radiotherapy is given to alleviate the symptoms brought about by advanced-stage cancer.

Anal Cancer

The anal canal is connected to the anus through which feces is excreted from the human body. Cancer of this region is not uncommon. This cancer is caused by an infection caused by Human Papilloma Virus at a young age and is probably transmitted through anal sex. Like certain cancers, anal canal cancer is preventable by vaccinating young boys and girls before their first sexual experience.

The early symptoms of this disease are pain around the anus, bleeding, growth in the anal region, and change in bowel habits. Do not shy away from consulting your doctor if you have any early warning signs, for this cancer is curable. The treatment of this cancer is radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery is usually not needed.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is the cancer of the inner lining of the uterus. The early symptoms of this cancer include untimely vaginal bleeding or any bleeding after attaining menopause. This cancer is curable, so do not ignore these apparent early warning signs. In some women, this cancer is unexpectedly diagnosed when surgery is done on the uterus for other reasons.

Surgery and radiotherapy are the primary treatment in the early stages of this disease. Very rarely, these patients might require chemotherapy. Newer techniques like 'robotic surgery' and 'image-based brachytherapy' have made the treatment fast and accurate. These more contemporary techniques have practically negligible side effects.

VAGINAL CANCER

The vagina or birth canal is the passage that connects a woman’s uterus to the outside of the body. Many cancers can spread to the birth canal, but cancer originating from the vagina is rare. The usual cause of this cancer is a previous human papillomavirus infection. Hence, this cancer is preventable by safe sex practices and vaccination. The early warning signs include pain or bleeding while having sex, discharge from the vagina, and an ulcer or lump in the vagina. Any unusual bleeding from the vagina must be evaluated by a doctor. The treatment of this cancer is usually surgery followed by radiation. In certain situations, a combination of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy is used. If treated at the right time, this cancer is highly curable.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is common cancer among elderly women. It is uncommon below the age of 40. However, if this cancer occurs at an early age, the cause might be hereditary. About 20 to 25 percent of ovarian cancers run in the family. Familial ovarian cancer is caused due to a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. The cause of the rest of the non-familial ovarian cancer is thought to be lifestyle-related. The early signs of ovarian cancer are abdominal swelling, a feeling of fullness in the belly, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The primary treatment for early ovarian cancer is surgery and chemotherapy.

Cervical Cancer

The lowermost part of the uterus, which opens into the vagina, is called the cervix. Cancer of the cervix is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in women. Most patients present to us at an early stage of the disease due to excessive vaginal bleeding (usually while having sex) or foul-smelling white vaginal discharge. Because of early detection, the cure rate of this cancer is very high. Surgery or radiation is the mainstay of treatment.

This disease is caused due to an infection caused by Human Papilloma Virus at a young age. Hence, cervical cancer is preventable by vaccinating young girls against this virus before their first sexual experience.

Urinary Bladder Cancer

The urinary bladder is an expandable balloon-like organ in our body that holds urine until it is voided. Cancer of this organ causes blood in urine and sometimes, even blood clots. Other early symptoms include pain or burning sensation while urinating, frequent urge to urinate, and vague pain in the lower part of your abdomen. In some extreme cases, one cannot void urine even after he feels the urge to urinate. In such a case, go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. The treatment of this cancer is surgery or radiation. In advanced cases, chemotherapy is used along with surgery or radiation.