Other Cancers

Bladder

Overview

There are four main types of bladder cancer: transitional cell carcinoma (the most common type of bladder cancer), squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell.

Risk factors for bladder cancer include:

Smoking
Chemical Exposure
Family History of Bladder Cancer
Over 55
Male
Caucasian
Arsenic in drinking water
Not drinking enough fluids
Chronic bladder inflammation

Prevention

The American Cancer Society suggests several ways to lower your risk for bladder cancer.

Quit smoking
Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruit
Drink plenty of water
Follow work safety precautions to avoid exposure to aromatic amines chemicals

Diagnosis

Bladder cancer may be diagnosed through physical exams, urine tests, an intravenous pyelogram, and/or cytoscopy.

Treatment

Treatments for bladder cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other treatments. KHN has an experienced team of surgeons and surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and imaging specialists, pharmacists, dieticians, specially trained nurses, therapists, chaplains, and more ready to work together to provide the best treatment.

Support Groups/Education

Looking Ahead Support Group

This group helps individuals living with cancer, their families and friends. For those newly diagnosed with cancer as well as long-term survivors. Meets at Kettering Medical Center on the first Tuesday of each month except June and December. Check the Looking Ahead newsletter or call Cancer Services at (937) 395-8115 for more information.

I Can Cope

This is a series of educational classes for people with cancer, their families and friends. The program helps people meet the challenge of coping with cancer by distinguishing cancer myths from facts. This FREE program provides practical information about cancer, cancer treatments, and offers self-care strategies and resources for those facing cancer. This American Cancer Society Program is co-sponsored by Kettering Health Network.

Call the American Cancer Society at 1-888-ACS-OHIO (227-6446) for current dates, location, and to register.

Cancer Resource Center

The Cancer Resource Center (CRC) is a collaborative effort between your American Cancer Society and Kettering Medical Center. The CRC is located at Kettering Memorial Hospital, ground floor, adjacent to the Radiation Therapy waiting area, and is open to the public from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays and during special events. Trained volunteers are available to assist you with information about cancer, cancer prevention and early detection, cancer treatments, coping and support groups, and other resources. Information called also be mailed upon request. Call (937) 395-8081.

Makarius Library

The Makarius Library is located at Kettering Memorial Hospital, 3 South. This is a free lending library with materials on cancer, treatment, coping, and inspiration. Items may be signed out for up to four weeks. The library is open daily, except during patient care meetings.

Other Cancers

Brain

Overview

A brain tumor is a mass of cells within the brain that occupies space. These tumors may be benign (non-cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Even if a brain tumor is benign and generally shows a controlled rate of growth, they can be dangerous because of the location in the brain. The brain is surrounded by solid skull, which will not allow for significant expansion. When a benign tumor grows, it may press upon normal tissues in the brain, causing them to be impaired or damaged. Therefore, it is very important that both benign and malignant tumors be treated as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

Most brain tumors appear in the upper part of the brain in the cerebral hemispheres. This is the region of the brain that controls thought, emotion, reasoning, and language.

Since brain tumors can invade or press on normal brain tissue, symptoms can result from the pressure created. Symptoms typically include:

Headaches
Seizures
Nausea
Vomiting
Weakness/numbness in the arms or legs
Difficulty with speech or thought processing

Because other diseases can also cause these symptoms, it is important to perform diagnostic tests to determine if a brain tumor is present. Special imaging techniques such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan can be used to diagnose brain cancer. Kettering Medical Center is a leader in offering PET services in the region.

Treatment

Brain tumor treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, gamma knife, biotherapy and targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute offers detailed overviews of brain tumor treatments.

There are several factors that help determine a treatment plan (type, size, growth rate and location) for brain cancer. Kettering Health Network's Wallace-Kettering Neuroscience Institute (WKNI) specializes in neurocare. WKNI's best and brightest teams of physicians, surgeons, nurses and scientists use new-edge technology to personalize each patient's treatment. Visit the WKNI website for more information

Support Groups/Education

The Southwest Ohio Brain Tumor Support Group

The monthly meetings include open discussions, videos, and guest speakers. This group meets on the second Monday of every month from 7:00-8:30 P.M. at Kettering Medical Center in Dining Room #1 on the lower level, outside the cafeteria. Open to patients, spouses, family members, and friends. A monthly newsletter keeps members updated. Call Marilyn Reed RN at (937) 298-3399, ext. 55299 for more information.

Looking Ahead Support Group

I Can Cope

Cancer Resource Center

Makarius Library

Other Cancers

Head & Neck

Overview

cancer-head-and-neck Head and neck cancers affect about 39,000 men and women in the US each year. The majority or oral, head and neck area cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, meaning that they begin in the squamous cells that line the structures of the head and neck. These cancers include the oral (buccal) cavity, the roof of the mouth (also called the palate), the paranasal sinuses, pharynx and tonsils, the larynx and lymph nodes in the neck. The term head and neck cancer does not include superficial skin cancer or cancer of the brain.

Prevention & Diagnosis

Doctors do not always know what causes head and neck cancer; however tobacco and alcohol use, neglect of oral hygiene, and certain chemical exposure or viruses can increase your risk for developing oral, head and neck cancer. Notify your doctor or dentist if you notice lumps or sores in your mouth or neck, have difficulty swallowing or hoarseness, have pain in the ear or jaw, or persistent nasal congestion or loss of smell.

For more information about oral, head and neck cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute web site.

Treatment

Head and Neck cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, biotherapy and targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute offers detailed overviews of head and neck cancer treatments.

For people facing oral, head and neck cancers, KHN has the expertise you need. Our team of ENT physicians, head and neck surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists and imaging specialists, critical care physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, speech and swallowing therapists, specially trained nurses, chaplains and other healthcare specialists are ready to serve you. KHN also offers a support group for people with head and neck cancer and those who support them.

Support Groups/Education

Looking Ahead Support Group

I Can Cope

Cancer Resource Center

The Cancer Resource Center (CRC) is a collaborative effort between your American Cancer Society and Kettering Medical Center. The CRC is located at Kettering Memorial Hospital, ground floor, adjacent to the Radiation Therapy waiting area, and is open to the public from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays and during special events. Trained volunteers are available to assist you with information about cancer, cancer prevention and early detection, cancer treatments, coping and support groups and other resources. Information called also be mailed upon request. Call (937) 395-8081.

Makarius Library

The Makarius Library is located at Kettering Memorial Hospital, 3 South. This is a free lending library with materials on cancer, treatment, coping and inspiration. Items may be signed out for up to four weeks. The library is open daily, except during patient care meetings.

Other Cancers

Leukemia

More Coming Soon...

Other Cancers

Support Groups/Education

Leukemia, Lymphoma, & Myeloma Family Support Group

For adult patients and survivors and their families and friends. An official Leukemia-Lymphoma Society Support Group. This group meets at Kettering Medical Center on the first Tuesday of each month except June and December. Check the Looking Ahead newsletter or call Cancer Services at (937) 395-8115 for more information.

Looking Ahead Support Group

I Can Cope

Cancer Resource Center

The Cancer Resource Center (CRC) is a collaborative effort between your American Cancer Society and Kettering Medical Center. The CRC is located at Kettering Memorial Hospital, ground floor, adjacent to the Radiation Therapy waiting area, and is open to the public from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays and during special events. Trained volunteers are available to assist you with information about cancer, cancer prevention and early detection, cancer treatments, coping and support groups and other resources. Information called also be mailed upon request. Call (937) 395-8081.