Breakthrough pain is severe pain that comes on suddenly in people who are taking medicines that usually keep their pain under control. It “breaks through” the pain relief that a person has been getting from taking medicines for persistent or chronic pain. Breakthrough pain usually lasts for a short time, but it is very…
Esophageal cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. People who regularly use tobacco and drink alcohol increase their risk for this form of cancer. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and weight loss. Also, hoarseness, chest or back pain, or…
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos, a fiber that was used in insulation materials. Symptoms include shortness of breath…
Is this topic for you? Anal cancer is not the same as cancer of the colon or rectum. To learn about these cancers, see the topic Colorectal Cancer. What is anal cancer? Anal cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the anus , which is the opening at the end of the rectum. Anal cancer is not common and is often curable…
Covers surgical removal of all or part of the kidney. Discusses why it may be done, such as for kidney cancer or to remove a damaged kidney. Looks at how well it works and the risks.