Painful Lump Under Right Armpit: Should You Be Concerned?
There is a small hard lump under the right armpit that is tender to the touch? There is a small hard lump under my right armpit that hurts when pressed. I don't recall anything on the left side, but I have had this for several years. The lump used to be larger. Should I go t...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Nervous young woman / 23 years old / Female 1. I have had a lump for several years; it was larger before but has since decreased in size. It does not seem like cancer. 2. Should I go to the hospital for an examination? Is it cancer? However, I am unsure if it could turn into can...[Read More] Painful Lump Under Right Armpit: Should You Be Concerned?
Understanding Cancer-Related Fatigue: Symptoms, Causes, and Concerns
Cancer-related fatigue Hello Doctor, I have recently read about cancer-related fatigue, which includes symptoms such as "physical and mental exhaustion, fatigue, lethargy, tiredness, feeling drained, listlessness, weakness in the limbs, forgetfulness, difficulty concentratin...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Hello, Sir: Fatigue is a common symptom in various chronic diseases and is characterized as a subjective feeling or objective decline in physical capacity. Out of respect for cancer patients, cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has traditionally been defined as a self-perceived symptom ...[Read More] Understanding Cancer-Related Fatigue: Symptoms, Causes, and Concerns
Understanding Persistent Abnormal Blood Counts: MDS and Beyond
Blood Cell Issues 2 I apologize, but my platelet count (PLT) is between 450 and 600, which is considered elevated, and my white blood cell count (WBC) ranges from 13,000 to 17,000. During my first bone marrow biopsy, I was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), but durin...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: It turns out that not only are your white blood cell counts elevated, but your platelet counts are also high. If that's the case, I wouldn't consider you to have Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), as MDS would typically show at least one hematopoietic lineage being...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Abnormal Blood Counts: MDS and Beyond
Understanding Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer: What to Watch For
Head and neck cancer Hello Doctor: Recently, my father (63 years old) has developed some lumps in his head and neck area. I have researched some information about head and neck cancers online and would like to inquire whether the following symptoms are related to head and neck ca...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Ms. Chen: I received your letter regarding your father's neck area having some lumps. 1. I researched head and neck diseases online, and I found that the symptoms observed in clinical practice are often quite advanced. It is advisable to visit an oncology specialist for ea...[Read More] Understanding Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer: What to Watch For
Understanding Ewing's Sarcoma: Recurrence and Survival Rates Explained
Primary bone cancer Hello, doctor. Is Ewing's sarcoma a type of tumor that is likely to recur or be fatal? The information available online is quite disorganized and scarce.
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Ewing's sarcoma is the third most common type of bone cancer, primarily affecting children and adolescents, and is characterized by rapid tumor growth. Regarding prognosis, if there is no distant organ metastasis at the time of diagnosis and only localized tumors are ...[Read More] Understanding Ewing's Sarcoma: Recurrence and Survival Rates Explained
Understanding Bone Metastasis in Stage 4 Breast Cancer: Treatment Options
Breast cancer metastasis to bone? Hello, Doctor Lai! My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer earlier this year, which has metastasized to her bones. In March, she underwent surgery on her spine (from the neck to the upper body) because a tumor was pressing on her nerve...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Ying-Chi, In response to your inquiry regarding your mother's condition, she has a history of breast cancer with bone metastasis following surgery and radiation therapy. 1. She is experiencing neck pain and pain behind the left ear, which may indicate new bone me...[Read More] Understanding Bone Metastasis in Stage 4 Breast Cancer: Treatment Options
Understanding Bone Metastasis and Treatment Options for Cancer Patients
Bone metastasis 1. There is neck pain and pain behind the left ear after the head. This may indicate new bone metastases; please arrange for a whole-body bone scan. If new lesions are found, palliative radiation therapy can be considered. 2. There is left facial paralysis. Is t...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Side Effects of Brain Radiation Therapy: (Acute Side Effects) 1. During the treatment process, increased intracranial pressure may occur, leading to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, localized edema from the tumor may exacerbate these symptoms. In...[Read More] Understanding Bone Metastasis and Treatment Options for Cancer Patients
Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment and Recurrence Risks
What is the treatment duration for breast cancer? Hello Doctor, my mother is 58 years old and has just undergone a lumpectomy for breast cancer this year. The tumor was 1.3 cm in size, and there was no lymph node metastasis. She is currently receiving chemotherapy with a regimen ...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your mother's postoperative pathological staging should be stage I, which is considered early stage. In my experience, it is very rare to encounter or hear of someone who relapses during postoperative chemotherapy; it is truly uncommon! Once...[Read More] Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment and Recurrence Risks
Managing Stage IV Esophageal Cancer: Treatment Options and Survival Rates
Esophageal cancer Hello Doctor: My father has been diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer, which has spread to the lungs. He is currently undergoing stenting and gastroesophageal procedures. Despite receiving antibiotic injections, he has been experiencing recurrent high fever...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Miss, I have carefully read your letter regarding your father's condition. You mentioned that he has stage IV esophageal cancer with lung involvement. The "infection" you described likely refers to either metastasis or a bacterial infection in the lungs. Give...[Read More] Managing Stage IV Esophageal Cancer: Treatment Options and Survival Rates
Managing Metastatic Breast Cancer: Treatment Options for Recurrence and Symptoms
Breast cancer recurrence and metastasis? Hello, doctor. I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. I did not receive chemotherapy during the interim and have been under continuous follow-up. Unfortunately, the cancer has now recurred and spread throug...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: There is no best answer or standard answer to your question. Even with chemotherapy (and possibly targeted therapy, depending on the pathology report) and brain radiation therapy, there is no guarantee of how much normal function can be restored. Please find a trusted phys...[Read More] Managing Metastatic Breast Cancer: Treatment Options for Recurrence and Symptoms
Understanding Enlarged Lumps in the Armpit: Cancer or Lymph Node Issues?
Enlarged hard lump in the axilla? A hard lump was found in the right axilla, which is sometimes painful. It is not palpable when the arm is hanging down but becomes visible when the arm is raised, and is even more prominent when lying down and holding the head. There is no notice...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Regarding the lump in your armpit, I believe it is best to see it in person; a visual and physical examination is necessary to determine the cause. You may want to consult with an "oncologist" or a "breast surgeon," which would be more appropriate. Than...[Read More] Understanding Enlarged Lumps in the Armpit: Cancer or Lymph Node Issues?
Understanding Painless Oral Masses: When to Seek Medical Advice
A lump has developed in the oral cavity? Yesterday, I discovered a lump deep in my mouth, but it is not painful. Aside from this issue, there are no other abnormalities in my oral cavity.
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello, I am 13 years old and I have a lump deep in my mouth, but it doesn't hurt. At 13, I shouldn't be in a high-risk group for oral cancer since I don't smoke or drink alcohol. However, some benign tumors or rare cancers still need to be evaluated by an ENT speci...[Read More] Understanding Painless Oral Masses: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Lymph Nodes Near the Clavicle: When to Seek Further Medical Advice
Lymph nodes on the clavicle? Hello Doctor, about four weeks ago I started feeling pain in my clavicle. Two weeks ago, I suddenly couldn't lift my arm for about three days and thought it was a muscle injury. When I pressed on the muscle groups near my clavicle, I noticed swel...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Amos / 36 years old / Male 1. Should I continue to see an infectious disease specialist or switch to another specialty? I recommend continuing treatment with the original attending physician. If he believes it is not an infection, he can refer you to another doctor to rule out l...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Nodes Near the Clavicle: When to Seek Further Medical Advice
Understanding Groin Lumps: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Inguinal mass? Hello doctor, I am currently a 21-year-old university student. On November 18, 2015, I discovered a hard lump in my left groin while using the restroom. Upon further examination, I found three hard lumps; two are relatively small, about 1 cm, and one is larger, app...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, if lymphadenopathy is caused by an infection, it is not limited to just one node; it can involve multiple nodes. However, they usually improve and decrease in size within 2-3 weeks. If there is no reduction in size, I would recommend seeing a general su...[Read More] Understanding Groin Lumps: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Chemotherapy Choices for Stage 2B Colon Cancer: Traditional vs. Oral Options
Confusion about chemotherapy For stage 2B colorectal cancer, is it better to use traditional chemotherapy or oral chemotherapy?
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Essentially, both types of medications are "5FU," with the difference being whether it is the original injectable form of 5FU or the later developed oral capsule form (marketed as Ufur). The efficacy of both is quite similar (as the active ingredient is nearly th...[Read More] Chemotherapy Choices for Stage 2B Colon Cancer: Traditional vs. Oral Options
Understanding Long-Term Low White Blood Cell Counts: Causes and Solutions
Chronic leukopenia? Last December, a blood test showed a white blood cell count of 3,270 (with other blood parameters normal). In September of this year, the white blood cell count was 3,390 (with other blood counts normal). In November, a first blood test showed a white blood ce...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, it seems that your white blood cell count has been slightly low for a long time (almost a year). To be honest, if you really had a blood-related cancer, it would have manifested by now, and you would likely be aware of it. Therefore, I don't...[Read More] Understanding Long-Term Low White Blood Cell Counts: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts and Their Infection Risks
Leukopenia Hello, doctor. Does low white blood cell count cause fever, or does a low count make one susceptible to infection, which then leads to fever?
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: This is a "which came first, the chicken or the egg" question, and both ways of asking are fundamentally correct. However, it is still worth discussing. Generally speaking, the normal white blood cell count in healthy individuals is around 4,000 to 9,000 per micr...[Read More] Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts and Their Infection Risks
Understanding Laryngeal Cancer: Treatment Options and Risks of Inaction
Laryngeal cancer: Risks of treatment and non-treatment? Hello, Doctor! My father is 63 years old. He was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in September 2014, classified as glottic type, with the tumor located on the vocal cords. There was no metastasis, but the doctor did not speci...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Chen: First, we need to know your father's treatment schedule, the radiation dosage, the locations of the two recurrences, and the intervals between them in order to provide you with accurate advice. Generally, the recommendations are as follows: Laryngeal cancer ty...[Read More] Understanding Laryngeal Cancer: Treatment Options and Risks of Inaction
Understanding Papillary Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options and Concerns
Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Hello, doctor! A few years ago, during a health check-up, I discovered that I had a thyroid tumor on the right side, measuring over 2 centimeters. All the examinations indicated it was benign, so I was treated with medication. Later, not w...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Olivia, 1. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is a malignant tumor with a relatively good prognosis. Near-total thyroidectomy (with preservation of the parathyroid glands) is the primary treatment approach. If the postoperative pathology reveals well-differentiated papillary c...[Read More] Understanding Papillary Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options and Concerns
Comparing Efficacy and Coverage of Cancer Treatments: Hecancer Plus Paclitaxel vs. Vinorelbine
"Herb Cancer Clear + Wen Nuo Ping" Hello, Director Lai. I am a terminal patient with liver metastasis from breast cancer. My doctor has suggested treatment with "Capecitabine + Paclitaxel" or "Capecitabine + Vinorelbine." If I choose the less effecti...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Hello Ms. Yang, regarding your questions, you may consult a hematology-oncology specialist. As for "Hecacef and Vinorelbine and Paclitaxel," if they meet the health insurance regulations, there will be no need for out-of-pocket expenses. This is from Director Lai of the...[Read More] Comparing Efficacy and Coverage of Cancer Treatments: Hecancer Plus Paclitaxel vs. Vinorelbine