Optimal Treatment Options for Advanced Breast Cancer with Liver Metastasis
End-stage breast cancer with liver metastasis? Hello, Director Lai. I am a terminal breast cancer patient with liver metastasis. My doctor has suggested two treatment options: (1) Hecare (Capecitabine) + Paclitaxel or (2) Hecare (Capecitabine) + Vinorelbine. Could you please advi...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Hello Ms. Yang, Choosing (1) Gemcitabine + Paclitaxel: The side effects are relatively greater, but the treatment efficacy is better. The physician will also assess your physical condition. For chemotherapy side effects, you can consult your attending physician. It is also impo...[Read More] Optimal Treatment Options for Advanced Breast Cancer with Liver Metastasis
Could My Symptoms Indicate Colon Cancer or Polyps?
Do I have cancer? Hello, I would like to explain my previous health condition: I usually experience constipation and am prone to diarrhea, which I attribute to irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes, I notice bleeding during constipation, which I believe is due to hemorrhoids. Recen...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Ching-Ching, Regarding your inquiry, you may visit the gastroenterology outpatient clinic for a specialist evaluation to determine whether a colonoscopy is necessary and to assess the appropriate type. Changhua Hospital cares about your well-being. Sincerely, Direc...[Read More] Could My Symptoms Indicate Colon Cancer or Polyps?
Understanding Elevated Bone Markers in Cancer Patients: What to Know
Elevated bone density index? My mother has cancer and needs to return for check-ups every three months. Recently, her blood test results showed elevated bone markers, and the doctor advised us to come back in three months for a detailed examination. What does this mean? Why isn&#...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Sunny, 20 years old, female. My mother has cancer and needs to return for check-ups every three months. Recently, her blood test results came back, and the doctor mentioned that her bone markers are elevated. I don't know what type of cancer she has, and I need to understand...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Bone Markers in Cancer Patients: What to Know
Could It Be a Tumor? Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms and Concerns
Could it be a tumor? Hello, doctor. Due to long-term fatigue and excessive sleepiness, I have sought medical attention multiple times. After examinations, I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Following a maxillomandibular advancement surgery, I began experiencing ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Is it possible for a 45-year-old male to have a tumor in the head, specifically in the ENT region? I apologize for not being able to assist you in finding the right specialty to determine the cause. I can only address the possibility of cancer. You have already consulted a physic...[Read More] Could It Be a Tumor? Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms and Concerns
Can Cloud Mushroom Polysaccharides Help Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy?
"Cloud mushroom polysaccharides" Hello Dr. Chen, I would like to ask you about something. I found some medical articles online stating that "peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy can be significantly improved by simultaneously using Ganoderma lucidum polysacchar...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Xiao Fenzi / 38 years old / Female You may have seen the reports: According to clinical trials, combining chemotherapy with the licensed drug polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum to modulate immunity can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and significantly improve symptoms of...[Read More] Can Cloud Mushroom Polysaccharides Help Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy?
Bladder Cancer Treatment: Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, and Concerns
Bladder cancer D1 Hello Doctor, I would like to ask the following questions: 1. My mother has bladder cancer and has undergone a radical cystectomy. During the surgery, two lymph nodes in the groin were found. The attending physician mentioned that she needs to undergo chemothe...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. My mother has bladder cancer and has undergone a total cystectomy. During the surgery, two lymph nodes in the groin were found, and the attending physician mentioned that she needs to undergo chemotherapy. Are there any targeted therapies or immunotherapies available? The comb...[Read More] Bladder Cancer Treatment: Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, and Concerns
Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts in Cancer Patients
Leukopenia Hello, my mother (currently 68 years old) was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in August 2010 and began treatment (chemotherapy, left mastectomy, and radiation therapy) for nearly a year and a half. She currently maintains follow-up visits to the oncology departme...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Regarding the low white blood cell count you mentioned, it is indeed quite unusual. I have many breast cancer patients who are taking Fulvestrant, and they have not experienced low blood counts. I believe the low white blood cell count is unrelated to this medication. If i...[Read More] Understanding Low White Blood Cell Counts in Cancer Patients
Can a PSA Level of 1.13 Indicate Remaining Prostate Cancer?
Is it possible to have malignant tumors with a post-prostate cancer PSA level of 1.13? On June 29, 2015, the PSA level was 17.4. A biopsy on August 3 of the same year confirmed the presence of malignant tumors, specifically prostate cancer. On September 4, the PSA level increased...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is used for monitoring, not for diagnosing prostate cancer. The diagnosis of prostate cancer relies on pathological biopsy; if cancer is present, it is confirmed. Unless you have undergone surgical removal, you cannot say there are...[Read More] Can a PSA Level of 1.13 Indicate Remaining Prostate Cancer?
Post-Chemotherapy Care: Reducing Cancer Recurrence Risks
Post-Chemotherapy Care (Continued) Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask, you mentioned that we should return to our normal lives, but isn't the occurrence of cancer triggered by the original lifestyle, diet, constitution, genetics, and other environmental factors? Given these ...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: I truly do not know how to answer your question. Does practicing a healthy lifestyle guarantee that one will not get cancer? I cannot say for certain. How should one maintain health? Should one adopt a raw food diet? There are many books on health and cancer prevention in ...[Read More] Post-Chemotherapy Care: Reducing Cancer Recurrence Risks
Post-Chemotherapy Care: Nutrition, Exercise, and Cancer Recurrence Prevention Tips
Post-Chemotherapy Care Hello, doctor. My family member was diagnosed with stage III cancer this year and has just completed all chemotherapy. The doctor mentioned to eat more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and to engage in aerobic exercise. I have a few questions: 1) Wh...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: This aspect is considered health maintenance, and there is no definitive answer or guarantee that certain actions will prevent cancer recurrence. I suggest returning to a normal lifestyle. Can aerobic exercise help in cancer prevention? Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetabl...[Read More] Post-Chemotherapy Care: Nutrition, Exercise, and Cancer Recurrence Prevention Tips
Determining Chemotherapy Frequency After Surgical Tumor Removal
Postoperative chemotherapy Hello, doctor. How do we determine the number of chemotherapy sessions after surgical procedures?
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello, could you please specify what type of cancer you have? The postoperative cancer staging can be classified as stage I, II, III, or IV. Different cancers require different postoperative chemotherapy regimens. Even for the same type of cancer, the chemotherapy may vary depend...[Read More] Determining Chemotherapy Frequency After Surgical Tumor Removal
Drug Interactions: Can Cranberry Supplements Affect Hormonal Therapy?
Drug interactions Hello Doctor: I am a patient with endometrial cancer. I previously underwent radiation therapy, which led to ureteral fibrosis. Recently, I have been experiencing frequent urinary tract infections. My doctor suggested that I could take a dietary supplement calle...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Hello: Regarding your question, there are currently no specific side effects associated with the combined use of Megejohn and New Cranberry. However, if you only supplement with New Cranberry but do not drink enough water or hold in urine, it can still lead to urinary tract infec...[Read More] Drug Interactions: Can Cranberry Supplements Affect Hormonal Therapy?
Understanding Breast Lumps: Could It Be Cancer and Where to Seek Help?
Breast lump Hello: I felt a hard lump in my left breast near the nipple. It is not painful and can be moved when touched. When I press it to the side, the lump is clearly visible. Could this possibly be breast cancer? If I go to the hospital for an examination and some hospitals ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Ms. / 36 / 11. It is recommended that you undergo a mammogram. Based on the examination results, the probability of cancer can be estimated (see attachment below). 2. General Surgery attachment below: The interpretation of breast imaging results is primarily divided into 7 cate...[Read More] Understanding Breast Lumps: Could It Be Cancer and Where to Seek Help?
Is It Cancer? Understanding Tumors and Skin Changes
Is it cancer? There is a hard lump at the top of my thigh. Is this considered the groin area? It feels like it has grown larger, is very firm, and does not move, almost like it is separated. The skin around it is very itchy. I had a mole near the hairline when I was a child, and ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
MM/41/11. There is a hard lump at the top of the thigh. Is this considered the groin area? The groin or inguinal region (Latin: regio inguinalis) refers to the area where the abdomen meets the thigh, specifically the indentation at this junction. It is located near the thigh and ...[Read More] Is It Cancer? Understanding Tumors and Skin Changes
Understanding Malignant Soft Tissue Tumors in the Hip: Prognosis and Survival Rates
Connective tissue tumor of the left hip? Hello Doctor, my grandmother is 74 years old. In May of this year, she experienced abnormal swelling in her hip, and after examination, it was found to be a malignant tumor in the connective tissue of her left hip. She underwent a second s...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Yu Xiaoyu / 16 / 1 If, as you said, it has spread to the lungs, then it is already stage IV. (1) It is said that this type of disease is rare; may I ask what the survival rate for this disease is? The 5-year survival rate = 0. (2) How much time does my grandmother approximately h...[Read More] Understanding Malignant Soft Tissue Tumors in the Hip: Prognosis and Survival Rates
Understanding Lymph Node Enlargement in Head and Neck Cancer Metastasis
Lymphatic metastasis Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if the symptoms and appearance of lymphadenopathy caused by head and neck cancers metastasizing to the lymph nodes are similar to those caused by lymphoma, or if there are differences. Additionally, if gastrointestinal cance...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: The lymphatic system, like our blood, circulates throughout the body. Therefore, cancer from any part of the body can metastasize to lymph nodes anywhere. This is true for head and neck cancers, lymphomas, and even gastrointestinal cancers. They all appear similar, and it ...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Node Enlargement in Head and Neck Cancer Metastasis
Understanding Stage III Breast Cancer: Progression to Stage IV Timeline
Stage III breast cancer My mother is currently in stage III breast cancer, and it has been almost a month since her last examination. I would like to ask how quickly stage III breast cancer can progress to stage IV.
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Hello: The extent of breast cancer invasion determines the treatment method, which is staged based on tumor size, axillary lymph node involvement, and metastasis to other organs: Stage 0: The breast tumor is no larger than 2 centimeters and there is no lymph node involvement. ...[Read More] Understanding Stage III Breast Cancer: Progression to Stage IV Timeline
Challenges of Uncovered Oral Targeted Drugs in Cancer Treatment
The National Health Insurance does not cover oral targeted therapy medications? Hello, Director Lai. My father was diagnosed with hematologic cancer at the end of June, and the report stated "subacute myeloid leukemia" (but I couldn't find much information on this ...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Miss Ya-Hui, Regarding your question, you may consult a hematology-oncology specialist. The physician will inform you about the medications used. Currently, there are numerous targeted therapies available, making it difficult to answer your question specifically. Thank you...[Read More] Challenges of Uncovered Oral Targeted Drugs in Cancer Treatment
Understanding Blood Counts in Myeloid Leukemia: Key Insights for Patients
The blood cell counts of patients with leukemia typically show elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts, decreased red blood cell (RBC) counts, and reduced platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)? Dear Dr. Chen, I have been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (the doctor mentioned ...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Although you did not explicitly state your diagnosis, based on your description, I suspect you may have been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Our hematologists consider MDS to be a precursor to blood cancer, and if left untreated, there is a significant chanc...[Read More] Understanding Blood Counts in Myeloid Leukemia: Key Insights for Patients
Understanding Lymph Nodes in the Neck: When to Worry?
Cervical lymph nodes Hello, doctor. There is a lymph node located below my left ear in the neck that has been present since childhood. Additionally, there are two lymph nodes in the left side of my neck that have also existed for a long time. These three lymph nodes sometimes enl...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: When experiencing lymphadenopathy, most people worry and ask if it is "lymphoma" or a benign "inflammatory response" or "lymphoid hyperplasia." The clinical differentiation methods are as follows: 1. Cancer typically grows rapidly, often doubl...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Nodes in the Neck: When to Worry?