Understanding Lymph Node Tumors: Symptoms, Risks, and Urgent Care
Lymphoma Hello Dr. Chen: My uncle has developed a tumor on the side of his neck, which is growing larger. He has lost a lot of weight and has a very poor appetite; he used to eat four bowls of rice but can now only manage a spoonful of porridge. For some reason, his skin has turn...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your uncle's neck tumor may be malignant, but a hospital examination is necessary to confirm this. If his eating condition remains poor, it is recommended to visit the relevant department for nutritional injections and further disease confir...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Node Tumors: Symptoms, Risks, and Urgent Care
Understanding Lymph Node Inflammation: Causes and Management Tips
Lymph nodes Recently, I have experienced inflammation of the lymph nodes in my neck. Initially, it was painful, but now the pain has subsided. However, I can still feel a round mass when I touch my neck, and there is also a similar mass in my armpit. How should I manage this? Is ...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello! The pain seems to be more like lymphadenitis rather than a tumor, which is more reassuring. The spherical objects in your neck and armpit, if they are not large, are likely fibrotic lymphatic "scars" left after inflammation. Over time, they should gradually dimin...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Node Inflammation: Causes and Management Tips
Understanding Oral Cancer: Treatment Options and Recovery Insights
Could you please clarify your request? Hello, I read several articles about "oral cancer" today. What confuses me is that over 80% of cases are attributed to so-called "bad habits" (like chewing betel nut), while the remaining 20% are related to hygiene issues...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Ms. Weng: Tongue cancer can be life-threatening, and the survival rate refers to the proportion of patients who survive. An 80% one-year survival rate means that after one year, 80% of the patients are still alive. If your father’s tongue cancer has already metastasized to the ly...[Read More] Understanding Oral Cancer: Treatment Options and Recovery Insights
Understanding Oral Cancer Treatment: Survival Rates and Options Explained
The efficacy of treatment for oral cancer? Hello, a friend's father has just been diagnosed with oral cancer, and I would like to ask a few questions. 1. Is oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, head and neck cancer, and laryngeal cancer merely a matter of location, or are t...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: 1. Apart from the differences in location, the optimal combination of treatment methods for these types of cancer also varies. 2. The purpose of combining radiation therapy and chemotherapy is "organ preservation," which aims to avoid impacting voice and eating f...[Read More] Understanding Oral Cancer Treatment: Survival Rates and Options Explained
Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms: A Guide for Patients
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma? I would like to ask Dr. Lin what symptoms can occur with nasopharyngeal carcinoma? My husband has been experiencing discomfort in his throat since August 2004, often feeling a sharp pain. He has to constantly swallow saliva to feel somewhat better and fr...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: The more common symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include nasal congestion, nosebleeds, tinnitus, neck masses, and cranial nerve dysfunction. Your husband's symptoms could have many possible causes. If the clinician suspects this based on a comprehensive assessment...[Read More] Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms: A Guide for Patients
Understanding Lymph Node Tumors: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Insights
Lymphoma Hello Doctor: My aunt noticed a round lump near her left neck, close to the lymph nodes, since mid-last year. By the end of last year, she began experiencing intermittent pain, but she was afraid to get it checked out due to the fear of receiving bad news. However, after...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: The treatment for lymphoma primarily involves chemotherapy, and depending on the condition, radiation therapy may sometimes be necessary. There is a chance for complete recovery, and it is not insignificant, so please cooperate closely with your physician's treatment ...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Node Tumors: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Insights
Understanding Lymphoma: Concerns About Tumors and Surgical Risks
Lymphoma Hello Doctor, my mom recently developed 3 to 4 tumors in her neck, one of which is particularly large and round. The test results indicate that they are benign, but the doctor who examined her mentioned that there is a possibility of benign tumors becoming malignant and ...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: Surgical resection is intended for more accurate diagnosis. If those tumors are indeed malignant, removal will not cause issues with metastasis. Additionally, benign tumors in this area generally do not raise concerns about malignant transformation. Sincerely, Dr. Lin Tsun...[Read More] Understanding Lymphoma: Concerns About Tumors and Surgical Risks
Understanding Lymph Node Tumors: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
Lymphoma My sister, who is 27 years old, recently noticed some pain and swelling under her neck. She went to the hospital for a check-up, where she underwent a CT scan and a biopsy. The doctor mentioned that it could be a lymph node tumor and recommended chemotherapy, but since t...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: The hospitalization is aimed at promptly completing the staging examinations for lymphoma and preparing for certain chemotherapy and possibly radiation therapy. Generally, the cure rate for lymphoma in a 27-year-old patient is quite good, so please cooperate with the physi...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Node Tumors: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
Understanding Lymph Nodes: Concerns About Tumors and Treatment Options
Cervical lymph nodes Hello, doctor. A month ago, I noticed pus below my left wisdom tooth and found two lymph nodes under my chin—one painful and one not. I visited a dental clinic, and the doctor prescribed a 3-day course of antibiotics. The pain in the lymph node subsided, but ...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: Based on your symptom description, since the antibiotic treatment has been effective, it is likely that you have lymphadenitis rather than cancer. Please rest assured. However, the source of infection may sometimes be related to dental caries, so it is important to careful...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Nodes: Concerns About Tumors and Treatment Options
Understanding Multiple Lumps: What You Need to Know Before Seeing a Doctor
Lump Hello Doctor: I have many small hard lumps on my body that started to appear about seven or eight years ago. These lumps are located on my neck, chest, side of the chest, epigastric area, waist, hands, and feet. I can feel at least a dozen of them; some are painful while oth...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, it is most likely a benign lipoma. This is not considered a rare condition and may not necessarily require treatment. For peace of mind and to be on the safe side, you can still visit a hospital for evaluation. Generally speaking, if it is a beni...[Read More] Understanding Multiple Lumps: What You Need to Know Before Seeing a Doctor
Survival Chances for Late-Stage Malignant Tumors in the Head
Malignant tumors of the head? If there is a malignant tumor in the upper left part of the head (stage III) and surgery was performed three years ago at National Taiwan University Hospital, followed by two months of chemotherapy, what is her survival probability? She has been miss...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello! The survival rate of head and neck cancers is closely related to clinical staging and whether local treatments can eradicate the primary tumor. Therefore, the information provided by netizens cannot accurately estimate patient prognosis, but it appears that there may still...[Read More] Survival Chances for Late-Stage Malignant Tumors in the Head
Understanding Lymph Nodes: Stress Impact and When to Seek Medical Help
Lymph node Hello, last year I went to National Taiwan University Hospital for an examination due to a hard lump in my neck, which was diagnosed by the doctor as a lymph node. I had blood tests and a biopsy, and everything was normal, except for an elevated immune system (I think ...
Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: (1) Diseases caused by immune system imbalance may sometimes present with lymphadenopathy, which could be related to stress. (2) Certain malignancies are more common in patients with immune dysregulation; if there is newly discovered lymphadenopathy, it is essential to ret...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Nodes: Stress Impact and When to Seek Medical Help
Managing Nutrition and Side Effects During Cancer Treatment
Hong Cheng Hello Dr. Tseng, I have an uncle who is currently undergoing radiation therapy at the Veterans General Hospital. He has been experiencing hair loss and has mentioned that his mouth and throat are sore. During meals, he can only eat porridge (which he mostly drinks) and...
Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! When patients with head and neck tumors undergo radiation therapy, they may experience symptoms such as dry mouth, mucosal damage, sore throat, and changes in taste due to radiation exposure to the oral mucosa and salivary glands. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid acidic...[Read More] Managing Nutrition and Side Effects During Cancer Treatment
Understanding Thyroid Tumors: Surgery vs. Medication Options
Thyroid tumor Hello Dr. Tseng, I was diagnosed with a thyroid tumor in my neck on July 8, 2003 (right side; 2 cm in size; benign). I feel very uncertain and am unsure whether I should undergo surgery to remove it or if there are better medication options available. If I do not h...
Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! If your tumor is producing excessive thyroid hormones, medication will only address the symptoms, and surgical treatment is necessary for a cure. Please consult the surgeon regarding the specifics of the surgery and how much tissue needs to be removed. The surgeon should b...[Read More] Understanding Thyroid Tumors: Surgery vs. Medication Options
Why Tooth Extraction is Necessary Before Radiation Therapy?
Related issues? Dr. Tseng: Why is it necessary to extract teeth before undergoing radiation therapy? How will diet be affected, and what dietary adjustments should be made to optimize nutrition? Thank you.
Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! For patients with malignant tumors in the head and neck requiring radiation therapy, it is essential to consult a dentist to extract any severely decayed teeth beforehand. This is because extracting teeth after radiation therapy may lead to poor wound healing. Post-radiati...[Read More] Why Tooth Extraction is Necessary Before Radiation Therapy?
Understanding Neck Masses: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Neck mass Dear Oncologist, I am a 30-year-old female. About a month ago, I noticed a lump approximately 1 cm in diameter located in the right lower part of my neck, near the clavicle. Two weeks ago, I visited the ENT department at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Hsinchu. After blood...
Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, it seems to be lymphadenopathy following an infection. After controlling the infection, it should decrease in size, although it may not completely disappear, and you can continue to monitor it. Since you are seeing an otolaryngologist, they shoul...[Read More] Understanding Neck Masses: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Is Coughing Up Blood Related to Neck Tumors? Expert Insights
Is coughing up blood related to neck tumors? Hello, Doctor: I am a 53-year-old female. Last year, I had a soft mass in my nasopharynx, and when I coughed it up, it turned out to be a blood clot. This lasted for three days. I went to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for a nasal ultras...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Ms. Cherry: Your hemoptysis and purulent sputum may be indicative of bronchiectasis or tuberculosis. Please consider visiting a pulmonologist for further evaluation. Tuberculosis can present with cervical lymphadenopathy. Lung cancer can also cause hemoptysis and may metastasize ...[Read More] Is Coughing Up Blood Related to Neck Tumors? Expert Insights
Understanding Artificial Vessels and Cancer Treatment Concerns
Artificial blood vessel Dear Dr. Fan, Thank you very much for answering my previous question (was my judgment correct?). Initially, my CEA level at the first hospital was 51.5, but after transferring to another hospital, it increased to 85.5. The two tests were conducted approxi...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Tiffany: Currently, the implantation of artificial blood vessels is very common, and the technology is quite mature. Wound healing occurs rapidly, and the risk of infection is minimal, so please feel confident in following your doctor's advice. During chemotherapy, since can...[Read More] Understanding Artificial Vessels and Cancer Treatment Concerns
Understanding Lymphadenopathy and Cancer Treatment Options
Is it correct? Hello Doctor: My father underwent right nephrectomy and right ureterectomy about four years ago, diagnosed with malignant tumor of the right ureter. However, after the surgery, he was monitored, and the doctor advised that he only needed to have annual check-ups st...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Ms. Tiffany: The organizational report you provided is not a true pathological diagnosis; it only describes the clinical signs listed on the application form. If you have a pathological report, you could consult a physician nearby regarding the pathological diagnosis mentioned th...[Read More] Understanding Lymphadenopathy and Cancer Treatment Options
Understanding Lymph Nodes: Common Concerns and What to Watch For
Lymph node In recent days, I have noticed several lymph nodes on my neck that feel quite alarming. I went to the hospital for an examination, and the doctor prescribed medication for me, but I still feel very worried. Are lymph nodes a common issue nowadays? What should I pay att...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Kimmy, Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be indicative of serious conditions such as malignant lymphoma, metastasis from other cancers, HIV, autoimmune diseases, as well as tuberculosis, bacterial infections, viral infections, and unexplained inflammation. The causes ...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Nodes: Common Concerns and What to Watch For