Understanding Radiation Effects on Tumor Sites After Surgery
The impact of radiation on tumors after surgical resection? The family member had a benign tumor removed around the age of ten. However, since the surgery, whenever they are exposed to areas with slightly higher radiation levels, the site of the tumor feels stiff, and they experi...
Dr. Lai Yicheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Xiaotian, Regarding the above issues, do you have regular follow-up appointments for check-ups after the excision? As for the effects of radiation on human health, they depend on factors such as radiation intensity, duration of exposure, type of radiation, and the types...[Read More] Understanding Radiation Effects on Tumor Sites After Surgery
Comparing MRI and CT Scans for Tumor Detection: Which is Better?
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) vs. Computed Tomography (CT) Hello, doctor. Thank you for answering my previous question. Is MRI more effective? Can a CT scan detect the issue? I have fixed metal braces in my mouth (which are magnetic) and have been informed that the MRI images ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello, I would like to ask if MRI provides better results compared to CT scans. Can a CT scan detect the issue? MRI is clearer, but I have been informed that the fixed metal braces (which are magnetic) may distort the MRI images, making them less clear. For this area, a CT scan c...[Read More] Comparing MRI and CT Scans for Tumor Detection: Which is Better?
Understanding Groin Lumps in Young Women: Causes and Concerns
A hard lump in the groin area of a female? Recently, I received an injection to regulate my menstrual cycle due to irregular periods. I'm not sure if it's a side effect, but the injection site on my buttocks has swollen, and there's also a lump in the groin area ne...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
A-Pi / 24 years old / A painful lump about one centimeter in size has developed in the groin area near the abdomen. Is it likely to be inflammation, or could it be a tumor? 1. The likelihood of inflammation is greater than that of a tumor. 2. It is still necessary to consult a gy...[Read More] Understanding Groin Lumps in Young Women: Causes and Concerns
Awakened by Pain: Understanding Soft Lumps Under the Armpit
Woke up in the middle of the night with pain and noticed a soft lump under the armpit? Hello doctor, I started experiencing sharp pain in my neck yesterday afternoon, and by the evening, I was awakened at 4:53 AM due to the pain. I noticed that my armpit was very painful, and upo...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, it does not seem like a tumor. Firstly, tumors typically cause pain only when they are quite large (usually over 8 centimeters). Secondly, tumors take time to grow, so it is unlikely for one to develop overnight. Lastly, tumors are usually firmer...[Read More] Awakened by Pain: Understanding Soft Lumps Under the Armpit
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
Understanding Lumps: Are Your Armpit Growths Fibromas?
Discovery of a mass? Hello doctor, I have a small lump in my armpit that I noticed is not painful and the skin over the lump appears normal. I previously had a lump in my breast that was surgically removed, which was a benign fibroadenoma. Is this lump in my armpit also likely a ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Qiqi / 17 years old / Female 1. Is the lump under the armpit also a fibroma? Without excision and pathological examination, it is not possible to determine what type of tumor it is. 2. Will it disappear on its own? It is not recommended to wait. 1. Surgical excision is advi...[Read More] Understanding Lumps: Are Your Armpit Growths Fibromas?
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?
Managing a Movable Neck Lump: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Right neck mass? I have a movable lump on the right side of my neck that feels somewhat soft, measuring about two centimeters. I saw an ENT specialist a year ago who said it was a lymph node and tested for tumor markers, which came back normal. In May of this year, I had a cold a...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, lymph nodes larger than 1 cm are considered necessary for further evaluation. Although many cases of lymphadenopathy are caused by infections such as the common cold, they typically resolve and decrease in size within 1 to 2 months after the infection h...[Read More] Managing a Movable Neck Lump: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Post-Gamma Knife Treatment: What to Expect During Recovery Period
Observation period after Gamma Knife treatment? Hello Dr. Chen: My mother has lung adenocarcinoma that has metastasized to the brain. She has been on targeted therapy (Tagrisso) for about nine months. At the end of August, we discovered that the brain tumor had slightly increased...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. How long is the observation period after treatment? Typically, follow-up examinations are conducted one month after treatment to assess the reduction of the tumor. This means that the tumor may continue to shrink for 1-2 months post-treatment. Therefore, the observation period...[Read More] Post-Gamma Knife Treatment: What to Expect During Recovery Period
Understanding Armpit Lumps: Could They Be Lipomas?
Axillary mass Hello doctor, I have noticed individual lumps measuring 0.2 cm (left) and 0.4 cm (right) under my armpit over the past six months. They are not painful when pressed. Could they be lipomas? Thank you.
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Louis, 24 years old, has discovered individual lumps measuring 0.2 cm (left) and 0.4 cm (right) in the armpit over the past six months. They are not painful when pressed. 1. I am unsure if these are lipomas. To determine the type of tumor, a physician would need to perform a phys...[Read More] Understanding Armpit Lumps: Could They Be Lipomas?
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
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 Movable Tumors on the Jaw and Cheek: What You Need to Know
There are several lumps on the chin and face? There are three movable lumps on the left cheek and the bottom of the chin, each approximately 1 cm in size. They have been present for 2 to 3 years. They tend to enlarge when there are sores in the mouth and return to their original ...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Everyone has salivary glands, from the "parotid glands" located on both sides of the cheeks, to the paired "submandibular glands" and "sublingual glands" under the chin. In my outpatient clinic, I often encounter individuals who mistake their ...[Read More] Understanding Movable Tumors on the Jaw and Cheek: What You Need to Know
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 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
Understanding Elevated Prolactin Levels and Pituitary Tumors: Key Insights
Hyperprolactinemia Hello Dr. Chen, I have been feeling unwell recently and after seeing a doctor, I was told that my prolactin levels are elevated, with a suspicion of pituitary gland enlargement. I am currently only taking medication, but it causes severe headaches and dizzines...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. How long does it usually take to schedule an MRI? At a medical center, it may take 2-4 weeks. 2. What is the typical size of a pituitary adenoma? They can vary in size; an MRI will provide more information. 3. Currently, is medication the only option? However, the medicati...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Prolactin Levels and Pituitary Tumors: Key Insights
Understanding Chemotherapy Side Effects: TS-1 and Tarceva for Seniors
What are the side effects of chemotherapy? Hello Dr. Chen: Thank you for your detailed response the other day. You mentioned that for older patients, chemotherapy is recommended to be done with oral medications, with TS-1 being the first choice (and if financially feasible, addin...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello, regarding your questions: 1. TS-1 is an oral chemotherapy drug that is taken daily for four weeks (28 days), followed by a two-week break. The daily dosage is determined based on the patient's height and weight. Tarceva, on the other hand, is also an oral targeted th...[Read More] Understanding Chemotherapy Side Effects: TS-1 and Tarceva for Seniors
Is Chemotherapy Suitable for Elderly Patients After Pancreatic Cancer Surgery?
Is chemotherapy suitable for elderly patients after pancreatic cancer surgery? Dear Dr. Chen, I would like to ask you a few questions regarding my mother, who is 88 years old. She underwent surgery for a pancreatic tumor in mid-May, and nearly three months later, on July 20, her...
Dr. Chen Yunfang Reply:
Hello: Based on the questions you raised, I can see that you have thought deeply and far about future matters. Pancreatic cancer surgery is considered one of the most complex procedures in surgery (it is difficult to perform, the operation time is extremely long, and the wound ta...[Read More] Is Chemotherapy Suitable for Elderly Patients After Pancreatic Cancer Surgery?
Understanding Lymph Node Enlargement: Pain and Symptoms Explained
(Lymph node issues) Hello Dr. Chen, I previously inquired about the issue of lymphadenopathy, but I would like to add some details regarding nearby pain that I did not mention before. I have a swollen lymph node in my left groin measuring about 1 to 1.2 centimeters, and there is ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
University student / 20 / 01. I am unsure if this situation indicates a problem with the lymph nodes, or if it could be a benign manifestation of prostatitis or lymphadenitis. I agree with what the doctor said last week that everything is normal. 2. I would like to ask the doctor...[Read More] Understanding Lymph Node Enlargement: Pain and Symptoms Explained