Cancer Medical Reference

Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer. The older you get, the more likely you are to get the disease. Find out the median age at diagnosis for different types of cancer.

When cancer cells are in, or could get to, the fluid around your brain, intrathecal chemotherapy is the way to deliver cancer-fighting drugs right to the area. Find out how it works and what you can expect.

Tailbone pain, or coccydynia, can be a dull ache or a sharp pain at the bottom of your spine. Causes range from injury to sitting too long to certain types of cancer. Learn what might be causing your tailbone pain and what you can do about it.

You may have heard that turmeric is a natural way to fight cancer. But what do we really know?

Get the facts on peritoneal carcinomatosis, a rare cancer in the abdomen.

A ketogenic diet is a very high-fat diet that forces your body to burn fat, not carbs, for most of its fuel. Researchers are trying to learn if it may also help starve cancer cells.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy, or PIPAC, is a new treatment technique that gives chemotherapy in the form of a pressurized aerosol, or spray. Learn about its uses, what happens when you get it, and what to expect afterward.

When your doctor says you need chemotherapy, you'll have lots of questions about the treatment, but you might also have concerns about the cost. The expenses you face depend a lot on the kind of chemo you get and your health insurance plan. Learn what to expect.

What to know about this cancer treatment, including its benefits and side effects.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is a very targeted dose of radiation that you get during surgery for cancer. Learn more about this type of cancer treatment.

A chemo port makes it easier to get certain kinds of cancer treatments. Find out how it works, what it feels like, and how to take care of it.

IMRT (intensity-modulated radiation therapy) is a special type of cancer treatment that targets your tumor but spares your healthy tissue. Find out more about the procedure, how to get ready, and what side effects you may have.

About to start chemotherapy? Here’s how to get your home and family ready.

Stage IV thyroid cancer is cancer that has spread outside your thyroid gland. Your prognosis can help you know what to expect based on your type of cancer and where it is in your body.

When you get a cancer diagnosis, it’s a lot to take in. Use these strategies to prepare to learn about your options, make decisions about your treatment, and line up personal support.

What if you find a lump, notice an odd-looking mole, see blood where there shouldn’t be blood, or find another possible cancer symptom during the coronavirus pandemic? Get the facts on why you need to get these signs checked, and how to do so.

When you learn that you have tonsil cancer, you may want to know about your prognosis -- an estimate of how serious your disease is and what it might do in the future. Things like your age, health, and whether you have human papillomavirus (HPV) could affect your prognosis.

Find out why nasal polyps usually aren't anything serious, and learn about the kinds of tests your doctor may suggest and the treatments that you may need.

While yoga can't fight cancer, it may ease some side effects of the disease and its treatments. Learn how it could improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare and fast-growing disease. Learn what causes it and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

Anemia is a common side effect of cancers like leukemia and colon cancer. Learn more about cancer-related anemia, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

For decades, there’s been a debate about whether radiation from cell phones could raise your risk of cancer. Find out what the research says, and learn some safer ways to use your phone.

When you're going through cancer treatment or trying to keep cancer from coming back, some fruits may be better than others. Learn more about which fruits to choose.

Antimetabolites are a type of drug commonly used to treat cancer. WebMD explains how these drugs work and their benefits and risks.

Many people believe the malaria treatment artemisinin may also fight cancer. Get the facts.

When you have cancer, there’s plenty you can do every day to feel better and live your best life.

Apricot seeds, specifically a chemical compound inside called amygdalin, have long been touted as an anticancer agent. But there is no proof that they work as a cancer treatment, and they actually may be harmful.

A biopsy uses tissue from your body to test for cancer cells. But can you tell if you have cancer without one? Learn about some of the new techniques for finding cancer and if they take the place of a biopsy.

If you notice certain changes in your body, it's a good idea to tell your doctor. Learn about cancer warning signs women should watch for.

Heart cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the cells of your heart. Learn more about the types, risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and survival rates.

Cancer treatments have come a long way, but a “cure” is still out of reach. Find out why.

Acne isn't usually a sign of anything serious. But some experts see a tie between that skin condition and some cancers.

Graviola is a tropical fruit tree that has long been used as food and medicine in other countries. Scientists have studied it as a potential cancer treatment. Find out what the research says.

We've all seen the ribbons that people wear to support those with cancer. We match up some colorful tributes to specific diseases and look into how it all started.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. But there’s more than one way to measure cancer deaths. Find out what the cancer death rate really means and whether it’s going up or down.

Two common types of testicular cancer -- non-seminomas and seminomas tumors -- grow and spread at different rates. Learn more.

Duodenal cancer is a rare type of gastrointestinal cancer that grows aggressively. Learn the risk factors, symptoms, and treatments for this disease.

Learn what the evidence shows about treating cancer with Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), an oil made from the flowers of the cannabis (marijuana) plant.

Rife machines are touted as a cancer treatment. But their benefits are unproven. Here’s what you need to know.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare disease. But it’s one of the deadliest cancers because it’s often found too late and can be hard to treat. But you can take preventive steps to lower your chances of getting it.

When you have cancer, you may wonder how the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, can affect you and your treatment. Here’s what you should know.

Find out how the right lifestyle -- including foods and exercise -- can help you feel better when you have a type of cancer called neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can cause lots of different symptoms, from shortness of breath to headaches to belly cramps. Find out more about symptoms and types of NETs.

Find out about the treatments for neuroendocrine tumors, including surgery, medication, radiation, and hormone therapy.

Find out kinds of scans or blood tests doctors use to diagnose neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

You might need to leave your hometown to get treatment for cancer. Here’s how to stay safe during your travels.

Chemotherapy can raise your risk of infections. Learn how to keep yourself and your family members safe.

Kidney cancer is one of the top 10 most commonly diagnosed in the U.S. Learn more about how the disease is staged and what the outlook is for people who have it.

Symptoms for the two kinds of kidney cancer are similar. Learn the signs to watch out for, and if you get a diagnosis, find out about treatment options.

Easy to whip up and sip, smoothies are a delicious way for people with cancer to get the nutrients they need. Learn the best ways to blend one up.