Most Curable Cancers

10 Most Curable Cancers

What Are the 10 Most Curable Cancers?

Advances in cancer detection and treatment mean more people are surviving cancer, especially when it’s caught early. Some of the most curable cancers include thyroid, prostate, and testicular cancer.

The number of cancer survivors in the United States is growing. This may be related to an aging population, but it also reflects advances in early detection and treatment. In general, cancer is easiest to treat when diagnosed early.

This article reviews cancers with the highest 5-year relative survival rates when diagnosed in the early stages.

What do we mean by curable?

The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains that “cured” means there’s no evidence of cancer, you don’t need more treatment, and cancer isn’t expected to return. But a doctor can never be 100% certain that cancer won’t return.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), some doctors may say you’re cured if you’re in complete remission for 5 years or more. For most cancers, recurrences are most likely in the first 5 years. But cancer can return many years later.

A doctor may use the word “cured,” but it is more likely they’ll say you’re in remission or there’s no evidence of disease.

Some cancers are easier to treat than others, so survival rates vary significantly. Another key factor is the stage at diagnosis. “Stage” describes the tumor size and how far it may have spread. Other factors that affect your outlook are:

  • the tumor grade, which describes how abnormal cancer cells are and how quickly they’re likely to spread
    lymph node
  • involvement (whether the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes)
  • your age and overall health
  • your response to treatment.

1. Thyroid cancer

Early detection is common in thyroid cancer. At diagnosis, about 65% of cases are localized cancers and 29% are regional cancers. “Localized” means that the cancer is limited to a small area, while “regional” means that the cancer has spread to nearby areas. “Distant” means that the cancer has spread to organs or lymph nodes that are far from the original tumor.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on the NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized99%
Regional98%
Distant53%
All stages combined98%

Survival rates vary, depending on the specific type of thyroid cancer. Well-differentiated tumors, including papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer, are the most common. “Well-differentiated” means that the cancer cells look more like normal cells. When caught early, well-differentiated cancers can usually be cured, according to the NCI.

Poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumors are made up of cancer cells that look unlike or very unlike normal cells. Poorly differentiated or undifferentiated thyroid cancers are known as anaplastic thyroid cancers, which aren’t common but are much more aggressive.

With a tumor between 1 and 4 centimeters, the main treatment is usually surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid. Other treatments depend on the cancer type and stage.

2. Prostate cancer

Most prostate cancers are slow growing. About 70% are diagnosed as localized cancers, and 13% are diagnosed as regional cancers. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing may have a lot to do with early detection.

The relative survival rates shown in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States between 2012 and 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized>99%
Regional>99%
Distant32%
All stages combined97%

Prostate cancer can run in families and certain gene variants may increase your risk.

Low grade prostate cancer may not require treatment. Careful monitoring, or active surveillance, may be appropriate. Treatment for early stage disease may include surgery, radiation therapy, or radioactive seed implants (brachytherapy).

3. Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in people assigned male at birth, ages 15 to 45 years. When caught early, it’s one of the most curable.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2017.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized99%
Regional96%
Distant73%
All stages combined95%

Treatment for early stage testicular cancer may include active surveillance. It may also involve surgical removal of one or both testicles (orchiectomy) or radiation therapy.

4. Skin cancer

With early treatment, almost all cases of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are curable. Melanoma is also highly curable in the earliest stages. But it’s more likely to spread. About 78% melanoma diagnoses are localized cancers.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Melanoma stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized>99%
Regional71%
Distant32%
All stages combined94%

Skin cancer is the most common cancer around the world. The main cause is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Treatment for early stage skin cancer involves removing the lesions.

5. Breast cancer

The death rate from breast cancer decreased by 43% from 1989 to 2020. This may be due to earlier detection and improved treatment. About two-thirds of cases are at the localized stage at diagnosis.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized99%
Regional86%
Distant30%
All stages combined91%

Survival rates vary according to the specific type. For example, triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancers are more aggressive than other types.

The exact cause of breast cancer isn’t clear. Along with environmental factors, certain inherited gene mutations may increase risk.

Treatment for early stage breast cancer generally involves surgery. Other treatments depend on the type and stage.

6. Uterine cancer

When caught early, the outlook for people with uterine cancer is very good. However, only 67% of cases are diagnosed at the localized stage.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized95%
Regional70%
Distant18%
All stages combined81%

Surgery is the main treatment for early stage uterine cancer. Other options depend on how far the cancer has spread.

7. Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. The outlook for people with early stage disease is good. Only 14% of cases are diagnosed as stage 1 cancers, while 38% are diagnosed as stage 2 cancers.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized93%
Regional95%
Distant83%
All stages combined89%

Treatment for early stage disease may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

8. Kidney and renal pelvis cancer

When the cancer is caught early, people with kidney or renal pelvis cancer have a favorable outlook. About 66% of diagnoses occur at stage 1. Current treatment methods cure more than 50% of people with stage 1 renal cell cancer.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized93%
Regional72.3%
Distant15.3%
All stages combined77%

The main treatment for early stage kidney cancers is surgery to remove part or all of the kidney. Radiation therapy may also be necessary. Other treatments depend on the type and stage.

9. Ovarian cancer

Localized ovarian cancer is quite treatable. But there’s no specific screening test and early symptoms may not be obvious. Almost 60% of cases are late stage cancers at the time of diagnosis.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2017.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized93%
Regional74%
Distant31%
All stages combined49%

Early treatment includes surgery to remove one or both ovaries.

10. Cervical cancer

With the help of a Pap test, it’s possible to identify and remove precancerous lesions to prevent cervical cancer. Screening can also detect early stage cervical cancer. But only 44% of cases are at the localized stage at diagnosis.

Relative survival rates in the table below are based on SEER population statistics for the United States from 2012 to 2018.

Stage at diagnosis5-year relative survival rate
Localized91.8%
Regional59.4%
Distant17.1%
All stages combined67%

Most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Surgery is the main treatment for early stage disease.

Takeaway

Advances in cancer detection and treatment mean more people are surviving cancer. There’s a positive outlook for people with many different types of cancer, especially when the cancer is caught early.

Some of the most curable cancers, such as cervical and prostate cancers, have screening tests to help with early diagnosis. Other very treatable cancers, such as ovarian and uterine cancers, don’t have routine screening tests and may escape detection until they spread.

That’s why it’s important to be aware of risk factors, symptoms, and cancer screening tests. If you have concerns about your cancer risk, consider speaking with a doctor to learn more.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/curable-cancers

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization is necessary when other methods of treatment are ineffective. Tamar Nadirashvili

Transition Period in a Woman’s Life

Transition Period in a Woman’s Life

The essential recommendation for women is to keep healthy lifestyle during the transition period.

Climacteric period in woman’s life is a transition stage from reproductive to advanced age. The average life expectancy of a modern woman is about 80 years. It means that climacteric period occupies the one-third of her life. Current physiological hormonal changes in the female body during transition stage have a negative impact on physical and mental health, emotions, quality of life. For women it’s very important to maintain the good health at this particular time of their life.

Gradual degradation of ovarian function during the transition period causes decrease in sex hormones. At first the amount of progesterone is lowered, then the level of estrogens drops. This leads to the development of undesirable changes in all system of female body. The early signs of transition period can manifested with mood changes, irritation, nervousness, tendency to get angry, anxiety, loss interest in life, fatigue, depression, insomnia, inattention, memory loss. Generally women do not connect these symptoms with an age-related hormonal imbalance, since they’ve already appeared before the irregular menstrual period starts.

The last menstruation (menopause) – is a key event in climacteric period with average age of 51 ± 2 years. The typical vasomotor symptoms, that are manifested initially, comprise: hot flashes, sweating, heart beating, high blood pressure. According to the studies women, who experience intensive hot flashes, have a high risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

At the next stage of climacteric period pathological changes in genitourinary system appear: urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, nocturia, vaginal dryness, itching, painful intercourse, etc.

Estrogen deficiency in menopause leads to joint pain, dry eye syndrome, skin wrinkles. Cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and osteoporosis develop later.

Treatment of menopausal syndrome is necessary, although women’s attitude towards this issue is different. Some believes that menopause is a normal physiological event and complaints will disappear by themselves. Others watch advertisements and take medication without supervision of doctor. Unfortunately, only a small part of women are concerned about their health and visit clinic.

The gold standard in treatment of climacteric syndrome is natural estrogen replacement therapy. Attitudes towards menopausal hormone therapy are also controversial. Women have fear for oncological diseases and weight gain, however it does not correspond to reality. Menopausal hormone therapy should be prescribed by a qualified reproductologist or gynecologist, who will correctly evaluate the risks and benefits of the treatment.

For the treatment of climacteric symptoms over-the-counter drugs can be used. Phytoestrogens are substances, which occur naturally in plants: soy, rice, hops, red clover black cohosh. They have similar structure to the natural female hormone-estrogen, are able to bind estrogen receptors, thereby cause a decrease in hot flashes, sweating, headaches and other symptoms of menopause. It is known that Chinese and Japanese women, whose diet is rich in soy and rice, have mild menopausal symptoms.

The essential recommendation for women is to keep healthy lifestyle during the transition period. Smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet, excess weight, obesity or underweight worsen menopausal symptoms. Regular physical activity- sport, dancing, swimming, walking, getting enough sleep, healthy environment and positive emotions significantly improve the course of the climacteric period and the quality of life.

The menopause is mainly associated with the beginning of old age. However women over 50 years have important place in society. Women will easily overcome pathological climacteric symptoms, if they are informed in advance.

The management of menopausal syndrome, the education of medical doctors and provide information to women about climacteric issue always was and still remains one of the priorities for our clinic and for the Georgian Association of Reproductive Health, whose founder and President is Professor Archil Khomasuridze.

Doctor
Lali Pkhaladze MD. PhD.
Reproductologist, Gynecologist
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