BATTLING RENEGADE CELLS:

CANCER AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Audience Q & A

Question:  What are potential downsides to a biopsy? Are there safer tests available?

Answer:  The only way to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer is through a microscopic examination of a tissue sample.  A very small needle or, when necessary, an incision may be used to obtain the sample.  Generally, only a very small sample of tissue is needed.  The risk associated with this procedure is very, very small and relates to the potential for bleeding or infection.  There is no documented risk of spreading a cancer by biopsy.

--Donald L. Trump, M.D.

Question:  What are some of the most common warning signs of cancer?

Answer: The “classic signs” are those widely distributed by the American Cancer Society.  They include:  bleeding in skin, stool, or urine; swelling in a lymph node; pain in an area of the body; change in bowel habits; change in a mole; change in urination pattern; weight loss; change in menstrual periods, especially unusual or postmenopausal bleeding; and persistent coughing, new coughing, or coughing up blood.  You should visit your doctor if you see any of these symptoms. 

--DLT

Question:  What factors do you consider when you are deciding what kind and how much chemotherapy to give to a patient?

Answer:  The primary factor in choosing a type of chemotherapy is the type of cancer.  Experience in clinical trials has defined the types of drugs most useful in each type (site of origin) of cancer.

The dose (“how much”) of chemotherapy is also based on the tolerance and effectiveness of a drug or drug combination in the “average” person.  It’s the same method used for choosing a dose of penicillin for pneumonia or a dose of antihypertensive drug for high blood pressure.  Each is based on what is usually effective in the “average” patient.  Sometimes, a particular patient is outside the “average” for reasons such as kidney impairment, reduced bone marrow reserve, or liver disease.  These factors are considered in modifying the dose or even the type of chemotherapy.

--DLT

Question:  How long does a cancer have to be in remission for the patient to be considered cured

Answer:  There is no “magic” or definitive time in which remission equals cure.  For most cancers, freedom from disease for five years means the risk of recurrence is very, very low.  However, very rarely, a tumor may recur after 10 or even 20 years of remission.

--DLT