What Are the Different Types of Biopsy Needles?

Biopsy needles are of utmost importance in the diagnosis of certain diseases such as cancer and the likes. Doctors get samples of the tissues that need to be studied in order to get a better picture of what is really the general status of the organ or other parts of the body that needs evaluation. Before a doctor will perform surgery, he will need to acquire a sample specimen first and have it sent to the histopathology section of the hospital laboratory where it is processed and read by a pathologist to determine if the object of inspection has cancer or free from it.

In some cases, the surgeon may require a small chunk of the organ or part to be examined, while in other cases all that is needed are really small amounts of flesh or fluid as a sample. In this case, they are used to extract the sample directly from the organ or part to be tested.

The biopsy needle types largely depend on its purpose and also the organ involved in the biopsy. For example, percutaneous liver biopsies use aspiration or asuction type needles, for their oblique tip that has slightly convex tip as it extends outward. Another type of needles used are the cutting type needles also know as the automatic biopsy needles. They are spring loaded and once triggered, it slices in a rapid-firing side-notch manner cutting through parenchyma cells of the liver.

For lung biopsies, coaxial needles are used. They are characterized by its increased rigidity and torque, which can overcome any resistance from the surrounding soft tissues and can collect multiple samples from a single procedure. Additionally, single shaft needles can also be used, since they are more flexible and maneuverable than the previous needle. They also puncture through soft tissues easily provided that no heavy tissue resistance is present. Nonetheless, a cutting needle, due to the barbed edges that enable the needle to cut large tissue samples from the pulmonary nodule, also works well. A 14 to 21 gauge needle can be used and can also be incorporated in a biopsy gun.

There are also soft tissue needles and bone marrow needles. The soft tissue needle are specifically made to capture good quality soft tissue samples while minimizing trauma to the patient. While bone marrow needles are very rigid, which allow them to drill through bones to acquire bone marrow samples.

Performing biopsies takes a lot of practice and training in order to hit the right spot that the doctor is aiming. To assist the physicians in hitting the right spot the first time, they normally use needle guides These needle guides are incorporated into the needles itself. They are usually 0.55-0.9mm wide and are usually placed on the tip of the needle. This will enable the clinician to see the direction of the biopsy needles inside the body. Compared to puncturing the site blind and without any idea what you might hit, these needle guides make it easier for the clinician to be accurate and eliminate critical errors in operation.

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Being Fat Reduces Chance of Surviving Breast Cancer

When a woman gets a diagnosis of breast cancer, she wants all the odds in her favor in order to fight and win against this terrible disease. A new study finds that keeping your weight in the normal range boosts your chances of surviving breast cancer if you develop this potentially deadly disease.

The research finds that those classed as overweight (or obese) prior to and after their diagnosis had less chance of survival. This link appeared only between the estrogen receptor positive form of breast cancer, the type where estrogen fuels the growth of the cancer. Hormones, according to the researchers, are most certainly involved.

It's no secret that over the last 20 years the numbers of overweight and obese adults have been climbing to new heights. Nearly a third of Americans are obese today and the UK tops the charts of obesity in Europe. Experts speculate that obese and overweight women also have increased levels of estrogen circulating in their blood, and this supports the growth of some cancerous cells.

This latest project involved almost 4,000 female subjects who had also been diagnosed with an invasive breast cancer in the years 1995 to 2006, with 262 deaths.

The team examined the body mass index (BMI) of the women at age eighteen and again at when they were diagnosed. Subjects who were obese (BMI over 30) had a 69% increased chance of dying from the disease than those who were in the healthy (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) weight range. That increased risk also applied to the overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9) subjects who were already carrying that extra weight at 18 years old.

It's not just the strength of the link between body weight at the point of diagnosis, but what you weigh years before that's showing itself to be important according to experts.

The findings of this study suggest the weight you are in your late teens matters more than anyone every thought.

For those with estrogen dependent forms of breast cancer, the greater their BMI, the greater the odds they would not survive. This link didn't hold for those with the estrogen negative form of disease.

The authors point out that keeping your weight in the healthy range is a smart move when it comes to preventing cancer. And while you can't help things like getting older, when you first started your period, your genetics, or treatments you (or your mother) may have had, you CAN do something about what you put into your body.

To maximize your chances of preventing or surviving breast cancer don't drink alcohol to excess. Eat healthy and balanced meals, without getting too hung up on the latest cancer fighting food. The American Cancer Society has dietary guidelines that are a great place to start. You'll also want to be sure you get the right amount of exercise so that you keep your body weight in the healthy range. Schedule activity as you do other important events, because if you don't make being active a priority, it won't get done, and you won't get the many benefits to body and mind of regular exercise.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more on how to increase your chances of surviving breast cancer should you ever receive a diagnosis.

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My Cancer Journey: Recognizing God's Blessings

Being a one-year cancer survivor, God has blessed me beyond measure. Although my situation isn't as severe or complex as some, I believe that cancer survivors have many of the same challenges. I also believe that sharing one's experiences with cancer can be beneficial not only for the one sharing, but for others currently dealing with cancer, and for their families, friends, and caregivers. My prayer is that the Lord will use my story to provide encouragement and reassurance that HE is in control. Furthermore, health crisis, others will be motivated to have a more positive focus. As John Piper has urged, I do not want to "waste my cancer".

This is a journalized account of my first year. On July 23, 2007 I spent a wonderful day with my daughter, Angie and two-and-a-half month old granddaughter, Lily. When I got home later that afternoon, I checked my voicemail as I usually do when gone for the day. There was a message from WestHealth to call back as soon as possible - even a number to call after 5:00 p.m. My heart went straight to my stomach since I had just had my yearly mammogram on July 19th at the Breast Center there. I called and found out that they had found micro-calcifications on my left breast and needed to do another mammogram with other views and more magnification. I was told that it was probably nothing and that women are called back all the time. That offered a little relief.

"...I am the Lord your God - and I say to you, Don't be afraid;

I am here to help you."

Isaiah 41:13?

I went to the Breast Center on July 24th with the idea that I would be in and out quickly. I had a lot to do that day. I ended up being there almost three hours. The mammogram showed a "questionable" area. Next, an ultra-sound was done and two different radiologists looked at it. They were both quite sure there was a problem. My first thought was directed at the Lord, "How can this be happening to me?- this must be a dream - because cancer only happens to other people! " The technician explained that the next step would be a core biopsy to get tissue from the lump and send it in to pathology to confirm whether or not it was cancer. Being the determined person I am, I asked if there was any way possible to do the biopsy right then. I do not like waiting; I like to get to the bottom of things right away and immediately have a plan of action. I like to be in control! At this point, I was not trusting the Lord, but I was sure talking to Him a lot. The biopsy was arranged after consulting with my doctor. I had to lie on an uncomfortable table for quite awhile as they were setting things up and getting the right staff together - since it wasn't planned ahead. I didn't care, because I wanted to get it over with. The procedure was not fun. The area was "numbed" and a long needle inserted in my breast directed to the lump by the ultra-sound equipment. Ordinarily, the needle is inserted and brought back out 5 times - mine was 8 times. It was very painful. I have always considered myself "tough" and practiced "mind over matter" techniques all the time. It didn't work! To make matters worse, the doctor doing the procedure was very blunt (which I normally prefer). As he was performing the biopsy, he said, "Yes, I'm sure it's cancer - I've done so many of these over the past 16 years that I know what it looks like". Now I was really in shock and in pain - and asking the Lord, again, "How can this be happening to me?"

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help

in times of trouble."

Psalm 46:1?

My personal experience with breast cancer has been a gift. My faith and love of my Savior, Jesus, has become deeper and more real. I have found that developing new relationships when you are hurting and weak actually strengthens others. My need has given others an opportunity to love. It is a two-way street of generous giving and grateful receiving. I have learned that Christians are never anywhere or experiencing anything by divine accident. There are reasons why we end up where we do. I know that one of the purposes of my cancer journey is to share my story and hopefully encourage others going through cancer or other health problems. My cancer sharpened my awareness of how God has always been at work in every detail of my life. God has limitless power and there are no obstacles that intimidate Him. The greatest blessing of all is the opportunity to share how Jesus Christ brought me through this health crisis and how I was able to recognize his blessings. This would not be possible if I did not know Him as my personal Savior. May all the glory and praise be given to our awesome God who loved us enough to send his own son to die on the cross in our place to provide redemption for our sins and give us eternal life.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life." John 3:164

Please see http://www.thejoyperspective.com/ to read the whole story.

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One Conversation Leads to Another

As an Oncology Massage Therapist my path has also led me to become a Patient Advocate. Over the past ten years, the faces and stories of the patients I have met have left an indelible impression on my consciousness. As invested as I am in the benefits of massage during treatment, I have also helped patients investigate safe spa treatments for when they have completed treatment, so that they can continue with massage. I have also cautioned them about body wraps, hot tubs, stone therapy and body scrubs. The conversations always revolve around safe massage and body treatments when there has been nodal dissection. Lymph edema is a lifetime risk and I want to make sure that they receive the correct information to make informed decisions about complementary care that will help them with their quality of life after cancer treatment.

One of the major issues about the risk for lymph edema is the confusing and conflicting statistics associated with incidences of lymph edema. It is a lifetime risk; lymph edema can happen from immediately after surgery to 10 years later or even longer. The numbers go from very low to over 30% depending who you are talking to or which article you are able to find on the internet. Many variable contribute to lymph edema, including; how many nodes removed, whether the affected limb is the 'dominant' limb, other medical issues that might contribute to risk, weight, occupation, activity level, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of treatments. Even when you can find a research article that includes statistics on lymph edema, these variables can make the research challenging to decide your own personal risk level.

To make matters even more difficult, lymph edema may not just be in a limb, but due to treatments for breast cancer, it may be in the chest or back. Also, the statistics are deceiving due to lack of reporting, many women just "live with it" due to lack of insurance, inability to get to treatments or have tried manual lymphatic drainage therapy and were unhappy with the results. The consequence of no treatment or not adhering to self-care is the risks of cellulite, hardening of the skin, pain, loss of range of motion.

In my ten years of meeting new patients as they begin chemotherapy or radiation treatment, I have witnessed so much frustration with patients about this issue. The common question is always, "why didn't anyone tell me?" I truly believe that the first goal for any physicians, whether surgeon or oncologist is to save the patient's life, that everything else is of secondary importance. I have not met a patient who would have refused treatment to avoid the risk of lymph edema, but they always voice that they felt the education should have come somewhere earlier than later in their treatment journey.

If they have been diagnosed with lymph edema, it is a major concern; it affects their work, their self-image, causes pain, the ability to care for their small children, hold their grandchildren. Even when they don't have lymph edema the fear of getting it causes them to restrict their arm, which further causes problems with shoulder issues, frozen shoulder being a major problem. As I meet and introduce myself to new patients at the outpatient cancer centers that I work at, education on the risks/preventions of lymph edema has become one of my goals. Which in turn made me wonder how much education is happening for patients who don't have the advantage of being at a cancer center that does educate patients.

I have volunteered for four years at the Living Beyond Breast Cancer conference. For 3 days attendees receive free massage and information about the risks/prevention for lymph edema. Attendees are encouraged to search out qualified oncology massage therapists who could help them find a "new normal massage." Information is given out for the National Lymph edema Network so that they could be informed about their self-care and when to seek medical advice. Safe spa treatment is stressed, the importance of finding spas that train their nail techs, massage therapists and aestheticians about oncology treatments and spa services.

The 5th Annual Joining Force Against Hereditary Cancer Conference was held in Orlando, June 24-26, 2010. This would be the first time that I had participated as a previvor of ovarian cancer and Patient Advocate. I was up bright and early to take advantage of the breakfast meeting with the speakers at FORCE. The presenters were gracious enough to give of their time to join the attendees for breakfast and answer our questions. I made my check-off list of those to whom I wanted to speak to. My morning started with a conversation at the gyn-oncology surgeon's table. I wanted to know his concerns about lower limb lymph edema from gynecological surgeries for cancer. Wasn't surprised to hear him say that the statistics were low and he didn't really see much lymph edema. Since the symptoms of lymph edema can happen years later, I am sure that is one of the reasons a surgeons' statistics would be low. As an oncology massage therapist, though, I do meet patients that have not received much information about risks/prevention of lower limb lymph edema and do comment that they have noticed some of the symptoms; tingling, different leg size, heaviness or aching at the end of the day. That is when I usually suggest that they see a specialist to see if they need any treatment or simply self- care for maintenance of the limb at home.

My next stop was to with Dr. Kathryn H. Schmitz, Associate Professor from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine. When I introduced myself I asked her the same question, "Why are surgeons so hesitant to explain risks/prevention for lymph edema for surgery, especially lower limb lymph edema?" We started the conversation that I had come to hear and learned a new analogy to bring back to my clients. Dr. Schmitz explained that cardiac surgeons routinely send their patients to cardiac rehab, that they would never expect their patient to go to a gym and work out on their own. She believed that the limb should be treated in a similar fashion, rehab the limbs and the patients would do better. Hopefully when patients are rehabbed earlier according to Dr. Schmitz, there may be fewer incidences of shoulder problems, recognize lower limb lymph edema, and help a survivor when they have a diagnosis of lymph edema or risk the worsening of lymph edema.

Dr. Schmitz was kind enough to send me some research on lymph edema that I forwarded to a Physical Therapist and Manual Lymphatic Drainage Specialist. After thanking me for sharing the article with her, the physical therapist said "Exercise has always been an important part of the lymph edema program for the Leduc method. All of our patients, unless they have certain contraindications, have exercise as part of their rehab. We stress this because this is part of the rehabilitation process. The problem comes in when the doctors perform the surgery and then let the patients fend for themselves. Then the patients come with frozen shoulders and terrible arm pain. I think that part of the problem, too, is that there is such a paucity of articles dealing with exercise and the cancer patient. This is where the critical thinking process comes in. If the therapists or the caregivers would just spend some time explaining the procedure to the patients and how their bodies change after the surgery, after chemo and radiation, then the process of rehab tends to be better and more manageable. The patients become less anxious and then they tend to move better with or without the prescription for therapy. They realize the importance of mobilizing their joints and then half of the battle is won. I think that the education process should start at the beginning - when the diagnosis is uttered and the patient goes through the process of healing one small step at a time."

Continuing these conversations I spoke to an oncology nurse and she said the following, "I firmly believe that the risk of lymph edema is something we need to discuss with our patients when we meet with them whether it is before or after surgery. Patients depend on us to take care of them; this is a part of care giving. If we teach this enough then we may be able to prevent some of the issues we are now seeing. We have a part to play along with the surgeons and physical therapists. The responsibility rests on us all."

Lately I have seen many "retreat" opportunities for patients that encourage activities to help them reflect, renew, renourish and move on to the new normal of their lives. Creating these memorable moments must be balanced with trained support staff for those patients that have had nodal dissections. Yoga teachers trained for special poses for breast cancer patients, massage therapists enlisted to help the attendees of the retreat that have specialized training, exercise specialists that understand the special needs of patients.

I am more determined than ever to be the missing link to help patients learn the risks/benefits of lymph edema education and refer them at the first sign of any problems. I am grateful that I can be a help to reducing that risk. They are my heroes and no one should get lymph edema due to lack of information.

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Breast Cancer Treatments and Cures

Breast cancer is a problem caused by malignant cell growth originating from breast tissue, most likely from the milk ducts or the lobules of the breast. It generally occurs in women, although in rare cases, it can be found in men as well. Breast cancer is the second most lethal cancer in women, right after lung cancer. It is estimated that 1 out of 100 women are affected by this disease. It accounts for 22.9% of all cancer cases in women worldwide. It also accounts for 458,503 deaths worldwide in the year 2008.

This disease can be categorized into several types. The ductal carcinoma - which originates from the milk ducts - is the most common type; it accounts for 80% of all breast cancer cases. The second most common type is the lobular cancer (which develops in the lobules) which accounts for around 10-15% of all cases. The less common types include the inflammatory breast cancer, phyllodes tumor, medullary cancer, mucinous (colloid) carcinoma, mixed tumors, and a type of cancer which involves the symptoms similar to Paget's disease.

If you suspect that you might have this disease, you should consult a doctor immediately for examination. For effective breast cancer treatments and cures, your doctor should run some tests to determine which type of cancer you have. The stage, rate of growth, size, and other characteristics of the abnormal cancerous cells are also the keys to determine the type of treatments suitable for you. Conventional treatment methods include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted drugs.

- Surgery is usually performed to remove a part or the whole of the affected breast. Most common surgeries performed are the mastectomy and lumpectomy.

- Chemotherapy is a systematic use of medication to kill the cancer cells. This treatment can cause uncomfortable side effects such as the loss of appetite, hair loss, nausea, and vomiting.

- Hormone therapy works by blocking the estrogen intake by the cancerous cells. As a result, the cancer is expected to shrink.

- Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy or radiation oncology) involves the use of high energy X-ray beams aimed at destroying the cancer cells. Side effects that may occur from this therapy include fatigue and a rash-like patch.

- Targeted drug therapy utilizes medications that are specially formulated in combating the anomalies in the cancer cell.

Thanks to the advancement in medical technology, scientists have come up with advanced breast cancer treatments and cures that can significantly decrease the number of death caused by this debilitating disease. Besides the advanced medical technology, people's awareness to perform breast self-examinations as well as regular screening is also increasing, and thus helps decreasing the death rates from breast cancer.

The accuracy of the diagnosis determines the effectiveness of breast cancer treatments and cures. Follow our link to learn more about this disease and how to prevent it.

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Breast Cancer: Choose Your Own Cure!

The term "breast cancer" refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells within the breast. It does not cause early symptoms but neither is it a mysterious disease that strikes you suddenly.

Cancer occurs as a result of abnormal changes in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. This could be attributed to genetics, an unhealthy lifestyle or simply the everyday "wear and tear" in life. For a number of reasons any woman above the age of 20 years can fall a victim to this dreaded disease, though the majority of advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over the age of 50.

It is common knowledge that those women who educated themselves about why breast cancer occurs, either avoided it completely or combated it with confidence.

It is estimated that in the US alone 1500 women die of breast cancer every day and over the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 of all women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Surveys show that more and more women in the US are undergoing a Mammogram or a MRI everyday.

Practitioners of non-conventional medicine (naturopaths and alternate medicine experts) maintain that mammograms do far more harm than good. Eighty percent of the million breast biopsies performed each year in the US are in fact negative, but not detected as such, because of inaccurate mammography. Why, then, does conventional medicine keep recommending mammograms?

In Sweden alone, according to the medical authorities the proportion of false "positive" results was alarmingly high in women under 50 years and this is considered a serious and costly problem. Presumably the better alternate, Breast Thermography, was approved by the FDA in 1982 for breast cancer detection and risk assessment but is seldom talked about these days.

Mammography, like MRI and sonography, looks at anatomical changes of the breast. It may take years for the tumor to grow to a sufficient size to be detectable by either a mammogram or a physical examination. By that time, the tumor may have already spread to the other parts of the body.

Whereas the risk of breast cancer to women over 55 justifies the risk of mammography, most medical experts are of the opinion that the risk of breast cancer for women under 40 years is not high enough to justify the risk of radiation exposure.

The National Cancer Institute has recommended chemotherapy for all breast cancer patients, whether or not they have any visible signs of cancer after surgery. Being unable to distinguish between cancerous and healthy cells, this toxic drug ends up killing both. Chemotherapy, with a dubious 3% success rate and horrible side effects, does not cure cancer or extend life beyond 5-7 years with a totally destroyed quality of life.

Radiation therapy, unlike chemotherapy, is considered a local treatment. This means that cancer cells are only killed at the location in the body where the radiation is delivered. If cancer exists outside the targeted field, those cancer cells escape destruction.

So far, the effort to control cancer with conventional medicine has failed to obtain its objectives. We are obviously losing ground with conventional treatment because the death rates keep going up. This is because modern methods are based on the faulty premises that only aggressive and toxic methods can cure the body of cancer.

It is this complete lack of certainty as to the outcome of conventional treatment that virtually pleads for more flexibility in the area of cancer therapy. For obvious reasons, conventional medicine has looked down upon any other forms of medicine that offers cheaper and better treatment but the fact remains that only alternate medicine is known to cure breast cancer with success for close to a century now.

So, forget what you may hear about breast cancer being a death warrant and how you'll be subjected to the ravages of chemotherapy and radiation--- the real cure lies before you.

R.P.Bhalla is a retired airline captain and wild life enthusiast. He writes extensively on Health and Relationship issues.

http://truth-about-cancer.info/

http://nature-cancer-cure.info/

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The Newly Discovered Link Between The Green Lipped Mussel and Breast Cancer

Cancer, one of the deadliest diseases in the world, is one of the most frightening too. Since the number of cancer patients all over the world is constantly increasing, scientists in the medical field are sparing no expenses in looking for a cure, specifically looking at the connection between the Green Lipped Mussel and Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers right now and the number of sufferers continues to go up. Since there are few choices on cancer treatment, every little help that these people can get are valued. That is why scientists are studying the link between green lipped mussel and breast cancer.

Recently, there have been positive studies linking the beneficial relationship between green lipped mussel and breast cancer. At first, you may think this is somewhat impossible, but it is true. This kind of mussel is said to boost cancer survival rate. This is because it contains high amounts of antioxidants that can reduce the free radicals in the human body that can cause damage to our genetic structure or in other words, can cause cancer. This kind of mussel is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that hinder the appearance of cancer cells.

The mussel contains lypo-oxygenase enzymes, which are great in inhibiting breast cancer. In addition, the good thing about the mussel is that it is not painful for the patients who take it. It also does not create harsh side effects unlike other medications and treatments.

The mussel extract is very effective in preventing cancer but it is also not bad at treating the cancer as well. It is a great antioxidant, which can help the body remove bad toxins that can later become damaging to your health.

The best way to acquire all the great benefits from the mussel is to take it as fresh as possible. There are also good manufactured supplements of this mussel that you can find in the market.

Arthritis sufferers have used the green lipped mussel supplement for some time now and the mussel sure does deliver. This natural product is very good for people who prefer not to take pharmaceuticals, which can lead to all sorts of unwanted side effects.

The link between the green lipped mussel and breast cancer has still yet to be proven but if you are planning to try this supplement, make sure you ask a professional's advice first to avoid any adverse side effects. The known side effects of these products are abdominal pains, diarrhea and gout that can last up to three days.

For optimal health, we have been using a special green lipped mussel formula and for good reason, as the quality of this formula is guaranteed. We have been personally using this formula for over 3 years with excellent health results.

You can learn more about our product of choice and why we use this product above all other green lipped mussel formulas at Green Lipped Mussel Interactions.

William Lin is the manager of a series of health websites. His latest addition discusses the green lipped mussel formula that he and the editors consume. For more information on green lipped mussel, pain relief, anti-oxidants as a whole, check out http://green-lippedmussel-interactions.com/

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