Monday, October 27, 2025

An upper endoscopy is a medical procedure to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) using a long, flexible tube with a camera, also known as an endoscope. This outpatient procedure, also called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), can be used to diagnose and treat various conditions, such as ulcers or unexplained symptoms, and requires the patient to fast beforehand and arrange for a ride home afterward

 


Upper Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD)

Here’s a detailed overview of upper endoscopy: what it is, why it’s done, how you prepare, the procedure itself, risks, and after-care.

✅ What is it

Upper endoscopy (also called EGD) is a minimally-invasive procedure in which a long, flexible tube with a light and camera (an endoscope) is passed through the mouth, down the throat, into the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). (Mayo Clinic)
It allows direct visualisation of the lining of these organs, and also allows tissue sampling (biopsy) or treatment of some problems. (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

🕵️ Why it’s done

Here are common indications:

📝 How to Prepare

Typical preparation steps include:

  • Fasting: no food or drink for several hours before the test (often from midnight). (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

  • Discuss medications with your doctor: certain medications (blood thinners, etc) might need to be paused.

  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, have heart/lung diseases, or have had allergic reaction to sedation/anaesthesia. (Mayo Clinic)

  • Arrange for someone to drive you home afterwards, since sedation is used. (Mayo Clinic)

🏥 What Happens During the Procedure

Here is a step-by-step:

  1. You will lie on your side or back. Monitors will be attached to check heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure. (Mayo Clinic)

  2. A sedative will be given (via IV) and often your throat will be numbed with a local anaesthetic spray so you don’t gag. (Made For This Moment)

  3. A mouth-guard may be placed. The endoscope is gently passed through your mouth, down the throat, into the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. You may feel pressure or fullness, but not sharp pain. (muschealth.org)

  4. The doctor views the live video feed on a monitor, examines the linings, may inflate a little air to help visualise folds. Tools may be passed through the endoscope to take biopsies, remove polyps, treat bleeding or widen a narrowed area. (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

  5. The scope is withdrawn. The whole procedure usually takes about 10-30 minutes though time may vary if treatment is done. (muschealth.org)

⚠️ Risks & Complications

It is generally safe, but possible complications include:

  • Bleeding, especially if a biopsy or therapeutic intervention is done. (Mayo Clinic)

  • Perforation (tear) of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum (rare) requiring further intervention. (Mayo Clinic)

  • Reaction to sedation or anaesthesia (cardio-respiratory issues) especially in people with serious comorbidities. (Verywell Health)

  • Afterwards you may have sore throat, bloating, gas, mild discomfort. (Mayo Clinic)

🔍 After the Procedure & Recovery

  • You’ll be monitored in recovery until sedation wears off (often 30-60 minutes or more). (Mayo Clinic)

  • Avoid driving, making important decisions, operating heavy machinery for 24 hours afterwards (depending on sedation). (Mayo Clinic)

  • You may resume normal diet gradually, unless directed otherwise.

  • If biopsies were taken, results may take a few days. Your doctor will discuss findings with you.

  • If you experience severe chest pain, fever, difficulty swallowing or vomiting blood after the test, you should contact your doctor.

  • Many people are fine and go home the same day.

🧾 Important Things to Ask Your Doctor

  • What exactly is being checked? Why is the procedure recommended?

  • What kind of sedation will be used? What are risks specific to me?

  • What do I need to do before (fasting, medications)?

  • What happens if a biopsy or treatment is required during the endoscopy?

  • How and when will I get results?

  • What happens after? When can I eat/drink, return to work, drive?

If you like, I can also provide region-specific information for India / Puducherry (including typical cost, prep instructions locally, hospitals offering the procedure) — would you like that?



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Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Here is a detailed overview of lung cancer — what it is, its types, causes & risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, prevention and living with it. This is written for a blog‑style audience and covers many aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Lung Cancer



1. What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that begin in one or both lungs. These cells don’t behave like normal lung cells — they proliferate, invade nearby tissues, and may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. (Cancer.org)
The lungs consist of airways (bronchi, bronchioles) and tiny air sacs (alveoli). Tumours may start in these airways or the lung tissue itself. (Cancer.org)
Because lung cancer often grows silently until it’s advanced, it remains one of the leading causes of cancer‑related deaths globally. (World Health Organization)

2. Types of Lung Cancer

The two major categories are:

• Non‑Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

This is the more common type (about 80‑90% of cases). (MSD Manuals) Sub‑types include:

  • Adenocarcinoma

  • Squamous cell carcinoma

  • Large cell carcinoma

• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Less common (about 10‑20% of cases) but more aggressive, tends to spread more quickly. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Choosing the type is important because it influences treatment options and prognosis.

3. Causes & Risk Factors

🔹 Smoking

The single biggest risk factor. Around 85% of lung cancers are attributed to smoking. (World Health Organization)
Risk increases with the number of cigarettes and years smoked. Quitting at any age still lowers risk. (Mayo Clinic)

🔹 Secondhand Smoke

Exposure to smoke from others also increases risk. (Mayo Clinic)

🔹 Environmental & Occupational Exposures

🔹 Other Factors

  • Previous radiation therapy to the chest (Mayo Clinic)

  • Family history of lung cancer or certain genetic mutations

  • Chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD, pulmonary fibrosis)

4. Symptoms

Symptoms often don’t appear until disease is advanced. Key ones include:

Because these symptoms may overlap with other lung conditions, it’s often diagnosed late.

5. Diagnosis & Staging

🔍 Diagnostic Methods

  • Imaging: Chest X‑ray, CT scan, PET/CT scan, MRI for detailed views. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

  • Bronchoscopy: A scope to view airways & take biopsy. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

  • Biopsy: Tissue sampling for histology (type, grade) and molecular testing (mutations) especially in NSCLC. (World Health Organization)

  • Blood tests, sometimes tumor markers though less specific.

📊 Staging

Staging describes how far the cancer has spread: tumour size, lymph node involvement, distant metastases. (TNM system) (cancerindia.org.in)
General stages for NSCLC:

  • Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ (very early)

  • Stage I: Tumour limited to lung, no lymph nodes

  • Stage II: Larger tumour or nearby lymph nodes involved

  • Stage III: More extensive lymph node/adjacent structure involvement

  • Stage IV: Distant metastasis (bones, brain, liver)

Staging guides treatment.

6. Treatment Options

Treatment depends on cancer type, stage, patient’s health, molecular features.

• Surgery

For early‑stage NSCLC (Stage I/II) often the best chance for cure. Types: wedge resection, lobectomy, pneumonectomy. (World Health Organization)

• Radiation (Radiotherapy)

Used alone or with surgery/chemotherapy when surgery isn’t possible.

• Chemotherapy

Standard systemic therapy especially in SCLC and advanced NSCLC.

• Targeted Therapy

Drugs aimed at specific genetic mutations (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF etc) in NSCLC.

• Immunotherapy

Harnessing immune system (checkpoint inhibitors) playing increasing role in lung cancer.

• Combined Modality

Often combinations of the above, e.g., surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy + radiation or targeted therapy.

• Palliative Care

In advanced disease, the focus may shift to symptom control, quality of life.

Recent developments: Regulatory approvals for chemo‑free combinations in NSCLC with specific mutations (e.g., EGFR) have expanded treatment options.

7. Prognosis & Survival

  • Prognosis depends heavily on stage at diagnosis and cancer type. (MedicineNet)

  • For example: localised NSCLC may have 5‑year survival ~ 60‑70% in some cases. Advanced stage (metastatic) has much lower survival (~ 5‑year ~9% in distant stage) (Cancer.org)

  • SCLC has poorer prognosis due to aggressive nature.

  • Earlier detection and advances in therapy are improving outcomes.

8. Prevention & Risk Reduction

Since many cases are preventable, efforts focus on reducing risk:

  • Quit smoking or never start. This remains the most important action. (World Health Organization)

  • Avoid secondhand smoke.

  • Reduce exposure to occupational carcinogens (asbestos, arsenic, etc).

  • Test for radon levels in homes (especially underground areas).

  • Improve air quality; reduce ambient pollution.

  • Screening (for high‑risk individuals) e.g., low-dose CT scans in long‑term heavy smokers. (World Health Organization)

9. Living With Lung Cancer & Aftercare

  • Follow‑up: After treatment, regular visits with imaging, labs to monitor for recurrence.

  • Symptom management: Address cough, breathlessness, pain, fatigue, appetite changes.

  • Lifestyle: Healthy diet, physical activity, emotional support essential.

  • Rehabilitation: Pulmonary rehabilitation may help lung function and quality of life.

  • Support: Psychological support, palliative care options even early in treatment.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Lung cancer is serious but not uniformly hopeless — early detection markedly improves outcomes.

  • Smoking cessation is the single best preventive measure.

  • Molecular profiling in NSCLC has transformed treatment: targeted therapies, immunotherapies offer hope.

  • Awareness of symptoms, risk factors and availability of screening is vital.

  • Even when diagnosed late, modern therapies can extend life and quality of life.

If you like, I can prepare a blog‑friendly infographic, provide India‑specific stats & care pathways, or craft a printable PDF guide for patients and caregivers. Would you like that? 


 


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Thursday, October 16, 2025

CA Thyroid – Thyroid Cancer Overview Thyroid cancer (CA Thyroid) is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.

 


📌 Types of Thyroid Cancer

  1. Papillary Thyroid Cancer

    • Most common type (~80% of cases)

    • Slow-growing, often affects younger adults

  2. Follicular Thyroid Cancer

    • Second most common

    • May spread to lungs or bones

  3. Medullary Thyroid Cancer

    • Less common

    • Can be hereditary; originates from C-cells

  4. Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

    • Rare and aggressive

    • Usually affects older adults

🩺 Symptoms

  • Lump or swelling in the neck

  • Hoarseness or changes in voice

  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing

  • Persistent cough (not related to cold)

  • Pain in the neck or throat

Note: Early thyroid cancer may not show symptoms, which is why screening and evaluation are important.

🧪 Diagnosis

  • Physical Examination: Palpation of thyroid and lymph nodes

  • Ultrasound (USG) of Neck: Detects nodules and guides biopsy

  • Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB): Confirms malignancy

  • Blood Tests: Thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH)

  • CT/MRI/PET Scan: To check for spread in advanced cases

🩹 Treatment Options

  1. Surgery

    • Thyroidectomy: Partial or total removal of thyroid

    • Removal of nearby lymph nodes if cancer has spread

  2. Radioactive Iodine Therapy

    • Used to destroy residual thyroid tissue or metastases

  3. Thyroid Hormone Therapy

    • Replaces thyroid hormones after surgery

    • Helps suppress TSH to reduce recurrence risk

  4. External Beam Radiation / Chemotherapy

    • Reserved for aggressive or advanced thyroid cancers

🌿 Prognosis

  • Most thyroid cancers are highly treatable and have a good prognosis, especially papillary and follicular types.

  • Regular follow-up with ultrasound and blood tests is essential to detect recurrence.

⚠️ Prevention & Awareness

  • Maintain iodine-sufficient diet

  • Monitor any neck lumps early

  • Seek medical advice for persistent hoarseness or swallowing difficulty

I can also prepare a simplified Tamil version of CA Thyroid for patient education or awareness posters. Do you want me to do that?


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