Facing a cancer diagnosis is already a challenging journey, but what happens when you're dealing with not just one, but two different types of cancers simultaneously? This article explores the reality of treating multiple cancers at once, shedding light on its frequency, who is most at risk, how cancer doctors diagnose this complex situation, and why consulting specialists at leading oncology centres in Singapore such as OncoCare is crucial to ensure you get the care and guidance you need.
While it may seem like a rare case of lightning striking twice, it's not terribly uncommon for a person to get two cancers – even at the same time. Researchers estimate that the frequency of people with cancer having another separate cancer at the same time is 2–17% (Vogt et al., 2017). Having two cancers at the same time is defined as more than one synchronous or metachronous cancer in the same individual.
Several factors can increase an individual's risk of developing two different types of cancers simultaneously (Vogt et al., 2017) :
Mendiagnosis pelbagai kanser primer melibatkan penilaian perubatan dan proses diagnostik yang menyeluruh. Biasanya, apabila diagnosis kanser dibuat, doktor akan mengarahkan ujian pengimejan pada dada, abdomen dan pelvis untuk menilai sama ada kanser telah merebak di luar lokasi awalnya. Dalam kes di mana kanser tertentu mudah merebak ke otak seperti kanser pundi kencing (walaupun jarang berlaku), pengimejan otak tambahan mungkin diperlukan.
Jika pengimejan mendedahkan tumor tambahan, adalah penting untuk menentukan sama ada tumor ini berasal daripada kanser yang sama atau mewakili keganasan yang berbeza. Biopsi dan penjujukan genetik kedua-dua tumor memberikan jawapan yang pasti, membantu doktor memastikan sama ada mereka berhadapan dengan satu atau dua kanser yang berasingan.
If you receive a diagnosis of metastatic cancer or face the complex scenario of having two different types of cancers, it's essential to seek expert care. People diagnosed with two simultaneous cancers should receive care at a cancer centre equipped with a multidisciplinary team of specialists. This team typically includes oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists who collaborate closely to develop the most effective treatment plan tailored to your unique situation. Given that oncologists specialise in specific cancer types, a team of oncologists at a dedicated cancer centre can assess which cancer should be addressed first.
Navigating multiple cancer diagnoses can be overwhelming, but with the right medical expertise and support, it's possible to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Consult with the cancer doctors at OncoCare in Singapore who have the experience and knowledge to navigate such intricate cases. At OncoCare, our specialists are here to guide you through this challenging journey, providing compassionate care and evidence-based treatments to address your unique needs. Contact us to arrange an appointment today.
"Pengetahuan pakar bermakna penjagaan kanser yang lebih baik"
Ditulis oleh:
Dr Akhil Chopra
MBBS (Delhi)
Diperakui Lembaga Amerika (Perubatan Antarabangsa)
Diperakui Lembaga Amerika (Hematologi)
Diperakui Lembaga Amerika (Onkologi Perubatan)
Petikan
Vogt, A., Schmid, S., Heinimann, K., Frick, H., Herrmann, C., Cerny, T., & Omlin, A. (2017). Tumor primer berbilang: Cabaran dan pendekatan, satu ulasan. ESMO Open, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/esmoopen-2017-000172