What is the connection between malignant neoplasms and crabs?

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The more common term for malignant neoplasms, cancer, is Latin for crab, and the word "carcinogen," meaning a cancer-causing agent, comes from the Greek word for crab, "karkinos." What is the connection between these two seemingly unrelated things?
Cancer, both the disease and the astronomical constellation, derive from the Latin cancer or cancrum, meaning crab. The astrological sign, of course, is said to resemble a crab and the disease was so named by the ancient Greek physician Galen (129-200 A.D.) who noted the similarity between a certain type of tumor with a crab as well—the swollen veins around the tumor resembling the legs of a crab.

Old English adopted cancer directly from Latin and used it for a variety of spreading sores and ulcers. This early sense survives in the modern word canker. From c.1000 in a manuscript called Læce Boc (Leech Book), collected in Oswald Cockayne’s Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England, Vol. II, 1865:

Gemeng wið þam dustum, clæm on ðone cancer.
(Mix with the dust, smear on the cancer.)

And from Wyclif’s 2 Timothy, 1382:

The word of hem crepith as a kankir

The word was being applied specifically to the disease we today call cancer by the beginning of the 17th century. From Philemon Holland’s translation of Pliny’s Historie of the World:

Cancer is a swelling or sore comming of melancholy bloud, about which the veins appeare of a blacke or swert colour, spread in manner of a Creifish clees.

The astronomical sense of cancer is from the Latin name for the constellation of the crab. The name was known to the Anglo-Saxons, but only as a Latin name and was not assimilated into English until the Middle English period. It appears in Ælfric’s De Temporibus Anni, written c.993, in a list of the constellations of the Zodiac:

Feorða • Cancer • þæt is Crabba
(Fourth, Cancer, that is the crab.)

The Anglicized name appears c.1391 in Chaucer’s Treatise on the Astrolabe:

In this heved of cancer is the grettist declinacioun northward of the sonne...this signe of cancre is clepid the tropik of Somer.
(At this first point (head) of cancer is the greatest declination northward of the sun…this sign of cancer is named the tropic of summer.)

(Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition)  (+ info)

What does endometrial echocomplex demonstrating a proliferative morphology mean?

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I had to have a pelvic ultrasound done because I was getting some pain which my doctor thought may be due to an ovary cyst. Turns out I have a corpus lupus cyst. Also on the ultrasound it states as follows The endometrial echocomplex measures 1.5cm demonstrating a proliferative morphology. I have tried looking it up on several websites without success. Any helpful comments would be appreciated.
It's an abnormal, rapid cell growth on the endometrium or lining of the uterus. Proliferative morphology sounds like it means that this growth is still actively growing.

Basically, it sounds like a growth or possibly an unusually thick endometrial layer (the lining of the uterus that usually thickens at various points throughout the month.)  (+ info)

What is the expected life span of endometrial cancer which has metastasized to the lungs and brain?

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My mom has been diagnosed last May with endometrial cancer and underwent hysterectomy and radiation therapy. Just recently, we found out that it has metastasized to the lungs and brain. It breaks our heart to see her suffer much but at this time, there really is no cure available. She is now undergoing palliative radiation treatments to help manage the pain. Just wanted to have an idea how much time we have left with her?
Wow. This is rare and very unfortunate. We are sorry for you in this difficult time.
Here's data looking at people in similar situations from a 2003 Canadian study.
"Between January 1991 and March 2003, there were 1295 women referred to the London Regional Cancer Center with the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, and eight of these women (0.6%) developed brain metastases. Treatment and clinical outcomes were analyzed.
Three patients had no other evidence of systemic disease, while five had disseminated disease. Four patients had a single brain metastasis, while four had multiple lesions. Seven patients received whole brain radiation therapy in addition to systemic steroids, of which six had temporary improvement or resolution in symptoms. Median survival following diagnosis of brain metastases was 3.5 months."

This study of almost 1300 women with endometrial cancers found only 8 who developed brain involvement. I did not see a person like this in 20 years as a cancer specialist doctor. Their experience with the 3 to 4 month survival is not a prediction - since it is based on only 8 people.

Doctors can never predict survival months ahead of time. When it gets down to the last days, it is relatively easy for experienced nurses and doctors to see the end coming - but family members can see that too. You will know when things are headed downhill. Enjoy the good time as much as possible.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WG6-4C0TD88-2&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=978008158&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=a224796b99ddb04c54434c46aa78a7b5  (+ info)

What are the chances of a very thick endometrial lining being cancerous in a post menopausal woman?

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My 58 yr old friend had a pelvic sonogram and the doctor said that her endometrial lining is 5 times as thick as it should be and is sending her to a Gyn-oncologist. Does this mean that he is pretty sure that she has cancer?
They call that a hyper-proliferative endometrium.
It does not mean cancer. It means she is not shedding her endometrium probably because she does not have her period.
I did this same thing about 10 yrs ago. They biosied my endometrium and put me on high doses of progesterone.
She will need to follow up with her gynecologist.  (+ info)

What does it mean when your pap result is atypical endometrial cells?

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I have had an endometrial biopsy and transvirginal ultrasound done but am still waiting the results.The waiting is murder. It's all I can think about. Have I got cancer?
I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious. The cells in the cervix are some of the fastest growing in the body. The cells in the walls are constantly being grown and shed. As a result of the fast renewal some cells may be created that are abnormal. It is quite common for women to return atypical results from their pap smears without it being cancer. I know it's a worrying thought but the earlier these things are found the better. Take care.  (+ info)

How pregnant could you be in the proliferative endometrial stage?

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I had a Endo Bx without a pregnancy test done and am worried I may have been pregnant (had unprotected sex 2 times month prior). The results showed I was in the 'proliferative endometrial stage'. My tubes are tied and I'm 52 but I've understood it can still happen at that age.
It is hard to say I am no expert- but the "proliferative endometrial stage" of your cycle all that means is that your endometrium (the lining of your uterus) is proliferating (to grow or produce by multiplication of parts, as in budding or cell division) which means the lining of your uterus was in the process of building up & getting thicker. This happens in the first half of your menstrual cycle (follicular phase) just after your period, BEFORE ovulation. You can't get pregnant unless sperm meets egg, and they can't meet if you haven't released the egg yet! There is no way you could have been pregnant, it was too early in your cycle even if your tubes weren't tied.. take a deep breath and relax.  (+ info)

Is it safe to take Estrogen after having had a complete hysterectomy for endometrial cancer?

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I'm 44 and am at a higher risk for osteoporosis without any estrogen. However, endometrial cancer is estrogen dependent, so my thought is it wouldn't be wise to take it for risk of recurrence elsewhere. I can deal with the other menopausal symptoms, but am concerned about bone loss since I would typically have had several more years of estrogen before hitting menopause. Any alternatives or thoughts?
I would say that it is probably not safe for someone who has had endometrial cancer to take estrogen replacement therapy but the only way to find out for sure is to double check with your dr to see what they think.  (+ info)

How long does it take to get the results back from an endometrial biopsy?

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I had an endometrial biopsy 5 days ago. The dr. performed it based on abnormal bleeding for the last 4 years, and the results of a sonogram that indicated unusual thickness in the lining of my uterus as well as a cyst on one of my ovaries. I am 45 years old with two children in college. So no more children for me. I also suffer from extreme hypertension which I take medication for daily. I'm not overweight and work out quite often. But I am going crazy right now waiting for the results of this biopsy. Does anyone out there really think that I may have endometrial cancer? I've never taken birth control pills because of my hypertension. And right now, I'm just very frightened. If anyone out there has had a similar experience, I would love to hear from you. Thank you.
First of all, take a deep breath. You are not alone. I have had a couple of these; they came back inconclusive and I had to have a D&C (actually had several of those too).

It should take about a week. If the doc has not called you back, you call him. I know from experience that waiting is pure torture! The mind can go to all kinds of weird places.

Hang in there and be sure when you re-visit your doc that you bring your questions written down. I would also suggest that you bring another person with you when you get your results (assuming you get them in the office).

Remember, Endo. cancer is very slow growing and has the most successful rate of cure. But there are other phases before it gets there. Hyperplasia...Complex Hyperplasia, and Complex Hyperplasia with Atypia. (that last one was my dx)

I suggest that you also visit a web site called hystersysters.com. I would have never gotten thru my ordeal with out that support from those wonderful ladies.

Best wishes to you.  (+ info)

What is the survival rate of a baby that was conceived two years after endometrial ablation?

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My friend had endometrial ablation 2 years ago and just found out she is 7 weeks pregnant. She is desperate to do anything possible to allow this baby to survive. Does anyone have any history of this or know anyone who has? What is a usual gestation time for these type of pregnancies?
Thank you! Your prayers and thoughts are much appreciated.
I honestly don't know the answer to this question.

I just wanted to tell you that my prayers are with your friend and her baby.

Good luck to you all.   (+ info)

How successful was your endometrial ablation?

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I am going to be scheduled for an exploratory laparotomy, hysteroscopy and endometrial ablation for heavy menstural bleeding and pelvic pain. I suppose they will put me on the surgery schedule as soon as the MD gets back from vacation. He thinks this may help my pelvic pain and end the misery I am having. Whats your opinoins. If it doesnt work, he will do a hysterectomy. Whats your thoughts on this?
I have never had an endometrial ablation but I have met a few women that have had this procedure done and had good results.

I am also writing to give you the link to a site that may help you find more information and experiences. The link is at: http://forums.obgyn.net/womens-health  (+ info)

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