Friday 8 May 2015

Why Are Lymph Nodes Removed in Breast Cancer Staging?

Women who have tested positive for breast cancer may find themselves wondering just why their surgeon is recommending the removal of lymph nodes for further testing. This can seem like an unnecessary and overly invasive extra step with a cancer that already tends to require rather invasive treatment.

Lymph node biopsies, however, are not performed lightly and they can, in fact, prove critical for helping doctors not only stage cancer, but better understand its spread if that has indeed occurred. Lymph node biopsies are simply a critical part of the diagnostic process for localized breast cancer. This procedure can also better help physicians determine treatment and management strategies while offering prognostic insights, as well.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control recently published guidelines for lymph node staging. In most cases, staging recommendations only involve sentinel node dissection, but the best management for patients who have detectable axillary disease remains under review.

Women who have clinically node-negative breast cancers will find a sentinel lymph node biopsy will generally be performed as the standard of care. For those with node-positive cancers, axillary dissection will also likely be performed. Sentinel nodes for breast cancer patients are generally located under the armpit. Once the sentinel nodes are found using a radioactive dye, a few of will be removed and examined to look for signs of cancer. This can help with staging while also enabling doctors to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. If axillary lymph node dissection is required, most of the lymph nodes under the arm will be removed for study to help seek out signs of cancer’s spread.

While lymph node biopsies might seem like an added burden for a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment, they serve a vital purpose. This examination can help ensure doctors have a clearer picture of the cancer while arming them with the facts needed to help direct the battle against it. Visit here for more information.

Monday 4 May 2015

End Your Lease on a Pleasant Note by Hiring Professional House Cleaners

When your lease ends and it is time to move out, you need to make sure that the house is clean and ready for its next occupants. Cleaning the house can make the landlord or the owner happy, too, allowing you to end your lease on a pleasant note.

Professional cleaning at the end of lease is important not only to ensure a clean home for the next occupants, but also to make sure that you can pack your things in an organized manner. Moving out can be exhausting and daunting, especially if you are alone. Aside from all the manual labour, you also have to spend money to buy cleaning supplies and equipment. Vacate and end of lease cleaning services can spare you from the trouble of buying cleaning equipment and cleaning the house all by yourself. You can leave everything to the cleaning specialists and they will get the job done on time.

Vacate cleaning services can remove all cobwebs and extensively dust your home. You can leave the thorough mopping and vacuuming of all floors to professionals—and you can rely on them to clean and disinfect the bathrooms and exhaust systems. Expert cleaners make sure that they do not miss a spot, so you can expect them to clean and polish mirrors, too. Moreover, they can clean the kitchen and its appliances, such as the oven, dishwasher, and burners.

Professional cleaners extend their cleaning expertise beyond the house. They can sweep the garage and wipe the skirting boards and window seals, door handles, doors, and switches. They can even deodorize and freshen the air of the house for free after they have completed the cleaning. These may seem like small tasks, but when done right, they can certainly improve the quality of the house, impressing your landlord and the next occupants.