What Is COPD? COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance),...

How Is COPD Diagnosed? Your doctor will diagnose COPD based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family histories, and test results. Your doctor may ask whether you smoke or have had contact with lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution,...

Many different staging systems for colorectal cancer have been employed, but a single system is required to ensure a common language for clinicians. From the tumor, nodes, and metastasis system, it requires continuous evaluation and change. Staging may change based on...

Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps​ What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the colon or rectum divide uncontrollably, ultimately forming a malignant tumor. (The colon and rectum are parts of the body’s digestive...

General Information About Colon Cancer Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of the patients. Recurrence following surgery is a...