Midline lethal granuloma
Overview
Midline lethal granuloma: A rare condition involving progressive destruction of the midface region which includes the nose, sinuses, palate and even the eyes.
Symptoms
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Midline lethal granuloma includes the 4 symptoms listed below: * Stuffy nose * Nasal discharge * Blood in nasal discharge * Destruction of nasal cavity tissue Note that Midline lethal granuloma symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Midline lethal granuloma signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.
Causes
Researchers have found that cancer develops from mutations within the genes of cells. Thus, cancer is a genetic disease. Cancer susceptibility genes are of two types. Some are oncogenes, which activate cell division and influence embryonic development, and some are tumor suppressor genes, which halt cell division. These genes are typically found in normal human cells, but certain kinds of mutations may transform the normal cells. Inherited defects may cause a genetic mutation, whereas exposure to a carcinogen may cause an acquired mutation. Current evidence indicates that carcinogenesis results from a complex interaction of carcinogens and accumulated mutations in several genes. In animal studies of the ability of viruses to transform cells, some human viruses exhibit carcinogenic potential. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer. High-frequency radiation, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, damages the genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), possibly inducing genetically transferable abnormalities. Other factors, such as a person's tissue type and hormonal status, interact to potentiate radiation's carcinogenic effect. Examples of substances that may damage DNA and induce carcinogenesis include: ❑alkylating agents — leukemia ❑aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene (from polluted air) — lung cancer ❑asbestos — mesothelioma of the lung ❑tobacco — cancer of the lung, oral cavity and upper airways, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder ❑vinyl chloride — angiosarcoma of the liver. Diet has also been implicated, especially in the development of GI cancer as a result of a high animal fat diet. Additives composed of nitrates and certain methods of food preparation — particularly charbroiling — are also recognized factors. The role of hormones in carcinogenesis is still controversial, but it seems that excessive use of some hormones, especially estrogen, produces cancer in animals. Also, the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol causes vaginal cancer in some daughters of women who were treated with it. It's unclear, however, whether changes in human hormonal balance retard or stimulate cancer development. Some forms of cancer and precancerous lesions result from genetic predisposition either directly (as in Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma) or indirectly (in association with inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or immunodeficiency diseases). Expressed as autosomal recessive, X-linked, or autosomal dominant disorders, their common characteristics include: ❑early onset of malignant disease ❑increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eighth cranial nerve [acoustic neuroma]) ❑increased incidence of multiple primary malignancies in nonpaired organs ❑abnormal chromosome complement in tumor cells. Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms * Stuffy nose
Diagnosis
The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Midline lethal granuloma. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Midline lethal granuloma has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Midline lethal granuloma signs or Midline lethal granuloma symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Midline lethal granuloma may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Midline lethal granuloma symptoms.