5Valerio

Project 1

Main Idea: To learn about an under looked and miss-understood type of cancer. =Fact Sheet: What You Need to Know About Throat Cancer= "About 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer this year, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, and more than 13,000 people will die from the disease." []

[] Research Questions:

1. What is Throat Cancer?

-Throat cancer is any cancer that forms in the throat. . - The larynx (voice box) and pharynx are the two main places throat cancer forms. -Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer, which includes cancer of the mouth, tonsils, nose, sinuses, salivary glands and neck lymph nodes.

2. What is a common diagnostic for Throat Cancer?

-Cannot diagnose throat cancer with a blood test -Panendoscopy: a procedure that uses a scope to examine the entire area surrounding your larynx, pharynx, nose, mouth, trachea, and esophagus. -Biopsy to remove tissue just like breast cancer -Main Diagnostic: Persistent coughing unrelated to colds or flu, difficulty swallowing, breathing or eating solid foods accompanied by unexplained weight loss are all symptoms that could indicate throat cancer.

3. Is having surgery in the neck the only treatment for Throat Cancer (Different types)?

-Surgery is the preferred way to treat throat cancer. If the cancer is very advanced, radiation and chemotherapy can accompany the surgery. __**Types of Surgeries**__ __Vocal Cord Stripping:__ A long surgical instrument is used to remove the outer layers of tissue on the vocal cords. __Laser Surgery:__ An endoscope with a high-intensity laser on the tip is inserted down the throat. The tumor can then be vaporized or cut out using the laser. __Cordectomy:__ In a cordectomy, part or all of the vocal cords are removed. __Laryngectomy:__ An operation in which part or all of the larynx is removed. (Partial-Small amounts of the voice box is removed, Total-Large amounts of the voice box is removed) __Pharyngectomy:__ An operation in which part or all of the throat is removed. -Myocutaneous Flaps-The throat is reconstructed using muscle and skin from a nearby area -Free Flaps: Using “micro vascular surgery,” in which small blood vessels are sewn together under a microscope, possibly using other parts of the body. (Intestines or arm muscles) __Lymph Node Removal:__ Cancer of the throat sometimes spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck which can lead to removal. __Tracheotomy/Tracheostomy:__ A tracheotomy is done to create an alternate pathway for breathing by creating a hole, or stoma, in the trachea, or windpipe. __Gastrostomy Tube:__ A gastrostomy tube is a feeding tube that can be inserted directly into the stomach.

Project Two: Fetal Pig Dissection

Project Three- Should Medical Marijuana be an Option?

America has different beliefs when it comes to the legalization of medical marijuana. Pros believe that it can benefit America and Cons think it should stay illegal and think Americas fine without it being illegal.

*When I copied it in from Microsoft Word they put in there own numbering so just ignore the #s next to everything. Pros-


 * 1) I. Treatment
 * 2) a. Used a lot in cancer patients
 * 3) b. People with back problems, stress, nausea & vomiting
 * 4) c. Aids, Multiple Sclerosis


 * 1) II. Safety
 * 2) a. “ Marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day.”
 * 3) b. Effectively reduces eye pressure for patients with glaucoma
 * 4) c. Reduced muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis


 * 1) III. History
 * 2) a. George Washington grew hemp (marijuana) at Mt. Vernon
 * 3) b. Thomas Jefferson grew hemp at Monticello
 * 4) c. Jesus used cannabis oils to anoint 12 apostles


 * 1) IV. Gateway Affect
 * 2) a. No evidence towards a gateway affect
 * 3) b. Marijuana is “first” due to its availability


 * 1) V. Money
 * 2) a. Billion dollar illegal industry that can benefit the government
 * 3) b. Taxing marijuana (sin tax could be a huge pay off for the government.
 * 4) c. Will put gangs out of business, stop violence and smuggling

Cons- I. Smoking II. Memory loss if large amounts are inhaled.
 * 1) a. All smoking does damage to the lungs
 * 2) b. Affects the brain physiology
 * 3) c. Damages the throat and can lead to cancer

III. “Teen drug”
 * 1) a. Availability is easy for kids
 * 2) b. Gives kids room for exploration
 * 3) c. Allows them to move on to drugs with stronger effects