Cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops beating or beats so fast that it stops pumping blood. During cardiac arrest, people typically collapse and become unresponsive. Symptoms start without warning. This is why people also call it sudden cardiac arrest. This life-threatening condition can become fatal if you don’t get immediate treatment. During cardiac arrest (cardiopulmonary arrest), your heart isn’t pumping blood anymore. …

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a diagnosis given when cancer is found in your body but it’s not known where the original cancer started. Cancer can start in any tissue in your body. Where it first starts — the primary location — defines the cancer. In other words, if cancer begins in your liver and spreads (metastasizes) to your lung, it’s …

Carcinoid syndrome is a rare condition that happens if you have neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are tumors that start in specialized cells in your neuroendocrine system. NETs develop when your neuroendocrine cells begin to rapidly divide and multiply, creating tumors that release unusually large amounts of serotonin and other substances. When that happens, you develop carcinoid syndrome symptoms. Sometimes, a carcinoid …

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a life-threatening illness that happens after breathing in fumes that contain carbon monoxide (CO). When high levels of CO enter your body, it can be deadly after only a few minutes. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are a headache and shortness of breath. Contact emergency services immediately if you suspect you have CO exposure. …

Oral thrush, also called oral candidiasis (kan-dih-DIE-uh-sis), is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans builds up in the mouth. It’s natural for candida, a yeast, to live in the mouth. But sometimes it can grow too much and cause symptoms. Oral thrush causes creamy white patches or spots, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. Sometimes oral thrush …

Wilms tumor is a kidney tumor found almost always in children. This condition represents nearly 90% of kidney tumors in children. In some cases, Wilms tumor is part of a group of conditions that are present at birth. These are called congenital syndromes. Wilms tumor is also called Wilms’ tumor or nephroblastoma. Usually, there is only one tumor on one …

Vulvar cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the tissues of your vulva. “Vulva” is the collective name for all the external sex organs, or genitals, of women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Your vulva includes: Opening of your vagina: The muscular canal for sex, childbirth and menstruation (periods). Labia minora (inner lips): Tissue folds that surround your vaginal opening and extend above …

Vaginal cancer is a rare form of cancer that most often occurs in the cells lining your vagina. The vagina is a tube-like organ that connects your cervix (the lower part of your uterus) to your vulva (genitals). Cancers that start in other parts of your body – like cervical cancer or uterine cancer – sometimes spread to your vagina. It’s less common for cancer to …

Thyroid cancer develops in your thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. This gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism (how your body uses energy). Thyroid hormones also help control your body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Thyroid cancer, a type of endocrine cancer, is generally highly treatable, with an excellent cure rate. How common is thyroid cancer? Close …

Throat cancer is the general term for cancer that affects one or more parts of your throat. Usually, people who have throat cancer have cancer in their larynx (voice box) or their oropharynx (the middle part of their throat). Healthcare providers typically use surgery to treat throat cancer. The specific surgery depends on the type of throat cancer, location and whether it has spread. …