A bag of fluid when forms a lump behind the knee, it is called a baker’s cyst. The fluid that is produced by the joint lining protects the joints and keeps them lubricated. Fluid creates a lump when it leaks from the synovial sac and accumulates outside the joint behind the knee causing a lump.

Meniscal cartilage of the knee’s tear causes baker’s cyst to happen. Sometimes, in older people, knee arthritis also causes this problem. Rheumatoid arthritis and other knee problems are responsible for baker’s cyst as times.

If you have notice a bulge in the back of your knee and you feel some pain in that area along with less to no flexibility, you probably have a baker’s cyst. If you have arthritis then a doctor’s attention and treatment is required.

Baker’s cyst treatments do not always need medical attention as the cyst goes away on its own. You can however try some of these below mentioned home remedies for treating the cyst:

Physical therapy: Stretching is one such exercise when you can sit, lie down or stand while performing them. You can sit on a chair and try to touch the feet of your affected leg without bending the leg. Same can be done when you are standing, however, you can place the leg on a chair so it does not strain your joints while getting stretched. When you are lying down, try to bring your leg up without bending. You can hold your calf for support.

R.I.C.E: This is an abbreviation for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. This is one of the most common baker’s cyst treatments and also the most effective. You rest out and do not get involved in much physical activity. Put and ice pack on the cyst as that will help with the swelling. Apply the pack for 10 to 20 minutes thrice a day. If you notice any reduction in swelling, conclude with a heat pack. Make sure that you do not apply any of the cold or heat packs directly. Always envelope them with a towel so they don’t touch your skin or cyst directly. Compression is wrapping the cyst or your entire knee with a bandage (elastic) as that helps with the swelling. The bandage shouldn’t be too light or lose. Put it on for couple of hours. Talk to your doctor if you need to keep it on for longer than two days. Elevation is when you put your leg on a pillow every time you are sitting or laid down. This too helps with the swelling.

OTC medicines: Some over the counter medicines you can try for baker’s cyst treatment are ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin. If none of these medicines and other treatments are helping, consult your doctor to get medical baker’s cyst treatment.

The most dangerous kind of skin cancer is known as melanoma. This type of cancerous growth develops as a result of mutations triggered by UV radiation etc. In many cases, these tumors looks like black or brown moles. Melanoma can be treated successfully if it is detected in time. Stage four melanoma is the most advanced stage of this type of cancer. Reaching this stage implies that the cancer cells have spread beyond the lymph nodes and are now attacking the other organs. The organs most commonly affected by melanoma include the lungs, liver, bones, brain and stomach.

In stage four melanoma, cancerous moles may start looking and feeling different. As the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, the nodes begin feeling hard and lumpy. This is because the nodes have begun to get matted together. The tumor may also appear to be thicker than it was earlier. Additionally there may be a break in the skin around the tumor. This may or may not cause bleeding.

In addition to checking these physical symptoms your doctor will also conduct a few tests to confirm his diagnosis. These include:
• Blood tests to ascertain liver functioning and blood count
• Ultrasound scans to see how far the cancer has spread and
• A biopsy of the suspected tumor

Self-examination is key to when you have been diagnosed with melanoma. The ABCDE of self-examination for stage four melanoma is
A- Asymmetry: look out for moles that are asymmetrical and uneven
B- Border: look for moles with an irregular or poorly defined border
C- Color: look for color variations on the mole
D- Diameter: look out for moles that are larger than the size of a pencil eraser
E- Evolution: check for changes in shape and size of the mole

Stage four melanoma can be treated in a number of different ways. The best way to treat this condition depends on:
• The location of the tumor
• How far the cancer has spread
• The patient’s age and overall health
• Symptoms being presented
• How far the cancer has advanced
• The patient’s response to treatment

There are five standard forms of treatment for melanoma.
• Surgery: This is intended to remove the cancerous tumors and lymph nodes affected by it.

• Chemotherapy: This involves the use of drugs in a pill form or intravenous form to destroy the cancer cells.

• Radiation therapy: This form of treatment uses energy beams for example X rays to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation is often recommended after surgery and can also help relieve melanoma symptoms from other parts of the body.

• Immunotherapy: Cancer and a weak immune system have a cyclic relationship. Hence by strengthening the immune system, cancer can also be treated.

• Targeted therapy: This involves the use of medication designed according to the vulnerabilities of the cancer cells. In most cases, these drugs are effective only if the cancer cells have genetic mutations.

In addition, there are also a number of clinical trials being run to treat melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery.