Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited disease that causes a rapid rise in body temperature (fever) and severe muscle contractions when the affected person receives general anesthesia.

This condition is not the same as hyperthermia that is due to medical emergencies such as heat stroke or infection.

Hyperthermia - malignant; Hyperpyrexia - malignant

Malignant hyperthermia is inherited. Only one parent has to carry the disease for a child to inherit the condition. It may be associated with muscular diseases such as multiminicore myopathy and central core disease.

Symptoms include:

• Rapid rise in temperature to 105 degrees F or higher
• Muscle rigidityand stiffness
• Dark brown urine
• Muscle ache without obvious exercise to explain sore muscles
• Bleeding

Malignant hyperthermia is often discovered after a patient is given anesthesia during a surgical procedure.

There may be a family history of malignant hyperthermia or unexplained death during anesthesia.

The person may have a rapid and often irregular heart rate.

Tests that may be done include:

• Chem-20
• Genetic testing to look for defects in the RYR1 gene
• Muscle biopsy
• Myoglobin in the urine

During an episode of malignant hyperthermia, wrapping the patient in a cooling blanket can help reduce fever and the risk of serious complications. Drugs such as dantrolene, lidocaine, or a beta-blocker drug can help with heart rhythm problems.

Fluids given by through a vein and by mouth, as well as certain medications, are essential for maintaining kidney function during an acute episode.

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States - www.mhaus.org

Repeated episodes or untreated episodes can cause kidney failure. Untreated episodes can be fatal.

• Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
• Weak muscles (myopathy) or muscular dystrophy
• Kidney failure
• Metabolic acidosis
• Death

Notify both the surgeon and anesthesiologist before having any surgery if:

• You know that you or a member of your family has had problems with general anesthesia
• You know you have a family history of malignant hyperthermia

If you or anyone in your family has malignant hyperthermia it is very important to tell your doctor, especially before having surgery with general anesthetic. The use of appropriate medications can prevent the complications of malignant hyperthermia during surgery.

It is important to avoid stimulant drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine (speed), and ecstasy. They may produce malignant hyperthermia-like problems in people who are susceptible.

Genetic counseling is recommended for anyone with a family history of myopathy, muscular dystrophy, or malignant hyperthermia.

Vicario S. Heat illness. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006:chap 139.

Dinarello CA, Porat R. Fever and hyperthermia. In: Fauci A, Kasper D, Longo DL, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. [online version]. New York, NY:McGraw Hill;2008:chap 17.

Malignant teratoma is a type of cancer made of cysts that contain one or more of the three main types of cells found in a developing baby (embryo). These cells are callled ectoderms, mesoderms, and endoderms.

Dermoid cyst - malignant; Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor - teratoma; Immature teratoma

Malignant teratoma occurs most often in young men in their 20s - 30s. It is often located in the chest area. Most malignant teratomas can spread throughout the body, and have spread by the time of diagnosis.

A number of other cancers are often associated with these tumors, including:

• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
• Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
• Malignant histiocytosis
• Myelodysplasia (MDS)
• Small cell undifferentiated carcinoma

Symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Limited ability to tolerate exercise
• Shortness of breath

The health care provider will perform a physical exam, which may reveal signs of congestive heart failure and increased pressure in the chest area.

The following tests help diagnose the tumor:

• CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis
• Blood tests to check beta-HCG and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels
• Mediastinoscopy with biopsy

Chemotherapy is used to treat the tumor. A combination of medicines (usually cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin) is commonly used.

After chemotherapy is complete, CT scans are taken again to see if any mass remains. Surgery may be recommended if there is a possibility that the cancer will grow back in that area.

There are many support groups available for people with cancer. Contact the American Cancer Society -- www.cancer.org

The outlook depends on the tumor size and location and the age of the patient.

The cancer can spread throughout the body and there may be complications of surgery or related to chemotherapy.

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of malignant teratoma.

Malignant is deadly and harmful just to make sure

Malignant: Much to the patient's relief, the x-ray revealed no Malignant growth.

Malignant

Nvrstoptxtin:)

Malignant hypertension is a sudden and rapid development of extremely high blood pressure. The lower (diastolic) blood pressure reading, which is normally around 80 mmHg, is often above 130 mmHg.

Accelerated hypertension; Arteriolar nephrosclerosis; Nephrosclerosis - arteriolar; Hypertension - malignant; High blood pressure - malignant

The disorder affects about 1% of people with high blood pressure, including both children and adults. It is more common in younger adults, especially African American men. It also occurs in women with toxemia of pregnancy, and persons with kidney disorders or collagen vascular disorders.

You are at high risk for malignant hypertension if you have had kidney failure or renal hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis.

• Abnormal sensation (numbness) of the arms, legs, face, or other areas
• Blurred vision
• Change in mental status
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Decreased alertness, decreased ability to concentrate
  • Fatigue
  • Sleepiness, stuporous, lethargic
  • Confusion
• Chest pain
  • Mid-chest location most common
  • Crushing or pressure sensation
• Cough
• Decreased urinary output
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizure
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness of the arms, legs, face, or other areas

Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency.

A physical exam commonly shows:

• Extremely high blood pressure
• Possible swelling in the lower legs and feet
• Abnormal heart sounds and fluid in the lungs
• Changes in mental status, sensation, muscle ability, and reflexes

An eye examination will reveal changes that indicate high blood pressure, including swelling of the optic nerve, retinal bleeding, narrowing of the blood vessels in the eye area, or other problems with the retina.

If not already present, kidney failure may develop as a complication of malignant hypertension. Other complications may also develop.

Tests to determine damage to the kidneys may include:

• BUN
• Creatinine
• Arterial blood gas analysis
• Urinalysis

A chest x-raymay show lung congestion and an enlarged heart.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Aldosterone
• Cardiac enzymes (markers of heart damage)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Renin
• Urinary casts(sediment)

You will need to stay in the hospital until the severe high blood pressure is under control. Medications will be given through a vein to reduce your blood pressure. If there is fluid in your lungs, you will be given medicines called diuretics, which help the body remove fluid. Your doctor will consider giving you medications to protect the heart if there is evidence of heart damage.

After the severe high blood pressure is brought under control, blood pressure medicines taken by mouth can control the hypertension. Your medication may need to be adjusted occasionally. Hypertension can be difficult to control.

Many body systems are in serious risk due to the extreme rise in blood pressure. Multiple organs of the body, including the brain, eyes, blood vessels, heart, and kidneys may be damaged. The blood vessels of the kidney are highly susceptible to damage caused by pressure, and kidney failure may develop, which may be permanent, requiring dialysis (kidney machine).

If treated promptly, malignant hypertension is often controlled without permanent complications. If it is not treated promptly, complications may be severe and life-threatening.

• Brain damage due to:
  • Coma
  • Hypertensive encephalopathy
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
  • Seizures
  • Spasm or constriction of the arteries of the brain
  • Stroke
  • Swelling
• Heart damage, including:
  • Heart attack
  • Angina (chest pain due to narrowed blood vessels or weakened heart muscle)
  • Heart rhythm disturbances
• Kidney failure
• Permanent blindness
• Pulmonary edema

Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of malignant hypertension develop. This is an emergency condition.

Call your health care provider if you know you have poorly controlled high blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, carefully monitoring your blood pressure and taking your medicines properly help to reduce the risk. Eat a healthy diet, one that is low in salt and low in fat.

Badr KF, Brenner BM. Vascular injury to the kidney. In: Fauci A , Kasper D, Longo DL, et al, eds. Harrison's Principals of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2008:chap 280.

If you mean, "What is the worst : malignant or benign cancer?" the answer is Malignant. If a person has a tumor for instance, in the benign state it is virtually harmless, it means that the tumor would not be cancerous, but, when a tumor is malignant that means cancer has developed and is spreading to other parts/cells in the body.

Hope that helps!