Category: Cancer

Know More About Mesothelioma

12 April, 2010 (20:11) | Mesothelioma | By: Health news

Have you ever heard of mesothelioma? If you are not aware of what exactly is mesothelioma, in this article we will tell you about this type of disease. Basically this is a rare kind of cancer which generally arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest or the abdomen.

There are two major cell types of mesothelioma. These are the epithelial and the sarcomatoid. In some cases there is only one type of cell while in the other there can be combination of both the types of cells. The occurrence of sarcomatoid is rare. In some cases, the mesothelioma can also occur from benign and the non-malignant cells. However, this type of mesothelioma cancer can be treated surgically.

There are several symptoms associated with the occurrence of mesothelioma. In some cases the patient suffering from this disease can complain from the chest pain and the shortness of breath. At times, though the pleura are associated with this type of cancer, yet there is no pleuritic pain. This results in the late diagnosis and consequently late treatment. Unfortunately in some cases, the mesothelioma cancer does not show any kind of symptoms at all. In such cases, it becomes very difficult for the patient to survive longer.

As the disease reaches its advanced stage, the patient suffers from the loss of weight due to the loss of appetite. This is also associated with extreme pain in the abdomen or the chest. The breathing problem gets increased resulting in extreme discomfort of the patient. Some patients suffering from mesothelioma in its early stage also complains of the developing night sweats. The diaphragm stops functioning and there arises several complicated in the body one by one.

The tests involved in the disease may include a CT Scan or a biopsy. There are several treatment options of this disease. It can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemo therapy or in some cases with drugs. The kind of treatment to be done depends on the extent of the spread of the cancer and the ability of the patient to accept the treatment.

As technology is getting more progressed, research is being conducted to improve the treatment procedures of Mesothelioma. Some doctors in the recent days combine one treatment options with the other. This may include the combination of chemo therapy with other kind of therapy or it may also involve chemo therapy with some particular kind of drug. In the recent days, research is also being conducted on the processes of biological therapy.

In some cases, alternative treatment options are also available which may include acupuncture, massage therapy but these are not so effective always.

Mesothelioma

6 April, 2010 (21:16) | Mesothelioma | By: Health news

Have you ever heard of mesothelioma? If you are not aware of what exactly is mesothelioma, in this article we will tell you about this type of disease. Basically this is a rare kind of cancer which generally arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest or the abdomen.

There are two major cell types of mesothelioma. These are the epithelial and the sarcomatoid. In some cases there is only one type of cell while in the other there can be combination of both the types of cells. The occurrence of sarcomatoid is rare. In some cases, the mesothelioma can also occur from benign and the non-malignant cells. However, this type of mesothelioma cancer can be treated surgically.

There are several symptoms associated with the occurrence of mesothelioma. In some cases the patient suffering from this disease can complain from the chest pain and the shortness of breath. At times, though the pleura are associated with this type of cancer, yet there is no pleuritic pain. This results in the late diagnosis and consequently late treatment. Unfortunately in some cases, the mesothelioma cancer does not show any kind of symptoms at all. In such cases, it becomes very difficult for the patient to survive longer.

As the disease reaches its advanced stage, the patient suffers from the loss of weight due to the loss of appetite. This is also associated with extreme pain in the abdomen or the chest. The breathing problem gets increased resulting in extreme discomfort of the patient. Some patients suffering from mesothelioma in its early stage also complains of the developing night sweats. The diaphragm stops functioning and there arises several complicated in the body one by one.

The tests involved in the disease may include a CT Scan or a biopsy. There are several treatment options of this disease. It can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemo therapy or in some cases with drugs. The kind of treatment to be done depends on the extent of the spread of the cancer and the ability of the patient to accept the treatment.

As technology is getting more progressed, research is being conducted to improve the treatment procedures of Mesothelioma. Some doctors in the recent days combine one treatment options with the other. This may include the combination of chemo therapy with other kind of therapy or it may also involve chemo therapy with some particular kind of drug. In the recent days, research is also being conducted on the processes of biological therapy.

In some cases, alternative treatment options are also available which may include acupuncture, massage therapy but these are not so effective always.

Sunburns And Skin Cancer

6 April, 2010 (04:00) | Cancer | By: Health news

Experiencing a sunburn is a great (and painful) reminder to get necessary protection next time you’re going to be exposed to sun rays (UV light). This painful lesson ought to be a reminder regarding the long-term consequences associated with sun exposure upon your skin, such as skin cancers and accellerated wrinkling.

To be able to completely fully grasp these implications, we need to have a look at precisely what sunburn is, it’s signs as well as it’s impact upon your body.

Sun-burn happens whenever the amount of exposure from sunlight, or various other uv light sources (like tanning beds) surpasses the capability of the body’s defensive pigment, melanin, to shield the skin. The amount of Melanin in people varies quite a bit, however in general, people with dark skin posses significantly more melanin unlike light skinned people. Even though people with fair skin are much more prone to getting a sunburn this of course does exclude people with dark skin from getting a sunburn, they can still get as bad a sunburn as anyone else.

When you get sunburned the outter layer of the skin is damaged as well as the tiny blood vessels underneath. Sunburns that affect the lower layers of skin additionally breakdown elastic fibers within the skin, and that over time, with frequent sunburns, may result in the look of yellow, wrinkled/leathery skin.

The breakdown to skin tissue via Ultra violet exposure (both sun rays or tanning lights etc.) may additionally involve damage to ones own DNA. It’s this repetitive DNA deterioration, that may cause cells to become cancerous. Due to the occurrences of skin cancer increasing precariously within numerous parts of the globe, and along with it’s capability to grow and establish itself within the body way before exterior indicators can be discovered.

Although it’s a lot easier to disregard the consequences associated with too much sun, overlooking the effects associated with too much sun within the days immediately subsequent to such exposure is not to be taken lightly..

Even though sunburn is generally not really instantly apparent, skin tint (varying from somewhat pink to significantly red or quite possibly purplish) will first show up from 1 – 24 hrs following exposure. Typically discomfort is generally most severe 6 – 48 hrs after, the burn may continue to manifest for 24 – 72 hrs following the initial sunburn and skin peeling usually occurs 3 – 8 days later.

Although slight sunburns usually result in nothing other than warm skin, minor inflammation, as well as tenderness in the afflicted region, — in more severe instances, extreme inflammation, puffiness and blistering may arise. Some of these blisters full with liquid could itch and at some point burst. That may then result in peeling of your skin, revealing those tender layers of skin below.

Intense sunburns may lead to really red-colored, blistered skin and may also be followed by fever, chills, feeling sick (sometimes vomiting), as well as dehydration. In situations involving extreme sunburn in which the pain is devastating, medical care might turn out to be needed.

Although the instant side effects of too much sun may definitely be unpleasant and lead to irritation, the serious discouraging factor to UV overexposure ought to be the possible harm to your long-term well being such as the danger of early aging of the skin coupled with skin cancer.

Having said everything above, you should’t let sunburns stop your chances of loving vibrant skin, as well as a healthy body. Keep in mind, the simplest method to deal with sunburn will always end up being to avoid the sun!

Breast Cancer Type

3 April, 2010 (21:40) | Cancer | By: Health news

The best treatment for breast cancer can be provided if the breast cancer type is known. Therefore knowing the different breast cancer types is important. After breast cancer diagnosis, the doctor may work to know the specifics of the tumor. The breast cancer type can be determined using a tissue sample from a breast biopsy or the tumor if surgery has been already performed. The treatment for breast cancer and breast cancer symptoms will depend on the type.

The following information is needed to determine breast cancer type:

Invasive or noninvasive cancer?

Knowing whether the cancer is invasive or noninvasive helps the doctor to determine if the cancer has spread further than the breast. The appropriate treatments and the risk for further development of cancer are also determined.

  • Noninvasive breast cancer: Noninvasive or in situ breast cancer refers to a type of cancer where the cells have remained within the place of origin and have not spread to tissues of the breast near the duct or lobule. The common type of noninvasive breast cancer is ductal cancer in situ. This cancer is confined to the lining of the milk ducts. The cells have not spread to the surrounding tissue of the breast.
  • Invasive breast cancer: Invasive breast cancers invade the surrounding tissues and spread outside the membrane that lines a duct or lobule. The caner cells thus travel to other regions of the body, including lymph nodes. A stage of I, II, III, or IV is indicative of invasive breast cancer.
  • Cancer began at which part of the breast?

    The severity of breast cancer depends on the nature of tissue affected. It also indicates how the cancer will progress. The following are some areas where breast cancer develops:

  • Milk ducts: The most common form of Breast Cancer Type is ductal carcinoma. It affects the lining of the milk duct present within the breast. The ducts are the carriers of breast milk from the lobules to the nipple.
  • Milk-producing lobules: Lobular carcinoma originates in the breast lobules. This is the site of milk production. The lobules are connected to the ducts.
  • Connective tissues: Breast cancer rarely originates in the connective tissue that comprises of muscles, fats, and blood vessels. Cancer that develops in the connective tissue is known as sarcoma. Phyllodes tumor and angiosarcoma are two types of carcinomas that can develop in the breast.
  • What is the appearance of cancer cells?

    The following factors are taken into consideration when a sample of the cancer is place under a microscope.

  • Cells with novel appearances: Invasive ductal carcinoma cells take on unique and novel appearances when viewed under a microscope.
  • Difference between cancer cells and normal ones: Cancer grade is decided based on the difference between cancer cells and normal ones. This will also affect breast cancer symptoms.
  • Treatments For Prostate Cancer

    26 March, 2010 (23:25) | Prostate cancer | By: Health news

    The treatment had made use of radiation therapy since 1915. During those times the results have not been very acceptable because the radiation rays did not infiltrate deeply in irradiating the cancer cells and instead to skin tumor and morbidity. However, in 1980 equipments such as linear accelerators were utilized by oncologists. These helped to get to targeted areas better and added the pace of the elevated energy elements being delivered.

    There are three types of radiation which rely on the kind of high energy elements being delivered in the treatment of cancer. – 3D-CRT (3 Dimentional Conformal Radiation Therapy) – uses subatomic electrons on aiming elevated energy particles/waves some photon radiation – Neutron Beam Therapy which uses neutrons – Proton Beam Therapy which uses protons

    Fractionated radiation cure for cancer

    This external ray radiation is delivering little doses of radiation to targeted part of the patient’s body over 9 weeks or more, relying on the case. The normal and healthy prostate cells can recover easily from these little doses rays while the tumor cells can not recover.

    Patients with tumor in the prostate who want to be treated through external radiation therapy must have the following: 6 or lower Gleason score; 10 or lower PSA scale; Contained or localized tumor in prostate gland; No abdominal mark tissue because of previous surgical operation.

    PSA scale of ten or lower and Gleason score of six or lesser means that tumor is enclosed in the prostate gland itself and was not able to scatter in the tissues or organs around. Medication for prostate tumor such as IMRT and 3D-CRT are good because they destruct the tumor in the prostate gland while the organs and tissues surrounding it are unaffected and unattached. If the tumor had spread already then the danger is greater in the surrounding area.

    When the patients have scar tissues in the abdominal region because of surgical operations done earlier, the intestines and colon will be open to extra radiation. All patients who have undergone radiation cure for prostate cancer cannot be given again.

    Salvage medication for prostate cancer.

    This kind of cure involves brachytherapy. However, radiotherapy is not recommended as salvage treatment for cancer of the prostate if brachytherapy is not successful because prostate gland was treated already of elevated doses of radiation. Radiotherapy is given to patients with benign hyperplasia of the prostate. Cryotherapy is also a cure for tumor of the prostate that is suggested as salvage treatment when radiotherapy is not successful. Cryotherapy involves the chilling of the tumor cells from the prostate gland to destroy them.

    The Chemotherapy Drugs

    19 March, 2010 (17:02) | Mesothelioma | By: admin

    A diagnosis of Mesothelioma has often been viewed as a death sentence. While it is still a brutal diagnosis, treatment options have come a long way. This is particularly true when it comes to chemotherapy. There are two specific drugs that are making a big difference – Alimta and Cisplatin.

    Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining known as the mesothelium. It is associated with asbestos exposure. There are three forms of the cancer – pleural, pericardial and peritoneal. All three are deadly and the average five year survival rates is less than 10 percent. The problem is the cancer is often very hard to diagnose and is thus often discovered only in the very latest of stages. That is very problematic with just about any form of cancer.

    There are many different ways of trying to treat Mesothelioma. The three most common are surgical extraction, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Unlike most medical situations, many doctors will go very aggressive with the treatment in an effort to stop the spread of the disease. Chemotherapy plays a huge role in this and Altimta and Cisplatin are two newer drugs being used.

    Alimta has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the chemotherapeutic treatment of patients. It has shown massive effects on Mesothelioma suffers. In one test at Newcastle Freeman Hospital, nearly every patient had improvements on symptoms caused by the cancer. More importantly, nearly half saw their tumors shrink instead of grow. The drug is given over a 21 day period and usually in combination with Cisplatin.

    Cisplatin is an older chemotherapy drug that is used as a base treatment for many types of cancer. It is somewhat akin to taking penicillin as an antibiotic. It is given over a 21 day period and is considered an effective treatment of tumors and general cancer growth. Unfortunately, it has many side effects that are the type of thing often stereotypically associated with chemotherapy. This includes hair loss, extreme fatigue, weight loss, and potentially kidney damage if not handled carefully.

    Will these drugs save you? Well, every case is different and you should speak with your physician. That being said, they are considered two standard approaches to the chemotherapy treatment for Mesothelioma, which means you will probably be introduced to them at one point or another.

    Bowel Cancer Symptoms and treatment

    18 March, 2010 (18:53) | Cancer | By: Health news

    Bowel cancer can occur at any age, but is more common among individuals aged 60 and above. Bowel cancer is also known as colorectal cancer. It affects the large bowel and rectum. In rare scenarios, cancer of the small bowl is also possible.

    The large bowel is also known as the colon. It comprises the last section of the digestive system. The longer and thinner part of the bowel is referred as the small bowel. Food consumed passes through the small bowl. Here the nutrients are absorbed. Food waste is then transported to the large bowel where the feces collect before it is eliminated through the anus. There are many Bowel Cancer Symptoms.

    The large bowel comprises of three sections: ascending, transverse, and descending. The place where the feces collect before it passes through the anus is also known as the rectum.

    Cancers of the large bowel develop from small and benign growths of tissue known as polyps. These extend from the lining of the wall of the bowel. In some cases, polyps become cancerous over a period of time. The cancer needs to be treated on time. Otherwise, it can grow the bowel walls and spread to other body parts.

    Bowel Cancer Symptoms

    Bowel cancer is relatively painless, especially in the early stages. However, the bowel cancer symptoms can be extremely disrupting.

  • Feces contain small traces of blood. This may be mixed with the feces or may appear as flecks on the surface. The blood is visible in the toilet or on toilet paper. To determine the presence of blood look into the toilet before flushing.
  • Changes in the bowel habits for numerous weeks. Visiting the toilet frequently or having bouts of diarrhea are common.
  • Weight loss with no exact cause and loss of appetite
  • Tiredness and fatigue for no obvious reasons. This may be due to the small amount of blood loss through the bowel, causing anemia. Anemia is characterized by low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
  • Stomach ache or swelling in the abdomen
  • These symptoms are not restricted to bowel cancer. However, bowel cancer symptoms cannot be ignored. Detecting the disease on time will help in better cure.

    Causes of Bowl Cancer

    The exact causes of bowel cancer are not known. Age is a main factor in the development of bowel cancer. Nearly 80% of those having bowel cancer are aged over 60.

    The chances of developing bowel cancer increases with the following:

  • A family history of bowel cancer
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer are two inherited bowel conditions that increase the risk
  • Bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • A diet low in fiber, fruits, and vegetables but high in processed meats
  • Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
  • Diabetes
  • Getting Aggressive With Mesothelioma

    11 March, 2010 (23:46) | Mesothelioma | By: admin

    Cancer is a diagnosis nobody wants to hear. Some forms of cancer are easier to deal with than others. Mesothelioma is unfortunately a bad one and often calls for a particular point of reference when it comes to treatment – an aggressive one!

    Mesothelioma is a brutal form of cancer because it usually does not manifest until the very late stages of growth. The cancer is associated with exposure to asbestos fibers in the air, but it can take 40 years or more for the cancer to reach late stages of development that show clear signs. This makes it a rare, but very deadly form of cancer.

    It goes without saying that you should consult with a Mesothelioma specialist if you are unlucky enough to be diagnosed with this disease. The treatment you receive will reflect your current diagnosis, but it is vital that you realize the nature of the disease will call for a different approach than you usually receive. Most people are told that conservative treatment is the way to go with most disease.Mesothelioma treatment plans tend to be just the opposite. They are very aggressive because the cancer is usually discovered very late in the process. This means times is of the essence and there is little reason to wait to see how things development. You can expect your physician to have an aggressive plan incorporating chemotherapy, radial therapy and often surgery to remove large growth areas. This can be a shock for many patients who are used to doctors taking a calm, calculated and very slow approach to sitting and watching a health issue develop.

    What if all else fails? What if the physician tells you there is no hope? Well, there is. The National Cancer Institute is a government agency that overseas clinical trials for new treatments for various cancers. Mesothelioma is certainly one of the focuses and even has its own section on the website for the agency. Regardless, the NCI can direct you to clinical trials on new Mesothelioma treatments, which means an out of the box approach that might do the trick.

    Asbestos

    6 March, 2010 (22:54) | Cancer, Cancer Treatment | By: admin

    There is a worldwide campaign against the use of asbestos, and laws have been laid banning its production. Asbestos was named after the Greek word for indestructible. A great reason why asbestos is such a deadly mineral is its indestructibility. Asbestos was used as a cheap and stable ingredient of construction that was resilient to corrosion, heat, fire etc. Chrysotile is the most popular form although Crocidolite and Amosite are used too.

    Asbestos is a stable mineral which was used for lot many purposes before its potential risk was discovered. It is used along with concrete for ceilings, as a thermal insulation layer, and also as fire retardant, because of the nature of its particles which are not easily affected by heat, or pressure.

    Asbestos is dangerous because the particles of asbestos could live on and on for a long time. Through demotion of buildings, renovation etc, asbestos fibers can be released in air and might find their way into water resources too. These particles are extremely small, sometimes 700 times smaller than human air, which makes them extremely difficult targets for cleansing. This particulate matter finds its way into the body where it causes numerous health issues. Most of the asbestos particles can enter the human system through inhalation or ingestion.

    Asbestos has been deemed as a category 1 carcinogen, and most people with prolonged exposure to this deadly mineral have been seen to develop cancer in the long term. The asbestos particles are very durable, and do not evaporate in heat or dissolve in liquids. Hence these particles cannot be easily destroyed and hence remain in the human system once they enter it causing irreparable damage.

    People exposed to asbestos debris have a high chance of developing lung cancer, and the survival rate is rather low over a one to five year period. Asbestos fibers that are breathed also injure the delicate lining of the lungs and other internal organs. The scar tissues due to abrasion caused by asbestos fibers also known as pleural plaques result in asbestosis. Mesothelioma is another cancer caused by breathing in air with high asbestos content. This develops from Mesothelium which is a protective lining of most of the internal organs.

    Even family members, who wash clothes of the person exposed to asbestos, are susceptible to this form of cancer. This cancer could develop, in some cases, years after a worker has stopped working at construction sites. This fact is what makes asbestos exposure all the more dangerous.

    The law prohibits hiring workers for asbestos removal or renovation, without proper certification or approval. There are special contractors, who specialize in dealing with asbestos and only they should be hired for the task. Removing asbestos while destroying older buildings is hence done very careful after lot of wetting. This ensures that the asbestos powder is not dry and released in the air as small particles. Instead, the wet asbestos and concrete particles could be collected in polythenes that can be later sealed and disposed off. The disposal of asbestos too needs special permissions.

    Tips to Prevent Breast Cancer

    3 March, 2010 (22:21) | Breast Cancer | By: admin

    Breast cancer is one of the leading killer cancers for women. Normally people know that it is only women that are susceptible to this. But did you know that there are many cases where men have also gotten this type of cancer? As this is very common form of cancer so each person needs to educate themselves about prevention of breast cancer. There is no definite way to prevent breast cancer but you can do much to reduce your risk of developing it significantly. Especially women should concentrate on keeping breast health through healthy diet and exercise to prevent breast cancer.
    Following are the few tips to lower your chances of breast cancer:

    1. Daily physical activity is very essential. It is not only important for overall health; it also can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
    2. You should maintain your body weight. The main reason to significantly increase breast cancer risk is basically weight gain in midlife.
    3. Women who gain weight in mature age are at a higher risk for than women who have been overweight since babyhood.
    4. Women who breastfeed their offspring may have a somewhat lower risk of developing breast cancer.
    5. It is essential to regular intake of natural vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You should take eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. It helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

    Usually, a woman who had cancer in one breast has more chances of developing cancer in the opposite breast. It is preferable to follow a healthy living style to be secure from the return of breast cancer.
    These are some tips if you follow these than these will definitely increase your chances to prevent breast cancer.

    Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

    2 March, 2010 (15:09) | Prostate cancer | By: Health news

    So you have just being diagnosed with prostate cancer and you think it’s the end for you? If yes, you are absolutely wrong. It might have been the end for you several years ago, but not today when so many people are now surviving the condition all over the world. This article explains why prostate cancer is no longer a killer disease and reveals what you can do to ensure you are among the many survivors of the condition.

    You see, the major reason lots of people died from this condition in the past had to do with the fact that medical science hadn’t advanced as far as it has today. Apart from the treatment, even diagnosis was not as easy in the past as it is nowadays. Today, with the many highly effective ways of testing for and treating prostate cancer, there are now lots more survivors than was the case several years ago.

    Instead of thinking your world has come to an end because of this condition, you should be positive and committed to finding a solution. Talk to your doctors for the best treatment option available to you. Don’t rush into going for surgery until and unless that’s the best and most effective solution available to you. Also, it’s important for you to do your own research into the different treatments available so that you can have a firmer understanding of what is best for you or not.

    In all, you should be strong willed and determined to survive the condition, despite your diagnosis. I have heard that some people who have died from the condition died not just because of the cancerous tumors but because they had lost all hopes deep within them. You see, I believe strongly that no matter how powerful any drug or treatment is for cancer, if you don’t have the confidence and commitment to survive, it won’t help.

    As you have seen from this article, diagnosis of prostate cancer or even any other cancer for that matter doesn’t translate to an automatic death sentence. Lots of people have survived and continue to survive cancer. If such people can survive, you can as well.

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