By: Marlon Dirk
All of the modern day men need to be attempting to put a smile on their face when facing the rather unfortunate disease, prostate cancer. The reason why they should have a braver face is because the proton prostate cancer therapy method of treatment could mean a specific way of addressing all of these problems that are associated with cancer efficiently and all of the complications that it normally brings along.
Proton prostate cancer therapy is the very last option for any patient that is suffering from prostate cancer. Most patients are on their hands and knees once they reach this expensive treatment as their only option because there isn't any other option for treatment after this. However, when it comes to solving cancer cases, proton prostate cancer therapy has proven to be rather victorious.
Incontinence is among the most damaging of the side effects that are associated with the radiation treatment that is given for prostate cancer. In the event that the urinary sphincter becomes damaged during the process of the radiation treatment, the individual patient is going to experience several different degrees of the urinary incontinence, which is an unwilled urinating action.
Even though this can be life-changing, there are some occasions when a corrective surgery may be applied. All of the serious cases of incontinence are rare without only one to three percent of men experiencing incontinence that are undergoing radiation treatment. Even though all of the symptoms are normally going to go away at longest within a year, it is known to be permanent among less than one percent of the men that have been treated by radiation.
When taking everything into consideration that is mentioned above concerning the radiation therapy defects, there is a new treatment that is accompanied by all of the latest technology that is referred to as the therapy for prostate treatment. Under this therapy, the probability of all of the side effects is going to be extremely less when compared to that of the radiation therapy.
This prostate cancer therapy is very helpful when it comes to solving problems like signs of prostate cancer such as the inability to urinate and a weak urine flow. Overall, this condition is extremely painful and it is going to be a hindrance to an individuals normal activities. Within the majority of cases, the blood within the urine or the semen is able to be found.
The presence of a burning sensation when you are urinating and pain within the lower back are also signs of prostate cancer. In the event that you are interested in learning more about prostate cancer and prostate cancer therapy have a consultation with your physician who will be able to tell you a lot more and answer all of the questions that you may have.
Prostate cancer is one of the leading health problems of man today especially when he reaches the over-the-hill age. Every man should have more than enough information about this predicament and what the best remedies are for it and here at http://www.a1prostatecancertips.com
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Uterine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.
Type of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman’s uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman’s cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.
It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman’s uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.
Causes behind Uterine Cancer
There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.
Diagnosing the Disease
Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.
By: James S. Pendergraft
Treatment of Uterine Cancer
The treatment of uterine cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman’s uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.
Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don’t let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling. Abortion Clinic.
By: Thomas Johnson
Blood has several components like-red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma -and the cells of the blood are produced at the bone marrow. When the cells of the blood grow abnormally, it is called blood cancer or leukaemia. The whole system of production of blood cells is a controlled activity and when cancer occurs in the bone marrow, it affects the process of regulation of cell production. The abnormal growth of the blood cells weakens the body’s defence mechanism. There are two types of blood cancer-acute leukaemia and chronic leukaemia.
Acute leukemia:
Acute leukemia is a type of blood cancer in which the cells develop rapidly. The immature white blood cells gather in and consequently enter the other different parts of the body. Depending on the affection of white blood cell type, in clinical terms acute leukaemia is called either acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The symptoms of acute leukaemia are
• Generalized weakness and fatigue (this may be due to anaemia)
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Frequent infections
• Excessive bruising
• Bleeding (of the gums or nose)
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Pain in the bones and joints
• Breathlessness (can be due to anaemia)
• Enlarged lymph glands, liver and/or spleen
Chronic leukemia:
In chronic leukemia, the white blood cells of cancer develop slowly than acute leukaemia and they gradually could not do their function well. An increased number of lymphocytes, which make up one of the main sub-groups of white cells in the blood, are seen in chronic leukaemia. This blood cancer has a slow process of development of cancer cells. Depending on the affection of white blood cells, chronic leukaemia is called either chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The peak age for CLL is 65 and it is rare in people under the age of 45.
The following signs may oocur due to chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL):
• Abdominal discomfort (this could be the result of an enlarged spleen)
• Infections caused by not having enough healthy white blood cells
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Swollen lymph glands
• Bone pain
• Weight loss
• Headaches and vision problems
• Tiredness
• Anaemia
Our medical team will guide one to quality blood cancer treatments in Apollo Hospitals. We offer quality treatments at an affordable price with free consultation and no waiting periods. Blood cancer treatment in India for foreign clientele will become easy under the guidance of our medical team. Present scenario of medical treatments in India attracts a good number of health tourists from all over the world.
Thomas Johnson Indian Medical Center http://www.indian-medical-center.com/blood-cancer.html
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By Parvesh Ramsohok
Cancer is, as we know, a life changing experience for both the cancer sufferer, their friends and families. Cancer and cancer treatment both have rather drastic psychological and physiological effects on the sufferer. Knowing of these effects before treatment may give you a head-start and a chance to mentally prepare yourself, just a little, for what is to come. This information may also help you weigh up the odds, on whether you want to go through with treatment or not.
Physiological Effects of Cancer.
Sexual Dysfunction: Some cancer patients and survivors, may experience a level of sexual dysfunction. This can happen to both males and females and there are ways around it.
Chronic Pain: The cancer patient may experience consistent, chronic pain after prolonged cancer treatment.
Infertility: Both male and female patients and survivors may experience infertility.
Constant Fatigue: Patients and survivors may feel like they are constantly tired and do not have the motivation or energy to complete simple, everyday tasks.
Numbness: Numbness is caused by a condition called 'Neuropathy'. The numbness is most common in the patients hands and feet.
Osteoporosis: Is a condition which causes your bones to become very fragile and weak. Making the cancer patient more susceptible to broken bones and fractures.
Incontinence: Uncontrollable urination is an effect some patients may experience.
Multiple Cancers: It is possible to get a second cancer, other then the one diagnosed for. It is best to find this out through your doctor, as soon as possible.
Hair Loss: Hair loss is common during the treatment of cancer. If this is a problem, consult with your doctor on ways to deal with the hair loss.
Ostomies: An Ostomy is a surgical opening, with a tube connecting to a bag on the outside of the body.
Psychological Effects of Cancer.
Stress: A high level of stress is often attributed to cancer and can be a common side effect.
Low Confidence: Due to the physical and mental changes cancer and cancer treatment can have on the patients, it can often result in low self esteem and confidence.
Depression: Depression is commonly found in cancer patients and survivors. This could be attributed to
the physical effects of the cancer treatment.
If you see any of these side effects in either yourself or a loved one, after surgery, please alert your doctor so that they can give advice on what steps to take next.If you have found out that you have cancer, or someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, try to help them understand fully what they are up against before they have any treatment. Get your doctor to explain everything in detail, the pros and cons and everything in-between so that you can be mentally prepared for what is ahead.
It's very important for the cancer patient to have a strong network of friends and relatives, to help them to get through the problems that arise with having cancer and chemotherapy.
You can also read more about Physiological and Psychological Effects of Cancer and visit website cancerfeedbacks.com for detailed information on various Cancer symptoms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Parvesh_Ramsohok
By: James S. Pendergraft
Cancer is a disease which can occur in any part of our body. It is generally caused when body cells in a particular region starts multiplying and grows more in number than required by that organ. These multiple cells take form of tumor. Cancer causing factors may be hereditary or a persons eating habit and lifestyle. Hence it becomes essential for everybody to make a change in ones eating habit and daily routine to ensure prevention of cancer.
The first and foremost thing to be done is to drastically reduce the intake of junk food. Processed and junk foods add empty calories. Eatables like burger, pizza, wafers, French fries etc have very high salt content which increases the sodium level of our body leading to cancer in future. Where as sweet tasting junk foods add excessive calories. Processed food like bread, salami, luncheon meat, sausages etc should also not be eaten much. Energy drinks and sweet processed juices are a strict no.
It is very essential to improve ones dietary habits for ensuring a healthy life. Fruits and vegetables in either raw or lightly cooked form should be taken at least 5 times in a day in small portions. Salad has to be eaten 4 times a week. Green leafy vegetables, legumes, fibrous foods, fruits, unprocessed sugar should be a daily affair.
The most important change to be brought for prevention of cancer is to do physical workouts. It is very essential to workout everyday for 30mins either by going for a walk, swim, jogging or cycling five times in a week to stay healthy. If the workout lasts for 60-90 minutes then it further reduces the risk of cancer. Exercising helps maintain ones body weight and avoid obesity or overweight problem. Researches and study show that obesity leads to diabetes and hypertension and cancer too. Breast cancer post menopause is very common in obese women. For men it can lead to rectum, colon and stomach cancer. It is advisable to walk up the steps and avoid vehicles while going somewhere close by.
One has to also take care of alcohol and smoking. Alcohol should be consumed moderately as excessive consumption could lead to pancreatic, oral, stomach, rectum, colon cancer. Smoking of any kind is a strictly prohibited as it leads to lung and oral cancer. In women alcohol and cigarettes, both have been found culprit for breast cancer.
There are basic things like 5 liters of water per day, avoidance of excessive caffeine, staying away from red meat etc which have to be taken care of.
Sleep too has been vaguely related to cancer. Proper sleep is very essential as the body is much more active and digestion too is proper if we have an 8 hour sleep. However in today’s competitive world late nights and rave parties seem to be a craze. But knowing all the pros and cons and drawbacks of this lifestyle it is sensible to maintain a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle would assure us long and tension free life.
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including abortion clinics, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling. Abortion Clinic.
By Kimberly Cohen
I always thought I had fairly healthy eating habits. However, when I went for my first chemotherapy treatment, I met with a Nutritionist who went over what I should have in my diet during treatment and then beyond. One of the first things I was told was to maintain my current weight. Chemotherapy drugs are given to you based on your body weight and if your weight fluctuates during the course of the treatment, then it can change the effects of the medicine. So if you were thinking of going on a diet to lose weight, you'll have to put that on hold until after your treatment is completed. You may even be surprised that you may gain weight because of the foods you eat due to the change in your taste buds. More about that later.
Next, we discussed me eating foods that had a high source of Iron, protein and calcium as well as eating lots of fruits and vegetables. See index for list of foods high in Iron and calcium. Keep in mind that while we had this conversation prior to starting the chemo, all the suggestions I received about what foods to eat was put on the back burner because one of the side effects of the chemo is that it alters your taste buds considerably. So, just know what you should eat may not be what you actually end up eating because your food just doesn't taste "normal".
Be sure to make a list of your favorite foods and try not to eat them during your treatment because you will be disappointed in the taste. So what does your food taste like after you've had a treatment? My mouth had a metal taste in it and all my food tasted like someone sprinkled sawdust all over my plate. My tongue also felt like it grew slightly in size. Don't be surprised if you favorite foods become peanut butter and jelly or other foods that have a strong taste to them. Peanut butter and jelly was a comfort food for me and it actually tasted like PB&J. Another food that actually broke through my taste buds was salmon teriyaki, I guess because the teriyaki sauce can be a bit strong. Foods that had a strong taste were best because there was a better chance that they would actually taste good.
Your diet during chemotherapy will fluctuate and that's ok. It's best to eat although at times, you may not have an appetite. The most important thing is to eat what will taste good to you and know that once your treatment is over, your taste buds will return to normal.
It's also important to keep you body hydrated during treatment, especially for the first 24-48 hours after a treatment. Fluids will help to flush your system. I found seltzer or sparkling water to be quite tasty. I would add it to my cranberry juice or lemonade. The bubbles from the seltzer and sparkling water actually felt good in my mouth and helped to spruce up my drink. Now for those of you who drink alcohol, you'll find that your intake of it will be extremely limited if not eliminated altogether.
When I met with my Nutritionist, she also asked me about my alcohol intake. I am a wine drinker (at least I was before this whole experience), so when she asked me how much I drink, I said about 1-2 glasses of white wine (with ice) per night. Well, I was told that-that was too much and to cut that back to 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer 3-4 times per week. Now, I have to tell you that I really enjoyed my end of the day drink, so this news wasn't good as far as I was concerned. After I got over my shock of reducing my alcohol intake, I understood that alcohol actually plays a role in breast cancer recurrence (not to mention it's full of calories) and since I don't particularly care to see cancer again, I did what I was told.
So, for those of you who may experience the shock that I did, I will tell you that it was rather easy to significantly reduce my alcohol intake during treatment and now beyond. Reducing my intake during treatment was easy. First of all, my taste buds were off, so I had no desire for it and when I did taste it, it just didn't taste right. Second, it just didn't feel right putting that into my system when my body was in the process of being flushed with toxic drugs to remove any stray cell that wasn't removed during surgery.
Kimberly
http://www.suburbanmomsofcolor.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Cohen
By: Peter Kent
Biomarkers May Identify Early Stages of Pancreatic Cancer
Recently researchers discovered several biomarkers among a panel of proteins that show the development of pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages, which may increase detection tests and early treatments of the fatal condition.
According to news reports from Science Daily, scientists developed a "five-biomarker panel that if commercially developed, may be useful when combined with a currently available test measuring a pancreatic-cancer biomarker called CA 19.9, which is elevated 80 percent of the time among newly diagnosed patients."
The study involved experts from the Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of Michigan and the Belfer Institute of Innovative Cancer Science at Dana-Faber Cancer Institute all of which collaborated on the findings revealing that the biomarkers among the study’s test mice translated to similar biomarkers among humans. This means that if the biomarkers among both the mice and humans are similar, the biomarkers will likely be able to increase early detection of the deadly pancreatic condition.
Because treatments are more effective during initial stages of pancreatic cancer, this development of may revolutionize the detection of this and potentially other similar diseases, according to expert statements obtained from news reports.
Defining Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer develops in the tissues of the organ that commonly "regulates the metabolism of sugars," according to the Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately, the Mayo Clinic also reports that pancreatic cancer is often described as a "leading cause of cancer deaths" because it is not detected in its early stages and has a very poor prognosis.
Science Daily reported that pancreatic cancer is "the fourth leading cause of cancer death... with a five-year survival rate of only 3 percent." Additionally, if pancreatic solid tumors are caught in the early stages approximately 90 percent of the time they can be treated, whereas if the cancer is caught in later stages, treatment is successful only 10 percent of the time.
Each year more than 29,000 additional Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which also explained that pancreatic cancer is considered a "silent disease" because of the minimal and sometimes deceiving symptoms that are difficult to recognize and associate with pancreatic cancer. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer include the following, according to NCI:
* weight loss
* nausea and vomiting
* weakness
* loss of appetite
* pain in upper back or abdomen
* dark urine from jaundice
* yellowing skin and eyes
Causes and Prescription Drug Dangers
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) there are several risk factors associated with the development of pancreatic cancer, but researchers are still unsure as exactly what causes the condition. However, the following are common characterisitcs making an individual more likely to develop the condition, according to ACS:
* age
* gender
* race
* smoking
* diet, lack of exercises and obesity
* diabetes
* chronic pancreatitis
* cirrhosis of the liver
* work exposure to pesticides, dyes and chemicals
* family history, hereditary conditions
* gene changes/inherited gene mutations
* stomach problems/surplus of stomach acids
Unfortunately, there is also another risk factor that can be attributed to man-made circumstances including the consumption of prescription drugs, which may cause pancreatitis leading to pancreatic cancer. For example, a prescription type 2 diabetes drug known as Byetta (exenatide) has recently been linked to the onset of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Health Advisory.
Byetta, from Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmceuticals, was released in 2005 and by August 2008, six individuals consuming the drug had been hospitalized for pancreatitis conditions, two of whom died. There have also been 30 additional cases of acute pancreatitis, which is sudden pancreatic inflammation, allegedly associated with the drug’s consumption.
Because Byetta-induced pancreatitis can potentially lead to a fatal pancreatic cancer it is imperative that an individual speak with a medical professional on the Byetta dangers as well as consider developing a Byetta class action lawsuit for the severe and irreversible side effects the drug may have already caused.
Peter Kent is the best-selling author of 50 books and hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers. He manages Legalview.com, a website hosting a variety of information on legal issues, including Byetta.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
By Jennifer Schroeder
Adult rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer that many people have never heard of. It isn't one of those cancers that thousands of people get in a year and it isn't a cancer that you see a lot of money being raised for. Yet it is a cancer that kills every adult that gets it.
I didn't know anything about Rhabdomyosarcoma until my partner was diagnosed with it. By the time they figured out something was seriously wrong with her it had progressed to Stage 4 and was in her bone marrow. She was 28 years old.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer that typically attacks children. St Jude's is one of the leading researchers of the cancer but only for children. The average age of a child who gets this type of cancer is 5 years old although babies can get it as well as teenagers. It is hard to find any information on adults with this type of cancer because it is so rare.
In June 2006 when my partner was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma there where only two types of the cancer, alveolar and embryonal. The difference between the two is that the embryonal cells look like that of an 8 week old fetus while the alveolar cells look like that of a 10 week old fetus. The doctors said that she was lucky to have the alveolar type because it has a better response to treatment. Actually most of her doctors wanted to give up on her. They figured that she had about 30 days to live if they kept giving her blood and platelet transfusions. They couldn't find a tumor but the cancer was throughout the lymph nodes in her face and in her bone marrow.
St. Jude's has been researching this cancer for years and they still don't have 100% cure rate in children. I haven't been able to find any account of an adult surviving from this cancer. Some countries have reported that they can give a rhabdomyosarcoma patient two years cancer-free by amputating the limb that the tumor is in. Of course this doesn't help people who have tumors that are not in a limb or their tumor can't be found.
One day a new doctor showed up in the cancer wing, the doctors at my partner's hospital rotate between the cancer wing and the cancer clinic. He said that there is always hope and 28 years old was too young to give up hope. He said that the children with rhabdomyosarcoma get 4 different types of chemotherapy. He said that the hospital hadn't tried it on adults before because an adult is not expected to survive the treatment. He also said that he had seen too many different results in cancer treatments to give up hope.
Now days there are 6-8 different chemotherapies listed for rhabdomyosarcoma. Of course they also have recently developed two different forms of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. That probably explains why doctors used to have a hard time get the embryonal cancer to respond to chemotherapy. Of course now researchers have also realized that rhabdomyosarcoma comes from a problem in the DNA and that is usually why it shows up in children.
My partner did survive about 6 months of the brutal chemotherapy regime. It gave her just about 6 months cancer free which was almost long enough to get back to normal. Then it flared up again so the doctor put her through another 6 months or so of the chemotherapy regime. This time when her liver started acting up she went in for 4 weeks of daily radiation on a tomotherapy machine. After all that and she only got about 4 months cancer free. Not much time to do rebuild.
Cancer research seems to be making big strides lately. They are finding out that DNA has more to do with cancers than they previously thought. They are working on ways to target the DNA and suppress the cancer. As they learn more about DNA they can find out more about cancers and hopefully how to cure them.
By the time my partner's cancer came back the doctors found out about the DNA link to rhabdomyosarcoma. Her current regime is targeting her DNA and seems to be working. It is also easier on her stomach that her old regime. She has already survived 7 months longer than the doctors thought she would. We are hoping that she survives long enough for researchers to apply their new knowledge to her cancer. I always tell her that if I win the lottery, I will fund a researcher center specifically for her cancer. Researchers are so close but they would be closer if they actually started studying rhabdomyosarcoma.
My name is Jen. I am currently working on my Master's in Adult Education. I am also the primary caregiver for my partner who has cancer. Together we own Jendee Stores, LLC. Online we are located at http://www.jendeestores.com I'm not new to writing, just new to writing articles online. Let me know what you think about my articles and if you would like to see an article on something specific.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Schroeder
By: Erik Willis
The human body goes about its work without calling a lot of attention to what it is doing. Every once in a while, it gives a sign that something isn’t working quite right. A person may suddenly get a fever or discover that there is blood in the urine. These are two common kidney cancer symptoms that can often be mistaken for other conditions.
When visiting a doctor because of suspicious symptoms, it is important for him to know if the patient is at risk of getting kidney cancer. Some common risk factors include having undergone long-term dialysis, a family history of kidney cancer, smoking or being exposed to second-hand smoke and occupational exposure to chemicals or hazardous waste.
Once the risks have been assessed, the patient often undergoes a physical exam in order to discover any other possible kidney cancer symptoms. It is important to inform the doctor of any excessive, unexplained weight loss, consistent pain in the side or lower back, the presence of lumps in the abdomen or a general sense of being unwell. Doctors often check for high blood pressure and swelling of the lower extremities.
When a doctor suspects that a patient may have kidney cancer, he can perform a number of procedures in order to get a diagnosis. Attack-Kidney-Cancer may have the answers. The most common first step in diagnosing any condition is to perform a physical exam. If a doctor discovers symptoms of kidney cancer during a physical exam such as a fever, high blood pressure or masses in the abdomen or on the side, he will most likely proceed with further testing.
If a patient history and physical exam provide enough cause for further tests, a doctor often recommends blood and urine tests. Kidney cancer symptoms found by these tests often include unexplained rises in the level of certain substances like creatinine, which is filtered by the kidneys. If something is preventing the kidneys from filtering properly, doctors will want to perform further testing.
Additional testing including ultrasounds, computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may become necessary if the previous results indicate the possibility of kidney cancer. A biopsy is an examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease. This is often done by extracting cells using a long needle. Biopsies can tell if a mass is cancerous or benign.
If kidney cancer symptoms and subsequent testing determines that a patient does, in fact, have kidney cancer, the doctor will advise a treatment plan. Treatment for kidney cancer can range from radiation therapy and surgery to chemotherapy and immunological therapy or a combination of treatments.
Seeing the possible symptoms of kidney cancer can be a frightening experience. More information can be found at http://www.attack-kidney-cancer.com. It is important to remember that many of the symptoms that can indicate kidney cancer can also indicate something as simple as a cyst or an infection. Whatever the cause of any symptom, it is always best to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
About the Author
This website is the first venture of Attack Kidney Cancer. Founder Peter Roberts hopes to help people find alternative treatments in an easy and effective way. For more information on kidney cancer symptoms visit http://www.attack-kidney-cancer.com.
by Tom Parker
There are actually two types of lung cancer; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Lung cancer often refers to NSCLC which represents 80% of cases with SCLC representing the other 20%. In this article I will be discussing NSCLC in more detail.
As I already said NSCLC is the most common of the two types of lung cancer. It can actually be further broken down into three types; Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma and Large Cell Carcinoma. I will be discussing each of these below.
1) SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA:- This type of NSCLC develops when the cells that line the airways start to grow in a rapid and uncontrollable way. It often spreads to other areas of the body quite easily because of the regular passage of fluids (blood and lymph) through the lungs.
2) ADENOCARCINOMA:- This type of NSCLC occurs when the mucus producing cells of the lungs start to grow rapidly and uncontrollably eventually leading to the formation of a tumour. It does not spread as easily as other forms of NSCLC and often stays localised.
3) LARGE CELL CARCINOMA:- This type of NSCLC can develop in any area of the lung. It is different to the other types of NSCLC because the tumours that form lack the structure of typical cancerous cells. Large cell carcinoma generally grows more quickly and spreads more easily than any other type of non-small cell lung cancer.
The majority of non-small cell lung cancers are caused by smoking. Smokers are believed to be 10 times more likely to contract NSCLC than non-smokers whilst heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes per day) are thought to be up to 40 times more likely to develop this type of cancer. However, there are other risk factors including exposure to asbestos, radon and even inherited faulty genes.
The symptoms of NSCLC are often related to the lungs. A chronic cough, chest pain and having trouble breathing are all thought to be possible signs for this type of cancer. If you notice any of the above you should go see your doctor and let them know. They will then be able to perform the appropriate tests and if necessary treat the cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer in the UK. It is a very dangerous condition with approximately 38,000 people contracting it each year. I hope this article has helped you understand the various types of NSCLC. If you are suspicious that you have have developed this type of cancer you should go and see your doctor right away. They are trained to deal with this condition and will be able to give you the best guidance possible.
Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Lung cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
About the Author
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about lung cancer and how improving your fitness can help you prevent cancer by visiting his Free Fitness Tips Blog
By: Peter Kent
Active Symptom Control for Mesothelioma Studied in Chemotherapy Treatment
According to a recent issue of the British medical journal, The Lancet, researchers have been studying the effect of chemotherapy on mesothelioma. Since chemotherapy is not considered a successful treatment for mesothelioma cancer, but rather a treatment for mesothelioma signs and symptoms medical professionals continue to debate the usefulness of the procedure on controlling symptoms.
Researchers studied 409 patients all of which were suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma in different parts of the world. The patients were randomly assigned an active symptom control treatment or a treatment that included an active control treatment with one of two chemotherapy medications. According to the study, "the active symptom control treatments included steroids, bronchodilators, analgesic medications and palliative radiotherapy."
Following the study, the patients with both treatment options were compared and, according to researchers, "the addition of chemotherapy to active symptom control presented no significant benefit or advances in survival or quality of life" among mesothelioma victims.
What are Mesothelioma, Chemotherapy?
Mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant cancer cells develop in a thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity covering the lungs, which is also known as the pleura, or the peritoneum, which is the tissue lining the abdomen and most of the organs, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses chemicals commonly administered via a catheter, pill, injection, or port, which is usually a round, metal or plastic disc, that is provided when abnormal cancerous cells begin to develop and rapidly divide uncontrollably. Chemotherapy is given for a variety of reasons but it is given based on certain factors such as the stage of a cancer, the health of a patient and the age of a patient. For mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is not a curative method of treatment, but is actually administered to mesothelioma patients for several reasons including the following:
* stop growth and spreading of a cancer, to control the cancer
* minimize or shrink tumors - this method is also known as neoadjuvantchemotherapy
* palliative chemotherapy in which pain and other symptoms are meant to be reduced
* the destruction of microscopic disease that remains after a surgical procedure, also known as adjuvant chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is administered either as a catheter placed into a large vein in the body or a catheter attached as a port that is placed into the chest area under the skin for a period of time.
Living With Mesothelioma
Unfortunately, victims of mesothelioma continue to receive setbacks for their life-threatening condition, as there are currently no successful treatments for the deadly cancer. However, an individual has the opportunity to participate in an array of clinical trial treatment groups as well as the opportunity to develop a mesothelioma lawsuit to derive monetary compensation as a means of repayment for the condition, which is often associated with extremely expensive medical bills.
Speaking with a qualified medical attorney who can offer a free legal consultation as to the creation of mesothelioma litigation can offer a mesothelioma victim peace of mind and insight into overcoming the financial burden of their condition.
Peter Kent is the best-selling author of 50 books and hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers. He manages Legalview.com, a website hosting a variety of information on legal issues, including Mesothelioma.
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By Chris Wensley
Testicular cancer chemotherapy is the most common treatment given to those affected by this increasingly common disease. In this article, I'll describe the different forms of chemotherapy and when they are used.
When Not To Use Chemotherapy
Not everyone diagnosed with testicular cancer will need chemotherapy.
Men diagnosed with Stage I testicular cancer may opt for surveillance or radiation. A light version of chemotherapy, carboplatin, is an increasingly popular option, however. Some may also opt for surgery.
Men with Stage II testicular cancer but only minimal spread of disease may not always receive chemotherapy. Sometimes an operation known as an RPLND is done instead and sometimes radiation is given.
Carboplatin
This is a light version of chemotherapy that takes only a single hospital visit to deliver. It is used as a preventative treatment for Stage I seminoma patients who wish to reduce the chances of a relapse.
It is less severe than other forms of chemotherapy to the degree that hair loss is rare. However, the long term risks of carboplatin are unknown as it has only been used for treatment of testicular cancer for a few years.
BEP
BEP is a chemotherapy course of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. It was pioneered by Dr. Lawrence Einhorn of Indiana University and is now considered the gold standard of chemotherapy for most cases where cancer has spread.
It is generally given as 3 cycles and complete recovery takes around 9 weeks.
EP
EP is the same as BEP but minus the bleomycin. It is normally given in 4 cycles. It is considered equivalent to BEP but the two have different side effects. BEP can cause more lung complications whereas EP carries a greater risk of leukemia , neuropathy and hearing loss.
VIP/HDC
VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin) and HDC (high dose chemo) are only used for very high risk patients and are much less common.
Recently diagnosed or affected by testicular cancer? Get the concise facts you need to know about testicular cancer here: Testicular Cancer Library.
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