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Friday, October 1, 2010

CNS Lymphoma Explained

Many individuals suffer from CNS (Central Nervous System) lymphoma. The central nervous system of the body consists of the brain as well as the spinal cord. When a tumor develops in the lymph cells of the body, it is identified as a lymphoma. The lymph cells are an intricate part of the immune system. These specialized cells work to combat infection that may develop within the body.
Most of the CNS lymphomas that are located in the brain and the spinal cord are considered to be malignant. Medical professionals refer to these abnormalities as "Neoplasm". Depending on their size and severity, they have the capability of interrupting the normal functions that a person is capable of such as walking, speaking, and even memory. Here, you will learn more about CNS lymphoma brain cancer tumors.
The Causes
When evaluating the causes of CNS lymphoma, many medical professionals are unable to identify one specific reason why the tumor has developed. There have been theories that this type of cancer comes as a direct result of a malfunctioning immune system. However, many individuals that develop these types of tumors are found to have a fully functional immune system.
Doctors and other types of researchers have determined that when the white blood cells grow in an uncontrolled manner that is part of the system that is referred to as "Lymphatic" that lymphoma develops. The over abundance of the cells eventually spills over into the central nervous system. While often referred to as a tumor, CNS lymphoma is not the same as a traditional tumor - it is simply a large amount of abnormal cells.
Symptoms of CNS Lymphoma
Just like other brain cancer tumors, CNS lymphomas results in many symptoms in those that experience the condition. Many doctors will evaluate the symptoms that a patient has in order to determine if a neurological examination is required. The following symptoms highlight the most common experienced by those that suffer from this particular form of brain cancer:
• Most individuals will experience a drastic change in personality. This is often a direct result of the pressure of the cells on the regions of the brain and the spinal cord.
• Most patients complain of a headache that is moderate to severe. This headache may occur on any region of the head. Many medical professionals use the area where the headache is occurring to determine the location of the CNS lymphoma.
• Patients that suffer from CNS lymphoma often experience moderate to severe nausea. This is often accompanied by bouts of vomiting that may prove to be quite severe.
• Many individuals find that they have a mild to severe case of weakness in the body.
• Numbness and other types of sensations such as tingling may be experienced in the body. This is most common in the face area.
• Many experience sensory complications such as complications when it comes to the ability to see and the ability to hear.
CNS lymphoma is a potentially dangerous brain cancer condition. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, you should work with a medical professional in order to receive treatment so that the symptoms that you experience are drastically reduced.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

What is Lymphoma Cancer?

The lymphatic system is comprised of the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and liver. The lymph is the fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system and travels through the body via lymph vessels. The fluid contains lymphocytes - produced by the bone marrow and spleen -that fight pathogens. These cells filter the blood and collect the microorganisms inside lymph nodes. You'll notice that during infections, you will have a palpable node in your neck, under your arms, breasts, and groin. When the pathogens are overwhelmed, toxins and byproducts produced by these cells are then filtered in the liver to be eliminated.
In lymphoma cancer, the problem lies in the lymphocytes, specifically the B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of lymphoma cancer where the B-lymphocytes have the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells under morphological studies. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, on the other hand, is a type of lymphoma that occurs without the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. The malignant cells increase in number and size, resulting to a pooling of cells inside a lymph node. The lymph node formed will be rubbery, painless, and does not show any signs of disappearing. Lymphoma cancer is also noted with night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and unexplained fever. There are patients diagnosed with lymphoma but still live for more than 5 to 10 years, making this one of the most curable forms of cancer known to man. Biopsy of the tumor is the definitive way in diagnosing lymphoma. Imaging tests such as X-Ray, CT-Scan, and MRI along with blood tests are done in order to stage the severity of lymphoma cancer.
Treatment of lymphoma cancer can be a form or mix of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is done during the early stage, and applied only on a local area where the malignancy is noted. When the malignancy has spread in adjacent and distal parts of the body, chemotherapy is used along with immune-stimulants and corticosteroids such as prednisone. Surviving lymphoma is highly dependent on the stage when the lymphoma was diagnosed and the application of appropriate treatment. Always maintain your regular check up to see if your treatment is appropriate for you, and to monitor how the lymphoma cancer is progressing.
Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on Lymphoma Cancer, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, causes and much more.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Finding a Cancer Cure Would Put the Cancer Care Industry Out of Business!

Legally, I can't tell you that monatomic gold cures cancer, even though scientific studies have shown that cancer patients taking monatomic gold have experienced improvement in their condition. If you want references, click on the link below. For now, I'll just relate my viewpoint based on what I've read and what I've experienced.
I've never had cancer, but my mom did. She died from the TREATMENT! Her father had cancer and died. My dad's mom had cancer and died. There's a lot of conjecture in the medical community as to the causes of cancer. Before the industrial revolution, cancer cases were rare. Many effective cancer treatment protocols were developed prior to 1950's, but these treatments were suppressed by the mainstream medical establishment at the behest of the pharmaceutical corporations. One natural cancer therapy that I can't legally tell you actually works is cottage cheese and flax oil. That's pretty simple, and totally non-toxic. Won't kill you like chemo-therapy might, like radiation probably will.
A mineral supplement derived from gold, called monatomic gold has been used by ancient cultures throughout earth's history as an aid in spiritual ascension. Modern scientific research has shown that subjects taking monatomic gold show an immediate increase in brain synchronization, leading to stress relief. Legally, I can't tell you that stress causes cancer. I also won't tell you that de-stressing will cure your cancer.
It's also been observed that monatomic gold repairs DNA. It's the DNA that tells the cells what to do, when and how to divide, whether to be healthy or unhealthy. Exposure to environmental toxins like petro-chemicals can damage the DNA, leading to cancer. Certain supplements have shown to aid in detoxification of these unnatural chemicals. Would you be surprised to discover that many pharmaceutical drugs are synthesized from petroleum? What connection do you think might exist between the petroleum industry and the pharmaceutical industry?
Before the prohibition era, Henry Ford produced automobiles designed to run on pure ethanol. John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil fame used his influence to push for the prohibition of the sale of alcohol, not to stop people from drinking, but to shut down the fuel competition from Ford's ethanol production. Ford had filling stations that were ethanol-dedicated, garnering some 25% of the fuel sales in America. Then came prohibition. Ethanol is a clean-burning fuel, producing no toxic emissions. Petroleum based fuels and petroleum refinement to make gasoline and diesel fuel produces cancer causing toxic by-products. Some of these waste by-products are used in the manufacture of cancer drugs and other pharmaceutical drugs. Read the lists of side-effects! Jeesh!
It's time we grow up and start thinking for ourselves. Television gets most of it's ad revenue from drug ads! Television also uses subliminal messages to program the subconscious mind to action. It's also been discovered that brain-waves of television watchers are identical to brain-waves of subjects under hypnotic trance!
My experience taking monatomic gold is my mind is sharper. My dreams are more vivid, and I experience a greater since of synchronicity of experience. You know those "Aha!" moments? So, how might having access to a greater mental capacity effect your ability to handle health challenges? Do you think you might be able to better sort it out for yourself, rather than just blindly following the advice of some oncologist who has yacht payments to make?
If you'd like more data on high-quality monatomic minerals that I cannot legally tell you have helped many people with cancer, click on the link below. To life!
Samuel Boydston is an explorer in human consciousness. He is intensely engaged in the pursuit of greater ability in the fields of music, the arts and education. More articles at: http://monotomic-monatomicgoldpowder.com/monatomic-gold-powder-monotomic-and-modern-alchemy/.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Vs Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

My introduction to lymphoma came one, quiet July afternoon in 2008 as I was sitting at my desk at work. My husband called. He had been feeling poorly for the last couple of weeks while we were on vacation and had just been to see the doctor.
"The doctor said I've got one of three things," he calmly reported. "But the only one I can remember is lymphoma." He went on to say that he was calling from a hospital bed where he had a few things stuck in and on him. (Before I lost control of my thoughts, I was reminded of an incident two years earlier. Then, my husband had left me a voice mail. The message went something like this: "My appendix burst. I'm in the hospital. You can stop by if you want to.")
Our life plummeted into the realm of conscious uncertainty. Non-medical people, we searched all over the Internet, talked to family, friends, friends of friends, doctors, etc., to find out everything we could about this kind of cancer.
Soon enough, we were reminded of the danger of Internet searches. There is almost too much information -- a lot of it is downright scary and some of it is ultimately inaccurate. Even without really understanding my husband's current condition, we were already contemplating the worst possible outcome.
Types of Lymphoma
There are two main types of lymphoma -- Hodgkin's Lymphoma (also called Hodgkin's Disease) and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Both types develop in the lymphocytes, white blood cells that are an important part of the body's immune system. The two types have similarities, but there are definite distinctions.
Lymphocytes have two main cell types: B cells or T cells. With lymphoma, either the B cell or the T cell becomes abnormal; the first abnormal cell quickly divides and then subsequent abnormal cells divide, encroaching upon and destroying other lymphatic cells. And, while lymphoma originates in the body's lymphatic system, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma can spread to bone marrow and other organs such as the liver and spleen.
Symptoms and Signs
My spouse had been complaining about aching, swollen lumps in his neck. He had also been having night sweats and fever. These are typical symptoms for both Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Other symptoms include breathing problems, fatigue, itching, unexplained weight loss, and swollen lumps in the armpits and/or groin.
The doctors told us it was not uncommon for either type of cancer to appear in adults in their 50's, but, typically, Hodgkin's Lymphoma appears in children and young adults. In contrast, the risk for developing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma increases with age and typically appears between the ages of 40 and 70.
My husband, a seemingly healthy man who watched his diet and regularly exercised, was in his early 50's.
Diagnosis
After several tests, there was little doubt that my husband had lymphoma, but in order to treat it, the doctors needed to know exactly what type it was.
There are several diagnostic techniques used, either alone or in combination, to make the diagnosis between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. These include blood tests, thorough physical examinations, biopsies of bone marrow, and chest x-rays. The definitive test, however, is the tissue biopsy of part or all of an affected lymph node.
The hospital did a biopsy of one of the lumps on his neck on a Friday. The results would not be available until early the next week. So, it was back to the Internet to see what else we could learn and worry about. Meanwhile, my spouse was suffering and more painful lumps were fast appearing. Overwhelmed with both too much general and too little specific information, we waited for news from the lab.
Under the microscope, the presence of an abnormal B cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell, a particular kind of lymphocyte, indicates Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Diagnosis is not as easy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; there are over 30 different types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma which include various types of cells and cell markers.
Finally, on Monday, we learned we were dealing with Anaplastic T cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At last, we knew the enemy.
Treatment
Now that we knew the type of cancer, we had all the usual questions about treatment. Chemo? Radiation? How long? How much?
Like all cancers, lymphoma is characterized by stages which define the extent or severity of the cancer, and treatment differs depending on the cell type and stage. Treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. Stem cell or blood marrow transplantation can be recommended in more severe cases. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy; on rare occasions, radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy is utilized.
The type and severity of lymphoma determine the response to any particular treatment. Other treatments for lymphoma can include radioimmunotherapy or immunotherapy alone; surgery is rarely a treatment option.
In my spouse's case, he had Stage III (of I to IV with IV being the most severe) of an aggressive type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That meant hitting him hard and fast with chemotherapy. They began it almost immediately. The first treatment was excruciating and weakened him, but it provided great results. After a week, he was released with a treatment plan that included five additional chemotherapy sessions.
As we left the hospital, I remember watching my husband - stooped over, thinner by 30-some pounds, frail and weak - as he carefully got into the car in the parking lot. I wondered whether he would ever return to his vibrant, irreverent self.
Statistics for New Cases and Deaths
In 2008, my spouse was one of the estimated 74,340 people to be diagnosed with lymphoma. In that same year, it was estimated that 20,150 people with lymphoma would die. Staggering statistics that we couldn't seem to comprehend at the time.

What Are the Main Hodgkin's Lymphoma Symptoms?

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of lymphoma characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells are seen in lymphocytes, particularly the T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes which are types of WBC's. Lymphocytes are part of your body's immune system, so it would be natural to have problems in fighting infections when you have lymphoma.
When a person has Hodgkin's lymphoma, one major sign is having an enlarged, non-tender, rubbery lymph node located at the neck, armpit, chest, or groin. However, some note presence of pain when alcohol is consumed. Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms can also include difficulty of breathing, chest pain, or persistent cough due to a lymph node that is pressing on the air passages or lungs.
Other Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms are unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever, and night sweats. Fatigue can result due to anemia brought about by a weakened production and storage of RBC in the bone marrow and spleen respectively. Three Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms are called "B symptoms" which are weight loss, persistent fever, and night sweats. The presence of these symptoms is used when staging the disease and to determine just how aggressive the treatment would be.
Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms can happen in any stages of the disease. However, most types of Hodgkin's lymphoma manifest Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms when the disease is already at Stage III and Stage IV. This is why it is important to undergo biopsy and other tests to confirm the presence of lymphoma so proper treatment can be given to help fight the disease. A swollen lymph node may indicate just a simple infection, but if it lasts for more than two weeks without any sign of decreasing in size, an appointment with a doctor is a must.
Treatment can range from radiotherapy, chemotherapy, to bone marrow transplant. Never miss a treatment regimen and always maintain your regular check up so you and your doctor will know if the treatment is effective or needs modification. High chance of survival is noted in treating Hodgkin's lymphoma no matter what stage it was diagnosed, so never lose hope and join a support group to help you cope with the disease.
Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on Hodgkin's Lymphoma Symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, causes and much more.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

How to Cure Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by Epoch Chemotherapy?

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment by Epoch Chemotherapy
Epoch Chemotherapy is used as a treatment to cure many types of Cancer. One such treatment is the Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment in which the Epoch chemotherapy regimens like etoposide, vincristine, and doxorubicin are injected in the patients along with the drugs like intravenous (IV) bolus cyclophosphamide and oral prednisone for four days.
When the Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma(NHL) treatment was carried on 74 patients their immune system did not respond to the same injected drugs (regimens). But surprisingly the immune system of the patients with the fatal NHL responded nicely to the this treatment.
After this treatment medical tests were done and the test results were found. Results showed that the patients who were in the fourth stage of Lymphoma comprised of 77 % of the patients who had responded to the NHL treatment and all the drugs in Epoch regimen were previously administered in 71 % of the patients. Also it was found that 92% of the patients were injected with at least four of the drugs of the Epoch regimen. Our of 21 patients who did not respond to the Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment,15 responded and only one among them was able to achieve a complete diminution.
Patients with deteriorating CD-20 positive large B-Cells with NHL cells were treated with 375 mg rituximab drug on first day. The Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment was then given to the patients from 2-4 days with the drugs being injected with different proportions into the patient's body. Only Cyclophosphamide with 750 mg was given on the day fifth and 60 mg Prednisone was given orally to the patient on the days 1-14 as a part of the Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment. After treating fifty patients between the ages of 23-72 years having with rituximab drug it was found that the primary large B-Cell lymphoma was spread out in 25 patients and large B-Cell lymphoma was converted to other form in 18 of them. Thus the treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with the help of Epoch Chemotherapy with rituximab drug proved to be fruitful.
Side Effects of the Epoch Chemotherapy Treatment
We all know that the Epoch Chemotherapy is a treatment which is used when there are complicated cancerous tumors. This treatment is given to the patients by mixing various toxic drugs in proper proportion due to which many harmful side effects are seen. So this treatment should only be given to the patients after studying their family history and then finding that whether those persons are allergenic to the toxic drugs or not.
Sometimes it is found that the patient suffers from nausea, hair loss, depression and appetite loss which are the side effects caused by the toxic drugs that are used during the this treatment. Even some patients become resistant to the drugs which are injected during the epoch chemotherapy treatment while treating the NHL which is a dreadful form of cancer.
In one such study done after the treatment of Non- Hodgkin lymphoma it was seen that the toxicity of the drugs had caused large scale neutropenia and gastrointestinal disorders in the patients.
Friends, we have now understood the importance of the Epoch Chemotherapy in treating cancer patients. Every coin has two sides. So has Epoch Chemotherapy. So do consult doctor before going for any kind of Chemotherapy because self-medication and self-analysis about once health is always dangerous. Always remember that Health is Wealth.
Wish all of you Nice in Health.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month

Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month is right around the corner, so now is a great time to get prepared. Every September, thousands of people join together to commemorate this very special occasion. They work hard by making every effort possible to raise money for blood cancer research. The disease affects 139, 860 Americans alone per year. In other words, every 4 minutes another person is diagnosed with blood cancer. Clearly, these numbers are grim and strong action needs to be taken. While there is already a remarkable amount of exploration being done towards finding the cure, we have not succeeded yet. Thus, more help is always needed, and it starts with you.
If you want to get involved, there are several ways to do it. One of the best awareness events is organized by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event, named the Light the Night Walk is a charity walk held every year for communities across the nation to raise money for donations. The funds raised by the Light the Night walkers go towards providing four important things: blood cancer research, educational materials, local support groups and counseling, and free personalized assistance for victims and their families.
The Light the Night walk is a crucial component of the fundraising process, and the research for finding the cure for leukemia depends upon it. During the course of this event, every Light the Night walker carries with them special illuminated balloons which are color coated for specific purposes. White balloons are for leukemia survivors, red balloons denote leukemia awareness supporters, and gold balloons are reserved for those who have lost a loved one to blood cancer.
If you would like to join the Light the Night Walk, or host your own Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness event, Motivators also offers a wide selection of Leukemia Awareness Month giveaways for this purpose. Our company understands the tremendous amount of passion and emotion that this event carries with it, so we want to make the best effort possible to provide you with promotional items that are both sensitive and appropriate. With that being said, there are several giveaways that would be ideal for this cause.
For one, the official symbol of Leukemia & Lymphoma is the red blood droplet. If you want to promote Leukemia Awareness in any way, something like a droplet shaped magnet is a classy way to do it. This is a great item to use for getting people to come to your blood drive or fundraiser. Businesses can also get custom imprinting done on these blood drop magnets, along with an inspirational message of your choosing. It isn't done for marketing purposes, but rather just a professional way to show that your company is aware of the fight against blood cancer, and that you care.
Another wonderful giveaway for this occasion is our custom awareness bracelets. The idea of these bracelets began several years ago as the "LiveStrong" bracelets, led by cyclist Lance Armstrong to promote the fight against testicular cancer. Though this item has been worn in present day for just about any purpose, the concept itself is still rooted in the fight against cancer. These bracelets are subtle, and exceptionally appropriate for promoting the fight against leukemia.
If you want to know more about blood cancer, all the information known about the disease can be found at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Daniel Namm is an e-marketing specialist for Motivators, Inc., a Long Island based promotional products distributor. The company's website, Motivators.com has over 40,000 e-commerce enabled promotional products. Check out the latest selection of Leukemia Awareness Month giveaways to honor Leukemia & Lymphoma

Umbilical Cord Blood Miracle - How Stem Cells From Umbilical Cord Blood Help in Curing Diseases

When a baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta is usually discarded as medical waste. Not any more, as such blood has been found to be a very important and rich source of stem cells, and stem cells is mankind's latest hope in its battle against age-old fatal diseases.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that eventually become the different types of blood cells. And as of today, about 70 medical disorders have been treated with such cells, specifically those taken from the umbilical cord. Such cells are very important in the treatment of, say, leukemia, or cancer of the blood. When patients undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy, their stock stem cells are destroyed, leaving them in a very vulnerable, almost deadly condition. Traditionally, they receive transplant from a donor via bone marrow transplant or direct normal blood transfusion. These two sources of stem cells are fraught with pain and side-effects, and it is tricky to find a donor match.
On the other hand, stem cells from umbilical cord blood are very easy to collect and transplant, and it is not painful to administer. Moreover, it is not difficult to find a family member that can provide a match. And the greatest thing of all is that umbilical cord blood is almost always free of any contamination or infection.
Stem cell transplants can save lives of people with serious diseases, such as leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells) and other cancers, or those with serious blood disorders (aplastic anemia). Recently, it has been found that such cells taken from cord blood can also be used in the treatment of brain injury, cerebral palsy, type 1 diabetes, and heart disorders.
Because of its obvious importance, umbilical cord blood and its storage in an established cord blood bank upon the birth of a baby is becoming a hot issue. The good thing is that parents nowadays have this risk-free choice.
For more information regarding how storing cord blood can protect you and your child's future, check out umbilical cord blood.
Kayla Leeds is a veteran author who maintains a news website called Hot Daily Buzz (http://hotdailybuzz.com).

Monday, August 16, 2010

Coping With Leukemia Through Cord Blood Treatment

Do you suffer leukemia? It will be your good news then. You can have a good and effective treatment through cord blood. This blood is considered as the strong source for stem cells. Stem cells are obtained from embryos. Yet, the treatment using this kind of cell is the right solution for some disorder such as leukemia.
Stem cells have the ability to replicate themselves to treat, repair, and also cure the damaged cells by some diseases including leukemia. Historically, the treatment by using this type of cell was formerly completed in 1988. Yet, the general public could access this procedure in 1995. Today, you are able to meet cold blood banking for storing the stem cells as well as cord blood.
Cord blood will be the right answer for some diseases. On June 2009, this blood was believed to be able to treat eighty diseases. It is a potential treatment for patients with leukemia, specifically for those who have no acceptable source for bone narrow transplant.
Then, how to use this cord blood as the treatment for leukemia? The process of the treatment begins when the blood is obtained from the giving birth mother. The patient is then given regular chemotherapy and followed by the high-dose chemotherapy. It is able to kill either normal or cancer-producing blood cells of the bone marrow. Since stem cell is able to kill the previous cells, it will replicate and replace for new cells.
Furthermore, the real transplantation happens when the patient is injected with the stem cells. They are able to take over the new white blood cells creation of around 10 up to 14 days so that the production of your blood will gradually return to normal. In addition, you can possibly need transfusions of some substances such as platelets and red blood cells since they are not able to reproduce on their own.
Cord blood can be easily collected right after the birth. In order to keep it sterilized, it is then cryogenically stored either in a public or private bank until it is needed for transplant. In addition, this blood can be stored for indefinite time until it is needed for the treatment.
Since stem cells are very beneficial for treating some disorder, cord blood collection will be very beneficial right after giving birth. Then, the cells can be stored at the cord blood banks for future need. You can find some more information about it on www.umbilicalcordstemcells.org.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Mesothelioma - How to Cope After Diagnosis

If you know someone that has worked with asbestos in the past, then chances are that they have mesothelioma. It is important that you provide the right kind of support and ensure that the people diagnosed with this ailment are not left alone. There are a number of things that you can do in order to help the person who is suffering from this condition.
By showing that you care, you are ensuring that the person doesn't feel abandoned and has the hope and the will power to survive. This is important, no matter what the illness might be.
Getting the best medication
One of the most important things to make sure of in the people that have been diagnosed with this condition is that they are able to get the right kind of medical attention. In many cases, simply getting quality medical care goes a long way in ensuring that the patients don't have to suffer unnecessarily and are also able to cope with the pain in a much nicer way.
Although permanently getting rid of Mesothelioma is not possible, it is very much possible to reduce the pain caused by it. You will have to motivate the person and ensure that they do try out this treatment.
Getting legal help
Simple opting for medical attention is not enough. You need to ensure that the individuals suffering with Mesothelioma are not doing so in silence. With the right kind of legal recourse, it is possible that the individual can earn a substantial amount of money. With more money, it is possible to opt in for better healthcare and not simply struggle after being diagnose with this condition.
Many people lose hope because they run out of money before they get fully cured. This can be avoided if you file a strong lawsuit and win it with the help of a good lawyer.
Supporting as a group
As said previously, it is important to support the person that has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma in the form of a group. As long as the person knows that he can count on people around him, it is less likely that he is going to have to struggle in order to cope with the problems and also recovery soon after that.
Hence, having a good amount of support from near and dear ones is important. If you want a way in which you could be of help, it might probably be useful to help the individual try to find out a good lawyer and have this lawyer fight the case for you.
In a number of ways, having all the people support in an orderly manner and ensuring that the medical processes as well as the legal ones are going on as planned will help in successfully fighting mesothelioma.
Although medically, it is rather challenging to get a solution to curb the spread of this cancer, it is not necessarily hopeless. There are ways in which the cancer can be curbed and the person struggling with the disease can lead a somewhat normal life for a reasonable amount of time.
In order to get compensated from the people responsible for the onset of this cancer, it is necessary to get mesothelioma lawyers to help you out. Go to the website http://belluckfox.com/ to learn more

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Herbal Remedies For Leukemia - How Can They Help?

Leukemia is a blood disorder that affects a surprisingly large number of people. The death rate of this disease is alarming and it causes people to turn to other treatments that science can provide. Herbal remedies for leukemia has been given consideration as an alternative treatment.
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is another type of cancer that begins in the blood cells. For people suffering from leukemia, their bone marrows generate abnormal white blood cells. These are called the leukemia cells.
During the first stage of this disease, the leukemia cells may look like they are functioning normally. But after some time, they begin to out populate the normal white blood cells and also the red blood cells of our body. This is the reason why the blood cannot function correctly.
Cause of Leukemia
The exact cause of leukemia still remains a mystery. Experts cannot explain why this disease sprouts in random people. However, due to intensive studies, they have found some factors that may put you at risk of leukemia. Here are some of them:
1. Exposure to high level radiation
Those people who are regularly exposed to a high level of radiation have a high chance of developing leukemia.
2. Exposure to certain chemicals
Exposure to chemicals, such as Benzene can put you at a risk of developing leukemia. Another chemical that may cause considerable damage to your cells is formaldehyde.
3. Chemotherapy
This might seem crazy since chemotherapy is used to treat cancer patients. However, there are some studies conducted that people fighting from a different type of cancer can later develop leukemia because of their frequent chemotherapy sessions.
4. Down Syndrome
People with Down syndrome have a higher risk of developing leukemia because of their abnormal chromosomes.
Treatment
The first line of treatment that people with Leukemia would most likely utilize is chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy can also assault your immune system and can leave you defenseless against other viral infections and other complications.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy are all physically spent after every session. Chemotherapy also causes these patients to lose hair. This is why many have also turned to herbal remedies for leukemia.
These herbal remedies for leukemia have helped many a number of leukemia sufferers:
1. The nutrients found in garlic can protect our body from infections. Since chemotherapy can lower your immune system, Garlic can aid that problem.
2. You can also concoct an herbal tea out of stinging nettle, elder blossoms, brooklime herb and dandelion to help your body gain back its strength and normalize its primary functions.
It is also important for a leukemia sufferer to have a balanced diet and regular exercise to support their body in the fight against cancer cells.
Along with these, they can also take an herbal remedy that can help promote healthier cells. A product called Bio-Oxidate Defense can help a lot.
This product can support healthy cells in our body and can help the body fight the effects of bad cells. Bio-Oxidate Defense can also up your immune system so you will not be defenseless against other diseases.
This product is 100% safe to use because it uses natural herbal ingredients such as Green Tea, Rooibos and Grape seed extract which are a very helpful combination in supporting the body and help healthy cell growth.
When it comes to the battle against Leukemia, every help is needed. Herbal remedies for leukemia and a product like Bio-Oxidate Defense is just what you need to help you in this fight.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

The Chronic and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), as well called acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), is a rapidly progressive neoplasm resulting from hematopoietic precursors, or myeloid stem tissue, that give rise to granulocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets. There's growing evidence that genetic events occurring early in stem mobile maturation can lead to leukemia. Very first, there's a lag time of 5-10 years towards the development of leukemia after coverage to known causative agents such as chemotherapy, radiation, and particular solvents.
2nd, many instances of secondary leukemia evolve out of a prolonged "preleukemic phase" manifested like a myelodysplastic syndrome of hypoproduction with abnormal maturation without having precise malignant behavior. Finally, examination of precursor cells at a stage earlier than the malignant expanded clone in a provided kind of leukemia can reveal genetic abnormalities such as monosomy or trisomy of various chromosomes. In maintaining using the general molecular theme of neoplasia, extra genetic modifications are witnessed in the malignant clone compared with the morphologically normal stem cell that developmentally precedes it.
Acute myelocytic leukemias are classified by morphology and cytochemical staining. Auer rods are crystalline cytoplasmic inclusion bodies characteristic of, though not uniformly witnessed in, all myeloid leukemias. In contrast to mature myeloid tissue, leukemic cells have large immature nuclei with open chromatin and prominent nucleoli. The look from the individual kinds of AML mirrors the cell kind from which they derive. M1 leukemias originate from early myeloid precursors with no apparent maturation toward any terminal myeloid mobile type. This really is apparent within the lack of granules or other features that mark more mature myeloid cells. M3 leukemias are a neoplasm of promyelocytes, precursors of granulocytes, and M3 cells exhibit abundant azurophilic granules which are common of normal promyelocytes.
M4 leukemias arise from myeloid precursors that may differentiate into granulocytes or monocytes, whereas M5 leukemias derive from precursors currently committed towards the monocyte lineage. Therefore, M4 and M5 cells both include the feature folded nucleus and gray cytoplasm of monocytes, whereas M4 cells include also granules of the granulocytic cytochemical staining pattern. M6 and M7 leukemias can't be readily identified on morphologic grounds, but immunostaining for erythrocytic proteins is positive in M6 tissue, and staining for platelet glycoproteins is apparent in M7 tissue.
Chromosomal deletions, duplications, and well balanced translocations had been noted about the leukemic tissue of some patients prior to the introduction of molecular genetic techniques. Cloning from the regions exactly where well balanced translocations occur has, in some cases, revealed a preserved translocation website that reproducibly fuses a single gene with an additional, producing in the manufacturing of a brand new blend protein. M3 leukemias show a really higher frequency of the t(15;17) translocation that juxtaposes the PML gene with the RAR- gene. RAR- encodes a retinoic acid steroid hormone receptor, and PML encodes a transcription factor whose target genes are unknown. The blend protein possesses novel biologic action that presumably results in improved proliferation and a obstruct of differentiation.
Interestingly, retinoic acid can induce a short-term remission of M3 leukemia, supporting the importance of the RAR--PML blend protein. Monosomy of chromosome seven can be observed in leukemias arising out from the preleukemic syndrome of myelodysplasia or in de novo leukemias, and in both instances this finding is associated with a worse clinical prognosis. This monosomy as well as other serial cytogenetic modifications may also be seen right after relapse of treated leukemia, a scenario characterized by a a lot more aggressive program and resistance to therapy.
As hematopoietic neoplasms, acute leukemias involve the bone marrow and usually manifest abnormal circulating leukemic (blast) cells. Occasionally, extramedullary leukemic infiltrates recognized as chloromas can be observed in other organs and mucosal surfaces. A marked improve within the number of circulating blasts can sometimes trigger vascular obstruction associated with hemorrhage and infarction within the cerebral and pulmonary vascular beds. This leukostasis results in symptoms such as strokes, retinal vein occlusion, and pulmonary infarction.
In most instances of AML along with other leukemias, peripheral blood counts of mature granulocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets are decreased. This is probably because of crowding from the bone marrow by blast tissue as nicely as the elaboration of inhibitory substances by leukemic cells or alteration of the bone marrow stromal microenvironment and cytokine milieu required for normal hematopoiesis. Susceptibility to infections consequently of depressed granulocyte amount and function and abnormal bleeding as a result of reduced platelet counts are common problems in sufferers initially presenting with leukemia.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is an indolent leukemia manifested by an increased quantity of immature granulocytes in the marrow and peripheral circulation. One of the hallmarks of CML may be the Philadelphia chromosome, a cytogenetic function that is due to balanced translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22, producing in a fusion gene, bcr-abl, that encodes a kinase that phosphorylates a number of key proteins included in cell development and apoptosis. The fusion gene can recreate a CML-like syndrome when released into mice.
CML eventually transforms into acute leukemia (blast crisis), which is associated with further cytogenetic changes and a clinical course similar to that of acute leukemia. New courses of medicines that block the bcr-abl kinase by competing with the ATP-binding site, induce remissions in most patients in chronic phases of CML. Moreover, resistance to these bcr-abl inhibitors can include amplification from the bcr-abl breakpoint as nicely as the development (or clonal expansion) of mutations in the ATP-binding pocket of bcr-abl, which no longer allows binding of inhibitors.

Vitamin D - A New Protective Mechanism Against Colon Cancer

According to Ministry of Health and Consumption, colon cancer is the deadliest malignancy in Spain, causing over 25,000 deaths annually. Although progress is made continually in research and treatment, survival of patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed in advanced stage of the disease has not improved significantly since many years. While it is accepted that the most effective against cancer in general and in particular colorectal cancer is prevention, campaigns in this regard have failed so far the desired results.
Vitamin D has been traditionally associated with the regulation of bone biology and the prevention of rickets. However, numerous recent studies support a protective effect of vitamin D against various cancers, particularly colon and prostate, breast and others. As Bert Vogelstein, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Johns Hopkins researcher Universitad the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of Maryland (USA) and Prince of Asturias Prize said: "Studies on the relationship between vitamin D3 (active of vitamin D found in the body), bile acids and colorectal cancer have significant implications for the prevention of colorectal cancer in the future "
Most epidemiological studies suggest that reduced concentrations of vitamin D in blood is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer, whereas those with concentrations in the highest rank have lower risk. These results have motivated a great interest in studying the action of vitamin D as a preventive agent against colorectal cancers.
The team of Prof. Alberto Munoz at the Institute for Biomedical Research "Alberto Sols" located on the campus of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, joint center of this University and the National Research Council investigates the action of calcitriol (vitamin D3) in human cells of colon cancer. In collaboration with the group led by Dr. Felix Bonilla at the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro move to human samples, taken from tumors taken from cancer patients, noting the current ethics rules, results in vitro in cell cultures and in experimental animals in order to elucidate the mechanisms and possibilities for use of calcitriol and vitamin D in preventing and perhaps treating this malignancy.
Today it is accepted that one of the initial and fundamental alterations in the vast majority of colorectal cancers is abnormal activation of a molecular signaling pathway called Wnt / beta-catenin. This occurs because the mutation of one of three genes: APC, or Axin CTTNB1/beta-catenina. The latest finding made by the group led by Alberto Muñoz published in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that calcitriol increases the expression of a gene called Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1). This gene is a natural inhibitor of the Wnt pathway / beta-catenin, and since this acts as an engine that initiates and promotes tumor progression, induction of DKK-1 may be relevant to its antitumor action. The authors have also shown a relationship between the expression of DKK-1 receptor and vitamin D in human colorectal tumors, and further, that DKK-1 has tumor suppressor activities in addition to inhibition via Wnt / beta-catenin.
These findings help explain the molecular mechanisms of action of vitamin D, and support its role in the prevention of human colon cancer and therefore the importance of maintaining adequate levels of vitamin multifunctional body.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Colonoscopy - What to Expect and How to Prepare For It

What is Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is the internal examination of the colon and rectum by a colonoscope (a long, flexible tube about half an inch in diameter with a camera attached to the end), to evaluate symptoms of the colon (eg. Rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits and persistent abdominal pain), or to screen asymptomatic individuals who are at risk of colon cancer.
It can detect ulcers, inflammed tissue and abnormal growths in the walls of the colon.
Preparing for a Colonoscopy
For successful visualization of the colon and rectum, the bowel must be clean and free of accumulated faeces. It is thus very important that you follow the instructions for preparing your bowel, given by your doctor. Without proper preparation, the colonoscopy may not be successful and may have to be repeated.
The Colonoscopy
You will be given a pain reliever and some sedation, so that you will be relaxed and comfortable. You may be asleep during the colonoscopy or be unable to remember it following the procedure. You will be made to lie on your side with your knees drawn up towards your chest, and your doctor will pass the well lubricated colonoscope into your anus, gently guiding it through the rectum and into the colon. Small amounts of air will be pumped in to expand the colon for proper visualization of the colon walls.
Your doctor can remove growths, called polyps during the colonoscopy, and later send it to the laboratory to test for signs of cancer. Polyps are common and usually benign, however, most colorectal cancers begin as polyps, so they should always be tested.
Biopsies can also be taken from abnormal looking tissues in the walls of the colon. If bleeding occurs following biopsy or removal of polyps, it can be stopped via diathermy (an electrical probe) passed through the colonscope.
The entire procedure lasts about 30 minutes to an hour.
Following The Colonoscopy
You may be required to remain at the clinic for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure to allow time for the sedative to wear off. Cramping, bloating and passing of flatus (gas) is common following a colonoscope due to the air pumped in during the procedure.
You should contact your doctor if you have any of the following rare side effects:
  • Fever
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Blood in your stools
Dr Ang C.D. is has been in medical practice for over 12 years. He graduated with an M.B.B.S. degree from the National University of Singapore in 1997 and subsequently completed his post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine.
He has had training in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Urology.
Dr Ang currently practices in a family clinic in Singapore, seeing a good mix of paediatric, adult and geriatric patients.
With the goal of providing local and international patients with a resource for specialist care in Singapore, Dr Ang has founded SingaporeDoc.com, a Web Directory of Specialists in Private Practice in Singapore.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Microscopes and Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Understanding the Pathophysiology of a Common Cancer

First off What is Lymphoma?
We have to first define what lymphoma is before discussing Hodgkin's disease. Lymphoma is a cancer that develops from cells in the body known as "lymphocytes." Lympocytes are a subcategory of white blood cells. There are two different types of lymphocytes: B-cells and T-cells. Almost all lymphomas, including Hodgkin's disease, stem from B-cells.
In Hodgkin's lymphoma a B-cell, for unknown reasons, becomes cancerous. The cell then makes many many clones of itself. These cells bundle together to form a solid tumor known as a lymphoma. There are several hypotheses for why these cells become cancerous in Hodgkin's. One belief is that infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, the same virus that causes infectious mononucleosis) can cause the cells to turn malignant in genetically susceptible people. Other theories are that certain genetic translocations may be the underlying factor. As of yet, no particular theory has significant supporting data to call it the "cause." In fact, there may be multiple unrelated causes.
Types
There are different subcategories of Hodgkin's lymphoma. They are based on several microscopic characteristics, and are important in determining prognosis. The features the pathologist is looking for are the number of Reed-Sternberg cells, as well as the number of lymphocytes present in the biospy specimen. A Reed-Sternberg cell is a funny shaped cell with two nuclei that looks like owl's eyes.
The first subcategory, and most common type, is nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this type there are very few Reed-Sternberg cells with a moderate number of lymphocytes. It commonly occurs in younger individuals, and with treatment, the prognosis is excellent.
The second subcategory is mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma. This type has many Reed-Sternberg cells and a moderate number of lymphocytes when viewed under the microscope. It has an intermediate prognosis.
The third subcategory is lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's. It has very few Reed-Sternberg cells and many lymphocytes. It occurs most commonly in males less than 35 years of age. It is also one of the few types that is not associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.
The last subcategory is lymphocyte depleted. It is the rarest form of Hodgkin's lymphoma. It typically affects older males. Unfortunately it has the worst prognosis of the four types.

Colon Cancer Prevention - What You Need to Know

More than 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer every year. According to the American Cancer Society most colon cancers occur in folks over the age of 35.
The good news is this cancer is very easy to prevent. Just remember if you experience any blood in your stools or any unusual changes in your bowel habits for more than a few weeks you should get it checked out. In addition, if you experience symptoms like unusual weight loss, fatigue, nausea, anemia or jaundice for more than a few days you need to see a doctor right away.
The simple fact is the key to beating colon cancer is early detection. Current colon cancer treatments are over 85% successful when diagnosed early. So this is important.
But I'm sure you'd agree, the best thing to do is prevent getting it all together. To do this all you'll need to do is make a few lifestyle and dietary changes.
* Eat a high fiber diet to keep your colon healthy and free of carcinogens. Think beans, whole grains, fruits and veggies.
* Drink more water. You know you're getting enough if you need to urinate about 5 times a day.
* Ease up on the alcohol. Studies show the more you drink, the more likely it is you'll get colon cancer.
* Avoid too much red meat. Limit your intake of beef, pork and lamb to once or twice a week.
* Make sure you're getting enough calcium and magnesium. These minerals help protect the colon from carcinogens. The best thing to do here is take a good high-quality supplement.
Also, it's good idea to do a colon cleanse a few times a year. This removes toxins and rejuvenates your colon. In addition it helps your body absorb nutrients more efficiently. To make this easier consider getting a high-quality colon cleansing product that contains bentonite clay.
The take-away here is to remember that a healthy person will not suffer from constipation and will have at least one bowel movement every day. Just following the simple guidelines listed here is not too difficult, will increase your energy, and most importantly, prevent colon cancer.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

How to Start a Colon Cancer Diet

When we reach the age of 50, one out of four individuals that we know or might be acquainted with will develop colorectal cancer. This figure is high enough to get us alarmed to prepare for our uncertain future. No one would like to suffer such an unbearable disease when we reach our golden years, where possibly, eating can be the only one of our lives' greatest highlights.
A proper diet has always been a man's greatest preventative measure against developing serious or fatal diseases. Coupled with our knowledge of the benefits of a healthy diet and proper nutrition, how are we to start a colon cancer diet? Can this diet actually guarantee a life free from colorectal cancer? We will find out! Before we start, we have to understand that dieting has always been a misnomer for the diets that Hollywood actresses practice in order for them to look extremely bony or extremely sexy thin. We have to take note that dieting is comprised of a balance between the major food groups (go, grow, glow) to attain good health.
To begin starting and formulating our own diet, we must know the food that we are supposed to eat that shall aid our efforts in preventing colorectal cancer.
• It remains true that a high-fiber diet helps in colon cleansing, hence decreasing one's risk of developing colon polyps that may result in colorectal cancer in a matter of 10 years. This is the main reason why high-fiber diets will indirectly help us prevent the development colon cancer. Foods that have helpful high-fibers are fruits and vegetables, barley, bran, brown rice, whole-grain bread and whole-wheat pasta.
• Food high in folic acid will aid in reducing the risk of developing colon cancer as well as breast cancer. This finding was supported by the fact that incidents are associated with the polymorphism of a gene for methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme involved in folic acid metabolism. The kinds of food that are high in folic acid include spinach, asparagus, broccoli and beets among many.
• Low-fat food should be taken more than red meats or charred meat since it increases the risk to colorectal cancer. These low-fat foods include fish such as tuna, lobster and other crustaceans, skimmed milk, cornflakes etc.
• Vitamin D and Calcium has also been found to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by reducing the formation of colorectal adenoma polyps. Vitamin D can be supplemented by taking vitamins while calcium can be found in dairy.
So as we start on our colon cancer diet, will we be assured that this diet can prevent colon cancer development? The answer still is, "No". Even if a person followed a strict regimen to prevent colon cancer, he may not be guaranteed that colon cancer development will cease to exist. This is due to the fact that diet is just one of many risk factors in the development of colon cancer. Other factors include heredity, age, environment, behavior, and pre-existing conditions such as Diabetes.
But in the end, we have to put this colon cancer diet in good light. Mainly because dieting and eating healthy can provide you a generally healthy body and the benefits of a colon cancer diet still outweighs the weak effect it produces as preventive measure against colorectal cancer. So, let's start our colon cancer diet now.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Children

This information is about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. It is helpful to read general information on children's cancer, which contains more information about cancers in children, their diagnosis and treatment and the support services available.
* Leukaemia
* ALL
* Causes of ALL
* Signs and symptoms
* How it is diagnosed
* Treatment
* Side effects of treatment
* Clinical trials
* Follow-up
* Your feelings
* References
Leukaemia
One third of all childhood cancers are leukaemia, with approximately 400 new cases occurring each year in the UK. Approximately three quarters (75%) of these are acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. ALL can affect children at any age but is more common between the ages of 1 and 4. ALL is more common in boys than girls.
ALL
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. All blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy substance at the core of some of the bones in the body. Bone marrow contains:
* red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body
* white blood cells that help fight infection
* platelets that help the blood to clot and control bleeding.
There are two different types of white cell: lymphocytes or myeloid cells. These white blood cells work together to fight infection. Normally white blood cells repair and reproduce themselves in an orderly and controlled way. In leukaemia, however, the process gets out of control and the cells continue to divide, but do not mature.
These immature dividing cells fill up the bone marrow and stop it from making healthy blood cells. As the leukaemic cells are not mature, they cannot work properly. This leads to an increased risk of infection. Because the bone marrow cannot make enough healthy red blood cells and platelets, symptoms such as anaemia and bruising can occur.
There are four main types of leukaemia: acute lymphoblastic (ALL), acute myeloid (AML), chronic lymphocytic (CLL) and chronic myeloid (CML). Chronic leukaemias usually affect adults and are extremely rare in children and young people. Each type of leukaemia has its own characteristics and treatment. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a cancer of immature lymphocytes, called lymphoblasts or blast cells.
There are two different types of lymphocytes: T-cells and B-cells. Often the leukaemia occurs at a very early stage in the immature lymphocytes, before they have developed as far as becoming either T-cells or B-cells. However, if the cells have developed this far before becoming leukaemic, the type of leukaemia may be known as T-cell or B-cell leukaemia.
Causes of ALL
The exact cause of ALL is unknown. Research is going on all the time into possible causes of this disease. Children with certain genetic disorders, such as Down's syndrome, are known to have a higher risk of developing leukaemia. Brothers and sisters of a child with ALL have a slightly increased risk of developing ALL themselves, although this risk is still small.
In recent years there has been publicity about leukaemia occurring more often in children living close to nuclear power plants or high-voltage power lines. Research is still under way to see if there is any definite link between these factors but as yet there is no evidence of this. ALL, like other types of cancer, is not infectious and cannot be passed on to other people.
Signs and symptoms
As the leukaemia cells multiply in the bone marrow, the production of normal blood cells is reduced. Children may therefore become tired and lethargic due to anaemia, which is caused by a lack of red blood cells. They may develop bruises, and bleeding may take longer to stop due to low numbers of platelets. Sometimes children may suffer from infections because of low numbers of normal white blood cells.
A child is likely to feel generally unwell and may complain of aches and pains in the limbs, or may have swollen lymph glands. At first the symptoms are just like those of a viral infection, but when they continue for more than a week or two the diagnosis usually becomes clear.
How it is diagnosed
A blood test usually shows low numbers of normal white blood cells and the presence of the abnormal leukaemic cells. A sample of bone marrow is needed to confirm the diagnosis. A lumbar puncture is done to see if the spinal fluid contains any leukaemia cells. A chest x-ray is also done, which will show if there are any enlarged glands in the chest. Other tests may be necessary, depending on the child's symptoms.
These tests will help to identify the precise type of leukaemia involved.
Treatment
The aim of treatment for ALL is to destroy the leukaemia cells and allow the bone marrow to work normally again. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for ALL. Usually a combination of chemotherapy drugs are given according to a treatment plan (often called a protocol or regimen). The treatment is given in several phases, or 'blocks', which are outlined below.
Induction This phase involves intensive treatment aimed at destroying as many leukaemia cells as possible. The induction phase lasts for 4-6 weeks. A bone-marrow test is taken at the end of induction treatment to check if the child is in remission. Remission is where there is no evidence of leukaemia.
Consolidation and central nervous system (CNS) treatment The next phase of treatment is aimed at maintaining the remission and also at preventing the spread of leukaemia cells into the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system). CNS treatment involves injecting a drug, usually methotrexate, directly into the spinal fluid (intrathecally) during a lumbar puncture. Occasionally radiotherapy to the brain is also necessary.
Further doses of chemotherapy treatment (somtimes called 'intensification blocks') are given in order to kill off any remaining leukaemia cells. Between 2 and 4 blocks of treatment may be needed, depending on your child's particular treatment plan.
Maintenance treatment This phase of treatment lasts for up to 2 years for girls and up to 3 years for boys, from diagnosis. It involves daily tablets and monthly injections of chemotherapy.
Children will be able to take part in their normal daily activities as soon as they feel able to. Some children return to school before maintenance treatment.
Bone-marrow transplantation Bone-marrow transplantation is only used for children with ALL that is likely to come back following standard chemotherapy, or for children whose leukaemia has come back (recurred) following standard treatment.
Testicular radiotherapy In some situations it may be necessary for boys to have radiotherapy to their testicles. This is because leukaemia cells can survive in the testicles despite chemotherapy.
Side effects of treatment
Many cancer treatments will cause side effects. This is because while the treatments are killing the cancer cells they can also damage some normal cells. Some of the main side effects are:
* hair loss
* reduction in the number of blood cells produced by the bone marrow, which can cause anemia, an increased risk of bruising, bleeding and infection
* loss of appetite and weight
* nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
Most side effects are temporary and there are ways of reducing them and supporting your child through them. Your child's doctor or nurse will talk to you about any possible side effects.
Late side effects
A small number of children may develop late side effects, sometimes many years later. These include possible problems with puberty and fertility, a change in the way the heart works and a small increase in the risk of developing another cancer in later life. Your child's doctor or nurse will explain about any possible late side effects.
Clinical trials
Many children have their treatment as part of a clinical research trial. Trials aim to improve our understanding of the best way to treat an illness (usually by comparing the standard treatment with a new or modified version of the standard treatment). Specialist doctors carry out trials for ALL. Your child's medical team will talk to you about taking part in a clinical trial (if appropriate) and will answer any questions you may have. Written information is often provided to help explain things. Taking part in a research trial is completely voluntary and you'll be given plenty of time to decide if it is right for your child. At present the main trial for ALL is called 'UKALL 2003'.
Most children with ALL are cured. If the leukaemia comes back, it normally does so within the first three years after stopping treatment. Further treatment can then be given. Long-term side effects are uncommon and most children with ALL grow and develop normally.
If you have specific concerns about your child's condition and treatment, it is best to discuss them with your child's doctor, who knows the situation in detail.
Your feelings
As a parent, the fact that your child has cancer is one of the worst situations to face. You may have many different emotions, such as fear, guilt, sadness, anger and uncertainty. These are all normal reactions and are part of the process that many parents go through at such a difficult time. There is not enough space here to address all of the feelings you may have. However, general information on children's cancer talks about the emotional impact of caring for a child with cancer and suggests sources of help and support.

Friday, April 2, 2010

The Colon Cancer

The design of stepwise genetic modifiation in cancer is best highlighted by observations made in colonic lesions representing various phases of development to malignancy. Particular anatomical alterations are discovered commonly in early-stage adenomas, whereas others have a tendency to occur with substantial frequency only after the development of wide spread neoplasia. These modifications are in maintaining with the idea that serial phenotypic modifications must happen in the mobile for it to exhibit full malignant (wide spread and metastatic) properties. Two principal lines of proof assistance the model of stepwise genetic modifiation in intestinal tract cancer.
1. The uncommon familial syndromes associated with predisposition to colon most cancers at an early age are now recognized to result from germline mutations. Familial adenomatous polyposis is the end result of a mutation within the APC gene, which encodes a cell adhesion protein which has also been implicated within the control of -catenin, a potent transcriptional activator. Within the tumors that subsequently produce, the remaining allele have been lost. Similarly, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal most cancers is linked with germline mutations in DNA repair genes such as hMSH2 and hMLH1. These genes can also be affected in sporadic cancers.
2. The carcinogenic effects of factors known to be linked to an elevated risk of colon most cancers constitute the second line of evidence for the anatomical basis for colon most cancers. Substances derived from bacterial colonic flora, ingested meals, or endogenous metabolites such as fecapentaenes, 3-ketosteroids, and benzo[]pyrenes are mutagenic. Amounts of those ingredients can be reduced by low-fat and high-fiber diets, and several epidemiologic studies confirm that this kind of diets decrease the risk of intestinal tract cancer. Furthermore, because the chance of sporadic intestinal tract cancer in older individuals is mildly elevated in the presence of a good family background, there might be other inherited anatomical abnormalities that interact with environmental elements to trigger colon most cancers.
The sequence of genetic changes might not require to become exact to result in the improvement of an wide spread cancer, although there is mounting evidence that some genetic lesions tend to produce earlier, whereas other people may develop late in the course of the natural disease. All phenotypic changes can't be explained by a known anatomical abnormality, nor do all identified anatomical modifiation have a known phenotypic result. Nevertheless, the stepwise dynamics of genotypic and phenotypic irregularities is well set up.
The earliest molecular defect within the pathogenesis of intestinal tract cancer is the acquisition of somatic mutations in the APC gene within the normal colonic mucosa. This defect brings about abnormal regulation of -catenin, which leads to abnormal cell proliferation and the initial actions in tumor formation. Subsequent defects in the TGF- signaling pathway inactivate this important growth inhibitory pathway and lead to more tumor mucosal proliferation and the introduction of little adenomas. Mutational activation of the K-ras gene leads to constitutive activation of the essential proliferative signaling pathway, is common at these stages, and further boosts the proliferative potential of the adenomatous tumor cells. Deletion or reduction of expression from the DCC gene is common in the progression to wide spread intestinal tract cancers.
The DCC protein is a transmembrane protein from the immunoglobulin superfamily and might be a receptor for certain extracellular molecules that guide mobile development and or apoptosis. Mutational inactivation of p53 can also be a frequently observed step in the development of wide spread intestinal tract cancer, observed in late adenomas and earlier wide spread cancers, and prospects to loss of an essential mobile cycle checkpoint and inability to activate the p53-dependent apoptotic pathways. Identification of genetic irregularities within the development of colon cancer to metastatic disease is presently under investigation.
In parallel to these sequential irregularities in the regulation of mobile proliferation, colon cancers also acquire defects in mechanisms that guard genomic stability. These generally include mutations in mismatch restore genes or genes that prevent chromosomal instability. Mismatch restore genes are a family of genes which are involved in proofreading DNA throughout replication and consist of MSH2,MLH1,PMS1, and PMS2. Germline mutations in these genes cause the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome. Nonhereditary colon cancers develop genomic instability via defects within the chromosomal instability (CIN) genes. Defects in these genes result in the gain or reduction of large segments or whole chromosomes throughout replication primary to aneuploidy.
The stepwise acquisition of genetic irregularities described previously is associated with modifiation in the phenotypic behavior of the colonic mucosa. The earliest change in the development to colon most cancers may be the improve in cell number (hyperplasia) on the epithelial (luminal) surface. This creates an adenoma, which can be characterized by gland-forming cells exhibiting increases in sizing and cell number but no invasion of surrounding structures. Presumably, these changes are due to improved proliferation and loss of mobile cycle manage but prior to acquisition of the capacity to invade ECM. Additional dysplastic modifications such as reduction of mucin production and altered mobile polarity may be present to some variable degree.
Some adenomas may improvement to carcinoma in situ and ultimately to invasive carcinoma. An early function linked with disrupted architecture even prior to invasion occurs is the development of fragile new vessels or destruction of existing vessels that may trigger microscopic bleeding. This could be examined for clinically like a fecal occult blood determination employed for screening and earlier diagnosis of preinvasive and invasive intestinal tract cancer. It isn't known regardless of whether all wide spread colon cancers pass via a hyperplastic or preinvasive stage, and there is no information available for epithelial malignancies generally.
Additional functional modifications in the cell and surrounding tissue are also manifested in the preinvasive and wide spread stages. Once the basement membrane is penetrated by invasive malignant tissue, entry could be gained towards the regional lymphatics, and spread to regional pericolic lymph nodes can occur. Entry of cells into the bloodstream can result in distant distribute in the pattern that reflects venous drainage. Consequently, hematogenous spread from primary colon tumors towards the liver is common, whereas rectal tumors usually disseminate to liver, lung, and bone. Additionally to anatomic considerations, there may exist specific tropism of malignant cells mediated by surface proteins that cause the cells to preferentially home in on certain organs or sites.
Colonic epithelium is specialized to secrete mucus proteins and to get water and electrolytes. The upkeep of a tight luminal barrier, intracellular charge distinctions, and the capability to exclude toxins are additional specialized features. Some of these features are maintained within the progression to neoplasia and may lead to some specific phenotype of the malignant cell. One instance is the expression of a transporter membrane protein, MDR-1, present on a number of types of epithelium, such as the colon.
MDR-1 is recognized to trigger efflux of several compounds out from the tissue, presumably like a protective system to exclude poisons. In sophisticated colon cancer, this protein might lead to the relative resistance of this along with other tumor types to some variety of chemotherapeutic agents which are transported by MDR-1. In some instances, the activation of a latent gene encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can result in measurable levels from the CEA protein in the serum of sufferers with localized or metastatic colon cancer as well as other adenocarcinomas.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

How Do You Know the Symptom Are Related to Leukemia?

Symptom
Bone and Joint Pain - Pain in bones and joints is another common symptom of leukemia. This could be a symptom of leukemia-related spleen and liver enlargement. Anemia is another symptom of leukemia in toddlers. Another symptom of leukemia is bruising and bleeding easily. Those with bleeding gums should see their pediatrician urgently, as this is also a symptom of leukemia in some children.
When red blood cells are unable to be produced because of the crowding in the marrow, anemia is present. Symptomatic facial nerve involvement, on the other hand, is extremely unusual. Symptoms you have experienced from Leukemia which of these symptoms have you experienced. Symptom of Leukemia causing most discomfort which of these symptoms caused you the most discomfort. Depending on the number of abnormal cells and where these cells collect, patients with leukemia may have a number of symptoms, including anemia. Children with leukemia often have fewer than normal healthy red blood cells and platelets. They often have symptoms of infection such as fever, runny nose and cough. Bone and Joint Pain - Pain in bones and joints is another common symptom of leukemia.
Treatment
Specific treatment for leukemia will be determined by your child's physician based on your child's age, overall health, and medical history the extent of the disease your child's tolerance for certain medications, procedures, or therapies expectations for the course of the disease your opinion or preference treatment usually begins by addressing the presenting symptoms such as anemia, bleeding, and or infection. In addition, treatment for leukemia may include (alone or in combination) the following chemotherapyintrathecal medications/chemotherapy (medications are inserted through a needle into the spinal cord into the area called the subarachnoid space)radiation therapy bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood stem cell transplantationbiological therapymedications (to prevent or treat damage to other systems of the body caused by leukemia treatment) medications (for nausea and side effects of treatment)blood transfusions (red blood cells, platelets)antibiotics (to prevent/treat infections)continuous follow-up care (to determine response to treatment, detect recurrent disease, and manage late effects of treatment)What are the various stages of leukemia treatment.
Remission is the goal in this stage of treatment. Regular visits to your child's physician are required in order to determine response to treatment, detect any recurrent disease, and manage any side effects of the treatment. Relapse can occur during any of the stages of treatment, or may occur months or years after treatment has ended. New methods are continually being discovered to improve treatment and to decrease side effects of the treatment for the disease. With early treatment, chances for full recovery are often quite good. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Today leukemia patients had less change of dying from the disease as scientist are studying its causes and treatment to find leukemia patients can look forward to live a better quality of life. The usual treatment of leukemia is divided into two categories: treatments that are aimed at fighting the cancer and treatments that are aimed at relieving the symptoms and the side effects of the disease.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Chemotherapy For Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second type of cancer associated cause of death in America. This disease is also referred as bowel cancer or colon cancer.
Cure for the cancer varies according to each severity case. Doctors usually use a combination of therapies that can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to successfully treat each specific case of colorectal cancer.
It surely means patient suffering from cancer of the large intestine when diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The cells of a colon or rectal polyp can eventually become abnormal, which could begin to damage healthy tissue of their colon and rectum resulting in a malignant tumor.
Doctor usually utilizes chemotherapy as additional supportive treatment to slow tumor growth, reduce tumor size and reduce the development of metastasis along with surgery. It can be recommended before or after surgery.
This cure involves the use of anticancer drugs to kill and eliminate abnormal cells. These drugs enter the bloodstream in order to eradicate cancer cells throughout the entire body.
But, this treatment is not the first option for treatment of colorectal cancer, especially in earlier stages. Another medical cure like a colonoscopy or a colectomy is more performed to either extract the malignancy itself or remove the diseased section of the large intestines.
Types of chemotherapy drugs for colorectal cancer are varies depending on the patient case, also the chemotherapy side effects. There are basic anticancer drugs that are regularly used with this form of the disease regardless of how chemotherapy is used.
Drugs like Fluorouracil are probably the most common, but you may also be given additional drugs like capecitabine, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin in variety dosage. The drug can be a combination of two to three of the five which are given intravenously over a course of weeks to months.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Leukemia - What You Should Know About It

There are many different types of leukemia, but all are a malignant disease of the white blood cells of the body. The cause of all types is still uncertain. Each type is determined by the specific blood cell involved and the length of time the illness lasts. Leukemia exists in both an acute ad chronic form: it is detected when the blood is examined.

When the cell group known as the lymphocytes is affected, the disease is called lymphocytic leukemia. When the monocytes are involved, it is known as monocytic leukemia. And when the polymorphonuclear cells are involved, it is called myeloid leukemia.

The myeloid form attacks a younger age group than the lymphocytic. These two types are the ones seen most commonly, but almost all of what is noted here applies to leukemia in general.

Leukemia is more common in males than in females. The outcome of the disease depends upon the type, and whether it is in the acute or chronic form.

Symptoms. In acute cases, the onset is usually quite rapid and resembles an acute infectious disease. The earliest symptoms may be high fever, diffuse aches and pains, and severe weakness. Painful ulcerations of the mouth are not uncommon. There may be bone pain.

The course is unusually rapid, progressive, and downhill. There are hemorrhages of the mucous membranes of the mouth and into the skin. In the chronic case the disease develops stealthily and is discovered often during the course of a routine medical examination. The patient loses weight, appetite, and strength. He has night sweats and feels weak.

In the lymphatic form there is almost always swelling of the lymph glands. Sometimes the patient complains of pain in the abdomen in the area where the spleen lies. This is because that organ enlarges as the disease progresses. There is evidence of hemorrhaging - the patient bleeds from the mouth and develops blood spots under the skin. Weakness becomes more severe and the patient develops anemia.

Complications. Because of the diminished resistance of the patient, he is subject to complications from secondary infections. Another serious problem is hemorrhage, frequently into the intestinal tract. Or it may involve any organ system.

Prevention. There is no way to prevent the onset of leukemia. There are many courses of treatment available which can prolong the life of the patient and even permit him to carry on his normal activity. Care must be taken to avoid secondary infection. There is no known cure, but with new research the outlook for patients with this illness continues to improve.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Cure For Leukemia From Nature

Many people are now looking for natural cures to things such as leukemia. This is becoming more and more common among those that are suffering from this disease. There are many different reasons that people have for looking for natural cures for their illnesses. Some of them are because the patient may not like the chemical treatment that the doctor is offering. There can be severe and dangerous side effects and the patient may not find it worth the risk. If this is the case then they may turn to natural treatments to help them with their battle. You should certainly have hope because there are options for those seeking a cure for leukemia from nature out there.

Medical Treatment for Leukemia

The main medical treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. The effects of chemotherapy may be detrimental to the patient in many ways. The patient may get fatigue and feel like they don't want to get out of bed. This can lead to depression and depression is far from good when you are trying to get your body to heal. Chemotherapy can also cause nausea or vomiting this is a side effect that many people simply do not like. It can make you feel very ill and that is not always good for getting your body to want to heal either.

Another common side effect from chemotherapy treatment is that you will often times lose your hair. This is undesirable and may be something that many are not willing to deal with. With chemotherapy you may find that you lose all of you hair and then are in need of a wig just to hide the fact that your hair is missing. You may also lose a good bit of weight as well. This could mainly be the cause of the nausea and vomiting enabling you from being able to eat or even keep down any amount of food.

Natures cure for leukemia

One of the most common known cures for leukemia is vitamin A. It is said that vitamin A has had great cure rates since the studies that have been done on it. In the studies vitamin A was injected directly into the fat of the person with leukemia. This deposit of vitamin A was said to be deposited into a "fat bubble" or into "bubbles of fat" to increase or enhance bio-availability.

There were 34 patients that were in the study and all they received was the vitamin A. Out of these 34 patients that received the vitamin A, 10 of these patients where still cancer free after five years even though none of these patients received the chemotherapy treatments. This was said to be astonishing by those who preformed the study.

These patients received only vitamin A for the natural treatment they did not receive any of the other natural remedies that are proven to help with leukemia as well. There are many other herbs and vitamins that if taken in conjunction with the vitamin A are thought to increase the success rate of the vitamin A treatment.

There are other supplements that you may want to take with this cure for leukemia remedy to improve the chances of being cured even more.

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Connection Between Colorectal Cancer and Asbestos

Cancers that affect the digestive system can be especially difficult to manage because they can interfere with your ability to process your food and absorb the nutrients that you would need to help fight the disorder. One such gastrointestinal cancer is colorectal, which can actually be divided into colon and rectal cancers. Currently, doctors and researchers are trying to comprehend the link between colorectal cancer and asbestos exposure.

The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, whose purpose is to absorb any nutrients that were not taken in by the small intestine. Additionally, the colon absorbs water from your food to help you stay hydrated. Colon cancer often begins in the cells lining the colon which make mucus and other fluids to help lubricate the passage of your food. Thus, when these cells become cancerous, they can form blocks in your intestinal system.

The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine, right before the anus. This is where your body stores fecal matter before you release it. Additionally, the rectum packs the waste into a more solid form so that you can release your stool.

Although you may think of asbestos exposure as primarily causing lung cancer and mesothelioma, it can also affect these lower parts of your digestive system. The problem with asbestos is that once it is inhaled or ingested via air or water, it can permanently remain in your body. This is because your body is not able to process the carcinogenic fibers. As they pass through your system, they can become lodged in the tissue of the colon and rectum, causing the growth of cancer.

Doctors are now discovering that colorectal cancer is more prevalent in men who were exposed to asbestos, especially through the work place. Additionally, a person who develops the lung disorder called asbestosis has a higher risk of discovering colorectal cancer as well.

The other main problem with asbestos is that it was so widespread before the asbestos ban, which did not begin until the late 1980s. Even now, asbestos may still be present in many older buildings that were built before the phase-out. The reason for this is because asbestos is extremely insulating. As a member of the silicate family of minerals, asbestos is able to resist heat, electricity, flame, chemicals, and biodegradation. Additionally, asbestos itself is flexible and has high tensile strength. This makes it easy to add asbestos to other materials. Thus, it should come as no surprise that asbestos was once present in things like insulation, vinyl flooring, roofing tar and tiles, brake shoes, clutch pads, gaskets, and even fire doors.

People who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for many other cancers as well, not just colorectal cancer. Primary asbestos-related cancers include lung cancer and mesothelioma. If you or someone you know has contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, talk to an asbestos attorney from Williams Kherkher today to learn more about your rights.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Colon Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Understanding what the colon is and what its functions are will help us better identify colon cancer signs. The colon is a crucial component of a human's digestive system. Human beings rely heavily on their colons to help the body absorb vital nutrients, water and minerals.

Sometimes colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer or large bowel cancer. Colon rectal cancer means having cancerous cells growing in the colon, appendix or rectum. These adenomatous polyps growths that resemble mushroom shapes are generally benign in nature but over time have the potential to develop into deadly cancer. It is one of the top leading cause of cancer related deaths in the Western countries. Knowing whether you have cancer without being diagnosed first is almost always a challenging task, therefore it is more helpful to keep a close eye on picking up the signs or symptoms of colon rectal cancer.

Learning more about the colorectal cancer signs and familiarising yourself with the symptoms can mean quicker identification of an underlying problem and therefore increasing your chance of catching it early. Often, when cancer is caught early, the patient has a much higher chance of achieving success in its treatment. Sometimes it may feel cumbersome having to go to the doctor for something that you are not sure about but like the old saying goes, "better be safe than sorry".

Early detection of some cancer growths could sometimes mean the difference between life and death. It should not be something that is swept under the carpet and be forgotten about. Whenever cancer is involved, nothing is ever simple. It is a complicated disease.

Colon rectal cancer signs and symptoms are generally divided into localised or regional cancer (which means the cancer spread is restricted to just a confined area), constitutional (which means it is affecting the whole body) and the most serious kind metastatic (which means the cancer has actually spread to other parts or other organs in the body and this would normally imply it is now in the blood stream). Localised cancer has a much higher success rate in responding well to aggressive treatment which means the patient will stand a good chance of beating the cancer.

Colon rectal cancer signs are often mistaken for other conditions such as irritation bowel syndromes, Crohn's Disease. Significant colon rectal cancer signs can include a sudden change in your bowel habits. If you develop diarrhoea or severe constipation, or if you notice a change in the consistency of your stool for more than two weeks in a row, consult your doctor immediately. Any constipation or digestive complaints should clear within five to seven days and should not last for more than two weeks. Sometimes these discomforts or symptoms can also happen to patients with digestive tract problems, that is why it is best to consult your local doctor as soon as you notice any abnormal bowel habits to allow time for the correct diagnosis.

If you are not experiencing haemorrhoids or are not suffering from Crohn's disease and yet you have rectal bleeding or notice blood in your stool, again this could be signs of colon rectal cancer. Other signs to watch out for are persistent abdominal pain, painful stomach cramps, pain with each bowel movement, constant fatigue and chronic bloatedness.

Friday, February 19, 2010

What You Need to Know About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the immune system, particularly the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system of the body designed to filter and clean the blood from any pathogens. The fluid that goes through this system is called the lymph, and it contains lymphocytes (or WBC). This lymph now goes through a channel of lymph vessels and lymph nodes which acts as a filter and collects these microbes. It is in the lymph nodes that lymphocytes act against the microbes and destroy them. Specific types of lymphocytes are then activated for this purpose. The B lymphocytes produce anti-bodies and also alert the rest of the immune system to act upon the intruder. The T-cells kill these microbes directly by engulfing them, and also regulate the immune system on just how strong or how weak it should act upon a microbe, and when to stop. Once the microbes are destroyed, these specific lymphocytes record the type of microbes that they have destroyed and will react swiftly and quickly the next time that type of microbe or pathogen invades the body.

In lymphoma, these B-cells and T-cells including their subtypes are produced in an uncontrolled manner and rate. This overproduction will cause them to pool into lymph nodes and produce a large mass. Eventually during the course of the lymphoma, these malignant growths will also reach the tonsils, bone marrow, and adenoid tissues. Because of the abnormal rate of growth and deviation from their original structure, these lymphocytes are rendered useless in fighting against future infections. Aside from that, the growth of the malignant cells can also damage the function of normal adjacent cells. Lymphoma can compromise the development of blood cells when they reach the bone marrow and spleen, leading to bone marrow depression and anemia.

There are several types of Lymphoma, Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma being the most popular major category. Some forms of lymphoma are not life-threatening (indolent lymphoma) and a patient can survive without the need for treatment. However, some types are very aggressive and can lead to death as with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Other aggressive types of lymphoma, however, respond well to treatment, and as with most types of cancer prognosis is determined upon early detection and application of appropriate treatment.

Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on lymphoma symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.