Bookmark and Share

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.