Friday, January 21, 2011

Causes of leukemia and its effects on cells

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood that starts in the bone marrow. The word "Leukemia" means white blood. The final outcome of leukemia is the reduction of blood cell counts. To understand the leukemia, it is very important to be aware of the formation of blood.

Our blood is composed of plasma and floating in the liquid yellow cells. Blood cells are classified into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Each of these types is the very important work in our body. Blood to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body and reduce carbon dioxide, which is then breath out. Deficiency in red cells may cause illnesses such as anemia. White blood cells are constituent elements of the immune system. Immune system detects dangerous substances in the body and kills them. If white blood cells to protect our body from attacks of disease. Absence of WBC exposes bodies to various diseases. Platelets are bleeding bodies. Platelets blood clot and bleeding in the case of injury. Platelet deficiency can lead to too bleeding and excess platelets leads to the formation of blood clots.

All blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Due to some reasons unknown, damage caused to DNA from cells (WBC mainly). As a result of this damage bone marrow produces abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are produced at rapid speed. The normal cells of the body are replaced by fresh healthy cells after a few months, but these abnormal cells last for a long time. Finally, abnormal cells replace almost all if treated normal cells. This situation is called leukemia. Leukemia is also called bone marrow cancer because it starts in the bone marrow.

Leukemia symptoms include swelling in the lymph nodes, pain in joints, bruises, weight loss, night sweats and fatigue. If some one feels such symptoms, it should not worry as leukemia symptoms are shared by many other diseases. They should immediately contact your doctor. Diagnosis of leukemia is done by the CBC and the bone marrow test and its treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow transplantation. Often, a mixed approach is used to treat leukemia.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Preservation of fertility in women and men in Hodgkin's lymphoma

Lymphoma is cancer of lymphocytes, the cells that are part of human immune system. The disease was first described in 1832 and can start anywhere lymphocytes are found (lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, or digestive tracts). Two types are recognized; Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The American Cancer society estimates that approximately 3800 women and 4600 men will be diagnosed with HL in 2010. The majority of those diagnosed with HL are children and young adults (age 15 to 40 years). Modern treatment carries high survival rates. (>80%). HD, however, by virtue of the disease itself or its treatment poses considerable risk to fertility in women and men, especially if it recurs after treatment.


When HD is suspected usually because of enlarged lymph nodes or other symptoms such as a fever, weight loss or night sweating, a biopsy of lymph nodes is required for the diagnosis. Biopsy require special stains (CD15, CD 30) for proteins on the surface of the characteristic cell. Once confirmed certain imaging studies (especially PET scan) to detect the extent of the disease.


Chemotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma; combination chemotherapy is used either ABVD, BEACOPP or MOPP-ABV. Each of the letters represent one medication. The combination of drugs is used for several cycles usually 3 to 6. This is the principle treatment for HL.


Radiation therapy using external beam is sometimes combined with chemotherapy. Radiation is usually localized to the area of the body that harbors enlarged lymph nodes.


Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This treatment is used for resistant HL or HL that recurred after successful treatment in the past (relapse). This treatment requires 1. very high dose of chemotherapy and possibly total body radiation then 2. transplantation of the mother cells of the bone marrow that produce our blood cells. The sources of these cells could be the person himself (autologous) a donor person (allogenic).


Effects of Hodgkin Lymphoma and treatment on future fertility. It has been shawn that men and women attempting conception after treatment for HL had lower chances of becoming pregnant than general population (Aisner 1993).


Men: There is evidence to suggest that HL itself can affect sperm production in 50 to 70% of boys and men, probably due to disturbance of the immune cells. Chemotherapy also can be harmful to sperm production. Alkylating agents especially cyclophosphamide can cause prolonged or permanent azospermia (no sperm production). The other agents may have a reversible effect with some prospect to recovery after months to years. The final effect of chemotherapy is difficult to predict and is related to the type of regimen and doses used. For example the old MOPP regimen for 6 or more cycles result in very high rate of azospermia while the newer ABVD regimen usually causes reversible azospermia.


HSCT entails the use of high dose of alkylating agents and sometimes radiation. It commonly result in prolonged azospermia. HL or its treatment may also affect sperm quality (sperm shape and motility) in addition to concentration. Suppression of sperm production in the testes using a group of medication called gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) has been suggested but there is no proof that they protect the gonads from the effects of treatment in men and women. The testes should be sheilded from the radiation feild whenever possible.


Women: Chemotherapy for HL can result in reduction of ovarian reserve and may reduce future fertility depending on the medication used, dose, frequency, intensity, age and associated radiation treatment. Multiple studies suggested that the risk of loss of fertility is related to 1. Age > 30 years (or > 25years with hifg dose therapy) 2. Type of chemotherapy. MOPP was associated with loss of fertility than ABVD and BEACOPP. 3. Dose and frequency of chemotherapy. Dose escalation BEACOPP used in more advanced HL was associated more with ovarian failure. 4. Exposure of the ovaries to radiation. In a large study about 20% of women experienced menopause. In another study about 40% of women were able to conceive after treatment. In general published literature is not accurate in reporting fertility potential becaus they used menses as as their end point. Resumption of menses after chemotherapy does not accurately reflect fertility potential. The high dose of chemotherapy used prior to HSCT is associated with ovarian failure in the vast majority of women and girls.


Options for preservation of fertility in men. 1. Sperm cryopreservation: This is a widely available and safe option in adults. One or multiple sperm samples are obtained and frozen for later use. After remission the sample is thawed and used for intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. If IVF is used a single sperm is injected directly into a partner oocyte (ICSI) and the rest of the sperm is refrozen. ICSI is a very powerful tool that can compensate for lower quality sperm encountered in men with HL. In prepubertal boys, sperm may be found in the ejaculate as early as 12 years. Asking prepubertal boys to produce a sperm sample may carry some ethical consideration. The majority of cancer patients are interested in knowing their option about preservation of genetic parenthood in the future. In spite of that, only about one quarter freeze their sperm, mainly because of lack of information about sperm freezing (Schover at al 2002). A survey of over 700 oncologists indicated that less than half offer this option to their patients diagnosed with cancer. 2. Surgical sperm retieval (TESE). Testicular sperm extraction is a surgical procedure where a small amount of tissue is harvested directly from the testes to obtain sperm. Its used in men with azospermia before starting treatment. The specimen is frozen for future use with IVF-ICSI. This is a common procedure in adults and has been reported in prepubertal boys. 3. Testicular stem cell freezing; either within testicular biopsy or separated cells. This is an experimental method with no reported human pregnancy. It is considered for prepubertal boys. The cells or tissue is later transplanted back for sperm production.


Options for preservation of fertility in women.


1. Embryo freezing. This technology is widely available and suitable for women with a partner (or accepting donor sperm) and treatment can be delayed for 3 weeks. It require stimulation of the ovaries and egg retrieval (an outpatient procedure under sedation). Embryos can be frozen for a long time and transferred after remission when fertility is desired.


2. Egg freezing. Used in women with no partner and declining the use of donor sperm. It also require ovarian stimulation and a treatment delay for 3 weeks. Its generally less successful than embryo freezing, although the use of vitrification method can yield comparable results to embryo freezing.


3. Ovarian tissue freezing. This method is experimental. Its used in prepubertal girls or in women that need to start treatment urgently and do not have the time to undergo ovarian stimulation. Its also considered in women or girls before undergoing HSCT since it is associated with very high rate of ovarian failure. One ovary is harvested usually using minimally access surgery (laparoscopy). Patient is diacharged the same day and can start treatment immediately. The ovary is processed so that the outer part (2mm thin) is isolated and frozen. The inner part of the ovary (does not bear eggs) is submitted for pathological examination. After remission the ovary is transplanted back in the abdomen or under the skin.


Women and men diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma experience high chance for cure. Counseling about fertility issues before treatment can enable them to preserve their sperm, eggs or embryos for future use after treatment.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Find a cure for cancer should establish industry business cancer care!

Legally, I can tell you that gold monatomic cures cancer, even if the scientific studies have shown that patients with cancer gold monatomic underwent an improvement of their condition. If you want to reference, click on the link below. For the moment, I'll just relate to my point of view based on what I read and I have known.

I've never had cancer, but my mom did. She died in treatment! His father had cancer and died. Mum Dad had cancer and died. There a lot of speculation in the medical community about the causes of cancer. Before the industrial revolution, the cases of cancer are rare. Many effective cancer treatment protocols have been developed before 1950s, but these treatments have been removed by the ordinary medical institution at the request of the pharmaceutical companies. Natural cancer treatment one that I can legally say actually works is cottage cheese and linseed oil. It is quite simple and completely not toxic. Kill you as chemo-therapy could, as the radiation is likely to be.

A supplement of minerals from gold, called monatomic gold was used by ancient cultures through the history of the Earth to spiritual ascension. Modern scientific research has shown that subjects taking monatomic gold show an immediate increase in the synchronization of the brain, leading to stress relief. Legally, I cannot tell you that stress causes cancer. I also did say you that the de-stressing will cure your cancer.

Was also observed that gold monatomic repairs DNA. This is the DNA that indicates what to do, when and how divided, if need be healthy or unhealthy cells. Exposure to environmental toxins as Petro-chemicals can damage DNA, leading to cancer. Some supplements have shown to help non-natural detoxification of these chemicals. Would you be surprised to discover that many pharmaceutical drugs are synthesized from oil? What connection do you think can exist between oil and pharmaceutical industry?

Before the era of prohibition, Henry Ford Motor product designed to run on pure ethanol. John d. Rockefeller Standard Oil renamed its influence to push the prohibition of the sale of alcohol, not step to prevent people from alcohol, but to stop fuel ethanol Ford competition. Ford was petrol stations which were at the dedicated ethanol, it received about 25% of the sale of fuel in America. Then came ban. Ethanol is a clean-burning fuel produces no toxic emissions. Petroleum-based fuels and refinement of oil for gasoline and diesel produces toxic by-products causing cancer. Some of these waste by-products are used in the manufacture of drugs for cancer and other pharmaceutical drugs. Read lists of side effects! Jeesh!

It is time that us grow and start thinking for ourselves. Television gets most of its drug ads ad revenue! Television also uses subliminal messages in unconscious mind to the action of the programme. It was also discovered brainwave TV watchers are identical to the brain waves of hypnotic trance subjects!

My experience in monatomic gold is that my mind is sharper. My dreams are more vivid and I saw a greater since of synchronicity experience. You know those moments of "AHA!"? Then, how could access to effect their mental abilities your ability to manage health problems? Do you think you might be able to better sort yourself, rather than to just blindly following the opinion of some oncologist with yacht payments be?

If you want more data on the quality of the monatomic minerals I can legally say you've helped many people with cancer, click on the link below. To life!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

That is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It is the system that carries lymph and white blood cells liquid through the body. The main function of the lymphatic system is to carry white blood cells of the body to fight infections. As with all types of cancer, lymphoma occurs when cells in the body grow unchecked. often causing tumours and the majority of lymphomas consists of white blood cells called T and B cells.

Lymphoma cells usually in form of solid tumors found in the lymphatic system or in bodies, but are sometimes found in the blood. These tumours can be often felt as small lumps or swollen glands almost anywhere in the body.

The lymphatic system:

The lymphatic system acts as a filter for removing bacteria, viruses and impurities from the body. The system consists of the spleen, lymph nodes and a number of tubes extending throughout the body, like the blood vessels. If you feel a swollen gland, it is indeed a ganglion lymphatic and these act as centres of emergency that activate our immune system to defend themselves against attack foreign bodies.

Types of lymphoma:

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a special form of lymphoma and can also be called Hodgkin's disease. These types of lymphoma have specific characteristics that differ from other types. As opposed to other types of lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma spreads in a predictable way from one node to another, and also tends to respond differently to treatment.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma involves many different cancers of the lymphatic system. These cancers are identified by what type of cells they are constituted from where they appear in the body. Most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas occur in lymph nodes and lymphatic organs. Lymphatic tissues and cells are everywhere in the body, lymphomas can form in the nervous system, stomach, liver and other organs.

Causes:

While the cause of most of lymphoma is unknown and probably caused by mutations in oncogenes called genes, there are some things that may increase the risk of developing this form of cancer:

Exposure to certain chemicals such as solvents, pesticides and nitratesTaking medicines containing things can suppress the immune system and raise risk diseases lymphomaAutoimmune as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and ulcer stomach caused by a bacterium called weak immune system of h. arthritisGastritis PyeloriA, those who suffer from AIDS is much more likely to get a lymphoma

Monday, January 17, 2011

Funding for childhood cancer

Stress and anxiety created by childhood cancer diagnosis can increase with financial concerns. Impact on a family can create a financial burden that cannot predict. Parents of children with cancer may experience a decrease or loss of income, the increase in medical and personal expenses such as food, travel and accommodation away from the House and insufficient assurance that can create a significant financial strain.

Studies show that even with full health insurance families spend 25 percent or more of their income on co-payments. Serious difficulties facing families with little or no insurance. However, organizations with national and are available to assist with a variety of resources to ensure that the main difficulties could be avoided.

The financial difficulties associated with childhood cancer diagnosis can be difficult to accept. Some families may feel uncomfortable helper accept, but most families need extra support in this period of extreme crisis. Most people want to know what they can do to help, but the need for instructions on how to support. Some other let know what is needed benefits everyone. Financial assistance for a child with cancer can make a difference by taking care of gas, meals or a few nights accommodation. Address the financial burden can reduce overall stress on the family, while providing opportunities for other help otherwise helpless situation.

Cancer can cause heavy economic burden on patients and their families. Programs sponsored by the Government as well as national non-profit organizations supported services are available for families who have no health insurance and those who have insurance but need more financial assistance to cover the costs of health care. Child cancer patients and their families should discuss any concerns with their physicians, health care costs medical social worker or Office business of their hospital or clinic.

Programs providing general assistance such as food, housing and other services may also be of the county or the city, Department of social services

Sunday, January 16, 2011

New leukemia drug

While chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are well known cancer treatment methods, few people television by the malignant disease are aware of a new class of medication called targeted therapy drugs which are leading the way in a new, effective strategy in the war on cancer. Targeted therapy drugs are available for many different types of cancer goal in the fight against leukemia, where surgery to remove a tumor is not an option, they are most welcome and improving survival rates.


Targeted therapy is a broad-based term used to describe a new class of drugs that seek to stop or inhibit the growth (dividing process) of new cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules that "signal" for new cancer cells to grow and develop. Since targeted therapy drugs are directed only at the molecules that "allow" the process of creating cancer cells, they generally do not harm healthy cells in the way that chemotherapy and radiation does, and is generally considered less harmful with side-effects than chemotherapy and radiation. Other names used to describe this class of drugs includes classselective targeted drugs and moleculary targeted therapies.


Targeted therapy drugs are used alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs to maximize results. They are also divided up between first-line and second-line treatment consideration. First line treatment for cancer means that specific drugs, or a combination of drugs, is used in the initial round and course of treatment, before any other drug or combination of drugs is tried. Second-line treatment means that a specific drug, or combination of drugs, is used after first-round treatment was tried and failed, yielded poor results, produced side-effects considered too severe, and when a cancer has reappeared after remission.


Optimism over this new line of cancer drugs should be curbed since not all "targeted therapy drugs" turn out to be beneficial. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylortag?) was pulled from pharmacy shelves in the summer of 2010 by Pfizer after a closer look by the FDA revealed the drug offered no. benefit when used with chemotherapy drugs, and after a greater number of deaths occurred in the group of patients who received Mylotarg compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone.


FIRST-LINE treatment targeted therapy drugs for leukemia include.


Imatinib (Gleevec?) is used to treat:

Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) .Hypereosinophilic syndrome or chronic Eosinophilia leukemia (CEL) .Relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

With this drug, more than 90% of patients will be able to keep CML in check for at least five years, reducing it to a chronic, manageable condition in that time. Gleevec is considered to be one of the most successful examples of targeted therapy available today. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. Gleevec, approved in 2001, was one of the first targeted therapy drugs to come out and is one of the most widely used since it is also used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTS). Ninety percent of all chronic myelogenous leukemia cases involving the Philadelphia chromosome.


Nilotinib (Tasigna?) is used as a first line treatment to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) that is Philadelphia chromosome positive. Early results of an on-going 5 year study revealed in December, 2010, show that Tasigna might be superior to the popular Gleevec for treating CML patients. Tasigna cut the amount of a tell - tale protein in the blood in three times as many patients with leukemia as did it's predecessor, Gleevec.


In a Bloomberg story stemming from press release issued by the drug's maker, the company reported: "in the clinical trial, designed to follow about 900 patients for five years, almost three times more people taking 300 milligrams of Tasigna twice daily had only a trace amount of the Bcr - Abl protein in their blood after 24 months." "The other patients took either 400 milligrams of Gleevec once a day or 400 milligrams of Tasigna twice a day."


Tasigna is mabe by Novartis, the same company that created Gleevec. Novartis considers Tasigna the superior successor to Gleevec, whose patent runs out in 2015. The down-side of Tasigna is that it carries a black box warning from the FDA for an irregular heart rhythm (QT prolongation) that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death. Even with this warning, the FDA granted Tasigna first-line treatment status for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase in June 2010.


Dasatinib (Sprycel?) was once the go to drug when Gleevec and other types of medications don't work initially, no longer work, or are not administered due to their severe side-effects, but is now a first-line drug treatment for CML. Sprycel is used to treat:

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This includes patients with that is Philadelphia chromosome positive CML. (Approved first-line treatment) .Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is Philadelphia chromosome positive, in patients who are not able to use other drugs including Gleevec. (Second-line treatment).

Sprycel works the same way as Gleevec, by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that tells cancer cells to multiply. Sprycel received first-line treatment status for CML-Philadelphia chromosome by the FDA in October 2010.


SECOND-LINE treatment targeted therapy drugs for leukemia include:


Tretinoin (Vesanoid?) is used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia in patients who did not benefit from other types of chemotherapy, but whose condition improved with other types of chemotherapy, but then got worse. Tretinoin is used to produce remission (a decrease or disappearance leukemia symptoms) in APL, however, other medications must be used after treatment with tretinoin to prevent the cancer from returning. Vesanoid comes with an FDA warning for a group of symptoms related to its main ingredient which is a type of Vitamin A.


Rituximab (Rituxan?) is used in combination with other drugs (primarily the chemo drug fludarabine) to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, including hairy cell leukemia (a subtype of CLL). Rituxan comes with an FDA warning that oncologists make aware to their patients.


Alemtuzumab (Campath?) is used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B - CLL) after a chemotherapy drug called fludarabine has failed. Campath comes with an FDA warning that patients will be informed about.


Ofatumumab (Arzerra?) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in adults that have not gotten better with a chemotherapy targeted drug therapy involving fludarabine (chemo), and alemtuzumab (targeted).

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Faced with leukemia in the treatment of cord blood

Are you suffering from leukemia? Then it will be your good news. You have a good and efficient treatment with cord blood. This blood is seen as the solid stem cell source. Stem cells are derived from embryos. Yet, the treatment of this type of cell is the ideal solution for some disorders such as leukemia.

Stem cells have the ability to treat, repair and also heal damaged by certain diseases, including leukemia cells. Historically, the treatment of this type of cell was once completed in 1988. However, the public could access this procedure in 1995. Today, you are able to respond to cold blood banks to store along with cord blood stem cells.

Cord blood will be the correct answer for certain diseases. June 2009, this blood believed to be able to treat 80 diseases. It is a potential treatment for patients with leukemia, specially for those who have no acceptable source for the narrow bone.

Then, how to use this as the treatment of acute leukemia cord blood? The process begins when the blood is obtained from the birth mother. The patient is then given chemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and regular. It is capable to kill normal blood cells or producers of bone marrow cancer. Given that stem cells is able to kill the previous cell it to reproduce and replace new cells.

In addition, actual transplantation occurs when the patient is injected with stem cells. They are able to resume the new creation of WBC until approximately 10 to 14 days for the production of your blood will be gradually returning to normal. In addition, you can possibly need certain substances such as red blood cell and platelet transfusions because they are not able to reproduce on their own.

Cord blood can be readily collected right after birth. In order to maintain this sterilized, it is then Bank cryogenics is stored in a public or private until it is needed for transplantation. In addition, the blood may be retained for an indefinite period until it is needed for the treatment.