Monday, March 31, 2008
Easy Ways To Deal With Skin Cancer Side Effects
Sufferings from side effects are very common when undergoing a treatment for skin cancer. This is more common if you are receiving radiation treatments or chemotherapy. One tends to suffer from several skin conditions such as rashes, redness, acne, peeling and dryness frequently. Some skin cancer patients may also feel that they are more sensitive to sunlight. Other may observe their nails becoming brittle and dark.
However, there is nothing to panic because consistent consultation with your health care team can cure some of these side effects and may also treat them.
Here are some great tips to deal with certain side effects one may face during the treatment of skin cancer:
a) You can easily deal with rashes and itches via powdering your body with corn starch.
b) Take frequent showers and use a moisturizing soap to relieve dry skin problems. You must avoid long hot baths. Hot baths only necessary when you are or an oatmeal treatment.
c) It would not be wise to use any products on your skin. The products you must avoid must include cologne, perfume, after shave lotion and all products containing alcohol. These products can dry out your skin. Also avoid using all types of astringents including witch hazel.
d) Inform your doctor immediately about any pain or burning sensation on your skin while on IV drugs. Pain or burning sensation is an indication that medicine is leaking out the veins.
e) Ask your doctor whether you can take B vitamins to deal with brittle or darkened finger or toe nails. You can also protect your nails via wearing proper gloves or foot wear when working or gardening
f) You need to take certain precaution while going outside once you find yourself hyper sensitive to sunlight. Wear good sunscreen, wear protective clothing. Also use lip balms to deal with this side effects.
g) Keep visiting an oncologist or dermatologist about your progress during the treatment.
h) You should avoid tanning beds and heat lamps at tanning salons. The ultraviolet ray coming out of these heat lamps (UV-A rays) can easily penetrate in to the skin deeper as compared to UV-B rays that come from sunlight.
i) Take supplements for vitamin A or D. Try using dairy products enriched with vitamin A and D.
j) Ask for certain creams and moisturizers that may be effective against the dryness due to skin cancer treatment.
k) Keep your face clean and dry if you are suffering from acne due to skin cancer treatment. Ask your doctor in charge to prescribe you some medicated creams or soaps for the same.
l) Always apply cream and lotion while your skin is still moist to combat dryness.
m) A colloid oatmeal bath or diphenhydramine for generalized purities resulting from the treatment of skin cancer.
n) Buy nail-strengthening products.
o) Avoid going out in the sunlight between 10: 00 a.m. and 4: 00 p.m.
p) Always wear long-sleeve cotton shirts, pants and hats with a wide brim. These hats will help you to get some relief from hair loss via blocking the harmful ultraviolet sun rays.
q) Keep informing your doctor about any inconvenience that you face during the skin cancer treatment.
Foods That Help During Skin Cancer Treatment
When undergoing skin cancer treatment, it is important to take special care of diet you take. However, in most cases, it becomes very difficult to focus on eating the right type of foods when undergoing cancer treatments. It becomes more difficult when you undergo radiation treatment or chemotherapy.
This therapy may dramatically affect your appetite. You need for counseling so that you can get proper nutritional supplements to make you feel stronger and feel faster during the treatment of skin cancer.
Here are certain foods and supplements to help you eat properly during skin cancer treatment:
a) Vitamin C
You should focus on eating foods rich in Vitamin C. Eat a lot of broccoli, spinach as well as citrus fruits. You should also consult your doctor about the fact whether taking a good amount of vitamin C will help. Experts believe that vitamin C speeds up the healing process soon after biopsy or an excision.
b) Vitamin A and D supplements
Eating foods rich in vitamin A and D will help a lot in your skin cancer treatment. Since people undergoing skin cancer are forbidden to go under direct sunlight, supplements for vitamin D become an important addition to the diet.
c) Fruits and Vegetables You should eat a lot of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Also drink a lot of water. Any amount of dehydration in the body can prove harmful, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. This can eventually result in serious side effects such as dry itchy skin, acne, rashes and peeling.
d) Raw food
Experts feel that eating raw food helps in treating a lot of disease. It also helps in enhancing the effects of skin cancer treatment. Raw foods are expert in killing cancer cells. When food is cooked, about 100% of all enzymes in a food are killed. This is because most foods contain necessary enzymes required to digest the food. Cooking food burdens body and disrupts many items reaching the body. Cooking food actually damage, the overall value of the food in several ways. Hence, it is important to eat vegetables in raw forms.
e) Juice Vegetables and Fruits
There are several benefits of juicing vegetables and fruits. First and foremost, juicing allows the nutrients more digestible and removes obstructing fibers. Another main advantage is that when you juice fruits and vegetables, you tend to have a lot more vegetables and fruits than normally. Juices play vital role in treating skin cancer.
f) Specific Vegetable Juices
Certain vegetable juices are very healthy and helpful in treating skin cancer. You may also go for vegetable juice by mixing carrot juice, beetroot juice, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
Treatment Options For Skin Cancer
Most people are unable to treat skin cancer on time because they do not come to know that they have skin cancer. Certain outgrowths, moles and discoloration on the skin are taken as normal skin problems. When someone is confirmed about his or her illness related to skin cancer, the panic starts.
However, there is absolutely no need to panic about skin cancer as there are a lot of treatments available.
First and foremost, you need to speak to your skin doctor to determine the actual problem you are suffering from. Your physicians would like to take details regarding a lot of events related to you such as your age, medical history, extent of the disease, tolerance for a certain medication, therapy or procedure and your overall opinion for the problem that exists.
- There are many treatment options available for skin cancer. Here is a list of some great treatment options which will be considered:
a) Surgery
b) Radiation therapy
c) Electrochemo therapy
d) Immunotherapy
e) Hyperthermia
f) Photodynamic therapy
g) Nutritional therapy
h) Pain management
i) Naturopathy
j) Psycho-neuroimmunology
k) Spiritual support therapy
l) Biological therapy
Let us discuss the therapies mentioned above in detail:
a) Surgery
Surgery is the oldest existing form of treatment for skin cancer. The treatment eliminates the tumor as well as certain adjacent healthy tissues. This stops the cancer from spreading further. Some doctors also use skin peel such as the TCA skin peel that has been quite effective in treating skin cancer.
There are different types of surgeries used to treat skin cancer such as cryosurgery, electro-desiccation and curettage, grafting, laser therapy, Mohs micrographic surgery, simple excision. Cryosurgery is used to freeze the tumor. This helps in exterminating cancer cells. Electro-desiccation and curettage burns the lesion and eliminates it with a sharp instrument. Grafting is another type of surgery where a skin graft is used to replace damaged skin while removing the cancer.
The Mohs micrographic surgery is helpful in removing the cancer. A microscope is used to inspect the cancerous area in order to ensure that none of the cancer cells are present. The process of simple excision cutting the cancer from the skin and some of the healthy tissue round it.
b) Radiation therapy
This is a therapy that emits X-rays in order to exterminate cancer cells and also to shrink tumors. The therapy is conducted with the help of a radiation machine. It can be applied to any part of the body successfully to get good results.
c) Electro-chemotherapy
This therapy uses a combination of chemotherapy as well as electrical pulses in order to treat cancer.
d) Chemotherapy
This therapy for skin cancer treats by providing several cancer fighting drugs in the body. These drugs tend to exterminate cancer cells via hampering their development and regeneration.
e) Immunotherapy
It treats skin cancer via enhancing the immune system of the body with certain doses of tumor vaccines, interferon-Alfa and interleukins-2.
f) Photo-dynamic therapy
It is a new cancer therapy. An injection of photofrin is given to the patient once the cancer cell is subject to a laser beam.
Sign Of Skin Cancer
People are becoming more aware of the dangers of skin cancer. There are large public awareness campaigns on television and radio mainly aimed at teaching people prevention techniques rather than treatment or diagnosis of skin cancer. It is sensible to heed this advice because preventing skin cancer is a better long term solution than treatment or cure. However, part of skin cancer prevention is to examine the body from time to time for any sign of skin cancer. This article will cover some of the common signs to look out for.
It is important to examine your body from time to time. Pay special attention to areas that are exposed to sunlight regularly. This means the face, neck, arms and legs. Look at other parts of the body in the mirror. If you work outdoors, have sensitive skin or were burned by the sun often in childhood then you should be extra vigilant.
You will never be able to conclusively diagnose skin cancer but you may be able to raise concerns that can then be followed up by a visit to a skin specialist or your local doctor. Here are a few things to look out for.
First up, always look for new moles or moles that are growing larger or darker than they previously were. This is usually a sign that you may have a case of malignant melanoma developing, as this type of skin cancer usually takes the form of a common mole before it turns into something more serious.
Another warning sign that you should be aware of is the development of any open wounds on your body in places where you have become sunburn or places that may have experienced a lot of sun over the years. These sores may bleed or be filled with pus at times. They will have irregular edges which may mean that the cancerous cells are spreading. This is a bad sign and should be followed up by a visit to the doctor.
Skin Cancer Cure
Cancer has proved to be a difficult disease to cure, and this applies to many forms of cancer, including skin cancer. The most serious form of cancer is malignant cancer. It is almost always fatal if not detected early and treated. It is characterized by the ability to grow and divide at an abnormal rate, to destroy healthy cells around it and to spread to other parts of the body. Benign cancer is different because it does not spread and thus it can be treated effectively. Cancer occurs when the body is exposed to a carcinogen or because of some hereditary reason. This is partly why it is almost impossible to cure cancer as it is essentially the mutation of the body's cells by some external force like radiation in the case of skin cancer. Consequently much research into cancer has focused on detection and treating of cancer. The same applies for skin cancer. Although there is not a definitive cure for skin cancer there are a number of treatments that are highly effective in eradicating the disease from the body.
Common treatments for skin cancer involve freezing the cancerous cells or cutting them away from the body. In the case of a benign cancer like basal cell carcinoma this could be seen as a cure as it stops the cancer at that location. However continued exposure to the sun could cause other benign cancers to appear at different parts of the body. They could also be cut away.
Malignant cancers, like melanoma are also treated by using liquid nitrogen or by cutting out in the early stages. However it is not always clear whether all the cancerous cells have been removed and they could continue to develop and spread.
Unfortunately, none of these skin cancer removal techniques can really be considered a cure. Liquid nitrogen may not penetrate deeply enough to kill all of the cells - allowing the cancer to come back, and even surgery may leave a rogue cell or two behind, also allowing the cancer to return. Thus while skin cancer treatments are not really a cure for skin cancer they are highly effective. They are also easy to do and can be completed within 30 minutes to an hour depending on the type of cancer.
Skin Cancer On Nose
Areas of the body that are commonly exposed to the sun are the most likely areas where you may develop a form of skin cancer. It is almost impossible for the face, and nose in particular, to not be exposed to the sun unless you wear a veil or mask all the time. This is not really practical in many societies and consequently the nose is often afflicted by skin cancer.
The good news about this is that it is generally easy to detect a change in the nose, be it a lump, sore or blemish because the face is one part of the body that everybody examines on a regular basis. This means that early detection of sin cancer on the nose is almost always certain and can be treated with maximum effectiveness.
The bad news is that you are not the only one that will notice a sore on the nose, and it may become a source of embarrassment to you when other people notice it. This may lead to self esteem issues and other psychological problems. Although these are valid problems that should be dealt with, treating the nose of a potentially fatal disease is the utmost priority. Telling people about the condition is a good way to raise the awareness of a disease that it becoming more prevalent.
However, it is necessary that you take action quickly when it comes to skin cancer on your nose. Even if it is a benign cancer it can look bad and if it is a melanoma it can spread to other parts of the body and treatment becomes far more problematic.
The first thing you should do if you feel like you have one of the warning signs for skin cancer on the nose is to go see your local dermatologist or general physician immediately. As with any cancer, the sooner you catch it - the better. And it is always best to get cancer surgery, if necessary, before the cancer grows to a larger, more noticeable size. Your doctor will be able to walk you through all of the information that you need, so do not be worried about not knowing what the proper procedures will be to cure you of your cancer.
Most often, your skin cancer will be destroyed by a freezing or can be cut out with a hot knife. Only persistent cancers such as malignant melanoma and larger sores attributed to the other two types of skin cancer will require surgery - and even then, the surgery is very quick and easy. All in all, if you have skin cancer on nose, no matter which kind of cancer it is, chances are that your doctor will choose to use the least invasive method possible in order to cure your cancer correctly the first time without causing noticeable scarring.
Types Of Skin Cancer
The three types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
The first two are relatively inert in that they do not spread. Melanoma however has the potential to spread throughout the body and thus is the most dangerous of these three types of skin cancer. It can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs of the body. When this occurs then treatment becomes difficult. This article will describe each type of skin cancer in more detail.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of the three types of skin cancer. It generally does not spread throughout the body so is easy to treat. Treatment involves freezing, burning or even cutting out the carcinoma. This can be done using a local anesthesia and be completed in 3 minutes. A typical basal cell carcinoma will be a waxy bump or a brownish scar on any part of the body. However it is more common on the face and neck or even the upper body and chest.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This type of skin cancer is also relatively common. Again it rarely spreads to other parts of the body from the infected area but is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma. A typical squamous cell carcinoma will be a red nodule that will be firm to the touch. As it develops the area around the nodule will harden and become scaly. It is also commonly found on the face, neck and other areas that are exposed to the sun regularly. This type of skin cancer can also be treated by freezing or cutting out. Like the basal type it can be completed in the doctors surgery in around 30 minutes.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer. It is also the most serious because it is the most likely to spread to other parts of the body. Once this occurs the disease can infect internal organs or the lymph nodes and it becomes very hard to treat. Melanomas are typically characterized by dark blemishes or moles. They change color or shape over time. It is often difficult to detect the early signs of melanoma so screening is important. This is best done by a professional skin specialist or your own doctor. You can do this yourself but the chances are that you will miss a blemish or will not recognize it for what it is.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun or your skin type makes you susceptible to skin cancer then it is a good idea to make regular screening a part of your lifestyle.
Tips For Preventing Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a dangerous disease. It is important to get it checked as soon as you discover some of the symptoms that indicate skin cancer. However, as the experts have always said, 'prevention is better than cure.' You should focus on prevention skin cancer from attacking your skin. There are several ways to prevent skin cancer.
First and foremost, you should take special care to limit your exposure to Ultra Violet rays of the sun. Exposure of skin to these rays increases the risk of developing skin cancer. You must avoid going out in the sun between 11: 00 a.m. and 4: 00 p.m. If you have to go out in the sun, make sure that you take necessary precaution to protect yourself from the harmful ultra-violet rays of sun.
Apply a good sunscreen with high SPF or sun protection factor. Try to apply sun screen generously before going out in the sun. Don't forget to reapply the sunscreen after every half an hour.
A lot of studies in this regard have proved that applying a good sunscreen can prevent skin cancer. Try to dress in dark colors. Also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and surrounding tissues from absorbing the harmful ultra-violet rays of the sun.
Most people are under a notion that a tanning bed can be safe option. This is a wrong notion. A tanning bed can prove to be more dangerous than exposing your skin to sun's rays. The best method is to use a sunless tanning lotion. You can purchase it from any of the local department store. It is available in different varieties for different skin types. However, remember that a sunless tan lotion will not provide you SPF protection. You need to see the label in order to make sure that a sunless tan lotion is providing an SPF.
When it comes to skin cancer, anyone can develop skin cancer. It does not attack any particular age, race or skin type. The disease also does not spread according to a particular geographical location. However, certain skin types are more vulnerable to skin cancer as compared to others. People with fair skin, light hair and light eye color or a large number of moles or freckles are more vulnerable to skin cancer.
If some one in your family suffers from skin cancer. It is more likely that you may develop this disease.
Here are some tips to prevent skin cancer:
• Tip 1
You should know about the genetic factor such as fair skin, light-colored eyes, a lot of moles or freckles or even a tendency to develop sun burn easily.
• Tip 2
Do not spend a lot of time outdoors. If you had a serious sun burn at a certain point in your life, went to a tanning salon or used a tanning bed, you may develop skin cancer. Visit a skin specialist as a precautionary step.
• Tip 3
Always use sunscreen and lip balm when going outside. Make sure that you wear protective clothing and good quality sunglasses.
• Tip 4
Have a diet rich in antioxidants as it will support your immune system.
• Tip 5
Avoid sun tanning, tanning beds or tanning salons.
• Tip 6
Keep checking your body regularly for any moles lesions or skin irregulation.
Limit exposure to reflective surfaces such as snow, water, concrete and sand. Remember that water activities can increases exposure to reflective UV rays.
Symptoms Of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer, like many forms of cancer, has no common symptoms that will make it obvious that you have a form of the disease. Only in the later stages of skin cancer will you start to feel lethargic but by this stage you will no doubt be aware of the condition. Indeed the best way to guard against skin cancer is to check the body from time to time for any changes in the skin. This article will cover the three types of skin cancer and the kind of changes to look out for. Changes in the condition of the skin could be symptoms of skin cancer but it is very hard for the layman to arrive at a decision based on this. If you have a concern about a part of the skin then you should consult a doctor.
Types of Skin Cancer
The first type of cancer is known as basal cell carcinoma. The typical signs of basal skin cancer are waxy or pearly bumps that can occur anywhere on the body. However areas that are more frequently exposed to the sun, like the face, arms and legs should be checked more often. It might also show up on your back or chest as a scar-like spot that can be flesh-colored or brown. This is the most common type of skin cancer and is treatable. It doesn't usually spread so if caught should be easy to treat.
The second type of cancer is known as squamous cell carcinoma. It is characterized by symptoms like a red nodules or a scaly lesion. Again it can show up on any part of the body but the face, arms and legs are most exposed to it. This type of cancer is also not prone to spreading, although the frequency of spreading is slightly higher than that of basal cell carcinoma. It is also a cancer that can easily be treated effectively.
The third type of skin cancer is known as melanoma, and is considered to be the rarest type of skin cancer. It is also the most serious. Symptoms of skin cancer for melanoma include a mole that can be located anywhere on your body. Check your skin for new moles. Check existing moles for any noticeable changes like an increase in size or a change in color. For instance, a melanoma can look like a large brown spot with darker speckles inside it. Lesions with irregular borders or more than one color are also signs of melanoma.
If you notice any unusual spots or moles anywhere on your body, or if a current mole changes at all, it is important to see your doctor for a professional examination. While melanoma can be more serious, it is still 99% treatable when caught in the early stages.
Prevention and Screening
Of course it is not always easy to notice small changes on your body, like a small mole, especially if you have lots of freckles. If this is the case then visiting a specialist who can examine your body is good advice. They will be more experienced at identifying unwelcome spots and blemishes and detect the early signs of skin cancer.
This is also the case if you job is spent outdoors or you spend a lot of time in the sun. Good advice is to get your skin checked out once every 6 months or so.
Other than that, you should protect the body from the sun as much as possible. Always wear high factor (SPF 15+) sunscreen, eye protection, a hat and a long sleeve shirt.
Summary
Skin cancer can be effectively treated in most cases if it is identified in the early stages.
Screen your body for new moles or blemishes.
If you do not feel confident in doing this then get a regular check up with your doctor.
Prevention is just as important as monitoring. Always wear good sunscreen at the very least, if out in the sun. A hat, long sleeved shirt and sunglasses should also be worn.
Information on Skin Cancer - Preventing Common Skin Diseases
Although it is not clear what has changed in recent times, it seems that skin cancer is far more common now. I think it is a combination of things. Firstly, research into skin cancer and how to care for skin has increased our understanding of the disease. This has increased the number of awareness campaigns so that the average person is more conscious of skin cancer and what are the main causes. People will now check their skin and see their doctor if they have a concern. This may raise the number of cases being diagnosed but it also means more are being treated, and, in most of these cases, successfully. This article will give you some information on skin cancer and hopefully raise awareness of the issues involved.
Skin cancer is a disease where cancer cells form on the outer layers of the skin. In most cases the cancer cells stay there and are easy to treat. However some will spread and can start to form on internal organs. This is when skin cancer becomes really serious and can be fatal if not treated.
There are three types of cancer. The most common form is known as basal cell carcinoma. Most people are diagnosed with this form of the disease. It rarely spreads and is easy to treat.
Squamous cell carcinoma is also a common skin cancer. It is more common for this form of the disease to spread but usually to other skin cells close to it. Again, if caught early it is fairly easy to treat.
Melanoma is the third type of skin cancer and is far less common. It is also the most serious form of the disease because it is often malignant. It will spread to other parts of the body, including internally, affecting vital organs. It is also harder to detect by personal examination.
Signs and Symptoms
There are a multitude of different signs and symptoms that can develop. The overriding advice in spotting skin cancer is that if you notice an unusual mark on your skin that doesn't go away or appears to be getting bigger then you should consult your doctor or a skin cancer professional.
Information on skin cancer confirms that a growth, an abnormal accumulation of cells, even a pimple that does not go away can be typical early signs of the disease. These marks normally occur on areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight, like the face, neck, back and arms. However they can appear anywhere on the body.
Malignant melanoma will typically look like a brown spot or mole on the skin. This is often very hard to spot as many people are born with moles on their skin and get more as they grow older. If you notice a brown mark or mole on your skin that appears to be getting bigger then you should consult a professional for a proper diagnosis.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent skin cancer, however avoiding ultra-violet (UV) radiation is the best way to prevent it developing. You should avoid appliances like sun tanning beds that give off ultra-violet rays. The sun is the main source of UV rays and it is virtually impossible to avoid these rays (and in limited quantities sunlight is beneficial to the health). However when you are in the sun you should protect you skin. This can involve wearing clothes like long sleeve shirts, wide brimmed hats and sunscreen. You should also wear sunglasses for the eyes.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Childhood Lymphoma
The term childhood lymphoma refers to cancers that originate in the body's lymphatic tissues during childhood and include the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, and bone marrow, as well as the lymph vessels that attach them. Although there are many types of cancer that eventually spread to parts of the lymphatic system, lymphomas are distinctive because they originate there. Statistics report that there are about 1,700 children below 20 years of age who are diagnosed with lymphoma each year in the United States. Childhood lymphomas are divided into two basic categories, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, based on the appearance of their cancerous cells, and is the third most common type of cancer in children.
Some of the children have other nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue, poor appetite, itching, or hives. They also show symptoms such as unexplained fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
In the United States, there are nearly 500 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma detected each year in children. This disease occurs generally after 3 years of age in children. NHL is more common than Hodgkin's disease in children younger than 15 years of age.
Although there are no lifestyle factors that have been definitely linked to childhood lymphomas, children who have received either chemotherapy or radiation treatments for other types of cancer are at a greater risk of developing lymphoma. The first important step in the diagnosis of the enlarged lymph node is a biopsy that involves the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the body.
Treatment of childhood lymphoma is largely determined by staging, a way to classify patients as per the spread of the disease at the time of diagnosis.
There are four stages of lymphoma, ranging from Stage I to Stage IV. This stage at diagnosis guides medical professionals deciding the type of therapy and helps doctors in prognosis. Treatment involves radiation, chemotherapy or both, depending on the type and stage of the cancer as well as the age and health of the child.
Monoclonal Antibody - Alternatives for Treating Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or NHL is a serious affection which occurs due to the presence of B cells (B lymophocytes), a type of white blood cells which usually lead to severe complications such as tumors. Even though, treatments with chemotherapy and radiation are considered effective for many people who suffer from NHL, on the other hand for many pantients these procedures can be very toxic.
In addition to this, specialists have developed in the laboratories a new theraphy to treat NHL, a theraphy known as Monoclonal-antibody which has been proved to be safe and effective for certain patients. As we know the body produces antibodies, substances which have the role to fight against bacteria and viruses. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies have been produced in laboratories like many other antibodies and have the role in producing anti-tumor effects. Since most NHL patients have B cells, treatment with monoclonal-antibodies has brought important results in healing lymphoma and much more they have been prescribed with other toxin or radioactive particles that usually kill cells.
Furthermore, monoclonal antibody treatments usually include medications as Rituxan or Bexxar. First of all, treatments with Rituxan are considered very effective for people who suffer from NHL and may be used for other types of lymphomas too. Rituxan is the only monoclonal antibody treatment approved for NHL and most of the time has been studied in patients that have relapsed low grade NHL. Moreover, it can be taken without other medicines and it is usually given intravenously once a week for 4 weeks. In contrast to other procedures, Rituxin doesn't offer serious side effects such as hair loss, vomiting, and low blood counts.
Secondly, another monoclonal antibody which is being tested in laboratories is Bexxar. This medicine is a murine monoclonal antibody and doesn't have a naked form due to the presence of a radiocative iodine molecule which is attached to it. Just like Rituxan, this agent is administered intravenous with the first dose having a trace amount of radioactivity and the second dose containing most of the radioactive iodine. On the other hand, Bexxar has some negative aspects, such as fever, chills or shakes and in some cases NHL patients may have temporary drop in blood counts.
Thirdly, another monoclonal antibody which has been studied as NHL treatments is Oncolym. This agent has been studied in a radiolabeled form like Bexxar and has proved to be toxic like other radiolabeled antibodies. In contrast, LL2 is a humanized antibody, using a naked, unlabeled form as well as a radiolabeled form.
To conclude, monoclonal antibodies can be very effective in treating NHL due to their low toxicity and also the advantage of combining them with each other and also by using them in combination with chemotherapy or other procedures. It is important to say that people who suffer from NHL should be aware of their condition and become well-informed in order to follow the suitable treatment.
Stages and Procedures Regarding AIDS-related Lymphoma
AIDS-related lymphoma can be diagnosed by performing a serie of tests known as staging too. Much more, by doing these tests the patient can find out if cancer cells have spread within the body, affecting other organs as well. It is important to know that the tests may easily confirm the stage of the disease and in this way the physician can prescriebe the appropriate treatment. Moreover, AIDS-related lymphoma is usually diagnosed when the illness is already advanced.
To begin with, a first common procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body is called PET scan (positron emission tomography scan). Firstly, this procedure involves the injection of radionuclide glucose into the vein in order to show in a picture made by the PET scanner where the glucose is being used in the body. So, by scanning the body, the malign tumor cells become brighter because they are more active and take up more sugar than other healthy cells.
Secondly, another well known procedure is CT scan also called computed tomography or computerisez axial tomography. CT scan is a procedure that makes a serie of pictures of the areas inside the body, showing a clear image of the organs and tissues. Moreover, a common procedure is Bone marrow biopsy which includes the removing of a small piece of bone marrow and bone from the hipbone or breatsbone in order to be examined under a microscope.
Furthermore, stages of AIDS-related lymphoma may include E which means that the cancer is found in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes or has spread to tissues beyond and S stands for spleen and means the cancer affected the spleen. In addition to this there are 4 stages which are used for AIDS-related that indicate the place where the cancer can be found, lymph nodes, organs other than the lymph nodes, near the diaphragm or spleen.
It is considered that people who suffer from Epstein-Barr virus or whose AIDS-related lymphona usually affects the bone marrow and in some cases may lead to complications, such as the spreading of cancer to the central nervous system.(CNS). Much more, CNS lymphoma which starts in other parts of the body is not considered primary as the CNS lymphoma that starts in the brain and spinal cord.
Diagnosing Lymphoma
Lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can develop and grow in the body without an individual knowing and it is only when the cancer spreads around the body to other organs that obvious symptoms become apparent. There are a number of symptoms that are commonly associated with lymphoma, such as swollen lymph glands, chronic fatigue, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss, however all of these symptoms can and often are caused by much less serious conditions such as a simple infection or the flu.
When the symptoms persist however most sufferers go to the doctor and although the doctor might have suspicions as to their cause he will undoubtedly send the individual for a series of diagnostic tests before confirming the presence of lymphoma. These diagnostic tests may include:
Blood tests
Because lymphoma affects the lymphocyte cells that travel in the blood stream, performing microscopic analysis of these cells can show if they are abnormal in shape and size or if they are present in very large numbers. Occasionally the cancerous lymphocytes will still be confined to the lymph glands and so will not show under the microscope however even during this early stage they release chemicals that are known as cancer markers and specific tests on blood can identify these markers.
CT and MRI scans
These are very high definition imaging techniques that can show just how large a tumor has grown and where in the body secondary tumors have spread to, if indeed they have spread. If the primary lymphoma tumor is in a position to be removed by surgery i.e. by removing the affected lymph glands, then the imaging techniques can help to identify possible complications before the surgery begins so that the surgeon doesn’t encounter anything unexpected. They can also help to show how other lymphoma treatments are working because any shrinkage in the tumor size will be apparent when two separate images, taken at different times, are compared.
X-rays
X-rays are commonly used in the diagnosis of lymphoma because when a radioactive agent is injected into the blood stream it causes any abnormal or cancerous cells to glow brightly on the X-ray film. By performing a torso scan i.e. of the major organs, any affected areas can easily be identified and the cancer specialist can get a good idea of the extent of the lymphoma and what treatment will be most appropriate.
Bone and liver biopsies
When other diagnostic tests have been performed and the lymphoma has been identified as late stage then bone and liver biopsies may be carried out. This involves a very thin slither of either bone or liver tissue being taken with a hollow needle and the resulting tissue is examined with a microscope. Generally if cancerous cells are found in either of the two sites then the lymphoma is deemed incurable and any treatment offered will be palliative i.e. it will make life more comfortable and it may prolong life for a short period of time.
Lymphoma can be a difficult cancer to treat and so it is important that it is diagnosed early. Some of the diagnostic tests are uncomfortable however they are much more preferable to endless rounds of chemotherapy and the adverse side effects that accompany it.
How To Stop Lymphoma Ruling Your Life
Being diagnosed with lymphoma will be incredibly stressful and when treatment starts it may be that you are at the hospital five days a week for up to eight weeks at a time. Obviously this is going to put immense pressure on both you and your family and so the times in between treatment courses should be enjoyed as much as possible so that your lymphoma doesn’t completely take over your life.
You may want to book your dream vacation or visit all the places you have always wanted to see. Life is short at the best of times and being diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease means that your life may be shorter than normal, thus you should try to fit in as many fun times as you can while you can.
You don’t have to travel around the world to have fun – a day in the park or a trip to the wildlife sanctuary can also be a lot of fun, especially when you take your family, and spending time with your loved ones will often give you the extra strength you need to fight your disease. As you continue with your treatment you may find that you get tired more quickly but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to have fun. Playing board games with friends and family can create a lot of laughter and this in itself will help to lift your spirits.
Maybe you could take up a new hobby that gets you out of the house a few times a week and allows you to make new friends that don’t know about your lymphoma. Just feeling and acting normal will help you to forget about your condition for a couple of hours and you may also meet people who give you a new perspective on life so that some of your stress becomes easier to cope with. Do something you have always wanted to do – learn to sail, ice skate or dance; whatever makes you happy. At the end of the day it is your life and you should do whatever you want to do, even if it is out of character or a little bit silly!
Try new foods and visit new restaurants or alternatively learn to cook exquisite meals for you and your family. If cooking isn’t for you then find your own passion and go with it. It doesn’t matter if you embarrass yourself or if you find you’re not a natural – who cares, just have fun with it. Your lymphoma is going to be an important part of your life, as is your treatment, however your state of mind and your happiness are also very important factors and they may help in your recovery.
Do whatever you need to do to stay positive and if this means having copious amounts of fun then so be it. Everybody has something that they find enjoyable however highly energetic activities should be restricted to once or twice a week – after all you don’t want to have to convalesce in bed for weeks on end because you went mad and decided to climb your favorite mountain in two days flat! Just be sensible and if all else fails, have fun.
Treating Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Until now, patients suffering of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma were treated with chemotherapy and radiation. In some of the cases the treatment was useful but in most patients treatment was very toxic and did not lead to a cure. The scientists are trying to find a better treatment that will not have such toxic effects on the organism.
Scientists have tested the "Monoclonal-antibody–based" therapy and the conclusions were promising. An antibody is a substance created by the human immune system to fight against foreign germs, viruses and bacterium. Each antibody is designed to recognize a specific target (antigen). When the antibody and the antigen get connected, the immune system is alerted and so it is ready to fight with the foreign substance.
Monoclonal antibodies are made in a laboratory and are all the same and are designed to fight only one type of foreign substance like tumors.
Until now scientists have tested antibodies created by a mouse model, a human model and chimeric (half mouse, half human) and they want to see which one is the most effective against cancer.
Most of the patients diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are affected by tumors made out of B-cell lymphocytes, and so, monoclonal antibodies are designed to fight these modified B-cells that create tumors.
During tests, a toxic substance designed to kill cancerous cells has been attached to the antibody in order to reach these cells. Also, radio-labeled antibodies were tested to see if they can improve the radiation therapy. The radio-labeled antibodies are nor suitable in the therapy of those who have bone marrow cancer because radiation could cause hematological toxicity.
Since tests begun the only monoclonal antibody approved to be used was Rituxan. The treatment is followed once a week, for a month and the drug is given intravenously. Rituxan does not give such unbearable side effects like radiation or chemotherapy does; its side effects are only chills, fever or shakes. The radio-labeled combination has been tested too and the anti-tumor effects are quite remarkable. The side effects seamed to be manageable.
Bexxar is another monoclonal antibody that is being tested but is not yet approved for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has a radioactive iodine molecule attached to, and also binds to the surface of B-cells. Side effects are similar to those caused by Rituxan, but the patient is advised to take an oral iodine supplement in order to protect its thyroid from any damage caused by radioactive iodine. Bexxar has been tested on low-grade NHL and one third of the patients had a complete remission, and 70% responded well to the treatment.
It is possible for the patient to develop an immune response against the antibody because this is a foreign substance too, but such cases are rare and appear mostly in the patients that did not have chemotherapy and have a less affected immune system.
Oncolym is another monoclonal antibody that is being tested. Results recommend it for a more aggressive form of NHL.
Before replacing the standard treatment, monoclonal antibodies have to be tested more and secure doses must be established for preventing other damages to install in the human body.
Lymphoma: Who is Susceptible?
Lymphoma, as with virtually every other form of cancer, can strike anybody at any time during their life however some groups are more susceptible to the disease than others. Studies around the world have shown that age, gender and geographical location affect whether you have a high or low risk of developing lymphoma however there are always exceptions to these suggestions.
Age
Lymphoma is generally regarded as a disease of the elderly and this is true to a certain extent. There are many more cases reported in the over 60s than in the under 60s however this isn’t the only age group that are thought to be at risk. People over the age of 60 often have weaker immune systems than their younger counterparts and so when mutations occur in the DNA of certain cells the body cannot eradicate these defective cells and they go on to multiply and form a cancerous growth. Strong immune systems kill mutated cells before they have the chance to multiply and differentiate which means that younger people are less susceptible to lymphoma.
Unfortunately it would seem that 25-35 year olds also show a marked increase with regards to number of diagnosed lymphoma cases however researchers are still trying to figure out why this is so.
Gender
Studies have shown that men are about three times more likely to suffer from lymphoma than women. Again research is continuing into why this is so however scientists think that female hormones may play a protective role with regards to lymphoma development or alternatively that male hormones make the gender more prone to the disease. As people age the two genders levels out and the probability of a male developing lymphoma is only slightly higher than that of a female developing the disease. This confirms that hormone levels may in fact influence whether a person is susceptible to the disease or not.
Geographical location
It would seem that people living in highly developed countries such as the UK, America, Australia, Germany etc. are at a much higher risk of being diagnosed with lymphoma than those living in places like Africa and Asia. This may have a lot to do with lifestyle and environment i.e. rich fatty foods, air pollution and other carcinogenic agents may decrease a person’s resistance to DNA mutations, however it may also be due to other factors such as natural immunity and the use of prescription drugs. Again nobody knows for sure and more research is still needed.
Even though certain age groups and people in some geographical locations are more susceptible to lymphoma than others, this doesn’t mean that you are exempt from developing the disease if you don’t fall into these categories. Children as young as two years old have been diagnosed with the disease, and so it is obvious that nobody is one hundred percent safe from lymphoma. You should make a point of checking your lymph glands regularly for any signs of swelling and in addition you should definitely consult the doctor should you feel anything wrong.
General aspects of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) takes part to a group of cancers which affect the lymphatic system. This diseases are known as non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The immune system is a part of the lymphatic system. It's role is to protect the body against agents that can determine infection and disease. It is represented by a network of tubular channels called lymph vessels that drain a fluid with a watery aspect known as lymph. Lymph is drained from different areas of the body into the bloodstream. It accumulates in the tiny spaces between tissue cells and contains proteins, fats, and certain white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Lymph circulates through the lymphatic system and it is filtered by small structures called lymph nodes. This filtering helps to remove microorganisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, etc.) and other foreign bodies that can affect the human body. The lymph nodes are organized in groups and they are located throughout the body, including the neck, under the arms, at the elbows, and in the chest, abdomen, and groin. In the lymphatic nodes are stored the white blood cells called lymphocytes. They may also be found in other lymphatic tissues. The lymphatic system includes mot only the lymphatic nodes, but also the spleen and the tonsils. The role of the spleen is to filter worn-out red blood cells and produces lymphocytes. The tonsils helps to fight infection too. Lymphatic tissues also include the thymus. It is a relatively small organ located behind the breastbone. It is thought to play an important role in the immune system until puberty. Another important role in the immune system is played by the bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue inside the cavities of bones. The bone marrow produces blood cells. Lymphatic tissue and circulating lymphocytes can also be found in other regions of the body, such as the skin, small intestine, liver, and other organs. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytess. The B- lymphocytes produces specific antibodies in order to destroy certain invading microorganisms The T-lymphocytes destroy directly the microorganisms or helps the activities of other lymphocytes.
The cause of Mantle cell lymphoma and of the other cancers of the lymphatic system called lymphomas is represented by the errors that can occur in the production of a lymphocyte. This kind of errors determine the lymphocyte to transform into a malignant cell. If there is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth and multiplication of malignant lymphocytes it may lead to the enlargement of a lymph node region or even regions. The malignant process can involve the spleen and bone marrow and spread to other tissues and organs. The results of the malignant proliferation are specific complications that threaten the life of the patient.. The symptoms and physical findings are different from case to case. They depend on the extent and region or regions involved and on different other factors.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are considered to be lymphomas caused by abnormal B-lymphocytes and or derived from abnormal T-lymphocytes. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell lymphoma that develops from malignant B-lymphocytes which can be observed in a region of the lymph node called the mantle zone. The Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma may also be described considering certain characteristics of the cancer cells which can be seen under a microscope. it is very important how rapid is their tendance to grow and spread. Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma can be considered a low- grade lymphoma The malignant cells tend to grow and spread slowly. There are few associated symptoms. There are also "intermediate-" or "high-grade" lymphomas in which the malignant cells grow rapidly. This forms require prompt treatment. Experts have classified MCL as an aggressive lymphoma, even if there are some aspects of indolent lymphoma.
According to various studies MCL affects men over the age of 50 years. Many affected patients have widespread disease at diagnosis, with involved regions including multiple lymph nodes, the spleen, and sometimes the bone marrow, the liver, and even regions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Children
Cancer in any of its forms is known to the society as a condition of adults or elder persons; still it can occur at any age even during the care-free childhood period. Children diagnosed with cancer must rapidly grow up and learn hoe to face the illness as well as their parents that will have to be able to care for them.
The most common form of malignant tumors in children is the acute lymphocyte Leukemia and it is known to affect about 2500 pediatric patients every year. The acute forms of Leukemia develop rapidly and spread to the entire body in just a few months if left untreated. Knowing how to recognize the disease seems to be most important as Leukemia can lead to death in a very short time if not treated properly.
Leukemia develops inside the bone marrow and spreads to the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and nervous system. Cancerous marrow cells produce abnormal blood cells; insufficient or inefficient red blood cells lead to anemia, a low number of white blood cells leaves the body helpless to infections, and decreased number of platelets caused bruising and bleedings. General symptoms like headaches, weakness or vomiting also occur when the cancer reaches other main organs.
No way of prevention is known to us today as leukemia cannot be linked to any lifestyle factors. A good life expectation can only be reached if a doctor is seen immediately when symptoms occur and a proper treatment is quickly administered.
The most specific diagnose is the bone marrow biopsy when a small amount of marrow is extracted from the thighbone with a needle. The microscopic examination of the tissue can establish the presence of cancerous cells inside the bone marrow. Further analysis includes blood tests for searching changes in number and function of the three vital blood cells. In Leukemia a risen number of white cells are found together with a decreased number of red ones. Through the blood tests certain diagnose of the particular form of blood cancer can be established.
Cancer cells are dangerous as they divide very quickly and an efficient primer treatment with chemotherapy must stop their multiplication. More types of chemotherapeutics are required to kill all cancerous cells as Leukemia is known to spread very rapidly throughout the whole body. The drug therapy is a long-lasting process and can produce several side-effects such as hair loss, infections, tiredness, nausea, anorexia and vomiting. New ways of therapy are searched that should only affect the cancerous cells unlike conventional drugs. The stem cells transplantation targeting to replace the lost marrow working cellularity seems to give hopeful results.
Blood cancer can reoccur and therefore a treatment with stem cells can give more effective results. If Leukemia cannot be treated, doctors try ways of making the patient’s life with cancer easier by relieving the symptoms. About 85% of the children that have survived 5 years without cancer reoccurring are considered to have been cured.
Decisions Upon Leukemia Treatment
Very often persons without any disease symptoms whatsoever are diagnosed with chronic myeloid Leukemia during a routine blood testing. Unlike the acute forms of Leukemia, the chronic form develops an increased number of white blood cells which can still work normally in spite of their high rate of division. This aspect is responsible of the mild onset of the disease but the negative impact is due to the impossible stopping of the white cell production.
The most effective treatment in these cases is a bone marrow transplant that still implicates risks that make it inaccessible to many of the Leukemia patients. A series of other different therapy methods are available that mostly implicate high challenges in deciding upon the right one.
The increased production of immunity white blood cells is caused by an abnormal chromosome called Philadelphia that allows the bone marrow to produce irregular cells with a very rapid multiplication rate inside the bloodstream. Most of the chronic myeloid patients are taken by surprise by diagnose as they have no clinical manifestations.
The actual development of the disease is mostly unknown but physicians usually use the number of white blood cells to predict the further course of the Leukemia; a further identification of abnormal cells inside the bone marrow has a negative prognosis. Another important clinical sign is the increase of some organ’s size (especially spleen) due to an accumulation of white cells inside their tissues.
The most efficient treatment is the injection of healthy cells from a compatible donor inside the bone marrow. It has the highest chances of curing the patients but also the most many side-effects. The second therapy method is the targeted therapy with Gleevec but its curative potential is not yet well established as it has been available only since 2001. A treatment way with benefic results until this time is the immune sustaining Interferon. Other possible cures are in course of development but are not yet approved.
Patients requesting a treatment for Leukemia always expect to be cured after the therapy. The most efficient treatment is the bone marrow transplant with also the most high risks and side-effects. Other possible cures are still in process of experimentation and their capacity to provide a definitive cure is unknown. A series of years are required to determine their exact benefit.
A patient choosing to undergo a bone marrow transplant must be matched with an available donor and take a cure with immuno depressives who may cause a series of infections due to the decreased capacity of defense of the organism. A patient must be well informed about the risk and the cure statistics before choosing to suffer a transplant. This therapy is the most appropriate for young patients but is not recommended for elder persons with other pathological conditions.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma, The White Cell Cancer
Many types of cancer are known our days, but Hodgkin’s disease is one that can be cured if the medical advice and treatment is followed properly. Hodgkin’s disease, named after the physician that identified it, is cancer of the lymphoid tissue. First of all this disease affects the immune defense system, leading to a weak organisms’, unable to fight infectious particles found in human bodies.
In some cases lymphoma develops in organs like stomach or intestines, but mostly in the lymph nodes or the lymphatic tissue.
Two types of lymphoma are known: Hodgkin’s and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s disease affects especially old people that are over 60. The malignant cells developed by Hodgkin’s disease are also known as Reed Sternberg cells.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a disease that affects people with weak immune system, and people exposed to the virus called Epstein Barr. It affects people of any age, but most of the cases are seen at old men past 60.
Enlarged lymph nodes and unexpected weight loss are first symptoms for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and for the confirmation of the disease the possible patients should go to a physician. The procedure of illness determination involves a microscopic watch at a sample of the lymph node tissue.
Depending on the stage when it was discovered, this disease can need a complex or a less complex treatment in order to guarantee patients recovery or even life. In advanced stages lymphoma can be discovered not only in lymph nodes, but almost anywhere including patches of lymphatic tissue or, as I said before, in organs like stomach or intestines.
Lymph nodes are located in different parts of the body including the neck, the chest and groin, and the armpit.
Lymphocytes are divided in two groups: B cells and T cells, each one of these groups with different functions.
The B cells or B lymphocytes are meant to produce immune cells. When an infection is found the B cells change in plasma cells that stick to the infection and secretes antibiotics. The T cells or T lymphocytes come to destroy antigens or infected cells. The B and T cells are part of the normal lymphocytes, but the cause for Hodgkin’s lymphoma the malignant or lymphoma lymphocytes. These cells can divide slowly or rapidly. Either way they cause lymph nodes or other organs to enlarge, depending on their position.
The lymph glands or any other organ, even if we talk about the stomach or intestines, are surely going to be affected by a large group of malignant lymphocytes, making unpleasant consequences unavoidable.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Examined under the microscope, the Mantle cell lymphoma appears as an expansion of the mantle zone area of the lymph nodes.It is represented by a homogenous population of malignant small lymphoid cells, which are cancerous cells that travel from the bone marrow to the lymph nodes and spleen. They are different from the normal lymphocytes, they are not mature properly. Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare type of Non- hodgkin's lymphoma.
The lymphocytes are white blood cells produced by the immune system of the human body. Regarding their origin, there are two types of immune cells, the B cells which are made in the bone marrow and the T cells which are made in the thymus. After they are made they are eliminated in the lymph which is a clear liquid that bathes tissues and circulates in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system in the place where occur the cancers known as lymphomas. If the B cells are affected there can be a Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which include follicular lymphomas, small non-cleaved cell lymphomas (Burkitt's lymphomas), marginal zone lymphomas (MALT lymphomas), small lymphocyte lymphomas, large cell lymphomas. In this category of diseases is included the mantle cell lymphomas too.
At the beginning, the MCL cells develops in limited areas. Regarding this aspect there are three subsets of MCL cells: the mantle zone type, the nodular type and the blastic or immature type. In the most cases these various types develop together and the diagnoses are of mixed mantle and nodular type. During the development of the MCL the non-cancerous mantle centers also become invaded by cancerous cells. In about 20% of these cases, the cells become larger and they are imature ones.
As it is initially slow-growing, this type of cancer it was first believed to be a low-grade cancer, but the average survival rate it was substantially shortened. Because of the mixed nature of MCL cells, specialists tend to give this disease a new classification. The presence of the blastic type of cells is considered as a high-grade cancer because it spreads at about the rate of other lymphomas belonging to that category. It is very important to describe the precise nature of these cells, because this may help specialists involved in the study of MCL to get to an agreement.
Mantle cell lymphoma affects persons with ages between 50 - 70 years and it is diagnosed more frequently in women. This type of cancer has the shortest average survival of all lymphomas.
Nowadays the cause of MCL is unknown. It has many symptoms that appears in other lymphomas too. Patients generally complain of fatigue, low grade fevers, night sweats, weight loss, anemia, rashes, digestive disturbances, chronic sinus irritation, recurrent infections, sore throat, shortness of breath, muscle and bone aches and edema. A more specific symptom is the spleen enlargement. This clinical aspect is present especially in the nodular type of MCL. An early stage is the swollen lymph nodes. At the beginning this has no explanation because the general health of the patient is good. Anemia is another syptom that characterizes MCL, but it is a mild type of anemia. Some patients can also report lower back pain and burning pain in the legs and testicles. In an advanced stage of the MCL the lymph nodes increase in volume, the general health is compromised and the symptoms become more pronounced. In the end stage the MCL spreads to the central nervous system and appear the neurological symptoms.
As MCL is very similar to several other lymphoma types, imunologic tests are recommended for a correct diagnosis. One of this kind of tests is Immunophenotyping which determine what kind of surface molecules are present on cells, and which is the exact type of lymphoma, from a tissue sample.
When the diagnosis is sure it must be known that mantle cell lymphoma has already spread into many other tissues such as the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow or to the ring of adenoid, palatine and lingual tonsils at the back of the mouth or even to the gastrointestinal tract. If the MCL spread to the colon it is diagnosed as multiple lymphomatous polyposis.
The treatment for MCL is established depending on the type of MCL and it stage.
There is no standard treatment for MCL patients. The patients diagnosed with MCL have been treated with surgery, radiation, single drug or combination chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. The most common chemotherapy regimens for treating MCL includes the drugs: Cyclophosphamide (cytoxan, neosar), adriamycin (doxorubicin or Hydroxydoxorubicin), vincristine (Oncovin), and Prednisone and it is called CHOP.
Treatment Options for Mantle Cell Lymphoma
A rare form of the Non-Hodgkin disease is the Mantle cell lymphoma. This disease is quite dangerous because its tumor grows very fast and ends up affecting most of the organs. Generally, people are diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma only when the disease has affected more organs and so, treating them is a little bit difficult because several areas of the body must be treated in the same time. The most indicated treatment in this case is chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy tries to stop cancerous cells from growing or dividing. There can be used oral drugs or drugs injected into the vein or muscle that will reach the cancer cells by entering the bloodstream, and is called systemic chemotherapy. In mantle cell lymphoma doctors use a combination of four drugs administered in a single day and then repeated every 3 weeks for 6 times.
In most of the cases, mantle cell lymphoma therapy is not useful and even if the response to the treatment seemed to be good, the disease comes back very often. In preventing this, doctors have used different drug combinations and the most successful was one treatment used in leukemia too. This treatment is unbearable for many of the patients due to its side effects, and doctors will not recommend this drug combination if they feel that the patient will not tolerate the treatment.
In most cases, after chemotherapy is done, stem cells previously taken from the patient’s blood or bone marrow or from a donor will be thawed and replaced through an infusion, in order to restore the body’s blood cells destroyed by the chemotherapy.
Biological therapy has proved to be useful in treating many forms of lymphoma, and it uses monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are made from an immune system cell and are designed to seek and destroy all the substances that can help cancer cells to grow and develop. One of the monoclonal antibodies used in treating Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is Rituximab. This antibody could be used in treating mantle cell lymphoma too.
There have been developed some new drugs but they are still under tests in clinical trials. Bortezomib is one of them and using it seems to lead to the death of cancer cells.
Using radiation therapy proved to be inefficient because it did not lead to a remarkably extinction of the cancer cells and it only weakened the human organism.
Until now there is no cure for this disease and no certain effective treatment. In order to discover a useful therapy, doctors will encourage you to join a clinical trial and help them improve the medical treatment of this terrible disease.
Gleevec Therapy Method For Leukemia
The therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia with Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate) began to be used in patients in 2001 and seemed to be real success. Since that time, a clinical study revealed the efficiency of Gleevec in other cancer types as well such as in hypereosinophilic syndrome, another blood cancer.
Gleevec is a targeted drug on abnormal cells of the body and doesn’t attack healthy cells like other chemotherapeutics. Gleevec is efficient against a protein called BCR-ABL from the class of enzymes known as thyrosine kinases which is responsible for the excessive multiplication of mature and immature white blood cells in the chronic myeloid Leukemia.
Most cancer forms are caused by genetic mistakes leading to the production of malfunctioning proteins that send a wrong message to the cells. When the abnormal enzymes are inhibited by chemotherapy, the cancer progression is also stopped. Scientists work to find other similar drugs like Gleevec that have the capacity to inhibit dysfunctional enzymes such as tyrosine kinases.
In normal conditions, tyrosine kinases send different signals to the cells stimulating them to perform different actions. Abnormal enzymes send modified messages to the cells allowing them to multiply particular cells in an abnormal rate and cancer appears. 4500 new cases of CML are discovered every year and Gleevec was firstly used on this type of cancer. Chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by a translocated, genetically modified chromosome called Philadelphia causing the occurrence of abnormal tyrosine kinases. This is the primer cause of leukemic cells occurrence in the bone marrow and blood.
Many of the chemotherapeutics used to treat leukemia have negative effects on other healthy tissues as well like skin, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal track or hair follicles, and causes injuries to organs like heart, kidneys or lungs. Gleevec is targeted on mutant protein and enzyme cells and only destructs this type of genetically modified tissues. Gleevec also has its side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, skin rashes or fluid retention due to its toxicity but they are far less dangerous for the human body than other drugs.
The drug therapy using Gleevec proved far more efficient than earlier methods and showed real more improvements for the CML patients. It impressively reduces the number of white blood cells and the number of leukemic cells inside the bone marrow. Gleevec can also be used on persons not responding to the Interferon therapy or the ones that proved intolerant to it.
The administration of Gleevec is easier as well as it is available as a pill not as injections like most of the other drugs. This aspect makes the self-administration possible and spares patients from staying in the hospital for long periods of time.
Lymphoma-A Consequence Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA, rheumatoid arthritis, is a disease that affects the cells around the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis involves a lot of pain but in the advanced stages can also mean immobility because in time, the tissues around the joints are deteriorating.
Not affecting the tissues around the joints, but the lymphatic tissues, lymphoma is a type of cancer that leads to weak immunity for the human body and affects the lymph nodes. The white cells, especially the plasma ones can’t end their mission of locating and destroying antigens or foreign materials because of the malignant or lymphoma lymphocytes that divide and enlarge the lymph nodes or other organs like stomach or intestines.
Is being well known that lymphoma makes more victims around men who past the age of 60, while rheumatoid arthritis chooses women. Trying to determine a connection between these two diseases we can easily figure out that the risks for a person to have both these diseases are low.
After further research scientists obtained a conclusion quite different from what we had imagined earlier. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have chances to develop lymphoma. Their chances grow with their stage of disease. For a low degree rheumatoid arthritis patients the risk of developing lymphoma is not so high, but for those with a moderate or high level of rheumatoid arthritis the chances to develop this type of cancer are real high.
Archive notes tell us that in the last 30 years a insignificant percentage of rheumatoid arthritis patients suffered from lymphoma, being counted a number of less than 400 patients.
Patients with a very severe form of rheumatoid arthritis risk to develop lymphoma more than the other cases.
Most of all, the later studies show us that the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has no connection with the development of lymphoma. The study was made over a rheumatoid arthritis specific treatment including methotrexate, oral steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin.
Despite this study we can still hear opinions about the connections between rheumatoid arthritis treatment and the development of lymphoma, as a consequence.
Perhaps we have to take these opinions seriously, even though the two diseases rheumatoid arthritis and lymphoma refer to different types of patients, because both of them affect tissues and stop the white cells to take care of the immune system. That’s why patients with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis should talk to a specialist that could help them reduce the risks of lymphoma.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma-An Indolent Or An Aggressive Disease?
Mantle cell lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma type of cancer and it represents affection of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system, as part of the immune system, helps fighting against infections or foreign particles. The lymph drains through lymph vessels, a network of tubular channels, into the bloodstream and accumulates in lymphocytes. The lymphocytes or the white blood cells are divided in two groups: the B cells or the B lymphocytes and the T cells or lymphocytes, and can be located not only in the lymph nodes, but in the lymphoid tissue too.
B lymphocytes search the organism for infections or foreign bodies. When something wrong is found B cells transform into plasma cells and secrete antibodies to neutralize the infection. This is the moment when T cells get to do their job. Once neutralized by the B cells the infection or foreign body is destroyed by the T lymphocytes.
While moving through the lymphatic system, the lymph is filtered by the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are located in various regions in our body such as neck, armpit, chest and groin and even abdomen, and have the mission to destroy antigens.
From the two categories of lymphoma that we know, mantle cell lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin’s disease, being a result of weakness from the immunity system. By dividing, slowly or rapidly, the malignant cells form a numerous population that enlarges the lymph nodes. Mantle cell lymphomas symptoms are different from a case to another, and are strictly related to the stage of disease, sex and age of the patient.
MCL is a B cell lymphoma that develops in the zone of the lymph nodes and it is a form of non-Hodgkin’s disease caused by the malignant B lymphocytes.
Mantle cell lymphoma is considered as being a two stage disease. In cases when lymphomas divide slowly the diagnosis is low grade disease, but in cases when the malignant cells divide rapidly the diagnosis is set as high grade lymphoma, in urgent need of proper treatment. Because of this classification of the mantle cell lymphoma, specialists have doubts about where to situate this lymphoma, along with indolent or aggressive diseases.
Mantle cell lymphoma affects especially men that are over 50. Fewer than 33% of the patients are women.
MCL symptoms are pretty much alike to the other lymphomas symptoms. The immune system is getting weaker and from this time towards, problems occur. In early stage the enlargement of lymph nodes is one of the most common symptoms just like anemia and in final stages neurological problems appear.
Signs-Symptoms And Life-Expectation In Acute Leukemia
First occurring signs in the development of acute forms of leukemia are bruising and bleedings caused by the decreased number of platelets, fatigue and pales due to the anemia caused by insufficient red blood cells, reoccurring infections and late healing due to abnormal number and function of white blood cells. These symptoms are however not specific for the Leukemia condition and for a precise diagnose further testing is required such as analysis of blood and bone marrow.
A certain cause of Leukemia is not yet known as it can affect persons of all ages and both sexes. A link however between leukemia and benzene prolonged exposure or high doses of radiations could be established. But most cases cannot be rationally explained.
The main target of the Leukemia treatment is to annihilate all existing abnormal cells in blood and bone marrow. A complete remission means no left trace of cancerous modifications. Some of the treated cases show a reoccurrence of the disease with other signs and symptoms. In acute leukemia forms, after five years of remission after treatment the patient can be qualified as cured and the condition rarely reoccurs.
In the last 25 years the percent of surviving subjects has increased due to new therapy ways. The overall five-year survival rate is 44% today, with significant progresses compared to the 1960’s rate of only 14%. The rate of survival differs by age, type of leukemia and previous health status. In the case of acute lymphocytic Leukemia the rate is 58%, in the chronic form it reaches 71%, in acute myelogenous Leukemia the rate is 14% and the chronic form reaches 32% five-year survival.
In present there are about 144000 patients suffering from Leukemia in the USA. The rate of survival in children suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia is 81% if detected in early stage. For children diagnosed with acute myelogenic Leukemia the rate is 43%.
In 2001 about 12500 male subjects are known to have died from Leukemia and a lower number of 9500 women, in the United States. The estimated number of chronic lymphocytic deaths yet to occur is 4600 and 1400 from acute lymphocytic forms. Acute myelogenous Leukemia is expected to produce 7200 deaths and chronic myelogenous Leukemia about 2300 deaths. Other forms of leukemia will be responsible for approximately 600 death cases.
For males under 40 and for women less than 20 leukemia represents the main cause of death. The estimated rate of deaths in males of Leukemia is 25% higher than in females. The percent of death cases in children has decreased in the last 30 years but the rate still remains high.
The Target Of The Treatment In Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Nowadays, cancer is one of the most serious problems in medicine.Specialists try to discover new treatments. In clinics, the patients with cancer that start a new treatment are closely followed. Physicians determine the optimal dose which have the minimal side effects and offers the most numerous chances of survival. Because doctors make often adjustments, the treatment given to the patients does not always match with the treatment that studies found it to be the most effective. That's why sometimes people receiving the treatment doesn't feel very well, even if that treatment is supposed to save their life. If the patients have to get chemotherapy it is very important to respect the recommended doses and schedule, and it is also important to know the reasons why this rules are not respected.
There are a lot of cases when different types of cancer, like breast cancer or even the Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, are not correctly treated and it is not given the appropriate supportive therapy. It was proved that if those patients were treated appropriately and the treatment guidelines were followed, they would have a good chance of survival and possible cure.
The Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is a very aggressive type of cancer or the most common type of lymphoma. In lymphomas are affected the lymph glands and nodes that are anywhere in the body. So this kind of cancer can occur everywhere in the body. There is also a Hodgkin's disease that can often occur in younger patients. The incidence of the Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is bigger in older patients, most frequently around age 60, but latest it can occur in younger people too. There is no explanation why this is one of the cancers that affects more and more individuals over the last 20 years.
Even if it is a very aggressive form of cancer it is very responsive in treatment and potentially curable cancer, which is a resemblance with the Hodgkin's disease. An appropriate treatment can give the patients the chance to be cured and to live a normal life. This is justified for more than half of the patients.
So it was proved that the aggressive disease is more responsive to treatment which is a kind of a paradox which can be seen in many forms of rapidly growing cancers. The cells in this cancers are rapidly dividing, but they tend to be more responsive to treatment. The scientific explanation for this phenomenon is that the chemotherapy drugs are most active against rapidly growing cells.
The whole treatment in Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma can last for about four to five months. If there is an early stage disease, the patient may get a shorter course of chemotherapy. This method must be combined with radiation therapy to the affected area. Because the cancerous cells may be anywhere in the body the biggest part of the patients with cancer needs to be treated systemically with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a combination of four or five drugs. The whole treatment program can run over a period of about four to five months.
Even if this form of cancer is a curable one, there are people with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who being under-treated. This under- treatment means a substantial dose reductions or treatment delays during their chemotherapy. This is one of the reasons why some of this patients presents side effects and they don't get cured. It was proved in clinical trials that patients who receive the appropriate treatment do better than patients whose treatment is compromised by reducing the doses or not respecting the schedule. So the chances of long-term survival and cure are influenced by the way the treatments are being given.
There are some situations when reductions in doses of the treatment are unavoidable. This happens when there are older patients, or patients with a higher stage of disease, patients who aren't able to care for themselves. in this circumstances the treatment have to be delayed too.
The best moment to give the appropriate treatment are the early stages of the disease. Preventative care is very important. Specifically treatment to boost low white blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy, are more likely to receive the dose on time and to receive fuller dose intensity than those patients who didn't receive these agents. There many reasons,not only cancer, for which patients received these medications from the beginning.
Another cause of under- treatment is the situations when the patient doesn't tolerate the chemotherapy the way it was expected to be. So it increases the concern about side effects. There are situations when the reduction in dose of the treatment is established from the very beginning, before the patient had received any kind of treatment. This is a conscious decision of the doctor who consult the patient and gets to the conclusion that he won't tolerate the chemotherapy well. Other reductions in doses of the treatment occurs after starting therapy, because of the side effects. In this case reducing the dose is a strategy to reduce the side effects of treatment. This has negative results because it is very sure that to this patients the disease will come back months or years later.
Supportive care is very important. Older patients, patients who have more intensive symptoms from their disease or a higher stage of disease, need a type of a more aggressive supportive care. If they are supported in a right way it is also recommended to be treated the same as younger patients are. This increases their chances to be cured.When giving the supportive care it is important to analyze the risk factors. This are the patient's age that can easily lead to more side effects or in the most cases determine the physician to reduce the doses or schedule of the treatment, even before starting it. Giving the right supportive care enables the patients at a higher risk to receive the full treatment.
Supportive care helps physicians and patients with cancer to control nausea, vomiting and infections that can result because of the low white blood cell count. These are one of the most common side effects of the toxicity of the chemotherapy. Supportive care includes treatments that can improve the blood counts and also reduce the risk of infection. So if the patients seem not to tolerate the chemotherapy well, it is recommended to use the supportive care and not to modify the doses and schedule in treatment. This way the patient will be allowed to go through the full program.
There are different kinds of treatments available and it is very important for the patients recently diagnosed Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma to ask an oncologist about the side effects of those treatments and what can be done to diminish and to prevent them. It is very important for this patients to get the full treatment and to know that the target is to minimize side effects and to increase the effects of the appropriate treatment.
Keeping the Faith: Turning to Religion When Diagnosed with Lymphoma
Being diagnosed with a potentially life threatening medical condition, such as lymphoma, can often cause a person to revaluate their life and many find religion in the process. While some return to a lapsed religion, others find faith for the first time and, more often than not, just believing that there is something or someone in charge of their destiny can help them to come to terms with their predicament.
The very act of going to a place of worship, be it a church, synagogue, mosque etc. and interacting with others who have faith can give a lymphoma sufferer the positivism and strength to fight their condition. This is especially true when the sufferer lives alone or has no close family because the congregation pulls together and acts as a ‘super-family’ in times of need. They often make meals, help with the grocery shopping or just sit and listen so that the patient never feels alone and this solidarity can severely help during rigorous treatment regimes and during recovery.
Finding faith can also help a lymphoma patient to make amends with their God should the worst happen. It may be that they followed a religion in their younger years however because of other commitments they let their faith lapse. Finding themselves in a life or death situation may make them think about what they gave up and bring them back to the fold and under the protection of their God once more.
Even when a person has never shown any interest in religion before their diagnosis, they often find themselves suddenly believing in an all powerful, all forgiving entity simply because they don’t know what else to do. Many people who are faced with an uncertain future find that they need something solid to cling on to that will remain in their life for as long as they need it and religion fills this requirement. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like or even what you have done in your past, most religions are all encompassing and nobody is ever turned away. You don’t have to smile everyday and make jokes with other people; religion will be there on the good days and the bad days when you can’t find a civil word, unlike humans who tend to get upset when a cancer sufferer goes through a bad or depressing patch.
In addition to religion, other lymphoma sufferers may find faith in other places. Many find faith in their families and vow to live for them alone whereas others may believe in Mother Nature and so pray to her for a long and fruitful life. Faith can be found pretty much anywhere you look for it and different people find it in very different places. Lymphoma patients should believe in whatever they want to believe in to get them through their tough times, whether it is conventional or not. Who is to say that praying to the cancer fairies is any less useful than praying to a religious icon – whatever gives a person faith also gives them hope.
What Is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?
AML, (acute myelogenous leukemia), is an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It is the most common type of leukemia. AML is also known by the following names-acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Blood cells are malformed and useless. The cells can accumulate in parts of the body.
Acute myelogenous leukemia statistics
• Rare in people under 40 years old
• More common in men than in women
• Average age is 65 years old
• 5-year survival rate
o under 65 years old-33%
o over 65 years old-4%
• 2007 it is predicted there will be 13,000 cases (majority will be adults)
The symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia include abnormal blood counts, a general run-down, unwell feeling that never gets better, reoccurring infections, swollen lymph nodes, and bone/ joint pain. Symptoms are acute (comes on suddenly, and accelerates quickly) instead of chronic (mild symptoms that gradually worsen over years).
When the malformed cells collect around parts of the body, it can cause skin, lung, central nervous system, kidney, and even testicle problems. Initially, acute myelogenous leukemia may mimic other conditions. Blood tests identify the possibility of AML. The final diagnosis is usually made after a bone marrow test and sometimes by a spinal tap, also known as a lumbar (lower spine) puncture (LP).
There are several types treatments available, one or more will be used to treat a dignosis of AML.
Chemotherapy-strong drugs taken orally or intravenously that kills the cancer cells. Occasionally it’s injected directly into the spine. It is a systemic treatment because it travels throughout the whole body.
Radiation-high energy rays like X-rays kill the cancer cells
Bone marrow transplants-unhealthy cancer producing bone marrow is destroyed and replaced with matching bone marrow.
Immunotherapy-stimulates the immune system to destroy cancer cells or boosts natural defenses. It can be a made naturally or artificially.
Risk factors for AML
• Previous chemotherapy or radiation treatments
• Exposure to radiation and chemicals like benzene
• Genetic disorders like Downs Syndrome
• Smoking
• Blood disorders like myelodysplasia
People with risk factors should watch more closely for symptoms of AML because early treatment increases survival rate.
Statistic Data on Leukemia
Leukemia is the blood cancer form and originates in a malfunctioning bone marrow that tends to produce abnormal red and white cells in an increased rate. The most important four types of Leukemia are the acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia and the acute and chronic lymphocytic Leukemia. The name of the condition stands for the cell type involved.
The acute type of leukemia develops with an increased production of abnormal white cells making the body unable to fight infections; red blood cells and platelets are insufficient and the organism suffers from bruising, bleedings and anemia. Chronic forms of Leukemia are not as aggressive as they give the normal cells time to regenerate.
About 25000 new equal cases of acute and chronic Leukemia appear every ear. Most cases appear in adults and persons over 60 years but the acute lymphocytic Leukemia has an increased rate in children. Annually, about 10000 cases in adults are diagnosed as acute myelogenic Leukemia, 8000 are chronic lymphocytic Leukemia, 500 are chronic myelogenous forms and about 3500 are acute forms of lymphocytic Leukemia. The rest of the cases are unclassified blood cancer types.
All types of Leukemia are most commonly encountered in men than in women. Men subjects cover about 56% of all Leukemia new cases in a year. Americans with European descent seem to be more affected by cancer than those with African origins; about 131000 new cases of cancer are detected in African Americans every year but most of them are not related to blood cancers.
Americans with Indian or Hispanic origins are far more affected by Leukemia than African Americans and about 50% of the cases are encountered in male subjects. Elderly persons are most highly affected inside all populations. Minority groups like Caucasians are more affected by Leukemia forms than other ethnic groups like Chinese, Japanese and Koreans. European descent children show increased rate of susceptibility compared to African American children.
Most of the new occurred cases of cancer in children below 15 are of Leukemia. About 2500 new cases of acute forms of lymphocytic leukemia are identified in the USA annually and it tends to be the most encountered form of cancer in children. High percents of the cases occur in children aged 3-4 and less in infants or 19 years old patients. In the last 25 years the chance of cure in specialized centers has increased due to new therapy methods.
People over 40 and older persons are more touched by acute myelogenous Leukemia and the secondary Leukemia type found in adults is chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
What is Leukemia?
Today, one of the most dangerous and incurable condition seems to be cancer. It has no actual cure for mostly of the tissues it affects, especially when it reaches vital organs such as heart, lungs or blood. The blood tissue form of cancer is known as Leukemia and it represents a real life threat as it affects the blood circulation meant to supply the whole body with vital nutriments.
Blood is the connection tissue for all of the body’s organs and tissue as it carries oxygen and other important elements for the cell life. This is the reason why leukemia is such dangerous and frightening disease. Blood has access to all vital organs like heart, lungs and brain and when Leukemia occurs, it will rapidly create a dysfunction of all the other organs by supplying them with unhealthy particles. Cancerous cells are quickly carried to all parts of the organism and the dissemination occurs in a very short period of time.
Leukemia is in fact the consequence of an abnormality occurred in the form and number of leukocytes, the blood white cells. Leucocytes are vital for the good functioning of the body as they have the role to fight against all potential aggressions from the outside. They are the key to a good protection against infections and when leukemia appears the cellular immunity decreases drastically leaving the body unable to protect against damaging factors of any nature.
The main pathological way of the disease is an increased production by the marrow of infected and abnormal white blood cells. The new leucocytes anatomically and functionally modified and interfere with all functions of the blood even hindering the normal oxygen transport. Modified white blood cells also damage the normal functioning of the red blood cells and lead to the occurrence of anemia. Cancerous cells impede the tissue supply with hemoglobin and the body cells suffer from the lack of iron.
When the cancerous cells reach the brain, other dangerous modifications appear such as headaches, night sweats and neuropsychical problems. Cancerous Leukemia cells can be easily detected under the microscope and the suspects of the disease are advised to undergo a bone marrow examination. The onset of Leukemia is pointed out by swollen lymph nodes through the whole body, especially around the neck and thigh.
Risk factors for Leukemia are especially radioactive radiations that produce cell mutations and damages to their activity. An overexposure to benzene, an industrial hydrocarbure, also increases the risk of developing Leukemia, as well as the Down syndrome.
The most effective but also painful treatment is chemotherapy when the patients need to swallow many drugs at once. Another possibility of treatment is radiotherapy and patients suffer from losing hair and skin texture.
Leukemia is curable if detected in time and treated right. A bone marrow transplant may be helpful to regain healthy white blood cells. For a good outcome, the patients especially need the support of the family.
What Exactly is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is not a single disease, it is in fact a group of diseases in which the cells of the immune system become cancerous and begin to divide and multiply in an uncontrolled manner in a lymph node. Initially a single lymph node may be affected however the cancer may quickly spread around the body through the lymphatic system so that other nodes and also other tissues, such as the bone marrow, become affected.
A number of the immune system cell types can become cancerous including the T cells and the B cells which are the body’s two main defense mechanisms against illness and infection. The immune system cells are carried in the blood stream and through the lymphatic system and so the lymphoma cancers can be very mobile and affect areas of the body far from the original cancerous site.
The fact that you have swollen lymph glands does not automatically mean you have a lymphoma cancer because there are a number of other diseases which cause the lymph nodes to swell; in fact any disease which requires the assistance of the immune system will cause mild swelling in many of the lymph glands. If however you have swelling in a single gland that is painless and symptom free then you should make an appointment with your doctor just to check it out.
There are various types of lymphoma cancer however the two main types are Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Hodgkin’s disease is characterized by painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, most commonly in the chest, neck and armpits. If the caner has spread from these initial sites then fevers, night sweats, weight loss and bone pain can also occur. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is the more common disease of the two, may start in exactly the same way however the patient may also develop an enlarged spleen, anemia and general malaise.
Because the lymphoma cancers are so mobile a sufferer can often experience symptoms in other areas of the body that they would not necessarily associate with cancer which means that unless you know what to look for i.e. swollen lymph glands, you may well dismiss the problem as being due to a simple illness, such as the flu, as this also causes many of the symptoms displayed by lymphoma patients. Also, because the cells of the immune system are primarily affected a person with a lymphoma cancer will quickly become more susceptible than usual to even the weakest pathogens i.e. their immune system becomes weaker and fails to protect the body from disease.
The good news is that as with other forms of cancer, lymphomas are treatable and so anyone diagnosed shouldn’t give up hope of leading a long and healthy life. You need to find out as much information as you can about the illness and find coping strategies that work for you and your family. You will need to undergo either chemotherapy, radiation therapy or possibly a bone marrow transplant however lymphoma patients today have a high survival rate and many people are cured of the disease totally.
