The June 10, issue this month of the journal Blood, prints study that reveals new technique victorious in dramatically shrinking B cell lymphoma.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have detected a new way to target and destroy certain cancerous cells. This evidence could possibly point to new therapies to treat Lymphoma and other related cancers.
Professor James Paulson, lead researcher of the study, stated that there is high interest in progressing this technology to see if it can be used in humans and to ascertain other forms of this kind of targeting.
Professor Paulson has examined glycoprteins for numerous years among his research studies. He has initiated new ways of study and manipulations of these molecules.
In this research professor Paulson and his associates adapted some of the labs awareness to a problem with major medical importance, to obtain a novel come to aim and demolish cancer cells.
Especially, in this new study, researchers deployed to invaded B cell lymphoma which include Hodgkin lymphoma and non Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer that is most prominent in older persons and those that have outmoded immune systems. Every year there are 70,000 persons diagnosed with B cell lymphoma in the United States. The medication rituximab is frequently capable treatment for the disease, however, each year there are still 22,000 deaths from B cell malignancies.
Usually, B cells administer a vital immune function spreading throughout the blood stream to aide in the assault of infectious agents. However, when B cells become cancerous, the issue is how to distinguish which ones they are out of a multitude of other molecules in the body and aim at them for destruction while not harming surrounding tissues.
Due to the fact of professor Paulsons past research he was knowledgeable in the fact of B cells owning a particular receptor protein on the surface that acknowledges particular sugars located on glycoproteins. The researchers needed to develop a useful potential therapeutic which carries the same sugars to identify and be able to aim at these cells.
Researchers mixed to clear types of molecules forming one, using both new and old technology. One part of the possible therapeutic was made up of a certain sugar called ligand acknowledged by the B cell receptor referred to as CD22, designated on the surface of B cells. Attaching it to the surface of the other part of the possible therapeutic was a non particle refereed to as liposome, packed with a strong of a substantiated chemotherapy drug.
They already had knowledge in how the liposomes react in the body since they are already approved medications. They are designed so they do not use up macrophages in the liver. They applied the same formula, attached legands and proceeded to vivo studies.
The chemotherapy medication placed in use was doxorubicin, conventional to treat vast types of cancers. Using a nanoparticle formulation of doxorubicin called Doxil. The drug is enclosed inside the liposomal nanoparticle, this protects normal cells from the medication until it comes upon the cancer.
Usually Doxil is quietly brought to the tumors by leaving leaky tumor vasculature, the medication slowly leaks out and destroys the tumor. When enhancing the nanoparticles with CD22 ligand it carries the drug inside the cell.
The findings were fabulous. Not one mouse in the control group survived to the end of the 110 day stride, however 5 of the eight mice who got a higher dose of the compound did survive.
Researchers then went to survey for any possible detections of residual tumor cells in the survivors. A mouse that is paralyzed with the disease has 95% of the cells in its bone marrow are tumor cells.
When they examined the bone marrow of those that lived up to 100 days, no tumor cells were located.
To broaden the results researchers checked the compound’s activity in blood sample of human patients with three types of B cell lymphomas, hairy cell leukemia, marginal zone lymphoma and chronic lymphocyte leukemia. Discovered was the compound also completely bond to and erased the diseased B cells.
Researchers excited by these results are now working to progress improving the drug platform along with looking into ways to heighten particular B cell targeting along with examining technology benefits of other chemotherapy agents.
A grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases along with the National of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health funded this research.
The usual medical treatments of lymphoma, leukemia and Hodgkin and non Hodgkin lymphoma normally uses chemotherapy, radiation or both therapies. Even though these treatments do significantly improve patient survival, the side effects can be greatly horrendous.
Many alternative therapies are beneficial for patients with blood cancers for relief of many side effects. Alternative therapies do not consist of a breakdown for types of cancers. They run under cancer treatments. Here are some alternative therapies that can attend the ill effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Acupuncture
Has been proven in clinical studies to help with pain reduction and does decrease the patients use of narcotics for pain. It also has been very useful for vomiting, nausea and even constipation.
Chiropractic
Clinic studies have shown that chiropractic treatments are beneficial to cancer patients. Some therapies applied maybe:
Spinal manipulations has a array of 35 or more techniques used. Can relieve extreme joint pain.
Exercise most often will be recommended to beget flexibility and muscle tone.
Physio-therapeutic modalities which includes cold, heat, ultrasound and electric muscle stimulation.
Nautropathic Therapy
The therapies used may consist of some of the following:
Nutritional therapy has two types which are split as specialized combination of nutrients aimed at cancer therapy. The other is more general which aides in boosting and strengthening health.
Enzyme therapy is in two types food and Proteolitic enzymes.
Herbal Extracts and Plant Products
Some of the herbal extract formulas and plants than maybe used are Essica, which is a tea consisting of Indian Rhubarb, Slippery Elm and others. Hoxsey made up of Poke root, burdock root, barberry root, buck thorn buck, stillinga root. One is oral consumption the other version is a salve if the cancer is close to the surface of skin.
Sources:
The Chiro Blog For Chiropractors
Tags: lymphoma diagnosis, Lymphoma Treatment, rituxanRelated posts
Filed under Mesothelioma Treatment by on Nov 1st, 2011. 
How I started making money with Google Adsense
I have been using Google Adsense almost as long as it has been out. I looked at it when Google first premiered the Adsense program. At the time I had seen so many affiliate programs that were worthless (basically I feel all affiliate programs are worthless) I was hesitant to try it. All I needed was another program to clutter up my site and not make money. After a couple of months I read something again about the Adsense program and view I would try it on one of my smaller sites. So I establish up one area of Adsense ads on the top shared border so that it appeared on every page of the site. About 5 hours later I checked and had already made 10 dollars. I was so encouraged by the results that by evening I had it on all three of my web sites.
How much money can you make with Google Adsense?
Now this is a difficult question. Google frowns on people sharing the specifics of what the make. But I make a burly time living off of the three sites now. If you have a website and obtain traffic to the site you will invent money with Google Adsense. How much money you can design depends on several factors. I will list out the considerations then give a brief explanation of each.
The subject and content of your website
The popularity of your website.
The size and usability of you website.
The amount of money you produce for each time someone clicks a link on your website depends on how much money people are bidding for that term. A lawyer who is looking for clients in a lawsuit may pay several dollars a click looking for clients. A website about bowling will have appropriate adds on it but the profit the advertisers can make limits how much they are willing to make per click and may only pay 5 to 10 cents a click. So it is obvious that since you get paid a percentage of what Google makes per click then there is going to be a big disagreement in what site makes per click than another. Does this mean that you should abandon your current website to go after another? No, I think it is better to go with what you have a passion. Everyone and their brother are going after the big keywords. I have made allot of money writing web pages about what I have a passion about.
Obviously the more people who visit your site the more money you make with Google Adsense. The more people who visit your position the more that see the ads. This is one of the reasons not to drop your existing site for a site about some accurate issue. One of the popular terms that pays extremely well is Mesothelioma. This is rare execute of cancer that is usually caused by asbestos. While each click pays well not many people are looking for this information. So which is better a site that gets 10 visitors a day and a click every couple of days that pays a dollar or two or a area with 1000 visitors a day with 40 clicks for 10 cents each.
They say that size does not matter. When it comes to making money with Google Adsense it does. The more content on your site the more money you make. This works two ways. The more content pages on you site the more different pages people can find when search for the information you offer. Then if your site is well planned so that it is easy for them to find all the information on your site then 1000 visitors can translate into 10,000 page views. There is only so much state you can add about a subject like Mesothelioma. Also consider that thousands of people are making sites about the hottest paying search terms. There is a lot of competition for these terms.
I have a friend who, when he found out how grand money I was making with Adsense, decided he wanted to get in on the action. After talking about it he decided to go with his passion of fishing. He is a Salmon and Steelhead fisherman so he made a page about the rivers in his area. He included maps, favorite-fishing spots, catch reports and other pertinent information about fishing these rivers. He has had a blast making the web site because it is an extension of his hobby and makes plenty of money from it to support his fishing habit.
I was blessed in that when Google first started Adsense I already had two large web sites that got a reasonable amount of traffic. I made over 300 dollars my first month. With Google Adsense you find paid at the end of the month. You do not come by paid until you reach 50 dollars. If you do not make 50 dollars in a month the money stays in your account until you do. Most people can not expect $50 a month plus when they first start. I have spent the last two plus years adding content and increasing my income. If you have a brand new website it will steal a couple of months to open seeing it show up in search engines and beginning to see traffic. But the nice thing is that once you open making money with Google Adsense then with every page you build you are working to increase your income. I worship it, now if I want to remove a week off I make the same money as I do when I work. I am not working to keep an income. My income comes automatically. I am working to increase it every time I add content to my site.
So I wish you a very apt future with your website. If you do not already have an Adsense account I invite you to go to the piece of my web site that is about making money with Adsense and clicking the blue link an the left side of the page. It will take to Google’s Adsense sign up page.
http://arthritis-symptom.com/adsense/adsense-optimization.htm
There is also alot of articles in this section that will wait on you build and promote your site.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Awareness by on Nov 3rd, 2011.
Cancer is one of the most robbing and devastating diseases in existence.
Essentially, cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal cells in one’s body; if malignant cells are present, that means they are cancerous. A tumor is formed when old cells do not die as they should and new cells multiply when the body does not need them. The type of cancer and how dangerous it is depends on the type and location of the tumor itself.
In this article, I’m going to examine two of the rarest forms of cancer in existence, along with some statistical information regarding each, symptoms of each and what type of treatments are available.
1. Terminal Ovarian Cancer
Terminal Ovarian Cancer is essentially a cancer of the female ovaries.
Doctors cannot specify where exactly ovarian cancer comes from, but there are certain risk factors which can increase one’s risk of getting this type of cancer. If you have a family member who has a history of ovarian, breast, colon, rectum or uterus cancer, or have a personal history of some of these other cancers, your risk for getting ovarian cancer is increased. If you are over 55, never have gotten pregnant and have taken estrogen for more than ten years, you also have an increased risk of getting this disease.
What is heart-broken about ovarian cancer is it often isn’t discovered until the cancer has already spread, and typically symptoms of ovarian cancer are not visible until the cancer has already grown. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back or legs, constipation, indigestion, gas, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, vaginal bleeding and the need to urinate often. Of course, if you have these symptoms it does not mean you have cancer, but certainly see your doctor. Most likely he will give you a physical exam, pelvic exam, ultrasound by biopsy, depending on your symptoms.
If it is determined that you indeed do have ovarian cancer, it will be diagnosed at a particular stage. Stage I means that cancerous cells are found on the ovaries’ surface or in fluid found in the abdomen. Stage II means the cells have spread to one or more ovaries or other tissues and organs, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes. Stage III equates to the cancer cells spreading to regional lymph nodes or tissues outside the pelvic position. Stage IV equates to the cells spreading even further outside the ovaries, to areas like the liver or lungs.
Being informed of having ovarian cancer is a life-changing ordeal, and certainly you will be shocked and devastated after finding out. First, if you feel it’s necessary, observe out a second opinion from someone other than your primary doctor. Also seek out support groups and the benefit of friends, family, and even spiritual counseling. Certainly ask your doctor any and every question applicable to your condition, including side affects of treatment and how it will affect your normal activities.
Treatments for the actual cancer depend on what stage your cancer is in. Surgery and radiation are local therapies which engage the cancer from the pelvis and control the disease if it has spread to other areas. Chemotherapy attempts to destroy the cancer in the pelvis or abdomen, and is entered directly into the area through or thin tube, taken by mouth or injected into a vein.
If left untreated, ovarian cancer can spread to other organs, such as the uterus and fallopian tubes, as well as the pelvis, abdomen and chest. If this happens, the cancer in this particular organ is considered “distant,” yet the cancer is still considered ovarian.
One particularly rare form of ovarian cancer is one where a bilateral Krukenberg tumor is formed. This type of tumor affects one in ten billion people and has only been documented 30 times in the last 50 years internationally. For more information on this particular type of cancer, click here.
2. Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma is another rare form of cancer that forms in the mesothelium, which is the protective lining that covers the body’s organs.
The most common cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, while smoking can also increase one’s risk of getting this type of cancer. Specifically, when one is exposed to asbestos fibers, inflammation of internal tissue occurs, which disrupts organ function and eventually leads to the disease. Many people are exposed to asbestos through their jobs, unknowingly getting the disease, and then not showing symptoms till years, even decades later. For this reason, those who have mesothelioma typically are not diagnosed until they are in the late stages of the disease.
Malignant mesothelioma is typically divided into four different types. Pleural is the most common form, consisting of about 2/3 of all cases of this kind. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include lumps under the skin or chest, painful breathing, fatigue, weight loss in large amounts, shortness of breath, night sweats, coughing up blood, raspy cough and/or fever. Peritoneal mesothelioma consists of about 25-30 % of diagnoses. Symptoms include night sweats, appearance of lumps under the skin, constipation, fatigue, extreme weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, fever, vomiting and/or anemia. Pericardial mesothelioma consists of about 5 % of cases. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, difficult breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, night sweats and/or uncommon heartbeat. Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest originate of this cancer, and because of this, the only symptoms known are lumps in the testicles that may or may not be painful.
Treatment for mesothelioma is similar to other cancers, and consists of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. New treatments have also surfaced, including therapies like Cisplatin and Alimta. Additional alternative treatments which can abet in helping patients combating one or more types of cancers, include meditation, yoga, massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, reiki, naturopathy, chiropractic care or TENS therapy.
http://www.mesothelioma.com/www.medicinenet.com
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Filed under Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by on Nov 4th, 2011.
Knowing which keywords pay the most on Google Adsense is a gargantuan deal but it is impossible to find the information from them. This is a list of some of the highest paying google keywords. These keywords were gathered from trial and error and have been the most reliable that I have used.
Having the right keywords in your blogs, articles or websites can increase the money you originate through pay-per-click advertising.
The number of dollars before each keyword is not what you will pick home for each click, but rather it is what an advertiser is willing to pay for a click with these keywords.
250 High Paying Google Adsense Keywords:
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Filed under Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by on Nov 5th, 2011.
My mother-in-law last winter developed one of the worst cases of rheumatoid arthritis in her hands that her doctor had ever seen, so she prescribed the drug methotrexate for it in February. Methotrexate was to be taken every Tuesday, and gradually the dosage was upped. Incredibly, my mother-in-law, Claire, saw the swelling in her hands decrease and the pain begin to lessen, but unfortunately as the months passed she began to notice that she was developing lumps under her armpits. At this point my wife, who is a nurse, decided to do some research on methotrexate, and all of the drugs that Claire was being treated with for her various ailments, and was shocked to find that one of the rare side-effects of taking methotrexate can sometimes be lymphoma!
Methotraxate is used in the treatment of severe psoriasis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, and ironically enough, certain types of lymphoma. It is in the class of meds known as antimetabolites, a drug that attempts to dead the growth of cancerous cells. It is aged against psoriaisis because it has shown the ability to slow down the growth of skin cells that too quickly reproduce, and it has been used for terrible cases of arthritis, such as Claire had, since it can deter the activity of the immune system.
Claire was told it would be about six to eight weeks before her hands started feeling better due to the exercise of methotrexate, and proper on schedule the drug began having positive effects. However, Claire was feeling tired and run down and lost about ten pounds during the spring and summer. In August, Claire discovered two egg-sized lumps under each armpit and was duly alarmed. She brought this to the attention of my wife, who quickly got her an appointment with her primary care physician. Claire underwent a mammogram, which showed that the breasts were certain of any tumors. This is when my wife went online and found that methotrexate had caused lymphoma in a very tiny percentage of those who took it, a disease whose symptoms mirrored Claire’s.
The information she found also said that the lymphoma, which is a type of cancer caused by the production of abnormal white blood cells, can reverse itself if one stops taking methotrexate. My wife contacted Claire’s rheumatologist and discussed this information and the doctor agreed that Claire should not choose any more methotrexate. Claire stopped taking the drug and her primary care physician ordered a biopsy to determine if the lumps under her armpits were indeed cancerous and brought about by lymphoma. When she saw the surgeon for a pre-biopsy consult, she had by then developed other areas of swelling, most obviously in her neck. Her surgeon decided that rather than a needle biopsy which would have taken a small piece from one of the lumps under her armpits, he would grasp an entire lymph node from the substandard of her neck. This was done with no problems and Claire awaited the results anxiously.
When she went to glance the surgeon for her biopsy results, he told her that the preliminary findings were consistent with lymphoma in many ways but that further studying of the node would be done at another facility. He then examined Claire and found that the swelling of her nodes had indeed begun to reverse, objective like what my wife had read on the internet. Her surgeon advised Claire later on that it was lymphoma, but that since it seemed to be going away that no chemotherapy was necessary at this point and that the situation would need to be closely monitored. It had only been fifteen days since Claire had been off the methotrexate, but already she had more energy and the lumps were dissipating. That good news was tempered with the fact that the drug that had worked so well for her arthritic hands was now not an option, since she had developed the lymphoma from it, and other forms of treatment will now have to be pursued.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Nov 15th, 2011.
There are several different mesothelioma treatment options. The treatment program prescribed will depend on many things such as the patient’s age, the patient’s wants, the look of the cancer cells (microscope), how noteworthy the cancer has spread, where the cancer is located and the stage of the cancer. Getting a mesothelioma treatment understanding as soon as possible is extremely important if you expect success.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Will Treatments Work?
For some, yes. The average survival rate is said to be eight to twelve months, but many patients have exceeded this. Time is the most important factor when it comes to effective treatment. One treatment program (Dr. Sugarbaker’s treatment program at the Brigham and Woman’s Center in Boston) boasts a 40% five year survival rate when treated within a specific time frame. Patients must meet a certain criteria to qualify for this program.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Traditional Cancer Treatments
Some patients will undergo surgery in order to try and remove the cancer. Some patients will go through chemotherapy to try to fight the cancer. Some patients will go through radiation therapy to try to kill the cancer cells. Often times a combination on two or all of these methods is used when trying to treat mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Mesomark Blood Test
This mesothelioma treatment option was current by the FDA in January of 2007. This treatment was introduced as a way to help monitor how a patient is responding to treatment. This test measures the amount to SMRP (soluble mesothelin-related peptide) in the blood to determine a patients progress. Since this treatment option is collected very modern, its effectiveness has yet to be positive.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Palliative Procedures
Pleurodesis and chest tube drainage is used as a mesothelioma treatment. This helps to prevent the fluid buildup in the lungs that often occurs with this disease. Doctors will often use some type of sclerosing agent in order to produce adhesion so prevent future fluid buildup.
Pleurectomy may be performed when an extensive surgery cannot be. Many doctors consider this the most effective way of controlling fluid buildup in the lungs. It can help to relieve restricted lung expansion that can be brought on by this disease.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Potentially Curative Procedures
Pleurectomy and/or decortication is typically performed on patients who are in the early stages of mesothelioma (i.e., stage 1 and certain stage 2’s). This procedure is done to try to remove the tumor. If the tumor cannot be removed without the lung being removed as well, this may be done too.
There is a lot of medical research being done on mesothelioma treatment options, so a better prognosis could be fair around the corner. It is considerable to have this disease diagnosed as quickly as possible to get the best results from treatment. If you have ever been exposed to anything that may cause mesothelioma, be sure to have your doctor check you right away.
Sources
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/treat.htm
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Nov 16th, 2011.
15 Cancer Symptoms Men shouldn’t Ignore
Men, heed these possible clues and find cancer early, when it’s more treatable.Some men are notorious foot-draggers, especially when it comes to scheduling doctor visits. That’s unfortunate. Routine preventive care can find cancer in men and other diseases in the early stages, when there are more options for treatment and better chances of a cure. Some men, though, would never go to the doctor except for the women in their life. According to Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer for the national office of the American Cancer Society, women are often the ones who push men to get screened for cancer.
Experts say that men could benefit greatly by being alert to certain cancer symptoms that indicate a trip to the doctor’s office sooner rather than later. Some of those cancer symptoms in men are specific. They involve obvious body parts and may even point directly to the possibility of cancer. Other symptoms are more vague. For instance, pain that affects many body parts could have dozens of explanations and may not be cancer. But that doesn’t mean you can rule out cancer without seeing a doctor.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 1: Breast Mass
If you’re like most men, you’ve probably never considered the possibility of having breast cancer. Although it’s not common, it is possible. “Any new mass in the breast area of a man needs to be checked out by a physician,” Lichtenfeld says.
In addition, the American Cancer Society identifies several other worrisome signs involving the breast that men as well as women should take note of. They include:
Skin dimpling or puckering
Nipple retraction
Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
Nipple discharge
When you consult your physician about any of these signs, expect him to take a careful history and do a physical exam. Then, depending on the findings, the doctor may order a mammogram, a biopsy, or other tests.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 2: Pain
As they age, people often complain of more aches and pains. But pain, as vague as it may be, can be an early symptom of some cancers although most pain complaints are not from cancer.
Any pain that persists, according to the American Cancer Society, should be checked out by your physician. The doctor can take a careful history, get more details, and then decide whether further testing is indispensable, and if so what kind. If it’s not cancer, you will unexcited benefit from the visit to the office. That’s because the doctor can work with you to find out what’s causing the pain and help you know what to do about it.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 3: Changes in the Testicles
Testicular cancer occurs most often in men customary 20 to 39. The American Cancer Society recommends that men get a testicular exam by a doctor as part of a routine cancer-related checkup. And some doctors suggest a monthly self-exam.
“Any change in the size of the testicles, such as growth or shrinkage,” Yu says, “should be a concern.” In addition, swelling or a lump should not be ignored. Nor should a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. Some testicular cancers occur very swiftly. So early detection is especially crucial. Yu recalls a young man who waited until his testicle was the size of a grapefruit before coming in for benefit. “If you feel a hard lump of coal [in your testicle], get it checked right away,” Yu says.
Your doctor will do a testicular exam and an overall assessment of your health. If cancer is suspected, blood tests may be ordered. You may undergo an ultrasound examination of your scrotum. Your doctor may also decide to do a biopsy, taking a tiny sample of testicular tissue to put a question to it for cancer.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 4: Changes in the Lymph Nodes
If you survey a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck — or anywhere else — it could be a reason for concern, says Hannah Linden, MD. Linden is a medical oncologist and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is also a joint associate member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash. “If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it’s been longer than a month, see a doctor,” she says.
Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues that could explain the lymph node enlargement, such as infection. If there is no infection, a doctor will typically order a biopsy.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 5: Fever
If you’ve got an unexplained fever, it may expose cancer. It could also be a sign of pneumonia or some other illness that needs treatment.
Most cancers will cause fever at some point. Often, fever occurs after the cancer has spread from its original site and invaded another part of the body. But it can also be caused by blood cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s best not to ignore a fever that can’t be explained. Check with your doctor to procure out what might be causing it and if anything needs to be done.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 6: Weight Loss Without Trying
Unexpected weight loss is a distress, Lichtenfeld says. “Most of us don’t lose weight easily.” He’s talking about more than simply a few pounds from a stepped up exercise program or to eating less because of a busy schedule. If a man loses more than 10% of his body weight in a short time period such as a matter of weeks, it’s time to see the doctor, he says.
Your doctor will do a general physical, ask you questions about your diet and exercise, and ask about other symptoms. Based on that information, the doctor will decide what other tests are needed.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 7: Gnawing Abdominal Hurt and Depression
“Any guy who’s got a pain in the abdomen and is feeling melancholy needs a checkup,” says Lichtenfeld. Experts have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer. Other symptoms can include jaundice or a change in the stool color, often a gray color.
Expect your doctor to do a careful physical exam and recall a history. The doctor may then order tests such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and, possibly, other scans and tests.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 8: Fatigue
Fatigue is another vague symptom that could point to cancer in men. But a host of other problems could cause it as well. Like fever, fatigue can set in after the cancer has grown. But it may also happen early in cancers such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
If you often feel extremely tired and it doesn’t earn better with rest, check with your doctor. The doctor will evaluate it along with any other symptoms in order to determine what’s causing it and what can be done about it.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 9: Persistent Cough
Coughs are expected, of course, with colds, the flu, and allergies. They are also sometimes a side effect of a medication. But a very prolonged cough — defined as lasting more than three or four weeks — should not be ignored, says Ranit Mishori, MD, assistant professor and director of the family medicine clerkship at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. That kind of cough warrants a visit to the doctor. It could be a symptom of cancer, or it could show some other dilemma such as chronic bronchitis or acid reflux.
Your doctor will rob a careful history, examine your throat, check how your lungs are functioning, and, especially if you are a smoker, perhaps order X-rays. Once the reason for the coughing is identified, the doctor will work with you to determine a treatment plan.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 10: Anxiety Swallowing
Some men may report trouble swallowing but then learn to live with it, Lichtenfeld says. “Over time, they change their diet to a more liquid diet. They start to drink more soup.” But swallowing difficulties, he says, could be a mark of a GI cancer, such as cancer of the esophagus.
Let your doctor know if you are having trouble swallowing. Your doctor will pick a careful history and possibly order a chest X-ray. The doctor may also send you to a specialist for an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus and upper GI tract.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 11: Changes in the Skin
You should be alert to not only changes in moles — a well-known sign of potential skin cancer — but also changes in skin pigmentation, says Mary Daly, MD. Daly is an oncologist and head of the department of clinical genetics at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
She also says that suddenly developing bleeding on your skin or excessive scaling are reasons to check with your doctor. It’s difficult to say how long is too long to observe skin changes, but most experts say not to wait longer than several weeks.
To find out what’s causing the changes, your doctor will take a careful history and perform a careful physical exam. The doctor may also order a biopsy to rule out cancer.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 12: Blood Where It Shouldn’t Be
“Anytime you see blood coming from a body part where you’ve never seen it before, see a doctor,” Lichtenfeld says. “If you start coughing or spitting up blood, have blood in the bowel, or blood in the urine, it’s time for a doctor visit.”
Mishori says it’s a mistake to assume blood in the stool is simply from a hemorrhoid. “It could be colon cancer,” he says.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. The doctor may also order tests such as a colonoscopy, which is an examination of the colon using a long flexible tube with a camera on one end. The purpose of a colonoscopy is to identify any signs of cancer or precancer or to identify what else might be causing the bleeding.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 13: Mouth Changes
If you smoke or chew tobacco, you need to be especially alert for any white patches inside your mouth or white spots on your tongue. Those changes may indicate leukoplakia, a precancerous area that can occur with ongoing irritation. The condition can progress to oral cancer.
You should report the changes to your doctor or dentist. The dentist or doctor will grasp a careful history, examine the changes, and then decide what other tests might be needed.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 14: Urinary Problems
As men age, urinary problems become more frequent, says Yu. He’s talking about the urge to urinate more often, a sense of urgency, and a feeling of not completely emptying the bladder. “Every man will manufacture these problems as he gets older,” he says. “But if you notice it and it concerns you, you should seek attention.” That’s especially true if the symptoms net worse.
Your doctor will do a digital rectal exam, which will tell him whether the prostate gland is enlarged. The gland often enlarges as a man ages. It’s typically caused by a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Your doctor may also order a blood test to check the level of prostate-specific antigen or PSA. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland, and the test is used to encourage determine the possibility of prostate cancer. If the doctor notices abnormalities in the prostate or if the PSA is higher than it should be, your doctor may refer you to an urologist and perhaps order a biopsy.
Cancer Symptom in Men No. 15: Indigestion
A lot of guys, especially as they get older, think “heart attack” when they get bad indigestion, even if they’ve just eaten and drunk their way through a marathon Super Bowl viewing. But persistent indigestion could point to cancer of the esophagus, throat, or stomach and should be reported to your doctor.
Your doctor will take a careful history and ask questions about the indigestion episodes. Based on the history and your answers to the questions, the doctor will decide what tests are needed.
Source: Health News
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Filed under Mesothelioma Symptoms by on Nov 18th, 2011.
Father’s Day is a joyous time for most families, as they honor their father with gifts and other ways to exhibit dad how considerable he is loved and appreciated. But for those of us whose father has passed on, Father’s Day can bring a sense of sadness and loss. Yet there are ways that we can still honor our deceased father on Father’s Day.
Visit Him
Engage a trip down memory lane by going to one of your father’s well-liked places. Perhaps he had a accepted fishing region, from which many “fish stories” originated. Maybe he had a favorite place he liked to walk, to golf, or a favorite restaurant. Go to this favorite place of dad’s and he will be walking honest along side of you.
Visit your father’s final place of rest. Steal white flowers, which is the symbol of a deceased loved one. There are also many nice plaques and statuettes available at monument companies, garden centers and retail stores in the garden department that screech love for a departed loved one. You may want to honor dad by placing one of these at his final place of rest. Spend time there; update dad on everything positive going on with you and the family.
Cook For Him
One thing about dads is that they love to eat. On this Father’s Day, prepare dinner with all dads’ favorites, apt down to his favorite dessert. Don’t forget to site a place for him at the table, because he will be there. Perhaps family members can go around the table and tell him of a special or just fun memory they have of time spent with him. If that is too noteworthy for your family, then spend some quiet time with dad to tell him how mighty you love him on Father’s Day and every day.
Give For Him
If dad had a favorite charity, mediate a donation to that charity in his memory. If dad died of a specific disease or medical condition such as a heart attack, think a donation to the American Heart Association. If he died of cancer, mesothelioma, COPD or diabetes, then a donation in his memory to the American Cancer Society, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, American Lung Association, or American Diabetes Association would be a nice gesture. But when considering a charity, only give to famed, reputable charities. Many of the scams easily fool people these days.
Plant a Tree for Him
Now is the time when garden centers have a amazing selection of trees, perfect to plant in the back yard in memory of dad. Consider a small plaque at the base of the tree with dad’s name and that it is to honor him on Father’s Day.
However you choose to honor your deceased father on Father’s Day, there is no wrong way, and he will surely be looking down smiling, knowing that his child is such a wonderful, loving person.
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Filed under Mesothelioma Awareness by on Nov 19th, 2011.
What is ascites?
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid (usually serous fluid which is a pale yellow and clear fluid) in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. The abdominal cavity is located below the chest cavity, separated from it by the diaphragm. Ascitic fluid can have many sources such as liver disease, cancers, congestive heart failure, or kidney failure.
What causes ascites?
The most celebrated cause of ascites is advanced liver disease or cirrhosis. Approximately 80% of the ascites cases are thought to be due to cirrhosis. Although the exact mechanism of ascites development is not completely understood, most theories suggest portal hypertension (increased pressure in the liver blood flow) as the main contributor. The basic principle is similar to the formation of edema elsewhere in the body due to an imbalance of pressure between inside the circulation (high pressure system) and outside, in this case, the abdominal cavity (low pressure region). The increase in portal blood pressure and decrease in albumin (a protein that is carried in the blood) may be responsible in forming the pressure gradient and resulting in abdominal ascites.
Other factors that may contribute to ascites are salt and water retention. The circulating blood volume may be perceived uncouth by the sensors in the kidneys as the formation of ascites may deplete some volume from the blood. This signals the kidneys to reabsorb more salt and water to compensate for the volume loss.
Some other causes of ascites related to increased pressure gradient are congestive heart failure and advanced kidney failure due to generalized retention of fluid in the body.
In rare cases, increased pressure in the portal system can be caused by internal or external obstruction of the portal vessel, resulting in portal hypertension without cirrhosis. Examples of this can be a mass (or tumor) pressing on the portal vessels from inside the abdominal cavity or blood clot formation in the portal vessel obstructing the normal flow and increasing the pressure in the vessel (for example, the Budd-Chiari syndrome).
There is also ascites formation as a result of cancers, called malignant ascites. These types of ascites are typically manifestations of advanced cancers of the organs in the abdominal cavity, such as, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer, or ovarian cancer.
Pancreatic ascites can be seen in people with chronic (long standing) pancreatitis or inflammation of pancreas. The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is prolonged alcohol abuse. Pancreatic ascites can also be caused by acute pancreatitis as well as trauma to the pancreas.
What are the types of ascites?
Traditionally, ascites is divided into 2 types; transudative or exudative. This classification is based on the amount of protein found in the fluid.
A more useful system has been developed based on the amount of albumin in the ascitic fluid compared to the serum albumin (albumin measured in the blood). This is called the Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient or SAAG.
- Ascites related to portal hypertension (cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, Budd-Chiari) is generally greater than 1.1.
- Ascites caused by other reasons (malignant, pancreatitis) is lower than 1.1.
What are the risk factors for ascites?
The most common cause of ascites is cirrhosis of the liver. Many of the risk factors for developing ascites and cirrhosis are similar. The most common risk factors include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and long standing alcohol abuse. Other potential risk factors are related to the other underlying conditions, such as congestive heart failure, malignancy, and kidney disease.
What are the symptoms of ascites?
There may be no symptoms associated with ascites especially if it is mild (usually less than about 100 – 400 ml in adults). As more fluid accumulates, increased abdominal girth and size are commonly seen. Abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating are also frequently seen as ascites becomes larger. Shortness of breath can also happen with huge ascites due to increased pressure on the diaphragm and the migration of the fluid across the diaphragm causing pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs). A cosmetically disfiguring titanic belly, due to ascites, is also a common effort of some patients.
When should I call my doctor about ascites?
People with ascites should be routinely followed by their primary physician and any specialists that may be involved in their care. Gastroenterologists (specialists in gastrointestinal diseases) and hepatologist (liver specialists) commonly see patients with ascites due to liver disease. Other specialists can also care for patients with ascites based on the possible cause and the underlying condition. The specialists usually ask the patient to first contact their primary physician if ascites increase. If ascites is causing symptoms of shortness of breath, abdominal discomfort,or inability to do normal daily tasks such as walking, the patient’s primary doctor should be notified.
How is ascites diagnosed?
The diagnosis of ascites is based on physical examination in conjunction with a detailed medical history to ascertain the possible underlying causes since ascites is often considered a nonspecific symptom for other diseases. If ascites fluid is greater than 500ml, it can be demonstrated on physical examination by bulging flanks and fluid waves performed by the doctor examining the abdomen. Smaller amounts of fluid may be detected by an ultrasound of the abdomen. Occasionally, ascites is found incidentally by an ultrasound or a CT scan done for evaluating other conditions.
Diagnosis of underlying condition(s) causing ascites is the most important part of thought the reason(s) for a person to develop ascites. The medical history may provide clues to the underlying cause(s) and typically includes questions about previous diagnosis of liver disease, viral hepatitis infection and its risk factors, alcohol abuse, family history of liver disease, heart failure, cancer history, and medication history.
Blood work can play an critical role in evaluating the cause of ascites. A complete metabolic panel can detect patterns of liver injury, functional status of the liver and kidney, and electrolyte levels. A complete blood count is also useful by providing clues to underlying conditions. Coagulation (clotting) panel abnormalities (prothrombin time) may be abnormal because of liver dysfunction and inadequate production of clotting proteins.
Sometimes the possible underlying causes of ascites may not be determined based on the history, examination, and review of laboratory data and imaging studies. Analysis of the fluid may be necessary in order to obtain further diagnostic data. This procedure is called paracentesis, and it is performed by trained physicians. It involves sterilizing an area on the abdomen and, with the guidance of ultrasound, inserting a needle into the abdominal cavity and withdrawing fluid for further analysis.
For diagnostic purposes, a cramped amount (20cc, for example) may be enough for adequate testing. Larger amounts can be withdrawn if needed to reveal symptoms associated with increased abdominal ascites, up to a few liters (large volume paracentesis).
The analysis is done by sending the collected fluid to the laboratory promptly after drainage. Typically, the number and components of white blood cells and red blood cells (cell count), albumin level, gram stain and culture for any possible organisms, amylase level, glucose, total protein, and cytology (malignant or cancerous cells) are analyzed in the laboratory. The results are then analyzed by the treating doctor for further evaluation and determination of the possible cause of ascites.
What is the treatment for ascites?
The treatment of ascites largely depends on the underlying cause. For example, peritoneal carcinomatosis or malignant ascites may be treated by surgical resection of the cancer and chemotherapy, while management of ascites related to heart failure is directed toward treating heart failure with medical management and dietary restrictions.
Because cirrhosis of the liver is the main cause of ascites, it will be the main focus of this fragment.
Diet
Managing ascites in patients with cirrhosis typically involves limiting dietary sodium intake and the use of diuretics (water pills). Restricting dietary sodium (salt) intake to less than 2 grams per day is very practical, successful, and widely recommended for patients with ascites. In majority of cases, this approach needs to be combined with the utilize of diuretics as salt restriction alone is generally not an effective way to treat ascites. Consultation with a nutrition expert in regards to daily salt restriction can be very helpful for patients with ascites.
Medication
Diuretics increase water and salt excretion from the kidneys. The recommended diuretic regimen in the setting of liver related ascites is a combination of spironolactone (Aldactone) and furosemide (Lasix). Single daily dose of 100 milligrams of spironolactone and 40 milligrams of furosemide is the usual recommended initial dosage. This can be gradually increased to obtain appropriate response to the maximum dosage of 400 milligrams of spironolactone and 160 milligrams of furosemide, as long as the patient can tolerate the dose increase without any side effects. Taking these medications together in the morning is typically advised to prevent frequent urination during the night.
Therapeutic paracentesis
For patients who do not respond well to or cannot tolerate the above regimen, frequent therapeutic paracentesis (a needle carefully is placed into the abdominal area, under sterile conditions) can be performed to bewitch ample amounts of fluids. A few liters (up to 4 to 5 liters) of fluid can be removed safely by this procedure each time. For patients with malignant ascites, this procedure may also be more effective than diuretic employ.
Surgery
For more refractory cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to control the ascites. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) is procedure done through the internal jugular vein (the main vein in the neck) under local anesthesia by an interventional radiologist. A shunt is placed between the portal venous system and the systemic venous system (veins returning blood serve to the heart), thereby reducing the portal pressure. This way is reserved for patients who have minimal response to aggressive medical treatment. It has been shown to reduce ascites and either limit or eliminate the use of diuretics in a majority of cases performed. However, it is associated with significant complications such as hepatic encephalopathy (confusion) and even death.
More traditional shunt placements (peritoneovenous shunt and systemic portosystemic shunt) have been essentially abandoned due to their high rate of complications.
Liver transplant
Finally, liver transplantation for advanced cirrhosis may be considered a treatment for ascites due to liver failure. Liver transplant involves a very complicated and prolonged process and it requires very close monitoring and management by transplant specialists.
What are the complications for ascites?
Some complications of ascites can be related to its size. The accumulation of fluid may cause breathing difficulties by compressing the diaphragm and formation of pleural effusion.
Infections are another serious complication of ascites. In patients with ascites related to portal hypertension, bacteria from the gut may spontaneously invade the peritoneal fluid (ascites) and cause an infection. This is called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or SBP. Antibodies are rare in ascites and, therefore, the immune response in the ascitic fluid is very limited. The diagnosis of SBP is made by performing a paracentesis and analyzing the fluid for the number of white blood cells or evidence of bacterial growth.
Hepatorenal syndrome is a rare, but serious and potentially deadly (average survival rates range from 2 weeks to about 3 months) complication of ascites related to cirrhosis of the liver leading to progressive kidney failure. The dependable mechanism of this syndrome is not well known, but it may result from shifts in fluids, impaired blood glide to the kidneys, overuse of diuretics, and administration of contrasts or drugs that may be cross to the kidney.
Can ascites be prevented?
The prevention of ascites largely involves preventing the risk factors of the underlying conditions leading to ascites.
In patients with known advanced liver disease and cirrhosis of any cause, avoidance of alcohol intake can markedly reduce the risk of forming ascites. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.)] should also be limited in patients with cirrhosis as they may diminish the blood hobble to the kidneys, thus, limiting the salt and water excretion. Complying with dietary salt restrictions is also another simple preventive measure to reduce ascites.
What is the outlook (prognosis) for ascites?
The outlook on ascites primarily depends on its underlying cause and severity.
In general, the prognosis of malignant ascites is poor. Most cases have a mean survival time between 20 to 58 weeks, depending on the type of malignancy as shown by a group of investigators.
Ascites due to cirrhosis usually is a sign of advanced liver disease and it usually has a fair prognosis (3 year survival about 50%).
Ascites due to heart failure has a fair prognosis as the patient may live years with appropriate treatments (survival averaged about 1.7 years for men and about 3.8 for women in one large study).
Ascites At A Glance
- Ascites refers to abnormal accumulation fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.
- The most common cause of ascites is cirrhosis of the liver.
- Treatment of ascites depends on its underlying cause.
Other sources of information on ascites
- eMedicine.com, “Ascites.”
- eMedicineHealth.com, “Congestive Heart Failure.”
- eMedicine.com, “Cardiac Cirrhosis.”
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Filed under Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma by on Nov 25th, 2011.
There are several different mesothelioma treatment options. The treatment program prescribed will depend on many things such as the patient’s age, the patient’s wants, the look of the cancer cells (microscope), how powerful the cancer has spread, where the cancer is located and the stage of the cancer. Getting a mesothelioma treatment view as soon as possible is extremely important if you put a question to success.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Will Treatments Work?
For some, yes. The average survival rate is said to be eight to twelve months, but many patients have exceeded this. Time is the most important factor when it comes to effective treatment. One treatment program (Dr. Sugarbaker’s treatment program at the Brigham and Woman’s Center in Boston) boasts a 40% five year survival rate when treated within a specific time frame. Patients must meet a positive criteria to qualify for this program.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Conventional Cancer Treatments
Some patients will undergo surgery in order to try and remove the cancer. Some patients will go through chemotherapy to try to fight the cancer. Some patients will go through radiation therapy to try to kill the cancer cells. Often times a combination on two or all of these methods is broken-down when trying to treat mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Mesomark Blood Test
This mesothelioma treatment option was approved by the FDA in January of 2007. This treatment was introduced as a way to help monitor how a patient is responding to treatment. This test measures the amount to SMRP (soluble mesothelin-related peptide) in the blood to choose a patients progress. Since this treatment option is still very unique, its effectiveness has yet to be determined.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Palliative Procedures
Pleurodesis and chest tube drainage is used as a mesothelioma treatment. This helps to prevent the fluid buildup in the lungs that often occurs with this disease. Doctors will often use some type of sclerosing agent in order to produce adhesion so prevent future fluid buildup.
Pleurectomy may be performed when an extensive surgery cannot be. Many doctors judge this the most effective map of controlling fluid buildup in the lungs. It can help to relieve restricted lung expansion that can be brought on by this disease.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Potentially Curative Procedures
Pleurectomy and/or decortication is typically performed on patients who are in the early stages of mesothelioma (i.e., stage 1 and distinct stage 2’s). This procedure is done to try to remove the tumor. If the tumor cannot be removed without the lung being removed as well, this may be done too.
There is a lot of medical research being done on mesothelioma treatment options, so a better prognosis could be just around the corner. It is important to have this disease diagnosed as quickly as possible to pick up the best results from treatment. If you have ever been exposed to anything that may cause mesothelioma, be sure to have your doctor check you right away.
Sources
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/treat.htm
Tags: adenocarcinoma prognosis, asbestosis prognosis, Mesothelioma Prognosis, Mesothelioma Symptoms, Mesothelioma WikiRelated posts
Filed under Mesothelioma Diagnosis by on Nov 28th, 2011.