Types of Cancer - Articles - Zimbio

Stop Smoking - You May End up Getting Lung Cancer! Symptoms and Prevention

Sat, 16 Nov 2008 07:01:23 GMT

posted by nicky

More than a million people around the world are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. The number is simply startling! As such it is best to identify the cancer early and prevent it in the best way possible. Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, which is invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. The most common cause of lung cancer is long-term exposure to tobacco smoke. The occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers, who account for as many as 20% of cases, is often attributed to a combination of genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution, including secondhand smoke. During the disastrous 9/11 event, many of the New York firemen suffer from chest illnesses including lung cancer due to high asbestos content in the smoke around GROUND ZERO area.

Lung cancer may be seen on chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT scan). The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy. This is usually performed via bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy. Treatment and prognosis depend upon the histological type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient’s performance status. Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With treatment, the five-year survival rate is 14%.The most common lung cancer symptoms experienced are :

Onset of wheezing
Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis
Shortness of breath
A persistent cough that does not go away

ADVANCED LUNG CANCER

CHEST X-RAY SHOWING TUMOUR ON LEFT SIDE OF THE LUNG

So please stop smoking, stay clear of asbestos dust and uranium plants. Think about your wife and family!

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Do You Have Enough Information About Mesothelioma?

Sun, 17 Nov 2008 11:38:00 GMT

posted by sumank
Mesothelioma is a malignant form of cancer which is developed due to previous exposure to asbestos. The malignant cancer cells develop in protective covering of organs known as mesothelium. The most common sites attacked by these cells are lungs, gastro-intestinal tract and heart.
People who are working at the jobs related to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a misconception that mesothelioma is related to smoking. Let`s have a look on the important signs and symptoms of this type of cancer. The earliest symptom of the disease is shortness of the breath which is also known as dyspnoea. The reason for difficult breathing is the fluid accumulated between the lungs and the chest wall. The second common symptom is pain in the region of the chest and abdomen. Other general symptoms can be weight loss and weakness.
There are many modern procedures which are used in diagnosing mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. The most common methods which are used in making the diagnosis are chest x-rays, computerized tomography, biopsy and microscopic examination. Biopsy sample can be taken with the help of a thoracoscope which is inserted in the chest directed by a camera.
There are many treatment options which are being used in many countries but the disease carries a bad prognosis. Like other forms of cancer the mesothelioma is also treated with the help of combination therapy. Treatment methods which are used in treating asbestos cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes surgery. Research is being conducted to find new treatment options.
Patient suffering from asbestos cancer need legal support for obtaining compensation from the companies. There are many lawyers which are dealing the mesothelioma cases. Every person who is suffering from asbestos cancer is eligible for filling a lawsuit. The patient or his relatives should do a lot of research before selecting an asbestos lawyer. You should go through the work experience of the lawyer or the company providing the legal support. The lawyer should be selected on the basis of his success in mesothelioma cases.
After selecting the lawyer it is very important to spend some time with him. The patient and his relatives should provide all the forms of information. There are many sources which can help you in finding an attorney. You can go through yellow pages. With the help of yellow pages you can easily find several lawyers which specialize in mesothelioma cases.
It is a good idea to look for a lawyer directory online. With the help of a directory you can find an asbestos lawyer in your area. You can also go through several websites and blogs which are devoted to asbestos cancer. It is a good idea look for some law firms. There are many law firms out there which specialize in asbestos cancer cases. Finding good lawyers is not so easy task and needs lots of hard work and commitment. It is a good idea to follow some tips given by the experts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amit_Mahajan_Chakraborty

Mesothelioma

Sat, 16 Nov 2008 00:24:20 GMT

posted by angeleyezbaby

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In mesothelioma , malignant type cells form and develop within the mesothelium, a protective lining which covers the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura which is the outer lining of the lungs, but it can also arise in the peritoneum or the pericardium which protects the heart.

Most people who suffer from mesothelioma have previously worked in a field where exposure to asbestos is high. There are several ways for one to become effected by asbestos. They can inhale asbestos particles, or be exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways, such as washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.

Almost 4,000 people die of Mesothelioma in the United States every year.

Almost 3,000 new cases of Mesothelioma arise each year in the United States.

An estimated 27,500,000 million Americans alone were exposed to asbestos from 1940-1980

All throughout the 20th century more than 30,000,000 tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites.

Even today asbestos remains in buildings, ship yards, schools, and more. Even after the risk of asbestos has been exposed.

Since 2003 more than 700 thousand people have filed claims against asbestos companies

National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year.

Over 2000 people in the United Kingdom were diagnosed with mesothelioma in the year of 2003

Mesothelioma is a rare but serious condition. If you or a loved one as been diagnosed with mesothelioma then please contact a local lawyer as soon as possible.

Mesothelioma and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy - Surviving Mesothelioma

Wed, 13 Nov 2008 09:11:06 GMT

posted by promocomo

Surviving Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Surviving Mesothelioma, NC -5 minutes ago
Reaching a consensus on the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma—a cancer that affects the abdominal lining—has been difficult for doctors, …

More: continued here

Cancer Lecture Notes

Thu, 14 Nov 2008 16:44:00 GMT

posted by Tollywood

Proteases: Visit the lecture notes beside.

Cancer:An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

Discription:

1. Cancer is not one disease. It is a group of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases.

2. Cancer can involve any tissue of the body and have many different forms in each body area. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they start. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), the new tumor bears the same name as the original (primary) tumor.

3. The frequency of a particular cancer may depend on gender. While skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy for both men and women, the second most common type in men is prostate cancer and in women, breast cancer.

4. Cancer frequency does not equate to cancer mortality. Skin cancers are often curable. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the United States today.

5. Benign tumors are NOT cancer; malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer is NOT contagious.

6. Cancer is the Latin word for crab. The ancients used the word to mean a malignancy, doubtless because of the crab-like tenacity a malignant tumor sometimes seems to show in grasping the tissues it invades. Cancer may also be called malignancy, a malignant tumor, or a neoplasm (literally, a new growth).

Role of Proteases in Cancer

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but the risk for most varieties increases with age. Cancer causes about 13% of all deaths.[2] According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died from cancer in the world during 2007. Cancers can affect all animals.

Nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells. These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may be randomly acquired through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers are usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome. New aspects of the genetics of cancer pathogenesis, such as DNA methylation, and microRNAs are increasingly recognized as important.

Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.

Diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of a tissue biopsy specimen by a pathologist, although the initial indication of malignancy can be symptoms or radiographic imaging abnormalities. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for different varieties of cancer. There has been significant progress in the development of targeted therapy drugs that act specifically on detectable molecular abnormalities in certain tumors, and which minimize damage to normal cells. The prognosis of cancer patients is most influenced by the type of cancer, as well as the stage, or extent of the disease. In addition, histologic grading and the presence of specific molecular markers can also be useful in establishing prognosis, as well as in determining individual treatments.

Types of Cancer

1. Bone Cancer:

Primary bone cancers (those that originate in the bone) represent less than 0.2 percent of all cancers. The most common types occur most frequently in children and adolescents and are especially rare in middle-aged adults.

The most common form of bone sarcoma in adults is chondrosarcoma. It usually occurs in adults between the sixth and eighth decades of life. This form of cancer is treated by surgery alone, as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not effective for this entity. Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute has the only physician in central Ohio who is an expert in the management of chondrosarcoma.

The Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology at The James stands at the forefront of research and patient care in this rapidly changing field. Division Director Joel Mayerson, MD, is among the rare orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in musculoskeletal oncology. He leads a multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists focused on early detection and treatment. He also works with Children’s Hospital of Columbus to ensure the best possible treatment for young patients battling the disease.

A good example of the advances made by the musculoskeletal oncology team at The James is the surgery performed by Dr. Mayerson that saved a 10-year-old boy’s leg by replacing the femur with a newly designed expandable prosthesis. It was the first use in the United States of a total femur prosthesis that can be lengthened without surgery as the patient grows.

2. Brain Cancer

Brain cancer, or a primary brain tumor, is a cancer that begins in the tissues of the brain. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, although if not treated, it will grow and the symptoms will worsen over time. Brain cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but research has produced new, more effective treatment methods. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the most commonly used treatments. Our multidisciplinary brain and spine neuro-oncology clinic at The James brings together a team of expert physicians to provide patients the benefit of the latest knowledge and techniques in related areas of specialization.A fund established by the Ohio Supreme Court to further cancer research has provided support for the Dardinger Family Endowed Chair in Oncological Neurosurgery held by E. Antonio Chiocca, MD, PhD, and the Esther Dardinger Endowed Chair in Neuro-Oncology held by Herbert Newton, MD, as well as the opening of the Dardinger Neuro-Oncology Center at Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Co-directed by Chiocca and Newton, the Center is devoted to research and treatment of cancer affecting the central nervous system. In addition, more than $1.5 million per year has been awarded by the National Institutes of Health to Dr. Chiocca and his research group to study the biology of this cancer and find new treatments.With research and treatment areas under one roof at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, we are able to better facilitate translational research and the application of research advances to patient care.

For example:

Patients whose brain tumors were once considered inoperable can now benefit from stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive technique offered by The James that delivers high-dose radiation to a precisely targeted area while sparing healthy tissue. The procedure has low risk, is cost effective and requires only a short hospital stay.Gamma knife surgery is a stereotactic radiosurgery technique used to treat people with brain cancer and other neurological disorders. With this specialized radiation machine, 201 tiny, Cobalt60 radioactive sources precisely direct radiation beams, which all converge in one spot. Complex computer computations are carried out to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient and each tumor. The procedure has been used to treat nearly 80,000 individuals to date. The James is one of the only central Ohio facilities that offers gamma knife surgery.Through the use of intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a global positioning system (GPS) in the operating room, OSUCCC-James surgeons are able to remove brain tumors with greater efficiency and less risk. This technology enables the surgeons to operate while patients are anesthetized, but awake, which is especially effective in helping to preserve patients’ speech functions.

Physicians at The James may also use Peacock Stereotactic Radiotherapy, a radiation treatment method that helps focus treatment precisely to a selected area. The Peacock system is able to hold the head very still, then guide and shape the radiation that destroys the tumor. The dose of radiation is carefully planned to be a safe amount in the right place. Aiming the radiation only at the tumor helps protect other important nerves and areas of the brain.New research at the OSUCCC-James shows than an oncolytic virus (a virus that kills cancer cells) can increase the survival of mice with an incurable human brain tumor. Chiocca says this was a preliminary study, but he believes oncolytic viruses offer a promising new strategy. His collaborators included Yoshinaga Saeki, MD, PhD, chief of the Dardinger Laboratory for Neuro-Oncology and Neurosciences, and post-doctoral fellow Hirokazu Kambara, PhD.

New clinical trials using molecular and conventional forms of chemotherapy are under development and will use drugs such as erlotinib, sunitinib, AQ4N, AZD2171, and dose-intensive temozolomide. Under the direction of Herbert Newton, MD, and Robert Cavaliere, MD, these protocols will become an important clinical resource for brain tumor patients in Ohio and the upper Midwest.The Dardinger Newsletter provides an annual update for Dardinger Neuro-Oncology Center patients, donors and staff about related news, events and research (including open and planned clinical trials.

Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer, a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast, is the most common type of cancer (other than skin cancer) among women. Less than 1 percent of breast cancers occur in men. The risk of getting breast cancer increases with age, and inherited gene mutations or a family history of breast cancer may increase the risk. At Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, our breast cancer experts deliver excellent patient care in a research context. Our Comprehensive Breast Health Services (CBHS) facility in Dublin, Ohio, about 20 minutes from The James and the main Ohio State campus, evaluates and treats more than 500 breast cancer patients annually.

CBHS medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists are specialists in breast cancer. CBHS Co-Directors Charles Shapiro, MD, and William Farrar, MD, are nationally recognized by their peers as being among the “Best Doctors in America,” “Top Doctors in America,” and the “Best Cancer Doctors in America.”Physicians and researchers at the OSUCCC – James work together to make important discoveries that establish new approaches to breast cancer. Examples include:

William Carson, MD: Making standard therapies work better by enhancing the immune system IL-12, herceptin, paclitaxel Pravin Kaumaya, PhD: HER2 peptide vaccine
Barbara Andersen, PhD: Stress and immunity project that evaluates the effect of stress on immune function in breast cancer survivors Electra Paskett, PhD, MsPH: Lymphedema and other survivorship issues in breast cancer survivors Charles Shapiro, MD: Osteoporosis in young women with breast cancer; incorporating biologic agents in combination with known breast cancer chemotherapy drugs (paclitaxel and bortezumab, paclitaxel and suramin, docetaxel and bevacizumab) Richard Love, MD: Effects of ovarian ablation in breast cancer.

Endocrine Cancer:

Endocrine cancers are a mixed group of diseases in which cancer cells are found in tissues of the endocrine system, which includes the thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, parathyroid, and pituitary glands.More than 25,000 people are diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the United States each year, but other types of endocrine cancer are rare. Although tumors of other endocrine glands are not uncommon, they are almost always benign. The difference between a cancer and a benign tumor (“adenoma”) is that cancers spread by invading neighboring or distant tissue, whereas benign tumors do not spread. Because endocrine glands normally secrete hormones, tumors of these glands may also secret hormones, often in abnormal amounts. However, the fact that a tumor secretes a hormone does not make it benign (or cancerous). This feature is determined solely based on the capacity of the tumor to spread out of its normal position.

Gastrointestinal Cancer:

Gastrointestinal cancer (cancer of the digestive system) includes cancers of the esophagus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) and rectum. Some form of gastrointestinal cancer is newly diagnosed in more than 250,000 patients annually in the United States. This amounts to about 20 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers every year.

At The James, we have gastrointestinal oncologists, surgeons, and other cancer experts, and our specialized team approach provides the best cancer research and treatment. With research and treatment areas under one roof, we are able to better facilitate translating research into world-class patient care.

Physicians and researchers at Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute are continually seeking answers to questions about gastrointestinal cancer.

Gynecolical Cancer