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Posted by Asbestos Poot
Friday, February 24, 2012
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Chemotherapy is the use of very strong anticancer drugs to kill colon cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment and will address cancer that is in the entire
body which is why it is often used to prevent spread or to treat cancer that has
already spread. This is not the only reason why chemotherapy is used so if you
doctor suggests treatment with chemotherapy drugs do not assume that your
cancer has spread and metastesized.
Chemotherapy plays a few roles in the treatment of colon cancer.
used to kill colon cancer cells that might have not been removed during surgical
removal of the colon cancer.
reduces the size of the tumor before surgery is performed
used to treat colon cancer by controlling the growth of the tumor.
used to relieve some of the symptoms of the colon cancer.
reduce the likelihood of recurrence
Chemotherapy is often used after surgery is performed to eliminate cancer cells that
may have been left behind and not removed by surgery. The chemotherapy can be
administered through an IV (intravenously) or in pill form. Once the chemotherapy
drugs enter the bloodstream they can reach cancer cells in all parts of the body.
Some studies have shown that using a regimen of chemotherapy after surgery for
colon cancer can increase the surivival rates for some stages of colon and rectal
cancers.
In patients with advanced colorectal cancer chemotherapy is often useful in relieving
the symptoms of the cancer.
Who is given Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer?
The general opinion in the medical community differs on whether chemotherapy for
Stage II colon cancer will be beneficial to the patient after surgery. It is usually only
advisable in very high risk patients.
Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is the standard of care for patients with Stage
III colorectal cancer. Also patients with Stage IV cancers of the colon or rectum can
benefit from the use of chemotherapy as it often will help to shrink the tumor,
increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life.
How is Chemotherapy Administered for Colorectal Cancer?
The use of adjuvant chemotherapy typically involves monthly administration of the
chemotherapy drugs for usually 6 to 8 months. Usually on or a combination of the
following drugs are administered:
5-FU (5-fluorouracil)
leucovorin
irinotecan
oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
The standard adjuvant chemotherapy combination for colon cancer consists of 5-FU
and leucovorin.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy can produce some side effects. The type of side effects experiences
depends upon the type of chemotherapy drugs used, how much of the drugs are
given and the period of time they are administered. The side effects also depend on
the individual.
The most common side effects for 5FU :
the feeling of being sick
diarrhea
sore mouth or mouth ulcers
drop in blood cell count
overall feeling of tiredness
The most common side effects of irinotecan :
increased perspiration
increase in the production of saliva
watery eyes
pain or cramps in the abdomen
diarrhea
overall feeling of being sick
drop in blood cell count
overall feeling of tiredness
hair thinning or loss
The most common side effects of oxaliplatin:
feeling of being sick
numbness or tingling of the extremeties
numbness in the lips
Article Source: ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Colon cancer is more commonly known as bowel cancer, this is where there is a malignant growth in the colon.
Early symptoms of colon cancer can include a change in bowel movements either constipation or diahoerria , pain in the lower abdomen, blood mixed in with the faeces. These symptoms are fairly mundane, so often go un-noticed causing the tumor to grow undetected, inperticulally as people still find it hard to discuss there bowel movements with anybody especially there
Doctor. Occasionally there are no symptoms until the tumor has got so large that it causes a blockage in the intestine or
Could possibly even perforate the intestine.
Some forms of colon cancer can be genetic/hereditary however in some cases of colon cancer the precise reason people
Contract the disease is unknown. Diet may be cause of colon cancer, eating a lot of meat, too much fatty foods and not enough fiber, fruit and vegetables all add up to a un-healthy diet so increasing the risk of colon cancer.
The tests carried out to diagnose colon cancer include a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy is when a camera is inserted into the anus to examine the rectum and the sigmoid colon. A colonoscopy is when a flexible fibre-optic camera
Called a colonscope is put into the body via the anus and fed along the colon. Instruments may be fed down the colonscope
So this is how a biopsy would be performed.
Colon cancer can often occur with other diseases of the colon, for example ulcerative colitis.
The chance of a cure for colon cancer depends on whether you get a early enough diagnosis. Surgery is the best chance of
Survival and sometimes radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be offered, but there would be no guarenties of a very long term future. The surgical procedure involves a general anesthetic and the diseased part of the colon is removed plus a bit extra on both sides to make sure they have it all. The amount of colon that has to be removed varies from person to person but the
Majority of people will end up with a colostomy. This is where a small inscision is made in the stomach and the healthy colon
Is pulled through it and secured this is called a stoma. The stoma makes it possible for the person to still have there bowels opened by means of a colostomy bag which is attached to the stoma usually by a adhesive. These bags are disposable and
Keep all smells etc in [until you change them when the bowel has worked]. The colostomy is sometimes only temporary depending on how much bowel was removed. If it is to be only temporary it could be there for up to six months just to allow the colon to heal without faeces being past through it. If the colostomy is to be permanent than the anus may be sewn up whilst the person is in theatre having there diseased colon removed and the stoma made.
Colon cancer is still a large killer but mostly because people do not get it diagnosed early enough. The survival rate is much better when diagnoses are made early as treatment can begin and may not end up being so evasive. It is a shame to die from embarrassment is it not.
Article Source: ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Saturday, February 18, 2012
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There are many cases of colon cancer today, with significantly more people being diagnosed with this potentially deadly disease below age 50 than previously. Colon cancer used to be considered a disease of the elderly, but nowadays many younger people are diagnosed with this kind of disease. This is more because of unhealthy lifestyles such as eating habits, lack of exercises and many other factors.
People tend to consume junk food and any other foods that are over-processed and contain high fat and sugar. This allows the chemically-laced food to sit in colon for longer time and lead to the cancer disease.
Several ways to keep your colon healthy:
1. Balancing your diet
A balance diet will supply your body with sufficient nutrition: balance in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. It will be better to get all these nutritions naturally by consuming healthy foods such as: fresh vegetables and beans, fish, fruits, seafood and milk. Taking daily supplements also will help.
2. Reduce over-processed foods
Reduce intake of over-processed foods, especially fried foods because these foods contain of high fat that is dangerous to health. You can also choose organic foods that are higher in nutrition. Avoid sausage, hot dogs, ham, and many of which contain salt, sodium nitrites and sodium nitrates, which play big role in leading to colon cancer.
3. Exercise regularly
Do exercise at least 3 times a week is adequate to maintain your stamina and health. If you have any disease, it would be wise to consult with your doctor what exercise suits your current condition.
4. Drink eight glasses of water daily
Adequate water is essential to your body and will help to clean your system by gently washing out offensive bacteria and germs that can harbor in the colon and lead to illness or problems.
5. Colon cleansing
Colon cleansing method has been so popular as an option to keep your colon healthy. Consult with your doctor if you wish to take this method.
6. Visit your doctor and have an annual medical check-up to prevent diseases.
Article Source: ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Friday, February 17, 2012
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My father recently was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he exhibited some of normal Brain Tumor Symptoms. However he did not have all the typical symptoms of a brain tumor, this is quite common for someone to only exhibit a selection of the normal brain tumor symptoms.
So what are the brain tumor symptoms you should look out for?
Brain Tumor Symptoms are very much related to where in the brain the tumor is located. This is a short summary of what symptoms are related to which part of the brain.
Frontal lobe - Tumors in the Frontal lobe can cause the following: changes in personality or intellect, unco-ordination especially in walking, some weakness usually in one side of the body, some speech difficulties.
Parietal lobe - Tumors in the Parietal lobe can cause the following: difficulty in understanding words reading and writing, problems with movements especially co-ordination of movements, disorientation
numbers and calculations, weakness on one side of the body.
Occipital lobe - Tumors in the Occipital lobe can cause the following: vision impairment especially on one side.
Temporal lobe - Tumors in the Temporal lobe can cause the following: Fits, strange feelings like fear or familiarity like dé jà vu, unusual smells, blackouts, difficulties with speech, memory problems.
Cerebellum - Tumors in the Cerebellum can cause the following: Co-ordination affecting walking and speech, unsteadiness, involuntary movement of the eyes - flickering, vomiting and nausea, neck stiffness.
Brain stem - Tumors in the Brain Stem can cause the following: Unsteadiness usually un-coordinated walking, Facial weakness can be one-sided smile or eyelid that droops, vision issues usually double vision, speaking and swallowing difficulties.
As you can see the different tumors exhibit different symptoms.
You need to look out for any brain tumor symptoms and if there appears to be a problem get it check by a qualified medical person immediately.
source : ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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There is no known cause of brain cancer. Extensive research has been conducted to pinpoint a cause to help prevent the cancer from occurring. Although there has not been very much conclusive evidence leading to a cause of brain cancer, the one thing that doctors do know is that brain cancer is not contagious and it does not occur due to head injury. There are known instances where cancer has spread to the brain from other parts of the body.(Lung cancer,Breast cancer,Liver cancer and so on.)
Brain cancer can occur at any age. Studies have shown that two major age groups are affected. From ages 3 to 12 and 40 to 70 are the age groups when brain cancer is formed. Since researchers have been able to gather this data, it has led to the discovery of some risk factors. Workers in certain industries are at a higher risk for brain cancer than workers in other industries. These include, rubber manufacturing, drug manufacturing, and oil refining. Since brain cancer often occurs with members of the same family, heredity is believed to be another cause of brain cancer.
There are many different kinds of cells in the brain, each with a different function. Sometimes the cells inside the brain begin to grow uncontrollably leading to a tumor. A tumor in the brain may or may not be malignant.If benign a tumor stays where it starts, although it can grow very large and put pressure on crucial areas. In the case of a malignant brain tumor however this has the ability to spread and brain cancer occurs. Brain cancer is dangerous and life-threatening as the cancerous cells can interrupt vital brain functions. When brain cancer occurs, the cells continue to grow at a rapid pace. The cells and tissue around these cancerous cells become crowded out and invaded.
Symptoms of brain cancer include headaches that are worse in the morning, changes in personality, abnormal eye movements, and weakness in the arms and legs. Seizures, nausea, and drowsiness are other symptoms of brain cancer.
Surgery is the treatment of choice for primary brain tumors radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the treatments that are used when cancer has spread to the brain. The doctor will use one or a combination of these treatments depending on the needs of the patient.
source : ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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We all know the function of brain. It is the main control center of our body that monitors/instructs everything thing in our body. Any disease that affects this central control system is really a big problem. And the worst thing to happen is brain cancer. Brain cancer is the development of brain tumors i.e. tumors in the brain. These could either be benign or malignant; the latter being the really harmful one.
Types of brain cancer
As most other types of cancer, brain cancer is also classified as primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer. Primary brain cancer is the one that originates from the brain itself i.e. that originates in the brain cells. Secondary brain cancers is the one that doesn't originate from the brain cells but is instead passed on from another organ/ part of the body
Causes of brain cancer
As is the case with many other types of cancer, the causes of brain cancer is a big topic for researchers. However, certain genetic conditions and exposure of head to radiation (as received during radiotherapy as part of treatment of other conditions) are known to be causes of cancer. There are a number of other theories that keep coming up time and again, each suggesting different possible causes of brain tumor (one famous one is about mobile phones causing brain cancer). However, there really isn't a very convincing theory about what causes brain cancer.
Symptoms of brain cancer
Some very common symptoms of brain cancer are headaches and nausea; but these can really be caused by something else. So, headache and nausea shouldn't really be taken as brain cancer. Some other symptoms of brain cancer are related to incorrect working of some of the basic senses (that are mainly governed by brain) e.g. speech, vision and smell etc. Again, there is no point in getting worried all by yourself; you should, in any case, consult a qualified doctor and let them know clearly about the various symptoms that you have observed. The doctor can then diagnose whether it is brain cancer. You might be referred to a neurologist for further examination (if brain cancer is suspected).
Diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer
The diagnosis of brain cancer will include tests that are based on the working of the nervous system. So, testing of basic human senses like vision, speech, hearing, mental capability, reflexes is taken up for diagnosis of brain cancer. The treatment of brain cancer is done through surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy (and the combination of these).
source : ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Sunday, February 12, 2012
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One antidote to cancer is information.
In general our responses to cancer are converging, but very slowly. Presently all cancer authorities are agreed on only one thing:
Cancer cannot take hold in a healthy immune system
The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) is promoting prevention as a better option than treatment and particularly targeting smoking as the highest recogniseable risk area. The Cancer Research Institute (C.R.I.) is seeking vaccines that support the body's own ability to heal. Alternative and holistic approaches seek to do the same with diet, nutrition, lifestyle and other choices.
Different philosophies of medicine achieve 'immune support' in various ways not considered by orthodox Western medicine, which concentrates mainly on 'drugs and surgery' as an afterthought to disease, often just adding more toxins and stress to an overloaded system. Alternative treatments take many forms to support the body in its own healing process.
Although we have constant new biological treatments promised, they usually only apply to a small percentage of cancer types. Change in this field is agonisingly slow and in some cases utterly stuck. Medical science is failing to adapt to the new 'quantum theory' sciences that see the human body from an energy or 'vibrational' perspective. Western 'allopathic' medicine continues to refuse integration with other, older medical philosophies such as Chinese, Ayurvedic, Tibetan, Homeopathy, Herbalism or vibrational treatment.
In truth we don't even have a research methodology that will cope with assessing different treatment forms and levels tuned to an individual patient. So far it is much easier for the orthodox to just deny the effectiveness of alternative ways of healing because they do not make rational scientific sense, than it is to extend their model to include other healing models. The fiscal interest of pharmaceutical companies is also a factor in our lack of access to holistic treatments
The complex cancer situation effects us all directly. One in three people in the 'West' now gets cancer at some point. Many factors are combining to aggravate acute degenerative disorders such as cancer or heart disease, the two top killers in the Western World. These expose the unwary to dangers and this includes the toxic side-effects of allopathic treatments - it is emerging that the third biggest killer may be 'allopathic medicine' itself !
The Cancer Research Industry
Research shows that in UK every year somewhere between £450 to £500 million is spent on cancer research by the pharmaceutical industries, charitable organisations and government. In US an estimated $14 billion dollars (£7.72 billion) are spent. A hard-hitting report published in March 2004 by Fortune, an American business magazine and written by Cliff Leaf, himself a cancer survivor, suggests that for several reasons much of this funding and research is misdirected. He claims that despite a total of $200 billion spent on cancer research since 1971 that mortality rates are basically unchanged. The report was all but ignored by mainstream media.
What if he's right? What is much of this money is wasted? What if the research is misdirected? What if much of the work serves no real purpose beyond the generation of profit? That would mean that the cancer research industry is one of the biggest bandwagons ever. Despite many more billions spent world-wide on cancer research there seems very little to show for it. After seeing friends and family cut down in their prime by cancer, and its allopathic treatments, this researcher believes that there is something seriously wrong with accepted wisdom on cancer treatment. The author's local health authority has a twelve million pound overspend this year - the major expenditure? The cost of cancer drugs. Several situations are combining to make cancer a big risk for us all at this time, despite the hard work of many dedicated health service professionals.
Cancer and Orthodox Medical Science
Although medical science has created miracles in dealing with infectious diseases, solving many of the medical problems of the 1940's and 50's, the new weapons against acute degenerative disorders are not yet ready. Genetic testing and counselling, gene therapy, nutrigenomics, advanced (subtle and tuned) radiotherapies, cell therapies, therapuetic cloning, cancer vaccines and even anti-aging therapies are a seemingly constant 10 - 15 years away. This is the 21st century and we are still getting 20th century treatments. This leaves us at the moment in a time of high cancer risk with treatments that are often the medical equivalent of cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. The orthodox treatment of cancer is too often as dangerous as the disease itself.
Alternative treatments for cancer are not given a fair hearing. Information is still actively repressed or marginalised from many sources. The subject of Cancer and alternative treatment must be the original can of worms! Its never a good time to get cancer but there are more options than you might think or even be advised from orthodox treatment centres. For example there are many things one can do to supplement (and ease) orthodox treatments with complementary ones. It is unlikely you will be given information on this unless you seek it out yourself.
Although much research on alternatives is often suppressed there are people who can guide you through the minefield of misinformation, disinformation, ignorance, applied self-interest, politics and other complexities in the field of cancer, whatever choices you make. Support is a central issue in any disease and there are increasing options here with many groups 'online' helping each other with a variety of treatment forms.
An Integrated Approach to Cancer
The cancer discussion needs opening towards a more integrated medicine that is centred on the patient, but even this discussion is presently marginalised. People are finding each other online and comparing notes, even the drug manufacturing industries are predicting that 'patient advocacy' forms a strong part of future medicine. But for true patient advocacy to happen, medical consumers presently need to be at least as, if not better informed than their medical doctors.
There are many options in cancer treatment that are not generally discussed through orthodox medicine. For example group therapy is not widely prescribed or accessible for cancer patients despite the fact that studies show it can actually double survival time. There is mounting evidence of the validity of herbal and nutritional regimes that support the immune system and may complement the sledgehammers of traditional, orthodox treatment, chemo and radiotherapy.
Sometimes complementary therapies are allowed with orthodox treatment but are still limited to only accepted medical philosophies - or that which can be measured through double-blind testing methodologies that basically view every person as the same. The different philosophies of 'medicalism' and 'holism' - which puts people central to their treatment - are still far apart. This is not a situation that is in any way advantageous for those of us who become patients.
Alternative approaches are viewed at best as unproven and are unresearchable using 'quantitative research methodologies'. There are many people wanting a more integrated approach to health care than the drugs and surgery promoted by orthodox allopathic medicine. This is shown by the huge number of people who seek complementary and alternative medicines without the knowledge of their doctors. The main research into treatments that address every aspect of disease and patient still takes place in secret because practices that fall outside of standard medical practice and physicians who offer unconventional cancer treatments may be vulnerable to the civil charge of malpractice. Given the modern quantum sciences and other feasible medical models such as those mentioned there are many more realistic options for treatment than we are presently being offered.
source : ezinearticles
Posted by Asbestos Poot
Saturday, February 11, 2012
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Among the most spread cancers, colon cancer usually occurs in men and women over the age of 50. The main causes of colon cancer are related to the patient's diet: very low in fiber and high in fat and calories. By keeping a healthy life style and good eating habits, you can prevent developing cancer of the colon even before this becomes a problem. You might also want to try and check your family history for cases of colon cancer and adopt a healthier diet in order to make sure you will avoid this problem in the future.
Colon cancer treatments are varied and you can choose from a series of traditional and alternative methods of dealing with this condition. Surgery is often the number one choice - the surgeon removes the tumors on the colon, even if the cancer cells are spread beyond the colon itself. This ensures less problems in the future of the patient's life, reducing chances of bowel problems or internal bleeding. Colon cancer surgery is usually categorized in four main areas: rectum resection, radio frequency ablation, colostomy and colon resection. The surgeon will determine which method is best suited for each individual patient.
Detecting cancer at a very early stage is important, as the problem can be corrected in a decisive and final manner. By using a polypectomy, the surgeon will remove suspicious polyps in order to minimize chances of the disease. Local excision may also be used in early stages, in order to remove the cancer cells. After surgery, your hospital should provide you with ongoing support in order to ensure a fast and efficient recovery.
Intra arterial chemotherapy is another treatment worth consideration. This treatment targets tumors by delivering a powerful dose of chemotherapy. Primary systemic chemotherapy is often used before a surgical procedure in order to destroy a large majority of cancer cells. Systemic therapy is usually used with metastatic cancer, while the third method, adjuvant chemotherapy, targets any cancer cells that might have been left over after surgery. All three chemotherapy procedures are delivered through the hepatic artery and are an option if the cancer has spread to the liver.
Another choice comes from chemoembolization treatment. In addition to being delivered intra arterially, this type of treatment blocks the blood flow to the areas affected by cancer. It traps the chemotherapy drugs in the area of the tumor, thus ensuring that they work efficiently and on target.
Article Source: ezinearticles
