Many children suffer from cancers every year, many never finding relief. From Hodgkin Lymphoma and Liver cancer to Leukemia, this article will give information on symptoms, prognosis and when a doctor should be seen.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which are also called leukocytes or WBC. Leukemia causes a large number of white blood cells to be made in the bone marrow, and these cells then crowd the marrow and burst into the blood. They cannot react as regular white blood cells do, and therefore are not useful in protecting the body from disease because they are irregular and defective. There are no causes known at this time for leukemia, but children with genetic disorders such as neurofibromatosis are at a higher risk of developing leukemia due to the medications used to suppress the immune system after transplants.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymph system, which is part of the immune system. This system includes bone marrow, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. Any cancer that begins in the lymph system is called a lymphoma. There is no known cause for this cancer, but evidence of infections may play a part in the development.
Symptoms
Anemia or a low number of red blood cells is normally one of the first signs of leukemia in blood tests as well as a higher than normal white blood cell count. Fevers and recurrent infections are common in children with leukemia due to the white blood cells being defective. Easy bruising or bleeding as well as joint and bone pain, swollen glands in the neck or groin, abnormal tiredness and poor appetite are common symptoms that should be followed up on with a physician. Hodgkin symptoms include swelling or pain in one gland that continues for weeks. Normally the first gland to be noticed is in the neck or armpit. Higher than normal temperature, night sweats as well as weight loss and severe itching are all common symptoms.
When Should You See A Doctor?
If a child has had to take any immune system suppressing medications due to another illness or disease for leukemia or Hodgkin, and a CBC shows higher than normal white blood cells or lower than normal red blood cells, a doctor should be sought. Blood smears that show abnormal blood cells are typically seen in leukemia patients, so if this test has been performed, a oncologist should be seen. If the child has an enlarged liver or spleen, this can often be a sign of some cancers in children, and any concerns you may have should lead you to a physician.
Samara is a busy mom of four including a set of twins and a special needs child. When she isn't running between soccer games and PTA meetings, she is putting her university education to work as a writer hoping to provide useful information for other moms and dads.
http://momskey.com/
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Skin Cancer - Facts You Need to Know
While you have certainly heard of skin cancer, did you know that all three types of skin cancer are on the rise? This includes squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and the most serious form of skin cancer - melanoma. The good news is that almost all forms of skin cancer are preventable by avoiding sun exposure or other forms for ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It is also true that early detection can result in successful treatment of even the most aggressive types of skin cancers.
So what exactly causes skin cancer?
Skin cancer is most likely to form on parts of your body that have the most exposure to sun. The most vulnerable areas include your face, lips, scalp, chest, neck, arms, hands and women' s legs. You might be surprised to learn that skin cancer can also develop in areas of your body that are rarely (or never) exposed directly to sunlight. These areas include between your toes, under your toenails or fingernails, the palms of your hands, and the genital area.
The risk of skin cancer is not limited simply to people with light complexions. But when dark skinned people do develop melanoma, they are more likely to experience it in parts of the body not usually considered to be sun-exposed.
There is also no standard time table for skin cancer to develop. Depending on the type of cancer, a skin lesion can develop slowly over many years or appear very suddenly.
Warning signs of skin cancer are usually visual. For basal cell carcinoma, you may notice a waxy bump on your face, neck or ears, or a flat brown scar-like lesion on your back or chest. Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a firm red nodule, or a flat scaly lesion, on the face, neck, ear, hands or arms.
Melonoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer, can develop anywhere on the body - although it is found most frequently on the trunk, head or neck of men and the arms or legs of women. Melanoma can appear as a large brown spot with darker speckles, or a mole that suddenly changes color or size or bleeds. Melanoma can also appears as a small lesion with an irregular border and blue, red, black or white spots. Shiny, firm dome-shaped bumps can also be a warning sign of melanoma, as well as dark lesions on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, or on the mucous linings of the nose, mouth, anus or vagina.
While not all changes in your skin are cancerous, it is best to have your doctor examine any changes that you notice. With early detection, most skin cancer can be treated. And with proper sun protection, most skin cancer can be avoided altogether.
Barb is an online author who writes on many topics. She is a big believer in keeping a beach umbrella or sun cabana in the car, which she buys online at http://portablesunshade.com
So what exactly causes skin cancer?
Skin cancer is most likely to form on parts of your body that have the most exposure to sun. The most vulnerable areas include your face, lips, scalp, chest, neck, arms, hands and women' s legs. You might be surprised to learn that skin cancer can also develop in areas of your body that are rarely (or never) exposed directly to sunlight. These areas include between your toes, under your toenails or fingernails, the palms of your hands, and the genital area.
The risk of skin cancer is not limited simply to people with light complexions. But when dark skinned people do develop melanoma, they are more likely to experience it in parts of the body not usually considered to be sun-exposed.
There is also no standard time table for skin cancer to develop. Depending on the type of cancer, a skin lesion can develop slowly over many years or appear very suddenly.
Warning signs of skin cancer are usually visual. For basal cell carcinoma, you may notice a waxy bump on your face, neck or ears, or a flat brown scar-like lesion on your back or chest. Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a firm red nodule, or a flat scaly lesion, on the face, neck, ear, hands or arms.
Melonoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer, can develop anywhere on the body - although it is found most frequently on the trunk, head or neck of men and the arms or legs of women. Melanoma can appear as a large brown spot with darker speckles, or a mole that suddenly changes color or size or bleeds. Melanoma can also appears as a small lesion with an irregular border and blue, red, black or white spots. Shiny, firm dome-shaped bumps can also be a warning sign of melanoma, as well as dark lesions on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, or on the mucous linings of the nose, mouth, anus or vagina.
While not all changes in your skin are cancerous, it is best to have your doctor examine any changes that you notice. With early detection, most skin cancer can be treated. And with proper sun protection, most skin cancer can be avoided altogether.
Barb is an online author who writes on many topics. She is a big believer in keeping a beach umbrella or sun cabana in the car, which she buys online at http://portablesunshade.com
Siberian Chaga Used in Russia as Cancer Drug
Chaga grows as a black cankerous mass on birch, dead or living. It may rarely be found on beech, elm, ash or hornbeam as well.
Eurasians have used it for centuries to treat tuberculosis, digestion, and cancers of the heart and liver. [121]
Traditionally, the black "skin" of the mushroom was removed and the light inside boiled into tea. As a naturally compact remedy, it was conveniently portable to ancient healers.
Modern research on chaga has mainly focused on its potential application as an anti-cancer remedy. In Russia, this usage was already approved as early as 1955 to treat lung, stomach, breast and cervical cancers. [122]
One modern study from 1998 showed that chaga extract did in fact inhibit growth of cervical cancer cell lines under lab conditions. [123] Another study from 1995 reported that an isolate of the active compound betulin first inhibited growth of melanoma cells in a lab, and then killed them. [124, 25]
Further research has confirmed that some of the active compounds of Siberian chaga do decrease cancer cell growth. [125, 126]
The black color of chaga is caused by betulin, a medicinally active compound that makes up 30% of the skin. [127] The lighter inside of the mushroom is rich in fungal lanostanes. So chaga tea may be more effective if made with the whole mushroom, including the skin.
Even better are chaga extracts that are made with not only the whole mushroom but also the mycelium, because the mycelium contains higher levels of medicinal proteins than the fruit body of the mushroom.
Other research has found chaga to possess powerful anti-viral properties. In 1996, two studies published results of inhibitory effects on both influenza virus [127] and HIV. [128] Considering the nature of viruses, the most likely scenario is that chaga works on viruses by enhancing the body's own immune system, a theory confirmed by a paper published in 2002 and another in 2005. [25, 129] The same mechanism may explain the reported anti-inflammatory effect of chaga. [130]
Furthermore, alcohol extract of chaga mushroom has been found to lower blood sugar levels. [131] Chaga also demonstrates significant antioxidant properties that help protect the genetic integrity of the cells. [132, 133]
As an interesting anecdote that does not relate to human health but demonstrates the curative power of the Chaga mushroom, Paul Stamets mentions a Quebec arborist who uses a chaga poultice to cure chestnut blight. It not only cures the infection but the tree even becomes blight resistant after treatment. [134]
In his book Mycelium Running, Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown chaga extract to have a beneficial effect: Bacteria; liver conditions; uterine cancer. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material.
Eurasians have used it for centuries to treat tuberculosis, digestion, and cancers of the heart and liver. [121]
Traditionally, the black "skin" of the mushroom was removed and the light inside boiled into tea. As a naturally compact remedy, it was conveniently portable to ancient healers.
Modern research on chaga has mainly focused on its potential application as an anti-cancer remedy. In Russia, this usage was already approved as early as 1955 to treat lung, stomach, breast and cervical cancers. [122]
One modern study from 1998 showed that chaga extract did in fact inhibit growth of cervical cancer cell lines under lab conditions. [123] Another study from 1995 reported that an isolate of the active compound betulin first inhibited growth of melanoma cells in a lab, and then killed them. [124, 25]
Further research has confirmed that some of the active compounds of Siberian chaga do decrease cancer cell growth. [125, 126]
The black color of chaga is caused by betulin, a medicinally active compound that makes up 30% of the skin. [127] The lighter inside of the mushroom is rich in fungal lanostanes. So chaga tea may be more effective if made with the whole mushroom, including the skin.
Even better are chaga extracts that are made with not only the whole mushroom but also the mycelium, because the mycelium contains higher levels of medicinal proteins than the fruit body of the mushroom.
Other research has found chaga to possess powerful anti-viral properties. In 1996, two studies published results of inhibitory effects on both influenza virus [127] and HIV. [128] Considering the nature of viruses, the most likely scenario is that chaga works on viruses by enhancing the body's own immune system, a theory confirmed by a paper published in 2002 and another in 2005. [25, 129] The same mechanism may explain the reported anti-inflammatory effect of chaga. [130]
Furthermore, alcohol extract of chaga mushroom has been found to lower blood sugar levels. [131] Chaga also demonstrates significant antioxidant properties that help protect the genetic integrity of the cells. [132, 133]
As an interesting anecdote that does not relate to human health but demonstrates the curative power of the Chaga mushroom, Paul Stamets mentions a Quebec arborist who uses a chaga poultice to cure chestnut blight. It not only cures the infection but the tree even becomes blight resistant after treatment. [134]
In his book Mycelium Running, Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown chaga extract to have a beneficial effect: Bacteria; liver conditions; uterine cancer. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material.
About the Author:
Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently specializes in medicinal fungi in partnership with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC, an NC business offering Siberian Chaga Mushroom Extract and much more. For the scientific references to this article, go to the Chaga Extract page and click on any number indicating a reference.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Do You Have A Delayed Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Claim?
In cases involving the delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer most people focus only on whether the physician made a mistake. But this is only the first issue that an attorney must address when evaluating a potential claim. The other issue is whether there was any harm to the patient as a result of the physician's mistake, and if there was, was it the type of harm that would merit pursuing a claim.
It is usually easy to determine whether a physician had information, in the form of an elevated PSA test result or an abnormal digital examination, suggestive of possible prostate cancer. It is also usually fairly easy to determine the amount of delay. This is normally the difference between when the patient was diagnosed and when the physician first had the information about the abnormal PSA or digital examination results.
What may be more difficult to determine is the extent of the injury to the patient. Unless the PSA exceeds at least a 10.0 (anything above a 4.0 is considered high) or a bone scan reveals sign of metastasis, even if the cancer has a high Gleason score, most physicians would admit that it is impossible to determine the stage of the cancer without performing surgery. The examination of the specimen collected during the surgery determines whether the cancer had already spread beyond the prostate. Even with a PSA above a 10.0 it is still possible that the cancer is still contained and that surgery can be curative.
Consider a case where a physician performed a PSA blood test on his patient when the patient was 52 years old. The PSA level was 2.0 at that time. This level is generally considered to be well within the normal range. Two years later the physician repeated the PSA test on his patient. This time the result indicated a level of 4.2. This was marked as high in the report provided by the lab that conducted the blood analysis. The physician saw the patient four times over the next two and a half years without ever informing his patient of the abnormal test result or performing a follow-up PSA test. It was more than three years after the abnormal test result that the physician finally performed another PSA test. At this point the results indicated a PSA level of 5.25.
This was the first time the physician informed his patient of the prior elevated level. At this time, the physician referred the patient to a urologist. A biopsy revealed that he had cancer. Surgery revealed that the cancer had already spread to the seminal vesicles and there was evidence of vascular as well as perineal invasion. Given that the cancer had already began spreading beyond the prostate the surgery was not curative. The patient thus underwent hormone therapy. His PSA levels then began to rise post-operatively. This is indicates a poor prognosis making it unlikely that the patient will survive five years beyond the surgery.
The law firm that handled this matter reported that the medical malpractice claim on behalf of the patient and his wife was settled for $550,000. The patient was 60 years old at the time of the settlement. The agreement left the possibility of a wrongful death claim should the patient not survive beyond the applicable statute of limitations.
As this case illustrates, the nature of the injury to the patient was not known until the results of the surgery were reviewed and showed that the cancer had, in fact, already begun spreading outside the prostate. And it was not until the patient
s PSA levels began to rise post-operatively that the true extent of the injury was know. At that point the attorney is in a position to be able to fully evaluate the patient's claim. Notice that the law firm in this case limited the settlement only to the patient's medical malpractice claim.
Understanding the inevitable meaning of the post-surgical rise in the PSA they made certain to leave the possibility of a wrongful death claim open. Of course whether there will later be a wrongful death claim that can be pursued will depend on several factors including whether the patient dies as a result of the cancer or of some other cause and whether it happens during the time frame permitted by the applicable statutes of limitations and statute of repose.
Joseph Hernandez is an Attorney focused on catastrophic injury and medical malpractice cases. To learn more about prostate cancer cases visit his website at http://www.prostatecancerlaw.com/advanced-prostate-cancer.shtml
It is usually easy to determine whether a physician had information, in the form of an elevated PSA test result or an abnormal digital examination, suggestive of possible prostate cancer. It is also usually fairly easy to determine the amount of delay. This is normally the difference between when the patient was diagnosed and when the physician first had the information about the abnormal PSA or digital examination results.
What may be more difficult to determine is the extent of the injury to the patient. Unless the PSA exceeds at least a 10.0 (anything above a 4.0 is considered high) or a bone scan reveals sign of metastasis, even if the cancer has a high Gleason score, most physicians would admit that it is impossible to determine the stage of the cancer without performing surgery. The examination of the specimen collected during the surgery determines whether the cancer had already spread beyond the prostate. Even with a PSA above a 10.0 it is still possible that the cancer is still contained and that surgery can be curative.
Consider a case where a physician performed a PSA blood test on his patient when the patient was 52 years old. The PSA level was 2.0 at that time. This level is generally considered to be well within the normal range. Two years later the physician repeated the PSA test on his patient. This time the result indicated a level of 4.2. This was marked as high in the report provided by the lab that conducted the blood analysis. The physician saw the patient four times over the next two and a half years without ever informing his patient of the abnormal test result or performing a follow-up PSA test. It was more than three years after the abnormal test result that the physician finally performed another PSA test. At this point the results indicated a PSA level of 5.25.
This was the first time the physician informed his patient of the prior elevated level. At this time, the physician referred the patient to a urologist. A biopsy revealed that he had cancer. Surgery revealed that the cancer had already spread to the seminal vesicles and there was evidence of vascular as well as perineal invasion. Given that the cancer had already began spreading beyond the prostate the surgery was not curative. The patient thus underwent hormone therapy. His PSA levels then began to rise post-operatively. This is indicates a poor prognosis making it unlikely that the patient will survive five years beyond the surgery.
The law firm that handled this matter reported that the medical malpractice claim on behalf of the patient and his wife was settled for $550,000. The patient was 60 years old at the time of the settlement. The agreement left the possibility of a wrongful death claim should the patient not survive beyond the applicable statute of limitations.
As this case illustrates, the nature of the injury to the patient was not known until the results of the surgery were reviewed and showed that the cancer had, in fact, already begun spreading outside the prostate. And it was not until the patient
s PSA levels began to rise post-operatively that the true extent of the injury was know. At that point the attorney is in a position to be able to fully evaluate the patient's claim. Notice that the law firm in this case limited the settlement only to the patient's medical malpractice claim.
Understanding the inevitable meaning of the post-surgical rise in the PSA they made certain to leave the possibility of a wrongful death claim open. Of course whether there will later be a wrongful death claim that can be pursued will depend on several factors including whether the patient dies as a result of the cancer or of some other cause and whether it happens during the time frame permitted by the applicable statutes of limitations and statute of repose.
Joseph Hernandez is an Attorney focused on catastrophic injury and medical malpractice cases. To learn more about prostate cancer cases visit his website at http://www.prostatecancerlaw.com/advanced-prostate-cancer.shtml
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Survival Statistics Of Cancer
Explaining Cancer Survival Statistics
Just like any other statistics, cancer survival statistics express statistical probability. It is the approximate calculation of the amount of cancer patients who will survive cancer regardless of their condition. Statistics can be good or bad.
As stated by Sen. Mitch McConnell on Health-Care Reform
Senate Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"One thing most people like about health care in the U.S. is the quality of cancer care that's available here. Far too many Americans die from cancer. Yet for all the problems we have, the fact is, America boasts some of the highest cancer survival rates in the world".
Cancer, when diagnosed and treated on its early stage has a higher chance of survival. So a woman who regularly examine her breast and had her regular mammograms before diagnosis of cancer has a higher chance of survival. This only proves that how you value your health before and after cancer has a great effect on the prognosis of cancer.
That is not to minimize the treatment nor its affect on the patient, but it is amazing the mental difference that a hundred percent cancer survival prognosis can have. A bad mental attitude does not help being positive and upbeat is a vital process in adjusting cancer survival statistics in your favor. Despite the fact that most people are terrified when they first receive the news that they have breast cancer overcoming that fear is a major part of the prognosis. Understanding cancer survival statistics can be extremely helpful in controlling your fears.
Few breast conserving treatment (BCT) data include women older than 70, yet a study of 910 women being treated by BCT for stage I"II breast cancer, when all patients received Radiotherapy (RT) found that a 65 month follow up found that a second cancer occurred in only 5.6 percent of cases. Six hundred and seventy six percent of cases were in complete remission (74.3%), 22 were evaluative (2.4%). 206 patients died (22.6%). The results of this study concluded that those that needed more aggressive treatment had been identified.
Improving cancer survival statistics is within your power, and empowerment regarding your treatment is the first of a series of steps that enable you to cheat the cancer survival statistics. Today cancer is a serious disease but it is not an automatic death sentence. The chance of surviving cancer depends firstly and foremost on the type of cancer, but your immediate environment, your diet, your mental state, your lifestyle all have an impact on whether your cancer survival statistics are better than the average.
Just like any other statistics, cancer survival statistics express statistical probability. It is the approximate calculation of the amount of cancer patients who will survive cancer regardless of their condition. Statistics can be good or bad.
As stated by Sen. Mitch McConnell on Health-Care Reform
Senate Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"One thing most people like about health care in the U.S. is the quality of cancer care that's available here. Far too many Americans die from cancer. Yet for all the problems we have, the fact is, America boasts some of the highest cancer survival rates in the world".
Cancer, when diagnosed and treated on its early stage has a higher chance of survival. So a woman who regularly examine her breast and had her regular mammograms before diagnosis of cancer has a higher chance of survival. This only proves that how you value your health before and after cancer has a great effect on the prognosis of cancer.
That is not to minimize the treatment nor its affect on the patient, but it is amazing the mental difference that a hundred percent cancer survival prognosis can have. A bad mental attitude does not help being positive and upbeat is a vital process in adjusting cancer survival statistics in your favor. Despite the fact that most people are terrified when they first receive the news that they have breast cancer overcoming that fear is a major part of the prognosis. Understanding cancer survival statistics can be extremely helpful in controlling your fears.
Few breast conserving treatment (BCT) data include women older than 70, yet a study of 910 women being treated by BCT for stage I"II breast cancer, when all patients received Radiotherapy (RT) found that a 65 month follow up found that a second cancer occurred in only 5.6 percent of cases. Six hundred and seventy six percent of cases were in complete remission (74.3%), 22 were evaluative (2.4%). 206 patients died (22.6%). The results of this study concluded that those that needed more aggressive treatment had been identified.
Improving cancer survival statistics is within your power, and empowerment regarding your treatment is the first of a series of steps that enable you to cheat the cancer survival statistics. Today cancer is a serious disease but it is not an automatic death sentence. The chance of surviving cancer depends firstly and foremost on the type of cancer, but your immediate environment, your diet, your mental state, your lifestyle all have an impact on whether your cancer survival statistics are better than the average.
About the Author:
As isolated as you may feel right now, you are not alone. Cancer diagnosis is no longer the end of the story. Cancer survivors prove every day that this can be the beginning of a whole new positive chapter in your life. Join our unique community of cancer survivors to be right now and receive a FREE report on Cancer Survivor's tips.
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