Chemotherapy Effective Treatment For Stomach Cancer
A new study suggests that stomach cancer patients will live longer if they get chemotherapy before and after surgery.
British researchers found that chemo cut the risk of death by 25 percent compared to just surgery alone
It also improved the rate of survival and cut the risk of the cancer returning.
Currently the standard treatment for stomach cancer is surgery, were all or part of the stomach is removed. If caught early, chance of survival increases significantly.
Chemo cut the risk of death by a quarter compared to surgery alone, according to the study published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. It also shrank tumors and improved survival without a return of cancer.
Lead by Dr. David Cuningham of Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton and London, researchers examined 503 patients. Doctors gave the patients with operable stomach cancer chemotherapy both before and after surgery.
'Clinicians can have confidence in the solid evidence that peri-operative therapy improves the outcome for patients with respectable gastric cancer,' Cuningham told United Press International. He also said the trial was well-designed and well-executed and had enough patients to show that the results did not appear to occur by chance.
The findings appear in the July Issue of New England Journal of Medicine
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Conventional and Alternative Cancer Treatment
Conventional and Alternative Cancer Treatment
Cancer is a widely known disease and its treatment has been known to be very expensive. Cancer can affect any person at any age and the risk of getting cancer increases with age. According to statistics obtained from the world health organization for 2006, about 13% of human deaths worldwide is caused by cancer. Most cancers can be treated or cured depending on the diagnosis, the type, location, and stage of the cancer.
In the Philippines, the conventional method of treating cancer is through surgical procedure with a gamma knife. This method is a form of radiation therapy since the gamma knife is a radio-surgical tool that uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is known to destroy the cells in the targeted area by damaging their genetic material. It would make it impossible for these cells to continue to divide and grow. While the normal cells are also damaged with the cancer cells, the normal cells can recover from the effects of the radiation and function properly again.
The Leksell gamma knife, which was invented by a Swedish neurosurgeon in 1967, is being used to treat brain tumors and other various diseases in the brain by using radiation therapy. The gamma knife is also being used as an alternative treatment to tumors as well as brain tumor, vascular malformation, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and other conditions of the brain that used to be treated with open surgery in the past.
One of the other alternative treatments being used to treat cancer is Enzyme - Immune - Cell (EIC) therapy. This method uses a combination of 18 metabolic and integrative medicine modalities that provide a powerful and non-toxic cancer therapy. Medical tourism centers can provide information on EIC therapy centers. EIC therapy centers in the Philippines have a critical part in the care for cancer patients in the Philippines. EIC therapy center provide immunotherapy, hormone therapy, tests and other services.
In selecting the treatment, it depends on the type, location and stage of the cancer that can be found out through diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is done, the patient is selected with the possible methods in treating the cancer. In choosing the best possible facility for the cancer treatment, contact medical tourism centers like Wellness and Health Services Asia Inc (WAHSA). WAHSA can guide you to affordable health services with their experienced chaperones.
Cancer is a widely known disease and its treatment has been known to be very expensive. Cancer can affect any person at any age and the risk of getting cancer increases with age. According to statistics obtained from the world health organization for 2006, about 13% of human deaths worldwide is caused by cancer. Most cancers can be treated or cured depending on the diagnosis, the type, location, and stage of the cancer.
In the Philippines, the conventional method of treating cancer is through surgical procedure with a gamma knife. This method is a form of radiation therapy since the gamma knife is a radio-surgical tool that uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is known to destroy the cells in the targeted area by damaging their genetic material. It would make it impossible for these cells to continue to divide and grow. While the normal cells are also damaged with the cancer cells, the normal cells can recover from the effects of the radiation and function properly again.
The Leksell gamma knife, which was invented by a Swedish neurosurgeon in 1967, is being used to treat brain tumors and other various diseases in the brain by using radiation therapy. The gamma knife is also being used as an alternative treatment to tumors as well as brain tumor, vascular malformation, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and other conditions of the brain that used to be treated with open surgery in the past.
One of the other alternative treatments being used to treat cancer is Enzyme - Immune - Cell (EIC) therapy. This method uses a combination of 18 metabolic and integrative medicine modalities that provide a powerful and non-toxic cancer therapy. Medical tourism centers can provide information on EIC therapy centers. EIC therapy centers in the Philippines have a critical part in the care for cancer patients in the Philippines. EIC therapy center provide immunotherapy, hormone therapy, tests and other services.
In selecting the treatment, it depends on the type, location and stage of the cancer that can be found out through diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is done, the patient is selected with the possible methods in treating the cancer. In choosing the best possible facility for the cancer treatment, contact medical tourism centers like Wellness and Health Services Asia Inc (WAHSA). WAHSA can guide you to affordable health services with their experienced chaperones.
General Facts on Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment For Lung Cancer
General Facts on Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment For Lung Cancer
Educating yourself about the general facts on lung cancer is essential to help prevent acquiring the disease. As the number one cause of death among men in America and one of the major causes of death cases throughout the world, health experts are furthering their efforts in trying to unearth general facts on lung cancer, and how this disease can be so deadly.
Among the various type of cancer deaths, lung cancer is responsible for 29 percent of that. In fact, there are more death cases for lung cancer as compared to the data of deaths for prostate, breast, and colon cancers combined. Hence, you can begin protecting yourself now by arming yourself with the general facts on lung cancer before it's too late.
Causes Of Lung Cancer
When people think of lung cancer, they often associate it with cigarette smoking. Indeed, this is one of the leading causes of the disease. But it is not the only factor.
One of the major focus of research for health experts regarding lung cancer is the genetic factor. Most cancerous cells develop when there is an error in the mutation of DNA cells. That error in itself can be affected by other environmental factors as well, which has led health experts to go back to examining external factors that can contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.
Too much exposure to asbestos has been cited as one crucial environmental factor causing lung cancer. Asbestos is a kind of mineral that is made up of bundled up fibers and naturally occurs in the environment. These fibers, when inhaled by a person exposed to them, can be trapped in one's lungs and accumulate until it causes an inflammation on the lungs.
Another crucial factor that could elicit the development of lung cancer is inhaling secondhand smoke. Although cigarette smoking can increase your chances of acquiring lung cancer, those who inhale it are at a higher risk. Secondhand smoke consists of two types of smoke: those that are produced by the burning of the tobacco product and those exhaled by the smoker.
Please pay very close attention to these general facts on lung cancer, so you can avoid the factors that could put you at risk in acquiring the disease.
Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
Since it affects your respiratory system, common symptoms associated with lung cancer are related to such conditions affecting the respiratory illness.
It is a rare case for lung cancer to be diagnosed early, which is why awareness of the general facts on lung cancer is of extreme importance for early diagnosis.
• Prolonged cases of cough.
• Uncharacteristic wheezing.
• Pain on the back, chest, or shoulder.
• Coughing blood or mucus.
• Constant shortness of breath.
• Swollen neck or face.
• Pneumonia or other respiratory infections, etc
Treatment For Lung Cancer
Before a treatment option is to be determined for lung cancer patients, it is important to diagnose its type and stage first. Here are some of the more common types of treatment:
1) Surgery - This method of treatment is best only for patients who are diagnosed early due to the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body despite inability to detect it via scan.
2) Chemotherapy - This treatment is best used for individuals with small cell lung cancer. Oftentimes, this treatment is accompanied by radiotherapy. This treatment is known as chemoradiation.
3) Radiotherapy - This treatment is directed on the patient's head, in order to prevent the cancer cells from spreading to the brain. It is recommended only for individuals with small cell lung cancer and those who had their tumor removed via surgery.
Equipping yourself with general facts on lung cancer is your best weapon against the disease.
Educating yourself about the general facts on lung cancer is essential to help prevent acquiring the disease. As the number one cause of death among men in America and one of the major causes of death cases throughout the world, health experts are furthering their efforts in trying to unearth general facts on lung cancer, and how this disease can be so deadly.
Among the various type of cancer deaths, lung cancer is responsible for 29 percent of that. In fact, there are more death cases for lung cancer as compared to the data of deaths for prostate, breast, and colon cancers combined. Hence, you can begin protecting yourself now by arming yourself with the general facts on lung cancer before it's too late.
Causes Of Lung Cancer
When people think of lung cancer, they often associate it with cigarette smoking. Indeed, this is one of the leading causes of the disease. But it is not the only factor.
One of the major focus of research for health experts regarding lung cancer is the genetic factor. Most cancerous cells develop when there is an error in the mutation of DNA cells. That error in itself can be affected by other environmental factors as well, which has led health experts to go back to examining external factors that can contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.
Too much exposure to asbestos has been cited as one crucial environmental factor causing lung cancer. Asbestos is a kind of mineral that is made up of bundled up fibers and naturally occurs in the environment. These fibers, when inhaled by a person exposed to them, can be trapped in one's lungs and accumulate until it causes an inflammation on the lungs.
Another crucial factor that could elicit the development of lung cancer is inhaling secondhand smoke. Although cigarette smoking can increase your chances of acquiring lung cancer, those who inhale it are at a higher risk. Secondhand smoke consists of two types of smoke: those that are produced by the burning of the tobacco product and those exhaled by the smoker.
Please pay very close attention to these general facts on lung cancer, so you can avoid the factors that could put you at risk in acquiring the disease.
Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
Since it affects your respiratory system, common symptoms associated with lung cancer are related to such conditions affecting the respiratory illness.
It is a rare case for lung cancer to be diagnosed early, which is why awareness of the general facts on lung cancer is of extreme importance for early diagnosis.
• Prolonged cases of cough.
• Uncharacteristic wheezing.
• Pain on the back, chest, or shoulder.
• Coughing blood or mucus.
• Constant shortness of breath.
• Swollen neck or face.
• Pneumonia or other respiratory infections, etc
Treatment For Lung Cancer
Before a treatment option is to be determined for lung cancer patients, it is important to diagnose its type and stage first. Here are some of the more common types of treatment:
1) Surgery - This method of treatment is best only for patients who are diagnosed early due to the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body despite inability to detect it via scan.
2) Chemotherapy - This treatment is best used for individuals with small cell lung cancer. Oftentimes, this treatment is accompanied by radiotherapy. This treatment is known as chemoradiation.
3) Radiotherapy - This treatment is directed on the patient's head, in order to prevent the cancer cells from spreading to the brain. It is recommended only for individuals with small cell lung cancer and those who had their tumor removed via surgery.
Equipping yourself with general facts on lung cancer is your best weapon against the disease.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Cancer Treatment Without Fraud
Cancer Treatment Without Fraud
Prevention efforts seem to have failed. The doctor used the dreaded "C" word...cancer. Now what? We hear a lot of buzz about amazing cures and successes, "If you'll just buy my book, take my pills or visit my center." The very word, cancer, scares us so completely, we believe we're going to die any minute. Sadly, it's those fears the frauds are counting on. They want you to be so afraid you'll try anything...even their product. Many of us are so frozen in fear, we ignore that fact that many forms of cancer are treatable...often, actual cures have been developed and adopted as standard treatment for cancer. Sometimes, the fears generated by frauds can cause us to choose back-alley, ineffective treatments instead of viable ones recommended by our doctors. If we just calm down and begin to study the situation, we can often relieve our fears and make rational decisions that will avoid the frauds and help our doctors help us heal.
Natural Cancer Cure...and other fraudulent claims: Frauds come in all shapes, sizes and prices. Perhaps the biggest price people pay is chasing after these things when sound treatments are available. You will rarely hear a reputable doctor use the word, "cure," when referring to cancer. Immediately, then, a red flag should go up in your mind if someone is offering or claiming a cure. Other claims that should strike you as suspicious are ones that suggest standard cancer treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy kill people. Let's get this straight right now...people die from some types of cancer. Some terminal cancer patients choose to receive experimental treatments in a last ditch effort to try and slow the disease. For frauds to use this to get you to distrust a doctor's standard treatment, however limited the success rate, should be considered a crime. The only time you should consider experimental treatments or claims of those outside of the medical community is if you have a terminal condition and you've exhausted all accepted medical treatments. You're a grown-up, now. You should get all the objective advice and information you can, about every treatment you're considering, but people trying to sell you non-standard treatments are not objective...you need to do your own homework...and this is the most important homework assignment you may ever get .
Do Your Cancer Research: Biopsy is usually the first bit of research done to verify a suspicion of cancer. That's where the doctor collects cells for the lab to analyze. Ask your doctor for a paper copy of the test results. This will give you the exact name of the cancer, if the cancer is malignant (harmful), and other useful information. Based on this, your doctor will recommend other tests to determine the stage (extent of growth) or grade (speed of growth) and treatment options to consider. Take lots of notes and ask lots of questions! While continuing the test/treatment recommendations of your doctor, take this information to a second opinion appointment with another doctor, not associated with the first one. While doctors are highly educated, they are human. Doctors and their staffs make mistakes. Second opinions are so you can head off mistakes before they happen.
Awareness and understanding of standard treatment options, risk factors, success rates, unique terminology and second opinions will all help you be a better patient, active in the treatment of your disease. This is why, before the second opinion appointment, you need to research the information from your doctor. Search reputable sources on the Internet for everything you can find about your specific cancer. Yes, you'll need a dictionary and medical encyclopedia. A great place to begin your research is the U.S. National Cancer Institute. It's where I've found most of my reliable cancer information. Print all the information about the cancer, stages, grades, treatment options, success rates, survival rates and treatment centers. Highlight the parts that apply to you and write questions for your doctors. Take all the information with you to all your appointments with your doctors. Make sure to point out when their opinions differ and gauge their reactions. If their recommended treatments differ from what your research shows, ask them why. Some doctors will be humble, thank you, and offer to look into it further. Other doctors will need to be replaced, as was the case with my wife's father.
My father-in-law's doctor made a mistake, treating a very aggressive life-threatening cancer with cosmetic surgery. By following the steps I've listed in this article, I was able to convince the new doctors to follow-up with radiation to significantly reduce the probability of relapse. Since, with his cancer, relapse is almost always fatal, it was better to be safe, even if it cost the HMO a couple more bucks.
Some doctors and HMO's get a little confused as to who makes your health care decisions..
Cancer Treatment Team Leadership: The Oncologist (cancer doctor), your primary doctor and often other specialists are essential leaders in the successful treatment of your cancer but you are in charge. They will present you with options, including diet, supplements, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a vast amount of information for you to digest to make informed decisions. If you do your homework, you can control the fear, eliminate the frauds, reduce the mistakes and make the right decisions in your fight against cancer.
Prevention efforts seem to have failed. The doctor used the dreaded "C" word...cancer. Now what? We hear a lot of buzz about amazing cures and successes, "If you'll just buy my book, take my pills or visit my center." The very word, cancer, scares us so completely, we believe we're going to die any minute. Sadly, it's those fears the frauds are counting on. They want you to be so afraid you'll try anything...even their product. Many of us are so frozen in fear, we ignore that fact that many forms of cancer are treatable...often, actual cures have been developed and adopted as standard treatment for cancer. Sometimes, the fears generated by frauds can cause us to choose back-alley, ineffective treatments instead of viable ones recommended by our doctors. If we just calm down and begin to study the situation, we can often relieve our fears and make rational decisions that will avoid the frauds and help our doctors help us heal.
Natural Cancer Cure...and other fraudulent claims: Frauds come in all shapes, sizes and prices. Perhaps the biggest price people pay is chasing after these things when sound treatments are available. You will rarely hear a reputable doctor use the word, "cure," when referring to cancer. Immediately, then, a red flag should go up in your mind if someone is offering or claiming a cure. Other claims that should strike you as suspicious are ones that suggest standard cancer treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy kill people. Let's get this straight right now...people die from some types of cancer. Some terminal cancer patients choose to receive experimental treatments in a last ditch effort to try and slow the disease. For frauds to use this to get you to distrust a doctor's standard treatment, however limited the success rate, should be considered a crime. The only time you should consider experimental treatments or claims of those outside of the medical community is if you have a terminal condition and you've exhausted all accepted medical treatments. You're a grown-up, now. You should get all the objective advice and information you can, about every treatment you're considering, but people trying to sell you non-standard treatments are not objective...you need to do your own homework...and this is the most important homework assignment you may ever get .
Do Your Cancer Research: Biopsy is usually the first bit of research done to verify a suspicion of cancer. That's where the doctor collects cells for the lab to analyze. Ask your doctor for a paper copy of the test results. This will give you the exact name of the cancer, if the cancer is malignant (harmful), and other useful information. Based on this, your doctor will recommend other tests to determine the stage (extent of growth) or grade (speed of growth) and treatment options to consider. Take lots of notes and ask lots of questions! While continuing the test/treatment recommendations of your doctor, take this information to a second opinion appointment with another doctor, not associated with the first one. While doctors are highly educated, they are human. Doctors and their staffs make mistakes. Second opinions are so you can head off mistakes before they happen.
Awareness and understanding of standard treatment options, risk factors, success rates, unique terminology and second opinions will all help you be a better patient, active in the treatment of your disease. This is why, before the second opinion appointment, you need to research the information from your doctor. Search reputable sources on the Internet for everything you can find about your specific cancer. Yes, you'll need a dictionary and medical encyclopedia. A great place to begin your research is the U.S. National Cancer Institute. It's where I've found most of my reliable cancer information. Print all the information about the cancer, stages, grades, treatment options, success rates, survival rates and treatment centers. Highlight the parts that apply to you and write questions for your doctors. Take all the information with you to all your appointments with your doctors. Make sure to point out when their opinions differ and gauge their reactions. If their recommended treatments differ from what your research shows, ask them why. Some doctors will be humble, thank you, and offer to look into it further. Other doctors will need to be replaced, as was the case with my wife's father.
My father-in-law's doctor made a mistake, treating a very aggressive life-threatening cancer with cosmetic surgery. By following the steps I've listed in this article, I was able to convince the new doctors to follow-up with radiation to significantly reduce the probability of relapse. Since, with his cancer, relapse is almost always fatal, it was better to be safe, even if it cost the HMO a couple more bucks.
Some doctors and HMO's get a little confused as to who makes your health care decisions..
Cancer Treatment Team Leadership: The Oncologist (cancer doctor), your primary doctor and often other specialists are essential leaders in the successful treatment of your cancer but you are in charge. They will present you with options, including diet, supplements, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and a vast amount of information for you to digest to make informed decisions. If you do your homework, you can control the fear, eliminate the frauds, reduce the mistakes and make the right decisions in your fight against cancer.
Cancer Treatment Centers---Taking Care of Your Mind, Body And Spirit!
Cancer Treatment Centers---Taking Care of Your Mind, Body And Spirit!
If you or any one of your loved ones is diagnosed with cancer, there are a number of cancer treatment centers located all over the country. These cancer treatment centers offer a whole range of treatments, both traditional and holistic, to help treat not only cancer but also the body, mind and spirit too. A number of cancer treatment centers conduct research on an ongoing basis, and patients can take part if they qualify in a series of clinical trials. There are new cancer treatments that are developed continually, and once research has advanced to where trying it on humans is warranted, clinical trials are conducted. Great results are being seen with new cancer treatments; in comparison to the past when some types of cancer were considered as a death sentence are currently being treated successfully and hence patients can enjoy living cancer free due to this continual research.
Today cancer treatment centers are easily accessible to everyone located in many metropolitan areas. A number of them are affiliated with large university based hospitals, and provide the latest technology available to treat different types of cancers. These types of facilities are also research based and offer several new treatment alternatives to participants in a range of ongoing studies. If for any reason one of these major cancer treatment centers are not within a reasonable distance, or not accessible due to other limitations, one can receive treatment through local oncologists and cancer treatment centers. These also have good facilities, and can provide the cancer patient with professional care and support. Cancer treatment centers vary in the types of services they offer, for instance it can be traditional or alternative treatment based, and the corresponding fees may also differ. You can either find a cancer treatment center within your means as well as those that provide additional amenities and have a more non-traditional approach. Those seeking other upscale private facilities that offer gourmet organic meals, natural herbal spa treatments, and additional pampering services to the cancer patient can also be found along with deluxe room accommodations. Such type of non-traditional cancer therapies help the patient recuperate and enjoy living again.
Cancer treatment centers are no more just sterile hospital environments that offer stale food, and stiff sheets. Comfort is of utmost important for all cancer patients, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Cancer patients who are in search of a cancer treatment center can look up online for different alternatives, where a range of cancer treatments are discussed, plus other considerations such as diet and nutrition, and spiritual health. Cancer treatment centers all share the same goal, to offer the best care possible, to provide continual support to cancer patients and their families, and turn what can be a distressing situation into a more optimistic experience.
If you or any one of your loved ones is diagnosed with cancer, there are a number of cancer treatment centers located all over the country. These cancer treatment centers offer a whole range of treatments, both traditional and holistic, to help treat not only cancer but also the body, mind and spirit too. A number of cancer treatment centers conduct research on an ongoing basis, and patients can take part if they qualify in a series of clinical trials. There are new cancer treatments that are developed continually, and once research has advanced to where trying it on humans is warranted, clinical trials are conducted. Great results are being seen with new cancer treatments; in comparison to the past when some types of cancer were considered as a death sentence are currently being treated successfully and hence patients can enjoy living cancer free due to this continual research.
Today cancer treatment centers are easily accessible to everyone located in many metropolitan areas. A number of them are affiliated with large university based hospitals, and provide the latest technology available to treat different types of cancers. These types of facilities are also research based and offer several new treatment alternatives to participants in a range of ongoing studies. If for any reason one of these major cancer treatment centers are not within a reasonable distance, or not accessible due to other limitations, one can receive treatment through local oncologists and cancer treatment centers. These also have good facilities, and can provide the cancer patient with professional care and support. Cancer treatment centers vary in the types of services they offer, for instance it can be traditional or alternative treatment based, and the corresponding fees may also differ. You can either find a cancer treatment center within your means as well as those that provide additional amenities and have a more non-traditional approach. Those seeking other upscale private facilities that offer gourmet organic meals, natural herbal spa treatments, and additional pampering services to the cancer patient can also be found along with deluxe room accommodations. Such type of non-traditional cancer therapies help the patient recuperate and enjoy living again.
Cancer treatment centers are no more just sterile hospital environments that offer stale food, and stiff sheets. Comfort is of utmost important for all cancer patients, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Cancer patients who are in search of a cancer treatment center can look up online for different alternatives, where a range of cancer treatments are discussed, plus other considerations such as diet and nutrition, and spiritual health. Cancer treatment centers all share the same goal, to offer the best care possible, to provide continual support to cancer patients and their families, and turn what can be a distressing situation into a more optimistic experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)