Cladribine (Cladribine Novaplus, Leustatin) Cladribine is a cancer or antineoplastic medication for treating a form of blood cancer (Hairy Cell Leukemia) that hinders the spread of cancer cells, retarding their growth and proliferation in the body. Cladribine, however, has been additionally employed for other purposes. Likely Side effects of cladribine (Cladribine Novaplus, Leustatin) In case one is experiencing any of the below stated grave side effects, then it is vital to seek prompt medical assistance or get in touch with one’s doctor urgently. An allergic reaction characterised by shortened breath; feeling a restricted or closed sensation in the throat; breathing distress; the lips, face or tongue swelling up or appearance of hives. Lowered functioning of the bone marrow and blood  [...]

SRS or Stereotactic Radiosurgery – a form of radiation technique initiated at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute or UPCI accurately conveys huge radiation dosages to tumors effectually allaying pain among those patients where the cancer had metastasized to the spine. This was revealed by the researchers at UPCI who carried out the study; the results of which are due to be presented during the yearly meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology or ASTRO in Chicago during the present week. The study was helmed by the associate professor cum vice-chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dwight E. Heron, M.D., drew comparisons between the efficacy of single and several sessions SRS treatment in curbing the pain among patients. Dr. Heron believes that cancers could swiftly  [...]

Those ailing from preliminary stage, non-resectable lung cancer that could not be surgically operated upon, would henceforth have a potent treatment choice. Physicians vouch for the efficacy of the radical stereotactic radiosurgery conducted with the aid of CyberKnife that has a hundred percent general survival following 3 years among those patients having normally functioning lung prior to the treatment. The outcome of the study was lately presented at the yearly CHEST conference held in San Diego. The study has garnered a spot in the semi-final round for an Alfred Soffer Research Award, chosen for ‘outstanding original scientific research’. In patients having small-sized tumors typified as preliminary-stage cancer, surgical excision of the cancerous lobe by employing lobectomy is the  [...]

Prostate Cancer Treatment that has metastasized (beyond the prostate) Conformal Radiotherapy (Computer-controlled Radical Radiotherapy) A form of external radiotherapy wherein metal obstructers are introduced in the shaft of the X-rays that makes them more pliable and aid in matching more accurately to the contours of the prostate. Usually employed radiotherapy employs an additional ‘strewn’ beam, hence has lesser precision and could affect adjacently placed normal tissues. Pros The treatment has greater accuracy as compared to normal radiotherapy translating to adjoining healthy tissues being lesser affected. Also this procedure has lesser side effects. IMRT or Intensity-modulated radiotherapy is the latest kind of conformal radiotherapy that could distribute varying dosages of radiation.  [...]

Leukemia cancer is the cancer of the cells leading to irregularity of the blood cells that could have a damaging effect on the chromosomes or genes. Leukemia is the widespread reason for cancer fatalities among infants known to affect more often the white populace than the dark skin tones. There are varied kinds of leukemia from which 2 namely; acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) are widely observed to affect children. 8 Caveat Signs Of Child Leukemia Susceptibility to Infection Child leukemia could lead to high fever and severe infirmity, however it is immune to antibiotics. It is primarily due to the dearth of white blood cells, particularly mature granulocytes. Though it leads to the elevated production of white blood cells, these cells prove defenceless  [...]

A study that was lately presented during the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology in Chicago revealed that Proton beam therapy could be effectually administered to those men having prostate cancer and was observed to have negligible urinary and rectal side effects. Researchers aimed at ascertaining whether administering elevated radiation dosages using proton beam therapy could lead to early detrimental side effects to the urinary function within the GU or genitourinary system and the rectal functioning within the GI or gastrointestinal system. Proton therapy is quickly garnering immense popularity as a potent prostate cancer treatment, but it is fuzzy as to whether the long-standing results of proton therapy would surpass those attained by other treatment methods.  [...]

Cancers of the human brain are nothing but anomalous cell growths in the brain. Though such growths are widely known as brain tumors, not all of them are cancer. Cancer is the word set aside for malignant tumors. The growth and spread of malignant tumors is quite aggressive, that tends to overpower normal cells by occupying their location, blood and nutrients. (tumor cells have requirements of blood and nutrients quite analogous to all cells present in the body.) Benign tumors are those that do not proliferate belligerently. Generally, a benign tumor is less grave as compared to a malignant tumor, however it does lead to several problems in the brain. Primary Brain Cancers The brain comprises of several kinds of cells. Few of the brain cancers occur due to the transformation of one kind  [...]

As symptoms of Mesothelioma are not distinctive to it and the disease’s comparative rarity, mesothelioma misdiagnosis are not unusual. At times it is tricky to decipher the disparity between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. The below stated tests and procedures could be conducted: Physical Examination During the course of the physical examination, the body is checked for overall health condition inclusive of looking for signs of any ailment like lumps or any dubious appearance. The patient’s history is probed to identify health habits, any previous asbestos exposure, past infirmity and treatments undergone. Chest X-ray An x-ray is an energy shaft that could pass via the body and onto film, capturing images of inner organs and bones of the body. The chest x-ray is performed for obtaining  [...]

Scientists have reported that a drug in its investigational phase seems to radically and swiftly shrivel lethal skin cancer tumors. The novel pill –dubbed PLX4032 was observed to contract tumors in seventeen out of twenty-seven patients having advanced stage melanoma that were administered the pill. In the case of 2 of those patients, there was total disappearance of the tumors. The MD of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York stated that the outcome has been exceptional. He explicated that in one patient who had undergone the prior-to and subsequent imaging scans, there was complete healing of the tumor. He mentioned that this was the first instance he had observed anything as spectacular as this. Chapman further added how the signs of the tumors fading away in a span of 2 weeks  [...]

Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth prevalent reason for cancer fatalities in the U.S. Symptoms are classically indistinct, thus making early detection a major difficulty. As these cancers are mostly detected in their advanced stages, hence they have been tricky to treat earlier on. Pancreas is an elongate-shaped, nearly 6 inches long, situated in the upper region of the abdomen performing two vital tasks: Production of digestive enzymes that are proteins aiding in assimilating food into the small intestine. Cells that carry out this task constitute the exocrine pancreas. The second significant task is hormone production that gets released into the blood. These cells constitute the endocrine pancreas. Endocrine Pancreas The endocrine pancreas comprise of particular cells, known as the islets  [...]

Diagnosis & Tests The doctor would initially conduct a thorough physical exam and check whether the liver, spleen, groin, neck and lymph nodes in the under arms are showing any kind of swelling. A CBC blood test would be ordered for finding out the complete blood count that evaluates the number of white and red blood cells and platelet count in the blood. Additionally, the blood sample is microscopically analysed to check for appearance of the cells and in determining the amount of mature cells and leukemia cells known as blasts. Though blood tests might show the presence but they mostly do not reveal the type of leukemia that is present. For further identification of the type of leukemia, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedure is conducted by the haematologist (specialist in blood  [...]

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a chronic form of leukemia linked to a particular genetic anomaly in the leukemia cell known as the Philadelphia chromosome (T9 or T22). Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Causes: The production of the anomalous gene occurs due to the displacement of the genetic material ABL from chromosome 9 that occupies the position of the normal part of chromosome 22 located close to a region known as BCR. The resultant fusion gene BCRABL causes the ABL gene to function in anomalous manner leading to the development of leukemia. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Symptoms: Majority of the patients that have developed CML initially seek medical advice when they developed the following symptoms: Weariness Low-grade Fever or sweating. Feeling fullness in the stomach due to spleen  [...]