A striking feature of many cancer cells is that the DNA in their chromosomes is all jumbled up. Chunks of DNA containing one or more genes have been ripped out of their chromosome and reinserted in a different place. Other lengths of DNA ha...
A striking feature of many cancer cells is that the DNA in their chromosomes is all jumbled up. Chunks of DNA containing one or more genes have been ripped out of their chromosome and reinserted in a different place. Other lengths of DNA have been transferred to a different chromosome altogether. An article published in the New York Times on Christmas Day gives some information on the chaos inside a cancer cell. For more click here.
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2/03/2009
Chaos in a cancer cell
Prostate cancer and Brachytherapy
Prostate cancer is well suited tobrachytherapy. The prostate gland is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum, and it is imperative that the radiation be focused in the prostate to avoid serious side effects. The prostate gland... Andy Grove (chairman of Intel) chose the HDR procedure after analyzing all the available forms of treatment, including permanent seeds. He made the analogy that this treatment was like a "smart bomb", whereas permanent seeding was a more crude "carpet bombing" treatment. He wrote about his experience in a Fortune magazine article in 1996. Treatment frequently consists of a combination of three separate therapies: This is a three-pronged attack against the cancer, also known as "triple modality therapy". Sometimes the external radiation or hormone therapy is omit. You may wonder why you would even want to add external beam radiation. Cancer cells may migrate outside the prostate gland, known as "extra-prostatic extension". Treatments like the radical prostatectomy and permanent seed implant alone may miss cancer cells which have escaped outside the prostate into the surrounding tissues. Another issue is that scans like the CT, MRI, ultrasound, and Prostascint are far from perfect in their ability to detect cancer cell spread outside the prostate. Even though these scans may not show cancer spread beyond the prostate capsule, it can still be present. The external beam radiation is used to target those areas surrounding the prostate gland. The probability that cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland can be estimated by the Partin tables. The HDR procedure may differ at other hospitals. Some hospitals may insert 18- 25 catheters hollow plastic needles into the prostate gland. These are placed using anesthetic, and rectal ultrasound guidance. After the needles are placed, the doctor performs a CT scan and a computer plan which will calculate how long the radioactive source will stay in each needle. Three times over the following 24 hours, the needles are hooked up to the brachytherapy machine (HDR remote afterloader), and a treatment is given. During those 24 hours the patient will remain in a hospital bed. Check with your doctor for your particular health care needs.
Prostate cancer is well suited to brachytherapy. The prostate gland is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum, and it is imperative that the radiation be focused in the prostate to avoid serious side effects. The prostate gland is also close enough to the skin that it can be easily accessed by brachytherapy needles. 
The external beam component is given in a moderate dose, 4500 centigray divided over 4 - 5 weeks. This compares with the standard 7200 centigray divided over 8 weeks which would be required if you were having external beam radiation alone. FOr some patients, your doctor will suggest using intensity modulated radiation therapy and daily ultrasound verification that the prostate is centered in the radiation field (BAT). The reduced dose and precision targeting of IMRT may result in a lower risk of side effects. Some patients may receive broader radiation fields if there is a possibility that their lymph nodes contain cancer.
Mostly, patients suitable for HDR are offered a treatment using HDR alone without any external beam radiation for early prostate cancer. This is known as "HDR monotherapy". If HDR is given without external beam, a higher dosage must be given, over 3 - 6 treatment fractions which may require two separate implants. There is not as much experience or results using HDR alone as there is with using HDR + external beam.
For some patients, doctors recommend short term hormonal ablationtherapy which is usually started 3 months before the brachytherapy, and continued for 3 - 12 months afterwards. The hormone therapy consists of a once-every-three-month injection of Lupron or Zoladex, and an antiandrogen medication like Casodex. The hormone therapy will shrink the cancer, shrink the prostate gland, reduce the PSA, and hopefully increase the cure rate from brachytherapy because there will be less cancer cells for the brachytherapy to kill. Studies have shown that adding hormonal therapy to radiation can increase the tumor control rates, notably for Gleason 7 and higher or PSA 10 or higher. Patients with a low-risk prostate cancer may be recommended to take a shorter duration of hormone therapy, or none at all. Patients with high-risk prostate cancer may be recommended to take triple hormone blockade for approximately 15 months.
HDR brachytherapy program can be used for a wide range of prostate stages, PSA values, and tumor grade. The components and dosages are modified for those with low, intermediate, or high risk prostate cancer. This treatment can also certainly be used for many tumors which are considered too advanced for radical prostatectomy. As long as there is no obvious spread to distant areas of the body like the bones this treatment can be considered. For early stages, HDR treatment is an alternative to the radical prostatectomy, but with less side effects. Eligible patients usually include:
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Hadassah's Innovative Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: Transplanting Stem Cells from Patient's Bone Marrow
Yes, this article is from November 2007, but with so many always asking me for details, I thought I would provide it for those who want to be empowered. Hadassah's Innovative Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: TransplantingStem Cells from Pa... %26raquo; Read MoreYes, this article is from November 2007, but with so many always asking me for details, I thought I would provide it for those who want to be empowered. Hadassah's Innovative Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: Transplanting
Stem Cells from Patient's Bone Marrow
New Multiple Sclerosis Center Launched at Hadassah
22/11/07
A treatment developed at Hadassah, still in the research stage, has been tested on 25 multiple sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) patients. Professor Dmitrius Karussis, a senior neurologist at Hadassah and the director of the new Multiple Sclerosis Center, working in collaboration with the University of Athens, and Professor Shimon Slavin, the former director of the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) and the BMT Laboratory at Hadassah, discovered that it is possible to remove stem cells from a patient's bone marrow, to isolate these cells under special conditions and to generate over 50 million cells within two months. As part of this process, mesenchymal cells (mature stem cells) are extracted from the patient and transplanted by a lumbar injection in the spinal column (into the spinal fluid of the central nervous system), with each patient serving as his/her own donor. The transplanted cells are marked in order to track and verify that they reach the intended destination in the patient's body.
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Cell Phones and Brain Cancer
For an intelligent discussion about the possible hazards of holding cell phones to the ear, check out this column from Tara Parker-Pope's "Well" series in The New York Times.She consults a variety of medical specialists, including neurosurg...
For an intelligent discussion about the possible hazards of holding cell phones to the ear, check out this column from Tara Parker-Pope's %26quot;Well%26quot; series in The New York Times. She consults a variety of medical specialists, including neurosurgeons, who not only avoid close contact for themselves, but express concern for young users who have a lifetime of exposure ahead of them.
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Cell Phones and cancer.
Another new study demonstrates a link between cell phone use and cancer: "The study, published Friday in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found a clear link between cell phone use and cancerous growth in the saliva glands. Researchers ... Another new study demonstrates a link between cell phone use and cancer: "The study, published Friday in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found a clear link between cell phone use and cancerous growth in the saliva glands. Researchers found that among groups who tend to hold the phone on one side and use the phone frequently or for prolonged periods, the risk of saliva-glad cancer increased by 50 to 58 percent, compared to people who did not use a cell phone regularly. A number of studies in recent years indicate an increased cancer risk in the auditory nerve, the brain and the saliva glands for long-time cell-phone users." --http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/137807.
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Cancer technology and stem cell ...
Cancer technology and stem cell research coming together.In other related news, another biotech is running short on cash due to inability to sign deals with major drug companies among other issues.BD ROCKVILLE, Md., July 17 -- MacroGenics, ... Cancer technology and stem cell research coming together. In other related news, another biotech is running short on cash due to inability to sign deals with major drug companies among other issues. BD MacroGenics Acquires Raven Biotechnologies - FierceBiotechROCKVILLE, Md., July 17 -- MacroGenics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company that develops immunotherapeutics to treat
autoimmune disorders, cancer and infectious diseases, today announced the acquisition of Raven Biotechnologies, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company in South San Francisco, California, focused on the discovery and development of monoclonal antibody therapeutics for oncology through its cancer stem cell program. Raven has developed a 
portfolio of proprietary cancer stem cells from many types of primary tumors. These cancer stem cells are maintained in vitro, and small numbers of these cells can form both localized and metastatic tumors in vivo. Using its proprietary technology platform , Raven has generated more than 1,300 monoclonal antibodies, including many that target cancer stem cells and cancers of the lung, colon, pancreas, prostate, breast and ovary.
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Tumor in the brain causing metastatic liver cancer?
What is cancer?Cancer are "some bad cells growing in or on your body". Cells that shouldn’t be growing there in the first place and to make things worse, cells that can start traveling around in your body!What is tumor?A tumor is an abnor... Cancer are "some bad cells growing in or on your body". Cells that shouldn’t be growing there in the first place and to make things worse, cells that can start traveling around in your body! A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells or tissues in or on your body. These tumor cells are not helping your body in any way, the tumor cells are there merely for their own benefit. There are 2 quite in-comprehendible ways of describing a tumor: If life is your primary goal, then yes, you have reason to be happy. Remove the tumor and you are safe. Yet a lot of times, removing the tumor means removing more than just a tumor: lots of times when removing multiple fibroids, the whole uterus gets removed. This means: no more kids and your hormone household is thrown up side down%26hellip; Read more how a benign tumor is mostly just the start of a new story at : Tumor in the brain, form a new author on our blog! Help spread the word: What is cancer?
What is tumor?
I have a benign tumor, so I can be entirely happy?
invite all your friends atMetastatic Liver Cancer
or email us in the above email to become a co-author
and spread your cancer or tumor story here!
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Tumor in the brain causing metastatic liver cancer?
What is cancer?Cancer are "some bad cells growing in or on your body". Cells that shouldn’t be growing there in the first place and to make things worse, cells that can start traveling around in your body!What is tumor?A tumor is an abnor... Cancer are "some bad cells growing in or on your body". Cells that shouldn’t be growing there in the first place and to make things worse, cells that can start traveling around in your body! A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells or tissues in or on your body. These tumor cells are not helping your body in any way, the tumor cells are there merely for their own benefit. There are 2 quite in-comprehendible ways of describing a tumor: If life is your primary goal, then yes, you have reason to be happy. Remove the tumor and you are safe. Yet a lot of times, removing the tumor means removing more than just a tumor: lots of times when removing multiple fibroids, the whole uterus gets removed. This means: no more kids and your hormone household is thrown up side down%26hellip; Read more how a benign tumor is mostly just the start of a new story at : Tumor in the brain, form a new author on our blog! Help spread the word: What is cancer?
What is tumor?
I have a benign tumor, so I can be entirely happy?
invite all your friends atMetastatic Liver Cancer
or email us in the above email to become a co-author
and spread your cancer or tumor story here!
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Cell Phone Cancer Precautions
It seems in our modern society that most of us carry the latest conveniences around in our pockets, giving us easy access to others at all times.?? For working parents this is a boon--we can track our children wherever they go, assuring us ... It seems in our modern society that most of us carry the latest conveniences around in our pockets, giving us easy access to others at all times.?? For working parents this is a boon--we can track our children wherever they go, assuring us of their safety.? But are they really safe? Devra Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H. the author ofThe Secret History of the War on CancerandWhen Smoke Ran Like Water, is the Director of theCenter for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.?Dr. Davis is a member of the International Expert Committee committed to voicing theircautionagainst cell phone use--especially for children. During the last few years, several studies have been done, showing neither safety nor danger from cell phone use.? However, cell phones do generate electromagnetic fields (radiation)--a potential health risk.? "Electromagnetic fields are likely to penetrate the brain of children more deeply than adults."? Because cell phones are relatively new, long term studies have yet to be completed.? There has been some association between cell phone use and benign tumors and brain cancer on the side the phone is used. Ten Precautions 1. Do not allow children to use a cell phone except for emergencies. 2. While using your cell phone, keep the device away from the body as much as possible. Use the speaker phone, wireless Bluetooth headset or a hands-free ear piece. 3. Avoid using your cell phone in places where you could expose others to the phone's electromagnetic fields--like on a bus. 4. Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body.? Place it away from your body while sleeping.? 5. If the cell phone is carried on the body, position the keypad toward the body and the back of the phone toward the outside. 6. Biological effects are directly related to the duration of exposure (phone usage).? Cut it short and just use the phone for very short conversations.? For long conversations, use the land line (corded phone).? Even the portable phones use electromagnetic fields. 7. Switch sides while using the cell phone. 8. Don't use your cell phone when the signal is weak or while moving in a car or train because this forces the phone to increase its power by making repeated attempts to connect to a new relay antenna. 9. Use text messaging instead of making a phone call. 10. Use a phone with the lowest SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) possible. Search the internet for "sar ratings cell phones." The International Expert Committee calls on cell phone companies to "provide independent access to records of use so that appropriate studies can be carried out."?? Until the radiation from cell phones and other devices is stopped, all of us need to take precautions.? This is especially true for parents. Go To Work And Get Cancer? Causes of Cancer Have Been Known for 100 Years
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��Cancer stem cells�� questioned
Many cells within a tumor are capable of initiating tumor formation on their own. This finding sticks a pin in the theory that tumorigenesis is driven and controlled by rare cancer stem cells — and suggests that therapeutic strategies... Many cells within a tumor are capable of initiating tumor formation on their own. This finding sticks a pin in the theory that tumorigenesis is driven and controlled by rare cancer stem cells %26mdash; and suggests that therapeutic strategies targeted at cancer stem cells may be misguided. From Quintana et al: A fundamental question in cancer biology is whether cells with tumorigenic potential are common or rare within human cancers. Studies on diverse cancers, including melanoma, have indicated that only rare human cancer cells (0.1%26ndash;0.0001%) form tumours when transplanted into non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice. However, the extent to which NOD/SCID mice underestimate the frequency of tumorigenic human cancer cells has been uncertain. Here we show that modified xenotransplantation assay conditions, including the use of more highly immunocompromised NOD/SCID interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain null (Il2rg-/-) mice, can increase the detection of tumorigenic melanoma cells by several orders of magnitude. In limiting dilution assays, approximately 25% of unselected melanoma cells from 12 different patients, including cells from primary and metastatic melanomas obtained directly from patients, formed tumours under these more permissive conditions. In single-cell transplants, an average of 27% of unselected melanoma cells from four different patients formed tumours. Modifications to xenotransplantation assays can therefore dramatically increase the detectable frequency of tumorigenic cells, demonstrating that they are common in some human cancers. (Hat tip to Longevity Meme )
Efficient tumour formation by single human melanoma cells
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Can chemotherapy cure metastatic liver cancer?
In all the metastatic liver cancer stories we gathered, none of them is told by a cancer survivor. Some do get chemotherapy, but this cancer treatment is only to: reduce pain (in case it can temporarily reduce or slow down the growth of a c... In all the metastatic liver cancer stories we gathered, none of them is told by a cancer survivor. Some do get chemotherapy, but this cancer treatment is only to: But we get puzzled when reading Kistan2’s comment on Avastin for metastatic liver cancer where she says : they tried another infusion of Avastin but What worries me is where Kistan2 says : we all knew that this next infusion of Avastin wouldn’t do anything. Father had clearly asked if there was any chemotherapy that could cure him, and the answer given to father was a clear NO. Having that knowledge, it’s no point in discussing 5FU, Avastin, Nexavar or what we thought was quite a cute medicine: Xeloda (being a pill that supposedly only starts working when it finds a cancer cell%26hellip;, don’t be fooled: it’s chemotherapy taken orally%26hellip;). When people don’t know the cancer will kill them, then these people still have hope and courage to try anything. In father’s case: if he was told there was hope for a cure, Severe, as he had secondary liver cancer with unknown primary. In proper English: nobody knew where his cancer originated from, so in order for a chemotherapy to be effective, they needed to fight %26#34;all cancers possible%26#34;. Always ask your oncologist what can be expected and In simple words: in my experience I have a few friends that survived breast cancer after being treated with radiation, mastectomy and chemotherapy. So when I hear ‘breast cancer�?I have hope (knowing very well that treating breast cancer is a much more difficult and much longer road than surviving dengue fever or treating a cold). When it comes to metastatic liver cancer, my experience so far is: not having encountered any secondary liver cancer survivor. If you have, please ask him or her to share with us his cancer story! Technorati Tags: 5FU, avastin, avastin for metastatic liver cancer, chemotherapy, metastatic liver cancer cure, nexavar, xeloda
we all knew that this next infusion of Avastin
wouldn’t do anything to help my husband3 worried questions come in mind%26hellip;
he would have taken a severe chemotherapy cocktail, no matter what.
how sure he is relying on his experience.
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