Archive for the 'Cancer' Category

Causes and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer can occur in any age group, although it is most common after age 30 and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. The majority of patients present with a nodule on their thyroid which typically does not cause symptoms. Remember, over 99% of thyroid nodules are not cancer! But, when a thyroid cancer does begin to grow within a thyroid gland, it almost always does so within a discrete nodule within the thyroid.

The thyroid gland is located on the anterior aspect (front) of the neck. It can be felt just below the thyroid cartilage, or “Adam’s apple”. It is a butterfly shaped organ that stretches across the midline of the neck just below the Adam’s apple, with its “wings” spreading towards the head on either side of the Adam’s apple. These “wings” are called the lobes of the thyroid, with the portion extending across midline called the isthmus. As an endocrine gland, the thyroid gland produces and secretes thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.

Thyroid cancer develops in your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. Although your thyroid gland is small, it produces hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It makes hormones that help the body work normally. Anyone can get cancer of the thyroid gland. But certain factors may increase the risk.

Causes of Thyroid Cancer

Most cases occur between 25 and 65 yrs of age, and the age at diagnosis is one of the most important factors in predicting prognosis. Men under 40yr and women under 50yr have significantly lower rates of recurrence and better survival rates than older persons.

The thyroid gland is located on the anterior aspect (front) of the neck. It can be felt just below the thyroid cartilage, or “Adam’s apple”. It is a butterfly shaped organ that stretches across the midline of the neck just below the Adam’s apple, with its “wings” spreading superiorly (towards the head) on either side of the Adam’s apple. These “wings” are called the lobes of the thyroid, with the portion extending across midline called the isthmus. As an endocrine gland, the thyroid gland produces and secretes thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.

Thyroid cancer is more common in people who have a history of exposure of the thyroid gland to radiation, have a family history of thyroid cancer, and are older than 40 years of age. However, for most patients, we do not know the specific reason why they develop thyroid
cancer.

Papillary and follicular cancers develop in follicle cells. They account for the great majority of thyroid cancers, can usually be completely removed with surgery and generally result in an excellent prognosis. Medullary cancer, on the other hand, arises in the thyroid’s C cells and is generally more aggressive and harder to treat than papillary and follicular cancers are.

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

Pain in the throat or neck that may extend to the ears.
A lump at the base of your neck
A hoarse voice that does not get better
Sore throat or difficulty swallowing that does not get better
A lump elsewhere in your neck

Nodules should be of particular concern when they are found in children or those under the age of 20. The presentation of benign nodules at this age is less likely, and thus the potential for malignancy is far greater.
Most thyroid lumps are not cancer. It is not unusual for older people to have small lumps in their thyroid glands called nodules. As many as 9 out of 10 women over 70yrs will have these. Only about 1 in 20 thyroid lumps are cancer. An enlarged thyroid gland that is not cancer is sometimes called a goitre.

About the author: Read about Herbal Treatment Natural Remedies Cures. Also read about Breast Enhancement and Breast Enlargement and Health Questions Answers Discussion Forum
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

How You Can Cure Your Cancer Naturally

Many films about cancer have been made in recent years, the most notable features a scientist who discovers the cure in a South American rain forest, only to lose it; cancer has killed untold millions, but each year the cure for this disease gets another step closer. Although there are other more awful diseases, this one holds the crown at the moment because of how often it is diagnosed; a cure would bring a sigh of relief everywhere. Research over the years has helped our understanding of cancer but not to the point where we are able to foretell exactly when it will happen.

Even now many people do not really understand what cancer is despite growing up with it all around them. Could it be true that we are all born with it? Well, it is a disease that’s characterized by a large number of cells that continue to grow and divide; they invade and destroy adjacent tissues and may even spread to other anatomical sites through a process called metastasis.

Benign tumors do not normally grow larger, metastasize or threaten the body and organs like malignant (cancerous) tumors do although it is possible for a malignant tumor to have started out as benign. Whilst it is not generally a young person’s disease, it can occur at any age; cancer is responsible for around 130,000 deaths for every one million people each year. Cancer is an abnormality in the body’s cells and can be caused by a number of agents including carcinogens or poisons such as smoke, infectious agents or radiation.

Just to confuse the issue more, it is possible inherit genes that may be pre-disposed to it as well as faulty genetic DNA replication. However this does not mean you will contract it as the relationship between carcinogens and an individual’s genetic makeup is a complex one.

Research into the cause of cancer continues around the globe and is the disease most frequently studied on a regular basis. More knowledge is being acquired about cancer each year. More information is being gathered about all illnesses and why some people are more prone to certain conditions. We all want to know more about the causes of cancer what we can do to help prevent this illness from striking.

The food you eat on a regular basis will have an effect on your health, especially in the future. Some believe it may even be causing a large number of cases in certain groups of people. Foods that could be a problem are Salt, sugar, saturated fat and cholesterol. Recent studies have shown that calcium received from dairy products can be harmful to men and could encourage the onset of prostate cancer.

Cancer can affect any part of the body from the bones, blood, skin or organs. nowhere is safe from it. Sometimes the disease is only picked up through routine screening. Usually the cancer is at an early stage and a person may have a better chance of being cured. the number of different types of cancer that can be treated has increased dramatically in recent years with so much intensive research being carried out. All this research is gradually leading towards more effective treatments for cancer and it is not always the terminal disease it used to be.

About the author: There is a great resource that I have found that has methods to treat cancer naturally at: www.cancer-natural-treatments.info you can find a lot of useful information there.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Blood Cancer – Causes and Treatment

Blood is a part of the body. Blood has different components sch as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. The red blood cells (RBC), platelets also called monocytes because it is belong to the “myeloid” group and other white blood cells belong to the “lymphoid” group. Lymphoid cells are affected. Disease progresses quickly. This is most common among children. Blood cancer or Leukemia is actually a group of diseases, each of which impede with the normal functioning of blood cells and progressively weaken the system. Leukemia is classified as either Acute or Chronic. Blood and urine samples may also be tested for various substances, called tumor markers, which may indicate cancer.

Causes

A weakened immune system - this may be a result of drugs that suppress the immune system (such as those used for organ transplants), high doses of radiation (such as in radiotherapy for another cancer), or diseases that affect the immune system (such as HIV).

Contact with a chemical called benzene, one of the chemicals in petrol and a solvent used in the rubber and plastics industry.

Genetic disorders like Fanconi anemia, Schwachman-Diamond syndrome and Down syndrome.

Treatment

In radio immunotherapy, an immunotoxin–a hybrid molecule formed by coupling an antibody molecule to a toxin–is injected into the patient. The antibody locks onto a signature protein the cancerous cells express and delivers the toxic dose to the cancer cells. Because the treatment is precision-guided, adverse effects to the rest of the body are minimized. Preliminary results with the new drug are extremely promising–completely eradicating the human cancer cells grafted to mice.

Your doctor may prescribe medications, sometimes called “growth factors,” that encourage your body to produce more blood cells. Medications are also used to prevent low blood cell counts in people who have a high probability of experiencing complications of cancer treatment. Medications have benefits and risks, so talk to your doctor about the possible side effects of drugs used to boost blood cell counts.

Most people feel confused and overwhelmed when they are told they have leukaemia. It’s a very distressing time both for them and their families. An important part of cancer treatment is learning how to talk about how you are feeling, and getting support with the physical and emotional symptoms you are experiencing.

For more advanced cancer, you can receive extra support, known as palliative care. Doctors and nurses based in hospitals, hospices and pain clinics specialise in providing the support you need, and can also visit you at home.
Many everyday activities put you at risk of cuts and scrapes. A low platelet count makes even minor abrasions serious. A low white blood cell count can turn a small cut into a starting point for a serious infection. Use an electric shaver rather than a razor to avoid nicks. Ask someone else to cut up food in the kitchen. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and blowing your nose.

Biological therapy uses special immune system cells and proteins to stimulate the body’s immune system to kill cancer cells. Biological agents such as interferons, interleukins, monoclonal antibodies, tumor necrosis factors and colony-stimulating factors are natural substances found in the body that help alter the way the immune system reacts to cancer. Researchers are now able to create reproductions of some of these biological agents in laboratories, imitating the natural immune agents. These agents are used to augment the anti-tumor immune response of the patient.

About the author: Read about Natural Mild Laxative, Bowel Cleanser. Also read about Asparagus - Increase Sperm Count, Sexual Enhancement and Dogs and Cats Health Guide
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

« Previous PageNext Page »