Cancer Treatment Options Available to You

The cancer treatment options that are available to you are dependent upon your physician's recommendations. His recommendations will be based upon the type and stage of the disease that you have, the possible side effects you could encounter, your personal preferences and the state of your general health. When it comes to your care, a team of doctors often work together to create a plan that combines a variety of therapies. This is what is known as a multidisciplinary team.
The therapies that are most commonly put into play include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The physician may decide to use only one kind of cancer treatment or he may feel that it is in your best interests to try a combination. One therapy may be put to use and if it is only mildly successful, something else may be tried. Not every patient responds to the same type of care plan.
There is palliative therapy which is a system that is put into place to help relieve the symptoms of the disease and the symptoms of the cancer treatment that is being used. In particular, it is used to target the pain that the patient is experiencing due to the condition.
There are also other types of care systems that the multidisciplinary team may decide would be beneficial for the individual. There is targeted therapy, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy. Yet another option is stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. Before starting a care plan, find out everything you can about the options that are before you. Talk at length with your physicians and do research online and at the local library. The more information that is made available to you, the better able you will be to understand the disease you have and the most effective means of treating it. Learn every detail that you can.
It is a good idea for those who are suffering from cancer to consider clinical trials that are taking place at present or in the near future. Talk with your healthcare practitioner when you are in the process of making decisions about the care you require to get better. A clinical trial can be described as being a research study that tests a new form of cancer treatment to find out if it is effective, safe and potentially more successful than the conventional therapy. Your physician can assist you in reviewing all of the options you have when it comes to clinical trials.
The first cancer treatment that will be administered to you is referred to as first-line therapy. If the plan does not work as it is supposed to, the individual will be given second-line therapy. In some cases, third-line therapy may be used if the first two are not as effective as expected.
Adjuvant therapy is a plan that is administered after the first option has been exhausted. An example of this would be chemotherapy after surgery has been done. Neoadjuvant therapy is given to the patient before the primary therapy, such as radiation before surgery.

Would you like to know more about cancer treatment New Orleans? Visit West Jefferson Medical Center for more information here: http://www.wjmc.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Aaronson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7886321

Epigenetic Reprogramming, Quiescence, and the Cancer Burden

" The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes-and ships-and sealing-wax- Of cabbages-and kings- And why the sea is boiling hot- And whether pigs have wings.", (The Walrus and the Carpenter from Through the Looking Glass-Lewis Carroll)
The time has come to talk of many things. Of cancer, nurture, and genes that are sound but not sound. Of epigenomics and methylones. Of FoxOs, mTOR, and HIFs. Of cancer stem cells, quiescence, and pluripotency. Of pocket handkerchiefs, sobs, tears, and lost hope. Of epigenetic reprogramming, pigs that fly, and the renewal of lost hope. First though epigenetic reprogramming.
Epigenetic reprogramming is a phenomenon-or epiphenomenon (depending on your looking glass) - that generates mitotically heritable changes that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin reorganization are the main epigenetic mechanisms associated with cancer. Methylation of DNA is mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) which are enzymes that add methyl groups to cytosines in both RNA and DNA molecules. DNA methylation causes cancer by inhibiting transcription following the formation of a complex comprising of methyl groups and other proteins hence preventing transcription factors from accessing the gene promoters. It is also opined that DNA methylation is a result rather than a cause of gene inactivation and occurs when mutations expose the promoter regions, rendering them more prone to the action of DNMTs. Global hypomethylation of genes such as MYC and H-ras leads to chromosomal instability and is often an early event in tumorigenesis.
Hypermethylation of CpG islands and promoter regions is also observed in cancer. Examples of genes that are hypermethylated hence leading to cancer are glutathione S-transferase P1 ( GSTP1), DNA repair genes such as BRCA1, human mutL homolog 1 (hMLH1), and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), and adhesion molecules such as cadherins, a desintegrin and metalloprotease domain 33 (ADAM33), and ADAM23. Hypermethylation also silences tumor suppressor genes such as p53, P16ink4A, Death-associated protein kinase (DAPk), and the p73 gene.
In culinary speak, the DNA is like a very long noodle in a very small plate that is wound around peas to compact it and enable it fit in the limited enclosure that is the plate (the nucleus). Modification of histones through mechanisms such as acetylation and methylation disrupts this arrangement, exposing the DNA to the action of transcription factors and leading to aberrant gene transcription due to modulation of the chromatin structure. Whereas acetylation enhances gene transcription and deacetylation enhances gene silencing, methylation can either activate or repress genes. Chromatin reorganization includes chromosomal looping and nucleosome remodeling and is also recognized as an epigenetic mechanism.
The role of DNMTs, micro RNAs (miRNAs), and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in epigenesis make them apt targets for novel anti-cancer therapies. Drugs that target epimutations include histone modification inhibitors, DNA methylation inhibitors, and small molecules targeting chromatin remodeling proteins. Histone modification inhibitors include histone deacetylase inhibitors such as Belinostat which is indicated for haematological malignancies and solid tumors and Panobinostat which is indicated for chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. DNA methylation inhibitors include DNMT inhibitors such as 5-azacytidine (Vidaza®) and 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine (Decitabine® for injections or Dacogen®) which are indicated for haemtaological malignancies and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), histone methyltransferase inhibitors such as DZNep which is indicated for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and benzamide histone deacetylase inhibitor such as Entinostat which is indicated for lung and blood tumors. Small molecules targeting chromatin remodeling proteins and which are under development include RG108 which binds specifically and inhibits the active domain of the DNA methyltransferase 1 enzyme, CP-4200 which is conjugated to a lipid chain linked to azacytidine and which speeds up cellular uptake, Romidepsin, and histone deacetylase inhibitors including valproic acid (Depakote ®), pyroxamide (SAHA), and Vorinostat (Solinza ®). Drugs targeting MicroRNAs include Salermide and Sirtinol which are inhibitors of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). SIRT1 Deacetylates HIF-1? and HIF-2? leading to suppression of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) and suffocating cancerous cells and reactivates pro-apoptotic genes that have been inhibited in cancer cells.
Combination therapies involving drugs targeting epimutations and conventional drugs are also under development. The major problem of these drugs is that they are largely non-specific as their effect is on the global epigenome. They are thus associated with major side effects. Like sweeping huge quantities of sand in a half a year using seven mops and seven maids in half a year.
However, with rapid advances in epigenomic analyses enabling epigenetic changes to be assessed globally in tumor cell genomes, there is hope that the specificity of the drugs can be vastly enhanced. These advances include chromatin immunoprecipitation with DNA sequencing (ChiP-Seq), Chip-Chip assays, and second and third generation DNA sequencing techniques including pyrosequencing, sequencing by oligo detection and ligation, nanosequencing, and single molecule real time sequencing (SMRT). Gene-by-gene analyses encompassing techniques such as MethyLight, methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion PCR (MSRE) digestion, methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and bisulfate sequencing and the development of highly specific epigenomic markers also provide hope for the development of highly specific and accurate targets against cancer epimutations.
Will pigs fly? Will cancer finally be dealt a mortal blow? Not quite yet, for many of the available anti-cancer drugs target cycling cells, leaving quiescent stem cells untargeted hence causing disease relapse and advancement. Anti-cancer compounds targeting quiescence in adult stem cells are being developed and these include the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), wnt inhibitors, CXC motif receptor-4 antagonists, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and interferon. The next installation will explore the role and future of these novel drugs in cancer therapy. Of the renewal of lost hope.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angus_Nassir_Amolo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7878009

Migraine Symptoms Without Headache

Many people have this misconception that migraine means headache. But there are people who have migraine symptoms without headache. Read on to know more about this unusual type of migraine.

People usually associate migraine with chronic headache. Yes, headache can be a symptom of migraine but approximately 3% people among the migraine patients show migraine symptoms without headache. This is a type of migraine in which the patient possesses all the other symptoms except headache. It is also known as ocular migraine, migraine equivalents, ophthalmic migraine, silent migraine, etc. It is sometimes dangerous as the symptoms are not noticeable in the initial stage. Migraine can be classified into classic and common. In classic migraine, one can experience migraine aura which means visual disturbances and common migraine does not have auras. In migraine without headache, the person will go through migraine aura but will not notice any headache. Find more about this condition in the following paragraphs.

Symptoms of Migraine Without Headache
When a person suffers from migraine without headache it is very difficult to judge the exact reason. Usually when people experience some visual disturbances they go to an eye specialist for check-up. It is really very difficult for a normal person to find out migraine aura without headache. Some of the symptoms are as follows.

The person may experience visual disorders during migraine. They see blind spots which goes on expanding. Flashing lights, zigzag or spinning lines. Straight lines appear wavy. This tendency is known as aura and it lasts for 10 to 15 minutes.
Numbness in the fingers which later on go towards the hand and then to the arms.
Weakness and dizzy feeling are also associated with migraine. The person may feel weak and may observe a desire to sleep.
The person may also suffer from amnesia. It may last for 1 to 2 hours. He may act very normally during this period but later he may face difficulty in recalling the activities he did during that period.
Sometimes the person may face difficulty in speaking.
Nausea, vomiting, confusions and abdominal pain are also some of the common ocular migraine symptoms.

Causes of Migraine Without Headache
The causes of migraine are still not known. Some people believe that it is caused due to food and some believe it is a neurological disorders. It is also said to be caused due to the changes in the activity of some nerve cells. Following are some causes which may or may not be responsible for migraine.

It may be triggered due to the intake of some kind of nuts, red wine, sugar substitutes, shellfish, chocolates, etc. Intake of alcohol or caffeine can also be a reason for migraine.
Exposure to the bright light and noise may trigger migraine.
It may be caused due to some neurological defects or because of some other diseases. Menopause, premenstrual changes, stress, hypertension and irregular meal can also take you to migraine.

These were some of the symptoms and possible causes of migraine without headache. There is no treatment for migraine as such and usually migraine without headache needs no treatment. It is diagnosed very late as the patient is unable to understand the reason behind the symptoms. You need to visit a good doctor if you observe migraine without headache. There are some medicines which can shorten the period of aura but one cannot get rid of it for the entire life. Hence prevention is the best way to stay away from this condition. Avoid things which can trigger migraine. As migraine without headache consists of aura or eye related problems, one should take extra care while driving even though you have been treated completely. Try to maintain a proper diet, exercise regularly and go for some stress management techniques. This alone will help you a lot to get control over the symptoms of migraine. But if you are already experiencing the symptoms then visit a doctor and follow his advice.
By Niharika Arya
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/migraine-symptoms-without-headache.html

Malaria Disease: Malaria Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Malaria is a parasitic disease that causes flu-like symptoms, and without treatment it leads to complication, that may cause death. It is better to take the preventive measures by identifying its causes.

Many people often ask what is Malaria disease? Malaria is a parasitic disease. This means that it is caused by a parasite, a tiny organism that lives in or on other organisms called a host. This parasite is from the genus Plasmodium and the host is a female mosquito of the Anopheles genus. The parasite is transferred to a potential victim when he or she is bitten by a mosquito. Though treatable and preventable, annually this disease kills 350-500 thousand around the world most victims are children who live near the Sahara area in Africa. In the United States only 1,300 cases are seen each year. This Buzzle article on malaria symptoms, causes and treatment will cover information that will help you learn more about this dangerous disease.

Causes of Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite that has infected the saliva glands of a female mosquito. There are five types of Plasmodium that can infect humans. They include P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. knowlesi. Most number of cases of malaria are caused by P. falciparum. Once a mosquito that has been infected by the parasite that has grown to a certain stage of development bites someone then that person gets malaria. If another female mosquito then bites the malaria victim, she can pass it to other people without being infected itself (that mosquito is called a vector).

Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of Malaria can vary greatly, from no symptoms at all or mild to extremely serious and may even result in death. Malaria is often divided into two different categories. The first category is called the uncomplicated category and the other is complicated category.

Incubation Period of Malaria
Depending on the type of parasite the incubation period can range anywhere from 7-30 days. People who have traveled to Malaria prone areas should tell their doctor that they have done so, because even with the antimalarial drugs, some types of malaria can delay onset of symptoms for up to one year.

1. Uncomplicated Malaria
The general (but very infrequent) attack of malaria usually continues 6-10 hours. There are three phases to this and these usually return every 2 to 3 days depending upon the type of parasite.

The cold phase (shivering, feeling cold)
The hot phase (vomiting, fever, headache; convulsions in children)
The Sweating phase (sweating, normal temperature, sleepiness)

However, more often the patient usually has the following signs and symptoms:

Chills
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
General discomfort
Body aches

In some patients, one may observe enlarged spleen, fever, perspiration, general weakness. If a patient is infected with P. Falciparum, they may develop symptoms such as enlarged Liver, mild jaundice, and increase respiratory rate.

Depending upon the country and the frequency that malaria is experienced the patient will either self-medicate; as we do here in America with a cold or they will seek professional help after improper medications fail to take effect.

2. Complicated Malaria
This usually occurs where there is either low or no immunity to this disease, including locations where Malaria disease is rare or immunity is low because of other health risks. Complicated malaria results in blood and organ disorders, including fluid on the lung, and loss of kidney function.

In all areas of the world complicated Malaria disease is an emergency and should be treated as quickly and as intensely as possible because without treatment other major medical problems appear and eventually death does occur. As with other conditions pregnancy may be complicated resulting in pre-term labor or low birth-weight babies. In some extreme cases, there is a possibility of early termination of the pregnancy.

Severe Malarial Bouts
When a patients develops a serious P. falciparum infection, it results in multiple organ failure. It may even lead to abnormalities in the normal metabolism of the patient and blood. These complications include:

Severe anemia due to destruction of normal red blood cells
Presence of hemoglobin urine (hemoglobinuria)
Pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Decrease in blood platelets that leads to blood coagulation and thrombocytopenia
Cardiovascular shock
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), especially in pregnant women

Malarial Relapse
Malaria relapses are also known to happen, even months and years after the first attack. This is due to one genus of parasites having dormant stages that have been known to reactivate long after the disease has been cured. There are medications that are able to prevent this and should be started as soon after the first attack as possible.

Treatment of Malaria Disease
Laboratory tests should be performed and diagnosis of Malaria Disease should be confirmed before any treatment is started. Not doing this should be reserved only for special cases, limiting it to those situations where clear suspicion of a very extreme case is determined and lack of facilities necessitates doing so.

Treatment is determined by three specifications:

The species of infecting parasite - This is for three different reasons.
P. falciparum causes a severe and quickly progressing illness or death, while the other three species rarely are this severe.
P. vivax and P. ovale demand treatment for forms that remain dormant and can induce repeat infections.
P. falciparum and P. vivax are known for different resistance levels in different geographic areas where infections occur. For P. Falciparum rapid beginning of treatment is extremely necessary.
The physical state of the infected person.
The resistance level of the parasites determined by the place the person was when infected.
In addition other things to remember about the drug treatment.
Other ailments the patient has:
Pregnancy
Drug allergies and sensitivities.

Drugs
Some antimalarial medications can be given intravenously. The usual medications for malaria are:

Chloroquine
Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
Mefloquine
Atovaquone-proguanil
Quinine
Doxycycline
Artemisinin derivatives (these are usually only available outside the United States)

Malaria kills thousands of people unnecessarily. With immediate and correct treatment people are able to recover from this disease with no problem. It also must be realized that delay appearance of in symptoms is possible. Any suspected cases of malaria must be reported to health care providers. Also, in the United States it is imperative to report any cases of malaria to the CDC. You should follow all the measures to prevent malaria. This was all about malaria disease causes, symptoms and treatment. For more information, especially when traveling to malaria-prone regions, speak to a healthcare provider for more details.
By Jayashree Pakhare
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/malaria-disease-symptoms-causes-treatment.html