OrganizedWisdom Health - Oral Cancer

Hand-Foot Syndrome

Jkg0679 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:08:41 GMT

Hand-foot syndrome is a side effect of chemotherapy that causes a skin reaction that appears on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. Symptoms of hand-foot syndrome include tingling or numbness, swelling, redness, peeling skin, and tenderness or pain. Blistering can occur if there is no change in treatment.

Fast Facts:

Hand-foot syndrome typically occurs within a few weeks of beginning chemotherapy, although it can appear at any time.
Hand-foot syndrome can be treated by changing treatment, or taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen, corticosteroids, and/or vitamin B6.
Hand-foot syndrome may be prevented by changes in activities and clothing, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding caffeine.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Hand-Foot_Syndrome

Remission

Jkg0679 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:22:33 GMT

Remission occurs when a disease is responding well to treatment and symptoms disappear. This term commonly refers to cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), though other conditions can go into remission. Remission does not mean that the disease is cured, and symptoms can reoccur at some point in the future.

Fast Facts:

Partial remission is the term used when most, but not all, of the symptoms have improved.
Complete remission is the term used when symptoms disappear completely.
Remssions can last anywhere from several weeks to many years.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Remission

Chemotherapy

AmyS — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:18:39 GMT

Chemotherapy, also known as cytotoxic therapy, is the treatment of cancer with drugs that destroy cancer cells. These drugs often are referred to as "anticancer" drugs. Chemotherapy affects all parts of the body, not just cancer cells. Anticancer drugs work by stopping the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

Fast Facts

There are many different types of drugs used in chemotherapy. Examples of commonly used drugs include doxorubicin, methotrexate, gemcitabine, and cyclophosphamide.
Chemotherapy can be used in different ways. Neoadjuvant therapy is used before surgery to shrink a tumor. Adjuvant therapy is used after surgery to reduce the risk of the tumor returning. Chemotherapy may be used at the start of cancer treatment or as treatment for cancer that has returned.
It is administered in three ways; intravenously, orally, and through an injection.
Nausea, pain, fatigue, depression, hair loss, and weakness are a few common side effects of chemotherapy.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Chemotherapy

Study Predicts Large Increase in Cancer Cases

SScroggins — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:24:24 GMT

Researchers recently announced that the number of new cancer cases in the United States will rise by 45% in the next 20 years. A study at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas estimates approximately 2.3 million cancer cases in 2030, while 1.6 million cases are expected in 2010. Researchers believe that seniors and minorities will be most likely to be diagnosed.

Fast Facts:

Researchers believe that there will be a large increase in the number of stomach, pancreatic, and liver cancers.
It is important to note that some cancers can be prevented in many cases by living a healthy lifestyle.
Up to 38% of breast cancers and 45% of bowel cancers can be prevented by lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, exercise, and not smoking.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Study_Predicts_Large_Increase_in_Cancer_Cases

Amethopterin

SScroggins — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:29:36 GMT

Amethopterin is the name formerly given to the cancer-fighting drug methotrexate. Common side effects associated with the use of amethopterin include: bone marrow suppression, anemia, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and fatigue. Hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and headache may also occur.

Fast Facts:

Some side effects of amethopterin may not occur at the time of treatment, only to appear months or even years later.
Amethopterin is commonly used to treat cancer of the breast, brain, cervix, esophagus, ovaries, pancreas, and many others.
Amethopterin may be administered via tablet, injection, or intravenous solution.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Amethopterin

Last Stages of Cancer

JRafferty — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:28:31 GMT

When a cancer reaches it last stages, it is usually no longer treatable and considered a terminal illness. Often the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The patient's health will increasingly decline and eventually he/she will succumb to the cancer.

Fast Facts:

During the final stages of cancer, medications will be given to the patient to control pain and other symptom associated with the cancer.
Some signs that death may be close include increasing fatigue, confusion, poor blood circulation, withdrawal, and appetite loss.
Being there for patient and letting them know they are not alone can be a source of comfort for them, and the most important thing you can do for them.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Last_Stages_of_Cancer

Ron Silver Dies at 62 of Esophageal Cancer

AmyS — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:33:04 GMT

Actor Ron Silver, age 62, has passed away after a two year battle with esophageal cancer. Silver was Emmy-nominated for his role as Bruno Gianelli in The West Wing. He also won a Tony award for his work in Sped the Plow.

Fast Facts:

Robin Bronk, the executive director of the Creative Coalition, released a statement saying "Ron Silver died peacefully in his sleep with his family around him early Sunday morning."
Silver helped found the Creative Coalition, an art based political group, in 1989.
He was also a featured speaker at the 2004 Republican National Convention.
In 2008, there were approximately 16,470 new cases of esophageal cancer in the U.S.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Ron_Silver_Dies_at_62_of_Esophageal_Cancer

Which Celebrities Have Cancer

Jkg0679 — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 04:31:19 GMT

Many celebrities have battled with cancer. Some celebrities, such as Bob Marley, who had melanoma, did not survive. Others, such as Nelson Mandela, who had prostate cancer, are in remission.

Fast Facts:

Shirley Temple and Melissa Etheridge had breast cancer.
Sharon Osbourne and Ronald Reagan had colon cancer.
Nat King Cole and Walt Disney had lung cancer.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Which_Celebrities_Have_Cancer

Women's Cancer Risk and Alcohol

AmyS — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:12:04 GMT

A new study reveals that even the consumpton of as little as two alcoholic beverages a week may raise the risk of cancer in women. These findings contradict previous research that suggest light drinking may benefit your health. Researchers at the Oxford University studied over 1.2 million women for this study.

Fast Facts:

For every 1,000 women who drank an average of one drink per day, there would be an extra 11 cases of breast cancer.
Cancers of the mouth, liver, and rectum were also higher among drinkers.
This study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Women's_Cancer_Risk_and_Alcohol

Who Invented Chemotherapy

Jkg0679 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:47:44 GMT

During the 1940's, the United States department of Defense recruited Louis S. Goodman and Alfred Gilman to study the therapeutic applications of nitrogen mustard, a chemical warfare agent. It was initially found that this agent could be used in treating lymphoma. Later on, Eli Lilly found that Madagascar periwinkle blocked proliferation of tumor cells. Then in 1965, James Holland, Emil Freireich, and Emil Frei figured out that using combination chemotherapy was an even more effective cancer treatment.

Fast Facts:

Over 100 drugs are used during chemotherapy today.
The National Cancer Chemotherapy Service Center was founded in 1955.
During the 1930's, Charles B. Huggins found that administering estrogen could slow cancer of the prostate.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Who_Invented_Chemotherapy