Rare Cancer Guide - A Concise Summary

A cancer is considered rare if it is diagnosed in less than 15 people per 100,000 each year. This comes out to a total of about 40,000 cases per year in the US. For example, ovarian cancer occurs in about 21,000 women each year, which means it is classified as rare. Most rare forms of cancer in adults are grouped together in a larger classification. For example, leukemia is a general classification of several rare types of cancers that occur in the blood.

The common cancers such as lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancer attract much more attention and get much more research funding than the rare types of cancer. Of course this makes sense because so many more people are affected by the common cancers. However, the common cancers may be caused by many different factors - only one of which may be a genetic predisposition. Many of the rare forms of cancer can't be easily linked to environmental and other factors. Rare cancer research may be able to help scientists unlock the genetic codes which explain how humans get cancer.

Getting Clinical Care For Patients With A Rare Cancer
The problem with a rare form of cancer is finding a physician who is familiar with its diagnosis and treatment. Because these cancers don't happen as much as the common cancers, most physicians don't have experience in diagnosing and treating these cancers. In order to get appropriate treatment for a rare form of cancer, you may have to continually ask your oncologist for answers. You may have to learn how to do the research yourself and even travel to see other doctors who specialize in an area of research similar to your cancer. Don't be surprised if the medical advice you get seems conflicting. Because these cancers are rare and the research may be limited, the science behind the treatments may vary widely.

Don't worry about offending your doctor by asking for a second opinion. Remember these cancers are rare, and most physicians will have little experience in dealing with them. It is OK to ask for a second opinion. Some insurance companies may even require a second opinion in the diagnosis of a rare cancer. Seek a referral to a nearby "major" cancer treatment center because this will increase your chances of consulting with a specialist who is more familiar with your cancer type. Major cancer treatment centers are usually located in large metropolitan cities. You can usually find out more about these centers by researching online. Take copies of your medical records with you and bring someone along to help you take notes of the your conversations. You don't want to miss any important details! Get someone you know that is skilled in Internet research to help you out with your online research studies.

How To Find Support For Rare Cancer Patients
Many people diagnosed with a rare cancer often feel alienated and alone because there are so few people who share their same condition. It is difficult to find others who can relate emotionally to these people. Most cancer patients find some sort of consolation in discussing their condition with others who have the same condition. Rare cancer patients have a difficult time finding others who have the same condition. In these cases, cancer patients may be able to find a sense of community through online means such as support groups and cancer forums or blogs. Enlist the help of someone who is skilled in Internet research to find these support groups and show you how to interact with them online. Rare forms of cancer may actually be easier to treat because they may have a single molecular genetic flaw that is common to them. However, the difficulty lies in detecting these rare cancers early, properly diagnosing the rare cancer and then seeking the appropriate treatment. Because the cancer is rare, it may be difficult to move through these phases quickly enough.

Consider a Clinical Trial
When cancers grow in spite of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, it may be time to consider other alternatives such as clinical trials. Cancer treatments must go through clinical trials before they are approved for use with the general population. You can choose to be a clinical trial patient and help advance cancer research to find a cure. If you choose to become a clinical trial patient you will have to sign waivers for risk. Weigh the risks carefully!

Get Insurance Guidance
Rare cancer patients often face insurance hurdles. Ask about insurance issues when you visit your oncologist. Some insurance plans require pre-approval before they will pay for a treatment of a rare cancer. Without such pre-approval you and your family may be stuck with a huge financial burden as well as the burden of care.

Keep careful records of all interactions with your insurance company. Document the time, date, the representative(s) you spoke with and the results of the conversation. Request for written approvals and do as much communicating as you can in writing instead of verbally. Make audio or video recordings of your conversations (ask for permission first!) with insurance representatives.

If you can't afford treatments there may be patient assistance programs that can help you. These programs are often referred to as "compassionate care" programs. Ask about these with your oncologist. Be persistent and firm and don't give up!

Liver Cancer Survival Rates

Liver cancer survival rates indicate the chances a cancer patient has of surviving the disease for a specified length of time. The rates are by no means a definite indicator of what will happen to a patient; they can at best predict a patient's chances of what might happen to him, if a type of treatment plan is opted for, based on what has happened to other patients in similar circumstances. They serve as a guide to a patient and his family to know what they can expect if they choose a particular type of treatment or if they should consider one at all rather than just opt for pain relievers and sedation.

The liver is the largest gland in the body that performs the many vital functions of storing vitamins and nutrients, producing proteins that are required for blood clotting, creating bile required for digestion and of breaking down and filtering toxins from blood. There are two types of liver cancer; primary liver cancer which begins in the liver tissue itself and metastasized liver cancer which is a secondary liver cancer that originates in the other parts of the body and then spreads to the liver. cancer cells can travel easily to the liver because of its function in filtering blood. It most commonly spread from the colon, breast, pancreas, stomach or lungs.

As with all other types of cancers, survival rates are heavily dependent on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed. This also determines the treatment options that can be opted for. Some doctor use the TNM classification method, in which T refers to the size of the tumor which can vary from T1 to T4, N indicates if the disease has spread to the lymph nodes and M indicates if it has spread to the other organs.

Some prefer to stage the disease into
a) localized resectable- if the tumor is contained in one spot (T1-T2),
b) localized unresectable - where the tumor is contained in one spot but can't be removed,
c) advanced - if it has spread through the liver and elsewhere,
d) recurrent - if the cancer has returned after treatment.

There are 3 forms of treatment, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy used singly or in combination depending on the stage of the disease and the prognosis. Liver cancer survival rates are rather low because the disease can go undetected for sometime before any indications surface. The average age of diagnosis is 60 and more than half of patients are men. The overall worldwide liver cancer survival rates indicate that only 7% of liver Cancer patients reach the 5 year survival mark after diagnosis. In cases where the cancer can be surgically removed, 75% will survive for 1 year, 50% for 3 years and 30% for 5 years.

Liver cancer survival rates are high in cases of primary cancer where a liver transplant is possible to as much as 75% for 5 years. Liver transplants for metastatic cases have a zero survival rate as it is only a matter of time before the cancer spreads to the new organ. Complete surgical resection at a stage when the tumor is completely resectable gives patients an even higher survival rate than a transplant; however, the number of cases when this is possible is very limited.

The only way to improve the survival rates for liver cancer is by understanding the risk factors which might make it easier for the disease to be diagnosed at an early stage. This means that high risk candidates must have regular ultra sounds and blood tests to check the liver enzyme level which will indicate if the liver is functioning at optimum level or not.

Tuberculosis News and Updates

New tuberculosis study results reported from University of Agriculture.

Feb 15, 2010 ... "To investigate the percentage reactor animals to SCCIT in sheep and goat the present study was carried out by using bovine and avian PPDs at 7 Livestock Experiment Stations of Punjab and villages around two cities. The overall percentage of reactor animals to SCCIT at farms in sheep and ...

Findings from Geriatric Hospital in tuberculosis reported.(Report)

Feb 15, 2010 ... According to recent research published in the Journal of Laryngology and Otology, "Patients suspected of having cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis are diagnosed using investigations such as fine needle aspiration cytology and the polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis ....

New tuberculosis study findings recently were reported by N.R. Gandhi and co-researchers.

Feb 15, 2010 ... "The multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) epidemics are rapidly expanding in South Africa. Our initial report of HIV-associated XDR TB in South Africa revealed rapid and near complete mortality," investigators in the United States report (see ...

New findings from W. Ansar and co-researchers in the area of leishmaniasis described.

Feb 15, 2010 ... "Human C-reactive protein (CRP), as a mediator of innate immunity, removed damaged cells by activating the classical complement pathway. Previous studies have successfully demonstrated that CRPs are differentially induced as glycosylated molecular variants in certain pathological ...

New tuberculosis study findings have been reported from Madurai Kamaraj University.

Feb 15, 2010 ... According to recent research from Madurai, India, "A series of ethyl 6-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1,1-dioxo-3,5-diaryl-1,4-thiazinane-2-carboxylates was prepared in good yields (72-90%) from the reaction of ethyl 2-[(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)sulfonyl]acetate, substituted aromatic aldehydes and amines in ...

Source: world wide webs

The Deadly Intersection Between TB and HIV

The Deadly Intersection Between TB and HIV - Dual Infection Increases the Risk of Active TB. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread from person-to-person through the air, and it is particularly dangerous for people infected with HIV. Tuberculosis and HIV is a deadly combination. In fact, worldwide TB is the leading cause of death among people infected with HIV.

A Complete Guide to TB

An estimated 10-15 million Americans are infected with TB bacteria, all with the potential to develop active TB disease in the future. About 10 percent of these infected individuals will develop active TB at some point in their lives. However, the risk of developing TB disease is much greater for those infected with HIV and living with AIDS. Because HIV infection so severely weakens the immune system, people dually infected with HIV and TB have a 100 times greater risk of developing active TB disease and becoming infectious compared to people not infected with HIV.

The Difference Between Latent and Active TB

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 10 to 15 percent of all TB cases and nearly 30 percent of cases among people ages 25 to 44 are occurring in HIV+ people.

This high level of risk underscores the critical need for targeted TB screening and preventive treatment programs for HIV-infected people and those at greatest risk for HIV infection.

New TB Test Now Available

Important Information!
All people infected with HIV should be tested for TB, and, if infected, complete preventive therapy as soon as possible in order to prevent active TB.

The Intersection of Two Global Epidemics
HIV and TB are two worldwide epidemics that intersect becoming one public health nightmare. Consider these facts:

• Approximately 2 billion people (one-third of the world's population) are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB.
• TB is the cause of death for one out of every three people with AIDS worldwide.
• The spread of the HIV epidemic has significantly impacted the TB epidemic; one-third of the increase in TB cases over the last five years can be attributed to the HIV epidemic.

Source: UNAIDS

Worldwide TB Statistics

The Continued Threat of Multi-drug Resistant TB
There are effective treatments for active TB. But there are some strains or types of TB that do not respond to the antibiotics used to treat TB. These types of TB are called Multidrug-resistant TB. Every nation must face the challenge of combating multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB. People infected with HIV and living with AIDS are at greater risk for developing MDR TB. MDR TB is extremely difficult to treat and can be fatal. While the number of cases in the United States has remained stable over the past few years, cases of MDR TB have now been reported from 43 states and the District of Columbia.

To prevent the continued emergence of drug-resistant strains of TB, treatment for TB must be improved in the United States and across the globe. Inconsistent or partial treatment is the main cause of TB that is resistant to available drugs. The most effective strategy for ensuring completion of treatment is Directly Observed Therapy. Simply put, directly observed therapy is exactly what its name suggests. People who are taking TB treatment are observed taking their doses each day in order to assure that the doses are taking each and every day to completion. TB prevention and treatment experts feel that expanding the use of directly observed therapy could be an effective way to assure TB treatment is completed and as a result the incidence of multi-drug resistant TB would decline.

Another challenge that individuals co-infected with HIV and TB face is the possible complications that can occur when taking HIV treatment regimens along with TB treatment. Physicians prescribing these drugs must carefully consider all potential interactions and must monitor the dual infected patient very closely.

Addressing the Dangers of the TB - HIV Connection

TB control is an exercise in vigilance. The goal of controlling and eventually eliminating TB requires a targeted and continuous effort to address the prevention and treatment needs for those most at risk, including HIV-infected individuals. Efforts to eliminate TB are therefore essential to reducing the global toll of HIV and TB.

Adapted from an article from the Centers for Disease Control, 2000

Source: About.com

This Ten Facts about Acne

Acne is one that can be a bitch for the teens, because not a few of the teens who are shy when acne begins to grow and acne effects nearly 90% of the teenage population, so you're not alone. Also usually not what you have done, eaten or the way you wash. So you do not need to feel guilty. So, let's look at some facts:

-Junk food causes acne. Wrong! Pizza, chocolate, coke or other junk food never proved this cause. That does not mean to say you have to do all this junk food. Sensible diet good for everyone, and help you feel better.

-Acne is caused by dirt. Wrong! Actually, more than washing your face twice a day or rub your face, with a gauze or flannel will make it worse. The need for acne treatments for mild soft soap and rinse thoroughly.

-Sweat will cleanse my pores. Wrong! The mixture of sweat and body oils can aggravate the situation for some acne sufferers. Bath immediately after any sport and wore baggy clothes.

-Women's Make-up can cause acne. Wrong! There is no scientific evidence has been found to verify this. Most current products crazy to stop clogging the pores. So this is not a problem. Do not wear make-up even when you exercise as this may interfere with the problem.

-Stress causes acne. Wrong! To form. Stress can trigger several hormones, which can exacerbate the situation. But it was not the cause.

-You Can not Cure Acne. But you can cure! There are many good acne treatments on the market. See your doctor.

-Sun can help. Wrong! At the time may exacerbate the situation in time. A tan may effect your skin look better, but it certainly will do no good.

-Spot Acne Treatment Works. Wrong! The entire face must be treated. Most of the issues that formed under the skin. So, take care of the top places will not do anything.

-You'll Outgrow It. Wrong! Acne treatment. Do not wait for the doctor as soon as possible.

-It's Only Cosmetic. Well Yes. This is not serious. But you can effect, self-esteem, and your confidence. So, it treated and be free of acne.

Just a few words of advice,-Do not take or squeezed, Keep your hands off your face, Find something and stick with it, Do not over wash, Do not use harsh scrubs or flannel.

Uterine Transplants: Will Uterine Transplants Be the Next Fertility Treatment for Women?

You should know that "Uterine Transplants: Will Uterine Transplants Be the Next Fertility Treatment for Women?" is just repost from About.com. Cancer treatment is notorious for leaving women unable to have children. Surgical removal of the uterus and other organs vital for reproductive health (hysterectomy) is a common treatment for gynecologic cancers. The treatment, however, diminishes any hope for conceiving and carrying a child naturally. Women can turn to surrogacy or adoption, but there is an instinctive need for some women to carry their own child. In the future, modern medical science may be catering to women who wish to have a child, but cannot because they are without a uterus.

The idea of uterine transplant is not a new concept in medicine. In 1918, a uterine transplant was attempted attempted, but unsuccessful. The latest attempted uterine transplant was in Saudi Arabia in 2000. Unfortunately, about three months after the transplant, the recipient developed blood clots and the lack of adequate blood supply caused the uterus to deteriorate. No documented attempts have been made since. However, researchers are hopeful and feel that with more study and trials, uterine transplants may be a viable method of treating infertility. In 2007, a team of doctors at New York Downtown Hospital begun selecting potential recipients for the first transplant in the United States. Actual transplantation may be years away, however.

How Would a Uterine Transplant Be Completed?

Although no standard practice of uterine transplantation has been created, the procedure would be done along the same lines as any other organ transplant. First, the recipient must be screened and deemed medically acceptable to receive a transplanted uterus. A healthy uterus must be found, and like all other potential transplant organs, it must be a genetic match to the recipient. A uterus used for transplanting may come from healthy donors, but is much more likely to be harvested from the deceased. It is not likely that many healthy women would be willing to donate their uterus -- a symbol of their womanhood. Hence, that is where there is the need to turn to organ donations from the dead.

Once the uterus is transplanted, careful measures for monitoring organ compatibility are taken. Immunosuppressant drugs are given to help prevent the body from rejecting the uterus, but these drugs can be unsuccessful. The body can reject the uterus and surgery would be needed to remove it.

If the transplant is successful and there are no rejection issues, pregnancy would be the next step. More than likely, frozen embryos would be implanted rather than traditional conception. Infection prevention is of the utmost important and conception through intercourse could potentially introduce bacteria into the vagina that could compromise the transplant. Keep in mind that when people are taking immunosuppressant drugs, their immune systems aren't as effective at fighting off infection. Any infection could potentially threaten the success of the transplant and pregnancy.

Throughout the pregnancy, anti-rejection drugs would be continued to prevent rejection. If pregnancy reaches term and there are no complications, then the baby would be delivered by c-section -- too many possible complications are involved with a vaginal birth. The transplanted uterus would also be removed to prevent the mother from having to take immunosuppressant therapy for the rest of her life.

Risks Involved with Uterine Transplant

How the uterine transplant and pregnancy would possible be done sounds simple, but in reality, it is far from it. A uterine transplant is uncharted territory -- a successful transplant has yet to be used as a model. It is still experimental, which means that it is basically a process of trial and error. Any experimental procedure is not without major risks, including the risk of loss of life for the mother and/or baby. We do know that the uterus can be successfully harvested and is viable for about 12 hours, but the actual transplantation itself and the sustainment of pregnancy is a whole other story.

Organ rejection would be one the greatest risks. The human body is clever and will treat the transplanted uterus as a foreign body and will reject it to prevent any potential threat. Immunosuppressant drugs will be given for a minimum of three months following the surgery to ensure stability, but these drugs are not guaranteed to successfully prevent rejection.

Many researchers believe that the immunosuppressant drugs may be to toxic for the fetus, but this is debatable. Women who have undergone other transplants like liver and kidney transplants have successfully given birth to healthy babies. It may just be a matter of giving certain anti-rejection drugs and avoiding others. Again, this is purely speculation.

There is also a chance that a woman will not become pregnant. If she does become pregnant, even more risks are involved. Early and late miscarriages, intrauterine fetal death, and preterm birth are all possible outcomes of having a uterus transplant. Of course, the pregnancy would be closely monitored, but the health of the fetus cannot be guaranteed.

Blood clots are also a major concern with any transplant and can be life threatening. This is an issue that can be possibly prevented with more original blood vessels being transplanted or the better use of anticoagulants in the donor before harvesting. There are many possible solutions, but until an actual uterine transplant is again attempted in a human, we are left to speculate.

The bottom line is that we have little data regarding uterine transplants. The only successful transplants have been in mice. This is encouraging because mice are biologically similar to humans, but this doesn't warrant absolute hope. Plenty of procedures and drugs are effective in mice. Yet when tested on humans, they do not work. Thus, there is a need for experimentation and clinical trials. Current research is also focusing on other animals, like sheep and primates.