Posts Tagged ‘chemotherapy’
The FDA-The First ‘Vaccine’ to Treat Prostate Cancer
The FDA (the U.S. Agency of Medicines), gave its approval to the first therapeutic vaccine against prostate cancer, designed for the own immune system to attack tumor. “Provenge” is the first therapy of its kind to support this regulatory agency.
It is indicated for those patients with prostate cancer who have stopped responding to hormone therapy. Though considered a vaccine, it is not a preventive measure to avoid the disease.
The treatment designed by a Seattle-based company, Dendreon Corp, encourages own defense system to attack cancer cells. This will extract the patient’s white blood cells, which are processed in the laboratory with a protein genetically modified to make them more potent against the tumor, then reintroduced in the blood of affected.
By using the person’s own blood cells, does not cause side effects that it produces currently used chemotherapy against this disease.
The phase III clinical trial IMPACT, involving 512 men with this type of tumor, found that Provenge reduced the risk of mortality in these patients by 22.5% compared with placebo and prolonged their survival an average of four months .
Following the move by the FDA, the company must supply the vaccine to approximately 50 U.S. centers and expects to increase its production capacity next year, which will expand its offices to other states.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Cervical Cancer Treatment
There are treatments for all patients with cervical cancer. Uses three kinds of treatment:
- Surgery (removing the cancer in an operation)
- Radiation therapy (high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells).
- Chemotherapy (drugs or “poison” to kill cancer cells).
The cancer can be removed using one of the following:
- Cryosurgery involves the removal of the cancer by freezing.
- The laser surgery is the use of a beam of intense light to kill cancer cells.
- Conization is the removal of a piece of fabric into a cone shape at the location of the abnormality. It is used for biopsies, but also for treatment of early cancers of the cervix.
- Electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses an electric current passes through a thin wire loop, which serves as a blade.
- A hysterectomy is an operation that removes the entire uterus, including the entire cervix and the cancer.
Popularity: 17% [?]
Survive with Cancer
When you were little, you’ve probably heard time and again that eating right and getting enough rest are two of the most important ways of staying healthy. For people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, eating a nutritious, balanced diet and sleep are good ways to stay as healthy as possible during treatment.
People who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy may need help eating right because the side effects of these treatments can include loss of appetite and nausea. It may help to consult a dietitian, a professional who can design a diet plan specifically tailored to the needs of each patient.
Practice Exercise can also help a person stay as healthy as possible during recovery. If you are receiving treatment for cancer, your doctor will tell you if you do exercise, what frequency and intensity and if you would do well to physiotherapy. Once you exercise, find out what type of exercise can help you get stronger and give you energy. To walk safely can help a person with cancer is much better.
How can I keep from an emotional standpoint?
It is natural that a person, upon learning he has cancer, feels many emotions. Anger, fear, sadness and anxiety are common reactions to the fact of having a serious illness.
Feelings and worries can be distressing and overwhelming when one keeps to himself. It is important to express those emotions and to seek and accept help so they could be developed. Some of the professionals with whom you can talk to are social workers, priests and psychologists and psychiatrists. You can also share your feelings with trusted adults, including family, close friends or members of the support group of people affected by cancer.
It can also help meet other teens with cancer. You can exchange information and ideas and learn how other guys and girls your age have managed to cope. There are also many medical organizations dedicated to supporting those affected by the cancer, and some have websites and toll-free numbers to facilitate access to those affected.
Above all, remember that while you have cancer, you are a person first and then a patient. Cancer is not your identity is simply an illness you’re trying to overcome.
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