Wilms tumor (Nefroblastoma) is a kidney cancer found in children. Wilms tumor is usually found in children aged less than 5 years, but sometimes found in older children or adults.
CAUSE
The cause is unknown, but is thought to involve genetic factors. Wilms tumor associated with certain congenital abnormalities, such as:
- Abnormalities of the urinary tract
- Aniridia (no iris)
- Hemihipertrofi (enlargement of half of the body).
Tumors can grow quite large, but usually remain in the capsule. The tumor can spread to other body parts. Wilms tumor is found in about 1 in 200000-250000 children.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms are:
- Abdomen enlarged (eg require diaper / nappies are sized larger)
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Malaise (feeling unwell)
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Overgrowth on one side of the body (hemihipertrofi).
In 15-20% of cases, there was hematuria (blood present in the urine). Wilms tumors can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Wilms tumor can spread to other body parts, especially the lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath.
Diagnosis
On physical examination, can be felt a lump in the abdomen. Regular checks carried out:
* CT scan or MRI abdomen
* Abdominal ultrasound
* X-ray abdomen
* Chest X-rays (to see the spread of tumor to the chest)
* Complete blood (may indicate anemia)
* BUN
* Creatinine
* Urinalysis (urine analysis, could indicate the presence of blood or protein in urine)
* Pielogram intravenously.
TREATMENT
If the tumor can be removed, then immediately performed surgery. During surgery, the other kidney examined to determine whether the tumor is also affected. At about 4% of cases, Nefroblastoma occurs in both kidneys. During the surgery is also carried out an examination of the lymph nodes, abdominal organs, and other networks; if the cancer has spread, removal of these organs.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy (anti-cancer drug delivery, such as actinomycin D, vincristine or doxorubicin) started immediately after surgery, depending on the extent of cancer spread.
Prognosis
If the cancer has not spread and do surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the cure rate reached 90%.
Showing posts with label Chemotherapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chemotherapy. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Symptoms and prevention of Melanoma
Melanoma is a skin cancer derived from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
CAUSE
Risk factor for melanoma are:
* Family history of suffering from melanoma
* Red or blond hair
* The existence of multiple atypical moles (birthmarks)
* There is a pre-cancerous actinic keratoses
* Frekels (brown spots) are very clear in your upper back
* Experience the blistering attack due to sunburn as much as 3 times or more before age 20 years.
SYMPTOMS
Melanoma can begin as a small growth of new skin and normal pigmented skin. Most often grows in sun-exposed skin, but almost half the cases grew out of a pigmented mole.
Melanoma is easy to spread to distant parts of the body (metastases), which will continue to grow and destroy tissue. The less the growth of melanoma into the skin, the greater the chance for cure. If the melanoma has grown deep into the skin, are more likely to spread through the lymphatic vessels and blood vessels and can cause death within a few months or years.
Melanoma disease course varies and appears to be influenced by the strength of the defense by the immune system. Some patients are in good health condition, can survive for years despite the melanoma has spread.
Warning signs will be the formation of melanoma:
1. Pigmented spots or moles (especially a black or dark blue) are getting bigger
2. Color changes in moles, pigmentation, especially red, white and blue in the skin around it
3. Changes to the skin over the pigmented spots, such as changes in consistency or shape
4. Signs of inflammation in the skin around the mole.
Diagnosis
To make sure diagnosis performed a biopsy (taking a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope).
TREATMENT
If it has not spread, the entire melanoma can be removed surgically. Recovery rate approaching 100%. But someone who had suffered from melanoma, has returned suffering from melanoma risk. Therefore he should perform regular skin examinations.
For melanoma that has spread chemotherapy, but the recovery rate is low and this situation is often fatal. Experimental treatment with interleukin-2 immunotherapy gave promising results.
PREVENTION
Protect your skin from the sun by:
* Use sunscreen every day (minimum SPF 15)
* Use a hat, glasses, long sleeved shirts, long pants or long skirts
* Do not be too long basking in the sun
* Avoid the sun at midday (at 10-14).
CAUSE
Risk factor for melanoma are:
* Family history of suffering from melanoma
* Red or blond hair
* The existence of multiple atypical moles (birthmarks)
* There is a pre-cancerous actinic keratoses
* Frekels (brown spots) are very clear in your upper back
* Experience the blistering attack due to sunburn as much as 3 times or more before age 20 years.
SYMPTOMS
Melanoma can begin as a small growth of new skin and normal pigmented skin. Most often grows in sun-exposed skin, but almost half the cases grew out of a pigmented mole.
Melanoma is easy to spread to distant parts of the body (metastases), which will continue to grow and destroy tissue. The less the growth of melanoma into the skin, the greater the chance for cure. If the melanoma has grown deep into the skin, are more likely to spread through the lymphatic vessels and blood vessels and can cause death within a few months or years.
Melanoma disease course varies and appears to be influenced by the strength of the defense by the immune system. Some patients are in good health condition, can survive for years despite the melanoma has spread.
Warning signs will be the formation of melanoma:
1. Pigmented spots or moles (especially a black or dark blue) are getting bigger
2. Color changes in moles, pigmentation, especially red, white and blue in the skin around it
3. Changes to the skin over the pigmented spots, such as changes in consistency or shape
4. Signs of inflammation in the skin around the mole.
Diagnosis
To make sure diagnosis performed a biopsy (taking a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope).
TREATMENT
If it has not spread, the entire melanoma can be removed surgically. Recovery rate approaching 100%. But someone who had suffered from melanoma, has returned suffering from melanoma risk. Therefore he should perform regular skin examinations.
For melanoma that has spread chemotherapy, but the recovery rate is low and this situation is often fatal. Experimental treatment with interleukin-2 immunotherapy gave promising results.
PREVENTION
Protect your skin from the sun by:
* Use sunscreen every day (minimum SPF 15)
* Use a hat, glasses, long sleeved shirts, long pants or long skirts
* Do not be too long basking in the sun
* Avoid the sun at midday (at 10-14).
Sunday, November 6, 2011
What is Retinoblastoma ?
Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the retina (the area behind the eye that is sensitive to light) that strikes children younger than 5 years. Two percent of cancer in childhood is retinoblastoma.
CAUSE
The reason is the absence of tumor suppressor genes, that are likely to be lowered. Approximately 10% of patients with retinoblastoma have a relative who also suffered from retinoblastoma and get the genes from their parents. Cancer can strike one or both eyes. Cancer can spread to the lower eyelids and into the brain (through the nerves of sight / optic nerve).
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- The pupils are white
- The eyes squint (strabismus).
- Eyes red and painful
- Impaired vision
- Iris in both eyes having different color
- Can occur blindness.
Diagnosis
Regular checks carried out:
* Examination of the eyes in a state of dilated pupils
* CT scan of the head
* Ultrasound of the eye (ekoensefalogram head and eyes)
* Examination of cerebrospinal fluid
* Examination of the bone marrow.
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor. Small tumors can be treated with laser surgery. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used on tumors that have spread beyond the eye. If the cancer does not respond to treatment, may need to be removed. If the cancer only affects one eye, then the whole eyeball removed along with some optic nerve.
If the cancer affects both eyes, use a special micro-surgical techniques to remove or destroy the tumor, so that both eyes should not be removed. Or one eye is removed and the other eye done or micro-surgery radiation therapy (to control tumors). Done eye examination every 2-4 months. If the cancer recur, chemotherapy can be repeated.
PREVENTION
If in families there is a history of retinoblastoma, genetic counseling should follow to help predict the risk of retinoblastoma in the offspring.
CAUSE
The reason is the absence of tumor suppressor genes, that are likely to be lowered. Approximately 10% of patients with retinoblastoma have a relative who also suffered from retinoblastoma and get the genes from their parents. Cancer can strike one or both eyes. Cancer can spread to the lower eyelids and into the brain (through the nerves of sight / optic nerve).
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- The pupils are white
- The eyes squint (strabismus).
- Eyes red and painful
- Impaired vision
- Iris in both eyes having different color
- Can occur blindness.
Diagnosis
Regular checks carried out:
* Examination of the eyes in a state of dilated pupils
* CT scan of the head
* Ultrasound of the eye (ekoensefalogram head and eyes)
* Examination of cerebrospinal fluid
* Examination of the bone marrow.
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor. Small tumors can be treated with laser surgery. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used on tumors that have spread beyond the eye. If the cancer does not respond to treatment, may need to be removed. If the cancer only affects one eye, then the whole eyeball removed along with some optic nerve.
If the cancer affects both eyes, use a special micro-surgical techniques to remove or destroy the tumor, so that both eyes should not be removed. Or one eye is removed and the other eye done or micro-surgery radiation therapy (to control tumors). Done eye examination every 2-4 months. If the cancer recur, chemotherapy can be repeated.
PREVENTION
If in families there is a history of retinoblastoma, genetic counseling should follow to help predict the risk of retinoblastoma in the offspring.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
How Chemotherapy destroy cancer cells
Chemotherapy requires the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Although the ideal drug would destroy cancer cells without harming normal cells, most drugs are not selective. Instead, drugs are designed to inflict greater damage on cancer cells than normal cells, usually by using drugs that affect the ability of cells to grow.
Uncontrolled growth and fast is the hallmark of cancer cells. But because normal cells also need to grow, and some grow quite quickly (as in bone marrow and a line along the mouth and intestines), all chemotherapy drugs affect normal cells and cause side effects.
A new approach to limiting side effects and increase the effectiveness of the use of drugs that "in the direction of the molecular". These drugs kill cancer cells by attacking channels and processes vital to the survival and growth of cancer cells. For example, cancer cells need blood vessels to deliver nutrients and oxygen. Some drugs can block the formation of blood vessels to cancer cells or the master signaling pathways that control cell growth.
Imatinib, the first such drug, is highly effective for chronic myelocytic leukemia and certain cancers of the digestive tract. Erlotinib and gefitinib to receptors located on the cell surface on cell lung cancer non-small cancer. Molecularly targeted drugs have proven useful in treating many other cancers, including breast and kidney cancer.
Not all cancers respond to chemotherapy. This type of cancer determines which drugs are used, in what combination, and at what dose. Chemotherapy may be used as the sole treatment or combined with radiation therapy or surgery, or both.
High-Dose Chemotherapy: In an attempt to enhance the antitumor effects of cancer drugs, the dose may be increased and the time between cycles of therapy may be decreased (dose-dense chemotherapy). Dose-dense chemotherapy, with a shortened period, is routinely used in the treatment of breast cancer. High-dose chemotherapy is often used for treatment of people with cancer has recurred after standard-dose therapy, particularly for people with myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. However, high-dose chemotherapy can cause life-threatening injury in the bone marrow. Therefore, high-dose chemotherapy is commonly combined with bone marrow rescue strategies. In the bone marrow that was saved, removed bone marrow cells before chemotherapy and returned after chemotherapy. In some cases, stem cells can be isolated from the bloodstream from the bone marrow and can be infused into the patient after chemotherapy to restore bone marrow function.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy commonly causes nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and low blood cell count which causes anemia and increased risk of infection. With chemotherapy, people often lose their hair, but other side effects vary according to the type of drug.
Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms can usually be prevented or reduced by drugs (antiemetics). Nausea may also be reduced by eating small meals and avoiding foods high in fiber.
Low Blood Cell Counts: Cytopenia, a deficiency of one or more types of blood cells, can occur due to the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs in bone marrow (where blood cells are made). For example, patients may have low red blood cells are abnormal (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia or leukopenia) or platelets (thrombocytopenia). If anemia is severe, specific growth factors, such as erythropoietin or darbepoietin, can be given to the formation of red blood cells or red blood cells can be transfused. If thrombocytopenia is severe, platelets can be transfused to lower the risk of bleeding.
People with neutropenia increases the risk of infection. Fever higher than 100.4 F in patients with neutropenia is considered as an emergency. People like that should be evaluated for infection and may require antibiotics or hospitalization. White blood cells are rarely transfused because, when transfused, they continue to live only a few hours and produce many side effects. In fact, certain materials (such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor) may be given to stimulate the production of white blood cells.
Side effects occur more frequently: Many people develop inflammation or injury to the mucous membranes, such as the lining of the mouth. Mouth sores and felt pain in the mouth can make eating difficult. Various oral solution (usually containing antacids, antihistamines, and local anesthetic) can reduce the discomfort. On rare occasions, people need nutritional support with a feeding tube placed directly into the stomach or small intestine or a vein. Types of drugs can reduce diarrhea caused by radiation therapy to the abdomen.
People who are treated with chemotherapy, particularly alkylating compounds, may have an increased risk of developing leukemia several years after treatment. Some drugs, especially alkylating agents, cause infertility in some women and most men who receive these treatments.
Uncontrolled growth and fast is the hallmark of cancer cells. But because normal cells also need to grow, and some grow quite quickly (as in bone marrow and a line along the mouth and intestines), all chemotherapy drugs affect normal cells and cause side effects.
A new approach to limiting side effects and increase the effectiveness of the use of drugs that "in the direction of the molecular". These drugs kill cancer cells by attacking channels and processes vital to the survival and growth of cancer cells. For example, cancer cells need blood vessels to deliver nutrients and oxygen. Some drugs can block the formation of blood vessels to cancer cells or the master signaling pathways that control cell growth.
Imatinib, the first such drug, is highly effective for chronic myelocytic leukemia and certain cancers of the digestive tract. Erlotinib and gefitinib to receptors located on the cell surface on cell lung cancer non-small cancer. Molecularly targeted drugs have proven useful in treating many other cancers, including breast and kidney cancer.
Not all cancers respond to chemotherapy. This type of cancer determines which drugs are used, in what combination, and at what dose. Chemotherapy may be used as the sole treatment or combined with radiation therapy or surgery, or both.
High-Dose Chemotherapy: In an attempt to enhance the antitumor effects of cancer drugs, the dose may be increased and the time between cycles of therapy may be decreased (dose-dense chemotherapy). Dose-dense chemotherapy, with a shortened period, is routinely used in the treatment of breast cancer. High-dose chemotherapy is often used for treatment of people with cancer has recurred after standard-dose therapy, particularly for people with myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. However, high-dose chemotherapy can cause life-threatening injury in the bone marrow. Therefore, high-dose chemotherapy is commonly combined with bone marrow rescue strategies. In the bone marrow that was saved, removed bone marrow cells before chemotherapy and returned after chemotherapy. In some cases, stem cells can be isolated from the bloodstream from the bone marrow and can be infused into the patient after chemotherapy to restore bone marrow function.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy commonly causes nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and low blood cell count which causes anemia and increased risk of infection. With chemotherapy, people often lose their hair, but other side effects vary according to the type of drug.
Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms can usually be prevented or reduced by drugs (antiemetics). Nausea may also be reduced by eating small meals and avoiding foods high in fiber.
Low Blood Cell Counts: Cytopenia, a deficiency of one or more types of blood cells, can occur due to the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs in bone marrow (where blood cells are made). For example, patients may have low red blood cells are abnormal (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia or leukopenia) or platelets (thrombocytopenia). If anemia is severe, specific growth factors, such as erythropoietin or darbepoietin, can be given to the formation of red blood cells or red blood cells can be transfused. If thrombocytopenia is severe, platelets can be transfused to lower the risk of bleeding.
People with neutropenia increases the risk of infection. Fever higher than 100.4 F in patients with neutropenia is considered as an emergency. People like that should be evaluated for infection and may require antibiotics or hospitalization. White blood cells are rarely transfused because, when transfused, they continue to live only a few hours and produce many side effects. In fact, certain materials (such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor) may be given to stimulate the production of white blood cells.
Side effects occur more frequently: Many people develop inflammation or injury to the mucous membranes, such as the lining of the mouth. Mouth sores and felt pain in the mouth can make eating difficult. Various oral solution (usually containing antacids, antihistamines, and local anesthetic) can reduce the discomfort. On rare occasions, people need nutritional support with a feeding tube placed directly into the stomach or small intestine or a vein. Types of drugs can reduce diarrhea caused by radiation therapy to the abdomen.
People who are treated with chemotherapy, particularly alkylating compounds, may have an increased risk of developing leukemia several years after treatment. Some drugs, especially alkylating agents, cause infertility in some women and most men who receive these treatments.
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