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Posts Tagged ‘Cancer’

Breast Cancer and Bone Metastasis

Monday, October 26th, 2009

The bone is a usual place of metastasis for some different cancers. They consist of lung, breast, prostate, kidney, and thyroid cancers, and multiple myeloma amongst others.

When cancer has extended to a new site, it is still named after the area of the body where it begins. For instance, if prostate cancer extends to the bones, it is still called prostate cancer, and if breast cancer extends to the lungs it is still cancer of breast. A person with it that has extended to the bones is said to have cancer of breast with bone metastases. (If you are talking about over one metastasis, they are named metastases). Bone comes about to be one of the most common parts to which breast cancer metastasizes, the others being liver, lung, and brain.

Breast cancer is the most widespread type of malignant disease among women; one in every ten women in the United States will experience this disease. It stands for the second principal cause of death by a malignant disease in women following lung cancer. Bone metastases in breast cancer are common. The risk of developing bone metastasis augments with the stage of the disease at presentation. Autopsy studies have showed a high amount of breast cancer patients with bone metastasis.

Breast cancer usually extends to bone at a frequency of about 70% in patients having distant metastasis. But, the mechanism of bone metastasis is not well comprehended. One probability is that the environment in bone marrow, exceedingly rich in growth factors and cytokines, is appropriate for the proliferation of its cells. A more probable elucidation is that definite mechanisms of adhesion happen between the bone endothelial (blood vessel lining) cells and breast cancer cells that favors extend to this location.

Bone metastases represent 25% of all metastatic breast cancers. There are two major kinds of bone cancer: osteolytic and osteoblastic. Osteolytic cancer eats away at your bones, causing holes to form. This leaves bones open to breaks and fractures. Osteoblastic cancer augments the density of your bones, but makes them prone to fractures as well. Both forms of bone cancer lead to pain.

Understanding Alternative Prostate Cancer Treatment

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Nowadays, many men who are suffering from prostate are opting for alternative prostate cancer treatment, which is known as Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) Treatments. This alternative prostate cancer treatment includes the holistic alternative medicines, herbal concentrates, naturopathy, yoga, meditations, many varieties of exercises and massages. The treatment will be supplementing the regular treatment under a prostate expert or will be taken alone.

Reasons may range from the cost standpoint of the use of alternative prostate cancer treatment, and on the hope of the wonders of such. While conventional medications are usually of conservative claims, the alternative prostate cancer treatment options are hyped-up with claims, which may be true or not, but surely to have major effects on one’s psyche. An alternative prostate cancer treatment as the use of dietary supplements or herbs as saw palmetto, and garlic have been used by many. The claims, especially of saw palmetto, are very popular especially in Europe. In the US, saw palmetto has started to gain a strong following and believer of its efficacy.

As an alternative prostate cancer treatment, some also take in supplementation of Vitamin D, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and other antioxidants. The belief is to have a strong immune system to delay the progress of the cancer, if not to cure the disease. Others may also make use of yoga and tai chi for relaxing of the mind, and to keep one from being stressed. One will be able to learn how to relax, and control emotions – especially negative ones – that are believed to cause hormonal effects that may be not good for one’s system.

Individuals though should ask for their doctor’s advice, before going into any alternative prostate cancer treatment. Or if one may already be in any of the alternative prostate cancer treatment options, it is best to be honest with your doctor about it. One should not hide such alternative treatment you have self-prescribed. The risks and side effects of these alternative treatments, especially with its reaction to other medications you may be taking, can pose health issues on your end. You might just be complicating your situation and creating more health problems than you would want to get into.

An alternative can be more promising and may be more convenient, but undertake this under the proper guidance and advice of your doctor. These prostrate experts will be more experienced to analyze your case and determine whether you require alternative treatment or not. Do not risk your health by undertaking it according to your will and wishes, get good support from your doctor for a better results.