Lymphomas are a group of cancers in which cells of the lymphatic system become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably. Because there is lymph tissue in many parts of the body, lymphomas can start in almost any organ of the body.

The lymphatic system is made up of ducts or tubules that carry lymph to all parts of the body. Lymph is a milky fluid that contains lymphocytes. These, along with monocytes and granulocytes make up the leukocytes, or white blood cells, the infection-fighting and reparative bodies in the blood.

Small pea-shaped organs found along the network of lymph vessels are called lymph nodes; their main function is to make and store lymphocytes. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the pelvic region, underarm, neck, chest, and abdomen. The spleen (an organ in the upper abdomen), the tonsils, and the thymus (a small organ beneath the breastbone) are also part of the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes are held within the lymphoid tissue until they join the flow of lymph through the node. There are two main types of lymphocytes: the T cell and the B cell….. 

Lymphomas develop from these two types. B-cell lymphomas are more common among adults, while among children, the incidence of T- and B-cell lymphomas are almost equal.

The T and the B cells perform different jobs within the immune system. When an infectious bacterium enters the body, the B cells make proteins called antibodies, which attach themselves to the bacteria, and flag them for destruction by other immune cells. The T cells help protect the body against viruses. When a virus enters a cell, it generally produces certain proteins that it projects onto the surface of the infected cell. T cells recognize these proteins and produce cytokines to destroy the infected cells. Some cytokines attract other cell types, which can digest the virus-infected cell. T cells can also destroy some types of cancer cells.

Lymphomas can be divided into two main types: Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s. There are at least 10 types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas that are grouped (staged) by how aggressively they grow: slow growing (low grade), intermediate growing, and rapidly growing (high grade); and how far they spread.

Most non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas begin in the lymph nodes; about 20% start in other organs, such as the lungs, liver or gastrointestinal tract. When lymphomas begin, malignant lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably and do not perform their normal functions, which affects the body’s ability to fight infections. In addition, malignant cells may crowd the bone marrow, and, depending on the stage, prevent the production of normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A low red blood cell count causes anemia, while a reduction in the number of platelets makes the person susceptible to excessive bleeding. Cancerous cells can also invade other organs through the circulatory system of the lymph, causing those organs to malfunction.

Causes & symptoms

The exact cause of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas is unknown. In general, males are at a higher risk than females, and the risk increases with age. Though it can strike people as young as 40, people between the ages of 60 and 69 are at the highest risk. In addition, the number of non-Hodgkin’s cases has increased significantly in recent years, many of them due to the AIDS epidemic. (For reasons that are still poorly understood, AIDS patients have a higher likelihood of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.)

People exposed to certain pesticides and ionizing radiation have a higher-than-average chance of developing this disease. For example, an increased incidence of lymphomas has been seen in survivors of the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima, and in people who have under-gone aggressive radiation therapy. People who suffer from immune-deficient disorders, as well as those who have been treated with immune-suppressive drugs for heart or kidney transplants, and for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases, are at an increased risk for this disease. Some studies have shown a loose association between retroviruses, such as HTLV-I, and some rare forms of lymphoma. The Epstein-Barr virus has been linked to Burkitt’s lymphoma in African countries. However, a direct cause- and-effect relationship has not been established.

The symptoms of lymphomas are often vague and nonspecific. Patients may experience loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and indigestion. The patient may complain of a feeling of fullness, which is a result of enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen. Pressure or pain in the lower back is another symptom. In the advanced stages, the patient may have bone pain, headaches, constant coughing, and abnormal pressure and congestion in the face, neck, and upper chest. Some may have fevers and night sweats. In most cases, patients go to the doctor because of the presence of swollen glands in the neck, armpits, or groin area. Since all the symptoms are common to many other illnesses, it is essential to seek medical attention if any of the conditions persist for two weeks or more. Only a qualified physician can correctly diagnose if the symptoms are due to lymphoma or some other ailment.

Diagnosis

Like all cancers, lymphomas are best treated when found early. However, they are often difficult to diagnose. There are no screening tests available, and, since the symptoms are nonspecific, lymphomas are rarely recognized in their early stages. Detection often occurs by chance during a routine physical examination.

When the doctor suspects lymphoma, a thorough physical examination is performed and a complete medical history taken. Enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes may suggest lymphomas. Blood tests will determine the cell counts and obtain information on how well the organs, such as the kidney and liver, are functioning.

A biopsy (microscopic tissue analysis) of the enlarged lymph node is the most definitive way to diagnose a lymphoma. Once the exact form of lymphoma is known, it is then staged to determine how aggressive it is, and how far it has spread. This information helps determine the appropriate treatment. The doctor may also perform a bone marrow biopsy. During this procedure, a cylindrical piece of bone—generally from the hip—and marrow fluid are removed. These samples are sent to the laboratory for examination. Biopsies may also be repeated during treatment to see how the lymphoma is responding to therapy.

Conventional imaging tests, such as x rays, computed tomography scans (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging, and abdominal sonograms, are used to determine the extent of spread of the disease. Lymphangiograms are x rays of the lymphatic system. In this procedure, a special dye, called contrast medium, is injected into the lymphatic channels through a small incision (cut) made in each foot. The dye is injected slowly over a period of three to four hours. This dye clearly outlines the lymphatic system and allows it to stand out. Multiple x rays are then taken and any abnormality, if present, is revealed.

In rare cases a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is performed to see if malignant cells are in the fluid that surrounds the brain. In this test, the physician inserts a needle into the epidural space at the base of the spine and collects a small amount of spinal fluid for microscopic examination.

Treatment

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a life-threatening disease, and a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation are critical to controlling the illness.

Acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery may be useful tools in treating the pain of lymphomas. Acupuncture uses a series of thin needles placed in the skin at targeted locations known as acupoints; in theory, this harmonizes the energy flow within the body, and may help improve immune system function.

In guided imagery, patients create pleasant and soothing mental images that promote relaxation and improve their ability to cope with discomfort and pain. Another guided-imagery technique involves creating a mental picture of pain. Once the pain is visualized, patients can adjust the image to make it more pleasing, and thus more manageable.

Herbal remedies, such as Chinese herbs and mushroom extracts, may also lessen pain and promote relaxation and healing. Some herbs, such as ginger, are effective in the treatment of nausea caused by chemotherapy, and others, such as astragalus, help build the immune system. Check with an herbal practitioner before deciding on treatment. Depending on the preparation and the type of herb, the remedies may interfere with other prescribed medications. Naturally, any other activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, stress reduction, meditation, yoga, t’ai chi, and qigong will also benefit the patient. Proper nutrition and some specialized diets may help in recovering from lymphomas.

Allopathic treatment

Treatment options for lymphomas depend on the type of lymphoma and its stage. In most cases, treatment consists of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two.

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. In non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, combination therapy, which uses several drugs, has been found more effective than single-drug use. Treatment usually lasts about six months, but in some cases may be as long as a year. The drugs are administered intravenously (through a vein) or given orally. If cancer cells have invaded the central nervous system, then chemotherapeutic drugs may be instilled, through a needle in the brain or back, into the fluid that surrounds the brain. This procedure is known as intrathecal chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy, where high-energy ionizing rays are directed at specific portions of the body, such as the upper chest, abdomen, pelvis, or neck, is often used for treatment of lymphomas. External radiation therapy, where the rays are directed from a source outside the body, is the most common mode of radiation treatment.

Bone marrow transplantation is being tested as a treatment option when lymphomas do not respond to conventional therapy, or when the patient has had a relapse or suffers from recurrent lymphomas. There are two ways of doing bone marrow transplantation. In a procedure called allogeneic bone marrow transplant, the donor’s marrow must match that of the patient. The donor can be a twin (best match), sibling, or not related at all. High-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given to eradicate the lymphoma. The donor marrow is then given to replace the marrow destroyed by the therapy. In autologous bone marrow transplantation some of the patient’s own marrow is harvested, chemically purged, and frozen. High-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy are administered. The marrow that was harvested, purged, and frozen is then thawed and put back into the patient’s body to replace the destroyed marrow.

A new option for lymphoma patients is peripheral stem cell transplantation. In this treatment, stem cells (immature cells from which all blood cells develop), that normally circulate in the blood are collected, treated to remove cancer cells, then returned to the patient in a process called leukapheresis. Researchers are exploring whether these cells can be used to restore the normal function and development of blood cells, rather than using a bone marrow transplant.

Expected results

Like all cancers, the prognosis for lymphoma patients depends on the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s age and general health. When all the different types and stages of lymphoma are considered together, only 50% of patients survive five years or more after initial diagnosis. This is because some types of lymphoma are more aggressive than other types. The survival rate among children is definitely better than among older people. About 90% of children diagnosed with early-stage disease survive five years or more, while only 60-70% of adults diagnosed with low-grade lymphomas survive for five years or more. The survival rate for children with the more advanced stages is about 75-85%, while among adults it is 40-60%.

Prevention

Although the risk of developing cancer can be reduced by making wise diet and lifestyle choices, there is currently no known way to prevent lymphomas, nor are there special tests that allow early detection. Paying prompt attention to the signs and symptoms of this disease, and seeing a doctor if the symptoms persist, are the best strategies for an early diagnosis, which affords the best chance for a cure.

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. Plasma cells help the body’s immune system fight disease by producing substances called antibodies. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells grow out of control and form tumors in the bone marrow.

The excess growth of plasma cells interferes with the body’s ability to make red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This causes anemia, which makes a person more likely to get infections and have abnormal bleeding.

As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, they can cause pain and destruction of the bones. If the bones in the spine are affected, it can put pressure on the nerves, resulting in numbness or paralysis…..

Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults. A history of radiation therapy raises your risk for this type of cancer.

Blood tests can help diagnose this disease. They may include:

• Blood chemistry (CHEM 20) may show increased levels of calcium, total protein, and abnormal kidney function
• Complete blood count (CBC) reveals low numbers of red and white blood cells and platelets
• Serum protein electropheresis (SPEP)
• Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) or Bence-Jones protein analysis
• Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)

Bone x-rays show fractures or hollowed out areas of bone. If your doctor suspects this type of cancer, a bone marrow biopsy will be performed.

People who have mild disease or a questionable diagnosis are usually carefully monitored without treatment. Some people have a slow-developing form of multiple myeloma that takes years to cause symptoms.

Treatment begins when the disease becomes worse or causes symptoms.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be performed to relieve bone pain or treat a bone tumor.

Bone marrow transplantation in younger patients has been shown to increase disease-free and overall survival, but it has significant risks.

Medications for multiple myeloma include decadron, melophalan, thalidomide, lenalidomide (Revlimid), and bortezomib (Velcade). Bisphosphonates are used to prevent fractures.

People with multiple myeloma should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and help maintain proper kidney function. They should also be cautious when having x-ray tests that use contrast dye.

Chemotherapy and transplants rarely lead to a permanent cure.

“Thank you Senator Kerry for joining the ontogeny line of national leaders occupation for a author pitying and complete search plan of challenge for lung individual,” said Laurie Fenton Theologizer, LCA Chairperson & CEO.  “You are gift wish to a community that has felt so concealed, stigmatized and unheeded for so abundant.”

Lung individual is the major movement of mansion demise nationwide and in Massachusetts.  In 2010, it will involve much lives than helping, prostate and port cancers-combined.  Of those diagnosed 80% will be either quondam smokers or testament person never preserved at all.
“This is a wonderful utilisation,” said Deborah Morosini, MD, LCA Panel Member and fille of the latish Dana Reeve.  “Both Dana and Chris were both eager admirers and accurate friends of Senator Kerry.  My sept continues to be so appreciative of the backing he has offered in portion us to fight this disease that has coloured all of our lives so deeply.”

In a latterly free read by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Connors Midpoint for Women’s Eudaimonia and Gender Assemblage, Philanthropist Medical Affiliate, entitled Out of the Shadows:  Women and Lung Individual, researchers noted that this year alone 25,000 women instrument be diagnosed with lung someone who never smoked a day in their lives…..

“We must puddle every activity to direction lung cancer comprehensively and insure that a ample explore programme is devised that testament prizewinning hold all areas of hindrance, reception and treatment afoot overbold,” said Senator Kerry.

In thanking the Senator for his argue, LCA-Massachusetts (LCA-MA) Co-chair and lung someone survivor, Diane Legg said, “We are so rattling thankful for Senator Kerry’s indorsement of this critically strategic governance.  I am confident that his livelihood module encourage added Senators to joint this growing listing of endorsers.

“Additionally, Legg continuing, we are appressed to having the intact Colony congressional empowerment backup of the Domiciliate companion nib, HR 2112.  We module not position until we eff unvaried support for this occasion legislating that leave change lung constellation outcomes in Colony and beyond.”

177 cancer survivors lead the way during the “Survivor Celebration Lap” at the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Clark on Friday, June 11, 2010. Two-thousand participants including 113 teams raised over $204,000 in donations in the fight against cancer. One-Hundred participants enrolled at the event for “CPS-3”, a nationwide Cancer Prevention Study which will help researchers find new ways to prevent cancer.

via:AMC

HEIDELBERG, Germany, May 24 (UPI) — German, Swedish and U.S. researchers said they found a lower rate of prostate cancer among people with diabetes.

Study leader Kari Hemminki at Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres in Heidelberg said the researchers could only speculate about the causes.

“Possibly, a lower level of male sex hormones in diabetics may be among the factors that are responsible for this,” Hemminki said in a statement.

Hemminki and colleagues studied the cancer incidence in 125,126 Swedish citizens hospitalized due to type 2 diabetes complications as well as those of the general population in Sweden.

They also found higher risks of several cancers in those with type 2 diabetes — very significantly for pancreatic cancer and liver cell cancers…..

Diabetics also had double the risks of cancers of the kidneys, thyroid, esophagus, small intestine and nervous system.

The study, published in The Oncologist, also looked at whether the risk was higher in hospitalized diabetic patients because their tumors were found earlier due to routine diagnostics. The researchers separately analyzed how many cancers occurred in study participants after one and five years, respectively, following their hospital stays. This revealed a slightly lower risk elevation, but, the researchers concluded, the trend was the same.

via:

The diagnosis was a lethal form of brain cancer.

Dr. Peter Dickinson is a vet at the world-famous UC Davis veterinary school.

“For most of these aggressive tumors,” Dickenson explained, “the results are very similar to humans in that most of these tumors reoccur and the animals don’t live very long.”

But today, all three are seizure-free, and thriving.

Cheech’s brain tumor has practically disappeared. His guardian Amanda Landess is amazed.

“He’s absolutely himself again, it’s pretty amazing. It’s a miracle,” Landess said.

All the dogs’ tumors have shrunk or stopped growing. Lupin’s owner Audrey West is just as amazed, saying she has her dog back.

“She started wagging her tail again. She has not wagged her tail for a long time,” West said.

So what happened? Cheech, Devin and Lupin all underwent a daring, experimental therapy. In a remarkable collaboration, it was developed at a lab at UCSF and administered at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital.

“This is cutting edge technology for treating brain tumors which is obviously very exciting for us”, said Dickinson.

Dickinson said treatments for brain cancer are desperately needed. The disease is notoriously hard to treat in dogs as well as in humans. There’s a barrier called the blood brain barrier which stops drugs from getting across.

To reach the tumor, you need very high doses of toxic cancer drugs. Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz of UCSF said those high doses come at a cost.

“Keep in mind that a lot of those drugs are toxic. We want them to be toxic in the tumor. We don’t want them to be toxic in other regions of the brain,” Bankiewicz said…..

Bankiewicz came up with a solution. He figured out a way to get the drug to where it needed to go: right into the tumor in the brain.

Dickinson showed CBS 5 HealthWatch as he gave Devin his second treatment. With the French bulldog under anesthesia, Dickinsin exposes a tiny round device already implanted on top of the dog’s head.

The device, shaped like a cylinder, is actually a port full of tiny holes. Through those holes, thin hollow glass needles or catheters are gently threaded into the brain, into the tumor. Then, a powerful experimental drug is forced thru the catheters to hit the cancer.

The drug called CPT 11 is souped up to stay in the brain for five weeks, not the typical 24 hours.

“It’s a lot less toxic and it stays in the brain a lot longer than it normally would,” said the vet.

With Devin now slipped into an MRI, researchers watch in real time as the cancer drug seen here in white is injected into the tumor. That way the vets can make sure the drug does not go to places where they don’t want it to go and they can also judge whether the treatment is effective.

For these three dogs, the therapy has been so effective that it will soon be used on an experimental basis on humans suffering from the same deadly tumors.

“We’ve very much hope based on FDA input we’ll be able to start the not this year, but next year,” said Bankiewicz.

via:cbs5.com

National Cancer Institute researchers and colleagues examined new cases from 1977 to 2006 of cancer in the lower stomach, which can be caused by chronic infection with a common bacteria called H. pylori. It also causes stomach ulcers.

Overall, there were 39,003 cases detected in a surveillance program that covers about one-fourth of the U.S. population.

These included only 734 white young adults, but their incidence rate climbed from .54 per 200,000 to about 1 per 200,000.

Among white adults aged 25 to age 84, the rate declined from almost 12 per 200,000 to 8 per 200,000; among black adults it declined from about 27 per 200,000 to 19 per 200,000.

Rates also declined for other races, which weren’t specified.

Dr. Jaffer Ajani, a digestive cancer specialist at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said the increase in young white adults is surprising but not alarming. Ajani, who was not involved in the research, said it could be a statistical blip but that it needs to be investigated.

The study appears in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. It focused on lower stomach cancer, not cancer of the upper stomach, which has been linked with gastric reflux. Together, these cancers are the fourth most common type of cancer worldwide….

In U.S. men, stomach cancer is among the top 10 most common cancers in blacks, Asian-Americans, Hispanics and American Indians. It’s also among the most common cancers in Asian-American women.

Lower stomach cancer has been linked with diets high in salt and salt-preserved foods, and low in fresh fruits and vegetables; its incidence historically has been higher in Asia and other countries where this type of food preservation is more common.

But stomach cancer rates have been declining in many countries because of improved food preservation and better hygiene, which decreases risks for H. pylori infection, so the overall U.S. decline was expected, said Dr. Charles Rabkin of the National Cancer Institute, the study’s lead author.

However, the researchers noted that salt intake has increased among Americans of all ages, and said they will be investigating whether changes in eating habits explain the rise in young adults.

H. pylori prevalence might have increased in young adults, or there may be some other unknown bacteria that could play a role, although those theories remain unproven, Rabkin said.

via: http://jama.ama-assn.org

www.nucleusinc.com This 3D medical animation on prostate cancer surgery shows the laparascopic removal of a cancerous prostate gland and its surrounding tissues. A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove an enlarged prostate gland due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer. Simple or radical prostatectomy can be done using open or laparoscopic techniques. ANCE00192

You could be up in arms about a family decision that may have been made without your input. It’s important that you don’t over-react, but that you do let your discontent be known. Enjoy a romantic dinner with your special someone, but leave the surprise until a little later on.

Power Numbers: 6, 39, 44, 40, 2, 13

Born Today: Catherine II, Manfred Von Richthofen, Lorenz Hart, Benjamin Spock, Bing Crosby, Donatella Versace

Cancer Love Horoscope

You are likely to be swept by a need for introspection during this period. You have a strong need to explore your spiritual self, assess past decisions, and make plans for your future. It would be unwise for you to make any permanent decisions regarding your personal relationships until this period of self discovery has passed.

via:dailyhoroscopes.net

The vaccine, called Provenge, appears to extend survival in men with advanced prostate cancer, and it does so without the serious side effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy.

“It is certainly exciting to see a drug that has made it this far and appears on the threshold of approval,” said Dr. J. Len Lichtenfeld, the deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.

The vaccine is not aimed at preventing prostate cancer in men who have not developed the disease, and it is far from a cure for those who have it, Lichtenfeld cautioned. “Provenge represents a modest advance in survival for patients with advanced prostate cancer, but the drug doesn’t delay the progression of the disease,” he said.

Still, it might prove possible to use Provenge in the earlier stages of prostate cancer, where it might be even more effective, Lichtenfeld said. “The hope is if a vaccine is effective in late-stage disease that it is going to be even more effective in the earlier treatment of that same disease,” he said.

But that benefit would have to be shown in clinical trials, Lichtenfeld said.

“If it does get approved it will be groundbreaking.” Lichtenfeld said. “It will represent a new treatment option. It will have a modest impact on prostate cancer survival, but it’s small changes in treatments over time that add up to a major improvement. So I wouldn’t be discouraged by what is a small increment in survival.”

Provenge is a therapeutic (not preventative) vaccine that is made from the patient’s own white blood cells. Once removed from the patient, the cells are treated with the drug and placed back into the patient. These treated cells then cause an immune response, which in turn kills cancer cells, while leaving normal cells unharmed.

Provenge was developed by Seattle-based Dendreon Corp., which conducted initial studies among men with advanced prostate cancer who had already failed standard hormone treatment. Among these men, the vaccine extended life by an average of 4.5 months, although some patients saw their lives extended by two to three years. The only side effects were mild flu-like symptoms, according to the study results.

In 2007, an FDA advisory panel recommended that the agency approve Provenge, but the FDA said more data was needed before it would approve the drug….

If the drug is approved, its use will most likely be limited to men with advanced prostate cancer. And at an expected cost of $75,000, it won’t be inexpensive.

Dr. Mark Soloway, professor and chair of urology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said that “we certainly need the opportunity for our patients to have alternatives.”

The big question, according to Soloway, is when do you use Provenge? Whether it should be used before chemotherapy or hormone therapy isn’t clear, he said.

“There are problems with Provenge,” Soloway said. “One is that it’s very cumbersome, because patients have to provide their white cells, and I think that’s on a regular basis. And two, it’s likely to be very expensive.”

Soloway agreed that Provenge might also be useful in earlier-stage prostate cancer, but studies are needed to prove that.

However, “once it’s approved it’s on the market and with proper informed consent you can use it for localized [early stage] prostate cancer. Whether insurance companies will pay for it is also not known,” Soloway said.

Other new drugs to treat prostate cancer, such as Abiraterone, which prevents the production of the male hormone testosterone, are on the horizon and will compete with Provenge for new treatment regimens, he added.

According to American Cancer Society estimates, there are more than 192,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, and 27,360 men die from the disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in American men, after skin cancer. More than 2 million American men who have had prostate cancer at some point are still alive today, and the death rate is going down, and the disease is being found earlier, according to the cancer society.

via:news.yahoo.com