Health Information Center

Prostate cancer is the male equivalent of breast cancer, which plagues millions of women. Fortunately, a little precaution can reduce the dangers of prostate cancer, and might even help save your life. It is crucial for men to pay attention to their health, especially as they age. Prostate cancer is the third major cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Many men do not realize the severity of this hazardous disease and fail to receive regular prostate checkups.

Prostate cancer starts with the growth of a malignant tumor inside the prostate gland and spreads by extending into the bladder, seminal vesicles, and peritoneal cavity. It eventually metastasizes to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and kidneys. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, although recent studies find a small relation between increased testosterone levels and high dietary fat intake. Prostate cancer is rarely occurs in men under 40 years of age. The highest level of occurrence is greatest in African-American men over 60 years old. Increased occurrence is also associated environmental exposure to cadmium, a metallic element. The lowest incidence of prostate cancer occurs in vegetarians. Continue reading ‘The Man Killer: Prostate Cancer’ »

Worldwide cancer affects more than 10 million people each year. This number is expected to increase by 2.4% by 2020 to 14 million each year. Worldwide approximately 22 million people are living with cancer and nearly 7 million people die. The most common cancers affecting the world include lung, breast, colon/rectum, stomach, liver, prostate, cervical, esophageal, and bladder.

This Kalorama Information report – The World Market for Cancer Therapeutics and Biotherapeutics – focuses on several segments for cancer treatment. The report covers both currently marketed and late stage development cancer products. Revenues for each current market segment were generated using dollar and unit sales for each product.

The following approaches to cancer therapeutics are covered in the report:

1. Biotherapeutics

1. Monoclonal Antibodies
2. Interleukins/ Interferons
3. Kinases and Other Treatments Continue reading ‘World Market For Cancer Therapeutics And Biotherapeutics Reports Now Available On Reportsandreports’ »

The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body and is responsible for the healthy functions of just about every other organ. Practically, everything we eat and inhale goes through the liver for purification. The liver also has other important functions and it is therefore necessary to make sure that we are taking care of our liver. In a healthy adult, the liver weighs about 3 lbs., about 6 inches thick and about 3.5 inches long.
What Does the Liver Do?
The liver basically works as the detoxification center in your body but performs other important functions as well.

• Blood flows into the liver. The liver works to filter the blood of toxins and impurities before it is sent to the other organs. Where do toxins come from? It comes from the foods we eat (processed and fast food), the medications we take, alcohol intake, the air we breathe and other environmental pollutants. Continue reading ‘Your Liver: Hard at Work!’ »

We hear a lot these days about stem cell research, but many of us are unaware of what exactly stem cells are and what can be done with them. There are several types of stem cells including adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells reside throughout the human body within tissue, blood and organs; they are plentiful and readily available. Adult stem cells refers to the stage or maturity of the stem cell. They are also found in the tissues of the umbilical cord (after live birth), spinal cord, fat, bone marrow, dental pulp, nasal cavity, brain, peripheral blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin, cornea, digestive system, retina, liver, and pancreas.

Peripheral stem cell transplantation is the process of removing the stem cells from one person and donating them to a recipient- in my case it was my brother. In most cases donors are siblings since tissue type is most identical to the patient’s own. After it had been determined that I was a perfect match for my brother, I had a physical and endless blood work. I passed my tests and then it was on to phase one.

This involved six days of receiving neupogen shots which stimulate the release of stem cells from the bone marrow into my blood so they can be harvested for my brother. It’s important during this period to drink plenty of water. I had decided to go to the hospital each day for the shots, but some people opt to inject themselves at home. The shots sting a bit and after the first several days, mild bone aches began- mostly in my hip and sternum. It was nothing that an occasional tylenol couldn’t remedy. Continue reading ‘A Personal Account of Stem Cell Donation’ »

Liver Cancer in India

Primary liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver itself. Although many cancers are declining in the United States, new cases of primary liver cancer are increasing.

Cancers that commonly spread to the liver include colon, lung and breast cancers. These cancers aren’t called liver cancer. Instead, they are named after the organ in which the cancer began — such as metastatic colon cancer to describe cancer that begins in the colon and spreads to the liver. These metastatic cancers are treated based on where the cancer began, rather than being treated as primary liver cancers…

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

When symptoms do appear, they may include some or all of the following : -

• Loss of appetite and weight
• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right part of your abdomen, that may extend into your back and shoulder
• Nausea and vomiting
• General weakness and fatigue
• An enlarged liver
• Abdominal swelling (ascites)
• A yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)…. Continue reading ‘Liver Cancer Surgery in India – Costs, Experience of Doctors And Convenience’ »