Coping With Leukemia Through Cord Blood Treatment

Do you suffer leukemia? It will be your good news then. You can have a good and effective treatment through cord blood. This blood is considered as the strong source for stem cells. Stem cells are obtained from embryos. Yet, the treatment using this kind of cell is the right solution for some disorder such as leukemia.

Stem cells have the ability to replicate themselves to treat, repair, and also cure the damaged cells by some diseases including leukemia. Historically, the treatment by using this type of cell was formerly completed in 1988. Yet, the general public could access this procedure in 1995. Today, you are able to meet cold blood banking for storing the stem cells as well as cord blood.

Cord blood will be the right answer for some diseases. On June 2009, this blood was believed to be able to treat eighty diseases. It is a potential treatment for patients with leukemia, specifically for those who have no acceptable source for bone narrow transplant.

Then, how to use this cord blood as the treatment for leukemia? The process of the treatment begins when the blood is obtained from the giving birth mother. The patient is then given regular chemotherapy and followed by the high-dose chemotherapy. It is able to kill either normal or cancer-producing blood cells of the bone marrow. Since stem cell is able to kill the previous cells, it will replicate and replace for new cells.

Furthermore, the real transplantation happens when the patient is injected with the stem cells. They are able to take over the new white blood cells creation of around 10 up to 14 days so that the production of your blood will gradually return to normal. In addition, you can possibly need transfusions of some substances such as platelets and red blood cells since they are not able to reproduce on their own.

Cord blood can be easily collected right after the birth. In order to keep it sterilized, it is then cryogenically stored either in a public or private bank until it is needed for transplant. In addition, this blood can be stored for indefinite time until it is needed for the treatment.

Since stem cells are very beneficial for treating some disorder, cord blood collection will be very beneficial right after giving birth. Then, the cells can be stored at the cord blood banks for future need. You can find some more information about it on http://umbilicalcordstemcells.org/.

Original article

The Causes and Treatment of Leukemia

Leukemia is the cancer of the white blood cells. It is also referred to as blood cancer when the white blood cells are abnormally high. It's a kind of cancer that makes the bone marrow produce large number of immature white blood cells that are found in the blood system.

Leukemia came from the Greek words 'leukos' and 'heima' which refers to excess white blood cells in the blood. This disease was officially diagnosed in Edinburg, 1845 by John Hughes but has been on for centuries. It is a fatal cancer disease that affects children and adults with a very bleak survival rate. When old cells in the body die, they are quickly replaced by new ones but in the case of leukemia, the old cells do not die and new ones are subsequently produced thereby increasing more cells in the body and causing blood cancer.

However, when there are excess white blood cells in the body or leukemia, over time the number of blood cells will overcrowd other blood cells and make it difficult for blood to carry out its function. The body's immune systems are also affected and unable to fight infections.

There are 4 major types of leukemia namely chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. Most forms of acute leukemia are quite risky with a very slim survival rates but can be treated as soon as it's diagnosed early.
Early symptoms of leukemia are as follows;

There could be signs of reoccurring fever which might fail to recede after medication. In such cases it is very difficult to diagnose, due to absence of any bacteria pathogen.

The immune system could be broken down because of the presence of white blood cells thereby making the body very feeble to contact diseases such as tuberculosis, candidiasis and so on.

Due to the destruction of the red blood cells, another early signs of leukemia is the presence of tiny red spot mostly seen on the skins or in the oral cavity. An early symptom of leukemia in children includes fatigue, weakness and inability to take part in rigorous physical activities, unexplained swellings, paleness, bone and joint pain and shortness of breath can also be attributed to leukemia.

Other symptoms include kidney problem, loss of libido, excessive sweating, skin rashes, and nausea. Such are symptoms characterized with someone suffering from leukemia and as such it is better to go for blood test as soon as you notice any change in the system and if diagnosed earlier it could be treated on time.

The cure for leukemia

In the 18th century, arsenic was the oldest form of treatment for leukemia before Thomas Fowler invented a solution of potassium bicarbonate and arsenic trioxide which was then known as fowler's solution. It became a standard remedy to treat leukemia and anemia diseases before it was replaced in the 20th century by radiation therapy which has been very helpful in curing leukemia. But today, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, 6-mercaptopurin, and aminopterin, has been replaced with genetic analysis and bone marrow transplant which is considered as the most effective means in curbing the menace of leukemia or cancer of the blood.

Original article

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment and Supportive Therapies!

Are you interested in learning more about acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and what some of the options are that you have in regards to treatment and supportive therapies for this devastating cancer?

In this article, you will discover some of the signs and symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as standard treatments for this type cancer and most importantly supportive therapies that you, your family and friends can utilize during this challenging time of life.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment and Supportive Therapies!

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a form of leukemia or cancer of the white blood cells that is characterized by an excess of lymphoblasts.

Although, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most common in childhood, it is also commonly found in older adults as well.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Weakness and fatigueAnemiaUnexplained fever and infections frequentlyLoss of appetiteUnexplained bruisingBone and joint painBreathlessnessEnlarged lymph nodesSwelling in the lower limbsTiny red spots or lines in the skin

The sooner that acute lymphocytic leukemia is detected, the more effective that treatment can be the aim of acute lymphocytic leukemia treatment is to induce a lasting remission or absence of detectable cancer cells in the body.

Treatments for acute lymphocytic leukemia:

ChemotherapySteroidsRadiation TherapyIntensive Combined Treatments (bone marrow or stem cell transplants)

Supportive Therapies for acute lymphocytic leukemia:

ALL Support Groups - Once you are a loved one is diagnosed with (ALL) hopefully your care provider will give you a list of different support groups that are available to you that will allow you to share and communicate your feelings, concerns, and worries, with other people who are going through the same type of challenges (or similar) that you are.

Yoga Nidra - Let's face it, while Support groups work for some people, oftentimes especially when faced with the sudden realities of life that being diagnosed with cancer can bring, being able to expand your capacity to deal with what is can be very beneficial. The practice of Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation technique that will bring a greater sense of ease and acceptance into your life that will expand your capacity to face the challenges that will come while fighting acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Thaddeus Ferguson has dedicated himself to the cause of helping people heal themselves first in order to help heal the world during this amazing time of transformation.

The practice of Meditation and/or Yoga Nidra is just one of the many powerful tools that you can use in order to help Heal You First.

Discover many of the Benefits of Meditation Now!

Learn more about Yoga Nidra Now!

Original article

Identifying The Cause, Symptoms And Treatment Of Leukemia

No one in this world would ever want to get sick.  Getting sick is a hassle, a strain and a very big dilemma.  It prevents an individual from doing his activities of daily living.  There is no fun at all when people get sick.  But no matter how hard we try to hate the idea of being sick, if the immune system is weak and if we have lived a sedentary lifestyle, the chance of acquiring diseases is high.

There is a certain type of illness that we all hate and fear to have and it is so called cancer.  Cancer is a deadly disease and it accounts for almost half of the total mortality rate in the whole wide world.  It is scary to think that we might have the disease.  Only few have survived this health illness and we are still hoping that there will be more who will survive this disease.

Cancer has many types and you need to be aware or perhaps be educated about the different types so you will know the symptoms.  Most types of cancer are genetically acquired so if you have relatives who have suffered from cancer, better do some screening so you will know if you too have cancer.  It feels like you were hit by the strongest stun gun once you knew you have cancer.  Shocking and very heart breaking.  Other types of cancer develop because of an individual's diet and lifestyle.  Like lung cancer for instance.  Smoking is one major cause of lung cancer therefore if you have been smoking for a couple of years, better stop it otherwise you will develop lung cancer.

Leukemia is one type of cancer that all age groups can have.  The young and the old are not exempted from this and it is sad to know that many of the little ones have developed and suffered from this type of cancer.  Leukemia is characterized by an abnormal increase of white blood cells and it is one of the most dangerous of blood disorders. 

Since leukemia involves blood cells circulating through the body unlike other types of cancer which focus on the body tissues, it is sometimes not considered a true cancer.  However, leukemia cells when studied under the microscope behave like cancer cells found in tumors.  It affects the blood forming tissues such as the bone marrow resulting in an overproduction of white blood cells. 

Symptoms to all types of leukemias include that of fever, weight loss, fatigue, bone pain, anemia as expressed in paleness and an enlarged spleen.  Skin lesions may be visible and there is a tendency that it will bleed.  Infections may become even more common and the body becomes less responsive to treatment because of a loss of the normal blood cells that are needed to resist the disease similar to losing muscle control to fight back and escape when an attacker or a criminal is hit with a cheetah stun gun.

Biopsy of the bone marrow and careful blood studies helps identifying the disease.  The treatment is usually directed toward reducing the size of the spleen and the number of white blood cells in the blood. Antibiotics and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs are the treatment of leukemia.  If the cancer patient complies with all of this, life may be prolonged.

So if you know of someone with this type of disease, give support and always stand by his or her side.  It is not easy having this type of disease.  A cancer victim really needs to be strong and fight hard even though his life is already numbered.

Joseph Pressley is a certified TASER instructor and the co-founder of BestStunGun.com which provides non-lethal self defense products such as stun guns, TASERs and pepper sprays. Discover how stun guns and TASERs can save your life. Receive a free report on "Top 10 Self Defense Secrets Everyone Needs To Know". Limited amount available. Visit us and get your own copy now http://www.beststungun.com/

Original article

Multiple Myeloma, a Blood Plasma Cancer, and the Arkansas Treatment

Within the last 20 years, the Arkansas Treatment has been developed for patients suffering from Multiple Myeloma. An acquaintance of the author's, who was treated with this chemotherapy regimen several years before his own diagnosis, had to travel to Arkansas to receive the treatment. After being diagnosed in June, 2008 with multiple myeloma, the author was able to receive this chemotherapy regimen locally near his home in the Upstate of South Carolina.

This treatment uses several different drugs during chemotherapy, followed by an autologous stem cell transplant. The full treatment actually calls for a tandem stem cell transplant (two in succession.) Whereas years ago, the only treatment for multiple myeloma was the drug that directly targets the cancerous cells (and then also targets lots of good cells as well), the several drugs used in this treatment all target the abilities of the cancerous cells to reproduce and encourage the body's normal disease fighting cells to eliminate them.

This treatment uses thalidomide as the main, cancer-fighting, oral drug, plus a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs which include bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone. A variety of other drugs such as antibiotics, to help the body's impaired immune system, anti-nausea drugs, and pain killers (steroids) are administered concurrently.

With the older treatments directly targeting the cancerous cells, the life expectancies of multiple myeloma patients were on the order of two to four years following diagnosis. Since those drugs adversely affected many good body cells as well as the cancerous cells, the patients' bodies took a major hit every time the drug was administered. A high dose of that same drug (or similar ones) is part of the stem cell transplant procedure. Following the administration of the high dose drug, the author's white blood cell count was near zero. Fortunately, the stem cell transplant immediately followed the administration of the high dose, so his body was able to recover from the high dose by creating new stem cells and new good blood cells.

Newer treatments such as the Arkansas Treatment use drugs that target the cancerous cells indirectly. They attempt to turn OFF the ON switch that tells the cancerous cells to reproduce ad infinitum. They attempt to block blood supplies which allow the cancerous cells to flourish. They attempt to block signals sent from the cancerous cells to normal body disease-fighting cells that says, in effect, "I am a normal cell -- leave me alone." They attempt to encourage the body's disease-fighting cells to go after those cancerous cells and do their jobs -- that is, to eliminate them as unwanted cells in the body. Obviously, this is a layman's explanation of the tasks requested of the drugs in this treatment regimen, but you get the idea.

Since these drugs are not directly expected to kill the cancerous cells, they are much less harmful to the good cells of the body. This does not mean they are harmless to normal body cells. They still are quite potent chemicals that should not be used lightly. But they appear to each work well to perform the jobs requested of them. Life expectancies of patients receiving the Arkansas treatment are listed as ten plus years, and climbing.

Major side effects occur with this treatment regimen, but they appear to be worth the inconveniences. In the author's case, the two major side effects are deterioration of the heart muscle, and peripheral neuropathy. The author's heart efficiency deteriorated sufficiently over the course of treatment that he was prevented from receiving the second stem cell transplant. Having read lots of information on the internet prior to and during treatments, he somehow missed the possibility that the chemo drugs could adversely affect the heart muscle. The efficiency of his left ventricle went from normal values above 50% all the way down to 26%. At this low level, he was treated for congestive heart failure. The cardiologist said, however, that in many cases, the heart can recover from chemo-induced levels like this. This, in fact, has happened in the author's case. His heart's efficiency has risen once again to near-normal levels.

After the heart's efficiency problems were diagnosed, the author searched for and found several articles that did indeed warn that some of the chemo drugs used in this regimen can adversely affect the heart muscle. One of the drugs, in particular, was listed as prone to causing heart problems. When he asked one of the chemo nurses which of the medications could adversely affect the heart, she answered, "Oh, they probably all do."

The peripheral neuropathy is a major nuisance, but it does not appear to be a life-threatening problem. The author's fingers and toes all tingle and feel somewhat numb most of the time. The cancer drugs, and even the cancer maintenance drugs, appeared to cause these problems. After the main cancer medications were stopped, the tingling and numbness receded a little, but not completely. There were days following the chemo treatments when the author's hands hurt -- especially when holding or touching cold items. Today, they are tingly but that sensation can be ignored most of the time.

The author's body is currently "as clean of the cancerous cells as possible," according to his oncologist. This doctor also commented during that visit that many don't appreciate the gravity of that statement. "Years ago, half of the people who contracted multiple myeloma died within 3 years of diagnosis." Those numbers are greatly extended now due to chemo regimens like the Arkansas Treatment.

Dennis Dinger is a survivor of multiple myeloma. Diagnosed in June, 2008, he received five cycles of the Arkansas Treatment: four of chemotherapy, plus the fifth -- the high dose and the autologous stem cell transplant. His book, My Bout with Multiple Myeloma, chronicles his battle - to include the year prior to diagnosis, the treatments, and the recuperation period following all treatments. Throughout 2010, the cancer was in complete remission. For more details on the book, click on Multiple Myeloma.

In this book, he includes descriptions of most of the procedures to which he was subject, he gives helpful hints and suggestions to others who may have to deal with this or other cancers. The book was written for those who have been similarly diagnosed, as well as for their family members and friends who may be called upon to support their loved ones through similar battles.

Dennis Dinger is a Christian who is a Professor Emeritus of Ceramic and Materials Engineering at Clemson University.

Since his cancer diagnosis and treatments, he has been spending his days studying and writing Christian books. His most recent book attempts to bridge the chasm between technology and Christianity. It is entitled Global Climate Change, the Bible, & Science. His other Christian books are The Coming of the Lord Draweth Nigh, a study of prophecy and the Revelation, The Tribulation to Come, a study of the Revelation of John, and Absolute Truth for a Relative World.

All books are available in Kindle and paperback formats. Visit our website at http://www.timelessbooks.us/.

Original article

Treatment of Leukimia

Treatment of leukemia depends on the type and level of disease and tailored for each patient. In general, chemotherapy-the use of drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells are the main treatment for acute or chronic leukemia. In acute leukemia, intensive chemotherapy and the use of some drugs, either simultaneously or sequentially, to kill the leukemia cells as possible. Antibiotics and transfusions of red blood cells and platelets help the blood to maintain a low number of patients who are dangerous because they received intensive chemotherapy.

Sometimes radiation is used to shrink the collection of leukemia cells that accumulate in various parts of the body, such as the lining of the brain and spinal cord in acute lymphocytic leukemia, or in the lymph nodes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. If not treated, a collection of cells on the lining of the brain and spinal cord can cause headaches, blurred vision, and confusion, and elsewhere in the body can cause swelling and pain from the affected area.

Especially in younger patients, if doctors determine that chemotherapy alone is not likely to succeed or if the patients who relapsed after chemotherapy, allogeneic (genetically different) stem cell transplants can be performed. In this procedure, very intense total body irradiation or high dose chemotherapy or both were used. Chemotherapy and radiation designed to destroy all the leukemia cells in the body of the patient, but this treatment also destroys the blood-forming system in the bone marrow of patients. For this reason, the healthy stem cells, bone marrow cells that allow the formation of long-term blood, then be inserted into patients to replace blood-forming system. Stem cells must come from immunologically suitable donor, usually siblings, but if your game is not available, sometimes an unrelated donor may be sought. The latter can be identified from the database of voluntary donors. This database can be searched people with matching tissue types are identical or very close. Previously, stem cells can only be transplanted from donor bone marrow. This procedure is known as bone marrow transplants. Recent advances now enable to recover stem cells from blood, or from the placenta and umbilical cord blood ("cord blood") after giving birth to newborns, making the transplant procedure is much simpler and less risky for the donor. Cord-blood stem cells frozen, stored in a bank "," and can be used later for patients who need them. The number of stem cells in this sample may not be sufficient for larger adults and most commonly used for children or smaller adults who need transplants and in need of donors, unrelated match.

Unexpected effect of allogeneic stem cell transplant is what is known as the effect of graft-versus-leukemia. Immune cells recognize the donor antigen small tissue types (proteins that produce antibodies) that is incompatible with the recipient. This donor's immune cells attack the recipient's network, including leukemia cells and normal tissue. The attack on normal tissue recipients as a disease called graft-versus-host. This attack can be acute or chronic, and very mild or very severe. This is a serious complication that is not desirable from allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Graft-versus-leukemia-cells, on the other hand, is the desired effect and is responsible in part for some beneficial effects of transplantation, especially in patients who received transplants for treatment of acute or chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Transplantation is the most effective in children and young adults; in older adults are often too dangerous a procedure to apply. A transplant approach called non-myeloablative stem cells are being tested on older patients. Here's a very mild pretreatment with chemotherapy or radiation is used, whereas the anti-immune therapy based on the immune system to prevent recipients from stem cells reject donor. Stock graft-versus-leukemia who relied on as a substitute for intensive therapy given before transplantation for leukemia standards.

Immunotherapy is a promising new approach for treating leukemia. With this technique, highly specific molecules known as monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory to the target molecule on the surface of leukemia cells. Antibody itself may kill leukemia cells, or radioactive substances or toxic cells attached to the antibody can kill leukemia cells, when injected intravenously into the patient. This method provides an easy way to deliver immediate radioactive or toxic substance into the leukemia cells, which may kill cells with minimal effect on healthy cells.

The objective in the treatment of acute leukemia is to kill leukemia cells is sufficient to produce remission, which means that the production of red blood cells no longer suppressed, blood cell counts returned to normal, and patient symptoms decreased. At that stage, further therapy is used to try to extend the reach remission or cure. Approximately 80 percent of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia can be cured. Cure rate of acute myelocytic leukemia is estimated at around 40 percent in children but much lower in adults depending on their age. Because most patients more than 65 years when they develop the disease, treatment is rare.

In chronic leukemia, the cure is rare, but the current chemotherapy regimens have improved survival in patients with an average of about three years to more than six years. chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the most lazy form may not require treatment and may not progress or a serious health consequences for patients. In patients with active or progressive disease, new drugs and types of available monoclonal antibodies to treat disease. In chronic myelocytic leukemia, dramatic advances in therapy involves the introduction of drugs that specifically target leukemia causes changes in bone marrow cells. The introduction of this treatment has been projected to increase survival for more than a decade on average. Young patients with diseases that have an appropriate stem cell donor can be cured by stem cell transplantation.

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Original article

Hematology and Oncology Specialists Offer Treatment for Leukemia and Lymphoma

Hematology and oncology are fields of medicine that diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of the blood and cancer as well as research them. Some diseases that are treated by doctors who specialize in hematology and oncology in Louisiana include leukemia and lymphoma.

Leukemia occurs when cancer attacks the tissues within the body that form blood. This can include the lymphatic system and the bone marrow. This disease usually begins in leukocytes or white blood cells. Although leukocytes function to fight off infection by growing and dividing in an orderly manner as the body requires them, those who develop this disease have large numbers of uncharacteristic leukocytes that do not perform properly, which are produced with bone marrow. Leukemia, depending on its type, can strike anyone at any age. There are types that mainly affect children and there are certain types that only affect adults. Normally this form of cancer is due to a mutation of DNA within blood cells. If this mutation occurs, cells begin to grow and divide at a rapid speed and while other healthy cells die off, these mutated ones continue to live. As time goes by, the mutated cells begin to overcrowd healthy cells, which result in the signs and symptoms of leukemia. Treatment depends on the type of leukemia as well as other factors. Among the common types of treatment that are used on patients with this disorder include radiation, chemotherapy, medications that target the cancer, biological therapy that assists the immune system in helping to find and fight the leukemia and stem cell transplants, which replace unhealthy bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.

Lymphoma is a cancer that attacks the lymphatic system, which is normally responsible for fighting off disease. Lymphatic systems contain the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow and the thymus gland. Cancer can affect the entire system including all of these organs as well as other organs in the body. Hodgkin's disease is one form of lymphoma that attacks the lymphatic system. This occurs as cells within the lymphatic system begin to abnormally grow and gather in the organs of this system. As Hodgkin's disease progresses, the body's ability to ward off infection becomes inhibited, resulting in the development of tumors. Because the lymphatic system is located throughout the body, this form of cancer can spread through the lymph nodes to many areas of the body. Although this form of cancer was once considered a fatal disease, with advancements in diagnostic technology and advanced treatments, Hodgkin's disease is now very treatable.

Original article

What Is Lymphatic Cancer (Lymphoma) and Its Treatment Effects?

Lymphoma is the cancer of lymph nodes. Like all cancers, it is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the vicinity of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes can be viewed as stopping points of lymphatic system. Lymphatic system basically carries fighting soldiers to whatever areas of your body whenever the body area is invaded or requires help to fight foreign intruders. The lymphatic system is a network of 'highways' starting from below the chin to the back of the neck, to underneath the armpits and then to the groin area and connects to the spinal cord.

Lymphoma develops as lumps at the node areas, typically behind the neck, armpits and groin areas. Not all lymphomas grow in detectable areas. Once a lump develops careful monitoring is required. Whenever a lump occurs, it can be caused by

1) viral infection, which can be easily cured by a course of antibiotics and usually last only a week or two,
2) Tuberculosis, which detected at early stages can easily be cured, and which will require more specialized medical care and treatment,
3) Cancer, which can only be confirmed by a biopsy. If there are several lumps that have been growing for some time, it is vital to get the lumps checked out by a Hematologist. Hematologists are specialized doctors dealing with blood disorders. Lymphoma is considered as a blood disorder. For other types of cancer, one would go to an oncologist.

Other noticeable signs are cold sweats at night, lost of appetite, drastic weight loss and lethargy. Sometimes these signs do not appear as in my case except for the lumps on base of the neck.
Like many other cancers, lymphomas are quite complicated and have different types and subtypes but generally lymphoma can be divided into two broad categories, namely Hodgkins and Non-Hodgkins. Hodgkins lymphoma is much more curable and the prognosis is very good.

Conventional treatment applies for Lymphoma - surgery and radiation - if the cancer is fairly isolated typically only in stage 1 (more on staging later). Chemotherapy followed by radiation for cancer that is not so widespread in the body. If the cancer is in a fairly advanced stage as in stage 3 and 4, then a full course of Chemotherapy treatment is required, as was in my case.

Staging in lymphoma is different from other types of cancer. Stage 1 is cancer found on one part in one section of the body either above or below the diaphragm. If the cancer has appeared in more than one place on same side of the diaphragm, then it has gone to stage 2. Stage 3 means the cancer has spread to the abdomen and groin areas above and below the diaphragm. Stage 4 means that the cancer has been detected in the bone marrow. Stage 3 is already considered advanced stage.

Once a biopsy has confirmed that a tumour is cancerous, a CT scan is usually performed to stage the cancer. In lymphomas, a bone marrow tap is usually done to check if the bone marrow carries the cancer as well. CT scans are also performed at regular intervals during Chemotherapy to determine the treatment's efficacy. If the current treatment is not effective, doctors will switch to another Chemotherapy regimen. At the end of the treatment, a final CT scan and PET scan are conducted to confirm absence of cancerous cells. The words "No cancerous cells detected" are the sweetest words one can ask for.

Chemotherapy treatment can last between six to eight months and a month more to recuperate from the onslaught of Chemotherapy. Most people will give up work to focus on the treatment. As in my case, Chemotherapy was once every two weeks. The first week immediately after Chemotherapy is the worst.

Most of the time, I was too weak to keep awake. As time passed, strength returned and by the second week, I could manage a short walk. After that the whole process starts all over again.
Towards the end of the Chemotherapy, the body would have been pretty badly savaged by the Chemo poison. One often lands up feeling very different after Chemotherapy, and it takes months to get back toany normalcy. The speed of recovery from Chemotherapy really depends on one's physical and mental strength.

Chemotherapy, as it is often called - "It is a marathon"

Th Ong has fought cancer and won. He shares his story and his research to prevent cancer in the first place. He gives his book OnTopOfCancer for Free on the internet at http://ontopofcancer.blogspot.com/

Original article

5 Views on Leukaemia - Its Cause and Treatment

1. Medical

According to two of the most prestigious medical diagnosticians, Professors Whiting and Sutton, Leukaemia is usually characterized by the presence of immature white blood cells accompanied by severe anaemia.

The symptoms seen during the course of this complaint are: - haemorrhages into the skin and mucous membranes, - oral ulceration, - fever, and - occasional enlargement of the lymph glands and spleen

If a subject presents these symptoms they can assume that they have what is medically recognised as Leukaemia.

2. Chiropractic

According to James N. Firth, who is recognised as an authority on chiropractic diagnosis, Leukaemia constitutes a condition in which; - there is a great increase in the number of white blood cells, - enlargement of the spleen, lymph glands and bone marrow

While the chiropractic diagnosis is very similar to the medical diagnosis the chiropractor recognises that there are spinal subluxations present in the liver, spleen, kidney and lumbar areas of the spine and these should be adjusted towards normality.

The discoverer and developer of chiropractic, D.D. Palmer does not mince matters when he advises the practitioner to adjust the 7th dorsal vertebra and even goes so far as to say that the adjuster should stand on the left side of the patient and adjust towards the right shoulder.

Surely such specific instructions would indicate that Palmer had some experience in the treatment of this complaint.

3. Osteopathy

The osteopath accepts the general diagnosis of blood diseases as made by the medical profession but as might be expected, adopts a more scientific, positive and optimistic stance in relation to treatment.

Dr A.T. Still, the first osteopath advised that the cause of the nerve irritation must be found and removed before the channels (arteries, veins and lymph vessels) can relax and open sufficiently to admit free passage of the fluids being obstructed.

4. Natural Hygiene

According to Dr James Neuhauser, Leukaemia is; - cancer of the blood in which the body produces too many white blood cells - the first sign may be bone pain, joint pains and blood in the urine

And... in his opinion there seems to be "no recourse." (This latter statement seems to be a confession that he does not know how to reverse this disease).

This is, of course, in line with the opinion shared by most hygienists, including Dr Herbert M. Shelton, that cancer is an irreversible pathology.

5. Nature Cure

In 1883, Louis Kuhne, one of our earliest naturopaths, said that in order to effect a radical cure of every disease: "We must proceed to transform the chronic condition into an acute one. By means of this crisis the body will be enabled to expel the foreign matter which is causing the complaint."

Nature's Solution to all Disease/Symptoms

1) Remove Causes

We should remove as many obstructions as possible.

These may be chemical, mental or mechanical. Chemical obstructions are removed by a rational adjustment of the food intake and cessation of the intake of harmful drugs or remedies. Physical obstructions may be removed by way of Chiropractic/Osteopathic or via Naprapathy. Mental obstructions should be attended to via a positive mental health program.

2) Provide a Healthy Environment

We should provide the optimal biological needs such as sunlight, fresh air, pure water, exercise, relaxation and mental poise.

3) Rest

When the Healing Crisis occurs, we should fast until the body indicates that it has done as much as it can under the prevailing circumstances.

Confidence - Born out of Knowledge - Based on the Truth

All the best for your health and happiness,

Kevin

Kevin Hinton is a renowned Natural Health Educator & Advocator who has assisted a broad range of people to reinvigorate their lives through common-sense Natural Health practices.
He is a trusted advisor to many in the corporate world in Australia and North America who recognize the life-improving value of Natural Health habits.
His experience in the field reveals that adopting practical Natural Health habits usually helps drive success in other areas of life.
Visit Kevin at: http://www.hintonhealth.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=79and sign up for a FREE world class newsletter.

Original article

Treatment Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia - Hanging On To Life

Acute myeloid leukemia is a heterogeneous cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This tumor occurs as a result of an over production of immature white blood cell which is called myeloblast.

The name of the disease is gotten from the blood cell produced in excess. The immature white blood cell produced gets into the bone marrow and it's over production hinders the production of the normal blood cells.

The main cause of the display of these symptoms is as a result of the loss of normal function of blood by these myelobast. Since they are immature and reduce the mature and proper functioning blood, their function as blood cells is greatly reduced. One of the functions of blood affected in acute myeloid leukemia is fighting against infection.

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia are easily infected due to reduced immunity against infection. Another very common symptom in patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia is anemia. Anemia is as a result of reduced production of normal red blood cells and platelets. Anemia is usually severe with different levels of severity seen in different patients. Acute myeloid leukemia has other symptoms like being easily bruised and having swollen gum, bleeding of the nose, fever, skin pallor and even shortness of breath.

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in a newly diagnosed patient consist of chemotherapy ( the type of chemotherapy used is age dependent) aimed to quickly induce total remission, when this is achieved, further therapy is then aimed at cure of the disease (by eliminating any undetected residuals of the leukemic cells). Therefore the treatment process is divided into two stages.

The first stage is the stage of induction. The goal of this therapy is to get complete remission by reducing the quantity of the leukemic cells in the bone marrow and circulating blood to an undetectable level. The commonly used complete remission induction is a combined chemotherapy of cytarabine and anthracycline. Cytarabine is administered intravenously with dosage of 100 - 200mg/m2/day for one week. Anthracycline consists of daunorubicin is administered intravenously 45-60mg/m2 on day1, 2, and 3.

When induction therapy is completed, the bone marrow is examined. If blast cells are more than 5% with up to 20% cellular cells, induction therapy is performed again with dose similar to the first but cytarabine is given for 5 and antracycline 2 days. But after the second therapy if there is no positive result stem cell transplant is considered, though this is only possible in patient younger than 65 years.

The second stage is post remission or consolidation therapy, which is aimed at cure of patients with acute myeloid leukemia after the leukemic cells becomes undetectable. In this therapy treatment is based on the patient's condition, this therapy involves an additional intensive chemotherapy of 3 to 5 courses. Patients with high risk of cytogenetics are given allogeneic stem cell transplant. Patients who stem cell transplant is not suitable for, are treated with a combination therapy of histamine dihydrochloride (ceplene) and interleukin 2.

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia has shown good prognosis in the time past especially if diagnosis is made early ant treatment is started immediately.

Dave is an avid member of the health community and offers more information about leukemia on his website Acute Myeloid Leukemia Prognosis. He also has a similar site on Myeloid Leukemia Prognosis.

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