Leukemia is the abnormal growth of white blood cells known as leukemia cells in the bone marrow that over time can swarm out the normal blood cells leading to major complications like anaemia, bleeding and infections. Leukemia is generally classified on its rate of increase and which type of white blood cells it impinges upon. Acute leukemia deteriorates rapidly making the person experience instant sickness while chronic leukemia exacerbates at a slow pace being asymptomatic for years. The four key kinds of leukemia include: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest type of leukemia affecting children and adults. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) affecting children and adults. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a commonly occurring form of leukemia detected in elderly  [...]

Mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon type of cancer that adversely affects the cells of the mesothelium, a protective sac that encapsulates majority of the body’s inner organs. As a result, the mesothelial cells become malignant or cancerous, proliferating unabated, infecting and damaging closely placed tissues and organs. Though the risk increases with age, the disease can surface at any age, with men more than women being affected. Mesothelioma Cancer Causes: Almost 70-80% of Mesothelioma cases are occupation-derived where they were exposed to asbestos particles. Individuals living with the person with asbestos exposure or themselves been exposed to a particular virus are at risk to develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms: The symptoms might not become evident till the age of  [...]

There is a ray of hope for those ailing with final-stage of skin and brain cancers – not treatable by the present techniques- have shown favourable improvement subsequent to being treated with a novel oral course drug known as hedgehog inhibitor. Hedgehog is the latest cancer combating drug to lately garner significant attention. At the stages of nascent development and infanthood, the indicating molecule dubbed hedgehog stimulates growth which is innately halted by the body at time of reaching maturity. Cancerous growths occur when hedgehog is not innately halted by the body’s mechanism. An investigational drug that has been coded as GDC-0449 by its founder Genentech is believed to have a blocking effect on hedgehog. But the question that lingers is the potency of this drug to combat  [...]

The FDA or Food and Drug Administration has teamed up with other health care experts in a drive to raise caution among the customers regarding the latent health hazards related to the use of electronic or E-cigarettes. The E-cigarettes are operated via battery and intended to appear quite similar to the normally available cigarettes. These devices normally hold sealed units packed with nicotine, flavouring and several chemicals and are rampantly vended online and seen in several shopping centres. These devices convert the highly addictive nicotine along with other chemical substances into vapour form for inhalation. The FDA is alarmed regarding the safety standards of such products and the manner in which they are mass vended. The FDA is apprehensive about the fact that: The e-cigarettes  [...]

A novel study illustrates that a miniscule video camera implanted inside a pill could spot unusual growths in the colon or rectal region, though not as effectively as colonoscopy does. The final outcome on the study undertaken to prove the effectuality of the Pillcam Colon capsule endoscope that is a colon camera pill is finally out. The result much alike the foremost findings noted in the study initially carried out in 2007 shows that the PillCam was effective, however colonoscopy surpassed PillCam in the effectiveness quotient. The study was carried out on 320 adults that alternately had a past of colon disease or were doubted to have colon disease. Subsequent to bowel preparation, the candidates took the PillCam that is close to 1.2 inches in length and smaller than half of an inch  [...]

A new study points to the fact that virtual colonoscopy could be a satisfactory diagnostic option to conventional colonoscopy in some though not all patients that had more than normal risk of developing colorectal cancer. The virtual colonoscopy procedure is a non-invasive diagnostic means that employs the use of X-rays and computers to created three dimensional imaging of the colon. In the lately printed study that was carried out in Italy was known to detect 85% of dubious growths in those individuals with higher risks for getting colorectal cancer. However, in spite of the favourable outcome, cynics argue that virtual colonoscopy medically identified as CT or computed tomographic colonography is not the right choice for those people with elevated risks of getting colorectal cancer. A  [...]

The scientists from the Mayo Clinic have discovered that preliminary stages of esophageal cancers could be effectually treated by the minimally invasive endoscopic treatment, thus circumventing the need for the removal of the esophagus by surgical means. The vastly spreading esophageal cancer that arises from Barrett’s esophagus has been noted to have the faster rate of proliferation than any other form of cancer in the U.S. Nearly ten percent of patients having acute acid reflux develop alterations in the tissues which are typical to Barrett’s esophagus that could cause cancer. The tumor is fatal with 90% of the patients dying in the span of five years of being diagnosed. Dr. Ganapathy Prasad, M.D., endocrinologist cum lead author on the research stated that in 20% of esophageal  [...]