Posts Tagged ‘Malignant’

Adrenal Cancer – Treatment – Some information and details

July 29th, 2010

Adrenal cancer is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the adrenal gland. It is a malignant tumor and can cause a variety of symptoms that differ depending upon the hormone that is being secreted in large quantities. When one is diagnosed with adrenal cancer it is essential that one taken on treatments that can help alleviate the stress the disease tends to cause.

Once the symptoms surface it is imperative that the patient seeks the help of an expert in the domain and carries out tests to check whether the cancer can be treated. There are a number of surgical and non surgical methods to treat this cancer and a few methods are highlighted below:

Surgical methods:
Surgery is one of the most common ways to treat the condition. It is essential that you seek the support of only the best surgeons to treat this condition as a number of pre operative measures need to be taken before one can proceed for surgery. Management of electrolyte levels and blood pressure levels need to be considered before one can be operated.

Non surgical methods:
a) Mitotane can be used to treat adrenal cancer as it helps in inhibiting the production of excessive hormones in the cortex of the adrenal gland
b) Metyrapone is also used widely to treat certain types of adrenal cancer
c) Aminoglutethamide
d) Radionuclide MIBG is used to treat medullary tumors
e) Ketaconalzole is also used to non surgically treat the condition of adrenal cancer
f) Radiotherapy – is often used for bony metasteses
g) Chemotherapy – Not may doctors are confident about the effects of chemotherapy, however it can be used to treat medullary tumors
Alternative treatments:
For those who are at the early stages of adrenal cancer there are a number of alternative treatments that you can make a part of your lifestyle to experience relief from the pain the condition may cause you. However it is always advisable to carry out these treatments under the consultation of an expert.

a) Exercise: Physical exercise is always essential, even when you are not ill. However if you have been diagnosed with adrenal cancer you should take on an exercise routine that helps your body become strong to fight the disease.

b) Stress Management: When one is diagnosed with adrenal cancer, one can get very stressed because the symptoms can be painful and stress you out. However it is essential that you stay calm during the process. You can help control your stress by following a stress management program.

c) Acupuncture: This method involves the insertion of tiny needles into one’s body. However if you do decide to experiment, ensure that you are undergoing this treatment with a trained expert.

d) Acupressure: Much like acupuncture, this technique uses pressure through massage on the same locations as in acupuncture. It is essential however that one consults an expert in the domain.

e) Massage therapy: Massage therapy can help relax the body and mind and help deal with the stress that the illness may bring.

f) Diet: In order to keep the condition contained it is essential that you follow a strict diet. Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, broccoli, green tea, black tea, apricots, celery, artichokes, cherries, cauliflowers, corn, ground flaxseed, grape juice, watermelon, oats, olive oil, onions, peas, patatos and brown rice are a few items that should be a part of your diet.

A diet rich in the following minerals can help you gain energy and become strong as well: magnesium, calcium and zinc. Vitamins like Vitamin E, C and B Complex are advisable for good health. It is essential that one does not intake alcohol, reduce the intake of refined sugar and also follow a high fibre and low fat diet.

What does Malignancy mean ?

February 16th, 2010

Normal body cells are made up of organelles and a nucleus that contains the chromatin, which is a combination of DNA and proteins that make up a chromosome. This nucleus also contains a nucleolus, a small structure with RNA that plays an important part in protein synthesis. Under normal circumstances, cells of the same type are somewhat equal in size, have a common shape and spread out evenly. The cells grow slowly by a process known as mitosis, adhere (stick) to each other and spread out in a layer formation to collectively form a tissue.

Benign tumors also have normal cells and grow in an ordered manner. However a benign tumor has no physiological function and is therefore considered as an unnecessary growth in the body.

A malignant tumor does not have normal cells. These ‘cancer’ cells are different from normal cells in the following ways :
* Irregular size of cell and nucleus.
* Irregular shape of cell and nucleus.
* Malignant cells stain differently from normal cells under microscopic examination.
* Chromatin within nuclei clump irregularly.
* Nuceloli are large, prominent and irregular.
* Malignant cells do not stick (adhere) to each other as well as normal cells.
* Malignant cells are compacted within a smaller area.

It is the abnormal genetic material in a malignant cell that is responsible for carcinogenesis (the process of malignancy). This genetic material causes the cells to behave, multiply and grow in the manner that is referred to as a malignancy.

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