Cancer Cures In The Herbal Pharmacy

Curing cancer with natural products - a case for shamans and herb women? Not at all, for many chemotherapies to fight cancer applied in modern medicine are natural products or were developed on the basis of natural substances. Thus, taxanes used in prostate and breast cancer treatment are made from yew trees. The popular periwinkle plant, which grows along the ground of many front yards, is the source of vinca alkaloids that are effective, for example, against malignant lymphomas. The modern anti-cancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan are derived from a constituent of the Chinese Happy Tree. 

Looking for new compounds, doctors and scientists are increasingly focusing on substances from plants used in traditional medicine. About three quarters of the natural pharmaceutical compounds commonly used today are derived from plants of the traditional medicine of the people in various parts of the world. The chances of finding new substances with interesting working profiles in traditional medicinal plants are better than in common-or-garden botany. 

In his search for active ingredients, Professor Dr. Thomas Efferth of the DKFZ has been concentrating on herbal remedies from traditional Chinese medicine with particularly well documented application range. Working together with colleagues in Mainz and Düsseldorf, Germany, Graz, Austria and Kunming in China, he launched a systematic compound search in 76 Chinese medicinal plants that are believed to be effective against malignant tumors and other growths. First results of this study have now been published. 

Extracts from 18 of the plants under investigation were found to substantially suppress the growth of a cancer cell line in the culture dish. "With this success rate of about 24 percent, we are way above the results that could be expected from searching through large chemical substance libraries," Thomas Efferth explains. 

The scientists proceeded to chemically separate, step by step, all active extracts, tracing the active component after each separation step by cell tests. The chemical structure of the compounds is analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. "We are combining natural substance research with advanced analytical and molecular-biological methods", Efferth explains. "Plant constituents that seem particularly promising are immediately subjected to further tests." Such constituents include, for example, substances derived from the Rangoon Creeper, an ornamental plant with red flowers, or from Red-Root Sage. The latter contains three ingredients with powerful anti-tumor activity. The substances were found to suppress the growth of a specific tumor cell line that is particularly resistant to many commonly used cytotoxins due to overproduction of a transport protein in the cell wall. In contrast, a whole range of standard anti-cancer drugs fail to be effective against this cell. 

We can expect to find many interesting, yet unknown working mechanisms among the chemically highly diverse natural substances. Currently, we are aligning the effectiveness of the substances on 60 different cancer cell lines with the gene activity profiles of these cells. Thus, we can determine the exact gene products that are the cellular targets of our compounds. Thereby, it may be possible to discover whole new Achilles' heels of the cancer cell," said Efferth describing the next steps. 

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Thomas Efferth, Stefan Kahl, Kerstin Paulus, Michael Adams, Rolf Rauh, Herbert Boechzelt, Xiaojiang Hao, Bernd Kaina and Rudolf Bauer: Phytochemistry and Pharmacogenomics of Natural products derived from traditional Chinese medica with activity against tumor cells. Molecular Cancer Therapy 7 (1) 2008, page 152 

The task of the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum in Heidelberg (German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ) is to systematically investigate the mechanisms of cancer development and to identify cancer risk factors. The results of this basic research are expected to lead to new approaches in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Center is financed to 90 percent by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and to 10 percent by the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers (Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren e.V.). 

Source: Dr. Sibylle Kohlstädt 
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.

Causes

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.

There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.

There are many causes of cancers, including:
Benzene and other chemicals
Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
Certain viruses
Radiation
Sunlight
Tobacco

However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.

The most common cause of cancer-related death is lung cancer.

The three most common cancers in men in the United States are:
Prostate cancer 
Lung cancer 
Colon cancer 

In women in the U.S., the three most common cancers are:
Breast cancer 
Colon cancer
Lung cancer

Some cancers are more common in certain parts of the world. For example, in Japan, there are many cases of gastric cancer, but in the U.S. this type of cancer is pretty rare. Differences in diet may play a role.

Some other types of cancers include:
Brain cancer 
Cervical cancer 
Hodgkin's lymphoma 
Kidney cancer 
Leukemia
Liver cancer 
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 
Ovarian cancer 
Skin cancer 
Testicular cancer 
Thyroid cancer 
Uterine cancer 

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Symptoms

Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Colon cancer often causes diarrhea, constipation, and blood in the stool.

Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. In certain cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

The following symptoms can occur with most cancers:
Chills 
Fatigue 
Fever 
Loss of appetite 
Malaise 
Night sweats
Weight loss 

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Exams and Tests

Like symptoms, the signs of cancer vary based on the type and location of the tumor. Common tests include the following:
Biopsy of the tumor
Blood chemistries
Bone marrow biopsy (for lymphoma or leukemia)
Chest x-ray 
Complete blood count (CBC)
CT scan 

Most cancers are diagnosed by biopsy. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation. Most patients with cancer have CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the tumor or tumors.

A cancer diagnosis is difficult to cope with. It is important, however, that you discuss the type, size, and location of the cancer with your doctor when you are diagnosed. You also will want to ask about treatment options, along with their benefits and risks.

It's a good idea to have someone with you at the doctor's office to help you get through the diagnosis. If you have trouble asking questions after hearing about your diagnosis, the person you bring with you can ask them for you.

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Treatment

Treatment also varies based on the type of cancer and its stage. The stage of a cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location.
If the cancer is confined to one location and has not spread, the most common goals for treatment are surgery and cure. This is often the case with skin cancers, as well as cancers of the lung, breast, and colon.
If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed.
If surgery cannot remove all of the cancer, the options for treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Some cancers require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Although treatment for cancer can be difficult, there are many ways to keep up your strength.

If you have radiation treatment, know that:
Radiation treatment is painless.
Treatment is usually scheduled every weekday.
You should allow 30 minutes for each treatment session, although the treatment itself usually takes only a few minutes.
You should get plenty of rest and eat a well-balanced diet during the course of your radiation therapy.
Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated.
Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary. They vary depending on the area of the body that is being treated.

If you are going through chemotherapy, you should eat right. Chemotherapy causes your immune system to weaken, so you should avoid people with colds or the flu. You should also get plenty of rest, and don't feel as though you have to accomplish tasks all at once.

It will help you to talk with family, friends, or a support group about your feelings. Work with your health care providers throughout your treatment. Helping yourself can make you feel more in control.

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Support Groups

A cancer diagnosis often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect your entire quality of life. Several support groups for cancer patients can help you cope.

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Outlook (Prognosis)

The outlook depends on the type of cancer. Even among people with one type of cancer, the outcome varies depending on the stage of the tumor when they are diagnosed.

Some cancers can be cured. Some cancers that are not curable can still be treated well. And some patients can live for many years with their cancer. Other tumors are quickly life-threatening.

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Possible Complications

One complication is that the cancer may spread. Other complications vary with the type and stage of the tumor.

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When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of cancer.

Prevention

One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to not smoke or chew tobacco. Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors such as excessive exposure to sunlight and heavy drinking.

Cancer screenings, such as mammography and breast examination for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer, may help catch these cancers at their early stages when they are most treatable. Some people at high risk for developing certain cancers can take medication to reduce their risk.

What Is cancer

If someone asked you to define cancer, could you do it? We all have heard the word "cancer" many times, however very few people understand the disease and how it develops. 
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a complex group of over 100 different types of cancer. Cancer can affect just about every organ in the human body.

How Does Cancer Develop?

The organs in our body are made up of cells. Cells divide and multiply as the body needs them. When these cells continue multiplying when the body doesn't need them, the result is a mass or growth, also called a tumor.

These growths are consider either benign or malignant. Benign is considered non-cancerous and malignant is cancerous.

Benign tumors rarely are life threatening and do not spread to other parts of the body. They can often be removed.

How Does Cancer Spread to Other Parts of the Body?
The cells within malignant tumors have the ability to invade neighboring tissues and organs, thus spreading the disease. It is also possible for cancerous cells to break free from the tumor and enter the blood stream, and spreading the disease to other organs. This process of spreading is called metastasis.

When cancer has metastasized and has affected other areas of the body, the disease is still referred to the organ of origination. For instance, if cervical cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still called cervical cancer, not lung cancer.

Although most cancers develop this way, diseases like leukemia do not. They affect the blood and the organs that form blood and then invade nearby tissues.

All cancers are different, and require different treatment. What may be effective for prostate cancer, probably will not be for bladder cancer. Diagnosing cancer will vary as well, depending on the organ affected. 
Fast Facts About Cancer
One in three people will develop cancer.
One in four people will die of cancer.
In 2005, about 1.4 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed.
More than 1500 Americans died each day of cancer this year. 
Over 1,000,000 cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. 
Cancer is the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 85.

Myspace and Facebook Cause Cancer?

That's what British researcher, Dr. Aric Sigman claims. His study suggests that using social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook could cause harm to our bodies, resulting in diseases like cancer. Dr. Sigman believes that the lack of face-to-face social interaction can indirectly cause our genes to alter, ultimately causing disease. He also notes the psychological consequences of excessive amount of socializing on the internet. 

It hasn't taken long for internet psychologists and other medical professionals to tear apart Sigman's research with claims that the data he used in his analysis is outdated and doesn't even include studies concerning internet social sites, like Facebook and Myspace.

Mesothelioma Overview

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells that lines many organs and body cavities. The mesothelium (composed of mesothelial cells) is the membrane that lines three of the body's cavities, and depending on what cavity it lines it is given a specific name: the thoracic cavity (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and the heart sac (pericardium).

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can develop in the mesothelium of the thoracic cavity in the lungs.

The mesothelium that covers the internal organs is called the visceral mesothelium, while the layer that covers the body wall is called parietal mesothelium.

Mesothelium tissue also surrounds the male internal reproductive organs and covers the internal reproductive organs in women. 

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelium, in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide uncontrollably and without order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the thoracic cavity (pleura) or the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). 

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs more frequently in men than in women, about four times more frequent. All forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are invariably fatal. The prognosis for mesothelioma is almost always poor and most studies report a median survival of less than one year, but the prognosis really depends on how early it is diagnosed and aggressively it is treated. 
Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the twentieth century in a number of different industries. Popular because of its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties, it was regularly used in the manufacture of several thousand different products, up until the time that asbestos warnings were issued in the mid-1970s. It is estimated that approximately 80 to 90 percent of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure.

The exact way in which asbestos causes mesothelioma is not well understood though doctors and researchers have put forth many hypotheses. What is apparent, however, is that any length of exposure to asbestos can be hazardous and may result in the development of asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Types of Mesothelioma

There are five known types of mesothelioma. Four of these are malignant cancers, and one is a benign condition.

Once asbestos is inhaled it can effect many of the bodys different organs including the throat, lungs, stomach, heart and testicles.

Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 70 percent of cases being pleural in origin. 

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane. Approximately 25 percent of mesotheliomas are of this type.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. About 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.

Testicular Mesothelioma: This is the rarest type of malignant mesothelioma; to date, there have been less than 100 recorded cases. Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles. 

Benign Mesothelioma: The benign form of mesothelioma most commonly develops in the pleura. This is the only form of mesothelioma for which full cure and recovery is a probable outcome, though it may be a precursor of future asbestos-related problems.
Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, largely due to the fact that it remains latent in the body for up to five decades and is usually not diagnosed until its late stages.

A medical exam is the first step in diagnosing an asbestos-related illness.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent cough. However, some patients may not show any symptoms at all. A frequent sign is pleural effusion (water in the lungs).

Some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, and bowel obstruction. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, some other common symptoms may include trouble swallowing, swelling of the neck or face, blood clotting problems, anemia, and fever.

Also, diagnosis may be difficult due to the non-specific nature of most mesothelioma symptoms, which often resemble symptoms of less serious diseases. 

The process of diagnosis usually begins with a compilation of the patient's full medical and work history, including any exposure to asbestos. A medical examination is performed and if a problem is suspected, one or more diagnostic tests are ordered. These typically include medical imaging tests such as x-rays, CT, and MRI scans, as well as biopsy procedures that test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancer cells. Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has advanced, and whether it has spread to other locations in the body.
Mesothelioma Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma patients including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Mesothelioma treatments can be divided into two main categories: curative treatments and palliative treatments. Curative treatments are those carried out in an attempt to remove all cancer cells and cure the disease. Palliative treatments are designed to ease pain and make a patient more comfortable.

Treatments for mesothelioma include conventional treatments such as surgery, mesothelioma chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as well as experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy.

Generally, a patient with mesothelioma will receive more than one type of conventional treatment. For example, they may undergo surgery to remove the bulk of cancerous tissue, and then receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. 

Experimental treatments are typically available only to patients who agree to enter clinical trials. In these cases, patients must fit certain criteria to be eligible.
Legal Issues

The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the twentieth century, with no indication as to the risks that they were facing. 

Companies that produced asbestos-containing products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of asbestos exposure, it's important to know you can talk to an attorney about seeking compensation for pain and suffering as well as reimbursement for medical expenses and lost income. For more information, please fill out the form on the right to receive a comprehensive packet. 
Mesothelioma Cancer & Veterans

According to a revealing statistic, more than 30 percent of Americans beset with mesothelioma (a rapacious cancer that attacks the internal lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart) were exposed to asbestos during military service.

Due to common military practices, veterans who served between 1940 and 1970 have a great risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. Additionally, Navy personnel and workers employed in shipyards from the 1930s through the 1970s hold a greater risk of developing a disease caused by asbestos exposure.

Sources:
Castleman, B. Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects. Aspen Publishers: New York. 2005.
Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton. 2006.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/mesothelioma/DS00779/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_malignant _mesothelioma_diagnosed_29.asp?sitearea
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_malignant _mesothelioma_29.asp?sitearea
http://www.cancer.org/downloads/PUB/DOCS/SECTION28/89.pdf
http://www.marf.org/Resources/UnderstandingMeso/MesoDetails.html
http://sup.ultrakohl.com/Uscap/uscap05/meso3.htm
http://medind.nic.in/ibq/t04/i3/ibqt04i3p142.pdf
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Aboutcancer/Whatiscancer/Whatiscancer/related_faqs/QAs/502
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000116.htm

Cancer Classification

Further information: List of cancer types
A large invasive ductal carcinoma in a mastectomy specimen.

Cancers are classified by the type of cell that resembles the tumor and, therefore, the tissue presumed to be the origin of the tumor. These are the histology and the location, respectively. Examples of general categories include:
Carcinoma: Malignant tumors derived from epithelial cells. This group represents the most common cancers, including the common forms of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer.
Sarcoma: Malignant tumors derived from connective tissue, or mesenchymal cells.
Lymphoma and leukemia: Malignancies derived from hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells
Germ cell tumor: Tumors derived from totipotent cells. In adults most often found in the testicle and ovary; in fetuses, babies, and young children most often found on the body midline, particularly at the tip of the tailbone; in horses most often found at the poll (base of the skull).
Blastic tumor or blastoma: A tumor (usually malignant) which resembles an immature or embryonic tissue. Many of these tumors are most common in children.

Malignant tumors (cancers) are usually named using -carcinoma, -sarcoma or -blastoma as a suffix, with the Latin or Greek word for the organ of origin as the root. For instance, a cancer of the liver is called hepatocarcinoma; a cancer of the fat cells is called liposarcoma. For common cancers, the English organ name is used. For instance, the most common type of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma of the breast or mammary ductal carcinoma. Here, the adjective ductal refers to the appearance of the cancer under the microscope, resembling normal breast ducts.

Benign tumors (which are not cancers) are named using -oma as a suffix with the organ name as the root. For instance, a benign tumor of the smooth muscle of the uterus is called leiomyoma (the common name of this frequent tumor is fibroid). Unfortunately, some cancers also use the -oma suffix, examples being melanoma and seminoma.

Mesothelioma: House of Representatives Pass Nanotechnology Bill to Improve Safety

The United States House of Representatives recently approved the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act (H.R. 554), which was sponsored by Bart Gordon. The bill is designed to support the future development of nanotechnology while strengthening research to understand the potential risks of its usage.

In 2008, the same bill, which was sponsored by Senator John Kerry at the time, failed to receive a single vote.

Due to the new legislation, those participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative will have to create short and long-term goals in devising a plan for environmental and safety research involving nanotechnology.

Past reports have raised concerns regarding health risks from workers that may be inhaling carbon nanotubes during the manufacture of certain products. These carbon nanotubes closely resemble asbestos fibers in appearance, raising the concern that they may causes illnesses similar to those linked to asbestos exposure.

Some studies have indicated that only carbon nanotubes of a particular long, thin shape have the potential to cause diseases such as pleural mesothelioma, a cancer developing within the lining of the lungs.

Although uncertainty remains, Executive Chairman Sean Murdock of NanoBusiness Alliance (the industry association for the emerging nanotechnology industry) says, “This is an excellent, bipartisan bill. The bill updates the National Nanotechnology Initiative, first authorized in 2003, and adds new provisions in several key areas: addressing environmental, health, and safety issues associated with nanotechnology; improving nanotechnology education; ensuring that new technology moves from the laboratory to the marketplace; focusing research efforts in areas of national importance such as electronics, energy, health care, and water; and research into nanomanufacturing.”

The Environmental Protection Agency is especially concerned about the possible consequences of the use of nanotechnology. However, with bills such as the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act that address the health and safety issues of nanotechnology, people can rest assured that the risks of nanotube exposure are properly being explored.

How Many People Die of Cancer Each Day?

Question: How Many People Die of Cancer Each Day?

Answer: Approximately 1500 people die each day in the United States due to cancer. About 3,400 people are diagnosed with cancer each day in the U.S.

20,000 Die Every Year From Cancer

Cancer is also known by the medical term malignant neoplasm. It is a disease which presents itself in a host of different ways, in a host of different areas of the body, and kills hosts of people every year. What is the real risk of you developing cancer, and what can you do to identify cancer symptoms, and even help work towards a cure for cancer?

Cancer is basically the uncontrolled growth of certain types of tissue or cells. They invade on cells that are adjacent to them, impairing their normal function (this is especially dangerous in the case of heart cancer, brain cancer, and lung cancer). Cancers can also spread to areas of the body other than their original location, through the lymphatic system or the circulatory system. There are benign forms of tumors, which do not invade their surrounding tissue, and do not spread to other areas of the body, and these are sometimes recognized as a precursor to cancer. 

Cancer is incredibly prolific worldwide, and there has never been a singular cause or single best treatment identified. It has been estimated that cancer causes around 13% of all deaths worldwide -as the title suggests, it has recently been found that cancer kills 20,000 people each day. As you read this article, there will be hundreds of people the world over, dying from cancer. While 12 million people every year are diagnosed with some form of cancer, approximately 7.6 million of those die. 

It is expected that this year, there will be around 2.9 million people in the developed world that die of cancer, out of 5.4 million new cases of diagnosed cancer. In the developing world, around 4.7 million people will die of cancer, out of 6.7 million new cases. 

If you are a woman in the developed world, the form of cancer you are most likely to get is either breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. Women in the developing world were found to be far more likely to contract cervical cancer or stomach cancer, both of which are caused by viruses. 

Men in the developed world most frequently have prostate, lung or colorectal cancer, while those in the developing world are more likely to get stomach, lung or liver cancer. The reason for the much greater incidence of stomach cancer in both men and women in the developing world is that it is caused by a bacterium Helicobacter pylori, while the greater incidence of cervical cancer in women is attributed to the prevalence of the human papillomavirus. 

Since cancer symptoms vary among the different types, it is important to have any niggling health worries checked out by a professional. Be aware of your family medical history, and know the symptoms of cancers to which you might be susceptible. Sometimes seemingly unimportant things, like shortness of breath or lack of energy, can signal cancer. Other common cancer symptoms include lumps or swellings, which could indicate a tumor, enlarged lymph nodes, bone pain, weight loss , poor appetite, persistent coughs, or excessive sweating, especially night sweating. A symptom of heat cancer is an irregular heart beat.

The cure for cancer remains the holy grail of medicine. However, there are some breakthroughs in recent times which hold much promise for specific types of cancers, including lung cancer and skin cancer. Keep yourself abreast of developments, and ask your health professional if any of them may be pertinent in your case.