instead of chemotherapy: Mediterranean cuisine as part of cancer prevention

COLORECTAL CANCERMediterranean cuisine as part of preventionPhysicians also advise old to exercise and quitting smoking by Andreas
not associated with non-Facebook with Twitter is not connected toAugsburg Professor Matthias Anthuber, a director of the cancer center at Augsburg Hospital has a vision: "It is possible to get cancer of the colon to extinction." For this would be but all at risk in time to pull (from the age of 50 years) of a screening test,Augsburg's why doctors point out again and again, recently, even in a "Darmtag" in the hospital with the support of the popular sports talk show hosted moderator and a walk-intestinal model. How much was on this occasion, but you can do early on by lifestyle a bit against cancer, and even if he was not recognized until late, there are treatments like chemotherapy.
The human body is designed to more exercise and less nutrient uptake, as the senior physician at the III. Medical Clinic, Dr. Stefan Gölder said. In particular, many people take as a result of today's life on more fat and sugar than is good for the organism. Gölder summarized the results of many nutritional studies: It has been shown that five servings of fruits and vegetables per day (one serving equals one handful) reduce cancer risk. That specifically protect the contained dietary fiber against colon cancer, but is not guaranteed. Well, the intake of folic acid (as found in asparagus or beetroot) and calcium (in - preferably low-fat - milk).

Chemotherapy used to treat stomach and intestinal cancer

The first international congress of specialists in gastrointestinal cancer on Saturday at St. Gall 300 experts new recommendations for the treatment of this cancer have made: In gastric cancer should be added to chemotherapy in early stages of the operation.
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Early chemotherapy increases the chances of recovery from gastrointestinal cancer

St. Gallen. - This would increase the chances of recovery "strong", is Professor Florian Otto, a specialist in hematology and oncology at the cancer and breast center at St. Gallen ZeTuP quoted on Sunday in a statement.
Further recommend that cancer specialists, "and then treatment with the aim of trying to cure cancer, if can already detect single tumor cells into the abdominal cavity."
New findings have also existed for the treatment of cancer in the transitional zone between the esophagus and stomach. It would involve two different types of tumors, "which are also treated differently" would have said Otto.
The recommendations will now be formulated into a so-called consensus. Then will this multi-stage process in a constant along with the participants of the conference, the consensus will tend to the global standard, it is said in the statement.
The experts could not agree however on expensive new methods for determining how far cancer has spread esophagus. Here we have yet to collect a few experiences.
Otto had called the three-day meeting on Gastrointestinal Cancer in St. Gallen, together contribute to the specialists from around the world their findings. The congress will take place every two years.

Chemotherapy: What is behind this form of treatment?

Should be the term actually refers to any type of chemotherapy drug treatment in the cells brought to the death or prevented from growing. The pathogen can be just as cancer cells. In another sense, therefore, antibiotics are regarded as "chemotherapy".
Today the term is however used almost exclusively for the reduction or destruction of tumors with so-called cytotoxic drugs. The compromise also colloquially referred to as cell poisons cancer cells essential substances in their function: Further divisions are stopped and removed the damaged cells from the patient's body.

Prevention of cell division
The treat tumors cytostatics used to achieve this in different ways (more on that in the chapter on "substances"): Some place in the genetic information directly - they are similar, for example, natural building blocks of genetic material DNA (German: DNA for deoxyribonucleic acid - see picture, a new screen window ). They are incorporated in the division of tumor cells instead of the "real" molecules. Thus, the genetic information is destroyed. If anything, nor is daughter cells, so they continue to grow no more.
Other cytostatic drugs inhibit the duplication of genetic material and the uniform distribution on two new cells during cell division - they stop enzymes that are involved in the structure of DNA, or "glue" the coil of DNA (see figure, a new screen window).
Some cytotoxic drugs do not work on cell division, but on the normal function and metabolism of tumor cells. To block auxiliary molecules that are important for the production of proteins. So they stop the supply of "building material" for the cell, ie structure of proteins, enzymes and other substances needed by the cancer cell to grow.

Programmed cell death: Why is not just toxic chemotherapy?

Tumor cells "explode" when chemotherapy is not easy. This would take patients also did not: An extensive tissue destruction, called a tumor necrosis or tumor lysis would poison her body as after a burn or a severe infection with cell debris and degradation products literally: the kidneys, blood clotting and the immune system would be overwhelmed.
Although it is mainly used in cancer patients with large tumors are rapidly reduced by the treatment, some necrotic. The currently used therapeutic regimens targeted but mainly to tumor cells to prevent the uncontrolled parts first.

Such damaged cells become inactive and are detected via an endogenous control mechanism and selectively degraded. Their remains recovered on the metabolism, just as he did with all aged or become functionless cells usually does well. The technical term for this is apoptosis, this mechanism is also known as programmed cell death.

The success of chemotherapy is therefore rarely seen overnight: it takes several days or even weeks, before we can assess the response of a tumor safely.
On the topics apoptosis, impaired cell aging and cell death is disturbed intensively researched. The number of scientific publications it is in the thousands, even if one considers only German-language article (as an example an overview of work at the German Cancer Research Center in ....

Effect: Non-cancer-specific

Lexicon
Differentiation (grading): a measure of maturity of the tumor cells. Well "differentiated" tumor cells are normal, mature cells relatively similar."Undifferentiated" tumor cells have hardly similarities with the tissue of origin.
Most cytotoxic drugs intervene in cell division or metabolic processes that play not only in tumor cells, but in all cells play an important role. You are not cancer-specific effect.
Nevertheless, they damage tumor cells almost predominantly far more than healthy tissue. The reason lies in the biological behavior of cancer cells: The majority of normal cells is mature, the technical term is called differentiated. In most tissues, cell division takes place just as much as is necessary for the preservation and regeneration.
The healthy cells instead fulfill their tissue-specific tasks - say they are "grown up".Where there is no cell division, cytostatics can not even attack the genetic material.Where no anabolic metabolism, the production of daughter cells prepared, the corresponding processes are not disturbed.
The rapidly growing tumor tissue, however, is marked by a high proportion of immature and undifferentiated cells (in tumor diagnosis: degree of differentiation or grading) - they are much more sensitive to chemotherapy.

Affected by cytotoxic drugs but also healthy tissue, which divide as fast as cancer cells: These are about the mucous cells in the mouth and digestive tract, which must be replaced due to high mechanical stress constantly. Also affected are the root hair cells, blood cells and to a lesser extent, other rapidly regenerating tissues. This impairment explains part of the typical side effects of many chemotherapy regimens (more on that in the "side effects").

How exactly does the biological behavior of tumor cells differs from that of healthy tissue is the subject of intense research. Some tumors have been found so-called stem cells, of which only runs out of growth, while the rest of the cells is not involved.Whether that is true for all cancers and in every phase of tumor growth, for most cancers can not be assessed. What consequences it would have for the planning of chemotherapy, if there is such a "division of labor" would be in each tumor tissue, is also still unknown.

Treatment planning: What is the role of tumor biology?

In order to make cancer cells as directly as possible and protect healthy cells as much as possible, it is important to know as much about the biological properties of a tumor. The processing of tissue samples for biopsy or surgery under the microscope and by molecular biological methods is one reason the standard in cancer diagnosis. These studies provide important information about the behavior of cancer cells, their growth rate, the degree of deviation from normal tissue and thus the degree of malignancy. The results facilitate treatment planning. The underlying tests are intensive research ever closer and more meaningful.
Tests are usually right sensitivity with which the response of a tumor to different medications before starting treatment to be tested, have lived up to expectations so far not met (more on that in Chapter "chemotherapeutic sensitivity and resistance").

Cancer chemotherapy, malignant tumors, malignancy

The chemotherapy in the current cancer therapy a main pillar of possible treatments

When a cancer is a malignant neoplasm of tissue (malignant tumor, malignancy, malignant neoplasm). Cells multiply in an uncontrolled malignant tumors that grow into nearby tissue and can be secondary tumors (metastases) in other areas of the body. It can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening sequelae. In malignant tumors, chemotherapy is often (treatment with certain drugs) is useful.

Causes
By damaging the genetic material it comes to unrestrained cell growth of cancer tumors.

Damaging effects of various kinds can increase the risk for cancer. These include smoking (including increased risk of lung cancer) and alcohol (among other things, increase risk of esophageal, colon and pancreatic cancer) as well as various factors of an unhealthy diet (too much fat, for example). By contrast, dietary fiber reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Also known as antioxidants can prevent genetic changes and thus prevent cancer. Conducive to the formation of (malignant) tumors are against infections with various viruses (such as HPV or hepatitis B), and certain poisons in the environment. Similarly, radiation for cancer may be responsible, for example, ultraviolet rays in sunlight in skin cancer. Most tumors occur in older age groups, but also some species have their peak incidence in childhood or adolescence. There is often a hereditary component of cancer, for example, the risk of certain cancers is increased when relatives are ill. On the floor of benign tumors may sometimes form a malignant tumor (eg, colon cancer in polyps).

It is, however, even without the presence of risk factors is not excluded that a malignant tumor develops.

Symptoms
The majority of the tumors developed initially as nodular tissue overgrowth in one place. However, there are also tumors that spread rapidly in the body, such as leukemia (uncontrolled proliferation of progenitor cells of the blood cells) and lymphoma (lymph cells affect). Malignant tumors that arise from surface cells (for example, also from internal organs), is called a carcinoma. Those arising from muscle, bone, connective and soft tissue, called a sarcoma.

Basically, cancer can develop from all body cells at any point. On specific organs and locations for cancer development is far more common than others. Malignant solid tumors grow in structures in the area. These can be damaged or destroyed. There may be secondary tumors (metastases) in other areas of the body or in lymph nodes near absiedeln and also prepare serious problems there.

It can be found in malignant tumors is not uncommon side effects. Often there is a decrease in body weight (cachexia) and (eg bleeding) to anemia (anemia). For hormone-producing tumors, the hormonal balance is messed with, so that different syndromes may develop. This includes, for example in bronchial carcinoma (lung cancer), the so-called Cushing's syndrome due to excessive formation of ACTH, which causes an increased secretion of cortisol.

Leukemia as a special form of a malignant (cancerous) tumor found relatively frequently in childhood. Leukemia, lymphomas and other tumors of hematopoietic cells have many subspecies, which have partly in common, but also a variety of symptoms. For example, often a lymph node swelling, paucity of red blood cells (called anemia, anemia), and physical weakness is present.

Diagnosis
It made medical history (asking the patient about symptoms and medical history) and the basic physical examination. Often, imaging techniques are useful in tumors, such as X-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography. Also a blood test is performed. The exact type of tumor can often only through a sample (biopsy) will be determined by histologic examination. Other diagnostic methods are carried out depending on the type of tumor. Before chemotherapy is important to note the expansion of malignancy, possible secondary tumors (metastases), and possible comorbidities.

Differential Diagnosis
Depending on the type and location of the tumor must be distinguished several other diseases. These include other types of benign or malignant tumors, infections or other causes hormonal imbalance.

Therapy
Conservative therapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of malignant tumors with drugs. The advantage for surgery and radiation, that is not an area, but the whole body is achieved. The cancer cells are inhibited in growth or even disappear partially or completely. Even the immune system is then effective.

Chemotherapy for an individual plan is created. This depends on several factors that apply to the patient. If could be removed completely by surgery or by radiation therapy or other measures of the tumor, chemotherapy is used to protect the health and long term to prevent a recurrence (relapse) of malignant neoplasm (adjuvant therapy). In remaining cancer cells as possible trying to bring the malignant disease by chemotherapy to heal (curative treatment). This must often be addressed by the high dose and high efficiency also at risk for serious side effects. If no cure is found medically thought possible, so the chemotherapy is done in order to achieve the longest possible life support with minimal symptoms (palliative treatment).

For several different chemotherapy drugs are used. Some can be swallowed as a tablet or capsule, others will be given by injection or infusion. In many cases, multiple drugs are given together, sometimes enough even a single drug. Even with further chemotherapy treatments can be combined.

Drugs that are candidates for chemotherapy in question are, among other neurotransmitters, which serve the understanding of cells, hormones and derivatives, as well as immunologically active substances. For example, are often used alkylating agents, anthracycline derivatives, antimetabolites, platinum-containing drugs, taxanes, topoisomerase inhibitors, and vinca alkaloids.

Before the start of the chemotherapy regimen is established. Here is governed, what drugs are given in what order. If a regimen performed several times in a row, this is called a treatment cycle. The treatment plan, or the therapy cycles during the period of chemotherapy may be modified, if interim study results suggest. Regular examinations are performed, whether the chemotherapy and whether strikes have occurred to any serious side effects.

Operation | Possible extensions of the operation
In many but not all solid tumors, surgery to remove the tumor is indicated. One of the reasons that speak against an often-operative removal of the tumor, is the presence of secondary tumors (metastases).

Complications
Drugs for chemotherapy may not only interfere with the function of cancer cells, but also that of the healthy body cells. The side effects depend on the particular drug and the administered dose. Often must be entered into a certain risk for severe side effects, so the drug can exert its full effect. This can sometimes be life threatening.

When chemotherapy often occurs a physical performance degradation. By restricting the formation of red blood cells can result in so-called anemia (anemia) come in to show signs of fatigue and performance limitations. A decreased production of white blood cells leads to a weakening of the immune system with increased susceptibility to infection. If fewer platelets (platelets) produced, it can often cause bleeding and bruising after only small effects, or at worst, even without external causes. It often results in the loss of hair, the hair grows back after a few months, however. There may be nausea, vomiting, anorexia and mucositis. Allergic reactions are possible, all grades. Also on the liver, kidneys, heart, skin and nervous system chemotherapy may have adverse effects. Sometimes (especially with additional radiotherapy) the further development of malignant tumors should be encouraged. Depending on the drugs used to give more specific side effects. Infertility is possible to decrease sexual desire can. As an unborn child can be damaged by the chemotherapy drugs, pregnancy should be avoided during and for one year after the treatment period.

The agents are injected, can be pain and swelling, and rarely develop infections, bleeding, nerve damage or tissue death (necrosis).

Note: This section can only give a brief outline of the most common risks, side effects and complications and is not intended to be exhaustive. The conversation with the doctor can thus not be replaced.

Forecast
The prognosis is highly dependent on the nature and extent of the tumor as well as choosing the right therapy means. In many cases, the tumor reduced in size by chemotherapy or disappears completely. However, often have some risks and side effects are discussed in order to get rid of the cancer attack. There will always be weighed prior to treatment, whether a greater benefit or harm is expected. A guarantee that the treatment strikes can not be given.

Notes
Before the operation
Other medications, taken by the patient, must be communicated to the treating physician.

After the operation
Scheme and dose of medication should be scrupulously observed. Also dates for medical checks should be carried out.

If the risk for infections caused by chemotherapy is greater, the patient should avoid crowds and stay in people not suffering from an infectious disease (eg, even otherwise innocuous common cold).

Even during chemotherapy, the patient in consultation with the doctor often perform normal activities and may also pursue his profession.

In depression, which may arise during the illness, such as psycho-oncological counseling can help to combat them.

In case of special features which may indicate complications such as fever, inflammation or bleeding, as soon as possible, the physician should be contacted. Facilities that are available in many places. Ask for it and for self-help groups in your area

Cancer chemotherapy | malignancies | malignancy

Chemotherapy for cancer by a specialist in internal medicine

What is chemotherapy?
Under treatment with chemotherapy refers to the so-called chemotherapeutics (cytostatics = "cell stoppers"). Chemotherapeutic agents are naturally occurring or synthesized substances that tumor cells in cancer and infectious pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi can fight effectively.
In the treatment of cancer chemotherapy is also known as cytostatic therapy.Zytostase means "cell arrest." With the help of chemotherapy to destroy malignant cells and are removed completely, if possible.
How does chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy interferes with the metabolism of cells. They share is more effective the more active the metabolism is and the more common cells. Both are true, especially in malignant (malignant) of cells, ie tumor cells.
To the rapidly dividing healthy cells are also Zellenn such as hair and mucous cells.They respond well to chemotherapy. Hair loss and possibly a loss of eyelashes and eyebrows may therefore occur as a side effect of chemotherapy.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is used to treat malignancies (cancers). The cytotoxic drugs act systemically, ie in the entire body, and to destroy cancer cells.
Areas of application include:
Acute leukemia
Lymphoma
Forms of chronic leukemia (chronic lymphocytic and chronic myeloid leukemia
Chemotherapy is - used for the treatment of solid (solid) tumors - in addition to surgery and radiation. These include cancer, lung cancer or breast cancer.
What to do before chemotherapy?
Before each chemotherapy is a comprehensive information on sequence, effects and side effects of treatment. Every patient should know here well know.
Chemotherapy causes acute side effects (eg nausea and vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite), but also permanent or later onset of side effects. Usually before the chemotherapy drugs are administered to combat the serious side effects. One example is remedy for nausea, which act centrally in the brain, or drugs that protect the kidneys.
Before chemotherapy, certain tests are necessary. These include among others:
Studies that determine the stage of the tumor, for example, ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography, possibly bone marrow biopsy
Review of pulmonary function
Studies of cardiac function (cardiac ultrasound, ECG)
Studies of the liver and kidney function (blood levels)
Chemotherapy is usually administered in specific cycles. Regular blood counts are important in the treatment-free period, just before the start of the next cycle of therapy and thereafter.
How chemotherapy is carried out?
Often differently acting cytotoxic agents are combined and administered in rapid succession. There are several ways to apply:
Intravenous: When infusion through a vein (arm or port)
Oral: In tablet form
Subcutaneous: Insulin Like a shot beneath the skin
Chemotherapy has a systemic effect - the drugs can basically go anywhere in the body and thus reach every cell.
In contrast, there are also purely local forms. Here, the chemotherapy drug exerts its effect only in places where it is applied, for example:
In the abdominal or thoracic cavity: Previously, the corresponding part of the body is anesthetized.
In the spinal space: The space between the spinal cord and spinal cord or brain and meninges.
Which treatment is suitable for which patient depends on a wide variety of factors, including:
Type of cancer
Stage and spread of cancer
General condition of the patient
Comorbidities
Age of the patients
Chemotherapy usually runs off in cycles. So the person concerned will receive several "rounds" chemotherapy, which follow one another at certain time intervals.Common schemata are about 6x3 or 9x2 (six cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks and nine cycles every two weeks).
Physician and patient discuss which treatment regimen is used and how much time should lie between the cycles. If complications (for example, not enough high white blood cell count) to a shift of the rhythm may be necessary.
Between cycles is checked whether the treatment works, for example, whether the tumor has shrunk or whether the tumor cells have degenerated.
In principle, an outpatient chemotherapy (oncology practice in a specialized hospital or clinic) or inpatient hospital. It depends on various factors, whether hospitalization is necessary, for example, the severity of the disease, the general condition of the patient or the type of chemotherapy.
What complications can occur?
May occur during chemotherapy and general and specialized acute and chronic side effects:
»Blood dyscrasias: Frequent general, acute side effects are blood dyscrasias. They result from the damaging effects of chemotherapy on bone marrow, where blood cells are formed. This reduces the number of white blood cells (leukocytes), which increases the risk of infection. The reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) leads to anemia. The decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytes) increases the risk of bleeding. With appropriate counter measures to control these complications are usually.
"Nausea and vomiting may occur, but are now highly treatable with medication.
"Through use cases and usually lead to a delayed severe fluid loss.
"Hair loss: An effective method for preventing hair loss is still not known. Also, eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair can fail. Cooling hoods during chemotherapy not bring resounding success. The good news is that the hair after the treatment usually grow back quickly.
'Feared are called extravasation. It is not in the cytostatic, but next to the vein. This can lead to serious damage to the tissue, which can pull in some cases even after the surgery. To avoid this, the greatest care in the administration of chemotherapeutic agents is warranted. Many patients therefore decide on a port that is implanted in the arm or near the shoulder.
"Special and often delayed-onset side effects are damage to other organs such as heart, lung, kidney, liver, nervous tissue or skin.
Prior to any planned chemotherapy, the physician the expected side effects will be carefully discussed with the patient and / or its members.
What to do after the chemotherapy?
When the chemotherapy is an outpatient procedure or the patient was already discharged from hospital, the following points are important:
Regular blood checks - this when you can treat your family doctor or oncologist can perform.
Because of the increased risk of infection, you should avoid large crowds (for example, subway, cinema, concerts).
For fever, other signs of infection or evidence of bleeding (eg nose bleeds or bleeding gums, bruising), you must immediately consult your doctor. Other warning signs are increasing shortness of breath, dizziness and diarrhea.
Applies to any current chemotherapy: Maintain a close contact with your doctor.

medical information

Some medical information on chemotherapy and cancer.