OrganizedWisdom Health - Endocrine Cancer

Byetta and Kidney Damage

KenyottaE — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:12:56 GMT

The use of Byetta (exenatide) may increase your risk of developing kidney damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved new warnings for the drug in November 2009 based on the potential for kidney damage. Health care providers are advised to consider whether a patient's kidneys are functioning well enough to take Byetta without it being hazardous to their health. Byetta is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Byetta_and_Kidney_Damage

Diabetes and Leg Cramps

Jkg0679 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:02:52 GMT

Leg cramps may be a sign of diabetes, especially if the cramps occur at nighttime.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Diabetes_and_Leg_Cramps

Hand-Foot Syndrome

Jkg0679 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:08:41 GMT

Hand-foot syndrome is a side effect of chemotherapy that causes a skin reaction that appears on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. Symptoms of hand-foot syndrome include tingling or numbness, swelling, redness, peeling skin, and tenderness or pain. Blistering can occur if there is no change in treatment.

Fast Facts:

Hand-foot syndrome typically occurs within a few weeks of beginning chemotherapy, although it can appear at any time.
Hand-foot syndrome can be treated by changing treatment, or taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen, corticosteroids, and/or vitamin B6.
Hand-foot syndrome may be prevented by changes in activities and clothing, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding caffeine.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Hand-Foot_Syndrome

Remission

Jkg0679 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:22:33 GMT

Remission occurs when a disease is responding well to treatment and symptoms disappear. This term commonly refers to cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), though other conditions can go into remission. Remission does not mean that the disease is cured, and symptoms can reoccur at some point in the future.

Fast Facts:

Partial remission is the term used when most, but not all, of the symptoms have improved.
Complete remission is the term used when symptoms disappear completely.
Remssions can last anywhere from several weeks to many years.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Remission

Gemzar for Pancreatic Cancer

TaraSal — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:46:23 GMT

Gemzar (gemcitabine) is a chemotherapy medication used for treating various types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Specifically, Gemzar treats patients with locally advanced (nonresectable Stage II or Stage III) or metastatic (Stage IV) adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Gemzar is also indicated for patients who have tried 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, Adrucil) unsuccessfully.

Fast Facts:

Gemzar is given intravenously.
Gemzar is typically given once a week for up to 7 weeks.
Studies show that patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer more than double their chance of survival by taking the cancer drug Gemzar following the procedure.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Gemzar_for_Pancreatic_Cancer

Chemotherapy

AmyS — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:18:39 GMT

Chemotherapy, also known as cytotoxic therapy, is the treatment of cancer with drugs that destroy cancer cells. These drugs often are referred to as "anticancer" drugs. Chemotherapy affects all parts of the body, not just cancer cells. Anticancer drugs work by stopping the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

Fast Facts

There are many different types of drugs used in chemotherapy. Examples of commonly used drugs include doxorubicin, methotrexate, gemcitabine, and cyclophosphamide.
Chemotherapy can be used in different ways. Neoadjuvant therapy is used before surgery to shrink a tumor. Adjuvant therapy is used after surgery to reduce the risk of the tumor returning. Chemotherapy may be used at the start of cancer treatment or as treatment for cancer that has returned.
It is administered in three ways; intravenously, orally, and through an injection.
Nausea, pain, fatigue, depression, hair loss, and weakness are a few common side effects of chemotherapy.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Chemotherapy

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

JRafferty — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:42:32 GMT

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a disease which affects the muscular middle layer of the wall of the heart. In people with diabetes, this causes a wide range of abnormalities which eventually can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing heart failure than non-diabetics.

Fast Facts:

Cardiomyopathy is a term that is used to describe a disease that affects the heart muscle.
The main four types of cardiomyopathy include dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia cardiomyopathy.
There are several treatments available; however, maintaining good blood glucose levels can be very beneficial in preventing this condition.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Diabetic_Cardiomyopathy

Study Predicts Large Increase in Cancer Cases

SScroggins — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:24:24 GMT

Researchers recently announced that the number of new cancer cases in the United States will rise by 45% in the next 20 years. A study at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas estimates approximately 2.3 million cancer cases in 2030, while 1.6 million cases are expected in 2010. Researchers believe that seniors and minorities will be most likely to be diagnosed.

Fast Facts:

Researchers believe that there will be a large increase in the number of stomach, pancreatic, and liver cancers.
It is important to note that some cancers can be prevented in many cases by living a healthy lifestyle.
Up to 38% of breast cancers and 45% of bowel cancers can be prevented by lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, exercise, and not smoking.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Study_Predicts_Large_Increase_in_Cancer_Cases

Amethopterin

SScroggins — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:29:36 GMT

Amethopterin is the name formerly given to the cancer-fighting drug methotrexate. Common side effects associated with the use of amethopterin include: bone marrow suppression, anemia, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and fatigue. Hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and headache may also occur.

Fast Facts:

Some side effects of amethopterin may not occur at the time of treatment, only to appear months or even years later.
Amethopterin is commonly used to treat cancer of the breast, brain, cervix, esophagus, ovaries, pancreas, and many others.
Amethopterin may be administered via tablet, injection, or intravenous solution.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Amethopterin

Last Stages of Cancer

JRafferty — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:28:31 GMT

When a cancer reaches it last stages, it is usually no longer treatable and considered a terminal illness. Often the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The patient's health will increasingly decline and eventually he/she will succumb to the cancer.

Fast Facts:

During the final stages of cancer, medications will be given to the patient to control pain and other symptom associated with the cancer.
Some signs that death may be close include increasing fatigue, confusion, poor blood circulation, withdrawal, and appetite loss.
Being there for patient and letting them know they are not alone can be a source of comfort for them, and the most important thing you can do for them.

Visit http://www.organizedwisdom.com/Last_Stages_of_Cancer