Product Description
This volume covers all important aspects of drug resistance in leukemia and lymphoma. General mechanisms of resistance are discussed, including the drug resistance related proteins, MRP (multi drug resistance protein) and LRP (lung resistance protein), and the role of glutathione and glutathione-S-transferases, as well as drug-specific mechanisms of resistance, apoptosis and its regulators and modulation of drug resistance…. More >>
Product Description
In the last decade many studies have been performed in the field of drug resistance. This book reviews the current status and indicates future directions of such studies. Both laboratory scientists and clinicians have recognized the importance of drug resistance for the clinical outcome of patients with leukemia and lymphoma. New in vitro cell culture assays have been developed and the in vitro drug resistance measured with these assays has been shown to correlate with both short and long-term clinical response to chemotherapy. This book is, therefore, an essential guide for researchers and clinicians.
Drug Resistance in Leukemia and Lymphoma contains material presented at the 2nd International Symposium in … More >>
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) strongly supports finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, while improving the lives of those living with cancer. As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand how difficult living with cancer can be. I have personally benefited from the many patient services the LLS offers, such as, support groups, financial support, information on the latest news in treatment, free materials, and patient education programs.
The LLS has helped make my first year going through this life changing event, a little less challenging. I have been able to take part in a monthly support group and be among others going through the same thing, sort through my feelings, and learn coping techniques like guided imagery, and art therapy. I receive financial support to help with my on-going additional medical expenses. I have found the LLS website to be an outstanding resource with a multitude of valuable information and resources. And I have been fortunate enough to take part in a patient education program on employee work related issues and understanding your rights, along with, a cooking class on eating healthy.
The greatest benefit for me would be a chemotherapy drug I take called, Gleevec. It is a targeted drug that I take orally on a daily basis. It is specifically for those with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and has had remarkable success in achieving remission for many patients. This treatment would not have been possible without the LLS’s support of research towards creating new drugs for leukemia and related diseases.
In addition to all of the benefits I’ve received from the LLS, they’ve made it possible for me to give back to the community. Earlier this year, I was featured in a newspaper article where I was given the opportunity to share my diagnosis, treatment, and outlook on life, with hopes of being able to help someone else newly diagnosed. I was also asked to take part in a special project sponsored in part by the James Cancer Hospital and The Ohio State University Department of Theater. This past October, I was able to raise over $300 for the society and walked in the Light the Night Walk annual fundraiser.
The LLS has played a critical part in my recovery, thus far, and I look forward to any new and creative patient service programs that the LLS may have to offer in the near future. If you or a loved one are living with cancer and looking for support, I strongly urge you to look into the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It could be life-changing.
Posted in Leukemia Information
Tagged Cancer, Giving Hope, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Lymphoma Society
It’s a very sad fact that adults are not the only ones who suffer from cancer children get it too. Very young children, who are too young to understand what is happening to them, get it and very often they are far braver than we as adults could ever be. It could be that children have a natural optimism about them. The sun will always shine for them and if it doesn’t shine the next day it is sure to shine that day after. They take great joy in simple things like coloured crayons and scraps of paper. We could learn a great deal from them.
It will come as a great relief to learn that childhood cancer is relatively rare, only 14 out of every 100,000 children in the US is diagnosed with cancer each year. Some of the most common types are leukemia, lymphoma and brain cancer. In teens one of the most common cancers is osteosarcoma, which is bone cancer. Most cases of childhood cancer arise from non-inherited mutation in the genes of growing cells. The process is random and unpredictable so there is no effective method of preventing it. In some cases children who have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy for prior cancer have an increased risk of getting cancer, which just doesn’t seem fair, does it? Cancer is difficult to diagnose early in children, as the symptoms often resemble other conditions, it is only sometimes that a doctor will be able to pick it up as cancer during the regular check ups.
Once cancer has been diagnosed it is important to go to a centre that specialises in paediatric oncology for the best possible all round treatment for your child. Treatment for children includes chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Leukemia and lymphoma are the least likely to be treated with surgery as they are linked with the circulatory system. Solid tumours can be removed relatively easily via surgery, which is then used in conjunction with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Bone marrow transplants are carried out when the cancer affects the functioning of the blood cells; this is often done in conjunction with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is therefore used mostly as a complimentary tool to get rid of any lurking cancer. It can be given intravenously, orally or intrathecally or into the spinal fluid. Radiation is very commonly used in the case of children. A stream of high-energy particles or waves is aimed at the cancer area and they destroy or damage the cancer cells. It is also used in conjunction with chemo or surgery.
Children should be involved with their own cancer treatment. They should be kept informed about the facts and progress and all effects should be explained to them in language that they can understand. The primary goal is to prevent fear and misunderstanding. You may find that older children may feel responsible for the cancer, as if it is their fault somehow. The psychologists and social workers that are part of the cancer team can really come to the fore at this moment and help reassure them. They can also visit the school and chat to teachers and classmates about the cancer and explain things to them in a friendly way.
All of this comes from http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/cancer.html and I would just like to add a quick spot of information on some of the most common types of childhood cancers. Leukemia: cancer of white blood cells. The most common childhood cancer. A large amount of abnormal white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, they crowd the bone marrow and flood the blood stream. This interferes with the production of other types of blood cells and anaemia develops as well as other bleeding problems and an increased risk of infection. Leukemia makes up roughly 25% of childhood cancers. Leukemia can divided into 2 categories, acute (fast developing) and chronic (slow developing), 98% of all leukemias are acute. Leukemia can be further divided into acute lyphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) depending the specific white blood cells affected. 60% of the cases are ALL, 38% are AML and roughly 2% are chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
Lymphoma is the third most common childhood cancer. It is found in the lymphatic tissue i.e. lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, bone marrow and connecting channels. It is divided into 2 types, Hodgkin’s disease and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Reed-Sternberg cells are found in Hodgkin’s disease, which affects around 3 in 100,000 Americans. Symptoms include swollen glands in the neck, armpits or groin. If it’s in the thymus symptoms will include an unexplained cough, shortness of breath and problems with circulation around the heart. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma targets specific types of lymphocytes; there is minimal bone marrow involvement. It is more common in white males and those with sever immune deficiencies.
Osteosarcoma is the 6th most common childhood cancer and the most common bone cancer. It begins in the bones and spreads outwards unlike a lot of other cancers that begin elsewhere in the body and then attack the bones. It affects teens the most, usually during a growth spurt. It affects boys more than girls and is usually found in the knee.
It seems that childhood cancers seem to really enjoy messing with the growth systems of children. They don’t want the kids to grow up at all. Rather mean spirited really. However, a really solid piece of good news is that childhood cancer has a high recovery rate. Up to 70% of all children with cancer can be cured. Now if that isn’t worth a bright yellow crayon sun with a big smiley face, I don’t know what is.
