Cancer

Diagnosing leukemia Physical Exam: During a physical exam, a doctor may look for lumps (formed by accumulation of abnormal cells in the skin). Also known as Choloromas or Skin rashes. A thorough medical history will be taken and the patient can report a family history of leukemia or any symptoms or risk factors. Blood Tests: Blood tests, like a complete blood count (CBC) can detect leukemia. A CBC determines the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It can also count…

What are the types of leukemia? There are several classification systems for classifying leukemia. However, based on degree of disease progression, the two major forms are acute and chronic. Acute leukemia is fast-growing and can overwhelm the body within a few weeks or months. The new cells, called blasts (immature WBCs) cannot perform normal physiological functions. Due to longer life span, these cells continue to rise in circulation. Chronic leukemia in contrast progresses slowly. The blood-…

During the treatment of leukemia, it is important to manage the side effects of the treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle to the extent possible. Read tips on how to manage the various aspects of a healthy and balanced diet, ensure enough nutrition, regular exercise to ensure oxygen supply to cells.  If the treatment includes Chemotherapy, there will be certain side effects. Here are some tips on managing the side effects of Chemotherapy.  Join a support group that you can speak…

Preventing Leukemia Since the causes of leukemia are not known, it is difficult to define clear preventive measures. The best you can do is reduce impact of risk factors of Leukemia. Some types of leukemias can be prevented by avoiding high doses of radiation, smoking, tobacco use, chemical substances like benzene and certain chemotherapeutic agents used for other cancers.   

What are the causes of leukemia? The exact cause of leukemia is unknown. Different kinds of leukemia are believed to have different causes. Environmental and heriditary factors seem to play a role. Some are inherited and some are non-inherited factors.  Risk factors of Leukemia Exposure to radiation.  Atomic bomb survivors in Japan had a signifiant risk, even to fetuses exposed during intitial months.Risks associated with CT scans and X-rays is not yet known. Previous treatments…

What are the signs and symptoms of leukemia? Blood clotting is poor - Incompletely matured white blood cells crowd out blood platelets, which are crucial for blood clotting. Hence patient may bruise or bleed easily and heal slowly. He may also develop petechiae (small red or purple colour spots on the body, caused by minor haemorrhage). Immune system affected - The patient's white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting against infection, may be suppressed or not working properly.…

What is Leukemia? Blood is a specialised organ that differs from other organs in that it exists in fluid (liquid) state. It makes up approximately 7% to 10% of normal body weight and amounts to 5 to 6L of volume. Blood is made up of  three types of cells and certain cellular fragments floating in a liquid called plasma. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) or Erythrocytes are responsible for carrying oxygen to various parts of the body while the White Blood Cells (WBCs) or Leukocytes help with the body’…

Gayathri Ananthakrishnan, Chief Executive, IndianProstateCancerFoundation shares her hope. The history of mankind and the world has been intertwined with the outbreak of epidemics and diseases . Their impact changed the lives of generations and the evolution of medical science. But through it all, the human spirit has prevailed and fought on with hope and with new armour to its armamentarium. Vaccines, antibiotics , anaesthetics, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and invasive…

"Early stage diagnosis and Screening affect survival rates in top 3 cancers" Preet K. Dhillon, PhD, MPH, Epidemiologist, Senior Scientific Officer, Public Health Foundation of India in her interview with PatientsEngage Which cancers are easy to detect at an early stage ? What is their contribution to the total number of cancer malignancies? At what rate is this growing? Of the most commonly occurring cancers in India, breast, cervix, oral and colorectal cancers are amenable…

Says Shachi Marathe, 30, eight years after their unnerving encounter. Her experience.  Age 22, File Number BX9059- Breast Cancer Carcinoma Grade 3… this was my identity for a while.  It was during that time, lying on my hospital bed, I often used to say to myself, “This is it… I’ve become accustomed (used) to fear.” Four sessions of chemo, one surgery, two more chemo sessions around the corner… But at the same time, I have to admit, I also enjoyed those eight…