Cancer

Treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma The choice of treatment of HL is based on the stage at presentation and prognostic factors. Today, the most widely used approach is a combination of chemotherapy with radiation therapy. This approach yields a greater than 90% cure rate. Early-stage (stage I-II) favourable disease is treated with short term chemotherapy  with ABVD (Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) or BEACOPP or Stanford V regimen. Radiation therapy (20-30 Gy) usually 2 to…

Risk factors for Hodgkin’s lymphoma The risk factors for Hodgkin’s lymphoma are infectious agents, immunity and genetic susceptibility. Infectious agents: Prior Infectious mononucleosis (IM) infection and Measles virus (MV) infection has been recognised as a risk factor for HL. People with HIV infection are more prone to develop Hodgkin’s lymphoma and this along with Kaposi’s sarcoma is considered as AIDS-defining cancers. This means that if a person with HIV has one of these cancers, it can…

There are two broad divisions of lymphomas; Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  Hodgkin’s lymphoma Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is a cancer that arises from B lymphocytes. Also known as Hodgkin’s disease, it was first described by Thomas Hodgkin in 1831. This is less common than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and accounts for approximately 15% of all lymphomas and is common in young adults. It is characterised by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Early diagnosis can lead to full…

There are roughly over 60 types of lymphomas which are commonly grouped as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. Symptoms can be general and can be seen almost anywhere in the body not just the area where the cancer is around. Signs and Symptoms of Hodgkin's Lymphoma Approximately one-third of the patients may have disease-related symptoms, including B symptoms and pruritis (itching of the skin). Less commonly, patients may report pain in involved regions after ingestion of alcohol.  B symptoms are…

Ensure that patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis and complications of therapy, which, in rare occasions, may result in a fatal event.  Discuss potential complications of treatments with your doctor. Hodgkin's lymphoma Renal failure as a result of tumor lysis syndrome from therapy is a potential risk in all patients, especially those with a high tumor burden. Aggressive management of this potentially life-threatening complication should be clearly addressed…

Prevention of Hodgkin's Lymphoma The exact cause of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not yet known. The only way to prevent it is by lowering one's risk factors such as obesity, HIV etc. Prevention of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma The exact cause of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not yet known. The only way to prevent it is by lowering one's risk factors such as obesity, HIV, HTLV-1 infection etc. Prevention of Burkitt's Lymphoma Some risk factors associated with the Sporadic form can be lowered, most particularly…

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of the circulatory system, which defends the body against infections. The lymphatic system is made up of organs, such as spleen and tonsils, lymph vessels and lymph nodes and they circulate lymph, a fluid, which contains lymphocytes that fight bacteria. In Lymphoma, there is an abnormal growth of the lymphocytes that then begin to accumulate in the lymph nodes of the body or in the spleen. In some cases, it can…

Internationally, lung cancer now causes 1.6 million deaths annually. It’s the most common cancer worldwide, and kills more people (27%) than any other cancer. Its death toll annually is greater than the total deaths caused by colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Among the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide, lung cancer is number five. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer, followed by stroke, chronic obstructive lung disease (a heavy risk…

Urologist Dr Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman answers all your prostate cancer questions – what to look out for and when to see the urologist.  What are the symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)? As men grow older, they may have problems with the prostate gland. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a condition of enlarged prostate gland. As it grows bigger, it presses on the urethra causing the need for frequent trips to the restroom. Some symptoms are: Increase in…

Many cases of prostate cancer do not need treatment. Because they are so indolent, they do not threaten the individual. For men who harbour tiny, slow-growing lesions, watchful waiting or active surveillance (preferred term) is often preferable to treatment, which may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or chemotherapy. When it only occurs inside the prostate, it may be curable. In those in whom the disease has spread to the bones, pain medications,…