Abstract This paper discusses flavor aversion and its relevance to patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. It looks at the role of classical Pavlovian conditioning in establishing food and flavor aversions, and ways to counteract them. The paper also points out the importance of this phenomenon in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
From the Paper "This paper concerns the topic of flavor aversion which develops in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It is an interesting subject to me because I have known people undergoing such treatment and many of my friends have had family members or friends who have had to undergo chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The one thing that all these people notice is that they can no longer enjoy their favorite foods. One reason is because chemotherapy is very non-specific and is aimed at killing dividing cells.
Abstract This paper discusses metastatic breast cancer, cancer that originates in the breast and moves to lymph nodes and other bodily tissues. It provides a research study on its treatment using high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by an autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). It analyzes its efficacy and safety as well as some of the arguments that state that the effectiveness of HDC/ASCT may vary according to various non-treatment related factors-- age, stage of disease at diagnosis, hormone receptor status, use of prior adjuvant chemotherapy, initial disease-free interval, response to prior chemotherapy and number and sites of metastases. The paper includes tables of figures and diagrams.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Current Research
Efficacy
Safety
Future Prospects
From the Paper "Stress is another factor affecting treatment outcomes because high levels of stress may directly impact patients; both their mental and physical health. A study on post-traumatic stress disorder in stem cell transplant patients confirmed harmful effects on patients? quality of life. This study was not limited to patients with metastatic breast cancer, but was completed in a similar way as the previously mentioned studies that recorded personal health. Patients were asked to fill out questionnaires to judge if they were suffering from post-traumatic stress as a result of stem cell transplant. It was reported that the week before the transplant, approximately half of the patients had the highest levels of distress, which declined only slightly after the transplant was completed (Wettergren et al., 1999). The body's response to stress is complicated involving several organs, hormones and responses. This is extra energy that the body is expending and is therefore less able to focus on the task of recovery."
Abstract This paper discusses the various forms of chemotherapy. The paper describes the different possible side effects of chemotherapy, outlining short term and long term side effects.
From the Paper "Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Cells in all the tissues and organs of the body constantly grow and divide to swap old and damaged cells and maintain the health of the body. Normally, all cells divide and reproduce themselves in a systematic and controlled manner. In cancer, however, some cells keep dividing without proper control, forming a lump (which is called a tumor). In leukemia, too many white blood cells are formed. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells (including leukemia's and lymphomas). There are over 50 different chemotherapy drugs and some are given on their own, but often numerous drugs may be combined (this is known as combination chemotherapy). The type of treatment one are given for ones cancer depends on many things, particularly the type of disease one have, where in the body it started, what the cancer cells look like under the microscope and how far they have spread, if at all."
Abstract This paper describes gallium-based chemotherapeutic drugs. Included is a brief discussion of the history and development of these drugs, clinical uses for gallium, and problems with gallium chemotherapy. Also included is a discussion of potential alternate uses for gallium drugs, including using gallium as an antiviral or to combat hypercalcemia.
From the Paper "Gallium is a naturally occurring group IIIa heavy metal. Because of its low melting temperature (303 K), chemists have long used gallium industrially as a component of low-melting alloys. It has only been within the last forty years, however, that scientists have studied gallium in medicine. Following the serendipitous discovery of platinum's antitumor properties in the late 1960s, the U.S. National Cancer Institute started a systematic study of several metallic elements to see if they too might display anticancer effects. While all of the Group IIIa elements (boron, aluminum, gallium, and thallium) displayed significant cytotoxic activity, gallium was the most active and least toxic of these metals when tested against animal tumors.1 Later, in a separate development, researchers noted gallium's ability to localize in bone, leading clinicians to use 67Ga citrate in some diagnostic bone scans. In the 1970s, a physician conducting such a scan observed quite accidentally that gallium accumulated in nonosseous malignant tissue as well.2 Indeed, further tests showed that gallium was the only IIIa metal to display cytotoxic activity when inoculated at a site other than the tumor itself.1 These unique properties spurred a great deal of research interest in developing gallium-based chemotherapeutic agents."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of many of the new techniques available in the treatment of cancer. The author refers to many different reports written on the subject and includes a detailed definition of the many types of treatments. These include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cryosurgery, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant, peripheral bone stem cell transplantation, gene therapy and laser treatment. Each of these methods of treatment is detailed, giving both their positive and negative affects, including success rates and identifies the type of cancer and patient that is best suited to the treatment and its success.
From the Paper "Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside bones. It contains immature cells called stem cells that produce blood cells. There are three types of blood cells: white blood cells, which fight infection; red blood cells, which carry oxygen to and remove waste products from organs and tissues; and platelets, which enable the blood to clot. Most stem cells are found in the bone marrow, but some stem cells called peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) can be found in the bloodstream. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) are procedures that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The main purpose of BMT and PBSCT in cancer treatment is to make it possible for patients to receive very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. BMT and PBSCT are most commonly used in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. They are also used in the treatment of childhood brain tumors and other rare childhood cancers."
A technical analysis of conventional and non-conventional approaches to various cancers, focusing on radiation, drugs, chemotherapy, interdisciplinary cooperation and the future.
3,150 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 13 sources, 2000, $ 111.95
Abstract A technical analysis of conventional and non-conventional approaches to various cancers, focusing on radiation, drugs, chemotherapy, interdisciplinary cooperation and the future.
From the Paper "Paradigm Shift in Cancer Research andTreatment
Introduction
Some people consider the cooperation and coordination of scientists in physics, chemistry, and biology in the development of technological advances that can be applied to such tasks as the treatment of cancer to reflect a paradigm shift in the approach to cancer research and treatment. Others, such as Drs. Schacter and Williams (15), however, believe that the cooperation and coordination among these disciplines began so long ago and is now so well entrenched in scientific behavior that far from reflecting a paradigm shift, cooperation and coordination among physicists, chemists, and biologists in cancer research and treatment is the conventional approach to treating cancer.
Up ..."
Abstract The paper, written in narrative form, explains the symptoms, stages, research and findings, procedures and treatments of breast cancer. The paper begins with a personal report by the author on breast cancer experience. The paper then uses medical publications and references to list the symptoms and stages as well as an explanation of the possible treatments which include Chemotherapy, Lumpectomy, and Radiation Therapy.
From the Paper "It is easy to read on the net, and watch on TV how people suffer and die in chronic and incurable diseases, but not even imaginable that one's own loved ones might suffer the same. As I look back to see how it was before I came to know, either my happy past seems like a dream, or I wish this is just not real, but a nightmare that would soon be over. I still recall hearing about breast cancer from our Biology course instructor for being a malignant tumor that develops from the cells of the breast. It is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States. It is most often curable when found early."
Tags: stages, illness, chemotherapy, radiation, lumpectomy, women
Abstract This paper examines the incidence of breast cancer in the United States and how in any one year, the American Cancer Society predicts that over 200,000 women will be diagnosed. It looks at risk factors and early symptoms such as starting menstruation early, having menopause late; remaining childless via birth and giving birth for the first time at the age of 30 or older. It also discusses the various treatments available from mastectomies to chemotherapy and hormone replacement therapy.
From the Paper "Another concern is that menopausal women have been encouraged to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to ease the symptoms of menopause. Some research suggested that HRT might help fight the development of osteoporosis and heat disease. However, research from Sweden has shown that some forms of HRT could account for 9% of their incidence of breast cancer (Napoli, 2003). An even more startling finding is that the surgery for breast cancer itself may cause cancer to spread. However, it might also be that even very small cancers have a tendency to spread undetected (Napoli, 2003). The surgical risk, if present, may extend to breast reconstruction surgery as well as the original surgery to remove the cancer."
Abstract This paper explains that Hodgkin's disease, like other cancerous diseases, is basically a disease of the body cells in this case, the cells of the lymphatic tissue starting almost anywhere in the body. It explains however, that it usually starts in lymph nodes in the upper part of the body, most commonly in the chest, neck or under the arms. The author points out that the treatment of Hodgkin's disease is to destroy or eliminate the cancerous cells, which is done using chemotherapy or by radiation therapy. The paper relates that several advances have been made in treating Hodgkin's disease in recent years and, due to the effectiveness of treatment, Hodgkin's is now considered to be one of the less serious cancers: The success rate of treatment for the disease is over 90%, if diagnosed early.
Table of Contents
Physiological Effects of Hodgkin's Disease
Overview
How the Disease Affects the Body
How the Treatment affects the Disease and Body?
Treatments Available
From the Paper "Hodgkin's disease is one of the two (and less severe) types of cancer of the lymphatic system; the other type being non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The disease is named after the British physician, Thomas Hodgkin, who first discovered the condition in 1832. Hodgkin's disease commonly occurs in young adults (between the ages of 15 to 35) and in older people (over 50 year olds. However, about 10%-15% of cases have been diagnosed in children below 16 years of age. Statistics also show that more men than women are afflicted by it. Estimates by the American Cancer Society indicate that over 7,500 new cases of Hodgkin's disease are diagnosed every year in the United States. Due to advances in the treatment of cancer in recent years, the survival rate for Hodgkin's is good and approximately 90 percent of Hodgkin's patients who are diagnosed at an early stage are cured."
Abstract This paper explains that, while cancer was once a very mysterious occurrence, today there is a deep scientific understanding of the functionality of cancer cells and growth. The author points out that specialized scientific procedures and medications relate specifically to the type of cancer cells by attacking their ability to reproduce, returning them to a normal state or even combating them with cell transplants. The paper describes some of the main treatments and their side-effects: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, gene therapy and a variety of alternative treatments.
From the Paper "Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, however not all types of cancer respond to this treatment. Testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma are types of cancer that are particularly treatable with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is not an appropriate treatment for everyone, and each individual chemotherapy drug has a different set of situations in which it will be considered the most effective and appropriate. Some of the factors which must be considered when considering chemotherapy, and deciding on a specific drug to use, include the type of cancer, where in the body the cancer originated, the "grade" or appearance of the cancerous cells, whether the cancer has spread, and what other treatments have been attempted or are in current use."
Tags: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone, alternative
Abstract This paper answers some questions regarding cancer and its treatment. The paper discusses the pros and cons of radiation, chemotherapy and biological treatments in treating cancer. The paper also provides a nursing diagnoses for acute lymphocytic leukemia, explains neutropenic precautions, lists psychological interventions for anxiety related to diagnosis with cancer, and suggests counseling for families of cancer patients.
From the Paper "Radiation treatment for cancer is either delivered externally to the cancer site by machine or delivered through the implantation of radioactive material directly at the cancer site. It is sometimes used to shrink tumors prior to surgery but is used most often after surgery to kill any tumor cells which may remain. The damage from radiation is usually localized though it can be destructive to surrounding tissues it passes through. Also, with large tumors oxygen-lacking cells in the center are not dividing as rapidly and so will..."
Abstract This paper studies the belief that marijuana is superior to other anti-emetic drugs that are available for chemotherapy patients. The paper looks at the qualities, benefits and effects of marijuana. The writer looks at evidence for marijuana's effects on nausea and concludes that there is no experimental evidence to date, that shows it is more effective than the available legal anti-emetic drugs.
From the Paper "Medical marijuana has been shown to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy for cancer and the nausea associated with AIDS or from the use of AIDS medications. It has also been found beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma to reduce intra ocular pressure in multiple sclerosis to limit muscle pain, to prevent epileptic seizures in some forms of epilepsy and for the relief of chronic debilitating pain in many disorders and injuries. Medicines containing marijuana were legal prior to the Marijuana Tax Act which prohibits ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the well-established use for medical marijuana in order to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy used in treating cancer. The writer demonstrates why nausea and the resulting dehydration and weakness can be extremely serious for cancer patients. The writer looks at the psychological effects of nausea, that increase the stress on cancer patients. The writer contends that marijuana has been proven to be beneficial to a number of patients for whom the first line of anti-emetic drugs prescribed by their physicians proved to be ineffective.
From the Paper "One of the most well-established uses for medical marijuana has been to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy used in treating cancer. Nausea and the resulting dehydration and weakness as well as malnutrition in severe cases can be extremely serious for cancer patients given the already weakened nature of their immune systems. Moreover, the psychological effects of nausea which many patients experience as far more debilitating and difficult to handle than pain, can significantly increase the stress on cancer patients at a point in their lives when ... "
Abstract This paper discusses how income can influence the care of cancer patients. According to the paper, those in higher income groups have greater access to better treatment and care. This paper extends to peer-reviewed studies of ovarian cancer in African-American and white women in general. The paper aims to isolate case studies and scientific investigations that provide additional insights into the guiding research questions concerning the impact of income level on access to chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer.
Outline:
Introduction
Statement of Problem
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Methodology
From the Paper "Furthermore, researchers report that ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among all female reproductive system cancers among African American women because the disease is not diagnosed in most cases until it has reached advanced stages; fortunately, though, there are promising clinical trials underway that focus on chemotherapy (Health hotline, 2003). Clearly, then, early detection and treatment are vital components of an effective clinical intervention, but healthcare resources are by definition scarce and therefore can be reasonably expected to go to those who have the ability to pay for them. Indeed, lower-income women in general do not have access to the same level of medical care, nor can they always afford to take time off from work, if they are employed, to seek such care, as their white middle-class counterparts (Kinnon, 1999). "
Tags: economic, medical, insurance, single, parent, ovarian
Abstract This paper examines different types of treatment for breast cancer. The writer compares and contrasts chemotherapy and radiation, their uses, their successes and their failures.
Outline:
Introduction
The Options
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "If the tumor is more than five centimeters or the cancer has been located in many lymph nodes then radiation therapy may still be recommended for the site but it will usually be coupled with a recommendation of chemotherapy as well.
Chemotherapy provides a systemic dose of cancer medications that are introduced to the body through intravenous methods. Chemotherapy for breast cancer isn't usually for the actual breast cancer, but is for the cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. This is determined with lymph node biopsies and full body cat scans designed to locate any other cancer."
