Many types of cancer are known our days, but Hodgkin’s disease is one that can be cured if the medical advice and treatment is followed properly. Hodgkin’s disease, named after the physician that identified it, is cancer of the lymphoid tissue. First of all this disease affects the immune defense system, leading to a weak organisms’, unable to fight infectious particles found in human bodies.

In some cases lymphoma develops in organs like stomach or intestines, but mostly in the lymph nodes or the lymphatic tissue.

Two types of lymphoma are known: Hodgkin’s and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s disease affects especially old people that are over 60. The malignant cells developed by Hodgkin’s disease are also known as Reed Sternberg cells.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a disease that affects people with weak immune system, and people exposed to the virus called Epstein Barr. It affects people of any age, but most of the cases are seen at old men past 60.

Enlarged lymph nodes and unexpected weight loss are first symptoms for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and for the confirmation of the disease the possible patients should go to a physician. The procedure of illness determination involves a microscopic watch at a sample of the lymph node tissue.

Depending on the stage when it was discovered, this disease can need a complex or a less complex treatment in order to guarantee patients recovery or even life. In advanced stages lymphoma can be discovered not only in lymph nodes, but almost anywhere including patches of lymphatic tissue or, as I said before, in organs like stomach or intestines.

Lymph nodes are located in different parts of the body including the neck, the chest and groin, and the armpit.

Lymphocytes are divided in two groups: B cells and T cells, each one of these groups with different functions.

The B cells or B lymphocytes are meant to produce immune cells. When an infection is found the B cells change in plasma cells that stick to the infection and secretes antibiotics.
The T cells or T lymphocytes come to destroy antigens or infected cells.
The B and T cells are part of the normal lymphocytes, but the cause for Hodgkin’s lymphoma the malignant or lymphoma lymphocytes. These cells can divide slowly or rapidly. Either way they cause lymph nodes or other organs to enlarge, depending on their position.

The lymph glands or any other organ, even if we talk about the stomach or intestines, are surely going to be affected by a large group of malignant lymphocytes, making unpleasant consequences unavoidable.

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What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma can be defined as a rare form of cancer that affects mesothelium, the protective sac that covers most of the internal organs of the body. In this disease, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and they start dividing randomly. Mostly, the preliminary attack of Mesothelioma takes place in pleura or peritoneum and it is seen that majority of the Mesothelioma patients have a history of exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma’s nexus with asbestos

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer with a rate of about 2000 new cases per year in the US. Though there is no specific age or sex for Mesothelioma, aged men seem to be more prone to catch the disease. As 70% to 80% of the case histories of patients reveal, Mesothelioma has a strong connection with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a group of minerals, which occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers. It is required in several industries namely cement, flooring products, textiles, etc. When the tiny particles of asbestos are inhaled or swallowed, they pose severe health related threats like increased risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, etc. The combination of asbestos exposure and smoking habit often aggravates the risk.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

One peculiarity of Mesothelioma is that it has a long latency period of about 15-50 years, which means that the symptoms of the disease may start appearing 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Moreover, Mesothelioma symptoms are often not specific i.e. they are same in case of several other diseases. This is why Mesothelioma tests are very important to dispel the incidence of the disease if relevant symptoms crop up.

Speaking of symptoms, there are three prominent symptoms of Mesothelioma that cannot be overlooked. These involve pain while breathing or coughing, gasping for breath and a persistent cough that may result in sputum streaked with blood. Besides, exhaustion, weight loss and appetite loss are some of the other contributing symptoms. Other very rare symptoms are hoarse voice, swelling of the face or the neck, problem in swallowing and pain around the rib area.

However, depending upon the location of the cancerous tumors (pleura or peritoneum) the symptoms vary in case of pleural and peritoneal Mesothelioma. In pleural Mesothelioma, the fluid gets accumulated in the pleura and leads to shortness of breath, persistent coughing, pain in the chest, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the lower back and side of chest, husky voice, nausea, difficulty in swallowing and fever.

Cancer in the lining of the abdomen is what we know as peritoneal Mesothelioma. Because of the fluid retention in the abdominal cavity there is a subsequent abdominal pain and swelling.

Noticeable symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are listed as follows:

- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Build up of fluid in the abdomen

- Bowel obstruction
- Abnormal blood clotting
- Abdominal mass and fever

Mesothelioma’s treatment depends upon several factors like location of the cancer, stage of the disease, patient’s age and general health. Standard treatments that are carried out to cure the disease include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined to achieve better results.

Thus it is worthwhile to mention, as all doctors say that to fight a disease we need to find the symptoms first. So be aware of the symptoms of Mesothelioma and consult the doctor at the very onset for an immediate treatment.

Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of
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The study of prostate cancer has come a long way since its identification in 1853. Information concerning diagnostic methods, treatment options and even the pathophysiological characteristics of this condition has been provided in useful details by researchers, but the specific causes of prostate cancer remain unknown up to this day.

The causes of prostate cancer, or any other type of cancer for that matter, have remained a mystery to those who are studying the disease. Despite being able to explain the process by which cancer of the prostate develops, the exact reasons behind the condition’s occurrence remain a challenge to cancer researchers.

Cancer of the prostate is a condition that affects only men. The prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system, helps make and store seminal fluid. It surrounds part of the urethra and is located under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. Its position allows it to influence the processes of urination, ejaculation and defecation.

Although the causes of cancer of the prostate have yet to be fully understood, scientists were able to identify some of the factors associated with the risk of developing this condition. A man’s chances of developing prostate cancer are influenced by his age, genes, race, diet, lifestyle and the medications that he is taking. Cancer of the prostate is quite uncommon in men aged below 45. However, the chances of developing prostate cancer increase as a man ages. Based on statistics gathered on prostate cancer patients, 70 is the average age of diagnosis.

Prostate cancer is a slow developing condition. Some men who have it never even knew that they had the condition and they could die of other causes before their cancer manifests itself. But a man who has a first degree relative, like a brother or a father, who has been diagnosed with this condition is believe to have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer, particularly if the relative was diagnosed at an early age.

Among the races, African Americans have been known to account for the highest percentage of diagnosed cases of prostate cancer. Asians, on the other hand, recorded the least number of diagnosed cases. Researchers speculate that this might be due to the difference between the diet and lifestyle of Western and Asian men. Westerners usually take in more red meat while Asians are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits. Men who have higher levels of the short chain fatty acid linolenic acid have also been found to have higher rates of cancer in the prostate. Other dietary factors that have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer include low intake of elements such as vitamin E, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids and selenium.

In terms of genetics, no single gene has yet to be proven to be responsible for the development of prostate cancer, although BRCA1 and BRCA2, both risk factors for ovarian cancer and breast cancer in women, have been implicated.

Although the causes of prostate cancer have not yet been fully identified, there is high hope that the exact process that governs this disease will eventually be understood and prevention methods will be developed to lessen the number of men suffering from this condition.

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Most people have certainly been hearing this term, lymphoma, from others. Some hospital-drama television series usually would have an episode where a patient is diagnosed with lymphoma and most of us are just left hanging on what it really is. Suffice it to say that probably, most are aware that it is a kind of cancer. Cancer in what organ or body part? Caused by what? Many people fall short of enough knowledge about this type of cancer. But no worries, they really can’t be accused of apathy. Lymphoma is actually a very rare type of cancer so it is understandable that awareness on is not as prevalent as to other cancer types.

Lymphoma is considered as a collective term for a variety of cancer. This cancer type has its origin in the lymphocytes or histiocytes — very rare from the latter, though. Lymphoma starts in a B cell in lymph nodes. The cancerous cells reproduce themselves over and over again. The presence of these unnecessary cells sets the ground for the formation of cancer. This is because these cells do not die; they are not needed by the body in the first place, and they spread to other areas, causing further harm.

There are five clusters of specific cancer types under the umbrella concept of lymphoma. The World Health Organization grouped these specific cancer types according to their cell types. The first one is the mature B neoplasms. Second is mature T cell and natural killer cell (NK) neoplasms. Third is the immunodeficiency-associated Lymphoproliferative disorders. Fourth is histiocytic and dendritic cell neoplasms. Last is Hodgkin lymphoma or more commonly known as Hodgkin’s disease.

The most popular of all is the Hodgkin’s disease. It is named after Thomas Hodgkin, who described the disease in 1832. Hodgkin’s disease is characterized by the abnormal growth of cancer cells in the lymphatic system. Specifically, the Reed-Sternberg cells are the ones involved in Hodgkin’s disease. This disease is very rare that it accounts for only one percent of the total cancer cases or one for every 400,000, at least in America.

The most common symptoms of Hodgkin’s disease are swollen, painful or non-painful lymph nodes. The swelling usually occurs at the neck or nape, armpit, or groin. Some systemic symptoms like drastic weight loss, skin itching, low-grade fever, night sweats, and fatigue can also be indicative of a Hodgkin’s disease case. Enlargement of the spleen, splenomegaly, and/or enlargement of the liver can also happen. People from the age range of 15 to 34, and above 55 are the ones most susceptible to develop Hodgkin’s disease.

Just like the other kinds of cancer, the causes of Hodgkin’s disease is still unknown. But the factor most likely to contribute to the development of it is genetics. People who have relatives, distant or immediate, have been inflicted with Hodgkin’s disease or other types for that matter, are at a very high risk. A deteriorated or damaged immune system, from a previous ailment or operation, is also a very high risk factor. Gender is believed to play a role, too, since most recorded cases are with men.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the usual treatments for Hodgkin’s disease. Radiation therapy is a high technology option, which makes use of high-energy rays capable of damaging cancer cells to stop their growth. This treatment option is administered only in hospitals and clinics, and under the permission of an expert doctor. Radiation therapy is effective for treating cases still on the early stage. A frequency of five therapy sessions in every week for several months is the average treatment period using radiation therapy. Chemotherapy, on the other hand, involves the use of drugs to kill the cancer cells. A combination of different drugs, which can work together, is the usual procedure being given by doctors when using chemotherapy. The drugs can be taken orally, or injected into arteries or even muscles for faster travel inside the body. The most popular drug combination for chemotherapy is the adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine combination called the ABVD regimen. There is a very high chance that Hodgkin’s can be treated, provided that it is detected at an early stage and treated immediately with the most appropriate treatment option. Records have it that early detection and appropriate treatment gives an 85 percent chance of survival and cure.

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