Palliative Treatment Of Cancer Health Feed

The pancreases are one of the most ignored glands in the abdomen. However, they are an important part of the digestive system. Without efficient pancreas controlling blood sugar levels is very hard. Pancreatic cancer is one of the conditions that can affect his gland. It is a rare type of cancer but is very aggressive and has very few symptoms. Hence, in many cases, it is diagnosed only at an advanced stage. Pancreatic cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. With advancements in the field of medicine, pancreatic cancer can also be treated with laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery is also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery. This technique allows surgical procedures to be performed on the internal organs without making a large cut in the skin. Most laparoscopic procedures need only a 0.5 to a 1.5cm wide incision. As compared to an open surgery, laparoscopic procedures cause less discomfort and heal faster.

When it comes to pancreatic cancer, there are a number of laparoscopic procedures that can be used.

1. Exploratory Laparoscopy - To determine the best form of treatment for pancreatic cancer, it is essential to determine the stage cancer has reached. Laparoscopy is very useful in such scenarios and can help assess the amount of damage the pancreas have undergone. Laparoscopy can also be used to detect the presence of any metastatic diseases before performing surgery.
2. Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy - The bottom half of the pancreas may be removed if a tumor is found in the body or tail of the pancreas. This procedure can be performed laparoscopically by making a 2.5cm to a 3cm incision. These tumors usually have a very low grade of malignancy. After the surgery, the patient will need to be hospitalized for 2 to 3 days.
3. Laparoscopic Whipple Operation - Chronic pancreatitis or small endocrine or cystic tumors in the pancreas can be treated with a Laparoscopic Whipple procedure. This procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas and part of the body as well if need be. Parts of the bile duct, lymph nodes, gall bladder, stomach and small intestine that are near the affected part of the pancreas may also be removed.
4. Laparoscopy for Palliative Surgery - In some cases, cancer may be too advanced to be addressed surgically. In such cases, palliative surgery is often recommended to relieve symptoms. One of the ways this can be done is with a laparoscopic bypass surgery. In this procedure, the bile flow is rerouted so as to skip the pancreas and flow directly into the small intestines. Such surgeries are advised only if the patient is in overall good health.

Colorectal cancer, one of the commonest and potentially fatal types of cancer, occurs when timorous growths form in the large intestine. Cancer often develops and progresses without showing symptoms, which is why most often the disease goes undetected in its initial stage. However, screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer can help detect it while there is still time for treatment. 

What are the treatment options for colorectal cancer?

There is no single treatment for cancer. Generally, a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are used to treat patients depending on the stage and type of cancer. In more advanced stages, surgery may be recommended to eliminate the cause of cancer from its roots. Treatment aims to ease the symptoms, remove cancer, and prevent its progression. 

Here is a look at the different ways to treat colorectal cancer –

• Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses certain anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Either these drugs can be given orally or they can be administered intravenously into the body. Chemotherapy may be used to shrink a larger cancer prior to surgery so that it can be easily removed. Alternatively, it can also be administered after surgery in case the cancer is larger or has metastasized to the lymph nodes. Thus, chemotherapy can kill any remaining cancer cells in the body and help lower the risk of cancer relapse.

Chemotherapy may also help to ease symptoms spreading to other parts of the body that cannot be corrected with surgery. Sometimes, it can also be given in combination with radiation therapy.

• Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is another commonly used treatment approach for colorectal, as well as other types of cancer. The therapy uses high-intensity energy sources, like protons and X-rays to destroy the cancer cells. It might be used to reduce the size of cancer right before surgery so that it can be eliminated with ease. When surgery is not an option, radiation therapy might help to reduce the symptoms of colorectal cancer. Radiation therapy can be combined with chemotherapy.

• Immunotherapy

The drug treatment immunotherapy uses your immune system to combat cancer. Your immune system may not attack the cancer cells because they form proteins that keep immune system cells from identifying the cancer cells. Immunotherapy functions by hindering that process. The therapy is usually recommended for advanced colorectal cancer. The doctor will likely test your cancer cells before proceeding with the treatment to see if they are likely to respond.

• Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy focuses on certain abnormalities found within the cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy can kill cancer cells by blocking these abnormalities. These are often used in combination with chemotherapy, typically for people with end-stage cancer.

• Surgery

If all other therapies fail to treat cancer and stop its progression, the doctor might recommend surgery. The different surgical methods used for treatment may include the following –

• Colectomy – This involves partial or complete removal of the colon that has become cancerous, as well as its surrounding regions to lower the risk of spreading of cancer. 

• Endoscopy – The procedure allows the surgeon to eliminate localized, smaller cancer. Endoscopy involves inserting a narrow, flexible tube attached with a camera and light directly into the body to have a detailed look at the cancerous tissues. The procedure assists the surgeon to perform minor surgery and remove the cancerous tissues/organs. 

• Laparoscopic surgery – During this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon makes several minute incisions in the abdomen with the help of a camera and an instrument. The camera displays the image of the colon on a monitor, allowing the surgeon to operate the larger polyps. 

• Palliative surgery – Palliative surgery aims to relieve symptoms if the cancer is beyond treatment. The surgeon, in this case, attempts to relieve any blockage of the colon and manage symptoms like pain and bleeding. 

Colorectal cancer, like most other types of cancer, can be treated if detected at an early stage. Reports claim that Stage I and Stage II cancers have a success rate of 80-95% and 55-80% respectively when diagnosed early. The doctor will take into account the overall health condition, age, as well as other characteristics of the patient when deciding on the most appropriate treatment option.

With terminal illnesses like cancer, the disease is not the only thing that requires treatment. In addition to controlling the severity and spread of the main disease, the effect it has on the other body systems including emotional, social, psychological problems and also physical issues like pain and inflammation. Though the disease has reached an advanced stage and cannot be cured, the patient can be made to be pain-free and at peace to the extent possible.

The goal of palliative care is not to cure - in fact, palliative care is in place for diseases like cancer from the time it is diagnosed and treatment is begun but becomes the major component of treatment once the cancer is identified to be in terminal stages. Therapeutic care aimed at curing the cancer is gradually reduced and palliative care assumes a bigger role. This is also called as symptomatic care, supportive care, or comfort care.

Aspects of palliative care: Once the disease is identified to be in terminal stages, then the following become considerations:

1. Stay at home or hospital
2. Withdraw chemotherapy and radiation?
3. Withdraw feeding tube
4. Spiritual discussions
5. Reduce anxiety
6. Good quality time with the family
7. Reduce pain and suffering

As is evident, there is a huge component of social/emotional/spiritual management in addition to reducing pain and suffering:

• Physical: Pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, loss of appetite are some symptoms that need to be managed. In addition to pain killers, small exercises can be included to make them feel better, even if it is just getting a breath of fresh air.
• Social: Depression (learn the ways to handle depression), anxiety, uncertainty, fear are all looming large and they are not sure how to manage these feelings. Talking to a counselor or some close family member or friend can be a big relief - the burden is off their chest.
• Legal: There could be issues related to property, insurance, property that also need to be discussed. External help can be sought if required to provide financial counselling and legal advice.
• Spiritual: Looking into the spiritual needs and understanding the deeper meaning of life, restoring faith are some things that also can help them feel better. "Why did this happen to me?" is a question most people keep asking and while there is no answer, some solace can be provided through talks.

It is to be noted that palliative care is not just for the patient. The caretakers (family and close friends) are equally in need of some support. So, once the patient is identified to be in terminal stages, all effort is made so the final leg of the journey is peaceful and as painless as possible.

The branch of medicine dealing with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer is called oncology. The subdivisions of oncology include medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology. Cancer is an umbrella term for a group of diseases which involves abnormal cell growth causing potential invasion to other parts of the body and the branch of science dealing with the treatment of cancer is oncology.

Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a kind of cancer treatment which involves the usage of high energy rays, such as X-rays or rays of electrons to treat the disease. In this therapy, the cancer cells are destroyed using these rays. Normal cells along with the cancerous cells also get destroyed due to exposure to the strong rays. However, normal cells can restore themselves but cancerous cells cannot.
Radiotherapy is planned very carefully to avoid the damage to as many healthy tissues as possible. However, damage to some healthy tissues is inevitable, which is the major side effect of this treatment.

Usage of Radiotherapy
A lot of patients with cancer have radiotherapy as a part of their cancer treatment. The reasons behind using radiotherapy could be-

1. Curative reason- radiotherapy is suggested with the aim of destroying a certain tumour and thus curing cancer with it. This is also known as a radical treatment.
2. Palliative reason- radiotherapy is recommended to the patients when there is no possible way to cure cancer, but with this treatment. The further growth of the tumor can be controlled or the various symptoms such as pain or coughing can be relieved.

Ways of Radiotherapy Treatment
There are two ways in which radiotherapy is commonly given-

1. The radiotherapy which is given from outside the body is known as external beam radiotherapy.
2. The radiotherapy given using a material that is placed inside the body is called internal radiotherapy.

The type of radiotherapy to be given to the patient depends on the type of cancer the patient has and the body part which is affected by it. Some cancers require both external and internal radiotherapy.

Chemo Radiation
In certain situations, chemotherapy is required to be given to the patients along with radiotherapy. This is called chemo radiotherapy or chemo radiation. Chemotherapy basically uses anti-cancer drugs which make the cancerous cells more sensitive to radiotherapy, thereby enhancing the treatment process. However, both these therapies are very powerful, each with their own side effects. Hence, chemo radiation can sometimes have worse side effects.

Technological Advances-

1. IMRT: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a new technology in radiation oncology that delivers radiation more precisely to the tumor while relatively sparing the surrounding normal tissues. IMRT is being used most extensively to treat cancers of the prostate, head and neck, and central nervous system. IMRT has also been used in limited situations to treat breast, thyroid, lung, as well as in gastrointestinal, gynecologic malignancies and certain types of sarcomas. IMRT may also be beneficial for treating pediatric malignancies.
2. IGRT: Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is the use of imaging during radiation therapy to improve the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery. IGRT is used to treat tumors in areas of the body that move, such as the lungs. Radiation therapy machines are equipped with imaging technology to allow your doctor to image the tumor before and during treatment. By comparing these images to the reference images taken during simulation, the patient’s position and/or the radiation beams may be adjusted to more precisely target the radiation dose to the tumor.
3. Stereotactic radiation therapy is mainly used to treat small brain tumours that are either malignant or benign. It is used to treat:
   • Tumours deep within the brain: Tumours that are hard to reach or that cannot be removed by surgery because doing so would damage too much normal brain tissue
   • A recurrence or metastasis in the brain
4. Stereotactic radiation may also be used to give an additional dose of radiation (boost) to the brain after conventional external beam radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.

This is just the basic overview of radiotherapy. One important thing that should be kept in mind is that radiotherapy treatments are planned depending on the condition of the patient. So even if two individuals suffer from the same type of cancer, the radiotherapy treatments might be different.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Treatment of Endometrial cancer

Homeopathic Treatment of Endometrial cancer
Acupuncture & Acupressure Treatment of Endometrial cancer
Psychotherapy Treatment of Endometrial cancer
Conventional / Allopathic Treatment of Endometrial cancer
Surgical Treatment of Endometrial cancer
Dietary & Herbal Treatment of Endometrial cancer
Other Treatment of Endometrial cancer
What is Endometrial cancer
Symptoms of Endometrial cancer
Causes of Endometrial cancer
Risk factors of Endometrial cancer
Complications of Endometrial cancer
Lab Investigations and Diagnosis of Endometrial cancer
Precautions & Prevention of Endometrial cancer
Treatment of Endometrial cancer 

Homeopathic Treatment of Endometrial Cancer

Treatment can be preventive and supportive. It relieves complaints, heals affected tissue and improves overall health. Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. Treatment is constitutional. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. It balances the energy system, improves immunity and body functions. It naturally cures the root cause of disorder. Some of the homeopathic medicines for endometrial cancer are:

Hydras
Conium
Ars I
Kreos
Lil T
Murex

Conventional / Allopathic Treatment of Endometrial cancer

Allopathic Treatment of Endometrial cancer involves the following therapies:

Radiation therapy – it uses powerful energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells
Hormone therapy – it involves taking medications that affect hormone levels in the body.
Chemotherapy – it uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. You may receive chemotherapy drugs by pill (orally) or through your veins.

Surgical Treatment of Endometrial cancer

Surgery to remove the uterus as well as to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries is recommended for most women with endometrial cancer.

Dietary & Herbal Treatment of Endometrial cancer

Eat diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Avoid baked goods and fried and greasy foods
Avoid diet high in animal fats
Eat cold-water fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids

What is Endometrial cancer?

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus. It begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus.

Symptoms of Endometrial cancer

Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Prolonged periods or bleeding between periods
Pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
Pain or difficulty when emptying the bladder
An abnormal, watery or blood-tinged discharge from your vagina

Causes of Endometrial cancer

The exact cause of endometrial cancer is not known. Something occurs to create a genetic mutation within cells in the endometrium. The genetic mutation turns normal, healthy cells into abnormal cells. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor).

Risk factors of Endometrial cancer

As you get older
Changes in the balance of female hormones in the body
More years of menstruation
Never having been pregnant
Hormone therapy for breast cancer
An inherited colon cancer syndrome
Complications of Endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer can spreads most often to the lungs 

Diagnosis of Endometrial cancer

Diagnosis of Endometrial cancer involves the following tests:

Pelvic exam
Using sound waves to create a picture of your uterus
Using a scope to examine your endometrium
Removing a sample of tissue for testing
Performing surgery to remove tissue for testing

 Precautions & Prevention of Endometrial cancer

Consider taking birth control pills
Maintain a healthy weight
Talk to your doctor about the risks of hormone therapy after menopause
Exercise most days of the week