Cancer Treatment: December 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Has anyone had any experience in a cancer treatment called Torisel for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Has anyone had any experience in a cancer treatment called Torisel for Renal Cell Carcinoma?
My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. He started a treatment this week. The treatment is call Torisel. I wonder if anyone has any experience in this drug. If it worked for your loved one and if there was any side effects and how long did it take to have the side effects.
Cancer - 4 Answers

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1 :
I believe this is one of the newer mTOR targeted therapy drugs. It is very new. You would probably get more response and better information by going to an online support group with other patients who are using this drug. Good luck.
2 :
Torisel is a drug that is used to treat advanced (stage IV) renal cell carcinoma. I would suggest contacting an agency that specifically matches cancer patients or their families to volunteers that are either survivors or loved ones that have gone through the same experience. This way you can really talk with someone that knows what you are going through. Try the Cancer Hope Network: http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/ Or Kidney Cancer Association: http://www.kidneycancer.org/ Best Wishes for your family
3 :
Torisel (temsirolimus), a renal cell carcinoma drug, has been given approval by the FDA. Renal cell carcinoma is a form of kidney cancer. It is said that Torisel has been shown to increase a patient's survival time. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the drug Torisel, said that it expects Torisel to be available in the market in July 2007. The FDA conducted a clinical trial on 626 patients who were split into three groups. The first group of patients was given Torisel, while the second group was given a medicine called Interferon alpha, which is a comparison drug. The third group was given a combination of Torisel and Interferon. The test showed that the patients who only took Torisel lived at least 11 months, compared with 7.3 months for those who only took interferon. The difference is about 3.5months. Also, for those persons who were given Torisel, the renal cell carcinoma generally took about two months longer to worsen. Renal cell carcinoma, which almost accounts for 85 percent of all U.S. adult kidney cancer, is diagnosed in 51,000 people annually in North America. Owners of dogs are advised to talk to their veterinarians about taking their dogs along on holiday. check out this site for more info http://cancer-care-center.blogspot.com/
4 :
sorry to her your News of your dad. My mum was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer last may. By the time they found it had already spread to her liver and lung. It was VERY aggressive. we where told by top urologists that once kidney cancer spreads it is almost certainly incurable and treatments are not that effective. Mum was tried on a drug called sutent sorry i know nothing about torisel. Sutent was a complete waste of time, mums cancer had progressed to far by that stage. it only made her sicker and she would have been better just enjoying what time she had left. Mum pasted away 4 months after diagnosis aged 60. it was and still is the most devasting thing i have experienced. If you need info or support please contact me thru email. once again i am sorry for news, x

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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

I Just Saw an Ad for "Cancer Treatment Centers of America", Do you Know the Percentage of Diagnosed Pancreatic

I Just Saw an Ad for "Cancer Treatment Centers of America", Do you Know the Percentage of Diagnosed Pancreatic?
- Cancer that is Actually Pancreatic Cancer? Is the "Treatment" Mostly Palliative? Thanks Panda. Sorry, but Statistics In General, Not Only their Statistics.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
Cancer Treatment Center of America are private cancer hospitals. It's difficult to accurately give statistics for these facilities because they are exclusive in who they choose to treat . . they are able to pick and choose the patient and type of cancer they will treat. I know personally that they have turned patients away who had a type of cancer considered 'terminal' . . they didn't want to treat her even though she had plenty of money . . so they pick and choose who they want for patients.
2 :
VS Hospital may help you regarding this......... VSH along with Maruti Hospitals, Trichy will be coming up with a state of the art 100 bedded cancer hospital in Tanjore, a southern temple town in Tamil Nadu, by the last quarter of 2009. It will bring the first linear accelerator to the Trichy- Tanjore belt.

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Saturday, December 20, 2008

If I have a minor cold, could I be around someone undergoing cancer treatment

If I have a minor cold, could I be around someone undergoing cancer treatment?
A friend of mine is going through cancer treatment and is having a large number of people over (at a restaurant) for lunch. I have a minor cold (mostly sniffles), could I go without having an impact on him? He is well enough to fly...
Cancer - 10 Answers

Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It depends on the treatment. I personally wouldn't risk it
2 :
I would avoid anyone currently in treatment. You could send a card, call during the lunch, whatever. Any infection can be life-threatening to a cancer patient.
3 :
The fact that you've now got the cold means that you're probably no longer infectious. Just don't get too close, to be on the sfe side, but you shoudl be fine. I'm sure seeing you, knowing you care, will have a far more benificial effect on them.
4 :
if your friend is having chemo it's best to avoid them but if its radiotherapy then you should be fine.
5 :
it depends on what type of treatment but if he is well enough to fly it would probably be okay i just wouldn't get too close.
6 :
Don't go! Your friend will probably be grateful that you are thinking of him and putting his health first. Cancer patients undergoing treatment usually have NO immune system, therefore any type of illness can be life threatening.
7 :
It's not a good idea. Then again neither is flying while going through chemo. In my opinion he is more at risk of germs from flying than from being around you as long as you don't get too close.
8 :
When my mom was sick with cancer she caught a cold (probably from so many visitors). I don't think it ever fully went away, she died 2 months later. Cancer patients have a low immunity to fight bugs so if you really want to go, wear a mask. I'm sure people would understand and respect you more.
9 :
Although it would be nice to be with your friend, you should probably avoid being near him until your cold goes away. People who have cancer have suppressed immune systems, so they're more prone to catching germs and with potentially serious consequences.
10 :
Yes, you could be around them. If your friend is able to fly and be at a public restaurant, then it is o.k. for you to go. Flying and being in public already exposes your friend to all the germs-- and then some-- that you could possibly share with him. Just be sure to not sneeze or cough close to him.

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Do you want your Mom or grandmother to wait 8 months for cancer treatment

Do you want your Mom or grandmother to wait 8 months for cancer treatment?
And when Obama drives private healthcare out of business were will Canadians go to for cancer treatment? Why would any employer provide private insurance to their employers if the govt will give it to them at taxpayers expense? USE COMMON SENSE
Politics - 15 Answers
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1 :
Canada.
2 :
Do you have a government run healthcare I am guessing NO nuff said
3 :
Private healthcare is so superior yet you think it will be driven out of business? Hope your HMO covers paranoia.
4 :
Mexico.
5 :
No, but but a lot of mothers can't even afford cancer treatment under our current system. My HMO denied my mammograms for years despite a heavy family history of breast cancer. HMO's are not the solution, they are a failure, and we need a nationalized option.
6 :
No. My mom stayed in Canada for her cancer treatment.
7 :
Canadians come here for ELECTIVE surgeries, do the research dude. It would be more accurate to ask ... "Do you want your mom or grandmother to wait 8 months for their boob jobs?"
8 :
Typical republican straw man argument without any facts to back it up.
9 :
Canada? Hmm...glad you brought them up. Canada has some of the highest cancer survival rates in the world. The US does pretty good in survivor rates too, but I'd trade our system for Canada's in a heart beat.
10 :
Eight months???? Honey, try 5 YEARS!!!!!!! Thanks, Hillary!
11 :
No country with universal healthcare makes emergency cases wait 8 months for treatment. And even so - that would still be better than not getting it at all. As for Canadians - Americans contribute a lot to international medical tourism too - the arguments we export medical treatment while ignoring the fact we import it also are clearly intended to be misleading. As for your last argument - it is not common sense nor real world finding that employers will stop providing insurance. Employers are under no obligation to provide insurance now. Yet they do for a lot of employees. They do this to attract good employees. If a government system is going to be as bad as you pretend (ignoring the fact that every other developed country has a government provided option and everyone of them produces better health statistics than the US) then employers will still have to offer alternatives to attract talent. Most developed countries have hybrid public/private systems. To argue such a system cannot work is to put yourself at odds with reality.
12 :
I live in CA where every f-ing government spending program is sacrosanct. I personally do not want healthcare to be another albatross around my neck when we need to balance the budget. To those single-payer advocates: Would you want public healthcare if it meant bankruptcy?
13 :
Wait to watch the commercials and be gullible enough to believe what they say is the norm. It is true that Canada has some long wait times for certain procedures but that is more due to a shortage of physicians in certain specialties because some incompetent politicians cut funding for Canadian medical schools in the early 1990's. The health care system in Canada is far more efficient than some republicans would have you believe.
14 :
Not if it was required. Cancer generally needs immediate and aggressive treatment
15 :
I work in the healthcare system in the UK. A patient was seen last week, diagnosed with suspected cancer, seen by a specialist for confirmation within two days and this week they are being seen for radiotherapy. An eight month wait? I do not think so. First of all, too many people do not know that Obama is not going to bring in universal healthcare. He wants to make insurance more available to all. Second, of course universal health-cover sucks. That is why we in Western Europe have it. We think, hmm, our healthcare system sucks. I know, lets keep it. I guess that is the same with Japan and Canada as well. FACT - the USA spends more on healthcare PER PERSON than any other nation on the planet. FACT - the US has higher death rates for kids aged under five than western European countries with universal health coverage. That means that a dead American four year old would have had a better chance of life if they were born in Canada, France, Cuba, Germany, Japan etc, all of which have universal health coverage.

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Friday, December 12, 2008

Need ideas on cancer treatment/removal of cause

Need ideas on cancer treatment/removal of cause?
Thank your for reading! A person I know has been diagnosed with an advance form of stomach cancer. He is not eligible for any assistance that I know of for treatment, he is not a citizen. What ideas or places do you know of that treat discounted, free or in experimental tests or procedures for volunteers?
Cancer - 2 Answers

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1 :
One place you can start is St. Jude's Cancer research Center, I think it is in Boston..but a google won't hurt. Most charity or Religious affiliated hospitals have programs for those who are in need regardless of circumstances. Good Luck! Blessings to your friend
2 :
www.cancertutor.com

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Monday, December 8, 2008

Did your hair grow back after receiving a high dose radiation for cancer treatment

Did your hair grow back after receiving a high dose radiation for cancer treatment?
I won't lie, I am a little disappointed that I see a few hairs sprouting back after my radiation treatment. It seemed like one of the only positive aspects of receiving full abdominal and pelvic radiation, permanent hair loss. Seems mine is not permanent? Was yours?
Cancer - 1 Answers
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1 :
I had no hair loss throughout the entire process. Guess its different for everyone. good luck

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Thursday, December 4, 2008

How do I convince my mother to get cancer treatment

How do I convince my mother to get cancer treatment?
My mother got results from a mammogram in January that said she needed to get rechecked. She decided to just do nothing because she doesn't want to be a strain on the system since she is on Medical. How do I convince her to get treatment?
Cancer - 4 Answers

Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If she just needs to get rechecked, she may or may not have a problem. But, if she does have a problem and does nothing she is going to end up being a huge strain on the system eventually. If that is her reasoning, let her know that it doesn't hold water. If she has the benefit of early detection, she could possbily get away with surgery that requires a band aid and not a day of work missed. If she waits, she could be talking horrible surgery, horrible chemotherapy and would be a burden on the system and her family. Make the appointment for her and go with her.
2 :
All the information about cancer with photos and patient guidelines are available on http://www.cancerssociety.org
3 :
Boy, this hits home. My sister in law did the same thing. Her reasoning was because her mother was dying of cancer, she didn't want to bother her mother with the fact that she had a tumor in her breast. After her mother died, she finally had a mastectomy after we all told her we were going to drag her to the hospital kicking and screaming. She was only 33 when she got breast cancer. The waiting cost her a big price, her life. Because she waited, the cancer metastasized to her lungs. She died a year later. Had she had her cancer treated as soon as she found out, she would be alive today. So tell your mother just because she's on Medical, that's what they are there for. To help your mother with her medical needs. Tell her what happened to my sister in law. Let her read this. It will NOT put a strain on anybody just because she's on Medical. What will put a strain on is her family if she ignores this. Please, mother, do what your DR told you to do. Blessings
4 :
I know how stressful a situation like this can be, for everyone. You and your family need to sit down and have a very frank discussion with your Mom. Tell her the repercussions of her not dealing with this now might be much worse later on, down the road. I know how scary this can be, not only for her but for her loved ones. Tell her how much she means to you, and that she will get all the support she needs. Also, if you check with your local hospital/doctor, there are 'support groups' which can really be a big help, to her and your family. This could be nothing or it could be something, she won't know until she follows up with her doctor. I wish you and your family all the best.

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Monday, December 1, 2008

How do i raise money for my moms BREAST CANCER TREATMENT?? HELP

How do i raise money for my moms BREAST CANCER TREATMENT?? HELP?
On Friday afternoon i got a call from my sister and tld me my moms breast cancer screening came out positive. First i started to cry and then i began to worry about my parents finances my dad hasn't worked for years due to being disabled at his former job and they have no medical insurance. I have decided to try to raise some money for her treatment, i just need some ideas and be pointed in the right direction.
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
For starters, I would check with the hospital she will getting treatment--sometimes they can help people who are unable to pay full price. If your parents are low income, they may qualify for medicaid or some other govt program, particularly since your father is disabled. You can call the Am Cancer Society 24/7 (1-800-227-2345) for list of national & local resources. Some drug companies can help with meds, some organizations can help with other costs. Sometimes there are transportation help, either through ACS or other organizations. It can take some searching, but help can be found. As to fundraisers, if your parents are well known in their community, or are regulars at certain restaurants or businesses, and your parents are ok with it, you might ask them to hold a fundraiser dinner or something, with the tips or a percentage of profits going to your mom's treatment. Good luck & my best wishes to your mom!!!
2 :
Contact the American Cancer Society. Good Luck.
3 :
Frist, relax. It's tough finding out about cancer but I'm sure even tougher with no insurance. Try checking out the Susan G. Koman site. There is plenty of information on there. Also if you are able to have a benefit you can raise a lot of money. Reach out to local places (bars, resturants, etc.) and also companies who could donate items to raffle at the benefit. I've been to a few benifits and you would be surprised how generous people are. Good luck with everything.

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