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By Sandy Frew

If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, then your next step is to think about treatment. Treatment options vary and will be determined by the stage of colon cancer and the location of the cancer. Your oncologist will be able to give you the best advice on which treatment option is right for you. This article is going to explain three of the most common treatments for colon cancer. Keep reading to gain a valuable education.

Surgery is a Standard Treatment for Colon Cancer

Surgery to remove all sections of the bowel that has been affected by cancer is a common treatment in all stages of colon cancer. There are three types of surgery that can be used to remove the cancer. They are:

1. Local excision. This is reserved for cancer that is found in the early stages. The doctor will simply insert a tube into your rectum and advance it into the colon. He will then be able to cut away the cancerous part of the colon. If a polyp is involved, he can remove the polyp this way also. This is a fairly simple surgery and requires no incision.
2. Resection.This is used if the cancer in the colon has become quite large. The surgeon will make an incision into the abdomen and remove part of the colon that is affected by the cancer. He will also remove small sections of healthy tissue that surrounds the diseased section of the bowel. Lymph nodes near the colon may be removed so they can be examined to determine if the cancer has spread. The surgeon will then sew the two healthy ends of the bowel together.
3. Resection and colostomy.Depending on the what part of the colon is affected and how much of the colon is involved, the surgeon may be unable to sew the healthy ends back together. In that case, one end of the bowel will be brought through a hole that is made in the abdomen. This is called a stoma. The patient will then need to wear bag over the stoma because the waste is now being expelled through the stoma. This is called a colostomy. Many people are able to lead normal lives after a colostomy.

Radiation to Treat Colon Cancer

Radiation can be high energy x-rays or other forms of radiation that is used to kill off cancer cells or to keep them from growing. Radiation may be given externally or it may be given internally through needles, seeds or catheters that are placed near the cancer. The way radiation is used is determined by the location and the size of the cancer.

Chemotherapy Treatment for Colon Cancer

Chemotherapy drugs can be used to kill cancer cells or to stop them from spreading. Chemotherapy can be injected through the vein or ingested through the mouth in the form of pills. It can also be injected directly into the area that is affected by the cancer such as the abdomen or the spine.

All of these treatments may be used alone or in combination with each other. A lot of patients that have surgery to remove part of the diseased colon will have chemotherapy or radiation to kill of any traveling cancer cells.

Colon cancer can be cured if caught early enough and contained. Stay in tune to your body and get regular check ups.

Whilst every opportunity has been take to ensure that all information is correct and up to date at time of writing, it is not meant to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please always consult your doctor or health care specialist if you are in any way concerned about your health.

Colon Cancer is the third most common form of Cancer. A knowledge of the treatment of Colon Cancer could save your life or that of someone close to you. Treatment of Colon Cancer is very effective if started early enough. Discover what the Colon Cancer treatments are, or to find out more about the causes and prevention of Colon Cancer continue here http://www.coloncancersigns.org/colon-cancer-treatment.html

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By Dean Novosat

Colon cancer surgery is a very normal procedure that is done in hospitals on a daily basis. Although some of the numbers seem to be grim, such as it being the second leading cause of death that is cancer related, the fact of the matter is that many people have this surgery and are able to overcome it without any additional problems.

Whenever your doctor decides that colon cancer surgery is necessary, you are going to have to prepare yourself in order to make the surgery go as smoothly as possible. This will not only include preoperative procedures such as emptying the colon of all waste but will also include getting your insurance papers in order ahead of time. It’s difficult enough to go in for such a serious operation without having a last-minute glitch cause you stress which you don’t need.

There are several different types of colon cancer surgery that may take place. Most of them are fairly noninvasive and can be done in the form of laparoscopic surgery. Depending on the type and invasive nature of your cancer, however, it might be necessary for your doctor to remove part or all of your colon. It might also be possible that your doctor will discover additional problems whenever he goes and to do the surgery in the first place. Discuss all of these possibilities ahead of time with your doctor to help put your mind at ease.

The final part of your colon surgery will be the postoperative recovery period. It is possible that you will have to stay in the hospital for up to a week, depending on the invasive nature of the surgery that was performed. After that time, you will be able to continue your recovery at home until you’re strong enough to lead your normal life again.

Dean Novosat writes about colon health and cancer surgery at http://www.opticolon.com Colon Cancer Surgery

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By Juliet Cohen

Colon Cancer also known Colorectal cancer. Colon cancer 2nd most deaths for cancers in the US. Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time.

Colon cancer often causes no symptoms until it has reached a relatively advanced stage. Thus, many organizations recommend periodic screening for the disease with fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. It is common in the Western world, and is rare in Asia and Africa. In countries where the people have adopted western diets, the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Polyps of the colon and rectum are almost always benign and usually produce no symptoms. They may, however, cause painless rectal bleeding or bleeding not apparent to the naked eye. There may be single or multiple polyps. Polyps greater than 1 centimeter have a greater cancer risk associated with them than polyps under 1 centimeter. Polyps with atypia or dysplasia are also more likely to progress on to colon cancer. The risk of cancer is much higher in sessile villous adenomas than in pedunculated tubular adenomas. Cancer is found in 40% of villous adenomas, as compared to 15% in tubular adenomas.

Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer. Surgery remains the primary treatment while chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be recommended depending on the individual patient’s staging. High-fiber foods help move waste through your digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don’t have much contact with the lining of the intestine. High-fiber foods are also rich in phytonutrients, which appear to protect against several forms of cancer. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help protect against colorectal cancer. There is certainly just as much buzz about folate and colorectal cancer prevention as there has been about calcium. The jury is still out on antioxidants and the prevention of colorectal cancer. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other studies have failed to back up these results. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, seem to offer particular protection from colon cancer, especially for those who drink alcohol. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that may prevent damage to colon cells.

Colon Cancer Treatment and Nutrition Tips

1. Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer.

2. Radiotherapy may be recommended Treatment fot colon cancer.

3. High-fiber foods help move waste through your digestive tract faster.

4. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help protect against colorectal cancer.

5. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other studies have failed to back up these results.

6. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, seem to offer particular protection from colon cancer, especially for those who drink alcohol.

7. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that may prevent damage to colon cells.

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and women health care. More information on health related topics visit our site at http://www.health-care-articles.info.

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By Jason Davidson

Cancer. The big “C” word that everyone dreads hearing. When you do hear it, thoughts automatically turn to lung cancer. The fact is that cancer of the colon is responsible for over 10% of all cancer deaths in the USA. To help understand a little about this disease, it is necessary to know a bit about the colon.

Most of the time, the colon is mistakenly mentioned as part of the entire large intestine, but is actually only the largest part of that organ.
It is about six feet long and moves solid waste along to the rectum. Along the way, it absorbs water and harmful materials from the waste. The longer it takes to move the waste out, the better chance of removing those materials.

Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and holds the second highest mortality rate of all cancers worldwide with 655,000 deaths expected this year.
In the US alone, it is estimated that approximately 106,000 people will be newly diagnosed with colon cancer this year and some 56,000 will die from the disease. Very somber statistics, if I may say so.

Colon cancer is thought to originate from mushroom-like polyps that form in the colon, rectum and appendix. These polyps are usually benign (harmless), but can develop into cancer over time. The key is prevention, which is mainly achieved through colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a simple procedure where a thin cable-like camera is inserted into the anus all the way to the top of the cecum. It is then removed slowly and affords the doctor a full view of the colon. He also has the ability to remove polyps should any be found.

Sometimes, surgery is necessary in extreme cases. During surgery, several things could be done.

· The tumor and surrounding area is cut away and resectioned to make the colon fully functional.

· Occasional cancerous intrusion into the liver requires removal of metastases, or places on the liver where the cancer has traveled.

· If a tumor has invaded other vital parts, it may be better to bypass it rather than remove it.

· In the worst case, a surgeon may be able to do nothing at all due to the spread of the cancer. This is called “open and close” surgery. This however is rare.

There are some complications that arise from time to time including infection, bleeding and bowel obstruction. Occasionally, heart trouble results and embolisms or pneumonias may form spontaneously.

After having colon surgery, the use of radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be prescribed. This could prevent a recurrence of the disease in the surgical areas. Normal full recovery from colon surgery takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. This is to allow for the healing, both internal and external, and for normal bowel function to return.

The quality of life during recovery is somewhat lessened yet not completely inhibitive. Using the bathroom can be a chore, but is possible. A physician will sometimes use a temporary colostomy bag during recovery to avoid injuring the surgical areas. When healing is judged to be nearly complete, the patient is weaned back to normal bowel functionality and the colostomy is removed.

Symptoms are sometimes not prevalent. However, stool frequency and consistency, bloody stool and bowel obstruction are indicators of an early cancer. Advanced cancers will have advanced symptoms like anemia, body weakness and even shortness of breath.
With any of these, pleas see your doctor immediately

Jason R Davidson owns and operates http://www.coloncancersurgery.net
Colon Cancer Surgery

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By Denice Anderson

Whenever you have been diagnosed with colon cancer your physician will wish to order various examinations and tests to check the degree or what they call the “stage” that it has progressed to. Naturally, as with any cancer, the earlier it’s discovered the less problematic it will be to treat. Your medical prognosis will depend upon factors such as whether the cancer is in the lining interior of the colon, or has disseminated throughout the body and into additional organs.

Your doctor will additionally base your medical prognosis upon whether or not the cancer has caused a blockage in your intestines. Your physician will also wish to order assorted blood tests to check blood levels of a specific factor. This factor shows up in your bloodstream at distinguishable levels dependent on how far the cancer has progressed. So before advocating any type of treatment your physician will rely to a great extent on your generalized health, whether the cancer has recurred, and what degree the cancer has progressed to.

Staging is what physicians refer to when the examinations that are carried out to find out the degree that cancer has progressed to. You can anticipate the physician to perform a CAT scan, which has a look at the interior of the body by taking pictures and in a few cases they’ll likewise inject a dye to see the interior organs more clearly. The doctor will in all probability also will like to perform a lymph node biopsy. This biopsy removes a few of the malignant cells and they are then viewed under a microscope. Additionally, expect a complete blood count (CBC) to be performed. This will give the physician a great deal of very important information regarding your white and red blood cells and platelets. It also shows to the doctor the levels of CEA that reside in your bloodstream. CEA is discharged into your bloodstream from malignant cells just as well as from normal cells, however, if higher amounts than normal of CEA are found, the doctor can arrive at additional conclusions supported by that information.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will in all likelihood be performed so that all of the cancerous cells may be viewed. A chest x-ray perhaps will be done to see the organs and bones within the chest cavity. Surgery might likewise be scheduled to remove any neoplasms that may be present. These are each required tests that have to be performed so your doctor can fully realize the maturation of the colon cancer and address it to the fullest of his ability.

For more information on the signs and symptoms, treatments and hopeful research options regarding Colon Cancer please visit us at http://www.cancerofcolon.info

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WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1 (HealthDay News) — Hormone deficiency is a prime cause of colon cancer, which means that it may be possible to treat the disease with hormone replacement therapy, a new study suggests.

In experiments with mice, a team at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, focused on GCC (guanylyl cyclase C), a protein receptor on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells. They looked specifically at two hormones, guanylin and uroguanylin, which regulate the growth of intestinal epithelial cells.

Reporting in the Aug. 1 issue of Gastroenterology, the researchers found that GCC helped suppress colon tumor formation in mice.

Study author Dr. Scott Waldman, professor and chair of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at Jefferson Medical College, noted that early in colon cancer development, the hormones guanylin and uroguanylin are “lost” and not expressed. This disrupts the activity of GCC.

The study finding “converts colon cancer from a genetic disease, which is the way we’ve all thought about it, to a disease of hormone insufficiency,” Waldman said in a prepared statement.

“Not only does this give a new paradigm in how we think about the disease, but it give us a new paradigm for treating the disease — that is, by hormone replacement therapy,” he said.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about colorectal cancer risk.

By Theodore Frazer

Treatment of Stage 0 Colon Cancer

Treatment of Stage 0 colon cancer (carcinoma in situ) may include the following types of surgery:

· Local excision, which is surgery to remove the colon cancer without cutting through the abdominal wall.

· A polypectomy, which is surgery to remove the colon cancer from the bulging piece of tissue.

· Resection/anastomosis, which is surgery that removes the colon cancer by taking out a section of the colon and rejoining the cut ends of the colon. This procedure is done when the cancerous tissue is too large to remove by local excision.

Treatment of Stage I Colon Cancer

Treatment of Stage I colon cancer is usually resection/anastomosis (removal of colon cancer by joining the cut ends of the colon) because the cancerous tissue is usually too large at this stage to be removed by local excision.

Treatment of Stage II Colon Cancer

Treatment of Stage II colon cancer may include the following:

· Resection/anastomosis

· Clinical trials of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or biological therapy after surgery

Treatment of Stage III Colon Cancer

Treatment of Stage III colon cancer may include the following:

· Resection/anastomosis with or without chemotherapy.

· Clinical trials of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or biological therapy after surgery.

Treatment of Stage IV Colon Cancer

Treatment of Stage IV colon cancer may include the following:

· Resection/anastomosis

· Surgery to remove parts of other organs such as the liver, lungs, and ovaries where the cancer may have spread.

· Chemotherapy.

· Clinical trials of chemotherapy or biological therapy.

· Radiation therapy may be offered to some patients as palliative therapy (to relieve symptoms).

Treatment of Recurrent Colon Cancer or Cancerous Cells

Treatment of recurrent colon cancer depends on where the cancer has recurred (come back) and the general health of the patient. Treatment for recurrent colon cancer may include the following:

· Surgery to remove cancer that may have spread to the liver, lungs, or ovaries.

· Surgery to remove cancer cells that have recurred in the colon.

· Radiation therapy as palliative therapy.

· Chemotherapy as palliative therapy.

· Clinical trials of biological therapy or chemotherapy.

Theodore Frazer http://www.colonproducts.com

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By Thomas Boggo

Future study of colorectal cancer will refine our understanding of the genetics of the disease. This in turn will lead to earlier identification and treatment of high-risk persons. The future may possibly bring the use of genetic interventions to interrupt the adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

Increased awareness of colorectal cancer by the public and by private insurers, government agencies, and medical personnel will result in better use of available screening techniques. Development of preventive drug strategies against colorectal cancer, particularly with drugs that reduce polyp formation or prevent polyp progression to cancer, promises to be a fruitful field of endeavor.

There is ample reason to expect refinement of diagnostic and staging tests for the disease, perfection of surgical and nonsurgical techniques for treatment of large bowel cancer and its complications, and improving chemotherapeutic treatment by means of more effective and less toxic drugs.

A number of molecular markers for colorectal cancer can be measured but it is not yet clear that they have prognostic value or therapeutic implications. Measures of DNA synthesis or cell division are of uncertain value as clinical decision-making tools. Measurement of thymidilate synthase activity in colorectal cancer tissue is one of several markers under investigation as a prognostic indicator.

This could be useful in making decisions regarding the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for certain patients, especially those with stage II or B tumors. Another goal would be to collect a set of markers for cancer risk for an individual who has adenomatous polyps. Presumably, such testing could reflect exposure to colon carcinogens and help define the outlook for an individual. This in turn could narrow the prospective use of screening and diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy.

Techniques to identify micrometastases in lymph node tissue are in development. These include special stains for cytokeratin, which can identify small clusters or single malignant cells in lymph node tissue. Another method uses a technique known as PCR for detection of CEA in resected lymph nodes. PCR is a technique which permits rapid reproduction of large quantities of short segments of DNA or RNA.

Other techniques include the identification in lymph node tissue of oncogene, or tumor suppressor gene mutations, which occur in the primary tumor. Such techniques may be of use in reclassifying patients whose lesions are stages as II or B by conventional means and in selecting them for potentially life-saving adjuvant chemotherapy. Large clinical trials will be needed to determine if identification of micrometastases by these methods indeed leads to more appropriate treatment and improved progress.

Expression of the enzyme COX-2 by colorectal cancers is highly variable. Greater expressions of COX-2 by tumors are associated with lymph node metastasis, advanced stage of cancer, and poorer long-term outlook for patients. Thus, there could be potential future application of this test as a means of staging and prognostication.

Future study of colon cancer will refine our understanding of the genetics of the disease. This in turn will lead to earlier identification and treatment of high-risk persons. The future may possibly bring the use of genetic interventions to interrupt the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. For more information visit http://www.105coloncancer.com/

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By Jaci Rae

Medical insurance costs are skyrocketing and many places of employment no longer supply medical insurance without a major dip into your pocketbook. The impact of under-insured or uninsured Americans and senior citizens are taking a toll on households across U.S.

I have been without insurance. At one time I had to purchase medicine with a price tag of over $1,900 a month. Because of that time, I was inspired to find out what I could do to help defray the cost of the medicine.

What I discovered is one of the best kept secrets in the medical industry. The secret is that pharmaceutical companies and major pharmaceutical company sponsors provide free prescription medicines to individuals and families that qualify.

For those individuals and families who can’t afford the cost of or the co-payment their prescription medications require, help has been around for years. The first step is to find out who manufactures the prescriptions you are taking.

Once you know the manufacturer, go to their website and download their application or apply online for their program. Some of the pharmaceutical websites and pharmaceutical company sponsors have websites that have the program information easily available.

Other websites you will have to search to find the program. Once you either fill out their application online or downloaded the application, you will in most cases need to get a signed consent form from your doctor to fax or send to the company. Every program has different rules and procedures.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to help you, your family and friend defray a bit of the medical costs from your budget.

A

Abbott Diabetes Patient Assistance Program

Abbott Laboratories Patient Assistance Program

Abbott Norvir, Kaletra Patient Assistance Program

Access for Humatrope

Aciphex Patient Assistance Program

Acorda Reimbursement Assistance Program

ACT Program for Emend

ACT Program for Zolinza

Acthar Gel Patient Assistance Program

Actimune Patient Assistance Program

Adderall XR Patient Assistance Program

Advanced BioHealing

Alcon Cares Patient Assistance Program

Allergan Patient Assistance Program

Amylin Reimbursement Hotline

Anadrol Assistance Program

Angiomax Patient Financial Assistance Program

Apligraf Patient Assistance Program

Ara-Assist Program

ARC of Support

Arch Foundation Patient Assistance Program for Mirena

Aricept Assistance Program

Ascend Therapeutics Patient Assistance Program

Astellas Indigent Patient Program

Astellas Patient Assistance Program for Prograf

Astellas Patient Assistance Program for Protopic

Astellas Patient Assistance Program for Vaprisol

AstraZeneca Cancer Support Network

AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Organization

Atripla Patient Assistance Program

Auxilium Patient Assistance Program

Avonex Access Program

Axcan Assist Program

Axcan Rx Complete Patient Support Program

AZ Medicine and Me

B

Bausch and Lomb Indigent Patient Program

Baxter Factor Plus Program

Bayer Patient Assistance Program

Bayer Patient Assistance Program for Nimotop & Precose

Benefix Patient Assistance Program

Betaseron Patient Assistance Program

Biovail Patient Assistance Program

Boehringer Ingelheim Care Foundation Patient Assistance Program

Boniva Patient Assistance Program

Botox Patient Assistance Program

Bradley Pharmaceuticals Indigent Patient Program

Bridge Program for Genotropin & Somavert

Bristol-Myers Squibb Access Program for Oncology/Virology

Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation

Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program for Abilify

Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program for Erbitux

Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program for Orenica

Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program for Sprycel

Buphenyl Patient Assistance Program

C

Cancer Support Network for Iressa

Care First for CF Program

Carnitor Drug Assistance Program

Cenestin Patient Assistance Program

Cetylite Industries, Inc

Charitable Access Program

Columbia Laboratories, Inc.

Commitment to Care for Hepatitis C Medications

Commitment to Care for Oncology Medications

Comprehensive Care Program For CF

Connections for Growth Patient Assistance Program

Copaxone Patient Assistance Program

Critical Therapeutics Care Assist Program

Cubicin Reimbursement Hotline

Cystadane Patient Assistance Program

Cytogen Corp. Community Access Patient Program

D

Dacogen Reimbursement and Support Services

Dermik Laboratories Patient Assistance Program

Digestive Care, Inc Assistance Program

Doak Dermatologics Rebate Program

Doxil Reimbursement Solutions

E

ECR Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Edwards Lifesciences

Eisai Oncology Reimbursement Assistance Program

Eldepryl Patient Rewards Program

Encourage Foundation

Endo Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Enjuvia Patient Assistance Program

Enzon Patient Assistance Program

Epass Prescription and Reimbursement Program

Ethyol Protect Program

F

Fentora Reinbursement Program

Ferndale Laboratories Patient Assistance Program

Ferrlecit & Infed Reimbursement Assistance Program

Financial Assistance Program for Abelcet

First Resource Program for IV medications

First Resource Program for Oral Medications

Forest Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Forest Pharmaceuticals:Namenda

Forteo Patient Assistance Program

Fosrenol at Hand Patient Assistance Program

Fragmin Reimbursement Assistance

Fuzeon Reimbursment Assistance Program

G

Gabitril Patient Assistance Program

Galderma Laboratories Patient Assistance Program

Gammassist Program

Gilead Advancing Access

GlaxoSmithKline Bridges to Access

GlaxoSmithKline Commitment to Access

Glenwood Compassionate Drug Program

Gliadel Wafer Patient Assistance

Gordon Labs

Graceway Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

GSK Access

GTX Patient Assistance Program

H

Helping Hands Program for Mead Johnson Nutritionals

Hill Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Humira Patient Assistance Program

Hyalgan Hotline and Patient Assistance Program

I

Imogam and Imovax Patient Assistance Program

Infergen Patient Assistance Program

Innohep Patient Assistance Program

ITB Therapy Patient Assistance Program

IVAX Patient Assistance Program

IVAX Patient Assistance Program for Clozapine

J

JDS Pharmaceuticals Patient Care Program

Johnson & Johnson Hospital Access Patient Assistance Program

Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Program

K

Kadian Patient Assistance Program

Keppra Patient Assistance Program

KingKare Patient Assistance Program

Kos Cares Patient Assistance Program

L

Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program

Lilly Oncology: Gemzar & Alimta

LillyMedicareAnswers Program

Lovenox Reimbursement Services and Patient Assistance Program

Lupron Depot Patient Assistance Program

M

Macugen Access Program

Mallinckrodt Patient Assistance Program

Matulane Patient Assistance Program

Mayne Patient Assistance Program

Medimmune Patinet Assistance Program

Medpointe Pharamaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Megace ES Patient Assistance Program

Menomune Patient Assistance Program

Merck Anti-Infective Hotline

Merck Patient Assistance Program

Merck Prescription Discount Program

Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program

Merck/Schering Plough Patient Assistance Program

MGI Pharma Patient Assistance Program

Millenium Patient Assistance for Velcade

Mission Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Program

MS Lifelines

Mylan Clozapine Patient Assistance Program

O

Ocusoft Assistance Program

Orfadin Patient Assistance Program

Ovation Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Oxandrin Reimbursement and Patient Assistance Program

P

PACT+ Program

ParaGard Patient Assistance Program

Patient Assistance for Amevive

Patient Support Services

Pfizer Connection to Care

Pfizer Pfriends

PhosLo Patient Assistance Program

Prevacid Program

Prezista Patient Assistance Program

Primus Pharmaceuticals

PROCRITline

Procter & Gamble Patient Assistance Program

Proleukin Reimbursement Program

Provigil Assistance Program

Purdue Frederick Patient Assistance Program

R

Rabavert Patient Assistance Program

RapAssist Patient Assistance Program for Rapamune

REACH

Reliant Pharmaceuticals Rx Support Program

Remicade Patient Assistance

Renassist Patient Assistance Program

Retassist Retavase Patient Assistance Program

Revatio Patient Assistance Program

RibaCare Patient Assistance Program

Rilutek Patient Assistance Program

Roche Oncoline Patient Assistance Program

Roche Reimbursement and Patient Assistance Program for HCV, HIV, and Transplants

Romark Laboratories Patient Assistance Program for Alinia

Ross Medical Nutritionals Patient Assistance Program

Ross Metabolic Formula and Elecare Patient Assistance Program

RSVP for Zyvox

RSVP Program & Patient Assistance Program for VFEND

Rx Outreach Medications

S

Safety Net Foundation

Salix Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Sankyo Pharma Open Care Program

Sanofi-Aventis Patient Assistance Program

Schering Hospital Assistance Program

Schwarz Pharma Patient Assistance Program

Sciele Patient Assistance Program

Sculptra Patient Access Program

Serono Compassionate Care Program for Infertility

Shire GI Patient Assistance Program

Solvay Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

SP-Cares

Stiefel Laboratories Patient Assistance Program

StoneBridge Pharma Patient Assistance Program

Suboxone Patient Assistance Program

Sucraid Patient Assistance Program

SUPPORT Program for Crixivan

Synvisc Reimbursement Hotline

T

Takeda Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Tev-Tropin Patient Assistance Program

TEVA Assistance Program

TheraCys Patient Assistance Program

TOBI Patient Assistance Program

Tracleer Access Program

Triax Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program

Trisenox Drug Replacement Program

Upsher-Smith Patient Assistance Program

V

Valeant Assistance Program for DHE 45, Diastat, Migranal & Mysoline.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Patient Assistance Program

Vantas Patient Assistance Program

Venofer Reimbursement Hotline and Patient Assistance Program

Ventavis Patient Assistance Program

Vidaza Patient Assistance Program

ViroPharma Patient Assistance Program

Vistakon Patient Assistance Program

Visudyne Patient Assistance Program

VivusProgram Name List

W

Wellspring Patient Assistance Program

WinRho Patient Assistance Program

Wyeth Oncology Reimbursement Program

Wyeth Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Foundation

Wyeth Removal Certificate

Xigris Treatment Support Program

Xubex Pharmaceutical Services

Xyrem Patient Assistance Program

Z

Zemplar Support Program

Zevalin Results

ZLB Behring Patient Assistance Program

Zonegran Patient Assistance Program

Zydus Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Jaci Rae’s humble beginnings and formal training have taught her the value of relationships and how to make the honeymoon sustain. Now a successful Internet entrepreneur, Rae is an award-winning singer and best-selling author. When she isn’t dishing relationship advice on some of the top ranked relationship / dating sites, Rae conducts seminars and teaches at places like The Learning Annex and Holland Cruise Lines.
Jaci Rae’s No. 1 best-seller is, Winning Points With The Woman in Your Life One Touchdown at a Time (Simon and Schuster). For more information Win in Love, Romance and Dating Check out Jaci Rae Tour to find out more about how you can listen to Jaci live.

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By Glenn Sheiner

There are many different types of cancer therapies. Some are well established and some more experimental. Some have proven to be useful only in certain cancers and not in others.

If you embark on the path of researching cancer treatments, you’ll become very familiar very quickly with the treatments being used for the particular cancer you’re researching.

This article is just a basic introduction of various cancer therapies. Before you ultimately decide on a particular form of therapy you’ll need to investigate it thoroughly.

You’ll need to know the cure rate, the side effects, how long you’ll be incapacitated, etc.

But here is a very basic introduction:

The most well-known cancer therapies are:

1.   Surgery;

2.   Chemotherapy;

3.   Radiation Therapy.

Often the standard treatment for a cancer is a combination of various therapies. For example, the standard treatment might be surgery followed by chemotherapy or surgery followed by radiation therapy:

Surgery is the removal of tissue by physical means such as taking out a cancerous lung or removing a cancerous prostate;

Chemotherapy is a type of drug which kills cells. The principle is to give toxic substances which kill cells and hopefully will kill the fastest growing cells (the cancer cells) at a higher rate than the regular body cells;

Radiation Therapy is the killing of cancerous cells using ionizing radiation. This radiation can either be given internally or, more commonly, externally.

But there are many other types of cancer treatments. For example:

Hormonal therapy in which medication is given to block or enhance the effect of the body’s own hormones;

Anti-angiogenesis therapy in which drugs are given to inhibit the growth of blood vessels which are the lifeline of all cancers;

Biological therapy (also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier therapy). This type of therapy attempts to use the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. A number of different treatments fall into this category including interferons, interleukins, colony stimulating factors, monoclonal antibodies, vaccine therapy, and gene therapy;

Laser therapy in which high-intensity light is used to shrink or destroy tumors. Lasers are most commonly used to treat superficial cancers (cancers on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs);

Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 113°F) to damage and kill cancer cells;

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that uses a drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they produce a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells;

Targeted cancer therapies use drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer. They interfere with specific molecules involved in carcinogenesis (the process by which normal cells become cancer cells) and tumor growth;

Cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy) is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissue.

Hopefully this list will be useful to you when you come across unexpected terms.

Dr. Glenn Sheiner is a medical doctor with diplomas in Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Family Medicine. Dr. Sheiner is the author of the medical multimedia digital product called Cancer Research Online Made Easy.

Dr. Sheiner created this product to help patients research cutting-edge medical information in hours not days. The product contains 5 videos illustrating exactly what to do. To learn more go to  Cancer Research Online Made Easy.
To learn more about prostate cancer statistics go to   Prostate Cancer Statistics.

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