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Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

When my mother underwent chemotherapy, we spent a lot of time visiting the phlebotomy lab for blood testing. I was always impressed by how easily the phlebotomist was able to find and puncture a vein to draw blood on the first try. I knew there had to be a method to it, and was astounded by how effortless and painless they made the process. It led me to research a lot about blood tests, from drawing to the actual screening. I've created this site to share what I've learned in the hopes of teaching others. The more you understand, the more control you can have over your own health care.

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Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

Neurosurgeons And Oncologists Introduce Personalized Targeted Cancer Treatments

by Francisco Arnold

One of the most devastating news you as a cancer patient can ever receive is the day when your surgeon or your oncologist is forced to tell you that chemotherapy cannot do anything further as a treatment option for your brain tumor. This statement fired up neurosurgeon professionals. Along with oncologists, they sought to find out why chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer treatments were not working for their cancer patients.

A New Technology

What emerged from their seeking answers to this troubling situation is that a new technology for treating patients has emerged. It's called personalized and targeted cancer treatment. Cancer specialists discovered factors that were preventing successful treatment of cancer patients.

No Two Identical Cancer Cells

Neurosurgeons and others found out a long time ago that there are no two identical cancer cells. Cancer is not an equal disease. Each patient's body is different, and your treatment must be personalized so that targeted cancer cells in your body can be treated for better outcomes that improve your quality of life condition. One of the personalized targeted cancer treatments is your very own immune system.

What Your Immunity System Does

Your body's natural immune system has the capacity to hunt down and destroy cancer cells and does so vigorously. When operating normally, your immune system goes about destroying the tainted cells before they can even start growing. Cancer occurs, however, when your immune system is not working properly. Abnormal factors contributing to this breach in your immune system arise with the presence of infections, environmental factors and even your genetic tendencies.

Suppression Of Your Immune System

Cancer professionals discerned that the rejection of radiation or chemotherapy was caused by a single shot of chemo or radiation, which then suppresses your immune system. That suppression causes you to be more predisposed to infection and a possible return of cancer in the future. Now there are several immunotherapy options available that positively recharges your immune system while naturally fighting off cancer cells.

Use Of Multi-Drug Resistance Treatment

Multi-Drug resistance is also being used to treat your cancer, but that can cause your cancer to surge in growth. You may see initial shrinking of your tumor, but the tumor can stop shrinking at any time, and other drug treatments may not work at all.

Promoting Uncontrolled Spread Of Cancer

What's even more disturbing is that researchers have pinpointed that some cancer cells cunningly rely on genes that turn off cell growth, which then promotes uncontrolled spread of the disease. Other genes have the power to promote cancer stem cell activity, which therefore encourages metastasis to take place as well. So there are all kinds of situations wherein genes work to promote cancer, and researchers must find ways to stop them from aiding cancer growth.

Speak with a group like Neurosurgical Associates of San Antonio for more information.

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