How Long Have You Had Cancer?

[Guest guest]

“How long have I had this cancer, Doctor?” This is a question that patients

frequently ask their oncologist. In many instances, the answer to the question

is not particularly relevant since treatment approaches may not be influenced by

the “age” of the cancer. However, in some instances the age of a cancer, which

implies its natural history, may influence treatment recommendations. Some

understanding of their cancer’s age may help to alleviate patients’ concerns

regarding any delays in treatment (ie, they will be less concerned about a

modest delay if they understand that the tumor has been present for a long

time). "

http://tinyurl.com/4fzysx6

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STEM CELLS:

The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory was first proposed to explain the fact that

only a small proportion of leukemia or solid tumor cells have the capacity to

induce growing tumors in immunodeficient mice. This tumorigenic subpopulation

was found to possess stem cell markers, and to form spheroids in culture. In

1997, Bonnet and Dick isolated a subpopulation of MYELOID LEUKEMIA CELLLS that

express a specific surface marker—CD34—but lack the CD38 marker. These cells

were able to initiate leukemia in non-obese diabetic, severe combined

immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. In 2003, Al-Hajj and his colleagues

demonstrated that only a small subpopulation of CD44+/CD24low cells isolated

from human breast cancer tissue were able to develop a tumor in immunodeficient

mice.

" Normal stem cells travel in the circulation, extravasate, intravasate, invade,

and colonize normal tissue during regeneration and healing. In addition, normal

stem cells induce angiogenesis in healing tissues.[8,18,19] These same

physiologic invasion programs are employed by CSCs. Thus, CSCs are thought to be

enriched during invasion and metastasis. " Read more..........

http://tinyurl.com/4ol3974

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DEMAND FOR CANCER DRUGS WILL INCREASE:

" This year, an estimated 1.6 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in

the United States. By 2030, this number is expected to increase by 45%, to 2.3

million new cases. Notably, older adults and minorities will have the highest

rates of increase; specifically, 70% of all cancers will be diagnosed in people

aged 65 years or older, while 28% of all cancers will be diagnosed in

minorities. As Bunnell and Shulman note, resource utilization is the highest in

the 12 months following an initial diagnosis of cancer. Due to changing

demographic trends, the demands for oncology services will dramatically increase

in the next 20 years, burdening an already fragmented US health care system. In

addition to the projected growth of the U.S. population, improvements in cancer

screening and advances in treatment have resulted in larger numbers of cancer

patients and cancer survivors. Both groups will require ongoing medical care

from a multidisciplinary team of physicians and other healthcare providers. The

overall costs to treat cancer may explode as the cost of treating an individual

cancer patient continues to increase and the number of cancer patients continues

to grow. "

http://tinyurl.com/4tvc96d

fyi,

Lottie Duthu