All posts by Turacoz Group

#LiverCancerAwarenessMonth

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Liver cancer: Treatment

Liver cancer treatment is generally based on the stage of disease and the patient response to treatment. Treatment is individualized as each patient respond differently. Based on the disease stage, the size, number, tumor location, other co-morbidities, overall health and well-being, the treatment is decided. Based on the complexity of the tumor a team of specialists are associated in the treatment. The team involves surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, gastroenterologists, radiation therapists, and pathologists.

Liver cancer is generally identified in patients who come to the hospitals with damaged livers. Also as the liver cancer stage increases the side effects also may become worse. Therefore, in order to be safe, best options to treat liver cancer should be chosen.

Treatment options

  • The best treatment option is to remove the liver surgically but only <10% of the patients are suitable for surgery. The reasons can be due to cirrhosis (due to bleeding, infection or liver failure), more tumors that are widespread to remove all. Even after successful surgery, there are some tiny deposits of tumors which are not even visible for the scans or surgery. The survival rate of patients having the surgery is >5 years.
  • Other option when there is no evidence of the spread of liver cancer includes liver transplantation. This method involves transplantation of a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor. Recent advances in transplantation techniques and immune medications have made transplantation the first choice for patients with cirrhosis and small tumors. The survival rate is >70% with >5 years.
  • Other possible options include injecting the liver with a toxic material such as pure alcohol or chemotherapy in order to destroy it, cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation etc. These techniques are used in patients with only one or two small tumors, in general.
  • Chemoembolization which involves chemotherapy drugs which can be given directly into the blood vessel that feeds the liver and the tumors. This technique requires a hospital admission, and can cause pain, fever, nausea, and liver damage.
  • Radioembolization or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) which is almost similar to chemoembolization in which microscopic radioactive particles are used instead of chemotherapy injected into the blood vessels. This is as effective as chemoembolization for small and multiple tumors.
  • Radiation therapy which uses high-dose energy like X-rays aimed at a small part of the body and can frequently destroy cancer cells. In some cases other techniques like conformal or stereotactic radiation may be useful.

Liver cancer: outcomes

The best treatment options of all discussed above includes surgery and transplantation. Physicians with the help of several tests and scans determines the turmors. Although local treatments such as radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and chemoembolization can kill tumors that are visible, “new” tumors may develop which are invisible to the scan or tests. Also, the cirrhosis and conditions that gave rise to the initial cancers will still be there even after successful treatment, so more cancers might actually develop later.

Liver cancer: Prevention

For treating cancers, it not only depends on the type of treatment but also on financial strength. With the growing costs of the machines and drugs one should be able to overcome these. These kind of situations not effect at personal level of the patient.

Hepatoma can be a preventable disease. Hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and obesity can be avoided through

  • Social
  • Medical
  • Lifestyle changes

Also with this transition, there are some chances of improvement observed in the survival rates of liver cancer and hence there is a cause for optimisim.

Liver cancer: Prognosis

The outcome of hepatoma is extremely variable and depends as much upon the state of the liver and the person’s health as on any characteristic of the cancer itself. Therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, cryoablation, radiosurgery, radioembolization, and systemic therapy are frequently performed sequentially over a patient’s lifetime, depending upon the changes as the disease progresses. Average survival for patients who are able to be treated with these methods is between one and two years.

Multiple techniques can be used in the extension of a patient’s life, while keeping them well and happy. Many drugs have been introduced for the treatment recognizing the molecular defects causing the cancer and few others are still under research. The evolution and improvement in radiologic and interventional technology has helped millions of people in prolongation of their lives. Also the survival rates was almost doubled since early 1990s. Increased and improved medical, scientific, and pharmaceutical areas helped to gain more attention for this disease and still make a better future.

Health tips:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Regular exercise
  • Avoid fad diets (weight loss plans)
  • Limit in the intake of fat
  • Moderate alcohol consumption
  • Regular liver check-ups
  • Quit smoking
  • Be aware of drug risks
  • Vaccinations for hepatitis B

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#WorldOsteoporosisDay

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Since 1997, October 20, is observed as the “World Osteoporosis Day” for raising global awareness on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.Every year, International osteoporotic foundation (IOF) launches a year-long campaign dedicated to awareness about osteoporosis that features a specific theme. The 2015 campaign theme is Serve Up Bone Strength, to support the cause, IOF suggest to wear white on October 20 and embrace better bone health. Even though, this year, the World Osteoporosis Day campaign focuses on nutrition of bones, it should be noted that different factors contribute to good bone health and osteoporosis prevention. These include healthy lifestyle, sufficient exercise and osteoporosis treatment for those at high risk. Hence these factors should not be neglected while setting up healthy bones goals.

Bones are living tissues that provide supportive structure to our body, and prevent delicate internal organs from getting damaged by external forces. For optimal functioning of the designated role, bones require nourishment throughout the life. Faulty dietary practices, inadequate nourishment, and sedentary lifestyle in early years of life increases the chances of having weakened bones or osteoporosis in old age.

Osteoporosis is a preventable disease, adequate nutrition and physical activity are the key for building strong bones throughout life and avoiding osteoporotic fractures. The size and the amount of bone contained in a skeleton changes significantly throughout life. Similarly, as the person ages, the specific nutritional needs of his/her skeleton change too. Hence, the rapidly evolving nutritional requirements of the bones should be aptly matched with the diet of the individual. The prime objective of following a bone healthy diet is to help; children and adolescents build maximum peak bone mass, adults maintain healthy bones and avoid premature bone loss, and elderly sustain mobility and independence.

Fundamentals for building healthy bones starts early, from when a baby develops in the womb and during childhood and adolescence, a time when half of a person’s bone mass is accumulated. Therefore, osteoporosis has been termed as ‘a paediatric disease with geriatric consequences’: the consequences of not maximizing the skeleton’s genetic potential in youth become apparent at older age, that clinically manifest as brittle bones and high risk of fractures.

Calcium, Vitamin-D, and proteins are the key nutrients that build up strong bones. Calcium is the building block for bones, 99% of total body calcium is found in bones. Neglecting calcium from diet can lead to negative health outcomes. Dairy foods (milk, yoghurt, cheeses) are the most readily available sources of calcium in the diet, they also contain other important nutrients for growth. Additional food sources include certain green vegetables, whole canned fish with soft, edible bones such as sardines or pilchards, nuts and tofu set with calcium. Vitamin-D is another important nutritional factor required for healthy bones. It regulates calcium absorption from food in the intestine and mineralization of bone. Though sunlight is the most abundant source of Vitamin-D, yet it can also be obtained from vitamin –D fortified food like margarine, breakfast cereals. Protein is indirectly related to bone health. Low protein intake is harmful for the building of peak bone mass during childhood and adolescence. Protein deficiency in elderly is detrimental for the preservation of bone mass.  Other micronutrients that are significantly important in building healthy bones include; magnesium, zinc, and vitamin –K.

Turacoz healthcare Solution urges all of you to spread the awareness about the importance of bone strength and the role of nutrition to build bone strength. We look forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. Our team comprises of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

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Protect yourself from Breast Cancer

  • Over last ten years or so, breast cancer is the most common cancer in most cities in India, and 2nd most common in the rural areas.
  • Although women are highly prone to breast cancer, men may rarely get it.

Know the risk factors

  • Age: More incidences in India occur in women over the age of 40-50. However, breast cancers in young pre-menopausal women tend to be more aggressive.
  • Family history: Women with close relatives or first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer or an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2
  • Race and ethnicity: White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women, but African-American women are more likely to die of this cancer.
  • Dense breasts due to age, menopausal status, certain medications (including menopausal hormone therapy), pregnancy, and genetics.
  • Exposure to the hormone estrogen:
    • Longer Menstrual periods, i.e., early menarche or late menopause
    • Combined hormone therapy given to women after menopause
    • Parabens and phthalates in cosmetics, hair spray and many other cleaning product fragrances.
  • Previous exposure to radiation for treatment of some malignancy (e.g., lymphoma).
  • Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure
  • Environmental pollutants such as organochlorine pesticides.
  • Occupational exposures: Women employed in commercial sterilization facilities (exposure to high levels of ethylene oxide) and the night shift workers (disturbed sleep/wake cycles).
  • Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, DMPA (injectable progesterone for birth-control).
  • Benign breast conditions: Women diagnosed with certain benign breast conditions might have an increased risk of breast cancer.
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ: Also known as lobular neoplasia, it is an abnormal cellular outgrowth which may become cancerous (invasive) if left untreated for long.
  • Other factors include alcohol-consumption, obesity and lower rates of breast-feeding.

Stay healthy, get screened

A screening plan is planned by the doctor depending upon the unique situation of the patient, if one has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

  • A monthly breast self-exam: Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.
  • A yearly medical breast exam by a doctor at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
  • Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
  • One might have one screening test, such as a mammogram, and then have a different test — an MRI — 6 months later.

In addition to the recommended screening guidelines for women at average risk, a screening plan for a woman with a history of breast cancer may include the above screening tests.

  • For women aged 20-30 years, breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for those starting in their 20s. A breast self-exam is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts or underarm (armpit)
  • For women aged 40–49 years, mammography may save lives, but the benefit for younger women may be less than for older women.
  • For women aged 50–69 years, all women in this age group should have mammograms on a regular basis
  • For women above the age of 70 years, screening mammography is probably beneficial for women aged over 70 years who are in good health and have a life expectancy of about 10 years.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#LiverCancerAwarenessMonth

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What is liver cancer or hepatic cancer?

Liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It is essential for the digestion of food. Cancers that start in the liver are known as primary liver cancers and if the cancer spreads from one part to the other part such as liver then it is called secondary liver cancers.

Epidemiology

According to the WHO, there are 745000 liver cancer deaths globally in 2012.

Liver cancer is the tenth most common cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death among men, and the ninth most common cause of cancer death among women.

The incidence of liver cancer varies widely throughout the world, with high rates in sub – Saharan Africa, eastern and southeastern Asia, and Melanesia and a low incidence in Northern and Western Europe and the Americas.

Causes

  • Infection with hepatitis viruses
  • Smoking
  • Low immunity
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Family history
  • Diabetes
  • Radiation from X-rays and CT-scans
  • Body weight
  • Chemicals

Risk factors

  • Viral hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis
  • Obesity, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and diabetes
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Environmental factors

Having more than one risk factor increases the risk of developing liver cancer more. For example, a person who carries both hepatitis B and C has a higher risk than a person carrying one type of the virus.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Pain, especially at the top right of the abdominal area, or near the right shoulder blade or in the back
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • A hard lump under the ribs on the right side of the body, which could be the tumor or a sign that the liver has increased in size
  • Weakness or fatigue

How is liver cancer diagnosed?

  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound
  • Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Angiogram
  • Laparoscopy
  • Biopsy

Based on the test results, staging is done by doctors.

Types of liver cancer

There are a number of types of adult primary liver cancer. They are named for the type of cell from which the cancer develops.

Type of Liver Cancer Description How Common
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HCC can have different growth patterns. Some spread tentacle-like growths through the liver. Some start as a single tumor that spreads to other parts of the liver as the disease develops. Others develop as nodules at several different places in the liver. Occasionally, a pattern isn’t clear. Approximately 80% of adult primary liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinomas.
Cholangiocarcinoma, (or bile duct cancer) Develops from the cells in the bile duct of the liver. The bile duct is a thin tube that extends from the liver to the small intestine. The bile duct starts inside the liver as several smaller tubes that join together. About 10% to 20% of adult primary liver cancers are cholangiocarcinomas.
Angiosarcoma Starts in the blood vessels of the liver and grows very quickly. About 1% of adult primary liver cancers are angiosarcomas.

 

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#WorldHeartDay

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“A heart for life”

World Heart Day (sponsored by World Heart Federation) was founded in 2000, a biggest intervention against cardiovascular disease (CVD) which takes place on 29 September every year. Around the globe, heart disease and stroke constitutes 17.3 million deaths every year.

The main focus of this is on creating healthy heart environments. By ensuring that everyone has the chance to make healthy heart choices wherever they live, work and play. World Heart Day encourages everyone to reduce our cardiovascular risk, and promotes a heart-healthy planet for those around us.

Each year there is a different theme for World heart day which essentially concentrates on the key issues and topics relating to heart health. This year’s theme is to ‘create heart-healthy environments’.

World Heart Day spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from CVD can be avoided by four main risk factors- tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol – are controlled. The magnitude of the benefits that can be achieved by reducing these risks makes intervention cost-effective. Hence there is a need to designate a special day for activities to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Creating a heart healthy environment,

  • Promoting physical activity, such as trails for walking, running, bicycling and places for playing outdoor games.
  • Schools and child care facilities that provide quality physical education and have nutritious meals available.
  • Workplaces and community spaces that are smoke-free and have healthy food options.

World Heart Day is observed in many different ways across the world. Many innovative ways have been devised by several foundations and professional societies for marking this event. There has been an association between national societies and foundations in many countries. These include runs, sports events, theatre, street events, dancing, and cycling in public spaces, schools, and hospitals. The success of this depends on the proactivity of organizations from around the world to help us spread awareness of CVD.

World Heart Day has enjoyed huge success in building partnerships by obtaining support from the private sector, charities, societies and foundations for this common cause. The next step is to engage the public sector and foster collaboration with the Ministries of Health. An active participation of WHO has already been done in the World Heart Day campaign.

This World Heart Day is an ideal opportunity to scale up efforts at the country level within a globally led initiative. A whole day dedicated to CVD prevention is an effective way of engaging the media, the public, policy-makers, and health professionals in information dissemination, awareness creation, and advocacy.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing.