In this article, it explains how a specific group of Ecuadorians with a rare case of dwarfism called Laron Syndrome is linked to the prevention of diabetes and cancer. Laron Syndrome is found when a mutation occurs in the gene that is responsible for growth hormone receptor which creates insulin-like growth factor 1, which ultimately makes the cell grow and divide. Surprisingly enough, scientists have found that high levels of IGF1 have been found in many types of cancer, and low levels seem to caused longevity in various organisms. Also, thanks to other findings about longevity and aging in mice, scientists believe they might be able to create an anti-aging drug that would stop DNA mutation. Because the Ecuadorians had Laron Syndrome, the studies have shown that the mutations causing the disease also inhibits the development of cancer and diabetes.
I honestly think that this new discovery is remarkable because, since it was found naturally in these humans and in mice and other organisms, there might be a way for scientists and doctors to manipulate this mutation and help impede the production of cancer and diabetes in humans even when they are at high risks. I really do believe that there is hope if such an advancement can be engendered. The only question is, will all humans have to somehow develop a specific kind of dwarfism to prevent us from cancers and diabetes? Also, what would happen to the individuals that were prescribed to this prevention medication (if it were to be created)? Would they be subjected to some other kind of health risks or deadly diseases? I think of how fragile the cell cycle is, and wonder what would happen to a full grown human that is not diagnosed with Laron, or is diagnosed with acromegaly (the opposite Laron which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancer and diabetes [giantism]), if they were to intentionally mutate cells. Hopefully, in due time, there will an even newer discovery which will answer all of these questions...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Kidney Cancer & Us
Last year, more than 1.3 million new cancers were diagnosed in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 of these individuals were diagnosed with kidney cancer. However, not all hope is lost. More than 200,000 kidney cancer survivors are living in the United States right now. Recent advances in diagnosis, surgical procedures, and treatment options will allow even more patients to live with the disease, continuing to maintain their normal schedules and lifestyles.
Even though kidney cancer can be a fatal disease, there are signs that can suggest early forms of the cancer to help stop it from growing. Some of these symptoms can include, pain in the side that does not cease, lumps in the abdomen, weight loss, fever, and fatigue. However, the most extreme and known symptom for kidney cancer is blood in the urine. These symptoms can all be indicators of a form of kidney cancer; however, these symptoms may not always lead to the same conclusion. In fact, most often they are caused by other infections or a cyst. Also, there are many different suggestions to what the cause of kidney cancer is, but no one is totally sure.
The cause of kidney cancer is not known, but there are risk factors that have been identified. One major risk factor for kidney cancer is Von Hipple-Lidnau syndrome. VHL is a rare disease that runs in some families, and it is caused by changes in the VHL gene. An abnormal VHL gene increases the risk of kidney cancer and it also can cause cysts or tumors in the eyes, brain, and other parts of the body. Another risk factor can include long term dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys do not function normally and helps removes wastes from the blood. Being on dialysis for many years is a risk factor for kidney cancer. Another factor depends on gender. Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with kidney cancer and it is recorded that it most often occurs in men in the ages of 50-70. Each year in the United States, about 20,000 men and 12,000 women learn they have kidney cancer. Other factors can include smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. There are different forms and stages of kidney cancer, but first let’s examine how cancer works on a molecular level.
There are many things that can go wrong during the cell cycle and cause the cell to mutate. For example, UV radiation can damage DNA, or maybe a pair of sister chromatids failed to attach to the mitotic spindle properly. However, when something goes wrong during the cell cycle, checkpoints are typically there to stop the cycle and make sure the repair is made so that the replication can continue. In summary, these checkpoint-control systems help ensure the survival of eukaryotes by protecting the organisms from the uncontrolled growth of damaged cells. Also, genes that are involved in helping check over the cell cycle are called proto-oncogenes, and tumor-suppressors. Yet, both of these genes can deform and become dysfunctional and when these checkpoints during cell division are damaged, it can cause a mutated to cell to repeatedly divide into a mass called a tumor. Soon after, this tumor can become malignant, and metastasize, or spread, into the bloodstream or other vital organs. With that said, scientists and doctors have discovered different stages of kidney cancer and one form in particular.
One form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. A carcinoma is a medical term that refers to an invasive malignant tumor consisting of transformed epithelial cells. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer in which the cancerous cells are found in the lining of very small tubules in the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Not only is there this form, but other stages, which doctors are currently trying to get a handle of to stop it. The first stage starts out as a tumor 7 centimeters or smaller that is only in the kidney. The second stage is when the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters and only in the kidney. For the next two stages, there are various results that follow the first two stages. However, the most common is during the third stage, a tumor has spread to an adrenal gland, the gland that sits right above the kidney, or in a layer of fatty tissue around the kidney. Next, during the fourth stage, the tumor may have metastasized to other organs which can include the bowel, the pancreas, or the lungs. Luckily, with this new found information, doctors have been able to develop treatments that will help slow the spreading of these malignant tumors.
Recent treatments for kidney cancer are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. It is a type of local therapy, and it treats cancer in the kidney and the area close to the tumor. An operation to remove the kidney is called a nephrectomy. Chemotherapy is also a type of systemic therapy. Anticancer drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. The goal of this treatment is deter the cancer and stop the spreading of the tumor. Finally, another form of treatment is radiation therapy. This is another type of local therapy. It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, it affects cancer cells only in the treated area which can be less productive as some other therapies.
The treatment process, if one is diagnosed with kidney cancer, is crucial. Follow-up care after treatment for kidney cancer is extremely important. Even when the cancer seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because cancer cells can remain in the body after treatment. Many people in the United States have fought this cancer and survived, and many of them still live amongst us today. However, this does not mean it should be taken lightly, and one should take as many precautions as possible to help prevent it.
Even though kidney cancer can be a fatal disease, there are signs that can suggest early forms of the cancer to help stop it from growing. Some of these symptoms can include, pain in the side that does not cease, lumps in the abdomen, weight loss, fever, and fatigue. However, the most extreme and known symptom for kidney cancer is blood in the urine. These symptoms can all be indicators of a form of kidney cancer; however, these symptoms may not always lead to the same conclusion. In fact, most often they are caused by other infections or a cyst. Also, there are many different suggestions to what the cause of kidney cancer is, but no one is totally sure.
The cause of kidney cancer is not known, but there are risk factors that have been identified. One major risk factor for kidney cancer is Von Hipple-Lidnau syndrome. VHL is a rare disease that runs in some families, and it is caused by changes in the VHL gene. An abnormal VHL gene increases the risk of kidney cancer and it also can cause cysts or tumors in the eyes, brain, and other parts of the body. Another risk factor can include long term dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys do not function normally and helps removes wastes from the blood. Being on dialysis for many years is a risk factor for kidney cancer. Another factor depends on gender. Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with kidney cancer and it is recorded that it most often occurs in men in the ages of 50-70. Each year in the United States, about 20,000 men and 12,000 women learn they have kidney cancer. Other factors can include smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. There are different forms and stages of kidney cancer, but first let’s examine how cancer works on a molecular level.
There are many things that can go wrong during the cell cycle and cause the cell to mutate. For example, UV radiation can damage DNA, or maybe a pair of sister chromatids failed to attach to the mitotic spindle properly. However, when something goes wrong during the cell cycle, checkpoints are typically there to stop the cycle and make sure the repair is made so that the replication can continue. In summary, these checkpoint-control systems help ensure the survival of eukaryotes by protecting the organisms from the uncontrolled growth of damaged cells. Also, genes that are involved in helping check over the cell cycle are called proto-oncogenes, and tumor-suppressors. Yet, both of these genes can deform and become dysfunctional and when these checkpoints during cell division are damaged, it can cause a mutated to cell to repeatedly divide into a mass called a tumor. Soon after, this tumor can become malignant, and metastasize, or spread, into the bloodstream or other vital organs. With that said, scientists and doctors have discovered different stages of kidney cancer and one form in particular.
One form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. A carcinoma is a medical term that refers to an invasive malignant tumor consisting of transformed epithelial cells. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer in which the cancerous cells are found in the lining of very small tubules in the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Not only is there this form, but other stages, which doctors are currently trying to get a handle of to stop it. The first stage starts out as a tumor 7 centimeters or smaller that is only in the kidney. The second stage is when the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters and only in the kidney. For the next two stages, there are various results that follow the first two stages. However, the most common is during the third stage, a tumor has spread to an adrenal gland, the gland that sits right above the kidney, or in a layer of fatty tissue around the kidney. Next, during the fourth stage, the tumor may have metastasized to other organs which can include the bowel, the pancreas, or the lungs. Luckily, with this new found information, doctors have been able to develop treatments that will help slow the spreading of these malignant tumors.
Recent treatments for kidney cancer are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. It is a type of local therapy, and it treats cancer in the kidney and the area close to the tumor. An operation to remove the kidney is called a nephrectomy. Chemotherapy is also a type of systemic therapy. Anticancer drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. The goal of this treatment is deter the cancer and stop the spreading of the tumor. Finally, another form of treatment is radiation therapy. This is another type of local therapy. It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, it affects cancer cells only in the treated area which can be less productive as some other therapies.
The treatment process, if one is diagnosed with kidney cancer, is crucial. Follow-up care after treatment for kidney cancer is extremely important. Even when the cancer seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because cancer cells can remain in the body after treatment. Many people in the United States have fought this cancer and survived, and many of them still live amongst us today. However, this does not mean it should be taken lightly, and one should take as many precautions as possible to help prevent it.
Kidney cancer project
View more presentations from Cuyler Brodnax.
Sources
http://www.medicinenet.com/
Sources
http://www.medicinenet.com/
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