Preventing Cancer With the Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin Vaccine

By Anna Celestino

Up to this date, only chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain to be the top prescribed treatments for cancer, because their therapeutic effects have been well-documented to be generally effective against preventing cancer cells from spreading further.

One emerging idea about treating cancer is that concerning the keyhole limpet hemocyanin or KLH. For most people, this term may sound foreign, but it is actually a protein found in the giant keyhole limpet, a marine mollusk native to Southern California coasts. KLH is basically a large metal ion-carrying protein that thrives on the fluid in the circulatory system of the keyhole limpet. Its vital feature lies on its oxygen-carrying capacity, much like the ability of the human red blood cell. Essentially, KLH is immunogenic, which means that it is capable of producing an immune response, making it an effective vaccine carrier protein. Its safety for use among humans is established, but it cannot be produced synthetically; the only means to acquire this beneficial substance is for the keyhole limpet to undergo a complex, purified biological process.

What exactly gives KLH the chance to showcase a promising feat for cancer management? The answer lies in the development of cancer vaccines. To date, no absolute cure has been presented that will fully eradicate cancer cells with excellent prognosis. With that said, primary interventions like preventive measures are strongly encouraged by medical professionals. To combat the development of cancer and curb the risks of contracting it, scientific experts are painstakingly working on various vaccine formulations that will protect a person from this deadly condition. In fact, a vaccine is readily available for the prevention of cervical cancer, which has saved millions of high-risk women all around the globe.

Various studies have actually demonstrated the effectiveness of KLH in cancer treatment. In a randomized study by the Department of Urology at General Hospital Celle in Germany, a group of bladder cancer patients who had their tumors removed were immunized with KLH. This group displayed a significantly lesser number of cancer recurrence compared to another group that received a different agent. Another study conducted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York revealed promising results: the administration of KLH was well-tolerated by breast cancer patients, although a more comprehensive study on a larger sample was recommended by the researchers.

Not many studies, however, have been documented to establish that KLH has the same effectiveness during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as vaccines are essentially administered for preventive purposes. However, a study in the University of Minnesota Cancer Center showed that following chemotherapy, the administration of KLH provided significant immune recovery, rendering the immune system stronger to prevent cancer relapse.

How does the KLH vaccine prevent cancer, exactly? Principally, it works by producing a sufficient number of antibodies to strengthen the immune system. This will help the body combat various diseases that occur because of cancer, considering that high-risk people and even those with cancer are already immunocompromised. Moreover, KLH is capable of selectively eliminating cancer cells because of its cytotoxic or "cell-killing" properties. Prototypes of KLH vaccines are already in use, and these are proven effective to prevent the occurrence of bladder, breast and digestive cancers. Moreover, they are guaranteed to be safe and relatively harmless.

Prevention is indeed a wiser path to tread than actual treatment. With chemotherapy or radiation, clinical problems like adverse effects, metastasis and complications have to be prevented as much as possible. With immunization, however, the initial development of cancer is halted even before it sets in to do damage on normal cells. Concerns about unpleasant side effects, life-threatening complications and even costly medications will not be experienced if cancer is prevented. For those who have successfully been treated with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy, a KLH immunization does well to prevent recurrence, so that cancer cells will no longer have a chance to grow and replicate once more. The quality of life, hence, is significantly improved with this beneficial vaccine.

Anna Celestino is a nurse, pet enthusiast and a freelance writer. She specializes in content focusing on health, wellness, beauty, pet care and travel, but she can adjust to any niche. For high-quality and unique content, send her an e-mail at katcelestino@gmail.com.

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Bladder Cancer: Diagnosis Doesn't Mean Death

By Joshua Myers

The American Cancer Society projects that in 2013, nearly 73,000 new bladder cancer diagnoses occur. Most of the cases--nearly 55,000 will occur in men--about 18,000 in women. New diagnoses rates have stabilized in the last few years and have even dropped slightly in women. A bladder cancer diagnosis isn't an automatic death sentence. There are over a half a million bladder cancer survivors in America today.

Surviving Bladder Cancer

A common question most patients ask after a diagnosis relates to survival rates. Like many other cancers, bladder cancer survival rates correlate to the stage of cancer present. While statistics represent a massive amount of patients studied over several years, each person's situation is different and many factors contribute to a person's survival.

The most recent study, according to the American Cancer Society, yields positive survival rates for patients diagnosed with stage zero (98%) or stage one (88%) bladder cancer. As expected, survival rates tend to decline depending on the advanced stage of diagnosed cancer. The rates are:

• Stage two: 63%
• Stage three: 46%
• Stage four: 15%

Keep in mind that these statistics reflect thousands of patients studied over time. Some people who don't get diagnosed until stage four survive and live for years afterward.

Risk Factors

It's unclear what causes bladder cancer, but certain risk factors raise the likelihood of developing cancer. These risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Growing older
• Being Caucasian
• Being male
• Prior cancer treatments
• Certain diabetes medications
• Recurring inflammation in the bladder from infection and other disorders
• Family history

Like many other cancers, a patient may not meet any of these criteria and develop cancer.

Types of Bladder Cancer

Cancer occurs when cells inside the bladder start growing abnormally, meaning they don't divide and grow like other cells. These cells don't die like typical cells and result in a tumor. There are three types of cells in the bladder that may mutate into cancer. The type of cell where the cancer originates dictates the type of cancer a patient has. Some cancer patients' cases consist of multiple cell cancers.

When cancer originates in the cells that line the interior wall of the bladder, the resulting cancer is transitional cell carcinoma. This type of cells stretches and shrinks according to the amount of urine present in the bladder and make up the interior of the urethra and ureters. Transitional cell carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed cancer.

Squamous cells are found in the bladder when an infection or inflammation present. When these cells mutate, squamous cell carcinoma occurs. This type of cancer is rare in the U.S., but much more common in areas of the world where parasitic infection rates are higher.

Another rare form, adenocarcinoma, occurs in the mucous-making cells in the bladder.

Bladder Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of this cancer closely mimic the symptoms present in a bladder infection. This might be part of the reason that diagnosis is delayed because patients see a physician for symptoms and are treated for an infection rather than cancer. Symptoms are:

• Urine that's bright red, looks like dark soda, or very dark yellow
• Urinating often
• Pain when urinating
• Pain in the back or pelvis

Any time a patient experiences symptoms that are concerning, a visit to the doctor is needed, especially if symptoms persist for a long period of time.

Josh Myers, a St. Louis personal injury attorney is a partner at Schultz and Myers law firm, LLC. As a Missouri personal injury lawyer, he has received many awards including Missouri's most winningest trial lawyer awarded by Missouri Lawyers in 2013. His law firm exclusively represents injured individuals to maximize recovery in personal injury cases. Located throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas, his law firm represents clients throughout the entire Midwest. Contact his office toll-free at 888-956-2487.

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Bladder Cancer And It's Causes

By Michael Russell

Bladder cancer is not the most common form of cancer, although it can be as deadly as other cancers. Bladder cancer is not a hormone-linked cancer such as breast, ovarian, prostate, or colon cancers. In addition, there is no evidence to support the idea that bladder cancer is inherited; it simply does not run in families. So what seems to be the root cause of bladder cancer? Bladder cancer would appear to be, from the available evidence, a cancer caused by carcinogenic compounds absorbed from outside the body. Bladder cancer is a cancer caused by environmental pollutants, whether they are lifestyle related, such as smoking, or chemicals in the workplace like benzidine.

Smoking is one of the most obvious risk factors that can contribute to bladder cancer. What's worse, by the time bladder cancer starts to appear, the patient has likely been smoking for what may amount to decades. The ongoing deposit of carcinogens in the lungs and through the lungs into the blood stream has been considerable.

Bladder cancer rates tend to be higher among men than women, in addition, the rates are higher among men in the age of 50 years old and up. Smoking men in the over 50-age group have the highest rates of bladder cancer. Also working in an environment where certain carcinogenic chemicals are used seems to contribute as a risk factor.

The most common symptoms of bladder cancer are blood in the urine, very frequent urination, or a pressure to urinate, only to find that you can't urinate. Any of these symptoms could have other causes, but certainly are worthy of a visit to a doctor. Bladder cancer is one cancer where early detection can result in a much less severe treatment option.

Basically there are two types of bladder cancer, a very superficial cancer on the lining of the bladder and a deeper cancer that has penetrated well into the tissues of the bladder. The more superficial cancer on the surface of the bladder lining can develop into the deeper cancer if left untreated. This is why it is important to respond to symptoms such as painful urination or blood in the urine and seek treatment.

The approach to dealing with these forms of bladder cancer can vary from burning off or cauterizing a superficial cancer; to removing part, or all, of the bladder in the case of a deeply rooted cancer. In addition, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have proven useful in dealing with bladder cancer. In the case of chemotherapy, a number of drugs are used. With radiation therapy, a radioactive dispenser can be installed in the bladder to give appropriate dosages of radiation to counter the cancer.

Obviously if the patient wants to avoid a reoccurence of the cancer, lifestyle changes may be in order. If the patient is a smoker, then trying to find a strategy to quit smoking would helpful. If the cancer seems to be provoked by a chemical in the workplace, then avoiding this chemical may be a good idea. Unfortunately, up to 30 percent of bladder cancers occur without any obvious environmental causes. Some people have suggested that chlorine in the water supply may be the culprit. A water filtration system, some of which can be reasonable in cost, would serve well here.

Whether your interest in bladder cancer is based on a desire to identify and understand a cancer risk, or if you are interested because of more personal reasons, there are a few basic concepts to keep in mind. As with any cancer, early detection is essential in terms of chances of survival. In addition, try to identify and minimize risk factors. With this approach, the odds of success are in your favor.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Bladder Cancer [http://bladder-cancer-guided.com/]

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Innovative Robotics in Surgery - Forget the Invasive and Unrefined Methods

By Pete Jameson

Technological advancement has answers to several questions. Inception of robotics in surgery has blessed millions of patients with accurate surgical procedures along with faster relief. The Da Vinci robotic surgical system is now popular due to the highest effectiveness in its class. Expert doctors handle the robot arms through a console and perform the laparoscopic surgery. The distinct features offered by this system are

• Lesser blood loss
• Minimally invasive method
• Faster recovery
• Accurate surgical processing with precise monitoring methods
• Lesser pain and scarring
• Faster resumption of daily routine

These advantages prove to be beneficial for patients and even for the treating hospitals. They have complete control of the entire operation. The state of the art system transfers the movement of Surgeon's hands and fingers into the robot arm in real time. The 3D projection of the inside of the patient's body is visible in the console window, and Surgeons can decide over the surgical process. This is good news for patients who fret about surgical incisions. Da Vinci robotic surgery is now preferred by thousands of patients over to the regular surgical process.

Bleeding in Urine is alarming - Wake up before it's too late!

Some diseases are silent till they sore to be the worst nightmare. Bladder cancer is such a disease, where acute symptoms are visible only during the advancement of cancer. Unfortunately, at this stage the cancer is not curable, at the most with proper care and treatment it can be controlled from growing into further complications. Some signs you need to watch:

• Hematuria - In this case, blood is found in urine. In earlier stages of bladder cancer, the blood occurrence can be identified only by laboratory tests. However, in advanced stages, red colored urine with blood clots is observed.
• Burning sensation- This is one of the prominent symptoms of bladder cancer. However, this symptom is also found in urinary tract infections.
• Painful urination - When patients complain about painful urination, there are high chances of positive bladder cancer. However, pathological tests can diagnose the exact cause of painful urination.
• Change in pattern - The normal urination pattern is disturbed and people complain of sudden urge for urination without much urination.

All these symptoms together are indicative that the person may be a candidate of bladder cancer. However, it is not compulsory that the occurrence of these symptoms is confirmation of cancer. Consultation from expert doctors and pathological reports offer the exact diagnosis of bladder cancer.

The Urology Care in Kansas City carefully implements robotics in surgery for effective treatments. Find out more.

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