Know More About Rare Cancers
As the name suggests, the rare cancers are something that have been witnessed and dealt by highly less number of people. The causes of their development remain unknown and the possible impacts may not be determined. Not much information is available about them and less research has been conducted. The signs and symptoms may not be visible or felt initially due to lack of knowledge and information both on the parts of the doctor and the patient. Also, the new treatments keep on developing that help to understand and overcome the difficulties.
Causes
Usually, the cancer cells form in the body when the healthy and normal cells undergo rapid multiplication and crowd the other cells as well leading to crushing them or destroying them. The DNA of the normal cells undergoes mutation and leads to the multiplication of cells unnecessarily.
These cancer cells form a mass called tumors that may stick to just one place or can also spread to other parts of the body. These then harm the other major body organs like lungs, liver, or heart. The cancer cells lead to lowering of the power of immunity system of the body. It could also pose threats to development of certain other types of cancer or infection in the body as well.
Sometimes, exposure to certain types of chemicals or particles in the environment can also lead to the development of cancer in the body. Elements like asbestos can also lead to formation of tumors jn the body. Several clinical trials are run to look after the condition of the patients.
Acinic cell carcinoma, craniopharyngioma, embryonal carcinoma, epitheliod carcinoma, fibrolamellar carcinoma, heparocellular carcinoma, liposarcoma are some of the cancers that are a rare occurrence in the human body. There are several more that fall under this category and do not have much information on them.
Signs and Symptoms
The cancers of rare type can often exhibit some of the common symptoms as well.
- Formation of a lump or mass in the affected area
- Night sweats
- Unexplained fevers
- Unwanted weight loss
- Abnormal bumps on the body
- Changes in the skin
- Fatigue
- Troubled breathing
- Changes in the bladder habits
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
The primary approach for diagnosis remains to be physical examination of the patient. The specialist asks about the symptoms and checks for swollen areas in the body. A family history and medical history is also taken to identify and relate the cause of development of the disease if any.
Imaging techniques
The imaging techniques like CT scans, PET, and XRay are performed to look for the possible signs of the Hodgkin lymphoma. The imaging tests provide with the detailed pictures of the body organs and help the specialists to look for the functioning of the body parts.
Blood Samples
The blood samples can be taken by the specialists to check for the levels of certain elements, chemicals, or the tumor markers. Any kind of increase or decrease in the potential elements is analyzed and the presence of cancer cells is detected.
Biopsy
A biopsy involves the collection of a sample from the suspected area. A needle is usually inserted into the affected body part and the sample is collected. It is then used for testing and analysis in the laboratory under the microscope. It helps in identifying the presence of the tumor cells if any.
Side effects of the treatments
- Chemotherapy can lead to issues like nausea, vomiting, and loss of hairs as well. It can cause decrease red blood cell count too. In the case of long term complications, thus treatment may lead to health problems like lung damage, heart disease, occurrence of other types of cancer, or fertility problems.
- Radiation therapy can cause problems like soreness, dry mouth, shortness of breath, and throid problems too. Apart from this, the condition of underactive throidism can also develop, known as hypothyroidism. In case, the radiations that are directed towards chest can cause heart and lung problems as well.
- Targeted drug therapy can lead to issues like mouth sores, changes in nails, increased blood pressure, problems in wound healing and blood clotting, skin problems like dry skin, rashes, and fatigue.
- Immunotherapy may also lead to issues like chills, fever, dizziness, weakness, headache, fatigue, pain in joints or muscles, bleeding, swelling of affected area, and several others.
- Surgery can lead to issues like vomiting and nausea along with pain and swelling around the affected area. There could be soreness, sleeplessness, and restlessness. There could be issues related to flatulence and constipation.
Treatments
Some of the common treatments used in the treatment of cancer are:
Radiation therapy
The Radiation therapy is used to target the cancer cells using high beams of rays or protons. The affected lymph nodes are targeted by the radiations and the tumors formed there are killed. During this procedure, the patient lies down on the table and a large machine mobes around which is the source of radiations. This treatment is also used in combination with the chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a method of treatment that uses certain drugs to kill the cancer cells. These drugs or medications can be taken through the vein in the arm or through a pill as well. This treatment is either combined with the other treatments like surgery or can also be administered individually. It can also be combined with targeted drug therapy as well.
Targeted Drug Therapy
In the case of targeted drug therapy, the treatment focuses on the weakness or abnormalities of the cancer cells. The drugs used block such weaknesses of the cancer cells and kills them. This treatment is combined with chemotherapy to treat the various types of cancer.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy focuses on the immune system of the body to help the immune cells to fight the cancer cells. The tumor cells produce certain proteins that let them hide them from the immune cells. Immunotherapy interferes with this process of hiding from the normal cells. It can be considered as a suitable option if the body doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Surgeries
The surgeries are generally performed to remove the tumors from the affected area. It involves using certain fine medical equipment to reach out to the tumor and remove it. Certain other therapies like radiation therapy or chemotherapy can also be performed by the doctors.
Why opt for Ayurveda?
Ayurveda helps in dealing with the tumors and aims to curb the root cause of it. The herb like Ashawagandha offers multiple benefits to the body as it contains an essential element called curcumin that helps in limiting the growth of the tumor cells in the body. The herbal extracts of herbs like lichens, Angelica, and Juniperus are known to be effective against the brain tumor cell progression. The changes in diets are made and the individual is made to follow a Sattvic Ahaar diet that helps in curing the imbalances of doshas in the body.
The Ayurvedic treatments focus on restoring the body’s natural cycle and boosting the immunity. Other herbs like Guggul have also proved to be effective in such conditions and help to reduce the discomfort and pain. The Panchakarma therapies and the Ayurvedic herbs play an essential role in the treatment of various bodily disorders.
The medicines could be taken in the form of pills, powders, or both. Tulsi is also effective in reducing the pain and discomfort as it has immunodulatory properties. These help to remove toxins from the body and purify it completely. Also, the natural ingredients help in enhancing the life expectancy of the people. The purest of herbs and their combinations are prepared under the supervision and guidance of the Ayurvedic experts.