Pregnancy is a transformative and joyous experience for many women, but it can also present unique challenges when managing a chronic condition like Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). CLL is a type of blood cancer characterized by the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes. While CLL is more commonly diagnosed in older adults, it can also occur in younger individuals, including women of childbearing age. Navigating pregnancy with CLL requires careful consideration, specialized medical care, and close collaboration between healthcare providers to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus.
Understanding Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
CLL is a chronic and slowly progressing cancer that primarily affects the immune system. It is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal lymphocytes in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissues. The exact cause of CLL is not fully understood, but certain genetic and environmental factors may contribute to its development. Common symptoms of CLL include enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, recurrent infections, and abnormal bleeding.
Impact of CLL on Pregnancy
Managing CLL during pregnancy poses unique challenges due to the complex interaction between maternal health, cancer progression, and fetal development. The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can influence the behavior of CLL cells, potentially affecting disease progression. Additionally, the treatment options for CLL must be carefully evaluated to minimize risks to the developing fetus.
Key Considerations for Pregnancy with CLL
Managing Pregnancy with CLL: Practical Tips
Finding the Best Cancer Doctor in Delhi Identifying the best medical care for managing CLL during pregnancy is essential for ensuring optimal outcomes. Here are steps to find top cancer doctors and hospitals in Delhi:
Conclusion
Managing pregnancy with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia requires careful planning, specialized medical care, and ongoing monitoring. By working closely with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers, women with CLL can navigate pregnancy safely while prioritizing their health and the well-being of their baby. It’s essential to stay informed about treatment options, communicate openly with healthcare providers, and seek support from loved ones throughout the journey. With proper management and guidance, women with CLL can have successful pregnancies and healthy outcomes.
India witnesses’ approximately 1,200.000 new cancer cases each year, according to the latest projections that people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.
What is cancer?
According to the NCI: cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue. Tumors can be cancerous or not cancerous (benign).
Cancerous tumors spread into, or invade, nearby tissues and can travel to distant places in the body to form new tumors (a process called metastasis).
Cancerous tumors may also be called malignant tumors. Many cancers form solid tumors, but cancers of the body, such as leukemia, generally do not.
Benign tumors do not spread into or invade nearby tissues; when removed, benign tumors usually don’t grow back, whereas cancerous tumors sometimes do. Benign tumors can sometimes be quite large, however, and some can cause serious symptoms or be life-threatening, such as benign tumors in the brain.
Differences between cancer cells and normal cells: Grow in the absence of signals telling them to grow. Normal cells only grow when they receive such signals.
* Ignore signals that normally tell cells to stop dividing or to die.
* Hide from the immune system. The immune system normally eliminates damaged or abnormal cells.
Many times, cancer cells rely so heavily on these abnormal behaviors that they can’t survive without them.
For example, some cancer therapies prevent blood vessels from growing toward tumors, essentially starving the tumor of needed nutrients.
How does cancer develop?
Cancer is a genetic disease that is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide.
* Genetic changes that cause cancer can happen because of errors that occur as cells divide.
* They were inherited from our parents.
* DNA damage is caused by harmful substances in the environment, such as the chemicals in tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays from the sun.
The body normally eliminates cells with damaged DNA before they turn cancerous; each person with cancer treatment has a unique combination of genetic changes. As the cancer continues to grow, additional changes will occur. Even within the same tumor, different cells may have different genetic changes.
Types of Genes That Cause Cancer:
The genetic changes that contribute to cancer tend to affect three main types of genes: proto-oncogenes.
Tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair genes—these changes are sometimes called drivers of cancer.
Proto-oncogenes are involved in normal cell growth and division. However, when these genes are altered in certain ways or are more active than normal, they may become cancer genes, allowing cells to grow and survive when they should not.
Tumor suppressor genes are also involved in controlling cell growth and division; cells with certain alterations in tumor suppressor genes may divide in an uncontrolled manner.
DNA repair genes are involved in fixing damaged DNA. Cells with mutations in these genes tend to develop additional mutations in other genes and changes in their chromosomes.
Such as duplications and detection of chromosome parts, together these mutations may cause the cells to become cancerous.
When cancer spreads:
Cancer that has spread from the place where it first formed to another place in the body is called metastatic cancer. The process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body is called metastasis.
Tissue changes that are not cancer:
Not every change in the body’s tissues is cancer. Some tissue changes may develop into cancer if they are not treated, however. Here are some examples of tissue changes that are not cancer but, in some cases, are monitored because they could become cancer:
1: HYPERPLASIA: This occurs when cells within a tissue multiply faster than normal and extra cells build up.
2: DYSPLASIA: This is a more advanced condition than hyperplasia.
3: CARCINOMA IN SITU: In an even greater way, although it is sometimes called stage 0 cancer because the abnormal cells do not advance the condition,.
They invade nearby tissue the way that cancer cells do, but because some carcinomas in situ may become cancer, they are usually treated.
Read More: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Of Your Breast
Types of cancer:
There are more than 100 types of cancer. Types of cancer are usually named for the organs or tissues where they form, for example.
Lung cancer starts in the lungs and brain; cancer may also be described by the type of cells that formed them, such as epithelial cells or squamous cells.
1: CARCINOMA: Carcinomas are the most common type of cancer. They are formed by epithelial cells, which are the cells that cover the inside and outside surfaces of the body.
2: SARCOMA: Sarcomas are cancers that form in bone and soft tissues, including muscle, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and fibrous tissue such as tendons and ligaments.
3: LEUKEMIA: Cancer that begins in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow is called leukemia. There are four common types of leukemia, which are grouped based on how quickly the disease is worse (acute or chronic) and on the type of blood cell the cancer starts in (lymphoblastic or myeloid). Acute forms of leukemia grow quickly, and chronic forms grow more slowly.
4: LYMPHOMA: Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in lymphocytes (T cells or B cells). These are the fighting white blood cells that are part of the immune system. In lymphoma, abnormal lymphocytes build up in lymph nodes and lymph vessels, as well as in other organs of the body.
Read More Blog: Blood Cancer – Keep Calm and Fight On
The main two types of lymphoma are:
HODGKIN LYMPHOMA: People with this disease have abnormal lymphocytes that are called Reed-Sternberg cells; these cells usually form from B cells.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: This is a large group of cancers that starts in lymphocytes. The cancer can grow quickly or slowly and can form from B cells or T cells.
Multiple Myeloma: Multiple myeloma is cancer that begins in plasma cells, another type of immune cell. abnormal plasma cells, another type of immune cell; the abnormal plasma cells are called myeloma cells; multiple myeloma is also called plasma cell myeloma; and Kahler disease.
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in cells that become melanocytes, which are specialized cells that make melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color). Most melanomas form on the skin, but melanomas can also form in other pigmented tissues, such as the eye.
Brain and spinal cord tumors
There are different types of brain and spinal cord tumors. These tumors are named based on the type of cell in which they formed and where the tumor first formed in the central nervous system. For example, an astrocytic tumor begins in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes, which help keep nerve cells healthy. Brain tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
Read More Blog: Brain Stroke: Warning Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention
Other types of tumors
Germ cell tumors
Germ cell tumors are a type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. These tumors can occur almost anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant.
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors form from cells that release hormones into the blood in response to a signal from the nervous system. These tumors, which may produce higher-than-normal amounts of hormones, can cause many different symptoms. Neuroendocrine tumors may be benign or malignant.
Carcinoid Tumors
Carcinoid tumors are a type of neuroendocrine tumor. They are slow-growing tumors that are usually found in the gastrointestinal system (most often in the rectum and small intestine). Carcinoid tumors may spread to the liver or other sites in the body, and they may secrete substances such as serotonin or prostaglandins, causing carcinoid syndrome.
sure your skin doesn’t suffer from the harsh winter months. Winter is the ideal time of year to enjoy hot cocoa because it’s snug and festive. But it also brings with it drier air and colder temperatures, which may be quite damaging to your skin. The ‘winter skin blues’, which include dryness, itching, redness, and even flakiness, are standard. Skin issues in the winter can be bothersome, but for people receiving cancer treatment, they can be much more difficult. Cancer patients need to manage their skin health, where the winters can be very harsh. But not to worry, here in this blog post, we will teach you how to keep your skin shining throughout the winter, prevent the wintertime skin blues, and with an emphasis on people who require cancer treatment options like chemotherapy.
Acknowledging Winter Skin Issues:
Prior to discussing the remedies, it’s critical to comprehend why winter can be especially hard on your skin. Here, we will discuss the main offenders, they are:
Some tips to beat dull skin in winter:
So, as we have discussed above, why skin becomes dry or lifeless. Now, let’s take a look at some different ways to maintain glowing, healthy skin throughout the winter:
Determine the Appropriate Items:
You should invest in skincare products designed with the winter season in mind. Seek for components with moisturizing qualities, such as ceramides, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid.
So, proactive and gentle skincare is essential to prevent winter skin blues. It’s also important to consult with healthcare providers who are aware of the special requirements of cancer patients, especially those receiving chemotherapy treatment in Delhi. Your dry, itchy skin doesn’t have to be associated with the winter months. You can maintain your skin feeling and looking its best throughout the winter by using these strategies to help you avoid the winter skin blues. Always keep in mind that consistency is essential, so changing your skincare regimen according to the season will help you keep your complexion looking great all year round. Thus, maintain cheerful, glowing skin while embracing the beauty of winter.
Colorectal cancer is also known as rectal cancer or colon cancer, and it begins in the colon or rectum. It typically starts as small growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum, known as polyps. It is considered that this disease mainly occurs in older people, but since the 1990s, it has been more commonly diagnosed in young adults. This type of cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. To prevent cancer, it is important to find and remove polyps. It is crucial that young adults are aware of the signs of colon cancer and start noticing changes in their stool. The researchers have found that the rates of colorectal cancer are increasing due to many factors, such as obesity, poor diet, sedentary behavior, and also due to environmental factors. In colorectal cancer awareness month, Oncoplus hospital wants to educate young adults about this type of cancer. In this blog, you will learn the reasons for the rise in colorectal cancer among young adults.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer:
Generally, colorectal cancer is difficult to detect. But when the cancer grows and spreads, it causes a range of symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer, as follows:
The earliest symptoms of colorectal cancer are changes in bowel habits. This includes constipation, diarrhea, or the feeling that the bowel does not completely empty after a bowel movement.
Blood in the stool is a symptom of colorectal cancer. It might be bright red or dark in color.
Colorectal cancer causes abdominal pain in the patient’s body that does not go away and gets worse over time. The pain may be accompanied by bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
When the colorectal cancer spreads in the patient’s body, it causes weakness and fatigue in the patient’s body.
Unexplained weight loss is also a symptom of colorectal cancer, which may occur due to a loss of appetite or because the patient’s body cannot absorb nutrients.
Cancer effects the digestive system, which results in nausea and vomiting in the patient’s body.
Colorectal cancer is treatable if caught early, so it is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer:
The factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer include older age, a personal history of colon cancer, inflammatory intestinal diseases, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol, and also the gene mutations that are passed down through generations, etc.
Colorectal cancer is becoming more common in young adults for the following reasons:
The most significant factor that contributes to the rise in colorectal cancer among young adults is changes in diet and lifestyle. Today, young adults eat a diet that includes processed foods, red meat, and a diet that is rich in sugar, etc. All these factors increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Normally, young adults engage themselves in sedentary behavior, meaning they do low levels of physical activity and become obese. Hence, both obesity and sedentary behavior increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Another possible factor contributing to the rapid rise in colorectal cancer among young adults is delayed screening. If there are symptoms of cancer in young adults and they delayed their screening test, then this is a major reason for developing colorectal cancer.
The microbiome is basically the collection of microorganisms that live in and on the human body. Many researchers have suggested that changes in the microbiome result in the development of colorectal cancer.
Environmental factors such as pollution and exposure to toxins may also contribute to the rise in colorectal cancer among young adults. Today, young adults are exposed to environmental toxins that were not present in previous generations, which results in the development of colorectal cancer.
The treatment for colorectal cancer involves surgery and a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to remove the cancerous tissue from the patient’s body. Early detection is the key to successful treatment, which is why routine screenings are recommended for young adults. Oncoplus Hospital is the renowned cancer hospital in Delhi that is educating you about colorectal cancer during this awareness month.
Early Diagnosis Helps Fight Lung Cancer
Lung cancer starts in the lungs when the cells in the body start to grow out of control. This form of cancer kills more people per year as compared to other forms of cancer. According to the research of the American Lung Association, if lung cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, it is easy to stop, the chances of survival increase, and the lung cancer treatment is more likely to be successful.
If cancer care is delayed, then the chances of survival are less, and so many problems get associated with the treatment. Hence, early diagnosis provides care to the patient, which is very important for their health. In this blog, you will learn how early diagnosis helps fight lung cancer.
Two Types of Lung Cancer:
Generally, 80% of the people who suffer from lung cancer have NSCLC. There are three types of NSCLC: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. These types of lung cancer begin in different types of lung cells, but their treatments are normally similar.
SCLC is also known as oat cell cancer. This type of lung cancer spreads and grows more quickly than NSCLC. Generally, when someone suffers from SCLC, the cancer is already spread throughout their body when it is diagnosed. After this, the cancer grows quickly in the patient’s body, and it responds to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But, for many people, cancer returns after some time.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer:
Normally, the symptoms of lung cancer do not develop until the cancer is at an advanced stage. That is why smokers who are between the ages of 55 and 77 should be regularly screened for lung cancer if the symptoms are not observed.
What are the causes of lung cancer?
The causes of lung cancer are smoking, exposure to radon, air pollution, and secondhand smoke. Sometimes, the person who doesn’t smoke suffers from lung cancer when they are exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, or other chemicals. And gene changes also result in lung cancer.
Hence, lung cancer can be cured with an early diagnosis. The patient should go for CT scans, because early diagnosis is very important. If the lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, then it increases the chance of a high survival rate and also ensures a successful treatment. If you are not a smoker and haven’t smoked for years, you should talk to your doctor about the benefits of a CT scan. Don’t wait until it’s too late, as it can save your life and also reduce the cost of treatment. But if you have any symptoms, then you must consult your doctor right away.
How Does Early Cancer Detection Improve the Quality of Life?
As we all know, cancer is the leading cause of death, but early detection of cancer can improve the quality of life and increase the chances of survival. Due to the advancement in cancer treatment, many types of cancer can be fully treatable. If the unusual cancer cells are detected early before they turn into cancer cells, then the cancer can be cured.
Cancer can be detected at an early stage with the help of screening technology. If the cancer cells are not too large and have not spread in other parts of the body, it can be successfully treated. If you find something is wrong in your body, then consult your doctor and go for a screening test for early detection of cancer. In this blog, you will learn about how early cancer detection improves the survival rate and quality of life.
Warning Signs that Show You Need Medical Treatment:
Early cancer detection increases survival rates.
Patients who are diagnosed in the earlier cancer stages, i.e., stage I-II, have more chances of recovery than patients who are in the advanced stages III-IV. Generally, patients who are suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic, and stomach cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage. This reduces the survival chances. But if this cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, then it increases the chances by 5 years. Early detection of cancer aids in beating it and improves quality of life.
If cancer is detected early, then a lot of treatment options are available and fewer resources will be used. But, if the cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, then it will require hard treatment and can have side effects. In late diagnosis, the patients had to go through chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, difficulty eating, and also various challenges in performing everyday activities.
Most importantly, in the latter stage, effective treatment will be limited. The treatment of patients who are at an advanced stage will reduce the pain or other disease symptoms, but it cannot cure the disease or extend the life of the patient. This can also cause patients to feel sick, lose weight, and feel unable to care for themselves.
If the cancer treatment is diagnosed at an early stage, then more resources, treatment, and services are available for the patient. Some factors which increase the risk of cancer are age, sex, geographic location, etc. Early screening helps in the diagnosis of cancer and improves the survival rate. The cancers that are without screenings result in later-stage diagnosis and lead to a low rate of survival. Hence, screening plays an important role in early detection and also improves the quality of life.