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Lymphoma is a broad term that encompasses a variety of cancers of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. This is the system that helps filter out bacteria and is vital in fighting disease.

In lymphoma, the lymphocytes or white blood cells in the lymph system multiply wildly from a single cell. The various types of lymphomas are based on the type of cell that multiplies and how the cancer presents itself.

The two main groups of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma or disease and the Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. There are subtypes or classifications within each category. Hodgkin’s lymphoma has five subtypes while the non-Hodgkin’s category has about 35 recognized types of cancer.

Diagnosis of the disease at the right time is a very important factor in its cure. As the various subtypes behave differently, it is important that the medical practitioner is able to recognize the symptoms and diagnose it speedily. It is also advisable for the patient to always take a second opinion as the other practitioner carries out a fresh set of analysis and approaches the symptoms from a different angle.

Lymphoma is a cancer that generally responds to treatment but has a tendency to recur. Chemotherapy and radiation are the usually chosen methods of treatment after staging the cancer at diagnosis. At times, a combination of treatments is also used.

Biological drugs are the latest finds in this field for treatment and cure of the lymphomas. They are basically antibodies that attach to the cancerous cell and destroy it. This is a better method than the use of radiation and chemotherapy as they are nonselective and kills the healthy as well as cancerous cells.

For two years, Elisa witnessed what her twin sister Anne endured battling an advanced form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The unexpected journey started in the spring of 2005 when Anne was diagnosed with this rare but deemed curable cancer during a routine check-up for flu-like symptoms. After her diagnosis, many in the medical field as well as cancer patients commented that Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was the “good” cancer to get if you had to choose a cancer.

Unfortunately, it was not the “good cancer” and the road to remission was a bumpy one. It took a rare syngeneic stem cell transplant and almost two years of back-to-back high dose chemotherapy treatment and radiation therapy to bring Anne into remission status. As her identical stem cell donor and caregiver, Elisa experienced this two-year challenging journey right along her twin sister’s side. This sobering experience inspired Elisa to do something tangible in her twin sister’s honor to help bring worldwide awareness to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer wrongly deemed the “good cancer”.

In February 2007, Hope & Dreams Cancer Awareness online store, featuring an assortment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma awareness t-shirt designs including unique cancer awareness designs, was launched by Elisa. Thus far, the store has generously donated the proceeds to benefit Lymphoma research in honor of Anne and in honor of those who are fighting this rare and often misunderstood cancer. Today, Anne is in remission and Elisa is grateful to God that her twin sister has been given a second opportunity to fulfill her hopes and dreams — cancer free.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in lymphocytes, which are cells that circulate in the lymphatic system. When this cancer affects the tonsils that are part of the lymphatic system, then it is termed as tonsil lymphoma.

As per the U.S. National Institutes of Health, lymphomas make up for about five percent of all cases of cancer in the United States. Traditionally, lymphoma is classified as Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that used to include all the other types. Modern classifications of lymphoma are much more complex and sophisticated.

The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system and hence individuals with weakened immune system as a result of HIV infection or from certain medication are seen to have a higher incidence of lymphoma.

Cancer of the tonsil accounts for nearly 0.6% of malignant cancers in the United States every year. It is generally difficult to diagnose this disease as the symptoms are quite delayed in their onset. Lymphoma is the second most common type of tonsil malignancy and is usually manifested as a submucosal mass in an asymmetrically enlarged tonsil. Patients are usually seen with a large mass in the oropharynx, and a swollen neck mass and complain of pain and weight loss. Cigarette smoking and heavy drinking are considered the common risk factors for the disease.

Lymphoma that is limited to the tonsil is treated with radiation, whereas if the disease is widespread then it requires chemotherapy. In certain stages of lymphoma, it is advisable to have surgery for removal of the malignancy followed by chemotherapy.

It is imperative that routine follow-up care of patients with tonsil cancer is done, as the risk of developing a second primary tumor is highest in this group. Studies have shown that patients suffering from tonsil cancer have a high 30% risk of developing it a second time.

One of the most important organ systems of the human body is the lymphatic or lymphoid system, which is a network of node-like structures located throughout the body. This system helps filter out bacteria and plays an important role in fighting diseases. However, just like any other organ system in the body, it is also vulnerable to developing cancers. Unfortunately, cancers that affect the lymphatic system can be dangerous, since lymph nodes are located all throughout the body. And just like leukemia, cancers involving the lymphoid system have the potential to spread.

Cancer of the Lymphoid System

Cancers that affect the lymphoid system are generally called lymphomas; the cells in the lymph nodes uncontrollably multiply, which results in the growth of a cancer mass. The different types of lymphomas are differentiated depending on the type of cell that multiplies and on how the cancer presents itself in the person. There are basically two types of lymphomas: Hodgkin’s disease and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Among the two, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is the more common type of lymphoma.

Effects and Symptoms

Lymphoma also compromises the immune system of a person, as the cancer can hinder the lymph nodes from performing their function, which is primarily to help the body defend itself against disease. The symptoms of this disease are sometimes hard to determine because some of its symptoms also occur in non-cancer patients. One such symptom is an inflamed or enlarged lymph node, which could also mean that the body is just suffering from an infection.

Treatment

Lymphomas are treated with some of the same treatments used on other forms of cancer such as leukemia. Some of these treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants. All these treatments are aimed at fighting the cancer and at relieving some of its symptoms.

Just like other cancers, this cancer is also characterized by an increased growth of abnormal cells; the cells grow into a mass, and the treatments of this disease are aimed at killing these cancer cells and stopping their growth. Fortunately, the proper treatment and early detection of this type of cancer also increases the chances of beating the cancer.

Raising Money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to fund research and find a cure is a worthy and meaningful effort. Over 785,000 Americans have blood cancers, but thanks toyour dedication and support, we can find a cure. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The society has invested more than $486 million in research, $61.6 million in fiscal year 2006 alone.Research funded by the Society has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new targeted oral therapies suc as Gleevec. What can you do to help?

1.) This is a squidoo blog produced by Tina Vanderhoef who is participating in the Team In Training group Nike Womens’ marathon, a race to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tina must raise $4,200 to participate in this race, so she has set up a squidoo lens with lots of products you can purchase. All of her earnings will be donated to her spot in the marathon.

2.)  just simply make a donation.

3.) Follow the squidoo lens, to Tina’s MySpace page and watch for great offers for products that you can purchase through Tina’s many affiliate programs. All proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to raise money to find a cure. Stay tuned to the lenses, and myspace pages and youtube videos, Tina is going to be making her very own personal training videos soon, that she is going to give away with every donation, regardless of the amount of the donation.

Every five minutes, someone new id diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies. Please participate in our fundraiser and help us find a cure. Toghether we can do it.

For the third time in less than a year, BP agreed to settle another Sugar Creek case.

Terms of the deal are still being discussed, according to a joint statement released Monday by the parties. The final amount will remain confidential.

The statement said attorneys for BP and the plaintiff, Paul Hedrick, opted to settle “in order to avoid protracted and costly litigation.”

The case was scheduled to start a four-week trial on Oct. 1.

Hedrick, 56, sued the company in April 2005, 25 years after he was diagnosed with lymphoma he claimed was the result of pollutants from the former Amoco oil refinery near his Sugar Creek home. The site is now owned by BP.

For all but one year of his life, Hedrick lived by the refinery site, according to his lawsuit.

Hedrick charged that employees of the refinery intentionally discharged hazardous pollutants, including benzene.

The lawsuit also claimed that Amoco performed tests that showed chemical pollutants were present in the groundwater, air and soil in the neighborhoods around the facility.

In January 1980, Hedrick learned he had lymphoma. He underwent radiation and surgical treatments at Kansas University Medical Center and his is still monitored.

Hedrick’s case was one of 32 brought against BP by current and former Sugar Creek residents. They are represented by Lon Walters of The Walters Law Firm.

Only one of the cases has been decided by a jury. In 2005, a Jackson County jury awarded $13.3 million to the husband of Nancy Ryan, who died from cancer she alleged was caused by the refinery’s pollutants. The jury also determined he was entitled to punitive damages. A confidential settlement was reached before the punitive damage phase of the trial.

Since that verdict, Hedrick’s case and two others have settled in the month before they were scheduled for trial.

In addition to Hedrick’s agreement, Walters reached confidential settlements with BP for Sean Reed in June and for Justin Detel in October.

Reed, 26, lived in a home near the refinery for the first five years of his life, according to his lawsuit. In June 1985, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and leukemia.

Detel, 21, a lifelong resident of Sugar Creek, was diagnosed with lymphoma 10 years ago and developed a tumor in his throat that made it difficult for him swallow.

Walters still has approximately 28 Sugar Creek cases remaining.

The case of Richard and Barbara Behymer is on the docket for trial on March 31 before Jackson County Circuit Judge Marco Roldan in Independence.

Earlier this month, Roldan granted a plaintiffs’ motion to expedite the trial to March because of the health of Barbara Behymer, the lone surviving plaintiff.

Barbara Behymer was born in Sugar Creek in 1935 and the couple lived near the facility from 1956 to 1965.

Richard Behymer died in 2002 at the age of 71 as a result of multiple myeloma, according to the lawsuit. Barbara Behymer also has a blood disorder and is currently being treated by a hematologist.

The refinery site is being redeveloped and still houses a petroleum marketing and distribution terminal. According to the statement from the settlement, an agency for the United State Department of Health and Human Services concluded that the site does not pose a health risk.

* The coexpression of CD5 and CD10 has previously been reported in cases of intermediate- and high-grade lymphomas and in precursor B cells in normal or regenerating bone marrow. We report 3 cases of low-grade B-cell lymphoma that were found to coexpress CD5 and CD10 at the time of initial diagnosis. The first case was classified as small lymphocytic lymphoma; the second as follicle center lymphoma, follicular grade 1; and the third as small B-cell lymphoma otherwise not specified. Currently, the clinical implication of the coexpression of CD5 and CD10 is not known. We describe this finding to highlight the difficulty that may be encountered in classifying lymphomas in cases where this coexpression is present.

Immunophenotyping by immunohistochemical studies and flow cytometry is routinely used in the diagnosis of low-grade lymphomas. Small lymphocytic and mantle cell lymphomas are typically positive for CD5 and negative for CD10,1 follicle center cell lymphomas are usually CD10 positive and CD5 negative,’ and marginal zone lymphomas are usually negative for CD5 and CD10.2 We report 3 cases of small B-cell lymphoma with different morphologic features (1 small lymphocytic, 1 follicle center, and 1 unclassifiable), all of which coexpress CD5 and CD10. The third case in particular highlights the difficulty that may be encountered in classifying lymphomas when unusual coexpression is found.

A 69-year-old woman was evaluated for a “cyst” in the right subclavian region. A mass was excised and a diagnosis of small lymphocytic lymphoma was made. Grossly, the specimen consisted of an encapsulated soft tissue mass measuring 2 cm in greatest dimension. The cut surface was yellow and resembled a lipoma. Microscopically, the lymph node architecture was partially effaced by an interfollicular proliferation of round lymphoid cells with scattered prolymphocytes . By immunohistochemical stains, the cells were immunoreactive for CD20, CD23, BCL-2, and both CD5 and CD10. BCL-1 and CD3 were negative. No additional material was received by the pathologist for staging, and no clinical follow-up is available.

Case 2

The second patient, an 88-year-old, white woman, presented with a scalp lesion. The lesion was excised, and a diagnosis of follicle center cell lymphoma, grade 1, was made. No peripheral lymphadenopathy was present. Grossly, there was a 4-cm skin ellipse with an attached 3-cm, ill-defined nodule. Microscopically, the tumor cells were in a follicular pattern involving both superficial and deep dermis. The follicles were composed of predominantly small cleaved cells. By immunohistochemical stain, the cells were immunoreactive for CD20, BCL-2, and both CD5 and CD10 . BCL-1 and CD3 were negative.

The pathologist received no additional material. By physical examination, there was no evidence of adenopathy, and computed tomographic scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis were negative. The patient received a course of radiation without complication, with last known follow-up 5 months after the scalp excision.

Case 3

The third patient, an 81-year-old man, presented with pancytopenia and splenomegaly. A bone marrow biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of a B-cell low-grade lymphoproliferative disorder was made. Examination of peripheral blood revealed a relative but not absolute lymphocytosis. The lymphocytes were somewhat irregular without prominent projections. The bone marrow biopsy specimen was normocellular with multiple nonparatrabecular lymphoid aggregates comprising 10% of the cellularity.

Context.-The ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene encodes a nuclear 370-kd phosphoprotein known to be associated with chromosomal regions containing doublestrand breaks. The mutations in the ATM gene may be involved in the development of some subtypes of sporadic lymphomas and leukemias. In primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (PCNS DLBCLs), the pathogenetic role of ATM mutation has not been investigated.

Objective.-To investigate ATM protein expression in PCNS DLBCLs, in comparison with that in non-central nervous system (non-CNS) DLBCLs and to study the relationship of ATM protein loss with several clinicopathologic parameters.

Design.-This study included 42 cases of PCNS DLBCL and 33 cases of non-CNS DLBCL from immunocompetent patients. The ATM protein loss was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. For the subclassification of DLBCL and analysis of the relationship between ATM and other prognostic markers, we performed immunohistochemical evaluation to detect the following markers: Bcl-6, CD10, multiple myeloma-1, CD138, Bcl-2, Ki-67, and p53.

Results.-The loss of ATM expression was statistically more frequent in PCNS DLBCLs (21/42 cases [50.0%]) than in non-CNS DLBCLs (0/33 cases [0.0%]; P

Conclusions.-Our results suggest that the ATM protein is more strongly correlated with PCNS DLBCL lymphomagenesis than with non-CNS DLBCLs, especially in germinal center B-cell-like subtypes demonstrating low Ki-67 labeling indexes and low Bcl-2 expression.

By definition, primary central nervous system (PCNS) lymphomas are extranodal malignant lymphomas that arise in the parenchyma of CNS in the absence of obvious lymphoma outside the nervous system at the time of the diagnosis.1 Approximately 98% of PCNS lymphomas are B-cell lymphomas.1 In addition, most of these Bcell lymphomas are diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs).2 There is a close association between the Epstein-Barr virus and the PCNS DLBCLs in immunocompromised patients.1 In contrast, no definite etiologic factors have been identified for PCNS DLBCLs in immunocompetent patients.1

The ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene is located on the 11q22 and 11q23 bands and encodes a nuclear 370-kd phosphoprotein associated with chromosomal regions containing double-strand breaks.3 The ATM amino acid sequence contains leucine zipper, helix-turn-helix, and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase motifs. These features are homologous to those of diverse protein kinases involved in checkpoint/damage responses, such as Tel1p, ATR, Rad3, Nec1p, Mei-41, and DNA-PKcs.3 The ATM acts as an upstream mediator of a kinase cascade that links DNA damage detection to cell-cycle progression, genetic recombination, and apoptosis.4,5 Germline mutations in the ATM gene are the cause of ataxia-telangiectasia, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasias, hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation, immunodeficiency, chromosomal instability, and cancer susceptibility.6 Several studies have indicated that missense and loss-of-function mutations in the ATM gene may also be involved in the development of some subtype of sporadic lymphomas and leukemias including T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.3,7 Several lines of evidence suggest that alterations of ATM in lymphoid neoplasia are not confined to mantle cell lymphoma, T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia but may be involved in a broader range of histologic subtypes such as DLBCL, follicular lymphoma, and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.3,7 The ATM alterations with a putative pathogenetic effect have been found in approximately 13% to 20% of DLBCL cases. 7,8 In PCNS DLBCL, the pathogenic role of ATM mutation has not been investigated.

As with non-CNS DLBCLs,9 PCNS DLBCLs can be subclassified into the germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) or activated B-cell-like (ABC) subtype based on their immunoexpression of CD10 and Bcl-6.10 A study demonstrated that the GCB subtype (CD10^sup +^ or Bcl-6^sup +^) of non-CNS DCLBL had a better prognosis than the ABC subtype (CD10- and Bcl-6-).9 Since then, several studies have tried to document the effects of Bcl-6 immunoreactivity of PCNS DLBCL on survival.11-13 However, the results are still controversial. According to one study, PCNS DLBCLs may show a poorer prognosis than non-CNS DLBCLs.13 Camilleri-Broët et al2 explained that the poor prognosis of PCNS DLBCLs might be attributed to the “activated B celllike pattern,” which is not prevalent in non-CNS DLBCLs.

Until this time, most ATM mutation studies in DLBCL were performed using molecular genetic tools.7,8 Recently, retrospective studies on the expression of ATM by immunohistochemical staining were made possible because of the development of the antibodies that work on routinely processed tissue sections. Because of this development, a few retrospective studies on ATM immunohistochemical expression in breast, prostate, and colorectum have been completed.14-20 The results of these studies supported the validity and clinical usefulness of an immunohistochemical analysis of the ATM protein as the final product of gene alterations.15-17,19 In our study, we evaluated the ATM expression in PCNS DLBCLs in comparison with ATM expression in non-CNS DLBCLs and correlated ATM expression status with histogenetic PCNS DLBCL subclassification, survival, and other parameters.

A poker run named for a Rossville boy who died of leukemia is revving up to raise money Saturday for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, said organizer Lisa Conaway.

The Daegen James Feyh Memorial Poker Run for Cancer Research will begin with a check-in at 10 a.m. at American Legion Riders Post 400, on US-24 highway west of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plant. The entry fee is $20 for the first hand, and $10 for each additional hand.

The run is named in honor of Daegen Feyh, the 4-year-old son of Lance and Janelle Feyh who died July 17, 2005, of acute myelogenous leukemia.

The run will begin at the American Legion post with stops at Blind Tiger in Topeka, Puffy’s Steak House in Maple Hill, Ramblers in Manhattan and Ramblers in Wamego before ending at 5 p.m. at Hooters in Topeka. The band No Sympathy will provide music at Hooters.

Each participant gets a map of the route and designated restaurant stops along the way. At each restaurant, a participant draws a card. At the end of the course, the rider with the best poker hand wins 30 percent of the proceeds.

This is the second year American Legion Riders Post 400 has sponsored the poker run.

Conaway said the money raised from the poker run will go into Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s research fund. Last year’s run raised $1,100 and had 35 participants. This year, the goal is to double the number of participating vehicles.

Every five minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies.

n Leukemia causes more deaths among children than any other cancer.

n Most adult cancers result from lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet, occupation and exposure to cancer-causing agents. The cause of most childhood cancers in unknown.

n About 70 percent of children with cancer participate in research trials, compared to 3 percent of adult cancer patients. Thus, many of the advances in adult cancer treatments are due to breakthroughs in childhood cancer research.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Amgen (Nasdaq:AMGN) today presented the results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Aranesp([R]) (darbepoetin alfa) for the treatment of anemia in patients with active cancer not receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (”the 103 study”). Aranesp is not approved for use by the FDA or EMEA in these patients. These results were presented in an oral session at the 2007 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in Los Angeles, Calif. (AACR Abstract #LB-3).

As reported in January, the study did not meet its primary endpoint of reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the Aranesp treatment group. Transfusion occurrences from weeks 5 to 17 favored Aranesp but were not statistically significant between the groups (hazard ratio: 0.85, p=0.32). Among those receiving Aranesp, there was a significantly higher proportion of patients with a hemoglobin response (p<0.0001), hemoglobin correction (p<0.001), and hematopoietic response (p=0.002) compared with placebo.

The adverse event rate was similar between the groups. However, the overall number of deaths was greater in the Aranesp group (48.5 percent versus 46 percent in placebo; hazard ratio: 1.29; p=0.006). In post-hoc analyses adjusting for stratification factors at randomization and sex, stage IV disease, prior chemotherapy use and prior radiotherapy use, there remained a significant difference in survival between the groups. However, hazard ratios and statistical significance diminished when the analyses were further adjusted for known prognostic factors including baseline ECOG status, tumor type, tumor stage, baseline FACT-F cutoff at median and baseline Hb (hazard ratio: 1.17, p=0.11).

“This study evaluated ESA treatment for patients with active cancer, not receiving chemotherapy or radiation, who are anemic due to the cancer itself. Unfortunately, the benefit of ESA treatment was not observed in these gravely ill patients,” said John Glaspy, M.D., professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles. “Since this was not designed as a survival study and statistical significance diminished when the analyses were adjusted for known prognostic factors, there is no clear explanation for the increase of deaths in the Aranesp group.”

About the Study

This Phase 3 study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aranesp 6.75 mcg/kg administered every four weeks for the treatment of anemia in cancer patients not receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The study was conducted in 21 countries, including sites in Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and North America. The majority of patients (60 percent) were from Central and Eastern Europe.

Patient eligibility included: eN18 years, nonmyeloid malignancy (with active disease), hemoglobin (Hb) en 11 g/dL, and no chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment within four weeks of screening or during the study. Patients (n=985) were randomized to Aranesp 6.75 mcg/kg or placebo every four weeks, with an end of study visit at week 19, and two years of follow up to evaluate survival. Patients were stratified by screening Hb (<10 g/dL or eN 10 g/dL), geographic region (Europe versus rest of world), RBC transfusion in the prior 12 weeks, tumor type/treatment (specifically, diagnoses of chronic lymphocyctic leukemia or low grade lymphoma, ongoing hormonal or antibody therapy versus all other eligible patients), and ECOG status (0-1, 2).

Demographics were broadly similar between the groups. The mean (SD) age was 64.1 (11.6) years; the most common cancers were non-small cell lung (18 percent), breast (13 percent), and prostate (11 percent); most patients had disease stage III or IV (82 percent) and an ECOG status of 0 or 1 (72 percent); and baseline Hb was 9.5 g/dL in each group.

However, there were more men in the Aranesp group (56 percent) compared to the placebo group (47 percent) and overall survival was worse for men than women (hazard ratio: 1.38 versus 0.99, respectively). More patients received prior chemotherapy in the Aranesp group (73 percent versus 66 percent in placebo). The mean (SD) number of days between prior chemotherapy and first study drug dose was 262 (572) days for the Aranesp group compared to 315 (660) for the placebo arm.

About Aranesp

Aranesp was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2001 for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure (CRF), also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD), for patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis. In July 2002, the FDA approved weekly dosing of Aranesp for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies and in March 2006, the FDA approved every-three-week dosing in these patients.