A Landmark Study on Palliation of Bone Mets PainWhen a primary cancer such as cancer of the breast, prostate or lung spreads to the bone (bone mets), treatment strategies become complex. In today’s world of oncology, better systemic chemotherapies can add months and even years to a patient’s life; in addition, local cancer control of […] KEEP READING
What You Should Know About CartilageOne of the most fascinating components of the human body is cartilage, an incredibly versatile material. Trying to describe cartilage is like the six blind men who try to figure out what an elephant is: “The elephant is like a pillar,” said the man who touched his leg. “Oh no! […] KEEP READING
How Stress Makes Essential Tremor WorseEssential tremor (ET) is the most common form of uncontrollable rhythmic shaking, though it is sometimes misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. The involuntary trembling results from abnormal communication between certain areas of the brain (cerebellum, thalamus, and brain stem). It is estimated that 10 million Americans suffer from ET, though many […] KEEP READING
“Silent killer” Pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent killer” because it is one of the fastest spreading types of cancer. Most patients have no symptoms until the cancer has already begun spreading. Also, given the deep location in the body, discovering pancreatic cancer during a routine exam or imaging (incidental diagnosis) is rare. Roughly […] CONTINUE
There are over 20 known lines of prostate cancer (PCa) and some are more able to metastasize (spread) beyond the gland. The majority of PCa cell lines rarely pose a threat to life, especially when diagnosed early. However, the aggressive minority is dangerous. Thanks to today’s ability to map an entire DNA sequence within a […] CONTINUE
How frequently do you hear about kidney cancer? Chances are, not very often. Yet kidney cancer (also called renal cancer) is one of the 10 most common cancers. While more men than women are diagnosed with kidney cancer, nearly 64,000 new cases occur in the U.S. annually. When kidney cancer is diagnosed early, 5-year survival […] CONTINUE
Beginning 20 years ago, numerous studies were published on how consuming animal or vegetable protein affects bone composition. Many studies found that animal-based protein made bones less sturdy than plant-based protein. Some studies found that there was more osteoporosis (thin bone tissue) and fractures in people who ate a lot of meat. Healthy bones maintain […] CONTINUE
Over half of patients with advanced prostate cancer ignore or underreport symptoms that their disease has spread to the bone (bone metastases or bone mets). This can create a dilemma for the physician. Is it better to… a) Not ask about symptoms if the patient doesn’t volunteer the information? b) Ask questions at the risk […] CONTINUE
Strong, healthy bones are good for everyone. Bones support us, protect our organs, and store minerals like calcium that not only nurture bone but can also be released when levels are low in the body. Peak bone wellness is even more important when disease, such as primary or metastatic bone cancer, strikes. When the patient […] CONTINUE
“How much time do I have?” is one of the hardest questions a doctor must address when a patient is diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the bone (bone mets). It is emotionally painful for the physician to witness the fear underlying the question, and to recognize how much courage it takes for the patient to […] CONTINUE
Advanced prostate cancer (PCa), along with breast and lung cancer, has a preference for spreading first to bone (bone mets). Bone mets differ from primary bone cancer, which is rare and begins in the bone itself. Bone mets are much more common; nine out of ten advanced PCa patients will eventually have bone mets. This […] CONTINUE
For patients and their partners who are dealing with the woman’s breast cancer, the most effective way to face the challenges and stressors is to take a “we” approach. This is especially true if the patient’s disease spreads to her bones, now adding more anxieties and fear of pain. While both patient and partner are […] CONTINUE
Did you ever break a bone? If you were a child, the doctor may have explained that while your broken limb was in a hard plaster cast, the broken bone was “knitting” itself back together. In a child’s experience, broken things like plastic toys or sticks from trees don’t put themselves back together. They need […] CONTINUE
