Tag: lung cancer

Low hemoglobin and cancer : How often is anemia a symptom of cancer?

Anemia is usually a simple symptom to cure. It may, however, conceal cancers of the large intestine, stomach, ovary, kidney, lung, prostate, cervix, and other organs; thus, medical diagnostics should be especially comprehensive in this situation.

A complete blood count is one of the most fundamental preventive exams, and its results might raise the possibility of a variety of health problems, including cancer. Hemoglobin (Hb) is one of the most crucial metrics to pay close attention to.

Low hemoglobin and cancer

Low levels of hemoglobin (Hb), the oxygen-carrying protein present in red blood cells, are a sign of anemia. Anemia is a typical symptom of cancer development in the body and can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment. It is estimated that more than 40% of patients will experience it.

Of course, there are many other possible reasons for anemia (such as a poor diet or pregnancy), so additional diagnosis is required if blood test results are unsatisfactory. Adult men should have hemoglobin levels above 14 g/dl, while women should have levels above 12 g/dl.

What cancers can low hemoglobin indicate?

Low hemoglobin, indicative of anemia, is most common in  cancers such as:

  • colorectal cancer ,
  • cervical cancer ,
  • stomach cancer ,
  • lung cancer ,
  • kidney cancer ,
  • ovarian cancer ,
  • prostate cancer,
  • melanoma ,
  • leukemias ,
  • lymphomas .

It is believed that, in fact, all types of cancer can cause anemia. However, some increase this risk.

Anemia associated with cancer may result from various causes, such as:

  • bleeding (e.g. cancer in the reproductive tract, digestive or respiratory system),
  • iron, folic acid or vitamin B 12 deficiency , but also protein or vitamin B 6 deficiency – e.g. due to malabsorption or nutritional disorders, 
  • bone marrow damage during oncological treatment,
  • bone marrow infiltration or metastases,
  • hemolysis , i.e.  the passage of hemoglobin into the blood plasma caused by damage to the erythrocytes  (e.g. in lymphoma),
  • impaired erythropoiesis , i.e. the formation and multiplication of red blood cells (in various cancers)

Low hemoglobin and cancer. What does the MCV tell us?

Low hemoglobin indicates anemia, and the red blood cell volume (MCV) is an important parameter that can help identify the source of the condition. Microcytosis is typical of iron deficiency anemia, while macrocytosis occurs when there is a lack of folic acid or vitamin B12. Normally sized blood cells are found in chronic diseases.

Low iron levels and cancer

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, accounting for 80% of all cases. A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that people with iron deficiency anemia have a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly pancreatic, kidney, liver and bladder cancer. Low iron levels can also indicate the presence of cancer. Bleeding can occur from the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, kidneys and lungs.

What cancers cause low iron levels?

Low iron levels can indicate the development of cancers such as:

  • gastrointestinal cancers (e.g. colon cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer),
  • pancreatic cancer,
  • cancers of the genitourinary system (e.g. cervical cancer),
  • respiratory cancer (e.g. lung cancer),
  • blood cancers.

Oncological treatment may also contribute to iron deficiency, which is often the result of a weakened appetite or damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Anemia and cancer : What tests to do?

To begin, stool tests are performed numerous times to check for the presence of occult blood (which cannot be seen) and endoscopic examinations, which show the anatomy of nearly the whole digestive tract from the inside (except for the small intestine, which fortunately is rarely the site of tumor development). 

Urinalysis to detect the presence of red blood cells in the urine is recommended, and a gynecological examination is also recommended in women. Only after diagnosing the cause can suitable treatment, such as iron preparations, be implemented.

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Is there a link between CRP and cancer?

CRP is a biomarker for inflammation in the body. Its elevated level may signal a variety of health issues, such as a bacterial or viral infection. Cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, can cause elevated CRP. The measure is also used to assess cancer patients’ prognosis.

The acute phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver during the systemic inflammatory response. Its synthesis is influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. CRP is produced into the blood within 24 hours of the inflammatory response beginning and returns to normal when the inflammation decreases.

The CRP standard is < 6 mg/l . Smokers and pregnant women may have higher protein levels.

A high CRP level may indicate:

  • bacterial infections (e.g. streptococcal, staphylococcal infection),
  • viral infections (e.g. hepatitis B),
  • autoimmune inflammatory disease (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, enteritis),
  • mycosis.

The C-reactive protein test can also be used to tell the difference between bacterial and viral illnesses. Bacterial infections are more likely to cause significantly increased CRP levels (even greater than 100 mg/l). CRP levels are lower (30-40 mg/l) in viral infections.

CRP and cancer. When is high CRP indicative of cancer?

CRP is a non-specific marker of inflammation, and its elevated level may indicate cancer. Studies report both  1 mg/l and above 175 mg/l, but the higher the score, the greater the likelihood of more advanced cancer, the presence of metastases, and a worse prognosis. 

High CRP is due to the constant, low-grade inflammatory response that accompanies advancing cancer. It is important to remember that not every cancer will result in an elevated C-reactive protein, and not every elevated result will mean that we are dealing with cancer.

What kind of cancer can a high CRP indicate?

Elevated levels of CRP in the blood may indicate various types of cancer, such as:

  • colorectal cancer ,
  • lung cancer ,
  • stomach cancer ,
  • breast cancer
  • prostate cancer (prostate),
  • lymphoma ,
  • pancreatic cancer .

CRP and OB

CRP, like the ESR (Bernacki test), indicates the presence of an inflammatory reaction in the body, although the acute phase protein is a more stable characteristic that does not change as much. CRP has no effect on OB. If the ESR is markedly increased while the CRP is normal, myeloma is most likely present (cancer of the hematopoietic system).

CRP and prognosis in cancer patients

The CRP test is used to determine the prognosis of cancer patients. If the CRP is high and there are no symptoms of infection, the prognosis is poor. That could be an indication of a more serious problem. The CRP test can be used to predict the prognosis of tumors such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. However, keep in mind that a high CRP score does not indicate malignancy. Further tests are required to confirm or rule out cancer.

Bloody sputum: Causes of coughing up blood

Bloody sputum is a cause for concern, but there are many causes, not always respiratory illnesses. This post discusses the manifestations of blood in sputum and the causes of bloody coughing.

Sputum is the slimy substance coughed up from the bronchi into the throat during certain diseases, which is typically spit out.

The mucus in sputum can change color and appear ruddy or brown, but the source of the blood is unknown. There are numerous causes for this type of throat mucus.

Hemoptysis is a medical term that refers to the presence of small amounts of blood or bloody sputum. Coughing up blood can also be caused by a variety of factors, and is a symptom of a disease. Hemoptysis can be seen in movies and TV shows.

The most important details are that if there is blood in the sputum or airways, such as the nose, it is always advisable to contact a doctor’s office to clear it out. Additionally, if you cough up blood or have bloody phlegm in your throat, you should contact your general practitioner.

Bloody sputum and coughing up blood: causes of the discoloration

Bloody sputum is a symptom of a disease, not a single cause, and cannot be attributed to a single cause. Coughing up blood is a symptom of a disease.

Bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and pneumonia are the three most common causes of coughing up blood, accounting for the majority of cases.

  • (severe) bronchitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchi due to infection with viruses or bacteria
  • Blood from the nose: the bloody phlegm sometimes results when blood runs from the nose back into the throat
  • Pneumonia: usually bacterial infection of the lungs
  • Tuberculosis: infectious disease caused by mycobacteria
  • Aspergillosis: Fungal infection of the lungs with fungi of the genus  Aspergillus
  • Bronchiectasis: permanent enlargement of the bronchi in the lungs
  • Lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma): malignant tumor that is mainly caused by smoking
  • Lung metastases: spread of another type of cancer
  • Pulmonary embolism: blocked blood vessel in the lungs or pulmonary circulation
  • Heart failure (weak heart)
  • Legionellosis: Disease caused by Legionella ( Legionella pneumophila ).
  • Cystic Fibrosis: Autoimmune disease also known as cystic fibrosis
  • other autoimmune diseases such as the very rare Goodpasture syndrome
  • Pulmonary high pressure (pulmonary hypertension): chronically elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation (e.g. due to heart valve defects)
  • Lung abscess: collection of pus in the lungs
  • lung rupture
  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; Wegener’s granulomatosis): rheumatic disease with necrotizing, inflamed tissue
  • injuries to the lungs
  • Swallowing small parts when eating or playing: especially in children
  • vascular malformations
  • Taking blood-thinning medication (e.g. ASA (acetylsalicylic acid)) and the resulting increased tendency to bleed
  • coagulation disorder
  • Syphilis: bacterial sexually transmitted disease

Bloody sputum in the throat is a common symptom of heart disease or lung problems, but it does not necessarily have a bad cause. It can also come from frequent clearing and coughing if you have bronchitis. Home remedies are available for bloody sputum and coughing up blood.

Coughing up blood: These symptoms are clear warning signs

Go to the doctor if you have blood in your sputum, but be aware of warning signs that indicate an acute emergency. These include blood in the sputum, coughing up blood, and difficulty breathing.

  • profuse coughing up blood
  • this causes dizziness when standing up, thirst, sweating, weakness, tachycardia
  • persistent fatigue
  • persistent weakness
  • shortness of breath

Bloody sputum: how not to treat

It is important to cough up the phlegm and not take cough-suppressing medication (antitussives). Home remedies are not the first choice, and it is important to clarify the bloody cough with a family doctor or go to the emergency room if there are other warning signs. There, the symptoms of the illness can be treated and the sputum can disappear.

Breast cancer: If detected early, it can be well treated.

Every year, breast cancer is found in about 70,000 women in Germany. If caught early, it can be treated successfully. We still don’t know what causes breast cancer, but we do know that a breast cell’s genome has changed, which makes it grow out of control and form a tumor.

Learn more at Munaeem’s Blog

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Early detection of breast cancer is crucial for effective treatment. This is why it’s important to get regular mammograms for women over 50, or earlier if there’s a family history of breast cancer. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

Breast self-exams are also a great way to detect any changes in your breasts. If you notice any lumps, changes in size or shape, or any unusual discharge, it’s important to see your doctor right away.

Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells, and chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, hormone therapy may also be used. The treatment plan will vary depending on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.

Remember, breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can affect women of all ages and backgrounds. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have or to get regular check-ups. If detected early, breast cancer can be well treated. So, take charge of your health and stay informed.

Common signs of cancer that most people ignore

Cancer is the fastest-spreading disease around the world that causes millions of deaths each year.

But most people with cancer learn about the disease very late because they ignore the symptoms of the disease.

Ignoring the symptoms of cancer has disastrous consequences.

So learn about the symptoms of cancer that most people ignore.

Changes in the Skin

A new sign in the skin or changes in texture, color or volume can be a sign of skin cancer. If there is a sudden abnormal change in the skin, then you should consult a doctor.

Cough

It is a very common disease, but when it is such that it is not recovering despite treatment, it can be a sign of cancer, especially if you are addicted to smoking. If you start coughing and bleeding, it can also be a sign of cancer.

Flatulence
Women who complain of flatulence and do not have any early remission should consult a doctor. This can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Problems with urination

Most men experience urinary problems with aging, such as excessive urination or weakening of the bladder. Many times this happens as a result of bladder cancer.

Bleeding in the stool

If blood is seen after going to the toilet, it is better to consult a doctor.

Bleeding in the stool can also be a sign of colon cancer, while if blood is seen in the urine, it can be a sign of kidney or bladder cancer. However, it can be decided by the doctor after the test.

Difficulty in swallowing

Sometimes it becomes difficult to swallow things due to acidity or cold in the chest, but if the condition does not improve with time, then the doctor should be consulted.

Difficulty swallowing things is considered a sign of throat cancer or esophageal cancer.

Mouth problems

Ranging from the smell of breath to blisters, most mouth problems are not very serious, but if white or red marks start appearing inside the mouth that do not heal for a few weeks, then a doctor should be consulted.

It can be a sign of mouth cancer, its other symptoms include lumps in the cheeks, difficulty in moving jaws and pain in the mouth.

If the body weight starts decreasing rapidly for no reason, then it is also a warning bell.

It can also be the first sign of pancreatic, gastrointestinal, esophageal, lung or other types of cancer.

If there is a fever that is not cured and the cause is not understood, then it can be a sign of blood cancer.

Heartburn or indigestion

Heartburn is quite common and is the result of diet or stress.

However, if there is a complaint of heartburn all the time, then you should consult a doctor and find out the reason because it can also be a sign of stomach cancer.

Fatigue

Several things can make people very tired. But sometimes fatigue is also the first symptom of some types of cancer.

Patients with blood, colon, and stomach cancer often experience a lot of fatigue, which does not end despite rest.

If you also experience fatigue all the time, you should consult a doctor.

Breast

Breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer in women and therefore it is important to keep an eye on changes in the breast.

Note: This article is based on details published in medical journals, readers must also consult their physician in this regard.

A man donated a lung to his son and saved his life: the story has moved Italy

There are stories that should be heard and shared. They talk about love and courage, feelings and real people, and the bonds that can’t be broken and will last forever between parents and children.

Father gives lung to son and saves his life

What we’re going to tell you today is the story of a father and his son, and how the father gave his son a lung to save his life. Anduel is 35 years old and comes from Albania. He thinks he is the happiest man in the world right now because he has helped his son get back to normal.

“I’m happy; now I see him running and playing like other children,” says Corriere della Sera. Anduel and his son have left the Pope John XXIII hospital in Bergamo, where the operation was performed, and are preparing to go home together, with the promise not to be separated again .

He donates a part of his lung to his son; it is the first case in Italy The story of Anduel and his child has been around the web and has moved him, confirming once again the beauty of family ties and the power of love that unites parents and children.

The Bergamo hospital called the boy “Mario” because he was so into the video game SuperMario. The boy had thalassemia. His father had received a bone marrow donation in the past. He had done everything he could to give him a normal life. But the transplant had made things worse, which was sad.

Hence the solution proposed by the Bergamo hospital: a possible living donor transplant. Anduel didn’t even think about it for a moment, and without hesitation, he agreed to undergo the operation .

So, on January 17, after 11 hours, the operation at the Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital in Bergamo went as well as it could. It was the first lung transplant in Italy from a living donor. After a week, Anduel was released from the hospital. The child, on the other hand, has been out of the hospital’s children’s ward for a few days. He will still have to go for regular checkups, but everything is going well, and he and his parents, Anduel and Ornéla, will soon be able to get back to their daily lives.

The man who saved his son’s life

The doctors at the Bergamo hospital said that a normal transplant could have led to the child’s body rejecting the organ, or, if that didn’t happen, the child would have had to have another surgery within a few years. This is why it was suggested to move forward with what was Italy’s first transplant surgery

from a living person.

Father Anduel told Corriere della Sera, “I didn’t think twice; it was about saving my son’s life.” “He had been sick for two years, and I thought the bone marrow transplant I had already done would fix the problem. However, it didn’t work. You think of a lot of things in two years, and you think you’ll never be able to solve the problem. Instead, everything went well, thanks to God and the doctors. He can now go to kindergarten and play with the other kids. For me, there is nothing more beautiful to see; it’s wonderful” .

One of the main reasons for the rapid spread of cancer has been discovered.

Cancer is believed to be the second leading cause of death in the world and a major cause of its rapid spread has been identified.

Obesity is spreading like an epidemic around the world and as a result people are increasing the risk of cancer.

This was revealed in a new medical study conducted in the United States, which explained the relationship between obesity and cancer risk.

Researchers said that when blood starts reaching a tumor, its growth accelerates.

In this study, experiments were done on mice and researchers had the opportunity to observe tumor growth in real time.

Then, during experiments in the laboratory, the researchers discovered that the fat cells present in obese mice make more of such compounds, which move the tumors out of the sleeping position.

The results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study, published in august in the journal The Lancet, showed that the death rate from cancer variants is increasing worldwide, which is easily preventable.

The study found that smoking, alcohol use or excess body weight are the three biggest factors that cause cancer.

Researchers said that the results have proved that it is possible to prevent most cases of cancer globally, while early diagnosis and effective treatment can also reduce the death rate.

The researchers acknowledged that not all cancer cases or deaths can be prevented, but avoiding smoking and alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding excessive sunlight, and a balanced diet can reduce the risk of this deadly disease.

Symptoms of 6 life-threatening types of cancer that most people ignore

Cancer is the fastest-spreading disease around the world that causes millions of deaths each year, a new study highlights these symptoms of cancer.

There are several types of cancer, 6 of which are considered the most life-threatening.

Cancers in the lungs, liver, brain, esophagus, pancreas and stomach are considered the most deadly.

One of the main reasons for the rapid spread of cancer is discovered, the common habit by adopting which you can keep a disease like cancer away from yourself , know the easiest way to avoid disease like cancer, but most people suffering from these types of cancer know the disease very late because they ignore the symptoms of the disease.

A study by Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce suggests that ignoring the symptoms of life-threatening types of cancer can have devastating consequences.

In this study, 2,000 people were surveyed and found that only one percent of people were able to identify the symptoms of liver cancer, as well as 2 and 3 percent of people were able to identify the symptoms of esophageal and stomach cancer.

Researchers said that it is very worrying that most people are not aware of the common symptoms of cancer.

They added that early diagnosis of the disease increases the likelihood of treatment, so it is important that people know the symptoms of this disease and they can keep an eye on the changes in their body, even if the symptoms feel irrelevant, it is better to consult a doctor.

The study also talked about the symptoms that appear in people suffering from six types of cancer.

Symptoms of brain cancer include vision and speech problems, headaches, vomiting, nausea, seizures, mental and behavioral changes.

In people with liver cancer, symptoms such as unexpected decrease in body weight, loss of desire to eat, feeling sick, abdominal pain or swelling, jaundice, itching on the skin, fatigue, fever, bleeding in vomiting and dark color of urine are common.

People with lung cancer suffer from symptoms such as lung continuous cough, cough bleeding, chest pain, unexpected decrease in body weight, loss of desire to eat, shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness.

Problems in swallowing esophagus food, indigestion or heartburn, loss of desire to eat, vomiting, pain in the stomach, chest or back, persistent coughing, hearing loss, fatigue and shortness of breath are prominent symptoms of esophageal cancer.

The symptoms that people suffering from this type of pancreatic cancer face include back or stomach pain, loss of desire to eat, unexpected decrease in body weight, yellowing of skin color, jaundice, indigestion and intestinal problems.

Stomach indigestion that continues, heartburn, flatulence or feeling full at a little meal, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing food and unexpected decrease in body weight are notable symptoms of this cancer.

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