CAR-T therapy is a relatively new immunotherapy treatment for advanced B-cell lymphomas, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It is usually reserved for patients who have had more than one previous line of treatment but relapsed anyway. The standard course of treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is chemotherapy, which cures about 70% of...
Read MoreLymphoma Posts on Medivizor
To Treat or Not To Treat Cancer: Medical Decision-making
Cherry Hughes** is an active, energetic 75 year old, still working in the marketing and public relations profession in Great Britain. Her life is filled with friends and fun. “I love cooking and eating out. I am deeply interested in politics. I love music …I go to jazz clubs. I love going to France …I have a little apartment...
Read MoreWhat is Neutropenia?
There are 1.6 million people diagnosed with cancer in the US each year. Of these, 650,000 receive chemotherapy. Did you know that 60,000 people a year are hospitalized for neutropenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy? One in fourteen die because of it. Of the 650,000 receiving chemotherapy, 104,000 are not aware of neutropenia and 52,000 don’t...
Read MoreHow to Smoothie!
This summer has been a challenge after a family member with celiac disease had a gluten exposure (Click here to read more about celiac disease). Gluten damages the small intestine villi (see 5 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Small Intestines), which are essential for nutrition absorption. For over a month, gastrointestinal pain, vomiting...
Read MoreGuest Post: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and My Stem Cell Transplant Experience
“I am 24 years old. Last year on January 15th 2016, I was diagnosed with Stage 2A Classical Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I had 12 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy over 6 months and went into complete remission on August 8th, 2016. A few weeks before my wedding, on November 4th 2016 I had my first follow up CT scan which showed enlarged...
Read MoreMore Free Vacations For Adults With Cancer: Wish Foundations
We are adding to the list of respite opportunities that are available for adults with cancer. In addition to a couple of programs like the ones featured in Free Vacations for Adults affected by Cancer, there are a few foundations for adults with cancer that are much like the well-known Make-A-Wish Foundation (for children) which provide support for...
Read MoreAfter Cancer Treatment: Living Out The Cure
When you’re 8 years old, jumping rope, playing dolls, swinging on swing sets and doing homework are girlhood pursuits. Discovering “Lumpy Luey” in your left chest wall isn’t. In 1978, Stephanie Dodds’ way of coping with the diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma was to give it a name and focus on “getting rid of it.”...
Read MoreHow Do I Tell My Child I Have Cancer? 7 Insights From Parents
A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. So is the prospect of telling your children about a cancer diagnosis. Social media makes it possible for parents to share strategies and provide guidance to others facing this challenge. Here are some insights. Insight 1: Tell Your Children the News Parents protect. The natural inclination is to keep diagnoses of...
Read More[INFOGRAPHIC] Blood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. This infographic is based on information from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and created by Laser...
Read More“I Have Brown Eyes and I Have Lupus”
What’s Wrong With Me? “The therapist thought a ‘nose job’ would improve my self-esteem,” Amanda Greene remembers. He could never have guessed that the suggestion of surgery would finally result in a diagnosis of the cluster of strange symptoms that she was experiencing. At 15, Amanda bruised easily and was constantly tired. “After school,...
Read MoreCancer Patient Resources: Free Air Travel
Cost Medical care for cancer is costly. In addition, there is the financial burden that patients and families face in getting to and from the best care–which may be located at medical centers far from home. The situation can seem overwhelming. Corporate Angel Network Into this dilemma, little known resources have arisen to meet this challenge. One of...
Read MoreWhat Should You Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer Diagnosis?
Or Patient-Centered Cancer Care: IOM’s recommendations Last week, we looked at the recent Institute of Medicine’s report and wrote the post about “How the US Got Its Cancer Care Crisis“. This week we get more practical. With specific recommendations you can use! The general recommendations include: (1) becoming engaged patients. (2)...
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