Posts Tagged ‘Lung’

Smoking and Lung Cancer Genes

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

Video from the Nature Publishing Group on the risks of smoking coupled with the genetics of its addiction and genes that lead to cancer development.

“Some of the strongest evidence that lung cancer risk variants are common in the general population appears in Nature and Nature Genetics, although the three papers differ on whether the association is direct or mediated through nicotine dependence. Watch the research being discussed here. Stephen Chanock, David Hunter and Kari Stefansson discuss how your genes can affect your addiction to nicotine and your cancer risk from smoking.”

[Link to Video]


Early Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Critical for Effective Treatment

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Guest Post:

This is a guest post by Richard Moyle from the Mesothelioma Cancer Center at Asbestos.com. The Mesothelioma Cancer Center is committed to providing the latest, up-to-date information to their visitors in the hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of asbestos cancer.

Mesothelioma is the name given to a rare and extremely aggressive cancer thatís only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was used throughout the 20th century for insulation, brake lining, flooring and piping. The most common type of mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura) but has also been diagnosed in the linings of the stomach (peritoneum) and heart (pericardium).

This type of cancer is most effectively treated when diagnosed in its earliest stages. Regrettably, mesothelioma symptoms take anywhere from 25 to 50 years after initial asbestos exposure to begin to show. By the time a mesothelioma diagnosis is usually made, the cancer is already in advanced stages and treatment options are limited and less effective.

As stated before, asbestos was used extensively in a number of military and industrial applications. The majority of mesothelioma cases are a result of occupational asbestos exposure. Firefighters, military veterans, electricians and auto mechanics are among those most at-risk for developing an asbestos related illness.

Homes built before 1980 may also contain asbestos insulation. This is not a problem so long as the asbestos has not been disturbed or damaged. Asbestos is harmless if left alone. However, once the material is damaged or deteriorated, microscopic asbestos fibers are released into the air where they can then be easily inhaled or ingested. If you live in an older home, make sure you consult a professional home inspector to check the house for asbestos before making any major renovations.

Neurosarcoidosis

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

(Double click any word for definition)

The frequency of neurologic involvement is generally 5% of all cases of sarcoidosis

About two thirds of patients with neurosarcoidosis have a self-limited monophasic illness, the rest have a chronic remitting relapsing course

Occurs in adults aged 25-50 years

Neurosarcoidosis generally occurs within 2 years of onset of sarcoidosis

If diagnosis of sarcoidosis is known then symptoms may not pose diagnostic challenge (however other differential should be kept in mind esp. Infections)


Clinical Features

Any cranial nerve may be involved

Facial nerve most commonly involved – (Heerfordt syndrome – fever, uveitis, facial nerve palsy)

Peripheral nerve involvement – Mononeuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex, polyneuropathy

Central nervous system involvement may affect the hypothalamus/pituitary gland, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and rarely spinal cord

Space-occupying lesion of brain (necrotizing sarcoidosis may manifest as agranulomatous mass lesion)

Hypopituitarism (and other endocrine manifestations)

Optic neuritis leading to optic atrophy (and other forms of eye involvement)

Meningitis, especially basal brain involvement

Cerebral infarct or transient ischemic attack due to vasculitis

Spinal cord lesions are rare (Intramedullary lesions resemble demyelinating disease)

Brain stem (sarcoid brainstem encephalitis) and cerebellar involvement (rare)

Seizures may be the first manifestation of neurosarcoidosis

Look for other signs of “regular” sarcoidosis


Workup

CSF may be normal 30%. When abnormal CSF may have nonspecific pattern with high protein level (>0.5 g/L), high leukocyte count (>5 cells/µL), usually lymphocytosis

ACE, lysozyme, and beta2-microglobulin can be elevated in the CSF

Imaging (esp MRI & CT brain) may localize lesions and give other clues

Biopsy of involved tissue to look for non-caseating granulomas


Treatment

Immunosuppressive therapy steroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, infliximab and methotrexate

Low dose cranial irradiation

Amazing response if you quit smoking now

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

smoking_timeline_2070x1530.gif

(Click Image to enlarge)

Amazing response by the human body to return to normal if you quit smoking right now. On the other hand, this also shows how much harm cigarettes do to you.

Reference: HealthBolt, KevinMD

Interesting photos from Life Photo Archive:

cigarette.jpeg cigarette1.jpeg cigarette3.jpeg

cigarette4.jpeg cigarette5.jpeg

Pulmonary Embolism

Thursday, July 3rd, 2008

This presentation gives a brief overview of Pulmonary Embolism. It was presented by my co-resident Maria Teresa Bejarano, MD as part of new intern lecture series.


This presentation can also be downloaded from here.