Cancer Research, Chemotherapy / 26.11.2024

Cancer treatment has made significant advancements over the years, offering hope and extended lifespans to millions of patients worldwide. However, while these treatments are often life-saving, they can come with a wide range of unpleasant side effects that impact daily living. For many patients, managing these side effects becomes an essential part of the recovery journey. Understanding what to expect, and finding strategies to cope, can help improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment. This article explores common side effects of cancer therapies and offers practical tips for living through these challenges. Understanding the Common Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Cancer treatment can involve various methods, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and surgery. Each type of treatment comes with its own set of side effects, which can vary in intensity depending on the individual's overall health, type of cancer, and the specific therapy used. Some of the most common side effects include:
  • Fatigue: Fatigue is unfortunately one of the most frequent complaints among cancer patients undergoing treatment. Unlike everyday tiredness, cancer-related fatigue can be severe and persistent, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Chemotherapy and radiation can trigger nausea and vomiting as the body reacts to the aggressive nature of the treatments. While anti-nausea medications can help, these symptoms can still be a significant source of discomfort.
  • Hair Loss: Hair loss is a very well-known side effect of many chemotherapy drugs, which target rapidly dividing cells. This can include hair on the scalp as well as eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. For many, this physical change can be emotionally challenging.
  • Mouth Sores and Dryness: Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause sores in the mouth, making it painful to eat, drink, and even speak. Dry mouth, caused by damage to salivary glands, is another common issue that can interfere with taste and oral comfort.
  • Skin Changes: Radiation therapy can lead to skin reactions, including redness, peeling, or darkening of the treated area. Some patients may also experience sensitivity to the sun and a tendency to bruise easily.
  • Cognitive Changes ("Chemo Brain"): Many patients experience difficulties with memory, concentration, and mental clarity during and after chemotherapy, a phenomenon often referred to as "chemo brain." This can make it harder to focus on tasks or remember details.
For more information on symptoms associated with certain cancers like Hodgkin lymphoma, you can visit this resource from Moffitt Cancer Center. (more…)
Mesothelioma, Ovarian Cancer / 08.10.2024

Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer, has long challenged medical professionals with its resistance to traditional treatments. As patients and doctors seek more effective options, immunotherapy emerges as a beacon of hope. This innovative approach harnesses the body's immune system to combat cancer cells, offering new possibilities for those affected by this devastating disease. While conventional therapies often fall short, immunotherapy presents a paradigm shift in mesothelioma treatment. By exploring these cutting-edge techniques, researchers and oncologists aim to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Understanding Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that develops in the lining of the lungs, chest wall, or abdomen. Primarily caused by asbestos exposure, this cancer often takes decades to manifest after initial contact with the harmful substance. Symptoms may include chest pain, persistent cough, and shortness of breath, making early diagnosis challenging. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Microbiome / 07.03.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr Ashray Gunjur MBBS (Hons), B. Med Sci, MPHTM FRACP Clinical Research Training Fellow Melbourne, Australia   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: As background, the last ~5 years have seen a surge of interest in the relationship between gut microbiota and cancer response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). We know that though a fraction of many different cancer types will respond to these therapies, it is currently very hard to predict who that will be- so ‘microbiome’ based biomarkers to select patients, or even strategies to change a patient’s microbiome to enhance their chance of responding, are very attractive. A key challenge, however, has been a lack of consistency in the microbes associated with response or non-response across different studies from different regions. While geographic, methodological, and technical variation likely contribute to this, most studies examined the gut microbiome at a genus- or species- taxonomic rank level, while we know there is significant intra-species (strain-level) diversity. As such, one of our key research questions was whether we could improve the reproducibility of microbial ‘signatures’ of response across cohorts using higher resolution approaches- with our hypothesis being that strain-resolution signatures would outperform species- or lower resolution signatures. We obtained our signature by analysing baseline faecal samples from the CA209-538 clinical trial, a wonderful investigator-initiated study sponsored by the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (Melbourne, Australia). I was fortunate enough to work on this trial as a clinical investigator while training to be a medical oncologist. (more…)