Tasigna Approved for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

By: Scott Roberts


MONDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Tasigna (nilotinib) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in people who are resistant or intolerant to other therapies, maker Novartis AG said Monday.

CML, among the most common forms of leukemia, affects about 4,500 people in the United States each year. Some have become resistant to or cannot tolerate a standard therapy for CML, Gleevec.
Tasigna, taken twice daily, targets a protein that is produced only by cells that have an abnormal chromosome in people with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML, Novartis said in a statement. The protein is a key cause of the over-production of the white blood cells that characterizes this form of CML.
Reported side effects of the drug include rash, nausea, fatigue, headache, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting. Users should avoid food two hours before and one hour after taking Tasigna, Novartis said.

Smoking Does Not Worsen Breast Cancer

By Madeline Vann

MONDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- It may be unhealthy in many other ways, but smoking does not appear to raise the odds that a woman with breast cancer will have more aggressive or later-stage malignancy at the time of diagnosis, researchers report
Their results come from an analysis of data gathered on more than 6,000 women for more than 35 years.
"Smoking did not affect treatment options either," noted lead researcher Dr. Matthew Abramowitz, a resident in radiation oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Abramowitz said he had expected to find that smokers were less likely to have surgeries, such as mastectomies, because of the physical health problems associated with smoking, but the data showed otherwise. Women with breast cancer who smoked or had ever smoked were just as likely to have surgery as those who did not smoke.
About one in 10 of the breast cancer patients was a smoker when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Abramowitz said.
The findings were expected to be presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, in Los Angeles.
Smoking has been shown to be a risk factor for cancers of the lung, head, neck, esophagus and bladder. However, studies testing for a possible link between smoking and breast cancer risk have been inconclusive.
"This study says nothing about the rate of breast cancer or whether women are more likely to get breast cancer if they smoke. But it's interesting that smoking did not affect the cancer that we saw," said Abramowitz.
Despite the findings, women who smoke are still putting their health at great risk, stressed Dr. Michael J. Thun, vice president of epidemiology and surveillance research at the American Cancer Society.
"The study results don't change anything for women who smoke. They still have a one in two chance of being killed by smoking if they don't quit and a one in eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. More American women have died from lung cancer than breast cancer since 1987," Thun noted.
In fact, lung cancer remains the leading killer of both women and men. According to the American Cancer Society, about 70,880 U.S. women will die from lung cancer in 2007, compared to 40,460 who will succumb to breast cancer.
In their study, Abramowitz and his research team analyzed data from 6,162 breast cancer patients who were initially evaluated between 1970 and 2006 at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. The women were asked about their past and present smoking habits as part of the initial health interview. Almost half (45 percent) had ever smoked, although only 9 percent were smokers at the time of diagnosis.
The researchers found no statistically significant correlation between smoking and tumor stage or aggressiveness at the time the women were diagnosed.
There was a slight but statistically insignificant trend toward smokers having more Her2/Neu positive tumors than nonsmokers. Her2/Neu positive tumors are more aggressive and difficult to treat, said Abramowitz, although treatment options have improved in recent years.
The possible correlation between smoking and Her2/Neu tumors could not be explored due to the small number of patients who had undergone Her2/Neu screening, which was not available for the full 35 years of the study period. However, it's a potential avenue for future research, Abramowitz said.
His team also found no correlation between tumor stage at diagnosis and family history of breast cancer, use of hormone therapy or menopausal status. According to Abramowitz, the promotion of early screening for breast cancer during the study period might have had an effect on the stage of the tumors at diagnosis.
Still, too many women continue to put their health in jeopardy by smoking. "The major challenges are to help women who are addicted to nicotine quit smoking and to prevent adolescents from starting," emphasized Thun.
SOURCES: Matthew Abramowitz, M.D., radiation oncology resident, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pa.; Michael J. Thun, M.D., vice president, Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society; Oct. 28, 2007, presentation, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology annual meeting, Los Angeles

Precancerous Lesions Raise Cervical Cancer Risk

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have had advanced precancerous lesions of the cervix are still at risk for invasive cancers up to 25 years later, Swedish researchers report.
Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends that women who have had precancerous lesions called severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (CIS) continue getting Pap tests for 10 years after treatment. But, based on this study, these guidelines may need to be changed, said Debbie Saslow, the society's director of breast and gynecologic cancer, who was not involved with the research.
Saslow added, however, that even though these women continue to be at risk for developing cervical or vaginal cancer, the risk is low. "Women who have been treated for advanced precancer do need to remain vigilant," she said.
"This paper is going in my file for when we update our guidelines in the next two years," Saslow added. "We will see if we want to stick with 10 years or go to a much wider interval."
The study was led by Dr. Bjorn Strander, a senior consultant with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sahlgren's Academy at the University of Gothenburg. The researchers collected data on 132,493 women who had a diagnosis of severe dysplasia/CIS between 1958 and 2002. The statistics came from the National Swedish Cancer Register.
The researchers found 881 women had developed cervical cancer, and 111 had developed vaginal cancer more than one year after the initial diagnosis. This was almost seven times higher than expected, the researchers said.
Women with a diagnosis of severe dysplasia/CIS were more than twice as likely to develop cancer compared with the general female population. The women were also twice as likely to develop invasive cervical cancer after diagnosis of CIS if that diagnosis was made between 1991 and 2000, compared with the same diagnosis made from 1958 to 1970. This increased risk might be due to changes in treatment over that period, particularly because fewer hysterectomies are being done as part of treatment for CIS, the study authors said.
Strander's team also found a particularly high risk for women over age 50, and this risk continued to increase with age. "The risk after treatment hardly decreases at all after treatment and is still sustained after more than 25 years," he said.
"While well-screened women after 50 to 60 years of age are very well protected from cervical cancer and have little, if any, further use of screening, this does not apply to women who have been treated for grade 3 CIS," Strander said. "They need, and should have, long-term follow-up, perhaps lifelong," he said.
The results are published in the Oct. 26 edition of the British Medical Journal

What Women Don't Know About Cancer

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical News

Oct. 26, 2007 -- Nearly two-thirds of women mistakenly believe having no family history of cancer means they have a low risk of developing the disease, and most do not know that oral contraceptive use is protective against ovarian and uterine cancer, a new survey shows.
Commissioned by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the poll results were released Friday to coincide with the launch of a new web-based guide designed to help women better understand their cancer risk.
ACOG past president Douglas W. Laube, MD, says the survey findings reveal a "worrisome gap in women's knowledge about cancer."
"This knowledge gap, as well as their fears about cancer, may be putting women at risk," he said at a Friday morning media briefing.
Among the highlights from the survey:
Two out of three women did not know that the vast majority of cancers occur in women with no family history of the disease. Only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, according to the American Cancer Society.
"While we know that having a family history of cancer is a risk factor, the fact is that most cancers occur in people with no family history of this disease at all," Laube says. "So those without a family history cannot assume that they are not at risk."
Only 11% of women knew that taking oral contraceptives is associated with a reduced risk of ovarian, uterine, and possibly colorectal cancer.
"Unfortunately the pill remains one of the best kept secrets in medicine," Laube says, adding that oral contraceptive use is still linked in many women's minds with an increased risk of breast cancer, even though many studies have found little or no association.
Only about half of the women surveyed felt they were doing enough to reduce their cancer risk, and 10% said they had done nothing to reduce their risk in the past year.
Almost one in three women (29%) reported that they did not see a health care provider on a regular basis and had not had a Pap test or mammogram during the previous year.
About a third of women without regular medical care cited lack of health insurance or other economic barriers as the reason.
"The greatest potential to further reduce cancer deaths in women will come from efforts to improve screening and access to preventive health care, particularly for women without insurance," Laube says.
The online survey conducted by Harris Interactive included 1,664 adult women aged 18 and older and took place Oct. 1 through Oct. 3, 2007.
New Colorectal Cancer Guidelines
Also on Friday, ACOG released new guidelines identifying colonoscopy as the preferred screening method for colorectal cancer.
The group is the first major health care organization to do this.
The guidelines call for most average-risk women to begin screening at age 50, with repeat screenings every 10 years or as needed. Women should be screened earlier if they have a family history of the disease or of adenomatous polyps, a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Advantages of colonoscopy over other screening methods include its ability to visualize the entire colon and to remove potentially dangerous polyps that could become malignant.
"While we want ob-gyns to encourage this method, they should still discuss the advantages and limitations of the other screening options with their patients," says Carol Brown, MD, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "The bottom line is we want women to get tested by whichever method they are most likely to accept and follow through with."
Lung Cancer Bucking the Trend
ACOG's web guide titled "Protect and Detect: What Women Should Know About Cancer," was designed to educate women about the cancers that affect them most, including breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, ovarian, and uterine cancers.
While the death rate from most of these cancers has either declined or remained steady in recent years, lung cancer deaths among women has climbed.
Fully 80% of lung cancers in women are caused by smoking, and 5% to 10% may be due to 'passive' exposure to cigarette smoke, Sharon Phenlan, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, said Friday.
Though more women get more breast cancer than lung cancer, far fewer breast cancer patients die. In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates that 70,880 women will die of lung cancer, compared with 40,460 who will die of breast cancer.

What Women Don't Know About Cancer

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical News

Oct. 26, 2007 -- Nearly two-thirds of women mistakenly believe having no family history of cancer means they have a low risk of developing the disease, and most do not know that oral contraceptive use is protective against ovarian and uterine cancer, a new survey shows.
Commissioned by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the poll results were released Friday to coincide with the launch of a new web-based guide designed to help women better understand their cancer risk.
ACOG past president Douglas W. Laube, MD, says the survey findings reveal a "worrisome gap in women's knowledge about cancer."
"This knowledge gap, as well as their fears about cancer, may be putting women at risk," he said at a Friday morning media briefing.
Among the highlights from the survey:
Two out of three women did not know that the vast majority of cancers occur in women with no family history of the disease. Only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, according to the American Cancer Society.
"While we know that having a family history of cancer is a risk factor, the fact is that most cancers occur in people with no family history of this disease at all," Laube says. "So those without a family history cannot assume that they are not at risk."
Only 11% of women knew that taking oral contraceptives is associated with a reduced risk of ovarian, uterine, and possibly colorectal cancer.
"Unfortunately the pill remains one of the best kept secrets in medicine," Laube says, adding that oral contraceptive use is still linked in many women's minds with an increased risk of breast cancer, even though many studies have found little or no association.
Only about half of the women surveyed felt they were doing enough to reduce their cancer risk, and 10% said they had done nothing to reduce their risk in the past year.
Almost one in three women (29%) reported that they did not see a health care provider on a regular basis and had not had a Pap test or mammogram during the previous year.
About a third of women without regular medical care cited lack of health insurance or other economic barriers as the reason.
"The greatest potential to further reduce cancer deaths in women will come from efforts to improve screening and access to preventive health care, particularly for women without insurance," Laube says.
The online survey conducted by Harris Interactive included 1,664 adult women aged 18 and older and took place Oct. 1 through Oct. 3, 2007.
New Colorectal Cancer Guidelines
Also on Friday, ACOG released new guidelines identifying colonoscopy as the preferred screening method for colorectal cancer.
The group is the first major health care organization to do this.
The guidelines call for most average-risk women to begin screening at age 50, with repeat screenings every 10 years or as needed. Women should be screened earlier if they have a family history of the disease or of adenomatous polyps, a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Advantages of colonoscopy over other screening methods include its ability to visualize the entire colon and to remove potentially dangerous polyps that could become malignant.
"While we want ob-gyns to encourage this method, they should still discuss the advantages and limitations of the other screening options with their patients," says Carol Brown, MD, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "The bottom line is we want women to get tested by whichever method they are most likely to accept and follow through with."
Lung Cancer Bucking the Trend
ACOG's web guide titled "Protect and Detect: What Women Should Know About Cancer," was designed to educate women about the cancers that affect them most, including breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, ovarian, and uterine cancers.
While the death rate from most of these cancers has either declined or remained steady in recent years, lung cancer deaths among women has climbed.
Fully 80% of lung cancers in women are caused by smoking, and 5% to 10% may be due to 'passive' exposure to cigarette smoke, Sharon Phenlan, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, said Friday.
Though more women get more breast cancer than lung cancer, far fewer breast cancer patients die. In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates that 70,880 women will die of lung cancer, compared with 40,460 who will die of breast cancer.

Bladder Cancer II

http://www.apjohncancerinstitute.org/cancer/bladder.htm

After bladder cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the bladder or to other parts of the body. The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the bladder lining and muscle or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging process:
Cystoscopy: A procedure to look inside the bladder and urethra to check for abnormal areas. A cystoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.
CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
Bone scan: A procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the bone. A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.The following stages are used for bladder cancer:Stage 0In stage 0, the cancer is found on tissue lining the inside of the bladder only. Stage 0 is divided into stage 0a and stage 0is, depending on the type of the tumor:
Stage 0a is also called papillary carcinoma, which may look like tiny mushrooms growing from the lining of the bladder.
Stage 0is is also called carcinoma in situ, which is a flat tumor on the tissue lining the inside of the bladder.Stage 0 Bladder Cancer (Carcinoma in Situ) Treatment of stage 0 bladder cancer may include the following:
Transurethral resection with fulguration.
Transurethral resection with fulguration followed by intravesical biologic therapy or chemotherapy.
Segmental cystectomy.
Radical cystectomy.
A clinical trial of photodynamic therapy.
A clinical trial of biologic therapy.
A clinical trial of chemoprevention therapy given after treatment to stop cancer from recurring (coming back).Stage IIn stage I, the cancer has spread to the layer below the inner lining of the bladder. Stage I Bladder Cancer Treatment of stage I bladder cancer may include the following:
Transurethral resection with fulguration.
Transurethral resection with fulguration followed by intravesical biologic therapy or chemotherapy.
Segmental or radical cystectomy.
Radiation implants with or without external radiation therapy.
A clinical trial of chemoprevention therapy given after treatment to stop cancer from recurring (coming back).
A clinical trial of intravesical therapy.Stage IIIn stage II, cancer has spread to either the inner half or outer half of the muscle wall of the bladder. Stage II Bladder Cancer Treatment of stage II bladder cancer may include the following:• Radical cystectomy with or without surgery to remove pelvic lymph nodes.
External radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.
Radiation implants before or after external radiation therapy.
Transurethral resection with fulguration.
Segmental cystectomy.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy.Stage IIIIn stage III, cancer has spread from the bladder to the fatty layer of tissue surrounding it, and may have spread to the reproductive organs (prostate, uterus, vagina). Stage III Bladder Cancer Treatment of stage III bladder cancer may include the following:
Radical cystectomy.
External radiation therapy with or without radiation implants.
Segmental cystectomy.
External radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy.Stage III Bladder Cancer Treatment of stage III bladder cancer may include the following:
Radical cystectomy.
External radiation therapy with or without radiation implants.
Segmental cystectomy.
External radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy.Stage IVIn stage IV, cancer has spread from the bladder to the wall of the abdomen or pelvis. Cancer may have spread to one or more lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.Stage IV Bladder Cancer Treatment of stage IV bladder cancer may include the following:
Radical cystectomy.
External radiation therapy (may be as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life).
Urinary diversion as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Cystectomy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Chemotherapy.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
A clinical trial of chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy.There are different types of treatment for patients with bladder cancer. Different types of treatment are available for patients with bladder cancer. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the “standard” treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment.
Four types of standard treatment are used:1. Surgery One of the following types of surgery may be done:
Transurethral resection (TUR) with fulguration: Surgery in which a cystoscope (a thin lighted tube) is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. A tool with a small wire loop on the end is then used to remove the cancer or to burn the tumor away with high-energy electricity. This is known as fulguration.
Radical cystectomy: Surgery to remove the bladder and any lymph nodes and nearby organs that contain cancer. This surgery may be done when the bladder cancer invades the muscle wall, or when superficial cancer involves a large part of the bladder. In men, the nearby organs that are removed are the prostate and the seminal vesicles. In women, the uterus, the ovaries, and part of the vagina are removed. Sometimes, when the cancer has spread outside the bladder and cannot be completely removed, surgery to remove only the bladder may be done to reduce urinary symptoms caused by the cancer. When the bladder must be removed, the surgeon creates another way for urine to leave the body.
Segmental cystectomy: Surgery to remove part of the bladder. This surgery may be done for patients who have a low-grade tumor that has invaded the wall of the bladder but is limited to one area of the bladder. Because most of the bladder remains intact, a patient is able to urinate normally after recovering from this surgery.
Urinary diversion: Surgery to make a new way for the body to store and pass urine.Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after surgery, to increase the chances of a cure, is called adjuvant therapy.2. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. 3. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, a body cavity such as the abdomen, or an organ, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas. Bladder cancer may be treated with intravesical (into the bladder through a tube inserted into the urethra) chemotherapy. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
What are the side effects of bladder cancer treatment?
The methods used to treat bladder cancer are very powerful. It is hard to limit the effects of treatment so that only cancer cells are destroyed; healthy tissue may also be damaged. That is why treatment can cause unpleasant side effects. Side effects depend on the type of treatment used and on the part of the body being treated.When the bladder is removed, the patient needs a new way to store and pass urine. Various methods are used. In one, the surgeon uses a piece of the person's small intestine to form a new pipeline. The ureters are attached to one end, and the other end is brought out through an opening in the wall of the abdomen. This new opening is called a stoma. (It is also called an ostomy or urostomy.) A flat bag fits over the stoma to collect urine, and it is held in place with a special adhesive. A specially trained nurse or enterostomal therapist will show the patient how to care for the ostomy.A newer method uses part of the small intestine to make a new storage pouch (called a continent reservoir) inside the body. The urine collects there and does not empty into a bag. Instead, the patient learns to use a tube (catheter) to drain the urine through a stoma. Other methods are being developed that connect a pouch made from the small intestine to a remaining part of the urethra. When this procedure is possible, a stoma and bag are not necessary because urine leaves the body through the urethra.Radical cystectomy causes infertility in both men and women. This operation can also lead to sexual problems. In the past, nearly all men were impotent following this procedure, but improvements in surgery have made it possible to prevent this in many men. In women, the vagina may be narrower or shallower, and intercourse may be difficult.During radiation therapy, patients may become very tired as the treatment continues. Resting as much as possible is important. Radiation treatment to the lower abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Usually, certain foods or medications can ease these problems. Radiation therapy can also cause problems with fertility and can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable.causes side effects because it damages not only cancer cells but other rapidly growing cells as well. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the specific drugs that are given. In addition, each patient reacts differently. Chemotherapy commonly affects blood-forming cells and cells that line the digestive tract. As a result, patients may have side effects such as a lowered resistance to infection, loss of appetite, loss of hair, nausea and vomiting, less energy, and mouth sores. These are short-term side effects that usually end after treatment stops. When drugs are put directly into the bladder, these side effects may be limited. However, it is common for the bladder to be irritated. Loss of appetite can be a serious problem for patients during therapy. Patients who eat well may be better able to withstand the side effects of their treatment, so good nutrition is an important part of the treatment plan. Eating well means getting enough calories to prevent weight loss and having enough protein to build and repair muscles, organs, skin, and hair. Many patients find that eating several small meals and snacks during the day is easier than trying to eat three large meals.Side effects during cancer treatment vary for each patient. They may even be different from one treatment to the next in the same person. Attempts are made to plan treatment to minimize problems. Fortunately, most side effects are temporary. Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can explain the side effects of cancer treatment and can suggest ways to deal with them.What happens after treatment for bladder cancer?
Regular follow-up exams are very important after treatment for bladder cancer. The bladder needs to be checked with a cystoscope, any superficial tumors that may have recurred are removed. The urine is checked for cancerous cells and a chest x-ray, an IVP, or other tests may be performed.A patient who has had bladder cancer should be closely monitored for several years, because bladder tumors can come back. If the cancer does recur, early detection is important so that additional treatment can be started.Bladder Cancer At A Glance
While the exact cause(s) of bladder cancer is not known, risk factors have been identified.
The most common warning sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine.
The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and x-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a cystoscope exam).
Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the growth, size, and location of the tumor as well as the age and health of the patient.
INTEGRATIVE THERAPY4. THE SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED AMINO ACID THERAPY
(Keep in mind, CAAT is much more than just a “diet”; it is an amino acid, carbohydrate, & glucose REDUCTION protocol which strategically uses the chemical reactions of amino acids, foods, and nutritional supplements to impair the development of cancer cells, thus starving them to death.) Clinical trials have already been done with humans using amino acid depravation formulas, and with much success. (Journal American Medical Association. 1967; 200:211)
CAAT is a course of therapy to control a patient’s amino acid intake. This is achieved by taking certain foods out of a persons’ daily food plan for a short time and by replacing them with a scientifically supported formula of amino acids. It is also important to emphasize that the food plan that accompanies the amino acid formula needs to be followed so not to offset any of the benefits we are creating by depriving the cancer cells the nutrients they need to grow. Also, it is important to realize that the patient does not need to abandon their conventional cancer treatment, (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone treatments) nor is it recommended that they do so unless it has already failed them. CAAT works synergistically with chemotherapy and/or radiation to enhance their benefits (see study by Dr. Marco Rabinowitz of the National Cancer Institute). His report on amino acid deprivation, such as with Controlled Amino Acid Therapy (CAAT), proven to inhibit phosphofructokinase which shuts down the energy supply to cancer cells, simultaneously enhancing the benefits of chemotherapy while lessening their toxic side effects. CAAT has also proven to work successfully alone.
Phase 1: CAAT Formulation
The most important component of CAAT is the scientifically formulated amino acids. Based on the specific formula for each cancer, it consists of separate amino acids, citric acid, and small amounts of sodium benzoate. Each formula replaces most of the regular daily proteins found in meats, dairy, fish, beans and nuts, which cancer cells can derive their energy from. The CAAT formula taken two times per day will nourish the healthy cells while causing the cancer cells to starve to death. Of course each individual has specific needs concerning their diet, and this is explained in the second phase of the protocol as well as with a specialist at the Institute when beginning the CAAT therapy.
Phase 2: Daily Food Intake
DISCLAIMER: The following food program SHOULD NOT be consumed without the amino acid formula and without consent from your doctor and our Institute.
Breakfast:*1/2 Grapefruit or 1-orange or 6-ounces of fresh orange juice.Whey Enhanced Protein (Vanilla Flavor – Vitamin Shoppe Brand) approximately10 – 12 grams of protein – read label carefully, based on 150 lb. person ].A serving of Grits (Butter, cinnamon and other spices are okay).1 cup of green or black tea (Fructose is sweetener of choice).* Do Not have ½ grapefruit if taking Chemotherapy
Explanation: ½ Grapefruit or 1 orange or 6 ounces of fresh orange juice are rich in the natural nutrients called Limonene and Citric Acid. Limonene helps shut down the Ras cancer gene which is over active in 90 percent of all cancers. Citric Acid helps shut down glycolosis which in turn helps starve cancer cells to death.
Whey Enhanced Protein (Vanilla Flavor – Vitamin Shoppe Brand) Phosphorus is a nutrient that cancer cells must utilize in order to grow and reproduce. This brand of whey protein is very low in phosphorous and contains no additional vitamins, so when using approximately 10 – 12 grams of protein per 150 lb. person, it helps to protect normal cells, maintain a normal appetite, and also helps to fight edema. (Edema is the swelling or water build up in the legs or other sites in the body)Whey protein is included in the daily menu of all advanced or metastatic cancer patients. When treating cancers that are stable or have regressed in size, patients then have the option of including other protein foods at their breakfast meals such as cottage cheese, yogurt, or soy foods. Eggs are allowed in the diets of patients with lymphoma and brain cancers.
Grits or Cream of Wheat or 1 slice of white toast or ½ plain bagel or ½ English muffin (Butter is okay)Grits or white rice is the preferred carbohydrate food at each meal. The other choices are options once the patient’s cancer is stable or reduced in size. Unrefined carbohydrates are included in the CAAT menu instead of whole grains to deprive cancer cells of a certain B-complex vitamin called Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6). Cancer cells require this vitamin to manufacture certain amino acids that we keep away from through CAAT’s amino acid reduction formula and diet. Grits is the preferred carbohydrate food at all meals instead of rice, corn, or pasta because it helps deplete Tryptophan in the body, which is essential for the growth and spreading of cancer cells.
1 cup of green or black tea, using fructose as the sweetener of choice. These teas are rich sources of several compounds that help shut down glycolosis and cut off the energy supply to cancer cells. Also, green or regular tea helps to prevent certain hormones and tumor growth factors from stimulating cancer cells to grow and metastasize to other parts of the body. Brassica teas can also be taken because they contain sulphorane, a nutrient that inhibits cancer growth, and also shuts down the cancer genes.* Why we use fructose as the sweetener of choice will be explained in detail at the end of this phase of the CAAT protocol.
Lunch:
Amino acid formula (4 level plastic scoops) mixed with any of the following: Water & Fructose; Sugar free Kool-Aid; Diet ginger ale; Fresh lemonade & Fructose; Chicken or Beef broth; V8 juice.Generous amounts of One cooked vegetable or a combination of the following: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, brussell sprouts, spinach, squash, string beans.One serving (1/2 cup)of fresh fruit. Choice of: pear, orange, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries.1 serving (moderate) of grits or corn or rice or pasta (Add tomato sauce or butter)1 tablespoon of coconut oil8 to 10 black or green olives2 tablespoons of vinegar (minimum of 5% acidity) add to vegetables or food1 cup of green or black tea (Fructose as desired)
Explanation:
This Amino Acid Reduction Formula (4 level plastic scoops may vary) combined with the special diet, allows the CAAT Protocol to reduce certain amino acids in the daily diet of the cancer patient, and is designed to replace most of the animal protein in the diet. Cancer cells require the amino acids glycine, serine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid to synthesize DNA, build new blood vessels or duplicate its entire contents of proteins. Also, cancer cells require these and certain other amino acids in order to synthesize other proteins that act as growth promoting hormones or tumor growth factors. CAAT impairs the synthesis of a protein called elastin, which is absolutely essential to the manufacture of new blood vessels. The Amino Acid Reduction Formula, diet, certain phytochemicals and herbs work efficaciously to attack cancer cells at each and every biological front.
The generous amounts of one cooked vegetable or a combination of such helps keep normal cells healthy. They are low in carbohydrates and proteins, and high in phytochemicals, compounds which help fight cancer. Patients are allowed to eat these vegetables and salads whenever desired.
The 8 to 10 olives are rich in squalene and oleic acid, nutrients that have been reported to inhibit certain cancer growth factors. The calories in olives also help control body weight and increases ketones in the blood. Ketones help fight cancer by impairing glycolosis – a process in which cancer cells depend almost exclusively upon for their daily supply of energy. Vinegar (and fructose) are two natural products that increase the production of both ACETIC ACID and CITRIC ACID in the body.
Acetic acid and citric acid also help fight cancer by shutting down the process of glycolosis.Normal cells derive most of their daily energy supply from acetic acid and citric acid, where as cancer cells derive most of their daily energy from glycolosis.
Dinner:
Amino acid formula (4 plastic level scoops) mixed with any of the following: Water & fructose; Sugar free Kool–Ade; Diet Ginger Ale; Fresh lemonade & Fructose; Chicken or Beef broth; V8 Juice.Generous amounts of One cooked vegetable or a combination of the following: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, spinach, squash, string beans.One serving (1/2 cup) of stewed plums with fresh cream & fructose; use 4-ounces of orange juice if plums are not in season.Avacado salad with lettuce, tomatoes, celery, onions, with lemon juice and coconut oil or olive oil.2 tablespoons of vinegar (minimum of 5% acidity) add to vegetables or food.1 serving of grits or corn or pasta or rice (Add garlic and butter or tomato sauce)1 cup of green or black tea (Fructose as desired)
Mid Evening Snack: Ketogenic Cocktail – 2 ounces of fresh cream, ½ ounce each of both coconut & olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Fructose.Sugar free Jell-O with whipped cream & Fructose or 1 plum or 4 ounces of orange juice.
Explanation: The sugar free jell-o helps to appease the appetite. Plums contain quinlic acid, which is converted into benzoic acid in the body and which in turn helps to deplete the availability of the amino acid Glycine (Glycine is essential to the synthesis of DNA for cancer cells) and the proteins that cancer cells require to build new blood vessels and their tumor growth factors. If underweight take two ounces of light cream and one ounce of olive oil/coconut oil as needed to maintain weight.
Optional Meal:
3 to 4 ounces of Veal, Fish of choice, Beef, Chicken breast, and 1-slice of white bread.
Consume this meal with a minimum of 3 hours before or after taking the amino acids.
Explanation: If the patient is 10 or more pounds underweight or if their albumin levels are below normal is when the optional meal is allowed. This meal should be eaten a minimum of 3 hours before or after taking the amino acids. CAAT provides sufficient protein to maintain the health of normal cells and adequate amounts of calories to maintain desired body weight. Any proteins taken in excess of amounts recommended in the diet will counter act the benefits of the CAAT protocol.
Special Diets: A special diet will be created for any cancer patient whose ability to consume food and liquids has placed them in a critical situation. When a patient is using a feeding apparatus, or they have become too weak or lethargic to eat and drink the daily minimum amount for survival, we will break up the total breakfast, lunch, and dinner over a period of every 2 hours during the entire day until the patient is capable of returning to a daily diet as outlined above.
Carbohydrate and glucose reduction in this diet: CAAT’S dietary menu provides approximately 20 percent of its calories in the form of carbohydrates. Calories need not be a focal point or counted daily. It is recommended that all patients combat their cancers by keeping their body weight at normal or slightly below normal levels. A patient’s desired body weight is regulated by their rate of metabolism, which in turn is regulated by their blood levels of thyroxine, cortisone, insulin, and the amounts of fats and oils in the diet. Studies with human cancer patients and laboratory animals show that reducing the calories of carbohydrates (glucose) in their daily diet by only 10 percent reduced the size of cancerous tumors. When carbohydrate (glucose) calories were reduced 40 percent, the cancers disappeared. It is recommended that those patients who are obese gradually and systematically lose their excess weight to increase the efficiency of the CAAT protocol. Those patients who are underweight shoudn’t gain weight unless they are more than 10 pounds below normal levels. When a patient is underweight due to anorexia or cachexia, such illnesses must be addressed before the CAAT protocol can begin.
Why we use Fructose and Vinegar to treat cancer:
Nobel Prize winner Dr. Otto Warburg discovered more than 50 years ago that all cancer cells produce inordinate amount of lactic acid but he couldn’t explain why.
In 2001 our Institute published the first study to show that cancer cells produce excess amounts of lactic acid because they could not access the oxygen in compartments in the cells called the mitochondria. This provided evidence that cancer cells depend almost exclusively upon glycolosis or the metabolism of glucose as their major source of energy.
Dr. Spitz and Dr. Lee with other cancer researchers published studies showing that when cancer cells are deprived glucose, their energy supply is cut off which causes these cancer cells to commit suicide.
Therefore shutting down glycolosis would be one means of destroying cancer cells because energy can only be derived from glucose through the metabolic process called glycolosis.
Recently our Cancer Institute discovered that both acetic acid and citric acid could inhibit the activity of a key enzyme in glycolosis called phosphofructokinase, which in turn shuts down the process of glycolosis. Our cancer Institute is the first to introduce both fructose and vinegar as treatments for cancer because they either contain or produce acetic acid.
In conclusion, fructose and vinegar are added as supplements to the CAAT protocol because of their acetic acid properties that help shut down glycolosis, shutting off cancer cells energy supply and causing them to die off.
Phase 3: Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are based on each unique situation. For example, slow growing cancers produce low levels of toxic free radicals. Tumor cells that grow aggressively produce large amounts of toxic free radicals. The patient will be instructed whether or not to take anti-oxidants (in a nutritional supplement) and at what dosage, according to the levels of toxic free radicals produced in the cancerous cells.
An example of how nutritional supplements can help manipulate cancer cells involves vitamin B-6 (pyroxidine) There are four amino acids essential to the synthesis of DNA. However, those amino acids cannot be synthesized without a certain enzyme, which includes vitamin B-6 among other components. Any supplement containing vitamin B-6 SHOULD NOT be taken during the first 2 months of the CAAT protocol.
The patient will be instructed as to which nutritional supplements or phytochemicals should be purchased and at what dosage strength. Keep in mind that each supplement only complements the CAAT protocol. However, when they are combined they augment the therapeutic benefits of the aminoacid, carbohydrate, and glucose reduction diet.
Parsley: Contains ingredients that can help shut down certain enzymes called Epithelial Growth Factors, which stimulate the growth and spread of cancer. ( CAAT’S amino acid reduction diet works in the same manner )
Vitamin D: Helps activate in many kinds of cancers enzymes called Phosphotases, which literally shut down the activities of other enzymes called Kinases, which are essential to the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.
Green Tea Extract: Phytochemicals in tea help shut down glycolosis (cancer cell’s main supplier of energy) and thereby help to starve cancer cells to death. These effects help complement the effects of CAAT’S carbohydrate reduction.
Anti-Oxidants: The controversy as to whether or not to treat cancer with anti-oxidants is slowly resolving with the current understanding of how they affect the activity of genes and enzymes in cancer cells. The prevailing data shows that the benefits or lack of benefits depend upon the oxidative state the cancer cells are in. Anti-oxidants taken when the cells are in a very high oxidative state may prevent cancer cells from entering apoptosis ( apoptosis is when a cancer cell commits suicide) When oxidative stress in cancer cells is only slightly above normal, anti-oxidants are then expected to stop their growth and reproduction.
Blood Chemistry: Blood tests are usually taken every 6 to 8 weeks, depending upon the results of each test. Not only is it important to monitor the tumor markers but equally important to keep abreast of the overall health of normal tissues and organs. For example, it is important to learn of the health of the kidneys and liver, whether the body is producing sufficient red and white blood cells, etc. Low albumin levels most often indicate insufficient intake of proteins in the diet and this problem would have to be addressed. CAAT is designed to attack cancer but keep the normal cells and tissues functioning harmoniously.
Whey Protein: This protein food is recommended at the breakfast meal to help meet the daily needs of amino acids for the normal cells of the body, and to help keep albumin levels normal and to help prevent edema. We recommend Whey protein purchased from the Vitamin Shoppe because it is the only brand that we have seen with no phosphorous or additional vitamins added to it.
Grits: Grits are also recommended at the breakfast meal in place of whole grains because it is low in vitamin B-6. Cancer cells require B-6 to manufacture the amino acid Glycine, which is required for DNA synthesis. Grits, instead of whole grains, therefore helps prevent cancer cells from manufacturing DNA and building new blood vessels.
Calcium D-Glucurate: This phytochemical helps the body to retain a compound called Glucuronic acid. This is necessary to eliminate both estrogen and testosterone from the body. This is why Calcium D-Glucurate is added to the regiments of patients with breast & prostate cancers. Calcium D-Glucurate is not to be confused with calcium carbonate, which is nothing more than a calcium supplement.
D-Limonene: This phytochemical found mostly in citrus fruits blocks the process called Isoprenylation, which is necessary for tumor growth factors such as the RAS gene, Epithelial Growth factor, Tyrosine Kinase, and Insulin-Like-Growth-factor, to send their signals into the nucleus of a cancer cell and directs them to grow and divide into more cancer cells.
Tocotrienols: This member of the Vitamin E family also helps shut down Isoprenylation and assists D-Limonene in blocking the actions of the various tumor growth factors. More specifically, tocotrienols shut down an enzyme called HMG-2, which is essential to the synthesis of the building blocks that form the Isoprenylation process.
Niacin: This B-Complex vitamin works with D-limonene and the Tocotrienols to shut down the process of Isoprenylation, which as mentioned above prevents the cancer promoting RAS genes from sending signals into the nucleus of the cell. Niacin also helps deplete thee amino acid Glycine, which cancer cells need to synthesize DNA. And by reducing cholesterole in the body, Niacin helps lower the production of estrogen and testosterone.
Choline: This B-complex vitamin is included in our supplement list to help the liver metabolize Niacin and other compounds and to help fight fatigue that accompanies most forms of cancer.
Selenium: Numerous studies show that this mineral can interfere with the activity of certain genes that promote the growth of cancer and to induce cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis)
Perilla Oil: This oil is rich in Alpha Linolenic Acid which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in several ways. One way is to inhibit the synthesis in the body of a tumor growth promotin hormone called Prostaglandin-2, also, Alpha Linolenic Acid inhibits the actions of certain genes that promote the growth of cancer cells. Linolenic acid is not to be confused with linoleic acid, which is a bad fat that stimulates the growth of cancer cells. This bad fat, linoleic acid, is found in all vegetable oils and nuts (With the exception of coconut oil). Olive oil has the least amount of this bad fat.
Super Miraforte: This herb impairs the synthesis of estrogen from testosterone in the body and is included in the regiments of women with breast cancer.Licorice Root Extract & Pantothenic Acid: This herb and vitamin are added to the regiment when it is desirable to produce steroid like actions in the body. Also used to help patient’s gain weight and to inhibit the growth of lymphomas and leukemia’s.
Resveratrol: This phytochemical blocks the actions of a number of a number of cancer promoting genes thereby causing cancer cells to enter into apoptosis (cell death) and is included in the treatment of all cancers.
Indole-3 Carbinol & D.I.M.: These two phytochemicals block the actions of both estrogen and testosterone and are included in the regiments of both breast and prostate gland cancer.
Melatonin: Numerous studies show that this hormone blocks the synthesis of the cancer promoting chemicals in the body called Leukotrienes, and is included in the treatment of all cancers.
Artho Pro System: This combination of herbs and phytochemicals inhibits the synthesis of the cancer promoting hormone called Prostaglandin-2 and the Leukotriens and replaces the drug celebrex when liver problems are present. The Prostaglandin hormone is over active in most cancers and stimulates cancer growth. The body manufactures the Prostaglandin hormone from the bad fat, Linoleic acid, mentioned above.
Licorice Root Extract & Pantothenic Acid: This HERB and VITAMIN are added to the regiment when it is desirable to produce steroid like actions in the body. Used also to help patients gain weight and ti inhibit the growth of Lymphomas and Leukemias.
CAAT is designed to attack cancer, while keeping normal cells and tissues functioning harmoniously

Bladder Cancer I

http://www.apjohncancerinstitute.org/cancer/bladder.htm

What is Bladder Cancer?
The bladder is an expandable, hollow organ in the pelvis that stores urine (the body's liquid waste) before it leaves the body during urination. The urinary tract, made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is lined with a layer of transitional cells called the urothelium. This layer of cells is separated from the bladder muscles (called the muscularis propria) by a thin, fibrous band called the lamina propria. The lamina propria separates tumors that have spread into muscle (called invasive cancer) from those that have not (superficial or non-invasive cancers).
Bladder cancers are malignant tumors that begin in the bladder. Different bladder cancers are described by how deep they grow and if they grow into the bladder or through the muscles around the bladder (superficial or invasive).
There are three types of bladder cancer: transitional cell carcinoma, or TCC (about 90% of bladder cancer cases); squamous cell carcinomas (about 8%); and adenocarcinomas (about 2%). There are other less common types of cancer that arise in the bladder, including sarcomas (which begin in the muscle layers of the bladder) and small cell anaplastic cancers (a rare type very likely to spread to other parts of the body).
All three types can metastasize beyond the bladder. The tumor can grow into the surrounding organs (uterus and vagina in women; prostate in men), called locally advanced disease. It can also spread to the nearby lymph nodes, and/or into the liver, bones, or lungs; this is called distant metastasis. In some cases, it can spread to other parts of the body.
As we well know, there are many kinds of cancer; unfortunately they all come about because of the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.Leading Cancers in Women, Men, & ChildrenFor Women: Breast cancer is the leading cancer for women in the US. Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer and colorectal cancer is third among white women. The number 2 and 3 cancers are reversed among black and Asian/Pacific Island women. For all women, the fourth leading cancer is cancer of the uterus.For Men: Prostate cancer is the leading cancer for men in the US. It is followed by lung cancer and then colorectal cancer. The fourth most common cancer is race-dependent. It is bladder cancer for white men, cancer of the mouth and throat for black men; and stomach cancer for Asian/Pacific Island men.For Children: The most common malignancies in childhood are leukemia, followed by brain tumors, and lymphoma.Cancer that is confined to the lining of the bladder is called superficial bladder cancer. Cancer that begins in the transitional cells may spread through the lining of the bladder and invade the muscle wall of the bladder or spread to nearby organs and lymph nodes; this is called invasive bladder cancer.Bladder cancer is a fairly common form of cancer in the United States. Whites contract bladder cancer twice as often as blacks, and men are affected two to three times as often as women. Most bladder cancers occur after the age of 55, but the disease can also develop in younger people. Each year, more than 50,000 people in the United States find out they have bladder cancer. The outlook for patients with early bladder cancer is very good. The chances of recovery from more advanced bladder cancer are improving as researchers continue to look for better ways to treat this disease.Smoking, gender, and diet can affect the risk of developing bladder cancer. Risk factors include the following:
Smoking.
Being exposed to certain substances at work, such as rubber, certain dyes and textiles, paint, and hairdressing supplies.
A diet high in fried meats and fat.
Being older, male, or white.
Having an infection caused by a certain parasite. Possible signs of bladder cancer include blood in the urine or pain during urination.
These and other symptoms may be caused by bladder cancer or by other conditions. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
Blood in the urine (slightly rusty to bright red in color).
Frequent urination, or feeling the need to urinate without being able to do so.
Pain during urination.
Lower back pain.
What is hematuria?
Hematuria means blood in the urine. Microscopic hematuria indicates that the blood is only seen when the urine is examined under a microscope, while gross hematuria means that there is enough blood in the urine so that it can be seen with the naked eye. Despite the quantity of blood in the urine being different, the types of diagnoses that can cause the problem are the same, and the workup or evaluation that is needed is identical. Since blood in the urine must come from one of the organs involved in making or transporting the urine, the evaluation of hematuria requires that we consider the entire urinary tract. This organ system includes the kidneys, ureter (the tube that carries the urine from the kidney to the bladder), bladder, prostate, or urethra (tube leading out of the bladder). It must be emphasized that even a single episode of hematuria requires evaluation, even if it resolves spontaneously. What are the causes of hematuria?
There are multiple causes of hematuria. Some are serious, including cancers, trauma, stones, infections, and obstructions of the urinary tract. Others are less important, and may require no treatment. These may include viral infections, nonspecific inflammations of the kidney, medications which thin the blood's clotting ability, and benign prostate enlargement. How is hematuria evaluated?
The evaluation for hematuria consists of taking a history, performing a physical examination, evaluating the urine under a microscope, and finally, obtaining a culture of the urine. A significant history would include whether or not there was any pain or discomfort associated with the hematuria; whether the blood was in the beginning, end, or throughout the urinary stream; and finally, whether there is a personal history of smoking, kidney stones, injuries to the urinary tract, trouble urinating, or previous urologic evaluation. No matter how obvious the reason for hematuria appears to be, a complete evaluation is almost always necessary to rule out a serious underlying disease, such as a cancer. There are usually three diagnostic tests necessary to give us a look at the entire urinary tract, and these include the intravenous pyelogram (IVP), cystoscopy, and urine cytology. The intravenous pyelogram, or IVP, is an x-ray evaluation of the urinary tract. In this procedure, a dye is injected into the veins, and this is filtered by the urinary tract. A series of x-rays are then taken over a thirty-minute period, looking for abnormalities. This study is especially useful for evaluating the kidneys and ureter, but not the bladder, prostate, or urethra. Therefore, a second examination called a cystoscopy is necessary. In this procedure, a small viewing tube, or cystoscope, is used to visually inspect the bladder and the urethra. In most instances, this can be done without discomfort by the use of local anesthetic jelly. The cystoscope is passed up the urethra into the bladder, and the inspection is carried out. The entire examination takes less than ten minutes. The final test is a urine cytology, which involves voiding urine into a cup and having that urine examined by a pathologist to look for cancer cells. How is hematuria treated?
Management of hematuria depends upon the underlying cause. Many times a cause cannot be found, which is fortunate, because it generally suggests that there is not a harmful situation present. Remember that the real reason for a hematuria workup is not to prove a specific cause, but to rule out a serious problem. If no cause is found for the hematuria, the urine should be checked on a yearly basis to make certain that no changes are occurring. However, if gross hematuria were to recur, repeat evaluation may be necessary, and a physician should be consulted. A blood test to check kidney function and a blood pressure check should be done as well. Men over fifty should have a yearly PSA, or prostate specific antigen, to screen for prostate cancer. Further discussion of the treatment for hematuria would depend upon the results of the previously mentioned workup and the exact cause for the hematuria. The urologist who performs this examination would direct any further treatment or workup that would be necessary. Tests that examine the urine, vagina, or rectum are used to help detect (find) and diagnose bladder cancer.The following tests and procedures may be used:
CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
Urinalysis: A test to check the color of urine and its contents, such as sugar, protein, blood, and bacteria.
Internal exam: An exam of the vagina and/or rectum. The doctor inserts gloved fingers into the vagina and/or rectum to feel for lumps.
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder to find out if cancer has spread to these organs. A contrast dye is injected into a vein. As the contrast dye moves through the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages.
Cystoscopy: A procedure to look inside the bladder and urethra to check for abnormal areas. A cystoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.
Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. A biopsy for bladder cancer is usually done during cystoscopy. It may be possible to remove the entire tumor during biopsy.
Urine cytology: Examination of urine under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:
The stage of the cancer (whether it is superficial or invasive bladder cancer, and whether it has spread to other places in the body). Bladder cancer in the early stages can often be cured.
The type of bladder cancer cells and how they look under a microscope.
The patient’s age and general health. Treatment options depend on the stage of bladder cancer.
Healthy Cells vs. Cancer Cells
Healthy cells are like a cat. They need structure to determine the size of bones and shape of the body, tail and whiskers. The DNA in genes and chromosomes determine this. They need energy to play and prowl and sustain life. This is derived from chemicals in food. Cats need a system to deliver chemicals (food nutrients like amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals) to all parts of their body. These are the blood vessels. Growth factors take a kitten into a lazy old cat, all the while helping it to function normally.
The body and its cells are mostly made up of protein. The building blocks of proteins are substances called amino acids that in the form of enzymes and hormones literally control every chemical reaction within the cells. When these are modified, different messages are sent to a complex control system that can alter their function. There are twenty different kinds of amino acids that are essential to life. Twelve of these can be synthesized within the body however; eight must be supplied by the daily diet.

Most Asian Men Have Better Prostate Cancer Survival Rates

Asian men have better survival rates than white males, while South Asians have the worst survival rates, according to results of a study of men living in California.
"Nearly all Asians do far better when they get prostate cancer," said study lead author Dr. Anthony Robbins, of the California Cancer Registry in Sacramento. "But Indian men didn't do as well as other Asian men, and they did worse than all other men, including blacks and whites," he added.
The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences in prostate cancer survival aren't known, Robbins said, adding, "We just couldn't explain it."
Not only couldn't the researchers explain the finding, they were left with an apparent paradox. The Asian men were usually older and had more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, Robbins said. "Based on their risk factors, you would think they were going to do worse," he said.
In the study, Robbins and his colleagues collected data on 116,916 men (108,076 whites and 8,840 Asians from the six largest represented Asian ethnicities -- Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese) diagnosed with prostate cancer. The researchers compared prognostic factors and survival rates among the men.
The researchers found that for Asians, risk profiles were worse compared with whites. For example, Asians were more likely to have more advanced disease and use non-curative therapies. But, for Asians -- except for South Asians -- survival rates were equal to or better than rates for whites.
Japanese-American men were 34 percent less likely to die from prostate cancer compared with whites. But South Asian men -- those from India, Pakistan,Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan -- were 40 percent more likely to die from the disease, Robbins said.
The study was published online Monday in the journal Cancer.
Some of the factors that may influence the findings include diet, exercise and genetics, Robbins speculated.
"Doctors that are seeing patients for prostate cancer need to be aware that these differences can be used as factors in planning the patient's treatment and telling the patient what their survival might be," Robbins said.
Dr. Durado Brooks, director of prostate and colorectal cancer at the American Cancer Society, thinks this study demonstrates the need to better understand how different racial and ethnic groups respond to diseases.
"This study points out the potential misleading conclusions we can come to when we use these large groups to lump different subpopulations into," he said.
"If you lump in the South Asian subgroup with other Asians, as is traditionally done, you totally miss the fact that these folks have a strikingly higher chance of dying from prostate cancer," Brooks said.
Brooks said the study finding can provide a basis for research to try to understand why these differences exist between populations.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer to strike American men, other than skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, which estimates there will be about 218,890 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2007, and about 27,050 men will die of the disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in males. While one in six men will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only one man in 34 will die of the disease. The death rate for prostate cancer is declining, due in large part to earlier diagnoses, the society said.
Another paper in the same issue of the journal also found racial differences among women who survive breast cancer; with black women having poorer survival regardless of the stage of the disease.
It is known that black women had larger tumors and are more likely to have invasive breast cancer. But the study, lead by Dr. Alfred Neugut from Columbia University Medical Center and Russell McBride from Mailman School of Public Health, found that mortality among black women was up to 56 percent higher than whites.
Neugut's team says that the disparities in survival were surprising and suggest that non-clinical factors, such as access to and quality of care, may play a part.
SOURCES: Anthony Robbins, M.D., Ph.D., California Cancer Registry, Sacramento; Durado Brooks, M.D., director, prostate and colorectal cancer, American Cancer Society, Atlanta; Aug. 13, 2007, Cancer, online

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Introduction:

The male hormone testosterone is considered a major factor in the development of prostate cancer. In the January l997 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute is a report showing that testosterone stimulates cells in the prostate to produce the cancer causing free radicals.

In the December l996 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a report shows that men who took a nutritional supplement called selenomethionine over a seven year period had a 67 percent reduction in the incidence of cancer of the prostate.

Selenium is a mineral and a major component of the enzyme called glutathione, which is considered one of the most potent anti-oxidants in existence, and one of the most powerful members of the Cancer Detox System. Methionine through its production of cysteine makes possible the synthesis of glutathione within the cells of the body. Selenomethionine therefore protects the prostate against cancer by neutralizing or destroying the toxic, cancer causing free radicals produced in the cells by testosterone and other metabolic factors.

Other major factors that stimulate the cells of the prostate to produce an excess of the oxygen free radicals, which increase one's risk of developing cancer of this gland, include:
OBESITY & ISCHEMIA. Overeating, regardless of whether carbohydrates, fats or proteins, leads to obesity. Excess fat cells impair the flow of blood to the cells of the prostate (ischemia), which prevents these cells from synthesizing a chemical called ATP. This deficiency causes a whole series of chemical reactions to take place in the cells, causing them to produce an excess of the cancer-causing free radicals. Constipation can also cause ischemia. Large fecal stools with delayed elimination can reduce blood flow to the prostate. After the elimination the ischemia is broken, resulting in a rush of flow of blood to the prostate. This process of occlusion and reperfusion of blood results in a build up of the cancer causing free radicals, henceforth, increasing the risk of prostate cancer.

OVER-THE-COUNTER & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. The daily abuse of these drugs depletes the body's stores of glucuronic acid. The Cancer Detox System uses glucuronic acid to regulate blood levels of testosterone and to eliminate cancer causing chemicals from the body. A phytochemical found in fruits and vegetables called d-glucarate enhances the process known as glucuronicidation (a process by which glucuronic acid is conjugated with testosterone or a cancer causing chemical and flushed out of the body). This helps to prevent against cancer of the prostate. We recommend every man over the age of 35 take supplements of calcium d-glucarate daily as a preventative to prostate cancer.

SMOKING. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can produce ischemia to the prostate and thereby increase one's risk of developing cancer of this gland by increasing production of free radicals in the cells.

ALCOHOl. Abuse of alcohol can impair the liver's production of glucuronic acid. This increases the risk of prostate cancer.

DIETARY DEFICIENCIES. Poor eating habits can weaken the Cancer Detox System. This increases the risk of prostate cancer. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that vitamin E supplements reduce the incidence of prostate cancer by 25%. A healthy Cancer Detox System is the key to the prevention of cancer of the prostate gland.

INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR (ILGF). Most current studies now show that blood levels of the insulin-like growth factors (ILGF), to be a more accurate marker for determining the presence of cancer of the prostate than the PSA levels.

The Cancer Institute recommends that every man begin at the age of 35 to test his blood levels of the ILGF. He should then follow up with tests every 3 to 5 years, depending upon the results of each test.

The Cancer Institute also cautions men not to take a nutritional supplement called DHEA, or the growth hormone, without first testing blood levels of these compounds.

Following the Cancer Institute's dietary and nutritional supplements guidelines is the best possible means of maintaining a healthy and effective Cancer Detox System. Keep in mind that life-style abuses can overload the Cancer Detox System and increase the risk of cancer in any part of the body, including the prostate gland

Source: http://www.apjohncancerinstitute.org/prostate.htm

When Viruses Attack

By: Kristen Philipkoski

It's not a lunar lander and it's not a new breed of killer mosquito. It's a very common bacteria-eating virus and researchers have a closer look at it now than ever before.
Researchers at Purdue University combined traditional crystallography and cryoelectron microscopy with imaging software to create detailed pictures of a virus called T4. The Purdue scientists also made a video that shows how the virus attaches to a cell surface, infects it and replicates.
The work isn't just visually impressive, it gives researchers insight into the T4 virus that could elucidate the secrets of viral infection and possibly improve gene-therapy techniques, the Purdue researchers said. Their work was published in the Aug. 20 issue of Cell.
"By changing the receptor molecule at the ends of the long tail fibers," said Michael Rossmann, a structural biologist at Purdue, "you may be able to target specific cells or add to the genome of the virus to get it to insert additional genes into target cells."
T4 is a bacteria-eating virus called a bacteriophage, or phage for short. The word "bacteriophage" was forged from "bacterium" combined with the Greek "phagein," to eat. Each phage eats just one specific type of bacteria. The T4 phage feasts on E-coli. Because overuse is rapidly rendering antibiotics ineffective, researchers are turning to phage viruses as possible replacements. Bacteriophage therapy has been used in Eastern Europe and Russia for decades, but antibiotics have been more popular in the West.
VideoWatch the animation of a virus infecting a cell.
Felix d'Herelle of the Pasteur Institute in France dubbed the bacteria-eaters bacteriophages in 1917. They're one of the simplest life forms on Earth, with a head made of DNA, and spidery legs that grab the bacterium. The video shows how T4 latches on to E-coli with its seven appendages and injects the bacteria with its DNA. Next, it will make copies of itself, eventually causing the E-coli to explode, launching hundreds of new phage particles into the area.
Honing this process into a successful gene therapy is likely decades away. But Rossmann and his colleagues continue their research primarily for the thrill of gaining knowledge.
"In research, one question always leads to the next question," he said. "We may stop working on a particular virus, but there's always one around the corner."

Cancer-Killing Virus Modified to Deliver a One-Two Punch

By Alexis Madrigal

Scientists hacking a smallpox-like virus into doing battle with cancer have given a new weapon to their microscopic warrior.
Researchers at Stanford University and Jennerex Biotherapeutics have tweaked the cancer-killing vaccinia virus JX-963 so that it also stimulates the body to generate cancer-fighting white blood cells. The company intends to take the virus into clinical trials based on a promising animal study.
"This is a very powerful and potent approach," said Dr. Antonio Chiocca, a professor at Ohio State University and a specialist in oncological neurosurgery, who was not involved in the study. "You can think of each of these viruses as a new drug."
Cancer-fighting viruses are the latest attempt to harness viruses' infectious powers for therapeutic treatments. Modified viruses have been used in experimental gene therapies to "fix" faulty inherited genetic code. Gene therapy has generated much hype but little clinical success. Scientists claim to have made recent progress targeting cancer cells with modded cold, herpes and smallpox viruses. These viruses infect and kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. A different Jennerex virus, JX-594, is already entering Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of liver tumors.
In a study appearing Thursday in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the researchers report that the new JX-963 treatment resulted in the suppression of colon tumors in the rabbits on which it was tested.
"The results are very encouraging," said Dr. Stephen Thorne, a co-author of the study and professor of surgical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh. "I would envisage clinical trials starting next year."
Thorne is a Jennerex consultant.
Until now, virus therapies have had limited success targeting and killing all the cancer cells in the body, and not just some. With the new JX-963 therapy, the virus doesn't have to do the work alone -- it elicits the body's own defenses to mop up cancer cells.
The chemical that the virus secretes, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or GM-CSF, is a protein that stimulates the production of white blood cells. The scientists must be careful, however, not to overstimulate the immune system so that it kills the virus before it has a chance to attack the cancer.
"You have to make sure you give the virus enough time to do its job," said Chiocca.
Paradoxically, the answer might lie in temporarily suppressing the immune system with drugs to allow the virus to spread rapidly. Then, after the virus has destroyed most of the tumor, GM-CSF stimulates an elevated immune system response.
The obvious risk of using viruses to attack cancer cells is that the virus might mutate into a deadly form. Since a death in a clinical trial in 1999, gene-therapy research has been on the back burner. Similar problems in the field of cancer-killing viruses could halt research.
Chiocca downplayed the risk from viruses that target humans, like the one used by the Stanford researchers. He said that most people already have been exposed to the smallpox, cold and herpes vaccines, so our immune systems are unlikely to be compromised by any of their forms.
However, there are more risks when researchers use viruses that attack other species. There are a small number of preclinical trials using viruses that don’t target humans, Chiocca said.
"You worry about injecting a bird virus into humans, which could potentially become adapted to the human population and create a supervirus," he said.

Prostate Cancer III

Can prostate cancer be prevented?

No specific measures are known to prevent the development of prostate cancer. At present, therefore, we can hope only to prevent progression of the cancer by making early diagnoses and then attempting to cure the disease. Early diagnoses can be made by screening men for prostate cancer. Screening is done, as mentioned previously, by routine yearly digital rectal examinations beginning at age 40 and the addition of an annual PSA test beginning at age 50. The purpose of the screening is to detect early, tiny, or even microscopic cancers that are confined to the prostate gland. Early treatment of these malignancies (cancers) can stop the growth, prevent the spread, and possibly cure the cancer.Based on some research in animals and people, certain dietary measures have been suggested to prevent the progression of prostate cancer. For example, low fat diets, particularly avoiding red meats, have been suggested because they are thought to slow down the growth of prostate tumors in a manner not yet known. Soybean products, which work by decreasing the amount of testosterone circulating in the blood, also reportedly can inhibit the growth of prostate tumors. Finally, other studies show that tomato products (lycopenes), the mineral selenium, and vitamin E might slow the growth of prostate tumors in ways that are not yet understood.
INTEGRATIVE THERAPYTHE SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED AMINO ACID THERAPY
(Keep in mind, CAAT is much more than just a “diet”; it is an amino acid, carbohydrate, & glucose REDUCTION protocol which strategically uses the chemical reactions of amino acids, foods, and nutritional supplements to impair the development of cancer cells, thus starving them to death.) Clinical trials have already been done with humans using amino acid depravation formulas, and with much success. (Journal American Medical Association. 1967; 200:211)
CAAT is a course of therapy to control a patient’s amino acid intake. This is achieved by taking certain foods out of a persons’ daily food plan for a short time and by replacing them with a scientifically supported formula of amino acids. It is also important to emphasize that the food plan that accompanies the amino acid formula needs to be followed so not to offset any of the benefits we are creating by depriving the cancer cells the nutrients they need to grow. Also, it is important to realize that the patient does not need to abandon their conventional cancer treatment, (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone treatments) nor is it recommended that they do so unless it has already failed them. CAAT works synergistically with chemotherapy and/or radiation to enhance their benefits (see study by Dr. Marco Rabinowitz of the National Cancer Institute). His report on amino acid deprivation, such as with Controlled Amino Acid Therapy (CAAT), proven to inhibit phosphofructokinase which shuts down the energy supply to cancer cells, simultaneously enhancing the benefits of chemotherapy while lessening their toxic side effects. CAAT has also proven to work successfully alone.

Phase 1: CAAT Formulation

The most important component of CAAT is the scientifically formulated amino acids. Based on the specific formula for each cancer, it consists of separate amino acids, citric acid, and small amounts of sodium benzoate. Each formula replaces most of the regular daily proteins found in meats, dairy, fish, beans and nuts, which cancer cells can derive their energy from. The CAAT formula taken two times per day will nourish the healthy cells while causing the cancer cells to starve to death. Of course each individual has specific needs concerning their diet, and this is explained in the second phase of the protocol as well as with a specialist at the Institute when beginning the CAAT therapy.

Phase 2: Daily Food Intake

DISCLAIMER: The following food program SHOULD NOT be consumed without the amino acid formula and without consent from your doctor and our Institute.
Breakfast:*1/2 Grapefruit or 1-orange or 6-ounces of fresh orange juice.Whey Enhanced Protein (Vanilla Flavor – Vitamin Shoppe Brand) approximately10 – 12 grams of protein – read label carefully, based on 150 lb. person ].A serving of Grits (Butter, cinnamon and other spices are okay).1 cup of green or black tea (Fructose is sweetener of choice).* Do Not have ½ grapefruit if taking Chemotherapy

Explanation: ½ Grapefruit or 1 orange or 6 ounces of fresh orange juice are rich in the natural nutrients called Limonene and Citric Acid. Limonene helps shut down the Ras cancer gene which is over active in 90 percent of all cancers. Citric Acid helps shut down glycolosis which in turn helps starve cancer cells to death.
Whey Enhanced Protein (Vanilla Flavor – Vitamin Shoppe Brand) Phosphorus is a nutrient that cancer cells must utilize in order to grow and reproduce. This brand of whey protein is very low in phosphorous and contains no additional vitamins, so when using approximately 10 – 12 grams of protein per 150 lb. person, it helps to protect normal cells, maintain a normal appetite, and also helps to fight edema. (Edema is the swelling or water build up in the legs or other sites in the body)Whey protein is included in the daily menu of all advanced or metastatic cancer patients. When treating cancers that are stable or have regressed in size, patients then have the option of including other protein foods at their breakfast meals such as cottage cheese, yogurt, or soy foods. Eggs are allowed in the diets of patients with lymphoma and brain cancers.
Grits or Cream of Wheat or 1 slice of white toast or ½ plain bagel or ½ English muffin (Butter is okay)Grits or white rice is the preferred carbohydrate food at each meal. The other choices are options once the patient’s cancer is stable or reduced in size. Unrefined carbohydrates are included in the CAAT menu instead of whole grains to deprive cancer cells of a certain B-complex vitamin called Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6). Cancer cells require this vitamin to manufacture certain amino acids that we keep away from through CAAT’s amino acid reduction formula and diet.Grits is the preferred carbohydrate food at all meals instead of rice, corn, or pasta because it helps deplete Tryptophan in the body, which is essential for the growth and spreading of cancer cells.
1 cup of green or black tea, using fructose as the sweetener of choice. These teas are rich sources of several compounds that help shut down glycolosis and cut off the energy supply to cancer cells. Also, green or regular tea helps to prevent certain hormones and tumor growth factors from stimulating cancer cells to grow and metastasize to other parts of the body. Brassica teas can also be taken because they contain sulphorane, a nutrient that inhibits cancer growth, and also shuts down the cancer genes.* Why we use fructose as the sweetener of choice will be explained in detail at the end of this phase of the CAAT protocol.

Lunch:

Amino acid formula (4 level plastic scoops) mixed with any of the following: Water & Fructose; Sugar free Kool-Aid; Diet ginger ale; Fresh lemonade & Fructose; Chicken or Beef broth; V8 juice.Generous amounts of One cooked vegetable or a combination of the following: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, brussell sprouts, spinach, squash, string beans.One serving (1/2 cup)of fresh fruit. Choice of: pear, orange, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries.1 serving (moderate) of grits or corn or rice or pasta (Add tomato sauce or butter)1 tablespoon of coconut oil8 to 10 black or green olives2 tablespoons of vinegar (minimum of 5% acidity) add to vegetables or food1 cup of green or black tea (Fructose as desired)

Explanation:
This Amino Acid Reduction Formula (4 level plastic scoops may vary) combined with the special diet, allows the CAAT Protocol to reduce certain amino acids in the daily diet of the cancer patient, and is designed to replace most of the animal protein in the diet. Cancer cells require the amino acids glycine, serine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid to synthesize DNA, build new blood vessels or duplicate its entire contents of proteins. Also, cancer cells require these and certain other amino acids in order to synthesize other proteins that act as growth promoting hormones or tumor growth factors. CAAT impairs the synthesis of a protein called elastin, which is absolutely essential to the manufacture of new blood vessels. The Amino Acid Reduction Formula, diet, certain phytochemicals and herbs work efficaciously to attack cancer cells at each and every biological front.
The generous amounts of one cooked vegetable or a combination of such helps keep normal cells healthy. They are low in carbohydrates and proteins, and high in phytochemicals, compounds which help fight cancer. Patients are allowed to eat these vegetables and salads whenever desired.
The 8 to 10 olives are rich in squalene and oleic acid, nutrients that have been reported to inhibit certain cancer growth factors. The calories in olives also help control body weight and increases ketones in the blood. Ketones help fight cancer by impairing glycolosis – a process in which cancer cells depend almost exclusively upon for their daily supply of energy. Vinegar (and fructose) are two natural products that increase the production of both ACETIC ACID and CITRIC ACID in the body.
Acetic acid and citric acid also help fight cancer by shutting down the process of glycolosis.Normal cells derive most of their daily energy supply from acetic acid and citric acid, where as cancer cells derive most of their daily energy from glycolosis.

Dinner:
Amino acid formula (4 plastic level scoops) mixed with any of the following: Water & fructose; Sugar free Kool–Ade; Diet Ginger Ale; Fresh lemonade & Fructose; Chicken or Beef broth; V8 Juice.Generous amounts of One cooked vegetable or a combination of the following: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, spinach, squash, string beans.One serving (1/2 cup) of stewed plums with fresh cream & fructose; use 4-ounces of orange juice if plums are not in season.Avacado salad with lettuce, tomatoes, celery, onions, with lemon juice and coconut oil or olive oil.2 tablespoons of vinegar (minimum of 5% acidity) add to vegetables or food.1 serving of grits or corn or pasta or rice (Add garlic and butter or tomato sauce)1 cup of green or black tea (Fructose as desired)

Mid Evening Snack: Ketogenic Cocktail – 2 ounces of fresh cream, ½ ounce each of both coconut & olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Fructose.Sugar free Jell-O with whipped cream & Fructose or 1 plum or 4 ounces of orange juice.

Explanation: The sugar free jell-o helps to appease the appetite. Plums contain quinlic acid, which is converted into benzoic acid in the body and which in turn helps to deplete the availability of the amino acid Glycine (Glycine is essential to the synthesis of DNA for cancer cells) and the proteins that cancer cells require to build new blood vessels and their tumor growth factors. If underweight take two ounces of light cream and one ounce of olive oil/coconut oil as needed to maintain weight.

Optional Meal:
3 to 4 ounces of Veal, Fish of choice, Beef, Chicken breast, and 1-slice of white bread.
Consume this meal with a minimum of 3 hours before or after taking the amino acids.
Explanation: If the patient is 10 or more pounds underweight or if their albumin levels are below normal is when the optional meal is allowed. This meal should be eaten a minimum of 3 hours before or after taking the amino acids. CAAT provides sufficient protein to maintain the health of normal cells and adequate amounts of calories to maintain desired body weight. Any proteins taken in excess of amounts recommended in the diet will counter act the benefits of the CAAT protocol.

Special Diets: A special diet will be created for any cancer patient whose ability to consume food and liquids has placed them in a critical situation. When a patient is using a feeding apparatus, or they have become too weak or lethargic to eat and drink the daily minimum amount for survival, we will break up the total breakfast, lunch, and dinner over a period of every 2 hours during the entire day until the patient is capable of returning to a daily diet as outlined above.
Carbohydrate and glucose reduction in this diet: CAAT’S dietary menu provides approximately 20 percent of its calories in the form of carbohydrates. Calories need not be a focal point or counted daily. It is recommended that all patients combat their cancers by keeping their body weight at normal or slightly below normal levels. A patient’s desired body weight is regulated by their rate of metabolism, which in turn is regulated by their blood levels of thyroxine, cortisone, insulin, and the amounts of fats and oils in the diet. Studies with human cancer patients and laboratory animals show that reducing the calories of carbohydrates (glucose) in their daily diet by only 10 percent reduced the size of cancerous tumors. When carbohydrate (glucose) calories were reduced 40 percent, the cancers disappeared. It is recommended that those patients who are obese gradually and systematically lose their excess weight to increase the efficiency of the CAAT protocol. Those patients who are underweight shoudn’t gain weight unless they are more than 10 pounds below normal levels. When a patient is underweight due to anorexia or cachexia, such illnesses must be addressed before the CAAT protocol can begin.

Why we use Fructose and Vinegar to treat cancer:
Nobel Prize winner Dr. Otto Warburg discovered more than 50 years ago that all cancer cells produce inordinate amount of lactic acid but he couldn’t explain why.
In 2001 our Institute published the first study to show that cancer cells produce excess amounts of lactic acid because they could not access the oxygen in compartments in the cells called the mitochondria. This provided evidence that cancer cells depend almost exclusively upon glycolosis or the metabolism of glucose as their major source of energy.
Dr. Spitz and Dr. Lee with other cancer researchers published studies showing that when cancer cells are deprived glucose, their energy supply is cut off which causes these cancer cells to commit suicide.
Therefore shutting down glycolosis would be one means of destroying cancer cells because energy can only be derived from glucose through the metabolic process called glycolosis.
Recently our Cancer Institute discovered that both acetic acid and citric acid could inhibit the activity of a key enzyme in glycolosis called phosphofructokinase, which in turn shuts down the process of glycolosis. Our cancer Institute is the first to introduce both fructose and vinegar as treatments for cancer because they either contain or produce acetic acid.
In conclusion, fructose and vinegar are added as supplements to the CAAT protocol because of their acetic acid properties that help shut down glycolosis, shutting off cancer cells energy supply and causing them to die off.

Phase 3: Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are based on each unique situation. For example, slow-growing cancers produce low levels of toxic free radicals. Tumor cells that grow aggressively produce large amounts of toxic free radicals. The patient will be instructed whether or not to take anti-oxidants (in a nutritional supplement), and at what dosage, according to the levels of toxic free radicals produced in the cancerous cells.
An example of how nutritional supplements can help manipulate cancer cells involves vitamin B-6 (pyroxidine) There are four amino acids essential to the synthesis of DNA. However, those amino acids cannot be synthesized without a certain enzyme, which includes vitamin B-6 among other components. Any supplement containing vitamin B-6 SHOULD NOT be taken during the first 2 months of the CAAT protocol.
The patient will be instructed as to which nutritional supplements or phytochemicals should be purchased and at what dosage strength. Keep in mind that each supplement only complements the CAAT protocol. However, when they are combined they augment the therapeutic benefits of the aminoacid, carbohydrate, and glucose reduction diet.
Parsley: Contains ingredients that can help shut down certain enzymes called Epithelial Growth Factors, which stimulate the growth and spread of cancer. ( CAAT’S amino acid reduction diet works in the same manner )

Vitamin D: Helps activate in many kinds of cancers enzymes called Phosphotases, which literally shut down the activities of other enzymes called Kinases, which are essential to the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.

Green Tea Extract: Phytochemicals in tea help shut down glycolosis (cancer cell’s main supplier of energy) and thereby help to starve cancer cells to death. These effects help complement the effects of CAAT’S carbohydrate reduction.

Anti-Oxidants: The controversy as to whether or not to treat cancer with anti-oxidants is slowly resolving with the current understanding of how they affect the activity of genes and enzymes in cancer cells. The prevailing data shows that the benefits or lack of benefits depend upon the oxidative state the cancer cells are in. Anti-oxidants taken when the cells are in a very high oxidative state may prevent cancer cells from entering apoptosis ( apoptosis is when a cancer cell commits suicide) When oxidative stress in cancer cells is only slightly above normal, anti-oxidants are then expected to stop their growth and reproduction.

Blood Chemistry: Blood tests are usually taken every 6 to 8 weeks, depending upon the results of each test. Not only is it important to monitor the tumor markers but equally important to keep abreast of the overall health of normal tissues and organs. For example, it is important to learn of the health of the kidneys and liver, whether the body is producing sufficient red and white blood cells, etc. Low albumin levels most often indicate insufficient intake of proteins in the diet and this problem would have to be addressed. CAAT is designed to attack cancer but keep the normal cells and tissues functioning harmoniously.

Whey Protein: This protein food is recommended at the breakfast meal to help meet the daily needs of amino acids for the normal cells of the body, and to help keep albumin levels normal and to help prevent edema. We recommend Whey protein purchased from the Vitamin Shoppe because it is the only brand that we have seen with no phosphorous or additional vitamins added to it.

Grits: Grits are also recommended at the breakfast meal in place of whole grains because it is low in vitamin B-6. Cancer cells require B-6 to manufacture the amino acid Glycine, which is required for DNA synthesis. Grits, instead of whole grains, therefore helps prevent cancer cells from manufacturing DNA and building new blood vessels.

Calcium D-Glucurate: This phytochemical helps the body to retain a compound called Glucuronic acid. This is necessary to eliminate both estrogen and testosterone from the body. This is why Calcium D-Glucurate is added to the regiments of patients with breast & prostate cancers. Calcium D-Glucurate is not to be confused with calcium carbonate, which is nothing more than a calcium supplement.

D-Limonene: This phytochemical found mostly in citrus fruits blocks the process called Isoprenylation, which is necessary for tumor growth factors such as the RAS gene, Epithelial Growth factor, Tyrosine Kinase, and Insulin-Like-Growth-factor, to send their signals into the nucleus of a cancer cell and directs them to grow and divide into more cancer cells.

Tocotrienols: This member of the Vitamin E family also helps shut down Isoprenylation and assists D-Limonene in blocking the actions of the various tumor growth factors. More specifically, tocotrienols shut down an enzyme called HMG-2, which is essential to the synthesis of the building blocks that form the Isoprenylation process.

Niacin: This B-Complex vitamin works with D-limonene and the Tocotrienols to shut down the process of Isoprenylation, which as mentioned above prevents the cancer promoting RAS genes from sending signals into the nucleus of the cell. Niacin also helps deplete thee amino acid Glycine, which cancer cells need to synthesize DNA. And by reducing cholesterole in the body, Niacin helps lower the production of estrogen and testosterone.

Choline: This B-complex vitamin is included in our supplement list to help the liver metabolize Niacin and other compounds and to help fight fatigue that accompanies most forms of cancer.
Selenium: Numerous studies show that this mineral can interfere with the activity of certain genes that promote the growth of cancer and to induce cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis)

Perilla Oil: This oil is rich in Alpha Linolenic Acid which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in several ways. One way is to inhibit the synthesis in the body of a tumor growth promotin hormone called Prostaglandin-2, also, Alpha Linolenic Acid inhibits the actions of certain genes that promote the growth of cancer cells. Linolenic acid is not to be confused with linoleic acid, which is a bad fat that stimulates the growth of cancer cells. This bad fat, linoleic acid, is found in all vegetable oils and nuts (With the exception of coconut oil). Olive oil has the least amount of this bad fat.

Super Miraforte: This herb impairs the synthesis of estrogen from testosterone in the body and is included in the regiments of women with breast cancer.Licorice Root Extract & Pantothenic Acid: This herb and vitamin are added to the regiment when it is desirable to produce steroid like actions in the body. Also used to help patient’s gain weight and to inhibit the growth of lymphomas and leukemia’s.

Resveratrol: This phytochemical blocks the actions of a number of a number of cancer promoting genes thereby causing cancer cells to enter into apoptosis (cell death) and is included in the treatment of all cancers.

Indole-3 Carbinol & D.I.M.: These two phytochemicals block the actions of both estrogen and testosterone and are included in the regiments of both breast and prostate gland cancer.

Melatonin: Numerous studies show that this hormone blocks the synthesis of the cancer promoting chemicals in the body called Leukotrienes, and is included in the treatment of all cancers.

Artho Pro System: This combination of herbs and phytochemicals inhibits the synthesis of the cancer promoting hormone called Prostaglandin-2 and the Leukotriens and replaces the drug celebrex when liver problems are present. The Prostaglandin hormone is over active in most cancers and stimulates cancer growth. The body manufactures the Prostaglandin hormone from the bad fat, Linoleic acid, mentioned above.

Licorice Root Extract & Pantothenic Acid: This HERB and VITAMIN are added to the regiment when it is desirable to produce steroid like actions in the body. Used also to help patients gain weight and ti inhibit the growth of Lymphomas and Leukemias.
CAAT is designed to attack cancer, while keeping normal cells and tissues functioning