Chemotherapy and Its Side Effects: Chapter 2 - Antimetabolites (Cont'd)

B.2. Fluorouracil (5-Fluorouracil or 5-FU)

Fluorouracil (Fig. 1.7) is sold under different trade names such as Adrucil and Efudex.  It is classified as an antimetabolite and has been used for treating cancer for many years. Due to its similarity to thymine, 5-FU interrupts the synthesis of thymidine, one of the building blocks of DNA. As a result, DNA replication is interrupted and the growth of cancer cells is hampered.

Fig. 1.7   5-FU (left), thymine, and thymidine (right)

Fluorouracil has been used mainly in treating colon cancer and has been used in combination with other drugs, including leucovorin, carboplatin, and paclitaxel.  It has also been used in other solid tumors including pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. Side effects of fluorouracil include myelosuppression, dermatitis, and mucositis.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2018

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book, "SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY", prepared by Dr. Jiajiu Shaw, Dr. Frederick Valeriote, and Dr. Ben Chen. 

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (13)

Berberine

Berberine (Huang Lian Su), is found in a number of plants such as Chinese goldthread or goldenseal, and Amur cork tree.  Berberine is an important ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used in a number of indications, including bacterial & viral infections, diabetes, inflammation, liver injury, elevated blood cholesterol, congestive heart failure, and more notably, cancer.

Does berberine have any effects in cancer?  Cell and animal studies have indicated that it could have certain activities against a number of tumors including liver cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2016

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.

Risk factors of pancreatic cancer

Usually, pancreatic cancer does not show significant symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage.  The symptoms include abdominal pain and bone pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, weight loss, etc.  This is why pancreatic cancer is dangerous and difficult to treat.

However, I believe there are subtle signs that may indicate early stage of pancreatic cancer.  Symptoms such as chronic subtle lower abdominal pain and lower back pain can be indication that pancreas may have certain tumor on pancreas.  If that is the case, ask your doctor to conduct a thorough examine by CT scan or MRI to be sure.

Risk factors of pancreatic cancer are shown below:

1.      High sugar consumption

As we have mentioned several times in previous sections, high blood levels of sugar are not healthful and related to several diseases including pancreatic cancer.  Not only it’s a good idea to reduce the consumption of sugar, other carbohydrates (rice, bread, etc.), if taken too much, could become risk factors of pancreatic cancer.

2.      Diet with high fat content

Eating too much fatty foods could contribute to metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance and abdominal fat; the metabolic syndrome is a risk factor of pancreatic cancer.

3.      Smoking

Smoking is not only a significant risk factor of lung cancer, it is also a risk factor of a few other diseases including pancreatic cancer.

4.      Vitamin D deficiency

People who live in sunny climates (i.e., under more sunlight exposure) tend to have a lower risk of pancreatic cancer, although they tend to have a higher risk of skin cancer.  This is because sunlight helps produce vitamin D in the skin and lack of vitamin D is a risk factor of pancreatic cancer.

The following actions may help reduce the chances of getting pancreatic cancer:

§  Avoid or reduce all the risk factors of pancreatic cancer as much as possible. 

§  Switch to a diet high in vegetables.

§  Maintain sufficient vitamin D by taking the vitamin supplement.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2015

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.