For the past number of years South Africa has been ranked as the Rape Capital of the World, and it is recognised as one of the most dangerous countries on earth with more than forty murders being committed each day, it is crime and corruption infested also being ranked the up-and-coming Drug Capital of the world. South Africa's road deaths are among the highest in the world, mostly due to alcohol abuse. Alcoholism is endemic in South Africa.
South Africa has lost the battle against TB, it is infested with HIV and we've lost that battle too.
YET, the government is keeping everyone focussed on tobacco smoking as a scape-gout for their incompetence at all other levels.
Now while I am not promoting tobacco smoking, the anti-tobacco drive in South Africa is ridiculous to put it mildly. Woman and child abuse is out of control in South Africa, caused mostly by alcohol, followed by drugs, yet the government is trying to impress everyone with their anti-tobacco nonsense.
When tobacco advertising was banned in South Africa even the public supported it, yet now that the Minister of Transport wants to ban alcohol / liquor advertising the public is opposed it it, even saying that it would not stop people from buying and drinking alcohol. The very same public who supported the banning of tobacco advertising on the delusional premise that it would stop people from smoking.
Men do not assault women and children under the "influence" of tobacco, but they certainly do so under the influence of alcohol. People do not drive recklessly and kill people in vehicle accidents under the "influence" of tobacco, but they certainly do so under the influence of alcohol, yet all the governments of the world do is to focus on tobacco as an eye-blind to keep people's attention away from much more serious and much more urgent problems.
Anti-tobacco fanatics are a pest, a disease to this world who try blaming everything on smoking in their childish naive ignorance in their effort to hide the more dangerous, more serious issues of this world.
Most politicians drink and too many of them are alcoholics and drug addicts. Even most doctors drink and we all know that medical students are among the biggest consumers of alcohol of all university groups.
We never hear anti-tobacco fanatics say ANYTHING about diesel and other MUCH MORE DANGEROUS toxins, including ALCOHOL, WHY IS THAT?
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Make your own hemp oil
For those of you who have watched the documentary “Run from the Cure”, this should answer any questions about producing your own oil. I recommend that people grow their own hemp either in a small indoor grow system or outdoors. Growing it yourself will eliminate the high cost associated with buying hemp from drug dealers. The cost of hemp can vary greatly from dealer to dealer and so can the quality of the hemp. For anyone new to growing hemp a good book or video on the subject is a necessity. Just go to one of the cannabis publications on line, or buy one of these publications at a local store where you live. If you do this you should have no trouble finding a good book on the subject. My personal favorite is The Indoor Outdoor Medicinal Growers Bible by Jorge Cervantes. Also Ed Rosenthal and many others have excellent books on the subject available.
Caution: Oils that drug dealers sell can have many contaminants and often little or no THC. From my experience, most hemp oil available on the street should be avoided for medicinal use. Make your own oil or have someone you trust produce the oil to assure a very pure, high quality oil is produced.
Caution: Oils that drug dealers sell can have many contaminants and often little or no THC. From my experience, most hemp oil available on the street should be avoided for medicinal use. Make your own oil or have someone you trust produce the oil to assure a very pure, high quality oil is produced.
Survey: Vaccinated children five times more prone to disease than unvaccinated children
An ongoing study out of Germany comparing disease rates among vaccinated and unvaccinated children points to a pretty clear disparity between the two groups as far as illness rates are concerned. As reported by the group Health Freedom Alliance, children who have been vaccinated according to official government schedules are up to five times more likely to contract a preventable disease than children who developed their own immune systems naturally without vaccines.
Released as its own preliminary study back in September 2011, the survey includes data on 8,000 unvaccinated children whose overall disease rates were compared to disease rates among the general population, the vast majority of which has been vaccinated. And in every single disease category, unvaccinated children fared far better than vaccinated children in terms of both disease prevalence and severity. In other words, the evidence suggests that vaccines are neither effective nor safe.
As disclosed at VaccineInjury.info, vaccinated children are nearly twice as likely as unvaccinated children to develop neurodermatitis, for instance, a skin disorder marked by chronic itching and scratching. Similarly, vaccinated children are about two-and-a-half times as likely, based on current data, to develop a pattern of migraine headaches compared to unvaccinated children.
The numbers are even more divergent for asthma and chronic bronchitis, where vaccinated children are about eight times more likely than unvaccinated children to develop such respiratory problems. Vaccinated children are also far more likely to develop hyperactivity, hayfever, and thyroid disease, with their likelihood three times, four times, and a shocking 17 times higher, respectively, compared to unvaccinated children.
Read the rest of this (NaturalNews) article at: http://www.naturalnews.com/038647_vaccinated_children_disease_risk_unvaccinated.html
Released as its own preliminary study back in September 2011, the survey includes data on 8,000 unvaccinated children whose overall disease rates were compared to disease rates among the general population, the vast majority of which has been vaccinated. And in every single disease category, unvaccinated children fared far better than vaccinated children in terms of both disease prevalence and severity. In other words, the evidence suggests that vaccines are neither effective nor safe.
As disclosed at VaccineInjury.info, vaccinated children are nearly twice as likely as unvaccinated children to develop neurodermatitis, for instance, a skin disorder marked by chronic itching and scratching. Similarly, vaccinated children are about two-and-a-half times as likely, based on current data, to develop a pattern of migraine headaches compared to unvaccinated children.
The numbers are even more divergent for asthma and chronic bronchitis, where vaccinated children are about eight times more likely than unvaccinated children to develop such respiratory problems. Vaccinated children are also far more likely to develop hyperactivity, hayfever, and thyroid disease, with their likelihood three times, four times, and a shocking 17 times higher, respectively, compared to unvaccinated children.
Read the rest of this (NaturalNews) article at: http://www.naturalnews.com/038647_vaccinated_children_disease_risk_unvaccinated.html
The Great Cancer Conspiracy
After many decades of research and billions of dollars globally ... still no cure??
Many doctors have discovered and successfully utilized non-toxic treatments for cancer in clinical practice. Those doctors all have one thing in common – they were all investigated and then harassed by the medical giants. Their families and their patients were approached and intimidated, their clinics were raided, their medical files seized, and their treatments discredited. Many of them were dragged through lengthy court cases and some were even jailed for the unforgivable crime of healing sick people.
The Independant Cancer Research Foundation in the US says: “Everything you know about cancer comes from Big Pharma, Big Medicine, Big Media, Big Charity, and Big Government, and everything you know about cancer is designed to make the people in these organizations very wealthy! ... Medical doctors were curing cancer with herbs in the mid-1800s! However, the pharmaceutical industry crushed all cures for cancer when American politicians sold-out the American people around 1910. But that was just the beginning …”
Quotes from People who know…
Many doctors have discovered and successfully utilized non-toxic treatments for cancer in clinical practice. Those doctors all have one thing in common – they were all investigated and then harassed by the medical giants. Their families and their patients were approached and intimidated, their clinics were raided, their medical files seized, and their treatments discredited. Many of them were dragged through lengthy court cases and some were even jailed for the unforgivable crime of healing sick people.
The Independant Cancer Research Foundation in the US says: “Everything you know about cancer comes from Big Pharma, Big Medicine, Big Media, Big Charity, and Big Government, and everything you know about cancer is designed to make the people in these organizations very wealthy! ... Medical doctors were curing cancer with herbs in the mid-1800s! However, the pharmaceutical industry crushed all cures for cancer when American politicians sold-out the American people around 1910. But that was just the beginning …”
Quotes from People who know…
Exposed: 10 Facts about the Breast Cancer Industry You're Not Supposed to Know (opinion)
(NaturalNews) With Breast Cancer Awareness month fully upon us once again, retail stores have been invaded with everything pink, including "pink ribbon" candies and personal care products made with blatantly cancer-causing ingredients. Retail grocery stores like Safeway even hit up customers for donations at the cash register, promising to raise funds to find "the cure for cancer."
Consumers of course, have virtually no idea where the funds they donate actually go, nor do they know the truths about breast cancer they'll never be told by conventional cancer non-profit organizations. In this article, I'll reveal ten important myths about breast cancer, and the truths that can save your life.
Myth #1: Breast Cancer is not preventable
The Truth: Up to 98% of breast cancer cases can be prevented through diet, nutritional supplements, sunshine and exercise
Myth #2: Pink ribbon products are sold to raise money to support breast cancer victims.
The Truth: Nearly 100% of the funds are used to recruit more breast cancer patients into highly-lucrative treatments that do more harm than good.
Consumers of course, have virtually no idea where the funds they donate actually go, nor do they know the truths about breast cancer they'll never be told by conventional cancer non-profit organizations. In this article, I'll reveal ten important myths about breast cancer, and the truths that can save your life.
Myth #1: Breast Cancer is not preventable
The Truth: Up to 98% of breast cancer cases can be prevented through diet, nutritional supplements, sunshine and exercise
Myth #2: Pink ribbon products are sold to raise money to support breast cancer victims.
The Truth: Nearly 100% of the funds are used to recruit more breast cancer patients into highly-lucrative treatments that do more harm than good.
Cancer Prevention, Vitamin D and the Cancer Industry – Creighton University School of Medicine Study
Exciting new research conducted at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Nebraska has revealed that supplementing with vitamin D and calcium can reduce your risk of cancer by an astonishing 77 percent. This includes breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer and other forms of cancer. This research provides strong new evidence that vitamin D is the single most effective medicine against cancer, far outpacing the benefits of any cancer drug known to modern science.
The study involved 1,179 healthy women from rural Nebraska. One group of women was given calcium (around 1500 mg daily) and vitamin D (1100 IU daily) while another group was given placebo. Over four year, the group receiving the calcium and vitamin D supplements showed a 60 percent decrease in cancers. Considering just the last three years of the study reveals an impressive 77 percent reduction in cancer due to supplementation. (The full press release of this study is included below. It provides more details about the findings.)
Note that these astonishing effects were achieved on what many nutritionists consider to be a low dose of vitamin D. Exposure to sunlight, which creates even more vitamin D in the body, was not tested or considered, and the quality of the calcium supplements was likely not as high as it could have been (it was probably calcium carbonate and not high-grade calcium malate, aspartate or similar forms). What does all this mean? It means that if you take high-quality calcium supplements and get lots of natural sunlight exposure or take premium vitamin D supplements (such as those made from fish oil), you could easily have a greater reduction than the 77 percent reduction recorded in this study.
Read more at: http://www.healthsalon.org/233/cancer-prevention-and-vitamin-d-creighton-university-school-of-medicine-study/
The study involved 1,179 healthy women from rural Nebraska. One group of women was given calcium (around 1500 mg daily) and vitamin D (1100 IU daily) while another group was given placebo. Over four year, the group receiving the calcium and vitamin D supplements showed a 60 percent decrease in cancers. Considering just the last three years of the study reveals an impressive 77 percent reduction in cancer due to supplementation. (The full press release of this study is included below. It provides more details about the findings.)
Note that these astonishing effects were achieved on what many nutritionists consider to be a low dose of vitamin D. Exposure to sunlight, which creates even more vitamin D in the body, was not tested or considered, and the quality of the calcium supplements was likely not as high as it could have been (it was probably calcium carbonate and not high-grade calcium malate, aspartate or similar forms). What does all this mean? It means that if you take high-quality calcium supplements and get lots of natural sunlight exposure or take premium vitamin D supplements (such as those made from fish oil), you could easily have a greater reduction than the 77 percent reduction recorded in this study.
Read more at: http://www.healthsalon.org/233/cancer-prevention-and-vitamin-d-creighton-university-school-of-medicine-study/
Using Cancer to Hold us Hostage
by Stephen Coleman
(henrymakow.com)
Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer, discovered that not only cancer but all diseases are triggered by unexpected shocks and traumas. Thugs showed up and threatened that if he didn't disown his findings, things would become unpleasant.
In 1978, Dr. Hamer's son Dirk was mortally wounded in a shooting accident, shot by the crown prince of Italy. Dirk died 4 months later.
Six months later Dr. Hamer was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had the cancer surgically removed.
Since Dr. Hamer never had been seriously ill, he wondered if the sudden shock of his son's accident may have triggered his cancer. While working in a large cancer clinic, he visited the ward with testicular cancer patients and began asking them questions. He noted that, prior to the diagnosis, every patient has had a serious conflict, or loss of a loved one.
(henrymakow.com)
Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer, discovered that not only cancer but all diseases are triggered by unexpected shocks and traumas. Thugs showed up and threatened that if he didn't disown his findings, things would become unpleasant.
In 1978, Dr. Hamer's son Dirk was mortally wounded in a shooting accident, shot by the crown prince of Italy. Dirk died 4 months later.
Six months later Dr. Hamer was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had the cancer surgically removed.
Since Dr. Hamer never had been seriously ill, he wondered if the sudden shock of his son's accident may have triggered his cancer. While working in a large cancer clinic, he visited the ward with testicular cancer patients and began asking them questions. He noted that, prior to the diagnosis, every patient has had a serious conflict, or loss of a loved one.
Interesting facts on twins
Twins do not have to be born on the same date. In fact, they can be born surprisingly far apart. The longest recorded gap between twin births is 85 days
Twins do not have to have the same father. While we often think of twins as having the same mother and father, it's possible for a woman to give birth to two children on the same day who don't share a father. This phenomenon is called heteropaternal superfecundation. It happens when a woman releases multiple eggs, each fertilized by sperm from separate instances of sexual intercourse
Identical twins have different fingerprints. Some people might think that identical twins are the same right down to those whorls and swirls on their fingerprints, but while identical twins share most of their genetic material, identical fingerprints aren't among them.
Certain diets may increase your chances of having twins.Researchers have found that women who eat dairy and animal products are much more likely to have twins than those that don't. This is likely due to a protein called IGF that increases the sensitivity of the ovaries to hormones that cause ovulation.
Twins do not have to have the same father. While we often think of twins as having the same mother and father, it's possible for a woman to give birth to two children on the same day who don't share a father. This phenomenon is called heteropaternal superfecundation. It happens when a woman releases multiple eggs, each fertilized by sperm from separate instances of sexual intercourse
Identical twins have different fingerprints. Some people might think that identical twins are the same right down to those whorls and swirls on their fingerprints, but while identical twins share most of their genetic material, identical fingerprints aren't among them.
Certain diets may increase your chances of having twins.Researchers have found that women who eat dairy and animal products are much more likely to have twins than those that don't. This is likely due to a protein called IGF that increases the sensitivity of the ovaries to hormones that cause ovulation.
Friday, 11 January 2013
Vitamin D and Cancer – Vitamin D Outperforms Pharmaceuticals at Treating Cancer
by Mike Barrett
Everyone is deathly afraid of coming down with cancer, yet the very lifestyle that promotes cancer is the most popular. Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death in the United States, UK, and many other nations for years. Something is terribly wrong, as the war on cancer is failing miserably. The use of pharmaceutical drugs is not the answer, and the idea of prevention is seldom voiced. Luckily, making some dietary changes can reduce your cancer risk significantly. One example is showcased with research showing that a relationship between vitamin D and cancer exists; raising vitamin D levels can be more effective and much safer than dangerous pharmaceutical drugs and treatments. It costs a whole lot less as well.
Vitamin D and Cancer
Angus Dalgleish, a consultant medical oncologist residing in a city known as Tooting in south-west London, tests all of his patients for vitamin D levels and prescribes supplements for when the levels are low. Dalgleish noticed that patients at his clinic at St Georges suffering from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, almost all were vitamin D deficient. Not only does the medical oncologist prescribe vitamin D for his melanoma patients, but he also prescribes the vitamin for other patients who are stricken with other types of cancer.
“If we supplement people who are low they may do better than expected. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if vitamin D turns out to be more useful in improving outcomes in cases of early relapse than drugs costing £10,000 a year,” said Professor Dalgleish. “I spent a decade studying interferon for which the NHS paid £10,000 annually per patient for years for very little benefit. Vitamin D is much more likely to give a benefit in my view.”
Everyone is deathly afraid of coming down with cancer, yet the very lifestyle that promotes cancer is the most popular. Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death in the United States, UK, and many other nations for years. Something is terribly wrong, as the war on cancer is failing miserably. The use of pharmaceutical drugs is not the answer, and the idea of prevention is seldom voiced. Luckily, making some dietary changes can reduce your cancer risk significantly. One example is showcased with research showing that a relationship between vitamin D and cancer exists; raising vitamin D levels can be more effective and much safer than dangerous pharmaceutical drugs and treatments. It costs a whole lot less as well.
Vitamin D and Cancer
Angus Dalgleish, a consultant medical oncologist residing in a city known as Tooting in south-west London, tests all of his patients for vitamin D levels and prescribes supplements for when the levels are low. Dalgleish noticed that patients at his clinic at St Georges suffering from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, almost all were vitamin D deficient. Not only does the medical oncologist prescribe vitamin D for his melanoma patients, but he also prescribes the vitamin for other patients who are stricken with other types of cancer.
“If we supplement people who are low they may do better than expected. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if vitamin D turns out to be more useful in improving outcomes in cases of early relapse than drugs costing £10,000 a year,” said Professor Dalgleish. “I spent a decade studying interferon for which the NHS paid £10,000 annually per patient for years for very little benefit. Vitamin D is much more likely to give a benefit in my view.”
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Gluten Sensitivity: Why is FDA Dragging Its Feet?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which dietary gluten, causes damage to the small intestine, which keeps nutrients from being properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods such as wheat, rye, barley, and other products, can lead to serious health problems, ranging from gastrointestinal distress and infertility to an increased risk of osteoporosis and certain cancers, particularly colon cancer.
Nearly 20 million Americans experience dire health problems from eating foods that contain gluten. Congress told FDA to define the term “gluten-free” for food manufacturers by 2008. Why are they still “studying the matter”? A new Action Alert!
As we reported recently, gluten-related conditions greatly increase the risk for diabetes. A recent large study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with diagnosed, undiagnosed, and “latent” celiac disease or gluten sensitivity had a higher risk of death, mostly from heart disease and cancer.
More than 2.3 million people in the US have celiac disease, or about 1 in 133 people; some estimates place the total as high as 3 million Americans—and growing.
Nearly 20 million Americans experience dire health problems from eating foods that contain gluten. Congress told FDA to define the term “gluten-free” for food manufacturers by 2008. Why are they still “studying the matter”? A new Action Alert!
As we reported recently, gluten-related conditions greatly increase the risk for diabetes. A recent large study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with diagnosed, undiagnosed, and “latent” celiac disease or gluten sensitivity had a higher risk of death, mostly from heart disease and cancer.
More than 2.3 million people in the US have celiac disease, or about 1 in 133 people; some estimates place the total as high as 3 million Americans—and growing.
Maize Corn Gluten Damages Celiac Patients
Many gluten free products use corn as an assumed safe grain substitute. Are you buying into this myth?
A Study published in the journal Gut identified that corn gluten caused an inflammatory reaction in patients with celiac disease.
Gluten Free Society’s Stance
Corn is a grain. Corn has gluten. Many believe that corn gluten does not induce damage the same way that wheat, barley, and rye do. The fact of the matter is, gluten has not been studied adequately. Most of what we know about celiac disease and gluten have to do with gliadin (the gluten found in wheat only). As a physician with 10 years of experience treating gluten sensitivity, I have seen corn be a severe problem for the majority of gluten intolerant patients. Many claim that they don’t react to corn and feel fine after eating it. The same can be said of those with silent celiac disease. Remember that a lack of symptoms does not mean that internal damage is not occurring. All of that being said, we should not make assumptions. Common sense and intelligent thought should be used as a basis for our dietary decisions. Gluten aside, consider the following about corn:
A Study published in the journal Gut identified that corn gluten caused an inflammatory reaction in patients with celiac disease.
“The observation that corn gluten challenge induced an abnormal NO reaction in some of our patients with CD is intriguing as maize is considered safe and is recommended as the substitute cereal in a gluten free diet.”
Source: Gut. 2005; 54:769-774.Gluten Free Society’s Stance
Corn is a grain. Corn has gluten. Many believe that corn gluten does not induce damage the same way that wheat, barley, and rye do. The fact of the matter is, gluten has not been studied adequately. Most of what we know about celiac disease and gluten have to do with gliadin (the gluten found in wheat only). As a physician with 10 years of experience treating gluten sensitivity, I have seen corn be a severe problem for the majority of gluten intolerant patients. Many claim that they don’t react to corn and feel fine after eating it. The same can be said of those with silent celiac disease. Remember that a lack of symptoms does not mean that internal damage is not occurring. All of that being said, we should not make assumptions. Common sense and intelligent thought should be used as a basis for our dietary decisions. Gluten aside, consider the following about corn:
Why is Wheat Gluten Disorder on the Rise?
Please read Dr. Mercola's full article, at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/23/why-is-wheat-gluten-disorder-on-the-rise.aspx
A study using frozen blood samples taken from Air Force recruits 50 years ago has found that intolerance of wheat gluten, a debilitating digestive condition, is four times more common today than it was in the 1950’s.
The findings contradict the conventional wisdom that the sharp increase in diagnoses of wheat gluten intolerance has come about because of greater awareness and detection. It now seems likely that dramatic changes in the American diet have played a role.
The researchers who conducted the study also found that the recruits who had the undiagnosed digestive disorder, called celiac disease, had a four-fold increase in their risk of death.
A study using frozen blood samples taken from Air Force recruits 50 years ago has found that intolerance of wheat gluten, a debilitating digestive condition, is four times more common today than it was in the 1950’s.
The findings contradict the conventional wisdom that the sharp increase in diagnoses of wheat gluten intolerance has come about because of greater awareness and detection. It now seems likely that dramatic changes in the American diet have played a role.
The researchers who conducted the study also found that the recruits who had the undiagnosed digestive disorder, called celiac disease, had a four-fold increase in their risk of death.
WINE AND THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
By Harvey E. Finkel, M.D
Wine goes in at the mouth, much to our delight, then trickles through other parts of the body. Let us go then, you and I, to explore the tortuousness of the gastro-intestinal tract, taking along divers potables to observe their effects.
Most GI adversities associated with drinking beverages containing alcohol come with excess, and virtually all are caused by alcohol in particular. In some cases, the effect of wine is different from that of other drinks–watch for them. The ineffable morning-after distress following indiscretion is poorly understood and is transient, but unpleasant consequences of heavy drinking may be lasting and as severe as cancer.
The all-too-common chief complaint of the oesophagus (gullet) is heartburn, caused by welling up of acid material from the stomach. Two major determinants of such acid reflux are the quantity of acid secreted by the stomach and the propulsion of the stomach acid the wrong way, upward into the oesophagus instead of downward into the intestine. Wine may stimulate heartburn: it stimulates acid production by the stomach. Alcohol does not. Here is a rare example of an unfavourable effect of wine’s special attributes, presumably polyphenolic antioxidants. Alcohol, however, especially in heavy dose, may relax the lower oesophageal valve (sphincter) that is supposed to seal off the oesophagus, and disorder motility, thereby promoting reflux.
Wine goes in at the mouth, much to our delight, then trickles through other parts of the body. Let us go then, you and I, to explore the tortuousness of the gastro-intestinal tract, taking along divers potables to observe their effects.
Most GI adversities associated with drinking beverages containing alcohol come with excess, and virtually all are caused by alcohol in particular. In some cases, the effect of wine is different from that of other drinks–watch for them. The ineffable morning-after distress following indiscretion is poorly understood and is transient, but unpleasant consequences of heavy drinking may be lasting and as severe as cancer.
The all-too-common chief complaint of the oesophagus (gullet) is heartburn, caused by welling up of acid material from the stomach. Two major determinants of such acid reflux are the quantity of acid secreted by the stomach and the propulsion of the stomach acid the wrong way, upward into the oesophagus instead of downward into the intestine. Wine may stimulate heartburn: it stimulates acid production by the stomach. Alcohol does not. Here is a rare example of an unfavourable effect of wine’s special attributes, presumably polyphenolic antioxidants. Alcohol, however, especially in heavy dose, may relax the lower oesophageal valve (sphincter) that is supposed to seal off the oesophagus, and disorder motility, thereby promoting reflux.
Complete Remission of a Diffuse Pontine Glioma - with Homeopathy
Abstract
A patient is described in whom a large diffuse glioma of the pons extending into the midbrain was diagnosed at the age of 2 years. Biopsy showed a fibrillary astrocytoma. After shunting of a hydrocephalus, the clinical symptoms abated without convencional therapy. Repeated MRI studies showed a continuous decrease of the tumour which was no longer visible when the patient was 6.6 years old.
In reviews on spontaneous remissions of oncologic disorders we were unable to find a case of a biologically benign brain stem tumour. There is one isolated report on a similar case, though without histologic documentation.
Introduction
Gliomas of the brain stem can be classified according to their location and growth pattern as focal, dorsal exophytic, cervico-medullary, and diffuse intrinsic (6). Although a more active surgical approach has become feasible (3) the overall prognosis is still unfavourable with a 5-year survival rate in the range of 30 %. The prognosis is especially poor for the subgroup of diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas resulting in "pontine hypertrophy". These tumours are not amenable to surgery. Treatment by radiotherapy (5, 7), by chemotherapy (1), or by a combination of both (11) mav induce short-term remissions but has up to now not improved a 2-4 year survival rate of less than 20% (4).
We report on a 2-years-old boy with a large diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma of the pons in whom the clinical symptoms abated without any conventional therapy other than shunting of an occlusive hydrocephalus. The tumour progressively decreased in size on repeated MRI scans, and was no longer visible after 5 years. Only one similar case has been published, though without histological documentation, by Rao et al (10).
A patient is described in whom a large diffuse glioma of the pons extending into the midbrain was diagnosed at the age of 2 years. Biopsy showed a fibrillary astrocytoma. After shunting of a hydrocephalus, the clinical symptoms abated without convencional therapy. Repeated MRI studies showed a continuous decrease of the tumour which was no longer visible when the patient was 6.6 years old.
In reviews on spontaneous remissions of oncologic disorders we were unable to find a case of a biologically benign brain stem tumour. There is one isolated report on a similar case, though without histologic documentation.
Introduction
Gliomas of the brain stem can be classified according to their location and growth pattern as focal, dorsal exophytic, cervico-medullary, and diffuse intrinsic (6). Although a more active surgical approach has become feasible (3) the overall prognosis is still unfavourable with a 5-year survival rate in the range of 30 %. The prognosis is especially poor for the subgroup of diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas resulting in "pontine hypertrophy". These tumours are not amenable to surgery. Treatment by radiotherapy (5, 7), by chemotherapy (1), or by a combination of both (11) mav induce short-term remissions but has up to now not improved a 2-4 year survival rate of less than 20% (4).
We report on a 2-years-old boy with a large diffuse fibrillary astrocytoma of the pons in whom the clinical symptoms abated without any conventional therapy other than shunting of an occlusive hydrocephalus. The tumour progressively decreased in size on repeated MRI scans, and was no longer visible after 5 years. Only one similar case has been published, though without histological documentation, by Rao et al (10).
Brainstem gliomas in childhood
Contributors
Roger J Packer MD, contributing editor. Dr. Packer of the Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Publication dates
Originally released October 14, 1996; last updated September 5, 2012; expires September 5, 2015
Key points
• Brainstem gliomas occur most frequently in children, with the majority being diffuse pontine gliomas.
• Approximately 20% of childhood brainstem gliomas are not diffuse pontine tumors; these non-diffuse pontine lesions, such as tectal gliomas and exophytic cervicomedullary tumors, are often low-grade gliomas and have a relatively good prognosis.
• Over 90% of children with diffuse pontine gliomas will die of disease within 18 months of diagnosis.
• Radiotherapy remains the only effective, albeit transient, therapy for diffuse pontine gliomas.
Historical note and nomenclature
Brainstem gliomas are, by definition, glial tumors that primarily arise within the brainstem. Concepts concerning brainstem gliomas have changed remarkably since the advent of MRI. Although the majority of brainstem gliomas arise in the pons, subsets of patients have been identified with more caudal or rostral tumors (Packer et al 1993a; 1993b). In addition, MR has more clearly identified the extent of lesions and the tendency of some brainstem tumors to infiltrate the diencephalon, the cervical cord, and even the cerebellum (Barkovich et al 1991).
Roger J Packer MD, contributing editor. Dr. Packer of the Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Publication dates
Originally released October 14, 1996; last updated September 5, 2012; expires September 5, 2015
• Brainstem gliomas occur most frequently in children, with the majority being diffuse pontine gliomas.
• Approximately 20% of childhood brainstem gliomas are not diffuse pontine tumors; these non-diffuse pontine lesions, such as tectal gliomas and exophytic cervicomedullary tumors, are often low-grade gliomas and have a relatively good prognosis.
• Over 90% of children with diffuse pontine gliomas will die of disease within 18 months of diagnosis.
• Radiotherapy remains the only effective, albeit transient, therapy for diffuse pontine gliomas.
Historical note and nomenclature
Brainstem gliomas are, by definition, glial tumors that primarily arise within the brainstem. Concepts concerning brainstem gliomas have changed remarkably since the advent of MRI. Although the majority of brainstem gliomas arise in the pons, subsets of patients have been identified with more caudal or rostral tumors (Packer et al 1993a; 1993b). In addition, MR has more clearly identified the extent of lesions and the tendency of some brainstem tumors to infiltrate the diencephalon, the cervical cord, and even the cerebellum (Barkovich et al 1991).
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Seniors Need to De-Stress - Vascular Health Sciences Chief Science Officer
Vascular Health Sciences Chief Science Officer Nathalie Chevreau refers to new study that links stress to stroke in seniors, calls on seniors to find a way to solve it.
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) January 05, 2013
A recent study at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis links stress to one of the nation’s deadliest killers: stroke. Vascular Health Sciences Chief Science Officer Nathalie Chevreau said the news should be of concern to seniors, whose risk of stroke tripled when stressed, according to the study.
“Seniors must seek out the best ways to de-stress their lives,” said Chevreau. “Stroke kills one American every four minutes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
For more information, news, research and ongoing studies related to artery health, visit ArteryHealth.org.
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) January 05, 2013
A recent study at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis links stress to one of the nation’s deadliest killers: stroke. Vascular Health Sciences Chief Science Officer Nathalie Chevreau said the news should be of concern to seniors, whose risk of stroke tripled when stressed, according to the study.
“Seniors must seek out the best ways to de-stress their lives,” said Chevreau. “Stroke kills one American every four minutes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
For more information, news, research and ongoing studies related to artery health, visit ArteryHealth.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)