IBM Computer, Laptops and Servers

• Uterine cancer is highly curable by removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) if surgery is performed before the spread of the cancer. laptop battery

• Taking tamoxifen and increased exposure to estrogens, whether from unopposed estrogen therapy or excess body fat, are the most common risk factors for developing uterine cancer (Armstrong B 1982; Bernstein L et al 1992). thinkpad

• Possible signs of uterine cancer include unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding. microsoft

• The risk of uterine cancer can be reduced by lowering and balancing levels of estrogens in the body (Deslypere JP 1995; Hershcopf RJ et al 1987; Jensen H 1986), for example, by correcting obesity or adding progestin (Hu FB 2003; Longcope C et al 1978). laptop computers

• It is important to make lifestyle and dietary changes, and to balance hormones, if you are at increased risk of uterine cancer. laptop computer

Diagnosing Uterine Cancer

The following are some of the tools used to diagnose uterine cancer desktop computer

Biopsy

Although somewhat uncomfortable, a biopsy of the endometrial lining is a useful tool for the diagnosis of uterine cancer (Hofmeister FJ 1974; Minagawa Y et al 2005). Physicians do not usually recommend a biopsy as a general screening tool but it is the procedure of choice for high-risk individuals (Minagawa Y et al 2005). If the biopsy test result is positive for uterine cancer, the physician will discuss all treatment options. notebooks

Dilation and curettage (D C)

If the biopsy test result is negative but the patient is at high risk of uterine cancer, the patient may need to have a D C (Berek JS et al 2000). In this procedure, the physician dilates the woman s cervix and removes a sample of uterine tissue. The physician or a technician examines the tissue sample under a microscope for the presence of cancerous cells. A D C is more accurate at diagnosing uterine cancer than is an endometrial biopsy (Lotfallah H et al 2005). lenovo

Pap Test

The Pap (short for Papanicolaou) test detects cervical cancer but is not a good test for detecting uterine cancer. A Pap test will fail to diagnose uterine cancer about 87 percent of the time (Nassar A et al 2003). Occasionally, uterine cells shed and appear on a Pap test. When this occurs in a postmenopausal woman, further evaluation is required. About 25 percent of postmenopausal women with abnormal uterine cells on their Pap tests will have uterine cancer (Berek JS et al 2000). However, about 6 percent of postmenopausal women whose Pap test results show normal uterine cells actually have uterine cancer (Ng AB et al 1974). hard drive

Predicting the Prognosis

Once uterine cancer has been diagnosed, magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) is often performed to evaluate the extent of disease. MRI is particularly useful in determining the depth of cancer invasion within the uterus (Robert Y et al 2002). Patients thought to have more advanced disease may be referred to a gynecologic cancer center for extensive surgery and treatment (Berek JS et al 2000; Purdie DM et al 2001). travelstar

Understanding the Staging System

Approximately 75 percent of women with uterine cancer have stage I (mild) disease. Of these women, almost 90 percent have no sign of cancer 5 years after surgery (Juretzka MM et al 2005). The possibility of curing the disease decreases as the cancer becomes more advanced (Juretzka MM et al 2005). Advanced disease has a poor prognosis; the 5-year survival rate for stage III is 29 percent and declines to 10 percent for stage IV (Magrina JF et al 2004). gateway

Table. International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO) Uterine Cancer Staging System

Stage I (mild) laptop parts

Cancer found only in uterus software

Stage II hard drives

Cancer in uterus and cervix, but not outside uterus electronics

Stage III canon

Cancer in uterus and beyond, but not outside pelvis desktop pc

Stage IV (most advanced stage) desktop computers

Cancer beyond pelvis, in bladder, bowel, or other areas of the body think pad

(Berek JS et al 2000) repair

Decoding the Pathology Report

After the surgeon removes the uterine cancer tissue, it is sent to the pathology laboratory for analysis. A technician examines the tissue for the absence or presence of hormone receptors (places where hormones can attach) within the tumor (Martin R et al 1993). Most uterine cancer cells possess receptors for estrogen or progesterone, or for both (Gurpide E 1981; Kedzia W 1996). This is why uterine cancer is often classified as a hormonally responsive cancer. data recovery

Patients who have tumors that test positive for progesterone and/or estrogen receptors typically have longer survival rates than patients whose tumors lack these hormone receptors (Creasman WT 1993; Friberg LG et al 1993). However, progesterone receptors appear to be a stronger predictor of long-term survival than estrogen receptors (Dai D et al 2002). Tumors with progesterone receptors have a much greater response to progestin therapy than do tumors without progesterone receptors (Dai D et al 2005; Ehrlich CE et al 1988). cisco

If the cancerous tissue contains estrogen and/or progesterone receptors, it may be responsive to hormonal therapy, particularly if the cancer recurs (Ayoub J et al 1988; Bokhman I et al 1987; Lotze W et al 1982; Martin R et al 1993). Therefore, it is recommended that the cancerous tissue be analyzed for the presence of estrogen and/or progesterone receptors at the time of surgery (Ayoub J et al 1988; Bokhman I et al 1987; Martin R et al 1993; Thurzo L 1990). keyboard

Medical Treatment

The following surgeries and therapies are used to treat uterine cancer. monitor

Surgery

Removing the cancer in an operation is the most common treatment of uterine cancer. During surgery, the physician evaluates the extent of the cancer and uses a staging guide to assess each patient s cancer stage. The following surgical procedures may be used: desktop

• Radical hysterectomy

  The primary treatment of uterine cancer is a hysterectomy in which the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries, surrounding tissue, and lymph glands are removed. A radical hysterectomy is usually done through the abdomen. infosys

• Total hysterectomy

  This type of hysterectomy involves removal of just the uterus and cervix. It can be done through the abdomen or through the vagina. Sometimes a total vaginal hysterectomy can be done with the aid of a laparoscope (a viewing instrument passed through a small incision in the abdomen). refurbished laptops

• Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

  A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of both ovaries and both fallopian tubes via surgery. It is used in conjunction with a hysterectomy. wipro

Radiation

If the cancer is confined to the uterine lining, usually no additional treatment after surgery is needed. However, if the cancer has spread further, then radiation treatment after surgery may be indicated (McMeekin DS et al 2003). lap top

Depending on the results of the surgical staging and the existence of high-risk factors, radiation may be recommended immediately after surgery (postoperative) to minimize the possibility of the cancer returning (Kao MS 2004). Radiation has been shown to decrease the incidence of both pelvic and vaginal cancer recurrences (Berek JS et al 2000). Radiation appears to benefit women who have cancer in their para-aortic lymph nodes (Kao MS 2004; Morrow CP et al 1991) and improves 5-year survival rate by nearly 40 percent (Murphy KT et al 2003). Brachytherapy is a one-time intravaginal radiation treatment that produces a high dose of radiation close to the cancer and a lesser dosage in healthy tissues, thus producing fewer adverse effects. refurbished

Treatment of recurrent cancer

The likelihood that uterine cancer may recur depends on the extent of the disease and the success of the initial treatment (Kao MS 2004). Approximately 34 percent of all recurrences are detected within 1 year and 76 percent within 3 years of primary treatment. The cancer usually recurs in the pelvis (i.e., locally), not in distant parts of the body (Mariani A et al 2004). memory

Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are not recommended as standard treatment when uterine cancer is initially diagnosed (Lewis GC Jr et al 1974; Mariani A et al 2004; Yahata H et al 2004). However, they are sometimes recommended if the cancer recurs after surgery and radiation (Kao MS 2004; Yahata H et al 2004). intel

Hormonal therapy

Endometrial cancer is a hormone-dependent disease. Therefore, hormonal therapy added to standard treatments may improve the outcome in the early stages of the disease (Li CZ et al 2003; Montz FJ et al 2002; Piver MS 1988; Urbanski K et al 1993). Hormonal therapy is not usually recommended as standard treatment when uterine cancer is diagnosed; however, it has been used after hysterectomy with some success (Bokhman I et al 1987; Li CZ et al 2003). Hormonal therapy has also been demonstrated to be useful in treating selected patients who have widespread uterine cancer that has returned after treatment; it is used primarily to relieve symptoms (Kao MS 2004; La Vecchia C et al 1986). as400

Uterine cancer with progesterone receptors is more responsive to progestin therapy than if progesterone receptors are lacking (Ehrlich CE et al 1988). Therefore, future therapeutic regimens targeted at enhancing progesterone receptor expression have the potential to improve outcomes in women with uterine cancer (Dai D et al 2005; Gurpide E 1981). Progestin therapy is most commonly prescribed in pill form, but intramuscular injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; a synthetic progestin) and intravaginal forms are also available (Li CZ et al 2003; Thurzo L 1990). Adverse effects of progestins are usually minor and include weight gain, edema (swelling), and headache; however, blood clots can occur (Benagiano G et al 2004; Neumann F 1978; Warren MP et al 1999). Unlike synthetic progestins (such as MPA), micronized progesterone has been reported to cause only fatigue and sleepiness. averatec

Heading Toward Hormones

Therapy with one of a number of progestational agents has been the conventional approach to the management of endometrial carcinoma in cases where surgery or radiation therapy is not recommended, particularly in obese women. Progestins such as MPA in particular are considered useful in treating uterine cancer (Urbanski K et al 1993). MPA has been widely used both intramuscularly and orally in a variety of doses and schedules. hardware

While the role of MPA in the palliative treatment of advanced disease is well accepted, opinion is divided on its role in the adjuvant setting (treatment given after surgery to increase the chances of a cure). The commonly used progestational agents megestrol acetate, hydroxyprogesterone, and MPA all produce similar response rates, and the antiestrogen tamoxifen produces responses in 10 percent to 25 percent of patients in the final phase of medical treatment. dual xeon

Natural progesterone is obtained primarily from plant sources and is currently available in oral and injectable forms and in topical gels. An oral micronized progesterone preparation is also available. It has improved bioavailability and fewer reported adverse effects when compared with synthetic progestins (Apgar BS et al 2000). Natural progesterone is used to prevent uterine cancer. However, currently there is little evidence that progesterone can be used to treat uterine cancer once it has been diagnosed (Apgar BS et al 2000). storage

Conventional medicine s track record in treating depression has improved in recent decades, but many patients are still unable to find relief from their condition with conventional antidepressants, or they face the prospect of unpleasant and even dangerous side effects from their therapy. In 2004, for example, a federal advisory panel announced its safety recommendations for the newest and most common class of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). seagate

The panel found that SSRIs not only increase the risk of suicide for some younger patients but are often ineffective. The panel urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to impose its strongest caution known as a black box warning regarding the use of this class of antidepressants in children and adolescents (Food and Drug Administration 2004). In October 2004, the FDA adopted the recommendation and mandated warnings for all SSRI drugs. computer sales

The panel s investigation came on the heels of several highly publicized incidents in which children and adolescents on the drugs committed suicide, and it highlighted the downside of antidepressant drugs. Although only Prozac is approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents, they are often given prescriptions for other medications, such as Zoloft , Paxil , and Celexa . All of these drugs belong to the SSRI class of antidepressants and are believed to work similarly. computer hardware

The debate in the United States was prompted in 2005, when British officials banned all SSRIs except Prozac for use in children. Despite that action, most experts agree it is unlikely that Prozac is inherently safer than other SSRIs for use in children and adolescents. Although the various SSRIs differ chemically, their mechanism of action in the body is essentially the same. All inhibit activity at structures known as uptake pumps, located on nerve endings. Most affect the reuptake of serotonin from the synapses, or spaces, between nerve endings. Some affect another messenger chemical, norepinephrine, in a similar manner. These drugs are known as serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. printers

Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and emotion and are involved in a variety of physiological and behavioral functions. If the immediate reuptake of serotonin (or norepinephrine) is prevented, more of these precious brain chemicals remain available to do their intended work (Vaswani M et al 2003; Bourin M et al 2002). technology

Antidepressant Therapy s High Cost

Unfortunately, even in adults, the depression relief afforded by SSRIs often comes at a steep price, and not just in monetary terms, though most SSRIs are far from inexpensive. The list of potential side effects includes headache, nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, sleep disturbances, weight gain, fatigue, and most common of all, sexual dysfunction (Degner D et al 2004; Wilson K et al 2004; Gregorian RS et al 2002). The latter strikes up to 60 percent of patients taking SSRIs and usually manifests as loss of libido, insufficient lubrication or arousal, or an inability to achieve orgasm (Clayton AH et al 2002; Gregorian RS et al 2002). Among men who experience sexual side effects, erectile dysfunction occurs in up to 90 percent of cases (Rosen RC et al 2003). Understandably, many patients find this side effect particularly distressing. mainframe

Drug interactions with antidepressants are also a concern. Alcohol, the most common drug of all, may be especially risky. It causes potentially perilous sedation when mixed with antidepressants. Because of these side effects, many patients discontinue their medication and risk sinking back into depression. Not all patients respond to SSRIs, even when they follow the dosage recommendations of the prescribing physician. Treatment failures range from 40 to 60 percent, and relapse rates are similarly discouraging. According to a recent report from Duke University Medical Center, an analysis of more than a decade of research on the subject shows that recurrence and relapse rates for drug-treated depression range as high as 80 percent (Masand PS 2003). The same report noted that up to 44 percent of patients starting drug therapy discontinue the drug within three months. Many patients (28 percent) discontinue drug therapy due to intolerable side effects, often within the first month, before the drug takes effect (Masand PS 2003). samsung

Although they are not perfect, SSRIs are a vast improvement over previously available drugs and therapies for depression. In the first half of the 20th century, physicians could offer little more than talk therapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as treatment for their patients with major depression. Although the former was often ineffectual, the latter works very well. However, ECT is time consuming, requires multiple treatments, and often produces some memory loss, as the brain is literally zapped with electrical current. Understandably, a certain amount of stigma is associated with the use of ECT. According to a survey of thousands of Consumer Reports subscribers who had recently undergone treatment for depression, talk therapy, while often useful, may require at least 13 sessions to achieve relief comparable to that available through drug therapy (Drugs vs. Talk Therapy 2004). computer repair

Thus, when the first true antidepressant drug, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, was introduced in the 1950s, doctors hailed the dawn of a hopeful new era in the treatment of depression. However, monoamine oxidase inhibitors are particularly risky drugs; their side effects are numerous and often severe, and drug interactions are potentially fatal. The advent of tricyclic antidepressants in the 1960s marked a further advance in treatment. But even tricyclics, such as imipramine and amitriptyline, come with unpleasant side effects. Dosages must be carefully monitored because therapeutic ranges are narrow and overdoses are potentially fatal. Side effects tend to manifest quickly, but onset of action can take so long (from four to six weeks) that many patients discontinue the drug long before experiencing mood elevation (Masand PS 2003; Nemeroff CB 2003). used computers

Balancing Hormones

A survey of the scientific literature suggests that one reason antidepressants have such a high failure rate is that the role hormones play in the disease is underappreciated. In fact, hormones are well-known regulators of mood, and many, such as (DHEA), are present in large quantities in the brain. For example, estrogen, alone or in combination with antidepressant drugs, has been shown to improve mood, whereas progesterone affects mood and memory adversely (Birzniece V et al 2006). Among men, declining hormone levels caused by aging are associated with depressed mood (Amore M 2005). network

These findings are important because they offer an alternative avenue of therapy for people who may not receive adequate relief from conventional medicines. Both men and women are affected by declining hormone levels as they age (menopause in women and andropause in men). Hormone replacement therapy seeks to reestablish the hormone levels of a healthy young adult. It is important to understand that no single hormone exists in a vacuum. The major sex hormones are all synthesized from cholesterol, and they exist in a cascade in which a change in one hormone affects levels of other hormones. Thus, if you and your physician are considering hormone replacement therapy, it is important to test for all the hormones, including pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and design a comprehensive program of bioidentical hormone replacement. digital cameras

DHEA. DHEA is an important steroid hormone whose levels decrease with age. People with depression have low levels of DHEA, and DHEA has been shown to modulate serotonin levels in the brains of laboratory rats (Karishma KK et al 2002; Abadie JM et al 1993). A number of studies have examined the role of DHEA in depression, with very encouraging results. In one study, patients with HIV/AIDS and depression benefited significantly from DHEA therapy (Rabkin JG et al 2006). In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study that lasted for six years, researchers tested 90 mg DHEA daily for 3 weeks and 450 mg/d for 3 weeks as a monotherapy for both mild and severe depression. They found that DHEA therapy resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms, compared with placebo (Schmidt PJ et al 2005). desktops

Testosterone. Studies indicate that levels of testosterone are reduced in some depressed men (Barrett-Connor E et al 1999; Schweiger U et al 1999). A clinical trial using transdermal testosterone gel showed that patients treated with testosterone experienced significant improvements in depressive symptoms (Pope HG Jr et al 2003). cognos

Estrogen. Estrogen is also linked to depression. It is of particular importance in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women (Grigoriadis S et al 2002). Women using estrogen replacement therapy to alleviate menopause symptoms appear to experience reduced depression (Miller KJ et al 2002). In some older women being treated for depression, estrogen replacement therapy may actually improve the effects of conventional antidepressants (Schneider LS et al 2001). hosting

Estrogen is thought to produce its antidepressant effects by regulating serotonin in the central nervous system (Joffe H et al 1998; Rubinow DR et al 1998). Estrogen is also thought to reduce monoamine oxidase activity, increasing levels of neurotransmitters. Animal studies show that removing estrogen eliminates downregulation of serotonin receptors produced by antidepressants, an effect that is reversed with reintroduction of estrogen. This suggests that estrogen affects antidepressant activity and modulates serotonergic transmission within the central nervous system (Bethea CL et al 1998; Kendall DA et al 1982). netfinity

Homocysteine and Depression

Many nutrients and supplements can influence the body s management of vital neurotransmitters. Much like the prescription drugs used to treat depression, these natural therapies act by increasing production of neurotransmitters or reducing their rates of degradation. Unlike prescription drugs, however, natural therapies can also minimize the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to depression. internet

One intriguing target for therapy is homocysteine, which is an intermediary amino acid that has been associated with various disease states. Studies have shown that elevated homocysteine is also associated with depressive disorders and anger attacks caused by depression (Chen CS et al 2005). cheap computer

Homocysteine levels can be lowered by the following nutrients, some of which (especially S-adenosyl-L-methionine, or SAMe) have been found to improve depression independently. digital camera

Folic acid. Clinical trials have demonstrated that folic acid relieves depression on its own and enhances the antidepressant effect of conventional antidepressants. In one study, patients given 500 mcg folic acid daily in conjunction with fluoxetine experienced a significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared with patients receiving the antidepressant alone, and women benefited particularly (Coppen A et al 2000). Because relapse is associated with low serum folate, it is important to maintain folate supplementation for a year following a depressive episode (Morris MS et al 2003). printer

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Deficiency in vitamin B12 has been cited as a risk factor for developing depression (Gottfries CG 2001) and is associated with increased homocysteine (Parnetti L et al 1997; Stabler SP et al 1990). People with high vitamin B12 levels have better treatment outcomes for major depression (Hintikka J et al 2003). Vitamin B12 supplementation is important for depressed individuals, particularly older patients, in whom low vitamin B12 levels are common (Lindeman RD et al 2000; Penninx BW et al 2000). xseries

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). In 2005, a team of researchers from Yale University examined all the published studies on vitamin B6 and depression. Although the researchers did not find evidence of benefits from vitamin B6 treatment in the results of all the studies, they did find that premenopausal women suffering from depression benefited from vitamin B6 (Williams AL et al 2005). maxtor

Trimethylglycine and zinc. Trimethylglycine (TMG) operates along a different pathway from that of the B vitamins. In fact, some individuals who have a severely elevated homocysteine level respond only to TMG because its activity is limited to the liver and kidneys. To decrease a severely elevated homocysteine level, repeated high doses of TMG must be taken throughout the day. One small study found that TMG supplementation taken concurrently with vitamin B6 and folic acid significantly reduced homocysteine (Dudman NP et al 1996). data storage

Zinc acts in concert with vitamin B6 to promote remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Zinc is also needed for the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine and glutathione. hitachi

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