Any medical treatment can carry the potential for side effects in some patients. Cancer treatment is particularly powerful, because it is designed to destroy constantly dividing cancer cells. It can also affect healthy dividing cells and this can cause side effects. The challenge to researchers has been to develop treatments that destroy cancer cells but do not harm healthy cells.

The treatment must be continued until the cancer appears to have been eliminated. The patient's PSA scores will be checked to see what effect the treatment has had. However cancer can recur and the patient needs to be very careful and follow regular screenings.

The methods used to treat cancer are very powerful. It is hard to limit the effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are removed or destroyed. Because healthy cells also may be damaged, treatment often causes unpleasant side effects. The side effects of cancer treatment vary. They depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. Also, each person reacts differently. Attempts are made to plan the therapy to keep side effects to a minimum.

The treatments for prostate cancer carry a significant risk of side-effects, both long-term and short-term. After a prostatectomy operation there is a high risk of impotence and a small risk of urinary incontinence. Radiotherapy carries a similar risk of impotence but has a smaller risk of incontinence. Brachytherapy appears to have a lower risk of impotence. Almost all patients receiving hormone therapy experience impotence during the course of the treatment.

Surgery for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is only offered to patients whose tumor is localized and meets other criteria (please note earlier FAQ answers). Only about 15-20% of those individuals with pancreatic cancer will be found to be eligible for surgery. In these cases, surgical resection (removal) of the tumor from the pancreas (and resection of select surrounding tissues) gives the best chance for a cure and generally confers a better overall prognosis in contrast to medical therapy.

There are no universally agreed upon firm guidelines for medical treatment for those patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who are not candidates for surgery or who have a recurrence of the cancer after surgical resection. In part, this is because there is no one great treatment option-there are a number of treatment approaches which may be more or less appropriate, given certain variables.

Could an age old energy therapy really make a difference in the quality of life for cancer patients? Many say that reiki therapy has helped with depression, pain, and even side effects of treatment. While reiki is not a form of cancer treatment, it does seem to have an impact on the lives of many cancer patients.

Low blood cell counts? (anemia: low red-blood-cell count, neutropenia: low count of one type of white-blood cell, low platelets, etc.)

The effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be harsh. Remember that they are mostly temporary and won't last forever. Talk with your doctor about what to expect and which symptoms to report if you experience them. Side effects may include: Effects on skin and nails, such as redness, rashes, itching, peeling, dryness, acne or increased sensitivity to the sun.

The cause of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is unknown. The incidence of NHL has continued to increase over the years. When a person has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, abnormal rapid cell growth occurs. This abnormal growth may require a "trigger," such as an infection or exposure to something in your environment, to develop. NHL is not contagious and is not caused by injury.1 Symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) depend on the area of the body affected by the disease.

Cancer researchers are trying to make cancer treatment more effective and lessen its side effects for the cancer patient. Results of such efforts include:

To date, VesCell™ therapy has produced no significant side effects or adverse permanent complications. However, any therapy may have side effects. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that no complications will occur. Once the treating physicians have received your medical information, we can arrange for one of them to talk to your doctor.

Side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, mouth sores, fatigue, fever, chills, sleep disorders. These can usually be controlled with medication and occur rarely except hair loss. If these side-effects do occur, the treating oncologist must be contacted immediately. Certain drugs may cause infertility. Discuss this with your oncologist before treatment starts.

The ingredients in our products are not classified as carcinogens. As with most skin treatment products, your skin may become extra sensitive to the sun during use. Heavy sun exposure or the use of tanning beds and/or sun lamps may increase the risk of skin cancer in individuals with fair skin. We recommend the use of a sun block while treating your skin with any of our products.

Almost always cancer is worse than the treatment. Often people diagnosed with cancer have never experienced any symptoms or pain. It is only after the treatment starts that they begin to feel sick. Therefore, they associate feeling sick with getting treatment - not with the cancer itself. There are times when every cancer patient questions their commitment to the difficult journey of treatment and its side effects.

This is a question to ask your doctor. Even though treatment regimens have similarities, they are often tailored to the individual patient. Therefore, it is important you speak frankly with your doctor. Undergoing chemotherapy can be a scary experience, especially if you have heard that another treatment is better. However, your doctor made her recommendation based on your specific cancer and your general health and she has your best interest in mind.