Yes, at least IMO. We do not know enough of cancer yet. For instance two patients arrive with colon cancer (colon cancer is fairly stable in its mutations so it makes a good example here). Both patients are males and receive the same treatment. Only one survives. Why? We don´t know. If we had the knowledge of how and why cancers appear we might be able to cure all patients. I´ll continue with colon cancer. The 1st mutation is üsually in a gene called APC. Now why does that gene mutate? If we knew that maybe we would be able to prevent it. Thus we would be able to cure colon cancers before the cancer appears. I agree that we´re spending the money unwisely. It´s not us doctors that decide what to research nor is it cancer experts. Unfortunately this leads to fractioned research although there are some very interesting research being done. Hopefully treatment will improve and fatalities decrease. But we´ll have to wait for the cure. The most efficient treatment today is as Attalus said a mixture of suregery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to get rid of all mutated cells [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 12-02-2002, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

<font color="#ff00cc">Am I too cynical? Are we talking about Cancer the diseas that kills humans through hijacking cells? or are we using metaphor for terrorism? Either way its an interesting post.

On the chance you are actually talking about cancer the disease and not the war on terrorism, I do recall a year or two ago, two researchers in the DC area had some "Miracle cure" for cancer...a cure for everyone....the medical world was agog, and much as I predicted those two guys have disappeared and nary a word from them or about their cure that was splashed on every newspapers page 1. What happened to them and their cure? did it get covered up by big drug companies who make millions on treatments and stand to loose money if a "cure" is found? Or were they frauds? or was the "cure" just an over hyped new treatment?

'tis the season to be cynical fa la la la la, la la la la :D </font>

[ 12-02-2002, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

<font color="#ff00cc">I disagree, if you eradicate each and every cell prone to the malignancy there is no need to understand anything. Radical sterilization will work just fine. </font>

If it´s the research I´m thinking about it turned out that the placebo was more efficient than their drug. ;) So it never made the 2nd phase of clinical trials. From what I know there are at the moment three different cures that´s being evaluated at the moment. But with todays technology and knowledge it is impossible to cure cancer with a "miracle cure" ;) [img]smile.gif[/img] War on terrorism?!? http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...ons/icon23.gif Nevermind, I don´t want to know ;) :D

Not so I'm afraid. All normal cells are prone to malignancy. It can be triggered by many things. If a patient is cured of smoking related cancer he will need to stop smoking or he may get the disease again. If we understand how carcinogens trigger malignancy we can begin to eradicate the disease.

Of course he has the choice to stop smoking or not. My point (or one of them) is that in the long run these choices will have to be made - even though we detest the idea of doing it.

<font color="#ff00cc">Hmmm this may or may not be. It appears upon cursory examination that the more serious malignancies are pretty much endemic to one particular cell group. While other cells may have deficiencies and may cause health problems, the current groups of cells that are being addressed, if removed from the patient all together would probably leave more than enough free resources to deal in a more humane and gentle fashion with the less severe malignant types.

I see the problem divided into two major groups. Group A being the cells that explode destroying not only themselves but as many other cells that are different from themselves as is possible doing widespread damge to the organism as a whole.

Whereas, Group B do tend to act up but usually in a more defined and directed sort of way. Group B can probably be soothed with ointments and creams without destroying the fabric of the host. </font>

LOL, at least you admit it! *Sticks tongue into other cheek.* Well, the most successful surgeons of this ilk often remove the primary, regardless of the spread of metastases. In many of these cases, we have seen disappearance of the metastases, or at least shrinkage to the point where they are less trouble to the body politic. ;) Of course, lifestyle changes often prevent the recurrence of this and other tumors, though the patient may object and even not comply.

*Aside to Willow: he's pulling your leg, dear.*

<font color="#ff00cc">Errr I was not pulling Willow's Leg....I can if she wants but that would require a request from her :D </font>

LOL, I was not referring to you, <font color="#ff00cc">MagiK</font>, but to our distinguished British friend, Sir Donut, K.C.B. However, if you and Willow want to get into leg-pulling, it's all right with me. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Cancer is nasty, plain and simple. Cell DNA are damaged (more common) or mutate randomly (less common). These damaged cells are now mis-programmed to do nothing of value except multiply rapidly. Your body does not see these cells as enemies because they are not chemically seen as intruders. They are left to run rampant. They hog resources, interfere with vital body processes, and crowd out healthy cells. They may break free and migrate to other areas of the body. Especially if located in the circulatory or lymphatic system. The only defense against these rogue cells is the fact that they are almost always inherently weaker than healthy cells. They succumb to the stresses of the Radio/Chemotherapy while healthy cells are generally just weakened. A horrible way to treat a disease, but the only one known. As far as a cure goes, if our own body can't distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells, it's unlikely we will be able to either with our current technology. Only once our complicated immune system is fully understood will we be able to make great advances in this area of medicine.