Link Between Inflammation and Cancer

Toes inflamed

Inflammation, a part of unknown immune system response which occurs in reaction to any type of injury. (Ferrero-Miliani L, et al. 2007) In normal conditions, the inflammatory process will be recovered by itself with help from the body resistant (immunity). We can attain our body immunity by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, such as, starfruit, papaya,, carrot, cabbage, and mangosteen, or other supplements that could boost our immune system, to help our body to resist infection. But in some cases, inflammatory process might develop into chronic inflammatory diseases.

Aulus Cornelius Celsus (circa 25 BC — 50 AD), a Roman physician, who first characterized the signs of inflammation, in which are, calor (warmth), dolor (pain), tumor (swelling) and rubor (redness). He had described in detail of numerous ancient medicinal remedies, which included surgical procedures of removing cataract, and treating bladder stones, in his eight books of De Medicina (On Medicine).

Rudolph Carl Virchow (13 October 1821 — 5 September 1902), a German physician who was known as the father of modern pathology, who described the link between inflammation and cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, pulmonary diseases, neurological diseases and other chronic diseases. Virchow is also known as the first who recognized leukemia cells.

In honour to Rudolph Carl Virchow, several medical terms are named after his. Virchow's gland, or Virchow's node, is the medical term for the presence of metastatic cancer in a lymph node, in the root of the neck left of the midline. While Virchow's cell, is the medical term for a macrophage in Hansen's disease, or known as leprosy.

The last three decades, extensive researches by scientists around the world, had confirmed the link between inflammation with cancer and other chronic diseases. Several anti inflammatory agents had been used for centuries to treat cancer and other chronic diseases, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Ayurvedic medication.

Cancer, an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the cells that make up living things. Cancer in Latin means crab, and it was Celsus who translated from the Greek term of carcinos, which also means crab. Hippocrates was the first who used the word carcinos in referring to malignant tumors.

Cancer had been recognized by the Egyptians since 1500 BC. Cancer is actually widespread in most forms of plant and animal life. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer are recognized in human life. The description of cancer above is nearly the same with Virchow's cell theory, omnis cellula e cellula, every living cell comes from another living cell.

The Cancer's 7 Danger Signals by the American Cancer Society also indicates the link between inflammation and cancer, in which are:

1. Unusual bleeding, or discharge.
2. A lump, thickening in the breast, or elsewhere.
3. A sore that does not heal.
4. Change in bowel, or bladder habits.
5. Hoarseness, or cough.
6. Indigestion, or difficulty in swallowing.
7. Change in a wart, or mole.

When above signals last longer than two weeks, it is essential that a doctor be consulted. And do not used any alternative medications by your self without doctor's advised, or any experts of alternative medications.

Although we could treat ourselves using natural anti inflammatory agents, such as, cucurbitacins from muskmelon, carotenoids from carrot, curcuminoids from white turmeric, sulforaphane from cabbage, and xanthones from the rind of mangosteen, herbalist expert should be consulted. Because most herbal medicines for cancer treatment are poisonous, for example, anti inflammatory and cytotoxic agents of phalerin, derived from the poison fruit of mahkota dewa.