Kenneth D. Nahum, MD, an oncologist and hematologist with more than four decades of experience, has been involved in dozens of drug studies in the course of his career. In addition, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum treats cancers and blood disorders at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA). Hematologists treat a wide range of blood disorders, including chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). A type of primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD), CGD is a rare condition characterized by a faulty bone marrow gene. This gene keeps the neutrophils, or white blood cells, from producing the hydrogen peroxide needed to fight certain kinds of fungi and bacteria. As a result of their compromised immune system, people with CGD are more susceptible to fungal infections, bacterial infections, and inflammation. Most people with this condition experience at least one serious infection every three to four years. This commonly occurs in the lungs, but infection can develop elsewhere, such as in the liver or on the skin. Due to the repeated episodes of inflammation and infection, patients with CGD often have dramatically shorter life expectancies. With treatment, however, the length of life can be improved.
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A hematologist and oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), Kenneth D. Nahum, MD, treats patients and studies the efficacy of drug treatments. Over the course of his career, Kenneth D. Nahum, MD, has studied a range of chemotherapy drugs. Common categories of chemotherapy drugs include: - Alkylating agents. One of the first anti-cancer drugs developed, they cause DNA strand breaks, which prevent cells from dividing. Still one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs, alkylating agents are effective at all stages of cell growth as long as the growth process is slow. Patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma will likely be prescribed these chemo drugs. - Plant alkaloids. Mitomycin and doxorubicin are two examples of this class of chemotherapy drugs, which are derived from plants and keep cancer cells from dividing. Plant alkaloids are cell-cycle specific and only attack cancer cells during different phases of division. - Antitumor antibiotics. Several types of cancer are treated with antitumor antibiotics bleomycin and dactinomycin. When injected into the body, these chemo drugs bind with DNA and prevent RNA synthesis, which is necessary for creating the proteins for cell survival. Oncologists are cautious about the amount of antitumor antibiotics they prescribe since too much can damage the heart. - Antimetabolites. As suggested by their name, antimetabolites affect cellular metabolism and prevent cells from dividing. They are cell-cycle specific and are primarily used to treat ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia Prominent oncology and hematology researcher and clinician Kenneth D. Nahum, MD, works with patients at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) in New Jersey. Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum treats patients with conditions such as iron deficiency anemia. A common type of anemia, iron deficiency anemia develops when there is a lack of iron in the body. This may result from a low intake of iron, blood loss, or medical conditions that make the absorption of iron difficult. Once diagnosed, treatment for iron deficiency anemia is based largely on the underlying cause. In the event the issue is caused by bleeding, doctors may prescribe medications or antibiotics that treat the cause of the bleeding. This includes oral contraceptives to lighten menstrual flow or medications that treat peptic ulcers. Surgery may also be necessary if a bleeding polyp or tumor is determined to be the cause. Iron deficiency anemia caused by a low intake of iron is often treated with iron supplements and a prescribed change in diet. Intravenous iron or blood transfusions can correct iron levels quickly when the deficiency is severe. |
AuthorA practicing partner of Regional Cancer Care Associates, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, has over 30 years of experience treating cancer patients in New Jersey and surrounding areas. Archives
March 2019
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