Amyloidosis Explained: What Is This Condition That Caused the Death of Hockey Player Gino Odjick?

At the age of 52, former hockey player Gino Odjick of the Vancouver Canucks has passed away.

Gino Odjick, Former Vancouver Canucks Player, Passed Away

Healthing reports that his sister, Dina Odjick, confirmed last Sunday that Gino Odjick indeed died. She expresses the heartbreaking news regarding how her brother has left to go to the "spirit world."

Gino's former team, the Vancouver Canucks, also paid tribute to his passing through their social media channels. Francesco Aquilini, the team's governor and chairman, expresses how Gino has indeed been a fan favorite ever since he joined the team. Aquilini also notes how Gino put his heart and soul into each shift, whether it was on or off the ice.

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Culprit Behind Gino Odjick's Passing: Amyloidosis

Sportsnet reports that Gino got diagnosed with the condition Amyloidosis in 2014. Such a condition is said to attack the organs and the heart.

More specifically, the condition involves a protein that is abnormal, which is known as amyloid. The said protein builds up within one's organs and tissues. It affects the function of the organs and may cause organ failure or even death.

With Gino's diagnosis given in 2014, he was given a notice that he would only have a few weeks left to live.

Gino wrote an open letter to his fans way back in 2014. In his open letter, he mentioned how strong his spirit was despite the weakness of his body. He expressed how his plans to use his time to be with his children and loved ones. He also shared how he loved to be a Canuck.

The late hockey player underwent experimental amyloidosis therapies in Ottawa. Other than this, he also went through chemotherapy. Healthing reports how chemotherapy is commonly used to treat the condition as it interrupts the cells that fastly divide. Among individuals with amyloidosis, chemotherapy can break the plasma which is abnormal and that leads to deposits of amyloids.

The treatments he received were quite effective, considering his prognosis. Hence, his death at the age of 52 came as a distressing shock to his loved ones and other close companions.

More About Amyloidosis

According to Mayo Clinic, Amyloidosis is a rare condition that takes place when amyloids build up within one's organs. As a result of this accumulation, the functioning of the organs get affected.

The organs that could get affected by this condition are the kidneys, heart, liver, nervous system, spleen, and digestive tract.

Treatment of the condition typically involves chemotherapy alongside other potent drugs that are used to combat cancer. Other medications focus on the reduction of amyloid production and on the management of symptoms. In certain cases, patients could benefit from stem cell or organ transplants.

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