 |
|
PET accurately identifies esophageal cancer patients' positive responses to chemotherapy
June 04, 2007Molecular imaging opens door to tailoring treatment based on cancer tumor biology, report researchers at SNM's 54th Annual Meeting June 2-6 in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Early metabolic imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) accurately identifies patients responding to chemotherapy for esophageal cancer, noted German researchers at the 54th Annual Meeting of SNM, the world's largest society for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine professionals.
"This is the first study to apply PET results from early metabolic response assessment to clinical decision making in the treatment of common solid tumors," said Ken Herrmann, a resident in the department of nuclear medicine at Technical University in Munich, Germany. "The outcome for metabolic responders turned out to be remarkably favorable compared to metabolic non-responders. Our results show that PET helps select patients who are benefiting from chemotherapy," he noted. "Based on our early response assessment, the course is set for tailoring multimodality treatment on the basis of tumor biology," explained Herrmann.
In addition, PET-response-guided treatment "helped circumvent the administration of inefficient chemotherapy to patients with no metabolic response-without compromising their outcome," added Herrmann.
Less well-known than lung cancer-but no less serious-esophageal cancer starts in the inner layer of the esophagus, the 10-inch long tube that connects your throat and stomach. Adenocarcinoma is esophageal cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids. In this country, more than 14,000 persons are expected to die from the disease, and more than 15,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year.
The MUNICON trial, conducted from May 2003 through August 2005, was the first study conducted to apply PET results from early metabolic response assessment to clinical decision-making in the treatment of common solid tumors, said Herrmann. "This clinical trial delineated how response-guided treatment algorithms may be applied to clinical practice, serving as a model for other malignant diseases-like lung, head and neck or ovarian cancer-and providing information to alter treatment and patient management," he explained. "The results of our study delineate how response-guided treatment algorithms can be applied in clinical practice in the future," said Herrmann.
PET is a powerful medical imaging procedure that noninvasively demonstrates the function of organs and tissues. When PET is used to image cancer, a radiopharmaceutical (such as fluorodeoxyglucose or FDG, which which is a radioactive analog of sugar) is injected into the vein of a patient. Cancer cells metabolize sugar at higher rates than normal cells, and the radiopharmaceutical is taken up in higher concentrations to cancerous areas. PET scans show where FDG is by tracking photons given off by the radioactive tracer. PET scanning provides information at a molecular level-not available through other procedures-about the body's chemistry, metabolic activity and body function.
Society of Nuclear Medicine
In addition, PET-response-guided treatment "helped circumvent the administration of inefficient chemotherapy to patients with no metabolic response-without compromising their outcome," added Herrmann.
Less well-known than lung cancer-but no less serious-esophageal cancer starts in the inner layer of the esophagus, the 10-inch long tube that connects your throat and stomach. Adenocarcinoma is esophageal cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids. In this country, more than 14,000 persons are expected to die from the disease, and more than 15,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year.
The MUNICON trial, conducted from May 2003 through August 2005, was the first study conducted to apply PET results from early metabolic response assessment to clinical decision-making in the treatment of common solid tumors, said Herrmann. "This clinical trial delineated how response-guided treatment algorithms may be applied to clinical practice, serving as a model for other malignant diseases-like lung, head and neck or ovarian cancer-and providing information to alter treatment and patient management," he explained. "The results of our study delineate how response-guided treatment algorithms can be applied in clinical practice in the future," said Herrmann.
PET is a powerful medical imaging procedure that noninvasively demonstrates the function of organs and tissues. When PET is used to image cancer, a radiopharmaceutical (such as fluorodeoxyglucose or FDG, which which is a radioactive analog of sugar) is injected into the vein of a patient. Cancer cells metabolize sugar at higher rates than normal cells, and the radiopharmaceutical is taken up in higher concentrations to cancerous areas. PET scans show where FDG is by tracking photons given off by the radioactive tracer. PET scanning provides information at a molecular level-not available through other procedures-about the body's chemistry, metabolic activity and body function.
Society of Nuclear Medicine
Esophageal Cancer News and Current Esophageal Cancer Events RSSTooth loss strongly linked to risk of esophageal, head and neck, and lung cancer
Studying thousands of patients, Japanese researchers have found a strong link between tooth loss and increased risk of three cancers - esophageal, head and neck, and lung. They suggest that preservation of teeth may decrease risk of developing these diseases.
Alcohol consumption and polymorphisms of cytochromes P4502E1 are high risks for ESCC
Heavier alcohol consumption increases the risk of ESCC. There are synergetic interactions among alcohol drinking and ALDH2, ADH1B, CYP2E1 genotypes.
Alcohol and cancer: is drinking the new smoking?
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have clarified the link between alcohol consumption and the risk of head and neck cancers, showing that people who stop drinking can significantly reduce their cancer risk.
8 plants from South Africa may hold potential for treating high blood pressure
Medicinal plants are an integral part of African culture, one of the oldest and most diverse in the world. In South Africa, 21st century drug therapy is used side-by-side with traditional African medicines to heal the sick.
Esophageal cancer rates climb with obesity; U-M study finds esophagectomy safe in obese patients
The rapidly climbing obesity rates in the United States have created a higher risk of esophageal cancer linked to reflux disease. And this has some surgeons wondering if a currently popular procedure to remove the esophagus is as safe in obese patients.
Does too much protein in the diet increase cancer risk?
A great deal of research connects nutrition with cancer risk. Overweight people are at higher risk of developing post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer and a certain type of esophageal cancer.
OHSU findings may improve how people with chronic heartburn, precancer of the esophagus are screened
Researchers in the Oregon Health & Science University Digestive Health Center are first to report that screening people with chronic heartburn or pre-cancer of the esophagus in an office setting using a "skinny scope" is as accurate, less expensive and less risky than a traditional sedated screening in a procedure room - and patients prefer it.
What cures your aches might prevent cancer
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has begun three clinical studies looking at the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent cancer - colon, esophageal or lung.
Optical technique provides improved 'virtual biopsies' of internal surfaces
A new optical imaging technique, developed at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), can provide three-dimensional microscopic views of the inner surfaces of blood vessels and gastrointestinal organs.
Holiday season could ring in 'heartburn season'
Making merry is often synonymous with overindulging - whether from holiday feasts or rich desserts or alcoholic beverages - ringing in the holiday season as "heartburn season."
More Esophageal Cancer News Articles
| Clinical Manual For Laryngectomy And Head/Neck Cancer Rehabilitation (Clinical Competence Series) by Janina K. Casper, Raymond H. Colton Following a highly successful first edition, Clinical Manual For Laryngectomy And Head/Neck Cancer Rehabilitation, 2E continues the tradition of its predecessor as being an indispensable aid and sought-after reference for all voice professionals in clinical... | |
 | 100 Questions & Answers About Esophageal Cancer (100 Questions Series) by Pamela K. Ginex, Manjit S. Bains, Jacqueline Hanson, Bart L. Frazzitta This book gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Written by three esophageal cancer experts and an actual... |
 | An Energetic Approach to Oncology (Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy, Volume 5) The information contained within the Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy: A Comprehensive Clinical Text has currently been tripled, and formatted into five exciting new textbooks. The five new Medical Qigong textbooks are composed of both modern and ancient knowledge, graphics and expanded techniques guaranteed to fascinate and intrigue the reader. Never before in the history of Chinese Medicine has a... |
 | GERD: Reflux to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma by Parakrama T. Chandrasoma, Tom DeMeester The increasing incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has created an enormous interest and stimulus for research in this area. GERD brings together, for the first time, a vast amount of disparate literature and documents the entire pathogenesis of reflux disease in one place. The book presents reflux carditis as a new diagnostic criterion of GERD and for the first time defines the dilated... |
 | Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma The leading reference text entirely devoted to this increasingly significant conditionThis text is dedicated to Barrett’s esophagus and provides recent evidence and current approaches to patient management. It has been completely revised, updated and extended to include the latest research findings and describes how these affect day-to-day clinical practice.It includes seven new chapters... |
 | Esophageal Cancer by J.R. Siewert, H.J. Stein, H. Feussner This CD-ROM covers all aspects of the management of esophageal carcinoma. It contains illustrations, videoclips and interactive elements. The program is designed to give all necessary information for an effective diagnostic work-up and for modern multimodal treatment. It may be used by all doctors who are interested in the oncological treatment of esophageal... |
| Surgery and current management for cancer of the esophagus and cardia (Current problems in cancer) by Tom R DeMeester | |
| Four prognostic factors can guide clinical decision making in advanced esophagogastric ca.(Multivariate Analysis): An article from: Internal Medicine News This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on March 15, 2004. The length of the article is 421 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation... | |
 | Esophageal Cancer Research Developments (Horizons in Cancer Research) |
| Esophageal blueprint by Jackie Hanson |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |