 |
|
Ethanol injection helps manage bone metastasis in thyroid cancer patients
June 04, 2007Percutaneous ethanol injection is valuable addition in managing care of patients, detail Japanese researchers at SNM's 54th Annual Meeting June 2-6 in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI)-an injection of ethanol (alcohol) through the skin directly into a bone tumor to kill cancer cells-may be a valuable ancillary treatment for thyroid cancer patients whose cancer has spread to the bone. Japanese researchers announced these findings during the 54th Annual Meeting of SNM, the world's largest society for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine.
"PEI may be a valuable adjunctive or secondary treatment to radioiodine therapy, and it may contribute to better management of thyroid cancer patients with bone metastasis," said Kunihiro Nakada, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at Hokkaido University Hospital and the hospital chief in the Department of Radiology at LSI Sapporo Clinic, both in Japan.
Reports indicate that this year about 33,550 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and of those, more than 25,000 will occur in women. Thyroid cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located at the base of the throat, makes important hormones that help the body function normally. Cancer can spread beyond that site and invade other parts of the body (metastasis), and thyroid cancer is often listed among the top most common causes of metastatic bone lesions. The primary treatment for patients with thyroid cancer is surgery, which is followed by thyroid hormone therapy. Radioactive iodine may be used to destroy thyroid cancer cells after surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
"Although thyroid cancer generally has a favorable prognosis, bone metastasis can be hard to be eradicate," said Nakada. "Although radioiodine therapy and/or surgery are valuable therapeutic strategies, management of bone metastasis has been challenging since it is likely that bone metastasis will show resistance to radioiodine therapy or that a tumor cannot be surgically removed," he explained.
"Our study is a therapeutic approach to treat metastatic bone tumor from thyroid cancer by injecting absolute ethanol directly into the tumor," explained Nakada. "Absolute ethanol induces direct necrosis (cell death) of the tissue in the area where it is distributed. Therefore, if absolute ethanol is selectively injected into a malignant tumor, selective destruction of the tumor may be expected," he added. In their study, 12 patients with radioiodine-ineffective bone metastasis from thyroid cancer underwent PEI. More than 50 percent reduction in tumor volume was achieved in all.
"PEI appears effective in terms of palliation (control) of symptoms (such as pain) and tumor size reduction and does not induce significant systemic side effects," noted Nakada. "In addition, PEI is a feasible treatment for radioiodine-ineffective tumors and has a potential for improving general performance or quality of life for selected patients," he added.
Additional research should be done to optimize treatment, said Nakada, including determining doses of ethanol, number of times PEI sessions should be repeated, how to predict outcome earlier and what other therapeutic options could be better combined with PEI to enhance efficacy.
Society of Nuclear Medicine
Reports indicate that this year about 33,550 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and of those, more than 25,000 will occur in women. Thyroid cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located at the base of the throat, makes important hormones that help the body function normally. Cancer can spread beyond that site and invade other parts of the body (metastasis), and thyroid cancer is often listed among the top most common causes of metastatic bone lesions. The primary treatment for patients with thyroid cancer is surgery, which is followed by thyroid hormone therapy. Radioactive iodine may be used to destroy thyroid cancer cells after surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
"Although thyroid cancer generally has a favorable prognosis, bone metastasis can be hard to be eradicate," said Nakada. "Although radioiodine therapy and/or surgery are valuable therapeutic strategies, management of bone metastasis has been challenging since it is likely that bone metastasis will show resistance to radioiodine therapy or that a tumor cannot be surgically removed," he explained.
"Our study is a therapeutic approach to treat metastatic bone tumor from thyroid cancer by injecting absolute ethanol directly into the tumor," explained Nakada. "Absolute ethanol induces direct necrosis (cell death) of the tissue in the area where it is distributed. Therefore, if absolute ethanol is selectively injected into a malignant tumor, selective destruction of the tumor may be expected," he added. In their study, 12 patients with radioiodine-ineffective bone metastasis from thyroid cancer underwent PEI. More than 50 percent reduction in tumor volume was achieved in all.
"PEI appears effective in terms of palliation (control) of symptoms (such as pain) and tumor size reduction and does not induce significant systemic side effects," noted Nakada. "In addition, PEI is a feasible treatment for radioiodine-ineffective tumors and has a potential for improving general performance or quality of life for selected patients," he added.
Additional research should be done to optimize treatment, said Nakada, including determining doses of ethanol, number of times PEI sessions should be repeated, how to predict outcome earlier and what other therapeutic options could be better combined with PEI to enhance efficacy.
Society of Nuclear Medicine
Thyroid Cancer News and Current Thyroid Cancer Events RSSScans spot hidden tumors in rare cancer syndrome
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute report that full-body PET/CT scanning detected unsuspected, treatable tumors in 3 of 15 patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare genetic cancer syndrome for which no screening tests have been recommended.
Mailman School PH study finds increase in thyroid diseases risk from exposure at Chernobyl
Persons exposed to radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident as children and adolescents have an increased risk of follicular adenoma or benign tumor of the thyroid gland, according to researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Scientists solve structure of gene regulator that plays key role in cancer
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have collaborated on a major advance in understanding a gene regulator that contributes to some of the deadliest cancers in humans. The culmination of 10 years' work, their research paves the way for the development of new cancer therapies.
Presence of gene mutation helps guide thyroid cancer treatment
A specific gene mutation may be useful in predicting the level of aggression of thyroid cancer and help guide treatment options and follow-up care, according to new study findings.
Role of Thyroid Hormones in Slumber Under Investigation at Rutgers-Camden
While the thyroid has long been linked to metabolism, cutting-edge research underway at Rutgers University-Camden is investigating the possibility that thyroid hormones have an important role in sleep regulation.
Hepatitis C increases risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Hepatitis C infection is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (malignancy involving lymphatic tissue) of 20 percent to 30 percent, and a three-fold increase in the risk of another type of lymphoma, according to a study in the May 9 issue of JAMA.
Lung cancer rates higher among female nonsmokers than previously
Not all lung cancer is due to a lifetime of smoking cigarettes. Sometimes the diagnosis is a mystery, and the stigma surrounding the disease makes it hard for patients to talk about.
Thyroid cancer discovery points to new treatments, prevention
The actions of a mutated protein in cells linked to thyroid cancer have been uncovered by researchers at Queen's University.
Enzyme inhibitor produces stable disease in patients with advanced solid cell cancers
Preliminary trials of a MEK enzyme inhibitor have shown that it is capable of producing long-lasting stable disease in patients with advanced solid cancers. Tests showed that the drug inhibited key targets in the patients' tumours, and now it is being tested in phase II clinical trials.
Identifying the "Nuclear" in Nuclear Medicine as High Benefit
Say the word nuclear and it conjures up mistaken ideas about radiation, an invisible, odorless and intangible force that allows doctors to non-invasively see into the body.
More Thyroid Cancer News Articles
 | Breast Cancer and Iodine : How to Prevent and How to Survive Breast Cancer by Dr. David Derry M.D., Ph.D. This book is about cause, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer has two phases. The first one, from abnormal cells up to carcinoma in situ reverses with iodine. The second phase, invasion, is controlled by connective tissue thyroid... |
 | Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients This book is a valuable and extensive source of information about thyroid cancer and is specifically written for the patient with thyroid cancer. However, family and friends of patients who have thyroid cancer will also find this book useful. The book discusses a wide spectrum of aspects about thyroid nodules and cancer. It is discusses the basics of the thyroid gland, the evaluation of... |
 | The Thyroid Cancer Book by M. Sara Rosenthal, Ph.D. Now in its second edition, the only consumer book on thyroid cancer in plain language, also contains a Low Iodine Cookbook. Recommended by Johns Hopkins Thyroid Tumor Center, The Thyroid Foundation of America, The American Foundation for Thyroid Patients, The Thyroid Foundation of Canada, CancerHelpUK, and thyroid cancer patients from both Thyca and... |
 | The Pituitary Patient Resource Guide, Revised 4th Edition by Shereen Ezzat Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist: "Through my many experiences with life threatening illnesses and quality of life threatening illnesses, I know the importance of information. Information is comfort. Information is power. Information can save your life. When it comes to Pituitary/Hormonal issues where does one get the information they need? The Pituitary Patient Resource Guide is the only... |
 | Essentials of Thyroid Cancer Management (Cancer Treatment and Research) This volume outlines patient care from diagnosis through various treatments for thyroid cancer patients. It serves as a state-of-the-art reference for clinicians providing comprehensive information on the scope of this disease, including surgery, nuclear medicine treatments, recurrence and metastases. Reference information is included for both physicians and thyroid cancer... |
 | Thyroid Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide to Clinical Management This massive revision of the highly acclaimed first edition presents a wealth of new information and insights on every aspect of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, initial treatment, and long-term management of all varieties of thyroid cancer. Paramount is a thorough treatment of the nuclear medical aspects of diagnosing and managing the thyroid cancer patient. This includes extensive... |
 | The Purple Butterfly: Diary of a thyroid cancer patient by Susan Hibberd 'The Purple Butterfly' cameos a year in the life of a thyroid cancer patient. Restrained and sparsely written, it gives the reader a deep insight into the mind of someone who is balancing on the edge of hysteria, yet still feels an obligation to `put on a brave face'. A 'must-read' for anyone supporting a friend or relative through a serious illness - this book tells you what he or she never... |
 | The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Thyroid Cancer This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to thyroid cancer (also Lymphoma; Mediastinal lymphadenopathy; Mediastinal... |
 | Quick FACTS Thyroid Cancer (Quickfacts) by American Cancer Society What people need to know-right from the start-about their Thyroid cancer More than 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with various forms of cancer this year. They, their families, and their caregivers will all be seeking information about their specific cancer type. This guide from the experts at the American Cancer Society gives them what they need to know, right from the... |
 | Thyroid Cancer Thyroid Cancer describes all current diagnostic techniques, including FDG-PET and MRI. In recent years these modalities have documented hitherto hidden radioiodine-negative metastases, thus improving surgical therapy. The whole gamut of treatment, including surgery, radioiodine therapy, percutaneous radiation therapy and medical management, is covered. In some 10% of differentiated thyroid... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |