 |
|
New Non-Invasive Method In Lung Diagnostics
June 24, 2004Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-invasive diagnostic method has been evolving into an attractive alternative to methods which are associated with radiation exposure. This development now also starts to manifest itself in lung perfusion imaging. This was reported by Dr. Christian Fink and colleagues of the Radiology Division of the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center) in a recent issue of the journal Radiology*.
Diagnosis of numerous diseases of the lungs requires precise imaging of lung perfusion. The standard method used is called perfusion scintigraphy. It involves injecting a radioactive substance into a patient's bloodstream and then making a scan of its distribution in the lungs. An equally precise and absolutely radiation-free method for evaluating lung perfusion now turns out to be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, also called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scan).
In a comparative study of 7 healthy probands and 20 patients with suspected lung cancer, the researchers compared magnetic resonance imaging to the standard method of perfusion scintigraphy. MRI showed a higher temporal and spatial resolution in lung perfusion imaging and provides the additional advantage of three-dimensional image data, which makes it easier to recognize blood circulation changes. Perfusion defects caused by tumors were recognized with high accuracy. In direct comparison with the standard method, MRI was found to be at least equally good.
It is too early yet for MRI to become a routine clinical method of lung perfusion imaging. The value of the new method first needs to be assessed in larger studies. But the investigators are optimistic that the radiation-free option may turn into the method of choice: "Image resolution in MRI is about twice as high as in perfusion scintigraphy so that we expect a higher detail precision compared to the standard method", says Fink. Alongside evaluation of perfusion, MRI also provides additional information, e.g. about the anatomy of blood vessels in the lungs and the temporal process of lung perfusion. Thus, it provides insight about both vessel organization and function of blood circulation down to the tiniest branches of the lungs.
The method can be used not only in diagnostics and surgery planning for lung tumor patients. It may in future also be beneficial in non-invasive diagnostics of other lung diseases such as pulmonary embolism, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Presently, however, MRI is substantially more expensive than the standard method (approx. 300 euros versus 75 euros per examination), since the remuneration system does not yet take adequate account of innovative methods of this kind.
The task of the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum in Heidelberg (German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ) is to systematically investigate the mechanisms of cancer development and to identify cancer risk factors. The results of this basic research are expected to lead to new approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. The Center is financed to 90 percent by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and to 10 percent by the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers (Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren e.V., HGF).
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Cancer Current Events and Cancer News RSSDeaths from lung cancer could be reduced by better policies to control indoor radon
About 1100 people each year die in the UK from lung cancer related to indoor radon, but current government protection policies focus mainly on the small number of homes with high radon levels and neglect the 95% of radon related deaths caused by lower levels of radon, according to a study published on bmj.com today.
Protein's essential role in repairing damaged cells revealed
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that a key protein in cells plays a critical role in not one, but two processes affecting the development of cancer.
Interpretation Time for Screening Digital Mammograms: Is it Efficient?
Digital mammograms take longer to interpret than film-screen mammograms, according to a study performed at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Scientists can now differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells
One of the current handicaps of cancer treatments is the difficulty of aiming these treatments at destroying malignant cells without killing healthy cells in the process.
Team finds breast cancer gene linked to disease spread
A team of researchers at Princeton University and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has identified a long-sought gene that is fatefully switched on in 30 to 40 percent of all breast cancer patients, spreading the disease, resisting traditional chemotherapies and eventually leading to death.
New hope for cancer comes straight from the heart
Digitalis-based drugs like digoxin have been used for centuries to treat patients with irregular heart rhythms and heart failure and are still in use today. In the Dec. 16 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine now report that this same class of drugs may hold new promise as a treatment for cancer.
Cell Biologists Identify New Tumor Suppressor for Lung Cancer
Cancer and cell biology experts at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have identified a new tumor suppressor that may help scientists develop more targeted drug therapies to combat lung cancer.
Errors involving medications common in outpatient cancer treatment
Seven percent of adults and 19 percent of children taking chemotherapy drugs in outpatient clinics or at home were given the wrong dose or experienced other mistakes involving their medications.
Grape-seed extract kills laboratory leukemia cells, proving value of natural compounds
An extract from grape seeds forces laboratory leukemia cells to commit cell suicide, according to researchers from the University of Kentucky. They found that within 24 hours, 76 percent of leukemia cells had died after being exposed to the extract.
In lung cancer, silencing one crucial gene disrupts normal functioning of genome
While examining patterns of DNA modification in lung cancer, a team of international researchers has discovered what they say is a surprising new mechanism.
More Cancer Current Events and Cancer News Articles
 | Beating Cancer with Nutrition, book with CD by Patrick Quillin Beating Cancer with Nutrition. Sugar feeds Cancer: diet and supplements can starve tumors· Nutrition makes chemo and radiation more toxic to the tumor while protecting the patient. Nutrition changes underlying causes of cancer, improving outcome for cancer patients regardless of other therapies. Why Beating Cancer with Nutrition is unique: The book was developed after working with over 500... |
 | Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller Now hailed as an American classic, Tropic of Cancer, Henry Miller's masterpiece, was banned as obscene in this country for 27 years after its publication in Paris in 1934. Only a historic court ruling that changed American cesorship standards permitted the publication of this first volume of Miller's famed mixture of memoir and fiction, which chronicles with unapologetic gusto the bawdy... |
 | Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr An advice-from-the-trenches cancer survival guidebook for young women with cancer. Actress and photographer Kris Carr thought she had a hangover, but a Jivamukti yoga class didn't provide its usual kick-ass cure. A visit to her doctor confirmed her "liver looked like Swiss cheese," covered with cancerous tumors. She entered trench warfare (wearing cowboy boots into the MRI machine,... |
 | Cancer-Free: Your Guide to Gentle, Non-toxic Healing (Third Edition) by Bill Henderson "If you love your stricken one, this is your Bible." said Denzel Koh of Brisbane, Australia after he healed his daughter's cancer using the information in a previous edition of this book. A cancer diagnosis always causes fear. All of us have seen relatives and friends destroyed by conventional cancer treatment. Now, thanks to books like this one and the Internet, you can quickly... |
 | Foods to Fight Cancer: Essential foods to help prevent cancer by Richard Beliveau Detailing the key foods that have been medically shown to be beneficial in both preventing and fighting cancer, this is the must-have resource for anyone looking to get healthy and stay that way. AUTHOR BIO: Richard Béliveau, PhD, a leading authority in cancer research, holds the Chair in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer at the Université du Quebec à Montréal, where he is a professor... |
 | Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do: Third Edition by Greg Anderson The ground-breaking classic guide to surviving cancer—now completely updated! Revised and updated for the first time since 1999, this invaluable guide to cancer recovery offers an easily accessible plan for patients and family members. Written by a cancer survivor, the book is an inspiring, action-oriented roadmap for those who choose to adopt a stance of hope and take charge of their... |
 | Outsmart Your Cancer: Alternative Non-Toxic Treatments That Work by Tanya Harter Pierce Learn the unique characteristics common to all cancers. Read testimonials from many who have completely recovered using alternative approaches. Learn why non-toxic methods are so effective and how to obtain... |
 | Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor: More Rebellion and Fire for Your Healing Journey by Kris Carr You are a Survivor from Day One On the heels of the acclaimed Learning Channel documentary and best-selling survival guidebook Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips comes this survivor's companion. In Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips Kris Carr and her posse of Cancer Babes shared their wealth of insights, tricks, how-tos, and hell yeahs for living life with cancer. Now Kris invites all the Cancer Cowgirls (and... |
 | The Biology of Cancer HB by Robert A. Weinberg The Biology of Cancer is a comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date textbook written by a major researcher in the field. It clearly presents the principles of cancer biology in an organized and accessible fashion. The information unfolds through the presentation of key experiments which give readers a sense of discovery, and provides insights into the conceptual foundation underlying cancer... |
 | Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, Second Edition by Patrick C. Walsh, Janet Farrar Worthington EVERY MAN NEEDS THIS BOOK! Each year, more than 200,00 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is that more men are being cured of this disease than ever before. Now in a revised second edition, this lifesaving guide by Dr. Patrick Walsh and ard-winning science writer Janet Farrar Worthington offers a message of hope to every man facing this illness. Prostate cancer is... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |