Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
Cancer patients experiencing malnutrition are at a higher risk of psychological distress. Researchers found that the level of distress is positively correlated with nutritional status, highlighting the need for evaluation of nutrition in cancer care.
A new study analyzing UK cancer survival data reveals a modest improvement in survival rates since the introduction of the NHS cancer plan in 2000. However, significant regional variations in survival remain, with affluent southern regions showing better outcomes.
Recent research suggests that monoclonal antibodies can stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to more powerful control of cancer. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments that alter antibodies to induce long-lasting immunity.
Local rectal cancer excision is effective for stages Tis and T1 cancers, with prevention of recurrence and postoperative follow-up increasing efficacy. Administering salvage therapy also improves outcomes.
According to the study, approximately half of patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer who undergo radiotherapy develop malnutrition, defined as weight loss of at least 5%. Patients with neck lymph node irradiation are more than four times as likely to become malnourished.
A new study from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identifies genes associated with the BRCA1 protein and their involvement in the DNA repair pathway. MERIT40, a previously unknown protein, was found to work with BRCA1-RAP80 complex to achieve DNA repair.
Patients with advanced cancer who used religious faith to cope were more likely to receive intensive life-prolonging medical care, according to a study. Positive religious coping was associated with nearly three times the odds of receiving mechanical ventilation and preferring heroic measures.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that patients who draw on religion to cope with their illness are more likely to receive intensive, life-prolonging medical care as death approaches. This study suggests that physicians tend to comply with religious patients' wishes for more aggressive care.
A multi-center study recommends that men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer can safely choose observation over immediate treatment, closely monitored. This approach is associated with a low risk of metastatic spread and is not a total disregard for patients with prostate cancer.
A team of Columbia University researchers has identified a new investigational therapy for bladder cancer, inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway with rapamycin. The discovery demonstrates that p53 and PTEN tumor suppressor genes are inactivated in invasive bladder cancer.
A new study has found that maintenance rituximab therapy improves progression-free survival in patients with stage III-IV indolent lymphoma. The treatment showed significant benefits, including a 22% improvement in disease response and a 68% three-year progression-free survival rate.
Researchers found that study methods and definitions of lead time significantly impact estimates of prostate cancer screening's effectiveness. The study suggests a need for clear methodology to accurately interpret findings.
A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that many terminally ill patients feel abandoned by their doctors due to a lack of continuity and closure. The study identified two themes: before death, concerns about loss of communication, and at the time of death or after, feelings of abandonment from a lack of closur...
A study found that patients who had end-of-life conversations with their doctors had significantly lower health-care expenses ($1,876 vs. $2,917) and better quality of life during their final week. The study suggests a strategy to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient care.
A study found that patients who discussed end-of-life care with their physicians had lower healthcare costs in the final week of life. Another report revealed higher healthcare costs among black and Hispanic patients compared to white patients, regardless of cause of death. The findings highlight racial disparities in end-of-life care.
A short course of radiation therapy followed by high-quality surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with operable rectal cancer. Recent trials have shown a reduction in local recurrence with radiotherapy and chemotherapy before or after surgery.
The IU Simon Cancer Center has launched a new web site section providing information on diagnosis, treatments, and unexpected symptoms for cancer patients. The section, funded by the Walther Cancer Foundation, aims to improve patient support and communication between patients and healthcare providers.
A recent study found that consuming two or more alcoholic drinks per day may slightly increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The research pooled data from 14 studies involving over 862,000 individuals and identified a higher risk among men who consumed three or more drinks daily.
The US stimulus package is unlikely to address the financial struggles of cancer patients, who face high costs for treatment and uncertain treatment outcomes. The package's limited funding for cancer research and care may exacerbate existing inequalities in healthcare access.
A new guide from Northwestern University helps doctors navigate fertility preservation strategies for cancer patients. The guide aims to increase awareness and improve treatment options for adolescents and younger adults facing cancer diagnosis.
Daniela Trani, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University Medical Center, has been selected as an NSBRI Postdoc Fellow to investigate the effects of space radiation exposure on human health. Her research aims to understand injury responses to space radiation-induced inflammatory signaling in cells.
The City College of New York and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center will receive funding to develop a unique partnership in cancer research, training, and community outreach. The grant aims to address cancer disparities in underserved minority communities through translational research, education, and outreach programs.
A study published by the American Cancer Society found that patients seeking health information online are more likely to be aware of and receive the latest cancer treatments. Patients who search for information on targeted therapies like Avastin and Erbitux are up to 3.22 times more likely to receive these treatments.
A new study reveals liver cancer incidence has tripled in the US since 1975, with African-Americans and Hispanics experiencing significant increases. Survival rates have improved significantly, with one-year rates rising from 25% to 47%, thanks to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
A randomised trial of 1590 cancer patients found no benefit of warfarin in reducing catheter-related thrombosis. However, dose-adjusted warfarin showed a reduced risk of thromboses compared to fixed-dose warfarin. The study concludes that warfarin is not a viable option for thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients.
Researchers have generated altered immune cells that target mesothelin, a protein highly expressed on cancer cells, shrinking and sometimes eradicating large tumors in mice. The approach shows promise for immunotherapies against certain tumors.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that black and Asian patients with terminal cancer use hospice care services less frequently than white and Hispanic patients, despite comparable levels of physical health and income.
A new test can predict which women with breast cancer are likely to respond to chemotherapy and which type of chemotherapy will work best for them. The test, known as the Breast Bioclassifier, has been validated on thousands of women and can help doctors prescribe targeted treatments that may not require chemotherapy.
Researchers found immunological tests to be more accurate in detecting precancerous lesions, identifying over twice as many lesions as HaemOccult test. However, some tests yielded too many false positives, emphasizing the need for high detection rates and reliable all-clears.
A study by Michigan State University found that higher medical mistrust among minority women led to late breast cancer screening. The AACR is working to address these issues through research and education. Recruiting diverse patients into clinical trials also poses challenges, with incentives often not effective.
More than a million cancer survivors in the US are forgoing necessary medical care due to financial constraints. Minority groups, particularly Hispanics and African-Americans, face significant barriers to accessing affordable care, affecting dental care, prescription medication, and mental health services.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that leaving the ovaries intact during surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer has no survival benefit compared to removing them. This approach could spare women from surgery-induced early menopause, hot flashes, and increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
A new study has identified certain patient and tumor characteristics that may indicate which breast cancer patients are at high risk of developing contralateral breast cancer. These include histologic invasive characteristics, multiple quadrants affected, and a high Gail risk score or age over 50 at diagnosis.
Researchers discovered how anthracycline chemotherapy drugs block cancer cell growth by inhibiting HIF-1 protein. The findings suggest that these drugs may benefit a subgroup of cancer patients with high HIF-1 levels, leading to reduced tumor size and fewer blood vessels in mice.
A new study found that breast cancer survivors are unsatisfied with the post-cancer care they receive from their primary care physicians, highlighting the need for more coordinated care. Patients advocate for educational interventions and specialized clinics to address late effects of treatments and prevent disease recurrences.
Research from Thomas Jefferson University reveals that African-American patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to present with advanced disease and have a worse five-year survival rate. Socioeconomic factors, including access to healthcare screening, may contribute to these disparities.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center identified genetic variants in seven DNA repair genes associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The LIG3 G-39A AA variant was found to lower pancreatic cancer risk, while the ATM D1853N AA variant increased risk by over twice as much.
Research reveals bladder cancer is more lethal in women and African-Americans, with mortality rates up to 114% higher than their white male counterparts. The study found that traditional factors accounting for only part of the difference, suggesting other important factors are at play.
Researchers identified anthocyanins in black raspberries as effective in preventing esophageal cancer in rats. The study demonstrates the importance of anthocyanins as preventive agents in black raspberries and validates similar in vitro findings.
A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified mutations in the IKZF1 gene that predict a high likelihood of relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The findings suggest that this genetic marker could be used to tailor treatment intensity and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have discovered two enzymes involved in DNA demethylation, which could lead to targeted therapies aimed at slowing or preventing cancer. The enzymes control an 'on-and-off switch' for critical genes that trigger cancer and other diseases.
Researchers at UC Davis Cancer Center have identified three compounds that can help make chemotherapy for kidney cancer more effective by blocking the repair mechanism of a key cancer gene. These findings offer hope for patients who currently face limited treatment options and many side effects.
A new study at Ohio State University Medical Center has successfully grown human blood platelets in a laboratory for transfusion. The three-dimensional bioreactor produced up to 1.2 million platelets per day, continuing production for over 32 days.
A combination of prophylactic antibiotics, barrier isolation, and air quality control measures significantly reduces mortality risk in immunocompromised cancer patients. The intervention shows a 40% reduction in all-cause mortality at 30 days post-treatment, with improved survival only seen when antibiotic and anti-fungal prophylaxis a...
A recent study by the University of Alberta found that individuals with sarcopenic obesity, a condition characterized by low lean muscle mass, had significantly reduced survival rates and poorer physical function compared to those with only obesity. This suggests that body composition may play a crucial role in cancer treatment outcomes.
A meta-analysis of studies found that patients with diabetes diagnosed with cancer have a higher risk of death compared to those without diabetes. The study, published in JAMA, suggests that pre-existing diabetes is associated with an increased risk of all-cause death following cancer diagnosis across various cancer types.
A recent study published in The Journal of Urology found that low-income men are diagnosed with more advanced prostate cancer due to inadequate access to screening services. This disparity is significant, as the study reveals that 19% of these men were diagnosed with metastatic cancer, compared to 4% in the general population.
GUMC researchers discovered PTPRD gene inactivation in melanoma and glioblastoma, a potential tumor suppressor role. The findings suggest a wide applicability of PTPRD in various cancers, paving the way for novel therapy.
A planned safety analysis of a breast cancer prevention study using exemestane found an acceptable level of bone loss in postmenopausal women. The study also suggests that the long-term clinical impact of this decrease is not yet known, and further research is needed.
A large study found that early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients with tumors one centimeter or smaller have a 23% chance of recurrence, highlighting the need for additional therapy. The study's findings suggest that physicians should consider offering Herceptin-based therapy to these patients.
The majority of oral cancers are found late, causing high mortality rates, but early diagnosis improves survivability to 95% and reduces morbidity. Prosthodontists must change their practice paradigm by performing regular oral cancer screening examinations on all patients.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new three-drug combination therapy that spares patients from prolonged myelosuppression, a potentially lethal side effect of traditional treatments. The treatment achieved a remission rate of 96% in patients with indolent B cell lymphoma.
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research suggests that selenium may aid in the prevention of high-risk bladder cancer. Women, moderate smokers, and those with p53 positive bladder cancer had significant reductions in bladder cancer with higher rates of selenium.
A lack of clear-cut scientific evidence has created controversy over breast cancer screening for women over 80. Researchers recommend investing in clinical trials to assess cancer screening and treatment for older individuals, strengthening empirical data for medical recommendations.
A long-term study found that high insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) levels reduced overall death risk by over 50%, while high C-peptide levels doubled the risk of death. Lifestyle factors like obesity and physical inactivity are associated with high insulin levels, which can fuel colon cancer growth.
A clinical trial at Ohio State University found that older AML patients responded well to a less toxic therapy, achieving complete remission in 42% of cases. The treatment involved decitabine and showed promising results for this 'silent majority' of patients who previously were told they had no chance of treatment.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new risk model for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that applies to patients at any stage of the disease. The model provides improved survival projections and treatment guidance, offering hope for better patient outcomes.
A previously dismissed leukemia drug, flavopiridol, has shown promising results in treating CLL patients with advanced chromosomal abnormalities. In a two-phase trial involving 116 patients, approximately half responded to treatment.
In a phase II clinical trial, lenalidomide demonstrated activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia in elderly patients. The drug showed a favorable toxicity profile and achieved significant responses, including partial response in 54% of patients.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center analyzed over 1,100 blood stem cell transplantations and found that older patients (65+) do not have poorer outcomes compared to younger patients. The study also showed that disease type and status at transplant are key prognostic variables for survival.