Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
A recent study investigated whether NCI cancer centers have better outcomes due to their designation. The research found that perioperative mortality was lower at these centers for four out of six procedures, but five-year survival rates did not differ significantly between the two types of institutions.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer through physical examination are more likely to undergo chemotherapy and mastectomy compared to those detected by screening mammography. The study found that cancers detected by mammography were smaller and had lower rates of lymph node spread, allowing for less-toxic treatment options.
Researchers analyzed death certificate data from Ohio between 1989-2000 and found no significant dip or peak in cancer deaths around Christmas, Thanksgiving, or birthdays. Women dying of cancer were more likely to die during the week before their birthday compared to men.
A study analyzing cancer death records from 1989-2000 found no correlation between cancer mortality and holiday events like Christmas or birthdays. However, it did reveal a slight increase in cancer deaths among certain populations, such as black Americans before Thanksgiving and white women on their birthdays.
A Northwestern University study reveals potentially fatal blood clots in up to 20% of cancer patients treated with thalidomide. The drug's exclusive off-label use hinders information sharing about side effects.
The guidelines provide recommendations for screening and management of late effects in pediatric cancer survivors, aiming to improve adult quality of life. The report authors anticipate that widespread use will help researchers determine the efficacy of screening survivors to reduce medical complications and death.
The study found that PET/CT imaging was effective in detecting new malignancy and precisely localizing disease extent in patients with suspected occult recurrent cancer. The imaging modality provided valuable information for treatment planning, potentially avoiding further invasive procedures.
The patientINFORM consortium, led by commercial giants Elsevier, Springer, and Wiley, has sparked controversy among advocates for enhanced public access to research. While the proposal aims to make taxpayer-funded research available, critics argue it discriminates among illnesses without justification and fails to respect all patients'...
The Advexin therapy, which delivers normal p53 genes to cancer cells, resulted in significantly smaller tumors and increased infiltration of T-lymphocytes, a key component of the immune system. After surgery, researchers found higher levels of normal p53 mRNA and an increase in the p53 protein, suggesting improved cancer response.
A study of 226 elderly adults with advanced cancer, congestive heart failure, or COPD found that virtually all participants experienced moderate to severe symptoms, including limited activity, fatigue, and physical discomfort. The study highlights the importance of addressing these symptoms in this vulnerable population.
A study published in JAMA found that MRI can accurately detect breast cancer with a high sensitivity rate of 88.1%, but its effectiveness decreases when ruling out malignancies. The technology is most beneficial for patients with difficult-to-interpret mammograms.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated that half-matched donor (haploidentical) natural killer cells can survive and persist to actively attack cancer cells, potentially leading to remission and eligibility for bone marrow transplant. This breakthrough treatment option shows promise for some patients with AML.
A new oral therapy, Zarnestra, has shown benefit in improving blood counts and preventing leukemia development in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The drug, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, produces responses in about one-third of patients, offering hope for those at high-risk for developing acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has developed a host of imaging techniques to develop better ways to look noninvasively at the molecular characteristics of tumors. They aim to forecast early response to chemotherapy so that treatment choices can be adjusted.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have identified a potential biomarker for aggressive kidney cancer, which can help improve treatment outcomes by identifying patients at high risk of disease progression. The study found that high levels of B7-H1 molecule are associated with increased risk of cancer spread and mortality.
Urinary incontinence and abdominal pain are key symptoms of ovarian cancer, with crampy abdominal pain being the most common symptom. The study found that women often ignore or downplay these symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis.
Research reveals elderly patients are significantly under-represented in cancer clinical trials, with only 36% of trial participants aged 65 and older compared to 60% of the U.S. cancer population. This underrepresentation may be due to concerns about treatment effectiveness and side effects.
The NYU team's algorithm detects genetic differences between normal and cancer cells, revealing excess or missing DNA segments associated with various cancers. The software will be made available online in mid-December.
Researchers found that patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer are more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier age and have a smoking history. The study suggests that strong counseling against smoking is necessary for these patients, as well as smoking cessation programs.
A study analyzing phase 1 cancer trials from 1991-2002 found a significant decrease in treatment-related deaths and serious toxicity, with adjusted odds of death being less than one-tenth those of patients participating in earlier trials. Targeted therapies and improved supportive care are likely contributing factors.
A comprehensive analysis of Phase 1 cancer trials found a significant drop in drug-related deaths and an improvement in the risk/benefit ratio. The study suggests that increased attention to patient safety, less-toxic targeted therapies, and improved supportive care have contributed to these improvements.
Increased investment in radiotherapy can significantly improve cure rates for European cancer patients. In the UK and Netherlands, calls for increased funding led to substantial improvements. However, under- utilization of radiotherapy is common in many EU countries due to inadequate infrastructure and staffing.
The GENEPI project aims to predict radiotherapy efficacy and side effects based on genetic, physical, and patient-related factors. It will establish a pan-European database on radiation-related morbidity, enabling researchers to investigate factors influencing individual responses to radiotherapy.
A multi-center, double-blind study found that patients taking toremifene 20 mg had a lower cumulative incidence of cancer after 12 months, with a 48% reduction compared to placebo. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) is a precursor to prostate cancer.
A study of 47,949 participants found that moderate to high levels of alcohol consumption were associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in men. However, no association was found between alcohol consumption and the risk of atrial fibrillation in women.
Experts call on EU politicians to improve cancer treatment access, modernize healthcare through increased funding and reduced bureaucracy. The European CanCer Organisation highlights the need for political will to translate scientific discovery into practical treatments.
A new partnership aims to develop nanotechnology tools for linking molecular signatures to cancer behavior and clinical outcome. Researchers will create nanoparticles for molecular profiling of cancer, as well as imaging microscopes and software integrated with nanotechnology discoveries.
A case-control study of 300 bladder cancer patients and 300 control subjects found higher levels of arylamine-hemoglobin adducts in cancer patients than in control subjects. The findings suggest exposure to arylamines is a causal factor for most cases of bladder cancer in humans, with potential non-smoking-related sources identified.
Dr. David S. Alberts, a renowned cancer researcher, has been honored with the 2004 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) – Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research. He is recognized for his groundbreaking work on chemoprevention and treatment of various types of cancer.
A study found that even healthy subjects experience declines in sexual function over five years, but patients treated for prostate cancer show much greater decline with significant impact on urinary function. Men undergoing radical prostatectomy are particularly affected.
A population-based case-control study found no association between SV40 exposure and increased risk of NHL. SV40 seropositivity was detected in 7-10% of patients and less than 2% of controls, indicating a possible cross-reactivity with related human polyomaviruses.
Researchers have discovered that a mutant gene's failure to convert vitamin A into retinoic acid leads to colon cancer. Introducing retinoids may prevent or control the growth of colon cells, offering new avenues for therapy development.
Researchers developed a novel gene-based therapy that substantially decreased tumor size and eliminated cancer cells in experimental mice. The treatment, which uses recombinant adenoviruses encoding interferon-alpha, showed promise in responding to even resistant bladder cancer cell lines.
A study surveyed 900 physicians from the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, revealing that a physician's comfort level discussing death and their medical ethics training significantly affect end-of-life choices for terminally ill patients. Key aspects of effective conversations include 'straight talk' and compassion.
Researchers analyzed data from over 400,000 breast cancer patients to estimate the probability of death after diagnosis. The study found that breast cancer patients with ER-negative tumors were more likely to die from their cancer than those with ER-positive tumors.
Researchers analyzed data from over 400,000 breast cancer patients to calculate probabilities of death from breast cancer vs. all other causes combined. They found that patients with ER-negative tumors and larger tumors were more likely to die from their cancer than those with ER-positive tumors and smaller tumors.
Physicians often recommend more frequent surveillance colonoscopies than recommended guidelines, citing clinical evidence and personal factors as influential. This may lead to unnecessary procedures, affecting quality of care and resource utilization.
A new study has identified five chromosomal regions that are likely to harbor prostate cancer susceptibility genes. The study found evidence of a gene on the long arm of chromosome 17 and four other regions that might hold susceptibility genes. Additionally, researchers have discovered that men who carry a specific mutation in the MIC-...
Researchers recruiting patients from high-risk clinics for cancer intervention studies risk introducing bias, as controls are more likely to receive interventions than some case patients. This can lead to a false impression of intervention efficacy or underestimate its harm.
A recent study published in Cancer revealed that African-American women are four times more likely than white women to show significant alterations in the tumor suppressor gene p53. This finding suggests a greater burden of poor prognostic factors among African-American women, highlighting a potential link between genetic mutation and ...
Researchers found that black patients are more likely to receive care from physicians who report inadequate access to high-quality diagnostic imaging, sub-specialists, and other essential resources. This disparity in care may be driven by differences in the physicians' access to local services and specialists.
A study found that low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in overweight and obese women. The association was strongest in women who gained weight over the years of follow-up.
A new study found that Akt pathway activation is associated with better response rates and reduced disease progression in lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib. The researchers identified P-Akt positivity as a key marker for predicting patient response, but not P-MAPK positivity.
The UC Davis Cancer Center has a vigorous clinical trials program, with about 16% of new cancer patients participating in trials. This rate is significantly higher than the national average of less than 3%.
In Harare, Zimbabwe, cancer survival rates are disturbingly low, with black patients facing significantly lower survival rates than white patients. The study's findings highlight the need for better access to early detection and treatment methods.
A study found that physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath and weakness, predict cancer prognosis. Physical health-related quality of life (hrQoL) factors were stronger predictors of survival than psychosocial factors.
Researchers used gemcitabine and low doses of radiation to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer in 24 patients. Most were able to keep their bladders intact and were cancer-free after four years, with 65% still cancer-free.
A randomized trial of 605 patients with four or more positive lymph nodes found no difference in 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival between conventional and high-dose chemotherapy. High-dose chemotherapy was shown to confer extra cost and toxicity without added anticancer benefit.
New research suggests that cancer-related fatigue is more closely tied to depression and impaired physical performance than previously thought. A study of 70 patients in remission found no correlation between fatigue and various physiological markers, but significant associations with depression and physical performance.
Cancer patients anticipate an average of 8.7 symptoms, with fatigue, nausea, and hair loss being the most common expected side effects. The study identifies characteristics of patients who expect more side effects, including age, gender, educational background, and type of cancer.
A study published in Critical Care found that severe sepsis affects around 5% of cancer patients hospitalized in the US, resulting in a mortality rate nearly five times higher than non-cancer patients. Early antibiotic treatment could significantly improve cancer survival rates.
Researchers have discovered a potential immunotherapy strategy for cancer treatment by reactivating specific memory T cell subsets from cancer patients. These activated cells effectively recognize and reject xenotransplanted autologous tumors, reducing tumor size in mice.
Researchers found that 35% of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer exhibited impairments in verbal learning and memory functions before treatment. After treatment, 61% demonstrated 'chemobrain' declines in memory and learning, with improvements seen in 50% one year later.
A new technique for preserving fertility in young women with cancer has been successfully used on eight female patients. The method involves removing immature eggs from the ovaries, maturing them through in-vitro maturation (IVM), and freezing them for later use.
A new study shows that VELCADE (bortezomib) can significantly extend survival and induce important responses in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The median overall survival was 17.2 months, with a 14.1-month duration of response and 15.3-month time to disease progression.
Researchers have identified a possible connection between the IRF1 gene and tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. By adding interferon to antiestrogen therapy, tumors may become sensitive to treatment, potentially inhibiting new cancers or disease reoccurrences.
The study found that 85% of cancer patients use prayer as a common non-medical therapy for healing, while 25% change their diets or use mega-vitamins to improve their health. Patients often don't discuss these therapies with their doctors due to communication gaps.
Researchers found that approximately 50% of gemcitabine dose was converted to an active form, while the remaining 50% remained inactive. This discovery highlights the need for alternative treatment schedules for cancer patients undergoing gemcitabine infusions.
The study found that minority groups are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials, with Hispanic patients representing only 3.1% of trial participants. Additionally, elderly patients, both minorities and whites, were strikingly underrepresented compared to their younger counterparts.
A retrospective study of 110 elderly leukemia patients found similar complete remission and two-year survival rates as younger patients when treated with anthracyclin-based induction chemotherapy. The study's findings suggest that age is not a predictor of survival, but rather the treatment protocol received.