Articles tagged with Oncology
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected Christopher Rose, M.D., and Joel Tepper, M.D., as the recipients of the 2008 Gold Medal. The award recognizes their outstanding contributions to radiation oncology and leadership in the field.
Seven IARC candidate names are publicly disclosed for the first time, sparking concerns over lack of transparency in the election process. The absence of a Search Committee and Scientific Council raises questions about bias and credibility.
A tracking system helped improve rates of medical oncology consultation and reduce disparities in breast cancer treatment by notifying surgeons when their patients visited an oncologist. The new system also eliminated racial disparity in treatment, as minority women were less likely to receive underuse of adjuvant therapy.
A study of 61 patients with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that radioimmunotherapy with yttrium-90 ibritumombab tiuxetan was well-tolerated and effective, achieving complete response in 55 patients. The treatment also showed improved progression-free survival and overall survival rates.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that stereotactic radiation is an effective alternative to surgery for benign brain tumors called non-acoustic schwannomas. The study showed excellent local tumor control with minimal side effects, making it a promising treatment option.
A large retrospective study found that radiation seed implants (brachytherapy) are equally effective in curing localized prostate cancer in men aged 60 and younger. The study results suggest that younger men should be presented with all viable treatment options, including brachytherapy, regardless of age.
New chemotherapy regimens such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based treatments have been shown to prolong the survival of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The meta-analysis found that these regimens can provide an estimated absolute survival benefit of 8-4.7 months for certain patient groups.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that parents' intellectual and emotional awareness time of their child's impending death is strongly associated with future health outcomes. Healthcare providers can play a crucial role in reducing long-term depression, employment issues, and psychological problems by providing adequate in...
Researchers found that radium-223 significantly reduced levels of bone alkaline phosphatase, a marker for HRPC progression, by 66% and prolonged median survival time by 41 weeks. However, treatment had no significant effect on skeletal-related events.
Researchers developed a new screening process using chemiluminescent light and toluidine blue dye to improve diagnosis accuracy for early-stage oral cancer. The study found that this approach can reduce unnecessary biopsies and false negatives, leading to better patient outcomes.
A new study found that adding Cetuximab to radiation therapy does not increase the rate or duration of mucositis or dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. The median follow-up time was 54 months, with fewer than 10% experiencing prolonged toxicities.
The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has awarded $240,000 in grants to four young cancer researchers. The recipients, Andy J. Minn, Roberto Diaz, Max Diehn, and Aaron C. Spalding, will use the funding to conduct research in radiation oncology, biology, physics, or outcomes research.
Three cancer researchers, Asif R. Harsolia, Sandeep S. Hunjan, and Ping Zhang, have won the ASTRO Poster Recognition Award for their exceptional contributions to radiation oncology. Their work demonstrated top-notch science presented at ASTRO's Annual Meeting.
Experts argue over the UK's Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, with Baroness Ilora Finlay citing failures in safeguards and Dr Margaret A Branthwaite advocating for patient choice. Meanwhile, Dr David Jeffrey emphasizes the importance of palliative care and warns against legislation at this time.
A new trial combining thalidomide and topotecan shows a 47% overall response rate, compared to 21% for topotecan alone. Women treated with the combination had improved disease-free survival and trended towards increased overall survival.
A seven-year study of over 400 patients found that delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdomen via a catheter increases survival and relapse-free survival rates compared to intravenous chemotherapy alone. However, side effects are significantly worse for the abdominal group.
A New England Journal of Medicine study found that women who received intraperitoneal chemotherapy had a median survival time 16 months longer than those receiving IV chemotherapy alone. The importance of referral to physicians with expertise in surgical management of ovarian cancer is highlighted.
A new initiative launched by UICC's World Cancer Campaign will provide funding for 14 projects aimed at improving childhood cancer care in the developing world. The initiatives focus on early diagnosis, access to care, and support for children with cancer and their families.
A survey of UK hospital consultants found a significant increase in poor mental health and burnout, attributed to increased job stress and workload. The prevalence of psychiatric illness rose from 27% in 1994 to 32% in 2002, with clinical oncologists facing the greatest increases.
A new report by the European Society for Medical Oncology reveals that female lung cancer death rates in Europe are still rising, despite a 16% increase between 1990-2001. However, trends in some countries and among younger women show a decline, suggesting future hope for reducing this epidemic.
A study of 60 male and 4,181 female breast cancer patients found that men were almost six times more likely to receive radiotherapy than women with similar disease stages. The researchers concluded that men should be treated using the same guidelines as women for radiotherapy treatment.
A study found that 76% of women would be willing to accept a cervical cancer vaccine for themselves, while 67% of mothers with daughters would consent to have their child vaccinated. The main reasons for non-acceptance were unknown side effects and the belief that minors are not sexually active.
A new imaging technology developed by GE Medical Systems precisely tracks lung tumor motion, enabling more accurate radiation therapy. Tumors in the lower lobes and attached to the posterior side of the lungs tend to move more than others.
The American Association for Cancer Research is accepting nominations for the 2005 Landon-AACR prizes, which recognize seminal basic and translational cancer research discoveries. The recipient of each prize will receive a $200,000 unrestricted cash award and present a lecture at the 96th AACR Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif.
Dr. Bruner, a renowned radiation oncology nurse, has been recognized by the Oncology Nursing Society for her groundbreaking work in cancer research and patient care. Her research focuses on enhancing participation of minorities in clinical studies and improving treatment outcomes.
A survey of Swedish breast cancer patients found that women prefer follow-up visits at breast centers rather than with their GP, but want more time for discussion. The study suggests that nurse-led follow-ups could increase patient satisfaction and reduce healthcare costs.
A recent report shows a significant decline in stomach cancer rates across Europe, with falls seen in younger and middle-aged populations. The downward trend is attributed to improved diet, better food preservation, reduced Helicobacter pylori infection, and lower smoking rates.
A Phase II trial of Herceptin combined with chemotherapy found no significant difference in survival times between the treatment and control arms. However, a small subgroup of patients with extremely high levels of HER2 over-expression showed improved response rates and longer disease progression-free periods.
The Lancet editorial highlights the need for improved patient and family support in hospitals, citing a tragic case of a chronically ill child's experience. The authors propose increasing liaison staff to at least two per ward to provide emotional wellbeing support and reduce stories like Michaela's in the medical community.
A study by cancer nurse Kerry Guile found that even oncologists and cancer nurses with high knowledge of sun protection were not acting on it. The sample size was 340 people, including medical students and non-oncology nurses, who scored highly on sun protective behavior.
Researchers have found an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer among childhood cancer survivors, with the University of Minnesota presenting their findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. The study's lead author notes that further research is needed to determine why this association exists.
A new study suggests that CT readings at oncology centers differ from those at general hospitals, affecting relative value unit assessments (RVUs). The average length of CT reports and character counts were significantly higher at oncology centers, with prior scans being directly compared more often.
A study involving 83 elderly women found that patients with depression, limited autonomy, and institutional living are at risk of toxicity and reduced treatment effectiveness. Dr. Gilles Freyer's research aims to evaluate risks and benefits for elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
A new phase III multi-national European trial involving 618 patients with advanced non small-cell lung cancer found that cisplatin and paclitaxel improved survival rates compared to carboplatin and paclitaxel. The study suggests that cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the preferred standard treatment for lung cancer in Europe.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that COX-2 expression is higher than normal in meningioma and pituitary macroadenomas, with more aggressive disease associated with greater enzyme presence. The study opens up opportunities for designing potential therapies against brain tumors.
A recent report highlights nuclear fallout in the US from Cold War testing, which increases cancer incidence and affects global populations. The editorial also critiques South Africa's delay in providing antiretroviral treatment to pregnant women with HIV.
A new treatment regimen combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy significantly improved failure-free survival rates for patients with early-stage Hodgkin's disease. The study also found that staging laparotomy could be avoided, leading to better patient outcomes.