Cancer News: Esophageal
Should lung and esophageal cancer survivors do more PET scans?
Lung and esophageal cancer survivors may not get benefit from radioactive imaging tests used to diagnose cancer recurrence, a new study reveals.
Positive outcomes from immunotherapies in gastrointestinal cancers
Pembrolizumab and nivolumab, two targeted immunotherapies, appeared effective in advanced gastric and esophageal cancers, two trials revealed.
Treatment for less toxicity in locally advanced esophageal cancer
Radiation therapy that targets only the involved lymph nodes regions results in less toxicity without affecting overall survival rates in esophageal cancer patients.
Fewer side effects for esophageal cancer patients with proton therapy
New research has shown that when patients with esophageal cancer are treated with proton therapy, a new type of treatment, they experience fewer side effects.
Gastrointestinal tumors associated with higher cancer risk
Patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors may develop additional malignancies before and after their diagnosis, according to the first population-based study.
Daily aspirin may help prevent gastrointestinal cancers
Taking aspirin regularly and for a long time may decrease the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. However, the potential risks of prolonged aspirin use should be considered.
Targeted treatment may improve esophageal cancer patients' survival
A lung cancer drug was used in a trial against a type of esophageal cancer with EGFR gene duplication, and resulted in longer survival for those patients.
Pathway links heartburn and esophageal cancer
Got heartburn? More than 60 million adults in the U.S. have acid reflux, or heartburn, and approximately 10 percent are at risk for developing esophageal cancer, due in part to complications from Barrett's esophagus. But researchers at Rhode Island Hospital discovered a pathway they believe links Barrett's esophagus to the development of esophageal cancer. Their data suggest that blocking this pathway, such as with a proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole), may prevent the development of esophageal cancer. The study is published online in advance of print in the journal American Journal of Cell Physiology.
Scientists reveal new insights in the development of oesophageal cancer
Cancer Research UK scientists show that while inherited faulty genes can increase the risk of Barrett’s Oesophagus – a condition linked to acid reflux – it may be lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity that cause it to develop into oesophageal cancer – according to a major study published in Nature Genetics.
Gastroesophageal cancer tied to weight as a teen
Israelis who were overweight as teenagers were more likely to have esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancers later in life, researchers reported.
4 genetic variants linked to esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus identified
An international consortium co-led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia has identified four genetic variants associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer and its precursor, a condition called Barrett's esophagus.
Less-invasive option as effective as esophagus removal in early esophageal cancer
Use of a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure to remove superficial, early stage esophageal cancer is as effective as surgery that takes out and rebuilds the esophagus, according to a study by researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
Esophageal cancer surgery: 'poor outcomes' with certain symptoms
A new study published in the Journal 'Cancer' reveals that patients suffering from esophageal cancer may experience different "clusters" of symptoms months after surgery, and that patients with certain clusters may be at increased risk of death from the disease.
Esophageal cancer patients benefit from pre-surgery chemotherapy
Even more esophageal cancer patients may benefit from chemotherapy before surgery to remove a tumor, compared to what was previously thought.
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) biomarker discovered
A biomarker for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) has been discovered, which can help diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this disease.
Quality of life after esophageal cancer surgery can recover
Patients' quality of life recovers to normal levels 10 years after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up, a surgical procedure for treating esophageal cancer.
Heat-based Barrett esophagus treatment reduces cancer risk
Radiofrequency ablation (use of heat applied through an endoscope to destroy cells) for Barrett esophagus reduced risk of this condition progressing to cancer.
Esophageal cancer test identifies patients resistant to therapy
Two validation studies show that a test can accurately predict response to chemoradiation therapy before surgery, in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Equally effective options to prevent esophageal cancer
A review showed radiofreqeuncy ablation & complete endoscopic resection to be equally effective against dysplastic Barrett's esophagus which may lead to cancer.
Statins reduce Barrett's esophagus risk by 43%
Statins, usually used to lower cholesterol, greatly reduce a patient's risk of developing Barrett's esophagus - a condition which may lead to esophageal cancer.
Endoscopic resection for early-stage esophageal cancer may not be best option
A new study shows that the traditional surgical resection for early-stage esophageal cancer provided significantly better outcomes than endoscopic resection.
Aspirin can guard against colon, stomach and esophageal cancer
New research reveals aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of developing and dying from digestive tract cancers: colon (bowel), stomach & esophageal cancer.