Cancer News
Prostate cancer prognosis improved by PSA testing & early treatment
Prostate cancer mortality is 20% lower in areas with frequent use of PSA testing, compared with areas with little testing, according to a study.
New prostate cancer radiotherapy treatment may be riskier
Stereotactic radiotherapy for treating prostate cancer, although faster and less expensive than standard radiotherapy, may cause more urinary complications.
Promise for leukemia and lymphoma treatment in a pill
A pill may be an option for leukemia and lymphoma patients, as researchers are investigating potential alternatives to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Cervical cancer survival improved by targeted drug in trial
In a phase 2 trial, a targeted antitumor drug prolonged survival for women with cervical cancer which has spread to the nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
Experimental ovarian cancer drug meets main goal in trial
The experimental drug Zybrestat combined with Avastin significantly slowed progression of recurrent ovarian cancer better than Avastin alone.
Pancreatic cancer response to chemotherapy predictable by CT scan
Computed tomography (CT) scans may show how well chemotherapy will penetrate the tumor in pancreatic cancer patients, predicting the treatment’s effectiveness.
Ovarian cancer risk correlates with weight, experts say
New research suggests that overweight or obese women are more likely to develop ovarian cancer, after a study on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 4 million women.
Research for pancreatic cancer growth and spread slowdown
Blocking the function of an enzyme was shown to slow the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer, by preventing a protein from stimulating normal cells.
DNA test can replace Pap smear, according to the FDA
An FDA committee unanimously recommended to replace the Pap smear by a human papillomavirus (HPV) test as the 1st-line standard for cervical cancer screening.
Breast cancer prognosis & treatment outcome predicted by new test
A new clinical test aims to predict survival but also the possible treatment failure for breast cancer patients. It could be available in two years.
Promising news for bladder cancer patients with rare genetic mutations
A patient with advanced bladder cancer and rare genetic mutations experienced complete response for 14 months to the drug combination everolimus and pazopanib.
Cancer mortality increased 4 times for diabetics taking insulin
Cancer patients who have been diabetics for 2 years, and were taking insulin at the time of diagnosis, have 4 times higher mortality 1 year after diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer and diabetes could be associated
A review of 88 international studies identified a link between pancreatic cancer and diabetes, although diabetes is considered only a modest cancer risk factor.
Experimental vaccine for advanced melanoma effective in trial
A late-stage study with an experimental vaccine was found effective, shrinking tumors in a way that indicates that it triggered the intended immune response.
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy becoming more common
A new study by researchers from US private practices and academic medical centers shows that more women are receiving breast reconstruction after mastectomies.
Colon cancer incidence and mortality rate drop in a decade
The incidence of colon cancer in older adults decreased by 30% in the last decade, coinciding with a tripling of the colonoscopy rate, in the USA.
Third-hand smoke increases cancer risk as well
Third hand smoke (exposure to the toxic compounds of tobacco from surfaces and dust where someone has previously been smoking) may result in cancer.
Stomach cancer may be detected earlier in the future
The latest research on stomach (gastric) cancer brings new hope for its early detection, thanks to the identification of four new biomarkers in patients’ blood.
Androgen deprivation for early prostate cancer found ineffective
Early stage prostate cancer patients who received androgen deprivation as their primary treatment instead of surgery or radiation, did not get any benefit.
Childhood cancer survivors have 5 times the risk of serious diseases
As adult survivors of childhood cancer age, their overall health risks are much higher than their siblings, according to the world's largest such study.
Radiotherapy after mastectomy benefits some breast cancer patients
Breast cancer patients, whose tumor has spread to just a few lymph nodes under their arm, may benefit if they have radiation therapy after mastectomy.
ER+ breast cancer hormone therapy better targeted by genetics
The benefit of 10-year vs 5-year hormone therapy for ER+ breast cancer was genetically analyzed, helping identify the women who should receive longer treatment.
DNA-based test for colon cancer promises easier screening
A noninvasive, DNA-based test for colorectal cancer showed detection rates similar to colonoscopy. The test is home-based and requires no specific preparation.
Regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk
According to researchers, women of any age can reduce the risk of breast cancer, by participating in physical activity every day, for an hour or more.
Potential lung cancer vaccine delivers promising early results
An investigational cancer vaccine (tecemotide) combined with cisplatin chemotherapy in a trial delivered promising results for stage 3 lung cancer.
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.
Could a mood-stabilizing drug reduce head & neck cancer risk?
New research suggests that valproic acid, a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, could help reduce the risk of developing head and neck cancer.
Breast cancer outcomes negatively affected by obesity & diabetes
Obesity & diabetes negatively affect outcomes in breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy as primary treatment before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy).
Hope in lung cancer treatment for previously untreated patients
Xalkori delayed progression of lung cancer longer than chemotherapy in patients who had never previously been treated for the disease, in a late-stage trial.
Targeted treatment offers hope for resistant gynecologic cancers
Women with a BRCA mutation, with gynecologic cancers which did not respond to other treatments, had improved outcomes & minimal side effects from an oral drug.