Cancer News
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.
Weight loss surgery decreases endometrial cancer risk
Endometrial (uterine) cancer is strongly correlated with obesity. A large study confirms that bariatric surgery for overweight women decreases their risk.
New drug promising against crizotinib-resistant lung cancer
Ceritinib appears to be effective against advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, in tumors resistant to crizotinib & in those never treated with it.
PET scans for lung cancer can reduce unnecessary surgeries by 50%
30% of surgeries for non-small cell lung cancer were deemed unnecessary, while positron emission tomography (PET) can reduce unnecessary surgeries by 50%.
Immunotherapy in lung cancer has promising potential
Emerging lung cancer treatments will be based on drugs that can use the body's immune system to fight the disease, and prevent tumor cells from affecting it.
Targeted radiosurgery: a cancer treatment in 15 minutes?
A new cancer treatment (available in the US & Portugal) based on radiosurgery performs cancer surgery within 15 minutes, without the incision or hospital stay.
BRCA1 mutation carriers may have alternative to surgery
Women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer due to BRCA1 mutation may be able to use already available drugs instead of undergoing irreversible surgery.
Non-small cell lung cancer drug delivers good results in trial
A majority of patients given a investigational drug against non-small cell lung cancer actually responded to the treatment, according to clinical trial details.
Predicting radiation effectiveness for head and neck cancer
Two biomarkers have been found capable of predicting the effectiveness of radiation treatments for patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.
New formulation of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma drug approved
European regulators have approved a subcutaneous form of MabThera for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. This reduces patient treatment time from 2.5 hours to 5 minutes.
A less invasive technique for vulvar cancer
New research showed that a less invasive technique for vulvar cancer reduced complications while maintaining a low rate of future occurrence.
Chemotherapy may be more effective with natural plant compounds
Plant compounds present in carrots and parsley may be an important weapon in delivering chemotherapy treatments for cancer more effectively.
Organic food does not reduce risk of cancer in women
A diet based on organic food does not change the risk of cancer in women, according to a new study which tracked over 600,000 middle-aged women for a decade.
Invasive lobular breast carcinoma appropriate for personalized treatment
The 2nd most common breast cancer subtype is a unique disease and appears to be a good candidate for a targeted treatment approach, according to new research.
Prostate cancer: brachytherapy and erectile function
Permanent brachytherapy (a procedure placing radioactive sources inside the prostate) preserves erectile function in almost 50% of prostate cancer patients.
Experimental breast cancer drug improves disease control
A clinical trial for a breast cancer drug nearly doubled the time before disease got worse, but impact on overall survival was not shown to be significant.
Hope for children with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Hopeful news for children with brain cancer, where surgery is not an option, current chemotherapy is ineffective and relief from focal radiation is temporary.
New prostate cancer detection method reduces discomfort
A new, patient-friendly examination for prostate cancer has been developed. It drastically reduces the need for biopsies, while also being less costly.
Breast cancer risk not linked to fertility drugs
Women and their doctors are concerned that fertility treatments may increase possibility of breast cancer, but this was not confirmed at a large 30-year study.
Prostate cancer recurrence accurately predicted genetically
Researchers claim to have created a test which can predict whether a man is at high risk of prostate cancer recurrence. The basis is men's genetic signature.
Understanding breast cancer risk and pregnancy
Researchers are beginning to understand how pregnancy can reduce breast cancer risk, by comparing genetic materials of women who had and had not given birth.
Prostate cancer risk of growth reduced by hormonal treatment
Patients with prostate cancer confined to the gland, but at risk of growing and spreading, benefit by radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy.
Radiotherapy for breast cancer increases risk of lung cancer
The risk of developing a primary lung tumor for women who had radiotherapy for breast cancer increases with the radiation amount, according to researchers.
Breast cancer lumpectomy repetition not needed with tissue test
No repeat lumpectomy will be needed in 96% of cases, based on unique lab testing during the operation, which will enable surgeons remove all cancerous tissue.
Advanced lung cancer patients may benefit from chemotherapy
Among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer without a certain gene mutation, conventional chemotherapy resulted in longer progression-free survival.
Liver cancer risk may be reduced by drinking more coffee
A study showed that the risk of developing the most common type of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC) is lower for people drinking more coffee.
Childhood cancer: radiotherapy treatment improvements
A pediatric radiation therapy treatment has been demonstrated as more effective to accurately treat tumors while helping spare the child's healthy organs.
Colon cancer surgery has more complications for patients over 65
Surgery for colon cancer patients has worse outcomes for those over 65, as shown in a study covering 10 years of colorectal cancer surgery information.
Advanced colon cancer drug may be ineffective with chemotherapy
Researchers discovered that a drug used in combination with chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer may result in faster cancer progression in some cases.
PET/CT scans for cancer patients completed in 15-20 minutes
A new PET/CT scanner does combined exams in just 15-20 minutes, and is much more patient-friendly as the patient is never completely enclosed.