Radiation to the Pelvis Reduces Relapses in Prostate Cancer

According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, radiation administered to the whole pelvis (whole-pelvic radiation) extends biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) compared with radiation directed just at the prostate and surrounding tissues among men with early prostate cancer who are at a high risk of developing a recurrence.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in men in the United States. Early prostate cancer refers to cancer that has not spread to distant sites in the body. Depending upon the extent of spread, patient age, aggressiveness of the cancer, and patient wishes, early (localized) prostate cancer may be treated with radiation therapy, watchful waiting (no therapy until disease progression), cryotherapy, surgery, and/or hormone therapy. A priority among healthcare providers is to utilize therapies that provide optimal outcomes with little or no impact on quality of life.

source article from Cancerconsultants.com

Radiation Therapy And Microsurgery- Hope For Injured Spinal Cords

Research in lab rats with crushed spinal cords, mimicking human injury, show that a treatment combining radiation therapy to destroy harmful cells and microsurgery to drain excess fluids , can lead to even a permanent recovery.

Since repair of damaged cord directly correlates with prevention of paralysis, this research demonstrates that conventional clinical procedures hold promise for preventing paralysis from spinal cord injuries.

Currently there is no cure for human spinal cord injury. Treatment after injury is largely limited to steroids administered to prevent further deterioration. “This research opens the door to developing a clinical protocol for curing human spinal cord injuries using conventional therapies,” said lead researcher Nurit Kalderon, Ph.D.

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New Radiation Therapy Treatment Developed for Head And Neck Cancer Patients

HELSINKI, FINLAND -- August 17, 2007 -- Most head-and-neck cancers that recur locally after prior full-dose conventional radiation therapy respond to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).

These results were obtained in a phase 1/2 study at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. The scientific director of the research program, professor Heikki Joensuu, University of Helsinki, considers the results clinically significant and very interesting. They open a new field for BNCT, since thus far BNCT has been evaluated only in the treatment of some brain tumours.

The follow-up results of 12 patients diagnosed with cancer of the head-and-neck and treated in a prospective clinical trial were reported in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology & Physics.

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Radiation Therapy And Microsurgery- Hope For Injured Spinal Cords

Research in lab rats with crushed spinal cords, mimicking human, show that a treatment combining radiation therapy to destroy harmful cells and microsurgery to drain excess fluids , can lead to even a permanent recovery.

Since repair of damaged cord directly correlates with prevention of, this research demonstrates that conventional clinical procedures hold promise for preventing paralysis from injuries .

Currently there is no cure for human spinal cord injury. Treatment after injury is largely limited to steroids administered to prevent further deterioration. “This research opens the door to developing a clinical protocol for curing human spinal cord injuries using conventional therapies,” said lead researcher Nurit Kalderon, Ph.D. Conducted at Sloan-Kettering Institute for in New York City, the research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

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Radiation to the Brain Should Become Standard Therapy for Extensive-disease Small Cell Lung Cancer

According to results recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, prophylactic cranial radiation following treatment with chemotherapy should now become a standard treatment option for patients with extensive-disease small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Europe. There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non–small cell lung cancer. The distinction in lung cancer types often determines treatment options because each type responds differently to treatment. SCLC accounts for approximately 25% of lung cancers and is considered to be very fast growing.

Extensive-stage SCLC refers to cancer that has spread from the lung to different sites in the body. Current treatment options for SCLC include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Approximately two-thirds of patients diagnosed with SCLC have extensive-stage SCLC, and a significant portion of these patients ultimately develop cancer spread to the brain (brain metastasis).

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