Health News

Lower Risk Of Rejection In Cell Transplants On The Horizon Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Date: Apr-22-2013
Rudolf Jaenisch of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Massachusetts Institute of Technology spoke at EB 2013 on the topic of stem cells, pluripotency and nuclear reprogramming. His work has led to major advances in our understanding of embryonic stem cells and "induced pluripotent stem" (IPS) cells, which appear identical to embryonic stem cells but can be created from adult cells without using an egg. Dr...

Change Diet And Exercise Together For Best Results

Date: Apr-22-2013
Many weight-loss programs say you should focus on changing diet first, then exercise, but now new research from Stanford University School of Medicine in the US says for best effects you should do both at the same time. With colleagues, Abby King, a professor of health research and policy and of medicine, present their findings in a paper to be published this month in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine...

For Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement, 2 Venous Punctures Not Always Needed

Date: Apr-22-2013
One venous puncture, rather than two, is a safe and effective approach to intravascular ultrasound-guided inferior vena cava filter placement in critically-ill patients, a new study shows. Inferior vena cava filter placement is done to prevent or treat pulmonary emboli or deep venous thrombosis. "The majority of institutions use a dual venous puncture technique, while we use a single venous puncture technique," said Dr. Andrew Gunn, of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston...

Doctors Out-Maneuvered By Mathematical Models In Predicting Cancer Patients' Responses To Treatment

Date: Apr-22-2013
Mathematical prediction models are better than doctors at predicting the outcomes and responses of lung cancer patients to treatment, according to new research presented at the 2nd Forum of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). These differences apply even after the doctor has seen the patient, which can provide extra information, and knows what the treatment plan and radiation dose will be. "The number of treatment options available for lung cancer patients are increasing, as well as the amount of information available to the individual patient...

In 3-D Breast Screening, 2 Views Are Optimum

Date: Apr-22-2013
One view 3D breast screening (tomosynthesis) means less radiation dose and about five seconds less compression, but a study from Yale University, New Haven, CT, found that obtaining both views is necessary to help ensure that a cancer won't be missed. There are practices in Europe that have reported performing only a single view, specifically the mediolateral oblique (MLO) view, said Dr. Noa Beck, the lead author of the study. Two views are standard in the U.S. for 3D breast screening; "we wanted to see if one view would be sufficient," she said...

Breast Cancer Detection Rate Increased By Tomosynthesis

Date: Apr-22-2013
2D plus 3D breast imaging increases cancer detection rates by 11%, and could be particularly useful in detecting cancer in women with dense breasts, a new study suggests. Researchers at Yale University Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, CT, reviewed the screening mammograms of 14,684 patients. Forty-two cancers were found in 8,769 patients who had only 2D imaging (a cancer detection rate of 4.8 per 1,000), said Dr. Jaime Geisel, a lead author of the study. Thirty-two cancers were found in the group that had 2D plus 3D (tomosynthesis) imaging, for a cancer detection rate of 5...

Renal Cell Tumors More Likely To Metastasize Better Identified By Chemical Shift MRI

Date: Apr-22-2013
Adding "chemical shift" techniques to MRI can help differentiate clear cell renal cell carcinoma from other types of renal cell cancer, a new study shows. That differentiation can help physicians better determine treatment for these patients. The study, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, included 156 patients with proven renal cell cancer. Clear cell renal carcinoma contains microscopic areas of fat, which is not seen on conventional imaging, said Dr. Azadeh Elmi, lead author of the study. "Chemical shift MRI enables us to quantify even small amounts of fat," she said...

ACE Inhibitor Can Limit Radiation Damage To Lungs And Heart For Cancer Patients

Date: Apr-22-2013
Unavoidable damage caused to the heart and lungs by radiotherapy treatment of tumours in the chest region can be limited by the administration of an ACE inhibitor, a drug commonly used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, a group of Dutch researchers have found. [1] Common cancers such as breast, oesophagus, lung, and Hodgkin's lymphoma are frequently treated with radiotherapy, but the radiation dose that can be given safely is limited by the sensitivity of the health lung tissue which is also irradiated...

In Patients With Early Breast Cancer, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Reduces Side Effects

Date: Apr-22-2013
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) gives better results than standard radiotherapy in patients with early breast cancer, according to results from a randomised trial presented today (Sunday) to the 2nd Forum of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). IMRT is an advanced, high-precision form of radiotherapy that can deliver an even dose of radiation, thus reducing the cosmetic problems that can often occur after breast radiotherapy...

Successful Use Of Image-Guided Brachytherapy To Treat Cervical Cancer Reported In 2 Landmark Studies

Date: Apr-22-2013
Two large, landmark radiotherapy studies have shown that it is possible to treat cervical cancer effectively with high doses specifically adapted to each tumour, and with fewer serious side-effects to the surrounding normal organs. In two presentations, researchers will tell the 2nd Forum of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) that image-guided brachytherapy is able to deliver very high doses, which prevent the tumour from growing in over 90% of patients, with few serious side-effects...