For patients with uncommon brain tumors known as oligodendrogliomas, the presence of a specific chromosomal abnormality is linked with a better prognosis and responsiveness to chemotherapy. These results were released early (prior to presentation at an... Continue Reading
A test that detects a particular protein in the blood (PAM4) correctly identified roughly two-thirds of patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer. These results were presented at the 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Pancreatic cancer is one... Continue Reading
Zelboraf® (vemurafenib) improves outcomes among patients with advanced melanoma that harbors a BRAF gene mutation, but also accelerates the development of squamous cell carcinoma in some patients. A study that explores the reasons for these secondary... Continue Reading
A survey of oncologists suggests that the Oncotype DX colon cancer test changes treatment recommendations for 29 percent of patients with Stage II colon cancer. These results will be presented at the 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Gene expression... Continue Reading
The investigational drug regorafenib improves survival and delays cancer progression among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has worsened in spite of other treatments. These results will be presented at the 2012 Gastrointestinal Cancers... Continue Reading
Eating processed meat such as sausage or bacon appears to increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. These results were published in the British Journal of Cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Each year, close to 44,000 people... Continue Reading
Researchers have identified a rare, inherited gene mutation that appears to substantially increase the risk of prostate cancer. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. For several types of cancer, researchers have identified... Continue Reading
Among young women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, use of the drug triptorelin to suppress ovarian function during treatment does not appear to improve post-treatment menstrual function. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical... Continue Reading
Among men who undergo radical prostatectomy for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer, robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery may not result in better urinary or sexual function than traditional, open surgery. These results were published in the... Continue Reading
Updated results from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial show no evidence that annual screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test reduces deaths from prostate cancer. These results were published in the... Continue Reading
According to a combined analysis of previous studies, there is still no clear evidence that vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of cancer. The combination of vitamin D and calcium, however, does appear to reduce the risk of bone fractures in older people.... Continue Reading
Children born to survivors of childhood cancer do not appear to have an increased risk of birth defects. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Cancer treatment can have a range of reproductive effects. Treatment may result... Continue Reading