Improved glioma classification system tests for genetic mutations Results of a study of the classification of genetic alterations common to gliomas indicate that molecular methods can do a better job than current methods of predicting which specific treatment course is necessary for each individual patient.
Spinal ablation offers less invasive cancer treatment The use of radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation to successfully treat patients with cancer that has metastasized to the spine also provides a new treatment opportunity for patients with more complex disease involving larger tumors or multiple spinal bones.
Research
SRS provides better quality of life for some patients with brain tumors Research indicates that patients with three or fewer metastatic brain tumors who received treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) had less cognitive deterioration three months after treatment than did patients who received SRS combined with whole-brain radiation therapy.
Tumor treatment tailored to the needs of the developing pediatric nervous system Brain and central nervous system tumors now represent the most common cause of cancer-related death in children. New information about the molecular diversity of these tumors points the way toward targeted therapies tailored to tumor subtypes.
Comparison shows nonaspirin NSAIDs most effective in colorectal tumor prevention Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more effective than aspirin or nutritional supplements in preventing the growth of advanced adenomas, although aspirin is nearly as effective with less risk. Most colorectal tumors develop from untreated adenomatous polyps.
Risk estimates help identify gene variants that increase breast cancer risk Researchers studied data from 65,000 women to obtain risk estimates associated with 21 cancer predisposition genes from testing panels. Results indicate that inherited pathogenic variants in certain protein coding genes increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
Ceritinib shows promise as a treatment for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors After using ceritinib to shrink a patient's inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors successfully, researchers conducted mate pair sequencing, a test that scans the entire genome to pinpoint genetic defects and chromosomal breaks, to identify the cause of the rare sarcoma.
Capture the Moment Cancer Education Symposium March 25, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.
This symposium, which provides comprehensive patient-focused information on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, is an excellent resource for patients, family members and caregivers. Please invite patients who are in active treatment, recovering or have been cured.
Mayo Clinic Oncology Review 2017 July 22, 2017, in Minneapolis
This program provides an overview of advances in the treatment of various oncologic malignancies, based on abstracts presented at the June 2017 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Molecular switch stems the growth of breast cancer cells Researchers identified a small site in the HER2 protein that enables it to pair up, forming a molecular switch that sets off a cascade of events that turn normal cells cancerous. Disrupting this site can stem the growth of breast cancer cells more effectively than drugs currently in use.
