IMRT Radiation optimal for localized prostate cancer

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy optimal for localized prostate cancer – A treatment for localized prostate cancer known as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is better than conventional conformal radiation therapy (CRT) for reducing certain side effects and preventing cancer recurrence.

Breast cancer risk gene can be discovered by massively parallel sequencing

Breast cancer risk gene discovery fast tracked by new technology – massively parallel sequencing – A new technology is developed to fast track the discovery of a breast cancer risk gene and could assist in the discovery of other cancer genes. Now, breast cancer risk gene can be discovered using the latest genetic sequencing technology.

Antibody may cure variety of human cancers

Single antibody shrinks variety of human tumors transplanted into mice, Stanford study shows – Human tumors transplanted into laboratory mice disappeared or shrank when scientists treated the animals with a single antibody. This antibody works by masking a protein flag on cancer cells that protects them from macrophages and other cells in the immune system.

Circumcision may protect you against prostate cancer

Cutting’ your risk of prostate cancer — Circumcision surgery can lower prostate cancer risk – Circumcision before a male’s first sexual intercourse may help protect against prostate cancer, a new analysis led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has found this new finding to prevent prostate cancer. Circumcision is curative to prostate cancer.

Cancer screening in older adults appears common, US

Cancer screening among older adults appears common — What is the Right Cancer Screening Rate for Older Adults? – A high percentage of adults age 75 years and older continue to report receiving cancer screenings, despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommending against routine screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer for patients age 75 years and older.

Breast cancer vaccine reduces tumours in mice

Scientists develop vaccine that attacks breast cancer in mice — Implications for the treatment of ovarian, colorectal and pancreatic cancer, as well – Researchers have developed a vaccine that dramatically reduces tumors in a mouse model that mimics 90 percent of human breast and pancreatic cancer cases-including those that are resistant to common treatments.

35 new drugs approved in 2011 in US

FDA: 35 innovative new drugs approved in fiscal year 2011 — Report shows quick approvals of safe and effective medicines occur in the United States before other countries – Over the past 12 months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved 35 new medicines for patients, like two new treatments for hepatitis C; a drug for late-stage prostate cancer; the first new drug for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 30 years; and the first new drug for lupus in 50 years.

PSA test helps predicting biopsy need and low risk prostate cancer

Mayo Clinic study: PSA test valuable in predicting biopsy need, low-risk prostate cancer – The prostate-specific antigen test, commonly known as the PSA test, is valuable in predicting which men should have biopsies and which are likely to be diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, a Mayo Clinic study has found. The findings were released during a meeting of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association in Rancho Mirage, California, US.

More aggressive treatment not necessary for men with a family history of prostate cancer

More aggressive treatment not necessary for men with a family history of prostate cancer – Approximately 10-20 percent of prostate cancer patients have a family history of the disease. There are three major factors that are used to evaluate the extent and aggressiveness of prostate cancer, help make treatment decisions, and estimate prognosis: the Prostate Specific Antigen Level (PSA), Gleason score (GS) from the biopsy, and the digital rectal exam findings (DRE).

Alpharadin improved survival in advanced prostate cancer patients

First Phase III trial of an alpha-pharmaceutical — Shows improved survival in patients with bone metastases and advanced prostate cancer – Until recently, options for patients with bone metastases from advanced prostate cancer have been very limited. But now the first Phase III study of an alpha-pharmaceutical in these patients has shown that it can prolong survival significantly, according to research reported recently at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress.

Health Newstrack