Swallowing News and Research

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New research shows microdebrider technique has lowest overall complication rate

In a review of three different surgical techniques commonly used for tonsillectomy, the microdebrider technique (where a rotary cutting tool is used to shave tissue) had the lowest overall complication rate when compared to the other two techniques. The results are shown in new research published in the June 2010 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

1 Jun 2010

IMRT avoids xerostomia, but effectiveness on controlling cancer unclear

An advanced type of cancer radiation is more successful than traditional radiation in avoiding "dry mouth" when treating head and neck cancers, but it is unknown whether the treatment is better or worse at reducing the size of tumors, according to a new comparative effectiveness review funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

31 May 2010

IMRT leads to fewer cases of xerostomia than other types of radiation: AHRQ report

28 May 2010

Eli Lilly to present results of two Phase II trials evaluating ALIMTA in combination with chemotherapy, radiation

Results of two Phase II trials evaluating ALIMTA (pemetrexed for injection) in combination with a platinum chemotherapy and radiation for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer will be presented by Eli Lilly and Company at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2010.

21 May 2010

Robotic surgery keeps features intact in head, neck cancer removal procedures

Surgeons who perform procedures to remove head and neck cancers often work for six to eight hours on what is typically major, invasive surgery, which many times comes with facial disfigurement and debilitating side effects for the patient.

13 May 2010

FDA warns of side effects from swallowing Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about potentially serious side effects from mistakenly swallowing Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel, an over-the-counter (OTC) product that should only be used on the skin.

13 May 2010

Advanced radiation techniques treat head and neck cancer, reduce swallowing complications

Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have applied advanced radiation techniques for head and neck cancer to avoid treating critical structures that affect swallowing and eating.

11 May 2010

Study to assess therapy for feeding difficulties in kids

It is a common complaint of many mothers that their children refuse food. Now Australian scientists are looking for answers to this problem in order to reduce the increase in the number of malnourished children who need medical help because of their picky eating.

6 May 2010

New pathology test may help doctors distinguish between two overlapping esophageal disorders: Study

A pathology test may help doctors distinguish between two separate but overlapping esophageal disorders that require different courses of treatment, according to a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

5 May 2010

Medication used to treat heart arrhythmias also reduces myotonic dystrophy: Researchers

A medication most often used to treat heart arrhythmias also reduces a central symptom of myotonic dystrophy, the most common type of muscular dystrophy in adults.

5 May 2010

Weight loss through caloric restriction and increase in physical activity improve symptoms of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a debilitating problem for sufferers -- heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain and acid reflux. According to a Mayo Clinic study that will be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010 in New Orleans May 1-5, even moderate weight gain can exacerbate those symptoms, DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researcher in the field of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

3 May 2010

MU researcher develops test to pinpoint neurological origins of dysphagia

Muscle degeneration and confinement to a wheelchair are the hallmarks of Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy and other neurodegenerative diseases. One of the silent, and most serious, symptoms of these diseases is losing the ability to swallow.

29 Apr 2010

Hospitals use surgical robot for head and neck tumors

On Dec. 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the da Vinci Surgical System for benign and malignant tumors in such locations as the tongue, tonsils, mouth and voice box.

24 Apr 2010

Merck to market and distribute MBL's Td vaccine in the U.S.

MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement that provides Merck with exclusive rights to market and distribute MBL's tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed (Td) vaccine in the United States, with the exception of Massachusetts, where MBL will continue distributing the vaccine.

21 Apr 2010

New endoscopic scanning technique improves early detection of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus

Cancer of the lower esophagus develops almost exclusively in patients with Barrett's esophagus, an otherwise benign complication of esophageal reflux that affects approximately 3 million Americans. Although the prognosis of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer is poor, the chances of successful treatment increase significantly if the disease is detected at an early dysplastic stage.

13 Apr 2010

As overall cancer rates decline in the U.S., thyroid cancer counters the trend

As overall cancer rates are declining in the United States, thyroid cancer counters the trend. It's being diagnosed more frequently, especially in women. Women are three times more likely than men to develop thyroid cancer.

9 Apr 2010

Loyola University Medical Center to offer free screenings for oral, head and neck cancer

Oral, head and neck cancers — most of which are preventable — account for approximately 3 percent of all cancer cases in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2009, more than 35,000 Americans were diagnosed with these cancers and 7,600 died.

8 Apr 2010

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center reviews top cancer stories

Surgeon Jeremy Richmon, M.D., at Johns Hopkins is using robotic assistance to cut away tumors of the tongue and tonsils. Conventional surgery leaves disfiguring neck and jaw scars, but the robotic procedure leaves no scar except for inside the mouth, and he says, patients retain good function of speech and swallowing.

5 Apr 2010

Detroit cancer center to conduct free oral, head and neck cancer screenings

On Friday, April 16, from 2 - 5 p.m., the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit will be conducting free oral, head and neck cancer screenings in conjunction with National Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April 12 – 18.) Some of the symptoms of oral cancer go unnoticed. A simple 10-minute screening exam can determine if there are problems and can help diagnose this disease in its early stage.

3 Apr 2010

Johns Hopkins doctor says sports events and cell phones can harm voice

From the first tip-off during March Madness to the championship’s final buzzer, and with start of the 2010 Major League Baseball season, on Sunday, April 4, thousands of people will relentlessly scream and shout, placing tremendous strain on their voices. While no one is recommending complete silence, the constant pressure on the vocal cords can cause great damage.

25 Mar 2010