Oncology News and Research

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Oncology, meaning bulk, mass, or tumor, and the suffix ''-logy'', meaning "study of") is a branch of medicine that deals with tumors (cancer). A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''.

Study looks at link between colon cancer and alcohol in subjects with family history

A study based on more than 87,000 women and 47,000 men in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, looks at whether there is a link between colon cancer and alcohol, and if so at what level of consumption, and the importance of a family history of the disease. A total of 1,801 cases of colon cancer were diagnosed during follow-up from 1980 onwards.

31 Jan 2012

Breast cancer survivors use at-home method to prep their breasts for reconstruction

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center is the first hospital in the New York metro area to offer breast cancer survivors an at-home method for tissue expansion in preparation for breast reconstruction surgery. Patients use a remote control to gradually create a space within their chest wall for a breast implant.

31 Jan 2012

Roche’s skin cancer drug Erivedge gets FDA nod

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) this Monday approved a pill that treats the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.

31 Jan 2012

Study pinpoints genetic factors behind increased ALL risk in Hispanic children

Hispanic children are more likely than those from other racial and ethnic backgrounds to be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and are more likely to die of their disease. Work led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists has pinpointed genetic factors behind the grim statistics.

31 Jan 2012

Ariz. hospitals fighting losses in political shift and in court; Ga. seeking second cancer center

A look at hospital news around the country also includes reports on a Mayo collaboration in Minnesota on immigrant health, plans for a proton cancer therapy center in South Florida and efforts by Tufts Medical Center to get a level one trauma center.

31 Jan 2012

HealthHelp's Emergency Medicine Program to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure

Approximately one-third of all high-tech imaging performed in the United States proves medically unnecessary. Specialty benefits management provider HealthHelp announced today the launch of a new program designed to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and to promote cost-effective treatment planning for the best possible outcome.

31 Jan 2012

Genentech receives FDA approval for Erivedge to treat basal cell carcinoma

Today, Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

31 Jan 2012

Psychosocial interventions can reduce cancer patients' pain severity

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, who teamed with colleagues at five universities around the United States, analyzed past studies of cancer-related pain reduction and found that psychosocial interventions can have a beneficial effect on cancer patients' pain severity. They also found that certain psychosocial interventions provide better pain management and are effective in reducing the degree to which pain related to cancer and its treatment interferes with patients' lives.

31 Jan 2012

McKesson third quarter revenues increase 9% to $30.8 billion

McKesson Corporation today reported that revenues for the third quarter ended December 31, 2011 were up 9% to $30.8 billion compared to $28.2 billion a year ago. On the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, third-quarter earnings per diluted share was $1.20 compared to $0.60 a year ago.

30 Jan 2012

Fewer getting screened for common cancers: CDC report

According to federal health officials last Thursday, the number of Americans being screened for colon, breast and cervical cancers still fall below national targets.

30 Jan 2012

Circadian's VGX-100 human antibody improves corneal graft survival

Circadian Technologies Limited announced today the publication of data in the scientific journal, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), showing that VEGF-C expression is markedly up-regulated in corneal graft rejection.

30 Jan 2012

Cell Therapeutics voluntarily withdraws Pixuvri NDA for NHL

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has voluntarily withdrawn its New Drug Application for Pixuvri (pixantrone) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients who failed two or more lines of prior therapy.

30 Jan 2012

Inlyta receives FDA approval for treatment of advanced kidney cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Inlyta (axitinib) to treat patients with advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) who have not responded to another drug for this type of cancer.

30 Jan 2012

Researchers develop new MRS technique to diagnose brain tumors

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed what they believe to be the first clinical application of a new imaging technique to diagnose brain tumors.

30 Jan 2012

HPV transmission via oral sex practices suggests research

A new study suggested that an estimated 7% of American teens and adults carry the human papillomavirus in their mouths. This may help health experts finally understand why rates of mouth and throat cancer have been climbing for nearly 25 years. The evidence additionally makes it clear that oral sex practices play a key role in transmission.

29 Jan 2012

Prevalence of oral HPV infection more common among men: Study

Oral HPV infection is more common among men than women, explaining why men are more prone than women to develop an HPV related head and neck cancer, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.

27 Jan 2012

Positive results from cisplatin plus radiation therapy trial on head and neck cancer

A select subgroup of advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy plus the chemotherapy drug cisplatin had more positive outcomes than patients treated with radiation therapy alone and continued to show positive results 10 years post-treatment, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.

27 Jan 2012

GenPath, BioReference Labs to introduce OnkoMatch solid tumor genotype test

BioReference Laboratories, Inc. and its GenPath Oncology business unit and through its exclusive commercialization agreement with the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is introducing its groundbreaking solid tumor genotype test.

27 Jan 2012

Scientists connect two signature characteristics of pancreatic cancer

Scientists have connected two signature characteristics of pancreatic cancer, identifying a self-perpetuating "vicious cycle" of molecular activity and a new potential target for drugs to treat one of the most lehal forms of cancer.

27 Jan 2012

Strong link between high HuR protein levels and malignancy of HCC

Researchers at CIC Biogune, the Cooperative Centre for Research into Biosciences and led by Dr. Maria Luz Martinez Chantar, have found a strong relationship between high levels of Hu antigen R (HuR) protein and the malignancy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, through a novel molecular process in the investigation of this pathology and known as neddylation.

27 Jan 2012