Drop In Colorectal Cancer Deaths

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) heralds the recent news of a decline in U.S. cancer deaths and incidence rates, with colorectal cancer among the top three cancers with significant declines. ASGE, representing the specialists in colorectal cancer screening, is excited by the report showing that colorectal cancer deaths among men and women dropped 4.3 percent per year between 2002 and 2005. More at...

Bevacizumab, a cancer drug, may be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, according to an analysis of several randomized controlled trials released on November 19, 2008 in JAMA. When a cancer forms, it necessarily undergoes the process of angiogenesis, whereby new blood vessels proliferate into the tumor. More at...

UroToday.com - In this study we report an analysis of prostate cancer grade migration trends, by age, using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data over a 30-year period from 1974 to 2003. Age and grade are critical factors in guiding treatment decision-making and outcomes reporting in prostate cancer. More at...

Hereditary information flows from parents to offspring not just through DNA but also through the millions of proteins and other molecules that cling to it. These modifications of DNA, known as "epigenetic marks," act both as a switch and a dial - they can determine which genes should be turned on or off, and how much message an "on" gene should produce. More at...

UroToday.com - Our multi-institutional study on robotic partial nephrectomy for renal hilar tumors is the first to focus solely on renal hilar tumors and represents one of the largest series in the world. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy requires advanced skills in laparoscopy to achieve precise tumor resection and renal reconstruction while minimizing warm ischemia times and minimizing the risk of complications, such as urinary fistula and postoperative bleeding. More at...

Cancer Treatments - Is Chemotherapy Safe, Necessary Or Worthwhile?

Have you ever seen someone undergo chemotherapy? It is horrific. But the worst thing about it is that there is really no point in enduring all that suffering. Though chemotherapy has been the main treatment for cancer in the U.S. since the 1960's, recent studies have shown that there may be no benefit at all to justify the misery caused by the chemotherapy. Studies show that about half of all cancer patients receive chemotherapy; and it helps only about 5% of those patients. In other words, all the facts on chemotherapy are in; and they suggest that you should seriously consider your alternatives.