| Family counseling improves lives of patients and spouses coping with ...
Families coping with prostate cancer report improved quality of life from a structured support program integrated into the patients cancer management, according to a new study. The findings appear in the December 15, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. This randomized clinical trial by Dr. Laurel Northouse from the University of Michigan and co-investigators found that patients and their spouses who participated in a five-session home counseling program reported significant improvement in such areas as symptom management, hope, uncertainty and couples communication. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. While treatment advances have reduced mortality rates since the early 1990s, the treatments themselves are often associated with serious permanent side effects, such as urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction.
Hyperthermia Combined with Radiation and Androgen Therapy Provides ...
BSD Medical Corp. (AMEX:BSM) today announced that the International Journal of Hyperthermia has published the preliminary results of a phase II clinical study involving 144 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. In this study BSD Medical's BSD-2000 hyperthermia system was used to deliver local hyperthermia combined with conformal radiation therapy and androgen suppression therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. Hyperthermia combined with radiation and androgen therapy demonstrated results in survival similar to treatments using higher radiation doses, with no significant side effects associated with either hyperthermia or radiation therapy. The report is entitled "Conformal radiotherapy plus local hyperthermia in patients affected by locally advanced high risk prostate cancer: Preliminary results of a prospective phase II study" (see Int.
NRI creates mice resistant to cancer
An Indian-origin researcher at the University of Kentucky has led a team to create mice that are resistant to aggressive types of cancer. The might of the mouse comes from a tumour-suppressor gene in the prostate called Par-4, discovered by Vivek Rangnekar, professor of radiation medicine at the UK College of Medicine, who had completed his doctoral studies at the University of Bombay. The researchers discovered that the Par-4 gene kills cancer cells, but not normal cells. “The implications for humans could be that through bone marrow transplantation, the Par-4 molecule could potentially be used to fight cancer cells in patients without the toxic and damaging side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy,"' said the University's media statement announcing the breakthrough.
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