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Woman, 45, fought 7 months for a tongue cancer diagnosis. She’s part of a larger trend

Susan Smith noticed a small bump on the side of her tongue that hurt when she ate. When she visited her dentist for a check-up, she mentioned it. The dentist wasn't too worried but recommended Smith see an ear, nose and throat doctor. Over the next five months, she saw three doctors who had her try various mouth rinses. Still, the lump remained. Finally, a fourth doctor sent her for a CT scan, and Smith learned what was wrong: She had tongue cancer. “What was on the surface of my tongue was the tip of the iceberg, and I actually had a four-centimeter mass that was inside the tongue into the floor of my mouth,” Smith, 48, of Fairfield, Connecticut, tells TODAY.com. “They diagnosed me as having stage 4A tongue cancer that spread to the lymph nodes in my neck.” Susan Smith visited four doctors before learning that the bump on her tongue was stage 4A tongue cancer.Courtesy Susan Smith Smith is part of a group called Young Tongues. They’ve noticed that tongue cancer, which has historically impacted older men who drink and smoke, seems to be occurring in younger patients. Emerging data reveals that the demographic of tongue cancer patients is changing, but experts are unsure why. For patients, that can mean months of being misdiagnosed or ignored before ultimately receiving the proper diagnosis. “I felt dismissed,” Smith says. “Anger followed pretty quickly after that because I was so far along. I was stage 4A.” Bump on the tongue, ear pain The [...]

Webmaster2023-07-28T09:05:28-07:00July, 2023|Oral Cancer News|

Blood test for 50 types of cancer could speed up diagnosis, study suggests

NHS trial results of liquid biopsy indicate Galleri test has the potential to spot cancer in people with symptoms A blood test for more than 50 forms of cancer could help speed up diagnosis and fast-track patients for treatment, a study suggests. NHS trial results of the liquid biopsy, published at the world’s largest cancer conference in the US, suggest the Galleri blood test has the potential to spot and rule out cancer in people with symptoms. The test detects tiny fragments of tumor DNA in the bloodstream. It alerts doctors as to whether a cancer signal has been detected and predicts where in the body that signal may have originated. Experts welcomed the findings from the trial but said more research would be needed before the test, made by the California company Grail, could be rolled out in healthcare systems. The Symplify study, led by the University of Oxford, involved 5,461 people in England and Wales who were referred to hospital by their GP with suspected cancer. Its results are being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago. The test correctly revealed two-thirds of cancers among those in the study. In 85% of those positive cases, it was also able to pinpoint the original site of cancer. It was more accurate in older patients and those with more advanced cancers, according to the trial results. Mark Middleton, a professor of experimental cancer medicine at Oxford, who led the trial, said the test had “potential for identifying [...]

Webmaster2023-06-03T14:26:35-07:00June, 2023|Oral Cancer News|

Leaders in Dentistry: Dr. Ezra Cohen

Source: Dr. Bicuspid By: Donna Domino, Features Editor Date: July 17, 2013 May 21, 2013 — DrBicuspid.com is pleased to present the next installment of Leaders in Dentistry, a series of interviews with researchers, practitioners, and opinion leaders who are influencing the practice of dentistry. We spoke with Ezra Cohen, MD, an associate professor of medicine and the co-director of the head and neck cancer program at the University of Chicago, and the associate director for education at the university’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Cohen specializes in head and neck, thyroid, and salivary gland cancers, and is an expert in novel cancer therapies who has conducted extensive research in molecularly targeted agents in the treatment of these cancers. His research interests include discovering how cancers become resistant to existing treatments and overcoming these mechanisms and ways to combine radiotherapy with novel agents. Here Dr. Cohen discusses trends in the incidence, detection, and treatment of oral and head and neck cancers. DrBicuspid.com: What’s the significance of your recent finding that there may be five distinct subgroups of the human papillomavirus (HPV)? Dr. Cohen: The purpose of the research was trying to define molecular subgroups of head and neck cancer (HNC) to inform therapy and outcomes a lot more than we do now as defined by stage and anatomic site. We were taking advantage of a cohort of patients that we treated in a similar fashion at the University of Chicago with a chemotherapy regimen that we commonly use here. The patients [...]

Webmaster2013-07-19T07:48:02-07:00July, 2013|Oral Cancer News|

Nutrition and cancer

Source: insciences.org Author: Relatively recently, researchers have become keenly interested in exploring which food compounds are beneficial in treating and preventing serious diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis. Omer Kucuk, MD, is one of those researchers. Kucuk, a professor of hematology and medical oncology at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, studies specific food compounds and their effect on cancer prevention and treatment. Evidence indicates that some food compounds, such as soy isoflavones and curcumin, can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. To listen to Kucuk's own words about which food compounds affect cancer prevention and treatment, access Emory's new Sound Science podcast at http://whsc.emory.edu/soundscience/. Kucuk conducted the first clinical trials to show the benefits of soy and lycopene supplements in prostate cancer treatment. "In our preclinical studies we have observed that taking soy isoflavones during chemotherapy and radiation for advanced prostate cancer can improve the efficacy of the treatments," says Kucuk. "The compounds sensitize the cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation while at the same time they protect the normal tissues from side effects." Most nutritional compounds used for therapy or disease prevention can be taken as part of a routine diet and have little if any side effects, Kucuk says. "People can get enough lycopene by eating tomato paste and tomato sauce, which is very rich in lycopene. So, if people ate a couple of ounces of tomato paste a day as part of a regular diet, they would eat enough to get all the benefits," he says. [...]

Webmaster2009-05-08T19:01:05-07:00May, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Zila might file Chapter 11 after cutting costs

Source: MSN Money Zila Inc.’s worsening financial situation might force the company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, despite a number of cost-saving measures, according to financial statements filed March 17. Despite cost-reduction strategies, the company’s revenue and cash continue to decline, according to its quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Scottsdale-based Zila’s cash and cash equivalents dropped to $2.5 million as of Jan. 31, compared with $3.2 million on Oct. 31 and $4.5 million on July 31. “In order to continue as a going concern and fund our current level of operations over the next 12 months, we will require additional funds and need to restructure our senior secured convertible notes,” the company stated in its filing. Company officials question whether Zila (Nasdaq: ZILA) has sufficient cash available to pay future quarterly interest payments due under those notes. Chapter 11 would allow the company to restructure its debts while continuing operations. For the six months ended Jan. 31, Zila reported a net loss of $28 million on $18.2 million in revenue. That compares with a $9.6 million net loss on revenue of $21 million during the same period in 2008. The oral cancer diagnostic company’s stock closed Wednesday at 14 cents a share, close to its 52-week low of 13 cents a share. Its 52-week high is $3.57. Last year, Nasdaq warned Zila that its stock was in danger of being delisted if it didn’t keep its price over $1 per share for 10 consecutive business [...]

Webmaster2009-03-20T09:34:34-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Dental van offers seniors free care

Source: Wicked Local Marlborough.com By Catherine Buday MARLBOROUGH The problem: Health experts say that seniors, squeezed by limited budgets and declining dental coverage, often neglect their teeth. “What I’ve been hearing is that people haven’t been to the dentist in years, mainly because of the high cost of care,” said Nancy Fernandez, a nurse for Marlborough’s Council on Aging. “Many do everything else for the rest of their bodies, but the teeth are the last thing.” Michael Henry of the Massachusetts Dental Society sees the same problem. “Many say, ‘why should I spend $5,000 to get dental work done when I might die tomorrow?,’” he says. “They would rather leave the money to their kids. They don’t realize that it lowers their quality of life if they can’t chew properly or if their mouth gets infected.” One solution: Early this month, the Massachusetts Dental Society van brought free dental care to the Marlborough Senior Center. The van traditionally serves disadvantaged children and only recently expanded its services to seniors in Marlborough, Waltham and Natick. On March 6, 14 Marlborough seniors received free checkups and screenings for oral cancer and other problems from dentists John Giordano, of Worcester, and Linda Drennen, of Milford. A grant from the Marlborough-based office of Boston Scientific helped pay for the visit. “We’re seeing things like broken fillings or crowns that they’ve had for a long time,” said Dr. Giordano. “Seniors need professional cleanings at least every six months, or there can be problems with gum [...]

Webmaster2009-03-20T10:21:53-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Prognostic Factors for Survival After Salvage Reirradiation of Head and Neck Cancer

Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology Writer: Tawee Tanvetyanon, Tapan Padhya, Judith McCaffrey, Weiwei Zhu, David Boulware, Ronald DeConti, and Andrea Trotti From the Head and Neck and Thoracic Programs, and the Statistic Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL. Purpose: Patients who develop recurrent or new primary head and neck cancer in a previously irradiated site have poor prognosis. Reirradiation is a treatment option, although it is associated with substantial toxicities. We investigated potential prognostic factors, including comorbidity and pre-existing organ dysfunction, for survival after reirradiation. Methods: Institutional electronic records of patients treated with reirradiation between January 1998 and 2008 were reviewed. Comorbidity was assessed by Charlson index and Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) grading. Organ dysfunction was defined as feeding tube dependency, functioningtracheostomy, or soft tissue defect. Results: There were 103 patients, including 46 patients who underwent salvage surgery before reirradiation. Median progression-free and overall survivals were 12.1 months (95% CI, 9.7 to 16.6) and 19.3 months (95% CI, 13.9 to 29.9), respectively. Significant comorbidity was present in 36% of patients by Charlson index and 24% by ACE-27. Baseline organ dysfunction was present in 37% of patients. Median overall survivals were 5.5 months among those with both organ dysfunction and comorbidity per Charlson index, and 4.9 months per ACE-27, compared with 59.6 and 44.2 months, respectively, among the patients with neither organ dysfunction nor comorbidity (P) .001 and < .001). Other independent prognostic factors were interval from previous radiation, recurrent tumor stage, tumor bulk at reirradiation, [...]

Webmaster2009-03-17T20:24:51-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

First DNA Test for Two Types of Human Papillomavirus Approved by FDA

Source: FDA News The first DNA test that identifies the two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) causing the majority of cervical cancers among women in the United States is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The test, called Cervista HPV 16/18, detects the DNA sequences for HPV type 16 and HPV type 18 in cervical cells. Differentiating these HPV types gives health care professionals more information on a patient’s risk of subsequently developing cervical cancer. A positive Cervista 16/18 test result indicates whether HPV type 16, 18 or both types are present in the cervical sample. The FDA also approved yesterday the Cervista HPV HR test, which is the second DNA test that detects essentially all of the high-risk HPV types in cervical cell samples. The Cervista HPV HR test uses a method similar to the Cervista HPV 16/18 test to detect the DNA sequences of these HPV types. In women age 30 and older or women with borderline cytology, the Cervista HPV 16/18 test can be used together with cytology and the Cervista HPV HR test to assess risk of cervical disease. “Results from these two tests, when considered with a physician’s assessment of the patient’s history, other risk factors, and professional guidelines, can help physicians better determine risk and could lead to better patient management,” said Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The U.S. Centers for [...]

Webmaster2009-03-16T13:13:26-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Chewing tobacco use surges among boys

Source: Reuters Reporter: Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Use of snuff and chewing tobacco by U.S. adolescent boys, particularly in rural areas, has surged this decade, a federal agency said in a report on Thursday that raised concern among tobacco control advocates. The use of such smokeless tobacco products increases the risk of oral cancer as well as heart disease and stroke. It leads to nicotine addiction just like cigarette smoking. The report by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed a 30 percent increase in the rate of smokeless tobacco use among boys aged 12 to 17 from 2002 to 2007. Use by adults remained stable. In 2007, the report estimated that 566,000 boys in that age group had used chewing tobacco or snuff. "This trend toward more smokeless tobacco use by kids is of great concern," Danny McGoldrick, vice president for research at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids advocacy group, said in a telephone interview. "This is an industry that has a history of targeting kids because they know that's when everybody starts," he added. Among adolescent boys, the rate of use of smokeless tobacco rose from 3.4 percent in 2002 to 4.4 percent in 2007, according to the report. McGoldrick said the increase occurred as smokeless tobacco companies greatly increased their spending on marketing and introduced a new range of products. The findings reiterated the need for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to have the power to regulate tobacco products, as legislation being considered [...]

Webmaster2009-03-05T11:00:47-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

The selling of tobacco to children

Source: Examiner.com Writer: Jan Potter Recent news articles have complained of recent marketing trends by the tobacco marketing women and girls. The cigarettes come packaged in an attractive and enticing pink package. This is not new, but every year, it appears that tobacco companies spend more and more money trying to draw in new smokers with these attractive packages. For years, many people were upset by candy cigarettes that were sold to children as “pretend.” These have almost disappeared in many markets, but there is a new problem though and that is the marketing of tobacco “drops” or other products that look exactly like candy. Parent may not even realize that the package contains a tobacco product because of its appearance. The marketing of this “candy” and other related products is considered very dangerous for children because of the friendly appeal of the packaging. This kind of product comes as small “candy” sized pieces, as “film” strips, or as toothpick sized sticks. Another product that has been around for several years is the tobacco “snus” (which rhymes with goose). Snus generally contain more nicotine than a cigarette but some consider them safer because they are not inhaled. They are, however, addictive. The snus is a small packet of tobacco powder meant to be put under the tongue. It is believed that they are dangerous because of the impact of the tobacco on the body. It might not mean lung cancer, but there is the [...]

Webmaster2009-03-02T10:56:08-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

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