- 11/19/2004
- Clara Pirani
- The Weekend Australian
Researchers have discovered a way to accurately predict which tumours will recur in some cancer patients. Surgeons and researchers at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research have identified genetic markers within human tissue that can be analysed to predict which cancers will recur after surgery or chemotherapy.
Between 1997 and 2001, the researchers removed and stored tumours from 100 people suffering head and neck cancer. They examined the tumours to predict what would be the outcome, and then went back to confirm what had actually happened to the patients.
“It was amazing,” said Dr David Chin, a senior lecturer in head and neck disease in Princess Alexandra Hospital and the University of Queensland.
“We were able to predict very accurately which cancer tumours would reoccur and which ones wouldn’t.”
He said doctors will now be able to perform a biopsy, by removing tissue from inside the mouth, and then identify the genetic makeup by applying a stain to the tissue.
“The markers identified have never been previously described in any human cancer before and are extremely accurate in identifying patients at risk of recurrence.
“So now, by doing a routine biopsy before surgery, we’ll be able to tell whether the tumour will be very aggressive or whether the patient needs surgery or radiation or chemotherapy.”
Dr Chin believes the method can be used to develop individual treatments for patients and avoid unnecessary surgery.
“Patients suffer when they go through unnecessary chemotherapy or radiation, or unnecessary surgery, which can quite painful or disfiguring.
“Every patient’s cancer has its own molecular markers and we have to tailor treatment according to their genetic makeup.”
Although the method has only been tested on people with head and neck cancer, Dr Chin said it could be used for other forms of cancer.
Fri, Nov 19, 2004
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