Pet/Ct better at detecting cancer

6/24/2002 University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh researchers have found the combined PET/CT scanner is the most powerful imaging tool available for localizing, evaluating and therapeutic monitoring of head and neck cancer and may be equally useful for other cancers that are difficult to pinpoint. Results of a study showing PET/CT has a distinct advantage over PET or CT alone were presented today at the annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. According to the researchers, the prototype of the combined PET/CT machine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is able to effectively localize cancerous activity in the head and neck, an area of the body that presents substantial challenges to other imaging methods because of densely packed tissue structures and the frequent involvement of lymph nodes. Separately, computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) do not provide images with the necessary combination of clear structural definition and metabolic activity that is achieved with the PET/CT. "The PET/CT tells us the exact size, shape and location of the cancer and provides a specific target for surgery or other treatment," said Carolyn Cidis Meltzer, M.D., associate professor of radiology and psychiatry and medical director of the UPMC PET Facility. "The PET/CT can also be used to help us develop the best course of treatment for an individual, then monitor that individual's progress during treatment." Head and neck cancers often have already involved lymph nodes when first discovered and can spread rapidly if they are not found and treated [...]

2009-03-22T18:24:15-07:00June, 2002|Archive|

Dying smoker awarded $37.5 million

6/12/2002 Miami, FL Catherine Wilson Associated Press A jury ordered three cigarette makers Tuesday to pay $37.5 million in damages to a lawyer who lost his tongue to cancer. John Lukacs blamed his 30 years of smoking up to three packs a day for his oral and bladder cancer. Philip Morris, Brown & Williamson and Liggett Group claimed his 20 cancer-free years after he quit smoking pointed to another cause. The jury deliberated less than eight hours before awarding Lukacs the amount of compensatory damages suggested by his attorneys. Philip Gerson, one of Lukacs' lawyers, said the 76-year-old Miami real-estate lawyer and former Navy fighter pilot won't live long enough to see any money from his courtroom victory. "He knows he will never see any of this money," Gerson said. Miles McGrane, another lawyer in the case and Lukacs' son-in-law, said, "We'd give every penny back for another year for him." Lukacs' attorneys said he was sobbing when they telephoned him with word of the verdict. The two-week trial on compensatory damages covered actual medical expenses as well as intangibles, including pain and suffering, for Lukacs and his wife, Yolanda. The case was an outgrowth of a $145 billion punitive-damage award issued in a class-action suit covering all sick Florida smokers two years ago. That verdict is nearing its first appeal hearing. William Ohlemeyer, associate general counsel for Philip Morris Cos., said Lukacs' case should not have gone to trial while the tobacco industry is appealing the earlier verdict. "I [...]

2009-03-22T11:16:34-07:00June, 2002|Archive|

The role of diet and specific micronutrients in the etiology of oral carcinoma

6/6/2002 Chicago, IL American Cancer Society / Cancer 2002;94:2981-8 Carcinoma of the oral cavity is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Tobacco smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages are significant risk factors but to the authors' knowledge the role of nutrition is not adequately understood. The authors undertook an epidemiologic study of oral carcinoma occurring in Greece, where tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are common but the incidence of the disease is among the lowest reported in Europe. Methods One hundred six patients with histologically confirmed incident oral carcinoma and an equal number of control subjects matched for age and gender were studied. Dietary information was assessed through a validated extensive food frequency questionnaire and the data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Results After adjustment for energy intake, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption, there was evidence that the consumption of cereals, fruits, dairy products, and added lipids (which in Greece are represented mostly by olive oil) was found to be associated inversely with the risk of oral carcinoma. Only with respect to meat and meat products was there adequate evidence of a positive association with the risk of oral carcinoma. Among the micronutrients studied, riboflavin, magnesium, and iron appeared to be correlated inversely with the disease. Conclusions Fruits, cereals, dairy products, and olive oil appear to convey protection against oral carcinoma and their effects may be mediated through higher intakes of riboflavin, iron, and magnesium. The low incidence of oral carcinoma reported in Greece may be explained [...]

2009-03-22T11:15:44-07:00June, 2002|Archive|
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