Oral Cancer News – Page 334 – The Oral Cancer Foundation News Archive

Cancer survivors now volunteer to help those who need support

Source: Aikens Standard (www.aikenstandard.com) Author: Rachel Johnson Four times cancer has struck the same Aiken household, and four times the Flanagans waged war. In August 2007, the unthinkable happened at the Flanagan home. While shaving one morning, Bill Flanagan's hands stumbled across a lump in his throat area. Having battled cancer in the past, his suspicions were raised. Initially, his wife and doctors thought the problem was a simple inflammation; however, when tests came back, the problem was not so simple. The couple canceled vacation plans, and Bill underwent a series of tests and a biopsy. Despite the diagnosis of stage 4 throat cancer, he was lucky. "I found mine accidentally. It was a little sore. Throat cancer is not usually found until the symptoms are too bad," said Bill Flanagan from his Aiken home. The outlook for Flanagan was bleak. A lover of fine cuisine, he faced feeding tubes, a tracheotomy and loss of voice. Doctors wanted to perform surgery to remove the tumor, and his fate almost certainly included the aforementioned. At 75 years of age, Flanagan knew one thing, he would in time die; but he was not willing to sacrifice his quality of life. "I set the perimeters - no feeding tube, no tracheotomy and no voice loss. I would've rather died from the cancer than lose my quality of life," he said with conviction. Flanagan and his wife of 33 years, Crystal, are no strangers to battling cancer. Crystal is a breast cancer and ovarian [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-26T14:44:30-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Dead serious – Cancer victim urges smokers to give up

Source: Sunday News (www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews) Author: Cath Bennett Adrian Pilkington places his finger over his tracheostomy opening in the Ministry of Health advertisements, before giving audiences the grim warning: "It's not worth it, eh." The south Auckland mechanical engineer knows how tragically true his message is his 30-year, 20-a-day habit led to the mouth and lung cancer which will probably cost his life by Christmas. "My life has been ruined because of this but others can learn from my mistake," Adrian, 52, told Sunday News: "Getting cancer from smoking is something that always seems to happen to someone else you don't expect it to affect you. "If people knew the horror of what I've been through the radiation, the pain they wouldn't smoke. "I didn't even realise I could get mouth cancer from smoking before." The once-fit gym-going, karate black belt's future went up in smoke after he discovered a mouth ulcer 18 months ago. His weight plummeted 24kg and the ulcer was diagnosed as mouth cancer leading to a 12-hour operation to remove his entire tongue. It was replaced with a flap of skin and muscles from his stomach, leaving him unable to eat, drink or swallow ever again he is fed liquid nutrition through a tube in his stomach. In March this year, matters got even worse when he was told the cancer had spread to his lungs and he had only six to 12 months to live. "It came as a shock I couldn't believe it," Adrian said. [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-21T18:52:20-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Influence of years of professional experience in relation to the diagnostic skill of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in identifying oral cancer and precancerous lesions

Source: Int Dent J, June 1, 2008; 58(3): 127-33 Author: P Lopez-Jornet et al. Objective: To evaluate skill in diagnosing cancer and oral precancerous lesions among general dentists in the Autonomous Community of Murcia (Spain). Material and Method: Twenty randomly distributed clinical images were used, of which 45% corresponded to benign lesions, 35% to oral precancerous lesions, and 20% to oral cancer. Each case was accompanied by a summarised clinical history. The study sample comprised 150 general dentists divided into two groups: group I (60 recently graduated dentists without professional experience) and group II (90 dentists with established professional activity). Results: In group I, the sensitivity of oral cancer diagnosis was 61.3% versus 85.5% in group II (p < 0.001), while the sensitivity of precancerous lesion diagnosis was 71.7% in group I versus 80.7% in group II (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The results obtained show that junior dentists and general dentists with public or private practice need more training and more experience in diagnosing cancer and oral precancerous lesions. Authors: P Lopez-Jornet, F Camacho-Alonso, Y Martinez-Beneyto, and J Seoane-Leston Authors' affiliation: Clínica Odontológica Universitaria Hospital Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-20T21:20:46-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

MicroRNA and oral cancer: Future perspectives

Source: Oral Oncol, July 10, 2008 Author: Carolina C Gomes and Ricardo S Gomez MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that mediate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by degrading or repressing target messenger RNAs (mRNA). They are about 22 nucleotides in length and regulate mRNA translation by base pairing to partially complementary sites, predominantly in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of mRNA. In this review, we discuss miRNA biogenesis and function, together with its possible involvement in oral cancer. Despite its great importance in normal cell development and diseases, a small number of studies have attempted to investigate miRNA in oral cancer. Overexpression of oncogenic miRNA may reduce protein products of tumor-suppressor genes. On the other hand, loss of tumor-suppressor miRNA expression may cause elevated levels of oncogenic protein. One or both of these alterations could represent new targets for cancer diagnosis and treatment in the future. Many researchers have focused on genetic and epigenetic alterations in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. The emergence of miRNA knowledge, and its potential interactive action with such alterations, therefore creates a new understanding of cell transformation. Authors' affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-20T21:15:55-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Role of Surgery in Multimodal Treatment of Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

Source: Laryngorhinootologie, July 15, 2008 Authors: M O Scheithauer and H Riechelmann Background: The value of surgery in multimodal treatment concepts of oral and oropharyngeal cancer, respecting quality of life and survival rates, should be evaluated. Patients: Patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer were grouped, if tumor-targeted surgery was part of a multimodal treatment concept or if the patients received radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy only. Surgical versus non-surgical therapy, age, disease extent, tumor site and comorbidity as measured by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score were included in a Cox proportional hazard analysis. Quality of life was assessed 3 years following treatment employing the EORTC-C30 and H&N35 questionnaires. Results: Patients treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy only (63/140) had a worse survival (hazard ratio 1.7037, 95 % CI 0.9981 to 2.9080, p = 0.0508) than patients treated with surgery (77/140) as a part of a multimodal treatment concept. Disease extent (p < 0.01) and ASA score (p < 0.01) had a significant impact on survival. Quality of life scores were remarkably similar in surgically and non-surgically treated patients. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that surgery remains a core modality of oral and oropharyngeal cancer treatment. External beam radiotherapy only, also if applied in current fractionation techniques, may not be sufficient to achieve adequate results. Authors' affiliation: Universitäts-HNO-Klinik Ulm (Arztl. Direktor: Prof. Dr. G. Rettinger).

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-20T21:10:03-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Merck Responds To Questions About Adverse Events Reported Following Vaccination With GARDASIL®

Source: Medical News Today (www.medicalnewstoday.com) Authors: Press Release Merck issued the following statement to address questions about adverse events reported in people who had received GARDASIL [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Vaccine, Recombinant]. Merck has analyzed the adverse events reported for GARDASIL relating to the recent reports of death and paralysis, and based on the data available to Merck, believes that no safety issue related to the vaccine has been identified. These types of events are events that could also be seen in the general population, even in the absence of vaccination. An adverse experience report describes an event that occurred after vaccination and does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused or contributed to the event. The vast majority of adverse events that have been reported to Merck are non-serious and the most common include dizziness and syncope (fainting). "Merck is proud of the public health benefit that GARDASIL can provide in helping to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 throughout the world and we remain confident in the safety profile of GARDASIL," said Richard M. Haupt, executive director, Clinical Research, Merck Research Laboratories. "Merck encourages health care providers and consumers to report any adverse experience associated with GARDASIL to the Company and to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System so that the Company can continue to thoroughly monitor the safety of this important vaccine." Merck continues to evaluate all safety data in the context [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-20T17:45:33-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Gene found that limits alcohol risk

Source: The Observer (www.guardian.co.uk) Author: Denis Campbell As many as one in four Britons have a much-reduced risk of developing alcohol-related cancer thanks to their genetic make-up, scientists have discovered. Researchers have identified two genes that quickly flush alcohol out of the system, thus reducing its carcinogenic effect. People carrying one or both of the genes may have only half the chance of developing mouth, throat and oesophageal cancers that are strongly associated with drinking. The genes involved are rare versions of ADH7 and ADH1B. The ADH range of genes help the body to process alcohol. Everyone carries two versions of each of these genes, one inherited from each parent, but only 15 to 20 per cent of the UK population have ADH7, while around another 5 per cent have ADH1B. A study of 9,000 people has shown for the first time that people carrying one or both of these rare gene variants have a much lower risk of getting head or neck cancer than those who have the common versions. For example, those with ADH1B have only half the chance of developing such cancers and people with ADH7 are at a 32 per cent reduced risk. Researchers say the findings are significant because it is the first time they have pinned down genes that have a protective effect against alcohol. 'We don't know how the protection occurs, but we do now know that these genes have that effect, and that could be hugely useful in giving us a much [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-19T20:58:43-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

A Cancer Cause You Need to Know About

Source: Reader's Digest (www.rd.com) Author: Julie Bain Reader’s Digest was way ahead of the curve when we published a small item in the “Medical Update” section three years ago about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and some head and neck cancers. At a medical conference, I’d heard a researcher from Johns Hopkins present a report on the rise of certain oral cancers in young nonsmokers that seemed to be caused by this very common sexually transmitted virus. She called it a coming epidemic, and it really scared me. That was around the time of the debut of the vaccine Gardasil, designed to protect girls and young women from most of the types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. I kept asking myself, “Why are we only vaccinating girls from this dangerous virus that can be spread from any kind of sexual contact, including oral sex?” It didn’t make sense to me then, and it doesn’t make sense to me now. After we printed the short item about this in 2005, I waited for the media to catch on to the story. But the media didn’t. I watched for more research and thought about ways I could write about it. Then, in 2006, I was devastated to learn that my friend Steve Reynolds had been diagnosed with a stage IV squamous cell carcinoma at the base of his tongue. Throat cancer. Steve, a 40-something nonsmoker (below), couldn’t understand how this had happened to him—until the biopsy showed it was [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-19T21:00:16-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Factors Associated With Severe Late Toxicity After Concurrent Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: An RTOG Analysis

Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 21 (July 20), 2008 Authors: Mitchell Machtay et al. Purpose: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) increases both local tumor control and toxicity. This study evaluates clinical factors that are associated with and might predict severe late toxicity after CCRT. Methods: Patients were analyzed from a subset of three previously reported Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) trials of CCRT for locally advanced SCCHN (RTOG 91-11, 97-03, and 99-14). Severe late toxicity was defined in this secondary analysis as chronic grade 3 to 4 pharyngeal/laryngeal toxicity (RTOG/European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer late toxicity scoring system) and/or requirement for a feeding tube 2 years after registration and/or potential treatment-related death (eg, pneumonia) within 3 years. Case-control analysis was performed, with a multivariable logistic regression model that included pretreatment and treatment potential factors. Results: A total of 230 patients were assessable for this analysis: 99 patients with severe late toxicities and 131 controls; thus, 43% of assessable patients had a severe late toxicity. On multivariable analysis, significant variables correlated with the development of severe late toxicity were older age (odds ratio 1.05 per year; P = .001); advanced T stage (odds ratio, 3.07; P = .0036); larynx/hypopharynx primary site (odds ratio, 4.17; P = .0041); and neck dissection after CRT (odds ratio, 2.39; P = .018). Conclusion: Severe late toxicity after CCRT is common. Older age, advanced T-stage, and larynx/hypopharynx primary site were strong [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-19T21:01:13-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Treating A Common Side Effect Of Cancer Therapy

Source: North American Press Syndicate (www.napsnet.com) Author: press release Each year, millions of cancer patients successfully fight back against their disease with the help of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But these treatments are not without potentially painful side effects. Fortunately, thanks to an advanced oral electrolyte solution, one of the most common side effects can be overcome. Oral mucositis (OM) affects more than 400,000 cancer patients each year-approximately 40 percent of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy, more than 70 percent of those undergoing conditioning therapy for bone marrow transplantation, and virtually all patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. OM usually manifests itself within seven to 14 days after initiation of therapy. Initial signs and symptoms include redness, swelling and ulceration of the mucosa. The condition can cause mouth pain, xerostomia (dryness of the mouth or throat) and difficulty eating and drinking, as well as difficulty with speech; these effects can significantly impact a patient’s weight, mood and physical functioning. “This extremely debilitating condition results from erosion of epithelial cells in the oral cavity [cells lining the surface of the throat and esophagus] during therapy, and often causes severe pain, difficulty eating and swallowing and greater susceptibility to infection,” explains Marilyn L. Haas, Ph.D., RN, CNS, ANP-C, nurse practitioner, Mountain Radiation Oncology. “For cancer patients at high risk of oral mucositis, Caphosol can be an important component of treatment.” Caphosol is an advanced electrolyte solution that has a favorable impact on the occurrence and severity of oral mucositis. [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-19T21:02:18-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|