Whole Brain Radiation of Brain Mets Leads to Memory Problems

2008 ASTRO Annual Meeting

Patients whose cancers have spread to the brain experience more learning and memory problems when radiation to their whole brain follows more targeted radiotherapy.

Study results presented at the 2008 American Society for Radiation Therapy and Oncology annual meeting in Boston found that whole brain radiation after radiosurgery doubled the risk of cognitive problems. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 30th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: brain metastases, radiotherapy

Treatment for Severe Cancer Pain: Women Versus Men

Are men and women with severe cancer pain treated in the same way?

Although both sexes reported the same level of worst pain in a past week, men were more likely to have a prescription for high-potency pain medicine and receive higher doses of morphine.

Women being first evaluated at a cancer pain clinic reported more pain “right now” and higher average pain during the past week.  However, a review of their medical charts showed they were getting  less morphine and had higher average pain scores than men.  They were more likely to say that their pain was poorly controlled. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 29th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tags: cancer pain, disparities

Continuing Resolution Sent to the President

Congress on Saturday sent a Continuing Resolution (CR) to the President for his signature. This bill will keep the Government running until March 2009. The total cost of the bill, which was approved by a 78 – 12 vote in the Senate, has a price tag of $634 billion.

Continue reading…

Posted by Joe Arite on September 29th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Congress, Continuing Resolution, President Bush

Digital Rectal Exam Poor Predictor of Rectal Cancer

When physicians exam the rectum with a gloved finger, they are unlikely to find a real tumor and more likely to refer patients unnecessarily for further tests.  Digital rectal exams are a poor way to accurately identify rectal cancer according to a recently published study from the United Kingdom. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 29th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 6 Comments »
Tags: DRE, rectal cancer, screening

Radiation Before Surgery Can Increase Bowel and Sexual Problems

Although giving radiation before rectal cancer surgery reduces the risk that cancer will return in the rectum and nearby tissues, it does so at a cost.  Quality-of-life studies that accompanied a trial of a short course of radiation therapy before surgery  found more sexual and bowel problems with presurgical radiation. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 27th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 7 Comments »
Tags: chemoradiation, rectal cancer, surgery