Proton Beam Therapy - Is It Worth The Money?
Proton accelerators to treat cancer are described as the "most costly medical devices" in the world, and the UK and United States are investing considerable amounts of money in order to build them. However, journalist Keith Epstein states: "no clear evidence of better effectiveness exists" and that this investment may be premature. The report is published online in the BMJ (British Medical Journal). It is believed that proton beam therapy targets cancerous tissue more precisely than standard radiation treatment, and that it reduces adverse effects, increases survival rates and minimizes harm to healthy tissue.
Magnetic Nanochain Detonates Chemo Barrage Inside Breast Tumors
Medicine-toting nanochains slip into tumors and explode a chemotherapy drug into hard-to-reach cores of cancer, engineers and scientists at Case Western Reserve University report. In tests on rats and mice, the technology took out far more cancer cells, inhibited tumor growth better and extended life longer than traditional chemotherapy delivery. All the while, the targeted delivery system used far less of the drug doxorubicin than the amount used in traditional chemotherapy, saving healthy tissue from toxic exposure.
Treatment Of Gynecologic Cancers Reduced From 5 Weeks To 3 Days Using New Radiation Therapy
About 71, 500 women in the United States are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Researchers from University Hospitals Case Medical Center have developed a more effective way to treat gynecologic cancers, shortening radiation treatment time from five weeks to three days. The method is published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). The new method, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been used on other types of cancer, but Case Medical Center is the first treatment facility to apply it to gynecologic cancers.