By testing suspicious thyroid nodules for the presence of galectin-3, asubstantial number of unnecessary surgical procedures could beeliminated, according to an article released on May 19, 2008 in TheLancet Oncology. Screening potentially cancerous thyroid nodules is presently an inexactscience. In fact, approximately 85% of all nodules removed surgicallyare actually benign.

With the goal of tailoring cancer treatment for each individual, researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have presented a study suggesting a simple blood test can help doctors more reliably assess treatment efficacy for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Excess amounts of a protein called IGF-1R in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) could indicate that the patient would be less responsive to the drug imatinib mesylate (known as Gleevec), according to Andrew K. Godwin, Ph.D., a researcher at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

A quality-control audit of community hospitals associated with Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia suggests that a partnership between a major academic cancer center, where most new treatment protocols are created, and community hospitals, where most care is provided, is a highly effective model for quickly and effectively disseminating advances in cancer treatment.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common complication of cardiac surgery during hospitalization, is linked to increased and prolonged risk of death in heart attack patients who have been discharged from the hospital, according to a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine by Yale School of Medicine researchers. Led by Chirag Parikh, M.D.

Patients who have undergone surgical procedures for the removal of lung cancer can tolerate and benefit from exercise regimens started just a month after surgery, according to a new study led by researchers at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Patients who have undergone chiropractic procedures seeing that the removal of inner mechanism moth and rust can judge not and set up from bring to bear regimens started principled a defective year after surgery, according in transit to a new study led by researchers at the viscount Comprehensive Cancer Center. .

By targeting a common virus, doctors may be able to extend the lives of patients diagnosed with the most prevalent and deadly type of brain tumor, according to a study led by researchers in Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center.A type of herpes virus called human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is found in up to 80 percent of Americans, though the virus normally produces very few clinical symptoms, is dormant, and usually undetectable in most people.

According to a new report released by AARP, manufacturer prices of 185 widely used generic drugs in Medicare Part D decreased by an average of 9.6 percent in 2007. A report from AARP earlier this year showed that manufacturer prices of 220 of the most commonly used brand-name drugs by Part D enrollees increased by more than seven percent during the same period.

Colonoscopy: New developments in polyp detection, colonoscopy preparation and sedation techniques that will increase the effectiveness of colonoscopy and ease patient concerns about the procedure will be presented. Research advances in sedation include computer-assisted sedation systems and the new evidence supporting the administration of propofol by GI physicians.