Drug for Erectile Dysfunction Improves Heart Function in Young Heart-Disease Patients Nov 19, 2009
It is the third surgery in a staged palliation for single-ventricle heart defects. Researchers hypothesized that sildenafil may help cardiac performance by directly improving the squeeze of the heart muscle and by allowing for better filling of the heart. (Science Daily)
Palliative care is human right for terminally ill - Panellists Nov 14, 2009
AORTIC is an African-based nongovernmental organization dedicated to the promotion of cancer control, diagnosis, treatment and palliation in Africa. Over 700 delegates from Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa are attending the conference. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
African countries urged to include cancer in health policy Nov 13, 2009
AORTIC is an African based non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of cancer control, diagnosis, treatment and palliation in Africa. Over 700 delegates from Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa are attending the conference which is on the theme, Cancer in Africa-The New Reality, is expected to provide invaluable tools. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
A Swiss Team Uses Transcranial MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound to Treat Patients With Functional Brain Disorders Jul 14, 2009
" Neurosurgeons currently treat patients with functional neurological disorders such as neuropathic pain or Parkinson's disease by inserting a tiny probe through the cranium and brain to reach and ablate damaged tissue. "The more traditional invasive treatment works to alleviate pain and other symptoms, however it exposes the patient to complications, including infections, bleeding and damage to surrounding brain tissue," Dr. Jeanmonod explained. "Also, only patients whose target tissue lies in... (Canada Newswire)
Report: Prostate cancer screening has yet to prove its worth Jun 29, 2009
It reaches a very wide and diverse group of professionals, and provides an unparalleled opportunity to present information to these professionals about cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, palliation, advocacy issues, quality-of-life topics, and more. The most-recent 2008 ISI Journal Citation Report showed that CA is #1 in the oncology category. (EurekAlert!)
OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Announces OGX-011 Treatment Provides Survival Benefit in Randomized Phase 2 Trial in Advanced Metastatic Prostate Cancer May 31, 2009
One trial design investigates overall survival as the primary endpoint; the other trial design investigates pain palliation as the primary endpoint. Based on the survival benefit observed after combining OGX-011 with first-line docetaxel chemotherapy, OncoGenex has initiated discussions with the FDA regarding evaluating the overall survival benefit in patients treated with first-line chemotherapy, rather than second-line chemotherapy. (PR Newswire)
Painkiller Patch Can Lead To Addiction May 18, 2009
ScienceDaily (May 17, 2009) Morphine patches are supposed to reduce use of painkillers, and provide more control over their use in chronic pain conditions. But researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim have found otherwise. (Science Daily)
OncoGenex Receives Confirmation from FDA on the Design of a Second Phase 3 Trial Evaluating OGX-011 for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer Apr 28, 2009
Our focus remains on survival and pain palliation, both endpoints that FDA has confirmed are appropriate for marketing approval, and both endpoints for which we have had success in our Phase 2 clinical trials. Based on the recent survival benefit of combining OGX-011 with first-line docetaxel chemotherapy, we have initiated discussions with FDA for evaluating the overall survival benefit in first-line CRPC, instead of second-line CRPC." The Phase 3 trial evaluating durable pain palliation has... (Canada Newswire)
Physicians Mending Broken Hearts Apr 3, 2009
The researchers evaluated the effect of income, socioeconomic status, recent hospitalization, Fontan palliation (a surgical approach to treating hearts with one ventricle), and a greater number of doctor visits in the past year ... Non-modifiable factors included Fontan palliation and both lower income and socioeconomic status. (Science Daily)
Scientific abstracts -- 2009 Annual Assembly, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Mar 28, 2009
Palliation of this symptom is rarely attempted, and when attempted, is rarely successful. VI. Implications for research, policy, or practice. (EurekAlert!)
Africa faces 'cancer steam train' Mar 27, 2009
" Jade Goody Mr Milburn, who was health secretary between 1999 and 2003, said a third of cancer deaths in Africa were preventable and another third were treatable. He added: "And where we can't prevent or treat the cancer, we must at least provide modest forms of palliation - other than giving a paracetamol. Unfortunately all too often that's what you get as pain relief for cancer in an African country. (BBC News -- Health)
InSightec Ltd. Announces US$15 Million Investment Round Mar 19, 2009
InSightec's President and CEO, Dr. Kobi Vortman said, "We are very proud in the ongoing trust we are receiving from our investors that share our vision that this technology is the enabler of the next generation operating room that will be a non-invasive and outpatient operating room." "The ExAblate(R) 2000 treatments of uterine fibroids continue to grow globally with excellent clinical results driving market adoption in more than 70 leading sites globally and over 4500 women treated worldwide.... (Canada Newswire)
YM BIOSCIENCES ANNOUNCES FIRST PATIENT ENROLLED IN MULTI-NATIONAL, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF NIMOTUZUMAB IN NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG CANCER Mar 16, 2009
"A therapy that has the potential to maximize symptom palliation, improve survival, minimize toxicity and reduce the need for re-irradiation would be most welcome." ... Achieving greater local control with radiotherapy alone can provide more timely palliation of thoracic symptoms than chemotherapy alone and may be the only treatment option for poor ECOG-status patients, or those who have declined chemotherapy or progressed despite systemic therapy. (PR Newswire)
Tiny Chemo Beads Boost Liver Cancer Outcomes Feb 7, 2009
"There is definitely a chance of cancer cure with this procedure beyond just palliation," Dr. Glenn Stambo, vascular and interventional radiologist at St. Joseph's, said in an ISET news release. "The more isolated the tumor and its blood vessel feeders, the better the chance for a complete cure.". (MEDLINEplus)
