The University of Colorado Hospital has recently embarked on what news reports have deemed a "groundbreaking medical trial" for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. The trial uses a new technique designed to "shrink the tumor with very concentrated, very localized medication," according to 7 Denver News, a local television news casting station.

Physicians have been using a combination of the drug known as Tumor Necrosis Factor along with Imaged Guided Radiation Therapy technology. The therapy works in two phases, with the first phase administered each week as "doctors use an endoscope through the mouth to the stomach to deliver the drug and inject it directly into the tumor," reported 7 Denver News. In the second phase, the tumor, which is now drug-filled, is subject to a daily blast of radiation, which attempts to stimulate the drug until the tumor begins to break down.

While the trial continues to be conducted, physicians with the study have already noted that, "patients with the standard treatment survive about eight-and-a-half months and that patients with this new treatment live about eleven-and-a-half months."

Pancreatic Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer occurs when cancerous cells "begin in the ducts of the pancreas, but they sometimes develop from the cells of that make the pancreatic enzymes," according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The Mayo Clinic also explained that there are several signs and symptoms of the pancreatic cancer including the following:

* loss of appetite

* depression

* weight loss

* yellowing of the skin

* yellowing of the whites of the eyes

* upper abdominal pain

There are a number of reasons that pancreatic cancer can occur, however, one of the most recent risks is that of Byetta consumption. Byetta is a type 2 diabetes drug that is prescribed to patients as an injectable form of insulin to regulate glucose levels in individuals. The drug was released in 2005 from Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company. Recently, the drug was linked to the onset of pancreatitis, which can develop into pancreatic cancer if left untreated.

In 2008, approximately six patients were hospitalized for their Byetta-induced side effects of acute pancreatitis. Of the six patients, two resulted in fatality. Patients who have experienced the Byetta dangers are advised to discuss their case with a pharmaceutical attorney who can offer a free legal consultation as to the development of a Byetta class action lawsuit, which may result in the reward of monetary funds for a Byetta patient. By contacting a professional attorney an individual increases the protection of themselves and their family members.

LegalView (http://www.LegalView.info ) offers an array of information ranging from mesothelioma treatments to Avandia risks and Byetta dangers (http://byetta.legalview.info).

Article Source: ArticleSpan

A new treatment method for Barrett’s esophagus, which is a "precancerous condition largely caused by acid reflux disease" among patients is being tested at the Loyola University in Maywood, Ill. The treatment, known as cryospray ablation, permanently destroys esophageal precancerous cells and tissues by injecting extremely cold temperatures of liquid nitrogen into the body, according to a Nurse.com news article, which features medical information online for nurses and physicians assistants.

The treatment allegedly causes "the precancerous tissue to eventually slough off and is then replaced with normal, healthy tissue," reported Nurse.com. The treatment uses a catheter attached to an endoscope, which then sprays -270 degree Fahrenheit liquid nitrogen into the esophagus. According to the

What is Liquid Nitrogen?

Liquid nitrogen is an "inert, colorless, odorless, non-corrosive, noninflammable and extremely cold chemical that makes up the major portion of the atmosphere," according to Harvard College. The health effects of liquid nitrogen are often non-toxic, however asphyxiation can occur if oxygen is decreased and if excessive amounts of nitrogen are inhaled, it can cause the following side effects:

* dizziness

* nausea

* vomiting

* loss of consciousness

* death

Cryospray Ablation Uses

The University of Maryland Medical Center describes cryospray ablation, also cryotherapy ablation as a destruction of "the abnormal lining of the esophagus by exposing cells to extreme cold using liquid nitrogen… Successful cryotherapy ablation will avoid the need for alternative treatments such as surgery."

Those who qualify for this treatment will likely suffer from the following conditions:

* early stage esophageal cancer

* Barrett’s esophagus

* severe squamous dysplasia of the esophagus

The procedure has found success in its niche of conditions, but often requires a plethora of pre-procedure steps and may also require additional repeat procedures over the following months to ensure the esophageal lining returns to normal. Most patients will require three to four treatments, which each will span every four to six weeks, according to the UMM.

Developing Esophageal Cancer

The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains that "if untreated, Barrett’s esophagus could lead to esophageal cancer, the fastest-growing cancer in the United States." Esophageal cancer is a tremendously painful condition, which is responsible for the following side effects on a victim, according to the National Library of Medicine and ACS.

* Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia

* mid-chest pains

* sensation of pressure or burning in body

* weight loss

* hoarseness

* hiccups

* pneumonia

* high blood calcium levels

* black stools caused by bleeding cancerous cells

There are several causes related to the development of esophageal cancer including smoking, heavy alcohol consumption as well at acid reflux damage; however, there is also a newer cause associated with the onset of this condition and that includes the consumption of Fosamax.

Fosamax (sodium alendronate), from Merck and Company, is a prescription only drug used to treat osteoporosis among individuals, particularly post-menopausal women who have suffered from severe bone density loss.

Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a damaging and terrifying study that individuals who had consumed the drug had been found to not only be at risk for developing dead jaw syndrome, also known as osteonecrosis (ONJ), but that approximately 23 individuals had developed esophageal cancer as a result of consuming the drug.

Patients who are currently taking Fosamax or have previously been prescribed the drug may need to contact medical assistance to ensure they are not suffering from any of the Fosamax side effects. Additionally, it may be necessary to construct a Fosamax class action lawsuit in order to retrieve monetary funds as compensation for the potential damages endured by a Fosamax victim.

To learn more about the Fosamax side effects, individuals can visit http://fosamax.legalview.info/ . For more information on other legal topics including the peanut butter recall or the cranial implant kit dangers, visit http://www.LegalView.info/ .

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Cancer is the diagnosis that causes the most payouts from life insurance companies. It is one of the biggest killers and causes a major problem to our health because the symptoms are often vague until the later stages or mistaken for other ailments. However, things could be changing with a breakthrough from the medical world.

Photodynamic Therapy, or PDT, is a gentle, effective treatment for cancer that promises to produce less harsh side effects than conventional treatment through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Trials are taking place in one clinic at the moment using PDT that is a system that diagnoses and kills cancer cells working on light. Drugs are used in various forms and activated by light such as in the case of skin cancer. A cream containing the active drug is rubbed onto the affected area and starts to work when exposed to lights.

The light exposure makes the drug create a form of oxygen that destroys the tumour while not harming the surrounding tissue and producing little more than a tingling sensation. This is a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer and for those whose life insurance covers critical illness, should be available on a much wider basis very soon.

For cancers within the body, the same principle can be applied providing a light source is able to reach the designated area via an endoscope. A drug is taken by the patient and after a period of 24 hours to allow time for absorption from the blood stream by the tumour, light is then shone on the affected area by insertion of the flexible tube. Less than an hour later, the patient is on their way home.

Although the treatment has been used for a while in one specialist hospital, the difference now is that it can be used to diagnose and treat in one swift move and will be more widely available. This will shorten the whole nerve-racking process of taking biopsies and waiting for results, thus reducing the patients stress levels and also recovery times.

The diagnostic process is carried out by directing a beam of light to the suspect area. Like an optical radar, and particularly useful in the area of breast cancer and cervical cancer, the light that then bounces back is analysed by a computer and the changes are reported. It is thought to be around 95 per cent accurate and will be good news for life insurance companies as well as the patients themselves.

The light bouncing method is called Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy and is able to diagnose cancers immediately. Another technique, under the title ‘fluorescent spectroscopy and imaging’ works on the basis that cancer cells reflect more of a certain light than non-cancerous cells leading to an instant diagnosis and treatment.

Currently licensed for use in suspected cancers of the skin, head, neck and oesophagus it is also very cost effective, generally a quarter of the price of the usual treatment. With the cost factor, as well as the fact that it makes cancer treatment so much easier, it comes as a surprise that it has not been more widely used in recent times. However, now with the backing of more influential cancer experts it promises to be used more frequently and offers hope to many who would have normally been claiming on their life insurance.

Only seven per cent of lung cancer patients survive more than five years after diagnosis, making it a big area of payout for life insurance. PDT is a viable way of swiftly diagnosing and treating this fatal disease and will be seen as the life saver that it is. Reducing the incidents of this disease will mean, hopefully, that life insurance premiums can be reduced for us all. Or that life insurance companies will be making more profits, more like. A minor concern I imagine, giving the amount of lives that will be saved once this treatment becomes widely accessible.

Health expert Catherine Harvey looks at the new scientific advancements that should help reduce life insurance premiums for us all.

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