Medical Information

Cervical Cancer Facts

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women, with an estimated 529 828 new cases and 275 128 deaths reported worldwide in 2008. In developing countries, the age standardized mortality rate is 10/10 000—more than three times higher than in developed countries. However, cervical cancer still represents a major public health problem even in developed countries: 54 517 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed in Europe [...]

Cancer and Family History

Researchers in Milan, Italy have recently published their research in the Annals of Oncology. The study followed  some 12,000 patients with cancer at different sites in the body including bowel, pancreatic, liver, breast, ovarian, cervical and prostate cancer.   The patients were compared with approximately 11,000 people without the disease. Researchers collected specific information on the [...]

Stem Cell Cure for Blindness?

Sources: Nature Biotechnology, July 2013; BBC Health News Three Blind Mice no more.  An animal study on stem cells was recently published in Nature Biotechnology which suggests that the part of the eye which detects light can be repaired using stem cells. Photoreceptors are the cells in the retina which react to light and convert it [...]

Lung Cancer Gene Mapping

Source:  BBC Health News One of the problems with lung cancer, other than its frequent late discovery, is that the cancer adapts and becomes resistant to chemotherapy treatments over time.  Once adaption occurs, there is no current treatment available and patients with the disease die from it. Scientists across Britain are undertaking a mapping of [...]

Gene Therapy for Children

Sources: Science, July 2013; US National Institutes of Health Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disorder characterized by the accumulation of fats called sulfatides in cells. This accumulation especially affects cells in the nervous system that produce myelin, the substance that insulates and protects nerves. Nerve cells covered by myelin make up a tissue called [...]

Stem Cell Treatment Continues to Show Potential

Source: Reuters Stem Cells continue to show potential for treating and even curing diseases.  It has recently been reported that two men with HIV have been off their anti-retroviral AIDS drugs for several months after they received stem-cell transplants for cancer that appear to have cleared the virus from their bodies, according to researchers. Both [...]

Breast Cancer Surgery on the Margins

Source: UC Irvine Health News, Making Breast Cancer Surgery More Precise; ucirvinehealth.org One of the many problems facing breast cancer patients is weather their surgeon cut out all of the cancer in her breast during surgery. The goal in a lumpectomy is to completely remove the cancer while preserving as much normal breast tissue as [...]

Breast Cancer Spread Risk

Sources: Nature Cell Biology, May 2013; Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Breast Cancer Spread (metastasis) risk is higher in women with dense breast tissue.  Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered why breast cancer patients with dense breasts are more likely than others to develop aggressive tumors that [...]

Breast Cancer New Research

Source:  Molecular Cell, May 2013; Western Schulich School of Medicine & Denistry (Ontario, Canada) Breast Cancer isn't all the same. There is a type of breast cancer called "triple negative" which has limited treatment options and the worst chance of survival. Triple negative breast cancer is generally diagnosed based upon the presence, or lack of, three [...]

Skin Cancer Season

It's almost Memorial Day weekend, the kick-off to Summer and with Summer comes much needed warnings to enjoy, but be safe and aware of the cancer facts, in the sun! The Lewis Law Firm has a history of representing patients diagnosed with cancer.  If you are in Philadelphia or New Jersey and you or a loved one have been [...]