Cutting Off Cancer Than Can't be Cut Out | Medical News and Health Information

Reported June 15, 2011
Cutting Off Cancer Than Can't be Cut Out -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: According to the National Cancer Institute, about 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. Treatment options depend on the type of cancer but they often include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

NEUROENDOCRINE CANCERS: The neuroendocrine system is made up of cells with similar properties that are found throughout the body. These neuroendocrine cells function as part of the nervous system and the endocrine system. They can secrete hormones and proteins that act on both systems. Cancers that arise in the neuroendocrine system are found throughout the body including the lungs, stomach and intestines. Cancerous neuroendocrine cells often flood the body with inappropriate hormones or neurotransmitters. Other neuroendocrine tumors include those of the pituitary gland. Neuroendocrine cancer is a rare but serious disease.
(SOURCE: Stanford University)

BLOCKING BLOOD VESSEL GROWTH: A cancerous tumor requires oxygen and nutrients in order to grow. To do this, a tumor induces the formation of new blood vessels from vessels present in the surrounding healthy tissues. Once formed, these vessels facilitate the growth of the primary tumor and also encourage the spreading of cancer cells to distant organs. The formation of tumor blood vessels is a process known as angiogenesis. Drugs that inhibit tumor angiogenesis are currently being developed and used in patients with cancer. Eugene Woltering, M.D., professor of surgery at LSU Health Sciences Center, is taking tiny pieces of a patient's tumor and testing them with dozens of these drugs. The goal is to stop the growth of new blood vessels. “If we can prevent that from happening, the tumor stays exactly the same size as it is today forever and ever,” Dr. Woltering told Ivanhoe. LSU is one of several medical centers exploring this new approach to cancer. They hope this discovery could one day lead to cancer being treated more like a chronic disease.

(SOURCES: NCCR Oncology and LSU Health Sciences Center) MORE: Cutting Off Cancer Than Can't be Cut Out -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information and Cutting Off Cancer That Can't be Cut Out -- In Depth Doctor's Interview | Medical News and Health Information

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Leslie Capo, Media Relations
LSU Health Sciences Center
(504) 568-4806
LCapo@lsuhsc.edu


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Cutting Off Cancer Than Can't be Cut Out | Medical News and Health Information