Esophageal Cancer News and Research

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Esophageal Cancer is cancer that forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach). Two types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the esophagus) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

Aspirin offers help for Barrett's esophagus

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have found that people with the most-aggressive form of Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition that can lead to esophageal cancer, may benefit the most from preventive therapy with aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.

27 Feb 2007

SpectraScience files new patent application

SpectraScience has announced that it has filed for a new patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

13 Nov 2006

Nanoparticles for two-photon photodynamic therapy in living cells

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a combination of ultraviolet or visible light and a light-sensitive chemical, or photosensitizer, to kill cancer cells using reactive oxygen.

6 Nov 2006

St. John's wort and polymeric nanoparticles to treat ovarian tumors using light

By combining a compound produced by the plant St. John's wort with polymeric nanoparticles, researchers at the University of Geneva in Switzerland have developed a promising method for treating ovarian tumors using light.

21 Aug 2006

Just a few extra pounds increases women's risk of reflux

According to new research women who gain even a few extra pounds are increasing their risk of getting acid reflux.

4 Jun 2006

Blood pressure drugs associated with reduced risk of cancers

Thousands of individuals currently taking angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, a type of medication commonly used to lower blood pressure, may be doing more than treating their hypertension.

31 May 2006

Photodynamic therapy may become the first line of treatment for Barrett's esophagus

When you think of heartburn, you probably think of greasy food, not cancer. You may not know that chronic heartburn is linked to esophageal cancer.

7 Apr 2006

Positron emission tomography identifies esophageal cancer patients who will respond well to treatment

New research at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center shows that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is more accurate than conventional imaging in identifying patients who have good responses to chemotherapy and radiation treatment - a finding that could one day help some patients avoid surgery.

22 Mar 2006

Novel device uses light to probe for early signs of cancer

A novel device that could use light to harmlessly and almost instantly probe for early signs of cancer has been developed by researchers at Duke's Pratt School of Engineering.

9 Mar 2006

Is persistent bacterial infection good for your health?

Bacteria are bad. Mothers and doctors, not to mention the cleaning product industry, repeatedly warn of their dangers. But a Stanford University School of Medicine microbiologist is raising the intriguing idea that persistent bacterial and viral infections have benefits.

27 Feb 2006

Link between soft drinks and esophageal cancer debunked

Carbonated soft drink consumption was previously suggested to be linked to the 350 percent increase of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus since the mid-1970s, but researchers at Yale School of Medicine report that the link is unfounded and that there may, in fact, be a decreased risk of this cancer for diet soda drinkers.

6 Jan 2006

Cancer road map shows how cancer spreads

Scientists at Cornell University in New York have discovered how cancer spreads from a primary site to other places in the body.

11 Dec 2005

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may prevent the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's oesophagus

Barrett’s oesophagus is a metaplastic disorder that develops in about 10% of people with chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Every year about 0.5%-1% of patients with Barrett’s oesophagus develop oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

10 Nov 2005

Aspirin and ibuprofen may significantly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer among people with Barrett's esophagus

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, may significantly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer among people with Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition associated with chronic heartburn that affects an estimated 1 million to 2 million Americans.

8 Nov 2005

Psychiatric disorders represent an independent risk factor for delay in cancer diagnosis

Patients with psychiatric disorders are diagnosed with esophageal cancer much later and at a more advanced stage than patients with no psychiatric diagnosis, according to a study conducted by researchers in the Oregon Health & Science University Digestive Health Center.

15 Aug 2005

Protein that protects the body from tissue damage also increases the risk of tumors

You win some, you lose some. A protein that protects the body from tissue damage also increases the risk of tumors, according to a study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Moderate reduction of the protein level protects against tumor formation but increases susceptibility to tissue injury.

11 Aug 2005

Curry spice may help fight oesophageal cancer

Welsh researchers apparently believe a spice used in curry may possibly prevent people from developing cancer of the gullet.

10 Aug 2005

Strategic analyses of European In-Vitro cancer diagnostics market - Cancer research yields promising results

Every year, nearly one in four Europeans - a total of almost one million people - dies from cancer, giving Europe the dubious distinction of having amongst the highest cancer-related mortality rates in the world. Even as cancer remains a difficult disease to diagnose, often resulting in either poor diagnosis or misdiagnosis, the number of new cancer cases is set to double by 2020.

2 Aug 2005

Patients with cancer of the esophagus benefit from new technique developed by OHSU surgeons

Surgeons at the Oregon Health & Science University Digestive Health Center have developed a new technique that makes feasible and safe a potentially lifesaving and noninvasive surgical procedure known as laparoscopic esophagectomy.

9 Jun 2005

Pillcam enables Jefferson Physicians to diagnose diseases of esophagus without using endoscope

Most digestive disease specialists will tell you that patients would rather suffer from heartburn and other diseases of the upper GI system than undergo a very effective but also potentially uncomfortable and relatively invasive procedure to diagnose their problem.