Released on: November 25, 2007, 10:43 pm

Press Release Author: Gopal Sachdeva

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Researchers from Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago,
IL have recently demonstrated that radiation prevents second larynx cancers in
patients who are initially treated for an early larynx cancer.


Press Release Body: Fairfax, VA,(nov, 26,2007)--The largest and only study of its
kind examined a total of 3898 patients from a NCI sponsored national database, who
underwent either surgery or radiation, two treatment options commonly recommended to
patients with early larynx cancer. The lead investigator, Dr. Gopal Sachdeva
concluded that long term cure rates were equivalent with both of these options. In
addition, there was no increased risk of second cancers among patients who received
radiation compared to the surgical control. More importantly, surgical management of
these patients resulted in a long term statistically significant increased risk of
developing a second laryngeal cancer which radiation appears to protect against.

This, according to Dr. Sachdeva, "can be explained by a concept called 'field
cancerization.'" "Whatever the etiological factor, cigarette smoking or alcohol,
genetic changes can occur in different areas of the aerodigestive resulting in
precancerous and cancerous changes." According to Dr. Sachdeva, "In the case of
larynx cancer, radiation treats a larger area, essentially the entire voice box.
Surgery however usually just addresses the site of the tumor." "Thus," Dr. Sachdeva
concludes, "radiation likely eliminates microscopic areas of precancerous changes in
the field that if left untreated can progress to new second cancers - a new concept
he has coined as 'field sterilization'" The authors concluded that because of
equivalent long term survival, when deciding on a treatment for patients with early
laryngeal cancer these finding as well as final voice quality deserve greater
consideration.

Dr. Sachdeva is currently a Resident in Radiation Oncology at Loyola University
Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He received his MD with a Distinction in Research
from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York. He has a tremendous interest in long
term effects of cancer treatments, especially secondary malignancies. "Second
Cancers, as a group are now the sixth most common cancer in the country, behind
Skin, Prostate, Breast, Lung and Colorectal. We now have over 10.5 million cancer
survivors and over 10% are predicted to develop a second cancer." According to Dr.
Sachdeva, "Studies on preventative therapies and on key molecular alterations to be
used as targets for gene therapy need to be explored further to help alleviate this
crisis."
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The study was presented as part of the 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)

Link to scientific abstract:
http://www.redjournal.org/article/PIIS0360301607012837/fulltext
Link to ASTRO: http://www.astro.org

ASTRO Headquarters:

Gopal Sachdeva,
ASTRO,
8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-502-1550
Toll Free: 1-800-962-7876
Fax: 703-502-7852
gsachdeva@lumc.edu
http://www.astro.org



Web Site: http://www.astro.org

Contact Details: Gopal Sachdeva,
ASTRO,
8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-502-1550
Toll Free: 1-800-962-7876
Fax: 703-502-7852
gsachdeva@lumc.edu
http://www.astro.org