New Study Confirms Increased Incidence of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus in White Americans
(09/04/2008)
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have reported that between 1975 and 2004, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus increased by 463% in White males and 335% in White females. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on August 11, 2008.
Being Overweight Associated with Increased Risk of Several Cancers
(02/19/2008)
Excess bodyweight increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, according to results recently published in The Lancet.
Obesity and Acid Reflux Significantly Increase Risk of Developing Esophageal Cancer
(01/22/2008)
According to an article recently published in the journal Gut, individuals who are obese and have frequent symptoms of acid reflux have a significantly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer compared with the general population.
Xeloda® and Eloxatin® Evaluated in Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
(01/04/2008)
According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it may be possible to replace 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) with Xeloda® (capecitabine) and to replace cisplatin (Platinol®) with Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) in the treatment of advanced esophageal and gastric cancers.
Meat Linked to Various Cancers
(12/13/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal, increased consumption of beef, pork, lamb, or processed meats such as bacon, sausage, or ham significantly increases the risk of developing several types of cancers.
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Barrett's Esophagus
NSAIDS Reduce Risk of Esophageal Cancer
(11/09/2005)
According to a recent early on-line publication from Lancet Oncology, regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) may reduce the risk of esophageal cancer among patients with Barrett’s esophagus.
Two Approaches to Reversing Barrett’s Esophagus May Be Successful
(09/14/2005)
According to a brief report of study findings published in the journal Gastroenterology, roughly 70% of Barrett’s esophagus patients treated with multipolar electrocoagulation or argon plasma coagulation will have a complete reversal of the condition for at least two years.
FDA Approves Photofrin® for Barrett’s Esophagus
(08/20/2003)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the photosensitizing agent Photofrin® to be used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions (areas of tissue) in patients with Barrett’s esophagus.
Photofrin® Reduces Progression to Esophageal Cancer in Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus
(06/24/2002)
Photofrin® photodynamic therapy appears to significantly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in patients diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus and is now in the review process for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
Pre-Operative Chemotherapy Appears to Improve Survival in Esophageal Cancer
(06/03/2002)
According to a recent article published in the
Lancet, pre-operative chemotherapy appears to improve survival compared to surgery alone for patients with operable esophageal cancer.
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Screening/Prevention
New Study Confirms Increased Incidence of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus in White Americans
(09/04/2008)
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have reported that between 1975 and 2004, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus increased by 463% in White males and 335% in White females. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on August 11, 2008.
Being Overweight Associated with Increased Risk of Several Cancers
(02/19/2008)
Excess bodyweight increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, according to results recently published in The Lancet.
Obesity and Acid Reflux Significantly Increase Risk of Developing Esophageal Cancer
(01/22/2008)
According to an article recently published in the journal Gut, individuals who are obese and have frequent symptoms of acid reflux have a significantly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer compared with the general population.
Meat Linked to Various Cancers
(12/13/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal, increased consumption of beef, pork, lamb, or processed meats such as bacon, sausage, or ham significantly increases the risk of developing several types of cancers.
Barrett’s Esophagus Increases Risk of Esophageal Cancer and Mortality
(10/22/2007)
According to an article recently published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, individuals with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) have an increased incidence of esophageal cancer and death from the disease. Patients with BE may benefit from screening for the early detection of esophageal cancer.
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Stages I-III
PET Imaging May Help Guide Treatment of Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
(09/21/2007)
According to the results of a study published in Lancet Oncology, use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to evaluate response to neoadjuvant (before surgery) chemotherapy may help guide treatment of patients with cancer of the lower part of the esophagus or the upper part of the stomach (adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction).
Updates in the Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Report from the 9th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer
(08/07/2007)
The 9th Annual World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer was held in Barcelona, Spain, June 28 through July 1, 2007 in association with the European Society of Medical Oncology. Perhaps the most important new data discussed was from the PACCE (Panitumumab Advanced Colorectal Cancer Evaluation) trial, which examined combined EGFR and VEGF blockade in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy plus Radiation Improves Survival in Esophageal Cancer
(03/07/2007)
According to an article recently published in Lancet Oncology, chemotherapy plus radiation therapy prior to surgery improves survival compared with surgery alone in patients with local esophageal cancer.
Erbitux® Combinations Evaluated in Rectal and Esophageal Cancer
(01/02/2007)
Two recent studies presented at the 2006 meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology (ASTRO) suggest that Erbitux® (cetuximab) can be safely added to combination chemotherapy regimens for rectal and esophageal cancer.
Higher Hospital Volume Linked with Better Survival After Gastrointestinal Surgery
(11/08/2006)
According to the results of a study conducted in Taiwan, patients with stomach, liver, colorectal, or esophageal cancers have better survival after surgery if the surgery is performed in a hospital that handles a greater number of these surgeries. These results were published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
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Stage IV/Recurrent
Xeloda® and Eloxatin® Evaluated in Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
(01/04/2008)
According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it may be possible to replace 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) with Xeloda® (capecitabine) and to replace cisplatin (Platinol®) with Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) in the treatment of advanced esophageal and gastric cancers.
Selected Subsets of Patients with Esophageal Cancer Respond to Iressa®
(04/11/2006)
Among patients with advanced esophageal cancer, treatment with Iressa® (gefitinib) produced better results in women, in patients with high expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and in patients with squamous cell cancer. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Advexin® Promising for Inoperable, Refractory Esophageal Cancer
(03/20/2006)
According to a press release by Introgen Therapeutics, Inc., the vaccine Advexin® appears promising as single-agent therapy in patients with inoperable esophageal that has stopped responding to standard therapies.
Improved Survival After Surgery for Esophageal Cancer
(11/28/2005)
Survival after surgery for esophageal cancer improved significantly between 1987 and 2000, according to the results of a study published in the journal Lancet Oncology.
Gemzar®/Cisplatin Appears Promising in Advanced Esophageal Cancer
(11/11/2005)
According to a recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer, the treatment combination consisting of chemotherapy agents Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and cisplatin (Platinol®) has significant anticancer activity in patients with advanced, inoperable esophageal cancer.
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