Radiation Reduces Risk of Second Laryngeal Cancer
Researchers at Loyola University Medical Center have completed the only study of its kind comparing the effectiveness of radiation versus surgery in treating patients with early larynx cancer.
Loyola’s investigation, which included over 3800 patients, concluded that long term cure rates were equivalent using both therapies but, radiation treatment significantly reduced the risk of developing a second laryngeal cancer later on.
The scientists attribute the difference in recurrence rates to a new concept which Dr Gopal Sachdeva, the study’s lead investigator, is referring to as “field sterilization.” As he explained,
“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, radiation likely eliminates microscopic areas of precancerous changes in the field that if left untreated can progress to new second cancers.”
Gopal Sachdeva, MD
Radiation Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center
Dr Sachdeva is currently conducting other studies on second cancers in cancer survivors. As a group, second cancers are now the sixth most common cancer in the United States after skin, prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancers. Statistics indicate more than 10 percent of the 10.5 million cancer survivors alive today will develop a second cancer during their lifetime.
Findings from the study were presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Source: oralcancerfoundation.org
Related Links: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center; Mouth Cancer Foundation (UK); Medical News TODAY; UCSD
Related Video: Endoscopic Partial Laryngectomy by Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center from OR-Live.com
Related Audio: Local Research from ASTRO Convention (Sachdeva) from Radio News Source by News Generation, Inc
Tags: throat cancer; laryngectomy; Illinois; Los Angeles Convention Center
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