Henry Ford News Feed - Hematology- Oncology (Cancer)

STATEMENT: Breast Cancer Screening

MEDIA CONTACT:
Krista Hopson
khopson1@hfhs.org

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL STATEMENT: Breast Cancer Screening

Henry Ford Health System believes that breast cancer screening, as a means of early cancer detection, is vital to successful treatment outcomes.

We will continue to offer annual mammograms to women over the age of 40, as recommended by the American Cancer Society and several national radiology organizations.

We believe that it is important to provide women starting at age 40 with the opportunity to have a mammogram on a yearly basis for the early detection of cancer, regardless of family history. Breast self exams also are very important in the early detection of cancer, and we recommend that women continue to do regular self breast exams, regardless of their age.

Therefore, at this time we do not plan to change our breast cancer screening practices based on the U.S. Preventative Services Task Forces' recently released breast cancer screening guidelines.

Our physicians will continue to provide patients with all available information about screening options and recommendations, to allow them to make informed decisions about their care.

Drug Used for Neuropathic Pain Relieves Discomfort from Abdominal Adhesions

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009
Maria Seyrig
(313) 874-4039
mseyrig1@hfhs.org

Henry Ford Hospital Study: Drug Used for Neuropathic Pain Relieves Discomfort from Abdominal Adhesions

DETROIT - Pregabalin, FDA-approved for neuropathic pain (pain caused by shingles and peripheral neuropathy), effectively reduced abdominal pain and improved sleep in women with adhesions, according to a Henry Ford study.

Adhesion pain, a common complication after abdominal or pelvic surgery, currently lacks effective therapy. Adhesions can also form after infections in the bowel such as diverticulitis.

"Many patients in the study went from debilitating pain to complete resolution of pain on pregabalin," says Ann Silverman, M.D., senior staff gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital and lead author of the study.

Study results will be presented Oct. 26 at the American College of Gastroenterology's Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego.

"Aside from the use of analgesics, additional surgery is the only treatment option for abdominal pain from adhesions but repeat surgery can lead to more adhesions," says Dr. Silverman.

The estimates of abdominal adhesion formation following surgery have been found to be as high as 100 percent in certain studies. Surgery is only recommended for bowel obstruction.

The randomized Henry Ford study looked at 18 women who received the drug or a look-alike placebo. All patients had previous abdominal surgery and were similar in age. The first eight weeks was a randomized placebo controlled trial of pregabalin followed by a four-week open label study in which all patients received the active study drug.

The primary objective was to demonstrate a significant reduction in pain scores.

The pain score result from the blinded phase indicated that the amount of decrease was significantly greater in the drug group (p-value = 0.024) compared with those on placebo, while the pain score resulted from the open label setting indicated that the amount of decrease was significantly greater in the placebo group (p-value = 0.043). This would be expected since those on active drug continued to take active drug and patients who had received the look-alike placebo received the active drug only during this phase of the study.

Funding: Pfizer

Henry Ford Hospital Offers Free Prostate Cancer Screenings

Sept. 16, 2009
Dwight Angell
(313) 876-8709

Henry Ford Hospital Offers Free Prostate Cancer Screenings

DETROIT - Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death in men.

But research shows that men who have their cancer detected early through an annual screening have higher survival rates.

The Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Hospital will offer free prostate cancer screenings during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September. Men ages 50 and older should be tested annually for prostate cancer.

The screening will consist of a PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam.

Henry Ford will hold free screenings 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Blvd.

Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call (313) 916.2062.

Study: Why Some Prostate Cancer Returns

May 27, 2009

CONTACT: Krista Hopson
khopson1@hfhs.org

Study: Why Some Prostate Cancer Returns

ORLANDO - The majority of men who receive one of the standard treatments for localized prostate cancer - surgery or radiation therapy - have an excellent outcome.

But for the small group whose prostate cancer returns, a new study offers insight as to why treatment isn't effective.

The study - a collaboration between researchers at the Josephine Ford Cancer Center at Henry Ford Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center - shows that men with a low oxygen supply to their tumor have a higher chance of the prostate cancer returning, as found by increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels following treatment.

"After several years of research, we were able to show that low levels of oxygen to the tumor are highly related to a patient's outcome. Those with lower oxygen levels to the prostate cancer did not respond as well to radiation therapy, and the cancer returned more often," says Benjamin Movsas, M.D., senior study author and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital. Moreover, recent studies suggest the same finding also appears to apply to patients treated with surgery.

Results from the study will be presented May 31 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Orlando.

Prostate cancer affects one in six men in the United States, but according to the American Cancer Society only one in 35 will die of it. The majority of all prostate cancer are diagnosed in men older than 65.

According to Dr. Movsas, oxygen being delivered to a tumor is critical to the treatment for many cancers. Radiation therapy, for example, creates free radicals that damage DNA in tumors, and oxygen acts as the mediator that perpetuates the free radicals.

That's why Dr. Movsas began his work nearly a decade ago to investigate low oxygen levels - also known as tumor hypoxia - in prostate cancer tumors while working at Fox Chase.

To measure the amount of oxygen being delivered to the tumors and surrounding areas, Dr. Movsas and his colleagues at Fox Chase used custom-made oxygen probes to test 57 patients with low or immediate risk of cancer prior to radiation therapy. The probe was used prior to "radioactive seeds" which were implanted in the prostate.

Dr. Movsas' initial research found that it is possible for prostate cancer tumors to have low oxygen levels. The next step was for the team to track the long-term correlation between low oxygen levels and PSA levels following treatment.

These new findings, being presented at ASCO, ultimately reveal that a tumor's oxygen supply can significantly predict a patient's outcome following treatment, independent from tumor stage or Gleason score, a classification of the grade of prostate cancer. Of the 57 patients, the study found that eight experienced an increase in their PSA levels about eight years following treatment.

"By identifying patients at risk with low oxygen levels in prostate tumors, we're now able to build on this research and begin to explore novel treatment options for this small subset of patients. It's possible we'll find that these patients will do best with a combination of radiation therapy and other novel approaches, such as angiogenesis therapy (targeting blood vessels) or possibly even gene therapy. That's where our research is taking us next," says Dr. Movsas. "Non-invasive methods to detect oxygen levels in tumors are also very important."

Reference: "Hypoxic Prostate/Muscle pO2 (P/M pO2) Ratio Predicts for Biochemical Failure in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer: Long-term Result." Abstract # 5136. ASCO 2009.

Henry Ford Offers Experts to Discuss Anal, Colon Cancer

May 13, 2009

Krista Hopson, khopson1@hfhs.org
Maria Seyrig, mseyrig1@hfhs.org

Henry Ford Offers Experts to Discuss Anal, Colon Cancer

DETROIT - Actress Farrah Fawcett will give viewers a glimpse inside her 2 ½-year battle with anal cancer on Friday during the NBC two-hour documentary entitled "Farrah's Story."

Since anal cancer is not as well known - or understood - by the public as other cancers such as breast or prostate, many viewers may be left with questions following the TV special about prevention, risk factors, diagnosis and available treatments.

To help answer many of those questions, Henry Ford Hospital has several medical experts available to discuss anal and colon cancer:

Eric Szilagy, M.D., is the chief of colon and rectal surgery for Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Szilagy is an expert on colon and rectal surgery, with clinical and special medical experience in laparoscopic colon surgery, inflammatory bowel disease and colon and rectal cancer. He is also involved in research. Dr. Szligay can discuss anal and colon cancer prevention, diagnosis, risk factors and treatments.
Ira S. Wollner, M.D., senior staff physician with the Josephine Ford Cancer Center at Henry Ford Hospital, specializes in gastrointestinal oncology, which includes tumors along the GI tract - esophagus, stomach, intestines and colon. Dr. Wollner can discuss GI cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Munther I. Ajlouni, M.D., senior staff physician with the Josephine Ford Cancer Center at Henry Ford Hospital, specializes in radiation oncology. Radiation therapy is one of several treatment options available to patients with colorectal cancer. Dr. Ajlouni can discuss which patients are the best candidates for radiation therapy, as well as how radiation therapy works and how it is often used in conjunction with other treatment options, including surgery.
Ali Nawras, M.D., is the chief of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Services at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Nawras can discuss how colonoscopy can provide a cure before cancer even starts, as well as what is involved with the procedure and its benefits.

Facts about anal cancer

Anal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the anus, the opening of the rectum at the end of the large intestines.
The National Cancer Institutes estimates that in 2008, 5,070 new cases of anal cancer were diagnosed, and 680 people died from the disease.
Being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) can affect the risk of developing anal cancer.
Other risk factors include: Being over 50 years old; having many sexual partners; having receptive anal intercourse; having anal fistulas (abnormal openings); and smoking cigarettes.
Possible signs of anal cancer include bleeding from the anus or rectum or a lump near the anus.Treatment options vary based on the stage of the cancer; where the tumor is in the anus; if the patient has HPV; whether cancer remains after initial treatment or has recurred.

Facts about colon cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer because if it is found early through screening tests, it can be stopped before it has even begun.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that this year alone, 149,000 new cases of colon and rectal cancer will be diagnosed and nearly 50,000 people will die from the disease.
Colon cancer affects men and women equally but African-Americans are diagnosed with and die from the disease at higher rates than any other U.S. racial or ethnic group.
90 percent of colon cancer occurs in people over age 50.
Certain individuals, however, may be a candidate for the procedure before age 50, such as those with a family history of colon cancer with an immediate family member, or individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or those with a history of specific genetic disorders.
The good news is that in the past 15 years, there has been a significant drop in colon cancer and that drop can be attributed to the colonoscopy
During a colonoscopy, a physician uses a very thin, flexible, hollow tube with a light and a very small camera to look for any polyps or signs of cancer inside the colon. Polyps are abnormal growths found in the wall of the colon that sometimes become cancerous.

Surgery Improves Survival for Prostate Cancer

May 11 2009
Dwight Angell
(313) 876-8709
Dwight.angell@hfhs.org

Surgery Improves Survival for Prostate Cancer Patients Younger Than 50

CHICAGO - For men younger than 50 with prostate cancer, undergoing a radical prostatectomy can greatly increase their chances for long-term survival, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital.

Results from the study done on the National SEER database show that the surgical procedure improves the 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year survival for younger patients, when compared with other standard treatments such as radiotherapy or watchful waiting.

"When given the choice between surgery, watchful waiting or external beam radiotherapy, patients younger than 50 with moderately and poorly differentiated prostate cancers have better long-term overall and cancer-specific survival when they opt for surgery," says study author Naveen Pokala, M.D., an urologist with Henry Ford Hospital.

Based on findings from the study, Dr. Pokala and co-author Mani Menon, M.D., director of Henry Ford's Vattikuti Urology Institute, strongly recommend retropubic radical prostatectomy - a surgical procedure that removes the entire prostate gland plus some of the tissue around it - as the treatment of choice for prostate cancer patients under the age of 50.

Prostate cancer affects one in six men in the United States during his lifetime, but according to the American Cancer Society only one in 35 will die of it.

Although the majority of all prostate cancer are diagnosed in men older than 65, its prevalence is growing among men younger than 50. In fact, about one in 10,000 men under the age of 40 will be diagnosed this year with prostate cancer.

To determine which treatment option offers the best chance for long-term survival for younger prostate cancer patients, Pokala and Menon studied more than 8,200 men under age 50 with prostate cancer.

Among the study group, 73 percent were white and about 22 percent were black. The mean age was 46, and over 70 percent had moderately and 22 percent had poorly differentiated cancers. Of the patients, 1,065 were managed with no definitive treatment (watchful waiting); 6,614 (79.9 percent) with radical retropubic prostatectomy; and 600 with external beam radiotherapy.

The cancer-specific survival in the NDT group was 78 percent at 16 years, in the radiation group was 63 percent at 17 years and 94 percent in the radical prostatectomy at 21 years. On a subset analysis the outcome was significantly better after radical prostatectomy in patients with moderately and poorly differentiated prostate cancer.

Overall, the study shows the 5-year, 10-year, 15-year and 20-year overall survival and cancer specific survival is significantly increased in patients who were less than 50 years of age with moderately and poorly differentiated cancers in the surgery group.

The results were presented at the recent American Urological Association's annual meeting in Chicago.

Henry Ford Hospital Offers New Device to Track Radiation

March 30, 2009
Krista Hopson, khopson1@hfhs.org
David Olejarz, dolejar1@hfhs.org
Maria Seyrig, mseyrig1@hfhs.org
(313) 876-2882

Henry Ford Hospital Offers New Device That Tracks Radiation

DETROIT - A new sensor device allowing doctors to receive data on the precise amount of radiation being delivered to tumors and surrounding tissue is now being offered at Henry Ford Hospital. Henry Ford is the first in Michigan providing the technology called DVS® (Dose Verification System).

The device is as small as the length of a dime and can be inserted inside the patient in less than 15 minutes. After each radiation treatment, the DVS provides the physician with a measurement of the actual amount of radiation hitting the target, the malignant tumor. This allows the physician to make any necessary adjustments to the prescribed dose during the radiation therapy treatment course, making it more precise. The DVS sensor wirelessly transmits data to the physician immediately following each radiation treatment.

Increasing cancer cure rates and decreasing complications associated with radiation therapy are the goals physicians strive for when treating their patients. DVS is the first wireless, implantable radiation sensor available in the U.S. to assist physicians in obtaining these goals. The sensor provides data on the precise amount of radiation being delivered to the tumor and surrounding normal tissue.

"Patients with cancer are well educated and often spend considerable amounts of time researching new treatment options to help them in their battle with cancer. They also place tremendous value on being treated with the most updated technologies. We are excited to be the first facility in Michigan to offer this technology to patients with prostate or breast cancer," says Benjamin Movsas, M.D., chairman of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital.
"Traditional radiation therapies rely on knowing the exact location of the tumor, but provide no guidance on quantifying the actual dose being delivered to the tumor. DVS® provides an unprecedented level of precision to physicians and added reassurance to breast and prostate cancer patients," he adds.

Developed by Sicel Technologies, Inc., the DVS® sensors are implanted during a minimally invasive procedure and gather data on the amount of radiation being delivered to the tumor and normal tissue. Wireless technology transmits the radiation dose information to a hand-held monitor during each of the daily treatments, enabling doctors to verify that the patient is receiving the prescribed dose. If a dose deviation is detected, the treatment plan can be modified and corrected for each individual patient. Accurate delivery of the appropriate dose of radiation is critical for tumor control and cure.

"Henry Ford Hospital is committed to bringing patients innovative new technologies that can have a positive effect on their end results. We provide many options to our patients and are now screening prostate and breast cancer patients to receive this breakthrough technology," says Indrin Chetty, Ph.D., director of Radiation Physics at Henry Ford Hospital.

For further information on cancer services provided by Josephine Ford Cancer Center at Henry Ford Hospital call 1-888-734-JFCC (5322) or visit http://www.henryford.com/.

Henry Ford Surgeon Discuss Cancer - Psychology Links

Jan. 8, 2009
CONTACT: Zoila Brown
zbrown1@hfhs.org

Henry Ford Surgeon Discuss Cancer - Psychology Links

WEST BLOOMFIELD - Does stress cause cancer? Is there a link between personality and cancer? Do hope and faith help cure cancer?

Join S. David Nathanson, M.D., director of Breast Care Services at Henry Ford Health System for a free lecture in which he will discuss the latest research related to myths and reality of the links between psychology and cancer.

The event sponsored, by Temple Shir Shalom, will be held at 7:30 p.m Thursday, Jan. 22. at The Corners, 2075 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield.

For further information contact Michael Abramsky Ph.D., (248) 644-7398.

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Gender is Key Factor in Lung Cancer Survival

Nov. 21, 2008

CONTACT: Zoila Brown

Zbrown1@hfhs.org

(313) 282-9370

DETROIT - Gender is the most significant factor impacting overall survival from lung cancer according to a study presented by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital and four other centers.

"Our study corroborates the fact that gender plays an important role as a prognostic factor in people diagnosed with lung cancer," said Benjamin Movsas, M.D., lead author of the study and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital.

The results of the study showed that males diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer had a 1.23 times higher mortality rate than females but that race and marital status did not significantly affect the patients' outcomes.

"This underscores the importance of studying this disease entity in light of the fact that women diagnosed with lung cancer tend to have a better outcome in terms of survival."

In 2008 approximately 215,020 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 161,840 people will die from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group in Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and Emory University in Atlanta studied 1,365 lung cancer patients to determine the impact of sociodemographic factors such as gender, race and/or marital status on overall survival.

The study was recently presented at the 2008 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology and was part of a national radiation therapy oncology group analysis.

Henry Ford Hospital Hemophilia Partnership Brings Visitors from India

Oct. 29, 2008

CONTACT: Zoila Brown Zbrown1@hfhs.org

Henry Ford Hospital Hemophilia Partnership Brings Visitors from India

DETROIT – In a unique partnership, the Henry Ford Hemophilia Treatment Center is collaborating with a treatment center in India to improve hemophilia, an inherited bleeding disorder in both countries.

The Twinning Program approved by the World Federation of Hemophilia is the only program of its kind in Michigan, which pairs developed countries with underdeveloped countries to work together with shared goals and improve hemophilia care in both countries. Health care professionals from Karnataka Hemophilia Treatment Center will be visiting Henry Ford Hospital Nov. 5-11 as part of the partnership to improve collaboration and learn about the latest treatment options for the disorder.

Henry Ford and Karnataka are believed to be the first centers to initiate a partnership with information technology where real time web links are being set up to provide medical consultations from both groups including participation in conferences to better communicate treatment options for hemophilia. The project is expected to be completed in the next few months.

“Henry Ford has also provided factor products to treat hemophilia patients in India because that resource is not readily available to patients there,” says Angela Lambing, M.S.N., coordinator of the Henry Ford Hemophilia Treatment Center.

One of the first collaborative research projects involved with both countries involves the use of acupuncture to manage pain associated with hemophiliacs. Managing daily pain is a challenge for many older hemophiliacs due to chronic end stage arthritis caused by bleeding in the joints. Medication to ease pain includes over-the-counter medication, and prescription analgesics containing codeine, opioid or morphine-based medications. The purpose of the study is to look at non-medication strategies to effectively deal with chronic pain; reduce chronic pain evidenced by a reduction of opioid use; improve quality of life due to improved pain control and confirm the minimal incidence of bleeding complication with the use of acupuncture needles in this population.

The two-center comparative study between Henry Ford and the Karnataka Hemophilia Treatment Center in India is one of several collaborative examples that may help in improving treatment options throughout the world. "Such an endeavor is indeed a two way process, with our counterparts in India gaining from our expertise and technological advancements, whilst we get to see first hand what's accomplishable with limited resources at hand, a particularly important aspect, especially in times of economic challenges," says Philip Kuriakose, M.D., medical director, Henry Ford Hemophilia Treatment Center.

The visit from colleagues in India will include a tour of Henry Ford Hospital as well as opportunities to talk to health care professionals about the challenges and opportunities for the latest treatment options to better treat the disorder. For further information about the acupuncture study or hemophilia treatment options at Henry Ford Hospital call Angela Lambing at (313)-916-9094 or email her at alambin1@hfhs.org.