Good news for all nasal or nose cancer patients & survivors!
A team of researchers at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) has developed a new blood test that can detect traces of a virus associated with nose cancer. This test could allow for early detection of residual or recurrent nose cancer.
Read the news article below reproduced from SingHealth website.
New test helps detect nose cancer earlier
24 Jan 2017
A new blood test to detect traces of a virus associated with nose cancer has been developed by local researchers. And it could be in the clinic in just three months.
Doctors said it could allow for earlier detection of residual or recurrent nose cancer - the eighth most common and seventh most deadly cancer among Singapore men.
The test homes in on a DNA fragment of the Epstein-Barr virus, called BamHI-W, which is found in almost all patients with nose cancer, said Dr Tan Min-Han, Visiting Consultant at the Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), who led the development of the blood test.
"You can think of it as though you have a bowl of soup and you are picking out a specific ingredient," the senior principal investigator from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) added.
When it is detected, this indicates the possible presence of the cancer.
The blood test was used in a trial with 46 nose cancer patients at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, where it was able to detect the virus 89 per cent of the time.
It outperformed other blood tests used which had detection rates of 67 and 85 per cent. These tests pick out another gene of the Epstein-Barr virus called EBNA1.
A single cell in the Epstein-Barr virus has multiple copies of the BamHI-W but just one of the EBNA1, which makes BamHI-W easier to detect, making the new blood test more sensitive, said Ms Jess Vo, a lab officer involved in the research.
The results were published in the prestigious international journal Scientific Reports last month.
The technology was patented recently and is being commercialised.
The team anticipates that it could be available for use in clinics in three months.
Nose cancer is the most common head and neck cancer here, with between 350 and 400 cases diagnosed each year.
It mainly occurs in men aged from 35 to 55. It is difficult to detect because it has no obvious symptoms.
Patients usually see a doctor only when they get regular nosebleeds, and are often diagnosed when the cancer is at an advanced stage.
Dr Lim Chwee Ming, a consultant at the division of surgical oncology (head and neck surgery) at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said the amount of BamHI-W detected through the blood test after cancer treatment could help an oncologist decide if a patient needs additional chemotherapy after the main or initial treatment to kill any cancer cells that may be left behind.
The blood test could also be beneficial as a tool to screen people at high risk of developing nose cancer, such as those with a family history of the ailment, he added.
The IBN team plans to assess the effectiveness of the blood test as a screening tool in future studies.
Commenting on the effort, Dr Tan Wu Meng, a consultant at Parkway Cancer Centre, said: "This next-generation test provides another tool to estimate the prognosis of patients, and we look forward to further validation of the test in the months ahead."
Source: The Straits Times Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.
Showing posts with label recurrent cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recurrent cancer. Show all posts
Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Sunday, 4 September 2011
cancer recurrence : stories from NPC survivors
Relapse is the most fearful word for cancer survivors. To a cancer survivor, having cancer a 2nd or 3rd time can be devastating. Relapse can be harder to accept than the first time you were diagnosed. But when faced with a relapse, do not panic. Stay calm. There is hope even in relapse cases.
When cancer comes back, doctors call it a recurrence (or recurrent cancer). There are some things you need to know when cancer returns. The following 3 points are taken from the US National Cancer Institute website** :
• A recurrent cancer starts with cancer cells that the first treatment didn’t fully remove or destroy. Some may have been too small to be seen in follow-up. This doesn’t mean that the treatment you received was wrong. And it doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong either. It just means that a small number of cancer cells survived the treatment. These cells grew over time into tumours or cancer that your doctor can now detect.
• When cancer comes back, it doesn’t always show up in the same part of the body. For example, if you had colon cancer, it may come back in your liver. But the cancer is still called colon cancer. When the original cancer spreads to a new place, it is called a metastasis (pronounced “meh-TAS-tuh-sis”).
• It is possible to develop a completely new cancer that has nothing to do with your original cancer. But this doesn’t happen very often. Recurrences are more common.
Stories from 4 NPC survivors
What will you do when you learn that cancer has returned?
Four NPC survivors shared their experiences with cancer relapse at the recent NPC support group meeting. Although faced with a similar life-threatening situation, each of these survivors had chosen a different approach to dealing with cancer recurrence. Two of the survivors opted for conventional treatment while the other two opted for alternative treatment. For these 4 survivors, the relapse occurred within the first 5 years after their first treatment.
Below is their story. I have addressed each one of them by their surname to protect their identities. This write-up is based on my personal notes as I listened to their touching stories.
Mr NgHe was diagnosed in 2003 with Stage 2 NPC and suffered two relapses. The first relapse occurred in 2005 when cancer spread to the lymph nodes on his neck; he underwent surgery. The second relapse occurred in 2006 when cancer returned to the original site (nasopharynx); he underwent both radiotherapy & chemotherapy. His doctor had told him he had up to 6 months to live but he has survived to this day.
Based on his experience with relapse, he gave the following advice :
• Seek second opinion from another cancer expert
• Talk to others with similar experiences but make your own final decision
• Weigh the pros & cons when deciding on your option
• Find out the side effects & consequences to the treatment you have opted
• Whatever your choice, there is no such thing as a guaranteed cure
Mr Ng concluded with the following 3 A’s : Accept, Adapt, Adjust. Cancer requires a new way of life, so stop all unhealthy habits, take up healthy activities, switch to a healthier diet, relax & avoid stress. He emphasised that the mind played an important part, so stay positive & be happy.
Mr GohHe was diagnosed with NPC in 2000 and experienced a relapse in 2002 when he discovered a tumour on his neck. He discussed with his oncologist but turned down his doctor's recommendation of surgery & radiotherapy as he did not wish to suffer the side effects of conventional treatment. He opted for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) instead. He was surprised the tumour shrunk & disappeared. He survived 10 years but cancer returned again in Feb 2011. He again opted for TCM treatment.
Mr NgHe was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2008 at age 36 with tumour on the neck. After completing conventional treatment of RT & chemo, the tumour disappeared but cancer returned to the nose one year later in 2009. This time he chose to take natural herbs to heal his body. He believes that cancer survivors need to build up a strong immunity against cancer & he does this by including natural herbs in his daily diet such as wheatgrass, Sabah Snake Grass (SSG), fruit enzymes and other herbs.
Ms G
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2006 & underwent both surgery & RT. She suffered a relapse in 2011 when her CT scan showed a growth under her tongue. After discussing with her oncologist, she opted for RT & suffered side effects worse than the first. But she managed to go through the tough journey due to her belief in God, the support she received from her husband & a positive attitude to handling life crisis.
My story
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 NPC in 2006. One year after completing conventional treatment, the CT scan spotted a tiny nodule (2mm) on my right lung. The following year (2008), the nodule had not only increased its size to 6mm but two other tiny nodules of 2mm each were also spotted on the same lung. I considered all the options suggested by my oncologist & decided to have the tumour surgically removed. Biopsy later confirmed the tumour was malignant. Since then, I have been consciously modifying my diet & lifestyle by taking up qigong deep-breathing exercises & paying more attention to anticancer foods in my diet (please read my article : "Anticancer diet to help fight cancer").
ConclusionWhether one chooses the conventional or alternative treatment, there is no right or wrong approach to treating cancer. There is no guaranteed cure in cancer either. Do not believe anyone or any product or any treatment that promises or guarantees complete cure from cancer. Every NPC survivor who suffers a relapse will need to do some homework and consider wisely & carefully all available options before making the final decision.
(for more on cancer relapse, please read my other posting on 19 Jun 2010 - "Cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns")
_________________________________________________
References
** http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/when-cancer-returns/when-cancer-returns/page2)
When cancer comes back, doctors call it a recurrence (or recurrent cancer). There are some things you need to know when cancer returns. The following 3 points are taken from the US National Cancer Institute website** :
• A recurrent cancer starts with cancer cells that the first treatment didn’t fully remove or destroy. Some may have been too small to be seen in follow-up. This doesn’t mean that the treatment you received was wrong. And it doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong either. It just means that a small number of cancer cells survived the treatment. These cells grew over time into tumours or cancer that your doctor can now detect.
• When cancer comes back, it doesn’t always show up in the same part of the body. For example, if you had colon cancer, it may come back in your liver. But the cancer is still called colon cancer. When the original cancer spreads to a new place, it is called a metastasis (pronounced “meh-TAS-tuh-sis”).
• It is possible to develop a completely new cancer that has nothing to do with your original cancer. But this doesn’t happen very often. Recurrences are more common.
Stories from 4 NPC survivors
What will you do when you learn that cancer has returned?
Four NPC survivors shared their experiences with cancer relapse at the recent NPC support group meeting. Although faced with a similar life-threatening situation, each of these survivors had chosen a different approach to dealing with cancer recurrence. Two of the survivors opted for conventional treatment while the other two opted for alternative treatment. For these 4 survivors, the relapse occurred within the first 5 years after their first treatment.
Below is their story. I have addressed each one of them by their surname to protect their identities. This write-up is based on my personal notes as I listened to their touching stories.
Mr NgHe was diagnosed in 2003 with Stage 2 NPC and suffered two relapses. The first relapse occurred in 2005 when cancer spread to the lymph nodes on his neck; he underwent surgery. The second relapse occurred in 2006 when cancer returned to the original site (nasopharynx); he underwent both radiotherapy & chemotherapy. His doctor had told him he had up to 6 months to live but he has survived to this day.
Based on his experience with relapse, he gave the following advice :
• Seek second opinion from another cancer expert
• Talk to others with similar experiences but make your own final decision
• Weigh the pros & cons when deciding on your option
• Find out the side effects & consequences to the treatment you have opted
• Whatever your choice, there is no such thing as a guaranteed cure
Mr Ng concluded with the following 3 A’s : Accept, Adapt, Adjust. Cancer requires a new way of life, so stop all unhealthy habits, take up healthy activities, switch to a healthier diet, relax & avoid stress. He emphasised that the mind played an important part, so stay positive & be happy.
Mr GohHe was diagnosed with NPC in 2000 and experienced a relapse in 2002 when he discovered a tumour on his neck. He discussed with his oncologist but turned down his doctor's recommendation of surgery & radiotherapy as he did not wish to suffer the side effects of conventional treatment. He opted for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) instead. He was surprised the tumour shrunk & disappeared. He survived 10 years but cancer returned again in Feb 2011. He again opted for TCM treatment.
Mr NgHe was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2008 at age 36 with tumour on the neck. After completing conventional treatment of RT & chemo, the tumour disappeared but cancer returned to the nose one year later in 2009. This time he chose to take natural herbs to heal his body. He believes that cancer survivors need to build up a strong immunity against cancer & he does this by including natural herbs in his daily diet such as wheatgrass, Sabah Snake Grass (SSG), fruit enzymes and other herbs.
Ms G
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2006 & underwent both surgery & RT. She suffered a relapse in 2011 when her CT scan showed a growth under her tongue. After discussing with her oncologist, she opted for RT & suffered side effects worse than the first. But she managed to go through the tough journey due to her belief in God, the support she received from her husband & a positive attitude to handling life crisis.
My story
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 NPC in 2006. One year after completing conventional treatment, the CT scan spotted a tiny nodule (2mm) on my right lung. The following year (2008), the nodule had not only increased its size to 6mm but two other tiny nodules of 2mm each were also spotted on the same lung. I considered all the options suggested by my oncologist & decided to have the tumour surgically removed. Biopsy later confirmed the tumour was malignant. Since then, I have been consciously modifying my diet & lifestyle by taking up qigong deep-breathing exercises & paying more attention to anticancer foods in my diet (please read my article : "Anticancer diet to help fight cancer").
ConclusionWhether one chooses the conventional or alternative treatment, there is no right or wrong approach to treating cancer. There is no guaranteed cure in cancer either. Do not believe anyone or any product or any treatment that promises or guarantees complete cure from cancer. Every NPC survivor who suffers a relapse will need to do some homework and consider wisely & carefully all available options before making the final decision.
(for more on cancer relapse, please read my other posting on 19 Jun 2010 - "Cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns")
_________________________________________________
References
** http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/when-cancer-returns/when-cancer-returns/page2)
Saturday, 19 June 2010
cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns
"Your cancer has returned. Cancer may have spread to your lung." To cancer survivors, this is probably the most devastating news. And it happened to me less than 2 years after my first cancer diagnosis.
Cancer recurrence or relapse is something that most cancer survivors hope would never happen to them. After the end of cancer treatment, no survivor would wish to go through the agony of cancer again. The second time can be more distressing than the first. But when cancer returns, what should you do?
My experience with cancer recurrence
2006 - diagnosed with Stage 2 nasopharyngeal cancer, underwent radiotherapy
2007 - CT scan picked up tiny nodules on right lung, metastasis suspected
2008 - underwent lung resection (keyhole surgery) to remove 3 malignant nodules
2010 - CT scan showed no tumour in lungs & other parts of body
What is cancer recurrence? (source : http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
When cancer returns after a period of remission, it's considered a recurrence. A cancer recurrence happens because, in spite of the best efforts to rid you of your cancer, some cells from your cancer were left behind. These cells could be in the same place where your cancer first originated, or they could be in another part of your body. These cancer cells may have been dormant for a period of time, but eventually they continued to multiply, resulting in the reappearance of the cancer.
A cancer recurrence means it's the same cancer coming back after some period of time. In rare cases you may be diagnosed with a new cancer that's completely unrelated to your first cancer. This is referred to as a second primary cancer.
Why does cancer recur? **
2007 - CT scan picked up tiny nodules on right lung, metastasis suspected
2008 - underwent lung resection (keyhole surgery) to remove 3 malignant nodules
2010 - CT scan showed no tumour in lungs & other parts of body
What is cancer recurrence? (source : http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
When cancer returns after a period of remission, it's considered a recurrence. A cancer recurrence happens because, in spite of the best efforts to rid you of your cancer, some cells from your cancer were left behind. These cells could be in the same place where your cancer first originated, or they could be in another part of your body. These cancer cells may have been dormant for a period of time, but eventually they continued to multiply, resulting in the reappearance of the cancer.
A cancer recurrence means it's the same cancer coming back after some period of time. In rare cases you may be diagnosed with a new cancer that's completely unrelated to your first cancer. This is referred to as a second primary cancer.
Why does cancer recur? **
- tumour too big
- tumour cells resistant
- geographic miss
- cancer already spread at time of diagnosis (but too small to be picked up)
Where does cancer recur? (source : http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
Your cancer can recur in the same place it was originally located, or it can migrate to other parts of your body. Recurrence is divided into three categories:
Your cancer can recur in the same place it was originally located, or it can migrate to other parts of your body. Recurrence is divided into three categories:
- Local recurrence. This means the cancer reappears in the same place it was first found, or very close by. The cancer hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
- Regional recurrence. A regional recurrence occurs in the lymph nodes and tissue located in the vicinity of your original cancer.
- Distant recurrence. This refers to cancer that has spread (metastasized) to areas farther away from where your cancer was first located.
Where your cancer recurs depends on your original cancer type and stage. Some cancer types commonly recur in specific areas. For recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), the common sites of relapse are ** :
- nasopharynx
- neck
- distant sites (esp lung, liver & bones)
- combinations of above
- Through tissue. Cancer invades the surrounding normal tissue.
- Through the lymph system. Cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph vessels to other places in the body.
- Through the blood. Cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other places in the body.
When cancer cells break away from the primary (original) tumor and travel through the lymph or blood to other places in the body, another (secondary) tumor may form. This process is called metastasis. The secondary (metastatic) tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells in the bones are actually breast cancer cells. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.
Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) (source : http://www.cancer.gov/)
Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the nasopharynx or in other parts of the body.
Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the nasopharynx or in other parts of the body.
Treatment options for recurrent NPC (source : http://www.cancer.net/)
Recurrent NPC is treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or in some instances, surgery. Chemotherapy is used for people whose cancer has recurred in distant sites and who were previously treated with radiation therapy only. Chemotherapy may also be used together with radiation therapy (chemoradiotherapy) to improve the effectiveness of the radiation therapy. In addition, a clinical trial of biologic therapy may be an option.
Recurrent NPC is treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or in some instances, surgery. Chemotherapy is used for people whose cancer has recurred in distant sites and who were previously treated with radiation therapy only. Chemotherapy may also be used together with radiation therapy (chemoradiotherapy) to improve the effectiveness of the radiation therapy. In addition, a clinical trial of biologic therapy may be an option.
The following factors may influence the treatment options **:
- disease-free duration - if less than one year, usually no radiotherapy
- extent of recurrence - if too large, radiotherapy is not feasible
- number of previous radiotherapy - not more than 2 courses of RT can be given per patient's lifetime
NPC metastases **
- affect 30% or more of NPC survivors
- bone is most frequent site, followed by lung & liver
- most appear within 18 months of first cancer diagnosis
- usually treated with chemotherapy
- cure & long-term survival possible in some cases
References
** Notes taken from a talk presented by Dr T Tan at NPC support group in Apr 2009 on "Management of NPC Recurrence".
MayoClinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer/CA00050
National Cancer Institite, USA
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/nasopharyngeal/Patient/page2
American Society of Clinical Oncology
http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Nasopharyngeal+Cancer
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