Pancreatic Cancer Patients Find Promising Treatment That Diminishes Tumor Size
Copyright (c) 2009 Katie Kelley
Recent news reports have provided much acclaim to a "groundbreaking medical trial" from the University of Colorado Hospital, which has allegedly discovered a method of treatment that would "shrink the tumor with very concentrated, very localized medication" for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer.
The therapy uses a combination of tumor necrosis factor and Imaged Guided Radiation Therapy technology, which is being administered by physicians. According to the 7 Denver News reports, the therapy operates in two phases with the first beginning as "doctors use an endoscope through the mouth to the stomach to deliver the drug and inject it directly into the tumor'. In the second phase, the tumor, which is now drug-filled, is subject to a daily blast of radiation, which attempts to stimulate the drug until the tumor begins to break down.
As the trial continues, researchers involved have already determined that "patients with the standard treatment survive about eight-and-a-half months and that patients with this new treatment live about eleven-and-a-half months."
Pancreatic Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Pancreatic cancer occurs when cancerous cells "begin in the ducts of the pancreas, but they sometimes develop from the cells of that make the pancreatic enzymes," according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The Mayo Clinic also explained that there are several signs and symptoms of the pancreatic cancer including the following:
* loss of appetite
* depression
* weight loss
* yellowing of the skin
* yellowing of the whites of the eyes
* upper abdominal pain
There are a number of reasons that pancreatic cancer can occur, however, one of the most recent risks is that of Byetta consumption. Byetta is a type 2 diabetes drug that is prescribed to patients as an injectable form of insulin to regulate glucose levels in individuals. Both Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company collaborated on the drug, which was released in 2005. Recently, the drug was linked to the onset of pancreatitis, which can develop into pancreatic cancer if left untreated.
In 2008, approximately six patients were hospitalized for their Byetta-induced side effects of acute pancreatitis. Of the six patients, two resulted in fatality. Patients who have experienced the Byetta dangers are advised to discuss their case with a pharmaceutical attorney who can offer a free legal consultation as to the development of a Byetta class action lawsuit, which may result in the reward of monetary funds for a Byetta patient. By contacting a professional attorney an individual increases the protection of themselves and their family members.
About the Author:
To learn more about the dangers associated with the Byetta side effects, individuals can visit either http://byetta.legalview.info or http://www.LegalView.info/ . Additional legal information can be obtained on an array of topics ranging from the latest mesothelioma treatments to the recent peanut butter recall poisonings.
One Response
-
I'm rarely interested in reading articles online as I find them boring, but this article is unique. I respect your dedication to research and writing for this wonderfully interesting article.