Oral bisphosphonates—drugs commonly used to prevent or treat osteoporosis—do not appear to increase the risk of esophageal cancer. These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Osteoporosis—a condition characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone structure—affects... Continue Reading

Among patients with cancer of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction, treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy prior to surgery resulted in better overall survival than surgery alone. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society... Continue Reading

High levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream do not appear to reduce the risk of seven less common cancers: endometrial, esophageal, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In fact, there was a suggestion that people with the highest vitamin D levels may have an increased risk... Continue Reading

A substantial number of patients with metastatic cancer may suffer from depression which tends to persist and grow more severe toward the end of life, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] While cancer and other serious illnesses are risk factors... Continue Reading

According to estimates from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), excess body weight may be responsible for more than 100,000 new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States. Excess body weight is increasingly recognized as a risk factor not only for cancer development but also for worse... Continue Reading

Among patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma that involves only the innermost lining (mucosa) of the esophagus, treatment to remove just the cancer appears to result in similar overall survival as treatment that removes the entire esophagus. These results were published in Gastroenterology. The esophagus... Continue Reading

Compared with meat eaters, vegetarians and those who eat fish but not meat appear to have a lower risk of several types of cancer. The results of this study were published in the British Journal of Cancer. Studies have suggested that consumption of red or processed meat may increase the risk of several... Continue Reading

Individuals who drink scalding hot tea may have as much as eight times the risk of developing esophageal cancer compared with individuals who consume their tea warm or lukewarm. The results of this study were published in the British Medical Journal.[1] The esophagus is a tube that carries food from... Continue Reading

Results from a recent study indicate that the addition of the drug cisplatin (Platinol®) did not improve response rates, survival rates, or progression-free survival for patients with gatric cancer. These findings were published in The Annals of Oncology. Gastric cancer forms in the tissues and lining... Continue Reading

Researchers recommend that at least 15 lymph nodes be removed and examined in patients with early gastric or pancreatic cancers. These results were recently published in the Archives of Surgery. For accurate staging, or determination of extent of spread of gastric and pancreatic cancers, surgeons remove... Continue Reading

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. The esophagus is the tube through which food and liquid travel... Continue Reading

Excess bodyweight increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, according to results recently published in The Lancet. It is estimated that in the United States, one out of every two males and one out of every three females will be diagnosed with cancer in his or her lifetime. Because of... Continue Reading