Learning more about prostate cancer is the goal of a new research project announced Tuesday that aims to map the genetic structure of the disease. It's hoped the $20-million endeavour will provide new information that could improve diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. About 24,600 new cases are diagnosed in Canada each year, and the disease killed an estimated 4,300 men last year. The project, announced by the International Cancer Genome Consortium, will be called the Canadian Prostate Cancer Genome Network. Known as CPC GENE, it will try to crack the prostate cancer genetic code by identifying changes or mutations in the DNA sequences of prostate cancers. Prostate Cancer Canada will provide up to $15 million in funding, and $5 million will come from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. "I lost my father at age 63 to prostate cancer and too many of my friends struggle with this illness," Glen Murray, Ontario's minister of research and innovation, said in a statement. "Our government is making this investment to hasten the day when we can talk about prostate cancer in the past tense." Dr. Tom Hudson, president and scientific director of the Institute for Cancer Research, said it's hoped that within five years, gene-based diagnoses will help doctors figure out which patients need intensive therapies and which ones benefit from the monitoring process known as watchful waiting. The project will be led by Dr. Robert Bristow, a senior scientist at the Ontario Cancer Institute. It will involve researchers working in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Kingston and Montreal.
How is Mesothelioma Treated?
Dr. Case discusses treatment options for mesothelioma lung cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. click on the link to play the youtube video
There are different kinds of asbestos. The most common forms are:
In the United States, chrysotile has been the most commonly used type of asbestos. Chrysotile was often present in a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to:
Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
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Cancer therapies can be highly individualized – your treatment may differ from what is described below.
Surgery
- Some patients may be considered for the surgical removal of the lining or part of an organ.
- Surgery needs to be performed by very experienced surgeons.
- If surgery is considered, it is typically combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
- Often, surgery is not an option because of the local extent of the cancer or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Radiation
- Radiation therapy does not have the power to cure mesothelioma but it may be used to control symptoms.
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy is routinely considered in those fit enough to receive treatment.
- Up to forty percent of patients may have a temporary shrinkage of the tumour with currently available drugs.
General Support and Symptom Control
- Prescription drugs can control pain that is associated with mesothelioma.
- Fluid build up (pleural effusions) can be treated by surgery that removes the fluid. This enables the lung to re-expand and improves breathlessness.
- Some patients with mesothelioma may have very slow growing tumours. If the patient does not have symptoms, regular chest X-rays without specific therapy will track the tumour’s growth.
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