More than a million suffer chronic fatigue
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Chronic fatigue syndrome, once thought by some doctors to be a psychological problem or even an excuse for malingerers, is a real disease that affects more than a million Americans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.
Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease are important for recovery—even though it is not clear what the best treatments are, CDC officials told a news conference.
“CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) is a terrible illness that prevents many people from taking part in everyday activities and participating in the things they enjoy,” CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding said.
Prostate cancer less likely to spread when treated with higher dose of radiation
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New research suggests that men with prostate cancer who choose radiation therapy should seek treatment centers that will offer high-dose radiation. A new study from Fox Chase Cancer Center finds that higher doses of 74 to 82 Gray (Gy) greatly reduce the risk that the cancer will spread later—even 8-10 years after treatment. The results of the study were presented today at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology in Philadelphia.
“There is a comprehensive body of evidence demonstrating that prostate cancer treated with higher doses of radiation is less likely to grow back in the prostate or cause a rising PSA, and now, we know it is also less likely to spread later to other parts of the body,” explained Peter Morgan, M.D., a resident in the Radiation Oncology Department at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Additional hormone therapy use after radiation for some prostate cancers extends survival
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The largest study examining the benefits of long-term use of hormone therapy after radiation treatment for prostate cancer shows men with aggressive locally advanced disease live longer if hormones are used for an additional 24 months. Research also showed other significant benefits for those with less aggressive cancers who receive hormones. The study results were presented today at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology in Philadelphia.
The study, sponsored by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG 92-02), reports more than 10 years of data involving the use of androgen deprivation after radiation therapy in a phase III, multi-center study led by Gerald E. Hanks, M.D., who served as chairman of radiation oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center from 1985 to 2001. (Hanks is a 2006 ASTRO Fellow).
Eye-opening research provides important diagnostic tool for major childhood killer
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The eye can provide a very reliable way of diagnosing cerebral malaria, researchers in Malawi have shown. By looking at the changes to the retina, doctors are able to determine whether an unconscious child is suffering from this severe form of malaria or another, unrelated illness, leading to the most appropriate treatment.
Because malaria is so common in Africa, children may have an incidental malaria infection whilst actually having another life-threatening illness. This can confuse the diagnosis in an unconscious child. Doctors hope that widespread use of eye examination could greatly reduce the number of children dying from this major childhood killer.
Study Examines Effects of Aricept in Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivors
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A pediatric oncologist at Brenner Children’s Hospital is evaluating whether a drug typically used to treat Alzheimer’s patients will help brain cancer survivors avoid the learning and memory problems that are common after radiation therapy.
The drug, called Aricept™, will be given daily for six months to brain cancer survivors who have received cranial radiation. Sharon Castellino, M.D., will follow these patients for six months to see if the drug can help prevent a decline in their cognitive abilities.
Salaries for chemists rise, but jobs outlook little improved
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New chemistry graduating class considerably more diverse than chemical workforce.
While chemical scientists and engineers who have not changed jobs continue to post gains in salary of close to 5 percent per year, unemployment figures for the past year only dropped modestly, according to the November 6 Employment Outlook section in Chemical & Engineering News. C&EN is the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society.
