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November 23, 1999
Comment On: Effects of Chernobyl
(Sharon Parthemore, UserRUN@aol.com)
I am looking for information on the aftermath of Chernobyl for my daughter's history day project. If there is any information that you can give me please do.
October 19, 1999
Comment On: Methadone, an under used analgesic for severe cancer pain
(J. Sellers, jsellers1@yahoo.com)
I was wondering if Methadone can cause cancer if used for a long period of time, like 10 years. I know someone who might have cancer and used methadone for 10 years
August 07, 1999
Comment On: BRCA1 mutations and breast cancer
(Roma, romazaman@yahoo.com)
What could be the possible causes in women under 30 getting breast cancer, especially ductal carcinoma? If untreated how long she can survive (statistics)?
July 12, 1998
Comment On: A widely-used laxative found to be carcinogenic in rodents
(James Eunson, papashango@msn.com)
I would be interested to know if any studies have been done on the use of caroid bile salts which are considerably higher in phenolphthalein than ex-lax. This product was used for about thirty years by a woman who later was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer.
June 24, 1998
Comment On: Dietary flavonoids may have a preventive action against oral cancer, in rats at least
(Nasser Razack, MD, raz@webspan.net)
I recommend a large number of supplements to my clinical patients and one of them happens to be quercetin. I have come across this article suggesting quercetin increases the incidence of intestinal cancers in rodents. I find this extremely hard to believe. Do you believe these results to be valid and more importantly do you believe that 500 mg of quercetin a day would be carcinogenic? I eagerly await your reply.
June 24, 1998
Comment On: Gastric MALT Lymphoma
(Betty Moore, BMoore1003@AOL.com)
I have been diagnosed with Indolent B-cell Lymphoma. The tumors appeared on my face rather than in my stomach, though my cancer is in the MALT family, actually SALT. Can you give me any information on this type of cancer and do you know anyone who has had it? Thank you very much.
June 21, 1998
Comment On: A new marker, nm23, for aggressive endometrial and cervix cancer?
(Angela Murkl, jmurkl@colomsat.net.co)
I have cervical cancer in the stage IIB and I am interested hearing various comments about treatment. Please post here.
March 25, 1998
Comment On: Prognostic markers
(Ginette Eldridge, esc4mom3@li.net)
Many markers have been suggested as guides to prognosis. Two of them, called Ki-67 and S-phase fraction, are directly related to rates of cell division. In a study from Methodist Hospital, Houston, and Texas Health Center, San Antonio, cases with high Ki-67 had significantly shorter disease-free survival and an almost two-fold increased risk for recurrence of disease. Ki-67 may be a significant indicator of prognosis independent of S-phase and tumor size. (Brown, Clin Cancer Res 2:585, 1996)"
Comment On: Breast-conserving surgery
(Ginette Eldridge, esc4mom3@li.net)
I am trying to understand how a tumor (1.9cm intraductal breast ca w/4(+)lymph nodes, ER/PR 90%(+))with an S-phase fraction of <1.0%, a favorable factor, can also have a Ki-67 of 20% positive, a borderline indicator. Shouldn't the two correlate?
October 2, 1997
Comment On: A way to improve the results of immunotherapy?
(Albert H. Crippen, ALCRIP@aol.com)
Are you familiar with European physician Paolo Lissoni - Combining IL-2 with melatonin--Much higher results with lower doses of IL-2 i;i. The new combination therapy reduced the toxicity of IL-2 to such an extent that some were able to admin at home low-dose of IL-2+40 milligrams of melatonin. Also showed response in more types of cancer.
September 28, 1997
Comment On: An intensified treatment based on timed delivery of chemotherapy.
(Dr. Sami Rabadi, rabadi@nets.com.jo)
If anyone has any information as to where I can locate the drug oxaliplatin, I would very much appreciate it if you would reply to my email address as soon as possible. I am a clinical oncologist practicing in the Middle East, and I must find a distributer of this drug for the treatment of one of my patients.
September 23, 1997
Comment On: The natural course for patients with early (Stage I) disease after surgery.
(Jamie Yellen, stk10262@loki.stockton.edu)
I am not inflicted with cancer, but just this past year, one of my teachers died of ovarian cancer. It was one of the worst things I have ever had to deal with. She was a very special woman to me, the greatest English teacher ever. She not only taught, but lived the experience of every book, poem, and story we ever read. She brought life wherever she went. I will always remember her as the woman who always picked up pencils off the ground because "students always need pencils." Thank you for your site, because it helped me learn alot about this type of cancer. Thank you again
September 9, 1997
Comment On: Type of lymphocytes found in tumor predicts response to interferon alpha.
(Rob Beatty, roblor@aracnet.net)
Help. My Wife has had malignant melanoma come back. Three years ago, she had skin cancer removed from her shoulder. Now, August 4, 1997, she had the lymph nodes removed from her underarm and they showed melanoma in 3 of the 7 nodes. What can we do? Does Interferon cure or just prolong life. We need help now.
August 29, 1997
Comment On: Second malignancies
(Rick Jefferies, Memphis, TN)
My wife had Stage IIA Hodgkins in 1984 and was treated with radiotherapy. She was declared in remission by 1986. In 1990, during a routine cat scan, a small pea-sized area showed up adjacent to her sternum. The oncologist determined it was probably a fatty deposit and wanted to just watch it. Each year the spot became larger, but still no treatment or biopsy was done until a November 96 cat scan indicated it was the size of a golf ball. It was determined to remove it on Dec. 30, 1996. It was the size of an egg and was immediately diagnosed as recurrent Hodgkins. A treatment regimen of 12 treatments of ABVD was initiated in Feb. 97. Further diagnostics are scheduled for mid Sept. 97. Oncologist reported the location and slow growth of this tumor was very unusual and that was why the tumor was not removed earlier. 1. Feedback on explanation for not removing earlier. 2. Feedback on treatment regimen. 3. What tests are recommended for further diagnostics? 4. Any additional feedback?
August 22, 1997
Comment On: Hybrid Chemotherapy
(Andrea E.Davis, Washington Hospital Center, ANDREARCVT@aol.com)
I am trying to locate any information that you may have on a new drug going into clinical trials for colon cancer. The name of the drug is Capecitavine. Please get back to me as soon as possible, because the individual will have to make a decision to participate or not to participate in this clinical trial. Thank you very much. You can email me back with this information.
August 21, 1997
Comment On: Gastric MALT Lymphoma
(Helen Stanbro, stanbro@ix.netcom.com)
Obviously a lot has come out on MALT lymphoma and H. pylori since 1995. Some authors even report "cures" of the lymphoma after treating the H. pylori infection. The article refers to progression of a MALT lymphoma to a large-cell lymphoma. How can you tell if this has occurred? I have a friend who has just been diagnosed with a gastric "large-cell lymphoma" but the path report does not specify what kind. The cells are positive for CD20 antigen and CALLA, but it does not say if they looked at any other markers like Ki-67. This seems odd to me. They say it is a B-cell lymphoma. I'm wondering if it could be some kind of MALT lymphoma. Can you help?
August 1, 1997
Comment On: An association between diabetes and liver cancer?
(Joe McAbee Jr, joecinkel@aol.com)
My father is diabetic and was recently diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer which we are told began in the gall bladder area. He reported no pain at all besides minor indigestion a few weeks before the tumor burst and he was rushed to the emergency room. Previous X-rays and scans showed nothing. The doctors were amazed he felt no pain from this tumor during its growth.
July 30, 1997
Comment On: Non-Seminomatous Testicular Cancer
(Douglas Bank, Testicular Cancer Resource Center, dougb@comm.mot.com)
I realize that this type of treatment is desirable for the patient, but how can you be certain that the CT scanner has not provided a false negative. Surely two cycles of chemotherapy to a patient with grossly positive nodes will only complicate matters in the long run....
July 13, 1997
Comment On: Docetaxel
(Mary Thompson, frelnc@jadebbs.com)
I am a lay person seeking what information I can about recent chemo or other therapies that may apply to the cancer a friend is diagnosed with. She is currently being treated with Taxol. She has 'poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma metastatic breast to liver'. I'm not fooling myself. I know the prognosis is very grim. I've seen all the statistics. But, I've cruised the web and run into numerous health care professionals that have ideas. This gives me hope. When you say advanced, does that mean metastatic? If so, would you treat the metastatic cancer with the same chemo protocol that you would use if it had not metastasized? Is this chemotherapy drug a possibility for my friend? Please return my letter. She has ten nods. One the size of a quarter, the rest like pepper corns. She's maintaining fairly well, but has started to show signs of giving up. If we could give her some idea of whether or not there are other therapies that could improve her situation, perhaps her spirits would rebound.
July 13, 1997
Comment On: Combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon and melphalan helps achieve effective surgery.
(Lorenzo Magnoni, l.magnoni@globe.it)
After the application of the [limb perfusion] are the percentages of local recurrence better or worse of the percentages that derives from the simple surgical intervention without limb perfusion? The advantages of the [limb perfusion] in synthesis?
July 8, 1997
Comment On: Bladder cancer among chemical plant workers.
(Brad Shafer, brad@1st.net)
Do you have any information regarding exposure to Varsol, a cleaning solvent manufactured by Exxon, and the development of bladder cancer?
June 1, 1997
Comment On: BEP therapy of early (Stage I) disease.
(Jim1wv@aol.com)
Can you detect extragonadal tumor by testicual exam?
May 31, 1997
Comment On: Multimodal treatment with chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery best for cancer of the esophagus.
(No e-mail given)
My 41 year old friend has just went this way for her cancer. If you have more up date on this please let us know.
May 14, 1997
Comment On: Side Effects of Chemotherapy: Metastases to the Spine.
(mcmarine@mail.idt.net)
I am looking for information regarding metastases to the spine resulting in numerous small tumors along the spinal column and brain. Radiation therapy is not an option due to the area involved. I am not a doctor or medical professional. An MRI and spinal tap were inclusive as to presence of cancer, but due to elevated white count in spinal fluid and current treatment for inflammatory breast cancer (surviving 1 year and 6 months since diagnosis) it is believed to be cancer. Suggested therapy is intrathecal chemotherapy to the spinal fluid. Currently patient is being treated with taxotere (very success until now). I am looking for more resource information on survival, side-effects of such therapy and alternatives. Your help would be greatly appreciated, as time is of the essence. Thanks.
May 8, 1997
Comment On: An intensified treatment based on timed delivery of chemotherapy.
(bfoh@comsource.net)
I have been contacted by an Argentinian physician who would like to have additional information on the drug oxalipatin. She believes the pharmaceutical manufacturer is Axion. Please let me know if you have any info.
May 4, 1997
Comment On: Alternating drug regimens
(Jpenton@aol.com)
I have had Hodgkins for 3 years, have had chemo, stem cell transplant radiotherapy, and in spite of that, relapsed within 3 months. Are there any new drug trials that I should know about? I am a 39 year old male and in good health and have gotten over the treatments well.
Comment On: A new experimental model for studies of human prostate cancer?
(sharonp@esva.net)
I am interested in obtaining information on Dr. Leland W. K. Chung's research on prostate cancer. He is currently at University of Virginia. Please respond if you have any information on his research or sites it might be listed.
April 18, 1997
Comment On: Genetic therapy using p53 to potentiate chemotherapy?
(P.C. Norwine, philn19@idt.net)
I have a friend with metastasized colon cancer who has had two surgeries, with 5FU chemotherapy between. It was not successful in arresting further tumors in the wall of the abdomen (as determined in the followup surgery. I would like a link to the lab or doctors involved in the genetic therapy which uses P53 to potentiate the 5FU chemo for possible treatment for this patient. There appears to be a similar experimental proceedure now being tried in Dallas (near where we are) but they will not be taking an additional patient group until next September. Please advise if you can provide any direction to the source of these tests.[Editor's Reply: The summary was of Dr. Yang's research using cells in culture and did not involve humans.]
April 9, 1997
Comment On: Radiotherapy and 5-Fu/leucovorin
(RMark@saintanns.k12.ny.us)
While the article on Radiotherapy and 5-Fu/leucovorin looks promising, I question the value of chemotherapy. My grandfather was recently poisoned by chemotherapy and it killed him. I think that doctors are dishonest in prescribing strong treatments. He could have lived for three to six months longer but instead doctors at Mount Sinai insisted in a platinum dose of chemo. He went into the hospital on Tuesday after having been to work on Monday morning. Despite the pain he was living a full life. Chemotherapy was his demise.
April 3, 1997
Comment On: Treatment of bacterial infections in chemotherapy patients.
(T. Kopek, rkjf11a@prodigy.com)
Recently read that silver wire can do a very good job of killing all different types of bacteria if the bacteria are within one fourth of an inch from the wire. A small amount of current is sometimes run through the wire, and silver foil can possibly be used to kill bacteria on the skin. If you are interested in research please write me back.
March 26, 1997
Comment On: Response of melanoma to interferon.
(N. Lee, nsurf@smartt.com)
How does interferon affect metastatic melenoma/sarcoma of the soft tissue? How does it compare to Interleukin-2 in terms of success rate and survival rates?
March 24, 1997
Comment On: Treatment with melphalan.
(W. Dancy, redding759@aol.com)
What causes swelling of feet when patient is or is not on melphalan and has difficulty walking due to swelling?
March 21, 1997
Comment On: Cladribine, a promising new drug for prolymphocytic leukemia.
(L. Snyder, Lu_Snyder@adsys.plansys.com)
I have B-PLL and would like more information. I have not undergone any treatment to date but expect that I may begin in the April-May timeframe.
March 10, 1997
Comment On: Lymphomas.
(Shawn, Shawntex@msn.com)
I think this article is great for medical personnel who can understand the language but for others seeking desperately for some life saving answers this mumbo jumbo is useless to them.
March 5, 1997
Comment On: Telomerase.
(N. Hunt, South African Institute for Medical Research, sanity@iafrica.com)
I am really interested in this subject, where could I get more information?
February 28, 1997
Comment On: Interleukin-12 Therapy.
(Anonymous)
Dr. Donsbach at the Santa Monica Institute has about 20 treatments for cancer with an 85% success rate for remissions for terminally ill patients (e.g., hydrazine sulphate, which was used in rocket fuel and costs only $.20 per pound, blocks production of glycogen in the liver and stops the cancer in its tracks; also microwave therapy, which involves warming the cancer to 42 degrees C using 915 MHz microwave radiation, damages the cancer but not the surrounding tissue).
February 27, 1997
Comment On: Cellular proliferation rate predicts outcome of radiotherapy for cervix cancer.
(R. Tom, National Research Council of Canada, Roseanne.Tom@nrc.ca)
My mother has just been diagnosed with a class IV uterine/cervix cancer. According to the doctors, the tumor is too big to be surgically removed. She has been recommended for radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy. How successful is this treatment? Is it true that there is no successful treatment once the tumor contacts the lymph nodes? What was the spread of doubling rates on the growth of tumor cells in your report? Strangely, we would have never known she had cancer since she did not exhibit the benchmark signs of cervical cancer (e.g., not sexually active, no strange bleeding). She (middle-aged) complained of stomach upsets during the year and we would never have suspected cancer. Because she came down recently with type II diabetes, during the flu season, we still couldn't tell the cancer was contributing to her stomach upsets, weight loss and naseousness. She was diagnosed as having fibroids 8 years ago and was also given the choice of doing something or nothing about it. Have you found anything else that slows and stops the growth?
February 18, 1997
Comment On: Survival characteristics of ovarian cancer with germ-line mutations of BRCA1.
(J. Phoenix, jphoenix@maine.com)
Thank you very much for this posting on the BRCA gene -- with the same ovarian cancer my mother died of, and four daughters and five granddaughters, I needed some good news. If I had known the implications of my mother's disease (she died when I was five), I might have had only one child, but at this point, I don't know which one of my daughters I could do without -- and they say that in spite of the odds, they are glad I had them -- but it is still such a bummer to know you've passed on something so debilitating and dire. We have our eyes on future gene therapy, and applaud scientists for also trying to find methods for early detection of this elusive cancer. I was wondering about the drug, not allowed in the U.S. as yet, that goes by the name, I believe, of hydrachlorine. Is there any late information on it as to its efficacy and admittance to this country by the USDA?
February 11, 1997
Comment On: DNA repair and susceptibility to breast cancer.
(A. Hinestroza, andreina@usmatrix.net)
My mother has breast cancer. She refuses to remove her breast. What kind of consequences could she face if she dosen't treat her cancer?
February 7, 1997
Comment On: A continuous-infusion treatment.
(Julie, lnchpel@directcon.net)
I need more information on flourouracil in alternative pancreas cancer therapy.
January 31, 1997
Comment On: Mitomycin as a safe and effective adjunct to radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
(Soni)
There are so many new clinical studies, so many that offer that little bit you need to hold on, and then, of course, you're told, "Oh, you're 70? And you have a history of MI? No, sorry, can't help." So what to do, what to do. Sure more chemo, great, more poison for this dying body. Come on, guys. How about a little something for the others out there in my age bracket and history? Please, and thanks.
December 22, 1996
Comment On: Preventive Measures For Prostate Cancer
(Z. Ramazanov, Zakir@warwick.net)
Is there any differences in anti-tumor activity between lycopene (purified up to 99%) from different sources?
December 21, 1996
Comment On: Why are cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx becoming more common?
(K. Melicia, jessrmh@ix.netcom.com)
My daughter was diagnosed with a tumor in her parotid gland (salivary) it is mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Do you have any information about this tumor in children as a primary tumor. She was eight years old at the time she was diagnosed. She has had two recurrences and 6 weeks of external beam radiation and stereotactic radiosurgery. In June of 1996, she had a nerve graft to replace her facial nerve. Please e-mail me with any information. Thanks.
November 18, 1996
Comment On: An association between diabetes and liver cancer?
(J. Middelkoop, jesta@worldonline.nl)
I am from the Netherlands. My mother has had liver cancer for almost one year. She is in therapy now. She gets chemotherapy. She has had 11 therapies and gets 9 more. Can you tell me how long a woman can live with liver cancer. The doctors are saying that there are bad cancer cells in her liver so she does not have a tumor. After the therapy she gets pills. She has had breast cancer. After the operation she was really OK. But when she was in the hosptital for testing her blood and to make some photos, they saw in the photos some things in her liver. Please give me an explanation for all this. Thanks a lot.
September 25, 1996
Comment On: A reason for poor response to radiotherapy?
(R. Dagenhart, reginad@rmond.mindspring.com)
I have recently had a biopsy of my cervix and was told it was a mild form and was a class III. What does this mean? I am confused. When I was told I had abnormal cells in my pap test, I was told it was a class III, but my specialist says it was a class II and a mild condition. What are they telling me? I am to have laser surgery in his office sometime soon and he says it's not so bad. Can you comment?
September 9, 1996
Comment On: Hybrid Chemotherapy
(T. Bohme, bohmet@vs1.invsn.com)
I know that 5-fluorouracil with leukovorin rescue is standard chemotherapy for advanced stage 4 colon cancer with metastases to the liver. Is the alternative/supplement of clinirol/sulindac of value for that stage? Any studies? Is THE WV ANTIGEN test to count microvessels standard? It supposedly gives an indication to life expectancy <5 bad, >7 good, but is it often used? Is it expensive?
September 7, 1996
Comment On: Paclitaxel for Non-Small-Cell Tumors
(S. Zeifman, zeifman@dnai.com)
I would like to have further information on this study or related clinical trials concerning non-small cell lung cancer. I am especially interested in any studies or trials going on in northern California. Thanks!
August 10, 1996
Comment On: Beta Carotene and Malignant Disease
(Prof. A. Ben-Amotz, amiba@netvision. net.il)
NATURAL BETA CAROTENE AND SYNTHETIC ARE NOT ALIKE! Am J Clin Nutr: Ben-Amotz and Levy [Find Similar]. Summary: Am J Clin Nutr: Ben-Amotz and Levy. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;63:729-34. It is time to study and understand the function of natural carotenoids in nutrition and medicine.
June 18, 1996
Comment On: Cancer & Benzodiazepines
(M. C. Albrecht)
I was doing research on the internet yesterday on the relationship between cancer and benzodiazepine tranquilizers. The only reference I found was the one you cited on your web page (the study at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston which showed a possible connection between ovarian cancer and benzodiazepine use.) Do you know of any other studies that might indicate a connection, or do you have any suggestions as to where else I might look? I've been using them for years to treat my insomnia, so I am of course concerned if they are carcinogenic. Thanks very much. Your web page is very helpful.