Cancer Ablation

Cancer Ablation

Clinical Trials and Research, Patient Advocacy, Treatment
What is Cancer Ablation?This is a minimally invasive surgical method to treat solid cancers. Special probes are used to “burn” or “freeze” cancers. Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound (US) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used to guide and position the needle probe into the tumour. This requires only a tiny hole, usually less than 3 mm via which the probe is introduced. When the probe is within the cancer it is attached to a generator which “burns” or “freezes” the cancer.  “Burning” refers to increasing the temperature of the tumour to such a level that cancer cells die. This is usually achieved by radio frequency probes, referring to the type of energy used to increase the temperature. “Freezing” refers to cryoablation which decreases the temperature to -40 C (-40 F)…
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Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in the treatment of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in the treatment of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Clinical Trials and Research, Treatment
What is Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)? External beam radiotherapy has been around for a while. But the next generation equipment and techniques are gradually being deployed.   It's a confusing area with many synonyms which I found when I wrote about the subject in a treatment summary for patients.  Some of the sub-components/synonyms may be familiar to you and are often used interchangeably with SBRT; but are actually a brand name (e.g.Cyberknife) or a type (e.g. Proton Beam). You will not find SBRT mentioned in any Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) guidelines and that's because it is not a "standard of care" for this disease. If it is not a standard of care, why did I include SBRT and various techniques in the above summary?  I was prompted to include this after…
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Treatment for Neuroendocrine Cancer – a summary for patients

Treatment for Neuroendocrine Cancer – a summary for patients

Treatment
ScopeThis summary provides an overview of the types of therapy known for treating Neuroendocrine Cancer. They will have been approved at least by one national or regional approval agency, may not be available or approved in your own country; and may appear in clinical guidelines for the treatment of Neuroendocrine Cancer.Clinical trials will not be covered, although it's noted that some of the approved treatments listed may be in follow on trials either to prove new coverage or used in combination with another drug.  For a list of clinical trials covered by the author, click here. This summary will not include complementary or alternative treatment but may cover or overlap with experimental treatment.          Who recommends the best treatment for my condition? Different types of doctors often work together to create a…
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