Latest news with #AndreaCercek
Al Etihad
16-06-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Rare appendix cancers are increasing among millennials and Gen X
17 June 2025 00:53 (THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE)A new study shows that appendix cancer is becoming more common among younger generations, mirroring a pattern that has been occurring with other cancers since the incidence rates among members of Generation X were two to three times higher than among people born in the 1940s, according to the study, which was published last week in the Annals of Internal among older millennials, born in the 1980s, were more than four times with those increases, appendix cancer still remains extremely rare. Doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 new cases in the United States each year, compared with more than 150,000 cases of colon and rectal findings come at a time of growing concern about the earlier onset of certain cancers, including colorectal, breast and kidney cancers. The new research describes what's known as a "birth cohort' effect, or a disease becoming more common among successive an effect lends credence to the idea that people born after a certain time have had similar exposures to something that is increasing their cancer risk more so than among people born decades before, said Dr. Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center who was not involved in the the fact that researchers have seen similar generational effects in colorectal and gastric cancers suggests there may be some shared risk factors between those cancers and appendix cancer, said Dr. Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who researches the epidemiology of colon cancer and also was not involved in the is one such possibility, he said. Our consumption of ultraprocessed foods has increased over time, and these foods - particularly processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages - have been associated with increased risk for colon of metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes - both of which have been associated with colon and stomach cancers - have been increasing over time. Young people, in particular, may be increasingly exposed to the negative effects of obesity and diabetes during a time of life when they are possibly more susceptible to developing cancer, Chan and changes to the gut microbiome are also thought to increase the risk of some gastrointestinal still don't know whether any of these environmental factors specifically influence appendix cancer, said Andreana Holowatyj, an assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and lead author of the new study. Because the cancer is so rare, there is very little research on its and other experts said that a multitude of factors are likely at play, including genetics. Better diagnosis may also be responsible for some of the documented increase, Holowatyj recently, some appendix cancers - which are often diagnosed incidentally when someone with appendicitis has their appendix removed - were misclassified as colon researchers found a particularly strong generational effect for a specific type of cancer that has always been classified as appendix cancer. A research effort called the Appendiceal Cancer Consortium is working to pool data and specimens from across studies to better understand the risk factors and biological markers specific to appendix there is no good way to screen for the cancer right now, scientists hope that more knowledge about the disease will lead to greater awareness of the symptoms and, perhaps, earlier other research, Holowatyj found that 77% of patients diagnosed with appendix cancer presented with at least one sign or symptom of an abdominal condition, like pain or bloating. Often, those symptoms lasted for months, compared with the more acute symptoms that usually cause people with appendicitis to seek care. "There's an opportunity and a window for intervention there,' Holowatyj said.
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Rare appendix cancers are increasing among millennials and Gen X
Cancer incidence rates among members of Generation X were two to three times higher than among people born in the 1940s. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH NEW YORK - A new study shows that appendix cancer is becoming more common among younger generations, mirroring a pattern that has been occurring with other cancers since the 1990s. Cancer incidence rates among members of Generation X were two to three times higher than among people born in the 1940s, according to the study, which was published on June 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Rates among older millennials, born in the 1980s, were more than four times higher. Even with those increases, appendix cancer still remains extremely rare. Doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 new cases in the United States each year, compared with more than 150,000 cases of colon and rectal cancers. The findings come at a time of growing concern about the earlier onset of certain cancers, including colorectal, breast and kidney cancers. The new research describes what's known as a 'birth cohort' effect, or a disease becoming more common among successive generations. Such an effect lends credence to the idea that people born after a certain time have had similar exposures to something that is increasing their cancer risk more so than among people born decades before, said Dr Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre who was not involved in the study. And the fact that researchers have seen similar generational effects in colorectal and gastric cancers suggests there may be some shared risk factors between those cancers and appendix cancer, said Dr Andrew Chan, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who researches the epidemiology of colon cancer and also was not involved in the study. Diet is one such possibility, he said. Our consumption of ultra-processed foods has increased over time, and these foods – particularly processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages – have been associated with increased risk for colon cancer. Rates of metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes – both of which have been associated with colon and stomach cancers – have been increasing over time. Young people, in particular, may be increasingly exposed to the negative effects of obesity and diabetes during a time of life when they are possibly more susceptible to developing cancer, Dr Chan said. Alcohol and changes to the gut microbiome are also thought to increase the risk of some gastrointestinal cancers. Scientists still don't know whether any of these environmental factors specifically influence appendix cancer, said assistant professor of hematology and oncology Andreana Holowatyj, from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and lead author of the new study. Because the cancer is so rare, there is very little research on its causes. She and other experts said that a multitude of factors are likely at play, including genetics. Better diagnosis may also be responsible for some of the documented increase, Asst Prof Holowatyj said. Until recently, some appendix cancers – which are often diagnosed incidentally when someone with appendicitis has their appendix removed – were misclassified as colon cancer. But it's unlikely that the increase in appendix cancer is merely a matter of improved classification, she said. The researchers found a particularly strong generational effect for a specific type of cancer that has always been classified as appendix cancer. Doctors treating appendicitis have also shifted away from surgery when possible, Dr Cercek said, meaning that more cancer diagnoses after appendectomies wouldn't be driving the result, either. A research effort called the Appendiceal Cancer Consortium is working to pool data and specimens from across studies to better understand the risk factors and biological markers specific to appendix cancer. While there is no good way to screen for the cancer right now, scientists hope that more knowledge about the disease will lead to greater awareness of the symptoms and, perhaps, earlier detection. In other research, Asst Prof Holowatyj found that 77 per cent of patients diagnosed with appendix cancer presented with at least one sign or symptom of an abdominal condition, like pain or bloating. Often, those symptoms lasted for months, compared with the more acute symptoms that usually cause people with appendicitis to seek care. 'There's an opportunity and a window for intervention there,' Asst Prof Holowatyj said. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Immunotherapy Breakthrough Could Help Some Cancer Patients Avoid Surgery and Chemotherapy
Researchers found that some cancer patients who used a new immunotherapy drug were able to shrink their tumors without undergoing chemotherapy or surgery 103 patients participated in the study, and 84 had 'all signs of their cancer' disappear Researchers said that the immunotherapy drug appeared to only work well with patients who had mismatch repair-deficiency, a unique genetic mutation most often found in patients with colorectal cancer A new immuno-based treatment could treat tumors without cancer patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy, according to a new study. The research, published in The New England Journal of Medicine and announced at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, suggested that 92% of patients who used the new immunotherapy drug, dostarlimab, to shrink their tumors ,continued to be cancer-free for at least two years. Treating cancer usually involves a form of immunotherapy alongside chemotherapy and surgery to remove a tumor. However, the new immuno-based treatment would only require a single step — immunotherapy — to treat the cancer by teaching a person's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. One hundred and three patients participated in the study, 54 with a variety of "solid tumor cancers," including stomach, endometrial and prostate, and 49 with rectal cancer. Researchers shared in a press release from The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center that of the 54 patients with a 'variety of cancers," 35 had 'all signs of their cancer' disappear and were using the immuno-based treatment. Related: This Refrigerator Staple Might Lower a Woman's Risk of Colorectal Cancer, New Study Says Per the release, Dr. Andrea Cercek said, "Nearly 2 out of 3 patients with types of cancer other than rectal were able to preserve their organs and their quality of life." 'This is a very significant response, and the results were even better than we had hoped,' Dr. Cercek said. 'We found that some cancer types responded extremely well to the immunotherapy, including colon and stomach cancer.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Maureen Sideris, a patient who was diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction cancer in 2022 and participated in the study, said that the treatment had worked successfully for her, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center release. 'My husband, Tommy, and I were preparing for the worst,' she recalled in a statement. 'But after being treated with only immunotherapy, I had no evidence of cancer and didn't have to undergo surgery or chemo or radiation. I felt like I won the lottery!' Dr. Cerek reported that '20% of non-rectal cancer patients' who still had to undergo surgery 'saw lower rates of cancer recurrence." She said this suggests that 'even if the effect wasn't a home run, it helped most patients.' Related: Radiation from CT Scans Performed in Just 1 Year Could Lead to Over 100,000 Future Cancer Diagnoses, Study Finds As for all 49 patients with rectal cancer who participated in the study, 'there was no evidence of cancer after immunotherapy,' according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center release. Researchers said that one patient had a 'growth in a lymph node' that was surgically removed but they 'kept their rectum.' However, researchers said that the new treatment comes with its own drawbacks as the immunotherapy drug appeared to only work well with patients who had mismatch repair-deficiency, which means certain cells have mutations when cancer cells separate, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Per the NCI, this mutation 'is most common' in 'colorectal cancer, other types of gastrointestinal cancer, and endometrial cancer" and can also be found in 'cancers of the breast, prostate, bladder and thyroid.' The immunotherapy drug works by targeting cells with this mutation, as the immunotherapy drug can more easily target the many mutations, per the study. 'We're really excited to help more people,' Dr. Cercek said. 'And we are already exploring why rectal tissue seems to have such an extraordinary response to immunotherapy and how we can use that knowledge to help with other cancer types.' Read the original article on People
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
New Study Shows Promise for Cancer Patients Avoiding Surgery
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A promising new study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting shows that immunotherapy could help many cancer patients avoid surgery. Researchers found that 92 percent of patients who received only an immune-based treatment remained cancer-free two years later. Why It Matters The findings suggest that for some cancers, surgery and its difficult recovery may not always be necessary. This could dramatically change standard treatment approaches, offering a less invasive option with fewer long-term side effects for patients. Accuray Radixact machine with patient being positioned and accompanied by therapist on August 26-27 in Geneva, Swiss Confederation. Accuray Radixact machine with patient being positioned and accompanied by therapist on August 26-27 in Geneva, Swiss to Know The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, explored whether immune checkpoint inhibitors could help shrink tumors without the need for surgery. These drugs work by boosting the body's natural ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. Among patients with rectal cancer, a previous study found that all 42 participants who received the therapy remained cancer-free after four years. In this new study, which included patients with other types of cancers, such as colon, esophageal, stomach, and gastroesophageal junction cancers, 92 percent had no signs of disease after two years. Maureen Sideris, 71, was one of the patients who benefited from the new approach, Time reported. Diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction cancer, she initially faced the prospect of major surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Instead, she opted into the experimental immune-based treatment, receiving monthly infusions for nine months. Two years later, her cancer remains undetectable. Dr. Andrea Cercek of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who led the study, noted that even patients with more advanced Stage III cancers responded well. The treatment was effective even when cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, offering hope for a broader group of patients. Researchers plan to follow patients for a longer period to determine if the benefits translate into higher survival rates. They are also investigating why some patients did not respond in hopes of refining the treatment even further. The checkpoint inhibitor used, dostarlimab, has already been fast-tracked by the FDA for certain cancers with specific genetic mutations. What People Are Saying Dr. Andrea Cercek, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to TIME: "Therapy like this can lead to significant tumor downstaging and improve patients' quality of life." Maureen Sideris, study participant to TIME: "The infusions were the easiest part. I'm so grateful I could avoid surgery." What Happens Next Researchers are continuing trials to determine the long-term effectiveness of this treatment across different cancer types and stages. If results remain strong, immunotherapy could become a standard first-line option for many patients, reshaping cancer care for years to come.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Immunotherapy drug capable of eliminating tumors in some early-stage cancers: Study
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that some people with early-stage cancers may be able to skip surgery after being treated with the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab. In the study, 82 out of 103 participants responded so well to the drug that they no longer needed an operation. While the results are promising, the study was conducted at a single hospital — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City — and some patients have not been followed long enough to know if their cancer might return over time. And because the study included many different types of cancer, there were relatively few patients with each specific cancer type, making it difficult to interpret the results for larger groups of patients. It also focused on a very select type of patient whose tumors had a "mismatch repair defect," a genetic problem that prevents cells from fixing DNA damage and makes it more likely they would respond to immunotherapy. "They kind of selected themselves, in that they had a specific genetic alteration, and that genetic alteration occurs about 2% to 3% of all cancer patients," said Dr. Luis Diaz, one of the study's authors and head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at MSKCC. MORE: RFK Jr. is moving to phase out synthetic food dyes. Are they safe? When people are diagnosed with early-stage cancers that form a lump or mass, they often need major surgery to try to remove it — and despite surgery, they can also face aggressive treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. Because these cancers often affect organs in the belly or digestive system, surgery can have a major impact on a patient's life. Some people lose part or all of their esophagus or stomach, making it hard or impossible to eat normally. Others may need a bag to collect stool or lose the ability to get pregnant. All 49 patients with early-stage rectal cancer who received six months of immunotherapy were able to avoid surgery. "And it's after six months of treatment, their tumors were completely gone," said another one of the study's authors, Dr. Andrea Cercek, head of the Colorectal Section at MSKCC. "They didn't need any other treatment." Two years later, 92% remained cancer-free. Among the first group to reach the five-year mark, all four patients were still disease-free — and two of them had gone on to have two children each. "The amazing thing is they would not have been able to conceive or carry children had they gone through standard therapy," Diaz said. MORE: Supreme Court divided over Obamacare mandate for no-cost preventive health benefits As for patients with other early-stage cancers, 35 of 54 were cancer-free after undergoing immunotherapy and were able to avoid surgery. However, two patients still chose to proceed with surgery — one for peace of mind and the other to remove medical hardware related to the cancer. Of the five patients whose cancers came back, most were successfully treated again. Cercek explained that, while immunotherapy alone may not yet help most cancer patients avoid surgery, their work opens the door for the future. "Just close your eyes and just imagine that one day you're diagnosed with cancer and you don't have your esophagus or your stomach or your rectum or your bladder, and you can avoid that," Diaz said. "For these 3% we can completely eliminate the need for surgery. It's quite transformational." By combining different approaches with this type of immunotherapy, Cercek hoped they can replicate their success in more types of cancer. "So, we are continuing this trial and we are working on expanding the study outside of Memorial with more patients so that we can offer this therapy as a standard of care," Cercek said. Luis Gasca -- an internal medicine resident at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Michigan, and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit -- contributed to this report. Immunotherapy drug capable of eliminating tumors in some early-stage cancers: Study originally appeared on
