Thyroid cancer: a lethal endocrine neoplasm

Article Abstract:

Of all the endocrine glands, only the ovaries are the source of more cancer fatalities than the thyroid gland. A clinical conference was conducted at the National Institutes of Health to discuss the features and prognosis of different forms of thyroid cancer, as well as to discuss the means by which the mortality rate might be reduced. Major forms of thyroid cancer include follicular cancer, medullary cancer, and papillary cancer. The medullary cancer and follicular cancers are more frequently fatal than the papillary cancer. However, among papillary cancers the 'tall-cell' variety is more commonly fatal. Older patients are at higher risk of mortality from thyroid cancer than are younger patients. As is the case with most cancers, the metastatic spread of cancer to distant parts of the body is associated with a poor prognosis; this is especially true since thyroid cancers are resistant to current chemotherapeutic treatments. The primary treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery, but it is important for the surgeon to be a specialist with considerable experience with thyroid cancer. There is some controversy over whether it is best to try to remove only the cancer or whether more extensive removal of thyroid tissue is more appropriate. The participants of the conference, however, felt that it is safer overall to remove more tissue in the first operation than to risk the additional surgery that would be necessary if the first operation did not remove all of the cancerous cells. Following surgery, radioactive iodine 131 may be used to obliterate any remaining deposits of cancer cells. Since thyroid cells actively take up iodine circulating in the blood, the cancerous thyroid cells will accumulate the radioactive isotope, which will destroy them. The most appropriate dose of iodine-131 is not fully established, and the dose may well be modulated depending on the risk factors of the individual patient. Young patients with low-risk cancer may be given about 30 milliCuries of radioactive iodine, while older patients with higher risk cancer should be given doses as high as 150 milliCuries. As is the case for many cancers, efforts expended by primary care physicians to detect thyroid cancer in its earlier stages may pay off in better chances for successful treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Prognosis, Panel Discussion, Iodine, Iodine (Chemical element), Radioiodine, Thyroid cancer

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The pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn disease

Article Abstract:

Research on the cause of Crohn's disease may lead to more effective treatments. This inflammatory disease in the colon is known to involve a dysfunction in the immune system in the colon. In particular, there is an overproduction of the immune system chemicals interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma, which are pro-inflammatory. There also seems to be an underproduction of anti-inflammatory chemicals that would stop the inflammatory process. Effective treatments could include antibodies against the pro-inflammatory chemicals or antisense nucleotides that block their synthesis.

Physiological aspects, Cytokines, Crohn's disease

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Associations between cancer and inflammation of the muscles

Article Abstract:

People with polymyositis or dermatomyositis have an increased risk of cancer compared to the general population. These two conditions are characterized by muscle weakness caused by chronic inflammation of the muscles.

Risk factors, Cancer, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Complications

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