Archive for February, 2010
HPV-positive tumors are affected by smoking
Frequently I search for new interesting researches taken on cancer by scientists.
Recently I’ve found something on this theme – doctors from Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center claim that patients with head or neck cancer, who once smoked or if they are current tobacco users, linked to human papillomavirus, known as HPV, have much worst outcomes of their cancer.
Scientists stress that in this case people with neck or head cancer need much more aggressive treatment, no matter if they are former or current smokers.
The problem is cancer recurrence. People with HPV-positive tumors are 5 times more likely to have their cancer recur.
Study author Thomas Carey, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology and pharmacology, co-director of the Head and Neck Oncology Program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center says that because the effect of HPV is so strong in giving a good prognostic picture, they were surprised that smoking still remains a great issue to affect the outcome.
One hundred twenty-four people with advanced oropharyngeal cancer were taken. They had HPV DNA in their tumors, in which was HPV that is a major factor in oropharyngeal cancer development. Twenty-two of the HPV-negative patients were tobacco users, and about two-thirds of the 102 HPV-positive patients were tobacco users – former or current.
Here are results: 6% of those who had never been tobacco users had a recurrence, while 19% among former smokers and 35% of current tobacco users.
In my opinion, this is not the only thing about smoking that can be connected with cancer – this two have much more in common. Smoking plays great role not only in development, but also in appearance of cancer within the smokers group.
About the blog
“Quit Smoking” blog site (http://www.tonewplanet.com/) was created for different purposes, but initial one is my personal tragedy and it’s consequences.
My name is James Bliss and I was born in 1974 in Leeds (UK). The beginning is standard, as well as it’s continuation – standard, but still sorrowful. In 2009 doctors diagnose me lung cancer, after I went to consult them about abnormal symptoms. “Adenocarcinoma, which was on 1A stage” – people in white overalls told me I am lucky one. “One A” stage of cancer is the best diagnosis for people with non-small cell lung carcinoma.
For me this was it. Of course I stopped smoking; this was the only chance for me to save my life. Instead of this I started my blog – here I want to share with you something I’ve understood only now about the cigarettes – it’s a threat. Adenocarcinoma is the most frequently met type of cancer within the smokers group.
In my blog I’m going to post information about smoking and it’s health effects, smoking and cancer like it’s close “sequel”, other interesting information on the theme. I’ll be happy if you will react and comment my posts – this is the most important factor for me.
Hope my blog will help someone to bring sense to the idea of cessation – before it’s too late.
So, enjoy yourself on my pages!