MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'gastric'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:52:42 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062248&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-know-what-metabolic-syndrome-is%2F2011.07.24 People with metabolic syndrome are twice as likely to develop heart disease, and five times as likely to develop diabetes, as those who don’t have metabolic syndrome. But many people are not yet familiar with this relatively new term. Do you know what metabolic syndrome is? OECD Country Populations with a BMI > 30 (1996-2003) Metabolic syndrome is the combination of several medical problems associated with morbid obesity. In addition to obesity, these conditions include: (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Columbia University Department of Surgery Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062248 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:00:10 +0100 5062248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911486&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsurgeon-shames-people-into-having-bariatric-surgery%2F2011.06.07 Say you’re a bariatric surgeon. You’d think Americans would be beating a path to your door. After all, this is the land of Instant Gratification! Who wants to just eat less for the better part of a year to lose 50 lbs when one can be cut open and have one’s gastrointestinal anatomy rearranged — resulting in the necessity of eating less, but why quibble — to lose that same 50 lbs (or more)? Changing lifestyles is boring; surgery is exciting! Funny how it turns out that in order for the surgery to succeed long-term, patients have to commit to lifestyle changes anyway. In fact, before any reputable bariatric surgeon will operate, patients have to demonstrate their dietary commitment by actually losing some weight on their own, prior to surgery. What I don’t understand is why peopl... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911486 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:00:28 +0100 4911486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670109&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-your-doctor-trust-you%2F2011.04.02 Members of the  American public are frequently surveyed about their trust in various professionals.  Doctors and nurses usually wind up near the top of the list, especially when compared to lawyers, hairdressers and politicians.  Trust in professionals is important to us: they possess expertise we lack but need, to solve problems ranging from the serious (illness) to the relatively trivial (appearance). How much professionals trust us seems irrelevant: our reciprocity is expressed in the form of payment for services rendered or promised, our recommendations to friends and families and repeat appearances. So I was surprised to read an article in the Annals of Family Medicine describing a new scale to measure doctors’ trust in their patients.  This scale, based on input from focus grou... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670109 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:00:08 +0100 4670109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622507&cid=t_103968_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FenMMgf6D0z8%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. Another overcast day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we are, once again, hustling short people off to the local schoolhouse. As you know, this calls for a cup of stimulation or two - our flavor today is pumpkin spice. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits from around your world. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Merck And Sanofi Abandon Animal Health Joint Venture (Reuters) Bristol Reports Positive Results For Ipilimumab Melanoma Med (Associated Press) Pfizer Lipitor Subsidy May Hurt Ranbaxy (Bloomberg News) Cephalon To Acquire Gemin X For $225M (Associated Press) Many Gastric Banding Patients Have Complications (HealthDay News) FDA Agrees To Review Shire Angioedema Drug (Pharma Times... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622507 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:55:44 +0100 4622507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570493&cid=t_103968_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fposterior-leaks-gastric-bypass-surgery%2F Bowel leaks are a dreaded complication in bariatric (gastric bypas) surgery. The most technically difficult leaking suture line to repair is on the posterior stomach, close to the gastric staple line. The repair is usually done by using reinforcing sutures between the jejunal limb and excluded stomach, rather than resecting the entire anastomosis and redoing it. Some surgeons buttress the repair by placing a pedicle of omentum around the repair. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570493 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:08:56 +0100 4570493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575133&cid=t_103968_117_f&fid=37824&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorkalitenko.com%2Fblog%2Ffda-cure-obesity-dangerous-weight-loss-surgery-surgery-option%2F Where do we stop when it comes to getting skinny? That’s often the question we ask when looking at a picture of a gaunt supermodel that we will never know, whose look we will never achieve. Or, we ask it when we hear about Hollywood and eating disorders. But recently, the government is jumping in on trying to cure the obesity problem in the United States, not with methods to improve our diets, healthier and safer options, and guidelines, but instead, by looking into approving lap band procedure for millions more Americans. According to this article in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/business/02obese.html?_r=2&ref=health) the potentially deadly surgery is now an option for people with a BMI (body mass index) of 40% or 35% is there is another medical condition, s... Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575133 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:21:04 +0100 4575133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313947&cid=t_103968_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fbritains-fattest-man-paul-mason-bariatricsurgeon-shaw-somers-drawing-criticism%2F Paul Mason, dubbed Britain’s Fattest Man and the subject of a weekly television show, consumed 20,000 calories a day and received his gastric bypass using public health financing from the National Health Service, generating criticism from the British public. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313947 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:56:37 +0100 4313947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294553&cid=t_103968_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fzollingerellison-syndrome%2F Pathophysiology group of pathologic conditions caused by hypersecretion of gastric acid secondary to a gastrinoma Signs and Symptoms 1) peptic ulcer often in second-fourth part of duodenum or in jejunum 2) diarrhea (often steatorrhea-like) 3) gastric bleeding/hematemesis 4) melena 5) duodenal perforation 6) epigastric tenderness Characteristic Test Findings Laboratory – 1) fasting serum gastrin > 1000 pg/ml 2) basal acid output (BAO) > 15 mEq/h 3) hypercalcemia (if part of MEN-1) 4) BAO to MAO > 0.6 5) increase in gastrin in secretin stimulation test Radiology – 6) hypertrophied gastric folds similar to Menetrier’s disease on upper GI series 7) gastrinoma often not seen on CT scan or MRI 8) visceral angiography may show tumor blush and enable localization 9) somatostatin ... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294553 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:19:12 +0100 4294553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266292&cid=t_103968_155_f&fid=38412&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathlabmed.typepad.com%2Fsurgical_pathology_and_la%2F2010%2F12%2Fgastric-cardia-polyps.html Melton and Genta from Caris Research Institute and UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have published an excellent review of these uncommon lesions in the December 2010 American Journal of Surgical Pathology that is worthy of note for the practicing pathologist, in spite of their relative rarity.  First, I emphasize that these are rare but I think if you sign out a lot of GI biopsies, especially from outpatient endoscopy centers, you will (or have) come across these lesions in practice.  Caris Life Sciences is a GI pathology subspecialty referral lab that receives specimens from such endoscopy centers from across the U.S.  This is one of the strengths of the paper--the huge denominator of GEJ biopsies for comparison.  They diagnosed a cardiac polyp in 330 patie... The Daily Sign-Out blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266292 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:55:56 +0100 4266292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4205933&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fobesity-epidemic-solved-the-second-stomach%2F2010.11.27 Dr. Steve Brule (aka John C. Reilly) makes medical history by solving America’s obesity epidemic with a groundbreaking new operation. Dr. Oz, step aside – Brules rules! *This blog post was originally published at tbtam* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4205933 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:00:24 +0100 4205933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197360&cid=t_103968_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FfSAWlxdOWBA%2F Hello, everyone. Yet another day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where the sun is shining, the dogs are barking and the short people are hustling off to the local school house for a few hours before the holiday weekend begins. As for us, we are savoring a needed cup of stimulation and perusing the news of the world. As always, we ask you to join us and, of course, we wish you a pleasant day… Roche Ends Hep C Collaboration With Ligand Pharma (Reuters) Glaxo Closing Toothpaste Facilities In Australia (MSN) Amira Pharma Cuts Staff In Half (San Diego Union-Tribune) Testosterone Lotion Wins Approval (Bloomberg News) State Senator Tries To Find Buyer For Roche Plant (WMBF) Glaxo Exits US Penicillin Biz, Sells Plants To Dr. Reddy’s (Associated Press) UK’s NI... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197360 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:20:53 +0100 4197360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858438&cid=t_103968_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F11%2Fwhats-food-like-after-weight-loss-sugery-an-interview-with-margaret-furtado%2F By Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern I just finished reading The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by  Margaret Furtado MS, RD, LDN, RYT.  Margaret is a clinical dietitian at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center who specializes in bariatric surgery. Her book is well thought out and chock full of great information for RDs and potential weight loss surgery candidates alike. I had the amazing opportunity to interview her and share my answers with you. Read on for part one of two! How did you start to get involved as a dietitian in weight loss surgery? I had been an RD for about 10 yrs, and was working in renal in Boston, MA when I first became intrigued by bariatric surgery.  I had had some hemodialysis patients who were seeking GBP to lose enough we... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858438 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:50:48 +0100 3858438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3787029&cid=t_103968_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FGa7_4BTRZ6Y%2F                 Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach.  These two terms most often refer to stomach cancer that begins in the mucus-producing cells on the inside Early Gastric Cancer lining of the stomach (adenocarcinoma).  Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer.  For information purposes, it might be helpful to know that the body is made up of many types of cells.  Normally, cells grow, divide and then die.  Sometimes, cells change and begin to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells.  Rather than dying, these abnormal cells clump together to form tumors.  If these tumors are malignant (cancerous), they can invade and kill your body’s healthy tissues.  From these... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3787029 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:07:32 +0100 3787029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753853&cid=t_103968_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FrzZFIXGQUSU%2F This article is contributed by Susan White, who regularly writes on the subject of online radiology technician schools. She invites your questions, comments at her email address: susan.white33@gmail.com) addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F14%2Fguest-post-fighting-fat-with-drugs-%25e2%2580%2593-is-it-worth-it%2F'; addthis_title = 'Guest+Post%3A+Fighting+Fat+with+Drugs+%E2%80%93+Is+it+Worth+It%3F'; addthis_pub = ''; (Source: Medicine and Man) Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753853 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:36:41 +0100 3753853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3467709&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F13%2Fshould-diabetics-have-gastric-bypass-sugery%2F This study included 55 newly diagnosed diabetics between ages 20 and 60 who were obese. Half of the participants had gastric banding surgery to reduce the size of their stomachs. The other half was treated in the usual way. The people who had surgery lost an average of 21% of their body weight. The other group lost less than 2% on average. Two years after treatment, 73% of those who had surgery (22 out of 29 patients) had blood sugar levels below the number used to diagnose diabetes -- and they were not taking medication! For this group, type 2 diabetes was considered to be "in remission." Only 13% of the group that did not have surgery had a remission at the two-year evaluation. Complications and side effects can occur from surgery. Also, surgery for obesity does not enable obese people t... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3467709 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3467709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3404126&cid=t_103968_140_f&fid=35471&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolar-a-way-of-life.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fon-up.html I had an appointment with my pdoc 2 days ago. I was dreading it because I thought he'd harp on about my agoraphobia, which he did a little. However, in general, the appointment went really well. I've lost a stone and my mood has improved no end. I even managed not to cry on seeing him! I haven't got to go back to see him now unless I need to. Bless him, he even asked me to keep in touch just to tell him how I'm doing.On another doctor topic, my GP has know written to the PCT (Primary Care Trust) in regards to gastric banding. I'm really relieved about that because she agreed to write to them in November, but she hadn't done so until the other day. I have the feeling that she may have been waiting until the new financial year. I'm so excited! I shouldn't be really, as this is just the begin... Bipolar: A Way of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3404126 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:19:00 +0100 3404126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318684&cid=t_103968_155_f&fid=38412&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathlabmed.typepad.com%2Fsurgical_pathology_and_la%2F2010%2F03%2Ftrastumuzab-approved-for-treatment-of-her2positive-.html from primeLines:"On December 17, 2009, Roche’s trastuzumab (Herceptin®) received a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for use in combination with standard chemotherapy for the treatment of previously untreated patients with HER2-positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction. The positive opinion for this new indication was issued in record time due to high unmet medical need and data from the ToGA trial (my emphasis), which demonstrated an increase in overall survival (OS) for patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer who received trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (intravenous fluorouracil or capecitabine and cisplatin) compared to chemotherapy alone."I have done the immunostain for HER2 routinely on the las... The Daily Sign-Out blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318684 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:20:20 +0100 3318684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294542&cid=t_103968_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F21%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-6%2F This article compares the outcomes of gastric banding against an optimal lifestyle program in adolescent obesity. The article concludes that among obese adolescent participants, use of gastric banding compared with lifestyle intervention resulted in a greater percentage achieving a loss of 50% of excess weight, corrected for age. There were associated benefits to health and quality of life. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Adolescence, adolescents, Bariatric Surgery, Exercise, Gastric Banding, Healthy lifestyles, Nutrition, Quality of Life, Randomised Controlled Trials, United States (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294542 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:49:16 +0100 3294542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189110&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F19%2Fmediterranean-diet-reduces-stomach-cancer-risk%2F Filed under: Diets, Cancer prevention foods, Gastric cancerMediterranean diet advocates have another reason to cheer for their favorite foods. Following the Mediterranean diet may reduce your stomach cancer risk, according to a new study from Spain. The diet, similar to the traditional Greece and Southern Italian diet, emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and cereals. It limits red meat consumption, allows small amounts of wine and uses olive oil as the main fat. Doctors have championed this diet for several years because it has been linked to reducing the risk of depression, inflammation, premature death, diabetes, birth defect, heart disease, Alzheimer's and obesity. According to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adopting the diet lowers th... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189110 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3189110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056871&cid=t_103968_140_f&fid=35471&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolar-a-way-of-life.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwho-was-i-kidding.html Alas, the good mood didn't last that long. Around August time I started to see signs of a low period coming on. I spoke to my GP who arranged a meeting with my pdoc again. He put me on some new anti-psychotic drugs called Aripiprizole. The downside is that these tablets stop you sleeping well, so I'm on sleeping tablets for a few months, too.On the upside, the pdoc noticed that I'm really struggling to lose weight. I have PCOS, and the Olanzipine made me put on even more weight, so I find it really hard to shift a pound or two. He suggested that I see my GP and ask about gastric banding. I put the GP visit off and off, but my husband came with me last week, and the GP is in favour of it and is going to write a letter to the powers that be. I've wanted this for so long now, but I new I coul... Bipolar: A Way of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056871 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:35:00 +0100 3056871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2872082&cid=t_103968_155_f&fid=38412&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathlabmed.typepad.com%2Fsurgical_pathology_and_la%2F2009%2F10%2Fnovel-classification-for-gastric-cancer.html A multi-institutional study published online on Oct. 1 in PLoS Genetics examined 301 gastric carcinomas using gene expression profiles and a pathway prediction model to identify major oncogenic pathways involved in gastric cancer and relate expression of these pathways to patient survival.  They found proliferation/stem cell-related, Wnt/beta-catenin, and NF-kappaB pathways are deregulated in over 70% of the gastric cancers they studied.  Furthermore, the found patterns of pathway co-activation associated with survival.  This is a free access paper so please download and read.Reading the "Materials and Methods" of this paper is worthwhile in itself because the strategy the authors used is well-conceived and explained.  More importantly, this study demonstr... The Daily Sign-Out blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2872082 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:13:40 +0100 2872082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757857&cid=t_103968_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FjjayTDzkACA%2F It’s not unusual to see that at least one parent of an obese child is obese as well.  While some of this may be environmental (diet and lifestyle), research is pointing to genetic and intra-uterine (during pregnancy) factors as well. An interesting study undertaken by American and Canadian researchers, and will be published in the next issue of Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), has found that children of women who were conceived after their mother had weight loss surgery had a lower incidence of obesity than siblings who were born before she had the surgery. The researchers looked at 49 women who had a surgery called biliopancreatic diversion, or BPD before between pregnancies. This surgery makes it so the woman’s stomach is smaller and any food that s... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757857 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:59:52 +0100 2757857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602060&cid=t_103968_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FiOFFZrfIm8Q%2F For the so-called morbidly obese, gastric bypass surgery may be their only hope for slimming down to a healthier body weight. Such surgery isn’t without its own risks though, and isn’t always successful for a number of reasons. However, researchers may have discovered a way to increase the success of a specific type of gastric bypass surgery, called Roux en Y bypass. One of the complications caused by gastric bypass surgery is the change in the bacterial flora of the stomach - the natural bacteria that you need to stay healthy. Researchers studied 44 patients who had had the bypass and who were given either probiotics or a placebo. The results showed that after 6 months, the patients who had taken the probiotics did better than those who didn’t. They also lost weight more... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602060 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:33:51 +0100 2602060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2584345&cid=t_103968_134_f&fid=36012&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBattleDiabetes%2F%7E3%2FBp1gZ9HenyE%2F I’m 36 and at my 7 year mark now after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and I’m considering getting gastric bypass surgery. There are studies that support gastric bypass weight loss surgery to stop the use of diabetes medications for type 2 diabetics. As I cut down on my daily intake of food I don’t see any big changes in my blood sugars or weight. I do exercise 2 or 3 times a week but obviously it’s not enough. The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is still unknown. Many doctors subscribe to the “lipocentric hypothesis,” which pins the blame on extra pounds. Even if the body makes lots of insulin to process or store blood sugars, the theory goes, the extra weight overwhelms it. “The fat in your belly is very insulin-resistant,” says George ... Battle Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2584345 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:28:18 +0100 2584345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580468&cid=t_103968_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FIKOVlmQSiVw%2Fgastric-band-maker-reaches-out-with.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580468 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:56:00 +0100 2580468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2474471&cid=t_103968_155_f&fid=38412&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathlabmed.typepad.com%2Fsurgical_pathology_and_la%2F2009%2F06%2Fasco-2009herceptin-in-gastric-cancer.html As a follow-up to my previous post on HER2 in gastric cancer, here is a summary of the new results from the ToGA trial presented at ASCO 2009 which have been called "practice-changing."This multinational study was conducted in 594 patients with HER2-positive disease, of nearly 4000 patients with advanced gastric cancer, screened for HER2 expression by both FISH and IHC.  All patients received chemotherapy (mostly cisplatin and capecitabine) and half were randomized to receive trastuzumab.  This trial was stopped early, after 17 months, because of the benefit seen.The improvement in overall survival was 2.7 months, from 11.1 months in the chemotherapy group to 13.8 months in the trastuzumab group (hazard ratio, 0.74, P = .0046).  In addition, trastuzumab im... The Daily Sign-Out blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2474471 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:51:00 +0100 2474471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442860&cid=t_103968_155_f&fid=38412&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathlabmed.typepad.com%2Fsurgical_pathology_and_la%2F2009%2F05%2Fher2-in-gastric-cancer.html I was listening to a preview of the 2009 ASCO Conference (starting on May 29) on Medscape and one of the anticipated studies being presented is the results of the ToGA trial, a multi-center, international phase III trial evaluating the combination of trastuzumab with standard 5FU plus cisplatin chemotherapy in advanced HER2 positive gastric cancer.  Update to follow but meanwhile. . .There is a nice review of the subject in Annals of Oncology, 2008;19:1523-1529 by Gravalos and Jimeno.  Preliminary data from this trial reported at ASCO 2007 in an abstract the HER2-positive rate in gastric cancer is about 24% (about what it is in breast cancer) and similar concordance between IHC and FISH (87%) but that there is a marked difference in HER2 expression by histologic type (36% intes... The Daily Sign-Out blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442860 Thu, 28 May 2009 20:28:46 +0100 2442860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121780&cid=t_103968_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FDOA-DHPXJZM%2F Microorganisms and bacteria living in our intestines help with proper digestion of food by breaking down nutrients and helping our body absorb them better. Although much is known about the function of microorganisms, there is still much to study about the relationship between gut microorganisms and weight.  Scientists are particularly interested in the relationship between the kinds of gut microorganisms and amount of calories harvested from carbohydrates and sugars, as evidence to this could help with weight management. Researchers also want to find out how the various microorganism communities compare in different individuals. A new study appearing online this week found that gut microorganisms are linked with obesity. Researchers found that obese individuals carried more hydrogen-... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121780 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:40:52 +0100 2121780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812730&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D4573 a Babies Given Acetaminophen More Likely to Develop Asthma, Psoriasis Drug Showing Promise, Diabetes Affects Gastric Bypass Results (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812730 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1812730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806345&cid=t_103968_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2F395597496%2F The television medical drama Grey’s Anatomy apparently has more to offer than Patrick Dempsey’s rakish smile and a good cry. A new survey reports watching the show also may increase a viewer’s health smarts. There is a lot of inaccurate information on television. According to this survey people remember health information imparted on TV, probably more so than given to them in their doctor’s office. Using the television media responsibly and effectively may increase public awareness of diseases and encourage healthy behavior. The same goes for print media. Influential magazines should research medical articles before jumping to an opinion. The most recent example is an article in Time Magazine - Gastric bypass surgery less helpful for diabetics. A very catchy bu... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806345 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:32 +0100 1806345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1679392&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D3922 We now know, due to the pioneering work of Warren and Marshall (the duo won the Nobel prize in Medicine in 2005) that Helicobacter pylori is the cause of most stomach ulcers. It has also been linked with stomach cancer. But will eradication of Helicobacter pylori prevent the development of stomach cancer? Previous trials in this area have shown inconclusive results. Recently, Japanese workers published work in The Lancet which shows that eradication of H. pylori has an impact on preventing recurrence of gastric cancer. The BBC reports: Patients with early stomach cancer underwent a procedure to remove the cancerous cells and surrounding tissue. Half of them were then treated with a course of drugs designed to eradicate H. pylori - lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin - and half rec... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1679392 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1679392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419286&cid=t_103968_115_f&fid=34680&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcoolmristuff.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fgastric-tumors.html Gastric tumors may be classified as benign or malignant on the basis of their biologic behavior; epithelial and mesenchymal tumors may be similarly classified on the basis of their origin. More than 95% of malignant tumors of the stomach are adenocarcinomas . The remaining malignant tumors include lymphoma, sarcoma (eg, malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor), carcinoid tumor, metastasis, and so on. Between 85% and 90% of gastric tumors are benign . About half of these benign tumors are mucosal lesions (mostly hyperplastic or adenomatous polyps) and about half are mesenchymal tumors .Mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract are divided into two broad groups. The first group consists of tumors that are identical to those arising in the somatic soft tissue. These include smooth mus... MRI LINKS AND OTHER COOL THINGS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419286 Sun, 04 May 2008 18:54:00 +0100 1419286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1288554&cid=t_103968_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F247911098%2F Growing evidence shows that surgery may effectively cure Type 2 diabetes — an approach that not only may change the way the disease is treated, but that introduces a new way of thinking about diabetes. How do you feel about the above statement? I have now read through this article about 100 times and I am still unsure myself. We have learned previously that gastric bypass surgery will decrease type 2 diabetes if not ‘cure’ it in many people, but that was always shown to be dependent upon weight loss. The new study published in a special supplement to the February issue of Diabetes Care by a leading expert in the emerging field of diabetes surgery is claiming that bypassing/re-routing the gastric tract actually ‘cures’ diabetes independent of weight loss. Dr. Rubin... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1288554 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:06:15 +0100 1288554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1054851&cid=t_103968_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F191386965%2Fobsese_gastric_bypass_patients_face_another_complication.html Raul N. Uppot, M.D., an assistant radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and instructor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston conducted an eight year retrospective study in which they found that some gastric bypass patients who required diagnostic imaging could not be accommodated because of their size.The study found that 27 percent of patients who weighed more than 450 pounds and needed imaging to diagnose a problem after surgery were unable to get it because their weight exceeded conventional diagnostic imaging equipment limits."When patients weigh more than 450 pounds, standard diagnostic imaging often cannot be used," said Uppot. "In these cases, physicians must resort to other means of diagnosis such as exploratory surgery or... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1054851 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:00:31 +0100 1054851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=911902&cid=t_103968_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F162637594%2Fethicon_endo-surgery_inc_gets_fda_approval_for_realize_gastric_band.html The FDA issue approval on Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc. Realize™ Gastric Band. Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band is a surgical implant for weight reduction in obesity related health conditions. In a 3 year study of 276 patients, those using the Realize(TM) Band saw an average of 42.8 percent weight loss. Thirty-five percent hose who completed the trial had a 50% more loss of weight while 10.5% lost 75% or more in excess body weight. Ed Phillips, MD, FACS, principal investigator in the REALIZE Band clinical trial and Director of the Center for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said "This procedure, combined with the proper support system and a commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes after surgery helped these pat... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=911902 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:10:41 +0100 911902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=896018&cid=t_103968_82_f&fid=34667&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaryngoscope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Ffat.html Wow. One of my rare days now where I'm not doing cardiac or thoracic cases.The patient had a Body Mass Index (BMI= weight in kg/ [height in meters]squared) of 78! Overweight is above 25, obese above 30. It's a little conservative in my opinion, but this is ridiculous. He was 5 foot 6 or so, and above 220kg. (~500 lbs) fortunately he was here for gastric bypass surgery.When they're this big, you worry if you're able to get IV access, establish the airway, and whether the surgeons will have difficulty with the procedure.Luckily no problems.I did have salad for lunch... I need to work on my own BMI. (Source: i'm so sleepy) i'm so sleepy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=896018 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:39:00 +0100 896018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=725113&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F10%2Fdrastic-measures-gastric-bypass-surgery-and-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 2, Daily News, SupportGastric bypass surgery was originally devised to cause weight loss in cases of extreme obesity. However, it has recently come to be known as a last resort measure for controlling Type 2 diabetes in obese patients. To read up on this phenomenon, you need look no further than this very site. Here's a previous blog on this topic by yours truly, one that touches on the horrible complications that some have to endure after the surgery. Then here's a more recent one about a Welsh study on the incredible efficacy of the surgery, this time courtesy of Bev. Now I see a new report circulating in the news. This one focuses on some doctors and their patients who have experienced first-hand how well the gastric bypass can work at making Type 2 diabetes disappear.... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=725113 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 725113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=704446&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F29%2Fnccn-updates-guidelines-for-treatment-of-esophageal-and-gastric%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, Esophageal Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Radiation, Gastric cancer, SurgeryIn late May, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announced updates to two NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology(TM) -- Esophageal Cancer and Gastric Cancer. The panel added oral fluoropyrimidine, Capecitabine (Xeloda(R), Roche) as an option for treatment of esophageal and gastric cancer due to favorable Phase III trials. The panel also states that capecitabine may replace 5-FU and oxaliplatin may replace cisplatin in triplet regimens for advanced esophageal and gastric cancer. Additional updates and the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology(TM) are available at www.nccn.org free of charge.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blog... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=704446 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 704446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=501619&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F26%2Ffirst-evidence-of-alcohol-cancer-link-emerges%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Research, Daily newsWhen Dr. Jian-Wei Gu went to Mississippi to study the cardiovascular system and the process of blood vessel growth, he had no idea he'd make national headlines about his research into the world of cancer. Gu, assistant professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, says his discovery of the mechanism by which alcohol consumption causes tumor growth was purely accidental. And extremely significant. Scientists have known for a hundred years about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. A study from Paris in 1910 showed that 80 percent of patients with cancer of the esophagus or gastric track were alcoholics. More recently, scientists have found correlations between alcohol consumption and cancer o... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=501619 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 501619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479191&cid=t_103968_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F08%2Fweighing-in-on-the-side-effects-of-gastric-bypass-surgery%2F Filed under: Diet, Research, SurgeryAl Roker, Randy Jackson (of American Idol fame, not Michael Jackson's younger brother), Carney Wilson, and thousands of other Americans -- what do they all have in common? They have all undergone gastric bypass surgery as a last resort to losing weight. Leaving my opinion on such surgeries out of this, I'm instead going to mention a post-op side effect that most people aren't aware of. Here's a hint: Those people I mentioned might not be able to remember the side effect, even if their doctor told them about it. Based on a study published in the March 13th issue of Neurology, weight loss surgery can lead to a vitamin B1 and thiamine deficiency which, in turn, can cause memory loss and confusion. These effects, collectively referred to as Wernicke encephal... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479191 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 479191