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    Posted: 11/09/2005
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    Volume 7, Issue 4

Private-Public Partnerships in Cancer Vaccine Research

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NCI Highlights
Report to Nation Finds Declines in Cancer Incidence, Death Rates

High Dose Chemotherapy Prolongs Survival for Leukemia

Prostate Cancer Study Shows No Benefit for Selenium, Vitamin E

The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research FY 2009

caBIG: Connecting the Cancer Community

Past Highlights
Entertainment Resources
Cancer on TV: Fox-TV’s “House”

Topic: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, AIDS-related lymphoma
Original Air Date - November 22, 2005: “Hunting”

A patient is pestering some of the hospital staff when he suddenly falls into anaphylactic shock by collapsing, wheezing, and experiencing respiratory distress. The staff believes that he has full blown AIDS.

Once admitted, the patient complains of chest pains, constrained breathing and coughs blood. He is eventually diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which refers to any group of malignant cancers that are found mainly in the lymph nodes and spleen. But the medical team must also consider AIDS-related lymphoma, which can cause other symptoms such as weight loss, fever, and night sweats.

For more information on non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/adult-non-hodgkins

 

Topic: Thymoma
Original Air Date - November 15, 2005: “Spin”

A seasoned cyclist takes a spin for the worse when he gasps for air and then collapses. After ordering several tests, House and his team conclude that he has thymoma, a disease in which cancer cells form on the outside surface of the thymus, a small organ under the breastbone. Symptoms may include a cough that doesn't go away, chest pain, and trouble breathing.

For more information on thymoma, visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/thymoma

 

Topic: Acoustic Neuroma & Nesidioblastoma
Original Air Date - November 1, 2005: “TB or Not TB”

When an elderly male patient arrives with symptoms including headaches, nausea, vomiting, changes in mood, abnormal heart rhythm and limited ability to concentrate, the team of physicians consider a brain tumor, or more specifically an acoustic neuroma. When the patient sustains these symptoms, as well as low blood sugar, the team suspects a nesidioblastoma. This is a type of islet cell cancer that makes too much insulin in one’s pancreas, causing hypoglycemia.

For more information on islet cell cancers, visit http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/isletcell

 

Topic: Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma
Original Air Date : September 20, 2005: "Autopsy"

Andie is a 9-year old girl with terminal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. This is a form of soft tissue cancer, which involves a tumor affecting Andie's lung and heart. Andie must undergo surgery to eliminate a blood clot which is causing hallucinations, but the procedure involves stopping her heart for a short period. As a young girl dealing with the effects of cancer, Andie is living on a rollercoaster of twists and turns and experiencing an array of symptoms, tests, misdiagnoses, treatments, hospitals, doctors, and emotional issues.

For more information on alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childrhabdomyosarcoma

 

Topic: Squamous Cell Lung Cancer
Original Air Date - September 13, 2005: "Acceptance"

Dr. Cameron sees a patient named Cindy who needs a health clearance for her new job. Cindy appears only to be a little anemic and suffering from a slight cough, but the x-rays show differently. Cameron presents Cindy's file to House, who immediately dismisses it as metastatic squamous cell lung cancer. The patient may have only six months to live. Cameron begs him to think of other ideas, but he urges her to inform Cindy that she is dying.

For more information on squamous cell lung cancer, visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/non-small-cell-lung

 

Topic: Pheochromocytoma
Original Air Date - September 13, 2005: "Acceptance"

Dr. House takes on a death-row patient, Clarence, who is suffering from hallucinations, sudden attacks of rage and a rapid heart rate. House guesses that Clarence's symptoms are the result of drugs. In the hospital, Clarence complains of stomach pain and blood is discovered on his bed sheets. After further consideration, House determines that Clarence has pheochromocytoma, a rare disease that involves a tumor on the adrenal gland that causes random adrenaline secretions.

For more information on pheochromocytoma, visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/pheochromocytoma

 

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