Trade.Information

Topic Name: The extent of lymph node involvement in patients with lung cancer.

Category: Biomedical

Research persons: James Knepler, MD,Nathan Schmulewitz, MD,

Location: Department of Internal Medicine,231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0557,Phone: 513.558.4231 Fax: 513.558.0852, United States

Details

UC researchers are studying a new way to more accurately determine the extent of lymph node involvement in patients with lung cancer.James Knepler, MD, is using endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) via the airway walls to examine the mediastinum the cavity containing the lungs and heart that lung cancer often spreads to—in order to obtain biopsy tissue.His collaborator Nathan Schmulewitz, MD, is heading a clinical trial that will couple EBUS with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)—which examines the mediastinum through the esophagus. The EBUS and EUS procedures will be done on the same day to improve the chances of locating the cancer. Both are performed on an outpatient basis>According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the United States. In 1987, it surpassed breast cancer to become the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Knepler, assistant professor of pulmonary medicine, and other UC colleagues are the only physicians performing EBUS in the region.Before the introduction of EBUS, Knepler said doctors had to perform “blind biopsies” through the wall of the trachea using a small needle.

 “Now, we can actually see where the mass is and stick it the first time,” he said. “EBUS increases our yield and our accuracy.”

 Schmulewitz, assistant professor of digestive diseases, said coupling EBUS and EUS will help locate cancer in patients.

 “This study is important,” he said. “By the time most lung cancer is found, it’s often advanced to other areas of the body, and small tumors don’t usually cause symptoms.”

 Schmulewitz said in many cases, cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the mediastinum by the time medical symptoms are recognized. Although some of these patients remain good candidates for surgical removal of tumors, most would not benefit from surgery unless the cancer can be shrunk with chemotherapy.

 “Once lung cancer spreads, the chances of curing the patient with surgery are slim,” Schmulewitz explained.

 Knepler said coupling the procedures will save people from having to undergo a surgical procedure called a mediastinoscopy to see inside the mediastinum.

 “Oftentimes we can make a diagnosis without a more invasive procedure,” he said. “We don’t want someone to have to go to surgery if it isn’t beneficial or necessary.”

 Schmulewitz said this will be the first study in the United States to combine the EBUS and EUS procedures. Nowadays, some patients are being offered either EUS or EBUS but not both on the same day. 

“We can possibly save patients a trip to the operating room if we find we can’t cure them surgically,” he said. “We hope these combined technique will give us more accurate results.” 

About researchers:

James Knepler, MD

Nathan Schmulewitz, MD,

Title: Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine

Education: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, AB Biology Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, MD

Email: Nathan.Schmulewitz@uc.edu

Department of Internal Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0557
Phone: 513.558.4231 Fax: 513.558.0852

Funded:

The Research Committee sponsors From the Molecule to the Bedside, a popular seminar series featuring research presentations from various investigators at the University of Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

In The Images:

1.Nathan Schmulewitz, MD

2.James Knepler, MD

Related research:

Predict cells' response to drugs, Radiation Therapy for Cancer Patients Controlled & Could Speed Up by Machine Learning, 21st-century pack mule: MIT's 'exoskeleton' lightens the load, 3D Ultrasound brain scanner : successfully image the brain, A signaling pathway crucially involved in Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis, Bath Pain Management Unit has developed an observational tool, Biomarker, or biological indicator, for early diagnosis of neurological disorders, Brain scanning experiment shows how much we take others' earnings as a measure of our success, Detect cancer and neurological diseases by identifying certain molecules present in human blood or urine, Developed simple bladder cancer test, Different biomolecules (DNA, proteins, etc.) in a single sample, Duke scientists map imprinted genes in human genome, say a modern-day Rosetta stone, Emotions play a part in moral judgments, Factors of Prostate Cancer Risk, FINDING SURVIVORS, PROTECTING DRIVERS, Herceptin to treat HER2-positive breast cancer by destroing the cancer stem cells., Hopkins research shows survival of newborns with abdominal holes differs according to hospital, Human Virus may Prove useful in Attacking the Deadliest form of Brain Tumors, Jefferson researchers find anti-inflammation molecule helps fight MS-like disease, Jefferson Researchers Show Chemotherapy and Radiation joinly increase Lung Cancer Patients’ Lives, Life-saving diabetes invention, MIT radar technology fights breast cancer using microwave heat treatments, Nanoscale Droplets for drug delivery and anticancer applications, NeurogesX Announces Positive Results from Second Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Postherpetic Neuralgia, New Research Disproves Widespread Belief that Group Psychotherapy Extends the Lives of Cancer Patients

Add Research

Full Name *
Email address *
Location
Your Research *