Cervical cancers that take up a lot of blood sugar, or glucose, are more resistant to treatment than those that are less glucose-hungry, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The researchers also found that the high glucose-uptake tumors can be identified with PET scans, which are already routinely used to determine tumor size and lymph node involvement in cervical cancer patients.

PET scans monitor the amount of a radioactive glucose tracer absorbed by cells, so the brightness of the image reveals how much glucose a tumor takes up. The results of the research team's analysis indicate that PET scans can be used to better determine prognosis in cervical cancer patients.

"Cervical tumors vary more in their glucose uptake than other kinds of cancer, making glucose uptake a very useful indicator for cervical cancers," says Perry W. Grigsby, M.D., a radiation oncologist with the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "We found that the tumors with higher uptake were associated with lower survival rates and lower disease-free survival rates."

In a report published in the April issue of Gynecological Oncology, the researchers summarized their findings for 96 cervical cancer patients who underwent PET scans before radiation and chemotherapy were initiated.

Analysis showed that 71 percent of patients whose tumors had a glucose uptake value below the median value of 10.2 survived five years without a recurrence of their disease. In contrast, 52 percent of those whose glucose uptake measured above 10.2 went for five years without a recurrence.

Since submitting their findings, the team has continued their investigation with additional patients, who now number near 250. The trend of lower five-year disease-free survival with higher tumor glucose uptake has been born out in the additional patients.

Further, the continuing study has
'"/>

Contact: Gwen Ericson
ericsong@wustl.edu
314-286-0141
Washington University School of Medicine
30-Mar-2006

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Papillomavirus vaccine could substantially reduce cervical cancer incidence
2. Study shows continued success for new HPV vaccine against virus responsible for cervical cancer
3. Girls born with HIV infection at higher risk for cervical problems
4. Temple University Hospital investigates treatment for cervical dysplasia
5. NIH scientists honored for FDA-approved cervical cancer vaccine breakthrough
6. EU should make vaccination against cervical cancer virus mandatory for adolescent girls
7. HIV drug could be used to prevent cervical cancer, say University of Manchester researchers
8. New vaccine prevents cervical cancer in teens
9. New strategy more sensitive at detecting cervical cancer than smear test
10. Merck and GSK need to overcome cultural barriers to cervical cancer vaccine roll-out
11. Aussie of the Year wins approval for cervical cancer vaccine