Miracle Double-Lung Transplant Cures German Woman's Cancer (5 minutes reading) 

Cornelia Tischmacher, a 40-year-old art dealer from Berlin, was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in 2018. Despite surgery and chemotherapy, her cancer returned, and by 2024, she relied on an oxygen tank to breathe. Facing a grim prognosis, Tischmacher discovered a groundbreaking clinical trial in Chicago.

The DREAM program at Northwestern Medicine developed a new double-lung transplant method for patients with advanced lung cancer. Instead of transplanting lungs one at a time, both cancerous lungs are removed simultaneously, the chest cavity is cleaned, and new lungs are implanted. This meticulous approach prevents cancer cells from spreading during the procedure.

In December, Tischmacher underwent the surgery and woke up able to breathe without assistance. Five months later, she shows no signs of cancer. Her case highlights a promising new option for patients with lung-limited malignancies. Since the program's launch, about 70 patients have received this surgery, with only five experiencing cancer recurrence.

Tischmacher's successful surgery offers hope to late-stage cancer patients worldwide, demonstrating the potential of innovative medical procedures to extend lives and improve quality of life.

Source: LINK

New Cancer Breakthrough: A Single Immunotherapy Doubles Survival Time (5 minutes reading)

A new treatment using immunotherapy has helped patients with head and neck cancer live twice as long without the disease coming back, according to a major international study.

The drug, pembrolizumab, was tested in a large clinical trial across 24 countries. Patients who received it before and after surgery stayed cancer-free for an average of five years, compared to just 2.5 years with standard treatment alone.

This is a big deal because treatments for this type of cancer haven’t changed in over 20 years, and survival rates have been low. The drug works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

The treatment was especially helpful for patients with high levels of a certain immune marker (PD-L1), but it also worked well for others. Doctors believe giving the drug before surgery helps “train” the immune system to keep fighting the cancer afterward.

One patient, Laura Marston, called the treatment “the gift of life” after surviving stage 4 tongue cancer thanks to the trial.

Experts hope this breakthrough will soon be approved for wider use, potentially changing the future for thousands of patients.

Source: LINK

 

The Impact of Stress on Cancer: What You Need to Know

Chronic stress can make cancer worse and help it spread. Studies in animals and human cells show that stress hormones, which are natural in humans, play a big role in this process. Norepinephrine, a hormone released when we're stressed, helps tumors grow by forming new blood vessels and spreading cancer cells. It also activates certain immune cells that can protect tumors and wake up dormant cancer cells.

Another stress hormone, glucocorticoids, can stop cancer cells from dying naturally (a process called apoptosis) and make them resistant to chemotherapy. These hormones can also prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells.

Although some studies suggest that stress might lower survival rates in cancer patients, the evidence isn't strong. Managing stress is important for cancer patients because it can improve their quality of life and possibly help with treatment. Techniques like mindfulness, counseling, and exercise can help reduce stress.