Study Evaluates Incidence of Lymphedema Resulting from Cancer Treatment 08/08/2010
A systematic review of 47 studies evaluating treatment for melanoma, head and neck cancer, genitourinary cancers, gynecologic cancers, and sarcoma indicates that lymphedema is a common side effect of treatment for these diseases. These findings were recently published in the journal Cancer.[1] Lymphedema is the buildup of lymph fluid in ...

HPV Vaccine Protects Against Genital Warts and Precancerous Growths 07/29/2010
Results from a recent international study indicate that the vaccine Gardasil® (quadrivalent human papillomavirus [types 6, 11, 16, 18] recombinant vaccine) protects against genital warts and low-grade precancerous changes to the cervix, vulva, and vagina. These findings were published in the journal BMJ. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of more than 100 ...

Many Physicians Fail to Adhere to New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines 07/11/2010
Apparently, old habits die hard: less than one-third of physicians report compliance with the updated guidelines for cervical cancer screening that suggest longer intervals between screening for women with normal test results. The results of this survey were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.[1] Historically, guidelines have recommended annual ...

More Than Half of Young Adults in New Relationships Infected with HPV 04/26/2010
More than half of young adults in a new sexual relationship are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), and of those 44% were infected with an HPV type that causes cancer, according to the results of a groundbreaking study called the HITCH Cohort Study (HPV Infection and ...

Cervical Vaccine Provides Little Benefit for Older Women 03/04/2010
Women over the age of 40 are not likely to benefit from a vaccine designed to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.1 HPV has been shown to cause cervical cancer. Human papillomaviruses consist ...

Cervarix® Protection Extends Beyond Six Years 02/12/2010
Cervarix®—a vaccine that reduces the risk of cervical cancer by protecting against two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV)—remains effective for more than six years. These results were published in the Lancet. Human papillomaviruses consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts ...

ACOG Updates Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines 11/20/2009
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has revised its cervical cancer screening recommendations: the organization now recommends that women begin screening at the age of 21 and receive screening at less frequent intervals. These recommendations will be published in the December 2009 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Widespread use ...

Second HPV Vaccine Approved in U.S. 10/16/2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Cervarix®, a vaccine against two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), for prevention of cervical cancer and cervical precancers. This is the second HPV vaccine to be approved in the United States. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some ...

Number of Obesity-related Cancers Is Growing 10/03/2009
In 2008, excess body weight was responsible for over 124,000 new cancer diagnoses in Europe. These results were presented at a major European cancer conference. Obesity is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor not only for cancer development, but also for worse outcomes after cancer treatment. Links between obesity and ...

FDA Advisory Committee Backs Second Cervical Cancer Vaccine 09/11/2009
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee has concluded that Cervarix®—a vaccine against two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV)—is safe and effective for the prevention of cervical cancer. Human papillomaviruses consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts on the hands or feet; ...

Immunosuppression Increases Risk of HPV-related Cancers in AIDS Patients 08/20/2009
The risk of HPV-related cancers is elevated among AIDS patients. This risk continues to increase as patients’ immune systems become more compromised, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types ...

Gardasil® Label Highlights Fainting Risk 06/12/2009
Gardasil® Label Highlights Fainting Risk Information about the risk of fainting has been added to the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the prescribing information for the HPV vaccine Gardasil®. As with any vaccine, Gardasil recipients should remain seated or lying down and be observed for 15 minutes following vaccination. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) ...

Sentinel Node Biopsy Is a Minimally-invasive, Effective Method for Determining Spread of Cervical Cancer 06/09/2009
Sentinel Node Biopsy Is a Minimally-invasive, Effective Method for Determining Spread of Cervical Cancer The majority of women with cervical cancer can safely undergo sentinel node biopsy instead of full pelvic lymph node dissection to determine the spread of their disease, thereby avoiding the complications associated with the more invasive procedure, ...

Gemzar® Added to Chemoradiation Improves Survival in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer 06/08/2009
Gemzar® Added to Chemoradiation Improves Survival in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer The combination of Gemzar® (gemcitabine), Platinol® (cisplatin), and concurrent radiation significantly improves survival over single-agent Platinol and radiation in women with Stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer, according to the results of a study presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the ...

January Is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 01/02/2009
As the month of January brings cervical cancer into focus, it's a great time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated cervical cancer information throughout the year.Cervical cancer affects the ...

Cancer Consultants Offers Free Subscriptions to Women&Cancer Magazine 12/01/2008
Women&Cancer is the premier women's health and wellness magazine. By covering all health and wellness issues with an emphasis on cancer prevention, early detection, management, and survivorship, Women&Cancer empowers women with regard to their own health and recognizes the unique role of women in the overall health of their family ...

Updates in the Management of Gynecologic Cancers 05/27/2008
The 39th Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) was held in Tampa, Florida, from March 9 to 12, 2008, and was attended by more than 1,000 oncologists and other healthcare professionals.Established to “promote and ensure the highest quality of comprehensive clinical care through excellence in education ...

Liquid-based Cytology No More Accurate than Conventional Pap Test for Cervical Screening 01/03/2008
For the detection of cervical abnormalities, liquid-based cytology does not appear to be more accurate than the conventional Pap test. This was the conclusion of a combined analysis published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.A Pap test is a routine screening test that is used for the early detection ...

PET Scans May Prove Useful for Predicting Cervical Cancer Outcome 11/27/2007
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, post-treatment imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) may provide important information about response to cervical cancer treatment and likelihood of survival.  In 2007 more than 11,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with ...

Increased Risk of Cervical Cancer with Oral Contraceptive Use 11/14/2007
According to an article recently published in The Lancet, the use of combined oral contraceptives (estrogen and progestin) temporarily increases the risk of cervical cancer.  However, this risk remains small: one extra person per 1,000 is diagnosed with cervical cancer with use of the contraceptives.The cervix is located at ...

Cervical Cancer Survivors Face Long-term Risk of Second Cancers 11/01/2007
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer survivors have an increased risk of later developing other types of cancer, particularly if their cervical cancer was treated with radiation therapy. This increased risk persists for more than 40 years ...

Increased Risk of Cancer Persists Long After Treatment for Precancerous Cervical Changes 10/29/2007
According to the results of a study published in the British Medical Journal, women who have been treated for high-grade precancerous changes to the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3) are more likely than women in the general population to subsequently develop cervical or vaginal cancer. Furthermore, this increased ...

HPV Testing Detects Greater Number of Cervical Abnormalities 10/18/2007
According to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, testing for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) detects a higher proportion of precancerous changes to the cervix than conventional Pap testing, but also produces more false-positive results. A second study published in the ...

HPV Vaccine Does Not Treat Existing Infections 08/24/2007
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Cervarix™—a vaccine designed to prevent infection with two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV)—does not treat HPV infections in women who are already infected at the time of vaccination.Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of ...

Visual Screening Offers Hope for Reducing Cervical Cancer Mortality in Developing Countries 08/07/2007
According to the results of a study conducted in India, an inexpensive approach to cervical cancer screening produced significant reductions in cervical cancer incidence and mortality. These results were published in the Lancet.Worldwide, an estimated 231,000 women die of cervical cancer each year, with 80% of those deaths occurring ...

Expanded Indications for Fertility-preserving Surgery for Early Cervical Cancer 08/07/2007
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has recommended fertility-preserving surgery to include more women with cervical cancer.The cervix is located at the bottom part of the uterus. It is typically in a closed position, but opens during labor to allow the baby to pass through the uterus into the ...

Cervarix™ Highly Effective Against Cervical Cancer 07/03/2007
According to an article recently published in The Lancet, the investigative vaccine CervarixTM is highly effective against the prevention of the human papillomavirus.There are several different types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV types 16 and 18 account for roughly 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. Cervarix (a ...

Vaccination Prior to HPV Infection is Key to Protection 05/14/2007
The results of two Phase III clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine report that the HPV vaccine Gardasil® (Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] Recombinant Vaccine) has high efficacy when given to girls and women who are not already infected with HPV.Human papillomaviruses (HPV) ...

Additional Evidence of HPV Vaccine Effectiveness 04/30/2007
Two studies presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) provide additional evidence that vaccination against high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is likely to greatly reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer.Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types ...

Cervical Cancer Survivors Face Risk of Second Cancers 04/27/2007
According to the results of a study presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the risk of a second cancer among women with a history of cervical cancer is higher than the cancer risk in the general population.Nearly 10,000 women each year ...

CDC Guidelines Recommend Gardasil® 04/16/2007
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has adopted recommendations for Gardasil (quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) recombinant vaccine) use in girls and women age 11 to 26.Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts on the ...

HPV in Lymph Nodes and Cervical Cancer Spread to Lymph Nodes Have Same Outcomes 03/30/2007
According to an article recently published in Gynecologic Oncology, outcomes among patients with cervical cancer who had human papillomavirus (HPV) found in nearby lymph nodes were similar to those whose cancer had spread to the lymph nodes.The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb). Although the ...

ACIP Releases Gardasil® Recommendations 03/27/2007
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently released recommendations regarding the use of the HPV vaccine Gardasil®. These recommendations were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.Human papillomaviruses (HPV) consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts on the hands or feet; ...

U.S. Women Are Poorly Informed About Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer 03/05/2007
According to an article published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, only 40% of U.S. women have heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) and less than 50% of these women are aware that it can cause cervical cancer.Human papillomavirus is thought to be the most common infection that is transmitted ...

American Cancer Society Develops Recommendations for HPV Vaccination 03/05/2007
In a report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the American Cancer Society recommends routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of girls between the ages of 11 and 12 years, and notes the continued importance of cervical cancer screening for both vaccinated and unvaccinated women.Human papillomaviruses consist of ...

Prevalence of HPV in the U.S. Greater than Previously Thought 03/01/2007
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the prevalence of the human papillomaviruses (HPV) among women in the United States may be greater than previously thought.Infection with human papillomavirus is thought to be the most common infection that is transmitted sexually. Human ...

Strategies for Vaccination with Human Papillomavirus Vaccines Outlined 02/15/2007
According to an article recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers have used mathematical models of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 virus infection to determine the optimal age to vaccinate individuals as well as different approaches to introducing the vaccine into the general population.Human papillomaviruses consist of ...

Precancerous Changes to the Cervix Linked to Increased Risk of Preterm Birth 01/16/2007
According to the results of a study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who have a history of precancerous changes to the cervix are more likely than women in the general population to experience a preterm delivery.Precancerous changes to the cervix are called cervical ...

HPV Vaccination Expected to Have Large Impact on Cervical Cancer Rates in the UK 01/11/2007
According to the results of a study published in the British Journal of Cancer, vaccinating 12-year-old girls against two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) could reduce cervical cancer deaths in the UK by 76%.Human papillomaviruses consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts ...

Possible Role for Avastin® in Recurrent Cervical Cancer 11/15/2006
A small study of six patients suggests that the combination of Avastin® (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy may be a promising approach to the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer. These results were published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.When cervical cancer has been detected or has returned following initial treatment with surgery, ...

Celebrex® Effective in Reversing Precancerous Cervical Changes 11/14/2006
The results of a phase II clinical trial suggest that daily treatment with Celebrex® (celecoxib) may effectively treat high-grade precancerous changes to the cervix. These results were published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.Cancerous and precancerous changes in cervical cells are often first detected by a Pap test, wherein a ...

Study Explores Cancer Risk Among Those with Family History of Early-onset Breast Cancer 11/13/2006
According to the results of a study published in the European Journal of Cancer, individuals with a first-degree family history of early-onset breast cancer (breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 50 in a parent, sibling, or child), are more likely than the general population to develop several types ...

Gardasil® Added to CDC's Vaccines for Children Contract 11/06/2006
Gardasil®, a vaccine that protects against infection with four types of human papillomavirus (HPV), has been added to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccines for Children (VFC) contract. The VFC program provides vaccines to children who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or Native American. Human papillomaviruses consist of more than ...

High-risk Types of HPV More Likely to Cause Persistent Infection 08/15/2006
According to the results of a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are more likely to cause persistent infection than low-risk types of HPV. Human papillomaviruses consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts on the ...

Study Explores Risk of Cervical Abnormalities in Older Women 08/07/2006
According to a study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, postmenopausal women who reported recent sexual activity while not married or not living as married were at increased risk of developing high-grade precancerous changes to the cervix. The most important cause of cervical cancer is infection with a high-risk ...

Race Interacts with Regional HPV Variants to Influence HPV Persistence 08/04/2006
According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, European variants of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 are more likely to produce persistent infections in White women, and African variants of HPV are more likely to produce persistent infections in African American women. Human ...

Smoking May Contribute to Persistent HPV Infections 08/02/2006
According to the results of a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, smoking may contribute to persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomaviruses consist of more than 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts on the hands or feet; others cause genital ...

Study Explores Patterns in HPV and Pap Test Results 07/27/2006
Among women being screening for cervical cancer, infection with a high-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV) was more common in younger than in older women, and was also more common in women with abnormal Pap test results. These results were published in the British Journal of Cancer. A Pap test ...

HPV Concentration Linked with Severity of Cervical Abnormalities 07/27/2006
According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Virology, a higher concentration of human papillomavirus type 16 or 18 in cervical cells tends to be with linked more severe cervical abnormalities. Nearly 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States each year. Cervical cancer is ...

AS04 in Addition to Cervical Vaccine Boosts Immune System 07/20/2006
According to an article published in the journal Vaccine and a press release from GlaxoSmithKline, the addition of AS04 to Cervarix™ boosts the strength and duration of immune responses compared to Cervarix alone. Although extended long-term follow-up is necessary, these results may indicate a greater response against the human ...

Infections with Multiple HPV Types Increases Likelihood of Cervical Cancer 07/17/2006
According to an article published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, women infected with multiple types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) have a significantly greater risk of developing cervical cancer than those infected with just one type of HPV. The cervix is the bottom part of the uterus, or womb, ...

HPV Testing Followed By Selective Use of Pap Test Detects Cervical Abnormalities in Young Women 07/10/2006
According to the results of a study conducted in Italy, use of HPV testing—followed by liquid-based cytology if the HPV test is positive—may offer an alternative approach to cervical cancer screening in women younger than 35 years of age. These results were published in the journal Lancet Oncology. Human papillomaviruses ...

Routine Use of Gardasil™ Recommended for 11- and 12-Year-Old Girls 07/03/2006
A U.S. vaccine advisory committee has recommended that 11- and 12-year-old girls receive routine vaccination with Gardasil™, a recently approved cervical cancer vaccine that protects against infection with four types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The recommendations also allow for use of the vaccine in girls as young as nine ...

Condom Use Reduces the Risk of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection 06/23/2006
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, condom use reduces a woman's risk of becoming infected with genital human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomaviruses consist of a group of more than 100 different viruses. HPV types 16 and 18 cause roughly 70% of all cases of ...

Cervarix™ Protection May Extend to Older Women 06/20/2006
Cervarix™, an investigational cervical cancer vaccine intended to protect against infection with two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), may provide protection to older as well as younger women. These results were presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). HPV types 16 and ...

Hycamtin® Approved for Advanced Cervical Cancer 06/19/2006
According to a press release from GlaxoSmithKline, Hycamtin® (topotecan) was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new use—the treatment of stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer, when given in combination with Platinol® (cisplatin). The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at ...

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Receives FDA Approval 06/08/2006
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that is has licensed Gardasil®—a new vaccine intended to prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital changes, and genital warts caused by specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine is approved for use in females between the ages of nine and 26 ...

FDA Advisory Committee Concludes Cervical Cancer Vaccine is Safe and Effective 05/22/2006
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee has concluded that Gardasil®, an investigational cervical cancer vaccine, appears to be safe and effective. This information was published in a press release by Merck & Co. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of ...

Phase II Trial of HPV Therapeutic Vaccine Produces Promising Results 04/26/2006
According to a press release from Transgene, an experimental human papillomavirus (HPV) therapeutic vaccine resulted in the disappearance of high-grade precancerous changes to the cervix in nine out of 18 vaccinated women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Different types ...

Addition of Radiation Therapy Following Surgery Reduces Recurrences in Early Cervical Cancer 04/25/2006
According to an article published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics, the addition of radiation to the pelvis following surgery for the treatment of stage IB cervical cancer reduces recurrences and improves progression-free survival compared to surgery alone. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will ...

Telephone Intervention Improves Screening Rates 04/19/2006
According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a telephone support intervention improved the rates of screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer among low-income women. Screening for early detection of cancer has improved survival for many types of cancer, including breast, cervical, and colorectal. Cervical and ...

HPV Test Identifies a Majority of Women with High-Grade CIN 04/13/2006
An analysis of several previously published studies concludes that a test for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) identifies a large majority of women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). These results were published in the International Journal of Cancer. Effective screening programs for cervical cancer have decreased the frequency ...

Predicting Recurrence Among Women Treated for CIN 3 04/06/2006
Among women treated for high-grade precancerous changes to the cervix, the probability of recurrence or persistence is linked with patient age, the extent of the cervical abnormalities, and the completeness of the surgical removal. These results were published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. The cervix is a female reproductive ...

HPV Vaccine Shows Sustained Efficacy 04/06/2006
A vaccine against two high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) appears to remain effective for at least four and a half years, and may also provide cross-protection against two other high-risk types of HPV. These results were published in Lancet. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is ...

LUMA™ Cervical Imaging System Approved for Detection of Pre-Cancerous Cervical Cells 03/30/2006
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the use of the LUMA™ Cervical Imaging System to help identify areas of the cervix that may contain pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. The LUMA system is used in women immediately following a colposcopy to determine if further tissue should be ...

HPV Also Linked with Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix 03/02/2006
According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) increases the risk of adenocarcinoma of the cervix (a relatively uncommon type of cervical cancer) in addition to increasing the risk of the more common squamous cell cancers ...

Pap Test Accurate for Majority of Women with HIV 02/28/2006
According to a study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, the Pap test accurately identifies the presence or absence of precancerous changes to the cervix in a majority of women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The cervix is a female reproductive organ that forms the lower portion ...

Treatment of Precancerous Changes to the Cervix May Influence Later Pregnancy Outcomes 02/14/2006
According to a study published in Lancet, women who undergo certain treatments for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or very early cervical cancer may have an increased risk of preterm delivery or low birthweight infants during subsequent pregnancies. The cervix is a female reproductive organ that forms the lower portion of the uterus. ...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Increases Risk of Precancerous Changes to the Cervix 01/19/2006
A study conducted in Senegal reports that women infected with HIV-1 or HIV-2 are at increased risk of developing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) of the cervix, a precancerous change that may progress to cervical cancer. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Human immunodeficiency ...

Vaccine Protects Against Precancerous Changes to the Cervix 01/17/2006
An experimental vaccine against a high-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV16) reduces the risk of persistent infection with HPV16 and, more importantly, reduces the risk of HPV16-related precancerous changes to the cervix. These results were published in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is ...

Liquid-Based Cytology May Not Be Superior to Conventional Cytology for Cervical Cancer Screening 01/16/2006
A combined analysis of 56 studies found no evidence that Pap tests that rely on liquid-based cytology produce better results than Pap tests that rely on conventional cytology. These results were published in Lancet. A Pap test is a routine screening test that is used for the early detection of ...

Sonography May Help Predict Recurrences in Asymptomatic Women with Gynecologic Cancers 12/01/2005
According to a recent article published in Gynecologic Oncology, the use of ultrasound, or sonography, appears highly accurate in detecting cancer recurrences in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers who display no other symptoms of a recurrence. Gynecologic cancers may include cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, or vulva. ...

Radiation for Stage I Cervical Cancer Adversely Affects Sexual Function 11/15/2005
Women treated with radiation therapy for stage I cervical cancer have worse long-term sexual function than women treated with surgery, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology . The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 10,370 new cases of cervical cancer in the U.S. ...

Alternative Cervical Cancer Screening Programs Reach Women in Need 11/07/2005
Cervical cancer screening and treatment programs that involve fewer visits or that use readily available technology appear to successfully reduce the risk of cervical cancer in high-risk women treated in low-resource settings, according to two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association . Screening for early detection ...

Gardasil™ Effectively Prevents Cervical Cancer 10/07/2005
An investigational vaccine against four types of human papillomavirus effectively prevented cancerous and precancerous changes in the cervix, according to results that will be presented today at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that is the ...

Large Variations in Prevalence of HPV Worldwide 08/22/2005
According to a study published in The Lancet, the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), a cause of cervical cancer, varies roughly 20-fold internationally.  This information is important in providing feasible and effective screening for cervical cancers as well as developing a vaccine against HPV.  HPV is a sexually transmitted infection ...

Chlamydia Increases Persistence of Cancer-Associated Types of Human Papillomavirus 08/01/2005
Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted infection, may contribute to the development of cervical cancer by increasing the persistence of high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of cervical ...

Combination of Cisplatin and Topotecan Improves Survival in Advanced Cervical Cancer 07/28/2005
A phase III clinical trial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that women with advanced cervical cancer treated with a combination of cisplatin (Platinol®) plus topotecan (Hycamtin®) chemotherapy lived longer than women treated with cisplatin alone. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located ...

Single-Type Tests for Human Papillomaviruses May Be Useful Addition to Pooled Test 07/21/2005
According to a recent article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, tests for two specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV), when coupled with the currently available pooled test for HPV, may help identify women at highest risk of cervical cancer. It is estimated that 20 ...

A New Vaccine Shows Promise For the Prevention of Cervical Cancer 04/21/2005
A recent study published in the Lancet Oncology reports that an investigational vaccine against the human papilloma viruses (HPV) significantly reduces the incidence of the infections that are responsible for 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. It is estimated that 20 million men and women are infected with HPV. ...

Stress and Depression Frequent Among Women Treated for Gynecological Cancers 02/22/2005
According to the results of a study recently published in Gynecologic Oncology , women with gynecologic cancer often experience emotional stress and depression after losing their fertility from cancer treatment. Gynecologic cancers are malignancies that involve any part of the female reproductive organs. Unfortunately many of the areas affected, such ...

Ovarian Autotransplantation Shows Promise in Preserving Ovarian Function 01/03/2005
The results of a recent study published in Cancer indicate that a new procedure called ovarian autotransplantation shows promise in preserving ovarian function for women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a malignancy that arises from the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the lower portion of ...

Addition of Taxol(R) to Cisplatin Improves Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Cervical Cancer 08/04/2004
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of Taxol® (paclitaxel) to cisplatin (Platinol®) improves survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer.  The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the bottom of the uterus. Due ...

Surgical Removal of Lung Metastases Improves Survival in Cervical Cancer 05/07/2004
According to a recent article published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the surgical removal of cancer that has spread to the lungs improves survival in a subset of patients with cervical cancer. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the bottom of the uterus. Due to ...

Cisplatin Plus Topotecan Improves Survival Compared to Cisplatin Alone in Recurrent Cervical Cancer 03/19/2004
According to results presented at the 2004 annual meeting of the American Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the chemotherapy combination consisting of cisplatin and topotecan improves survival compared to cisplatin alone in patients with recurrent or advanced cervical cancer. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the ...

Initial Testing for the Human Papillomavirus Appears More Sensitive Than a Pap Test 12/12/2003
According to a recent article published in The Lancet, initial testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) appears to be a more sensitive test in detecting pre-cancerous cells in the cervix compared to the standard Papanicolaou (Pap) test. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the bottom ...

Annual Pap Tests May Not Be Necessary for All Women 10/17/2003
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the screening interval between Papanicolaou (Pap) tests may be safely extended to every 3 years, instead of every year in women who have 3 consecutive normal Pap smears. The Pap test is a screening procedure ...

Oral Contraceptives Increase Risk of Cervical Cancer 04/10/2003
According to a recent article published in The Lancet, the use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the bottom of the uterus. One of the most common causes of cervical cancer is infection with the ...

Vaccine Protects Against Development of Cervical Cancer 11/22/2002
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, a vaccine against the human papillomavirus helps protect women against the development of cervical cancer caused by a certain subtype of the virus. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the bottom of ...

American Cancer Society: New Guidelines on Cervical Screening 11/18/2002
The American Cancer Society has recently issued new guidelines for screening of cervical cancer. The recommendations for the new guidelines were composed from four panels: a gynecologic cancer advisory group; a work group on interval, older women and hysterectomy; a when to start screening work group; and a ...

Smoking Associated with Increased Risk of Cervical Cancer in HPV-Infected Women 09/25/2002
According to a recent article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, smoking increases the risk of developing cervical cancer in women infected with the human papillomavirus. The cervix is a glandular organ that is located at the bottom of the uterus. Although rates of invasive cervical ...

Consensus Guidelines: Patients with Abnormal Pap Smears Should Receive Immediate Testing for HPV 09/04/2002
According to the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, new clinical practice guidelines recommend that women with borderline, or abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) test results should undergo immediate testing for the human papillomarivus (HPV). The Pap smear is ...

Circumcised Males: Reduced Papillomavirus in Males and Reduced Cervical Cancer in Female Partners 04/15/2002
According to a recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, male circumcision appears to reduce the risk of Papillomavirus infection in males and their female partners. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is transmitted sexually. Infection with HPV in women has been linked ...

New Device Makes Pap Smears Less Invasive 02/09/2002
A new device developed in Australia, the Veda-Scope, could potentially replace the traditional speculum and make Pap smears more comfortable, according to the results of a study published in the Lancet Oncology. Widespread use of a screening test called the Pap smear has led to a decline in the ...

Many Women Do Not Understand Pap Smear Results 02/09/2002
When notified that the results of their Pap smear are normal, 48% of women do not understand that they still have a residual risk of cervical cancer, according to the results of a study recently published in the British Medical Journal. Cervical cancer is one of the more ...

ThinPrep Pap Test More Effective in Detecting Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
A new test called the ThinPrep Pap Test is gradually replacing conventional Pap smears in medical centers nationwide and is currently available in most major cities. Clinical trials indicate that the ThinPrep Pap Test is 65% more effective than the conventional Pap smear in detecting cervical cancer and ...

A Vaccine for Cervical Cancer? 02/09/2002
A vaccine designed to immunize against the human papillomavirus (HPV) has shown promise in preliminary trials and could be a step toward the prevention of cervical cancer, according to the results of a study recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The human papillomavirus is a ...

HPV Test is a Valuable Diagnostic Tool for Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
The Hybrid Capture II test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a valuable diagnostic tool in women whose Pap smear results are classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), according to the results of a study recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The ...

Chlamydia May Increase Risk of Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
The most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S., chlamydia, may increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, according to a recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA). Cervical cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer. There are a number of ...

DNA Test for HPV, the Virus Associated with Cervical Cancer, Receives FDA Approval 02/09/2002
At least 93% of cancers and high-grade precancerous lesions of the cervix may be associated with infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a disease that is sexually transmitted. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the High-Risk Hybrid Capture II HPV, a new test used to ...

Chemo and Radiation Therapy after Surgery May Improve Survival for Women with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
Adding chemotherapy to radiation therapy given after surgery may reduce recurrences of cancer and improve survival in women with early-stage cervical cancer, according to researchers from the Southwest Oncology Group. Cancer of the cervix, the opening of the uterus (womb) that connects the uterus to the vagina (birth canal), ...

Cisplatin Plus Gemzar® May Be an Effective Treatment Option for Advanced, Resistant, or Recurrent Cancer of the Cervix 02/09/2002
Women who have cancer of the cervix that is advanced in stage, resistant to treatment, or recurrent after initial treatment often receive chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to relieve the symptoms of disease and prolong their survival time. Researchers in California recently reported that a new chemotherapy combination of ...

New Treatment for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Preserves Childbearing Capabilities 02/09/2002
Women who receive treatment for early-stage cancer (stage I) of the cervix generally have an excellent prognosis, with a cure rate of greater than 90%. A commonly used treatment is a surgical procedure, called a radical hysterectomy, which may or may not be followed by radiation therapy. A ...

Radiation Therapy after Surgery Reduces Recurrences in Women with Stage IB Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
Radiation therapy given after surgery may reduce the risk for recurrence of cancer over the use of surgery alone in women with stage IB cancer of the cervix, according to the results of a recent U.S. study. Cancer of the cervix, the opening of the uterus (womb) that connects ...

Surgery and Radiotherapy Appear to be Equivalent for Treatment of Patients with Stage IB-IIA Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
Patients with stage IB or IIA cervical cancer have disease that is confined to the cervix or cancer that has spread to an area adjacent to the cervix referred to as the parametria. These patients have historically been treated with surgical hysterectomy or radiation therapy. Some physicians favored ...

Many Women With Cervical Cancer Left Untreated 02/09/2002
More than one-fifth of women over 65 who have stage III or IV cervical cancer do not receive any treatment for their cancer, according to the results of a study recently presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of Gynecologic Oncologists. Cervical cancer accounts for 6% of all cancers in ...

Epirubicin: A New Drug for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer 02/09/2002
The standard treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer has utilized external beam, and interstitial seed implant radiation therapy for many years and no significant progress in the treatment of cervical cancer has occurred. The strategy of administering chemotherapy concurrent with radiation treatment is appealing because chemotherapy and radiation ...

Combined pelvic radiation and concurrent chemotherapy improves the survival of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer compared to treatment with radiation therapy alone. 02/09/2002
The standard treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer had utilized external beam, interstitial seed implant radiation therapy for many years and no significant progress in the treatment of cervical cancer has occurred. The strategy of administering chemotherapy concurrent with radiation treatment is appealing because chemotherapy and radiation therapy ...

Paclitaxel Combined with Cisplatin Chemotherapy Appears More Effective than Cisplatin Therapy Alone for Treatment of Recurrent or Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix 02/09/2002
Based on the results of several recent clinical trials, concurrent radiation therapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy have been recommended as the standard of care. Paclitaxel, a newer chemotherapy agent, is effective in a number of cancers. Paclitaxel has produced partial disappearance of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix in ...