Vienna, Austria: Although radiation therapy is an essential part of modern cancer treatment, and is indicated for about half of all new cancer patients, facilities for its provision are sadly lacking in many countries worldwide. Indeed, 29 out of 52 African nations have no radiotherapy facilities whatsoever. At the ESTRO 36 conference leaders of the […]
2017
Cervical cancer survivors frequently suffer from long-term fatigue, insomnia and hot flushes
Vienna Austria: Around half of women who have been treated for locally advanced cervical cancer suffer from symptoms of insomnia, fatigue or hot flushes at some point, according to new research presented at the ESTRO 36 conference. Cervical cancer affects more than 500,000 women around the world each year [1], with an average age at […]
England’s Cancer Drugs Fund ‘failed to deliver meaningful value to patients and society’
Analysis of the drugs that were approved for use by the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) in England has shown that the fund was not good value for patients and society and may have resulted in patients suffering unnecessarily from toxic side effects of the drugs. In a study published in the leading cancer journal […]
Symptoms of cystitis probably caused by bacterial infection, even when tests are negative
The majority of women suffering with pain when urinating, or needing to urinate often or urgently probably do have a bacterial infection, even when nothing is detected by standard urine testing. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) such as cystitis are common in women but, in around a quarter of cases, no infection is […]
Link between alcohol consumption and cardiac arrhythmias found in drinkers at the Munich Octoberfest
Researchers who studied beer drinkers at the Munich Octoberfest have found that the more alcohol consumed the higher was the likelihood of developing abnormal heart rhythms called cardiac arrhythmias. The research, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], is the first study to investigate the link between acute alcohol consumption and cardiac arrhythmias […]
Measuring immune response could be key to differentiating malaria from other infections
Vienna, Austria: Analysing a patient’s immune response could be key to quickly and accurately diagnosing malaria, according to research presented on World Malaria Day at the 27th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). Malaria affects around 200 million people around the world but its non-specific symptoms, coupled with a lack of access […]
New test can identify dangerous bacteria with resistance to last-resort antibiotic
Vienna, Austria: New research suggests it is possible to quickly and accurately diagnose some the most dangerous and drug-resistant types of bacterial infections, using equipment already owned by most hospitals. Bacteria have been gradually evolving to become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them. Over the last few year, scientists have found evidence that […]
Drug-resistant bacteria in patients’ urine or stools raise risk of drug-resistant sepsis
Vienna, Austria: People who have recently been found to have drug-resistant bacteria in their urine or stool samples have a greatly increased risk of developing a bloodstream infection that is also resistant to certain antibiotics, according to a study presented at the 27th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). Sepsis affects an […]
New research sheds light on treating bloodstream infections with fewer side effects and without the need for antimicrobials of “last resort”
Vienna, Austria: Patients with bloodstream infections could avoid treatment with a combination of antimicrobial therapies if they are given the right drug as early as possible and if they are classified as at low risk of death. This would reduce the risk of adverse side effects, as well as the likelihood of drug resistance developing […]
Testing urine for particular proteins could be key to preventing kidney transplant failure
Vienna, Austria: Testing for molecular markers in the urine of kidney transplant patients could reveal whether the transplant is failing and why, according to research presented at the 27th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). Transplants are life-saving treatments for patients with end-stage kidney disease but around 25% fail within five years, […]