Guest guest Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 If this works as well as they say, then this could be huge in monitoring what is working and what is not working. Cancer Patients' New Hope Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News 01-09-09 Jan. 9--NORTH ADAMS -- With less than an ounce of blood, doctors at Berkshire Hematology Oncology now will be able to track the success of a cancer patient's treatment and progress -- and eliminate unnecessary procedures. The private practice is the first in New England and New York to acquire the CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell Test, which was unveiled Thursday by Drs. Spyros Triantos and Paul Rosenthaul at the Barrett Cancer Center. " This technology presents new hope for cancer patients, " Rosenthaul said. " Up until now, we have relied on physical examination, blood tests and biomarkers to determine if a patient is responding to treatment. It would take several months to tell if a treatment was working -- this procedure will regulate that time period to mere weeks. It detects actual cancer cells and can be done rapidly and often. We receive a real-time snapshot of what is happening, which gives us many more choices. " The test can be used for the three most common cancers -- colorectal, breast and prostate -- detecting if the cancer cells are metastasizing to other parts of the body. " The addition of this cutting-edge technology will allow us a true advantage in the fight to prevent and treat cancer, " he said. Until now, doctors would have to wait up to three months to see changes in the radiological scans of patients with metastasizing cancers. " A majority of our patients require treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy, which can cause serious side effects and are costly procedures, " Rosenthaul said. " This technology can detect one cancer tumor cell among millions of blood cells. We can accurately predict the state of a patient's cancer by the number of cancer cells in the samples and whether or not a patient is benefiting from treatment. " To complete the testing, which has a turn-around time of three hours, a 7.5 milliliter sample of blood is injected with reagents and stains to determine the difference between a white blood cell and a cancerous cell. " The tumor cells are marked with iron, " said Lauren Wick, the practice's lab manager. " The blood than goes through a wash cycle that strips away the majority of white blood cells. It's then put into a magnetized cartridge that is read by microscope and camera in the analyzer. " Digital images of the cells are transferred to a nearby computer, where Wick is then able to determine if the cells are cancerous. " They're labeled by antibodies and the iron marker, " she said. Wick, a medical technician, spent an intensive week training to read the difference between the four different projected wavelength signatures -- cytoplasm, nucleus, white blood cells and " junk " -- displayed on the screen. " All of this was done manually before, " she said. " By doing it that way, you lose a lot of precision and accuracy. " Triantos said there is hope that as the technology receives further review by the federal government, that it will eventually be used for other forms of cancers and perhaps screenings. But having the technology is huge advantage in fighting cancer, he said. " One question that always stands out as the most important is, 'Is this treatment working? Do we need to stop, continue or make changes? " Triantos said. " The CellSearch technology will now allow us to make informed decisions in terms of treatment for those patients -- and much earlier than was previously possible. " Mayor John Barrett III, who lost his wife, , to breast cancer 19 years ago, said he was happy to know such advanced technology would be available at North Adams Regional Hospital, and in the unit named for his wife. " She said to me, 'If I don't survive this, make sure afterward that you make it better for others,' " he said. " If this technology had been available at that time, maybe would still be here today. " Rosenthaul said the practice is leasing the equipment, which retails for $205,000. Berkshire Hematology Oncology has offices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The three other CellSearch systems in the six-state region are at reseach institutions -- the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Sloan-Kitterage Cancer Institute in NYC and the Yale School of Medicine. Be Well~ Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH Oasis Advanced Wellness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 That sounds like quite a breakthrough. Now, how do we get some of those in the hands of naturopaths who use some ot the best natural and alternative approaches? I fear that for the most part they will be used to see what mix of chemo and/or radiation and such is working the best to destroy the cancer cells before they destroy the patient. oleander soup , "Dr. Loretta Lanphier" <drlanphier wrote:>> > > If this works as well as they say, then this could be huge in monitoring> what is working and what is not working.> > > > Cancer Patients' New Hope> > Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News> > 01-09-09 > > > > Jan. 9--NORTH ADAMS -- With less than an ounce of blood, doctors at> Berkshire Hematology Oncology now will be able to track the success of a> cancer patient's treatment and progress -- and eliminate unnecessary> procedures. > > > > The private practice is the first in New England and New York to acquire the> CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell Test, which was unveiled Thursday by Drs.> Spyros Triantos and Paul Rosenthaul at the Barrett Cancer Center.> > > "This technology presents new hope for cancer patients," Rosenthaul said.> "Up until now, we have relied on physical examination, blood tests and> biomarkers to determine if a patient is responding to treatment. It would> take several months to tell if a treatment was working -- this procedure> will regulate that time period to mere weeks. It detects actual cancer cells> and can be done rapidly and often. We receive a real-time snapshot of what> is happening, which gives us many more choices."> > > The test can be used for the three most common cancers -- colorectal, breast> and prostate -- detecting if the cancer cells are metastasizing to other> parts of the body.> > > "The addition of this cutting-edge technology will allow us a true advantage> in the fight to prevent and treat cancer," he said. > > > > Until now, doctors would have to wait up to three months to see changes in> the radiological scans of patients with metastasizing cancers.> > > "A majority of our patients require treatment such as radiation and> chemotherapy, which can cause serious side effects and are costly> procedures," Rosenthaul said. "This technology can detect one cancer tumor> cell among millions of blood cells. We can accurately predict the state of a> patient's cancer by the number of cancer cells in the samples and whether or> not a patient is benefiting from treatment." > > > > To complete the testing, which has a turn-around time of three hours, a 7.5> milliliter sample of blood is injected with reagents and stains to determine> the difference between a white blood cell and a cancerous cell. > > > > "The tumor cells are marked with iron," said Lauren Wick, the practice's lab> manager. "The blood than goes through a wash cycle that strips away the> majority of white blood cells. It's then put into a magnetized cartridge> that is read by microscope and camera in the analyzer."> > > Digital images of the cells are transferred to a nearby computer, where Wick> is then able to determine if the cells are cancerous.> > > "They're labeled by antibodies and the iron marker," she said. > > > > Wick, a medical technician, spent an intensive week training to read the> difference between the four different projected wavelength signatures --> cytoplasm, nucleus, white blood cells and "junk" -- displayed on the screen.> > > "All of this was done manually before," she said. "By doing it that way, you> lose a lot of precision and accuracy."> > > Triantos said there is hope that as the technology receives further review> by the federal government, that it will eventually be used for other forms> of cancers and perhaps screenings. But having the technology is huge> advantage in fighting cancer, he said.> > > "One question that always stands out as the most important is, 'Is this> treatment working? Do we need to stop, continue or make changes?" Triantos> said. "The CellSearch technology will now allow us to make informed> decisions in terms of treatment for those patients -- and much earlier than> was previously possible."> > > Mayor John Barrett III, who lost his wife, , to breast cancer 19 years> ago, said he was happy to know such advanced technology would be available> at North Adams Regional Hospital, and in the unit named for his wife. > > > > "She said to me, 'If I don't survive this, make sure afterward that you make> it better for others,' " he said. "If this technology had been available at> that time, maybe would still be here today."> > > Rosenthaul said the practice is leasing the equipment, which retails for> $205,000. Berkshire Hematology Oncology has offices in North Adams,> Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The three other CellSearch systems in the> six-state region are at reseach institutions -- the Dana Farber Cancer> Institute, the Sloan-Kitterage Cancer Institute in NYC and the Yale School> of Medicine.> > > > Be Well~> > Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH> Oasis Advanced Wellness> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Does everyone have an opportunity to use this new test, if so how do we? Thank you~ Tammatha - Dr. Loretta Lanphier oleander soup Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:45 PM Cancer Patients' New Hope If this works as well as they say, then this could be huge in monitoring what is working and what is not working. Cancer Patients' New Hope Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News 01-09-09 Jan. 9--NORTH ADAMS -- With less than an ounce of blood, doctors at Berkshire Hematology Oncology now will be able to track the success of a cancer patient's treatment and progress -- and eliminate unnecessary procedures. The private practice is the first in New England and New York to acquire the CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell Test, which was unveiled Thursday by Drs. Spyros Triantos and Paul Rosenthaul at the Barrett Cancer Center. "This technology presents new hope for cancer patients," Rosenthaul said. "Up until now, we have relied on physical examination, blood tests and biomarkers to determine if a patient is responding to treatment. It would take several months to tell if a treatment was working -- this procedure will regulate that time period to mere weeks. It detects actual cancer cells and can be done rapidly and often. We receive a real-time snapshot of what is happening, which gives us many more choices." The test can be used for the three most common cancers -- colorectal, breast and prostate -- detecting if the cancer cells are metastasizing to other parts of the body. "The addition of this cutting-edge technology will allow us a true advantage in the fight to prevent and treat cancer," he said. Until now, doctors would have to wait up to three months to see changes in the radiological scans of patients with metastasizing cancers. "A majority of our patients require treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy, which can cause serious side effects and are costly procedures," Rosenthaul said. "This technology can detect one cancer tumor cell among millions of blood cells. We can accurately predict the state of a patient's cancer by the number of cancer cells in the samples and whether or not a patient is benefiting from treatment." To complete the testing, which has a turn-around time of three hours, a 7.5 milliliter sample of blood is injected with reagents and stains to determine the difference between a white blood cell and a cancerous cell. "The tumor cells are marked with iron," said Lauren Wick, the practice's lab manager. "The blood than goes through a wash cycle that strips away the majority of white blood cells. It's then put into a magnetized cartridge that is read by microscope and camera in the analyzer." Digital images of the cells are transferred to a nearby computer, where Wick is then able to determine if the cells are cancerous. "They're labeled by antibodies and the iron marker," she said. Wick, a medical technician, spent an intensive week training to read the difference between the four different projected wavelength signatures -- cytoplasm, nucleus, white blood cells and "junk" -- displayed on the screen. "All of this was done manually before," she said. "By doing it that way, you lose a lot of precision and accuracy." Triantos said there is hope that as the technology receives further review by the federal government, that it will eventually be used for other forms of cancers and perhaps screenings. But having the technology is huge advantage in fighting cancer, he said. "One question that always stands out as the most important is, 'Is this treatment working? Do we need to stop, continue or make changes?" Triantos said. "The CellSearch technology will now allow us to make informed decisions in terms of treatment for those patients -- and much earlier than was previously possible." Mayor John Barrett III, who lost his wife, , to breast cancer 19 years ago, said he was happy to know such advanced technology would be available at North Adams Regional Hospital, and in the unit named for his wife. "She said to me, 'If I don't survive this, make sure afterward that you make it better for others,' " he said. "If this technology had been available at that time, maybe would still be here today." Rosenthaul said the practice is leasing the equipment, which retails for $205,000. Berkshire Hematology Oncology has offices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The three other CellSearch systems in the six-state region are at reseach institutions -- the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Sloan-Kitterage Cancer Institute in NYC and the Yale School of Medicine. Be Well~Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CHOasis Advanced Wellness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 I think this test will be a great test to use along side tests such as thermography, HCG as well as conventional tumor marker tests. As exciting as it sounds, it is still just a piece of paper indicating what is happening in the body at a particular given time. In states where naturopaths can order blood work, I suspect it will be available shortly. Right now it sounds like only hospitals are offering the test. Patients need to begin asking for it as I would imagine that many docs do not know about it. Print out the articles and give it to your doc. I hope to find out if MD Anderson is using the test. I just wanted everyone to be aware of this test. Be Well~ Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH Oasis Advanced Wellness, LLC Natural Solutions for Optimum Health oleander soup oleander soup On Behalf Of Wednesday, February 04, 2009 9:07 PM oleander soup Re: Cancer Patients' New Hope That sounds like quite a breakthrough. Now, how do we get some of those in the hands of naturopaths who use some ot the best natural and alternative approaches? I fear that for the most part they will be used to see what mix of chemo and/or radiation and such is working the best to destroy the cancer cells before they destroy the patient. oleander soup , " Dr. Loretta Lanphier " <drlanphier wrote: > > > > If this works as well as they say, then this could be huge in monitoring > what is working and what is not working. > > > > Cancer Patients' New Hope > > Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News > > 01-09-09 > > > > Jan. 9--NORTH ADAMS -- With less than an ounce of blood, doctors at > Berkshire Hematology Oncology now will be able to track the success of a > cancer patient's treatment and progress -- and eliminate unnecessary > procedures. > > > > The private practice is the first in New England and New York to acquire the > CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell Test, which was unveiled Thursday by Drs. > Spyros Triantos and Paul Rosenthaul at the Barrett Cancer Center. > > > " This technology presents new hope for cancer patients, " Rosenthaul said. > " Up until now, we have relied on physical examination, blood tests and > biomarkers to determine if a patient is responding to treatment. It would > take several months to tell if a treatment was working -- this procedure > will regulate that time period to mere weeks. It detects actual cancer cells > and can be done rapidly and often. We receive a real-time snapshot of what > is happening, which gives us many more choices. " > > > The test can be used for the three most common cancers -- colorectal, breast > and prostate -- detecting if the cancer cells are metastasizing to other > parts of the body. > > > " The addition of this cutting-edge technology will allow us a true advantage > in the fight to prevent and treat cancer, " he said. > > > > Until now, doctors would have to wait up to three months to see changes in > the radiological scans of patients with metastasizing cancers. > > > " A majority of our patients require treatment such as radiation and > chemotherapy, which can cause serious side effects and are costly > procedures, " Rosenthaul said. " This technology can detect one cancer tumor > cell among millions of blood cells. We can accurately predict the state of a > patient's cancer by the number of cancer cells in the samples and whether or > not a patient is benefiting from treatment. " > > > > To complete the testing, which has a turn-around time of three hours, a 7.5 > milliliter sample of blood is injected with reagents and stains to determine > the difference between a white blood cell and a cancerous cell. > > > > " The tumor cells are marked with iron, " said Lauren Wick, the practice's lab > manager. " The blood than goes through a wash cycle that strips away the > majority of white blood cells. It's then put into a magnetized cartridge > that is read by microscope and camera in the analyzer. " > > > Digital images of the cells are transferred to a nearby computer, where Wick > is then able to determine if the cells are cancerous. > > > " They're labeled by antibodies and the iron marker, " she said. > > > > Wick, a medical technician, spent an intensive week training to read the > difference between the four different projected wavelength signatures -- > cytoplasm, nucleus, white blood cells and " junk " -- displayed on the screen. > > > " All of this was done manually before, " she said. " By doing it that way, you > lose a lot of precision and accuracy. " > > > Triantos said there is hope that as the technology receives further review > by the federal government, that it will eventually be used for other forms > of cancers and perhaps screenings. But having the technology is huge > advantage in fighting cancer, he said. > > > " One question that always stands out as the most important is, 'Is this > treatment working? Do we need to stop, continue or make changes? " Triantos > said. " The CellSearch technology will now allow us to make informed > decisions in terms of treatment for those patients -- and much earlier than > was previously possible. " > > > Mayor John Barrett III, who lost his wife, , to breast cancer 19 years > ago, said he was happy to know such advanced technology would be available > at North Adams Regional Hospital, and in the unit named for his wife. > > > > " She said to me, 'If I don't survive this, make sure afterward that you make > it better for others,' " he said. " If this technology had been available at > that time, maybe would still be here today. " > > > Rosenthaul said the practice is leasing the equipment, which retails for > $205,000. Berkshire Hematology Oncology has offices in North Adams, > Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The three other CellSearch systems in the > six-state region are at reseach institutions -- the Dana Farber Cancer > Institute, the Sloan-Kitterage Cancer Institute in NYC and the Yale School > of Medicine. > > > > Be Well~ > > Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH > Oasis Advanced Wellness > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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