May 30, 2012 Clippings

Advanced Robotic Surgery Via Satellite

A robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy has been preformed by a team of urological surgeons. The surgery showcased the advanced robotic technology available to patients at the Robotic Surgery Center at NYU Langone.

“We have one of the most advanced robotic surgery programs in the New York metropolitan area and our goal is to leverage this technology to help simplify complex procedures, and develop innovative new techniques that result in better outcomes for our patients,” said Michael Stifelman, MD, associate professor, Department of Urology and director of robotic surgery at NYU Langone Medical. “NYU Langone surgeons pioneered the use of robotics in partial nephrectomies and hold courses each month for surgeons to learn best practices.”

During a partial nephrectomy, the tumor is removed while the rest of the kidney is left intact and functioning. The superior maneuverability of a robotic tool is ideally suited for delicate cutting and stitching required in this surgery, while the minimally-invasive nature of the procedure is less traumatic, and helps preserve kidney function and results in faster recovery time.

The Robotic Surgery Center at NYU Langone is the largest multispecialty robotic surgery center in the New York metro area.

Source: www.medindia.net

30.05.2012

Painkillers may Protect Against Skin Cancer

Aspirin and other common painkillers help protect against skin cancer, reveals study. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings indicate that skin cancer prevention may be added to the benefits of these commonly used medications.

Previous studies suggest that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, as well as a variety of other nonprescription and prescription drugs, can decrease an individual's risk of developing some types of cancer. Sigrún Alba Jóhannesdóttir, BSc, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, and her colleagues looked to see if the medications might decrease the risk of the three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

The researchers analyzed medical records from northern Denmark from 1991 through 2009 and identified 1,974 diagnoses of squamous cell carcinoma, 13,316 diagnoses of basal cell carcinoma, and 3,242 diagnoses of malignant melanoma. They compared information, including prescription data, from these patients with information from 178,655 individuals without skin cancer.

Individuals who filled more than two prescriptions for NSAIDs had a 15 percent decreased risk for developing squamous cell carcinoma and a 13 percent decreased risk for developing malignant melanoma than those who filled two or fewer prescriptions for the medications, especially when the drugs were taken for seven or more years or taken at high intensity. Individuals who took NSAIDs did not seem to benefit from a reduced risk of developing basal cell carcinoma in general, although they did have a 15 percent and 21 percent reduced risk of developing this type of cancer on less-exposed sites (body areas other than the head and neck) when they took them long term or at high intensity, respectively.

"We hope that the potential cancer-protective effect of NSAIDs will inspire more research on skin cancer prevention," said Ms. Jóhannesdóttir. "Also, this potential cancer-protective effect should be taken into account when discussing benefits and harms of NSAID use."

Source: www.medindia.net

30.05.2012

Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get

W.P. Kinsella