A Landmark Study on Palliation of Bone Mets PainWhen a primary cancer such as cancer of the breast, prostate or lung spreads to the bone (bone mets), treatment strategies become complex. In today’s world of oncology, better systemic chemotherapies can add months and even years to a patient’s life; in addition, local cancer control of […] KEEP READING
What You Should Know About CartilageOne of the most fascinating components of the human body is cartilage, an incredibly versatile material. Trying to describe cartilage is like the six blind men who try to figure out what an elephant is: “The elephant is like a pillar,” said the man who touched his leg. “Oh no! […] KEEP READING
How Stress Makes Essential Tremor WorseEssential tremor (ET) is the most common form of uncontrollable rhythmic shaking, though it is sometimes misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. The involuntary trembling results from abnormal communication between certain areas of the brain (cerebellum, thalamus, and brain stem). It is estimated that 10 million Americans suffer from ET, though many […] KEEP READING
Patients who have advanced breast, prostate or lung cancer become especially worried that tumor cells will spread to the bone (bone metastasis, or simply bone mets). Pain from bone mets can range from mild to extremely severe. In addition to increased risk for painful fractures, bones are rich in nerves that transmit pain messages to […] CONTINUE
“These are the days of miracle and wonder…” sang Paul Simon in his song “The Boy in the Bubble.” When it comes to treating painful tumors that have spread to the bone from their primary location (breast, prostate, lung, etc.) the clinical world has entered a new age in medicine. Bone is the third most […] CONTINUE
Back pain is one of the most common causes of workplace absences. On the other hand, many occupations actually foster back pain. On-the-job accidents can result in painful injuries to the neck area (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine), but such cases are in the minority. More often, on-the-job back pain results from a […] CONTINUE
In 2016, Forbes Magazine carried an article on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) for essential tremor (ET). Citing positive results from clinical trials, the article explained that “The treatment doesn’t require any implants, incisions or ionizing radiationi.” As the news spread, Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who also suffer from tremors wondered if MRgFUS could eliminate their […] CONTINUE
Detection devices provide early warnings First responders are people who are professionally trained for the earliest intervention in emergency situations. They are found in such jobs as police, firefighters, drug agents, homeland security, animal wardens, armed forces and National Guard, etc. Sometimes, the emergency is catastrophe that creates a potentially deadly environment, e.g. a gas […] CONTINUE
It is estimated at 4 out of 5 people will have back pain at least once in their lives. Often, the pain comes on suddenly as the result of a strain or an accident-related injury. However, many people suffer from chronic low back pain due to an ongoing condition. In either case, there is a […] CONTINUE
Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder, affecting an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. It recognizes no geographic boundaries. From the island of Manhattan to remote islands in the South Seas, abnormal hand, arm, head and voice tremors affect their sufferers’ quality of life. It used to be thought that ET […] CONTINUE
A diagnosis of breast cancer triggers a cascade of worries. “Am I going to die?” is surely the most terrifying. A close second for many patients is fear of pain, particularly if cancer metastasizes (spreads) to the bones. Bone mets can cause agonizing pain in several ways. A sudden break in a weakened bone can […] CONTINUE
Clinical Trials Test Radioimmunotherapy for Prostate Cancer Bone Mets Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of bone mets (spread to the bone), along with breast and lung cancer. However, prostate cancer (PCa) has a unique property that allows a new form of targeted tumor destruction called radioimmunotherapy (radiation + an immune system […] CONTINUE
Weight Bearing Exercise May Help Curb Metastatic Bone Tumors Human bone is like a bank vault holding a fortune in gold – except the “gold” is actually precious growth factors that pay a vital role in bone health. These growth factors are the target of greedy cancer cells that have broken away from their primary […] CONTINUE
