a long, technical term for modern medicine in fight against cancer.

I had rare opportunity to speak with Dr. Perry Shen of Wake Forest University. As I listened, he explained how this groundbreaking treatment is extending lives of patients suffering from Peritoneal Carcinomatosis. *(Peritoneal membrane surrounds and lubricates surface of organs within abdomen; eg., colon, gallbladder, spleen, ovaries, intestines, liver, etc..) Because Advanced-stage Peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancer) and disseminated peritoneal lymphomas are often resistant to current chemotherapy treatment, medical researchers out of Wake Forest University have engaged in study and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis since 1991.

Dr. John Spratt first began describing using interdominal heated therapy in 1980, and found that this particular method worked well in conjunction with chemotherapy. By giving chemotherapy interdominally with much higher concentrated heat, (41 degrees Celcius - or around 105 degrees Fahrenheit) through tumor-removal surgery, heated medicine showed an increase in its effectiveness; thus, decreasing tumors. (1. Cytoreductive surgery consists of removal of all gross tumors and involved organs, peritoneum, or tissue deemed technically feasible and safe for patient. Any tumors adherent or invasive to vital structures that could not be removes were cytoreduces using cavitational ultrasonic surgical aspirator.)

Overall survival rates were improved of 109 Patients (with peritoneal carcinomatosis) treated between December 1991 and November 1997. (2. Clinicopathologic factors that independently predicted improved overall survival rates.)

A one-time treatment, IHPC lasts approximately 1-2 hours, but standardly, a 2-hour treatment is utilized by Wake Forest University. Initially, patients are cooled to a core temperature of approximately 34 Degrees C to 35 Degrees C. Once cooled, peritoneal perfusion inflow and outflow catheters are placed peroutaneously into abdominal cavity. With temperature probes acting as moderators, abdomen is gently massaged throughout perfusion to enhance drug distribution to all peritoneal areas. Because tumor tissue is more responsive to heat than normal tissue (due to intrinsic thermosensitivity) IHPC improves chemosensitivity of tumor cells to Mytomycin C(MMC).

What is Laser Eye Correction?

Laser Eye Correction, or refractive surgery as it is also known, is a quick procedure usually taking up to 15 minutes per eye. The actual laser treatment consists of less than 1 minute. During this process a laser scans your eyes pinpointing hundreds of unique points on your cornea. Once this is done, software used can determine exactly where fault lies and ascertain minor adjustments needed to restore your sight back to a reasonable level. The laser then reshapes cornea so that your eyesight becomes at least 20/40 vision, although in most cases it can be restored completely to 20/20 vision. Your surgeon will, of course, talk you through exact procedure before surgery commences and if you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask.

You will be administered with anaesthetic eye drops prior to any procedure and a subtle restraining device placed on your eyes so there is no danger of you blinking. The apparatus accounts for small eye movements, so even if you can’t quite manage to stare at red light all way through procedure there shouldn’t be a problem.

Most patients suffer from little or no discomfort and recovery time after procedure is very little. It is advised that on completion of correction you rest your eyes until next day, don’t stare at a television or a computer and don’t go anywhere where there is smoke or other pollutants. Next day you should be able to return to your normal daily life without need for glasses or contact lenses.

Exactly how effective is treatment?