New Drug Stalls Thyroid Cancer Progression
Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) July 02, 2013 -- A recent study by Bayer and Onyx Pharmeceuticals comprised of 417 patients with differentiated thyroid cancerwho were no longer responding to radioactive iodine or surgical treatments showed that the drug Nexavar slowed the progression of the thyroid cancer. Most of the patients in the study exhibited metastatic symptoms and their cancer was continually worsening; however, the patients given Nexavar showed no worsening of their tumors for more than 10 months, whereas those given the placebo saw cancer progression in only 5 months.
“This study of Nexavar is excellent news for thyroid cancer patients. Some patients do not respond to the traditional treatments, and they feel that there is no alternative. This drug could provide hope to patients worldwide,” said Babak Larian, MD, FACS, thyroid specialist in Los Angeles.
Nexavar is already FDA approved for use in the treatment of kidney and liver cancer, and Bayer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals are hoping to get FDA approval for the treatment of thyroid cancer sometime this year. The fact that the study showed that the drug slowed down both the growth of blood vessels that feed the cancerous tumors and it prevented the tumors from reproducing is highly encouraging.
“For patients whose thyroid cancer is worsening rapidly, the chance to slow down the process would be a fantastic. And the fact that they can take Nexavar in pill form makes the treatment easier to administer, and more comfortable for the patients than some other cancer treatments,” said Dr. Larian, thyroid cancer surgeon.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 60,000 new cases of thyroid cancer will be reported in the U.S. this year. Most patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer will need some sort of surgical treatment. Los Angeles thyroid specialist and head and neck surgeon Babak Larian, MD, FACS is an expert in minimally invasive thyroidsurgeries, such as complete and partial thyroidectomies and thyroid nodule removal.
“I use cutting-edge techniques to perform minimally invasive thyroid surgeries for my patients. My goal is to remove all of the cancer while making sure that their recovery is as comfortable as possible and the scar is minimal. Thyroid cancer surgeries have very high success rates and I have performed hundreds at my practice,” said Los Angeles surgeon Dr. Babak Larian.
Babak Larian, MD, FACS, is a highly regarded Head & Neck Surgeon who places an emphasis on providing his patients with the best treatments available. Dr. Larian has a highly specialized knowledge in the performance of minimally invasive thyroid procedures and strives to stay at the cutting-edge of medicine. Upon completion of his medical degree at the prestigious University of California—Irvine Medical School, Dr. Larian completed a six-year residency program in otolaryngology at UCLA. Dr. Larian currently holds the acclaimed position of Chief of Head & Neck Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
For additional information regarding Dr. Larian and the treatment of thyroid disorders, please contact the CENTER for Advanced Head & Neck Surgery in Los Angeles by calling (310) 461-0300. Further information may be acquired by visiting http://www.advancedonc.com.
Risa Luksa, Center for Advanced Head & Neck Surgery, http://www.advancedonc.com/, 310-461-0300, [email protected]
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