The Changing Science of Pain
(Published: 05-28-2007, Newsweek) Millions of aging boomers and the latest generation of wounded soldiers hope the secrets
of our most enduring medical foe can finally be unlocked.
Some of the most promising pain treatments of the past decade have turned out to be disappointments. Studies of some radiofrequency
therapies show they work no better than placebos. Spinal-fusion surgery, a recent review found, has "no acceptable evidence"
to support it There's not even any "single drug or technology alone" that can treat all the types of pain, says Eugene Viscusi,
director of acute-pain management at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Most people need two or three therapies
in combination
Department of Anesthesiology
Media Coverage:
Newsweek
Helmet Boxing' Dominates Internet Video Sites
(Published: 05-23-2007, CBS3) There is a dangerous new trend gaining popularity among teens and internet video sites called
"helmet boxing." This new sport can be seen on video sites all over the internet, and parents are concerned.In helmet boxing,
kids wear any type of helmet they can get their hands on, and the only rule is to go for your opponents head. Doctors believe
that this activity could cause lifelong damage. "Going to the point of unconsciousness is particularly disturbing," said Dr.
Joseph Tracy of the Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
Department of Neurology
Department of Radiology
Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Media Coverage:
CBS3
Robotic Procedure Improves Survival for Prostate Cancer Patients
(Published: 05-22-2007, Washington Post) Using robotic technology to perform laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) surgery
may improve survival rates for prostate cancer patients, a new study suggests.
Prostatectomy involves removal of the prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissue.
Urologic oncologists at the Genitourinary Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, in Philadelphia, compared
50 men who had robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and 197 men who had conventional LRP.
Department of Urology
CancerCare at Jefferson
Media Coverage:
Washington Post
Austin American-Statesman (Tx.)
HealthCentral
Courier-Post (South Jersey)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Missing Mammograms
(Published: 05-14-2007, CBS3) A growing number of women are risking their lives by not getting screened for breast cancer.
A new study from the American Cancer Society found too many women are skipping the annual screening. Radiologist Dr. Annina
Wilkes of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital said while researchers aren't sure why women are skipping mammograms there
are a few theories.
Department of Radiology
CancerCare at Jefferson
Media Coverage:
CBS3
Migraines and Heart Defects
(Published: 05-07-2007, 6ABC) The heart & brain may be connected in an unexpected way. And researchers at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital are seeking volunteers to help them study the connection.
Headache specialist Dr. Stephen Silberstein, and cardiologist Dr. David Fischman are studying whether a small heart defect
could be the cause of some peoples' migraines.
Department of Neurology
Department of Medicine
Jefferson Headache Center
Jefferson Heart Institute
Media Coverage:
6ABC
Drug reduces work productivity lost to migraines
(Published: 05-03-2007, Reuters) Preventive treatment with topiramate (Topamax) is associated with a reduction in lost productivity
due to migraines, researchers report.
Using data from two trials, Dr. Jennifer H. Lofland, of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, and colleagues examined
whether topiramate use was associated with improved workplace productivity among patients with migraine headaches.
Patients included in the trials had a physician diagnosis of migraine and experienced 3 to 12 migraines per month. As part
of the trials, the subjects completed a 5-item survey for each migraine attack, which included information on the number of
hours absent from work, number of hours worked with a migraine, and the degree of effectiveness while working with a migraine.
Department of Neurology
Media Coverage:
Reuters
Scientific American
Independent OnlIne (South Africa)
Gene Discovery May Improve Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment
(Published: 05-01-2007, HealthDay) Scientists say they can use small bits of genetic material called microRNA to spot key
differences between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, aiding in earlier diagnosis.
The researchers say doctors might also someday use microRNA to help predict the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.
The report is especially important, because pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers known, eventually killing
almost all of the 33,000 Americans it affects each year.
“It's a really long path from discovering something to translating that into something that happens to you in the doctor's
office,” said Scott A. Waldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at Jefferson
Medical College.
However, Waldman does believe the finding will have broad implications for treating many cancers. “This is a multilevel discovery,”
he said.
Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Medicine
Media Coverage:
Health Day
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Medscape
Paralysis Shot
(Published: 05-01-2007, WIS-TV) Right now there are no effective therapies for spinal cord injuries. But a protein injection
may help some patients walk again. Two years ago, Michelle Robinson was on her way home from work when she was hit by a car,
"All I remember is hearing a loud screeching noise and I remember going, flying up in the air." The accident left the 42-year-old
mother paralyzed. Now she hopes an experimental drug will put her back on her feet. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Neurological
Surgeon Dr. James Harrop says, "It appears that this actually does improve their prognosis."
Department of Neurological Surgery
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Media Coverage:
WIS-TV (SC)
