Hundreds of proteins on the outside surface of cells interact with the world, moving things in, moving things out, acting as relay stations for signals to grow, move, divide and die.

Research into cancer involves two basic questions - how did this happen, and how can we fix it.

Deep tissue cancers, also known as sarcomas, are not as common as carcinomas and consequently less basic research has been resolved on the causes and medical treatments investigated on sarcomas. A series of laboratory molecular experiments resulted in narrowing down more than 2,000 possible targets for pharmaceutical treatment of sarcomas. Scientists conclude that these cancers born from fat or muscle are most likely to share 39 common proteins. Ask your oncologist about clinical trials available to you. Identifying which molecular targets are the most common in sarcomas is ...

A new clinical trial has opened up for brain cancer patients with the most advanced and aggressive classification of tumor, glioblastoma multiforme . Effective therapies for brain cancer have been difficult due to the delicate nature of the brain, and the sheer aggression of glioblastoma multiforme only adds to the challenge. Ask your oncologist about tumor treating electrical fields. The tumor treating field system by the corporation Novocure is in the final stages of the clinical trial series over the last decade, having tested their technology in several clinical trials suc...

Traditionally a series of x-rays of all of the major bones in the body are used to detect myeloid myeloma , a process known as a radiographic skeletal survey. Yet in some areas, especially Europe, whole body CT is beginning to gain favor as testing indicates it is a more effective and thorough exam for measuring bone involvement in multiple myelomas , a bone-based form of leukemia. Ask your oncologist about whole body CT scanning for multiple myeloma . A formal comparison between the two imaging technologies was presented at the American Roentgen Ray Society's annual meeting by ...

Acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is not just an uncomfortable result of a greasy meal. Given enough time, some people with acid reflux may develop damage to their esophagus. And without treatment, enough damage can influence the tissue to become cancerous. While treatment for GERD or the precancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus usually involves acid suppression with several medications, a new surgical device provides a permanent solution to treat advanced cases of heartburn. Ask your doctor about long term treatments for acid reflux. Formally known as ...

Changing characteristics of people in the last century in the western world have had some unlikely effects. Rising levels of gastric cancer, for example, caused one researcher to examine whether obesity could be the cause. A group from North Ireland's Queen's University Belfast published an overall analysis of obesity and digestive tract cancers, looking at cancers both in the stomach and throat. Ask your doctor about how to get started on long term, effective weight loss. Researchers concluded that absolutely obesity indicated higher chances of both forms of cancer, but surpris...

More than any other factor, early detection of melanoma is key. While you might be more familiar with your moles, apparently fresh eyes are best.

Drug development is a tricky process, and it's common for pharmaceuticals to flounder initially before their best use is discovered.

New research from Brazil details a small clinical trial in patients with inoperable liver cancers treated with magnetic fields.