Australian Doctors Pioneers New Treatment For Melanomas
August 21st 2008 23:59
We're the so called 'lucky country' and in many ways we are apart from that gaping hole in the ozone layer hovering just above us. If only we didn't enjoy spending a day at the beach so much, then it wouldn't be as big a problem for some but the fact that there are nearly 10,000 new cases of melanomas diagnosed in Australia each year is a cause for concern.
Traditional treatments of melanomas are highly invasive and in most cases, involves chemotherapy and even surgery but for some, that is only the beginning. While the melanoma/tumour is removed, they just seem to keep coming back - one by one or even a few at a time. This endless cycle is tough for the sufferers and their families and requires almost around the clock medical attention which affects daily life.
With this in mind, Australian doctors have pioneered a new way of treating melanomas which is less invasive and the results are very encouraging. This new approach involves injecting a common dye called rose Bengal - named after the dye Bengali women use as a symbol of marriage - into the tumour to kill the bad cells while sparing the normal tissues.
Leading melanoma specialist Professor Thompson says almost half the tumours injected with the Rose Bengal treatment - PV10 - disappeared completely while another 30% either shrank or stopped growing altogether.
Fellow Sydney melanoma specialist Professor Richard Kefford says while the early results on Rose Bengal suggest it may be yet another weapon in treating the symptoms of melanoma, it's way too early to be hailing it as a wonder drug.
As with most treatments, it might not be suitable for all patients but for those that are given the green light to proceed with this radical new treatment, the early signs seem positive and who knows, this treatment might even be suitable for use to treat other forms of cancer. [abc.net.au]
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
that is amazing!
My mother had a melanoma removed about five or six years ago, she still has check ups. This would be brilliant if it works without complications.
cheers for posting on this!
fog
Comment by Arnold
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