Cancer Information Highlights, April 26, 2017

Cancer Information Highlights, April 26, 2017

Cancer Information Highlights From the National Cancer Institute Updating you about cancer causes, prevention, screening, treatment, coping, and more   New from NCI Making Greater Progress Against Cancer—Not Just a Hope but a Reality   NCI Acting Director Dr. Doug Lowy discusses what he calls encouraging news in the most recent Annual Report to the Nation and how NCI is helping to achieve further progress against cancer. Advancing the Potential and Promise of Total-Body PET Imagining   NCI and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering are supporting the development of a powerful new type of PET scanner that could alter drug development and patient care, particularly for people with cancer. Studies Identify Potential Treatments for DIPG Brain Tumors   Two separate studies have identified potential treatment targets in an inoperable pediatric brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Blocking these targets with investigational drugs slowed tumor growth in mice. First Approved Treatment for Patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the immunotherapy drug avelumab (Bavencio®) for the treatment of some patients with a rare and aggressive skin cancer known as Merkel cell carcinoma. It is the first FDA-approved treatment for this disease. FDA Approves Pembrolizumab for Hodgkin Lymphoma The FDA has approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) for use in both adult and pediatric patients to treat classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has not responded to treatment or has relapsed after three or more types of therapy. PDQ Summary Updates Childhood Liver Cancer Treatment Our PDQ summary on treatment for childhood liver cancer has been updated to include ablation as a standard treatment option for this disease. Endometrial Cancer Treatment We’ve revised our PDQ summary on endometrial cancer with updated information on risk factors, diagnostic tests, staging, and treatment options based on the stage of disease. Drug Information Updates New Drug for Merkel Cell Carcinoma We've added a new drug summary for avelumab. It was recently approved by the FDA to treat Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This is the first drug approved by the FDA to treat this disease. New Drug for Ovarian Cancer We’ve also added a new drug summary for niraparib. Niraparib was approved by the FDA as maintenance therapy for some women with recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.   Also of Interest How Cancer Is Diagnosed Learn about lab tests, imaging scans, and other tests and procedures that are used to diagnose cancer. A to Z List of Cancer Types This alphabetical list of cancer types links to disease-specific and general information about treatment, coping, screening, prevention, clinical trials, and other topics. Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents This guide is for parents who have a child with cancer. It has information about childhood cancer, quotes from parents, related resources, and questions to help you get more in-depth and personalized information.