MEDTIPS

Indiana University School of Medicine

Sentinel lymph node mapping, which is gaining attention as a cutting-edge treatment for breast cancer patients, has been in use for melanoma patients at IU for nearly four years. Jeffrey Wagner, M.D., surgical director of the IU Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program, says the procedure has proven effective in detection of lymph node metastases of the deadly cancer melanoma which is known for its ability to lie undetected and then reappear months or years later.

Pet scans and sentinel node mapping may offer improvement in the treatment of patients with melanoma, according to Jeffrey Wagner, M.D., surgical director of the IU Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program. Dr. Wagner is the recipient of a $790,000 National Institutes of Health grant to study the advantages of PET (positron emission tomography) in early detection of melanoma metastases. Before it spreads, survival rates for melanoma patients are 80 percent to 90 percent, but the outlook worsens drastically once the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes (30 percent to 40 percent) or other organs (10 percent).

The IU Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program is participating in a $26.8 million international clinical study of a vaccine for the skin cancer melanoma. The study could result in the first commercially available vaccine for the treatment of a cancer. The vaccine is created from weakened, irradiated melanoma cells collected from other patients and is designed to stimulate the body’s immune system. The vaccine is unique, says Jeffrey Wagner, M.D., surgical director of the IU melanoma program, because it is given after surgery removes all detectable melanoma cells, allowing the body’s immune system to recover. Then the vaccine stimulates the immune system to attack the markers on the remaining undetected melanoma cells, which are the cause of treatment failure in the majority of patients.

Just how safe are tanning beds? Can they cause skin cancer? Do they actually help prepare a person for the unforgiving glare of the summer sun? Do dermatologists recommend their use? Holly Faust, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, says tanning beds are not what they are purported to be.

Sun worshipers and sunbathers may have heard it all before, but are they really listening? What is the best thing for people to do to protect themselves from sunburn? Do sunscreens actually protect a person from skin cancer or do they create a false sense of security? Holly Faust, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, has several tips to make summer fun a lasting memory not a heartache.

World No-Tobacco Day 1998 has been set for May 31. The program is sponsored by the World Health Organization and this year’s slogan is “Growing up without tobacco.” Experts from the IU Nicotine Dependence Program are available to discuss data on tobacco use, tips for stopping smoking or a myriad of other issues related to tobacco use.

The bite of a bee is painful to everyone but for some people it can be deadly. What can people who are sensitive or highly allergic to bee stings do to protect themselves? What should parents know and how should they be prepared to treat bee stings in children? Can people outgrow or develop allergies at any point in their life? What is a bee sting kit and who should have one? IUSM allergist William Baker, M.D., can address these concerns and more to prepare Hoosiers for outdoor life in the summer.

Can exercise and conditioning help asthma sufferers live a healthier life? And, can exercise bring on asthma in people who do not normally suffer from the condition? William Baker, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and an allergy specialist, says yes to both questions and would be willing to provide tips and preventive advice. Some people mistake exercise-induced asthma for just “being out of shape.” How can you tell the difference?

If you suffer from asthma just about anything can trigger an attack. But, did you know that the fragrance you dab behind your ear before leaving for the theater can produce anguish for another person? Hair spray, temperature changes, smoking, exercise, dust and chocolate are just a few of the many, many triggers for asthmatics? But, did you know that even mood changes can trigger an attack? William Baker, M.D., an IU allergy specialist, can explain how and why these substances work as toxins to some people.

Osteoarthritis is the foremost crippler of older Americans. Currently on the list of miracle cures are two dietary supplements: glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Their attributes have been touted in the popular press. Kenneth Brandt, M.D., an expert in the treatment of osteoarthritis, says he believes the two supplements deserve a closer look from the traditional medical community.

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Contact: Mary Hardin
317-274-7722
mhardin@iupui.edu

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