Targeted treatment could prevent spread of pancreatic cancer, heart damage

(University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center) Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine have shown that a new targeted treatment could benefit patients with certain pancreatic tumors by preventing spread of the cancer and protecting their heart from damage -- a direct result of the tumor. Higher levels of serotonin among other tumor secretions can cause injury to the valves of the heart over time, leading to cardiac impairment -- a condition referred to as cardiac carcinoid disease -- in these patients.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news