http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. If a tumour has spread through the lymph nodes, the decision is often taken to exercise caution and remove extra tissue, to prevent it from spreading further. This often involves the removal of healthy lymph nodes. Photoacoustic detection allows surgeons to see which nodes are affected and which are not, while the operation is in progress. This could cut the number of unnecessary complications following surgery, while still ensuring that all affected tissue is removed. Diederik Grootendorst of the University of Twente's MIRA research institute yesterday defended his PhD thesis based on research into this technique. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-photoacoustics-healthy-lymph-nodes-patients.html Cancer Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:10:02 EST news285492872 The well-established elevated risk of melanoma among people with red hair and fair skin may be caused by more than just a lack of natural protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In an article receiving Advance Online Publication in Nature, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC)and Cancer Center researchers report finding that the type of skin pigment predominantly found in red-haired, fair-skinned individuals may itself contribute to the development of melanoma. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-unexpected-factor-contributes-melanoma-red-haired.html Cancer Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:31:32 EST news270923473 (HealthDay) -- Skin cancer is more common among white people, but people with darker skin are also at risk, a dermatology expert cautions. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-people-darker-skin-melanoma.html Cancer Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:40:01 EST news262498521 A major international study has identified a novel gene mutation that appears to increase the risk of both inherited and sporadic cases of malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. The identified mutation occurs in the gene encoding MITF, a transcription factor that induces the production of several important proteins in melanocytes, the cells in which melanoma originates. While previous research has suggested that MITF may act as a melanoma oncogene, the current study identifies a mechanism by which MITF mutation could increase melanoma risk. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-newly-gene-mutation-melanoma.html Cancer Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:00:19 EST news240409834 Not just important for building strong bones, an international team of scientists has found that vitamin D also plays an essential role in the body's fight against infections such as tuberculosis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-scientists-vitamin-d-crucial-human.html Medical research Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:00:01 EST news237642140 Individuals with oculocutaneous albinism, type 1 (OCA1) have white hair, very pale skin, and light-colored irises because they have none, or very little, of the pigment melanin in their skin, hair, and eyes. Affected individuals have impaired eyesight and a substantially increased risk of skin cancer. Current treatment options are limited to attempts to correct eyesight and counseling to promote the use of sun protective measures. A team of researchers, led by Brian Brooks, at the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, has now generated data in mice that provide hope for a new treatment for a subset of patients with OCA1. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-treatment-albinism.html Medical research Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:23:31 EST news236258592