Zervixkarzinom Früherkennung:  Mit dem von der US-Arzneimittelbehörde Food and Drug Administration (FDA) zugelassenen LUMA-System kann ein Gebärmutterhalskrebs nun noch zuverlässiger als bisher möglich entdeckt werden.

Ein innovatives technisches Gerät wird  in Zukunft Ärzten dabei helfen,  Gebärmutterhals-Krebs (Zervixkarzinom) frühzeitig zu entdecken.  Das  LUMA Cervical Imaging System der Firma MediSpectra kann Krebszellen auch dann entdecken, wenn sie mit den heute üblichen Diagnoseverfahren Pap-Test und Kolposkopie übersehen werden.

Die US-Arzneimittelbehörde FDA gab in einem Newsletter bekannt, daß in einer Studie bei 193 Frauen mit auffälligem Abstrich vom Muttermund (Pap Smear/Pap-Test) 50 Frühfälle von Muttermundkrebs entdeckt wurden. Von diesen 50 Fällen wurden 9 ausschließlich durch das LUMA-System entdeckt, die vorher bei der auch in Deutschland üblichen Scheidenspiegelung (Kolposkopie)  übersehen worden waren.

Mit Hilfe des LUMA-Systems wir der Muttermund mit Licht bestrahlt das vom Gewebe unterschiedlich reflektiert wird. Dabei ist es möglich verdächtige Stellen zu entdecken, die bei der Kolposkopie nicht auffällig waren. An diesen Stellen wird dann vom Arzt eine Gewebeprobe entnommen, die feingeweblich untersucht wird. Danach entscheiden der erfahrene Pathologe, ob es sich um Krebszellen handelt oder nicht.

Imaging System Helps Detect Cervical Pre-Cancer 

FRIDAY, March 17 - A new system to help doctors identify pre-cancerous cells on a woman's cervix has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

MediSpectra's LUMA Cervical Imaging System can detect pre-cancerous cells missed by colposcopy, a diagnostic tool used on women with an abnormal Pap smear. In 50 cases of pre-cancer detected during a clinical study of 193 women, nine were caught by the LUMA system after being missed by colposcopy, the FDA said in a news release.

LUMA shines a light on the cervix and evaluates how different portions of cervical tissue respond to that light, the agency said. This and colposcopy results help doctors decide where to biopsy. 

"Use of the LUMA device is not a substitute for a thorough colposcopic exam," the agency stressed. 

If detected early, cervical cancer is "highly preventable," the FDA said. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, about 9,710 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and about 3,700 U.S. women will die from the disease.

More information

To learn more about cervical cancer, visit the American Cancer Society

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American Cancer Society

Detailed Guide: Cervical Cancer

What Are the Key Statistics About Cervical Cancer?

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, about 9,710 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Some researchers estimate that noninvasive cervical cancer (carcinoma in situ) is about 4 times more common than invasive cervical cancer.

About 3,700 women will die from cervical cancer in the United States during 2006. Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. Between 1955 and 1992, the number of cervical cancer deaths in the United States dropped by 74%. The main reason for this change is the increased use of the Pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find early cancer in its most curable stage. The death rate from cervical cancer continues to decline by nearly 4% a year. 

Cervical cancer tends to occur in midlife. Half of women diagnosed with this cancer are between the ages of 35 and 55. It rarely occurs in women younger than 20. Although cervical cancer does affect young women, many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. Slightly over 20% of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed when they are over 65. It is important for older women to continue having regular Pap tests at least until age 70, and possibly longer. See the section, "Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?" for more specific information on current American Cancer Society screening recommendations. 

Cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women; the rate is over twice that in non-Hispanic white women. African-American women develop this cancer about 50% more often than non-Hispanic white women.

The 5-year relative survival rate for the earliest stage of invasive cervical cancer is 92%. The overall (all stages combined) 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer is about 73%.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Five-year rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. Of course, many people live much longer than 5 years. Five-year relative survival rates exclude patients dying of other diseases. This means that anyone who died of another cause, such as heart disease, is not counted.

Keep in mind that 5-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years ago. Improvements in treatment often result in a more favorable outlook for recently diagnosed patients.

Revised: 02/09/2006

Website des Herstellers:

Medispectra (http://www.medispectra.com/Default.htm)