M. D. Anderson Researchers Awarded Testicular Cancer Grants

American cyclist and Texan Lance Armstrong pedaled his way to poster boy for cancer survivorship as he won the Tour de France on July 25.

"We can return to what we were before - and even better," the 27-year-old told Cable News Network. Armstrong beat testicular cancer to win the toughest cycling race in the world, dedicating his success to cancer survivors.

Victories like Armstrong's are spurring further testicular cancer research at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, says Dr. Ellen R. Gritz, chair of the department of behavioral science.

Although Armstrong did not receive his care at M. D. Anderson, the cancer center has received funding from the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Last fall, Dr. Gritz received a $150,000 award from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to study quality of life in testicular cancer survivors. She received the award at the third annual Lance Armstrong Urologic Oncology Meeting last October.

Now, M. D. Anderson investigators have received another award to study quality of life and health behaviors among testicular cancer survivors. Dr. Karen Basen-Engquist, assistant professor of behavioral science, is principal investigator of the two-year $150,928 study. Funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), this study is titled "Testis Cancer Survivors' Adjustment and Health Behavior."

Both studies are open only to M. D. Anderson patients. Dr. Gritz' study is open to men who are newly diagnosed with non-seminoma testicular cancer, and Dr. Basen-Engquist's study is open to men who successfully completed treatment between two and seven years ago.

Dr. Gritz and colleagues are examining the long-term effects of chemotherapy on men surviving testicular cancer in the study titled "Neurocognitive Function and Quality of Life After Testicular Cancer Treatment."

"We're looking for evidence of potential long-term problems in learning and memory that may result from the high-dose chemotherapy used to treat advanced cases of this disease," she says. "Part of this study involves looking at emotional adjustment issues and family relationships related to treatment with chemotherapy."

Previous research with breast cancer patients has revealed cognitive deficits associated with high-dose chemotherapy regimens used to fight the disease. These long-term symptoms include memory loss, decreases in information-processing speed, reduced attention, anxiety, depression and fatigue, says Dr. Christina Meyers, associate professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Neuro-Oncology.

"Because investigators in previous studies observed some of these cognitive deficits in breast cancer patients, we wondered if the same effects may occur in testicular cancer survivors receiving similar treatment," Dr. Gritz says.

In Dr. Basen-Engquist's study, researchers will examine quality of life, mental health, sexual function and relationship satisfaction in testicular cancer survivors.

"A unique component to this study involves assessment of comfort with dating and intimate relationships for unpartnered survivors, as well as assessing marital function for men who are married," she says.

Because testicular cancer most often strikes men aged 10 to 34, researchers for both studies are examining indices of emotional and cognitive function and attempt to measure the long-term effects.

These issues are particularly important for the survivors' occupational, as well as social, function because of the high long-term survival rates, in excess of 95 percent, for testicular cancer, Dr. Gritz says.

"One of our cancer prevention aims is understanding issues of lifestyle that can enhance survivorship," she says. "These studies further develop these efforts, namely addressing quality of life issues in cancer patients and survivors, helping them lead more fulfilling lives following a cancer diagnosis."

These studies may lead to targeted interventions to help these survivors of testicular cancer, Dr. Gritz says. Cognitive and emotional function in testicular cancer survivors is a relatively new field of study, with most previous research focusing on treatment of the disease rather than on psychosocial and behavioral aspects.

For more information about testicular cancer or research studies, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmc-info@tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/09_15_99/page_07.html