What Is a Solid Tumor and What Types Are There?

An award-winning oncologist and hematologist, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, has been practicing medicine for more than three decades. Committed to helping patients receive the most efficient treatment, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum regularly completes clinical research into a range of medical issues, including solid tumors.

Abnormal masses of cells that do not contain liquid or cysts, solid tumors are often found in the organs, muscles, and bones and may be either cancerous or benign. Along with cancers in the blood, or hematological cancers, solid tumor cancers are the second main type of cancer diagnosed by physicians.

There are two main types of solid tumors, both of which are frequently treated with surgery: carcinomas and sarcomas.

Carcinomas are solid tumors that develop in the epithelial cells within the body’s glands, skin, and lining of the organs. Many cancers found in the uterus, bladder, and kidneys are forms of carcinomas. For example, adrenocortical carcinoma, which grows in the adrenal glands, is one common form of these tumors.

Meanwhile, sarcomas primarily affect the lymph and blood vessels, tendons, muscles, fat tissue, and bones. Due to the variety of locations in which they can grow, sarcomas come in various forms, such as rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma. These two cancers affect the soft tissues around muscles and bones, respectively.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Features Four Research Centers

A hematologist and oncologist with a distinguished 30-year medical career, Kenneth D. Nahum was voted a Top Doctor four times by New Jersey Monthly magazine. Currently treating patients at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) in Howell, NJ, Kenneth D. Nahum also teaches at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Encompassing 20 academic departments across two New Jersey campuses, the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University features several well-known research centers that help pioneer advances in biotechnology, occupational health, children’s health, cardiovascular treatment, and more.

At the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, faculty examine new approaches to treatment through research in developmental biology, molecular genetics, and structural biology. The Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute studies the health impacts of chemical exposure in order to drive public health policy improvements.

The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, also part of the medical school, focuses on combating childhood illnesses through comprehensive biomedical and molecular genetics research. Lastly, Robert Wood Johnson’s Cardiovascular Institute drives developments in cardiovascular care through clinical trials, cardiovascular pharmacology, biomedical engineering, and other treatment and research strategies.

A Brief Overview of HER2

Award-winning physician Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum practices hematology and oncology at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) in New Jersey. Working in medicine for more than 30 years, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has treated, managed, and studied dozens of conditions, including HER2 breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, also known as HER2, is a growth-promoting protein created by the HER2 gene. Normally, HER2 proteins rest on breast cells and act as receptors. They help healthy breast cells divide, grow, and repair. 

However, the HER2 gene sometimes malfunctions and makes too many copies of itself. As a result, too many HER2 proteins are created, and the breast cells divide and grow uncontrollably. 

The presence of HER2 proteins promotes the rapid growth and spread of breast cancer. Because of this, HER2 protein levels are usually tested.

When the test comes up with a result of 0 to 1+, the cancer is said to be HER2-negative. These cancers will not respond to treatments that specifically target HER2 genes and proteins. A rating of 3+ means the cancer is HER2-positive and can be treated with drugs that target this particular protein.

Study Suggests Denosumab May Treat TDT-Induced Osteoporosis

Former medical instructor Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum is a hematologist and oncologist with Regional Cancer Care Associates in New Jersey. Active in the professional community, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has won numerous awards for his work and maintains membership in such organizations as the American Society of Hematology.

As part of its efforts to prevent and further the treatment of various blood disorders, the American Society of Hematology promotes education, training, and research into conditions that affect the blood, bone marrow, and immune and other systems. Recently, the organization announced the results of a study on osteoporosis and transfusion-dependent thalassemia, or TDT, an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to produce fewer red blood cells and less hemoglobin than usual. 

Forty percent of people with TDT develop osteoporosis, a bone disease characterized by weak and porous bones that cause pain and fracture more easily than healthy bones. To treat these comorbidities, most physicians use intravenous bisphosphonate agents, like zoledronic acid.

However, people with osteoporosis and thalassemia often have high levels of RANKL, an osteoporosis regulator. To reduce these high levels, researchers in the study, published in the journal of the American Society of Hematology, tried using twice-yearly injections of intravenous denosumab. Patients who received denosumab experienced a 5.92 percent increase in lumbar bone density, compared to a 2.92 percent increase among patients who received placebo injections. Further, denosumab resulted in less bone mineral density loss in the wrist, increased femoral neck density, and reduced pain.

Although denosumab is approved by the FDA for reducing RANKL amounts, it is not an approved therapy for people with TDT-induced osteoporosis. Researchers also acknowledge that more studies are necessary to compare denosumab to bisphosphonates to determine whether denosumab is a viable new treatment option.

Causes of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum, a dedicated hematologist and oncologist, holds board certifications in medical oncology, internal medicine, and hematology. A physician at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has been involved in dozens of research studies, including one on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

A rare group of disorders, MDS is also called bone marrow failure disorder. The bone marrow of patients with this condition does not produce healthy blood cells. 

In healthy people, the bone marrow changes stem cells into red and white blood cells. These blood cells start out immature and develop over time. 

In people with MDS, the process is disrupted and the cells die in the bone marrow. Eventually, the number of immature cells in the bone marrow outnumber the healthy cells.

Scientists are unsure of the cause of MDS, but the disorder has been linked to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and exposure to certain chemicals. The condition is more common among men than women and in people over age 60. Researchers believe this may be because men have a greater chance of being exposed to chemicals in the workplace.

Since the cause of MDS is unknown, preventing the condition is not possible. Still, people can reduce their risk by limiting their exposure to radiation and industrial chemicals such as benzene. Not smoking also reduces the risk of MDS.

ASH Awards over $1 Million in Grant Funding

A respected, New Jersey-based physician, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, has spent the past six years treating patients as a hematologist and oncologist with Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC. In an effort to remain apprised of developments in hematological medicine, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum maintains active membership with the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

In October 2018, ASH rolled out the next round of funding through its Bridge Grant Program. The organization disbursed a total $1.2 million in funding by selecting eight researchers to receive $150,000 a piece to continue their work in vital areas such as bone marrow transplant research and leukemia treatment relapses.

The ASH Bridge Grant Program was first established in 2013 to serve as temporary funding for projects that are in-between grant funding cycles and need resources to continue while pursuing further research dollars. In total, the program has given upwards of $15 million to 115 different investigators over the past five-plus years, and a majority of those projects (over 70 percent) went on to receive further funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 program.

To learn more about ASH Bridge Grants or to apply for the next round of funding, visit www.hematology.org/Awards.

Ashley Lauren Foundation Raises Money for Pediatric Cancer Support

Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum is a hematologist and oncologist whose career spans three decades. Currently serving patients at Regional Cancer Care Associates in Howell, New Jersey, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum also supports nonprofit organizations including the Ashley Lauren Foundation for pediatric cancer.

Headquartered in Spring Lake, New Jersey, the Ashley Lauren Foundation aims to support families grappling with pediatric cancer through direct financial, material, and emotional assistance. In addition, the foundation organizes many programs focused on entertaining and delighting children during their hospital stay, such as seasonal parties and a “birthday brigade.” To make its work possible, it holds multiple fundraisers through the year, including an annual ball.

The 2018 ball was held on April 21. Themed “The Fabulous Forties,” the seventh annual event included an auction as well as entertainment by The Ed Conte Orchestra, Andrew Sisters, and Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin impersonators. A 1941 Cadillac Convertible was put on display. The night culminated in an awards ceremony to honor recipients of the annual Hope Award, Humanitarian Award, and Volunteer of the Year Award.

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Features Pavilion for Advanced Care

Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum treats patients as a hematologist and oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates in New Jersey. A four-time New Jersey Monthly Top Doctor, Kenneth D. Nahum completed his residency at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC). 

In 2012, PPMC opened the Pavilion for Advanced Care (PAC), a $144 million facility that blends new and renovated buildings. The six-story, 178,000-square-foot facility houses more than 20 medical and surgical specialists, including critical care, trauma/emergency services, and radiology. PAC patients benefit from having the most technologically advanced diagnostic machines on site, including CT and MRI technology, digital X-rays, ultrasound, and flouroscopy. 

The opening of PAC also increased the number of beds available in the medical center’s emergency department by 16. The ER offers round-the-clock eye injury treatment as well as a five-bay rapid assessment center for triage. In addition, PAC’s surgical suite added 30 beds specifically for outpatient “short procedure” surgeries. Each area of the facility was designed or renovated with the goal of enhancing patient and family comfort during their stay.

Wednesday and Saturday Seminars Offered by NJAOPS

As a hematologist and oncologist, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum cares for patients with blood disorders and cancers. Based in New Jersey, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum serves as a physician with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) and belongs to professional organizations that include the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (NJAOPS).

Dedicated to improving public health, encouraging scientific research, and supporting Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, NJAOPS provides members with a wide range of educational opportunities, including its Wednesday and Saturday Seminars. 

The Wednesday Seminars cover topics relevant to the organization’s members. Structured around physicians’ busy schedules, these seminars feature luncheons that coincide with most doctors’ professional development time.

Saturday Seminars provide medical staff members and clinicians with full- and half-day programs that cover a wide range of medical and clinical topics, such as end-of-life care, FMCSA Certified Medical Examiner training, HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines.

Autologous Stem Cell-Transplantation - Treatment for Blood Cancers

Serving patients in the Howell, New Jersey, area, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, has extensive experience in the treatment of oncology conditions. Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum’s areas of focus encompass hematology, and he has researched various surgical pathways, including autologous stem-cell transplantation.

Used in the treatment of a variety of blood cancers, autologous transplants involves a complex process that begins with collecting stem cells during a period when the disease is stable or in remission. This begins with collecting stem cells from the bone marrow, where they live, and encouraging them to move into the bloodstream.

Called mobilization, this process is usually undertaken with high-dose chemotherapy, followed by G-CSF growth factor injections that stimulate colony expansion among those stem cells that leak into the veins and general blood circulation. These injections last for several days as blood counts gradually rise.

Following autologous stem-cell transplantation, it often takes patients several months until their immune systems fully recover. In certain cases, relapse may occur, which can necessitate additional transplantation and chemotherapy.

Ashley Lauren Foundation Brings Joy to Pediatric Cancer Patients

Serving as a hematologist and an oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum’s medical career spans 30 years. Committed to supporting many non-profit organizations, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, and his family were honored by the Ashley Lauren Foundation for their longstanding support.

Based in Spring Lake, New Jersey, the Ashley Lauren Foundation aims to make living with cancer somewhat more bearable by bringing joy into the lives of children with cancer. Hospitals whose pediatric patients are serviced by the Foundation include Newark Beth Israel Hospital, Monmouth Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/Voorhees Specialty Care Center.

One of the Foundation’s programs is called Making Dreams Come True, which works to grant the dream-fulfilling wishes of children with cancer. Another patient-centered program is the Birthday Brigade, which delivers balloons, cake, and a gift to children who spend their birthday in the pediatric cancer ward. Additionally, the Foundation organizes fun outings for patients and their families to enjoy together to give them a chance to enjoy normal life outside of the hospital.

Blood in Stool Linked to General Inflammation, as Well as Colon Cancer

Based in Howell, New Jersey, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, treats cancer and blood disease patients as a member of Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC. Having served as principal investigator in a variety of clinical trials, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has undertaken research on the health behaviors of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Encompassing the full range of cancers involving the rectum and colon, colorectal cancer impacts more than 4 percent of men and women nationwide. Recent research undertaken at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland, focuses on fecal occult blood tests and the medical records of approximately 130,000 patients over a 16-year period.

As expected, the 2,700 tests that came back positive for minute traces of blood in the stool correlated strongly with colon cancer with a related risk of mortality seven times higher than those without positive results. A surprise finding was that a significant non-colorectal cancer mortality correlation also existed. Overall, those who tested positive had a 58 percent greater likelihood to die over the 16 years covered by the test.

A hypothesis is that blood in the stool may be associated with generalized inflammation associated with diverse conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as colorectal cancer.

ACP Policy Advocacy - Against Health Care Choices

A passionate hematologist and oncologist with three decades of professional experience, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, remains active in his field. Through membership in the American College of Physicians (ACP), Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum and his peers can effectively advocate for policies that benefit them.

ACP issues statements on legislature and legal issues that affect physicians, including the recently proposed Health Care Choices plan from the Health Policy Consensus Group. Health Care Choices proposes alternatives to the Affordable Care Act’s payment system, primarily in the form of block grants. ACP, along with many other national advocacy and professional development groups for health care providers, claims that the concepts and policies laid out in the proposal are dangerous and have been repeatedly rejected by the public and legislators.

ACP stands against proposals that would remove Americans from the insurance market and make it impossible for those with pre-existing conditions to get health care. It also advocates against giving insurance companies the ability to deny coverage indirectly through lifetime limits or restrictions on women's health care services.

ASCO Works toward Developing Programs for Oncology Providers

An alumnus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, provides care for patients with cancer or blood disorders. Moreover, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum maintains active membership with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Toward the end of achieving its mission of overcoming cancer by conducting research, funding education, and promoting quality patient care, ASCO promotes and sponsors lifelong learning and essential skills enhancement programs for oncology professionals, including the following:

- Continuing Education (CE). ASCO’s joint accreditation status enables its simultaneous recognition by several well-respected industry entities: the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. ASCO developed this program to assist oncology professionals with the acquisition of knowledge and improvement of skills necessary to care for patients with, and survivors of, cancer. The CE program takes into account individual differences with respect to background, learning style, and level of experience.

- Leadership Development. This yearlong program is designed for professionals who have completed their final subspecialty training and are keen on a leadership role in not just ASCO, but also the practice of oncology. Program highlights include learning about ASCO’s role in the development of cancer care, gaining exposure to government research agencies, and receiving actual advocacy experience. Program participants must be prepared to commit time for travel and training.

Survival Odds Better for ALL Patients at Pediatric Cancer Centers

A graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Kenneth D. Nahum has worked with patients with blood disorders and cancer for more than three decades. Kenneth D. Nahum serves as the hematologist and oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates in New Jersey and belongs to such organizations as the American Society of Hematology (ASH), an organization dedicated to the treatment and prevention of blood disorders.

Recently, ASH published an article about leukemia treatment in its journal Blood Advances. The study, which focused on young adults and adolescents with acute leukemia, found that these patients may have a better chance of surviving when they are treated at a pediatric cancer center instead of an adult center.

To complete this study, researchers reviewed data from the California Cancer Registry that had been gathered between 2004 and 2014 and identified over 1,400 acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients between the ages of 15 and 39. Once they had a list of patients, researchers marked whether each patient’s center of care was at an adult or pediatric facility and whether said facility was affiliated with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). They then compared overall survival statistics based on where patients were treated.

According to their results, about 32 percent of all young adult and adolescent patients with ALL received care at a pediatric facility. Among those, 89 percent of patients received care at an NCI-designated center. Meanwhile, 998 patients, or about 67 percent, received care at an adult facility, but only 28 percent of these patients got care from an NCI-designated center. When looking at survival rates, researchers found that patients treated in a pediatric setting or at an NCI-designated center had a significantly higher rate of survival compared to those treated at an adult or non-NCI-designated center.

States Struggle with Exorbitant Hemophilia Treatment Costs

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey alumnus Kenneth D. Nahum is a hematologist and oncologist working at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) in Howell, New Jersey. Since 1988, Kenneth D. Nahum has cared for thousands of patients with blood disorders, including those suffering from hemophilia.

The costs of treating hemophilia are high, with coagulating drugs common in hemophilia treatment regimens ranking among the most expensive. Treatment for one boy with hemophilia cost state Medicaid some $21 million in taxpayer money. However, the hemophilia market is very profitable for manufacturers, raking in about $4.6 billion for just 20,000 patients. 

States have borne the burden of negotiating the costs of hemophilia treatment. Some such as Washington and Oregon have opted to require hemophilia patients to only receive blood factor from federally designated hemophilia treatment centers. By doing so, state Medicaid programs can avail of the 340B federal drug-discount program. Meanwhile, states such as California have determined that negotiating rebates with drug manufacturers is the easiest, most cost-effective of curbing costs. Regardless, states are open with their struggles in searching for options, which are limited.