Henrik Bergquist receives Assar Gabrielsson Prize for dissertation on esophageal cancer

Henrik Bergquist receives Assar Gabrielsson Prize for dissertation on esophageal
cancer

Dr. Henrik Bergquist MD has been awarded the Assar Gabrielsson Prize for an
outstanding scientific dissertation in cancer research at Göteborg University
during the past three years.
The prize is SEK 50,000, with the possibility in autumn 2008 to receive a
research grant of SEK 100,000. The prize was presented today.


Henrik Bergquist works at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck
Surgery, the Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Sweden. He received the
prize for his dissertation “Aspects of the management of patients with
esophageal cancer.”

In his dissertation, Henrik Bergquist chose to specifically study patients
offered relief treatment, so-called palliation, with regard to esophageal cancer
and then compared with two other treatment methods. Henrik Bergquist has also
studied treatment results for esophageal cancer with a new surgical technique
for tumors positioned high in the throat (proximal esophageal or hypopharyngeal
cancer). Despite advanced tumor disease, the outcome is positive with regards to
long-term survival and function, which opens possibilities of establishing a new
treatment principle.

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer form in the world and is
increasing sharply, particularly among middle-age men. In Sweden, about 400
persons are diagnosed each year with esophageal cancer. Patients seek treatment
late in the course of the disease and the tumor is often advanced already at
diagnosis. Despite modern diagnostics and treatment, the prognosis overall is
poor. Only 12-15% survive up to five years. Since the disease is often advanced
at diagnosis, slightly more than 40% of the patients can only be offered
palliative treatment. 

In its citation, the Assar Gabrielsson Foundation Fund writes that Henrik
Bergquist's  dissertation is an example of a well-implemented clinical
dissertation that in itself is significant for care management of the heavily
impacted cancer population and that clears a path for continued significant
research efforts. 

In addition to this prize, each year the Assar Gabrielsson Foundation Fund
offers grants to young researchers in the field of clinical research,
particularly cancer. Assar Gabrielsson was one of Volvo's founders.

May 5, 2008

For further information, please contact Professor Gösta Granström, executive
member of the Assar Gabrielsson Foundation, tel. +46 31-342 12 76 or +46 703-80
61 20.


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