'Complications of Cancer' Often as Dangerous as the Disease

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - Jul 25, 2012) - Often, it's not cancer that kills; it's the associated complications, some of which can be corrected with quick attention, says physician Stephen Garrett Marcus. He details a host of complications, including symptoms to watch for and treatment options, in "Complications of Cancer" (www.DrStephenMarcus.com), a comprehensive new reference book.

Complications become more severe if cancer progresses or spreads, he says. Spotting them early and treating them quickly can lessen their impact and save lives. 

"Patients and their families are the first line of defense; they need to know what to watch for and seek treatment immediately," he says. "Many can be successfully treated if they're addressed at the first signs of trouble."

• The first section, "Life-Threatening Cancers," provides a detailed overview of the 15 most common life-threatening cancers. It includes information about symptoms; making the diagnosis; determining the extent, if any, to which the cancer has spread; initial surgical and medical treatments; prevention and treatment of progression; and therapies to reduce discomfort if the cancer is not adequately controlled. This overview provides a framework for understanding the complications that can develop.
• The second section, "Complications of Cancer," discusses 50 serious complications or illnesses that can occur as a result of cancer, another underlying illness, or as a side effect of treatments. These complications are the direct cause of the great majority of life-threatening events for people with cancer, Marcus says.
• The effectiveness of current treatments of many types of cancer is inadequate, he notes. Facing this, people often seek experimental treatments that can provide a chance for survival and recovery. The third section, "Clinical Trials," provides information about how new treatments are tested by responsible medical researchers and how to enroll in a clinical trial of an experimental or innovative treatment.

About Stephen Garrett Marcus, M.D.

Stephen Garrett Marcus, M.D., graduated from New York Medical College and completed an oncology fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco. As a senior research executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry since 1985, he played a leading role in developing Betaseron, the first effective treatment of multiple sclerosis. He has led multinational research teams for other treatments. Marcus is the president and CEO of a biotechnology company developing new treatments for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.