Dr. Rinker studies how different surgical methods and diagnostic tests can enhance patient outcomes for specific types of cancer. For prostate cancer, she researches robotic-assisted surgery techniques and their impact on survival rates. In colon cancer, her focus is on monitoring specific blood markers to detect cancer recurrence early, as well as improving testing processes for human papillomavirus (HPV) that can affect cervical cancer diagnosis. Overall, her work aims to provide patients with more effective treatment and better chances of recovery.
Key findings
In prostate cancer patients, robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) led to a 3.9% chance of dying within five years, compared to 5.5% for open radical prostatectomy (ORP), demonstrating a survival advantage for RALP.
The addition of glacial acetic acid (GAA) to reprocess unsatisfactory cervicovaginal ThinPrep specimens resulted in a 56.5% reduction of such specimens, improving the quality of HPV testing.
Frequent monitoring of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels allowed for quicker surgical intervention for colon cancer recurrence, increasing successful tumor removal rates from 27% to 78%.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Rinker study prostate cancer?
Yes, Dr. Rinker researches surgical techniques for prostate cancer, specifically the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery.
What treatments has Dr. Rinker researched?
Dr. Rinker has studied robotic-assisted prostatectomy for prostate cancer and strategies for early detection of recurrence in colon cancer through blood marker monitoring.
Is Dr. Rinker's work relevant to patients at risk for colon cancer recurrence?
Absolutely. Her research focuses on improving outcomes for colon cancer patients through early detection of recurrence.
How does Dr. Rinker improve HPV testing accuracy?
She investigates methods to reprocess cervicovaginal samples to reduce the number of unsatisfactory specimens, using techniques like adding glacial acetic acid.
Publications in plain English
Survival After Robotic-assisted Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer: An Epidemiologic Study.
2021
Annals of surgery
Wang Y, Gieschen H, Greenberger M, Yu X, Tian G +7 more
Plain English This study looked at the survival rates of prostate cancer patients who had surgery using two different methods: robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and open radical prostatectomy (ORP). They found that patients who underwent RALP had a lower chance of dying within five years (3.9%) compared to those who had ORP (5.5%), translating to a significant survival advantage for RALP. This matters because it suggests that RALP not only improves survival outcomes but also helps justify its higher costs in clinical practice.
Who this helps: Patients with localized prostate cancer.
The efficacy of reprocessing unsatisfactory cervicovaginal ThinPrep specimens with and without glacial acetic acid: effect on Hybrid Capture II human papillomavirus testing and clinical follow-up.
2002
American journal of clinical pathology
Agoff SN, Dean T, Nixon BK, Ingalls-Severn K, Rinker L +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how adding glacial acetic acid (GAA) affects reprocessing cervicovaginal samples that were initially deemed unsatisfactory for HPV testing. Researchers found that adding GAA led to a 56.5% reduction in unsatisfactory specimens, compared to a 26.6% reduction when GAA wasn't used. While using GAA helped improve sample quality, it also caused false-positive results in 10 out of 10 tests.
Who this helps: This benefits patients by improving the accuracy of HPV testing results.
A retrospective and prospective study of serial CEA determinations in the early detection of recurrent colon cancer.
1979
American journal of surgery
Martin EW, Cooperman M, King G, Rinker L, Carey LC +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how measuring a blood marker called CEA can help detect colon cancer that has come back after treatment. The researchers found that if doctors quickly follow up on higher CEA levels with additional checks or surgery, it can lead to better outcomes for patients. For instance, early detection could prevent the cancer from progressing further, which is crucial for effective treatment.
Who this helps: This helps patients who are at risk of colon cancer recurrence and their doctors.
The use of serial carcinoembryonic antigen determinations to predict recurrence of carcinoma of the colon and the time for a second-look operation.
1978
Surgery, gynecology & obstetrics
Minton JP, James KK, Hurtubise PE, Rinker L, Joyce S +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how regular testing of a protein called carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can help identify when colon cancer might return after treatment. By doing these tests every two months, doctors found that they were able to operate on the cancer again much sooner, increasing the chances of successfully removing the tumors from 27% to 78%. This is important because catching cancer recurrence early can lead to better outcomes for patients.
Who this helps: Patients recovering from colon cancer.