Welcome, how can we help?
Policy Types
Getting Technical
Home / Critical illness cover / - Coma
Definition
A state of unconsciousness resulting in permanent neurological deficit. Coma secondary to alcohol or drug misuse is not covered.
What does this mean?
A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness from which it is impossible to be aroused. The cause of the coma may be as a result of another illness such as a stroke or may be brought on by a serious accident. If the coma results in permanent damage to the nervous system, the claim will be paid.
NEWS
Aggressive treatment may be better for brain tumour patients 75 and over
21 May 2008 17:38:12
Elderly patients, aged 75 and over, with malignant brain tumours could benefit from more aggressive courses of treatment, according to a new report.
According to scientists from University Hospitals Case Medical Center, in the United States, patients over 75 suffering from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) or anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) tend to be treated less aggressively than patients aged between 65 and 75 years old.
Writing in the journal Neurosurgery, the team found that elderly patients were less likely to undergo aggressive surgery treatment followed by radiation with or without chemotherapy, despite the fact that this is standard procedure for younger patients.
Dr Andrew Sloan, senior author of the report, explained that the worsening survival rate among older patients was partially due to the fact that they are given less aggressive treatments.
"Although there has been reluctance to aggressively treat elderly patients, this study suggests that neurosurgeons and neuro-oncologists may need to re-examine their approach to these patients."
Recently, a clinical trial by scientists in Australia revealed an improved method for tumour cell location. The Co-operative Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging Development study found that the radioactive amino acid FET increased the presence of active tumour cells in scans of the brain.
New therapy found to improve quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients
19 May 2008 17:30:27
A new combination therapy has been found to improve the quality of life in patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer - news which could affect the life insurance policies of sufferers.
The positive effect of the treatment, which involved gemcitabine, capecitabine and bevacizumab, was discovered by a multi-centre study led by Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
The study involved 50 patients and the results are due to be presented by Dr Renuka Iyer on Monday, June 2nd at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.
It was found that the combination of gemcitabine, capecitabine and bevacizumab helped to prevent tumours from progressing for up to six months.
In addition, the median survival of the group was increased to 9.8 months.
Previously, gemcitabine and capecitabine have been found to improve patient's quality of life but not their survival rate, while Bevacizumab was found to reduce the blood supply to tumours.
Of all the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK, only around ten to 15 per cent are still alive a year later, according to Cancer Research.
Obesity drug approved in England and Wales
25 June 2008 10:36:14
A controversial new obesity drug has been approved in England and Wales despite apparent links to an increased risk of depression and suicide.
It is thought that the drug, Rimonabant, could help obese patients lose up to ten per cent of their body weight if coupled with exercise.
Although Scotland and the US are yet to adopt the drug due to concerns over its side effects, an obesity specialist has welcomed the ruling by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) to introduce the drug to England and Wales.
"This is a very good drug, and there are very many people who have tried everything else, including other drugs, with little success, who might benefit from it," Dr David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum told the BBC.
Research suggests that one in ten people may develop mental side effects, which can include anxiety, nervousness, depression and sleep disorders.
Doctors have been ordered not to prescribe the drug to patients with a history of mental illness and to be aware of any changes to their condition when they are on the drug.
21 May 2008 17:38:12
Elderly patients, aged 75 and over, with malignant brain tumours could benefit from more aggressive courses of treatment, according to a new report.
According to scientists from University Hospitals Case Medical Center, in the United States, patients over 75 suffering from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) or anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) tend to be treated less aggressively than patients aged between 65 and 75 years old.
Writing in the journal Neurosurgery, the team found that elderly patients were less likely to undergo aggressive surgery treatment followed by radiation with or without chemotherapy, despite the fact that this is standard procedure for younger patients.
Dr Andrew Sloan, senior author of the report, explained that the worsening survival rate among older patients was partially due to the fact that they are given less aggressive treatments.
"Although there has been reluctance to aggressively treat elderly patients, this study suggests that neurosurgeons and neuro-oncologists may need to re-examine their approach to these patients."
Recently, a clinical trial by scientists in Australia revealed an improved method for tumour cell location. The Co-operative Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging Development study found that the radioactive amino acid FET increased the presence of active tumour cells in scans of the brain.
19 May 2008 17:30:27
A new combination therapy has been found to improve the quality of life in patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer - news which could affect the life insurance policies of sufferers.
The positive effect of the treatment, which involved gemcitabine, capecitabine and bevacizumab, was discovered by a multi-centre study led by Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
The study involved 50 patients and the results are due to be presented by Dr Renuka Iyer on Monday, June 2nd at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.
It was found that the combination of gemcitabine, capecitabine and bevacizumab helped to prevent tumours from progressing for up to six months.
In addition, the median survival of the group was increased to 9.8 months.
Previously, gemcitabine and capecitabine have been found to improve patient's quality of life but not their survival rate, while Bevacizumab was found to reduce the blood supply to tumours.
Of all the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK, only around ten to 15 per cent are still alive a year later, according to Cancer Research.
25 June 2008 10:36:14
A controversial new obesity drug has been approved in England and Wales despite apparent links to an increased risk of depression and suicide.
It is thought that the drug, Rimonabant, could help obese patients lose up to ten per cent of their body weight if coupled with exercise.
Although Scotland and the US are yet to adopt the drug due to concerns over its side effects, an obesity specialist has welcomed the ruling by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) to introduce the drug to England and Wales.
"This is a very good drug, and there are very many people who have tried everything else, including other drugs, with little success, who might benefit from it," Dr David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum told the BBC.
Research suggests that one in ten people may develop mental side effects, which can include anxiety, nervousness, depression and sleep disorders.
Doctors have been ordered not to prescribe the drug to patients with a history of mental illness and to be aware of any changes to their condition when they are on the drug.