PRO/CON Chul Soo Ha, MD If systemic treatment is effective enough to reliably control not only microscopic but also bulky disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy. And if systemic treatment cannot even reliably control microscopic disease, let alone macroscopic disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy, either.
PRO/CON Soham Puvvada, MD, Thomas Miller, MD DLBCL of any stage remains a systemic disease with early hematogenous spread. Thus, arguments advocating the role of IFRT do not truly address disease biology, and all future efforts to cure patients will require improved systemic therapy.
RESEARCH REPORT Anna Azvolinsky Researchers have characterized acute myeloid leukemia, providing new genetic driver leads to help classify the disease and even stratify AML patients by risk.
RESEARCH REPORT Michael Kaufman A dose-adjusted regimen of etoposide, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide with vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R) obviated the need for radiotherapy in patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma in a single-group, phase II, prospective study.
RESEARCH REPORT Anna Azvolinsky Researchers have identified a novel monoclonal antibody directly targeted against a receptor found in abundance on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, but not normal B cells. The humanized antibody can directly kill CLL cells.
RESEARCH REPORT Michael Kaufman Targeting the bone marrow–specific extracellular matrix osteopontin may be an effective strategy to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, according to the authors of a recent study.
REVIEW ARTICLE Shadi Latta, et al;ONCOLOGY Vol. 27 No. 2 In this review, we critically analyze clinical trials that were specifically designed for the very elderly, and we discuss the challenges encountered by investigators who are conducting studies in this patient population.
This paper reviews recent practice patterns in the broad context of the published findings from major phase III randomized trials; it documents potential gaps between trial results and actual practice, and the implications of these for continuing education of oncologists.
Primary central nervous system lymphomas, predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (PCNS-DLBCL), are aggressive malignancies, and no histopathological variables with independent prognostic value are currently available. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of histopathological variables of PCNS-DLBCL.
Methods
Aggregative perivascular tumor cells (APVTs) and reactive perivascular T cell infiltrates (RPVIs) in tumor samples from 6
The alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) is widely used for the treatment of gliomas. Although reports of treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) associated with TMZ are accumulating, it remains unclear whether TMZ has the same leukemogenic potential as other alkylating agents.
Methods
We performed a single-institution retrospective analysis using a database of 359 glioma patie
The optimal treatment strategy in patients with aggressive B cell central nervous system lymphoma suitable to receive intensive therapy is unknown. The benefit of incorporating rituximab in systemic therapy remains unclear. We performed a retrospective study examining the impact of rituximab in the context of concomitant therapies, including methotrexate, cytarabine, and radiotherapy, in patients treated with curative intent at 4 university teaching hospitals during 1996–2
The standard of care for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is systemic chemotherapy with or without whole brain radiotherapy or intrathecal chemotherapy. In contrast to treatment for other brain tumors, efforts at resection are discouraged. This is a secondary analysis of the German PCNSL Study Group–1 trial, a large randomized phase III study comprising 526 patients with PCNSL. Progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–1.74; P<
Although most children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survive, the noncognitive neurologic sequelae of ALL treatment are inadequately described, and most reported studies utilize self-administered questionnaires. We undertook a prospective, IRB-approved, cross-sectional study to define neurologic morbidity in ALL survivors who were more than 5 years from diagnosis. An investigator administered the questionnaire and disability scales, and a board-certified neurologist performed a quanti
DLBCL of any stage remains a systemic disease with early hematogenous spread. Thus, arguments advocating the role of IFRT do not truly address disease... More »
Researchers have identified a novel monoclonal antibody directly targeted against a receptor found in abundance on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)... More »
In this review, we critically analyze clinical trials that were specifically designed for the very elderly, and we discuss the challenges encountered... More »
A genome-wide study, and analysis of genes in Reed-Sternberg cells, suggest molecular subtypes that should lead to better therapies and prognostic... More »
Richter's transformation, or Richter's syndrome, is an uncommon clinicopathological condition observed in about 5% to 10% of patients with chronic... More »
DLBCL of any stage remains a systemic disease with early hematogenous spread. Thus, arguments advocating the role of IFRT do not truly address disease biology, and all future efforts to cure patients will require improved systemic therapy.
If systemic treatment is effective enough to reliably control not only microscopic but also bulky disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy. And if systemic treatment cannot even reliably control microscopic disease, let alone macroscopic disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy, either. However, there are patients who fall into neither of these categories, and in them radiotherapy may well have a role.
In this interview we discuss the latest chronic myeloid leukemia treatment and research with Dr. Michael Deininger, chief of the division of hematology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
A 53-year-old woman presented with abominal pain. Physical examination and radiographic imaging shows the presence of an abdominal mass. Biopsy of the mass was performed. What is your diagnosis?
Five Steps to Improving Patient Access Judy Capko, May 21, 2013 Patient access is getting increased attention through reform initiatives. Here are five steps you can take to make sure patients get appropriate access to care in your office.
Growing HIPAA Threat – Ignore Windows XP at Your Own Peril Marion K. Jenkins, May 21, 2013 Chances are good that you have some major ticking software time bombs lurking in your medical practice's computer environment, namely Windows XP and Server 2003.
Three Areas to Reduce Costs at Your Medical Practice Greg Mertz, May 19, 2013 By taking a hard look at reducing costs for staffing, overhead, and technology at your medical practice, you may see increased physician compensation.
Dos and Don’ts for Starting a Physician Blog Michael Woo-Ming, MD, May 18, 2013 Starting a physician blog can provide your medical practice with marketing benefits, but it's important to do it right.
This paper reviews recent practice patterns in the broad context of the published findings from major phase III randomized trials; it documents potential gaps between trial results and actual practice, and the implications of these for continuing education of oncologists.
Herein, we outline clinically relevant aspects of mycosis fungoides, including clinical
presentation, pathology, diagnosis, and staging. We describe in detail existing and emerging
therapeutics and offer specific recommendations for management of each stage of mycosis
fungoides.
With better disease definition, staging, and monitoring, treatment of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is becoming more rational. A large proportion of patients with localized nasal disease may enjoy prolonged disease-free survival.
In this review, the authors discuss the unique challenges and the many opportunities associated with the treatment of elderly cancer patients.
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is defined as a histologically or cytologically proven peripheral T-cell malignancy associated with a retrovirus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1).
The purpose of this review is to familiarize oncologists with the clinical and pathologic features of this relatively rare disease spectrum. This should enable appropriate clinical management and reassurance of patients concerned about their prognosis.
In this interview we discuss the latest chronic myeloid leukemia treatment and research with Dr. Michael Deininger, chief of the division of hematology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
Hematology Letters is a new blog for Cancer Network written by Mojtaba Akhtari, MD of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
A 53-year-old woman presented with abominal pain. Physical examination and radiographic imaging shows the presence of an abdominal mass. Biopsy of the mass was performed. What is your diagnosis?
