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Pediatric cancers enter the whole-genome sequencing pipeline with the initiation of the St. Baldrick’s projectA collaborative project to sequence the neuroblastoma cancer genome could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment.
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An Argument Against Routine Use of Radiotherapy for Ductal Carcinoma In SituThe major conclusion to bedrawn from the extensivelypublished University of SouthernCalifornia (USC)/Van Nuys databaseon ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) is that, to the extent that DCIScan be totally excised, the ipsilaterallocal control rate will approach 100%with surgery alone, regardless of tumorgrade or size or patient age. Thisconclusion, noted by Dr. Silverstein,was achieved only through prospectivemammographic/pathologic correlationand a meticulous pathology protocolthat required orientation, selectiveinking of margins, sequential sectioningand processing of the entirespecimen, and prospective calculationof size and margin status.
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Reviving the Acid Phosphatase Test for Prostate CancerProstatic acid phosphatase (PAP) emerged as the world's first clinically useful tumor marker in the 1940s and 1950s. With the introduction of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in the 1980s, which performed significantly better than PAP in terms of screening and monitoring response to treatment, PAP fell into disfavor. An increasing number of recent studies have identified PAP as a significant prognostic factor for patients with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. PAP appears to be particularly valuable in predicting distant failure in higher-risk patients for whom high levels of local control are achieved with aggressive initial local treatment. As prostate cancer care becomes increasingly focused on identifying the minority of patients who would benefit from aggressive systemic therapy, a reevaluation of the potential contribution of the prostatic acid phosphatase test seems timely.
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Latest Treatment and Research for Chronic Myeloid LeukemiaIn 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.
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How the Sequester Cuts Are Harming OncologyNow is a critical moment for all involved in caring for cancer patients to engage in this national policy debate; numerous cancer advocacy organizations have already joined the effort to oppose the sequester cuts to oncology drugs.
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Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment ProgramProstate cancer is the most common form of cancer (except skin cancer) in men. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, including age, ethnicity, family history, lifestyle, and
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Getting a Handle on Posttransplant Recurrence of HCCIn this issue of ONCOLOGY, Kim et al discuss adjuvant therapy after liver transplantation to decrease recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver transplantation offers the best overall and recurrence-free survival for the treatment of stage I and II HCC. The landmark study in 1996 by Mazzaferro demonstrated that liver transplantation of patients with one lesion less than 5 cm or with up to three lesions but all less than 3 cm (the Milan criteria) resulted in low recurrence rates and similar survival to patients without HCC.[1]
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Extending the Role of Hepatic Metastasectomy in Stage IV Melanoma and Breast Cancer: Patient Selection is CriticalResection of liver metastases represents a major advance of the last few decades in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Combined-Modality Staging for Localized Adenocarcinoma of the ProstateThe goal of identifying a set of pretreatment risk-stratifying factors for patients with localized prostate cancer is to be able to individualize treatment and optimize patient selection for clinical trials. Low-risk patients are most likely
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Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Genetic Testing for Susceptibility to CancerDrs. Lerman and Croyle provide a quite thorough review of an area in need of continuing research-ie, patients' behavioral and emotional responses to genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. The authors present current information on what we do and don't know about the psychological characteristics of individuals likely to undergo testing, possible adverse reactions, issues specific to the genetic counseling process, family coping and adaptation, and possible ways of managing psychological sequelae of genetic testing. Admirably, the authors note that much of their discussion should be considered speculative until more empirical data specific to genetic testing is available. Given this "state of the science," I will raise some additional questions based on some of the statements made by Drs. Lerman and Croyle.
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Commentary (Sarosdy): Age-Specific Reference Ranges for PSA in the Detection of Prostate CancerDr. DeAntoni provides a timely, critical review of the concept of age-specific prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ranges, as well as other frequently used attempts to improve the accuracy of serum PSA testing in the diagnosis of unsuspected prostate cancer. His review is complete, and his assessments of each of the modalities reflect not only the majority view but also realistic appraisals of the limitations of this less-than-perfect test.
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Treatment of Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Special PopulationsOnly a minority of elderly patientswith advanced non–small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) have been offered palliativechemotherapy, as indicated by clinicalsurveys beginning in the 1980s.Lilenbaum’s thorough review of thetreatment of locally advanced and metastaticNSCLC studies in two specialpopulations (elderly and Eastern CooperativeOncology Group [ECOG]performance status [PS] 2 patients)highlights a new trend seen with theadvent of better-tolerated chemotherapyregimens.
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Small- and Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Cervical CancerSmall- and large-cell neuroendocrine tumors of the cervix are exceedingly rare and exceedingly aggressive.
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Commentary (Herman/Wharam): Current Techniques in Three-Dimensional CT Simulation and Radiation Treatment PlanningStephenson and Wiley demonstrate that three-dimensional (3D) CT-based simulation is an improvement in the simulation process. The growing importance of CT in radiation oncology treatment planning has been discussed previously [1] and is further emphasized in this article. The advantages of geometric optimization in three dimensions for radiation therapy treatment planning also are described. These results are applicable to both 3D and two-dimensional (2D) dose planning, because the treatment team can visualize and delineate structures on axial or reconstructed CT planes in greater detail than is possible with conventional simulation projected radiographs.
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Commentary (Sarr/Farnell): Combined-Modality Treatment for Operable Pancreatic AdenocarcinomaPisters and colleagues from theM. D. Anderson Cancer Centeroffer a state-of-the-art discussionof the staging and treatment ofpancreatic cancer. Their treatise addressesmost of the current issues ofcontroversy surrounding this diseasefrom a largely nonparochial standpoint,and should serve as a primerfor the multidisciplinary approach tothe treatment of pancreatic ductal cancer.Their call for and justification ofregionalization of treatment in patientswith potentially resectable diseaserings true with virtually all nationaland international studies that have examinedthis topic from the aspect ofmorbidity, mortality (and thus survival),duration of hospitalization, andof course in our current economic climate,cost.[1-7] This topic should nolonger be considered controversial.
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Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Pathogenesis and TreatmentCutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a malignancy of a distinctive subset of T-helper cells designated “cutaneous T cells” because of their central role in the normal functioning of the skin immune system. Guided by
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Pancreatic Cancer: Recognizing an Hereditary PredispositionAlthough candidate genes for hereditary pancreatic cancer have been identified (Figure 1), namely p16 and BRCA2, pancreatic cancer patients having an inherited predisposition will not be easy to recognize on clinical grounds.
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Integration of Palliative Care Into Comprehensive Cancer Care: Accountable Collaborationn their article, Dennis et al call for timely integration of palliative care into standard oncology care and sustained collaboration between these two specialties, to provide comprehensive, individualized care for patients with advanced, incurable cancer and their families.[
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New Menus for CLL TreatmentChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease with an extremely variable course. Survival after diagnosis can range from months to decades. As the pathogenesis of the disease is increasingly understood, we begin to unfold the molecular patterns that define the different prognostic subgroups and to develop strategies to predict the clinical course.
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Phase II Study of Rituximab in Combination With Fludarabine in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaThis phase II trial investigated the safety and efficacy of a combined-modality treatment with rituximab (Rituxan) and fludarabine (Fludara) in patients with fludarabine- and anthracycline-naive chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL).
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Reassessments of ESAs for Cancer Treatment in the US and EuropeAnemia is a widely prevalent complication among cancer patients. At the time of diagnosis, 30% to 40% of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Hodgkin lymphoma and up to 70% of patients with multiple myeloma are anemic; rates are higher among persons with myelodysplastic syndromes. Among patients with solid cancers or lymphomas, up to half develop anemia following chemotherapy. For almost 2 decades, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) were the primary treatment for cancer-related anemia. However, reassessments of benefits and risks of ESAs for cancer-associated anemia have occurred internationally. We reviewed guidelines and notifications from regulatory agencies and manufacturers, reimbursement policies, and utilization for ESAs in the cancer and chronic kidney disease settings within the United States, Europe, and Canada. In 2008 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricted ESAs from cancer patients seeking cure. Reimbursement is limited to hemoglobin levels < 10 g/dL. In the United States, ESA usage increased 340% between 2001 and 2006, and decreased 60% since 2007. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) recommended that ESA benefits do not outweigh risks. In Europe between 2001 and 2006, ESA use increased 51%; since 2006, use decreased by 10%. In 2009, Canadian manufacturers recommended usage based on patient preferences. In Canada in 2007, approximately 20% of anemic cancer patients received ESAs, a 20% increase since 2004. In contrast to Europe, where ESA use has increased over time, reassessments of ESA-associated safety concerns in the United States have resulted in marked decrements in ESA use among cancer patients.
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Treatment Approaches for Therapy-Related AML, MDS Based on Mutation ProfilesThis video examines different mutational profiles of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms and how they can affect approaches to treatment.
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Chemotherapeutic Prophylaxis of Superficial Bladder TumorsIn a recent issue of ONCOLOGY (15:85-88, 2001), Drs. Edgar C. Baselli and Richard E. Greenberg presented a brief
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Sequencing of Agents for Castration-Resistant Prostate CancerIn this review we will outline an approach to sequencing new therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), with particular attention paid to the biology of CRPC.
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Preventing Prostate Cancer Overdiagnosis From Becoming OvertreatmentThe controversy surrounding PSA screening is one of the most heated in oncology. The potential benefits include prevention of prostate cancer morbidity and mortality, but the men potentially harmed through overdiagnosis and overtreatment outnumber those who benefit.
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Use of Transcription Factors as Agents and Targets for Drug DevelopmentCells respond to external signals by either activating or inhibiting key regulatory proteins of gene expression called transcription factors (TFs). Abnormal expression of these factors plays a critical role in many human
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Book Review: Euthanasia is Not the Answer-A Hospice Physician's ViewRecent broad interest in euthanasia and assisted suicide by society at large has prompted this review of euthanasia. This fine,
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Commentary (Droller): Prostate-Specific Antigen as a Marker of Disease Activity in Prostate CancerThis second installment on prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a marker of disease activity and cancer cell viability in prostate cancer focuses on its role in monitoring the effects of a variety of therapies at different stages of the disease. In addition, the authors propose guidelines for studying the efficacy of new treatments in this setting.
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Hypofractionation for Breast Cancer: Lessons Learned From Our Neighbors to the North and Across the PondIn this review we discuss the rationale and underlying radiobiologic concepts for hypofractionation, and review the clinical trials and ASTRO guidelines supporting hypofractionated radiation in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Quick Reference for Oncology CliniciansAs a midcareer academic medical oncologist, I have found that some books are especially useful as a pocket reference. Some books are small enough for a briefcase, but not ideal for a coat pocket. Others are best sequestered on a bookshelf. Where a book is placed often influences how one will (or won't) use it or read it.
