ONCOLOGY Vol 15 No 11

Pressure ulcers are a common problem, with about 1.5 to 3 million individuals in the United Stated affected. Treatment may be costly, requiring lengthy periods of hospitalization. Central to the development of pressure

With the aim of making its website more comprehensive and supportive of women with breast cancer, the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO) has expanded and redesigned www.nabco.org. The new version, which became

The third edition of the Color Atlas of Clinical Hematology, authored by Drs. A. Victor Hoffbrand and John E. Pettit, contains 19 chapters covering the entire spectrum of hematology, including normal hematopoiesis, benign and malignant

Weekly dosing of docetaxel (Taxotere) is active and well tolerated in elderly patients with advanced breast cancer who are considered poor candidates for combination chemotherapy, according to the results of a phase II study published in the

The Ohio Dental Association (ODA) strongly advocates against the use of smokeless tobacco products because of their harmful effects-particularly the strong link to oral cancer. As a result, the ODA discounts the advertising hype that appears

The frequency of major fungal infections continues to increase, whether in association with increasing numbers of patients at risk due to under lying disease or its treatment, selection pressures related to increased use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the use of capecitabine (Xeloda) in combination with docetaxel (Taxotere) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in patients who failed anthracycline therapy.

Conventional histopathologic evaluation of bladder cancer, encompassing tumor grade and stage, is inadequate to accurately predict the behavior of most bladder tumors. Intense research efforts are under way to identify and

A study that evaluated 76 patients, aged 48 to 62 years, who underwent prostate brachytherapy between 1995 and 1999 using either palladium-103 or iodine-125 seed implants, reported that more than 98% achieved 5-year survival.

Would you pay an additional fee to get your screening mammography results right after your examination? In a random survey of 120 women, the majority said no. In fact, one-third of the women said they preferred to get their results at a later

Combination chemotherapy with monthly docetaxel (Taxotere) and weekly gemcitabine (Gemzar) is highly active in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy, according to the results of a phase II study published in

Clinical applications of image-based radiation therapy for the study of prostate cancer have expanded significantly over the past years. The results of recent studies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic

Neuropathic pain may be defined as pain related to abnormal somatosensory processing in either the peripheral or central nervous system. This pathophysiologic label is typically applied when the painful symptom is associated

Clinical applications of image-based radiation therapy for the study of prostate cancer have expanded significantly over the past years. The results of recent studies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic

Clinical trials of agents to prevent cancer in populations at risk are relatively recent. To date, these consist of a few large population-based studies. Trials in this area focus on the prevention of cancer in individuals with specific predetermined risk

Conventional histopathologic evaluation of bladder cancer, encompassing tumor grade and stage, is inadequate to accurately predict the behavior of most bladder tumors. Intense research efforts are under way to identify and

Clinical applications of image-based radiation therapy for the study of prostate cancer have expanded significantly over the past years. The results of recent studies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic

Neuropathic pain may be defined as pain related to abnormal somatosensory processing in either the peripheral or central nervous system. This pathophysiologic label is typically applied when the painful symptom is associated

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Community Cancer Research Consortium (part of the Southwest Oncology Group [SWOG]) have launched a major study examining the roles of vitamin E and selenium in the prevention of prostate

Pressure ulcers are a common problem, with about 1.5 to 3 million individuals in the United Stated affected. Treatment may be costly, requiring lengthy periods of hospitalization. Central to the development of pressure

Conventional histopathologic evaluation of bladder cancer, encompassing tumor grade and stage, is inadequate to accurately predict the behavior of most bladder tumors. Intense research efforts are under way to identify and

A steady increase in the frequency of invasive fungal infections has been observed in the past 2 decades, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. In recipients of bone marrow transplants, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus remain the primary pathogens. In many centers, however, Candida species other than C albicans now predominate, and many cases of aspergillosis are due to species other than A fumigatus. Additionally, heretofore unrecognized and/or uncommon fungal pathogens are beginning to emerge, including Blastoschizomyces capitatus, Fusarium species, Malassezia furfur, and Trichosporon beigelii. These opportunistic fungal pathogens are associated with various localized and disseminated clinical syndromes, and with substantial morbidity and mortality. These established, invasive mycoses, particularly in bone marrow transplant recipients, are the focus of this discussion. [ONCOLOGY 15(Suppl 9):11-14, 2001]

Efforts at preventing and treating fungal infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients must take into account the types of infections likely to be encountered during the different risk periods in hosts with different underlying risks. Given the emergence of molds as prevalent pathogens and the long duration of risk in allogeneic HSCT recipients, optimal antifungal prophylaxis would consist of treatment that can be given over a prolonged period and that would provide both anti-Candida and anti-Aspergillus activity. Optimal empiric therapy would consist of a broad-spectrum agent in the absence of more sensitive and specific methods for microbial diagnosis. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is currently the standard prophylactic agent for candidiasis, although mold-active agents and alternative strategies for polyene administration are being investigated. The gold standard for empiric therapy is currently a polyene antifungal, yet an increased appreciation for amphotericin B-resistant yeasts and molds, and less toxic mold-active alternatives, might lead to the use of other compounds in the future. The recent development of multiple alternatives emphasizes our need to establish treatment algorithms that consider both the likely pathogens and potential toxicities. [ONCOLOGY 15(Suppl 9):15-19, 2001]

Neuropathic pain may be defined as pain related to abnormal somatosensory processing in either the peripheral or central nervous system. This pathophysiologic label is typically applied when the painful symptom is associated

With the continuing increase in clinically important fungal disease, especially seen in the neutropenic patient, the need for new and improved systemic antifungal agents marches on. A pharmacy and therapeutics committee may select an antifungal agent based on these criteria: spectrum of action, pharmacokinetic profile, toxicity, potential for resistance, and cost. A number of agents are now available for treating deep fungal infections, including amphotericin B in conventional and liposomal formulations, and the triazoles itraconazole (Sporanox) and fluconazole (Diflucan). It is important to note that there is lack of agreement in practice over what constitutes ideal therapy. The lipid formulations of amphotericin B and the improved oral solution and new intravenous formulation of itraconazole are recent additions to therapeutic options that are already having a significant influence on drug selection and treatment practices. [ONCOLOGY 15(Suppl 9):21-25, 2001]

Clinical applications of image-based radiation therapy for the study of prostate cancer have expanded significantly over the past years. The results of recent studies of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic

The availability of an improved oral solution and an intravenous (IV) formulation of itraconazole (Sporanox) promises to have an effect on prevention and treatment of fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Use of itraconazole in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies has been evaluated in a number of European studies. Treatment with IV followed by oral itraconazole resulted in response or stable disease in two-thirds of patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Empiric treatment with IV followed by oral solution itraconazole was at least as effective as, and significantly less toxic than, amphotericin B. Several studies of oral solution prophylaxis indicate effectiveness in prevention of fungal infection. Oral solution and IV itraconazole are useful in a variety of situations in prophylaxis, empiric therapy, and treatment of probable/confirmed infection. Itraconazole exhibits a broad spectrum of activity against Aspergillus and Candida species. It has potential advantages over fluconazole (Diflucan), which does not exhibit in vitro activity against Aspergillus and most non-albicans Candida species, and amphotericin B, which is associated with a high incidence of toxicity. Aggressive use of itraconazole and amphotericin B preparations in treatment of fungal infection at Royal Free Hospital may have reduced mortality associated with aspergillosis. [ONCOLOGY 15(Suppl 9):27-32, 2001]

Conventional histopathologic evaluation of bladder cancer, encompassing tumor grade and stage, is inadequate to accurately predict the behavior of most bladder tumors. Intense research efforts are under way to identify and

Anemia is a frequent complication of cancer and its associated treatment. Although its occurrence is well documented in the chemotherapy setting, the prevalence and nature of anemia in the radiation oncology setting

Anemia is a frequent complication of cancer and its associated treatment. Although its occurrence is well documented in the chemotherapy setting, the prevalence and nature of anemia in the radiation oncology setting