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This challenging supplement to ONCOLOGY is based on the proceedings of a closed expert symposium, and provides an overview of our current knowledge on primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). The complete spectrum from genetics to clinical practice is covered.

Deaths from liver cancer increased over the past year in both men and women, reported the American Liver Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that provides education, advocacy, and research on behalf of the 30 million Americans affected by liver disease. This is despite recent news focusing on the overall decline in the number of deaths due to most cancers.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently announced updates to the NCCN Antiemesis Guidelines. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology are used extensively by managed care companies and by Medicare as the basis for coverage policies. The guidelines have a new recommendation for breakthrough treatment—Nabilone (Cesamet, Valeant)—for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting.

Congress adjourned and retreated from the nation's capital in early December without passing 9 of the 11 fiscal year (FY) 2007 appropriations bills, including that of the Department of Health and Human Services.

A mind-body technique known as self-hypnotic relaxation performed during certain medical procedures significantly reduces pain, anxiety, drug use, and complications.

A striking black-and-white photograph (see Figure) of nursing student Katherine Wilson, a nonsmoker who lived 5 years with small-cell lung cancer before dying in 2005 at age 28, won the Best of the United States first prize in the 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey International Art Competition and Exhibition. The US competition finale was held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, with Lilly President and COO John C. Lechleiter, PhD, presenting the top three US finalists with their awards.

In first-line therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), alemtuzumab (Campath) has superior efficacy to the standard treatment, oral chlorambucil, with manageable toxicity, according to results of the CAM307 trial.

Genta Incorporated announced that it has received notice that its New Drug Application for the use of Genasense (oblimersen) plus chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

redesign, 15 years

Today's oncologists must maintain a balance between revenue and patient care

Anemia raises special concerns in older cancer patients. This review addresses the prevalence, causes, and mechanisms of anemia in older individuals, the complications of anemia in this population (including its impact on cancer treatment), and the appropriate management of anemia in the elderly.

Anemia raises special concerns in older cancer patients. This review addresses the prevalence, causes, and mechanisms of anemia in older individuals, the complications of anemia in this population (including its impact on cancer treatment), and the appropriate management of anemia in the elderly.

The morbidities associated with prostate cancer treatments have improved over the years. However, potential overtreatment and the risks of adverse events associated with radical treatment still pose a considerable challenge. Targeted focal therapy (TFT) of prostate cancer appears to be part of a logical continuum in the quest to improve upon the management of early organ-confined disease. TFT is a procedure in which only the cancer in the gland is ablated. The normal gland, sphincter, and in most cases the neurovascular bundles are preserved. Therefore, this approach averts some of the common complications of more radical therapy. Initial experience has been encouraging; however, long-term data and full implementation of emerging advances in imaging are urgently needed before the widespread adoption of this approach. In this review, we present the current status of our knowledge about this procedure and the most important challenges that need to be addressed. We also present the initial results with this approach at our center.

This up-to-date, concise text is well suited to experienced practitioners who need good information fast. The text's 899 pages are well researched, demonstrating the efforts of 4 major authors and 89 contributing authors. Information is integrated from the oncology and hematology literature, practice guidelines, and the experience of the authors.

The morbidities associated with prostate cancer treatments have improved over the years. However, potential overtreatment and the risks of adverse events associated with radical treatment still pose a considerable challenge. Targeted focal therapy (TFT) of prostate cancer appears to be part of a logical continuum in the quest to improve upon the management of early organ-confined disease. TFT is a procedure in which only the cancer in the gland is ablated. The normal gland, sphincter, and in most cases the neurovascular bundles are preserved. Therefore, this approach averts some of the common complications of more radical therapy. Initial experience has been encouraging; however, long-term data and full implementation of emerging advances in imaging are urgently needed before the widespread adoption of this approach. In this review, we present the current status of our knowledge about this procedure and the most important challenges that need to be addressed. We also present the initial results with this approach at our center.

The morbidities associated with prostate cancer treatments have improved over the years. However, potential overtreatment and the risks of adverse events associated with radical treatment still pose a considerable challenge. Targeted focal therapy (TFT) of prostate cancer appears to be part of a logical continuum in the quest to improve upon the management of early organ-confined disease. TFT is a procedure in which only the cancer in the gland is ablated. The normal gland, sphincter, and in most cases the neurovascular bundles are preserved. Therefore, this approach averts some of the common complications of more radical therapy. Initial experience has been encouraging; however, long-term data and full implementation of emerging advances in imaging are urgently needed before the widespread adoption of this approach. In this review, we present the current status of our knowledge about this procedure and the most important challenges that need to be addressed. We also present the initial results with this approach at our center.

The morbidities associated with prostate cancer treatments have improved over the years. However, potential overtreatment and the risks of adverse events associated with radical treatment still pose a considerable challenge. Targeted focal therapy (TFT) of prostate cancer appears to be part of a logical continuum in the quest to improve upon the management of early organ-confined disease. TFT is a procedure in which only the cancer in the gland is ablated. The normal gland, sphincter, and in most cases the neurovascular bundles are preserved. Therefore, this approach averts some of the common complications of more radical therapy. Initial experience has been encouraging; however, long-term data and full implementation of emerging advances in imaging are urgently needed before the widespread adoption of this approach. In this review, we present the current status of our knowledge about this procedure and the most important challenges that need to be addressed. We also present the initial results with this approach at our center.

Anemia raises special concerns in older cancer patients. This review addresses the prevalence, causes, and mechanisms of anemia in older individuals, the complications of anemia in this population (including its impact on cancer treatment), and the appropriate management of anemia in the elderly.

Advances in molecular genetics have evolved at such a fast pace that physicians may be bewildered about their clinical translation into patient care. However, genetic counselors, particularly those trained in cancer genetics, have been extremely helpful. The challenge to the physician, however, calls for an understanding of the natural history of hereditary cancer syndromes, which is often reflected in the pedigree. Pedigree/family history information must be compiled in sufficient detail to arrive at the most likely hereditary cancer syndrome diagnosis so that the molecular geneticist can search for the mutation. Finally, the challenge to the clinician is melding this into an accurate diagnosis, in order to provide highly targeted screening and management for high-risk patients. This article is an attempt to crystallize all of these issues in a format that will help physicians—particularly those in the oncology community—to meet this challenge effectively.

With the Democrats taking control of the House and Senate in January, expectations have escalated for budget increases for biomedical research, especially at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and a change in the restrictive policies governing embryonic stem cell research. But whether and to what extent the next Congress can turn these expectations into reality remains an open and contentious question.

Just how are new plans to share care of cancer survivors being greeted by oncologists, primary care physicians, and patients? Some speakers on a cancer survivorship panel at the Second Annual Oncology Congress said it would be a big adjustment.

Eisai Inc., the US subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co. Ltd., has completed acquisition of four oncology-related products from Ligand Pharmaceuticals: Ontak (denileukin diftitox), Targretin (bexarotene) capsules, Targretin (bexarotene) gel 1%, and Panretin (alitretinoin gel 0.1%. In other news, the company said it has begun work on a new oncology facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Since 1974, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has been a leading education and advocacy organization in US oncology. Its membership includes more than 650 cancer programs, 250 physician-group practices, and thousands of nurses, pharmacists, and administrators. Cancer Care & Economics (CC&E) recently spoke with Christian Downs, JD, MHA, executive director of ACCC, about some of today's more challenging cancer care issues.

Early studies of pixantrone, a chemotherapeutic agent in clinical development primarily in lymphoma, suggest that it is active and potentially less cardiotoxic than other anthracenedione agents.

Who will watch over the burgeoning numbers of cancer survivors and provide the surveillance, general medical care, education, and psycho-social support that the upwards of 10 million survivors in America need and demand? Pilot programs and survivorship care guidelines may be shifting some responsibilities away from oncologists

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic versions of Zofran (ondansetron, GlaxoSmithKline). Marketing approval has been granted to Teva Pharmaceuticals USA for ondansetron for injection and to SICOR Pharmaceuticals for ondansetron injection premixed.

Big Tobacco found itself a big loser in the November elections as voters in five states approved six statewide ballot initiatives aimed at reducing the health threats of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Voters in two other states, however, turned down anti-tobacco proposals.

In today's cost-conscious health care environment, the pricing of cancer drugs has come under scrutiny from payers, providers, policy makers, and the public. Large pharmaceutical companies are often cast as the villain in this debate. In order to shed light on this issue, Cancer Care & Economics (CC&E) recently spoke with Joshua J. Ofman, MD, MSHS, vice president of reimbursement and payment policy at Amgen, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies.

Back in September, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) failed to recommend that the agency grant accelerated approval to Genta's oblimersen (Genasense) plus chemotherapy (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide) for treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).