The objective of this monograph is to provide an overview of the scope of allergic disorders, and review the current understanding of the mechanism of the allergic response. Due to the extensive nature of the topic, we will limit our discussion to systemic reactions eliciting an IgE-mediated response. Further, the intimate relationship between organs involved will be reviewed, particularly the relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma. Part I includes the current evaluation, including historical features, exposures, physical exam findings, and ancillary diagnostic options will be reviewed.
The FDA has approved Pfizer's eplerenone (Inspra) for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients who have sustained a myocardial infarction.
Follicular lymphoma is considered incurable by standard chemotherapeutic approaches, but speculation has arisen that more intensive therapy followed by allogeneic or autologous transplants may produce more durable remissions and possibly cures.
Despite guidelines presented by several organizations, significant numbers of women with ovarian cancer are not being provided with appropriate care.
In a multicenter trial of anemic head and neck cancer patients, recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin b) or placebo were administered as adjuncts to radiation therapy. As expected, hemoglobin levels rose in the epoetin-treated patients, but locoregional control and survival were diminished. This surprising result warrants prompt confirmatory study and expanded investigation to determine mechanism.
The data in this case-control study of combined estrogen plus progestin therapy revealed an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly invasive lobular tumor, regardless of whether the progestin component was taken sequentially or continuously. There was no increased risk of breast cancer in those exposed postmenopausally to estrogen only.
