– April 1, 2005
April 1, 2005
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Age and Adjuvant Breast Cancer Treatment: Equal Dose, Equal Response
Post-surgical treatment of node-positive breast cancer with chemotherapy has been shown to reduce tumor recurrence and mortality, but the value of such therapy in geriatric populations has not been firmly established. In the current analysis of 4 large Cancer and Leukemia Group B trials spanning 25 years, there was no association between age and disease-free survival or cancer mortality. However, overall survival was significantly worse for older women, presumably from causes other than breast cancer. -
Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Cancer
Radiofrequency ablation is a relatively new approach to the management of hepatocellular cancer. Tateishi and colleagues from the University of Tokyo describe their experience with this technique applied to 644 patients for a total of 1000 treatments. In their hands, RFA has proven safe and very effective, comparable in terms of 5-year overall survival to prior surgical series. -
XELIRI (Capecitabine and Irinotecan): A Novel Combination Under Development
In a phase I trial, the combination of capecitabine and irinotecan was explored in patients with upper and lower gastrointestinal cancers. Irinotecan was administered on day 1 by 90 minute intravenous infusion and capecitabine given orally twice a day on days 2-15 on a 21-day cycle. Important clinical responses were observed in several heavily pretreated patients. Dose limiting toxicities included diarrhea and neutropenia. The recommended doses for future investigation were irinotecan 250 mg/m2 and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily. -
Does It Matter How Ovaries Removed Prophylactically Are Processed Pathologically?
A rigorous operative and pathologic protocol for RRSO increases the detection rate of occult ovarian malignancy in BRCA mutation carriers nearly seven-fold. If confirmed, this finding will alter postoperative management because additional staging, chemotherapy, and follow-up may be necessary in affected women. -
Holidays, Birthdays and Postponement of Cancer Death
Contradicting previous studies, no evidence was found in a large review of cancer patients that deaths were postponed relative to significant life events. -
Validating Intraoperative Pathology: Frozen Section
The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis for the assessment of the ovarian mass is good, with acceptable sensitivities for almost perfect specificities. Future studies on patient preferences for the different outcomes, as well as economic analysis, are needed for definite position of this diagnostic technique. -
Attention Readers . . .
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Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement
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Pharmacology Watch: Preparing for the Possibility of a Bird Flu Pandemic
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate vs Ciprofloxacin; AD Therapy and Cognitive Function; LDL Lowering in CHD Patients; FDA Actions.