OB/GYN Clinical Alert – November 1, 2004
November 1, 2004
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Circulating Tumor Cells, Disease Progression, and Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer
In a prospective, multicenter study, Cristofanilli and colleagues tested 177 patients with clinically detectable metastatic breast cancer for levels of circulating tumor cells both before and after the initiation of various forms of therapy. The response to therapy was followed using standard clinical detection, but blood samples were also collected to determine the burden of tumor cells in the circulation. -
Virtual Colonoscopy: How to Counsel Your Patients
Although safer than traditional colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopys lower sensitivity and efficacy coupled with the increased cost would rule against recommending this procedure at the current time. -
Determining the Position of the Fetal Head in the Second Stage of Labor
A very simple study appeared in the August edition of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It dealt with the ability of clinicians to precisely determine the position of the fetal head in the maternal pelvis during the second stage of labor. -
Physical Activity, Including Walking, and Cognitive Function in Women
The present study involves yet another analysis of the Nurses Health Study, which began in 1976 when 121,700 female registered nurses 30-55 years of age returned a questionnaire about their medical history and health-related behaviors. -
Special Feature: Chemotherapy Sensitivity/Resistance Assays in Gynecologic Cancer: Are We There Yet?
Over the last few decades, technology has existed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of single-agent and combination chemotherapy on cancer cell lines derived from an individual patient's tumor specimens. However, investigators and clinicians have been frustrated as the fruit of this technologya reliable and reproducible assay to help them treat their patients with the agent or agents most likely to benefit themhas yet to be proven. -
Pharmacology Watch: The FDA and Merck Fielding Concerns About Vioxx
Erythromycin and the Risk of Sudden Death; Vaccine Shortage Putting Americans At Risk; FDA Actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement