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The etiology and risk factors of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) are multifactorial and not fully understood. BCRL risk factors are divided into three main categories. There are treatment-related factors, including [...]

In the current issue of ONCOLOGY, Gertz and Dispenzieri provide a scholarly review of the early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. Since the first reports of [...]

The treatment strategy of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition capitalizes on the inherent defect in homologous recombination that occurs in BRCA-deficient tumors by inhibiting the alternative DNA repair pathway involving base excision repair. Although PARP inhibitors were initially considered a potential treatment specifically for tumors with germline BRCA mutations, evidence of frequent somatic deficiency in the BRCA pathway has caused reconsideration of that approach. PARP inhibitors have been shown to have activity in epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer in phase I and II clinical trials. Responses have been seen in both BRCA-deficient and sporadic tumors, and they do not appear to require platinum sensitivity. Although PARP inhibitors are well tolerated as monotherapy, additional study is required to determine their efficacy and toxicity in combination with chemotherapy and other targeted agents. Many hurdles remain along the pathway to drug registration, but the motivation of the community of ovarian cancer patients, researchers, and clinicians to find new treatments may speed the process., The identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the early 1990s as genes that, when mutated, are associated with an increased risk of breast, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal, and [...]

In this issue of ONCOLOGY, von Minckwitz and colleagues review the current standards for neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer. Until recently, neoadjuvant therapy was primarily used to treat larger, [...]

Women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer who harbor a BRCA2, but not a BRCAi mutation tend to have a better chemotherapy response and overall survival compared with patients who are [...]

Isolated pulmonary metastases (PM) represent a unique manifestation of the myriad presentations of systemic spread from a primary neoplasm. Selected patients with metastases isolated within an organ system that has [...]

Radium-223, an alpha particle given intravenously, has been shown to improve overall survival in men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), with a 30% reduction in the risk of death (HR [...]

This phase I/II trial assessed the efficacy of mFOLFOX6 with either BIBF 1120, an oral anti-angiogenesis agent, or with bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenesis antibody, in chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer [...]

Dr. Josep Tabernero of the Vall D'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona presented the positive results of the VELOUR study on Sunday September 25, including the newly presented pre-specified subgroup analysis. [...]

Historically, liver-related metastases associated with melanoma or breast cancer have portended a poor prognosis. Many affected patients are not considered for surgical resection based on the extent and multifocal nature of their disease. For this patient population, treatment includes systemic and/or regional therapy, local destruction (ablation/radiation), and embolization. Despite the best therapeutic regimens, prognosis remains poor. Advances in surgical technique and postoperative care have led to a resurgence in the use of metastasectomy, most notably seen in patients with colorectal-related liver metastases. With the potential for therapeutic durability and a small chance of cure, surgical resection may offer improved survival compared to other therapeutic modalities. This review summarizes the existing literature that addresses the topic of metastasectomy in patients with melanoma and breast cancer., Introduction Advances in perioperative planning, surgical technique, and postoperative care over the past two decades have allowed the indications for hepatic resection to be potentially broadened to include histologies and/or [...]

DNA repair is essential for the survival of both normal and cancer cells. An elaborate set of signaling pathways detect single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks and mediate either DNA repair or apoptosis if the damage is too great to repair. Poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) play a key role in the repair of base damage via the base excision repair pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP induces cell death in tumors with mutations in certain DNA repair pathways--such as the BRCA pathways of double-strand break repair--and when combined with chemotherapies that cause DNA damage. PARP inhibitors are being investigated as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations; in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, because of its molecular similarities to BRCA7-mutated malignancies; and as a strategy to potentiate the DNA-damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The aim of this article is to review the preclinical data and rationale for PARP inhibitor use in the aforementioned settings, as well as the current status of the clinical development of these agents in the treatment of breast cancer, along with future directions for research in this field. Trials have been identified via searches of PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium., DNA Repair and PARP Function DNA repair is critical for the survival of cells. Estimations of the number of DNA damage events that occur on a daily basis are in [...]

The change to less-morbid local therapy for operable breast cancer continues. Systemic induction therapy, whether hormonal therapy or chemotherapy, increases the eligibility for breast-conserving surgery. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has greatly reduced the requirement for axillary dissection, and recent data show that, in addition, whole-breast irradiation can obviate the need for dissection in most patients with clinically node-negative, SLN-positive disease. Although resection margins must be negative for best results, there is no clear evidence that margins exceeding 'no ink on tumor' for invasive cancer, or 2 mm for ductal carcinoma in situ, are significantly better. The role of radiation has been clarified, with a clear survival advantage for patients with nodepositive disease; however, hypofractionation, which permits a briefer period of treatment, and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) show promise of even further reductions in treatment--although late results for APBI are still needed. Elderly patients (> 70 years) with node-negative disease and estrogen receptor-positive tumors who have been treated with hormonal therapy can avoid primary breast irradiation without significant risk of ultimate breast loss or inferior survival., Since 1990, death rates from breast cancer have decreased, mainly in women younger than 50 years of age (3.3% per year) vs women aged 50 years or older (2% per [...]

Our paper, 'Darbepoetin Alfa Administered Every 2 Weeks Alleviates Anemia in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy,' at the time of its publication almost a decade ago, was impactful and frequently cited [...]

In 2004, Dr. Leisha Emens and I reviewed the use of trastuzumab (Herceptin), the monoclonal antibody directed against the HER2 protein, in the treatment of breast cancer. At that time, [...]

I began practice as a medical oncologist in 1986, and like the journal ONCOLOGY, I am celebrating my 25th year in the field. Much has changed over the past two [...]

Locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases encompassing both stage IIIA and IIIB disease. The treatment options vary, including surgery, chemotherapy, neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation, definitive chemoradiation, radiation, and various combinations of the above. Optimal therapy for each patient group is controversial; however, previous trials have shown efficacy of various treatments for different stages. Surgery as initial therapy is beneficial for patients with stage T3, N1 or T3-4, N0-1 disease due to satellite lesions within the same lung. Chemotherapy should be used for diseases minimally involving the mediastinal lymph nodes, whereas concurrent induction chemoradiation is a good option for bulky nodal disease prior to planning a resection. Concurrent definitive chemoradiation or definitive radiation should be reserved for patients who are not candidates for a surgical resection. Most importantly, the treatment strategy for stage IIIA/IIIB disease should involve a multimodality approach individualized to the patient's disease stage, age, underlying medical conditions, and performance status., Despite recent therapeutic advances, lung cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Of the various histologic subtypes, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common--accounting [...]

Byline: Milind. Kumar, Shikha. Goyal, Amit. Bahl, Prasenjit. Das, D. Sharma, Ruma. Ray, G. Rath Sarcomatoid carcinomas are rare tumors. These tumors have been reported at other sites, but head [...]

ONCOLOGY New medications have changed outlooks for some types of breast cancer. Victoria Harmer offers an overview. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK, [...]

Chemotherapy following surgery can improve pancreatic cancer survival rates. Researchers found five-year survival among chemotherapy patients was 21 per cent, compared to 10 per cent for chemoradiotherapy and 8 per [...]

Advanced colorectal cancer can be defined as colorectal cancer that at presentation or recurrence is either metastatic or so locally advanced that surgical resection is unlikely to be carried out [...]

The authors report the successful surgical and chemotherapeutic management of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma with localization in the heart. This rare malignancy has specific morphologic characteristics and is diagnosed in [...]

Myelodysplastic syndrome is a disease of older adults and is becoming more common 1 Myelodysplastic syndrome, an acquired clonal disorder of the bone marrow, is a common cause of unexplained [...]

Between March 2012 and March 2013, a miscommunication in labelling between the drug compounder supplier and cancer centre pharmacies resulted in accidental overdilution of cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine used by several [...]

The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) encourages certification for all registered nurses who provide care in a medical-surgical setting. Initial certification is achieved through successful testing by written examination. The certification examination is based on Benner's Nursing Model. Questions on the examination fall within the seven domains of nursing practice: Helping Role, Teaching-Coaching Function, Diagnostic and Patient Monitoring, Effective Management of Rapidly Changing Situations, Administering and Monitoring Therapeutic Interventions and Regimens, Monitoring and Ensuring the Quality of Health Care Practices, and Organizational and Work Role Competencies. The examination is designed to assess comprehensive knowledge of medical-surgical nursing. The medical-surgical practitioner must understand diseases, diagnoses, and treatment modalities to function as a caregiver and educator. The topic of this article is a part of the comprehensive examination given by MSNCB. The following scenario and questions offer an example that potential certificants may use to test their knowledge. For more information about MSNCB, visit www.msncb.org, Case Study Les is a 45-year-old male admitted with pancytopenia, weakness, and dehydration. His white blood cell (WBC) count is 1.6 x [10.sup.10] and his absolute neutrophil count is 992/[micro]L. [...]

The American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) says oncologists should make chemotherapy treatment recommendations on the basis of published reports of clinical trials and a patient's health status and treatment [...]

Actress Suzanne Pleshette is undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer that was caught at an early stage, her agent said Friday. The cancer, discovered during a routine X-ray, is the size […]