ONCOLOGY Vol 34 Issue 9

ABSTRACT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a commonly diagnosed malignancy. Although chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment, the landscape of treating metastatic CRC (mCRC) is changing with the understanding of its heterogeneity and molecular blueprint. Colon cancer sidedness has proven to hold prognostic implications, with right-sided tumors having higher incidence of BRAF and KRAS mutations and being microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H); overall, they have a worse prognosis compared with left sided-tumors. Results of molecular research have demonstrated the need to profile each mCRC patient for RAS and BRAF mutations, MSI-H status, HER2 amplifications, and NTRK fusions. Ongoing clinical trials using targeted agents aim to further improve survival outcomes. We emphasize the epidemiology, knowledge of primary tumor location, and mutational landscape of mCRC, as well as novel treatment options for patients harboring unique subtypes of these characteristics.

ONCOLOGY® recently sat down with Tiffany A. Traina, MD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to discuss recent developments in breast cancer care, the upcoming clinical trials that may change the standard of care, and her current work in targeting the androgen receptor pathway for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: Disease progression or recurrence after a period of remission can be a challenging event for individuals seeking cancer treatment. Those referred for possible phase 1 trial enrollment are often motivated to participate in these studies with hope for a cure despite approximately 5% response rates in this setting. Addressing such commonly held misunderstandings during the initial evaluation for phase 1 trial eligibility could provide a valuable opportunity to improve physician communication by identifying signs of distress or psychiatric conditions, addressing underlying psychological biases, and encouraging adaptive coping strategies.

The expert from the Otto J. Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers discusses the implications of precision medicine for cancer care, and the need to make that care more accessible for the global community at large.

This article discusses the potential implications of using checkpoint inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Breast metastasis from extramammary malignancy is rare, with a reported incidence rate of 0.4% to 1.3% in the published literature. The primary malignancies that most commonly metastasize to the breast are leukemia, lymphoma, and malignant melanoma. Here, we report a very rare case of metastatic EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the breast detected by screening mammography. The patient had initially been diagnosed with a clinical stage IIIA NSCLC and had been treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by curative-intent surgery. Several interesting aspects of the case, along with a discussion of evolving adjuvant and frontline metastatic management options in EGFR-mutated NSCLC, will be presented.

The Duke Cancer Institute expert discusses the possible impact and ramifications of delays in cancer screening and diagnosis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two recent studies indicate oncological outcomes were not affected by delayed radical prostatectomy, supporting current recommendations for management of intermediate- and high-risk patients with prostate cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.