I and Thou and Cancer
The relationship between oncologists and their patients is labor-intensive and arouses great emotions. The specter of death is always in the shadows; as it waits patiently, it makes conversations poignant. Oncologists should be skilled in soothing the fears of their patients without appearing trite or patronizing.
15 Must-Read Books for Oncologists and Science Enthusiasts
We present a summer reading list of 15 must-reads that cover the history of genes and cancer, the link between so-called junk DNA and disease, uncertainty in medicine, and more.
Laser Moxibustion Appears to Lessen Cancer-Related Fatigue
An infrared laser-based version of the traditional Chinese medicinal technique known as moxibustion was found to improve cancer-related fatigue.
Insurance Status Affected Glioblastoma Survival
Patients with glioblastoma who were uninsured or who had Medicaid at the time of diagnosis were more likely to be diagnosed with a larger tumor and had shorter survival times.
Spotlight on New Oncology Drugs: Access, Costs, and Use
Read compelling analyses of 5-year trends and projected changes in the oncology clinical drug pipeline, selected from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics’ recent “Global Oncology Trend Report.”
A 5-Question Quiz on Melanoma
Are you up to date on the latest BRAF and MEK inhibitors used in melanoma? How about the most common location of metastasis in uveal melanoma? Answer these questions and more.
Delirium Common in Advanced Cancer Patients Visiting ER
Ten percent of advanced cancer patients have developed delirium, but it is often missed by emergency department physicians.
Streaming Live on Social Media, From the Exam Room!
Patients continue to say they want more information, so they can make informed decisions. But repeatedly, studies tell us that the patient and the family are not hearing us, not understanding us, or both.
High Variability in Diagnosis of Dense Breasts
A recent study found that radiologists differ in their interpretation of whether a woman has dense breasts based on mammography.
Acupressure Can Ease Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Acupressure, a technique derived from acupuncture, helped improve sleep and relieved chronic fatigue experienced by women treated for breast cancer.
Olanzapine Prevents Chemo-Induced Nausea
Adding the antipsychotic drug olanzapine to a standard antiemetic regimen significantly improved prevention of nausea caused by emetogenic chemotherapy.
Cancer Risk Increased Before, After Diabetes Diagnosis
A new study has found an increased risk for a cancer diagnosis during the 10 years prior to and the 3 months immediately after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Air Pollution Linked With Increased Risk of Various Cancers
In this Medical News Minute, developed exclusively for Cancer Network, Dr. Bobby Lazzara discusses a study that looked at the link between air pollution and the risk of various cancers.
5-Question Quiz on Immunotherapy in Melanoma
Can you name all of the approved melanoma agents that modulate the immune system? How about the targets and side effects associated with these treatments? Answer these questions and more.
Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy for Melanoma Patients With Brain Metastases
In this video we discuss the use of concurrent immunotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of melanoma brain metastases.
Concurrent SRS, Immunotherapy Improved Response in Melanoma Brain Mets
Undergoing immunotherapy within a month of stereotactic radiosurgery resulted in an improved response to treatment for patients with melanoma brain metastases.
HYPRO: Shorter RT Course No Better, Worse for Localized Prostate Cancer
A randomized phase III trial found that a hypofractionated radiotherapy regimen was not superior to, but generally equivalent to a conventional radiotherapy scheme in men with localized prostate cancer.
FDA to Regulate E-Cigarettes, Hookahs
In this Medical News Minute, developed exclusively for Cancer Network, Dr. Bobby Lazzara discusses new regulations from the FDA that subject e-cigarettes and hookahs to some of the same regulations as tobacco products.
Reflections on Caring for Patients With Cancer at the End of Life
Most metastatic cancer patients are still receiving aggressive methods of treatment near the end of life, and palliative/supportive measures are significantly underutilized.
RT Improves Survival Over ADT Alone in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
A database analysis showed that the addition of external beam radiotherapy to ADT significantly improves overall survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer.
Breast Cancer Incidence in the United States
Do you know incidence of breast cancer in the United States? How about the proportion of breast cancer patients who are men?
Precision Medicine in Phase I Cancer Trials
In this video we discuss the use of biomarker-guided treatment in phase I trials, which can yield high response rates.
Could PSA Screening Predict Lethal Prostate Cancer Later in Life?
Higher than average PSA levels in middle age may be predictive of a higher risk of lethal prostate cancer later in life.
Lung-Sparing RT Technique Safe, Feasible in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The use of hemithoracic pleural IMRT after chemotherapy could become part of a new lung-sparing therapy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Liquid Biopsy Promising for Surveillance of Tumor Changes
In this video we discuss a large-scale genomic analysis that found that patterns of genetic changes detected in circulating tumor DNA mirror those identified in tumor tissue biopsies.
USPSTF Issues New Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines
The USPSTF has issued an updated guideline with recommendations regarding screening for colorectal cancer. A systematic review found that screening can be of “substantial net benefit.”
Marta Batus on the New Direct-to-Consumer Advertising for Nivolumab, and Its Impact on Oncology Practice
In this interview we discuss the direct-to-consumer advertising for nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
Can We Talk?
Effective communication between doctors and their team is key to giving the best care to patients, and can provide stress relief in a chaotic day.
Follow-Up Care and Screening for Cancer Survivors
In this interview we discuss follow-up care and screening for second primary cancers in cancer survivors.
Chemoradiation Did Not Affect Surgical Margins for Pancreatoduodenectomy
Use of hypofractionated chemoradiation prior to pancreatoduodenectomy resulted in similar resection rates and outcomes vs standard fractionation.