Journal of the National Cancer Institute
-
J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialFluorescence versus white-light bronchoscopy for detection of preneoplastic lesions: a randomized study.
There are no currently approved methods for the screening and early detection of lung cancer. We compared the ability of conventional white-light bronchoscopy (WLB) and laser-induced fluorescence endoscopy (LIFE) to detect preneoplastic lung lesions in a randomized trial in which both the order of the procedures and the bronchoscopists were randomly assigned. ⋯ LIFE was more sensitive than WLB in detecting preneoplastic bronchial changes in high-risk subjects. The prognostic implication of this finding is not yet clear.
-
J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Sep 2001
Comment Letter Comparative StudyRe: Prognosis and treatment of patients with breast tumors of one centimeter or less and negative axillary lymph nodes.
-
J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Aug 2001
Meta AnalysisEpoetin treatment of anemia associated with cancer therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials.
Epoetin treatment offers an attractive but costly alternative to red blood cell transfusion for managing anemia associated with cancer therapy. The goal of this review is to facilitate more efficient use of epoetin by 1) quantifying the effects of epoetin on the likelihood of transfusion and on quality of life in patients with cancer treatment-related anemia and 2) evaluating whether outcomes are superior when epoetin treatment is initiated at higher hemoglobin thresholds. Two independent reviewers followed a prospective protocol for identifying studies. ⋯ No studies addressed epoetin's effects on anemia-related symptoms. We conclude that epoetin reduces the odds of transfusion for cancer patients undergoing therapy. Evidence is insufficient to determine whether initiating epoetin earlier spares more patients from transfusion or results in better quality of life than waiting until hemoglobin concentrations decline to nearly 10 g/dL.