Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and daily low-dose cytarabine (ara-C) in the treatment of patients with early chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (within 1 year of diagnosis). Improving the degree of hematologic and cytogenetic response in patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive CML may improve prognosis. Both IFN-alpha and ara-C induce cytogenetic responses as single-agent therapy in CML. ⋯ The combination of IFN-alpha plus daily low-dose ara-C seems to be promising for the treatment of CML. High rates of CHR and cytogenetic response were observed with acceptable toxicity and a lower daily dose of IFN-alpha compared with our previous studies.
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To evaluate the therapeutic value of resection and the potential benefits of and indications for adjuvant and definitive radiation therapy for desmoid tumors. ⋯ Wide local excision with negative pathologic margins is the treatment of choice for most desmoid tumors. Function-sparing resection is appropriate because adjuvant radiation therapy can offset the adverse impact of positive margins. Unresectable disease should be treated with definitive radiation therapy.
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To estimate the level of fatigue and frequency of fatigue cases among Hodgkin's disease survivors (HDS) and compare them with normative data from the general population. ⋯ Hodgkin's disease survivors are considerably more fatigued than the general population and report fatigue of a substantially longer duration.
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An approach to providing informed consent to breast cancer survivors considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is offered. ⋯ Current data preclude the generation of evidence-based guidelines for HRT use in breast cancer survivors, and clinical trials in this setting should be supported. However, given available therapeutic alternatives for menopausal symptom management and chronic disease prevention, breast cancer survivors should be offered HRT only with caution and with their full participation in the decision-making process.