Cancer
-
The purpose of the current study was to retrospectively investigate clinical outcome and potential prognostic factors after reirradiation (Re-RT) for in-field recurrence of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). ⋯ Given the limitations of a retrospective study and the relatively short follow up after Re-RT, spinal reirradiation appeared to be effective and safe when the cumulative BED is
-
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the pancreas are relatively uncommon tumors. The objective of this report was to describe the cytopathologic and immunocytochemical features of NETs obtained by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). ⋯ The current results indicated that EUS-guided FNA is a useful method for the diagnosis of pancreatic NETs. Cytopathologic examination in coordination with immunocytochemistry can provide an accurate diagnosis in most patients.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Tetracycline to prevent epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced skin rashes: results of a placebo-controlled trial from the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (N03CB).
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are effective cancer therapies, but they are reported to cause a rash in >50% of patients. In the current study, the authors examined the use of tetracycline for rash prevention. ⋯ In the current study, tetracycline was not found to prevent EGFR inhibitor-induced rashes and therefore cannot be clinically recommended for this purpose. However, preliminary observations of diminished rash severity and improved quality of life suggest this antibiotic merits further study.
-
Optimal end of life care of patients with terminal cancer is poorly understood. In this study, the aggressiveness of care is described in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ This study demonstrates the frequent use of aggressive measures at the end of life among patients with advanced NSCLC in a tertiary care center, as shown by the number of patients receiving anticancer therapy within 30 days of death and brief utilization of hospice services. Further research is needed to identify predictors of aggressive care and to develop interventions enhancing decision-making at the end of life.
-
Although deletion of the derivative chromosome 9 (der 9; del-der 9) carries a poor prognosis in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are treated with hydroxyurea or interferon, its significance in patients on imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy is debated. ⋯ The presence of del-der 9 in patients with CML did not influence 1) the response to IM therapy in terms of hematologic response, CyR, or MoR; 2) LOR; 3) treatment failure; 4) progression to accelerated phase/blast crisis; or 5) time to dose escalation of IM. Therefore, the authors concluded that the detection of del-der 9 does not have an impact on the current management of patients with CML who are receiving IM therapy.