Cancer
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The difficulty of negotiating the concerns of family members while also respecting the needs of the patient adds complexity to the task of discussing prognosis and end-of-life (EOL) issues with terminally ill cancer patients. The informational needs of caregivers may be different from those of the patients themselves with regard to these topics. However, to the authors' knowledge, this issue has received relatively little research attention. ⋯ The results of the current study emphasized the importance of considering the distinct informational needs of caregivers, as well as those of the patient, when discussing prognosis and EOL issues.
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Mantle cell lymphoma can be difficult to differentiate cytologically from other small cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Nevertheless, the distinction is important, because mantle cell lymphoma is more aggressive than other small cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is helpful in diagnosing mantle cell lymphoma on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens by detecting the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation that is characteristic of this tumor. ⋯ The detection of the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation by FISH analysis was helpful in diagnosing mantle cell lymphoma on FNA specimens. Double-fusion signals were more specific for mantle cell lymphoma than single-fusion signals. In rare instances, other non-Hodgkin lymphomas also showed increased numbers of single-fusion signals that were not necessarily indicative of the t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation. Therefore, in an initial diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma, significant numbers of double-fusion FISH signals should be identified and interpreted in conjunction with the cytologic and immunologic studies.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The IVADo regimen--a pilot study with ifosfamide, vincristine, actinomycin D, and doxorubicin in children with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma: a pilot study of behalf of the European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group.
The role of doxorubicin (Doxo) as part of multidrug regimens used to treat children with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is controversial. To evaluate the feasibility of combining Doxo with the well established ifosfamide, vincristine, and actinomycin D (IVA) regimen, the Italian STS Committee performed a pilot study on a series of children with metastatic STS. ⋯ The intensive IVADo regimen was effective against pediatric STS with acceptable toxicity. This combination will be investigated in high-risk patients with rhabdomyosarcoma in a randomized trial launched by the European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group.
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Clinical Trial
Response and resistance in 300 patients with BCR-ABL-positive leukemias treated with imatinib in a single center: a 4.5-year follow-up.
The advent of imatinib has considerably changed the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Early studies demonstrated high rates of hematologic and cytogenetic responses in all phases of the disease after limited observation periods. ⋯ The data emphasized the need for a prolonged follow-up of patients treated with imatinib to define the clinical potential of the drug and to establish methods to optimize therapy.
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Comment Letter Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Assessment of humoral immunity to poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, and mumps in children after chemotherapy.