Current oncology reports
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Currently, the management of localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is surgical. Unfortunately, many cases of high-risk RCC recur following resection and develop metastatic disease, an event that usually results in death. Because previous attempts to improve survival with adjuvant therapy have been unsuccessful, the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of three new agents for metastatic RCC has generated renewed interest in evaluating agents in the adjuvant setting for high-risk RCC. This article discusses the rationale for the use of these and other novel agents and reviews currently ongoing adjuvant trials as well as considerations for the development of new trials for adjuvant therapies.
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Bone and soft tissue sarcomas represent rare tumors that can be cured by local treatment at early stages of disease. However, advanced or metastatic disease is rarely cured, and very few drugs have shown efficacy in this setting. ⋯ The response rate and durable stable disease in early studies, as well as the tolerability profile, recommend these drugs as promising candidates for further clinical studies. This article discusses preliminary results from clinical trials in patients with advanced or metastatic sarcoma as well as future perspectives.
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Cancer-related constipation is common and a significant detractor from patient quality of life. It has many possible causes and is still not well understood. Information is lacking on therapies for cancer-related constipation among current medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ⋯ The role of these agents in cancer-related constipation remains to be seen. On the horizon are two investigational peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonists, alvimopan and methylnaltrexone. Preliminary results in cancer-related constipation suggest that these agents may be important additions to our treatment repertoire.
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The result of a lung cancer screening program should be fewer lung cancer-specific deaths in the screened population. Studies evaluating chest imaging as a screening tool for lung cancer have not shown a reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality to date. ⋯ Current guidelines remain vague as randomized trials are being completed and technologic advances are occurring. The ultimate face of a successful lung cancer screening program is yet to be defined.
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Current oncology reports · May 2007
ReviewRecent advances in therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
Sarcomas comprise less than 1% of all cancers. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common form of sarcoma and can vary in size and clinical outcome from an incidental finding at operation to life-threatening metastatic disease. ⋯ Sunitinib was approved in the United States in early 2006 for GIST that is refractory to imatinib. The pathology of GIST, surgical options for primary and metastatic disease, and findings leading to the use of imatinib and sunitinib for GIST are highlighted in this review.