Articles

Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who do not meet eligibility criteria for clinical trials have worse outcomes on targeted therapy compared with eligible patients. In fact, extrapolating results of clinical trials to ineligible patients leads to inferior response rates (RRs), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). 

Colonoscopy screening and removal of adenomatous polyps reduced the risk of colorectal cancer death by 53% in a recent study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (2012;366:687-696). 

Pain is a frequent and pervasive problem for older persons with cancer, affecting approximately 80% of this population.¹ Treating older adults with cancer can be complex because of the presence of comorbid conditions that may impact chronic pain.² Once pain is identified and the cause is known, it is sometimes necessary to target specific pain mechanisms.³ Hence, a comprehensive assessment of each individual patient is essential in order to identify all of the conditions contributing to pain. 

Oophorectomy in younger women leads to decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and a higher prevalence of arthritis, according to a study reported at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), commonly referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), are the most common types of cancers in the United States. These 2 cancers account for approximately 2 million cases of skin cancer annually.¹ BCC is approximately 4 to 5 times more common than SCC.² Although rarely metastatic, BCC and SCC can cause substantial local destruction involving extensive areas of soft tissue, cartilage, and bone, as well as disfigurement. Read More ›

For every nurse there is a patient who you will never forget; the details of that story will not blur over time. In the developing era of personalized medicine, there is that one patient whose story I will not easily forget. It is the story of a 24-year-old male medical student who presented for initial consultation the same week that crizotinib was approved by the FDA for the treatment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer. 

Updated results of the phase 3 BOLERO-2 trial demonstrated that adding everolimus to hormonal therapy extends progression-free survival (PFS) in hormone receptor–positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer that progressed on hormonal therapy with anastrozole or letrozole. The positive outcomes observed in this study suggest that everolimus plus exemestane will be a new option for postmenopausal metastatic HR+ breast cancer.

Quinoa, the ancient “grain” of the Andes, cultivated for over 7000 years, has transitioned itself into our present-day kitchens and the title of a modern-day superfood. The Incas believed quinoa to be a sacred food and referred to the “grain” as the “mother seed.” Many years later, this superfood would make its way to the United States, where its popularity continues to grow as its numerous nutritional benefits are spotlighted.

Patients find cancer drug trial leaflets too long, incomprehensible, and even intimidating, according to research published in the international journal Sociology of Health and Illness.