abstract: (Lim et al.) JNCI Predictive Value of Symptoms for Ovarian Cancer: Comparison of Symptoms Reported by Questionnaire, Interview, and General Practitioner Notes

1) abstract:  

Background 

Because of the poor survival outcomes associated with advanced ovarian cancer, early detection strategies are needed. Although several symptom indices have been described, their relationship with the potential lead time has been poorly documented..........

Blogger's Note: see also prior post (Finding Ovarian Cancer) as well as re-post below -  response to Lim et al:

2)  Finding Ovarian Cancer

open access - JNCI: Finding Ovarian Cancer (correspondence in response to Lim et al.)

"For decades, investigators have sought a strategy for finding ovarian cancer early enough to reduce the risk of dying of ovarian cancer. In this issue of the Journal, Lim et al. (1) report on their study in which women answered a dozen simple questions such as whether they felt pelvic or abdominal pain in the recent past and, if so, when, how frequently, and how severely. Symptom indices like this are being promoted as easier or better ways to find ovarian cancer early, under the assumption that early therapy can achieve a better outcome than if the women wait until more or worse symptoms prompt them to see a physician. The study revealed that symptom indices as ovarian cancer screeners can be sensitive to the presence of cancer in the period between 3 and 14 months before clinical diagnosis......

abstract: Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (blood clots) in patients with cancer

financial media: (cryoablation) Tumor-Freezing Treatment Gives Ovarian Cancer Patients Extra Time: Presented at ISET 2012 - MarketWatch

"MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan 15, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- 

Killing tumors by freezing them through cryoablation can extend the lives of women with ovarian cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is cost-effective, according to research being presented at the 4th annual Symposium on Clinical Interventional Oncology (CIO), in collaboration with the International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET).

The study included 21 patients whose tumors in the abdomen, liver, lung and bone could not be removed surgically......."

press release (2): Rutgers, Massachusetts General investigators find novel way to prevent drug-induced liver injury

press release: Mass. General researchers find novel way to prevent drug-induced liver injury

FDA plans survey on direct-to-consumer drug ads -Modern Healthcare

By Melanie Evans

Posted: January 15, 2012 - 1:00 pm ET

The Food and Drug Administration announced plans to survey doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants on their awareness and perception of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising. The agency is seeking comment on a proposed survey of 2,000 healthcare professionals, according to a notice scheduled to appear in the Federal Register (PDF).

Jan 15th: New Symptom Indices Offer No Gain in Ovarian Ca - in Oncology/Hematology, Ovarian Cancer from MedPage Today

Action Points  

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• Explain that two new ovarian cancer symptom indices offered little advantage over the current Goff Index.



• Point out that for all three indices, sensitivity was lower for data obtained from the general practitioner's notes and highest for those interviewed over the telephone, ant that the specificity was largely unchanged

"The small differences between the three indices indicate that there is little to gain from deriving new symptom indices," the authors concluded.


"This sobering news follows hard on the heels of a large U.S. randomized trial finding no benefit, and indeed some harm, to women who were screened annually with a transvaginal ultrasound exam and a CA-125 blood test compared with a usual care control group," they wrote, referring to the NIH-sponsored Prostate, Lung, Colon, and Ovary (PLCO) screening program (JAMA 2011; 305:2295-2303).

They said one question the ovarian cancer community needs to answer is where it should focus its efforts: On the time between when a tumor is large enough to cause mild symptoms and when it is large enough to cause symptoms that prompt women to call a physician, or on a better understanding of disease etiology, leading to better prevention and therapy.

"These other research directions remain critical as the search continues for better ways to find ovarian cancer early," they said.

Primary source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute Source reference: Lim AWW, et al. "Predictive value of symptoms for ovarian cancer: Comparison of symptoms reported by questionnaire, interview, and general practitioner notes" J Natl Cancer Inst 2012; 104: 1-11. Additional source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute Source reference: Hartge P, Speyer JL. "Finding Ovarian Cancer" J Natl Cancer Inst 2012; DOI: 10.1093/jnci/drj518.

Related Article(s): ESGO: Ultrasound Allows Early Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis ESGO: Anti-CA125 Fails to Slow Ovarian Cancer SGO: Change in Antigen Predicts Ovarian Cancer Outcomes

Time Is Nothing (youtube video) Speeding Around The World in Under 5 minutes Time Lapse

Youtube: Time Is Nothing

Medscape: Dermatologic Manifestations of Metastatic Carcinoma of the Skin

"Cutaneous metastasis is a rare occurrence but may be the presenting sign of a primary internal malignancy."

"The most common sources of cutaneous metastases in woman are the breasts (69%), the colon (9%), melanoma (5%), the ovaries (4%), and the lungs (4%). In men, they are the lungs (24%), the colon (19%), melanoma (13%), and the oral cavity (12%)."

The Nature and Timing of Family-Provider Communication in Late-Stage Cancer:abstract

New Articles -- EvidenceUpdates: A phase 3 trial of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer - abstract, reference + professional commentaries

also see linked reference:
Perren TJ, Swart AM, Pfisterer J, et al. A phase 3 trial of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011 Dec 29;365(26):2484-96. (Original) PMID: 22204725