2013 Progress and Controversies in Gynecologic Oncology Conference.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Progression from Acute to Chronic Pain Following Surgery
Progression from Acute to Chronic Pain Following Surgery
"... Specific surgical procedures are associated with higher rates of CPSP, including amputation (30% to 50%), coronary artery bypass surgery (30% to 50%), thoracotomy (30% to 90%), spine surgery (5% to 25%), breast surgery (20% to 30%), hip surgery (10% to 20%), hysterectomy (15%), inguinal hernia repair (10%), and cesarean section (5% to 10%).1,5...
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Drug Development for Chronic Cancers: Time to Think Differently? JCO (ovarian cancer)
Drug Development for Chronic Cancers: Time to Think Differently?
Drug Development for Chronic Cancers: Time to Think Differently?
+ Author Affiliations
- Corresponding author: David R. Spriggs, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Howard 901, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10021; e-mail: spriggsd@mskcc.org.
As the treatments for epithelial cancers have
inched forward, the chronic management of patients with high
performance status
has become a common problem in the practice of
oncology. This conundrum is clearly illustrated by the excellent, yet
negative,
randomized trial by Colombo et al1
that accompanies this editorial. This large, well-designed clinical
trial tested another modestly active agent, patupilone,
in comparison with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
(PLD) in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Sadly, this
study
did not meet its prespecified superiority end point,
namely an overall survival improvement compared with the use of PLD.
What drug development lessons can be learned
from yet another trial that fails to meet its designed superiority
outcome?
Women's College Hospital (Toronto) - Gynecologic Cancer Study (please circulate widely)
If you have any questions or would like more information about the study, please do not hesitate to contact Manon: labrecque.m@sympatico.ca, or at 905.898.5440.
You can also contact the project coordinator, Agata Drozd, at Agata.Drozd@wchospital.ca, or at 416-323-6400, ext. 4185.
This study has received ethics approval through Women’s College Hospital’s Research Ethics Board.
Gynecologic Cancer Study
416-323-6400 ext. 4185
Agata.Drozd@wchospital.ca
LOOKING FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
A research study of an online support group for
women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer
Are you a woman who has been treated for gynecologic cancer and do you struggle with any of the following? Concerns about your body image Sexual issues or concerns Coping with the effects of gynecologic cancer on your self-esteem Navigating intimate relationships Finding it difficult to talk about these personal issues with people in your life
Would you like to… Connect with other women who have been treated for gynecologic cancer? Have a safe space to talk about the impact on your body image and sexuality? Learn new ways of coping? Learn how to enhance your relationships with friends and family? Build more self-awareness and self-understanding?
About the support group
This is a 12-week, professionally-moderated group. The aim of this online support group is to provide a safe space for women to explore the impact of gynecologic cancer on their body image, sexuality and intimate relationships. We hope that by increasing awareness of the ways being treated for gynecologic cancer may be affecting your life, you can begin to identify what would be helpful to support you in your journey towards health and well-being.
You may be eligible to participate if you… Currently reside in Ontario Are a woman 18 years or older Received surgical, radiation, or chemotherapy treatment for any gynecologic cancer Are not currently receiving treatment Have been disease-free for at least 3 months Are no more than 5 years post-diagnosis Are experiencing concerns about the impact of cancer on your relationships, sexuality, and body image
For more information, please call or email the study coordinator:
(below: original correspondence):
My
name is Manon Labrecque. I am
a project consultant and am currently working on a research study of an
online support group for women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. This
study is conducted
through Women’s College Hospital
and consists of a 12-week, professionally-moderated group. The aim of
this online support group is to provide a safe space for women to
explore the impact of gynecologic cancer on their body image, sexuality
and intimate relationships. We hope that by increasing awareness of the
ways being treated for gynecologic cancer may be affecting women’s
lives; women can begin to identify what would
be helpful to support them in their journey towards health and
well-being. The reason I am writing today is to ask if your organization
would be interested
and willing to help us recruit participants for this study.
We are seeking women who are 18 years or older, have received surgical,
radiation, or chemotherapy treatments
for any gynecologic cancer, and are not actively receiving treatment.
Participants must be disease-free for at least 3 months and no more than
5 years post-diagnosis. If
you are interested in helping us recruit participants, we
would provide
you with copies of recruitment flyers and/or brochures, and will assist
you in any way we can.
If you have any questions or would like more
information about the study, please do not hesitate to contact me,
at labrecque.m@sympatico.ca,
or at 905.898.5440. You can also contact the project coordinator,
Agata Drozd, at Agata.Drozd@wchospital.ca,
or at 416-323-6400, ext. 4185. This study has received ethics approval through Women’s College Hospital’s Research Ethics Board.
A Practical Approach to Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors and Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors - Histopathology
A Practical Approach to Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors and Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors- Histopathology
Abstract
Immunohistochemistry can be
useful in the diagnosis of ovarian germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal
tumors. A wide variety of markers are available, including many that
are novel. The aim of this review is to provide a practical approach to
selection and interpretation of these markers, emphasizing an
understanding of their sensitivity and specificity in the particular
differential diagnosis in question. The main markers discussed include
those for malignant germ cell differentiation (SALL4, PLAP),
dysgerminoma (OCT4, CD117, D2-40), yolk sac tumor (AFP, Glypican-3),
embryonal carcinoma (OCT4, CD30, SOX2), sex cord-stromal differentiation
(calretinin, inhibin, SF-1, FOXL2) and steroid cell tumors (MelanA). In
addition, the limited role of immunohistochemistry in determining the
primary site of origin of an ovarian carcinoid tumor is discussed.
Potential interactions of complementary and alternative medicine with cancer therapy in outpatients with gynecological cancer in a comprehensive cancer center
Results
Sixty-nine
of the interviewed 100 women received chemotherapy, 23 endocrine
therapy and 41 monoclonal antibodies. In total,
64 % used CAM, 48 % used at least one substance-bound
CAM. In 17 out of those 48 cases (35 %), interactions were unlikely,
whereas they were probable in 14 patients (29 %).
Thus, a third of all patients in this study were in danger of
interactions.
More than half of all CAM users and three quarters of
users of substance-bound CAM are at risk of interactions. This number
is independent of whether the patient is taking
chemotherapy, endocrine therapy or antibodies.
Canada: Carboplatin injection (600mg/60mL) - Advisories, Warnings & Recalls for hospitals
Carboplatin injection (600mg/60mL) - Advisories, Warnings & Recalls for hospitals
Affected lot of Carboplatin subject to recall from the Canadian market:
Z011710AB: Expiry date: August 2013
- In the event where particulate matter is injected into a patient, there is the potential for patient injury.
- Vials of the affected lot should not be used and should be returned to Hospira.
- Since the particulate matter is formed from carboplatin crystals, the efficacy of drug product from this lot may be reduced.
Lynch syndrome: Awareness among medical students at a United States medical school.
Lynch syndrome: Awareness among medical students at a United States medical school.
Lynch syndrome: Awareness among medical students at a United States medical school. J. S. Taylor1, M. K. Frey1, M. Biewald1, M. Worley, Jr.2, S. Lin1, K. Holcomb1 1) Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY; 2) Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Objectives: Lynch syndrome was first described in the 1950s however until recently it was rarely included in medical school curricula. As a result, many practicing physicians have limited exposure, potentially contributing to significant under diagnosis. As identification of Lynch syndrome prior to malignancy allows for intensified screening, prophylactic surgery and improved patient outcomes, all physicians should be aware of the characteristics of affected families. We aim to determine the overall level of awareness of Lynch Syndrome among medical students at an American medical school
Methods: A voluntary and anonymous questionnaire was delivered to students at an American medical school. The survey instrument assessed the respondent's perceived knowledge regarding the genetics and recommended screening for carriers of Lynch Syndrome mutations.
Results: The questionnaire was distributed to the entire student body (405 students) with a response rate of 50%. Fifty-nine percent of students reported that they had learned about Lynch syndrome; 27% of first year students, 44% of second year students; 90% of third year students and 100% of fourth year students. Of the students familiar with Lynch syndrome, the reported knowledge of the underlying genetics was 46%, available genetic screening, 18%, criteria used to screen for the syndrome, 24%, recommendations for colon screening, 31% and recommendations for endometrial cancer screening, 17%.
Conclusions: The majority of medical students surveyed had been exposed to Lynch syndrome and awareness increased over each year of education. Significantly more students were aware of recommendations for colon cancer screening than endometrial cancer screening (32% versus 17%, p = 0.01). Studies of the natural history of Lynch syndrome indicate that affected women are more likely to present with endometrial cancer than colon cancer and while there are no prospective data proving the efficacy of endometrial cancer screening in this high-risk population, the endometrium is easily accessible and can be sampled using simple office techniques. In addition, prophylactic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy are reasonable risk reducing interventions for the prevention of both uterine and ovarian cancer. Our findings suggest that increased emphasis must be placed on teaching the gynecologic manifestations of Lynch Syndrome in order to avoid the misconception that it is simply a colon cancer syndrome.
Health News - Cancer diagnosis while you wait (not yet available)
Health News - Cancer diagnosis while you wait
"QuantuMDx say that when it is commercialised within the next three years, the device will have a dramatic impact on the rapid and accurate diagnosis and staging of cancer."
PLOS ONE: The Representation of Risk in Routine Medical Experience: What Actions for Contemporary Health Policy?
PLOS ONE: The Representation of Risk in Routine Medical Experience: What Actions for Contemporary Health Policy?
Introduction
Over the past two decades, there has been increasing recognition that people both want and need to be given accurate and understandable information about health [1]–[2]. In particular, people need to be told about the risks and benefits of their treatments in order to make informed decisions and effective choices [2]. This is a cornerstone of the philosophy of self-care and is a key element in current healthcare policy in the US and in many European countries [3].In line with this, there is evidence that the comprehension of appropriate information about illnesses and treatments, including risk and side effects, can have beneficial effects on patients’ satisfaction and on important health outcomes [4]. Against this background, it is questionable whether people are able to be active and informed about risks and to take autonomous choices about their treatment. Indeed, people may not always be well equipped, either cognitively or emotionally, to understand, retain and use information effectively [5]. Often, provision of information on medicines does not always have beneficial effects and may even have unwanted or harmful effects on health [6]–[7]. In particular, informing people about the risks and benefits of possible treatments has become a major challenge for healthcare providers and general practitioners (GP). This is because the information is often complex, in that it can be ambiguous, incomplete, uncertain and unstable......
'Critical Step': Drug Slows Cognitive Loss After Radiation (drug memantine)
'Critical Step': Drug Slows Cognitive Loss After Radiation
BOSTON, Massachusetts — A drug approved to treat Alzheimer's disease should be administered to cancer patients who receive whole-brain radiation therapy, according to a randomized controlled phase 3 trial.
When the drug, memantine (Namenda, Forest), is taken at the same time as radiation therapy, it helps preserve cognitive function in patients who are irradiated for brain metastases, said study coauthor Nadia N. Laack, MD, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.....
RayBiotech, Inc. and Abeome Corporation Announce an Agreement Related to Novel Research Products for Ovarian Cancer - MarketWatch
RayBiotech, Inc. and Abeome Corporation Announce an Agreement Related to Novel Research Products for Ovarian Cancer - MarketWatch
NORCROSS, Ga., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
RayBiotech, Inc. and Abeome Corporation today announced that the
companies have entered into a collaboration whereby Abeome will provide
over 300 novel monoclonal antibodies recognizing human ovarian cancer
for use in the development of RayBiotech's antibody-related portfolio of
products. These antibodies recognize ovarian cancer but not normal
ovary tissue. Financial terms were not disclosed.
RayBiotech's President, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Rani
Huang stated, "Ovarian cancer is a devastating disease and most often
goes undetected until very late stages of progression. This alliance
with Abeome will enable RayBiotech to provide products and services for
the preclinical characterization of ovarian cancer-related biological
samples. We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with
another Georgia-based bioreagent company."....
Survivors Of Certain Cancers Reported Poor Health-Related Quality Of Life Years After Diagnosis
Survivors Of Certain Cancers Reported Poor Health-Related Quality Of Life Years After Diagnosis
"It is very concerning that there are a substantial number of cancer survivors who experience poor mental or physical health years after cancer," said Weaver. "Our results will serve as a baseline so that in five to 10 years, we can assess whether current approaches to improving the health and well-being of cancer survivors are having a positive effect.
"I also hope our data will draw attention to the ongoing needs of cancer survivors - particularly those with cervical, blood and less common cancers - and to the importance of monitoring these individuals, even long after their cancer diagnosis."....
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