Search of: ovarian cancer | Open Studies | received from 08/01/2010 to 09/11/2010 - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

Found 16 studies with search of:

ovarian cancer | Open Studies | received from 08/01/2010 to 09/11/2010

Include studies that are not seeking new volunteers.

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Rank	Status	Study
1	Not yet recruiting	Short Non-coding RNA Biomarkers of Predisposition to Ovarian Cancer Condition: Ovarian Cancer Intervention:
2	Recruiting	Consolidation Whole Abdominal Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Tubal Carcinoma; Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma Intervention: Radiation: intensity-modulated whole-abdominal radiotherapy
3	Recruiting	Trial of High Dose Topotecan With Carboplatin in Patients With Relapsed Ovarian Carcinoma Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; For Relapses Occuring Between 6 and 12 Months Intervention: Drug: Topotecan
4	Not yet recruiting	RO4929097 in Treating Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer Conditions: Fallopian Tube Cancer; Ovarian Cancer; Peritoneal Cavity Cancer Interventions: Drug: gamma-secretase inhibitor RO4929097; Other: laboratory biomarker analysis
5	Recruiting	Maintenance Treatment for Ovarian Carcinoma in Remission by an Antiangiogenic Treatment Strategy Condition: Ovarian Carcinoma Intervention: Drug: Cytophosphan, Celecoxib, Methotrexate
6	Not yet recruiting	Vinorelbine and Gemcitabine Combination In Platinum Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Primary Peritoneal Cancer; Fallopian Tube Cancer Interventions: Drug: Gemcitabine; Drug: Vinorelbine
7	Not yet recruiting	Saracatinib and Paclitaxel in Platinum-resistant Ovarian Cancer Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Fallopian Tube Cancer; Primary Peritoneal Cancer Interventions: Drug: Paclitaxel; Drug: Saracatinib; Drug: Matched placebo
8	Not yet recruiting	Temsirolimus, Carboplatin, and Paclitaxel as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Stage III or Stage IV Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer Condition: Ovarian Cancer Interventions: Drug: carboplatin; Drug: paclitaxel; Drug: temsirolimus; Other: laboratory biomarker analysis
9	Not yet recruiting	Changes in Performance Status and Symptom Distress in Older Patients With Advanced Ovarian Epithelial Cancer Undergoing Surgery and/or Chemotherapy Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Perioperative/Postoperative Complications; Psychosocial Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment Interventions: Other: medical chart review; Other: questionnaire administration; Procedure: assessment of therapy complications; Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care; Procedure: quality-of-life assessment
10	Not yet recruiting	Early Detection of Cancers in Low Resource Countries Conditions: Breast Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Endometrial Neoplasms Interventions: Procedure: Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis; Procedure: Cervical Cancer Screening and Diagnosis; Procedure: Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnosis; Procedure: Endometrial Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
11	Not yet recruiting	Paclitaxel With or Without Viral Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer Conditions: Fallopian Tube Cancer; Ovarian Cancer; Peritoneal Cavity Cancer Interventions: Biological: wild-type reovirus; Drug: paclitaxel
12	Not yet recruiting	Carboplatin and Pralatrexate in Patients With Recurrent Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian, Fallopian or Primary Peritoneal Cancer Conditions: Ovarian Cancer; Fallopian Tube Cancer; Peritoneal Cancer Interventions: Drug: carboplatin; Drug: pralatrexate
13	Recruiting	A Controlled Study of Quality of Life and it's Related Factors Among Gynecological Cancer Survivors Conditions: Cervical Cancer; Ovarian Cancer; Endometrial Cancer Intervention:
14	Recruiting	A Phase I Study of MGAH22 in Patients With Refractory HER2 Positive Cancers Conditions: Non-Small Cell Lung Neoplasms; Prostate Neoplasms; Bladder Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms Intervention: Drug: MGAH22
15	Recruiting	Predictors of Ovarian Insufficiency in Young Breast Cancer Patients Conditions: Breast Cancer; Ovarian Insufficiency; Ovarian Failure Intervention:
16	Recruiting	Analysis of Two Therapeutic With Cetrotide® in PolyCystic Ovarian (PCO) Women in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Condition: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Interventions: Drug: cetrorelix acetate; Drug: Cetrorelix acetate

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved - Strength and Courage: The Development of a Native American Cancer Survivor Archive

Note: pay-per-view ($$)


Abstract:

This report describes the first Native American cancer survivor archive and lessons learned from its development. Unusual not only in its holdings, this archive project is distinct as it is led by researchers and community health advocates without professional archival development training.

Cochrane Collaboration review: Interventions for the treatment of borderline ovarian tumours

Plain language summary

Interventions for the treatment of borderline ovarian tumours
Women with borderline (low malignant potential) ovarian tumours do very well after surgery and recurrences may be cured by further surgery. The ideal form of initial surgical treatment for borderline ovarian tumours is controversial. Furthermore, it is not known if additional treatment after surgery reduces the risk of re-appearance of tumours or of death.

In this review, we found six trials which enrolled 340 patients who had undergone surgery for borderline ovarian tumours. These trials compared the number of deaths among women who had various forms of treatment or no additional treatment after surgery. In five of the trials, the women had tumours confined to the ovaries and most were followed up for over 10 years. Only one trial enrolled women with tumours that had spread beyond the ovary, and this trial followed patients up for less than three years, which is not long enough to detect any difference between groups receiving different treatments. None of the trials found any demonstrable benefit from any of the additional forms of treatment. However, all six trials were conducted over 15 years ago and since then platinum-based chemotherapy has become widely used to treat advanced ovarian cancer. However, only one of the trials in our review assessed this more modern type of chemotherapy. Further trials of platinum-based chemotherapy and of less toxic treatments are needed, looking at the benefit of reducing the anxiety and distress of further surgery and treatment for relapse.

One further trial, which recruited 32 women who had borderline ovarian tumours in both ovaries, compared conservative surgery (taking away the most diseased ovary and removing the tumour from the other ovary) with ultra-conservative surgery (removing the tumours without taking away either ovary). Nearly all the women who had ultra-conservative surgery became pregnant compared with half of those who had conservative surgery. Although about two thirds of the women in the trial developed similar tumours again, most women got pregnant before the disease recurred, all had their recurrences treated by further surgery, none developed invasive ovarian cancer nor died of their tumour. This small study suggests that ultra-conservative surgery by an experienced surgeon with careful follow up for recurrence may be recommended for women with bilateral borderline ovarian tumours who still intend to have children but, ideally, this approach should be evaluated in other independent trials. Despite rigorous searches, we did not find any trial directly comparing conservative surgery with radical surgery (surgery to remove all of the female reproductive organs) or comparing keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) with open surgery (laparotomy) for women with borderline ovarian tumours.

Targeting a common collaborator in cancer development - P13K inhibitor (short abstract)

Abstract

In this issue of Science Translational Medicine, Wallin et al. have identified a subset of breast and ovarian cancer cell lines that show synergistic response to the combination of doxorubicin and GDC-0941, a class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Here, we discuss the potential implications of these data on the clinical development of PI3K pathway inhibitors as cancer therapeutics.

New Strategies in Ovarian Cancer: Uptake and experience of women at high risk of ovarian cancer who are considering risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy

Abstract

This paper reviews factors associated with uptake of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy by women at increased hereditary risk for ovarian cancer, as well as quality of life issues following surgery. Forty one research studies identified through PubMed and PsychInfo met inclusion criteria. Older age, having had children, a family history of ovarian cancer, a personal history of breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy, and BRCA1/2 mutation carrier status increase the likelihood of undergoing surgery. Psychosocial variables predictive of surgery uptake include greater perceived risk of ovarian cancer and cancer-related anxiety. Most women report satisfaction with their decision to undergo surgery and both lower perceived ovarian cancer risk and less cancer-related anxiety as benefits. Hormonal deprivation is the main disadvantage reported, particularly by premenopausal women who are not on hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The evidence is mixed regarding satisfaction with the level of information provided prior to surgery, although generally women report receiving insufficient information regarding the pros and cons of HRT. These findings indicate that when designing decision aids, demographic, medical history, and psychosocial variables need to be addressed in order to facilitate quality decision making.

Genetic profiles distinguish different types of hereditary ovarian cancer

Abstract:

Heredity represents the strongest risk factor for ovarian cancer with disease predisposing mutations identified in 15% of the tumors. With the aim to identify genetic classifiers for hereditary ovarian cancer, we profiled hereditary ovarian cancers linked to the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome and the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) (Lynch Syndrome) syndrome. Genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization was applied to 12 HBOC associated tumors with BRCA1 mutations and 8 HNPCC associated tumors with mismatch repair gene mutations with 24 sporadic ovarian cancers as a control group. Unsupervised cluster analysis identified two distinct subgroups related to genetic complexity. Sporadic and HBOC associated tumors had complex genetic profiles with an average 41% of the genome altered, whereas the mismatch repair defective tumors had stable genetic profiles, with an average 18% of the genome altered. Losses of 4q34, 13q12-q32 and 19p13 were overrepresented in the HBOC subset. Discriminating genes within these regions include BRCA2, FOXO1A and RB1. Gains on chromosomes 17 and 19 characterized the HNPCC tumors, but target genes herein are unknown.

The results indicate that HBOC and HNPCC associated ovarian cancer develop along distinct genetic pathways and genetic profiles can thus be applied to distinguish between different types of hereditary ovarian cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 families and the risk of skin cancers - abstract

The 10 deadliest cancers and why there's no cure - Stand Up to Cancer telethon

Strategies for Survival - Gynecologic Cancer Conference - Regina, Saskatchewan Sept 24th

click: Registration

UK Study Revives Theory That Osteoporosis Drugs Cause Esophageal Cancer - OncologySTAT

"A peer-reviewed study based on a massive British database has linked long-term use of oral bisphosphonate drugs to a higher risk of esophageal cancer, contrary to a separate study of the same database released a few weeks ago that found no evidence of increased risk. The competing conclusions have reopened the debate about a class-wide cancer risk, and a label change for the popular osteoporosis agents could be on the table..." cont'd

Medical News: Palliative Care Training Program Ineffective - in Geriatrics, Pain Management from MedPage Today

The primary outcome was family satisfaction with the death of the loved one and secondary outcomes included nurse satisfaction with the care, time in ICU before death, and time to withdrawal of ventilation.
But, the researchers found, there was no effect:

• Family satisfaction was not significantly different, either between active and control hospitals or before and after the training program within each institution.
• Nurse satisfaction did not differ in either case.
• Days in the ICU before death increased slightly in the active hospitals, but did not reach significance (at P=0.07).
• Time to withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, when it was used, did not change.

"We asked whether this intervention could improve families' experience with the death of their loved one in the ICU," Curtis said, "and the answer was no."

End of life 'quality' index | Open Medicine Blog The Quality of Death: Ranking end-of-life care across the world 2010 The Economist Intelligence Unit

"....Advancements in healthcare have been responsible for the most significant quality-of-life gains in the recent past: that humans are (on average) living longer, and more healthily than ever, is well established. But “quality of death” is another matter. Death, although inevitable, is distressing to contemplate and in many cultures is taboo......Few nations, including rich ones with cutting-edge healthcare systems, incorporate palliative care strategies into their overall healthcare policy—despite the fact that in many of these countries, increasing longevity and ageing populations mean demand for end-of-life care is likely to rise sharply. Globally, training for palliative care is rarely included in healthcare education curricula. Institutions that specialise in giving palliative and end-of-life care are often not part of national healthcare systems, and many rely on volunteer or charitable status...."cont'd

Treating the Whole Patient Blog: Antidepressant Pretreatment and Chemotherapy > CMELLC - Life Long Learning > Treating the Whole Patient

Question:
"In cancer treatment, should patients undergoing chemotherapy be premedicated with anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants (with or without symptoms of anxiety or depression) to help them feel more responsive to chemotherapy by reducing inflammation in the body? Discuss the pros and cons of this idea."...cont'd

GAPP KB|GAPP Finder - Mutation detection in BRCA 1/2 resources/info

Last data update: Sep-10-2010. (Total 204 GAPPs)
GAPP Finder
Data collected since October 2009	Home | About | Search Instructions | FAQs
Search Genomic Application Summary Evidence Translation Project for
Please Wait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[Record Detail Page]

Genomic Application General Information

Disease/Disorder Breast cancer Test to be assessed Mutation detection in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (blood sample or oral rinse) Target Population Individuals who have breast or ovarian cancer in their family or a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer Intended Use To determine an individuals inherited risk for breast (and ovarian) cancer Sources/Links BRACNOW.com - Information for consumers Myriad.com - BRACAnalysis USPSTF - BRCA evidence review USPSTF - BRCA recommendation ABClocal.go.com - BVH offers test on genetic probability of breast cancer Key Indexed Terms Mammary Neoplasms [Disease] ovarian neoplasm [Disease] BRCA1 [Gene] BRCA2 [Gene] Application Type Risk prediction Status Commercially available Trade Name BRACAnalysis Company Myriad Genetics Notes USPSTF has conducted an evidence review Entered Date 08/20/2010 Last Updated Date 08/30/2010

Relevant Information

Evidence Summary from Evidence Aggregator

EGT : CYP2D6 testing to predict response to tamoxifen in women with breast cancer See detail EGAPP Recommendation : Recommendations from the EGAPP Working Group: can tumor gene expression profiling improve outcomes in patients with breast cancer? See detail Other Review : HER2 Testing to Manage Patients With Breast Cancer or Other Solid Tumors See detail EGAPP Review : Impact of Gene Expression Profiling Tests on Breast Cancer Outcomes See detail Other Review : Genomic Tests for Ovarian Cancer Detection and Management See detail

Frequent Mutations of Chromatin Remodeling Gene ARID1A in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma (note: 2nd study)

Note: this is a second study regarding clear cell ovarian cancer/ARID1A

"The nature and pattern of the mutations suggest that PPP2R1A functions as an oncogene and ARID1A as a tumor suppressor gene. In a total of 42 OCCCs, 7% had mutations in PPP2R1A and 57% had mutations in ARID1A. These results suggest that aberrant chromatin remodeling contributes to the pathogenesis of OCCC."

FDA alert: Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents: Class Labeling Change - Risk of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

RECOMMENDATION: Healthcare professionals should screen patients prior to administration of a GBCA to identify those with acute kidney injury or chronic, severe, kidney disease. See the Drug Safety Communication for the complete list of recommendations to healthcare professionals and patients.

Medical News: Ovarian Cancer Subtype Linked to Gene Mutations (re: clear cell ovarian cancer)

Note: easier to read article

High detection rate of adenomas in familial colorectal cancer - Gut

Conclusion
The yield of colonoscopic surveillance in familial CRC is substantially higher than the yield of screening reported for the general population."

The Care Strategy for Families of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Who Become Unable to Take Nourishment Orally: Recommendations from a Nationwide Survey of Bereaved Family Members' Experiences

Cancer Patients' Roles in Treatment Decisions: Do Characteristics of the Decision Influence Roles? — JCO (when no 'evidence' exists

Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic Researchers Receive $11 Million for Medical Genomics

Is it safe, is it tolerable? Why not ask the patients? - Editorial + NEJM link

"A thought-provoking perspective by oncologist Ethan Basch, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlighted the absence of any patient input into establishing a drug’s safety. This might seem surprising, given that distressing symptoms – which patients are best placed to report on – account for a large number of drug-related side-effects....cont'd

 NEJM:
The Missing Voice of Patients in Drug-Safety Reporting, by Ethan Basch, can be accessed at http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/362/10/865.pdf 

media: Doctor ordered to keep silent on company's ovarian cancer test - Healthlinx/OvPlex/Professor Quinn

media - Ovarian cancer researchers request practice changes to protect against ovarian cancer: deaths could be reduced 50 percent over 20 years

"They are asking all BC gynecologists to change surgical practice to fully remove the fallopian tube when performing hysterectomy or tubal ligation. Current practice leaves the fallopian tube in place for many types of hysterectomy and tubal ligation. This is a matter of convention, not need."

Fallopian tube removal cuts ovarian cancer risk - Yahoo! Canada News

"...But Dr. Sarah Finlayson, a gynecological oncologist at Vancouver General, said recent research has shown that at least half of the cases of the deadliest form of ovarian cancer originate in the fallopian tubes — not the ovaries.
That malignancy, called a high-grade serous tumour, represents about 70 per cent of all ovarian cancers. And because there is no screening test and symptoms can be non-existent or vague, diagnosis too often occurs once the cancer is at an advanced stage and has spread to other tissues.
"Something that we had thought of in the past as an ovarian cancer is really, in fact, a fallopian tube cancer," said Finlayson. "Removing the fallopian tube becomes a way of preventing these cancers."...cont'd

full free access: Interventions with Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials -- CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

Seth's Blog: Loyalty

Don Berwick is a patient centric, consumer oriented radical | KevinMD.com - U.S.

".....If Berwick’s opponents just took a minute to read what the guy really stands for, they’d discover he’s pretty much aligned with many ‘conservative’ principles – self responsibility, ownership, consumer-centered policies and practices.

Unfortunately, they just don’t care about who Berwick really is – they’ve decided he’s the stick they’re going to use to beat this Administration, regardless of whether he’s good, bad, or indifferent..........."

Caregiver Consultation 2010 Survey - Alberta Caregivers Association (see definition of 'caregiver')

The Alberta Caregivers Association is conducting a survey of caregivers throughout Alberta to learn about the issues they face. The main focus of the survey will be to capture the real experiences of caregivers so we can better understand the various challenges, barriers, and problems that exist from their points of view.



You can participate in the survey as a caregiver, a professional/service provider, a group of caregivers, or a member of the general public.

Before you begin the survey we need to know who you are responding as:

A caregiver is defined as a family member or friend who provides unpaid care for a loved one. This can be for someone in your home, in their own home, in an assisted living facility, in a group home, in a retirement community or otherwise. Common care tasks could include helping with chores, managing finances, arranging services or just visiting to see how they doing.

An example of a group of caregivers is a caregiver support group offered by an organization.

A professional or service provider is anyone who is paid to work with caregivers and/or the people who need caregiving.

Making strides in ovarian cancer research « BC Cancer Foundation's Blog - re: clear cell ovarian cancer/endometriosis

"We were able to show that ARID1A mutated in close to 50 per cent of clear cell carcinomas of the ovary and in a slightly fewer number of the related endometrioid carcinomas.
When we studied in detail two cases where there was endometriosis attached to the tumour, we found that the mutation was present even before the cells in endometriosis looked like cancer cells. This suggests that ARID1A mutations are a very early event and likely critical to the transformation of a non-cancerous disease into cancer.
We are fully confident that this discovery marks the start of finding real treatments for clear cell carcinoma – but there is still a lot of work to do in the future...."

critical review: Breast And Ovarian Cancer Article: Getting The Facts Straight - Better Health

2 Genes Have Possible Link to Deadly Ovarian Cancer - clear cell ovarian cancer

"Mutations in two genes may be associated with one of the most deadly types of ovarian cancer, U.S. researchers have found.

In the study, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center looked for mutations in 18,000 protein-encoding genes in ovarian clear cell tumors from eight patients. The investigators found 268 mutations in 253 genes, with an average of 20 mutations per tumor......Further investigation revealed that two genes -- ARID1A and PPP2R1A -- were more commonly mutated than other genes..ARID1A is a gene whose product normally suppresses tumors. PPP2R1A is a gene that, when altered, helps turn normal cells into tumor cells. The genes had not previously been linked to ovarian cancer, the researchers explained in a news release from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center....."cont'd

Host Factors and Cancer Progression: Biobehavioral Signaling Pathways and Interventions — JCO

Abstract

Whereas evidence for the role of psychosocial factors in cancer initiation has been equivocal, support continues to grow for links between psychological factors such as stress, depression, and social isolation and progression of cancer. In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies show that stress- related processes can impact pathways implicated in cancer progression, including immuno-regulation, angiogenesis, and invasion. Contributions of systemic factors, such as stress hormones to the crosstalk between tumor and stromal cells, appear to be critical in modulating downstream signaling pathways with important implications for disease progression. Inflammatory pathways may also be implicated in fatigue and other factors related to quality of life. Although substantial evidence supports a positive effect of psychosocial interventions on quality of life in cancer, the clinical evidence for efficacy of stress-modulating psychosocial interventions in slowing cancer progression remains inconclusive, and the biobehavioral mechanisms that might explain such effects are still being established. This article reviews research findings to date and outlines future avenues of research in this area.

Role of Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Aspirin Use in Cancer Survivors — JCO

Note: a recent study indicated a beneficial effect of aspirin use in Lynch Syndrome patients but not in colon cancer patients (those w/o a mutation), search blog for further information on this specific issue "The potential beneficial or adverse effects of dietary supplements and aspirin in survivors of cancer warrant further study."

Weight, Physical Activity, Diet, and Prognosis in Breast and Gynecologic Cancers — JCO

Abstract

Diet, physical activity, and weight may affect prognosis among women who are diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer. Observational studies show associations between being overweight or obese and weight gain with several measures of reduced prognosis in women with breast cancer and some suggestion of poor prognosis in underweight women. Observational studies have shown an association between higher levels of physical activity and improved breast cancer–specific and all-cause mortality, although a dose-response relationship has not been established. One large randomized controlled trial reported increased disease-free survival after a mean of 5 years in patients with breast cancer randomly assigned to a low-fat diet versus control. However, another trial of similar size found no effect from a high vegetable/fruit, low-fat diet on breast cancer prognosis. The few reported studies suggest that obesity negatively affects endometrial cancer survival, while the limited data are mixed for associations of weight with ovarian cancer prognosis. Insufficient data exist for assessing associations of weight, physical activity, or diet with prognosis in other gynecologic cancers. Associations of particular micronutrient intake and alcohol use with prognosis are not defined for any of these cancers. The effects of dietary weight loss and increase in physical activity on survival or recurrence in breast and gynecologic cancers are not yet established, and randomized controlled trials are needed for definitive data.

Time Course of Risk Factors in Cancer Etiology and Progression — JCO

Blogger's Note: in the absence of the full paper, 'may' is not definitive

 Abstract

Patients with cancer increasingly ask what they can do to change their lifestyles and improve outcomes. Risk factors for onset of cancer may differ substantially from those that modify survival with implications for counseling. This review focuses on recent data derived from population-based studies of causes of cancer and of patients with cancer to contrast risk factors for etiology with those that impact survival. For different cancer sites, the level of information to inform the timing of lifestyle exposures and risk of disease onset or progression after diagnosis is often limited. For breast cancer, timing of some exposures, such as radiation, is particularly important. For other exposures, such as physical activity, higher levels may prevent onset and also improve survival. For colon cancer, study of precursor polyps has provided additional insight to timing. Extensive data indicate that physical activity reduces risk of colon cancer, and more limited data suggest that exposure after diagnosis improves survival. Dietary factors including folate and calcium may also reduce risk of onset. More limited data on prostate cancer point to obesity increasing risk of aggressive or advanced disease. Timing of change in lifestyle for change in risk of onset and for survival is important but understudied among patients with cancer. Counseling patients with cancer to increase physical activity and avoid weight gain may improve outcomes. Advice to family members on lifestyle may become increasingly important for breast and other cancers where family history is a strong risk factor.

Germline Genetic Variation, Cancer Outcome, and Pharmacogenetics — JCO

Abstract

"Studies of the role of germline or inherited genetic variation on cancer outcome can fall into three distinct categories. First, the impact of highly penetrant but lowly prevalent mutations of germline DNA on cancer prognosis has been studied extensively for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations as well as mutations related to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (Lynch Syndrome). ...."cont'd

updated blog stats: Ovarian Cancer and Us

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Finding a Clinical Trial | Cancer.Net

full free access: Update on the management of restless legs syndrome: existing and emerging treatment options

Genetic counselor opinions of, and experiences with telephone communication of BRCA1/2 test results - Clinical Genetics

abstract: Sorafenib efficacy in ovarian clear cell carcinoma revealed by transcriptome profiling. - in research- Cancer Science

Surgery or Chemo First in Advanced Ovarian Cancer? New Data Fuel Debate

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Wyeth paid writers to promote hormone therapy: study | Reuters

Canadian Doctors for Medicare | False Alarm on Health Care

"....the tiresome insistence on using faulty logic to justify alarmist views on health care.

Three pieces of real data ought to put this debate to rest.

First, increases in the cost of health care are not a result of our public system. They are common to systems around the world, all facing new and expensive technologies and ever-increasing demand.

Second, Canada's medicare system is actually quite reasonably priced. It is the increasing cost of drugs, which are mostly privately funded, that is increasing health-care costs.

Third, user fees and privatization would increase health-care costs overall by downloading them from governments onto citizens. Furthermore, experience with user fees demonstrates that they cause people to delay necessary care, which leads to more profound and expensive illnesses when care is eventually sought....."cont'd

NCI Cancer Bulletin: Chemotherapy Affects Brain Structure of Breast Cancer Patients - Chemobrain

Note: small study/also reference blog abstract posting



Chemotherapy Affects Brain Structure of Breast Cancer Patients
A new study has provided some of the strongest direct evidence to date that chemotherapy has physical effects on areas of the brain that, when altered, could be result in the array of cognitive symptoms that is often called “chemobrain.” The study was published online August 6 in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

In a small study of women with breast cancer, researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine used MRI scans to show that chemotherapy was associated with a decrease in the density of brain gray matter. The affected areas include those involved in memory and in the ability to process information. Although several other studies have shown similar changes in these areas of the brain, this was the first study to follow women prospectively and to compare scans before and after chemotherapy.

“The alterations in gray matter density observed in the [chemotherapy] group are… consistent with the pattern of cognitive complaints and impairment found in neurocognitive studies,” wrote Dr. Andrew J. Saykin and colleagues.

The study included 17 women with breast cancer who underwent chemotherapy after surgery, 12 women with breast cancer who did not receive chemotherapy after surgery, and a control group of 18 healthy women. The initial MRI scans, performed shortly after surgery in the participants with cancer, showed no notable differences in gray matter density among the three groups. One month after completion of chemotherapy, however, MRI scans revealed notable decreases in gray matter density in women with breast cancer, as well as changes in gray matter density in women who received surgery only, although the changes for these women were not as great. No changes were seen in women in the control group. After 1 year, women treated with chemotherapy had recovered gray matter losses in some regions, but other deficits persisted.

Exactly how chemotherapy may be causing these changes is unclear, said study co-author Dr. Brenna McDonald. “However, the finding that the changes appear to resolve naturally to some degree in the first year after chemotherapy is completed is a very positive one,” she wrote in an e-mail message. Because of the limited follow-up in the study, she continued, it’s unclear how much further recovery may occur naturally. A number of studies have shown that such cognitive effects can persist for many years, she added. Additional studies are investigating whether other therapies, such as tamoxifen, may have similar effects on brain structure.

For more information on this topic, see: “Delving Into Possible Mechanisms for Chemobrain.”

Gray matter reduction associated with systemic chemotherapy for breast cancer: a prospective MRI study - abstract

"...Findings were not attributable to recency of cancer surgery, disease stage, psychiatric symptoms, psychotropic medication use, or hormonal treatment status. This study is the first to use a prospective, longitudinal approach to document decreased brain gray matter density shortly after breast cancer chemotherapy and its course of recovery over time. These gray matter alterations appear primarily related to the effects of chemotherapy, rather than solely reflecting host factors, the cancer disease process, or effects of other cancer treatments."

NIH expands network focused on how genes affect drug responses, September 7, News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

"...Spearheaded by the NIH's National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and launched in 2000, the PGRN has already identified gene variants linked to responses to medicines for different cancers, heart disease, asthma, nicotine addiction and other conditions...."cont'd

UK, China Research Teams Partner on $31M Epigenetics Study | GenomeWeb Daily News | GenomeWeb

"The study will harness King's College London's Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology department and will involve 5,000 twins. The project initially will focus on obesity, diabetes, allergies, heart disease, osteoporosis, and longevity.

"Finding the crucial differences between twins will lead us to the key genes that are being turned on and off, and so to the cause of disease, with great potential to find key targets for drug treatments," Tim Spector, director of TwinsUK and leader of the Epitwin project, said in a statement."

abstract: PET in women with high risk for breast or ovarian cancer : The Lancet Oncology

abstract: Effect of genome-wide association studies, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and high-speed sequencing technologies on predictive genetic counselling for cancer risk : The Lancet Oncology

Palliative Care — A Shifting Paradigm — NEJM

"....Despite the increasing availability of palliative care services in U.S. hospitals and the body of evidence showing the great distress to patients caused by symptoms of the illness,3 the burdens on family caregivers,4 and the overuse of costly, ineffective therapies during advanced chronic illness,5 the use of palliative care services by physicians for their patients remains low. Physicians tend to perceive palliative care as the alternative to life-prolonging or curative care — what we do when there is nothing more that we can do — rather than as a simultaneously delivered adjunct to disease-focused treatment.6...."

Perspective: Can We Treat Cancer for a Dollar a Day? Guidelines for Low-Income Countries — NEJM

Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Innovation - and Hot Air (healthcare/e-health) - Longwoods.com

Essays

Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Innovation - and Hot Air

Neil Seeman

free full access: The anxious wait: assessing the impact of patient accessible EHRs for breast cancer patients

Conclusions

Participants generally found the portal easy to use; however, the perceived value of improved participation was not detected in the self-efficacy scores. Having access to personal health information did not increase anxiety levels. While these results suggest that the use of this PHR (personal health records) may be of benefit for informing patients, further research is required to investigate the impact on the experiences of patients, their participation in their care, their relationships with the health care team, and their health outcomes.

Volunteers Seem Willing to Share Genetic Data - MedicineNet

2010 Schultz v. Byrne, Dist. Court, D. New Mexico 2010 - legal (cyst/ovarian cancer/surgery...)

media article: When oncology becomes hope-ology

"EVERY patient with advanced cancer hopes to be the exception rather than the rule. If one explains to a patient that only 5% to 10% are expected to be alive five years from diagnosis – many will to choose on focus on the possibility of life rather than the high probability of death.

In other areas of life – for example in a business proposition – if one were to be told that there is a 5% to 10% chance of success and 90-95% chance of failure, very few would choose to participate in such a venture.

Why is it different in healthcare, and especially in patients with cancer?"...cont'd

free full access: Peer Review and Reputation Systems: A Discussion « Journal of Participatory Medicine

Subspecialisation and despecialisation in anatomical pathology -- Journal of Clinical Pathology

free full access: The Art of OncoloIy series - "Integrating Supportive and Palliative Care in the Trajectory of Cancer: Establishing Goals and Models of Care" — JCO

Quality of life in a heterogeneous sample of caregivers of cancer patients: an in-depth interview study - European Journal of Cancer Care - abstract

"This study focuses on the caregiver's perspective and advocates the development of a short QoL core questionnaire. Additional modules should be cancer-specific or dedicated to specifics of the caregiver-patient relationship."

Improved Overall Survival with 12 Cycles of Single-Agent Paclitaxel Maintenance Therapy following a Complete Response to Induction Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma

Abstract
 
Objectives:
Previously reported studies have suggested that maintenance therapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer may provide progression-free survival (PFS) benefits, although they have not discerned a similar impact on patient overall survival (OS).

Methods: We examined the long-term PFS and OS of a previous study population consecutively treated with either 3 cycles (group A; n = 13 patients) or 12 cycles (group B; n = 13) of paclitaxel (135 mg/m²; Q21 days) maintenance therapy. Eligible patients received maintenance chemotherapy following a complete response to 6 cycles of primary induction chemotherapy, comprising 6 cycles of carboplatin (AUC = 5), paclitaxel (175 mg/m²), and gemcitabine (800 mg/m²) per protocol.  

Results: There were statistically significant PFS differences between group A (12 months) and group B (24 months) (p = 0.016). Moreover, the OS in group A was 38 months and 80 months for group B (p = 0.012). Current follow-up for this patient population exceeds 58 months.  

Conclusions: In the present investigation, 12 cycles of single agent paclitaxel maintenance therapy were associated with improved patient PFS and OS benefits. Despite contradictory reports, paclitaxel-based maintenance therapy may favorably impact both PFS and OS in advanced ovarian cancer patients who obtain a complete response to primary induction chemotherapy.

BMJ Group blogs: BMJ » Blog Archive » Richard Lehman’s journal review – 6 September 2010

JAMA 1 Sep 2010 Vol 304 967

"A couple of weeks ago, the BMJ published a rather strange piece about the terrible psychological effects of chemical castration in men with prostate cancer. But although I’ll no doubt be sorry to part with that aspect of myself if I ever have to, this pales into insignificance compared with the choice that confronts women unlucky enough to have inherited mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes....cont'd

abstract: Further Thoughts on Preclinical Animal Models for Cancer Prevention: When Is It Best to Start Treatment? What Are Potential Histopathologic Endpoints?

abstract: The Use of Animal Models for Cancer Chemoprevention Drug Development

abstract: Monitoring long-term treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin: how important is intensive cardiac follow-up?

"PLD is cardiac safe for long-term treatment of metastatic solid tumors. Its maximal cumulative dose remains undefined. "

'Heated political dynamics exist . . .': examining the politics of palliative care in rural British Columbia, Canada — Palliat Med

Blogger's Note: see prior blog post on palliative care/Vancouver for more insight into the 'lived' experience on this issue

Methylation profiles of hereditary and sporadic ovarian cancer - Histopathology - abstract

Conclusions: 

 CDH13, GSTP1 and RASSF1 are frequently methylated in both sporadic and BRCA1-associated ovarian cancers. Interestingly, methylation of BRCA1, while frequent in sporadic ovarian cancer, never occurred in the hereditary group. BRCA1-associated ovarian cancers mimic their sporadic counterparts in extent and pattern of promoter methylation of several common tumour suppressor genes. This finding could have implications for future chemotherapy regimens based on epigenetic changes

OCATS conference Sept 24th, 2009 Survivors, Support People, Medical Professionals

FOR SURVIVORS, SUPPORT PEOPLE &
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Saskatchewan’s first provincial Gynecologic Cancer Conference
Co-Chairs Scott Livingstone of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Darlene Gray of OCATS


To raise funds for New Patient Care Kits for approximately three hundred Saskatchewan women per year who are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer.

registration:http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=ce9c4a0f-157e-4a42-ab49-0f19dae902e3

PRESENTING:

♦ Rosalee Longmoore, RN, President of Sask Union of Nurses – Nurses’ Role in Cancer Care Contributing to Quality of Life
♦ Dr. Vicki Holmes, Medical Director of the Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre – GP’S Role from Diagnosis to Treatment
♦ MORNING PANEL PRESENTATIONS
C Andrew Gilbertson, Pharmacist - Community Pharmacist’s Role in Family Health & Managing Medications
C Dr. Heather Fox, Naturopath – Non Traditional Methods of Diagnosis & Treatment
C Monica Milas, Counsellor & Therapist – Support for the Emotional Side Effects of Cancer & Treatments
♦ Scott Livingstone, CEO, Sask Cancer Agency – Saskatchewan’s New Gynecologic Oncology Program
♦ AFTERNOON PANEL PRESENTATIONS
C Dr. M. Salim, Medical Oncologist, Allan Blair Cancer Centre – Clinical Study Trials for New Drug Therapies
C Dr. C. Giede, Gynecologic Oncologist, SHR – Medical Options for Recurrent Cancer
C Wendy Stoeber, Genetic Counsellor, Royal University Hospital – Identifying Families with Hereditary Risk
♦ CLOSING PRESENTATION: Sandi Pniauskas, Long Term Ovarian Cancer Survivor & Canada's Leading
Ovarian Cancer "Patient" Advocate. Presentation & dialogue based on experiences as patient, survivor-research, teacher & support person.

Genomics Law Report: The Business Effects of Regulatory Uncertainty in Genetic Testing

Molecular typing of epithelial ovarian carcinomas using inflammatory markers - Ali-Fehmi - 2010 - Cancer - Wiley Online Library

Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Ovarian epithelial carcinomas have recently been classified as slow growing type I tumors and rapidly growing highly aggressive type II tumors. The present study sought to molecularly characterize type I and II tumors using known molecular markers.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present study demonstrates that the new proposed histologic classification of ovarian epithelial carcinomas correlates with a distinct expression of inflammatory pathway proteins. High expression of these markers may explain the different biologic behavior of these 2 tumor types and provide targets for therapy.

Medical News:video (Dr Coleman) Similar Survival with Two Ovarian Cancer Strategies - in Oncology/Hematology, Ovarian Cancer from MedPage Today

"Patients with bulky, advanced ovarian cancer survived just as long whether treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery or with primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, investigators in a multinational trial reported."

"Subgroup analysis failed to identify any patient or tumor characteristics associated with better outcomes with one treatment strategy or the other. In both treatment groups, the success of cytoreductive surgery was the strongest predictor of survival."

Action Points

* Explain to interested patients that according to a recent randomized study, patients with bulky, advanced ovarian cancer survived just as long whether treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery or with primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy


* Explain that both treatment strategies led to a median overall survival of about 30 months and median progression-free survival of 12 months.


Original Article
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy or Primary Surgery in Stage IIIC or IV Ovarian Cancer - NEJM

Journal of Gynecologic Surgery: Splenectomy in Cytoreductive Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer and Subsequent Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the ability of patients with advanced ovarian cancer to tolerate intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy after having undergone optimal cytoreductive surgery (OCRS) requiring splenectomy.
Conclusions: Patients who undergo splenectomy at the time of OCRS are just as able as those who do not have a splenectomy to complete a full course of IP chemotherapy. The median PFS is comparable in the two groups.

Novel BRCA1/2 mutations in Serbian breast and breast–ovarian cancer patients with hereditary predisposition

"Two novel mutations (c.4765_4784del in BRCA1 exon 15 and c.4367_4368dupTT in BRCA2 exon 11) were detected, in three probands from two different families. These mutations have not been reported previously in the BIC or LOVD databases."

Twitter Doctors

Social media pose ethical unknowns for doctors :: Sept. 6, 2010 ... American Medical News

Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance - Event September 15th

Oncolytics Biotech(R) Inc. Announces Randomized Phase II Ovarian Cancer Study to be Conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group and Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute

Press Release: Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced today that the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) intends to conduct a randomized Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel versus weekly paclitaxel with REOLYSIN(R) in patients with persistent or recurrent, ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (GOG186H). The study has been approved and will be sponsored by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, under its Clinical Trials Agreement with Oncolytics. Oncolytics will provide clinical supplies of REOLYSIN for this study.......Information on the study will be available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Owareness - A Rally for Ovarian Cancer - Las Vegas Sept 25th

Join us on Saturday, September 25 as we Rally for “O”wareness to raise awareness about ovarian cancer in our community. Hosted by the Women’s Cancer Center Foundation for Research - Las Vegas.

PharmaLive: OvPlexT launched in Asia

American Society for Radiation Oncology- San Diego - apply for the Survivor Circle Award - deadline Sept 10th

Survivor Circle Award

To honor cancer survivors in the cities where the Society holds its Annual Meetings, ASTRO established the Survivor Circle Award. This award recognizes local cancer survivors who give back to the community. The winner receives a cash prize of $1,000 to keep or to donate to a support organization. Anyone looking to be considered must submit the completed application along with a current photo of themselves. Award applicant must live within the local area of the city ASTRO is visiting. Award applicant must be a cancer survivor (a person living with the diagnosis of cancer) who has received or is receiving radiation therapy. Award applicant goes above and beyond to give back to members of the community – such as volunteering for support/advocacy groups, tutoring students, helping disabled persons or driving people to doctors’ appointments. No age limit to apply. If applicant is under 18, parents will be required to sign a waiver. Award applicant must be able to attend the award ceremony during the ASTRO Annual Meeting. The deadline for the Survivor Circle Award has been extended to September 10, 2010. Contact Beth Bukata if you have any questions. View the application.

NIH announces five Botanical Research Centers, August 31, 2010 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Preventive Surgeries Linked To Lower Risk Of Breast And Ovarian Cancer - BRCA mutations/international study

news article:



free full text/paper:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/304/9/967

"Women who have in herited mutations inthe BRCA1 or BRCA2(BRCA1/2) genes have substantially elevated risks of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, with a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 56% to 84%.^1-3 The estimated ovarian cancer risks range from 36% to 63% for BRCA1 mutation carriers and 10% to 27% for BRCA2 mutation carriers.^3-6 Women who are mutation carriers have cancer risk–management options that include risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, risk-reducing mastectomy, annual cancer screening, and chemoprevention. Due to the lack of effective screening for ovarian cancer, salpingo-oophorectomy is strongly recommended once childbearing is complete."

EvidenceUpdates: Review: American society of clinical oncology clinical practice guideline: update on adjuvant endocrine therapy for women with hormone recep

CONCLUSION The Update Committee recommends that postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer consider incorporating AI therapy at some point during adjuvant treatment, either as up-front therapy or as sequential treatment after tamoxifen. The optimal timing and duration of endocrine treatment remain unresolved. The Update Committee supports careful consideration of adverse effect profiles and patient preferences in deciding whether and when to incorporate AI therapy.

CME -- the Oncologist: Bevacizumab (Avastin): Concise Drug Review

Take this course

(Note: may require a subscription)

Cancer: Cowden Syndrome: Cancer Center: UI Health Topics (thyroid, breast, ovarian....)

"The breast and thyroid are the two most common sites for cancer development. "

"Cancers of the colon, skin, kidney, small bowel, stomach, ovary, and lung have been reported in individuals diagnosed with Cowden syndrome, but a true association between CS and the risk for cancer has not been proven. Because these risks are not clearly known, surveillance is an important part of your health care program."

Hyperthyroidism / (Graves Disease) Increases Ovarian Cancer Risk - Thyroid Disease

Thyroid cancer: Risk factors - MayoClinic.com

Note: familial adenomatous polyposis is also known as FAP and is one of the colorectal cancer genetic syndromes; multiple endocrine neoplasia is also known as MEN1/2

"Certain inherited genetic syndromes. Genetic syndromes that increase the risk of thyroid cancer include familial medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia and familial adenomatous polyposis."

Patient advocate Peg Ford meets with Congresswoman Susan Davis | Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

Sword of damocles cutting through the life stages of women with ovarian cancer.

Conclusions:
Age and development stage are key determinants of the needs and concerns of women with ovarian cancer.Interpretation: Age and development stage should be considered when developing an individualized plan of care. Because recurrence is common among this population, the fear of death exists regardless of age and should be explored by nurses, particularly during periods of remission.

abstract: Predictors of self-reported memory problems in patients with ovarian cancer who have received chemotherapy

Note: 'chemobrain'

Purpose/Objectives: To examine the association between self-report of memory problems and the most commonly reported concurrent symptoms by women with ovarian cancer who have received chemotherapy.
Findings: Nine symptoms accounted for 37% of the variance of memory problems (controlling for time since chemotherapy and education level). Significant predictors of memory problems included fatigue, mood swings, numbness or tingling, and sleep disturbance. Mean scores for self-reported memory problems were significantly different for participants who received chemotherapy compared to those who had not....cont'd

September/October 2010 issue of CONVERSATIONS

Note: clicking on the title above will automatically generate the pdf file

CMAJ:Ontario doctors to get break in liability fees + other news

"Average charges for doctors in Quebec will rise 11.1% to $4332, while charges for doctors in the rest of Canada will rise 11% to $2670."

"The CMPA’s annual report indicates that of 891 civil legal actions commenced in 2009, 101 went to trial but only 19 of those saw an outcome favouring a plaintiff. Some 319 actions were settled, while 522 were dismissed, discontinued or abandoned."

“Last year as a nation, we spent $183 billion on our health care. And what did that get us? It got us ranked second-lowest among advanced countries in terms of value for money in health care.”

announcing: Tipper

conference: Clinical Dilemmas in Management of Breast and Ovarian Cancers in BRCA carriers Tel Aviv, Israel

Date and Location

18-19 November 2010

Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel & Towers
115 Hayarkon Street
Tel Aviv, Israel 635736

September 24th: Gynecologic Cancer Conference: Strategies for Survival - Conference Information | Online Registration by Cvent

2009 free full access; Thyroid Revised American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Canc

ABSTRACT		ChooseTop of pageABSTRACT <<[A1] Thyroid Nodule Guide...[B1] Differentiated Thyro...[C1] DTC: Long-Term Manag...[D1] What are Directions ...AcknowledgmentsDisclaimerDisclosure StatementReferencesCITING ARTICLES

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiated thyroid cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since the publication of the American Thyroid Association's guidelines for the management of these disorders was published in 2006, a large amount of new information has become available, prompting a revision of the guidelines.

Methods: Relevant articles through December 2008 were reviewed by the task force and categorized by topic and level of evidence according to a modified schema used by the United States Preventative Services Task Force.
Results: The revised guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules include recommendations regarding initial evaluation, clinical and ultrasound criteria for fine-needle aspiration biopsy, interpretation of fine-needle aspiration biopsy results, and management of benign thyroid nodules. Recommendations regarding the initial management of thyroid cancer include those relating to optimal surgical management, radioiodine remnant ablation, and suppression therapy using levothyroxine. Recommendations related to long-term management of differentiated thyroid cancer include those related to surveillance for recurrent disease using ultrasound and serum thyroglobulin as well as those related to management of recurrent and metastatic disease.

Conclusions: We created evidence-based recommendations in response to our appointment as an independent task force by the American Thyroid Association to assist in the clinical management of patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. They represent, in our opinion, contemporary optimal care for patients with these disorders.

Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem. Epidemiologic studies have shown the prevalence of palpable thyroid nodules to be approximately 5% in women and 1% in men living in iodine-sufficient parts of the world (1,2). In contrast, high-resolution ultrasound (US) can detect thyroid nodules in 19–67% of randomly selected individuals with higher frequencies in women and the elderly (3). The clinical importance of thyroid nodules rests with the need to exclude thyroid cancer which occurs in 5–15% depending on age, sex, radiation exposure history, family history, and other factors (4,5)....cont'd

Abstract (2006) Ovarian carcinoma with thyroid metastases causing clinical hypothyroidism

Background 

Ovarian cancer is known to metastasize to the thyroid gland.

Neuroendocrine-Type Prostatic Adenocarcinoma With Microsatellite Instability in a Patient With Lynch Syndrome

Abstract

Lynch syndrome is an autosomal-dominant cancer syndrome that can be identified with microsatellite instability molecular tests or immunohistochemical stains on pathologic material from patients who meet the Amsterdam Criteria II.
The development of prostatic carcinoma in situ or invasive small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the prostate has not been previously reported in a patient with this syndrome. In this report, an 87-year-old White man with the Lynch syndrome had a prostate biopsy that revealed a mixed high-grade conventional adenocarcinoma and SCC of the prostate with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia of the small cell neuroendocrine-type (HGPIN-NE), all showing MSH2 microsatellite instability and loss of MSH2 expression, a finding not previously published. These findings suggest that HGPIN-NE is a precursor of invasive SCC and also that prostatic SCC can develop in a patient with the Lynch syndrome.

newsletter: Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada (OCAN) - Home

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2000 to help women and their families and to advocate for early detection.

After her diagnosis of Stage IIIc Ovarian Cancer, Crispin Morrison founded OCAN to help raise awareness and educate women and medical professionals about the symptoms of  the ‘Whispering Killer’.

Crispin Morrison  died Friday, May 23, 2003, at age 41,  four years after her cancer diagnosis.

Older Adults and Social Media - Pew Research Center

Physical activity in women with ovarian cancer and its association with decreased distress and improved quality of life (abstract)

Blogger's Note: yet another study eg. same subject, same conclusions

Return-to-work interventions integrated into cancer care: a systematic review - Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Objectives The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the content of interventions focusing on return to work, employment status, or work retention in patients with cancer. Furthermore, the effect of the interventions on return to work was assessed in studies reporting return to work.
Conclusions Only few interventions are primarily aimed at enhancing return to work in patients with cancer and most do not fit the shared care model involving integrated cancer care. Future studies should be developed with well-structured work-directed components that should be evaluated in randomised controlled trials.

Seth's Blog: The blizzard of noise (and the good news)

Seth's Blog:
"As the amount of inputs go up, as the number of people and ideas that clamor for attention continue to increase, we do what people always do: we rely on the familiar, the trusted and the personal.

The experience I have with you as a customer or a friend is far more important than a few random bits flying by on the screen. The incredible surplus of digital data means that human actions, generosity and sacrifice are more important than they ever were before."

What makes a good doctor? The Lancet

Blogger's Note: the discussion regarding education/system/research/focus would be an appropriate concern for all those involved with direct patient care and not exclusive to doctors

website: European Action Against Rare Cancers

Who’s who in the world of personalised cancer treatments? - Cancer World (plain language)

Note: discusses biomarkers, testing, clinical trials, mutations etc (plain language)

Specialism: political oncology - - Cancer World - Europe

Our best and worst moments occur within social relationships, research shows

New Whitehead Fellow on the Hunt for Rare Genetic Mutations

New Whitehead Fellow on the Hunt for Rare Genetic Mutations

"As Whitehead Institute’s newest Fellow, Yaniv Erlich comes to Cambridge in search of needles in very large haystacks.In Erlich’s case, the needles are rare genetic variants or mutations occurring in individual human genomes. His quest is born of the growing realization that large-scale genome sequencing projects—genome-wide association studies (GWAS)—are failing to pinpoint genetic causes of common diseases. Indeed, mounting evidence suggests that the common genetic mutations that GWASs have surfaced reveal little about disease manifestation and inheritance risk.
It now appears that rare variants are behind many diseases, prompting the development of the so-called common disease-rare variant hypothesis...."cont'd

Physician's Focus: Bad News—How to Deliver It Well - - ModernMedicine

To help sharpen physician communication skills, ModernMedicine presents expert advice on breaking bad news to patients, along with related insightful content. Patients with a poorer prognosis recall less than other patients, regardless of age, and the more information the physician gives a patient, the less they recall. This can create situations where patients don’t absorb important information, such as about treatment and follow-up, and may be unable to pass it on to family members or caregivers.
How to communicate bad news to patients
How to deliver bad news to patients in such a way that it won't be all they remember and to ensure they understand the diagnosis and treatment plan.
How to communicate risk to patients
Counseling patients on risks needs to be more than just obtaining informed consent. Every patient deserves to hear the potential positive and negative outcomes of a procedure or treatment using language and data that can be easily understood.
BLOG: Breaking bad news
A physician’s eyes and face reveal the truth as soon as they step into a patient’s room.
CME Activity: Preventing medical errors for clinical health professionals
Communication factors contributing to error include failure to understand, cultural and language difficulties, conflicting information, and delayed exchange of information.

4th National Conference on Genomics and Public Health (free)

4th National Conference on Genomics and Public Health:
Using Genomic Information to Improve Health Now and in the Future

December 8-10, 2010 ~ Bethesda, Maryland

The 4th National Conference on Genomics and Public Health: Using Genomic Information to Improve Health Now and in the Future is a three-day event that will highlight best practices in public health genomics today while preparing for the future. Thanks to our generous sponsors, registration is complimentary for all attendees.
The agenda will feature keynote presentations by leaders in the fields of genomics and public health, interactive plenary and break-out sessions, and scientific poster exhibits on genomics research and public health practice. Networking events are also planned for the evenings.
We welcome all who are interested to join us for this educational and networking conference.
The goals of this event are to bring together multi-disciplinary professionals from national, state and global organizations to:

• Learn more about the use of genetics and genomics for improving public health interventions to prevent and control chronic, pediatric, infectious, environmental, and occupational diseases, and provide quality genetic services across the lifespan
• Understand the landscape of genomic applications as they are being used now and best practices to follow
• Learn about new scientific technologies and methods that can be implemented now or in the near future
• Understand the implications of the globalization of public health and genomics
• Determine the best steps to take in forging the direction of our work in the next five to 10 years

Please note that abstract submissions will be accepted beginning August 1 through August 31, 2010.
Click here for more information.

Avoiding Drug Interactions

On this page:

• Drugs with Food and Beverages
• Drugs with Dietary Supplements
• Drugs with Other Drugs
• Tips to Avoid Problems

Cancer support group Gilda's Club to close - JSOnline

Longer HRT Duration Tied to Lower Colon Cancer Risk

"It is possible that widespread use of HRT is partially responsible for the reductions that we have observed in distal large bowel cancer incidence over time," the authors write.

Practical Ethics: Religion makes a difference to end-of-life decisions

Gynecological Oncology Congress - Call for Abstracts Biennial Meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS)

 

IGCS

caBIG® - conference notice Sept 13-15 Washington, DC

The 2010 Annual Meeting, Building a Collaborative Biomedical Network, will be held September 13-15, 2010, at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. The caBIG® Annual Meeting is for you and your colleagues to see how caBIG® tools will enhance your research, to learn how your peers are achieving productivity gains, and to voice your opinions on what you need in the future from caBIG® tools and technologies. Join other researchers, clinicians, and informaticians for this once yearly event!
The meeting is free to attend and open to the public.

Expanding the Criteria for BRCA Mutation Testing in Breast Cancer Survivors — JCO abstract (joint Canada/U.S. paper)

Purpose Every year approximately 25% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50 years of age, and almost 10% of them have a BRCA mutation. Not all potential carriers are identified by existing criteria for BRCA testing. We estimated the costs and benefits of different BRCA testing criteria for women with breast cancer younger than 50 years.

Conclusion Testing women with TN breast cancers who were younger than 50 years for BRCA mutations is a cost-effective strategy and should be adopted into current guidelines for genetic testing.