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Monday, July 25, 2016

Categorization of Cancer Survivors: Why We Need It



open access

 Cancer changes people’s lives, from the time of diagnosis through and beyond treatment.
 

Management of Chronic Pain in Survivors of Adult Cancers: ASCO



open access

 INTRODUCTION

As a result of extraordinary advancements in diagnosis and treatment, approximately 14 million individuals with a history of cancer (excluding nonmelanomatous skin cancers) are living in the United States.1 Two thirds of these individuals are surviving ≥ 5 years after diagnosis.2 Unfortunately, these impressive outcomes in survival often come with physical, psychosocial, and financial burdens as a result of the tumor, exposure to cancer treatment, or other medical comorbidities. Chronic pain can be a serious, negative consequence of surviving cancer. Although estimates vary, the prevalence of pain in cancer survivors has been reported to be as high as 40%.3-5 Predictors include the type and invasiveness of the tumor, the treatment regimen used, the time since cancer treatment, and the efficacy of initial pain therapy. Significant pain is associated with impaired quality of life in this population.6

Many guidelines and recommendations have been advanced to support the management of cancer pain, yet the focus of these documents has been primarily on relieving acute pain or pain associated with advanced disease.7,8 Few evidence-based cancer pain guidelines address the more nuanced care required when pain persists for months or years. This situation is in part caused by the relative absence of studies exploring the experiences of chronic pain in cancer survivors, or the long-term safety and effectiveness of analgesic interventions.....

2016 conference program: Molecular Analysis for Personalised Therapy | Oncology



MAP 2016

2016 PROGRAMME & CONFIRMED SPEAKERS




http://www.esmo.org/var/esmo/storage/images/media/images/conferences/2016/map-2016/map-2016-banner/1464329-1-eng-GB/MAP-2016-banner.jpg

Consensus on precision medicine for metastatic cancers: a report from the MAP conference ((Molecular Analyses for Personalized medicine)



open access

 Table 1.

 conclusion

The conclusion of this first consensus conference (2015) was that new technologies have convincing analytical validity and the use of small panels of biomarkers is required for optimal cancer care. Nevertheless, there is not yet sufficient evidence that using large gene panels improves patient outcome. Randomized trials are currently addressing this question. The next MAP consensus conference will be held in London, during 23–24 September 2016. Among many items, this new consensus will discuss which genomic alterations should be screened in patients with colon, prostate cancer and sarcoma, together with precision medicine for immunotherapeutics and models of implementation. Regarding this latter point, speakers will debate about whether one universal panel of genes should be implemented across diseases, or whether each disease should have its own panel.

BREAKING NEWS: Physician Coalition Petition Forces OMA to Cancel PSA Voting Referendum



BREAKING NEWS (FB)
 July 25, 2016

BREAKING NEWS: Physician Coalition Petition Forces OMA to Cancel PSA Voting Referendum
Toronto, ON (July 25, 2016) - Against significant odds, almost 3,000 family doctors and specialists have signed a petition in a little over two days under section 15.2 of the OMA’s own by-law to oppose the OMA’s effort to rapidly push through an approval of its recently announced proposed PSA that raised multiple concerns among a wide range of Ontario doctors. The OMA conceded to the Coalition of Ontario Doctors’ legal team late Sunday night that at least 5% of the medical community had requested a general member meeting that required the OMA Board to respond. As a result, all OMA Council activities are suspended until such time as a meeting is held. The member referendum and the Council vote will be delayed until physicians have had a chance to discuss the proposed PSA, debate the pros and cons, and have their questions answered.
The Coalition, a group of OMA Sections and physician organizations, representing Family Physicians and Specialists, feel that the OMA’s surprise negotiation process failed to comply with its own commitment to securing binding arbitration (BA) as a necessary requirement to initiating negotiations with the Liberal government. In addition to its failure to comply with the need for a fair BA process for Ontario doctors and their patients, the PSA was widely seen as being flawed, ambiguous, and the basis for further cuts to health care and under funding to appropriately meet patient care needs.
Today, a judge will be hearing an application for an injunction filed by Drs. Jacobs and Prieditis on behalf of the Coalition, to seek legal remedy and to enforce where necessary such activities and efforts to ensure that both sides of the PSA proposal can be addressed in a fair and transparent manner not previously afforded by the OMA’s process.
Coalition of Ontario Doctors
  • Concerned Ontario Doctors (Family Physicians and Specialists)
  • DoctorsOntario (Family Physicians and Specialists)
  • OMA Section on Cardiology
  • OMA Section on Cardio-Vascular Surgery
  • OMA Section on Diagnostic Imaging
  • OMA Section on Emergency Medicine
  • OMA Section on Nephrology
  • OMA Section on Neuroradiology
  • OMA Section on Nuclear Medicine
  • OMA Section on Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
  • Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
  • Ontario Association of Cardiologists
  • Emergency Physicians of Ontario
  • Ontario Association of Radiologists
  • Ontario Association of Nephrologists

G-I-N Conference Sept 2016 — Guidelines International Network



G-I-N Conference 2016 

 Registration


Important Dates 
 
Deadline Online Registration
21 September 2016
G-I-N 2016 Conference
27-30 September 2016

open access: Endometriosis: where are we and where are we going?



Endometriosis: where are we and where are we going?

Abstract

Endometriosis currently affects ~5.5 million reproductive-aged women in the U.S. with symptoms such as painful periods (dysmenorrhea), chronic pelvic pain, pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), and infertility. It is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and is found predominately attached to sites within the peritoneal cavity. Diagnosis for endometriosis is solely made through surgery as no consistent biomarkers for disease diagnosis exist. There is no cure for endometriosis and treatments only target symptoms and not the underlying mechanism(s) of disease. The nature of individual predisposing factors or inherent defects in the endometrium, immune system, and/or peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis remains unclear. The literature over the last 5 years (2010–2015) has advanced our critical knowledge related to hormones, hormone receptors, immune dysregulation, hormonal treatments, and the transformation of endometriosis to ovarian cancer. In this review, we cover the aforementioned topics with the goal of providing the reader an overview and related references for further study to highlight the progress made in endometriosis research, while concluding with critical areas of endometriosis research that are urgently needed. 


  Future research will clarify the likely complex interaction among genetic alterations, estrogen exposure, inflammatory cytokines, and the immunologic microenvironment in the transformation of endometriosis to endometrioid and clear cell ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers. Treatment of these cancers will hopefully improve with the use of targeted and immunologic therapies that address the underlying causes of malignant transformation.

Communicating Findings of Delayed Diagnostic Evaluations (Cancer)



medscape

 Conclusion: Strategies to communicate to PCPs information on delayed follow-up of findings suspicious for cancer were useful, but not fail-safe. Additional back-up strategies, such as using case coordinators, might be needed.

Genomics of Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)—NCI updated July 21, 2016



Health Professional Version
 

The effect of referral for genetic counseling on genetic testing and surgical prevention in women at high risk for ovarian cancer



abstract:
The effect of referral for genetic counseling on genetic testing and surgical prevention in women at high risk for ovarian cancer: Results from a randomized controlled trial
 

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend genetic counseling and testing for women who have a pedigree suggestive of an inherited susceptibility for ovarian cancer. The authors evaluated the effect of referral to genetic counseling on genetic testing and prophylactic oophorectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Data from an electronic mammography reporting system identified 12,919 women with a pedigree that included breast cancer, of whom 625 were identified who had a high risk for inherited susceptibility to ovarian cancer using a risk-assessment questionnaire. Of these, 458 women provided informed consent and were randomized 1:1 to intervention consisting of a genetic counseling referral (n = 228) or standard clinical care (n = 230).

RESULTS

Participants were predominantly aged 45 to 65 years, and 30% and 20% reported a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of ovarian cancer, respectively. Eighty-five percent of women in the intervention group participated in a genetic counseling session. Genetic testing was reported by 74 (33%) and 20 (9%) women in the intervention and control arms (P < .005), respectively. Five women in the intervention arm and 2 in the control arm were identified as germline mutation carriers. Ten women in the intervention arm and 3 in the control arm underwent prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine referral of women at high risk for ovarian cancer to genetic counseling promotes genetic testing and prophylactic surgery. The findings from the current randomized controlled trial demonstrate the value of implementing strategies that target women at high risk for ovarian cancer to ensure they are offered access to recommended care.

Booze balderdash: alcohol, cancer and another nonexistent study



HealthNewsReview.org


...To clarify: There’s no news here. No study. No reason for anyone to think alcohol is any more dangerous today than we thought it was yesterday.
What we have is a scientist making an argument that, based on existing observational studies, there’s enough evidence to conclude that alcohol causes specific types of cancer.
It’s an interesting argument. And you are entitled to agree with that opinion or disagree with it. But you are not entitled to label the opinion a “study” or a “meta-analysis” and cite it as new proof that alcohol causes cancer....

Mayo release touts estrogen patch for reducing Alzheimer’s.... study looked only at a risk marker




......The study was carefully done, and the news release offers some useful details about the study’s methods. However, the study included just 68 women, too few to make the patterns found reliable. To its credit, the release quotes the lead author about the need for larger replications. But that begs the question of why the Mayo Clinic seeks to publicize this work at all, particularly with a news release headline that emphasizes disease reduction potential, when the study only looked at amyloid levels, a risk marker.........

HealthNewsReview.org

(free) ESGO Academy: access to Gynaecologic Cancer Collections



Gain your free access to exclusive Gynaecologic Cancer Collections


Textbook of Gynaecological Oncology Now open for Free Access on ESGO eAcademy
13 Sections – 190 Chapters – 370 Contributing Authors from 34 countries
190 Chapters of the 2nd edition Gynaecological Oncology Textbook, written by the best specialists in the field, are now available on ESGO eAcademy, the official knowledge portal of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO).
This unique, comprehensive and practical book provides an update of the clinical gynaecological oncology literature, including: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and imaging specialties as well as reviews of multinational trials.
View the 13 Textbook Sections below with free access: 

Ontario to stop paying for high-dose opioids (including scathing public remarks)



The Globe and Mail

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Mixed Endometrioid and Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Endometrium: A Plethora of Issues for the Diagnostic Pathologist



abstract
 Mixed Endometrioid and Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Endometrium: A Plethora of Issues for the Diagnostic Pathologist

A case of mixed endometrioid and clear cell (CCC) endometrial carcinoma with ovarian and peritoneal metastasis of the CCC component is presented. This raised several diagnostic issues, beginning with the morphological recognition of CCC. It is increasingly recognized that CCC is a rare subtype in the endometrium, raising questions regarding its clinical connotations. Traditionally regarded as a type 2 aggressive histotype, there are current efforts to assess its true incidence and place within the clinical and molecular spectrum of endometrial carcinomas. Both mixed carcinomas and CCC fall into the category of tumors currently acknowledged to show “ambiguous” morphology, that is, those in which morphology does not reliably indicate clinical behavior. As the 4 major molecular subgroups of endometrial carcinoma, as revealed by The Cancer Genome Atlas, become better characterized, there are indications that these ambiguous tumors may fall into those groups with a high mutation rate: “ultramutated” (harbouring mutations in polymerase epsilon, POLE) or “hypermutated” (characterised by microsatellite instability, MSI). Testing such or all tumors for mismatch repair gene proteins remains variable with no universally accepted guidance. Aside from screening for Lynch syndrome, this testing also indicates the neoplasm as belonging to the MSI subgroup and may have predictive value for immunotherapy. Finally, there are recent insights into synchronous endometrial and ovarian carcinoma; although traditionally considered to be independent primary carcinomas, these are clonally related as demonstrated by 2 independent recent studies, that is, representing an indolent form of metastasis.

2016 June: Gynecologic Pathology, An Issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics, - Blaise Clarke, Glenn McCluggage - Google Books



Google Books

 

2014/2016 articles (2) Choi et al: Estimating successive cancer risks in Lynch Syndrome families using a progressive three-state model



Estimating successive cancer risks in Lynch Syndrome families using a progressive three-state model (PDF Download Available)

 
Note: Choi 2014 available open access (above)

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Estimating successive cancer risks in Lynch Syndrome families ... - NCBI

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23946183
by YH Choi - ‎2014 - ‎Cited by 2 - ‎Related articles
Stat Med. 2014 Feb 20;33(4):618-38. doi: 10.1002/sim.5938. Epub 2013 Aug 15. Estimating successive cancer risks in Lynch Syndrome families using a ...
Note: Choi 2016 available in abstract only:

Modeling of successive cancer risks in Lynch syndrome ... - NCBI

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27378229
by YH Choi - ‎2016
Biometrics. 2016 Jul 5. doi: 10.1111/biom.12561. [Epub ahead of print]. Modeling of successive cancer risks in Lynch syndrome families in the presence of ...

Scientists in race to test CRISPR gene-editing technique on cancer



media

Muir-Torre Syndrome and founder MMR repair gene mutations: A long gone historical genetic challenge



Muir-Torre Syndrome and founder mismatch repair gene mutations: A long gone historical genetic challenge

A "cancer predisposing syndrome" later labeled as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch Syndrome, was firstly described by Warthin, about one century ago. An increased predisposition to the development of multiple familial tumors is described as characteristic of this syndrome where visceral and cutaneous malignancies may appear at an early age namely endometrial, gastric, small bowel, ureteral and renal pelvis, ovarian, hepatobiliary tract, pancreatic, brain (Turcot Syndrome) and sebaceous glands (Muir-Torre Syndrome). The latter, a variant of Lynch Syndrome, is characterized by the presence of sebaceous skin adenomas, carcinomas and/or keratoacanthomas associated with visceral malignancies. Both Lynch Syndrome and Muir-Torre Syndrome have been recognized due to germline mutations in mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6. To date, 56 Lynch Syndrome founder mutations dependent on MLH1, MSH2 and, although less frequently found, MSH6 and PMS2 are described. Some of these founder mutations, principally of MSH2 gene, have been described to cause Muir-Torre phenotype and have been traced in large and outbreed Muir-Torre Syndrome families living in different US and European territories. Due to the evidences of highly specific Muir-Torre phenotypes related to the presence of widespread MSH2 founder mutations, preliminary search for these MSH2 common mutations in individuals carrying sebaceous tumors and/or keratoacanthomas, at early age or in association to visceral and familial tumors, permits cost-effective and time-saving diagnostic strategies for Lynch/Muir-Torre Syndromes. 

Ovarian cancer treatment in mutation carriers/BRCAness



abstract

 Epithelial ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. During the last 15 years, there has been only marginal improvement in 5-year overall survival. These daunting statistics are compounded by the fact that despite all subtypes exhibiting striking heterogeneity, their systemic management remains identical. Retrospective studies have shown an improved prognosis, higher response rates to platinum-containing regimens, and longer treatment-free intervals between relapses in patients with BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 (BRCA1/2)-mutated ovarian cancer (BMOC) compared with patients who are not carriers of this mutation. These features of BMOC are attributed to homologous-recombination repair deficiency in the absence of BRCA1/2 function, which results in an impaired ability of tumor cells to repair platinum-induced double-strand breaks, thereby conferring increased chemosensitivity and increased sensitivity to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enzyme inhibition and other DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents such as pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD). Therefore, the chemotherapeutic approach for patients with BMOC should focus on treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy at first-line and recurrent-disease settings and measures to increase the platinum-free interval following early platinum-resistant relapse by using non-platinum cytotoxic agents, with the aim of reintroducing platinum again at a later date. The role of first-line intraperitoneal platinum-based therapy in the specific context of BMOC also merits further analysis. Other than platinum, alternative DNA-damaging agents (including PLD and trabectedin) also may have a therapeutic role in patients with recurrent BMOC. The approval of olaparib for clinical use in Europe and the United States will also affect chemotherapeutic strategies for these patients. Further work to clarify the precise relationship between BRCA1/2 mutation genotype and clinical phenotype is crucial to delineating the optimal therapeutic choices in the future for patients with BMOC.

Dealing with premature menopause in women at high-risk for hereditary genital and breast cancer



abstract

 Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is the mainstay of ovarian cancer prevention in BRCA mutation carriers. However, premature menopause exerts many short and long-term consequences on the individual health that are preventable with a tailored approach. Even though our level of knowledge on BRCA1 and -2 mutation carriers is still in its infancy, the basic principles governing the management of menopausal symptomatology and the prevention of diseases should be applied, including the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), approximately until the age of 50. Indeed, short-term HRT significantly ameliorate quality of life and symptoms associated to vulvo-vaginal atrophy, without displaying an adverse effect on oncologic outcomes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers without a personal history of breast cancer. Premature menopause affects significantly also bone health, cardiovascular parameters and cognition. A standard of care is required in order to identify those women at higher risk of developing chronic conditions at midlife and beyond. Appropriate counseling on both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments is an essential part of a shared decision on the most effective management of women at high-risk for hereditary genital and breast cancer.

Risk of extracolonic cancers for people with biallelic and monoallelic mutations in MUTYH



abstract

 Germline mutations in the DNA base excision repair gene MUTYH are known to increase a carrier's risk of colorectal cancer. However, the risks of other (extracolonic) cancers for MUTYH mutation carriers are not well defined. We identified 266 probands (91% Caucasians) with a MUTYH mutation (41 biallelic and 225 monoallelic) from the Colon Cancer Family Registry. Mutation status, sex, age and histories of cancer from their 1,903 first- and 3,255 second-degree relatives were analyzed using modified segregation analysis conditioned on the ascertainment criteria. Compared with incidences for the general population, hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for biallelic MUTYH mutation carriers were: urinary bladder cancer 19 (3.7–97) and ovarian cancer 17 (2.4–115). The HRs (95% CI) for monoallelic MUTYH mutation carriers were: gastric cancer 9.3 (6.7–13); hepatobiliary cancer 4.5 (2.7–7.5); endometrial cancer 2.1 (1.1–3.9) and breast cancer 1.4 (1.0–2.0). There was no evidence for an increased risk of cancers at the other sites examined (brain, pancreas, kidney or prostate). Based on the USA population incidences, the estimated cumulative risks (95% CI) to age 70 years for biallelic mutation carriers were: bladder cancer 25% (5–77%) for males and 8% (2–33%) for females and ovarian cancer 14% (2–65%). The cumulative risks (95% CI) for monoallelic mutation carriers were: gastric cancer 5% (4–7%) for males and 2.3% (1.7–3.3%) for females; hepatobiliary cancer 3% (2–5%) for males and 1.4% (0.8–2.3%) for females; endometrial cancer 3% (2%–6%) and breast cancer 11% (8–16%). These unbiased estimates of both relative and absolute risks of extracolonic cancers for people, mostly Caucasians, with MUTYH mutations will be important for their clinical management.

Correspondence: Overestimating the role of environment in cancers



abstract

In a recent article, Wu et al. (Nature 2016;529:43-47) review previous studies and present new estimates for the contribution of extrinsic factors to cancer development. The new estimates are generally close to 100%, even for bone and brain cancers that have no known associations with lifestyle and are typically not considered to be preventable. We find that the results of Wu and colleagues are incompatible with previous estimates derived from epidemiological and genetic data. We further argue that their methods are fundamentally flawed because they overlook important effects of tissue type on cancer risk. We therefore conclude that their results give a misleading view of cancer etiology and preventability.

Hereditary non-BRCA gynecological tumors (numerous syndromes)



abstract

Early diagnosis and proper management of gynecologic malignancies represent a challenge in modern oncology. A growing interest has arisen around the gynecological manifestations of hereditary cancer syndromes. In particular, the discovery of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in ovarian cancer and the mismatch repair genes (MMR) in endometrial carcinoma has revolutionized our approach to the diagnosis and screening of women for ovarian and uterine cancers. The clinical, genetic and pathological features of hereditary cancer syndromes with gynecological manifestations are reviewed focusing on Lynch Syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC), Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS), Cowden Syndrome or multiple hamartoma syndrome, Gorlin Syndrome or nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) and Reed’s Syndrome or hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC).

Review: Tumour progression and metastasis (inflammation, tumor latency...)



open access

Abstract

Introduction

Components of the pre-metastastic niche

Types of cells

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAM)

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)

Pericytes

The composition of an inflammatory environment

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Transcriptional regulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Signalling pathways that activate the epithelial transition

The metalloproteinases

The metalloproteinases and the progression of cancer

Angiogenesis

Tumour latency and progression

Stroma and growth of the tumour cells: pre-clinical studies

Conclusion

Cancer is not only the transformation of individual cells into a state of cellular proliferation, but a disruption of the forms in which the tissues regulate their processes and affect the systemic interactions with the affected organism. Currently, the fundamental treatments against cancer continue to be surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, which usually destroys the primary tumour, but whose action is very limited against metastasis. This is why it is necessary to continue investigating to find new prognostic markers and new therapeutic targets for metastasis before it occurs, as the early detection of these markers could determine which cases require treatment and avoid it in those patients without a risk of metastasis. Thus, for example, the monitoring of growth factors and cytokines in the blood which may induce the formation of the premetastatic niche would be fundamental. At the same time, determining the blood levels of components of the metastatic niche such as the VEGFR1 protein circulating or interfering with the formation of inflammatory components such as type CD11b myeloid cells is indispensable for this purpose.
Genetic, cellular biology, and molecular studies, as well as those of the internal and external environmental contexts, indicate that tumour growth is not only determined by its cells, but also by the tumour microenvironment and the entire context in which the organism functions. In this way, the progression of cancer is the result of a very complex relationship between the different malignant and non-malignant cell types, components of the stroma, and the entire body of the organism.
Due to the implication of metastasis in mortality due to cancer, it is also necessary to search for new ways to integrate the two focuses which dominate the current science: the reductionist vision and the systemic vision sustained by the science of complexity.

 

Healthy eating can include ‘a lot’ of (good) fat, analysis of 56 diet studies concludes



The Washington Post

Lichenoid Features Tied to Cancer Immunotherapy (anti-PD1/PDL1) Skin Problems



Medscape

Commenting by email, Dr. Milan J. Anadkat of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, told Reuters Health, "Our understanding of dermatologic toxicity from targeted chemotherapies continue to evolve. Early results with anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy have shown considerable promise on the oncology landscape."

Dr. Anadkat, whose research interests include chemotherapy-induced skin reactions, concluded, "The consistent finding of lichenoid dermatitis in patients who experienced rash on these therapies are an important finding by Dr. Choi's group."
 Lichenoid disorders

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Gynecologic Oncology journal Index (August 2016)



Gynecologic Oncology

Editorial: Precision oncology: a strategy we were not ready to deploy



open access (pdf)

Video-assisted genetic counseling in patients with ovarian, fallopian and peritoneal carcinoma (Tennessee)



abstract

Highlights

  • A new method of genetic counseling for ovarian cancer patients is proposed.
  • Patients were shown a genetic counseling video and offered immediate testing.
  • A significantly larger proportion of patients were tested using this new algorithm.

Objectives

To compare the proportion of patients with ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal carcinoma who receive genetic testing after observing a genetic counseling video versus after traditional referral for genetic counseling and testing at physician discretion.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients seen at the West Cancer Center for evaluation of ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal carcinoma from 7/2014 to 8/2015. Patients seen between 7/2014 and 12/2014 were offered standard genetic counseling. We adopted a new standard of care from 3/2015 to 8/2015 involving the use of a genetic counseling video on a digital tablet. The video was shown to patients with ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal cancer, who were then given the option to undergo genetic testing at the end of the viewing. We compared the number and proportion of patients who received genetic testing in both groups.

Results

The initial group of 267 patients received referral and te\sting at the physician's discretion between 8/2014 and 12/2014. 77/267 (29%) of these patients underwent genetic testing. 295 patients viewed the condensed genetic counseling video with the option to receive testing the same day between 3/2015 and 8/2015. 162/295 (55%) of these patients received testing. The transition from a referral method to the video counseling method resulted in a significant increase of patients tested (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Using a genetic counseling video and providing an immediate option for testing significantly increased the proportion of patients with ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal carcinoma who received genetic testing.

Classification of Extraovarian Implants in Patients With Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumors (LMP) Based on Clinical Outcome



abstract:
 Classification of Extraovarian Implants in Patients With Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumors (Tumors of Low Malignant Potential) Based on Clinical Outcome

 The classification of extraovarian disease into invasive and noninvasive implants predicts patient outcome in patients with high-stage ovarian serous borderline tumors (tumors of low malignant potential). However, the morphologic criteria used to classify implants vary between studies. To date, there has been no large-scale study with follow-up data comparing the prognostic significance of competing criteria. Peritoneal and/or lymph node implants from 181 patients with high-stage serous borderline tumors were evaluated independently by 3 pathologists for the following 8 morphologic features: micropapillary architecture; glandular architecture; nests of epithelial cells with surrounding retraction artifact set in densely fibrotic stroma; low-power destructive tissue invasion; single eosinophilic epithelial cells within desmoplastic stroma; mitotic activity; nuclear pleomorphism; and nucleoli. Follow-up of 156 (86%) patients ranged from 11 to 264 months (mean, 89 mo; median, 94 mo). Implants with low-power destructive invasion into underlying tissue were the best predictor of adverse patient outcome with 69% overall and 59% disease-free survival (P<0.01). In the evaluation of individual morphologic features, the low-power destructive tissue invasion criterion also had excellent reproducibility between observers ([kappa]=0.84). Extraovarian implants with micropapillary architecture or solid nests with clefts were often associated with tissue invasion but did not add significant prognostic value beyond destructive tissue invasion alone. Implants without attached normal tissue were not associated with adverse outcome and appear to be noninvasive. Because the presence of invasion in an extraovarian implant is associated with an overall survival analogous to that of low-grade serous carcinoma, the designation low-grade serous carcinoma is recommended. Even though the low-power destructive tissue invasion criterion has excellent interobserver reproducibility, it is further recommended that the presence of an invasive implant be confirmed by at least 2 pathologists (preferably at least 1 of whom is an experienced gynecologic pathologist) in order to establish the diagnosis of-low grade serous carcinoma.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Applying the Chronic Care Model to Support Ostomy Self-management



Medscape

 Findings:
A total of 118 goals were identified by 38 participants. Eighty-seven goals were physical, related to the care of the skin, placement of the pouch or bag, and management of leaks; 26 were social goals, which addressed engagement in social or recreational roles and daily activities; and 5 were psychological goals, which were related to confidence and controlling negative thinking. Although the goals of survivors of cancer with an ostomy are variable, physical goals are most common in self-management training.

Hormone Therapy: No Effect on Cognition After Menopause (in younger healthy women)



Medscape

podcast (25:06 min) Episode #14—The Latest in Genetics and Women’s Cancers



podcast

 Cancer Conversations Podcast—Episode #14—The Latest in Genetics and Women’s Cancers July 22, 2016 / by

 The Cancer Conversations series features Q&A-style conversations with Dana-Farber physicians, clinicians, and researchers. Topics include breast cancer research, precision cancer medicine, integrative therapies, cancer genetics, and more. Visit the Cancer Conversations page for more episodes and the Dana-Farber podcast page for more cancer podcast series.

We are Your Ontario Doctors Facebook (aka the politics of healthcare)



We are Your Ontario Doctors | Facebook

ABCB1 (MDR1) induction defines a common resistance mechanism in paclitaxel- and olaparib-resistant ovarian cancer cells



Abstract
 
Methods:
We created novel A2780-derived ovarian cancer cell lines resistant to paclitaxel and olaparib following continuous incremental drug selection. MTT assays were used to assess chemosensitivity to paclitaxel and olaparib in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells±the ABCB1 inhibitors verapamil and elacridar and cross-resistance to cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, rucaparib, veliparib and AZD2461. ABCB1 expression was assessed by qRT-PCR, copy number, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis and ABCB1 activity assessed by the Vybrant and P-glycoprotein-Glo assays.

Conclusions:
We describe a common ABCB1-mediated mechanism of paclitaxel and olaparib resistance in ovarian cancer cells. Optimal choice of PARP inhibitor may therefore limit the progression of drug-resistant disease, while routine prescription of first-line paclitaxel may significantly limit subsequent chemotherapy options in ovarian cancer patients.

Room for improvement: An examination of advance care planning documentation among gyn oncology patients



abstract

Highlights

  • Most patients were familiar with advance directives.
  • Less than half of those surveyed had created advance directives.
  • Advance directive creation rates were impacted by patient characteristics.

Short title: role of ovarian niche in ovarian tumorigenesis



open access
Redefining the origin and evolution of ovarian cancer: A hormonal connection
 July 20, 2015 

 (pdf) Accepted Preprint first posted on 20 July 2016 as Manuscript ERC-16-0209

Abstract
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all female reproductive cancers. Late diagnosis, tumor heterogeneity, and the development of chemoresistance contribute to this statistic and works against patient survival. Current studies have revealed novel concepts that impact our view on how ovarian cancer develops. The greatest impact is on our understanding that as a disease, ovarian cancer has multiple cellular origins and that these malignant precursors are mostly derived from outside of the ovaries.
In this review, we propose a new concept of a step-wise developmental process that may underwrite ovarian tumorigenesis and progression: (1) migration to/recruitment of the ovaries; (2) seeding and establishment in the ovaries; (3) induction of a dormant cancer stage; and (4) expansion and tumor progression. We will discuss the relationship of each step with the changing ovarian function and milieu during the reproductive age and subsequent occurrence of menopause. The realization that ovarian cancer development and progression occurs in distinct steps is critical for the search of adequate markers for early detection that will offer personalized strategies for prevention and therapy.

Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) - July 14, 2016



Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) 

 eg.:

 Treatment Option Overview