Current Oncology

1 pages, 28 KB

Open AccessArticle

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2007—Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Update: ATAC 100 Highlights

by Anil A. Joy

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 68-69; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.203 - 1 Jan 2008

Viewed by 837

The two main classes of adjuvant hormonal therapy used in the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer are selective estrogen receptor modulators (for example, tamoxifen) and the aromatase inhibitors (AIs—for example, anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane). [...] Full article

10 pages, 156 KB

Open AccessArticle

Trastuzumab in the Adjuvant Setting: Concurrent or Sequential? It Takes Two to Tango!

by Sunil Verma

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 66-67; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.204 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 937

Abstract

Two months ago, on routine physical examination by family physician, a 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with a breast lump. [...] Full article

2 pages, 27 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Crack Lung and Heart” Presenting after Chemotherapy in a 65-Year-Old Man with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

by G. G. Alvarez and R. H. C. van der Jagt

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 63-65; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.202 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 945

Abstract

Crack cocaine can cause a variety of pulmonary and cardiac complications. Pulmonary findings in a 65- year-old man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who presented with shortness of breath not resolving with antibiotics are presented here. The usual manifestation of “crack lung” in an unusual [...] Read more.

Crack cocaine can cause a variety of pulmonary and cardiac complications. Pulmonary findings in a 65- year-old man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who presented with shortness of breath not resolving with antibiotics are presented here. The usual manifestation of “crack lung” in an unusual clinical circumstance underlines the importance of a clinical history in such cases. The finding of “crack lung” preceded the diagnosis of probable “crack heart.” No other similar published case reports could be identified in the literature. Full article

10 pages, 1011 KB

Open AccessArticle

Radiation Recall Dermatitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

by A. E. Hird, J. Wilson, S. Symons, E. Sinclair, M. Davis and E. Chow

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 53-62; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.201 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 3147

Abstract

“Radiation recall”—also called “radiation recall dermatitis”—has been defined as the “recalling” by skin of previous radiation exposure in response to the administration of certain response-inducing drugs. Although the phenomenon is relatively well known in the medical world, an exact cause has not been [...] Read more.

“Radiation recall”—also called “radiation recall dermatitis”—has been defined as the “recalling” by skin of previous radiation exposure in response to the administration of certain response-inducing drugs. Although the phenomenon is relatively well known in the medical world, an exact cause has not been documented. Here, we report a rare occurrence of the radiation recall phenomenon in a breast cancer patient after palliative radiotherapy for bone, brain, and orbital metastases. Full article

5 pages, 198 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board: A Central REB That Works

by M. R. Chaddah

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 49-52; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.196 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1087

Abstract

The Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (ocreb) has made its mark within Ontario as a successful, centralized, oncology-specific research ethics board. As such, ocreb has proven invaluable to principal investigators, sponsors, and study participants given its ability to reduce duplication during the submission [...] Read more.

The Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (ocreb) has made its mark within Ontario as a successful, centralized, oncology-specific research ethics board. As such, ocreb has proven invaluable to principal investigators, sponsors, and study participants given its ability to reduce duplication during the submission process, to provide the highest quality of review, to shorten study start-up time, and to implement more efficient methods of reporting serious adverse events. Full article

7 pages, 166 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chinese Medicine and Biomodulation in Cancer Patients—Part One

by S. M. Sagar and R. K. Wong

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 42-48; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.197 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 1218

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (tcm) may be integrated with conventional Western medicine to enhance the care of patients with cancer. Although tcm is normally implemented as a whole system, recent reductionist research suggests mechanisms for the effects of acupuncture, herbs, and nutrition [...] Read more.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (tcm) may be integrated with conventional Western medicine to enhance the care of patients with cancer. Although tcm is normally implemented as a whole system, recent reductionist research suggests mechanisms for the effects of acupuncture, herbs, and nutrition within the scientific model of biomedicine. The health model of Chinese medicine accommodates physical and pharmacologic interventions within the framework of a body–mind network. A Cartesian split does not occur within this model, but to allow for scientific exploration within the restrictions of positivism, reductionism, and controls for confounding factors, the components must necessarily be separated. Still, whole-systems research is important to evaluate effectiveness when applying the full model in clinical practice. Scientific analysis provides a mechanistic understanding of the processes that will improve the design of clinical studies and enhance safety. Enough preliminary evidence is available to encourage quality clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of integrating tcm into Western cancer care. Full article

6 pages, 213 KB

Open AccessArticle

Health Management Program: Factors Influencing Completion of Therapy with High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b for High-Risk Melanoma

by N. Levesque, K. Mitchinson, D. Lawrie, L. Fedorak, D. MacDonald, C. Normand and J.F. Pouliot

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 36-41; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.200 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1077

Abstract

The goal of the 1-year observational, multicentre, open-label study reported here was to identify factors influencing adherence to high-dose interferon alfa-2b adjuvant therapy in patients at high risk of recurrence following surgical excision of malignant melanoma. The study was carried out in 23 [...] Read more.

The goal of the 1-year observational, multicentre, open-label study reported here was to identify factors influencing adherence to high-dose interferon alfa-2b adjuvant therapy in patients at high risk of recurrence following surgical excision of malignant melanoma. The study was carried out in 23 tertiary-care centres across Canada. Full article

12 pages, 192 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cardiac Management during Adjuvant Trastuzumab Therapy: Recommendations of the Canadian Trastuzumab Working Group

by J. R. Mackey, M. Clemons, M.A. Côté, D. Delgado, S. Dent, A. Paterson, L. Provencher, M.B. Sawyer and S. Verma

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 24-35; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.199 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 143 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

Trastuzumab has been shown to be an effective therapy for women with breast cancer that overexpresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2) protein. In the pivotal metastatic breast cancer trials, cardiac dysfunction was observed in women treated with trastuzumab and chemotherapy. [...] Read more.

Trastuzumab has been shown to be an effective therapy for women with breast cancer that overexpresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2) protein. In the pivotal metastatic breast cancer trials, cardiac dysfunction was observed in women treated with trastuzumab and chemotherapy. The incidence and severity of cardiac dysfunction was greatest among patients who received trastuzumab in combination with anthracycline-based therapy. Those findings influenced the design of subsequent trastuzumab trials to include prospective evaluations of cardiac effects and protocols for cardiac monitoring and management. The risk of cardiotoxicity has also driven efforts to develop non-anthracycline-based regimens for women with her2-positive breast cancers. With the increasing use of trastuzumab, particularly in the curative adjuvant setting, the need for a rational approach to the treatment and cardiac management of the relevant patient population is clear. The mandate of the Canadian Trastuzumab Working Group was to formulate recommendations, based on available data, for the assessment and management of cardiac complications during adjuvant trastuzumab therapy. The panel formulated recommendations in four areas: (1) Risk factors for cardiotoxicity; (2) Effects of various regimens (3) Monitoring (4) Management The recommendations published here are expected to evolve as more data become available and experience with trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting grows. Full article

15 pages, 440 KB

Open AccessArticle

Canadian Supportive Care Recommendations for the Management of Neutropenia in Patients with Cancer

by C.T. Kouroukis, S. Chia, S. Verma, D. Robson, C. Desbiens, C. Cripps and J. Mikhael

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 9-23; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.198 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 1412

Abstract

Hematologic toxicities of cancer chemotherapy are common and often limit the ability to provide treatment in a timely and dose-intensive manner. These limitations may be of utmost importance in the adjuvant and curative intent settings. Hematologic toxicities may result in febrile neutropenia, infections, [...] Read more.

Hematologic toxicities of cancer chemotherapy are common and often limit the ability to provide treatment in a timely and dose-intensive manner. These limitations may be of utmost importance in the adjuvant and curative intent settings. Hematologic toxicities may result in febrile neutropenia, infections, fatigue, and bleeding, all of which may lead to additional complications and prolonged hospitalization. The older cancer patient and patients with significant comorbidities may be at highest risk of neutropenic complications. Colony-stimulating factors (csfs) such as filgrastim and pegfilgrastim can effectively attenuate most of the neutropenic consequences of chemotherapy, improve the ability to continue chemotherapy on the planned schedule, and minimize the risk of febrile neutropenia and infectious morbidity and mortality. The present consensus statement reviews the use of csfs in the management of neutropenia in patients with cancer and sets out specific recommendations based on published international guidelines tailored to the specifics of the Canadian practice landscape. We review existing international guidelines, the indications for primary and secondary prophylaxis, the importance of maintaining dose intensity, and the use of csfs in leukemia, stem-cell transplantation, and radiotherapy. Specific disease-related recommendations are provided related to breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. Finally, csf dosing and schedules, duration of therapy, and associated acute and potential chronic toxicities are examined. Full article

4 pages, 43 KB

Open AccessArticle

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases: New Markers and Targets in Oncology?

by S. Hardy and M. L. Tremblay

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 5-8; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.195 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 874

Abstract

The discovery nearly 30 years ago that v-src (the form of the Src kinase encoded by Rous sarcoma virus) employs tyrosine kinase activity for transforming cells [...]
Full article

1 pages, 127 KB

Open AccessArticle

Moses Judah Folkman 1933–2008

by P. Gold

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.2008.194 - 1 Jan 2008

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 765

Abstract

On January 14, a bright light in the field of cancer research was extinguished with the sudden death of Dr. Judah Folkman. Folkman first introduced the concept [...]
Full article

1 pages, 128 KB

Open AccessEditorial

In this issue of Current Oncology

by M. McLean

Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol15010001 - 1 Jan 2008

Viewed by 661

Abstract

The year 2008 will see the continued expansion of Current Oncology, Canada’s only multidisciplinary journal devoted to cancer. [...] Full article

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Curr. Oncol., Volume 15, Issue 1 (January 2008) – 12 articles

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