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Many oncologists unaware of cancer clot risk
September 10, 2003Patients receiving cancer treatments are at greater risk of blood clots, yet more than a quarter of oncologists do not recognise their clotting effects and preventive measures are rarely used, finds a study in this week’s BMJ.
Researchers in Manchester surveyed 106 oncologists in northern England. The most common treatment was chemotherapy, used by 39% of oncologists, 9% used hormone therapy, and 42% used radiotherapy.
A total of 29 (27%) thought their patients were not at risk of venous thromboembolism (blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot) regardless of the type of tumour treated.
Seventy-one oncologists believed that hormone therapy posed little or no increased risk to patients, 83 thought the same for chemotherapy and 96 for radiotherapy.
Of the 106 respondents, 84 reported not routinely using prophylaxis, such as aspirin or warfarin, in chemotherapy, 79 in hormone therapy, and 86 in radiotherapy. A total of 19 oncologists never used prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism.
The good response rate to this questionnaire demonstrates a reliable representation of current practice in the north of England, say the authors. National guidelines on prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism during cancer treatment are needed, they conclude.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Seventy-one oncologists believed that hormone therapy posed little or no increased risk to patients, 83 thought the same for chemotherapy and 96 for radiotherapy.
Of the 106 respondents, 84 reported not routinely using prophylaxis, such as aspirin or warfarin, in chemotherapy, 79 in hormone therapy, and 86 in radiotherapy. A total of 19 oncologists never used prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism.
The good response rate to this questionnaire demonstrates a reliable representation of current practice in the north of England, say the authors. National guidelines on prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism during cancer treatment are needed, they conclude.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Chemotherapy Current Events and Chemotherapy News RSSDormant stem cells for emergencies
Many specialized cells, such as in the skin, intestinal mucosa or blood, have a lifespan of only a few days. For these tissues to function, a steady replenishment of specialized cells is indispensable. This is the task of so-called "adult" stem cells also known as tissue stem cells.
Genetic breakdown in Fanconi anemia may have link to HPV-associated cancer
A genetic malfunction that causes DNA instability in people with the blood disorder Fanconi anemia may put them at high risk for squamous cell carcinomas linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a study posted online ahead of print by Oncogene.
International study supports new standard of treatment for women with advanced ovarian cancer
Results of a phase III, international randomized clinical trial demonstrate a new standard of care for treating advanced ovarian cancer that significantly reduces side-effects and post-operative deaths compared to the previously established treatment course.
Researchers Discover New Enzyme in Cancer Growth
While studying the mechanics of blood clots, researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center discovered a new enzyme that not only affects the blood, but seems to play a primary role in how cancer tumors expand and spread throughout the body.
HER2 levels may aid in treatment selection for metastatic breast cancer
Findings published in the December 1, 2008, issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, show lapatinib benefits women with HER2-positive breast cancer, while women with HER2-negative breast cancer or those who express EGRF alone derive no incremental benefit.
Preoperative radiation may improve survival rates in advanced rectal cancer patients
Patients treated with radiation prior to surgery for advanced rectal cancer have fewer instances of cancer recurrence and better overall survival rates, according to a recent Geisinger report.
Studies show novel device may enhance chemotherapy treatment in brain tumors
NovoCure Ltd. presented results yesterday evaluating the Novo-TTF device in vitro and in a pilot clinical trial that showed the device enhanced the efficacy of standard chemotherapy (temozolomide) treatment in newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients.
Iressa proves just as effective as chemotherapy for lung cancer
Gefitinib, also known as Iressa, the once-promising targeted therapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, has proven as effective as chemotherapy as a second-line therapy for the disease with far fewer side effects, according to an international Phase III clinical trial, led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Survival of head and neck cancer patients is greatly affected by coexisting ailments
Current estimates for head and neck cancer survival are largely inaccurate because they widely disregard many of the most common diseases such patients have in addition to their primary cancer, says Jay Piccirillo, M.D., a head and neck specialist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Study identifies causes of bone loss in breast cancer survivors
Osteoporosis is a growing concern among breast cancer survivors and their doctors, because certain cancer drugs can cause bone loss.
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