Current Oncology, Volume 17, Issue 4

Background: Accurate prediction of outcome in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains challenging. Even within the same stage and treatment group, survival and response to treatment vary. We set out to determine the predictive value of in...

Background: Multiple myeloma is an incurable malignancy. Since the late 1990s, its management has changed with the introduction of novel agents. Thalidomide, which is often called a “novel” therapy, has significantly prolonged survival in multiple my...

The 5th annual Bone and The Oncologist New Updates (BONUS 5) conference, held at the National Arts Center, Ottawa, April 8–9, 2010, focused on innovative research into the mechanisms and consequences of increased bone turnover in the benign and metas...

Radiation recall is a well-known phenomenon that involves the “recall” of an acute inflammatory reaction in a previously irradiated region after administration of certain drugs. The most common type of radiation recall is radiation recall dermatitis,...

Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin malignancy because of its aggressive behaviour. In advanced disease, interferon alfa can be used as adjuvant therapy. However, this therapy is not free of side effects. We present a case of severe Raynaud synd...

Temozolomide (tmz) is an oral alkylating agent used during concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Temozolomide is generally well tolerated and improves survival; however, severe adverse events have occasiona...

The review considers management strategies for malignant melanoma metastatic to the larynx. This rare clinical entity lacks clear treatment recommendations because extirpative surgery can often result in severe functional debilitation in patients wit...

Ductal carcinoma in situ (dcis) in a young man is rarely reported. Our patient, a 25-year-old man, presented with apparent symptomatic unilateral gynecomastia. He has a strong history of cancer on both the maternal and paternal sides of his family, i...

Breast cancer positive for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is associated with a poor prognosis for patients with both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab has been shown to be effective and is now considered the stand...

Objective: This phase I study aimed to determine the maximal tolerated dose of cisplatin administered every 2 weeks with infusional 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and concurrent radiation therapy (RT) in patients after complete resection of gastric adenocarcin...

Question: Is sunitinib malate—marketed as Sutent (Pfizer Canada, Kirkland, QC)—superior to placebo or other interventions for primary outcomes of interest in adult patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) who have developed resistance or...

Introduction: With the widespread use of sequential anthracycline/taxane–based chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer, clinicians are becoming rapidly aware of toxicities associated with those regimens. Despite the low incidence reported in the l...

Encouraging data for targeted therapy in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma are opening new options for treatment. Phase III trials of cetuximab, an antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have demonstrated benefit in...

Although many people welcome the recent move by the United States to give its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the content of tobacco, some worry that such regulation constitutes unwarranted interference with the freedom o...

Introduction: A growing number of psychosocial interventions are being offered to cancer patients during and after their medical treatment. Here, we examined whether Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a stress management course, helps women t...

Giant cell tumour (GCT) of bone is a locally aggressive benign tumour. It can, however, undergo dedifferentiation, either de novo or secondarily after local recurrence or radiation. Whether spontaneously occurring or induced by previous irradiation,...

Objective: Our phase I study prospectively evaluated quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: Thirty-three patients receiving radiotherapy (45 Gy in 25 fractions), together with 12 week...

Objective: Using an interview-guided survey, our descriptive study aimed to document the extent to which cancer patients perceive they are involved in making treatment decisions and the factors that influence patient involvement. Patients and methods...

Radiation therapy is a common treatment for cancer patients. One of the most common side effects of radiation is acute skin reaction (radiation dermatitis) that ranges from a mild rash to severe ulceration. Approximately 85% of patients treated with...

The Canadian health care system is at [...]