– February 1, 2004
February 1, 2004
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Prospective Phase II Results of Chemoradiation for Merkel Cell Carcinoma are Encouraging
Merkel cell carcinoma is a tumor of the skin that is well known for its metastatic potential. Because of its scarcity, no trials have been reported. Poulsen and colleagues from Australia conducted a unique multi-institutional Phase II prospective trial of concomitant chemoradiation for patients with high-risk disease and concluded that their regimen resulted in disease control and survival rates that are better than those reported in the literature. -
Irinotecan in Patients with Hepatic or Renal Dysfunction or with Prior Pelvic Radiation
Patients with elevated bilirubin treated with irinotecan have an increased risk of toxicity, and a dose reduction is recommended. Patients with elevated AST, creatinine or prior pelvic radiation do not appear to have increased sensitivity to irinotecan, but the data are not adequate to support a specific dosing recommendation. -
Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin Combinations for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and, for those with advanced disease, treatment responses have been dismal. The current report of a trial of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin offers some hope. Using 2 different schedules of these agents, this study found an approximate 20% objective response rate with stable disease occurring in an additional 50%. -
21 Years Later: Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy for Elderly Breast Cancer Patients
In an adjuvant breast cancer trial conducted more than 20 years ago, older patients were randomized to treatment with tamoxifen and prednisone or no adjuvant therapy. Now, at 21 years of follow-up, it is clear that disease-free and overall survival remain better for those who received treatment. -
Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma: Comparisons of Outcomes in Surgical Stage I Patients With and Without Adjuvant Therapy
In this largest reported series of surgical Stage I UPSC patients, recurrence rates were lower than those published in previous studies, suggesting a potential benefit of comprehensive surgical staging in these patients. The risk of recurrence and the mean overall survival were similar between surgical Stage I UPSC patients who were managed conservatively and those treated with adjuvant radiation therapy. -
Pharmacology Watch: Valacyclovir Reduces Genital Herpes Transmission
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Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement