Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for February 2016. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Occult Uterine Sarcomas in One in 1,124 Hysterectomies
MONDAY, Feb. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecologic indications, the rate of occult uterine sarcoma is one in 1,124, according to a study published in the March issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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PTSD, Depression Common After Stem Cell Transplant
FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) meet the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression at six months after the procedure, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of Cancer.
Drop-to-Drop Variation Seen With Fingerprick Blood
FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is drop-to-drop variation in blood component measures from fingerprick blood that is greater than variation in drops of venous blood, according to a study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology.
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Researchers Say Pancreatic Cancer Is Four Separate Diseases
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Scientists who discovered that pancreatic cancer is at least four separate diseases say their findings could lead to improved treatments for the disease.
Weekly Paclitaxel Doesn’t Up Survival in Ovarian Cancer
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Dose-dense weekly paclitaxel does not improve progression-free survival in ovarian cancer, according to a study published in the Feb. 25 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Suggestions for Optimizing Practice Feedback Effectiveness
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In an article published online Feb. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, 15 suggestions are presented to optimize the effectiveness of practice feedback.
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Thirty-Six Percent Increase in Mastectomies From 2005 to 2013
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2013 there was a 36 percent increase in the overall rate of mastectomies, according to a report published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Lower 25-OH D Tied to Adverse Pathology in Full Prostatectomy
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For men with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) insufficiency/deficiency is associated with increased odds of adverse pathology, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Cutting Radiation Exposure Still Yields Acceptable CT Quality
TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An initiative to employ indication-specific computed tomography (CT) protocols and adjustment of scan parameters to decrease radiation exposure still delivers an acceptable level of diagnostic imaging quality, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
Recommendations Developed for CRC Screening in Primary Care
TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for colorectal cancer screening in primary care. The guidelines were published online Feb. 22 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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PET Scans May Be Overused in Monitoring of Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many lung and esophageal cancer survivors have positron emission tomography (PET) imaging scans as part of ongoing monitoring, but many of those scans may be unnecessary, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
ACOG: Vaginal Estrogen Can Be Used for Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of vaginal estrogen should be carefully considered by women with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer, according to a Committee Opinion published in the March issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Intralesional Cryosurgery Feasible for BCC in Elderly
TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Intralesional cryosurgery is feasible for treating basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the lower extremities in elderly patients, according to a study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
Teen Weight, Height Linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
MONDAY, Feb. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Higher body weight and taller stature during adolescence are associated with increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), according to a study published online Feb. 22 in Cancer.
New Mutations Help Predict Survival in RARS-T
MONDAY, Feb. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New mutations have been identified with next-generation sequencing (NGS) in refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS-T), which are prognostic for survival, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in the American Journal of Hematology.
Quality of Life After DCIS Diagnosis Doesn’t Decline
MONDAY, Feb. 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Quality of life (QoL) after a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosis is generally comparable to that of similarly aged women without the diagnosis, according to a study published online Feb. 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Exercise No Aid to Functioning With Advanced Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, Feb. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Exercise does not appear to result in significant improvements in physical functioning in women living with advanced breast cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in Cancer.
Letrozole Tied to Ovarian Function Recovery in Chemo
THURSDAY, Feb. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Some women aged 40 to 49 years with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who undergo chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea regain ovarian function with letrozole, according to a study published online Feb. 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Geriatric Events in Cancer Surgery Common in Elderly
THURSDAY, Feb. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Geriatric events are common among elderly patients who undergo major surgery for cancer, according to research published online Feb. 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Breast CA Surgery Reoperation Rates Vary by Surgeon
THURSDAY, Feb. 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The 90-day rate of reoperation following breast conservation surgery (BCS) for early-stage breast cancer has decreased overall and varies widely by surgeon, according to research published online Feb. 17 in JAMA Surgery.
Many Med Schools Appear Unwelcoming Regarding Disability
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Most medical schools need to post, update, or clarify technical standards (TSs), required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that detail what a school will do to accommodate a student with a disability, according to a study published online Jan. 19 in Academic Medicine.
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Ferritin, Transferrin Positively Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Higher levels of ferritin and transferrin correlate with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among men and women, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in Diabetes Care.
Thyroid Function Level Linked to Breast Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women with hyperthyroidism have increased breast cancer risk, while hypothyroidism is associated with decreased risk, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of the European Journal of Endocrinology.
Vitamin E Neuroprotective Against Cisplatin Ototoxicity
TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin E supplementation can reduce cisplatin (CDDP)-induced ototoxicity, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Head & Neck.
ESAs Don’t Improve Quality of Life in Anemia of CKD
TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) do not improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a review published online Feb. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Renal Mass Biopsy Accurate for Small Renal Masses
TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Renal mass biopsy is accurate for small renal masses (4 cm or less), according to a study published in the March issue of The Journal of Urology.
Most HPV+ OPSCC Recurrence, Toxicity Events Occur Early
MONDAY, Feb. 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC), most of the disease recurrence and late toxicity events after treatment occur within six months, according to research published in the Feb. 15 issue of Cancer.
Factor VII-Antithrombin Complex Predicts Mortality in CAD
FRIDAY, Feb. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Activated factor VII-antithrombin complex (FVIIa-AT) levels correlate with increased mortality risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a study published online Jan. 27 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Robotic Sx Feasible for Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy
FRIDAY, Feb. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, robotic nephrectomy is feasible and seems safe, according to research published online in The Journal of Urology.
Few Want to Receive Skin Cancer Biopsy Results Face-to-Face
FRIDAY, Feb. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected malignant melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma, most patients are happy to receive biopsy results by letter or telephone, according to a research letter published online Feb. 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
CDC: Number of Uninsured Persons in U.S. Down Since 2013
FRIDAY, Feb. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of uninsured persons is decreasing in the United States, according to a report published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Rate of Missed Adenomas >5 mm Similarly Low for BBPS 2, 3
FRIDAY, Feb. 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The rate of missed adenomas larger than 5 mm is similarly low for men with Boston Bowel Prep Scale (BBPS) scores of 2 or 3, according to a study published in the February issue of Gastroenterology.
Rates of BRCA Mutation Testing Increasing in Young Women
THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among young women with breast cancer, the rates of BRCA mutation testing are increasing, according to research published online Feb. 11 in JAMA Oncology.
Caplacizumab Shows Potential for Treating Acquired TTP
THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Caplacizumab, an anti-von Willebrand factor humanized single-variable-domain immunoglobulin (Nanobody), shows potential in the treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), according to research published in the Feb. 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Active Asthma Ups Risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Asthma is associated with increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and rupture, according to research published online Feb. 11 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Physicians Concerned By Increasing Cost of Generics
THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pennsylvania physicians have called for state- and national-level medical associations to take an active role in addressing the issue of increasing generic drug prices, according to an article published by the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
ASCO Updates Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Tx Guidance
THURSDAY, Feb. 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The American Society of Clinical Oncology has updated recommendations on the use of biomarkers to guide decisions on adjuvant systemic therapy for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer. The clinical practice guideline was published online Feb. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Cola Intake Increases Exposure of Erlotinib
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Cola intake leads to a clinically relevant and statistically significant increase in the bioavailability of erlotinib during esomeprazole treatment, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
AMA Highlights Issues Relating to Medical Liability Reform
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Medical liability reforms are likely to be advanced and challenged in 2016, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Variable Impact of USPSTF Guidance Against PSA Screen
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The effect of the 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for all men had a differential effect on urologists and primary care providers (PCPs), according to a research letter published online Feb. 8 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Thyroid Cancer Risk Up Following Breast Cancer and Vice Versa
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The likelihood of developing breast or thyroid cancer as a secondary malignancy is increased following diagnosis of the other cancer, according to a review published in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism May Not Up VTE Recurrence Risk
MONDAY, Feb. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In the elderly, subclinical hypothyroidism is not associated with significantly increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (rVTE), according to research published online Jan. 27 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Doctors Offer Suggestions for Electronic Health Records
FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Physicians recently met in Seattle to discuss the difficulties and benefits associated with electronic health records (EHRs) in a third town hall meeting on the subject, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Allergies, Asthma, Eczema Tied to Lower Risk of Glioma
FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients with respiratory allergies, asthma, and eczema may be less likely to develop a glioma, according to a study published in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
New System Can Assess Severity of Von Willebrand Disease
FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new microchip-flow chamber system (T-TAS) can be used to discriminate and predict bleeding score (BS) in type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD), according to a study published online Jan. 27 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Seven Tips Provided for Optimizing Practice Revenue
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Business operations data represent a relatively untapped resource for optimizing practice revenue, and can indicate areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Patient-Centered System Recommended for Medical Billing
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Simplification, consolidation, and real time point-of-care information could address the inefficiencies in the medical billing system, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Feb. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Video Games Offer Educational Methods for Med Students
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Video games can play a role in medical education, offering new methods for teaching medical students, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Better Follow-Up Needed After Positive Fecal Blood Tests
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Characteristics of individuals and health care systems may contribute to the differences in follow-up after a positive fecal blood test, according to research published online Feb. 3 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Safety Issues Raised in Key Trial Supporting Rivaroxaban Use
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of a faulty device in a regulatory drug trial has raised questions relating to rivaroxaban use, according to a feature article published online Feb. 3 in The BMJ.
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Lipofilling of Breast Doesn’t Up Breast Cancer Recurrence
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Lipofilling seems safe for breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer, according to a study published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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Infection Risk Up Before Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) is 2.30/100,000 person-years, and incidence is associated with increased risk of infections within the five years before cITP diagnosis, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Tips Presented for Encouraging Treatment Adherence
TUESDAY, Feb. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Tips for increasing patient adherence to treatment plans include patient engagement and addressing barriers to adherence, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Considerable Global Variation in Colorectal Cancer Incidence
TUESDAY, Feb. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates, with the rates correlating with human development levels, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Gut.
Pelvic Exams Common Among Healthy Older Women
TUESDAY, Feb. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Obstetrician-gynecologists report commonly performing external and speculum examinations in asymptomatic older women, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Beneficial in Uterine Cancer
TUESDAY, Feb. 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with uterine cancer, use of minimally invasive hysterectomy is associated with a favorable morbidity profile and good long-term survival, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Mobile Texts May Up Adherence to Meds for Chronic Illness
MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Mobile telephone text messaging may be a promising new way to improve adherence to medications for chronic diseases, according to research published online Feb. 1 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Higher Fiber Intake in Youth Tied to Lower Breast Cancer Risk
MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Higher fiber intake during adolescence and early adulthood correlates with reduced breast cancer risk, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in Pediatrics.
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Patients and Families Highlight Value of Nurse Practitioners
MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients and their families believe that teams in acute and primary care are more effective when they include nurse practitioners, according to research published online Jan. 27 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Palliative Care Lacking for Chronic Lung Disease Patients
MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among patients who die in the intensive care unit (ICU), patients with chronic lung diseases receive fewer elements of palliative care than cancer patients, according to a study published online Jan. 19 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Proton Radiotherapy May Be New Option for Peds Brain Tumor
MONDAY, Feb. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An open-label, phase 2 trial showed acceptable toxicity and survival rates for the use of proton radiotherapy in children with medulloblastoma. The findings were published online Jan. 29 in The Lancet Oncology.
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