Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for July 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.
QOL Not Affected by Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer
FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Men with low-risk prostate cancer report a good quality of life after choosing active surveillance as a treatment for their disease, according to research published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
Esophageal Cancer Risk Raised by Alcohol Intake, Obesity
FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that in the United States, a third of esophageal cancer cases — about 5,600 per year — could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight and didn’t drink.
Online Communication Tied to Positive Appraisal of Tx Decisions
FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, frequent online communication users more positively appraise their decision making, according to a research letter published online July 28 in JAMA Oncology.
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Similar Outcomes for Robot-Assisted, Radical Prostatectomy
THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For men with newly diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer, robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy has similar functional outcomes to radical retropubic prostatectomy, according to a study published online July 26 in The Lancet.
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Add-On Local Peripheral Tx Beneficial in Metastatic Melanoma
THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with metastatic melanoma, the addition of local peripheral treatments (LPT) such as radiotherapy or electrochemotherapy is beneficial, according to a study published online July 27 in Cancer Immunology Research.
Less Cognitive Deterioration With Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone
WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For some metastatic brain cancer patients, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone appears to do less damage to cognitive function than SRS combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), according to a study published in the July 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
USPSTF: Evidence Lacking to Recommend Skin Cancer Screens
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is insufficient evidence to recommend regular full-body exams for skin cancer as a means of preventing deaths from these cancers, according to a new review and recommendation statement published in the July 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
American Red Cross Says Blood Donations Needed Urgently
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The American Red Cross says it has an urgent need for blood donations, with less than a five-day supply of blood on hand to help those who need it.
Medical Students Often Track Progress of Former Patients
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many U.S. medical students use electronic health records to track the progress of their former patients and confirm the accuracy of their diagnoses, according to research letter published online July 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Guidelines Developed for Pain Management in Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been developed for chronic pain management in adult cancer survivors. The American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline was published online July 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Delirium Often Seen in Cancer Patients in the ER
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Delirium is fairly common, yet often missed, in advanced cancer patients who visit emergency departments, according to a study published online July 25 in Cancer.
Arsenic-Contaminated Water Linked to Skin Cancer in U.S.
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Arsenic-contaminated water, at levels below the 2001 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum, is associated with skin cancer in U.S. populations, according to a review published online July 15 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
‘Walking Meetings’ Feasible Strategy for Employee Wellness
MONDAY, July 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Converting a single weekly meeting to a walking meeting can help raise work-related physical activity levels of white-collar workers, according to a report published online June 23 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
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Intake of Marine ω-3 PUFAs Tied to Colorectal Cancer Survival
FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who consume higher amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), mainly from oily fish, may have better odds of survival, according to a study published online July 19 in Gut.
Radiotherapy Use for DCIS Tied to Subsequent Mastectomy Risk
FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), being in an area with more radiotherapy use is associated with increased likelihood of mastectomy at the time of a second breast event, according to research published online July 21 in JAMA Oncology.
Imaging Post-Thyroid Cancer Treatment Doesn’t Always Benefit
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More imaging tests after treatment does not always lead to an improvement in thyroid cancer patients’ chances of survival, according to a study published online July 20 in The BMJ.
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Health Expenditures Rising for Middle Class, Wealthy
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — While overall U.S. medical spending growth slowed between 2004 and 2013, expenditures rose for middle- and high-income Americans, according to research published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Buprenorphine-Naloxone Use in Medicare Patients Low
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Doctors aren’t using one of the most effective weapons at their disposal in battling opioid addiction — buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone), according to a research letter published online July 20 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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Failure to Achieve Negative Margin Ups Facial BCC Recurrence
THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Large tumor diameter, increased age, and failure to achieve negative margin resection at the first surgical appointment are all associated with increased risk of recurrence of facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), according to a study published online July 15 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
ACS Endorses CDC’s HPV Vaccine Guidelines
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The American Cancer Society has endorsed the U.S. government’s HPV vaccination recommendations, which include immunizing all preteens against human papillomavirus (HPV). The report was published online July 19 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
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Medicare Spending Up for Decedents Versus Survivors
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Medicare per capita spending was much higher for beneficiaries who died during 2014 than for those who survived the entire year, according to a report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
IVF Treatment Does Not Appear to Increase Breast Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) are not at increased risk of breast cancer, according to a study published in the July 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cases Increasing in the United States
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New cases of metastatic prostate cancer in the United States have increased 72 percent in the past decade, according to a study published online July 19 in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases.
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High-Fat Mediterranean Diet Can Still Be Healthy
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Even a high-fat Mediterranean diet may protect against breast cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to a review published online July 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Can Signal Hematologic Cancer
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Among women presenting with a chief complaint of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), there is an estimated incidence of hematologic cancer of 3.6 cases per 1,000 women, according to research published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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X-Rays Have Low Diagnostic Yield for Pulmonary Metastases
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients treated for T1a renal cell carcinoma, chest X-rays have low diagnostic yield for detecting pulmonary metastases, according to a study published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
Labor Compensation, Purchased Goods, Service Biggest Spends
TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Labor compensation remains the single largest contributor to costs among physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers, according to a report published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Burnout Can Have Acute Personal, Professional Consequences
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Stress and burnout are increasingly prevalent among physicians, with serious personal and professional consequences, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
MRI Feasible for Predicting Prostate CA in Unselected Sample
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is feasible for predicting prostate cancer in an unselected sample of the general population, according to a study published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
Cancer Patients, Oncologists Have Discordant Opinions on Prognosis
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Cancer patients and their oncologists often hold different opinions about the patient’s chances for survival and how long they might live, according to a study published online July 14 in JAMA Oncology.
Growth in U.S. Health Spending Set to Average 5.8 Percent
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Growth in U.S. health spending is expected to average 5.8 percent for 2015 to 2025, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Review: Plant-Based Diets Tied to Improved Inflammatory Profiles
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Plant-based diets are associated with improvement in obesity-related inflammatory biomarker profiles, including decreases in C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, according to a review published online July 13 in Obesity Reviews.
Patient Satisfaction High for Mohs Micrographic Surgery
FRIDAY, July 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is safe and well tolerated, with high levels of patient satisfaction, according to a research letter published online July 5 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Diet-Induced Weight Loss May Help Prevent CA in Obese Women
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Overweight and obese women who lose weight via calorie restriction, with or without exercise, may lower their odds of developing cancer as their levels of proteins tied to angiogenesis drop, according to a study published online July 15 in Cancer Research.
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Supreme Court Ruling Could Impact Med School Admissions
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the University of Texas at Austin’s consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions has implications for medical schools, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Opportunistic Salpingectomy Doesn’t Impact Ovarian Reserve
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Opportunistic salpingectomy conducted at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy does not appear to negatively affect ovarian reserve or increase surgical risk, according to a study published online June 24 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Cancer Center Advertising Costs Rose From 2005 to 2014
THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2014 there was an increase in cancer center advertising expenditures, with the greatest relative growth in spending seen for internet display advertisements, according to a research letter published online July 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Differences in Salary for Male, Female Faculty Physicians
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For physicians with faculty appointments at 24 U.S. public medical schools there are significant salary differences between men and women, even after adjustment for confounding variables, according to a study published online July 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Follow-Up of Colorectal CA Screens Lacking in Older Patients
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of older patients are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening and do not receive timely follow-up of abnormal fecal blood tests, according to a study published online June 22 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Possible Benefit for Addition of Cetuximab to RT in Laryngeal CA
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal carcinoma, the addition of cetuximab to radiotherapy is associated with a nonsignificant improvement in laryngeal preservation and laryngectomy-free survival, according to a study published online July 7 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Post-MI Heart Failure Linked to Increased Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients who develop heart failure after myocardial infarction may also face a higher risk of cancer, according to a study published in the July 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Exercise Can Improve Memory in Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, July 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Excessive stress can lead to memory problems among breast cancer survivors, but exercise can help, according to a study published online July 8 in Psycho-Oncology.
Overall Survival Up With Surgical Treatment in T3 Glottic SCC
MONDAY, July 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients with T3 glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have improved overall survival (OS) with surgical treatment versus nonsurgical management, according to a study published online July 7 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Second, Unrelated Malignancies Strike 1 in 12 Cancer Patients
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new study indicates that 8 percent of patients — or one in 12 — already diagnosed with one form of cancer will develop a second unrelated malignancy. The findings were published online July 5 in Cancer.
Retinoblastoma Mortality Up With Eye-Preserving Radiotherapy
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Short-term survival of heritable retinoblastoma is high, but long-term mortality remains a challenge, according to a study published online July 5 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
VA Appealing to Physicians to Join Agency
FRIDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is appealing to physicians to join the agency as part of its recovery from a 2014 scandal linked to excessive wait times, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Medical Marijuana Laws Affect Medicare Part D Spending
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Legalization of medical marijuana and its associated availability have affected prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D, according to a study published online July 6 in Health Affairs.
Circulating Tumor DNA May Help Predict Colon CA Recurrence
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after resection of stage II colon cancer may identify patients at increased risk of recurrence, according to a study published July 6 in Science Translational Medicine.
CDC: Majority of HPV-Linked Cancers Are Preventable
FRIDAY, July 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The majority of cancers linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) are preventable, according to a report published in the July 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Docs Tending Away From Post-Prostatectomy Adjuvant RT
THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Compared with 2012, in 2015 urologists based in Australia were less favorable toward adjuvant radiotherapy for men with high-risk pathologic features post-prostatectomy, according to a study published online June 27 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
DNA-Repair Gene Mutations ID’d in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For men with metastatic prostate cancer, the incidence of germline mutations in genes associated with DNA-repair processes is 11.8 percent, according to a study published online July 6 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Nonsolid Nodules Unlikely to Cause Death in Lung Cancer
THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In patients with lung cancer as the cause of death (COD), nonsolid nodules (NSNs) identified on computed tomography scans (CTs) tend to have an indolent course, according to a study published online July 5 in Radiology.
Neratinib Active in HER2-Positive, HR-Negative Breast Cancer
THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Neratinib and veliparib-carboplatin appear to be effective in women with specific subtypes of breast cancer, according to two studies published online July 6 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract — Park
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Abstract — Rugo
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Laser Tx of Pigmented Lesions May Obscure Melanoma Diagnosis
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Laser treatment of pigmented lesions can complicate the diagnosis of melanoma and potentially lead to a delay in diagnosis, according to a study published online June 27 in The Journal of Dermatology.
U.S. Medical Schools to Expand Training on Opioid Abuse
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — U.S. medical schools are expanding training to address the increasing number of overdose deaths, according to a report published by The Associated Press.
Euthanasia, Doc-Assisted Suicide Increasingly Being Legalized
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are increasingly being legalized, but their use remains rare, according to a special communication published online July 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Risk of Noncervical Anogenital Cancer Up With History of CIN2/3
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women with a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2 or CIN3 have increased risks of subsequent development of anal, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, according to a study published online June 29 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Many Clinical Trials Are Not Listed in Data-Sharing Repository
WEDNESDAY, July 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Only about half of trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov are listed in the largest data-sharing repository, according to a research letter published online June 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Knowledge of CT Risks Varies Among Health Care Providers
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Radiologists and technologists have better knowledge about the risks associated with medical imaging examinations than referring physicians, according to a study published online June 22 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.
U.S. Cancer Survivors Aging, Battling Other Chronic Disease
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In 2016, nearly 62 percent of almost 16 million cancer survivors are aged 65 or older; and, by 2040, an estimated 73 percent of 26 million cancer survivors will be 65 or older, according to a report published in the July 1 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Electronic Cigarettes May Damage Oral Epithelial Cells
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Aerosols from electronic cigarettes appear cytotoxic to oral epithelial cells in vitro, according to research published online May 25 in PLOS ONE.
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Increasing Cumulative Cisplatin Dose Linked to Hearing Loss
FRIDAY, July 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is a significant correlation for increasing cumulative cisplatin dose with hearing loss, according to a study published online June 27 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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