Articles
People who are less engaged in their own medical care have more negative health consequences, including higher readmission rates, poor care coordination, and less confidence.
Patients can be taught via neurofeedback to modify their brainwave activity and decrease the sensations of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
San Francisco, CA—Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer consistently indicate the need for better communication from their oncology providers on matters concerning sexual health. Despite misconceptions that the topic may embarrass them or fall on deaf ears, surveys show that AYAs actually want to talk to their providers about topics such as dating, safe sex practices during treatment, contraception, body image, sexuality, fertility, and psychosexual adjustment.
San Francisco, CA—The human papillomavirus (HPV) has changed the field of head and neck cancer, and HPV now causes a growing majority (70%-90%) of oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinomas. As its incidence is rising in the United States, so is patient curiosity about what sets this cancer apart from other malignancies.
- Xospata Extends Overall Survival in Patients with FLT3 Mutation–Positive Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Published Results from KEYNOTE-048 Trial Show Extended Survival with Keytruda in Advanced Head and Neck Cancers
- Discussing Costs of Genomic Testing with Patients
By Chase Doyle
San Diego, CA—Great progress has been made in the fight against cancer, but not all patients have benefited equally. Disparities exist among specific populations in terms of survival and cancer-related mortality, incidence and prevalence, as well as adverse health conditions, according to Karen M. Winkfield, MD, PhD, Director, Office of Cancer Health Equity, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr Winkfield discussed the topic at the 2019 ASCO Quality Care Symposium.
By Chase Doyle
San Diego, CA—Patient-centered clinical pathways may hold the promise of truly personalized medicine, improving value-based care and clinical outcomes. However, according to Cary P. Gross, MD, Director, Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, substantial challenges still stand in the way of including the patient’s voice in these pathways.
By Chase Doyle
San Diego, CA—The economic burden faced by patients with cancer who have low income may be more pervasive than previously thought. According to data presented at the 2019 ASCO Quality Care Symposium, even patients enrolled in clinical trials are at high risk for financial toxicity.
On July 30, 2019, the FDA approved darolutamide (Nubeqa; Bayer HealthCare), an oral androgen receptor inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This approval was based on a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial known as ARAMIS. The FDA granted this application priority review.
On August 2, 2019, the FDA approved pexidartinib (Turalio; Daiichi Sankyo) capsules, a kinase inhibitor, for adults with symptomatic tenosynovial giant-cell tumor (TGCT), which is associated with severe morbidity or functional limitations, who are not candidates for surgery. Pexidartinib is the first systemic therapy approved for patients with TGCT. The FDA granted pexidartinib a priority review and breakthrough therapy and orphan drug designations.