Volume 2, Number 6 (November/December 2005)

Letter from the Editor

465

Turning back the tide

Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, FACP, Editor-in-Chief

The West Clinic, Memphis, TN

The trend toward cutting funds from entitlement programs is not inevitable. But we have to continue fighting it, much in the same way we would battle metastatic breast cancer: evaluate treatment often, make adjustments, and stay vigilant.

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Community Dialogue

469

Reflecting back, looking forward

Community Oncology interviews Stephen F. Sener, MD, outgoing president of the American Cancer Society

He has beefed up the Society’s agenda for prevention and early detection, and championed international development. Dr. Sener reflects on his accomplishments and the role of community oncologists.

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Community Translations

477

Accelerated partial breast irradiation using MammoSite brachytherapy: a multidisciplinary approach to breast-conservation therapy

Kim N. Vu, MD, Anthony E. Dragun, MD, David J. Cole, MD, and Joseph M. Jenrette, MD

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

MammoSite balloon brachytherapy (MBT) is a relatively new technique for the delivery of adjuvant radiation therapy in breast cancer. Over the past 3 years the authors, whose institution was one of the first in the United States to adopt the use of MBT, have treated almost 100 patients with the system. Here, they detail their technique and how it has evolved.

abstract

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Managing Side Effects

492

Managing cutaneous side effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) inhibitors

Sarah E. Dick, MD, and Glen H. Crawford, MD

Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Two thirds of cancer patients receiving HER1/EGFR inhibitors will develop a papulopustular eruption, which may be a surrogate marker for tumor response and/or survival. Although the eruption is often characterized as acne-like, it is not related to acne, and treating it as acne may cause more harm than good. How to treat this and other side effects.

abstract

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Economics/Practice Management

498

Maximizing your profits with pharmacy control strategies

Bob Phelan and Maggy Pons

Integrated Community Oncology Network, Jacksonville, FL, and Advanced Medical Specialties, Miami, FL

Pharmacy managers must be increasingly vigilant to capture revenues and maximize profits. Here are a number of strategies to help you achieve your goals.

abstract

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Technology

502

Cancer information on the Internet: the impact of employing specific search engines and search strategies

Timothy M. Markman and Maurie Markman, MD

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

When patients go online for information about their disease, which search engine should you recommend? Four were explored by the authors, with surprising results.

abstract

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Review Article

507

AIDS-related cancers, part I: Kaposi’s sarcoma and cervical cancer

Mark Bower, FRCP, PhD, Rachel Lewis, MB, BS, and Justin Stebbing, MRCP, PhD

Department of Oncology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK

We have elevated the quality of cancer care in this country. But now we must communicate that success and more fully articulate its value. Because of changes in Medicare, the need to lead the quality care movement is urgent.

abstract

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Challenging Cases/Rare Cancers

516

The effects of ciprofloxacin and paclitaxel on metastatic and recurrent chondrosarcoma

Edward J. Fox, MD, Jesse T. Torbert, MD, Anne-Marie Martin, PhD, Arthur P. Staddon, MD, Joseph L. Finstein, MD, and Richard D. Lackman, MD

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Currently, the only effective treatment for recurrent or metastatic chondrosarcoma is further surgical resection. The authors of this interesting pilot study show that the combination of ciprofloxacin and paclitaxel is effective for recurrent and metastatic lesions.

abstract

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Psychosocial Oncology

528

Recognizing depression in cancer outpatients

Barbara Adkins, MSN, ARNP-BC, AOCNP, Teresa Titus-Howard, MSW, MHA, Vickie Massey, MD, Nancy Washburn, MSN, APRN, Jackie Molinaro, BSN, Brenda Lang, ARNP, William L. Bruning, JD, MBA, Sandy Simmons, ARNP, Patty Gerken, APRN, Valerie Sommer, APRN, Keely LaNoue, BSN, Becky Rogers, ARNP, and Beverly Wilson, APRN

Kansas City Cancer Center, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and Overland Park, MO, and Mid-America Coalition on Health Care, Kansas City, MO

A comparative chart review performed on patients receiving chemotherapy before and after an anti-depression initiative showed a twofold improvement in the recognition of depression. This initiative led to a demonstration project incorporating a comprehensive approach to treating mental health disorders that are co-morbid with cancer.

abstract

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205 kb

antidepressant comparison table

55 kb

Book Review

484

His own best advocate

The Patient from Hell: How I Worked with My Doctors to Get the Best of Modern Medicine and How You Can Too, by Stephen H. Schneider, PhD, with Janica Lane; Da Capo Lifelong Books

Reviewed by Myron Goldsmith, MD, Huntington Beach, CA

The “gods of irony” gave this renowned climate researcher a research disease: mantle cell lymphoma. He worked with his doctors to design his own care. Our reviewer explores how Dr. Schneider’s treatment at Stanford differed from community care.

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Washington Update

536

Commentary: Community Cancer Care Preservation Act introduced in Congress

Ted Okon and Steve Coplon

Community Oncology Alliance, Memphis, TN

If passed, this legislation will retain critical funding in the Medicare system for cancer care.

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The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors or advertisers. The authors, editors, and publishers make every effort to ensure that no inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement is published in this journal and that drug names, dosages, and recommendations are accurate. However, readers should confirm all dosage schedules against the manufacturer’s package information data. The Publisher, Editorial Board, and their employees accept no liability whatsoever for the consequences of any inaccurate or misleading data, opinion, or statement.