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Volume 4, Number 6 (June 2007) | |||||
Letter from the Editor |
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358 |
Riding the Capitol Hill roller coaster Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been in the news lately, so when our editor traveled to Capitol Hill on behalf of the American Society of Hematology, it came at an opportune moment. He got in actual “face time” with elected officials who promised to question Medicare on the wisdom of new rules proposed on ESAs. It’s a policy that, if enacted, would eliminate use of almost 90% of ESAs in oncology, which is not good news for patients.
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Community Translations |
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384 |
Vorinostat in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Many community oncologists will see a limited number of cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Primary dermatologists often treat this disease; when it progresses, they seek opinions and treatment from referral centers. But despite the relatively small number of people affected by CTCL, there is research dedicated to therapeutic options. The use of oral vorinostat may represent an important additional treatment for CTCL. This drug enables clinicians to convert it from a progressive to a chronic disease. | ||||
FROM THE COMMUNITY ONCOLOGIST'S PERSPECTIVE Annapolis Oncology Center, Annapolis, MD | |||||
FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR'S PERSPECTIVE West Virginia University Hospitals, Morgantown, WV
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Controversies in Patient Care |
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389 |
ESAs: whatever happened to evidence-based medicine? Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA With new data, new FDA rulings, and news across the media on rebates—some call them kickbacks—paid to oncologists and other specialists, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are at the white hot center of a debate in medicine. Are these drugs overprescribed by physicians eager to collect cash from pharma? Or are they quality-of-life-saving medications doled out judiciously and appropriately? In a series of articles found in the next few pages, as well as two Having Your Say opinion pieces beginning on page 367, we sort through the controversy. |
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ADVERSE EVENT ALERT Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL | |||||
A PHYSICIAN'S POINT OF VIEW Georgetown University, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Bethesda, MD | |||||
A PAYOR'S POINT OF VIEW UnitedHealthcare, Minneapolis, MN | |||||
COMMENTARY FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR'S DESK Supportive Oncology Services, Inc., and Connecticut Oncology Association, South Windsor, CT
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Nursing Management |
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404 |
Implementing a multisymptom chemotherapy risk assessment tool in two community oncology practices Pennsylvania Oncology Hematology Associates, Philadelphia, PA; Capital Health System, Trenton, NJ; Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Associates, Norwich, CT; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA Chemotherapy patients are at high risk for developing symptoms that can delay or preclude treatment, affect quality of life, and even lead to life-endangering events. The AIM Higher risk assessment tool helps clinicians identify individual patient risks and develop strategies to manage or eliminate chemotherapy-related symptoms before and during treatment. This article discusses using the AIM Higher process for prechemotherapy risk assessment in two community practices and describes how it can improve patient care.
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Managing Side Effects |
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411 |
Managing medical complications in patients with brain tumors Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA Patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors are at risk for several major medical problems throughout their illness. The most common problems are tumor-associated vasogenic edema, seizures, and deep venous thrombosis. In addition to the symptoms caused directly by these disorders, the drugs used to treat them can produce significant adverse effects. Appropriate management of these complications can improve quality of life and minimize hospital admissions.
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Having Your Say |
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367 |
Are drug rebates good for oncology? Center for Practical Health Reform, Atlantic Beach, FL When oncologists accept rebates, they’re in danger of compromising their medical judgment, says one reformer. He challenges clinicians to set things right.
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369 |
Rebates are not the whole story Wilshire Oncology Medical Group, Inc., La Verne, CA We need balanced payment reform as well as transparency in treatment.
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Letters to the Editor |
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379 |
Treatment considerations for today’s elderly Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Boston, MA
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379 |
Minimizing vincristine misadministration University of Michigan Health System, Department of Pharmacy Services, Ann Arbor, MI
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Brief Communications |
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398 |
Dose-independent synergistic response with gemcitabine and cisplatin in anthracycline-resistant breast cancer and reversal of resistance to gemcitabine with addition of paclitaxel Department of Medicine, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY | ||||
COMMENTARY The West Clinic, Memphis, TN
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402 |
Primary adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon diagnosed by uterine curettage: a case report Texas Tech University Health Science Center and Harrington Cancer Center, Amarillo, TX
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Technology |
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417 |
How 'tech toys' have helped one doctor run a more efficient practice For a New Orleans practice, technology has freed staff members from time-consuming chores, helped educate patients, and cut expenses. In an era of lower reimbursement, that all adds up to a win-win situation.
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Washington Update |
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419 |
Debunking the myths of reimbursement, rebates, and oncologists' motives Community Oncology Alliance, Memphis, TN
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420 |
Cancer bills offer promise, gain momentum
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© 2007 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. |
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