Volume 5, Number 12 (December 2008)

Letter from the Editor

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Supporting Josephine/Joe the oncologist

Linda D. Bosserman, MD, FACP, Editor

Wilshire Oncology Medical Group, Inc., La Verne, CA

For many oncologists who run small business dedicated to high-quality, high-touch care for cancer patients, the year 2008 has been a challenging one.

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Special Report

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Metastatic breast cancer patients: addressing their unmet needs

MBC Advocacy Working Group

For women with advanced disease, it’s critical to have access to the resources and support services that have so benefited patients with early breast cancer.

COMMENTARY
Supporting patients with metastatic breast cancer: a call to action

William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP

Breast Medical Oncology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL

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Community Translations

651

Romiplostim for treating thrombocytopenia in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

This drug belongs to a novel class of thrombopoietin receptor agonists. It’s an exciting treatment option for patients with ITP.

FROM THE COMMUNITY ONCOLOGIST'S PERSPECTIVE
Finding a place for thrombopoietin receptor agonists in the treatment of chronic ITP

Vinod Pullarkat, MD, MRCP

City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Romiplostim: the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS

Michael Newton, PharmD, BCOP

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV

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Oncology Genetics

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Cancer genetic testing: applying scientific discovery to clinical practice

Leigha Senter, MS, CGC, and Nicolette Chun, MS, CGC

Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford, CA

Twenty years ago, incorporating genetic test results in clinical oncology practice would have seemed revolutionary. However, discoveries in cancer genetics today have, in some cases, become fully integrated into clinical care.

COMMENTARY
Jumping the gun

Debbie Pencarinha, CGC, and Sue Friedman

Kingsport Hematology and Oncology Associates, Kingsport, TN, and Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), Tampa, FL

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Nursing Management

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Improving patient outcomes with decitabine therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes

Jan Davisson, RN

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

The hypomethylating agent decitabine has recently been approved as a treatment option for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. In phase II and III studies, decitabine demonstrated durable responses in these patients and delayed time to acute myeloid leukemia transformation or death compared with supportive care. Oncology nurses play an essential role in preparing patients and caregivers for what to expect during decitabine therapy, including possible adverse effects. After decitabine treatment has been initiated, oncology nurses can help to assess and manage side effects and monitor response to treatment.

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Economics/Practice Management

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Helping patients meet their financial obligations: monitoring and benchmarking your collections

Karen Pilley

US Oncology, Houston, TX

With the nation’s economy in decline, community oncologists have experienced an increase in the number of uninsured patients seeking treatment, an influx that has heightened practices’ exposure to bad debt. A finely tuned and proactive financial counseling process that seeks outside patient support when needed can help ensure many patients meet their contractual obligations for care and significantly reduce a practice’s risk of financial loss. In this second article of a two-part series on financial counseling, the author explores ways to monitor the number of charity care cases in your practice and benchmark collections.

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Washington Update

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Prospects for community oncology in 2009 and beyond

Ted A. Okon, MBA

Community Oncology Alliance

High on the priority list for the new Administration and Congress is fixing the economy and healthcare crises.

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OncologySTAT 2008 Highlights

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The year’s most important developments in cancer treatment

OncologySTAT, Elsevier’s comprehensive oncology Web site, marked its 1-year anniversary by asking members of its advisory board and other experts to choose the most significant cancer treatment developments in 2008. A brief wrap-up of the developments and a link to OncologySTAT, where you can find more on the top oncology stories of this year.

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2008 Annual Index

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Author and subject indexes for all regular issues and supplements

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© 2008 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.

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.