Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
-
It is important for cancer patients to maintain continuity of care with their family physician (FP) while being followed at the cancer center. The primary objective of this study was to determine the perception of patients seen in the palliative Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program (RRRP) on FP involvement in their cancer care. Secondary objectives were to identify factors predicting for perceived FP involvement in patient cancer care. ⋯ Less than half of patients surveyed perceived their FP as involved in their cancer care. Encouraging continuity of care between patients and FPs may allow for easier transition of care back to the FP once palliative treatment at the cancer center has finished and help facilitate end-of-life planning.
-
Few studies regarding patients' views about spirituality and health care have included patients with cancer who reside in the urban, northeastern United States. Even fewer have investigated the relationship between patients' spiritual needs and perceptions of quality and satisfaction with care. ⋯ Most patients had spiritual needs. A slight majority thought it appropriate to be asked about these needs, although fewer thought this compared with reports in other settings. Few had their spiritual needs addressed by the staff. Patients whose spiritual needs were not met reported lower ratings of quality and satisfaction with care.
-
There is concern that women with multifocal ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; confined to one quadrant) who are treated with breast-conserving surgery face a high risk of local recurrence; therefore, many are treated with mastectomy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the significance of multifocality and the outcomes of women with multifocal DCIS treated with breast-conserving therapy. ⋯ Multifocality is a significant predictor of local recurrence in women who receive breast-conserving surgery for DCIS without radiotherapy; however, low recurrence rates can be achieved if adjuvant radiation is administered.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Alemtuzumab compared with chlorambucil as first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous alemtuzumab compared with chlorambucil in first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). ⋯ As first-line treatment for patients with CLL, alemtuzumab demonstrated significantly improved PFS, time to alternative treatment, ORR and CR, and minimal residual disease-negative remissions compared with chlorambucil, with predictable and manageable toxicity.