Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
-
Comparative Study
Neuropsychological performance in survivors of breast cancer more than 20 years after adjuvant chemotherapy.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer can have adverse effects on cognition shortly after administration. Whether chemotherapy has any long-term effects on cognition is largely unknown, yet it becomes increasingly relevant because of the widespread use of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer and the improved survival. We investigated whether cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for breast cancer is associated with worse cognitive performance more than 20 years after treatment. ⋯ Survivors of breast cancer treated with adjuvant CMF chemotherapy more than 20 years ago perform worse, on average, than random population controls on neuropsychological tests. The pattern of cognitive problems is largely similar to that observed in patients shortly after cessation of chemotherapy. This study suggests that cognitive deficits following breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent CMF chemotherapy can be long lasting.
-
To evaluate the risk of second cancer (SC) in long-term survivors of retinoblastoma (Rb) according to classification of germline mutation, based on family history of Rb and laterality. ⋯ Rb survivors with bilateral disease and an inherited germline mutation are at slightly higher risk of an SC compared with those with a de novo germline mutation, in particular melanoma, perhaps because of shared genetic alterations.
-
Lymph node (LN) involvement is the most important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC), and pN-positive status identifies patients who require adjuvant chemotherapy. Approximately 15% to 20% of patients without nodal metastases (pN0) develop recurrent disease. In this study, we tested the prognostic significance of isolated tumor cells (ITCs) in LNs of patients with pN0 CRC (stages I and II). ⋯ In patients with pN0 CRC, cancer relapse was significantly associated with ITCs in regional LNs. ITCs should be considered among the clinicobiologic variables that identify high-risk patients who can benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
-
To investigate how involvement preferences of patients with breast cancer change during the treatment decision-making process and determine the impact of meeting patients' expectations on decision-making outcomes. ⋯ Many patients with early-stage breast cancer have treatment options and approach treatment decisions with a desire for decisional control, which may increase after their consultation. Patients' ultimate involvement preferences were more likely to be consistent with the way the decision was actually made, suggesting that patients need to feel concordance between their preference and the actual decision. Patients who directed decisions, even if more than they hoped for, fared better on all decision-related outcomes. These results emphasize the need for oncologists to endorse and facilitate patient participation in treatment decision making.
-
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have become the cornerstone in the treatment of several malignancies. These drugs have also been associated with an increase in the risk of potentially life-threatening adverse events, such as arterial thrombotic events, bleeding, congestive heart failure, and others. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis to determine the risk of fatal adverse events (FAEs) in patients with cancer treated with VEGFR TKIs. ⋯ In a meta-analysis of RCTs, the use of VEGFR TKIs was associated with an increased risk of FAEs compared with control patients.