Targeted Therapies Improve Outcomes in Renal Cancer and GIST, but Challenges Remain
Targeted therapies have significantly changed the treatment of cancer and are now considered to be a component of care for a number of common malignancies, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. In particular, they have significantly improved outcomes for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
Catheter-Directed Embolectomy Life-Saving in Massive Pulmonary Embolism
Catheter-directed intervention can be life-saving for patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) who fail to respond to or cannot receive systemic thrombolysis, according to a report in the August issue of Chest.
Earlier and More Aggressive LDL Lowering, or Better Approaches for Targeting High-Risk Individuals?
A new review by three renowned experts in cardiology suggests that efforts to treat elevated cholesterol levels are not exploiting the full potential of cholesterol-lowering strategies, and current approaches to treatment are simply doing "too little, too late. [1]" The evidence, say these experts, is strong enough to support even more aggressive use of lipid-lowering […]
Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing May Be Safe, Effective for Facial Rhytids
Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is a safe and effective treatment for facial rhytidosis and solar aging, according to the results of a retrospective case series reported in the July/August issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.
FDA Warns About Injection Site Reactions With Naltrexone
Injectable, extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol, Cephalon), used for the treatment of alcohol dependence, has been linked to adverse injection-site reactions, some requiring surgery, according to a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory notice to healthcare professionals released yesterday.
Disease-Free Period Predicts Response to Salvage Therapy for Oral Cancer
In patients with locally recurrent carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx, a disease-free interval of more than 1 year and tumor tissue negative for EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) expression predict a good response to salvage surgery.
Laparoscopy-Assisted Colectomy Improves Survival in Single-Center Trial
Laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC) for colon cancer is more effective than open colectomy, according to a report in the July Annals of Surgery.
Percutaneous Thrombectomy an Option in Some Cases of Pulmonary Embolism
Combined clot fragmentation and thrombus aspiration appears to be beneficial in certain patients with massive angiographic pulmonary embolism (PE), according to Mexican researchers.
Strontium Reduces Postmenopausal Nonvertebral and Vertebral Fracture Risk
Long-term strontium ranelate treatment reduces the risk of nonvertebral and vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, according to a report in the June issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Growth Hormone Therapy May Decrease Diabetes Risk in Girls With Turner Syndrome
Growth hormone (GH) treatment has beneficial effects on body composition, regional fat deposition and glucose tolerance in girls with Turner syndrome, a study suggests. "We found that GH-treated girls were leaner, with less abdominal fat and normal glucose tolerance compared with never-treated girls in the current study and compared with Turner syndrome girls in studies […]
