New Guidance on Colorectal Cancer Screening
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Among recommendations from the American College of Physicians is the most aggressive stance to date on screening in blacks: Begin at age 40.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
March 30, 2012
Covering:
Qaseem A et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Mar 6; 156:378
Preventing Osteoporotic Fractures in Women Who Receive Aromatase Inhibitors
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A cost-effectiveness model suggested bisphosphonates should be used only when BMD assessment shows elevated fracture risk.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 29, 2012
Covering:
Ito K et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Feb 27
Dhesy-Thind SK., J Clin Oncol 2012 Feb 27
Vorapaxar: Are Small Secondary-Prevention Gains Worth the Bleeding Risk?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Probably not, according to findings from the TRA 2P–TIMI 50 trial.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
March 25, 2012
Covering:
Morrow DA et al. for the TRA 2P–TIMI 50 Steering Committee and Investigators., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 24
How Well Do Physicians Interpret Cancer Screening Statistics?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Physicians incorrectly believed that earlier detection and better 5-year survival proved that screening saves lives.
Estrogen Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk: More from the Women's Health Initiative
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Incidence of and mortality from breast cancer were clearly lower than in women who received placebo.
Fine MAPping in Melanoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Researchers identify recurrent somatic mutations in genes in the MAP kinase pathway.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
March 16, 2012
Covering:
Stark MS et al., Nat Genet 2012 Feb; 44:165
Nikolaev SI et al., Nat Genet 2012 Feb; 44:133
HPV Vaccination History: A Window on Cervical Health
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Identifying barriers to vaccine uptake
Neuropsychological Function 20 Years After Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Negative effects on cognitive performance are persistent.
Endometriosis Is Associated with Risk for Ovarian Carcinoma
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Associations were documented for clear-cell, endometrioid, and low-grade serous ovarian cancer.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
March 15, 2012
Covering:
Pearce CL et al., Lancet Oncol 2012 Feb 22
Gourley C., Lancet Oncol 2012 Feb 22
New Studies Aimed at Colorectal Cancer Detection and Prevention
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Research focuses on colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical testing, and stool DNA testing.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 15, 2012
Covering:
Quintero E et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 23; 366:697
Zauber AG et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 23; 366:687
Ahlquist DA et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Feb; 142:248
Robotic vs. Open Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A survey study suggests a higher rate of incontinence after robotic surgery.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 8, 2012
Covering:
Barry MJ et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Feb 10; 30:513
Cooperberg MR et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Feb 10; 30:476
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors
Women's Health Summary and Comment
CBT was more effective than usual care.
Enoxaparin Better Than Unfractionated Heparin During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Data from a meta-analysis may warrant a change in current guidelines.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 7, 2012
Covering:
Silvain J et al., BMJ 2012 Feb 3; 344:e553
James S., BMJ 2012 Feb 3; 344:e712
Dabigatran Associated with Increased Bleeding During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Until the effects of dabigatran use during ablation are clearer, it should be withheld for at least 24 hours before the procedure.
By Mark S. Link, MD
February 29, 2012
Covering:
Lakkireddy D et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2012 Feb 1
Knight BP., J Am Coll Cardiol 2012 Feb 1
Safety of Chemotherapy During Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
In a long-term European study, health outcomes were similar between children exposed in utero to chemotherapy and the general population.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 23, 2012
Covering:
Amant F et al., Lancet Oncol 2012 Feb 10
Cardonick E., Lancet Oncol 2012 Feb 10
A New Targeted Approach to Cancer Therapy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Inhibiting a particular gene specifically attacks many cancer cells.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
February 23, 2012
Covering:
Kessler JD et al., Science 2012 Jan 20; 335:348
Evan G., Science 2012 Jan 20; 335:293
Vemurafenib for Previously Treated Melanomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Vemurafenib induced clinical response in more than half of patients with previously treated <$EMPH_O>BRAF V600E<$EMPH_C>–mutant metastatic melanoma.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
Sosman JA et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 23; 366:707
Prostate Biopsy: Attitudes About Adverse Events
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Nearly all men who underwent prostate biopsy experienced adverse symptoms, but few rated symptoms as moderate or major.
A Raised Risk for NMSC in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients who receive azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for inflammatory bowel disease have a greater risk for developing nonmelanoma skin cancer.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Singh H et al., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1612
Peyrin-Biroulet L et al., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1621
Jess T., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1549
Care Near Life's End: More Findings from an Important Lung Cancer Study
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Early palliative care reduced chemotherapy use near the end of life without compromising survival.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 14, 2012
Covering:
Greer JA et al., J Clin Oncol 2012 Feb 1; 30:394
Smoking Is Associated with Increased Risk for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Smoking is associated with risk for squamous cell carcinoma in both men and women, but especially among women.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
February 10, 2012
Covering:
Rollison DE et al., Cancer Causes Control 2011 Nov 19
Oral HPV Infection Is Common
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Such infection — associated with a form of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma — is present in 6.9% of the U.S. population aged 14 to 69.
Recent Patterns of Anal Cancer in HIV-Infected Patients
Rates exceed those in the general population for all risk groups but are highest among men who have sex with men.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
February 6, 2012
Covering:
Silverberg MJ et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Jan 30
Younger Breast Cancer Survivors Have Unique Concerns
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A systematic review focuses on quality of life, emotional health, and menopause- and fertility-related issues in survivors age 50 or younger.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 2, 2012
Covering:
Howard-Anderson J et al., J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012 Jan 23
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: What Do the Data Show? Who Should Be Treated?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Vitamin D and calcium supplementation may lower fracture risk in some individuals, but data regarding its effects on cancer are inconclusive.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Chung M et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Dec 20; 155:827
