Bevacizumab for breast cancer: FDA grants a stay of execution

Author: Dr. A. De la Guerra
Submitted: January 19, 2011. Updated: January 26, 2011.
Category: Gynecology | Oncology | Pharmacy | Research | Surgery

The Food and Drug Administration has after repeated delays proposed removing metastatic breast cancer as an indication from the Avastin label. The proposal is being contested by Roche/Genentech, the drug’s maker. In this article we review the evidence… Read more... (Comments: 0)

Pregnancy Weight Gain Guidelines in the US - a Historical Overview

Author: Debbie Miller, RN
Submitted: October 12, 2010. Updated: October 15, 2010.
Category: Endocrinology | Family Medicine | Gynecology | Obstetrics | Internal Medicine | Nutrition | Preventive Medicine | Nursing | Pediatrics

Prior to the introduction of the medical community in the natural birth process, any maternal recommendations and guidelines were passed from mother to daughter or through lay midwives, herbal and folk practitioners. Childbirth, though risky, was not… Read more... (Comments: 4)

New TNM Classification for Lung Cancer. Part II: A review

Author: Dr. A. De la Guerra
Submitted: February 07, 2010. Updated: March 01, 2010.
Category: Oncology | Pulmonology | Radiology | Surgery

The American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer have redefined the criteria for staging lung cancer based on the proposals made by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, which appeared in the recently… Read more... (Comments: 6)

New TNM Classification for Lung Cancer - Part I: The changes

Author: Dr. A. De la Guerra
Submitted: February 01, 2010. Updated: February 01, 2010.
Category: Oncology | Pulmonology | Radiology | Surgery

Appropriate staging of lung cancer is fundamental for determining the best treatment approach and defining prognosis. After ten years of labor the IASLC has modernized the lung cancer TNM staging system. Revisions to the TNM were determined by differences… Read more... (Comments: 0)

Improved survival in AML with higher anthracycline doses

Author: Tamer M. Fouad, M.D.
Submitted: September 29, 2009. Updated: September 29, 2009.
Category: Hematology | Bone Marrow Transplantation | Oncology | Pharmacy

Younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that receive higher doses of anthracyclines during induction chemotherapy are reported to have better complete remission rates in most studies. As of yet, studies have failed to show an improved surivival… Read more... (Comments: 0)

Aspirin Use as Treatment in Colorectal Cancer: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

Author: Jeffrey A. Gordon, M.D.
Submitted: September 12, 2009. Updated: September 30, 2009.
Category: Gastroenterology | Oncology | Pharmacy

Aspirin use can decrease the risk of colorectal adenomas.  Full-dose, but not low-dose, aspirin may decrease the risk of developing colorectal cancer.  Whether or not aspirin use can favorably augment survival in patients diagnosed with colorectal… Read more... (Comments: 5)

The Role of Chemotherapy in Advanced Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Author: Tamer M. Fouad, M.D.
Submitted: September 03, 2009. Updated: September 26, 2009.
Category: Gynecology | Oncology

Estrogen receptor positive (ER-positive) breast tumors account for approximately three-quarters of all new cases. Patients with advanced tumors are treated based on the presence of risk factors such as the presence of visceral metastasis, short disease… Read more... (Comments: 3)

Have Resident Work Hour Restrictions Compromised Training - a Pediatrician’s Perspective

Author: Merlin C. Lowe, MD, FAAP
Submitted: August 26, 2009. Updated: September 21, 2009.
Category: Internal Medicine | Medical Students | Pediatrics

With many recent changes in residency requirements, one must wonder how effective our residency training system is. Are residents still learning the required information to perform well? Is the new system just as good as the old but in a "kinder" way?… Read more... (Comments: 2)

Special tests in the clinical examination of patellofemoral syndrome

Author: Tom Plamondon PA-C
Submitted: August 12, 2009. Updated: October 07, 2010.
Category: Orthopedics | Physiotherapy | Rheumatology | Sports Medicine

Patellofemoral Syndrome usually involves abnormal alignment of the knee or patella and excessive pull or imbalance of certain muscles around the knee. Therefore, it is important to evaluate certain biomechanical elements of the lower extremity. In… Read more... (Comments: 3)

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia - more common than believed

Author: Parks P, RN
Submitted: July 10, 2009. Updated: September 21, 2009.
Category: Family Medicine | Hematology | Nursing

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe immune reaction to heparin. Heparin is the most common prescribed anticoagulant in the United States. HIT is a potentially fatal condition it can lead to amputation and loss of limbs; it is more common… Read more... (Comments: 1)