Posts by year
2020
Prolonged ADT use in prostate cancer increases CV mortality: A need for cardiovascular protection
Prolonged androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) exposure was found to be associated with reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. The study, published in JACC: CardioOncology, emphasizes the need to consider CV surveillance and risk modification for men both…
Serious patient-reported outcomes data gap in immunotherapy trials revealed
A review of trials of immunotherapy agents revealed a ‘considerable gap’ in the use of patient reported outcomes (PROs), reports a recent study. The data analysis study found PROs were included in less than half of the 44 immunotherapy trials…
Cancer-associated thrombosis: awareness and action can save many lives
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the second most common cause of death in people with cancer, yet it has received far less attention than other possible complications, such as infection or neutropenic sepsis. This situation is beginning to change, with events…
Rapid palliation of bone mets: it’s effective and easy, so why aren’t we all doing it?
Bone metastases occur in around 7 out of every 10 people with advanced cancer, and are most frequently found in people with breast, prostate, lung or kidney cancers, and in most people with advanced multiple myeloma. They cause pain and…
Machine learning mortality predictions boost end-of-life conversations
A study of the use of machine learning to predict the risk of dying within six months, combined with behavioural nudges, led to increased serious illness conversations between oncologists and cancer patients. “To our knowledge, this is one of the…
The cost of cancer in Europe
Interview with Thomas Hofmarcher, health economist, IHE - The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, Lund, Sweden. Q. Which is the origin of your idea of studying the cost of cancer in Europe? Does the Swedish Institute for Health Economics have a…
Adriana Albini, editor in chief, presents Cancer World issue 89
Editor Adriana Albini talks readers through the stories we’ve selected for our Winter print issue. They cover a wide range of topics, but are really interested only in one thing: how do we improve the quality of care we tailor…
Two studies provide ‘building blocks’ for future advances in pancreatic cancer
Two recently published studies have provided insights into new ways of tackling pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), a cancer where survival outcomes have made little progress in the past few decades. Approximately 95% of pancreatic malignancies are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs),…
Thank you virologists! – Nobel Prize spotlights virus-associated cancers
With the 2020 Nobel Prize going to three scientists who led on the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, Adriana Albini acknowledges the valuable contributions that these and other virologists have made over many decades to advancing our understanding of…
In memoriam: Alfredo Die Goyanes, oncology surgeon
It is not possible! Alfredo has passed away, he has not been able to overcome the attack of the damn virus that devastates lives and feelings. I try to control my memories, my friendship with him and the enormous gratitude…