A mono-institutional prospective study on the effectiveness of a specialist psychotherapeutic intervention (POI) started at the diagnosis of cancer.

Purpose: We evaluated the effectiveness of an early POI in newly diagnosed cancer patients in reducing the occurrence of psychiatric disturbances.

Methods: We designed a mono-institutional prospective study involving all new patients admitted to the Oncology Department of Fatebenefratelli and Ophtalmic Hospital in Milan from January 2005 until September 2008. During the first visit, the oncologist could offer support with a psycho-oncologist.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in cancer patients treated with Bisphosphonates: how the knowledge of a phenomenon can change its evolution.

Goals Of The Work: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a severe complication of bisphosphonates treatment. Bisphosphonates reduce skeletal adverse events and give a clinical benefit to cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to identify appropriate procedures to reduce ONJ injures by using a successful monitoring program.

An oxaliplatin + 5-fluorouracil bolus + folinic acid (BFOL) regimen as first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Aims And Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcome of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated, as first line, with 5-fluorouracil bolus/leucovorin + oxaliplatin, in terms of response, progression-free and overall survival.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort of consecutive metastatic colorectal cancer patients, treated from 2003 to 2006, was identified and analyzed. All patients, without a central venous device, were treated with oxaliplatin + 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin.