The impact of chemotherapy dose intensity and supportive care on the risk of febrile neutropenia in patients with early stage breast cancer: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a major dose-limiting toxicity of cancer chemotherapy resulting in considerable morbidity, mortality, and cost. This study evaluated the time course of neutropenic events and patterns of supportive care interventions in patients receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer treated in oncology community practices.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of adult cancer patients initiating a new chemotherapy regimen was conducted at 115 US sites.

Predicting individual risk of neutropenic complications in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Background: A prospective cohort study was undertaken to develop and validate a risk model for neutropenic complications in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: The study population consisted of 3760 patients with common solid tumors or malignant lymphoma who were beginning a new chemotherapy regimen at 115 practice sites throughout the United States. A regression model for neutropenic complications was developed and then validated by using a random split-sample selection process.

Acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome in randomized controlled clinical trials of cancer chemotherapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: a systematic review.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and overall mortality in patients receiving chemotherapy with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.

Methods: Electronic databases searched through October 2008 identified 3,794 articles for initial screening. Eligibility included solid tumor or lymphoma patients randomly assigned to chemotherapy with or without G-CSF support, > or = 2 years of follow-up, and reporting AML/MDS or all second malignancies.

Variation in the cost of medications for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the economic burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment on the healthcare system as treatment costs have risen 340-fold during the past 5 years.

Study Design: Nationwide registry.

Methods: Patients with CRC (N = 421) were selected from an observational prospective patient registry of US oncology clinics.

Social and racial differences in selection of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.

Purpose: Breast cancer outcomes are worse among black women and women of lower socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to investigate racial and social differences in selection of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.

Methods: Detailed information on patient, disease, and treatment factors was collected prospectively on 957 patients who were receiving breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy in 101 oncology practices throughout the United States.

Effect of patient socioeconomic status and body mass index on the quality of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the use of intentionally reduced doses of chemotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with breast cancer treated with a standard chemotherapy regimen (n = 764) were enrolled in a prospective registry after signing informed consent. Detailed information was collected on patient, disease, and treatment, including chemotherapy doses.