Concurrent chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in elderly patients with bladder cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Background: The current study was conducted to compare the overall survival (OS) of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) versus radiotherapy (RT) alone in elderly patients (those aged ≥80 years) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Methods: Patients aged ≥80 years with cT2-4, N0-3, M0 transitional cell MIBC who were treated with curative RT (60-70 Gray) or CCRT were identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Univariable and multivariable frailty survival analyses, as well as 1-to-1 propensity score matching, were used to isolate the association between CCRT and OS.

Seven-year follow-up for energy/vitality outcomes in early stage Hodgkin's disease patients treated with subtotal lymphoid irradiation versus chemotherapy plus radiation: SWOG S9133 and its QOL companion study, S9208.

Purpose: We describe 7 years of follow-up for the energy/vitality outcome in early-stage Hodgkin's disease patients treated on a randomized clinical trial that compared subtotal lymphoid irradiation (STLI) with combined modality treatment (CMT) (SWOG 9133). Survivorship research questions involved the extent to which symptoms/side effects endured over a follow-up period of 7 years for this early-stage patient group.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-nine patients participated in the quality of life (QOL) companion study (SWOG 9208) and completed the SF-36 vitality scale, SF-36 health perception item, Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form (CARES-SF), and symptom distress scale.

Prospective multicenter study of the impact of the 21-gene recurrence score assay on medical oncologist and patient adjuvant breast cancer treatment selection.

Purpose: The 21-gene Recurrence Score (RS) assay has been validated to quantify the risk of distant recurrence in tamoxifen-treated patients with lymph node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and predict magnitude of chemotherapy benefit. This multicenter study was designed to prospectively examine whether RS affects physician and patient adjuvant treatment selection and satisfaction.

Patients And Methods: Before and after obtaining the 21-gene RS assay, medical oncologists stated their adjuvant treatment recommendation and confidence in it.

A phase II pilot study of high-dose 24-hour continuous infusion of 5-FU and leucovorin and low-dose PALA for patients with colorectal cancer: a Southwest Oncology Group study.

Purpose: The purpose of this phase II multi-institutional study was to define the efficacy and toxicity of infusional 5-FU in combination with PALA and leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients were required to have histologically confirmed colorectal cancer with distant metastases. The treatment regimen consisted of 5-FU 2600 mg/m(2) as a 24-hours continuous infusion given once a week, concurrently with leucovorin (LV) at 500 mg/m(2) as a 24-hour continuous infusion.

Health status and quality of life in patients with early-stage Hodgkin's disease treated on Southwest Oncology Group Study 9133.

Purpose: We describe the short and intermediate-term quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in patients treated on a randomized clinical trial in early-stage Hodgkin's disease (Southwest Oncology Group [SWOG] 9133) comparing subtotal lymphoid irradiation (STLI) with combined-modality treatment (CMT).

Patients And Methods: Two hundred forty-seven patients participated in the QOL study (SWOG 9208), completing several standardized instruments (Symptom Distress Scale; Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System - Short Form; Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Vitality Scale; and a health perception item), as well as questions about work, marital status, and concerns about having children. This article reports on results from baseline before random assignment, at 6 months, and at 1 and 2 years after random assignment.

Dose-intense chemotherapy every 2 weeks with dose-intense cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone may improve survival in intermediate- and high-grade lymphoma: a phase II study of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG 9349).

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that therapy of intermediate- and high-grade (excluding Burkitt lymphoblastic) lymphoma with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) could be safely dose-intensified with routine filgrastim support.

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients were those who were previously untreated and who had either bulky stage II, or stage III or IV lymphoma with working formulation histology D, E, F, G, H, or J; performance status < or = 2; and acceptable end organ function. No upper age limit was specified.

A phase 2 trial of CHOP chemotherapy followed by tositumomab/iodine I 131 tositumomab for previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Southwest Oncology Group Protocol S9911.

Advanced follicular lymphoma is incurable with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) conducted a phase 2 trial (S9911) of a novel regimen consisting of 6 cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) chemotherapy followed 4 to 8 weeks later by tositumomab/iodine I 131 tositumomab (anti-CD20 antibody) in 90 eligible patients with previously untreated, advanced stage follicular lymphoma. Treatment was well tolerated.