High-dose chemotherapy for relapsed germ cell tumours: outcomes in low-volume specialized centres.

Objective: To report treatment patterns and survival outcomes of patients with relapsed and refractory metastatic germ cell tumours (GCTs) treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem-cell transplantation in low-volume specialized centres within the widely dispersed populations of Australia and New Zealand between 1999 and 2019.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 111 patients across 13 institutions. Patients were identified from the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry.

A prospective audit on the use of prophylactic antiemetics and rates of CINV in patients receiving carboplatin AUC≥4 or combination anthracycline-cyclophosphamide.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are two of the most frequently experienced and distressing side effects of cancer treatment. Recent updates by ESMO/MASCC and ASCO on guidelines for prevention of CINV have recommended the addition of a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist to antiemetic regimens for patients receiving carboplatin-based chemotherapy area under the curve (AUC) ≥4 mg/mL per minute, and an addition of olanzapine for those receiving combination anthracycline/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.

Aims: To assess current use of prophylactic antiemetics and rates of CINV in patients under the care of MidCentral Regional Cancer Treatment Service (MRCTS) receiving carboplatin AUC≥4 or combination anthracycline/cyclophosphamide.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-metastatic breast cancer: a study on practice trends in a regional cancer treatment service.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is increasingly used for managing locally advanced and high risk non-metastatic breast cancer.

Aims: To describe trends in NACT use, assess compliance to best practice recommendations and determine treatment response rates in a regional cancer treatment service.

Methods: In this retrospective cross- sectional study, electronic records of patients who underwent NACT in centres covered by the MidCentral Regional Cancer Treatment Service in 2013 and 2017 were reviewed.

Everolimus and zoledronic acid in patients with renal cell carcinoma with bone metastases: a randomized first-line phase II trial.

Background: Bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are a major cause of morbidity. Post hoc analysis has suggested that bone turnover markers can identify patients at risk of skeletal-related events (SREs) among those receiving zoledronic acid. This study sought to evaluate the effect on bone metastases of everolimus alone compared with everolimus plus zoledronic acid.

Bleeding from gastrointestinal tract recurrence of non-seminomatous germ cell tumour testis, showing temporary response to gemcitabine and oxaliplatin chemotherapy.

The first reported case of gemcitabine/oxaliplatin (GemOx) chemotherapy used for recurrent non-seminomatous germ cell tumour of the testis metastatic to the gastrointestinal tract causing uncontrolled bleeding which induced a temporary response.

A workforce survey of New Zealand medical oncologists.

Aim: There is wide recognition that the challenge of providing health care into the future requires planning for a sustainable workforce particularly in the context of increasing service demand. The Medical Oncology Work Group (MOWG) undertook a survey of vocationally registered medical oncologists which aimed to support future workforce planning and the development of models of care.

Methods: The survey was developed and carried out by the MOWG in conjunction with the Ministry of Health during 2009.

Capecitabine, bevacizumab, and mitomycin in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: results of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group Randomized Phase III MAX Study.

Purpose: To determine whether adding bevacizumab, with or without mitomycin, to capecitabine monotherapy improves progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in an open-label, three-arm randomized trial.

Patients And Methods: Overall, 471 patients in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with previously untreated, unresectable mCRC were randomly assigned to the following: capecitabine; capecitabine plus bevacizumab (CB); or capecitabine, bevacizumab, and mitomycin (CBM). We compared CB with capecitabine and CBM with capecitabine for progression-free survival (PFS).

Seek and ye shall find: Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare complications of cancer and may be the presenting sign of an occult malignancy. Diagnosis of PNS is often challenging and treatment of the underlying tumour remains the best therapeutic option for preventing further neurological damage. We report on a patient who developed a rapidly progressive cerebellar ataxia and underwent extensive investigations before a paraneoplastic aetiology was confirmed by detection of an underlying malignancy.

The use of complementary/alternative medicine by cancer patients in a New Zealand regional cancer treatment centre.

Aim: To study the prevalence and patterns of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use in cancer patients managed by a New Zealand regional cancer treatment centre.

Methods: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used to survey patients attending outpatient clinics of the MidCentral Regional Cancer Treatment Service. Questions addressed patient demographics, cancer diagnosis and conventional treatments received.