The prognostic value of respiratory symptoms and performance status in ambulatory cancer patients and unsuspected pulmonary embolism; analysis of an international, prospective, observational cohort study.

Background: Optimal risk stratification of unsuspected pulmonary embolism (UPE) in ambulatory cancer patients (ACPs) remains unclear. Existing clinical predictive rules (CPRs) are derived from retrospective databases and have limitations. The UPE registry is a prospective international registry with pre-specified characteristics of ACPs with a recent UPE.

Increased dose primary thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a single centre cohort study.

Background: Advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (aPDAC) patients have a lifetime all type thromboembolic event (ATTE) rate of 25-35%. Efficacy and safety of increased dose primary thromboprophylaxis (IDPTP) with low molecular heparin (LMWH) given for 3 months has been shown in two prospective randomized trials.

Objectives: To report on efficacy -reduction of all type thromboembolic events (ATTE)-, safety -incidence of Major Bleeding (MB)- and compliance in a single-centre cohort of aPDAC patients receiving first line chemotherapy and LMWH-IDPTP.

The Khorana score for prediction of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Oncology guidelines suggest using the Khorana score to select ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for primary venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention, but its performance in different cancers remains uncertain.

Objective: To examine the performance of the Khorana score in assessing 6-month VTE risk, and the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) among high-risk Khorana score patients.

Methods: This individual patient data meta-analysis evaluated (ultra)-LMWH in patients with solid cancer using data from seven randomized controlled trials.

Correction to: Prognostic assessment for patients with cancer and incidental pulmonary embolism.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12959-017-0157-x.].

Prognostic assessment for patients with cancer and incidental pulmonary embolism.

Background: An incidental/unsuspected diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (IPE) in cancer patients is a frequent occurrence. This single-institution analysis of uniformly managed patients investigates short and long-term outcomes and proposes a prognostic risk score, aiming to assist clinical decision-making.

Methods: Data from a prospectively recorded cohort of 234 consecutive cancer patients with IPE were analysed.

Advances in managing and preventing thromboembolic disease in cancer patients.

Purpose Of Review: To update on new data for low-molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) and the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment and prevention of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), to discuss progress with the risk-adaptive management scores (RAMS) and update on increased dose primary thromboprophylaxis (IDPTP).

Recent Findings: In a pooled meta-analysis of 1132 cancer patients who received DOACs vs. vitamin K analogues (VKAs), recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was reduced from 6.

The risk of venous thromboembolism associated with peripherally inserted central catheters in ambulant cancer patients.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). PICCs are increasingly utilised in the management of cancer patients, a group which carries both additional risks for vascular thromboembolism as well as for complex morbidity. We analysed a cohort of cancer patients subjected to PICC insertion in a single cancer centre for the incidence of all-type vascular thromboembolism (VTE) and investigated relative risk factors.

Use of heparins in patients with cancer: individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials study protocol.

Introduction: Parenteral anticoagulants may improve outcomes in patients with cancer by reducing risk of venous thromboembolic disease and through a direct antitumour effect. Study-level systematic reviews indicate a reduction in venous thromboembolism and provide moderate confidence that a small survival benefit exists. It remains unclear if any patient subgroups experience potential benefits.

Developing a complex intervention for the outpatient management of incidentally diagnosed pulmonary embolism in cancer patients.

Background: Most patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) spend 5-7 days in hospital even though only 4.5% will develop serious complications during this time. In particular, the group of patients with incidentally diagnosed PE (i-PE) includes many patients with low risk features potentially ideal for outpatient management; however the evidence for their optimal management is lacking hence relative practices may vary considerably.

Systemic chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: a single institution experience.

Background And Aims: Primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare malignancy with an unfavorable prognosis. Pemetrexed has proven effective in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, alone or in combination with platinum agents. In the present study, chemo-naïve patients were evaluated for the efficacy and safety of the pemetrexed-cisplatin combination.

Mesenteric desmoid tumor developing on the site of an excised gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

We present a case of a rare and unusual occurrence of a desmoid tumor at the site of a resected gastrointestinal stromal tumor and mimicking a recurrence, with a brief discussion of the management of desmoid tumors.

Developments in the systemic treatment of endometrial cancer.

Systemic treatment represents the cornerstone of endometrial cancer management in advanced, relapsed and metastatic disease, which is still characterized by poor prognosis. Progestins remain an effective option for patients with low grade, estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive disease, with some of them achieving prolonged survival. Platinum compounds, anthracyclines and more recently taxanes have been implemented in combination regimens achieving response rates more than 50% and resulting in overall survival above 1 year in randomized trials.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw after a single bisphosphonate infusion in a patient with metastatic renal cancer treated with sunitinib.

Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is recognised as an important adverse effect of intravenous bisphosphonates. Recent reports have suggested that antiangiogenic agents may promote the development of this condition.

Case Report: We report a case of ONJ occurring within days after the first infusion of zoledronic acid in a patient being treated with sunitinib for metastatic renal cancer.

Endometrial cancer: what is new in adjuvant and molecularly targeted therapy?

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in western countries. Radiotherapy remains the mainstay of postoperative management, but accumulating data show that adjuvant chemotherapy may display promising results after staging surgery. The prognosis of patients with metastatic disease remains disappointing with only one-year survival.

Prechemotherapy serum levels of CD105, transforming growth factor beta2, and vascular endothelial growth factor are associated with prognosis in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer treated with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: Serum CD105 has been associated with angiogenic activity in cancer, and low CD105 expression has been associated with improved prognosis. The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of serum levels of CD105 and related factors in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) after cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-six patients with stages IIC to IV EOC treated postoperatively with platinum-based chemotherapy were included.

Weekly docetaxel with or without gemcitabine as second-line chemotherapy in paclitaxel-pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer: a randomized phase II study conducted by the Hellenic Co-Operative Oncology Group.

Objective: A randomized phase II trial was conducted to test whether the addition of gemcitabine to weekly docetaxel could improve the objective response rate and survival outcomes as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have failed a paclitaxel-containing regimen.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either weekly docetaxel 40 mg/m(2) (group A, n = 34) or the combination of weekly docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) with gemcitabine 600 mg/m(2) (group B, n = 41). Three consecutive weekly infusions followed by a 1-week rest period represented 1 chemotherapy cycle.

Paclitaxel- and platinum-based postoperative chemotherapy for primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a single institution experience.

Background: Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare gynecologic malignancy with very few data existing on the activity of the combination of paclitaxel with a platinum analogue as adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive patients with PFTC who were treated postoperatively with paclitaxel- and platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens.

Results: We observed 12 (63.

Paclitaxel, topotecan, and carboplatin in metastatic endometrial cancinoma: a Hellenic Co-operative Oncology Group (HeCOG) study.

Objective: Taxanes, and platinum compounds represent the chemotherapeutic agents with the greatest activity in metastatic endometrial carcinoma. We administered the combination of paclitaxel, topotecan and carboplatin to patients with metastatic or recurrent carcinoma of the endometrium to evaluate its activity and to define its toxicity.

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients were treated on an outpatient basis with paclitaxel 150 mg/m(2), administered intravenously over a 3-h period and followed by carboplatin at AUC of 5 on day 3, with both agents proceding topotecan that was given at 0.

Paclitaxel, epirubicin, and carboplatin in advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a Hellenic Co-operative Oncology Group (HeCOG) study.

Objective: Taxanes, anthracyclines, and platinum compounds represent the chemotherapeutic agents with the greatest activity in metastatic endometrial carcinoma. We administered the combination of paclitaxel, epirubicin and carboplatin to patients with metastatic or recurrent carcinoma of the endometrium to evaluate its activity and to define its toxicity.

Methods: Sixty-three consecutive patients were treated on an outpatient basis with epirubicin 50 mg/m(2), followed by paclitaxel 150 mg/m(2), administered intravenously over a 3-h period.

Prognostic and predictive factors in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer treated with docetaxel and estramustine: a single institution experience.

Objectives: To investigate potential prognostic and predictive factors in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.

Methods: This analysis included 94 consecutive AIPC patients who were treated between March 2001 and May 2006 with biweekly docetaxel 45 mg/m(2) (day 2) and estramustine 140 mg three dimes daily (days 1-3).

Results: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses were observed in 45 of 84 evaluable patients (53%), whereas objective responses were observed in 16 of 40 patients with measurable disease (40%).

Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in the elderly: chemotherapy tolerance and outcome.

Background: The prognostic significance of age in ovarian cancer has not been clarified. We investigated the characteristics of ovarian cancer presenting in ages > 70 years and assessed the prognostic significance of advanced age.

Patients And Methods: Four hundred and fifty-three patients with stage IIC-IV ovarian cancer (age>70 years n=106 [23%]), treated postoperatively with platinum-based chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed.

Biweekly gemcitabine and cisplatin in platinum-resistant/refractory, paclitaxel-pretreated, ovarian and peritoneal carcinoma.

Objectives: Synergism between gemcitabine and cisplatin is supported by preclinical and clinical data. The present study explores the efficacy of a biweekly regimen in platinum-resistant/refractory, paclitaxel-pretreated ovarian and peritoneal cancer.

Methods: 50 paclitaxel-pretreated patients with platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma who had previously received paclitaxel chemotherapy, were treated with six cycles of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) followed by cisplatin 40 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15, repeated every 4 weeks.

Young age is associated with favorable characteristics but is not an independent prognostic factor in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: a single institution experience.

Background: Young age has been reported to be a favorable prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of ovarian cancer presenting in patients aged < or =40 and assess the prognostic significance of young age.

Methods: Data from 591 consecutive ovarian cancer patients, including 37 subjects (6.