Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Radioactive Iodine Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Patients with differentiated thyroid cancer usually present with early-stage disease and undergo surgery followed by adjuvant radioactive iodine ablation, resulting in excellent clinical outcomes and prognosis. However, a minority of patients relapse with metastatic disease, and eventually develop radioactive iodine refractory disease (RAIR). In the past there were limited and ineffective options for systemic therapy for RAIR, but over the last ten to fifteen years the emergence of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has provided important new avenues of treatment for these patients, that are the focus of this review.

Dynamic monitoring of PD-L1 and Ki67 in circulating tumor cells of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with pembrolizumab.

Programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors guides treatment selection. PD-L1 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may provide further information. We have explored PD-L1 and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (Ki67; also known as MKI67) in CTCs in longitudinal samples of 47 advanced NSCLC patients receiving pembrolizumab.

Evaluating Pain Management Practices for Cancer Patients among Health Professionals: A Global Survey.

Cancer incidence in the world is predicted to increase in the next decade. While progress has been in diagnosis and treatment, much still remains to be done to improve cancer pain therapy, mainly in underserved communities in low-income countries. To determine knowledge, beliefs, and barriers regarding pain management in both high- and low-income countries (according to the WHO classification); and to learn about ways to improve the current state of affairs.

Effect of Osimertinib on CTCs and ctDNA in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: The Prognostic Relevance of Liquid Biopsy.

Introduction: Liquid biopsy is a useful tool for monitoring treatment outcome in solid tumors, including lung cancer. The relevance of monitoring CTCs and plasma ctDNA as predictors of clinical outcome was assessed in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients treated with osimertinib.

Methods: Forty-seven EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients who had progressed on prior first- or second-generation EGFR inhibitors were enrolled in the study and treated with osimertinib, irrespective of the presence of the T790M mutation in the primary tumor or the plasma.

Correction to: Human Development Index and its association with staff spiritual care provision: a Middle Eastern oncology study.

Incorrect family name of Layth Mula-Hussain.

Human Development Index and its association with staff spiritual care provision: a Middle Eastern oncology study.

Background: Although staff spiritual care provision plays a key role in patient-centered care, there is insufficient information on international variance in attitudes toward spiritual care and its actual provision.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the attitudes of Middle Eastern oncology physicians and nurses toward eight examples of staff provision of spiritual care: two questionnaire items concerned prayer, while six items related to applied information gathering, such as spiritual history taking, referrals, and encouraging patients in their spirituality. In addition, respondents reported on spiritual care provision for their last three advanced cancer patients.

Training for awareness of one's own spirituality: A key factor in overcoming barriers to the provision of spiritual care to advanced cancer patients by doctors and nurses.

Objective: When patients feel spiritually supported by staff, we find increased use of hospice and reduced use of aggressive treatments at end of life, yet substantial barriers to staff spiritual care provision still exist. We aimed to study these barriers in a new cultural context and analyzed a new subgroup with "unrealized potential" for improved spiritual care provision: those who are positively inclined toward spiritual care yet do not themselves provide it.

Method: We distributed the Religion and Spirituality in Cancer Care Study via the Middle East Cancer Consortium to physicians and nurses caring for advanced cancer patients.

Incidence patterns of colorectal cancers in four countries of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, and İzmir, Turkey) compared with those in the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

Background/aims: There are wide variations in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence across the world. Historically, the highest incidence rates have been reported historically in more developed countries; however, increasing trends have been seen in developing countries. Here, we present the CRC incidence pattern in Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and İzmir, Turkey, which are countries of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC).

The impact of specialized palliative care on cancer patients' health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Specialized palliative care (SPC) is currently underutilized or provided late in cancer care. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to critically evaluate the impact of SPC on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: Five databases were searched through June 2016.

Cancer burden in four countries of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (Cyprus; Jordan; Israel; Izmir (Turkey)) with comparison to the United States surveillance; epidemiology and end results program.

It is important that population-based cancer registries provide accurate and reliable data for public health purposes. These data are essential data for planning of cancer control and prevention. In this study, we examined cancer incidence rates (year 2005-2010) in four MECC registries (Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Izmir (Turkey)) and compared with the rates in the US.

Communication and integration: a qualitative analysis of perspectives among Middle Eastern oncology healthcare professionals on the integration of complementary medicine in supportive cancer care.

Context And Objectives: The use of complementary and traditional medicine (CTM ) in Middle Eastern countries is widespread, including among patients with cancer. Perspectives of oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs) in this region regarding the integration of CTM within conventional supportive cancer care were explored.

Methods: An 11-item questionnaire with an open-ended question asking respondents to comment about the integration of CTM within supportive cancer care was sent to Middle Eastern oncology HCPs, using snowball sampling methodology.

Potential risks associated with traditional herbal medicine use in cancer care: A study of Middle Eastern oncology health care professionals.

Background: The authors assessed the use of herbal medicine by Middle Eastern patients with cancer, as reported by their oncology health care professionals (HCPs). Herbal products identified by the study HCPs were evaluated for potential negative effects.

Methods: Oncology HCPs from 16 Middle Eastern countries received a 17-item questionnaire asking them to list 5 herbal products in use by their patients with cancer.

International palliative care: Middle East experience as a model for global palliative care.

Care for elderly people with life-limiting illness cannot be delivered primarily by geriatricians or palliative care practitioners. The role of these clinicians is to help carers become adept in palliative care medicine. In a culture in which family ties run deep, the offer of palliative care from an outsider may be met with suspicion.

Integration of complementary medicine in supportive cancer care: survey of health-care providers' perspectives from 16 countries in the Middle East.

Introduction: In this multinational Middle-Eastern study, we assessed health-care providers' (HCPs) perspectives on their patients' use of complementary and traditional medicine (CTM) and identified the leading barriers to CTM integration in supportive cancer care.

Methods: A 17-item questionnaire was developed and administered to HCPs attending palliative medicine workshops conducted across the Middle East by the Middle East Cancer Consortium.

Results: 339 HCPs from 16 countries across the Middle East completed the questionnaire (80.

Attitudes and referral patterns of lung cancer specialists in Europe to Specialized Palliative Care (SPC) and the practice of Early Palliative Care (EPC).

Purpose: To examine availability of Palliative Care (PC) services and referral patterns of European Lung cancer specialists to PC.

Methods: All members of the EORTC Lung Cancer Group (LCG) were asked via email to participate in an on-line survey.

Results: 50 out of 170 (29.

Evaluating palliative care needs in Middle Eastern countries.

Background: Cancer incidence in Middle Eastern countries, most categorized as low- and middle-income, is predicted to double in the next 10 years, greater than in any other part of the world. While progress has been made in cancer diagnosis/treatment, much remains to be done to improve palliative care for the majority of patients with cancer who present with advanced disease.

Objective: To determine knowledge, beliefs, barriers, and resources regarding palliative care services in Middle Eastern countries and use findings to inform future educational and training activities.

Docetaxel and irinotecan as second-line therapy for advanced oesophagogastric cancer.

Introduction: Systemic chemotherapy improves survival in oesophagogastric cancer however no standard second-line regimen exists due to a paucity of randomised data. Docetaxel combined with irinotecan (DI) provides a suitable option due to the lack of cross-reactivity with first-line therapeutics and a tolerable toxicity profile.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer in two institutions treated with the combination of docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) plus irinotecan 60 mg/m(2) day 1 and day 8 every 21 days, following progression with first-line platinum-based therapy.