Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a rare complication after both solid organ (SOT) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In this single center retrospective study, we compared clinical, biological, and histological features, and outcomes of PTLD after both types of transplant. We identified 82 PTLD (61 after SOT and 21 after allo-HSCT).

Postrelapse Prognostic Factors in Nonmetastatic Osteosarcoma: A Single-institution Experience.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors that influence postrelapse survival (PRS) in children and adolescents with initial localized high-grade osteosarcoma.

Methods/patients: This is a retrospective evaluation of patients aged 21 years and below with nonmetastatic high-grade osteosarcoma treated at our institution from 1985 to 2011 who developed recurrent disease after achievement of an initial complete response (CR). PRS and postrelapse event-free survival (PREFS) analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

Incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting with moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: ADVICE (Actual Data of Vomiting Incidence by Chemotherapy Evaluation) study.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the incidence of nausea and vomiting (CINV) after moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC), under medical practice conditions and the accuracy with which physicians perceive CINV.

Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients receiving MEC between April 2012 and May 2013 were included. Patients completed a diary of the intensity of nausea and number of vomiting episodes.

Chemotherapy-associated anemia in patients with lung cancer: an epidemiological, retrospective and multicenter study.

Aim: Providing epidemiological data and treatment of anemia in lung cancer patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Epidemiological, observational, retrospective and multicenter study carried out at 30 sites throughout Spain.

Results: The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] level <12 g/dl) was 18.

Multimodality Treatment of Pediatric and Adult Patients With Ewing Sarcoma: A Single-institution Experience.

Introduction: The treatment of Ewing Sarcoma family of tumors is multimodal, both in children and adults. Axial location and metastases are classic prognostic factors. However, the worse prognosis in older patients is more controversial.

SNPs and taxane toxicity in breast cancer patients.

Aim: In order to identify genetic variants associated with taxanes toxicity, a panel with 47 SNPs in 20 genes involved in taxane pathways was designed.

Patients & Methods: Genomic DNA of 113 breast cancer patients was analyzed (70 taking docetaxel, 43 taking paclitaxel).

Results: Two SNPs associated with docetaxel toxicity were identified: CYP3A4*1B with infusion-related reactions; and ERCC1 Gln504Lys with mucositis (p≤0.

Management of advanced pancreatic cancer with gemcitabine plus erlotinib: efficacy and safety results in clinical practice.

Context: The combination of gemcitabine and erlotinib is a standard first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. We reviewed our single centre experience to assess its efficacy and toxicity in clinical practice.

Methods: Clinical records of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who were treated with the combination of gemcitabine and erlotinib were reviewed.

VEGF and TSP1 levels correlate with prognosis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: There is a need for biomarkers that may help in selecting the most effective anticancer treatments for each patient. We have investigated the prognostic value of a set of angiogenesis, inflammation and coagulation markers in patients treated for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 60 patients before first line platinum-based chemotherapy ± bevacizumab, and after the third cycle of treatment.

Circulating endothelial cells and microparticles as prognostic markers in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Circulating endothelial cells and microparticles have prognostic value in cancer, and might be predictors of response to chemotherapy and antiangiogenic treatments. We have investigated the prognostic value of circulating endothelial cells and microparticles in patients treated for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Methodology/principal Findings: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 60 patients before first line, platinum-based chemotherapy +/- bevacizumab, and after the third cycle of treatment.

Pain in clinical oncology: patient satisfaction with management of cancer pain.

Background: Despite effective analgesic therapy, inadequate pain control is frequently perceived by patients and caregivers.

Aims: To assess satisfaction with management of pain in cancer patients.

Methods: Between January and May 2007, a cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in 64 Medical Oncology Departments throughout Spain.

Management of lung cancer-associated anaemia: the Spanish Lung Cancer Anaemia Survey (SLCAS).

Background: The purpose of the Spanish Lung Cancer Anaemia Survey (SLCAS) was to thoroughly investigate lung cancer-associated anaemia management, and describe the profile of lung cancer patients in relation to anaemia incidence and tumour type in Spain.

Patients And Methods: This survey collected data from 1089 randomly recruited patients gathered by 50 Spanish physicians at 38 sites. In addition, a qualitative assay was performed through 16 one-to-one and 2 one-to-two interviews, and a discussion group of 4 cancer specialists participating in the survey.

Synchronous and metachronous bilateral breast cancer: a long-term single-institution experience.

Bilateral breast cancer (bBC) is the most common 2nd tumor in primary BC patients. However, its natural history is poorly understood as is the effect of previous adjuvant therapies. Between 1980 and 2005, we identified 3757 BC patients treated in our Institution, with 120 (3.

Cost-benefit analysis of a follow-up program in patients with breast cancer: a randomized prospective study.

Increasing the number of breast cancer patients in follow-up involves increased costs and, with limited health care resources, there is a need to evaluate the cost-benefit to the patient of follow-up regimens. We present a randomized prospective study to evaluate the cost-benefit of intensive follow-up in the early detection of relapses in patients with breast cancer. One hundred and twenty-one patients were randomized to standard clinical follow-up (n=63) or to an intensive follow-up (n=58) that included diagnostic laboratory tests and imaging designed to detect early relapse following curative treatment.

Phase II Trial of Doxorubicin Plus Escalated High-Dose Ifosfamide in Patients With Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Adult: A Study of the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS).

Background. To explore the tolerance and the activity of high-dose ifosfamide (IFOS) combined with doxorubicin (DXR) at 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Methods.

Analysis of prognostic factors and applicability of Kohne's prognostic groups in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with first-line irinotecan or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze prognostic factors for survival and to assess the applicability of Kohne's classification in patients treated with irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-based first-line chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: One hundred forty-two consecutive cases from a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Median patient age was 62 years.

Cefepime monotherapy as an empirical initial treatment of patients with febrile neutropenia.

Currently, monotherapy is considered a valid alternative to the combination antibiotic treatments used for initial, empirical management of febrile neutropenia. The advent of new cephalosporins warrants assessment. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of cefepime monotherapy in the treatment of cancer patients with febrile granulocytopenia (< 1000 leukocytes/muL and/or < 500 neutrophils/muL).

Response predicting factors to recombinant human erythropoietin in cancer patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: The response to epoetin-alpha treatment is hard to predict in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients were enrolled in this observational study. They had a hemoglobin (Hb) level less than or equal to 10.

[Study of cancer-associated asthenia: foundation of the ASTHENOS group].

Asthenia in cancer patients is a highly controversial subject. A distinct definition of asthenia in medical literature is lacking as well as its prevalence and incidence. Also, no simple tools for its diagnosis are available.

Vinorelbine, ifosfamide and cisplatin as first-line treatment in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.

To assess, in a multicenter setting, the effectiveness of a combination of vinorelbine, ifosfamide and cisplatin in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, 123 patients (males=116) with a mean age of 60 years (range 27-75) with stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and performance status View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Long-term results after combined modality treatment for non-metastatic osteosarcoma.

Since the introduction of multimodality treatment, the prognosis of patients with high-grade non-metastatic osteosarcoma has significantly improved. A retrospective review was performed to assess the long-term results of this approach in a single centre setting, and to investigate the impact of potential clinical prognostic factors. Between 1985 and 1993, 35 patients with stage II-A and II-B osteosarcoma underwent preoperative chemotherapy (high-dose methotrexate), wide surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin-doxorubicin/bleo-mycin-cyclophosphamide-dactinomycin) (modified T-10A protocol).

Randomized phase III study of gemcitabine-cisplatin versus etoposide-cisplatin in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: We conducted a randomized trial to compare gemcitabine-cisplatin with etoposide-cisplatin in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary end point of the comparison was response rate.

Patients And Methods: A total of 135 chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC were randomized to receive either gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) days 1 and 8 or etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV days 1 to 3 along with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 IV day 1.

Phase II trial assessing the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: There is need for more active and better tolerated combinations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The Spanish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG) therefore conducted this phase II study to define the efficacy and toxicity profile of the combination of higher doses than usual of gemcitabine along with cisplatin in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Patients And Methods: Forty patients with pathologically documented advanced NSCLC were included in this trial (34 men, six women; aged 34-74 years; mean 64 years).

Metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the kidney: a case report.

Clinically detectable well-differentiated metastatic thyroid cancer to the kidney is rare, with only 12 cases reported in the medical literature. The authors report a case of metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the kidney in a patient with widespread dissemination. She underwent total thyroidectomy, radical left nephrectomy, radioactive ablation with I-131, radiotherapy, and thyroid suppression therapy.