Muscle quality and not quantity as a predictor of survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Sarcopenia is frequent in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as a consequence of malnutrition related to risk factors or tumoral mass. Treatment is associated with toxicities that lead to reduced calories intake and muscle mass wasting. Sarcopenia has been negatively associated with tumor control and survival outcomes.

Does V600E BRAF mutation predict vinorelbine efficacy? A proof-of-concept from a lung micropapillary adenocarcinoma metastatic to the breast.

mutations occur in about 3% of all lung adenocarcinomas and V600E missense mutation characterizes about half of -mutated lung adenocarcinomas and is significantly associated with micropapillary pattern and shorter disease-free and overall survival rates. In this report, we report a challenging case of a patient with a metastatic micropapillary adenocarcinoma of the lung harbouring V600E mutation who experienced a surprising protracted clinical response to metronomic vinorelbine. The possible association between the V600E mutation pathway and the effective use of vinca alkaloid is discussed.

Hospital admission of cancer patients: avoidable practice or necessary care?

Background: Cancer patients are frequently admitted to hospital due to acute conditions or refractory symptoms. This occurs through the emergency departments and requires medical oncologists to take an active role. The use of acute-care hospital increases in the last months of life.

Is the combination of Cetuximab with chemo-radiotherapy regimens worthwhile in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer? A review of current evidence.

The administration of Cetuximab in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy has shown clear survival improvements within the locally advanced and the relapsed/metastatic settings respectively. These results have provided the clinical rational for the inclusion of Cetuximab into chemo-radiation regimens. Trials assessing the combination of Cetuximab with induction chemotherapy, concomitant chemo-radiotherapy or both are reviewed.

Metabolic emergencies.

Life-threatening metabolic complications observed in cancer patients are: hypercalcaemia, hyponatremia, hyperurcaemia, tumour lysis syndrome, hypoglycaemia, hyperuremia and hypercreatininemia secondary to renal failure, hyperammoniemia, lactic acidosis and adrenal failure. They may be associated with any kind of neoplastic disease causing dysfunction of vital organs, which can be determined by neoplastic spread, anti-cancer treatment or, more rarely, by paraneoplastic phenomena. The clinical presentation of metabolic complications is typically aspecific.