Appropriate chemotherapy dosing for obese adult patients with cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline.

Purpose: To provide recommendations for appropriate cytotoxic chemotherapy dosing for obese adult patients with cancer.

Methods: The American Society of Clinical Oncology convened a Panel of experts in medical and gynecologic oncology, clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics, and biostatistics and a patient representative. MEDLINE searches identified studies published in English between 1996 and 2010, and a systematic review of the literature was conducted.

Quality of life as a predictor of weight loss in obese, early-stage breast cancer survivors.

Purpose/objectives: To investigate whether quality of life (QOL) assessed before weight loss intervention predicts weight loss and, in turn, what the effect of weight loss is on QOL measures after 12 months in early-stage breast cancer survivors.

Design: A clinical trial of a weight loss intervention in breast cancer survivors.

Setting: Community-wide recruitment in Detroit, MI.

Random control clinical trial on the effects of aerobic exercise training on erythrocyte levels during radiation treatment for breast cancer.

Background: Erythrocyte changes from aerobic exercise training were examined during radiation treatment of breast cancer.

Methods: Twenty sedentary females with breast carcinoma who were ages 35 to 65 years were randomized to aerobic exercise (AE) of walking for 20 to 45 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week, at 50% to 70% of measured maximum heart rates or to placebo stretching (PS) activities 3 to 5 days per week during 7 weeks of radiation treatment. Measures were obtained 1 week before and after the radiation regimen.

Improvement of metabolism among obese breast cancer survivors in differing weight loss regimens.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of different weight loss regimens on body weight loss and metabolic improvement in breast cancer survivors.

Research Methods And Procedures: Forty-eight obese breast cancer survivors were randomly divided into four groups and were followed for 1 year: 1) the Control group (subjects did not receive specific nutrition counseling); 2) the Weight Watchers group (subjects were given free coupons to attend weekly Weight Watchers meetings); 3) the Individualized group (a registered dietitian provided one-on-one nutritional counseling); and 4) the Comprehensive group (subjects received individualized dietary counseling and free coupons for the weekly Weight Watchers meetings). At baseline and 3-, 6-, and 12-month data collection visits, a fasting blood sample was obtained for assays.

Relationship of psychiatric diagnosis and weight loss maintenance in obese breast cancer survivors.

Objective: Obese breast cancer survivors are a unique population for weight loss counseling because both obesity and a diagnosis of breast cancer can increase the risk of depression. In this pilot study, weight loss maintenance was examined in obese breast cancer survivors with relationship to psychiatric diagnosis.

Research Methods And Procedures: Forty-eight subjects were enrolled.

Combining weight-loss counseling with the weight watchers plan for obese breast cancer survivors.

Objective: The objective was to develop effective weight-loss methods for women who have had breast cancer, because obesity may result in an adverse prognosis.

Research Methods And Procedures: This randomized pilot study tested an individualized approach toward weight loss in obese women who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer. An individualized approach was applied either alone or combined with the commercial Weight Watchers program.