Comparing survival outcomes between neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy within breast cancer subtypes and stages among older women: a SEER-Medicare analysis.

Background: This study aimed to compare survival outcomes of neoadjuvant (NAC) and adjuvant chemotherapy (AdC) within each breast cancer subtype and stage among older women.

Methods: Older (≥ 66 years) women newly diagnosed with stage I-III invasive ductal breast cancer during 2010-2017 and treated with both chemotherapy and surgery within one year were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Analyses were performed within each of six groups, jointly defined based on subtype (hormone receptor [HR]-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]-negative, HER2 + , and triple-negative) and stage (I-II and III).

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy use trends among older women with breast cancer: 2010-2017.

Purpose: This study assessed chemotherapy use trends before (neoadjuvant chemotherapy [NAC]) or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy [AdC]) among older women with breast cancer and examined factors related to NAC receipt.

Methods: Women (> 65 years) diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer during 2010-2017 who received NAC or AdC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. All patients were stratified into six strata based on subtype (hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative [HR + /HER2-], HER2 + , and triple-negative breast cancer [TNBC]) and stage (I-II and III).

Prospective Study of Use of Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale Versus Routine Symptom Management During Weekly Radiation Treatment Visits.

Purpose: During radiotherapy (RT), patient symptoms are evaluated and managed weekly during physician on-treatment visits (OTVs). The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) is a 9-symptom validated self-assessment tool for reporting common symptoms in patients with cancer. We hypothesized that implementation and physician review of ESAS during weekly OTVs may result in betterment of symptom severity during RT for certain modifiable domains.

Bladder cancer update. Current evaluation methods and standard of care.

Urinary bladder cancer arises in the transitional cell epithelium of the bladder. In the United States, it is the fourth most common tumor in men and the eighth most common tumor in women. Here, Dr Sonpavde reviews the risk factors for bladder cancer, its diagnosis, the latest concepts of its molecular characteristics and metastatic potential, and current strategies to treat this common disease.