165 results match your criteria: "Nepean Cancer Care Centre; Blacktown Cancer & Haematology Centre; University of Sydney. jeffrey.barber@health.nsw.gov.au.[Affiliation]"

Liberal or Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

N Engl J Med

December 2024

From Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa (S.W.E., D.A.F., A.T., I.W., T.R., R.M., D.D., S.C.M., L.M.); the Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa (S.W.E., L.M.); School of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Ottawa, Ottawa (S.W.E., D.A.F., L.M.); Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa (D.A.F., D.D., S.C.M.); George Institute for Global Health, Sydney (A.D., F.B., N.H., C.R.A., P.T.); Malcolm Fisher Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia (A.D., N.H., C.R.A., E.F.); the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia (A.D., C.R.A.); Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (A.D., A.U.); the Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal (M. Chassé); the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal (M. Chassé); the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada (A.F.T., F.L.); Population Health and Optimal Health Practice Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada (A.F.T., F.L.); the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care Medicine Service, Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada (A.F.T., F.L.); the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada (F.L.); the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Division of Neurocritical Care, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta (O.S.); the Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (D.E.G.); the Division of Neurosurgery, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada (G.R.); the Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (G.R.); Neurocritical Care and Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto (M. Chapman); McGill University, Montreal (M.H.); the Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada (A.K.); Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney (I.S.); the Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney (I.S.); the Critical Care and Trauma Division, the George Institute for Global Health, Sydney (I.S.); the Department of Intensive Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, the Alfred, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (A.U.); the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (D.J.K.); the Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada (R.Z.); the Department of Medical Oncology/Hematology and the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada (R.Z.); the Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada (F.D.); Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada (F.D.); the Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada (J.G.B.); Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada (J.G.B.); the Intensive Care Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia (G.S.); the Department of Intensive Care, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia (J.B.); University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (J.B.); the Department of Adult Intensive Care, Island Health Authority, Victoria, BC, Canada (G.W.); University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (L.C.); the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada (G.P.); QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada (G.P.); Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia (L.K.); Rush University Medical Center, Chicago (L.K.); Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney (F.B.); the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto (D.C.S.); the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto (D.C.S.); the Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia (C.R.A.); the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa (J.S.); Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada (J.A.); the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (J.A.); and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bruyere Continuing Care, Ottawa (S.C.M.).

Background: The effect of a liberal red-cell transfusion strategy as compared with a restrictive strategy in patients during the critical care period after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is unclear.

Methods: We randomly assigned critically ill adults with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and anemia to a liberal strategy (mandatory transfusion at a hemoglobin level of ≤10 g per deciliter) or a restrictive strategy (optional transfusion at a hemoglobin level of ≤8 g per deciliter). The primary outcome was an unfavorable neurologic outcome, defined as a score of 4 or higher on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability) at 12 months.

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Article Synopsis
  • Many cancer survivors worry about their cancer coming back, but healthcare providers often don’t help them with this fear.
  • A group of Australian health experts worked together to create a plan for doctors to better understand and manage this fear in patients who had early-stage cancer.
  • They found that most items in their plan were agreed upon by the majority, suggesting that regular screenings and conversations about this fear should be part of cancer care.
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Background And Aims: The detection of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) by reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during chemotherapy usually triggers the initiation of cardioprotective therapy. This study addressed whether the same approach should be applied to patients with worsening of global longitudinal strain (GLS) without attaining thresholds of LVEF.

Methods: Strain surveillance during chemotherapy for improving cardiovascular outcomes (SUCCOUR-MRI) was a prospective multicentre randomized controlled trial involving 14 sites.

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Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, such as ChatGPT, have made significant progress. These chatbots, particularly popular among health care professionals and patients, are transforming patient education and disease experience with personalized information. Accurate, timely patient education is crucial for informed decision-making, especially regarding prostate-specific antigen screening and treatment options.

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Introduction: Increases in computed tomography (CT) use may not always reflect clinical need or improve outcomes. This study aimed to demonstrate how population level data can be used to identify variations in care between patient groups, by analysing system-level changes in CT use around the diagnosis of new conditions.

Methods: Retrospective repeated cross-sectional observational study using West Australian linked administrative records, including 504,723 adults diagnosed with different conditions in 2006, 2012 and 2015.

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Background: Therapeutic options for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individual patients can be limited by tumor and location, liver dysfunction and comorbidities. Many patients with early-stage HCC do not receive curative-intent therapies. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has emerged as an effective, non-invasive HCC treatment option, however, randomized evidence for SABR in the first line setting is lacking.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to investigate self-reported out-of-pocket health care expenses among Australians aged 45 and older, focusing on differences based on cancer status and various socio-demographic factors.
  • It involved a cross-sectional design, utilizing data from the 45 and Up Study participants in New South Wales who completed a follow-up questionnaire in 2020, linked to cancer registry data.
  • Results showed that 42.7% of respondents reported out-of-pocket expenses over $1000 in the previous year, with higher rates among those diagnosed with cancer, particularly in the last two years, and those with higher socioeconomic status or private health insurance.
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Background: Chronic, low-intensity air pollution exposure has been consistently associated with increased atherosclerosis in adults. However, there was limited research regarding the implications of acute, high-intensity air pollution exposure during childhood. We aimed to determine whether there were any associations between early-life exposure to such an episode and early-life vascular function changes.

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Background: We aim to provide survival scenario estimates for patients with advanced melanoma starting targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

Materials And Methods: We sought randomized trials of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for advanced melanoma and recorded the following percentiles (represented survival scenario) from each overall survival (OS) curve: 90th (worst-case), 75th (lower-typical), 50th (median), 25th (upper-typical), and 10th (best-case). We tested whether these scenarios can be estimated for each OS curve by multiplying its median by 4 multiples: 0.

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An Approach to Evaluate the Costs and Outputs of Academic Biobanks.

Biopreserv Biobank

October 2024

New South Wales Health Statewide Biobank, New South Wales Health Pathology, Camperdown, Australia.

Academic biobanks commonly report sustainability challenges, which may be exacerbated by a lack of information on biobank value. To better understand the costs and supported outputs that contribute to biobank value, we developed a systematic, generalizable methodology to determine biobank inputs and publications arising from biobank-supported research. We then tested this in a small cohort ( = 12) of academic cancer biobanks in New South Wales, Australia.

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Article Synopsis
  • Patients with hematological malignancies face high risks of serious complications, and this study aimed to assess how hyperoxemia (high levels of oxygen in the blood) impacts mortality rates within 28 days in critically ill individuals.
  • An analysis of data from over 11,000 patients revealed a U-shaped relationship between arterial oxygen levels (PaO) and mortality, indicating that both low and high oxygen levels can increase the risk of death.
  • The study found that excessive use of oxygen was significantly linked to increased mortality rates, especially in certain patient groups, highlighting the importance of careful oxygen management in these critically ill patients.
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DIBH reduces right coronary artery and lung radiation dose in right breast cancer loco-regional radiotherapy.

Med Dosim

November 2024

Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Sydney Medical School, C24-Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address:

To determine whether deep inspiratory breath-hold (DIBH) reduces dose to organs-at-risk (OAR), in particular the right coronary artery (RCA), in women with breast cancer requiring right-sided post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) including internal mammary chain (+IMC) radiotherapy (RT). Fourteen consecutive women requiring right-sided PMRT + IMC were retrospectively identified. Nodal delineation was in accordance with European Society for Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) guidelines and tangential chest wall fields marked.

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Unlabelled: Patients with cancer and diabetes face unique challenges. Limited data are available on diabetes management in patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), a curative intent anticancer therapy commonly associated with glucocorticoid administration, weight fluctuations and enteral feeds. This retrospective case-control study examined the real-world incidence of acute diabetes-related complications in patients with head and neck cancer receiving CCRT, along with the impact of diabetes on CCRT tolerance and outcomes.

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Oncology and intensive care doctors' perception of intensive care admission of cancer patients: A cross-sectional national survey.

Aust Crit Care

July 2024

Department of Intensive Care, Peninsula Health, Frankston, Victoria, Australia; Department of Intensive Care, Monash Health, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia; Peninsula Clinical School, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia; Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre (ANZIC-RC), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction: Prognosis in oncology has improved with early diagnosis and novel therapies. However, critical illness continues to trigger clinical and ethical dilemmas for the treating oncology and intensive care unit (ICU) doctors.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of oncology and ICU doctors in managing critically ill cancer patients.

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Integrating Cardio-Oncology Across the Research Pipeline, Policy, and Practice in Australia-An Australian Cardiovascular Alliance Perspective.

Heart Lung Circ

May 2024

Newcastle Centre of Excellence in Cardio-Oncology, The University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Cardiovascular Department, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address:

Over 18 million people worldwide were diagnosed with cancer in 2020, including over 150,000 people in Australia. Although improved early detection and treatment have increased the survival rates, cardiotoxic treatment and inadequate management of cardiovascular risk factors have resulted in cardiovascular disease (CVD) being one of the leading causes of non-cancer-related death and disability among cancer survivors. International guidelines outline the standards of care for CVD risk surveillance and management.

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Objectives: To review the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) outside clinical trials.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study; review of patient records in fifteen Australian institutions.

Setting, Participants: All Australian adults with locally advanced or metastatic CSCC not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy treated with ICIs, 5 May 2017 - 23 May 2022, through a cemiplimab compassionate access scheme (Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme) or who personally covered the cost of pembrolizumab prior to the start of the access scheme.

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Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of professionally led support groups for people with advanced or metastatic cancer, and identify factors critical to implementation success within real-world settings.

Methods: Databases (MEDLINE; PsychINFO; CINAHL) and grey literature were searched for empirical publications and evaluations. Articles were screened for eligibility and data systematically extracted, charted and summarised using a modified scoping review methodology.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess whether oncologists tend to overestimate expected survival time (EST) for patients with advanced cancer by comparing it to actual observed survival time (OST).
  • It found that oncologists’ estimates of EST were generally accurate, with about 50% of the EST being longer than OST, though 28% of estimates were imprecise within a specific range.
  • The results indicate that oncologists are equally likely to overestimate or underestimate survival, and using simple multiples of EST can effectively outline worst-case, typical, and best-case survival scenarios.
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Objective: To examine the use of CT, emergency department (ED)-presentation and hospitalisation and in 12 months before and after a diagnosis of cancer.

Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting: West Australian linked administrative records at individual level.

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Background: Women with peripheral artery disease (PAD) often have atypical symptoms, late hospital presentations, and worse prognosis. Risk factor identification and management are important. We assessed sex differences in associations of risk factors with PAD.

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Definitive Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Early-Stage Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Australian Multi-Institutional Review of Outcomes.

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol)

December 2023

Department of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.

Aims: Standard curative options for early-stage, solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are often unsuitable due to liver dysfunction, comorbidities and/or tumour location. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has shown high rates of local control in HCC; however, limited data exist in the treatment-naïve, curative-intent setting. We report the outcomes of patients with solitary early-stage HCC treated with SBRT as first-line curative-intent therapy.

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Plasma Cetuximab Concentrations Correlate With Survival in Patients With Advanced KRAS Wild Type Colorectal Cancer.

Clin Colorectal Cancer

December 2023

Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto ON. Electronic address:

Background: Cetuximab is a standard of care therapy for patients with RAS wild-type (WT) advanced colorectal cancer. Limited data suggest a wide variation in cetuximab plasma concentrations after standard dosing regimens. We correlated cetuximab plasma concentrations with survival and toxicity.

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Sorafenib maintenance improves outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) for patients with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although promising outcomes have been reported for sorafenib plus intensive chemotherapy, randomized data are limited. This placebo-controlled, phase 2 study (ACTRN12611001112954) randomized 102 patients (aged 18-65 years) 2:1 to sorafenib vs placebo (days 4-10) combined with intensive induction: idarubicin 12 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 plus either cytarabine 1.

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Stakeholder perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on oncology services: a qualitative study.

Support Care Cancer

July 2023

Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Background: As COVID-19 spread across the globe, cancer services were required to rapidly pivot to minimise risks without compromising outcomes for patients or staff. The aim of this study was to document changes to oncology services as a result of COVID-19 from the perspectives of both providers and receivers of care during the initial phase of the pandemic.

Methods: Participants were recruited between June and December 2020 through an email invitation via professional or consumer organisations, two hospital-based oncology services and snowballing.

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