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Cancer

Anticoagulation therapy in cancer patients

Question asked by Edgar C. Salire, NP-C, Pearland, Tex., and answered by Debra Kleinschmidt, PhD, PA June 29, 2010

At what platelet count can I safely initiate long-term anticoagulation with warfarin (Coumadin) in cancer patients with thrombocytopenia and persistent atrial fibrillation?

Red meat lovers may have higher bladder cancer risk

May 27, 2010

A 12-year study of 1,762 individuals found that the risk of bladder cancer is about 1.5 times higher among people who eat red meat—especially meat that is well-cooked.

Sifting through the latest evidence about cancer screening

May 03, 2010

Our patients and the public look to us to safeguard their overall health and to maintain perspective amid a flurry of evidence and opinions.

Acute renal failure can be the first sign of myeloma

March 29, 2010

Acute renal failure (ARF) induced by pathogenic light chains can be the first presenting sign of multiple myeloma, and prompt treatment of the malignancy is critical to reversing renal damage.

What lies behind the vitamin D revolution?

Ronald L. Hoffman, MD March 08, 2010

Once known primarily for maintaining bone strength, vitamin D is now thought to contribute to the prevention of colon, prostate, and breast cancers.

Increase skin cancer screening in primary care

February 01, 2010

Primary-care clinicians are ideally suited to screen and triage people who are at high risk for skin cancer and those with suspicious lesions, but a survey of medical residents revealed....

Colorectal cancer rising among younger patients

By Myra Dembrow July 13, 2009

New data support current screening recommendations, but family and other history will help you identify which patients need colonoscopy regardless of age.

Help smokers quit with a multifaceted approach

June 19, 2009

By treating smoking aggressively as a chronic, relapsing disease, clinicians can raise the odds for success, a pair of studies suggests. One gave patients a variety of cessation medications at the same time. The other investigated the effect of supplementary counseling.

Low literacy hinders prostate cancer discussions

June 15, 2009

Clinicians should speak colloquially when discussing prostate cancer with low-income men, because most of them don't understand the most basic medical terms.

Statin use reduces prostate cancer mortality

April 16, 2009

Use of the drug is associated with a nearly two thirds reduced risk of death from prostate cancer, a study found.

Finasteride's prostate benefits confirmed

April 14, 2009

New findings from a Finnish study confirm previous research that finasteride use is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Excessive sleepiness linked to CVD mortality

By Myra Dembrow March 30, 2009

Daytime drowsiness may warn of impending death in elderly people, particularly from cardiovascular causes, new population-based research suggests.

Prostate cancer possible even if PSA declines

March 25, 2009

Prostate cancer was found in 23% of men whose initially abnormal PSA levels fell to below 4 ng/mL.

Flu shot creates opportunity for colorectal screening

March 18, 2009

If one group of practitioners has its way, clinicians may find themselves handing out colorectal cancer screening kits along with immunizations next flu season.

Testosterone receptors and prostate cancer

Question by Mike Hutchins, MD, Missoula, Mont.; response by David T. Noyes, MD March 16, 2009

Is all prostate cancer testosterone receptor-positive?

The links between oral and systemic health

By Jeffrey Astroth, DDS, MSPH March 05, 2009

While research into specific cause-and-effect relationships continues, there are still plenty of reasons to encourage patients to take care of their mouth.

Calcium may predict prostate cancer mortality

February 20, 2009

High serum levels of ionized calcium and total calcium are associated with an elevated risk of dying from prostate cancer, according to newly published findings.

Increased melanoma burden is real

February 11, 2009

If you think you've been seeing more cases of malignant melanoma, you probably have.

3.1

February 05, 2009

Annual percentage increase in new diagnoses of malignant melanoma from 1992 to 2004.

Elevated PSA with a negative biopsy

Question asked by Jack W. Spitzberg, MD, Dallas, and answered by David T. Noyes, MD January 22, 2009

How to proceed when a patient's PSA is >4 ng/mL and the biopsy is negative

Popular drugs lower PSA levels

January 21, 2009

According to a pair of recent studies, two of the most commonly used classes of medication—statins and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—may compromise already controversial cancer screenings by lowering serum levels of prostate-specific antigen.

More colonoscopies in your future?

By Myra Dembrow January 15, 2009

Primary-care physicians are performing colonoscopies as safely and effectively as specialists, a meta-analysis found. The American College of Gastroenterology disagrees.

iPhone application for virtual microscopy

January 07, 2009

The application allows for a remote pathologist to review and navigate high quality images of diagnostic quality using either the cellular network or WIFI networks.

Antioxidant-cancer protection link? No, say studies

January 05, 2009

Antioxidant supplementation has no effect on cancer risks, according to a pair of large longitudinal trials, leading one of them to be cut short.

Colonoscopy less useful in right-side cancer

By Delicia Yard December 17, 2008

A large Canadian study has found that complete colonoscopy is strongly associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer that develops on the left side, but the same can't be said when the cancer is located on the right.

New agents for myeloma

Question asked by K. Konstantopoulos, MD, and answered by Michael J. Flamm, MD November 19, 2008

What is the current role of interferon and rituximab in myeloma therapy?

When a doctor snubs PSA screening

By Ann W. Latner, JD November 17, 2008

Must physicians with doubts about the test's usefulness allow fear of liability to override their clinical judgment?

Study: Statins lower PSA levels

November 03, 2008

Statin treatment significantly lowers levels of prostate-specific antigen, according to a Duke University study. From HealthDay.

Colorectal cancer screening: Prevention over detection

By Carl Sherman September 30, 2008

Primary-care physicians play a crucial role in helping patients choose the right test for them.

Is chemotherapy working?

Question raised by Duc Nguyen, MD, Gainesville, Fla. and answered by Michael J. Flamm, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine, Columbia University Medical Center September 18, 2008

A 67-year-old man with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer has had two sessions of chemotherapy (gemcitabine and carboplatin) three weeks apart. He is feeling well, his appetite is improved, and he has gained some weight. He has not had any of the usual side effects. Is this an indication that the chemo isn't working?