Oncology

Suggestions on how to approach a childhood cancer survivor in your practice, several useful resources, and information on what referrals and tests may be indicated.

A multistakeholder approach to patient assistance programs was the topic of discussion at ACCC's first annual ICLIO meeting in Philadelphia.

The evidence of weight-loss improving overall well-being and predisposition to chronic as well as acute conditions is mounting. We now need coverage policies that can help patients take advantage of weight loss procedures.

The use of genetic testing has led to a radical change within certain specialties and hospital departments. And although doctors are being asked to do more, they do it gladly because the work leads to better treatment decisions for patients, said Mark G. Kris, MD, William and Joy Ruane chair in thoracic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Reimbursement remains a primary concern with the new immuno-oncology agents. Who pays and how do you ensure payment was fervently discussed by oncologists at the recent ICLIO meeting hosted by the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

A study reports that despite the steady growth in hospital-based palliative care programs, access is sketchy and is driven by geographic location and hospital ownership.

A government-funded network of specialized survivor clinics in Ontario, Canada, significantly decreased emergency department visits among adult survivors of childhood cancer.

The study plans to evaluate the impact of a personalized approach to breast cancer screening over an annual mammogram.

This approval marks the first-ever for 2 immuno-oncology agents in cancer treatment.

The result of a multicollaborative effort, the study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that incorporating breast density information in the risk calculator could accurately estimate women's risk for the disease.

Patient access to innovation may be at risk as new payment models emerge in oncology.

The findings come as CMS is poised to finalize a rule to pay doctors to counsel patients about end-of-life treatment options.

A study published in BMJ measured the prevalence, annual compensation, and beneficial stock ownership of directors from publicly traded healthcare companies who had academic affiliations.

The CHHiP trial found fewer high-dose radiotherapy was as effective as more number of low-dose radiotherapy in men with prostate cancer.

An NCI-funded Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium study has found that computer-aided detection and interpretation of mammograms does not add any value to breast cancer screening.

My visit to the gynecologist's office following treatment for breast cancer and a subsequent reconstructive surgery was a rude awakening.

A prospective study that enrolled more than 10,000 women with hormone-receptor—positive, HER2-negative breast cancer has found that their response to a 21-gene test can identify patients who can avoid chemotherapy.

Palliative care should enter into the discussion with patients with cancer as early as possible as it can manage symptoms from therapy or it can provide comfort to patients who cannot afford or choose to forgo therapy, said Amy Davidoff, PhD, MS. Plus, she discusses the impact biosimilars may have on therapy costs.

Data presented at the ongoing European Cancer Congress has identified a different epigenetic profile in the tumors of younger colorectal cancer patients, information that can help improve treatment options in this population.

Although CMS has introduced a strict timeline to move to value-based payments, its new Oncology Care Model is partially relying on fee-for-service, and that's a good thing in the case of oncology, said Ira Klein, MD, MBA, senior director of quality, Strategic Customer Group at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Top managed care stories this week include the follow up to the National Academy of Medicine's groundbreaking "To Err Is Human" report, findings on the sharp increase in deductibles, and discussing costs in cancer care.

Developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, the vaccine has shown the potential to impact precancerous cervical lesions.

Posters focus on next-generation sequencing ovarian cancer and identify candidates for treatment with PARP inhibitors.

The trial, conducted in France, was a proof-of-concept study to evaluate the efficacy of targeted agents in patients, based on their tumor's molecular profile.

Innovative trials offer the promise that patients can be treated in their own communities instead of traveling to faraway cancer centers.