Oncology

Large data sets like SEER need better quality control checks and researchers and clinicians who use these data sets should also consider using secondary data analyses that answer specific research questions. This is the advice of a senior urologist following the removal of the PSA data.

The American Journal of Managed Care's Patient-Centered Oncology Care meeting is an important event for anyone interested in "crossing the chasm" that appears between providers and the rest of the healthcare world, explained Peter P. Yu, MD, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The authors examine 4 alternative payment models for oncology care that shift away from fee-for-service and move progressively toward greater bundling, either across providers or across payments.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital, found that complications associated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomies were higher in low-volume hospitals, with relatively inexperienced staff.

This week The American Journal of Managed Care launched its new Managed Markets News Network, featuring the top stories in managed care and interviews with industry experts.

Raising awareness of the dangers of mouth and throat cancer increased the number of black men in some of Florida's poorest counties who sought screening for the first time, which could improve survival rates through early detection and treatment.

While the marketing of the first biosimilar to be approved in the US market, Zarxio, has been delayed due to a court order, the FDA is providing guidance to manufacturers to help them effectively navigate the process of product development.

Yesterday, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) lifted the embargo on nearly 5000 abstracts that will be presented at ASCO's 51st Annual Meeting to be held in Chicago, May 29-June 2. The results from a few of the studies were released via a presscast that saw participation by the chair of ASCO's clinical communications committee, the current ASCO president, and the ASCO president-elect.

The prices for new hepatitis C and cancer treatments are driving the cost of prescription drugs to new highs for more Americans, according to a new report, which found that 9 of 10 patients with drug costs of $50,000 or more used specialty drugs.

A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research has found that surgeons are focusing on life-enhancing procedures for late-stage cancer patients. In their follow-up on 22,000 late-stage cancer patients in the United States between 2006 and 2010, while the use of surgeries declined only slightly, doctors became more likely to restrict surgery to healthier patients.

The diagnostic test, developed by Biodesix, Inc, will help guide treatment decisions in patients with advanced lung cancer.

The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that in addition to protecting against 80% of cervical cancers, the new Gardasil-9 has the potential to protect against nearly 19,000 other cancers diagnosed in the United States.

Based on their analysis of a mail-in questionnaire, researchers in Canada found that parents who had their daughters vaccinated differed from those who did not do so in perceived susceptibility to the disease, benefits and barriers of the vaccine, and cues to action.

In collaborations with 14 cancer centers throughout the country, IBM will apply Watson Genomic Analytics, a cloud-based service, to implement evidence-based treatment decisions in oncology.

A one-minute look at managed care news during the week of May 4, 2015, including global cancer drug spend, movements in telehealth, and changing behavior to reverse poor health.

Overall, regular breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening was below target in 2013, according to a new report from the CDC. In fact, researchers found overall screening in these 3 areas showed no improvements from 2010 to 2013.

There are 3 general issues that cancer survivors face, and each of them are very different challenges, according to Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, from the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

The addition by the World Health Organization follows requests by consumer groups for the agency to widen its list to include some of the latest treatments carrying high price tags.

The Roswell Park pathology team reviewed 500 breast core biopsy cases provided by referring institutions in a single calendar year and found that 8% of the cases had a major discordance and 13% had a minor discordance, especially with respect to interpreting biomarkers that determine prognosis and therapeutic options.

Amarin's action has initiated a debate on whether the FDA's authority over ensuring the safety and efficacy is being side-stepped.

The appeals court decision has ensured that Novartis cannot bring its biosimilar Zarxio (filgrastim), which provides immune support to cancer patients, to the market at least till June 3.