Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of unknown origin that typically presents in older white and immunocompromised adults. An estimated 1,500 cases are diagnosed in the United States annually. The rapid rise of MCC incidence during the past few decades has been attributed in part to people living longer with in...

Mark A. Socinski, MD. In an interview with i3 Health, Mark A. Socinski, MD, shares insights regarding the recent FDA approval of atezolizumab (Tecentriq®, Genentech, Inc.) in combination with carboplatin/paclitaxel/bevacizumab for patients with previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without EGFR or ALK tumor mutations. Dr. Socinski, Executive Medical Director and Medical Oncologist at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, was the lead researcher on the IMpower150 trial (NCT02366143), which served as the basis for the FDA approval.

The introduction of effective antiemetic regimens in recent years has led many clinicians to assume that CINV is no longer a major problem. However, nausea and vomiting are frequent complications of cancer treatment, occurring in up to 80% of patients receiving chemotherapy. Although CINV can be prevented in most patients with the use of guideline-...

James M. Olson, MD, PhD ​Brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common cancers in children, accounting for 1 out of 4 childhood cancers. Despite intensive treatment, children with histologically diagnosed high-risk medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the central nervous system (CNS-PNET), and pineoblastoma (PBL) continue to have suboptimal outcomes. James M. Olson, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at University of Washington School of Medicine, and colleagues found that molecular profiling of patients with CNS-PNET/PBL revealed a significant proportion of patients were initially misdiagnosed and consequently overtreated and that other patients have a better prognosis than previously realized. i3 Health spoke with Dr. Olson about these findings and their implications for pediatric brain tumor practice.

For oncology nurses, certification has a significant impact on career advancement and quality care. Since oncology is a rapidly changing field, up-to-date study materials are therefore crucial. To this end, Oncology Nursing Review, Sixth Edition, has just been published. This new edition is an essential guide for oncology nurses studying for the On...

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is associated with a poor prognosis, and patients often develop refractory or resistant disease, adverse events, depression, and financial hardship. Mikel Ross, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, OCN®, CBCN®, office practice nurse in the Outpatient Breast Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, spoke with i3 Heal...

Prostate cancer is the most common tumor type in men in the United States. Typically, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is administered for progressive disease. However, castration resistance or unresponsiveness to ADT or to antiandrogens frequently develops over time. The transition from castration-sensitive to castration-resistant disease has ye...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common tumor globally. Patients with HCC have a dismal prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 18%. Thomas A. Abrams, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, spoke with i3 Health about how strong physician-patient relationships and a multidisciplinary approach can facilitate the management of HCC and improve outcomes.  

Thyroid cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States. An estimated 56,870 new cases are diagnosed annually, and 2,010 people die of the disease. Thyroid cancer is typically more aggressive in men than women and becomes increasingly lethal in those older than age 40. The dearth of data from well-designed trials has led to confusi...

Prostate cancer is the most common tumor type among men in the United States. Typically, androgen deprivation therapy is administered for progressive disease. However, castration resistance or unresponsiveness to androgen deprivation therapy or to antiandrogens frequently develops over time. The transition from castration-sensitive to castration-re...

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant. In patients with severe cases, the mortality rate has been estimated to be greater than 80%. In this exclusive interview, Phyllis McKiernan, APN, MSN, OCN and Michelle Rickard, DNP, CPNP-AC, CHPPN, BMTCN, CPON spoke with i3 Health about challenges, patient education strategies, and best practices in nursing management of adult and pediatric patients with VOD.​

Thomas A. Abrams, MD: Clinical deterioration that is not related to obvious AEs of sorafenib has to be regarded as a progression or sorafenib failure, especially if there's corroborating evidence such as biochemical worsening, AFPs going up, worsening liver function, or ascites. Those could be used as a surrogate to progression. If radiological dat...