In a nutshell This paper is a review of the effectiveness of chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for treating adult patients with early stage Hodgkin lymphoma. The review concluded that, for the same chemotherapy regimen, RT may increase progression free survival, but has little effect on overall survival for patients. Some background...
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In a nutshell This article looks at the effect that autologous stem cell transplantation has on the fertility of women with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The study concluded that women had a surprisingly high rate of good fertility outcomes after autologous stem cell transplantation. Some background Autologous stem cell transplantation...
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“Friday April 19th is a date that has been permanently engraved in my brain… I…recall awakening in the early morning hours, my sheets drenched and wet clothes sticking to every inch of my shaking body…I pulled off my wet and cold shirt, and it seemed tighter…Slowly at first and then more quickly, my hands scoured my neck....
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In a nutshell This study looked at the use of brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), nivolumab (Opdivo), and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in treating patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The study concluded that all three medications are very effective at treating patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. Some...
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In a nutshell This phase 1/2 clinical trial will test the safety and effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) in treating HIV-associated Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The primary outcome will be measured by the maximum tolerated dose (due to side effects) and the time to disease progression. The details Brentuximab vedotin is a therapy that...
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You may not know this but you can get warnings from the FDA on problems with prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. For example, on August 11, a FDA News Release issued this warning about over-the-counter liquid vitamins that are given to young children and those who cannot swallow pills. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is...
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In a nutshell The authors looked at the effect of age on outcomes for Hodgkin lymphoma patients who have undergone autologous stem cell transplantation. The authors concluded older patients tend to have a worse outcome than younger patients, and have a higher risk of developing a secondary cancer. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is...
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In a nutshell The authors looked at the effect of adjusting treatment plans for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma based on positron emission tomography (PET) scans part way through treatment. The authors concluded that escalating or reducing treatment based on a PET scan is beneficial for patients. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is generally...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors performed a review of previously published articles on follow-up care for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors concluded that follow-up treatment should be different depending on how long it has been since treatment, and the types of treatment received. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is generally considered...
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Marathons are grueling 26.2 mile treks. The Boston Marathon is the oldest (started in 1897) and is one of the Marathon Majors (along with London, New York, Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago). Marathon Man Raising Money For LLS In 2001, at age 48, family practitioner, Larry Saltzman ran his first marathon in Chicago. That started a 13 marathon odyssey to...
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This summer has been a challenge after a family member with celiac disease had a gluten exposure (Click here to read more about celiac disease). Gluten damages the small intestine villi (see 5 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Small Intestines), which are essential for nutrition absorption. For over a month, gastrointestinal pain, vomiting...
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Last summer we provided a series of posts on oncology basics. Oncology Basics: Preparing for ASCO covered some of the history of oncology. In Understanding Cells, we reviewed what is newly understood about cells–it’s way beyond what you learned in high school biology. DNA with lots of animated videos also explained some of the basics...
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