Supportive Care

Megace and Megace ES

Megace has long been shown to help weight gain in cancer and AIDS. More recently, Megace ES came on the market. The advantage is in the concentrated dose that Megace ES offers. It is indicated for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or an unexplained, significant weight loss in patients with a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The recommended adult initial dosage of Megace ES (megestrol acetate) oral suspension is 625 mg/day

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Should Zofran be used empirically?

Ondansetron (Zofran) had been FDA approved for two decades and highly effective for nausea and vomiting. It is indicated for: Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including cisplatin ≥ 50 mg/m2. Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with radiotherapy in patients receiving

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Hyperbaric oxygen for osteonecrosis of the jaw

Osteonecrosis, death of bone tissues,  is a well known complication that can occur in different bones. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a known complication on of several medical interventions, such as radiation and biphosphonates. It had been initially described with the biphosphonate Fosomax but began to be seen more frequently with the intravenous biphosphonates, such as Zometa. Conservative treatment is successful in approximately 50% of patients

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Allogeneic transplantation in the elderly

The ability to escalate therapy and then salvage with stem cells from a donor has been a boon for patients with many types of cancer and hematologic malignancies, making possible a chance of cures in previously hopeless situations. In addition to the ability to markedly escalate the aggressiveness of chemotherapy that can be salvaged with transplanted stem cells, these outside donor cells, if properly managed, can provide an anticancer or anti-

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Cymbalta for pain following oxaliplatin treatment

Oxaliplatin is a drug that can cause a fairly unique serve related pain, which can be difficult to manage. Two recent phase II studies suggested that Cymbalta (duloxetine) is effective for this pain. Both studies were in small number of patients and there weas a significant monority of patients who did not tolerate treatment. Overall benefit was modest. Both studies concluded that using this drug is feasible. This was followed by an abstract at

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Sancuso Patch

SANCUSO® (Granisetron Transdermal System) is FDA indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately and/or highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens of up to 5 consecutive days duration; some studies show that it is effective for up to 7 days. An example of such a regimen would be a 5 day course of cisplatin. SANCUSO has been studied in head and neck cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer and gynecological

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The Role of Physical Therapy in Musculor Dystrophies

Muscular dystrophy (MD)is a group of genetic diseases that affect muscle function. There are more than 30 genetic mutations that can cause muscular dystrophy.  Based on the clinical features, including inheritance pattern, muscles affected, and muscle biopsy features,  dystriophis are dvivided into: Duchenne, Becker, Myotonic dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral, Limb-girdle, Ocullopharyngeal, Congenital and Distal. Physical therapy, especially regular

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Provigil for Cancer Fatigue

People with cancer can be very tired, because of the cancer itself or as a side effect of cancer chemotherapy. In addition, many cancer patients suffer from depression. Appetite is often affected by advanced cancer. Medications that stimulate attention and increase endurance are often used to control these symptoms. Provigil (modafinil) is a psychostimulant that was not designed for cancer patients and it is used mainly to treat people with narcolepsy.

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Androgen and Estrogen or Progesterone Topical Creams for Vaginal Dryness After Breast Cancer Treatment – pro

Breast cancer patients often suffer menopausal symptoms, which include vaginal dryness. This distressing symptom is often treated with topical estrogen or progesterone creams; however, there remains a concern about absorption of estrogen into the body and its effect on breast cancer. Many such patients are already on tavoxifen. In a group that is treated with tamoxifen, it would appear that most systemic effect would be negated by the tamoxifen's

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Androgen and Estrogen or Progesterone Topical Creams for Vaginal Dryness After Breast Cancer Treatment

Sequellae of treatment for breast cancer can affect the quality of life for many years after treatment. Breast cancer patients often suffer menopausal symptoms, which include vaginal dryness. This distressing symptom is often treated with topical estrogen or progesterone creams; however, there remains a concern about absorption of estrogen into the body and its effect on breast cancer. Many patients are already on tamoxifen. In a group that is treated

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