Removing small colon polyps costly, unnecessary

November 20, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The surgical removal of small colon polyps found during computed tomography imaging of the colon, or CT colonography, is costly and unnecessary, according to a new study.

Avastin® Linked with Increased Risk of Blood Clots

November 20, 2008 — According to a combined analysis of previously published studies, cancer patients who use Avastin® (bevacizumab) may have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (a blood clot in a vein). These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Addition of Avastin® to Paraplatin®, Taxol®, and Erbitux® Promising for Advanced NSCLC

November 20, 2008 — Researchers affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group have reported that the four-drug combination of chemotherapy agents Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) plus targeted therapies Avastin® (bevacizumab) and Erbitux® (cetuximab) is safe and may improve survival in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented at the 2008 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology November 13-15.

Avastin® Increases Risk of Venous Thromboembolism

November 20, 2008 — Researchers from Stony Brook University have reported that the use of Avastin® (bevacizumab) increases the risk of thromboembolism. The details of this review were published in the November 19, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Psychological Intervention May Improve Survival in Breast Cancer

November 19, 2008 — Breast cancer patients who receive psychological intervention during treatment experience improved overall survival, as well as a reduced risk of cancer recurrence, according to the results of a study published in an early online issue of Cancer.