April K. Salama, MD, on Managing Melanoma Brain Metastases
NCCN 2021 Virtual Annual Conference
April K. Salama, MD, of Duke Cancer Institute, discusses the shift in recent years, as more effective therapies have become available, toward integrating systemic upfront treatment of patients with brain metastases from cutaneous melanoma; pivotal studies that have provided key data; and the need for a multidisciplinary approach incorporating medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.
The ASCO Post Staff
Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, of Fox Chase Cancer Center, and Mary F. Mulcahy, MD, of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, discuss biomarkers for determining treatment; immune checkpoint inhibitors; when to employ such treatments as platinum/fluoropyrimidine and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki; and other second- or later-line therapies such as paclitaxel, ramucirumab, irinotecan-based regimens, and trifluridine/tipiracil.
The ASCO Post Staff
Thomas K. Varghese, Jr, MD, of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, summarizes a panel discussion on how the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted cancer screenings, when telemedicine works and when it doesn’t, opening alternative care sites in the community, and the emotional and mental toll the coronavirus has taken on health-care providers.
The ASCO Post Staff
Lori J. Wirth, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, discusses the common molecular alterations across thyroid cancer subtypes; targeted treatments for BRAF V600E–mutant, NTRK–fusion positive, and RET–altered disease; and optimal therapies for patients with multiple types of thyroid cancer.
The ASCO Post Staff
Arlene O. Siefker-Radtke, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the changing therapeutic landscape in which atezolizumab, avelumab, and pembrolizumab have either been approved or are under review for treating urothelial bladder cancer in the metastatic, superficial, and adjuvant settings.
The ASCO Post Staff
David G. Pfister, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the many considerations when caring for patients with head and neck cancers, such as dental and nutritional issues; side effects from radiation, including necrosis of the bone; oral health; problems with speech; and the concerns of younger patients who may have to cope with the sequelae of treatment such as altered function or disfigurement for years to come.
