Susan M. Swetter, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses molecular prognostic tests for cutaneous melanoma, which may improve staging accuracy, reduce unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsies, and inform decisions on surveillance imaging and/or adjuvant therapy.
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.
Sandy Srinivas, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses the increasing number of ways to deliver life-prolonging therapy to patients with advanced prostate cancer, including more accurate imaging techniques; PET tracers to help better detect, diagnose, and treat disease; PARP inhibitors for BRCA and other mutations; and new sequencing of drugs.
Melinda L. Telli, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses highlights of the new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology®, including nonanthracycline, taxane-based regimens as preferred treatments for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer; newly approved combination therapies such as tucatinib plus capecitabine plus trastuzumab, margetuximab plus chemotherapy, and neratinib plus capecitabine; and recommendations for third line and beyond.
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.