Debbie L.
04-09-2010, 01:19 PM
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/102/7/456
Interesting article, mostly about how some oligometastatic disease might be appropriate for aggressive treatment with intent to cure. This paragraph, from their conclusions section, seems like a "considerable" understatement. (I want to see that separate manuscript about follow-up - they have taken on a big job.)
"The clinical consequences of confirming this hypothesis would<sup> </sup>be considerable. First, it would suggest that a selected subset<sup> </sup>of MBC patients should be approached with curative, not palliative,<sup> </sup>intent. Second, the current minimalistic postoperative monitoring<sup> </sup>should be revised to allow early diagnosis of low-burden disease<sup> </sup>relapse. The crucial issue of follow-up and its consequences<sup> </sup>will be addressed in detail by the Task Force in a separate<sup> </sup>manuscript. As a consequence, a rigorous economic evaluation<sup> </sup>would also be required to calculate the cost to benefit ratio<sup> </sup>and the assessment of personal and social impact of this shift<sup> </sup>in the management of MBC patients."
Interesting article, mostly about how some oligometastatic disease might be appropriate for aggressive treatment with intent to cure. This paragraph, from their conclusions section, seems like a "considerable" understatement. (I want to see that separate manuscript about follow-up - they have taken on a big job.)
"The clinical consequences of confirming this hypothesis would<sup> </sup>be considerable. First, it would suggest that a selected subset<sup> </sup>of MBC patients should be approached with curative, not palliative,<sup> </sup>intent. Second, the current minimalistic postoperative monitoring<sup> </sup>should be revised to allow early diagnosis of low-burden disease<sup> </sup>relapse. The crucial issue of follow-up and its consequences<sup> </sup>will be addressed in detail by the Task Force in a separate<sup> </sup>manuscript. As a consequence, a rigorous economic evaluation<sup> </sup>would also be required to calculate the cost to benefit ratio<sup> </sup>and the assessment of personal and social impact of this shift<sup> </sup>in the management of MBC patients."