Top stories in hematology/oncology: FDA approves mesothelioma treatment, prior malignancies increase risk for head and neck cancers

Among the top stories in hematology and oncology last week were the FDA’s approval of a tumor-treating fields delivery system for certain patients with mesothelioma and a report that provided insight into the risks for head and neck cancers.

Other highlights included details of how precision medicine is changing the treatment landscape in pediatric cancers and a blood test that could someday potentially serve as a noninvasive alternative to colonoscopy. – by Janel Miller

FDA approves tumor-treating fields system for mesothelioma

The FDA approved NovoTTF-100L, a tumor-treating fields delivery system, for use in combination with pemetrexed plus platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma. Read more.

Previous hematologic malignancies increase risk for head and neck cancers

Individuals previously diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy appeared at higher risk for developing head and neck cancers, according to results of a retrospective study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. Read more.

Psychosocial factors increase complication risk with cancer surgery

Psychosocial risk factors considerably increased risk for complications among patients with medical comorbidities who underwent cancer surgery, according to study results published in Annals of Surgical Oncology. Read more.

Precision medicine ‘can now be a reality’ for hard-to-treat pediatric cancers

Comprehensive molecular profiling feasibly identified potentially actionable mutations among children and adolescents with hard-to-treat cancers, according to results of a prospective study published in JAMA Network Open. Read more

Blood test may serve as noninvasive alternative to colonoscopy

A study underway in West Virginia is designed to evaluate a novel blood test that may prove a more acceptable alternative for patients unwilling to undergo a screening colonoscopy. Read more.