Program Header Artwork title and presenters

Program Participation Instructions:

To view this online program you MUST be Registered and Signed-In to cme-university.com.

Once signed-in, select the program from the Online Learning Library listing by clicking the "Add To Cart" button located directly across from the course title (from within the course listing).

Once the course has been added to your "Library Cart", YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ONLINE SELECTION PROCESS to gain access to the program link which will be provided from within your "MyCME-U Archives" page.

To view the program, click the link labeled "Interactive" located directly across from the course title located from within the "MyCME-U Archives" page.

To receive continuing education credit you must review the program in its entirety and have correctly answer all 10 quiz questions presented at various points during the presentation. You may not advance freely through the program until you have successfully completed the program.

Not enough time to complete your review? No problem, return to cme-university.com anytime in the future, sign-in and return to your MyCME-U Archives page and select the course link and pick-up right where you left off.

Thank you for your interest in this online program.

System Hardware/Software and Internet Connection Requirements:

The following information is provided for your reference in conjunction with review of this activity.

General System and Internet Requirements: Speakers or Headphones, High Speed Internet connection, IE, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Adobe Flash Player Browser Plugin: Version 8.0 or higher:
For Free download Click Here.

Operating Systems: Windows 2000 or higher, MAC OSX 10.3 or higher.

Technical Assistance: See the "Contact Us" section provided above or send an email to: info@cme-university.com.

General Program Questions: See the "Contact Us" section provided above or or send an email to: seckert@cme-university.com.

General Program Information:

Release Date: April 1, 2009
Expiration Date: March 31, 2010

The presentations range in length from approximately 30 to 40 minutes with a total run time of 94 minutes. Upon successful completion you will be provided with an online "Certificate".

This program has been developed through an education grant provided by Amgen.

Program Overview:

Background:

Progress in the treatment of cancer has been fast and furious with many new and exciting treatment modalities and agents arriving at a rapid rate. Cancer mortality rates have begun to fall as greater and greater progress is made in both the diagnosis and treatment of malignant disease. Despite our advances in the understanding of the biology and molecular genetics of cancer as well as the availability of an increasing array of novel therapies, cancer treatment today and for the foreseeable future will include the traditional modalities of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In addition to the symptoms and signs of advanced, cancer treatment itself may be associated with significant toxicities. Cytotoxic agents and their accompanying toxicities remain the mainstay of systemic treatment for both metastatic as well as early stage cancer. It is apparent from national surveys that many patients do not receive fully effective therapy potentially compromising their long term survival. The effects of both cancer and its treatment may have serious impact on a patients well being and overall quality of life. Fortunately, the advances in caner treatment have been accompanied by equally impressive progress in the availability of a wide array of supportive care modalities which have greatly improved the ability of oncologists to reduce this impact of cancer and its treatment and patient quality of life as well as their ability to complete potentially curative treatments in an optimal fashion.

Supportive Care Options:

The supportive care of cancer patients involves an orchestrated array of healthcare providers including medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, nurses, and other disciplines including teams of specialists focused on issues such as pain control as well as overall symptom management. Despite the increasing complexities of modern cancer treatment and supportive care, it is the obligation of the oncologist as well as the entire cancer care team to be certain that cancer patients receive the optimal supportive care measures available for their disease and its treatment. This activity will review this important area of cancer care with a particular emphasis on updating providers with regard to those therapeutic approaches and agents which have only recently become available or will soon become available for enhancing the supportive care of patients with cancer.

Summary:

Despite the considerable progress that has been made with more effective and safer treatment strategies, potential toxic cytotoxic agents remain the mainstay of systemic treatment for cancer. While considerable progress has occurred, better methods and broader application of supportive care measures are needed to reduce the symptomatic effects of cancer and the associated toxicities associated with cancer treatment. This activity will review and provide updated information on the wide array of rapidly evolving supportive care strategies. It will also discuss potential treatments currently under intensive investigation which may further improve our ability to provide cancer patients with improved supportive care and greater quality as well as quantity of life.

Educational Goals and Objectives:

Educate participants on Supportive Care Therapeutic Strategies: Focus on NHL and ESBC. At the completion of this course, participants will have gained advanced knowledge and skills through:

Review treatment options for aggressive NHL.

Discuss optimal chemotherapy in adjuvant breast cancer patients

Summarize the latest data surrounding risk factors that predispose cancer patients to adverse outcomes from chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN)

Topics and Faculty

Advances In Supportive Care: Therapeutic Strategies:Focus on NHL and ESBC

Professor Robert Leonard

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, England

Disclosure: Has disclosed that he has no financial interests, arrangements, or affiliations with the manufacturer of any products or devices to be discussed in this activity or who may financially support the educational activity.

Current and future Strategies in the Management of DLBCL

Dr. Ruth Pettengell

St. George's Hospital, London, England

Disclosure: Has disclosed that she has no financial interests, arrangements, or affiliations with the manufacturer of any products or devices to be discussed in this activity or who may financially support the educational activity.

Current Guidelines for the Use G-CSF to Prevent Infections and Maintain Dose-Intensity with Cancer Chemotherapy

Dr. David Dale

University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

Disclosure: Consultant – Amgen, Schering Plough, Merck, Telik. Grants/Research Support recipient – Amgen, Genzyme.

Accreditation Statement:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Professional Development through the joint sponsorship of the Royal College of Physicians and CME-University. The Royal College of Physicians designates this CPD activity for a maximum of 1 credit (RCP code: 50577). This offering meets the requirements for 1 contact hour for nurses as specified by the Royal College of Nursing (Event Ref: 4256).

Target Audience:

This activity is designed specifically for hematologists, medical oncologists, and oncology nurses caring for patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer.