Monthly Oncology Tumor Boards: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Individualized Patient Care - Lung Cancer: Squamous Cell Carcinoma

December 6, 2013

Join Renato Martins, MD, MPH and Douglas Wood, MD as they present their multidisciplinary expertise on a range of cases pertaining to squamous cell lung cancer.

Most patients with NSCLC have advanced disease (stage IIIB or IV) at diagnosis. Studies show that histology, mutation testing, and other criteria can be used to select the most appropriate systemic therapy for these patients. NSCLC is typically divided into two categories: nonsquamous and squamous cell carcinomas. For nonsquamous, adenocarcinoma is the most common histology. Patients with adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma have improved survival when treated with cisplatin and pemetrexed, whereas those with squamous cell carcinoma have improved survival when treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Carboplatin/paclitaxel/ bevacizumab is another chemotherapy regimen for select patients with advanced NSCLC (i.e., nonsquamous NSCLC, no hemoptysis). The NCCN Guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary approach for patients with NSCLC so that treatment can be tailored for individual patients, which will improve outcomes by decreasing toxicity, increasing quality of life, and increasing survival. Oncologists need to be aware of the most recent updates about molecular testing and treatment so they can effectively manage their patients with NSCLC.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a form of cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. Squamous cell carcinoma is also known as epidermoid carcinoma. The prognosis for squamous cell carcinoma is poor; only about 16% of patients survive five years or longer.  Patients with squamous cell carcinoma have improved survival when treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine. For patients who respond to treatment, erlotinib may be used as a maintenance therapy.

Target Audience

This educational program is designed to meet the educational needs of oncologists, pathologists, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals who manage patients with cancer.

Learning Objectives

Following this webinar, participants should be able to:

  • Apply NCCN Guideline-based therapeutic strategies for squamous cell lung carcinoma in the treatment of patients
  • Describe the multidisciplinary aspects of patient management for squamous cell lung carcinoma
  • Identify the key characteristics for squamous cell lung carcinoma that trigger decision points
  • Recognize situations where optimal care may require adapting the Guideline recommendations to individual circumstances
Additional information
Supporters: 

This activity is supported by educational grants from:

  • Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
  • Genentech
  • Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company
  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This activity is supported by a grant from Onyx Pharmaceuticals.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Nurse
  • 1.00 Pharmacist
  • 1.00 Physician
Course opens: 
12/06/2013
Course expires: 
02/28/2014
Event starts: 
12/06/2013 - 4:30pm EST
Event ends: 
12/06/2013 - 5:30pm EST
Cost:
$0.00

Renato Martins, MD, MPH
University of Washington

Douglas Wood, MD
University of Washington

This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Nursing and pharmacy (ACPE) credits are also provided. View complete accreditation information

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Nurse
  • 1.00 Pharmacist
  • 1.00 Physician

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Required Hardware/software

To complete this activity, users will need:

  • A device with an Internet connection and sound playback capability
  • Adobe Reader or other PDF reader software for certificate viewing/printing