Dr. Harvey Lemont Part of Panel Published in Community Oncology

Panel Recommendations Designed to Improve Care for Affected Cancer Patients

5/10/2010

RYE BROOK, N.Y. — CBLPath Director of Podiatric Pathology Harvey Lemont, D.P.M. was recently published in the journal Community Oncology as part of an international, interdisciplinary panel of experts who provided the first consensus recommendations for the management of Hand Foot Skin Reaction induced by multikinase inhibitors (MKIs), which are oral anti-cancer drugs. These important guidelines will help clinicians better educate their patients about the prevention and management of the condition.

MKI-associated Hand Foot Skin Reaction (HFSR) typically occurs on surface areas of the skin that undergo repeated friction or pressure, such as the soles of the feet and palms of the hand. Symptoms are often mild and can include swelling, redness, pain, numbness, tingling and flat blisters. Sometimes the symptoms evolve into a painful condition with large blisters and an increased risk of infection that interferes with normal activities and leads to a lessoning of the intensity of cancer treatment, or a shortening of the treatment time.

“The HFSR clinically presents as painful disabling calluses of the soles during the first two to four weeks of oral chemotherapy using multikinase inhibitors for the treatment for renal and GI cancers,” Dr. Lemont explained. “As a result of this painful side effect, patients often decide to discontinue treatment for their cancer. It is hoped that as a result of the panel recommendations, this side effect can be ameliorated, allowing patients to benefit from uninterrupted therapy.”

The published paper, titled “Practical considerations in the management of hand-foot skin reaction caused by multikinase inhibitors,” was co-written by Dr. Lemont, who in addition to his duties at CBLPath also serves as Professor Emeritus at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. The other co-authors are Laura S. Wood, R.N., M.S.N., O.C.N., Aminah Jatoi, M.D., Mario E. Lacouture, M.D., Caroline Robert, M.D., Karen Keating, R.P.T., M.B.A., and Roger Anderson, Ph.D.

Wood is from the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Jatoi works in the Department of Oncology at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Lacouture serves in the Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Robert is from the Service de Dermatologie, Institut Gustav Roussy in Villejuif, France. Keating serves in Global Health Economics, Outcomes, and Reimbursement for Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals in Montville, N.J. Dr. Anderson works in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa.

Much esteemed in his field, Dr. Lemont is the recipient of the 2010 American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Award of Excellence, which is given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in scientific, professional or civic endeavors nationally.

About CBLPath
CBLPath is a national specialty lab offering a full convergence of anatomic, molecular and digital pathology services. The company provides a one-stop solution for comprehensive sub-specialized diagnostics, and timely, accurate, patient-centered disease management guidance. Through its Best Practice™ Partnership Program, CBLPath partners with pathologists to help them grow their practices, while giving them the ability to stay independent and “keep medicine local.” The company also provides sub-specialty physicians access to comprehensive, high-quality testing in their local market. Founded in 1988, CBLPath established a reputation for providing timely, highly accurate diagnoses along with extraordinary customer service and a true patient-centered commitment. For more about the company, please visit www.CBLPath.com.

About Community Oncology
Community Oncology features articles relating to research, quality of care, and practice management issues in the community setting. Reaching more than 26,000 physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and administrators each month, this peer-reviewed journal has become a vital clinical/economic forum and resource in the community oncology clinic. For more information about the publication, visit http://www.communityoncology.net/.