Volume 1, Number 2

Monica Morris RGN Head of Patient Services Development, International Myeloma Foundation (UK), Edinburgh

Seeking information is something we all do in order to make decisions and have some control in our daily lives. For those living with a diagnosis of cancer this is no different. Research has consistently shown that cancer patients want to receive detailed, high-quality information about their condition and possible treatment, given in an honest, timely and sensitive manner at all stages of the patient pathway.1

Graham H Jackson, Editor

Welcome to the second issue of the British Journal of Cancer Management. We have had a lot of feedback since the first issue; our aims of presenting clear, concise, interesting and novel articles in oncology and haematology seem to have struck a chord with our readers. We have read all your feedback carefully and will be taking your helpful comments into account in future issues. We also would like to encourage further ongoing commentary and constructive criticism of the journal from you.

PJ Hayden MB BA MRCP (I) MRCPath Lecturer in Haematology; SR McCann MB FRCP (I) FRCP (Edin) FRCPath Professor of Haematology, University of Dublin, Trinity College; and St James’s Hospital, Dublin

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is an uncommon, chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, characterised by splenomegaly, pancytopenia and the presence of mononuclear cells with hair-like projections in the peripheral blood (Figure 1) and bone marrow. The median age at presentation is 52 years, and there is a 3:1 male predominance.

Cynthia Gupte BSc BMBCh MRCS DLO Specialist Registrar, Hammersmith Hospital, London; Anwar R Padhani FRCP FRCR Consultant Radiologist, Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex

Technological advances are diversifying the role of imaging in cancer management. Imaging is now pivotal in the diagnosis, staging and planning of treatment and in the assessment of response to treatment. Established techniques, such as multislice and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have improved the ability to characterise lesion morphology.

Faith E Davies MB BCh MRCP MD MRCPath Department of Health Clinician Scientist, Section of Haemato-Oncology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London

Targeted treatment is not a new concept, as it has underpinned strategies for treating cancer since their inception. However, novel targeted approaches rely upon the identification of molecular targets and the design of specific small molecules to inhibit them in order to selectively kill tumour cells and decrease non-specific toxicity.

Kate Hodgson MBBS BMedSci MRCP Specialist Registrar; John Hanley MD FRCP MRCPath Consultant Haematologist, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

There is a well-established link between thrombosis and underlying malignancy. Venous thrombosis is significantly more common in patients with known or occult cancer. In addition, such patients are at a higher risk of both recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the complications of anticoagulation.