Over 30 million cancer survivors exist worldwide. Survivors have an earlier onset and higher incidence of chronic comorbidities, including endocrinopathies, cardiac dysfunction, osteoporosis, pulmonary fibrosis, secondary cancers and frailty than the general population; however, the fundamental basis of these changes at the cellular level is unknown. An electronic search was performed on Embase, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Original articles addressing the cellular biology of ageing and/or the mechanisms of cancer therapies similar to ageing mechanisms were included, and references of these articles were reviewed for further search. We found multiple biological process of ageing at the cellular level and their association with cancer therapies, as well as with clinical effects. The direct effects of various chemotherapies and radiation on telomere length, senescent cells, epigenetic modifications and microRNA were found. We review the effects of cancer therapies on recognised hallmarks of ageing. Long-term comorbidities seen in cancer survivors mimic the phenotypes of ageing and likely result from the interaction between therapeutic exposures and the underlying biology of ageing. Long-term follow-up of cancer survivors and research on prevention strategies should be pursued to increase the length and quality of life among the growing population of cancer survivors.

Lemierre syndrome (LS) is a multisystemic infection beginning in the oropharynx and leading to thrombosis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) with septic emboli and potential thrombotic extension to the central nervous system. Although patient outcomes have improved with early initiation of antimicrobial therapies, there is no consensus regarding the role of anticoagulation in LS. To better define the role of anticoagulation therapy in LS and determine whether anticoagulation improves thrombosis outcomes, we conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric and adult patients diagnosed with LS and managed at our institution from January 1998 to December 2014. Eighteen patients (9 females and 9 males) were included in this analysis, 6 of whom received ≥4 weeks of anticoagulation therapy (median 23.1 weeks, range 6.9-32.9 weeks). Six patients were in the pediatric age group (<18 years). All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics. All patients had improvement in their thrombi by 3 months (nonanticoagulated patient group: complete response [CR], n = 9; partial response [PR], n = 3; anticoagulated patient group: CR, n = 2; PR, n = 4). No patient developed recurrent thrombosis or progression during the follow-up period, regardless of anticoagulation status. Our study suggests that anticoagulation in LS may not affect thrombosis outcomes.

Objective/Background Improvements in curative treatments for many types of cancer have emerged over the past several decades, resulting in a growing population of long-term cancer survivors—of both adult and childhood cancers. Despite this incredible medical achievement, long-term survivors of cancer face a unique fear: the fear of relapse. Methods We conducted a review of the literature for data on fear of relapse among cancer survivors. Results The fear of cancer recurrence is present in survivors of childhood and adult cancers as well as family members and often leads to psychological sequelae. Conclusion Literature on the fear of cancer recurrence has begun to emerge. However, herein we provide a unique approach through the use of a metaphor: Cicero’s story of Damocles’ sword. We aim to outline the many fear-related and emotional challenges faced by cancer survivors with an extensive review of studies demonstrating such challenges.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is increasingly utilized as a treatment for malignancies in the elderly population. At the same time, research has elucidated the impacts of HCT on bone marrow progenitor cells, one of which is accelerated aging. Clonal hematopoiesis has also been observed to occur in the aging population, both with and without HCT. The interplay between natural aging, clonal hemoatpoiesis, and the effects of HCT on the bone marrow, has not yet been addressed. Herein we explore this relationship, and its important clinical implications.

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