Oncology Business Management | Specialty

The OncLive Oncology Business Management condition center page is a comprehensive resource for news and expert insights on business-focused updates and topics in oncology practices, including diversity efforts, telehealth, gaps in care, payment models, and more. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on updates and best practices with oncology business management.

Are Oncology-Owned Retail Pharmacies the Answer to Keep Practices Viable?

November 20th 2013

Eroding reimbursement rates and a shift from intravenous (IV) to oral chemotherapy are combining to threaten the viability of many community oncology practices.

In Treatment Discussions With Oncologists, Patients Ask 'How Much?'

November 19th 2013

Two studies presented at this year's ASCO meeting suggest that a significant proportion of patients with cancer want to include the cost of therapy in their discussion of treatment options with their physician, regardless of insurance coverage.

Receiving Chemotherapy in a Hospital Can Cost Up to 47% More Than in a Physician's Office

November 19th 2013

Where Medicare patients receive their chemotherapy treatment makes a difference in the number of chemotherapy sessions that they receive on average.

IOM Issues Recommendations to Improve Cancer Care Delivery

November 15th 2013

Delivering high-quality cancer care continues to be a daunting problem for the US healthcare system because of a combination of factors, including an aging population, a shrinking work force, the rising cost of therapies, and a complex disease state and treatment regimen.

Urologist Ownership of Imaging Centers Affects Self-Referral Rates

November 14th 2013

Urologists who treat men with prostate cancer are 2.5 times more likely to refer patients to intensity-modulated radiation therapy centers, especially if they have a financial stake in the IMRT center.

Drugs and Biologics Account for Largest Practice Expenses

November 13th 2013

The highest expense reported by community oncology practices continues to be attributable to drugs and biologics, according to "2013 Trends in Community Cancer Centers," a survey sponsored by the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

FDA Approves Ibrutinib for Mantle Cell Lymphoma

November 13th 2013

Acting ahead of schedule, the FDA has granted an accelerated approval to ibrutinib as a treatment for patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy.

How One Oncology Practice Took Advantage of Economies of Scale

November 12th 2013

One oncology practice in Florida seems to have been able to adapt its practice model, taking advantage of economies of scale, and identifying new revenue streams, while still providing quality care and keeping its oncologists satisfied professionally.

Drug Shortages Persist in Wake of Surveys

November 6th 2013

Headlines from the June meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago announced to the general public what oncologists and hematologists have known for more than two years: sporadic shortages of cancer drugs are forcing suboptimal treatment plans for patients, and government efforts have not filled the void.

FDA Approves Frontline Obinutuzumab for CLL

November 1st 2013

The FDA has approved obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil as a first-line treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, based on clinical trial data demonstrating that the combination more than doubled median PFS over the chemotherapy agent alone.

Ponatinib Manufacturer Suspends Distribution

October 31st 2013

Marketing and commercial distribution of ponatinib has been temporarily suspended, following an ongoing FDA investigation that revealed an increased frequency of arterial thrombosis and severe narrowing of the blood vessels.

Mount Sinai Oncologists Improve Quality of Care for Cancer Patients with Standardized Criteria for Palliative Care Consultation

October 30th 2013

Intervention doubled palliative care consultations; lowered in-hospital mortality and hospital readmission rates.

Dr. Brahmer on Distinguishing Between Response and Growth

October 30th 2013

Julie R. Brahmer, MD, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses how physicians distinguish between a response to an immunotherapy and cancer growth.

The NYU Cancer Institute Joins OncLive's Strategic Alliance Partnership

October 29th 2013

Newest OncLive partner is a renowned translational cancer center that is at the forefront of comprehensive cancer treatment and research into advanced targeted therapies.

Dr. Thigpen on Ovarian Cancer Drugs Not Approved by FDA

October 29th 2013

James "Tate" T. Thigpen, MD, professor of medicine, director of medical oncology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, discusses the use of agents in ovarian cancer that are not approved by the FDA.

Dr. Camidge Discusses Next-Generation Sequencing

October 24th 2013

D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, explains excitement over the potential role for next-generation sequencing in cancer care.

FDA Grants Ramucirumab Priority Review for Advanced Gastric Cancer

October 23rd 2013

The FDA has assigned a priority review designation to ramucirumab as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

UCSF's Rugo to Chair OncLive's 'Giants of Cancer Care' Awards Program

October 21st 2013

Breast Oncology Director leads effort to honor luminaries who have helped patients survive

Evidence-Based Medicine: Examining the Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality

October 17th 2013

In many circumstances, the absence of so-called definitive evidence does not equate with the absence of evidence, just the level required by some to declare an approach to be an acceptable standard-of-care option.

Nanotech system, cellular heating may improve treatment of ovarian cancer

October 17th 2013

The combination of heat, chemotherapeutic drugs and an innovative delivery system based on nanotechnology may significantly improve the treatment of ovarian cancer while reducing side effects from toxic drugs.