medical terms – Medical Lessons

What is the Disease Control Rate in Oncology?

January 24, 2012January 23, 2012 Elaine Schattner, MD

Last week I came upon a new term in the cancer literature: the Disease Control Rate. The DCR refers to the total proportion of patients who demonstrate a response to treatment. In oncology terms: The DCR is the sum of complete responses (CR) + partial responses (PR) + stable disease (SD). Another way of explaining […]

Posted in cancer treatment, Oncology (cancer), Statistics, Tuesday TermTagged clinical trials, DCR, Disease Control Rate, jargon, medical terms, oncology, response ratesLeave a Comment

Defining a Cluster of Differentiation, or CD

May 17, 2011July 17, 2012 Elaine Schattner, MD

The two-letter acronym specifies a molecule, or antigen, usually on a cell’s surface…

Posted in Diagnosis, Empowered Patient, Immunology, language, Medical Education, Oncology (cancer), ScienceTagged CD, cluster of differentiation, definition, diagnosis, human leukocyte antigens, jargon, medical terms, science in medicine2 Comments

Interleukin 2, Cathy’s Planned Treatment in the Big C

May 12, 2011May 28, 2012 Elaine Schattner, MD

I’ve been toying with the idea of messing with a cable TV show’s plotline. At the first season’s end of The Big C, the story’s protagonist decides to accept a harsh and usually ineffective treatment for her advanced melanoma: interleukin-2 (IL-2). Cathy, played by the actress Laura Linney, understands the goal is not for a […]

Posted in cancer treatment, Oncology (cancer), TVTagged cancer treatment, Cathy's decision, IL-2, Interleukin-2, interleukins, medical terms, melanoma, The Big C, TVLeave a Comment

Medical Lessons

Medical Lessons

What is the Disease Control Rate in Oncology?

Defining a Cluster of Differentiation, or CD

Interleukin 2, Cathy’s Planned Treatment in the Big C

About the Author

pre-order Elaine's Book! (for early '23)