In a nutshell This trial aimed to evaluate the use of a second treatment targeting HER-2 in a group of patients that had HER-2, HR positive metastatic breast cancer. This study found that patients treated with dual HER-2 medications with hormone therapy had a superior progression free survival as compared to those using one medication...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to evaluate laparoscopically harvested omental flap (LHOF) as used in breast reconstruction. It concluded that LHOF is a promising option in partial breast reconstruction after breast conserving surgery. Some background There are several types of surgery used in the treatment of breast cancer....
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study aimed to compare anastrozole (Arimidex) and tamoxifen (Nolvadex) in the treatment of breast cancer. This study concluded that anastrozole is effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer is classified into different subtypes depending on the presence or absence...
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Dr. Kelly Shanahan is a doer. As she wrote about her treatment for early stage breast cancer, “Even the four months of i.v. chemo needed because of one positive lymph node didn’t slow me down: I scheduled chemo for Thursdays, did surgery…on Fridays, threw up on Saturdays, ached from Neulasta® on Sundays, and was back in the office on...
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In a nutshell This study examined improvement in treatment related menopausal symptoms in patients who have had breast cancer and eat a diet rich in soy or cruciferous vegetable. This study found that higher soy and cruciferous vegetable intake was associated with less treatment-related menopausal symptoms and fatigue. Some background...
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In From Physician to Patient, I introduced Dr. Kelly Shanahan, a mother, wife, and obstetrician-gynecologist living and working in California. Her life changed with a breast cancer diagnosis. “In 2008, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, stage IIB to be exact. I underwent an aggressive bilateral mastectomy, because 1) as an ob/gyn...
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Dr. Kelly Shanahan attended the University of Virginia Medical School, graduating in 1987. Her residency at Temple University in obstetrics and gynecology ending as a chief resident in 1991. After practicing for a short time in Pennsylvania, she moved to California spring of 1994 “seeking a more ‘laid back life.'” She set up a private...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to find out if radiation added to standard chemotherapy could increase the response to treatment for locally advanced breast cancer. This study found that neoadjuvant radiation added to chemotherapy improved response but not overall survival. Some background Chemotherapy is a treatment option for...
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The adrenal glands-which are also called suprarenal glands-are part of the endocrine system and are found on the top of each kidney. How the endocrine system hormones work Hormones secreted from glands of the endocrine system travel in the bloodstream to target cells. Target cells have receptors that are specific to each hormone. The hormones and receptors...
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Thirty-eight states in the US have passed “Right To Try” laws. These are laws that are created to give terminally ill patients who have run out of options access to experimental drugs that have not completed the FDA approval process. There is an effort underway to pass this type of legislation on a federal level. On February 8, the #LCSM (Lung...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to examine breast conserving surgery (BCS) in combination with intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) for patients who have previously had radiation treatment to the chest. This study found that BCS in combination with IORT provides good local control and overall survival in patients with previous chest...
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In a nutshell This item reviewed treatment guidelines that have been recommended for early stage breast cancer. Some background The St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference gathers leading experts in breast cancer research and makes treatment guidelines. The 2017 conference has added to the consensus on dose escalation or de-escalation...
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