In Oncology Basics 2016 part 1, we examined the elegance of the cells that make up our body. In Oncology Basics 2016 part 2, we explored what holds the instructions for life–DNA–and the special processes of self-replication and transcription that are used to pass on and translate those instructions. Now we will try to connect the...
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In a nutshell This study examined the addition of everolimus (Afinitor) to exemestane (Aromasin) for the treatment of patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) and HER2- breast cancer. The study concluded that adding everolimus (EVE) to exemestane (EXE) did not significantly improve overall survival. Some background EXE is a treatment...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether long-term adjuvant (treatment given after the primary treatment) tamoxifen (Nolvadex) can reduce the risk of death by cancer in pre-menopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. Long-term adjuvant tamoxifen treatment showed a reduction in the risk of death due to breast...
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The Central Dogma of Biology Doesn’t the title above sound imposing? Yet this central idea has moved biological science forward over the last 60 plus years. What we know about cells, genetics and cancer today relies on this “Dogma”: DNA carries our hereditary information and transfers that information in a process called transcription. In...
Read MoreTargeted treatment for breast cancer through external beam radiation is offering hope for those newly diagnosed with the disease. Dr. Christine Fang, radiation oncologist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, details how this important approach allows for greater precision during radiation, offers protection for the heart and great benefit for...
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We are made of elegant, interacting, dynamic structures called cells. The best estimate is that there are around 32 trillion cells in the human body. Today 5th graders begin to learn about cells and cell biology. But for the rest of us, who may be a bit rusty, or who aren’t as caught up with all the advances that have occurred in understanding...
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“Nixon asked, ‘Doctor, what do you consider the most pressing problem that medicine has today?’…My answer was simple: ‘Cancer.’ He said, ‘I’m amazed. Why do you say that?’ My reply was, ‘I think every physician who is dedicated and sincere never goes on the floor of a hospital where he has...
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In a number of posts here on Medivizor we have described research on weight and cancer. For example, we reviewed research on weight loss and patient survivorship and physical activity and patient survivorship. Here is an infographic by the American Institute for Cancer Research which provides some further information on the link between obesity and...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of neratinib treatment in patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer. The study concluded that neratinib significantly improved 2-year invasive disease-free survival in women with HER2+ breast cancer. Some background HER2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer is dependent on the...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether palbociclib (Ibrance) could help treat women hormone-receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor 2 negative (HER2-) metastatic (cancer has spread) breast cancer. The addition of palbociclib showed consistent success against breast cancer that had become resistant...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effect of the drug combination, palbociclib (Ibrance) plus fulvestrant (Faslodex) on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. The study concluded that palbociclib plus fulvestrant allowed patients to maintain a good quality of life while experiencing delayed disease progression. Some background...
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You’re in the doctor’s office filling out paperwork. There are questions to answer about your health, but also about the health of your parents, grandparents and siblings. You scratch your head, panic a little, then leave lots of blank spaces, hoping the information won’t be relevant to today’s visit. Regrettably those spaces–that...
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