In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine when radiotherapy should be administered, during chemotherapy-radiotherapy adjuvant treatment in patients with limited small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). They concluded that radiotherapy increases the survival rate if it is administered early during chemotherapy treatment. Some background For SCLC,...
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In a nutshell This study summarized updated guidelines for the appropriate treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Some background Most patients with NSCLC are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced (spread) and survival rates at this late stage of cancer are low. Therefore, it is important that doctors are aware of...
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In a nutshell The authors attempted to determine whether platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) levels are associated with prognosis in lung cancer. They concluded that high levels of PLR correlate with worse survival for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Some background For patients with lung cancer, the rates of survival can be low...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine whether a certain cancer type would affect the rate of survival after limited resection in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors concluded that limited resection is beneficial for patients with adenocarcinoma but they advise caution for patients with squamous cell carcinoma...
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In a nutshell This meta-analysis examined whether there were specific patient factors which would help predict the effectiveness of the anti-cancer drug pemetrexed (Alimta). The authors concluded that several factors including smoking status, genetic mutations, metastatic location and amount of tumors gave indications on whether or not pemetrexed would...
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In a nutshell This trial examined whether the anti-cancer drug axitinib (Inlyta) is safe and effective in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors conclude that axitinib is safe and has anti-tumor activity. Some background Vascular endothelial...
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In a nutshell This study examined predictors of survival for cancer patients with spinal bone metastases. Authors reported that stable and unstable spinal bone metastases had similar survival rates. However, factors predictive of survival were different between groups. Some background When cancer spreads outside of the lung (known as...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared afatinib (Gilotriff) and gefitinib (Iressa) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with positive EGFR mutations. The authors concluded that afatinib was associated with better treatment outcomes than gefitinib. Some background Mutations (genetic changes) in the epidermal growth factor...
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In a nutshell This study examined the link between weight gain and survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors concluded that patients who experience weight gain during treatment have a survival benefit compared to those who continue to lose weight. Some background Unintentional weight loss occurs among...
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Eating Together For many, being able to commune around a table–talking, laughing and eating–is a sign of health and well-being. That’s why, when someone is sick, and doesn’t eat, conflict can result. Caregivers may feel enormous anxiety, guilt and hopelessness as their loved one loses weight. Yet, caregivers need to know what is...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine whether EGFR-TKIs, in combination with surgery, is beneficial to patients with operable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors concluded that patients with EGFR-mutation-positive NSCLC who were treated with both surgery and EGFR-TKIs showed improved survival compared to patients who underwent surgery...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study aimed to test whether the ALK inhibitor drug crizotinib (Xalkori) was more effective than chemotherapy at treating ALK-positive NSCLC that has spread to the brain. The authors concluded that crizotinib is more beneficial for this patient group than chemotherapy. Some background Several non-small-cell lung cancers...
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