In a nutshell This analysis compared the safety and efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy as second-line treatments for lung cancer that has progressed despite first-line chemotherapy. Some background The first-line (primary) treatment for the majority of lung cancer patients is chemotherapy, but...
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How do you share information with your doctor? This is a tough question. If you have had a bad experience or if you have been afraid to even broach something new with your doctor, this is the post for you. We asked two patient activists how they talk to their physicians and they provided us with tips that can help when sharing information. From Patient...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study explored the use of icotinib as a first-line treatment for epidermal-growth-factor receptor positive non-small cell lung cancer. Some background A large percentage of non-small cell lung cancer patients who were never smokers have a genetic mutation that increases the activity of the epidermal-growth-factor...
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In a nutshell This study explored whether platelet activity was useful measure of prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Some background Though there have been many advances in lung cancer treatment, 5-year survival rates remain relatively low: 14% for males and 18% for females. It is useful, therefore, to have ways of predicting who might...
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In a nutshell This study explored the patient characteristics that predicted long-term survival following surgery or stereotactic body radiation therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Some background While lung cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed, the disease is often not caught in the early stages. However, survival rates for...
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In a nutshell This article investigated the potential of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) mRNA as a new cancer progression marker. Some background Malignant tumors, including lung cancer, need a constant and abundant blood supply as they grow in size. Therefore, as tumors grow they produce chemicals that induce blood vessel formation, such as...
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In a nutshell This early phase trial investigated the safety and effect of ceritinib, a new ALK inhibitor, for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring mutations of the ALK gene. Some background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is an important protein involved in cell development. It is estimated that genetic changes that...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated best treatment options for wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) lung cancer. Specifically, it compared outcomes using EGFR-targeted drugs versus conventional chemotherapy. Some background The EGFR gene is responsible for building a specific protein needed by cancer cells to multiply. Mutations...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether common blood tests (such as cholesterol and CRP) could help predict lung cancer survival. Some background Lung cancer is made up of tumor cells that multiply much faster than normal cells. In order to support this accelerated growth, these cells draw large amounts of blood constituents. Since...
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In a nutshell This study examined the use of adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Some background The cornerstone of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer treatment is the surgical removal of the tumor. While additional chemotherapy treatments after surgery (referred to as adjuvant...
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“Keep Calm And Carry On:” Really? “The shock of that day you hear the words, ‘you have cancer’ never leaves you and your sense of certainty in life and in your body can be hard to recapture after a diagnosis of cancer.”-Marie Ennis-O’Connor After Surgery, Chemo, Radiation This is the time when feeling sick is supposed to be over. ...
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In a nutshell This article reviews current evidence on best treatment options for small cell lung cancer. Some background Small cell lung cancer represents about 15% of all lung cancer cases. Unfortunately, small cell lung cancer is aggressive, with fast development of metastases to other parts of the body. Currently, there are several therapeutic...
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