Layman Title Effects of breast reconstruction compared to mastectomy only on survival and risk of recurrence of breast cancer In a nutshell This study aimed to find out if breast reconstruction using deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction resulted in higher levels of recurrence compared to mastectomy alone. The authors found that...
Read MoreConfined or spread disease-Confined only to the breast Posts on Medivizor
Genetics used to guide breast cancer chemotherapy treatment
In a nutshell This study examined if the presence of certain genes had an effect on endocrine (hormone) treatment alone compared to chemoendocrine (chemotherapy and hormone) treatment for breast cancer. The study concluded that endocrine and chemoendocrine had the same effectiveness in women with certain genetic factors. Some background Breast cancer...
Read MoreDoes radiotherapy improve outcomes for patients with primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the impact of radiotherapy on the outcomes of rituximab (Rituxan)-treated patients with primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This study concluded that radiotherapy has significant therapeutic benefits for these patients. Some background Primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare type of...
Read MoreWhich is the better treatment for breast cancer to improve quality of life?
In a nutshell This study aimed to find out if the quality of life after treatment was different in women who had whole breast irradiation (radiation treatment to the whole breast) for early breast cancer compared to women who had accelerated partial breast irradiation (short radiation treatment to part of the breast) with brachytherapy. The...
Read MoreRisk of secondary cancers in patients who have been treated for early stage breast cancer
In a nutshell This study aimed to examine the risk of developing a secondary cancer after breast conserving therapy for early stage breast cancer patients. This study found that patients who have been treated for early stage breast cancer do not have a significantly higher risk of secondary cancers. Some background Women with early stage breast...
Read MoreBreast reconstruction surgery using an omental flap is an option after breast conserving surgery
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 MoreRadiotherapy: before or after surgery for breast cancer stages I-III?
In a nutshell This study examined whether radiotherapy treatment before surgery could improve disease-free survival, especially for patients with estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (dependent on the hormone estrogen for growth). This study concluded that radiotherapy before surgery improved disease-free survival. Some background For...
Read MoreThe pre-operative use of accelerated partial breast irradiation in treating early-stage breast cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated whether accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) was useful for preoperative treatment of early-stage breast cancer (BC) patients. APBI was found to be an effective treatment option with good cosmetic results for certain early-stage BC patients. Some background Breast conserving therapy (surgery to remove...
Read MoreThe impact of exercise on the risk of cardiovascular events in women with non-metastatic breast cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated whether exercise was associated with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC). Exercise was found to be linked to a significant reduction in the risk of CVD for this patient group. Some background CVD is a leading cause of death among women with...
Read MoreTen years on: Axillary recurrence after negative sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the long term risk of axillary (underarm lymph node) recurrence in breast cancer (BC) patients who were not treated with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) following a negative sentinel node biopsy (SNB) result. The study concluded that the risk of axillary recurrence after 10 years was lower than expected after...
Read MoreWho should receive radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ?
In a nutshell This study investigated the rate of loco-regional recurrence (LRR) when breast-conserving surgery (BSC) was not followed by radiotherapy. This study concluded that the rate of LRR was low in patients who did not undergo radiation after BCS, but that age and margin width were risk factors for LRR. Some background BCS is a surgery...
Read MoreIntraoperative radiation therapy and breast conserving surgery: an alternative to whole breast radiation
In a nutshell This study investigated the complications that occur after intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) treatment. The authors concluded that IORT is generally a safe treatment to use with BCS. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) treats breast cancer by removing just the tumor from the affected breast. IORT is sometimes...
Read More
