In a nutshell This study examined whether the number of lymph nodes removed in breast cancer patients predicts survival more accurately than standard staging. Some background Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that act as filters along the lymph fluid channels. As lymph fluid leaves the breast and eventually goes back into the...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the cosmetic benefits of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared to standard radiotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. Some background Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat breast cancer. It is often used following surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence...
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In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial examined the safety and efficacy of adding a drug called rh-endostatin (Endostar) to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. As cancer grows, it forms its own blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Therefore, anti-angiogenesis...
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In a nutshell In this study researchers investigated which traits of lobular in-situ neoplasia (LN) are likely to predict upgrade to invasive breast cancer. Some background LN is the presence of abnormal cells in the lobules (milk-producing glands) of the breast. LN includes 2 conditions which are considered to increase the risk of developing...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the potential benefit of beta blocker treatment in triple negative breast cancer patients. In this study, patients already receiving long term treatment with beta blockers before the diagnosis of cancer were investigated to examine the effect on cancer outcome. Some background Beta blockers are a class of...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers evaluated whether isolated tumor cells (ITC) or micrometastases can predict survival in breast cancer patients and whether there is need for additional treatments in these patients. Some background After surgery to treat breast cancer, many patients undergo a sentinel node biopsy (SNB). SNB is the...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers examined whether breast cancer patients who chose to have preventive removal of both breasts (bilateral mastectomy or BM) experience more post-surgery complications than patients who have removed only the cancer-affected breast (unilateral mastectomy or UM). Some background Most women with early breast...
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In a nutshell This study examined the impact on survival of more than 5 years of adjuvant hormonal therapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Some types of breast cancer grow in response to female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) via their receptor (a protein found on breast cells). These are called hormone receptor-positive (HR+)...
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In a nutshell In this article, researchers investigated the adverse effects of zoledronic acid (Zometa) in breast cancer patients. Specifically, they examined the occurrence of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and other oral (mouth) complications. Some background Zoledronic acid (zoledronate) is a drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis (loss...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers evaluated whether a genetic test called Oncotype DX, reduced the use of chemotherapy treatment for patients with node-positive and estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Some background Some breast cancers grow in response to estrogen, the main female sex hormone, via their receptor (a protein found on...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared survival rates of patients who developed cancer in both breasts (called contralateral breast cancer or CBC) and patients who had cancer in one breast (unilateral breast cancer or UBC). Some background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Breast cancer survivors are 3.5 times more likely to develop...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of radiation treatment (RT) given after breast-conserving surgery. The main findings are that RT leads to a dramatic drop in cancer recurrences and a moderately improved survival rate 15 years after the operation. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) involves the removal of...
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