In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the influence of possible infections following breast reconstruction on the risks of breast cancer recurrence. This study showed that post-operative complications or infections had a significant impact on the rates of breast cancer recurrence. Some background Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of palbociclib (Ibrance) in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. The authors found that palbociclib treatment increased progression free survival. Some background Major treatment options for hormone receptor-positive (HR+, dependent on the hormones estrogen and/or...
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In a nutshell The authors examined the cellular environment in melanoma samples and its effect on outcome of patients. Some background In skin melanoma, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node (tiny, bean-shaped organ that helps fight infection) to which the cancer cells are believed to spread (micrometastasis). The presence of...
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In a nutshell The authors reviewed different treatment options available for melanoma patients with cancer spread to the liver. Some background In advanced melanoma (stages 3 and 4), cancer has spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. Treatment of liver metastasis in advanced melanoma still remains a...
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In a nutshell This phase 1 clinical trial recruiting in Buffalo, New York aims to evaluate the side effects and best dose of a vaccine therapy for patients with advanced (stage III/IV) melanoma that has spread from the skin to other parts of the body. The primary outcome to be investigated is the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and treatment-related...
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In a nutshell The authors measured the spread of melanoma to the lymph nodes and analyzed the effect of cancer spread on patient survival. Some background In skin melanoma, sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node (tiny, bean-shaped organ that helps fight infection) to which the cancer cells spread (metastasis). The...
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In a nutshell The authors analyzed the effectiveness and safety of retreatment with ipilimumab (Yervoy) in patients with advanced melanoma. Some background The survival rate in advanced melanoma is poor. Ipilimumab, an immunotherapy (treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer), is an...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine both the effectiveness and toxicity of a type of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Some background Adjuvant chemotherapy is a course of chemotherapy that patients often receive after their main treatment. Chemotherapy can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence (the cancer returns) and improve...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the point at which the removal of a node in patients with breast cancer was necessary. Some background Sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) are first nodes (small bean-shaped organs located close to blood vessels) to which cancer can spread. Cancer-positive SLN’s have become increasingly prevalent in ductal...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate a series of treatments used for advanced breast cancer; this was a review of chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel (Taxol), doxetaxel (Taxotere) and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane). Some background Taxanes are a group of chemotherapy drugs used commonly in locally advanced (cancer has spread into nearby...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine used with conventional breast cancer treatments on breast cancer survival. Some background Traditional Chinese medicine is an alternative therapy that can complement breast cancer treatments. This generally includes various forms of herbal medicine,...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated the benefits of psychology treatments for breast cancer patients with depression. Some background Many women with breast cancer also suffer from depression (22%). This can lead to a decreased quality of life and overall prognosis (treatment outcome). 'Psychodynamic psychotherapy' is a form of...
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