In a nutshell This study aimed to compare radiation therapy with prostate surgery used to treat prostate cancer. It found that prostate surgery had a better overall survival rate. Some background Prostate cancer can be treated using surgery or radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can be delivered externally such as external beam...
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Comparing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostate surgery versus open prostate surgery
In a nutshell This study aimed to compare traditional open surgery and robotic surgery to treat prostate cancer in terms of side effects. It found that there was no difference in side-effects like sexual function or urinary problems between the two surgeries. Some background Prostate surgery is a treatment option for prostate cancer. This surgery...
Read MoreScalp cooling to prevent hair loss in patients with breast cancer
In a nutshell This study wanted to see if using a scalp cooling cap during chemotherapy stopped patients with breast cancer from losing their hair. The study found that scalp cooling help prevent the patients from losing their hair. Some background An unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy for breast cancer is that often, patients lose their hair. It...
Read MoreGuidelines for hypofractionated radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer
In a nutshell This study reviewed the current recommendations for treatment doses of radiation therapy for different stages of prostate cancer. Some background Hypo-fractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) for early-stage prostate cancer is a safe and effective treatment option. It involves a shorter course of treatment with larger doses...
Read MoreBreast conserving surgery plus radiotherapy vs mastectomy in stage 1 breast cancer
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out which treatment was better for stage 1 breast cancer, either breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy, or mastectomy alone. The study found that breast conserving surgery plus radiotherapy was better than mastectomy for patients with stage 1 breast cancer. Some background There are a number of treatment...
Read MoreDoes a high level of white blood cells before surgery impact outcome in patients with lung cancer
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out if having a high number of a particular white blood cell before surgery was related to a worse outcome in patients with lung cancer. The study found that having a high number of white blood cells before surgery was related to a worse outcome after surgery. Some background White blood cells are the cells of...
Read MoreTVEC as a treatment for advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study analysed a treatment for late-stage melanoma called talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC). It found that treating late-stage melanoma with TVEC was effective, and had only minor side effects. Some background Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC) (Imlygic) is a treatment used for late-stage melanoma which is unable to be operated on. TVEC...
Read MoreSurgical treatment options for anal melanoma
In a nutshell This study compared the afety and effectiveness of two surgical treatments for anal melanoma. The study found that patients who had a local excision and patients who had an abdominoperineal resection had the same level of overall survival. Some background Anal melanoma is a very rare cancer. Two surgical options for treatment are...
Read MoreChemotherapy before surgery in the treatment of high risk rectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the outcomes of chemotherapy before surgery in patients with high-risk rectal cancer. Researchers suggested that chemotherapy improves tumor shrinkage before rectal surgery. Some background The standard treatment for patients with rectal cancer is surgery. High-risk patients may benefit from short-course...
Read MoreSD-101 and pembrolizumab treatment in advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study analysed a new medication to treat advanced melanoma called SD-101. The study found that patients responded very well to injection of the medication directly into the tumor alongside a common medication called pembrolizumab (Keytruda), although this worked best in patients who had never been treated with pembrolizumab...
Read MoreCan men with low-risk prostate cancer on active surveillance be monitored only by PSA and MRI?
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate if MRI scans (a test that takes detailed images of inside the body) could safely replace biopsies (samples taken from tissues for close examination) in active surveillance for prostate cancer. This study found that men with low-risk disease can be monitored using MRI and PSA levels with selective...
Read MoreUsing cancer killing viruses as treatment for melanoma
In a nutshell This study wanted to analyse the current literature on using cancer killing viruses as a treatment for melanoma. The study found that there is only one virus that has been approved for use in treatment of melanoma, however there are others being developed, and current results are promising. Some background A new approach to treating...
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