In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the prognostic (disease outlook) effect of the presence of certain hormone receptors on cancer cells. Some background Breast cancer is classified into different subtypes depending on the presence or absence of certain receptors (proteins found on the surface of the cancer cells). Breast cancer...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the risks of developing cardiac or heart problems while being treated with trastuzumab (Herceptin) for breast cancer. Some background Trastuzumab is a form of endocrine or hormone therapy used to treat patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer. Since the approval of...
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In a nutshell The authors examined the safety of ipilimumab (Yervoy) and the associated skin-related adverse events in the treatment of melanoma. Some background In advanced melanoma, cancer spreads from deep within the skin to other parts of the body. Ipilimumab, an immunotherapy (treatment that uses body’s own...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether patients with T2c prostate tumors had an intermediate or high-risk disease. Some background Prostate cancer can be classified as low, intermediate or high-risk. This is based on the risk factors present. Risk factors include high prostate specific antigen levels (PSA – protein...
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In a nutshell The authors discussed ways to prevent peritoneal metastasis (spreading of cancer to the lining of the abdomen) in patients with colorectal cancer. Some background Peritoneal metastasis is often treated with cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Cytoreductive surgery involves surgical...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether mutations (permanent change) in the KRAS gene can predict the development of lung metastases (spread of cancer to the lungs from the rectum or colon) in advanced colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal tumors can have genetic mutations. One of the most common mutations is of the KRAS gene-an...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the long-term effects of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT; very precise radiation therapy) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Some background In the early stage of NSCLC (stage I), surgery is the preferred method of treatment. However, patients often have heart or respiratory...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effects of taxanes when treating prostate cancer patients with hormone-resistant cancer. Some background Hormone therapy is a common prostate cancer treatment. It targets the male sex hormones active in prostate cancer, such as testosterone. Some patients may become hormone-resistant....
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the link between hormone therapy and metabolic syndrome in prostate cancer patients. Some background Hormone therapy is a common treatment used in prostate cancer management. It blocks the male sex hormones active in prostate cancer, such as testosterone. In some patients hormone therapy can...
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In a nutshell The authors discussed isolated limb perfusion, a procedure used to deliver high doses of drugs straight to the site of the tumor in patients with melanoma. Some background Melanoma is sensitive to chemotherapy but it needs higher doses of chemotherapy than other types of cancer. Isolated limb perfusion is a complex...
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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 The authors aimed to determine the long-term effects of hormone therapy to treat post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Some background Hormone therapy is a form of breast cancer treatment. It targets cancer cells that may be affected by hormones. It is often administered prior to surgery in patients who are unfit to...
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