In a nutshell This study investigated the prognostic role of haemoptysis in patient diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of lung and cured after surgery. Some background Haemoptysis, or bloody sputum, is a common symptom of lung cancer. Haemoptysis is thought to occur due to the invasion of the cancer into the small blood vessels of the lung. Therefore,...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the use, effects and adherence of trastuzumab (herceptin) as treatment for patients with breast cancer. Some background Trastuzumab is often prescribed as adjuvant (additional) therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer. HER2 is a protein found on the surface of some...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated whether there are specific, high-risk periods a melanoma can return (recur) and spread to distant organs of the body (metastasize). Some background Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the melanocytes (pigment producing cells of the skin). Often, particularly in the early stages, when the melanoma...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the characteristics of colorectal cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) within 5 years and after 5 years of follow-up after initial curative surgery. Some background In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), removal of all cancer cells and a small amount of healthy tissue around the cancer when it appears to...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the use of alendronate (Fosamax) for the prevention of bone loss in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for localized prostate cancer. Some background Androgens are a group of hormones (including testosterone) which can stimulate the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. Androgen deprivation...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This article compares breast conserving therapy and mastectomy as primary treatments for breast cancer in young patients. Some background In young patients with localized (confined) breast cancer, surgical treatment which leaves as much breast tissue as possible is often preferred. This type of surgery is called breast...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether fatty liver disease protects colorectal cancer patients from developing liver metastasis. Some background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is most likely to metastasize (spread) to the liver. Liver metastasis accounts for 50% of all cases of metastatic colorectal cancer. Since very limited treatments are...
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In a nutshell This article investigated whether the body mass index or BMI (defined as weight divided by the square of height) can be used to determine how a patient with breast cancer treated with hormonal therapy may benefit from further treatment with a type of hormonal therapy called aromatase inhibitors. Some background Aromatase inhibitors...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study assessed the efficacy of using a new test called the 95-gene classifier (95-GC) to foretell the likelihood of cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) in patients with estrogen-receptor positive and node-negative (cancer that has not yet spread into the lymph nodes) breast cancer. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated survival rates after a local recurrence (return of the cancer close to the place of the initial cancer) in young breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery. Some background Young patients with early stage breast cancer are usually treated with breast conserving surgery or BCS (removal of the...
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In a nutshell This study determined the 20 year survival rate for patients with thin melanomas. This study also looked at likely factors that might influence survival. Some background Thin melanomas measure less than 1.00 mm in diameter, and are considered an early stage of melanoma formation. Melanoma can generally be treated successfully with...
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In a nutshell This article looked at the benefit on survival of short term hormone therapy called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), in combination with radiation therapy, for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. Some background Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Men with a healthy...
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