In a nutshell This study looked at the use of robotic-assisted CyberKnife radiosurgery to treat iris melanomas. It found that this is a promising treatment for iris melanoma. Some background Melanomas are the most common tumors of the eye. Eye melanomas usually occur at the back of the eye, but sometimes they affect the iris (the colored...
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In a nutshell This study compared surgery and radiotherapy for treating localized prostate cancer. They found no significant difference in survival between the two treatments. Some background Localized prostate cancer (cancer which has not spread beyond the prostate gland) can be treated with either surgery, radiotherapy, or monitoring without...
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In a nutshell This article investigated the safety and effectiveness of salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (S-HIFU) in patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer (LRPC; cancer which has come back and is confined to the prostate gland) after treatment with low dose rate brachytherapy (BT). The authors concluded that S-HIFU is...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study aimed to evaluate the side-effects of low dose brachytherapy (BT) for local recurrence of prostate cancer after external radiotherapy. This study found that BT had acceptable side effects in this setting. Some background Prostate cancer can be treated using surgery or radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can be...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the best timing of treatment verification imaging used in radiation therapy for patients with prostate cancer. This study found that patients undergoing daily imaging had less risk of their cancer returning and had reduced rectal side-effects. Some background One main treatment option for prostate cancer...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of chemotherapy after surgery (CAS) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Researchers suggested that the use of this therapy increases survival of the patients. Some background Surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. However, the use of CAS...
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In a nutshell This article presents updated guidelines on treating non-small cell lung cancer patients with adjuvant (following surgery) chemotherapy or radiation. The authors provide recommendations on when to use adjuvant therapy based primarily on disease stage. Some background Cancer patients who have tumors removed by surgery often undergo...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This phase 2 trial aims to evaluate the benefit of adding metformin (Glucophage) to hormone therapy with bicalutamide (Casodex). The main outcome to be investigated is treatment response. The trial is recruiting in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), USA. The details Obesity and metabolic syndrome (a collection of conditions including...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the factors that can lead to complications after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). Some background BCS removes the breast cancer but not the breast itself. IORT may be used during BCS. If cancer returns it is usually near the site of the original tumor. IORT delivers...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether SBRT is an effective and tolerable treatment for elderly patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They concluded that the treatment is both effective and safe. Some background In elderly patients with NSCLC, surgery is not always the best option. There is often a higher rate...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on the risk of cardiovascular events (such as stroke or heart attack) in men treated with radiation therapy. Researchers concluded that ADT use during or after radiation therapy increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Some background Radiation therapy is a...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) on treatment outcomes following prostate surgery. Researchers found no link between statin use and disease recurrence risk after treatment with prostate surgery. Some background Statins are drugs that lower the cholesterol levels in the blood. Lower cholesterol...
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