In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effects of BAP1 protein in uveal melanoma. Some background Uveal melanoma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the eye. BAP1 protein is involved in cell development and growth in healthy cells. Research has shown that patients who lack the BAP1 protein have an increased risk of tumor...
Read MoreCurrent disease status-Recurrent cancer-Local recurrence Posts on Medivizor
Breast cancer recurrence; is breast conserving therapy still relevant?
In a nutshell This paper studied locoregional recurrences (return of cancer to the same area) in breast cancer. They compared mastectomy (removal of entire breast) to breast conserving therapy (removal of some breast tissue). Some background Breast conserving therapy involves removing part of the breast plus radiation. After...
Read MoreReviewing the cardicovascular effects of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether patients who received androgen deprivation therapy were more at risk of experiencing cardiovascular events. Some background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a hormone treatment that targets male sex hormones involved in prostate cancer development, such as testosterone, in early stage...
Read MoreRecurrent melanoma treatment may be directed by biopsy results
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether sentinel lymph node biopsy was effective in detecting and determining treatment in recurrent melanoma. Some background Locally recurrent (cancer that returns at or near primary site) or in-transit (cancer found on a skin site on the way to a lymph node) melanoma is a concern in melanoma...
Read MoreHealth-related quality of life and sexual function in patients with rectal cancer
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life in healthy individuals and patients with rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Beyond the cancer symptoms it is now well recognized that having cancer can also affect patients’ quality of life. A number of...
Read MoreIs sunitinib plus transtuzumab safe and effective in patients with advanced breast cancer?
In a nutshell This paper studied the safety and efficacy of sunitinib (Sutent) in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Some background Trastuzumab is used to treat metastatic (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) breast cancer that is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2...
Read MoreCan we predict high-intensity focused ultrasound success before treatment?
In a nutshell This paper studied factors that might influence prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir levels following high-intensity ultrasound treatment in patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the prostate. Some background High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a primary treatment in prostate cancer that targets and removes damaged or...
Read MoreIs chemo after surgery necessary if no cancer is present in the lymph nodes?
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether patients whose cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes would benefit from additional chemotherapy following surgery. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer means the cancer has spread from the rectum (the lowest part of the large bowel) into surrounding tissues and organs. The recommended...
Read MoreMammaPrint genetic testing for prediction of long-term breast cancer outcomes
In a nutshell This study investigated the accuracy of the 70-gene signature (MammaPrint) genomic profiling test in predicting metastasis and long-term outcomes among breast cancer patients. Some background Gene-expression signature tests, such as MammaPrint, were developed in order to assess the biological action, and therefore the aggressiveness,...
Read MorePrognostic significance of BRAF mutations
In a nutshell This study evaluated the effect of BRAF mutation on survival among early stage melanoma patients. Some background The B-raf protein, encoded by the BRAF gene, plays an important role in regulating cell growth and division. Mutations in the BRAF gene are implicated in approximately 40% of all melanoma cases. BRAF mutation is...
Read MoreTiming of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery
In a nutshell This study examined whether the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy affects survival among women with breast cancer. Some background Surgical resection to remove all cancerous tissue is the standard of care for the treatment of breast cancer. After surgery, many patients also undergo adjuvant treatments (additional therapy following...
Read MoreA non-invasive method of tumor removal
In a nutshell This review examined the use of radiofrequency ablation as a treatment for breast cancer. Some background Surgical treatments for breast cancer have become less invasive over time, in hopes of preserving the healthy breast tissue surrounding the tumor. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, and often a great deal of healthy...
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