In a nutshell This article looked at the risk of adverse events such as heart disease, blood clots, strokes and fractures in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Some background Treatments for prostate cancer can result in numerous side effects. For example, endocrine (hormonal) treatments can result in low bone density (weak bones prone to...
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In a nutshell The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and utility of a wait and see policy in patients with rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. Some background Treatment options for patients with rectal cancer (cancer in the final part of the large bowel) is chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (together called...
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In a nutshell In this phase 3 clinical trial, two types of adjuvant (a treatment given in addition to a main treatment) chemotherapy regimens were compared in women with node positive breast cancer after surgery to remove the cancer. These were the combination of docetaxel (Taxotere), doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (TDC) or the combination of...
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In a nutshell This study examined the efficacy of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as primary (main) treatment for patients with localized (confined) prostate cancer (PCa). Some background Localized PCa is cancer confined to the prostate gland. Usually, standard treatment for this stage is surgery or radiotherapy. A newer treatment...
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In a nutshell The study presented here investigated the predictive value of pre-treatment Prostate Serum Antigen (PSA) levels in patients with recurrent localized prostate cancer as a prognostic marker for successful salvage prostate cryotherapy. The authors found that a PSA level of < 5 ng/ml is a prognostic marker for a successful treatment...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the long-term survival of prostate cancer patients who have experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT). The authors of the study found that certain features of the cancer can predict poorer survival rates. Some background Many newly diagnosed patients...
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In a nutshell In patients with recurrent breast cancer, knowledge of regional lymph node involvement serves as an important guide for disease prognosis and treatment decisions. The study presented here investigates the feasibility of “repeat sentinel node biopsy” (SNB) as a prognostic indicator instead of the more invasive “axillary...
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In a nutshell The present article evaluated the specific appearance of cancer-invaded lymph nodes on ultrasound in patients with melanoma undergoing a sentinel node procedure. Some background The first place melanoma spreads to (metastasizes) is in the nearby lymph nodes. Once a lymph node is invaded, melanoma patients usually have poorer survival...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The present article evaluated the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) compared to observation alone after therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TL) for melanoma patients with a high risk of lymph node relapse (return of cancer to the lymph nodes). Some background Patients with a history of melanoma are at increased risk of developing...
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In a nutshell This paper reviewed current guidelines for treating early-stage melanoma (confined to the skin). Some background Melanoma is a form of cancer that originates in cells called 'melanocytes' that give skin its color. Melanoma is aggressive because it has a very high rate of metastasis (spread to distant organs) if left...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This paper investigates which approach provides longer recurrence free survival time after breast conserving surgery – pre- or post-operative chemotherapy. Some background Breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or BCS is surgery to remove the cancer and a section of healthy tissue around it. Women who choose this...
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In a nutshell This editorial article published at The Journal of Clinical Oncology, expresses experts' opinion, criticizing the current practice and design of clinical trials involving patients with rectal cancer. Some background Despite improvements in treatment options, such as the addition of the platinum-based drug Oxaliplatin to...
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