In a nutshell The authors aimed to highlight current treatment options available for skin cancer patients Some background Melanoma is a complex cancer due to the number of cell mutations (changes to normal cells and their function) that can occur. Melanoma mutations can include BRAF (responsible for activating cell growth and function)...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the differences between melphalan or TNF- melphalan isolated limb perfusion in treating melanoma that has spread from the original site. Some background In melanoma patients in-transit metastases can occur, indicating that the cancer has spread from the primary tumor site (site of first tumor) towards...
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In a nutshell This article summarizes current information on the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for recurrence of colorectal cancer to lymph nodes. Some background Colorectal cancer is a major health problem worldwide and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally. Although surgery, chemotherapy, and...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether dacarbazine was better as a single or combination therapy when treating malignant melanoma. Some background Dacarbazine (DTIC) has been the most used and effective treatment option in malignant melanoma, however it has a low response rate (reduction in the signs or symptoms of cancer) of...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether diphencyprone could be used as a topical treatment in cutaneously metastatic melanoma. Some background Metastatic (spread of the cancer) melanoma is typically treated with topical and intralesional immunotherapies (restore or enhance the immune systems ability to fight). Topical therapy is...
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In a nutshell The study examined the benefits of sentinel lymph node biopsy for intermediate-thickness melanoma patients. Some background For patients with intermediate-thickness melanoma (between 1mm and 4mm thick), the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes is an indicator of a more negative outcome. Lymph node dissection (removal) is often...
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In a nutshell This study investigated using levels of the proteins MUC1 and VEGF to predict the benefit of gefitinib in patients with advanced NSCLC. Some background Non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common type of lung cancer that can be difficult to treat. 65-75% of cases are presented at an advanced stage. Chemotherapy is often...
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In a nutshell This paper studied the effectiveness of lapatinib (Tyverb) plus vinorelbine (Navelbine) in treating women with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. Some background Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer (elevated levels of HER2 protein in cells) is associated with worse cancer outcome....
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In a nutshell This review and guideline update examined the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing in breast cancer patients. Some background Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a structure on the surface of some cells that stimulates cell growth. Overexpression (overproduction) of this protein may...
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In a nutshell This study examined the use of sequential chemotherapy and erlotinib as a first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Some background Certain genetic mutations, for example in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; a protein found on the surface of cells in the body), can often play a role in the growth of...
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In a nutshell This paper compared patients with new and patients with recurrent HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. Some background Improvements in breast screenings is associated with decreased recurrence (return) of breast cancer. This might increase the proportion of patients who have de novo breast cancer (first occurrence of...
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In a nutshell This study examined the use of gefitinib (Iressa) following chemotherapy in patients with stage 3 epidermal-growth-factor receptor positive non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Some background The initial treatment for non-small cell lung cancer is usually surgical removal of the tumor, which...
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