In a nutshell This study compared the safety of two hormonal medications used to treat breast cancer, tamoxifen (Nolvadex) and letrozole (Femara). This study found that tamoxifen was associated with an increased risk of blood clots, while letrozole was associated with an increased risk of angina and heart attacks. Some background Hormone-positive...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This trial aims to test the effectiveness of adding olaparib (Lynparza) to radiotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer. The main outcome measured will be how long the patients survive without the disease coming back in its invasive form. The study is being conducted in the United States. The details Inflammatory breast cancer can be...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the influence of possible infections following breast reconstruction on the risks of breast cancer recurrence. This study showed that post-operative complications or infections had a significant impact on the rates of breast cancer recurrence. Some background Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the relationship between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and cancer-specific survival. Researchers concluded that LDH can be used as an early indicator of cancer outcomes. Some background Early cancer detection methods have significantly improved cancer survival rates. There is increasing evidence to...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the overall risks of breast cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) following two types of breast cancer surgery. Some background Breast cancer treatments may include surgery; a mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast while breast-conserving surgery is the removal of the breast cancer but not the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This article provides an overview of the new treatment guidelines for early invasive breast cancer as set by the 2013 St. Gallen Consensus. Some background The St. Gallen Consensus of 2011 offered the current guidelines for the treatment of early-stage breast cancers. Recently, an expert panel of 51 physicians and scientists convened...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated breast cancer risk and outcomes among postmenopausal women using hormone replacement therapy. Some background Progesterone and estrogen are steroid hormones that have a crucial role in female maturation and reproduction processes. The female menstrual cycle, ovulation and pregnancy are only part of the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This trial compared the effects of different support groups for distressed breast cancer patients. Some background Cancer diagnosis and treatments are known to be a major cause of depression and distress. Among breast cancer survivors, the risk of tumor recurrence and frequent screening contribute to patient stress and depression...
Read MoreIn 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 MoreIn a nutshell This study examined whether the number of lymph nodes removed in breast cancer patients predicts survival more accurately than standard staging. Some background Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that act as filters along the lymph fluid channels. As lymph fluid leaves the breast and eventually goes back into the...
Read MoreDoes pregnancy affect survival? This study evaluated the effect of pregnancy on the survival of women with BRCA associated breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer (associated with a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene) typically presents itself in younger women. Consequently, the onset of breast cancer often overlaps with pregnancy....
Read MoreIn a nutshell This present study evaluated the role of menopausal symptoms in the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Some background Menopause is the period in a woman’s life after menstruation stops and the ovaries become inactive, defined as 12 months after a woman's last period. With menopause, the level of female sex hormones such...
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