In a nutshell This trial examined different surgical techniques to treat early stage non-small-stage lung cancer. The authors concluded that there was no difference in effectiveness between three different surgical techniques for patients with early stage NSCLC. Some background Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is commonly...
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The beneficial effects of trastuzumab on locoregional control in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of trastuzumab (Herceptin) on the locoregional control (management in the area in which it arose) of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2+BC) following radiotherapy (RT). Trastuzumab administered alongside RT was found to be associated with a significantly reduced rate of locoregional...
Read MoreIncidence of ovarian function recovery in women over 40 with chemotherapy induced amenorrhea
In a nutshell This study investigated ovarian function recovery (OFR) after chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) in women aged 40-49 after 2 years of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. The study concluded that a large number of women with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea recover ovarian function during AI therapy. Some...
Read MoreComparing axillary lymph node ultrasound and fine needle aspiration in breast cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated whether patients with a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) but negative fine-needle aspiration result (FNA) can be considered as having node-negative disease (AUN). The study concluded that patients with suspicious ALN on ultrasound but negative FNA results can be treated as having node-negative disease. Some...
Read MoreLocalized surgery outcomes in early rectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the outcomes of localized surgery following chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) in rectal cancer. Researchers suggested that localized surgery should only be considered after a complete response to CRT. Some background Radical surgery or total mesorectal excision (TME; bowel and lymph nodes around...
Read MoreSurgical margins are associated with local recurrences in melanoma
In a nutshell This study investigated the factors associated with local recurrence (LR; when the cancer comes back) in melanoma patients. Researchers suggested that a surgical margin of greater than or equal to 1cm reduces the risk of LR. Some background Most patients with a primary melanoma (stage 1) have a tumor that is thin (equal to 1 mm or...
Read MoreTargeted therapy for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer
In a nutshell This analysis aimed to assess whether targeted therapy drugs gefatinib and erlotinib are safer and more effective to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in elderly patients, compared to chemotherapy and radiation therapies. The authors concluded that these two targeted therapy drugs are effective and safe to treat lung cancer in...
Read MoreSearching for patients with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer that cannot be surgically removed to undergo radiation therapy
In a nutshell This phase 3 trial aims to compare the effectiveness of stereotactic body radiotherapy with conventional radiotherapy in patients with early stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that cannot undergo surgery for medical reasons. The main outcome of the trial will be absence of local recurrence (whether the cancer has come back at or...
Read MoreLDH as an early predictor of cancer survival
In 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 MoreLDH as an early predictor of cancer survival
In 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 MoreDo immune cells play a part in breast cancer?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether the detection of certain immune response cells in our body had any prognostic (outlook) significance. Some background T cells are an important part of our immune system. These cells are important for regulating the immune response to invading cells. The gene FOXP3 is necessary for the production...
Read MoreThe benefits of melatonin on sleep disturbances in women with breast cancer
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether or not a hormone called melatonin could positively influence the quality of life of women with breast cancer. Some background Sleep disturbance is common among women with breast cancer. Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleepiness. This hormone is naturally found in our body but may decrease...
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