In a nutshell This review examined the prognosis of rectal cancer patients exhibiting a partial response to treatment. Some background Treatment of rectal cancer generally includes chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy before surgical removal of the tumor. Response to these treatments is measured by assessing shrinkage of the tumor on a scale referred...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the outcomes of prostate cancer patients in terms of bladder control (continence), sexual function (potency) and cure rates after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP). Some background RALRP is a modern technique which aims to completely remove the prostate gland and some healthy tissue around...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the use, effects and adherence of trastuzumab (herceptin) as treatment for patients with breast cancer. Some background Trastuzumab is often prescribed as adjuvant (additional) therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer. HER2 is a protein found on the surface of some...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether use of beta-blockers could slow the progression of non small-cell lung cancer. Some background Treatment of non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is often limited due to the rapid progression of the cancer and high recurrence rates. The mechanisms responsible for the rapid spread of NSCLC are unclear, but the...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether it is possible to predict side effects and prognosis following salvage cryotherapy in patients with prostate cancer. Some background Salvage therapy is a form of treatment given after a cancer does not respond or returns after a main treatment. More than 30% of prostate cancer patients develop a recurrence...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated whether the Body Mass Index (BMI) influences the quality of life of breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Some background The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a weight to height ratio calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms to their square of height in meters. A normal BMI ranges...
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In a nutshell This review assessed the effects of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) in patients with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer. Some background Endocrine-sensitive breast cancer (also known as hormone receptor-positive breast cancer) refers to breast cancer cells which contain hormone receptors. These receptors (complexes on the...
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In a nutshell This article investigated whether the body mass index or BMI (defined as weight divided by the square of height) can be used to determine how a patient with breast cancer treated with hormonal therapy may benefit from further treatment with a type of hormonal therapy called aromatase inhibitors. Some background Aromatase inhibitors...
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In a nutshell This study assessed the possibility of using early recurrence to foretell survival (life expectancy) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with curative surgery. Some background Curative surgery is surgery that attempts at removing all the cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue around the cancer. For localized...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated survival rates after a local recurrence (return of the cancer close to the place of the initial cancer) in young breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery. Some background Young patients with early stage breast cancer are usually treated with breast conserving surgery or BCS (removal of the...
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In a nutshell This trial compared the survival of lung cancer patients, between patients receiving standard radiation therapy and those receiving radiation therapy given on alternative schedules (hyperfractionated or accelerated). Some background This research was prompted by recent findings that suggest a benefit with hyperfractionated or...
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In a nutshell This review analyzed data collected from recent studies, and estimated the effect of smoking cessation after diagnosis on the outcome of lung cancer patients. Some background Smoking is known to increase the risk of developing lung cancer, as well as other life threatening medical conditions. Quitting smoking after the diagnosis of...
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