In a nutshell This article evaluated whether a reduction in tissue density at mammography after tamoxifen treatment can predict survival in breast cancer patients. Some background Mammography uses x-rays to look at the breasts for signs of cancer. This diagnostic method is generally used for women over the age of 50. Younger patients usually have...
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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 This phase 3 clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of lapatinib (Tykerb) in women with HER2 positive early-stage breast cancer. Some background HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is a type of cancer where a protein named human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is present on the surface of the breast...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated whether there is any benefit from radiation therapy (RT) in women over the age of 70 with early stage breast cancer treated with lumpectomy (surgical removal of the cancerous lump) and tamoxifen. Some background Breast cancer in older patients is often fueled by estrogen, a female sex hormone. These cancer...
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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 This article is a short editorial describing how the use of a “nomogram” (a predictive tool based on a points system) could provide a doctor and patient with possible outcomes if different treatment options are selected. Some background The current method of choosing treatment for patients with rectal cancer is fairly...
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In a nutshell The aim of this article was to discuss the way in which the latest results on cancer DNA research apply to early-stage breast cancer. Genome analysis is highly likely to play a growing role in the future but more clinical trials are needed. Some background Breast cancer is a disease with multiple symptoms and consequences that are...
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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...
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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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In a nutshell The present study evaluated the outcomes of patients with rectal cancer who were treated with non-operative management (NOM) after complete clinical response (cRC) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). Some background Rectal cancer involves the final part of the large intestine, or rectum. The first choice of treatment for...
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In a nutshell The present study examined the survival rate of rectal cancer (RC) patients treated with surgery alone, based on preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) staging predictive of a good prognosis. Some background RC is staged according to how far the cancer has spread through the walls of the rectum (the final section of...
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This paper evaluates the process health care professionals follow to diagnose a cancer that reoccurs in the same location as a previous cancer (locally recurrent), or a cancer that has spread (metastasized). Despite earlier detection and improved treatment options for breast cancer, it is still the leading cause of cancer related deaths in...
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