In a nutshell This study investigated the use of low dose tamoxifen (nolvadex) on tumor recurrence when given as a post surgical treatment for ductal intraepithelial neoplasia. Some background Breast cancer cells which have not yet broken through the tissue layer in which they reside are often called intraepithelial, and are considered to be...
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Disease-free survival in breast cancer patients is increased by adding paclitaxel to FAC chemotherapy
In a nutshell In this study researchers examined the effect of a specific chemotherapy combination on disease-free survival in patients with node negative breast cancer. FAC treatment was compared to FAC treatment plus paclitaxel (FACwP). Some background A combination of the drugs fluorouracil (efudex), doxorubicin (doxil), and cyclophosphamide...
Read MoreComparing survival rates in women diagnosed with cancer in one or both breasts
In a nutshell This study compared survival rates of patients who developed cancer in both breasts (called contralateral breast cancer or CBC) and patients who had cancer in one breast (unilateral breast cancer or UBC). Some background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Breast cancer survivors are 3.5 times more likely to develop...
Read MoreComparing the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic versus open surgery for patients with rectal cancer
In a nutshell The present study compared the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery (LS) and open surgery (OS) in patients with rectal cancer. The study found that LS was as safe and effective as OS in selected patients with rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer is cancer in the lower part of the large intestine (rectum). Most patients...
Read MorePostoperative lymph node radiotherapy versus observation for melanoma patients with a high risk of cancer relapse
In a nutshell The present article evaluated the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) compared to observation alone after therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TL) for melanoma patients with a high risk of lymph node relapse (return of cancer to the lymph nodes). Some background Patients with a history of melanoma are at increased risk of developing...
Read MoreLocal recurrence rates of breast cancer if treated with chemotherapy before or after surgery
In a nutshell This paper investigates which approach provides longer recurrence free survival time after breast conserving surgery – pre- or post-operative chemotherapy. Some background Breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or BCS is surgery to remove the cancer and a section of healthy tissue around it. Women who choose this...
Read MoreThe association between insulin blood levels and risk of death in breast cancer patients
In a nutshell The present study evaluated the relationship between high insulin levels in the blood stream and the risk of cancer-related mortality. Its authors report that women with higher-than-normal insulin levels are at higher risk of death due to breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer has been shown to be more common in people who...
Read MorePostoperative radiotherapy prevents breast cancer recurrence and prolongs survival
In a nutshell This study evaluated if strategies to prevent cancer recurrence are associated with prolonged survival 15 years after treatment. Their main findings were that postoperative radiation managed to prevent cancer recurrence and was associated with higher rates of long-term survival. Some background Early breast cancer is often treated...
Read MoreHow soon after surgery for colorectal cancer should chemotherapy be started?
In a nutshell The present study evaluated the association between time until initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival in colorectal cancer patients. The main findings were that a shorter time until adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival rates in patients with resected colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancers that are within...
Read MoreObesity is associated with lower survival rates in women with ER positive HER2 negative breast cancer
In a nutshell The present study examined the association between obesity and survival rates by breast cancer subtypes. They found that survival rates were lower in obese patients, particularly in women whose tumors were hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative. Some background Obesity is defined as a Body Mass...
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