In a nutshell This study investigated the impact of two genetic mutations (abnormal genes) on progression of colorectal cancer after treatment. Some background It is important to determine if a patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (colon or rectal cancer that has spread to distant organs) have a KRAS mutation as it can affect their response...
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In a nutshell This study investigated which surgical technique for colon cancer is safest when lymph nodes are also being dissected. Some background The two main surgeries for treating colon cancer are open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery is the original technique involving a large incision to remove part of the bowel. Laparoscopic...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the long-term outcome of a minimally invasive surgical procedure in patients after chemoradiation. Some background The main treatment for patients with rectal cancer is chemoradiation followed by radical surgery. Radical surgery involves removal of the tumor and a large portion of the surrounding bowel....
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In a nutshell This study investigated the rates of cancer return in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer that had not spread to lymph nodes, and whether any factors were linked to increased rates of cancer return. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum, or has...
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In a nutshell The aim of this trial will be to determine whether participating in a physical activity program, along with health education, is more effective at decreasing colorectal cancer recurrence than health education alone. The primary outcome measured in this trial will be disease-free survival (how long following treatment a patient remains...
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In a nutshell This study investigated risk factors for positive circumferential resection margins (CRM) in patients with cancer in the middle or lower rectum. Some background Locally advanced rectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum or has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. The main treatment for patients...
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In a nutshell This paper studied the impact of endocrine therapy on sexual function in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer. Some background Endocrine therapy is used in the treatment of hormone receptor positive early breast cancer. Hormone receptor positive breast cancer is cancer which has an abundant presence of the estrogen or...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to compile a review of current and emerging melanoma treatments. Some background The occurrence of cutaneous melanoma (melanoma of the skin) is increasing across the world with 160,000 new cases and 48,000 deaths occurring globally per year. UV ray exposure is one of the most common causes of melanoma and...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effects of conventional treatment in localised prostate cancer patients with BRCA mutations. Some background BRCA mutations are mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene (regulates cell functions). BRCA genes prevent tumors from growing. When they are mutated tumors can grow freely causing cancers such...
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In a nutshell This review examined the role of nutrition in the prevention of melanoma. Some background Rates of melanoma have been rising, and while it’s usually curable in the early stages, once it metastasizes (spreads to other areas of the body), it is generally uncurable. Therefore, interest in preventative measures is increasing,...
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In a nutshell This study investigated if measuring the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) after cancer therapy could indicate a cure or if the patient should be considered for long term androgen deprivation (suppression) therapy. The main finding was that lower PSA blood levels predict better survival in patients with prostate cancer. Some...
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In a nutshell The study investigated the effect of age on the outcome of patients being treated with surgery for early stage NSCLC. Some background Non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common form of lung cancer that can be difficult to treat. Treatment for early stage (stage 1 & 2) involves lobectomy (surgery to remove part of the lung);...
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