In a nutshell This study examined tumor volume, tumor percentage and number of tumor foci as predictors of prognosis in prostate cancer. Some background Multiple variables are often used to predict prognosis among prostate cancer patients. These including PSA levels (prostate specific antigen; a protein produced by prostate cells whose levels rise...
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In a nutshell This review examined the use of radiofrequency ablation as a treatment for breast cancer. Some background Surgical treatments for breast cancer have become less invasive over time, in hopes of preserving the healthy breast tissue surrounding the tumor. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, and often a great deal of healthy...
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In a nutshell This clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of a combined chemotherapy regimen of nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) plus carboplatin (Paraplatin) versus solvent-based paclitaxel (Taxol) plus carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) basing on the microscopic appearance of the cancer tissue...
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In a nutshell This review evaluated the impact of delayed treatment among patients with prostate cancer. Some background Prostate cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth and division of prostate cells. In some cases, this uncontrolled growth proceeds very slowly and may take years to develop into a life threatening condition. These cancers...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effects of noninvasive image-guided breast brachytherapy using the Accuboost device. Some background Following surgery, high dose radiotherapy is often directed at the tumor bed to ensure the destruction of any remaining cancer cells and prevent cancer recurrence (often referred to as a...
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In a nutshell This review analyzed the efficacy and safety of vandetanib (Caprelsa) in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Some background Chemotherapy is often the standard of treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, response rates to treatments, as well as survival,...
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In a nutshell This review explored the risks and benefits of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as treatment for patients with early-stage prostate cancer. Some background Prostate cancer (PC) can now be found in the very early stages, due to screening techniques such as the prostate-specific antigen or PSA (a protein produced by the...
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In a nutshell This study investigated which traits of low-risk breast cancer can predict the risk of cancer recurrence after treatments. Some background The majority of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have node-negative cancer, meaning breast cancer that has not spread to regional lymph nodes. Node-negative breast cancer patients have a...
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Does pregnancy affect survival? This study evaluated the effect of pregnancy on the survival of women with BRCA associated breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer (associated with a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene) typically presents itself in younger women. Consequently, the onset of breast cancer often overlaps with pregnancy....
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In a nutshell This study compared the outcomes of patients treated with laparoscopic and open surgery for low rectal cancer. Some background Keyhole or laparoscopic removal of colorectal cancers is being used more and more frequently. This technique has shown to be beneficial to the patient compared to conventional, open surgery. Laparoscopic...
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In a nutshell This study compared the efficacy of erlotinib (Tarceva) versus GemCarbo chemotherapy in patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study also compared the effect of the two treatments on the quality of life (QoL) of the...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated the association between vitamin D levels and risk of breast cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) after treatment. Some background Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make, that helps regulate the flow of calcium into the bloodstream and is crucial for normal bone development. Unlike...
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