In a nutshell This article looked at the pathological features of prostate cancer to identify those patients who would benefit the most from adjuvant radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Some background One option for patients with prostate cancer is surgery to remove the cancer along with the entire prostate gland and some healthy tissues...
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In a nutshell This study analyzed the occurrence of distance metastasis (the spread of the cancer to distant organs) in early stage breast cancer patients after breast conservation therapy (BCT). This study also showed the pattern of spread to these distant organs. Some background Early-stage...
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In a nutshell In this trial researchers examined whether the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) influenced survival or recurrence rates in women undergoing breast conserving therapy for breast cancer. Some background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) refers to chemotherapy treatments received prior to surgery. This approach is often...
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In a nutshell This study looked at men who had their prostate removed after diagnosis of prostate cancer. The study evaluated the time from surgery to biochemical recurrence, and whether this period of time is associated with survival or certain cancer characteristics. Some background One of the initial treatments for prostate cancer is a radical...
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In a nutshell This article reviewed the effects of age and co-morbidities (co-existing medical conditions or diseases in addition to cancer) on mortality in prostate cancer patients. Mortality rates directly from prostate cancer (cancer specific mortality; CSM), and those from other causes (other cause mortality; OCM) were compared. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study looked at survival and recurrence rates among patients with localized rectal cancer (one that has not spread beyond the rectum). The researchers tried to identify patients at a higher risk that might benefit from more aggressive treatment. Some background Node negative (or N0) rectal cancer is a cancer that has not yet...
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In a nutshell The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between survival outcomes and specific adverse events (AEs) in patients after menopause (postmenopausal) with breast cancer treated with hormone therapy. Some background Most breast cancers grow in response to estrogen, the main female sex hormone. Therefore, hormone therapy...
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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 study looks at survival rates and side effects after 5 years following a newer radiotherapy procedure in patients with breast cancer. This radiotherapy procedure is called accelerated partial breast irradiation (ABPI) delivered using 3-dimentional conformal external beam radiation therapy (3D-CRT). Some background Treatment for...
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In a nutshell This review analyzed the association between breast cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) and the use of drugs for lowering blood pressure (beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers). Some background Many breast cancer patients also have other concurrent conditions such as high...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to identify risk factors for recurrence (return of the cancer) in patients with colorectal cancer following surgical removal. Some background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Treatment for CRC has generally involved surgery to remove the cancer along with the entire area...
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In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial compared the safety and efficacy of two different combination treatments in women with early stage breast cancer: anastrozole (Arimidex) plus goserelin (Zoladex) versus tamoxifen (Nolvadex) plus goserelin. Some background An estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer requires estrogen (the primary...
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