In a nutshell This study compared the effectiveness of hormonal therapy when used as early, or as late, treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Some background Androgens are hormones (such as testosterone) that are produced mainly in the testicles, and can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. For this reason, androgen...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated survival rates after a local recurrence (return of the cancer close to the place of the initial cancer) in young breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery. Some background Young patients with early stage breast cancer are usually treated with breast conserving surgery or BCS (removal of the...
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In a nutshell Oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (OBCS) is a surgical technique that can preserve breast tissue after the removal of the tumor. However, there is a concern that OBCS would delay chemotherapy treatment, resulting in worse outcome. Here, researchers examined whether women undergoing OBCS wait longer to begin chemotherapy than women...
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In a nutshell This study compared two treatment strategies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: platinum analog chemotherapy plus the drug bevacizumab (avastin) versus platinum analog chemotherapy alone. Some background Treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer typically involves treatment with chemotherapy. Standard chemotherapy...
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In a nutshell This phase 2 clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy dacarbazine and selumetinib for the treatment of patients who had advanced melanoma with a BRAF mutation. Some background The BRAF gene makes a protein called B-Raf which is involved in cell growth processes. Approximately 50% of patients with metastatic (cancer...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated whether obesity and diabetes mellitus were associated with survival in early stage breast cancer patients. Some background Roughly two-thirds of the US population and one-third of the world population are considered to be overweight or obese. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has also become very common, particularly among...
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In a nutshell This review analyzed data collected from recent studies, and estimated the effect of smoking cessation after diagnosis on the outcome of lung cancer patients. Some background Smoking is known to increase the risk of developing lung cancer, as well as other life threatening medical conditions. Quitting smoking after the diagnosis of...
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In a nutshell This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of ipilimumab (Yervoy) exposure in patients with advanced melanoma. It assessed the relationship between patient response and drug dosage (amount of drug administered) through the minimum steady-state concentration or Cminss (the lowest concentration that the drug reaches before the next...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers examined the effect of epoetin alfa (Epogen; Procrit) on anemia (low count of red blood cells) caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Breast cancer is caused by a defect that makes some breast cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly. One of the treatment options for patients with...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated which patients can benefit the most from focal therapy (treatments that target only the prostate cancer instead of the entire prostate gland) for prostate cancer. In addition, this research evaluated the effect of this treatment on sexual and bladder function. Some background Treatment which preserves as...
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In a nutshell This study compared disease free survival (the time period between the end of treatment and until the disease returns or the patient relapses) for colon cancer patients with a history of smoking versus non-smokers. Some background Cigarette smoking can increase the risk of colon cancer. However, it is not clear how prior smoking...
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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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