In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the complications of hormone therapy in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Some background Hormone therapy is a prostate cancer treatment that targets the male sex hormones, such as testosterone, active in cancer. In some patients hormone therapy can cause side effects such as bone damage,...
Read MoreCurrent stage -Stage IV Posts on Medivizor
Is capecitabine better with lapatinib or trastuzumab for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer?
In a nutshell This paper studied the effect of lapatinib (Tyverb) plus capecitabine (Xeloda) versus trastuzumab (Herceptin) plus capecitabine in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Some background Trastuzumab is used to treat HER2 positive breast...
Read MoreRadiofrequency ablation as an alternate therapy option in metastatic skin cancer; more research needed?
In a nutshell The authors reviewed pros and cons of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic melanoma). Some background RFA is a technique that selectively removes or destroys (ablates) damaged tissues using the heat generated by high frequency current. RFA offers an...
Read MoreSelumetinib in eye cancer treatment
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effect of selumetinib in treating eye cancer compared to chemotherapy. Some background Uveal melanoma (eye cancer) is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the eye and has a 50% rate of metastasis (cancer spreads from the original site around the body). Selumetinib (AZD6244) is a drug that...
Read MoreComparison of two drug combinations for treating colorectal cancer that has spread
In a nutshell The authors compared two drug combinations for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer indicates the cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to other parts of the body. Treatment often includes a combination of chemotherapy drugs such as FOLFOX...
Read MoreComparison of two biologic drugs for treating metastatic colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This study compared two biologic drugs (drugs extracted from biological sources) for treating metastatic (spread to other areas of the body) colorectal cancer. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer is often treated with combinations of chemotherapy drugs. One common combination is called FOLFIRI, and includes the agents...
Read MoreColorectal cancer that has spread to the peritoneum: can muscle mass predict treatment complications?
In a nutshell This study examined whether skeletal muscle mass could be used to predict complications in colorectal cancer patients undergoing treatment for cancer that has spread to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to another...
Read MoreTreatment advances for prostate cancer bone tumors
In a nutshell The authors aimed to highlight treatments available for bone tumors resulting from prostate cancer. Some background When prostate cancer spreads outside of the prostate, tumors can form all over the body, particularly on the bone. Bone tumors can significantly affect patients by causing joint pain, nerve pain and fractures....
Read MoreIs paclitaxel + trastuzumab and pertuzumab an effective treatment combination in breast cancer?
In a nutshell This paper investigated the safety and efficacy of pertuzumab (Perjeta) and trastuzumab (Herceptin) with paclitaxel (Taxol) given once per week. Some background Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 is a protein that can be found on some cancer cells. Drugs that target HER2 has shown to be effective in improving survival in...
Read MoreWhat is recommended for patients with HER2 positive cancer that has spread to the brain?
In a nutshell This paper gave recommendations for treating patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- positive (presence of HER2 on cancer cells) breast cancer that has spread to the brain. Some background Some patients have breast cancer where human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, a protein) is present. With...
Read MoreCan gemcitabine plus cisplatin be used in metastatic cancer?
In a nutshell This paper studied the safety and effectiveness of a weekly low dose treatment with gemcitabine (Gemzar) and cisplatin (Platinol) in patients with breast cancer that is metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body). Some background Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that is inhibits cell growth. It can be administered...
Read MoreCan bevacizumab be used a second time to treat metastatic colorectal cancer?
In a nutshell The authors investigated the efficacy and safety of continuing or reintroducing bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer indicates that the cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to distant sites in the body. Bevacizumab is...
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