In a nutshell This review examined recent findings and recommendations for the management of low-risk localized prostate cancer. Authors concluded that watchful waiting and active surveillance are suitable options for most men with low-risk prostate cancer. Some background Due to advances in the early detection of prostate cancer, many prostate...
Read MoreCurrent treatment status-Did not start treatment yet Posts on Medivizor
Depression and capacity to manage problems associated with recovery in patients with colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the predictors of recovery of patients with colorectal cancer two years after surgery. Researchers reported that depression and capacity to manage problems before surgery are associated with health and well-being in recovery two years after surgery. Some background The support a cancer patients receives...
Read MoreIs localized surgery safe in early stages of rectal cancer?
In a nutshell This study investigated the safety of localized surgery compared with total mesorectal excision (TME; bowel and lymph nodes around the tumor are removed) in early stages (0 and 1) of rectal cancer. Researchers reported that localized surgery is as efficient as TME in early stages of rectal cancer. Some background Chemotherapy...
Read MoreTargeted Treatment for Breast Cancer
Targeted treatment for breast cancer through external beam radiation is offering hope for those newly diagnosed with the disease. Dr. Christine Fang, radiation oncologist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, details how this important approach allows for greater precision during radiation, offers protection for the heart and great benefit for...
Read MoreOther medical conditions can affect cancer progression during active surveillance
In a nutshell This study examined the relationship between comorbidities (other medical conditions) and cancer progression during active surveillance. Researchers reported that progression is more likely among men with 2 or more comorbidities. Some background Active surveillance of prostate cancer refers to actively monitoring tumor growth...
Read MoreUpdate on guidelines for the use of preoperative systemic therapy in breast cancer
In a nutshell This report summarized important updates that have been made to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s guidelines for the use of systemic therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Some background The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a group of 26 of the world's leading cancer centers that...
Read MoreTargeted therapy for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer
In a nutshell This analysis aimed to assess whether targeted therapy drugs gefatinib and erlotinib are safer and more effective to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in elderly patients, compared to chemotherapy and radiation therapies. The authors concluded that these two targeted therapy drugs are effective and safe to treat lung cancer in...
Read MoreTreatment for NSCLC in elderly patients based on detailed functional evaluation
In a nutshell This study tested the efficiency of allocating cancer treatments to elderly non-small cell lung cancer patients based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The authors concluded that allocating cancer treatment based on CGA had no difference than current standard allocation methods. Some background In elderly patients with...
Read MoreCombining therapies early in advanced prostate cancer
In a nutshell This review examined the benefit of adding docetaxel (Taxotere) or bisphosphonates to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in advanced prostate cancer. Authors reported a significant benefit when combining docetaxel with ADT in advanced metastatic prostate cancer. There is less evidence to suggest an advantage of bisphosphonates plus...
Read MoreCan blood counts predict the prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer?
In a nutshell This study investigated whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used to predict clinical outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer. Researchers concluded that the NLR can help in determining clinical outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer. Some background Neutrophils are cells that are involved in inflammation (reaction...
Read MoreRisk factors associated with lymph node involvement in thin melanoma
In a nutshell The authors aimed to analyze the risk factors for spread of thin melanoma to nearby lymph nodes. They found that tumor thickness of 0.75 mm or greater and rapid growth of cancer cells could be among the probable factors. Some background In skin melanoma, sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) are the first lymph nodes (tiny,...
Read MoreEffectiveness of combination therapy on quality of life in advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma
In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of combination therapy with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) on health-related quality of life in advanced melanoma patients. The authors found out that the combination therapy prolonged survival and decreased treatment-related adverse events. Some background...
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