In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of maintenance therapy (MT) compared to intermittent therapy (IT) for patients with metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that MT might improve the treatment of these patients. Some background Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer...
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Using radiation as a secondary treatment to prevent cancer progression
In a nutshell This trial treated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with consolidative radiation therapy after chemotherapy. The authors concluded that this treatment plan has potential to improve progression free survival and overall survival in these patients. Some background Initial treatment with...
Read MoreIs not undergoing surgery a safe treatment option in rectal cancer treatment?
In a nutshell This study investigated the outcomes of rectal cancer patients with complete or near-complete response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) who do not undergo surgery. Researchers reported that not undergoing surgery, in selected patients, is a safe option for treatment of rectal cancer. Some background The standard...
Read MoreRadiation to the lymph nodes in stage II and II breast cancer; is it necessary?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the effectiveness of radiotherapy treatment (uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA) on women with breast cancer who have previously had surgery. Some background Breast- conserving surgery (removes the breast cancer but not the breast itself) is just one method of breast...
Read MoreHormone therapy; enabling surgery in post-menopausal breast cancer patients
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the long-term effects of hormone therapy to treat post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Some background Hormone therapy is a form of breast cancer treatment. It targets cancer cells that may be affected by hormones. It is often administered prior to surgery in patients who are unfit to...
Read MoreIs surgery an effective treatment for late stage inflammatory breast cancer?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness of surgery for the treatment of breast cancer; specifically those within the later stages of inflammatory breast cancer. Some background Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer, accounting for only 2% of all breast cancers. It is termed 'inflammatory'...
Read MoreIs the removal of the breast a reliable treatment for women with low-risk early breast cancer?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to study the best course of surgical treatment for women with low-risk early breast cancer. Some background Breast-conserving therapy (the removal of the tumor and some surrounding breast tissue) is often recommended for women with early breast cancer. It is generally followed by radiation therapy (using radiation...
Read MoreCan exercise training help with regaining physical fitness after lung cancer surgery?
In a nutshell This article looked at the potential benefits of following a structured exercise program after lung cancer surgery. Some background Lung cancer surgery often involves removing a part of the lung in order to remove the entire tumor. Patients undergoing such operations often have poor exercise tolerance and lung function after the...
Read MoreMaintenance therapy after bevacizumab and chemotherapy treatment in advanced non–small cell lung cancer patients
In a nutshell This phase III trial compared two maintenance therapy strategies in the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The effect of bevacizumab (Avastin) was compared to that of combined bevacizumab and pemetrexed (Alimta) treatment. Some background Chemotherapy is one of the main strategies applied in the...
Read MoreBenefits of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery
In a nutshell This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of radiation treatment (RT) given after breast-conserving surgery. The main findings are that RT leads to a dramatic drop in cancer recurrences and a moderately improved survival rate 15 years after the operation. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) involves the removal of...
Read MoreIs frequent PSA testing associated with increased recurrence detection and survival in patients treated for prostate cancer?
In a nutshell The present study evaluated whether more frequent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring in patients treated for prostate cancer (PCa) was associated with earlier detection of cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) or survival. The number of PSA screenings had no effect on patient survival after treatment for PCa. Some...
Read MoreThe association between lifestyle and cardiovascular disease in colorectal cancer survivors
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to assess how many colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors had a cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to determine the association between lifestyle factors and CVD. In this study overweight CRC survivors were more likely to suffer from CVD. Some background In the last years the number of CRC survivors has increased...
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