In a nutshell This study investigated the long term risk of axillary (underarm lymph node) recurrence in breast cancer (BC) patients who were not treated with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) following a negative sentinel node biopsy (SNB) result. The study concluded that the risk of axillary recurrence after 10 years was lower than expected after...
Read MoreCurrent treatment status-Undergoing active treatment Posts on Medivizor
Updated guidelines for using radiotherapy after breast removal in breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This study reviewed updated guidelines for the use of radiotherapy following mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast) in breast cancer. Some background Post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is widely accepted for patients with four or more involved axillary (underarm) lymph nodes. The axillary lymph nodes are the first...
Read MoreIbrutinib as a treatment option for relapsed or refractory CLL
In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) in treating relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Researchers reported that ibrutinib was associated with low disease progression rates at low and high doses. Some background Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are usually the first-line treatments of CLL....
Read MorePhysical exercise after surgery is associated with improved recovery from colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of exercise on recovery from colorectal cancer surgery. Researchers reported that exercise was associated with an improved recovery. Some background Recovery after surgery is only complete when the patient is able to return to normal day-to-day life. Not all colorectal cancer patients recover their...
Read MoreHow effective is routine treatment with trastuzumab in early breast cancer?
In a nutshell This study investigated the role of trastuzumab (Herceptin) as part of standard care in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC). The study conclude that trastuzumab was effective in general practice, including patients not often included in clinical trials (such as the...
Read MoreReduced risks for advanced prostate cancer patients who choose intermittent androgen deprivation therapy
In a nutshell This study examined if intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (IADT) reduced the risks associated with continuous androgen deprivation therapy (CADT) in advanced prostate cancer patients. It was concluded IADT reduced the risk of heart failure and fractures. Some background Advanced prostate cancer is cancer that has spread...
Read MoreGuidelines for post-surgery treatment of patients with melanoma
In a nutshell In this study the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) in melanoma updated the 2016 recommendations on therapy after surgery and treatment of in-transit disease (when cancer cells are almost reaching the lymph nodes). Some background Melanoma incidence has been rising rapidly. Patient outlook and treatment...
Read MoreQuality of life after different types of radiation in early-stage breast cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the impact of whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) on the severity of post-treatment side effects and quality of life. This study concluded that both forms of radiation therapy (RT) show similar survival benefits and similar quality of life in early-stage breast...
Read MoreLooking for overweight or obese prostate cancer patients with disease progression after primary therapy
In a nutshell This phase 2 trial aims to evaluate the benefit of adding metformin (Glucophage) to hormone therapy with bicalutamide (Casodex). The main outcome to be investigated is treatment response. The trial is recruiting in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), USA. The details Obesity and metabolic syndrome (a collection of conditions including...
Read MoreTreatments stratified by risk for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
In a nutshell This study determined whether risk-adapted, salvage-chemotherapy response improved survival in patients with relapsed or refractory disease. The authors concluded that treating patients based on their number of risk factors improved outcomes. Some background Some Hodgkin lymphoma patients either do not respond to treatment...
Read MoreIntraoperative radiation therapy and breast conserving surgery: an alternative to whole breast radiation
In a nutshell This study investigated the complications that occur after intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) treatment. The authors concluded that IORT is generally a safe treatment to use with BCS. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) treats breast cancer by removing just the tumor from the affected breast. IORT is sometimes...
Read MoreCan radiation and hormone therapy after surgery improve prostate cancer survival rates?
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to determine whether radiation therapy in combination with hormonal therapy improved survival in men with prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes after surgery. Researchers concluded that patients treated with radiation therapy and hormone therapy had a significantly higher survival rate compared to...
Read More
