In a nutshell This study examined the effect of specialized radiation treatments on patient-reported rectal bleeding. The authors found very low rates of rectal bleeding immediately after treatment and at 2 years. Some background Radiation therapy is a common treatment of localized (confined) prostate cancer. Radiation therapy involves...
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The effect of hormone therapies on the risk of type 2 diabetes
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of duration and different types of hormone therapy on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in prostate cancer patients. Researchers concluded that the type and duration of hormone therapy significantly affected diabetes risk. Some background Hormone therapy is a common treatment used in prostate...
Read MoreWhat pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma patients benefit from radiation after chemotherapy?
In a nutshell This trial examined which children with Hodgkin lymphoma benefit from radiation therapy after chemotherapy. The authors concluded that patients with a combination of bulky disease (tumors larger than 6 cm) and anemia (low levels of red blood cells) benefited most. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph...
Read MoreBleomycin lung toxicity is not associated with the risk of radiation lung injury in Hodgkin lymphoma
In a nutshell This study investigated whether or not there was an increased risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP, radiation-induced lung injury) in Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with the chemotherapy bleomycin. The authors concluded that there was no association between bleomycin lung effects and RP. Some background...
Read MoreSentinel lymph node biopsy as a way of assessing breast cancer after chemotherapy
In a nutshell This study investigated sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a procedure to determine the staging of breast cancer in patients who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy given before surgery). The authors concluded that SLNB was suitable for staging of the cancer in patients with breast cancer that had not spread to the...
Read MoreHormone therapy during or after radiation therapy increases the risk of cardiovascular events
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on the risk of cardiovascular events (such as stroke or heart attack) in men treated with radiation therapy. Researchers concluded that ADT use during or after radiation therapy increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Some background Radiation therapy is a...
Read MoreThe use of corticosteroids to treat ipilimumab side effects in metastatic melanoma
In a nutshell This study investigated the effects on the immune system associated with the use of ipilimumab (Yervoy) to treat melanoma. Researchers suggested that one-third of the patients treated with ipilimimuab required treatment for the negative side effects. Some background Ipilimumab is an antibody that helps the immune system to...
Read MoreSurvival benefits for men treated with local therapies before starting chemotherapy
In a nutshell This study examined the benefits of administering local therapies before chemotherapy for prostate cancer. Researchers reported lower mortality risks for men treated with local therapies before chemotherapy. Some background Local therapies, such as surgery or radiation, are first-line treatments for localized (confined) prostate...
Read MoreGuidelines for treatment of ipilimumab-associated hypophysitis in advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study developed guidelines for the early detection and treatment of hypophysitis (HP; inflammation of the pituitary gland), a side effect of treatment with ipilimumab. Researchers suggested that these guidelines are necessary to ensure early detection and treatment of this condition to prevent associated mortality. Some background...
Read MoreBlood clot risk factors after surgery in colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This study investigated the risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE; a blood clot in a vein) after hospital discharge following colorectal surgery. Researchers suggested that the length of hospitalization after surgery is associated with post-discharge VTE. Some background It is estimated that 31% of hospitalized patients are at...
Read MoreLong-term hormone therapy and cognitive function
In a nutshell This study examined the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on cognitive function over 3 years. Researchers reported no significant differences in cognitive function following long-term ADT compared to control participants not undergoing ADT. Some background ADT is a type of hormone therapy commonly used to treat prostate...
Read MoreSkin complications associated melanoma treatment with nivolumab or pembrolizumab
In a nutshell This study investigated the negative effects on the skin associated with the use of nivolumab (Opdivo) to treat melanoma. Researchers suggested that skin complications are the most frequent side effects but they are in most cases manageable. Some background The use of PD-1 antibodies, such as nivolumab (Opdivo) or pembrolizumab...
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