In a nutshell In this study researchers examined the effect of a specific chemotherapy combination on disease-free survival in patients with node negative breast cancer. FAC treatment was compared to FAC treatment plus paclitaxel (FACwP). Some background A combination of the drugs fluorouracil (efudex), doxorubicin (doxil), and cyclophosphamide...
Read MoreCurrent treatment status-Undergoing active treatment Posts on Medivizor
Are there any benefits to continuing trastuzumab after disease progression in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer?
In a nutshell This article evaluated the benefits of continuing trastuzumab treatment after disease progression in patients with HER2+ metastatic (spread to distant organs and tissues) breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer cells have on their surface some proteins called receptors. Hormones bind to these receptors causing changes in the...
Read MorePhase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding everolimus to exemestane therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer
In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial tested whether everolimus (a non-hormonal treatment) added to hormone therapy with exemestane improved survival in patients with advanced breast cancer (BCa). Some background Some BCa are fueled by female sex hormones (estrogen or progesterone) that help them grow. These types of cancer are called...
Read MoreEvaluating safety for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for patients with localized prostate cancer
In a nutshell This study examined the efficacy of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as primary (main) treatment for patients with localized (confined) prostate cancer (PCa). Some background Localized PCa is cancer confined to the prostate gland. Usually, standard treatment for this stage is surgery or radiotherapy. A newer treatment...
Read MoreEvaluating survival benefits for adding zoledronic acid to chemotherapy in stage II and III breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether zoledronic acid (Zometa) can help reduce recurrence (return of the cancer) and improve survival for patients with stage II/III breast cancer (BC). Some background Stage II and Stage III BC is cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes around the breast (under the armpit or above collarbone), but not...
Read MoreLong-term survival in prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy
In a nutshell This study evaluated the long-term survival of prostate cancer patients who have experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT). The authors of the study found that certain features of the cancer can predict poorer survival rates. Some background Many newly diagnosed patients...
Read MoreThe role of low lymphocytes and circulating tumor cells as prognostic factors in metastatic breast cancer
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to asses the prognostic significance of lymphocytopenia (very low lymphocytes-cells involved in the immune response), circulating tumor cell (CTC) count in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Lymphocytopenia and CTC measurement seem to be independent factors for predicting overall survival in patients...
Read MoreDutasteride delays PSA progression in patients with cancer recurrence after radical therapy for prostate cancer
In a nutshell The present study evaluated the efficacy of dutasteride (Avodart) in delaying PSA progression in patients who experienced recurrence after radical therapy for prostate cancer (PCa). PCa progression was significantly reduced in patients who received treatment with dutasteride. Some background Most patients with PCa receive treatment...
Read MoreHealth behaviors in breast cancer survivors to lower the risk for breast cancer
In a nutshell This article evaluates lifestyle behaviors breast cancer survivors adopt in order to lower the risk of recurrence. Some background In the past years the number of breast cancer survivors has increased as a result of early detection and medical advances regarding cancer therapies. However, breast cancer survivors are at great risk of...
Read MoreAssessment of lymph node involvement in recurrent breast cancer: results of a nationwide registration study
In a nutshell In patients with recurrent breast cancer, knowledge of regional lymph node involvement serves as an important guide for disease prognosis and treatment decisions. The study presented here investigates the feasibility of “repeat sentinel node biopsy” (SNB) as a prognostic indicator instead of the more invasive “axillary...
Read MoreOperative versus non-operative treatment for recurrent rectal cancer: impact on long-term survival
In a nutshell The present paper compares long-term survival rates of surgery versus non-operative treatments in patients with recurrent rectal cancer (RRC). Some background Rectal cancer is cancer in the final section of the large intestine, or rectum. Surgery to remove the cancer is the first choice of treatment, but chemotherapy with or...
Read MorePhase I trial to determine the safety of a new anti-cancer drug: PD 0332991
In a nutshell This article presents the results from the first human trial of PD 0332991, a new anti-cancer drug. The main objective of the study was to determine the safety and recommended dose for further testing. Results warrant further studies and revealed that neutropenia (low white cell count) was the main side effect. Some background Cells...
Read More
