In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine how radiotherapy influenced patient quality of life after treatment. Some background Radiotherapy is a common treatment used in prostate cancer. It targets a direct beam of radiation at the cancer site, minimizing damage to adjacent healthy cells. There are numerous types of radiotherapy, including...
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White blood cell number and survival in prostate cancer
In a nutshell The authors determined whether immune cell levels influenced overall survival (patients still alive following treatment) in prostate cancer patients following radiotherapy. Some background Radiotherapy is a common treatment for localized prostate cancer (cancer contained within the prostate gland). It involves...
Read MoreSide effects from combination of radiation and BRAF inhibitor therapy in melanoma
In a nutshell The authors analyzed the adverse effect of combination treatment with radiation and targeted therapy in melanoma. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage III/IV), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. In the majority of advanced melanoma patients, BRAF genes are mutated...
Read MoreFatigue as a result of radiation; can psychological therapy help?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether psychological therapy could relieve patients with fatigue (extreme tiredness) who are undergoing breast cancer radiation (uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA) treatment. Some background Radiation is a treatment that has been proven to increase a patient’s...
Read MoreTreatment complications and outcomes from plaque radiotherapy in eye melanoma
In a nutshell The authors analyzed the complications and outcomes of radiation therapy in specific eye melanoma. Some background Choroidal melanoma develops in the choroid (the sponge-like membrane at the back of the eye). It is the most common eye cancer in adults. Juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma affects the optic...
Read MoreHow safe and effective is retreatment with ipilimumab in advanced melanoma?
In a nutshell The authors analyzed the effectiveness and safety of retreatment with ipilimumab (Yervoy) in patients with advanced melanoma. Some background The survival rate in advanced melanoma is poor. Ipilimumab, an immunotherapy (treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer), is an...
Read MorePaclitaxel-based chemo-radiotherapy in NSCLC patients with tumor following surgery
In a nutshell The authors assessed the effectiveness of paclitaxel (Taxol)-based chemo-radiotherapy (combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy) in non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) with presence of tumor after surgery. Some background The primary treatment for NSCLC is the surgical removal of the affected lobe of...
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 MoreBreast cancer in premenopausal women; hormone treatment with ovarian suppression
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness of exemestane (Aromasin) to treat premenopausal women with breast cancer and treatment outlook in comparison to tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Some background Tamoxifen is a type of hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer. This type of treatment is generally specific for hormone receptor...
Read MoreCan radiation therapy lead to urinary problems and further surgery in prostate cancer patients?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine signs and symptoms of urinary problems following radiation in prostate cancer patients and the need for further corrective surgery. Some background Radiation therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer. Radiation therapy involves directing a beam of radiation at the tumor site in order...
Read MoreLong-term survival outcomes following radiation in eye melanoma patients
In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the long-term risk of death associated with a type of radiation therapy in eye melanoma patients. Some background Uveal melanoma is cancer of the eye involving three parts of an eye (iris, ciliary body or choroid)-together known as uvea. Radiation therapy is the standard treatment in uveal melanoma....
Read MoreAdvances in post-surgery radiation; what are the effects on breast cancer?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to study the effects of a type of post-surgical radiation; radiation to only the affected area of the breast. Some background Radiation is a type of cancer treatment that is recommended following a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and some surrounding tissue; breast remains intact). 'Brachytherapy' is...
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