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 MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLB) before neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) has begun in breast cancer patients. The study concluded that SLNB before NAST is highly reliable. The authors suggested that patients with a negative SLNB may be able to avoid lymph node removal and...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a prognostic tool in primary breast cancer (BC) patients. The study concluded that MR imaging can identify features which can be used to help predict the risk of distant metastasis (cancer spread to other areas) in patients. Some background Between 20-30%...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the impact of consuming grilled, barbecued and smoked meats on breast cancer (BC) survival. This study concluded that a high intake of these foods may have a negative effect on BC survival. Some background Grilled, barbecued and smoked meats are a known source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)...
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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 MoreIn a nutshell This trial examined whether the immunotherapy atezolizumab (Tecentriq) is more effective than docetaxel (Taxotere) at treating non-small-cell lung cancer that has progressed passed first line treatment. The authors concluded that atezolizumab provided an overall survival benefit compared to docetaxel. Some background Docetaxel is the...
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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...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine when radiotherapy should be administered, during chemotherapy-radiotherapy adjuvant treatment in patients with limited small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). They concluded that radiotherapy increases the survival rate if it is administered early during chemotherapy treatment. Some background For SCLC,...
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In a nutshell The main objective of this trial is to determine patient response to eribulin (Halaven) followed by doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) treatment. The main outcome to be measured is number of patients who experience a complete response to treatment (disappearance of signs of cancer). This trial is being conducted...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This phase 1 trial aims to determine the dosage of the anti-cancer drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda, or MK-3475) and whether it is effective at treating small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) when combined with both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The main outcome of the trial will be the maximum tolerated dose (MTD – the highest dose of a...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The objective of this study was to determine whether addition of linifanib to a combination of carboplatin (Paraplatin) and paclitaxel (Taxol) could benefit advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Some background Nonsquamous NSCLC is a type of lung cancer where the cancer starts in cells other than...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effects of dalotuzumab in treating small-cell lung cancer when combined with cisplatin and etoposide. Some background Extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC – cancer has spread outside of the chest) represents 15% of all lung cancer cases. Though numerous treatments have been used over...
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