In a nutshell This study evaluated whether patients with colorectal cancer and peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancer spread to the abdominal cavity) can be cured of their cancer using cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Some background Colorectal cancer or CRC (cancer of the large intestine) often spreads to the peritoneum (a...
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In a nutshell This trial compared the survival of lung cancer patients, between patients receiving standard radiation therapy and those receiving radiation therapy given on alternative schedules (hyperfractionated or accelerated). Some background This research was prompted by recent findings that suggest a benefit with hyperfractionated or...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared the safety and efficacy of open versus laparoscopic (robotic) surgery in patients with advanced cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer). Some background For patients with CRC, the first treatment option usually is surgery to remove the cancer along with part of the large intestine. In more advanced...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examines the efficacy of a type of radiotherapy called accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) as an adjuvant (additional) treatment for breast cancer patients who underwent lumpectomy. Some background Patients with early-stage breast cancer are usually treated with breast conserving surgery or lumpectomy (surgery...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the survival benefits of repeated removal of lung metastases in patients with colorectal cancer. Additionally, the authors aimed to identify which patients would benefit the most from this treatment. Some background Colorectal cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the colon (large intestine) or rectum...
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In a nutshell In this article, researchers investigated the adverse effects of zoledronic acid (Zometa) in breast cancer patients. Specifically, they examined the occurrence of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and other oral (mouth) complications. Some background Zoledronic acid (zoledronate) is a drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis (loss...
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In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial investigated the addition of bevacizumab to two chemotherapy regimens for the first line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. They do so by forming new blood vessels, thus feeding themselves. Bevacizumab (Avastin)...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated the effects of chemotherapy after the surgical removal of liver and lung metastases on survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Metastatic CRC is cancer that has spread from the large intestine to distant organs or tissues in the body. The parts of the body mainly affected by...
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In a nutshell This study investigated lifestyle factors in men and women and the effects of these on survival with colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the world, with more than a million people diagnosed every year. Over the recent years survival rates from colorectal cancer have improved...
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In a nutshell This review evaluated several studies which compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to mammography, ultrasound and clinical examination after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. The aim was to see if MRI more accurately identified patients who had responded well to chemotherapy and obtained a pathological complete...
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In a nutshell This phase III clinical trial examined whether the combination of capecitabine (Xeloda) and paclitaxel (Taxol) is as effective as the combination of epirubicin (Ellence) and paclitaxel (Taxol) as a chemotherapy treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Some background One of the current treatment options for...
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In a nutshell The aim of this study was to examine the association between recreational physical activity and leisure time spent sitting before and after diagnosis with survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background There is growing evidence that exercise is safe and well-tolerated by patients with cancer during and after the...
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