In a nutshell The present study evaluated the relationship between high insulin levels in the blood stream and the risk of cancer-related mortality. Its authors report that women with higher-than-normal insulin levels are at higher risk of death due to breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer has been shown to be more common in people who...
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Calcium and magnesium infusions for the treatment of Oxaliplatin-related neuropathy
In a nutshell This article evaluates the use of Calcium and magnesium (Ca/Mg) infusions for the prevention of Oxaliplatin-related neurological side effects in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The main findings were that Ca/Mg helps preventing neuro-toxic side effects of Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Some background...
Read MoreTreating tumors of the appendix to reduce the risk of spread to the abdominal cavity
In a nutshell The present study classified tumors of the appendix and reviewed treatments that aim to prevent cancer spread to the abdominal cavity. Some background Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition caused by the production of too much mucin (a protein that is secreted in mucus). PMP affects women more than men and symptoms...
Read MoreBenefits of 10-year versus 5-year Tamoxifen treatment
In a nutshell Tamoxifen treatment is given to many breast cancer patients after surgery to prevent recurrences and improve survival. It is usually given for a maximum of 5 years. This study determined that longer treatments offer further survival benefit. Some background Tamoxifen is a drug used against breast cancers which produce...
Read MorePersonalizing breast cancer treatment based on the genetic “finger-print” of the tumor
This article discusses how tests such as the Oncotype DX or Mammaprint can be used to design individual treatment plans for patients with breast cancer. Patients with stage I and stage II breast cancer are treated similarly. Following surgical removal of a breast tumor, systemic (body-wide) treatment is often used. This secondary treatment is...
Read MoreDoes chemotherapy have a persistent effect on cognitive function in breast cancer patients?
In a nutshell The present study looked at the persistence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with breast cancer, after they had completed chemotherapy for at least 6 months. Except for slight impairments in verbal abilities (e.g. word-finding difficulty) and visuo-spatial abilities (e.g. getting lost more easily), no...
Read MoreSugar-rich foods and colorectal cancer recurrence
In a nutshell This study investigated whether diets rich in carbohydrates influence recurrence rates in patients treated for colorectal cancer. The main finding was that a higher glycemic (sugar) load and carbohydrate intake were associated with a greater risk of cancer recurrence. Some background Dietary factors, as well as body...
Read MoreComparison between different chemotherapy regimens for early breast cancer
In a nutshell The present study compared the long-term efficacy and safety of different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer. Main results: chemotherapy clearly provides survival benefits; the higher the dosage, the higher the survival rates, despite more toxicity. Some background Many women with early stage breast cancer receive...
Read MoreHow soon after surgery for colorectal cancer should chemotherapy be started?
In a nutshell The present study evaluated the association between time until initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival in colorectal cancer patients. The main findings were that a shorter time until adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival rates in patients with resected colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancers that are within...
Read MoreWhat is the preferred duration of post-operative chemotherapy for stage II and III colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer related deaths. Patients diagnosed with CRC are treated with surgery to remove the tumor and affected tissue. If the tumor affects the entire thickness of the colon or rectal wall it is referred to as being stage II; if the local lymph nodes are also affected the cancer is referred to as being a...
Read MoreChemotherapy for cancers of the appendix when surgery is not an option
In a nutshell This paper assessed the benefits of giving systemic (whole-body) chemotherapy in cancers of the appendix, when surgery combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy was not an option. Some background Cancers of the appendix are rare, accounting for about 1% of all colon cancers. However, some of these tumors are aggressive and quickly...
Read MoreObesity is associated with lower survival rates in women with ER positive HER2 negative breast cancer
In a nutshell The present study examined the association between obesity and survival rates by breast cancer subtypes. They found that survival rates were lower in obese patients, particularly in women whose tumors were hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative. Some background Obesity is defined as a Body Mass...
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