In a nutshell The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between survival outcomes and specific adverse events (AEs) in patients after menopause (postmenopausal) with breast cancer treated with hormone therapy. Some background Most breast cancers grow in response to estrogen, the main female sex hormone. Therefore, hormone therapy...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated the use of bevacizumab alongside chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after the progression of the disease following treatment with bevacizumab. Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. They do so by forming new blood vessels thereby feeding...
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In a nutshell This review summarizes the outcomes of surgical treatment for rectal cancer in elderly patients. Some background The risk of developing rectal cancer increases with age. Up to half of the patients with rectal cancer are 75 or older. However, elderly patients also have other health problems, thus they are exposed to a higher risk of...
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In a nutshell The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and utility of a wait and see policy in patients with rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. Some background Treatment options for patients with rectal cancer (cancer in the final part of the large bowel) is chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (together called...
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In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of lapatinib (Tykerb) in women with HER2 positive early-stage breast cancer. Some background HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is a type of cancer where a protein named human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is present on the surface of the breast...
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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...
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In a nutshell This review evaluated the effect of metabolic syndrome on recurrence (return of the cancer) and survival rates in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of health problems which can increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes. These risk factors are high blood...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to identify risk factors for recurrence (return of the cancer) in patients with colorectal cancer following surgical removal. Some background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Treatment for CRC has generally involved surgery to remove the cancer along with the entire area...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the association between hemoglobin or Hb (a protein found in the blood that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body) levels at the time of cancer diagnosis, response to treatment and long-term outcomes in patients with rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer is caused by an uncontrolled cell growth in...
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In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of adding pertuzumab to trastuzumab and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Some background Some breast cancer cells have on their surface some proteins called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) that help...
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In a nutshell This review analyzed the results from several clinical trials which compared the benefits of the standard dose of 250mg of fulvestrant (Ful) once a month to higher doses in breast cancer patients. Some background Some breast cancers need estrogen (a female sex hormone) to grow. Cancer cells respond to estrogen via...
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In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial tested whether a new drug, entinostat, can work in concert with exemestane (a hormone therapy drug), to fight breast cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy alone. Some background Some breast cancers need estrogen (a female sex hormone) to grow. These breast cancer cells respond to estrogen via...
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