In a nutshell The present paper compares long-term survival rates of surgery versus non-operative treatments in patients with recurrent rectal cancer (RRC). Some background Rectal cancer is cancer in the final section of the large intestine, or rectum. Surgery to remove the cancer is the first choice of treatment, but chemotherapy with or...
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In a nutshell This study compared the efficacy of Eribulin (Halaven) versus other treatments in women with previously treated stage IV breast cancer. Eribulin extended overall survival more than the other treatment options. Some background Late stage breast cancer offers limited treatment options. At this point in the disease,...
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In a nutshell This review presents the recommendations of The American Cancer Society and the US Multi-Society Task Force on the use of colonoscopy for the follow up of patients with resected colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Patients who undergo surgery for CRC with curative-intent (complete removal of the cancer) are candidates for...
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In a nutshell This study looks at the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with chemoradiation prior to surgery, and if there are variations in the cancer genes which make some more sensitive to this treatment than others. They find that changes in three individual genes made cancers less sensitive to chemoradiation, and may be a useful...
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In a nutshell This article presents the results from the first human trial of PD 0332991, a new anti-cancer drug. The main objective of the study was to determine the safety and recommended dose for further testing. Results warrant further studies and revealed that neutropenia (low white cell count) was the main side effect. Some background Cells...
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The present review discusses the principles, methods and complications of breast reconstruction surgery for breast cancer patients who need mastectomy (surgical removal of the entire breast). Women with breast cancer often need extensive surgeries to eliminate the cancer, along with healthy breast tissue, skin or the nipple and areola (the darker area...
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In a nutshell The present review evaluates the results and complications of intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage III) and recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Locally advanced CRC means that the cancer has spread beyond (invaded) the lining of the large intestine...
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In a nutshell The present study investigated if patients with spread colorectal cancer that have mutations in the KRAS gene benefit from Cetuximab treatment. Some background Cancer that originates in the colon or rectum (parts of the intestine) is called colorectal cancer (CRC). If the cancer has spread from its original location, beyond the...
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Most patients on Tamoxifen receive a standard dose of medication. However, patients may benefit more from individually adjusted doses. This paper highlights potential strategies for personalized Tamoxifen treatments. Tamoxifen is not active on its own. Once ingested, the body converts it into other substances (metabolites). Some of these...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated the long-term quality of life of patients with rectal cancer, treated with either a short course of radiation before surgery, or postoperative chemo-radiation. Patients treated with pre-operative radiation reported worse sexual- and bowel-related functional outcomes. Some background In patients with...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine the risk of developing a second colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with Lynch syndrome previously treated with surgical resection of a CRC tumor. The main finding was that patients treated with a partial resection were at a higher risk of a second cancer than those treated with a total resection of...
Read MoreIn 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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