In a nutshell This study compared breast cancer recurrence rates and overall survival between women treated with breast-conserving surgery versus radical mastectomy. Results showed that in the case of small tumors, breast-conserving surgery is the recommended option. Some background Most patients with breast cancer have surgery to remove the...
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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...
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In a nutshell This article presents summarized data from two clinical trials. The trials evaluated the addition of Capecitabine to standard postoperative chemotherapy for patients with high risk early breast cancer. Some background Capecitabine is a chemotherapy drug that is taken orally and slows the growth of tumors. It can be...
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This article summarizes recent findings regarding cognitive problems and decline in patients previously treated with chemotherapy. It gives a comprehensive overview of results from neuropsychological, imaging and animal studies. It also proposes investigating post-chemotherapy mental decline in the context of the normal aging process. In long...
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In a nutshell This study questioned the benefit of adding chemotherapy to postoperative hormonal treatment in the case of lobular breast cancer. Their findings were that chemotherapy seems to offer no additional beneficial effects in women with lobular breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy. Some background There are two main types of breast...
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In a nutshell The present study evaluated whether combining Bevacizumab (Avastin) with chemotherapy for patients with stage IV (metastatic) colorectal cancer (CRC) has any benefits in the terms of survival and quality of life. Main findings: Bevacizumab may be beneficial only as part of certain chemotherapy regimens. Some...
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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...
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In a nutshell The present study evaluated whether the presence of cancer cells in the blood stream predicts a worse prognosis in women with operable breast cancer. The main finding was that progression-free survival (time before cancer progression) and overall survival were lower if circulating cancer cells were detected in the blood. Some background...
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In a nutshell The present study evaluated the effects of systemic chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) on survival in patients with aggressive types of cancer of the appendix (poorly differentiated and signet ring cell adenocarcinoma). The main findings were that systemic chemotherapy appears to be a viable treatment option for these types of...
Read MoreIn 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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In a nutshell The present study tested whether Lobular Neoplasia (LN) diagnosed on Core Needle Biopsy (CNB) leads to breast cancer and if a selected group of patients can be safely observed rather than treated early. The main findings were that not all patients with LN diagnosed on CNB need surgery (excision). Some background Breasts are...
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Colorectal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the rectum, colon (the large intestine) and it can also affect the appendix. It affects both men and women. Patients who are diagnosed with stage 1 and 2 colorectal cancer (cancers affecting the lining of the intestines – stage 1, and the muscle wall – stage 2) are generally only...
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