In a nutshell This study investigated how weight loss affects hormonal factors in breast cancer survivors. The levels of hormones which are thought to increase the risk of recurrence were compared before and after weight loss. Some background Overweight status and obesity have been shown to increase the risk of recurrence and lower survival in...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of radiation treatment (RT) given after breast-conserving surgery. The main findings are that RT leads to a dramatic drop in cancer recurrences and a moderately improved survival rate 15 years after the operation. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) involves the removal of...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The study compared survival rates in patients with early stage breast cancer treated with mastectomy versus lumpectomy plus radiation therapy. Some background Most breast cancers grow in response to female hormones (estrogen or progesterone), via their receptor (a protein found on the surface of the cancer cells). These cancers are...
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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 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 association between body mass index (BMI) and survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index relating weight to height used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as the weight in kilograms divided to the...
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In a nutshell This study compared the efficacy and safety of continuous injection high-dose 5-fluorouracil (HD-FU) versus standard dose bolus (rapid injection into the vein) 5-fluorouracil (FU) for the treatment of patients with stage III colon cancer. Some background Colon cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells in the large...
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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 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 3 clinical trial compared the safety and efficacy of two different combination treatments in women with early stage breast cancer: anastrozole (Arimidex) plus goserelin (Zoladex) versus tamoxifen (Nolvadex) plus goserelin. Some background An estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer requires estrogen (the primary...
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In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial evaluated the effect of the drug celecoxib (Celebrex) as treatment for patients with breast cancer. Some background Inflammation is one of the body's natural responses to injury and may play a role in cancer formation. Inflammation is controlled in part by a type of hormone produced by cells...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the efficacy of hormone therapy in patients with two types of breast cancer, invasive ductal breast carcinomas (IDC) and invasive lobular breast carcinomas (ILC) based on hormonal status. Some background Breasts are made up of lobules (milk-producing glands) and ducts (tubes that carry the milk to the...
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