In a nutshell This study examined the effect that restarting hormone treatment, as compared to stopping it, had on progression-free survival. It found that restarting treatment led to increased progression-free survival. Some background Breast cancer is classified into different subtypes depending on the prescence or absence of certain...
Read MoreTreatment(s) already received-Breast reconstruction Posts on Medivizor
The influence of infection on breast cancer recurrence following breast reconstruction
In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the influence of possible infections following breast reconstruction on the risks of breast cancer recurrence. This study showed that post-operative complications or infections had a significant impact on the rates of breast cancer recurrence. Some background Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure...
Read MoreBreast cancer sub-types and their response to treatment
In a nutshell The authors evaluated whether there was a difference in the treatment response rates between invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma. Some background Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is characterized as cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobules that then spreads to surrounding breast tissue. Invasive...
Read MoreBreast cancer; what are the risks of cancer returning following surgery?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the overall risks of breast cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) following two types of breast cancer surgery. Some background Breast cancer treatments may include surgery; a mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast while breast-conserving surgery is the removal of the breast cancer but not the...
Read MoreTraditional Chinese medicine; the effects on breast cancer survival
In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine used with conventional breast cancer treatments on breast cancer survival. Some background Traditional Chinese medicine is an alternative therapy that can complement breast cancer treatments. This generally includes various forms of herbal medicine,...
Read MoreRadiation to the lymph nodes in stage II and II breast cancer; is it necessary?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the effectiveness of radiotherapy treatment (uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA) on women with breast cancer who have previously had surgery. Some background Breast- conserving surgery (removes the breast cancer but not the breast itself) is just one method of breast...
Read MoreHormone therapy; enabling surgery in post-menopausal breast cancer patients
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the long-term effects of hormone therapy to treat post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Some background Hormone therapy is a form of breast cancer treatment. It targets cancer cells that may be affected by hormones. It is often administered prior to surgery in patients who are unfit to...
Read MoreTreatment for breast cancer patients with depression
In a nutshell This article evaluated the benefits of psychology treatments for breast cancer patients with depression. Some background Many women with breast cancer also suffer from depression (22%). This can lead to a decreased quality of life and overall prognosis (treatment outcome). 'Psychodynamic psychotherapy' is a form of...
Read MoreFDA approved drugs in the last 20 years for the treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer
The article reviews drugs that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in the last 20 years. The authors summarize the clinical studies which lead to FDA approval. ‘First-line therapy’ is the initial treatment used to reduce cancer burden. It is usually the standard...
Read MoreLymph node ratio as predictor of prognosis and treatment guide in breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is an accurate predictor of breast cancer prognosis, and whether LNR can identify which patients would benefit from post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT). Some background Breast cancer staging allows physicians to estimate prognosis, and helps guide treatment planning. Under...
Read MorePhase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding docetaxel to doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in node positive breast cancer patients
In a nutshell In this phase 3 clinical trial, two types of adjuvant (a treatment given in addition to a main treatment) chemotherapy regimens were compared in women with node positive breast cancer after surgery to remove the cancer. These were the combination of docetaxel (Taxotere), doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (TDC) or the combination of...
Read MoreComparison between two techniques of breast surgery: 20-year follow-up
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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