In a nutshell This study investigated if trastuzumab (Herceptin)/paclitaxel (Taxol) reduces the risk of local-regional recurrence (LRR) in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). They found that this treatment reduced LRR risk in HER2-positive patients. Some background Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers....
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Denosumab treatment in HR+ breast cancer
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out if adding the medication denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva) to cancer treatment for women with breast cancer reduces the risk of bone fractures. The study found that the patients treated with denosumab survived better, but there was no significant difference in the number of bone fractures. Some background Breast...
Read MoreHow effective is myofascial release after breast cancer surgery?
In a nutshell This article investigated the safety and effectiveness of myofascial release (MR) therapy on women survivors of breast cancer. The authors concluded that MR therapy is safe and resulted in physical benefits (overall shoulder movement, functionality, pain). Some background Surgery and radiation are among the main treatments for...
Read MoreBreast Reconstruction Following Breast Cancer Treatment
In a nutshell This is a 2018 update on breast reconstruction following breast cancer treatment. It has been found that nearly 40% of women who undergo a mastectomy will have a breast reconstruction. Some background It was estimated that in 2017 106000 reconstructive breast surgeries were done. The main reason for this is to do with the psychological...
Read MoreAre two HER-2 medications combined with hormone therapy effective?
In a nutshell This trial aimed to evaluate the use of a second treatment targeting HER-2 in a group of patients that had HER-2, HR positive metastatic breast cancer. This study found that patients treated with dual HER-2 medications with hormone therapy had a superior progression free survival as compared to those using one medication...
Read MoreRestarting hormone therapy leads to increased progression-free survival
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 MoreA comparison of how FEC120 treatment vs EC-docetaxel treatment affect survival in patients with node-positive primary breast cancer
In a nutshell This study compared the side effects and outcome of two drug regimens in women with high-risk node-positive breast cancer (BC). Both treatment regimens were found to have similar survival outcomes. Some background Standard treatment in node positive BC (cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes) consists of two categories of...
Read MoreCan we predict recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ after breast conserving surgery?
In a nutshell Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who undergo breast conserving surgery (BCS) are at risk of cancer recurrence. This study aimed to identify risk factors which could predict the likelihood of recurrence. It was found that a low tumor grade, presence of cancerous cells in the area directly around the tumor, the presence of a...
Read MoreThe 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 the extent of surgery required
In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate whether there was a difference between the rates of local recurrence (the cancer returns to or near the site of the original tumor) in invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma. Some background Invasive lobular carcinoma is characterized as cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobules...
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 MoreCancer sub-types; what are the characteristics?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to distinguish whether the characteristics of breast cancer could depend on the focality of the tumor. Some background Breast cancer can be characterized as 'unifocal', 'multifocal and 'multicentric'. This refers to the number of areas in which the cancer can be found (focality); unifocal...
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