In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate a series of treatments used for advanced breast cancer; this was a review of chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel (Taxol), doxetaxel (Taxotere) and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane). Some background Taxanes are a group of chemotherapy drugs used commonly in locally advanced (cancer has spread into nearby...
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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...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness of exemestane (Aromasin) to treat premenopausal women with breast cancer and treatment outlook in comparison to tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Some background Tamoxifen is a type of hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer. This type of treatment is generally specific for hormone receptor...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine if there was a link between patient age, tumor type and the spread of cancer. Some background Breast cancer metastasis is the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body; following original cancer of the breast. Age at original diagnosis and the area affected by the tumor are just two of the...
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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...
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In a nutshell This paper studied whether having a second sentinel lymph node biopsy (removal of tissue from the lymph node to assess for cancer cells) is beneficial for patients who have recurred despite a negative first sentinel lymph node biopsy and conservative surgery. Some background Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure where the first...
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In a nutshell This paper studied the impact of endocrine therapy on sexual function in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer. Some background Endocrine therapy is used in the treatment of hormone receptor positive early breast cancer. Hormone receptor positive breast cancer is cancer which has an abundant presence of the estrogen or...
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In a nutshell This paper evaluated early discontinuation of trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy and how cardiovascular events (disease associated with the heart and blood vessels) associated with this affect survival in older women with breast cancer. Some background Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a protein that can be found...
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In a nutshell This paper evaluates whether adding bevacizumab (Avastin) to docetaxel (Taxotere)-containing chemotherapy treatment is safe in patients with breast cancer. Some background For early stage breast cancer, docetaxel (a drug that interferes with cell division)-containing chemotherapy improves...
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In a nutshell This study investigated which traits of low-risk breast cancer can predict the risk of cancer recurrence after treatments. Some background The majority of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have node-negative cancer, meaning breast cancer that has not spread to regional lymph nodes. Node-negative breast cancer patients have a...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using the MammoSite device for the treatment of patients after breast conserving surgery. Some background After breast conserving surgery (BCS; surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue without removal of the entire breast),...
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In a nutshell This study compared the benefits of radiotherapy and tamoxifen in reducing the risk of local recurrence (return of the cancer close to initial place of origin) in patients with early breast cancer who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS). Some background Women with early breast cancer usually have tumors that are confined...
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