In a nutshell This study investigated whether diets rich in carbohydrates influence recurrence rates in patients treated for colorectal cancer. The main finding was that a higher glycemic (sugar) load and carbohydrate intake were associated with a greater risk of cancer recurrence. Some background Dietary factors, as well as body...
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In a nutshell The risk of breast cancer is high (~80%) in women who inherit a damaged (mutated) gene called BRCA1 or BRCA 2 (‘BRCA carriers’). Following the first diagnosis, their risk of developing another tumor in the second breast within 10 years is 30%. Some background Some types of breast cancer need estrogen (female sex...
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This paper reviews chemotherapy options for triple-negative breast cancers. Breast cancer cells express 3 main receptors that can be targeted with therapy: Estrogen receptors (ER), Progesterone receptors (PR) and HER2. Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) do not express these 3 receptors and make up approximately 15% of breast cancers. Such tumors do...
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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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In a nutshell This article reports long-term results of the UK/ANZ DCIS (“UK/Australia and New Zealand Ductal Carcinoma in Situ”) trial. This study investigated the use of radiation treatment and Tamoxifen treatments in DCIS. Some background Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer....
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In a nutshell This study (2011) addressed the issue of understaging of invasive breast cancer using core-needle biopsy (CNB). Main findings: in this analysis of trials, about one in four diagnoses of ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) at CNB represented understaged invasive breast cancer. Some background CNB is a diagnostic procedure in which cells...
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In a nutshell The present study examined the duration of urinary-related side effects resulting from radiation therapy. Mild to severe urinary side effects were found to last up to 10 years post radiation therapy. Some background Prostate cancer is a slow growing form of cancer that is often managed by active surveillance or observation (delayed...
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In a nutshell This study tested whether chemotherapy after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) extends survival and reduces the risk of cancer recurrence in patients with stage II colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Stage II colorectal cancer (cancer in the colon or rectum) is confined to the digestive tract. It is usually treated with surgery...
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In a nutshell The present study evaluated survival rates in patients with prostate cancer (PC) treated with Low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy (LDR-PB). The main findings were that LDR-PB alone or combined with hormone therapy offers excellent survival in PC patients. Some background Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men....
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) often presents with peritoneal metastases, which have a poor outcome. This means that cancer cells have spread from the colon, appendix, or rectum to the peritoneum (a sheath that covers the abdominal organs). This article argues the pros and cons of a combined treatment for patients with peritoneal metastases from CRC. This...
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer related deaths. Patients diagnosed with CRC are treated with surgery to remove the tumor and affected tissue. If the tumor affects the entire thickness of the colon or rectal wall it is referred to as being stage II; if the local lymph nodes are also affected the cancer is referred to as being a...
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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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