In a nutshell This report summarized updates made to the guidelines for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer with adjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Some background Adjuvant chemotherapy (treatment after surgery) is often used to prevent cancer recurrence. Chemotherapy involves agents that work to kill cancer cells in the body....
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of radiotherapy (RT) in older patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). RT was found to be associated with better survival outcomes for both younger and older patients. Some background TNBC is a form of breast cancer which tests negative for estrogen/ progesterone receptors and human...
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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...
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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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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,...
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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 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...
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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 studied the dosage of radiotherapy in women who have had surgery for early breast cancer. Some background After surgical removal of tumour, radiation is often given to prevent relapse (return of cancer). Radiation therapy can be fractionated (dividing the total radiation into smaller doses over time). Fractionation...
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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...
Read MoreIn 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...
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