In a nutshell This article presents the results from the first human trial of PD 0332991, a new anti-cancer drug. The main objective of the study was to determine the safety and recommended dose for further testing. Results warrant further studies and revealed that neutropenia (low white cell count) was the main side effect. Some background Cells...
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In a nutshell The present study investigated if patients with spread colorectal cancer that have mutations in the KRAS gene benefit from Cetuximab treatment. Some background Cancer that originates in the colon or rectum (parts of the intestine) is called colorectal cancer (CRC). If the cancer has spread from its original location, beyond the...
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In a nutshell The present study compared the efficacy of two surgical techniques to treat pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP): debulking and cytoreduction. Cytoreductive surgery achieved better surgical results and yielded higher 3- and 5-year survival rates, compared with debulking. Some background PMP is a rare condition caused by the production of...
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In a nutshell This article reports the results of recent studies involving the drug Docetaxel (Taxotere). The drug did not improve overall survival when added to androgen-deprivation therapy. Smaller doses given in shorter treatment cycles were found to be easier to tolerate and more effective. Some background Prostate cancer grows in...
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In a nutshell The present study compared the long-term efficacy and safety of different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer. Main results: chemotherapy clearly provides survival benefits; the higher the dosage, the higher the survival rates, despite more toxicity. Some background Many women with early stage breast cancer receive...
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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 This study questioned the benefit of adding chemotherapy to postoperative hormonal treatment in the case of lobular breast cancer. Their findings were that chemotherapy seems to offer no additional beneficial effects in women with lobular breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy. Some background There are two main types of breast...
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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...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The present study compared the survival benefits of two drug combinations used for adjuvant chemotherapy: Capecitabine/Oxaliplatin (Xelox) versus Fluorouracil/Folinic Acid (FU/FA). The study found Xelox to be a superior therapy for stage III colon cancer. Some background Stage III colon cancer is cancer...
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The aim of this paper was to identify if a longer course of chemotherapy was better than a short course. The authors look at how long patients survived with metastatic breast cancer or with no further cancer progression. Breast cancer is called metastatic when it has spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, lungs,...
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In a nutshell The present study compares two surgical techniques for the treatment of colon cancer: Open Colectomy (OC) and Laparoscopic Assisted Colectomy (LAC). They found that LAC may be preferred to OC for removal of colon cancer. Some background The first treatment of choice for colon cancer which is localized to the colonic...
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Colorectal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the rectum, colon (the large intestine) and it can also affect the appendix. It affects both men and women. Patients who are diagnosed with stage 1 and 2 colorectal cancer (cancers affecting the lining of the intestines – stage 1, and the muscle wall – stage 2) are generally only...
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