In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the use of Gleason scores in predicting the outlook of metastatic prostate cancer. Some background The Gleason grading system is from 2-10. It describes how different the cancer cells look from normal cells and predicts the likelihood of the tumor spreading. The lower the score, the less likely it...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated how common climacturia (urine leakage during orgasm) is in patients treated for prostate cancer. It also investigated the causes of climacturia and if it impacts on sexual satisfaction. Some background Patients with prostate cancer are commonly treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. The success of...
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In a nutshell The study examined whether radiation therapy increased the risk of implant failure in women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Some background Treatment for breast cancer generally includes a combination of surgery to remove either the tumor or the full breast (mastectomy), radiation, and chemotherapy....
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In a nutshell This article investigated complications other than urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction associated with radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy treatments for prostate cancer. Some background For patients with localized (confined to the prostate gland) prostate cancer, the treatment options include radical...
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In a nutshell This study examined the safety and efficacy of radiation therapy to the prostate bed and pelvic lymph nodes following surgery for prostate cancer. Some background Postoperative radiation therapy is a standard treatment for prostate cancer patients who are at an increased risk for recurrence (return of the disease even...
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In a nutshell This study examined the efficacy of two different types of radiation therapies among patients with localized (confined) prostate cancer. Some background One of the common treatments for prostate cancer is radiation therapy. This procedure directs beams of radiation through the skin at the cancer in order to destroy the main...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effects of noninvasive image-guided breast brachytherapy using the Accuboost device. Some background Following surgery, high dose radiotherapy is often directed at the tumor bed to ensure the destruction of any remaining cancer cells and prevent cancer recurrence (often referred to as a...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the cosmetic benefits of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared to standard radiotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. Some background Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat breast cancer. It is often used following surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence...
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In a nutshell This article looked at the pathological features of prostate cancer to identify those patients who would benefit the most from adjuvant radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Some background One option for patients with prostate cancer is surgery to remove the cancer along with the entire prostate gland and some healthy tissues...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This article looked at the effects of radiation therapy on bowel and urinary function in patients with prostate cancer. Three different methods of radiation therapy were compared:intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), proton beam therapy (PBT) and 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). Some background Radiation therapy...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated whether there is any benefit from radiation therapy (RT) in women over the age of 70 with early stage breast cancer treated with lumpectomy (surgical removal of the cancerous lump) and tamoxifen. Some background Breast cancer in older patients is often fueled by estrogen, a female sex hormone. These cancer...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This phase III clinical trial will study which type of external radiation treatment for prostate cancer has a better side effect profile: IMRT or Proton Therapy. The details IMRT (or Intensity-modulated radiation therapy) is a type of radiation therapy commonly used to treat prostate cancer. It uses x-ray beams to target the prostate...
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