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 The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness of surgery for the treatment of breast cancer; specifically those within the later stages of inflammatory breast cancer. Some background Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer, accounting for only 2% of all breast cancers. It is termed 'inflammatory'...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to study the best course of surgical treatment for women with low-risk early breast cancer. Some background Breast-conserving therapy (the removal of the tumor and some surrounding breast tissue) is often recommended for women with early breast cancer. It is generally followed by radiation therapy (using radiation...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate if the outcomes of surgery following chemotherapy are different based on the focality of breast cancer tumors. Some background Breast cancer can be characterised as 'unifocal', 'multifocal and 'multicentric'. This refers to the number of areas in which the cancer can be found...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the influence of zoledronic acid (Zometa) on disseminated tumor cell (DTC) and survival of early stage breast cancer patients. Some background DTC are tumor cells that can be found in the bone marrow (the fatty and bloody tissue that fills the bone cavities and is the source of red blood cells and many white...
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In a nutshell This article reviewed data from recent clinical trials investigating the drug pertuzumab (perjeta) as treatment for metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. Some background HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of some cancer cells. This complex responds to molecules called growth factors, and...
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In a nutshell This study analyzed the occurrence of distance metastasis (the spread of the cancer to distant organs) in early stage breast cancer patients after breast conservation therapy (BCT). This study also showed the pattern of spread to these distant organs. Some background Early-stage...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of radiation treatment (RT) given after breast-conserving surgery. The main findings are that RT leads to a dramatic drop in cancer recurrences and a moderately improved survival rate 15 years after the operation. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) involves the removal of...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The study compared survival rates in patients with early stage breast cancer treated with mastectomy versus lumpectomy plus radiation therapy. Some background Most breast cancers grow in response to female hormones (estrogen or progesterone), via their receptor (a protein found on the surface of the cancer cells). These cancers are...
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In a nutshell This article looked at the use of a platinum based chemotherapy (cisplatin) to a non-platinum based chemotherapy for patients with triple negative breast cancer. Some background Most breast cancers have on their surface some proteins called receptors that help the breast cancers grow. These can be hormone receptors (estrogen or...
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In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial compared the safety and efficacy of two different combination treatments in women with early stage breast cancer: anastrozole (Arimidex) plus goserelin (Zoladex) versus tamoxifen (Nolvadex) plus goserelin. Some background An estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer requires estrogen (the primary...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the risk of heart disease associated with two commonly prescribed treatments for breast cancer. The main finding was that Trastuzumab (Herceptin) and Anthracycline (Adriamycin/Daunomycin) treatments are associated with a higher risk of heart failure or ‘cardiomyopathy’. Some background Anthracyclines...
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