In a nutshell This study wanted to find out how well chemotherapy for invasive breast cancer works, especially in those over 70 years old. The study found that most patients benefit from chemotherapy, however, those aged over 70 benefited less of this treatment than those aged under 70. Some background Most types of breast cancer have guidelines with...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This trial is examining the effectiveness of a probiotic (Primal Defense Ultra (R) Probiotic Formula) for the immune systems of patients with breast cancer. The main outcome to be measured is the number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+), a type of white blood cell. This study is being conducted in the Mayo Clinic in...
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In a nutshell This study compared the side effects and outcome of two drug regimens in women with high-risk node-positive breast cancer (BC). Both treatment regimens were found to have similar survival outcomes. Some background Standard treatment in node positive BC (cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes) consists of two categories of...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated whether patients with a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) but negative fine-needle aspiration result (FNA) can be considered as having node-negative disease (AUN). The study concluded that patients with suspicious ALN on ultrasound but negative FNA results can be treated as having node-negative disease. Some...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the role of trastuzumab (Herceptin) as part of standard care in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC). The study conclude that trastuzumab was effective in general practice, including patients not often included in clinical trials (such as the...
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In a nutshell This study compared long-term survival following breast conserving surgery or mastectomy in patients with T1-2N2 breast cancer. The authors concluded that breast conserving surgery plus radiation was as effective as mastectomy and radiation in these patients. Some background Breast cancer is staged depending on the severity and...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review outlined the recommended treatment options for invasive breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world and it is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Breast cancer often begins in the milk ducts and lobules. In invasive breast cancer, the cancer moves...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess and compare a number of surgical procedures used to treat and limit the risk of developing breast cancer. The study showed that there was no significant difference between contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) and breast-conserving treatment (BCT) on survival from breast cancer. Some background...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess whether adding pertuzumab (Perjeta) to chemotherapy could improve response in women with metastatic (has spread) breast cancer. This study showed that adding pertuzumab to chemotherapy resulted in higher response rates among women with breast cancer that relied on the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) to...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether or not there is a link between tumor budding, the environment of a tumor and prognosis (outlook) and survival from breast cancer. Some background Tumor budding refers to the 'clustering' of up to 5 cancer cells together to create a tumor 'bud'. Tumor budding is thought to be an...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated whether there was a difference in the treatment response rates between invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma. Some background Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is characterized as cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobules that then spreads to surrounding breast tissue. Invasive...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the results of a specific pre-operative chemotherapy. Some background Pre-operative chemotherapy is used to shrink the tumor before surgery. Abraxane and cyclophosphamide (Endoxan) are used as combined chemotherapy and referred to as ABC. 5-fluorouracil (Adrucil), epirubicin (Pharmorubicin) and...
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