How Does Estrogen-Progestin Hormone Therapy Affect Breast Cancer Mortality?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Eleven-year WHI follow-up shows marginally higher breast cancer death rates in women randomized to combination HT.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
October 21, 2010
Covering:
Chlebowski RT et al., JAMA 2010 Oct 20; 304:1684
Bach PB., JAMA 2010 Oct 20; 304:1719
Preventive Care in Patients with Advanced Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Some screening tests were performed with unexpectedly high frequencies, but stopping can be a difficult decision.
The Multidisciplinary Spectrum of Cancer Therapy: Effects on Immediate Breast Reconstruction
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
More-selective use of postmastectomy radiotherapy is appropriate; use and timing of chemotherapy might not affect surgical outcomes.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
October 19, 2010
Covering:
Christante D et al., Arch Surg 2010 Sep; 145:873
Warren Peled A et al., Arch Surg 2010 Sep; 145:880
Beatty JD., Arch Surg 2010 Sep; 145:878
Giuliano AE., Arch Surg 2010 Sep; 145:885
What Is the Value of Mammograms for Women in Their 40s?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Swedish report suggests that screening is effective at saving lives, but the data are difficult to interpret.
Freedom from Functional Limitations Promotes Survival in Breast Cancer Patients
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Breast cancer survivors who had functional limitations were more likely to die during follow-up.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 14, 2010
Covering:
Braithwaite D et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 Oct 6; 102:1468
Cohen HJ., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 Oct 6; 102:1450
Is Axillary Dissection Necessary in Women with Early Breast Cancer and a Positive Sentinel Lymph Node?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Not in those who underwent lumpectomy, adjuvant systemic treatment, and whole-breast radiotherapy
Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Trends in Canada
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Rapid decline and subsequent rise in Canadian breast cancer incidence after 2002 publication of WHI results provide insights about the association between HT use and breast cancer risk.
Broadening Chemotherapy Options for Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Eribulin was active in heavily pretreated breast cancer patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients
Elevated serum troponin I levels predicted likelihood of cardiac dysfunction as a result of trastuzumab exposure.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
October 5, 2010
Covering:
Cardinale D et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Sep 1; 28:3910
Ewer MS and Ewer SM., J Clin Oncol 2010 Sep 1; 28:3901
Mammography Revisited: Does Screening Lower Breast Cancer–Related Mortality?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
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According to a Norwegian study, not by as much as we thought.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
September 22, 2010
Covering:
Kalager M et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Sep 23; 363:1203
Welch HG., N Engl J Med 2010 Sep 23; 363:1276
Testing for BRCA Mutations: Should Criteria Be Broadened?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Offering testing to women who are younger than 50 and have triple-negative breast cancer is cost-effective.
Should PET Scanning Replace Current Malignancy Screening Methods in Dermatomyositis?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
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Positron emission tomography with computed tomography was as effective as and easier than conventional cancer screening.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
September 3, 2010
Covering:
Selva-O'Callaghan A et al., Am J Med 2010 Jun; 123:558
Can Genetic Polymorphisms Predict Incidence and Subtypes of Breast Cancer?
Polygenic risk scores were associated with cumulative risk for breast cancer, and specific genetic polymorphisms were associated with certain subtypes of breast cancer.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
August 17, 2010
Covering:
Reeves GK et al., JAMA 2010 Jul 28; 304:426
Managing Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: Experience from an Australian Clinic
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Breast cancer survivors benefit from multidisciplinary-based treatment for severe menopausal symptoms.
Autoimmune Encephalopathy in Children and Adults With and Without Cancer
Neurology Summary and Comment
A study of diagnosis and clinical course of <$EMPH_O>N<$EMPH_C>-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody–associated encephalopathy.
By Richard J. Caselli, MD
August 3, 2010
Covering:
Irani SR et al., Brain 2010 Jun; 133:1655
Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Women with Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: Update from the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Women's Health Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
New guidelines emphasize use of aromatase inhibitors, whether alone or sequentially with tamoxifen.
The AVADO Trial: Bevacizumab plus Docetaxel for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Progression-free survival was significantly longer with bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) plus docetaxel than with docetaxel alone.
Ixabepilone plus Capecitabine for Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Overall survival rate was not significantly better with combination therapy than with capecitabine alone, despite an advantage in progression-free survival.
Consequences of Factor V Leiden Mutation in Patients Treated with Adjuvant Tamoxifen
FVL mutation was associated with markedly increased risk for thrombotic events in breast cancer patients who received adjuvant tamoxifen.
Can Bisphosphonates Prevent Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Observational studies support the potential for chemoprophylaxis.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Rennert G et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Jun 21
Chlebowski RT et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Jun 21
Gnant M., J Clin Oncol 2010 Jun 21
ASCO 2010 Report: Breast Cancer
Key trials focused on surgical approaches, eribulin, and bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.
Tamoxifen-Associated Risk for Thromboembolism: Importance of Factor V Leiden Mutation
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Clinicians should consider testing for thrombophilic mutations before prescribing adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen for patients with breast cancer.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 8, 2010
Covering:
Garber JE et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 Jun 16
Cuzick J., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 Jun 16
Cutaneous Metastasis: Immunohistochemical Stains to Work Out the Biopsy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A panel of three immunohistochemical stains usefully distinguished primary adnexal tumors from metastatic adenocarcinoma.
By Angelica Selim, MD
June 25, 2010
Covering:
Mahalingam M et al., Mod Pathol 2010 May; 23:713
Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Given low locoregional recurrence rates among many patients who do not undergo this treatment, recommendations for its use should be reconsidered.
Intraoperative Radiotherapy vs. Postoperative Whole-Breast Radiotherapy
Promising results, but too early to draw meaningful conclusions or change standard practice
