Breast MRI and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
New data from Germany demonstrated the value of MRI in detecting DCIS, particularly the high-grade variant of this common breast lesion.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
September 27, 2007
Covering:
Kuhl CK et al., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:485
Boetes C and Mann RM., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:459
Raloxifene Approved for Lowering Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women
Women's Health News in Context
Free
The FDA has approved a second SERM for breast cancer chemoprophylaxis.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
September 27, 2007
Covering:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).,
Obesity and Likelihood of Mammography
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Obesity was associated with less-frequent mammograms among white women but not black women.
Psychotherapy Does Not Prolong Overall Breast Cancer Survival
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A survival benefit from psychotherapy was noted in only a small subgroup of these patients.
International Study Supports Conventional WISDOM About Hormone Therapy
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A new report supplies more evidence that HT may increase cardiovascular risk in older women.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
September 5, 2007
Covering:
Vickers MR et al. for the WISDOM team, BMJ 2007 Aug 4; 335:239
The Epothilones Are Coming!
Four phase II reports plus preliminary data from a randomized phase III study suggest that the semisynthetic epothilone ixabepilone is tolerable and beneficial for women with metastatic breast cancer.
How Safe Is Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In simulation models, CTA was associated with increased cancer risk, particularly in women.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
August 22, 2007
Covering:
Einstein AJ et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:317-23
Breast MRI More Sensitive Than Mammography for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
General Medicine Summary and Comment
MRI detected 92% of DCIS, whereas mammography found only 56%.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 16, 2007
Covering:
Kuhl CK et al., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:485-92
Boetes C and Mann RM., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:459-60
Adjuvant Therapy for ER-Positive Breast Cancer: Shaping the Role of Aromatase Inhibitors
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Two years of tamoxifen followed by a switch to anastrozole is an effective adjuvant therapy for ER-positive breast cancer.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
August 16, 2007
Covering:
Kaufmann M et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jul 1; 25:2664-70
Lin NU and Winer EP., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jul 1; 25:2639-41
Optimizing Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Prone positioning reduced radiation exposure of the heart and lungs.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
August 9, 2007
Covering:
Formenti SC et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 1; 25:2236-42
Extending Breast Cancer Survival: It’s Not Just What You Eat — It’s What You Do
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although ineffective alone, a low-fat diet very high in vegetables, fruits, and fiber improved breast cancer survival when combined with exercise.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
August 9, 2007
Covering:
Pierce JP et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:289-98
Pierce JP et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 10; 25:2345-51
Limited Family Tree Affects Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Models overestimate risk for <$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> mutation when family history is adequate and underestimate risk when history is limited.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
August 9, 2007
Covering:
Weitzel JN et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 20; 297:2587-95
Kauff ND and Offit K., JAMA 2007 Jun 20; 297:2637-9
Differentiating Atypical Vascular Lesions from Angiosarcomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Definitive surface features for distinguishing between the two entities are elusive; deep biopsy is necessary.
By Angelica Selim, MD
August 3, 2007
Covering:
Mattoch IW et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2007 Jul; 57:126-33
Diet and Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients with early breast cancer did not benefit from a diet rich in vegetables and fruit and low in fat.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 17, 2007
Covering:
Pierce JP et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:289-98
Gapstur SM and Khan S., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:335-6
Effect of Diet and Physical Activity on Breast Cancer Survival
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Healthful eating and exercise were associated with lower 6-year mortality in survivors of ER-positive breast cancer.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Pierce JP et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 10; 25:2345-51
Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Residual DCIS After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Breast cancer patients with residual noninvasive cancer did as well as those with no residual cancer.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Mazouni C et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jul 1; 25:2650-5
Elucidating the Genetics of Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Three reports enhance our understanding of the polygenic nature of breast cancer risk.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 12, 2007
Covering:
Easton DF et al., Nature 2007 Jun 28; 447:1087-93
Stacey SN et al., Nat Genet 2007 Jul; 39:865-9
Hunter DJ et al., Nat Genet 2007 Jul; 39:870-4
Does Breast Cancer Survival Have a Genetic Basis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> status didn’t make a difference among Israeli women.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 12, 2007
Covering:
Rennert G et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:115-23
Hartge P., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:175-6
Defining BRCA Mutation Status in Women with Limited Family Structures
In women with few first- and second-degree relatives, determining whether genetic testing is appropriate can be difficult.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Weitzel JN et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 20; 297:2587-95
Preoperative Trastuzumab, Docetaxel, and Carboplatin for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Preoperative trastuzumab benefits some patients with HER2-positive tumors and increases the number of patients who can undergo breast-conserving surgery.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
June 18, 2007
Covering:
Coudert BP et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 May 21
Buzdar AU et al., Clin Cancer Res 2007 Jan 1; 13:228-33
Novel Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes
Four genes were identified that confer moderate susceptibility to breast cancer.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
June 18, 2007
Covering:
Easton DF et al., Nature 2007 May 27
Hunter DJ et al., Nat Genet 2007 May 27
Calcium and Vitamin D Intake and Risk for Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Higher calcium and vitamin D intake showed modest benefit in premenopausal women.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
June 14, 2007
Covering:
Lin J et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:1050-9
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Becoming Less Common in Sentinel Lymph Node–Positive Breast Cancer
A declining rate of complete axillary dissection in sentinel lymph node–positive breast cancer patients was associated with the use of a multivariate nomogram.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
May 25, 2007
Covering:
Park J et al., Ann Surg 2007 Mar; 245:462-8
Explaining the Recent Decrease in Breast Cancer Incidence
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The decline in rates of breast cancer from 2002 to 2003 should be viewed within the context of broader trends.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
May 24, 2007
Covering:
Jemal A et al., Breast Cancer Res 2007 May 3
Did the WHI Results Affect Breast Cancer Incidence?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
The decrease in breast cancer incidence might be linked to discontinuation of hormone therapy.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Ravdin PM et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 19; 356:1670-4
