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
Missed Opportunities: Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Ovarian Cancer Patients
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Only half of ovarian cancer patients at substantial risk for <$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> mutations were referred for genetic counseling.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
June 10, 2010
Covering:
Meyer LA et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 May; 115:945
Effects of Estrogen-Only Hormone Therapy on Mammograms and Indication for Biopsies
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Unlike estrogen-progestin HT, estrogen alone did not compromise diagnostic performance of breast cancer screening.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Recurrence and Systemic Disease
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Locoregional tumor recurrence following breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy raised risk for distant metastases.
Does Vitamin E Protect Against Cisplatin Neurotoxicity?
Neurology Summary and Comment
The jury is still out.
By Christian Krarup, MD, DMSc, FRCP
June 1, 2010
Covering:
Pace A et al., Neurology 2010 Mar 2; 74:762
Mammography in Women Who Are Younger Than 40
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In women aged 35–39, the cancer detection rate was 1.6 per 1000 mammograms.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 27, 2010
Covering:
Yankaskas BC et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2010 May 19; 102:692
Revisiting Breast Cancer Outcomes in Concomitant Users of Tamoxifen and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Poor tamoxifen adherence among SSRI users, rather than inhibition of CYP2D6, might account for unfavorable breast cancer outcomes.
Tamoxifen vs. Raloxifene for Breast Cancer Chemoprophylaxis: Longer-Term Data
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Raloxifene was less toxic; tamoxifen was slightly more effective.
Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Paraneoplastic Neurological Disorders
Neurology Summary and Comment
This imaging modality should be the initial diagnostic test for patients with these disorders, but follow-up biopsy is mandatory.
By Jerome B. Posner, MD
May 4, 2010
Covering:
McKeon A et al., Arch Neurol 2010 Mar; 67:322
Can Zoledronic Acid Help Avert Breast Cancer Metastasis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy might lower numbers of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow of breast cancer patients.
Do Occupational Exposures Affect Risk for Postmenopausal Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Certain occupational exposures before age 36 might raise risk for breast cancer later in life.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
April 29, 2010
Covering:
Labrèche F et al., Occup Environ Med 2010 Apr; 67:263
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Screen High-Risk Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The sensitivity of screening MRI was clearly superior to that of mammography and ultrasound in high-risk women.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 27, 2010
Covering:
Kuhl C et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Mar 20; 28:1450
Breast Cancer After Age 80: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Compared with younger women, those who were 80 and older were treated less aggressively despite having similar disease characteristics.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
April 22, 2010
Covering:
Schonberg MA et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Apr 20; 28:2038
Hanson LC and Muss HB., J Clin Oncol 2010 Apr 20; 28:1975
Does Prophylactic Contralateral Breast Mastectomy Prolong Survival?
Perhaps in younger women (especially those aged <50) who have early-stage, estrogen receptor–negative breast cancers, but data are not conclusive.
Case Management Speeds Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Public Screening Program
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Uninsured low-income women with abnormal mammograms received faster diagnostic and treatment services.
Does Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lower Reoperation Rates in Breast Cancer Patients?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Reoperation rates were similar regardless of preoperative MRI assessment.
By Isabelle Bedrosian, MD, FACS
April 13, 2010
Covering:
Turnbull L et al., Lancet 2010 Feb 13; 375:563
Morris EA., Lancet 2010 Feb 13; 375:528
More Evidence That Tamoxifen Is Underused for Primary Breast Cancer Prevention
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Only a small fraction of women who have favorable tamoxifen risk-benefit profiles receive the agent prophylactically.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
April 8, 2010
Covering:
Waters EA et al., Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010 Feb; 19:443
Cerebrospinal Fluid Abnormalities in Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes
Neurology Summary and Comment
These syndromes are associated with an early inflammatory response that might be amenable to treatment.
By Myrna R. Rosenfeld, MD, PhD
April 6, 2010
Covering:
Psimaras D et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 81:42
Wen PY., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 81:3
Needle and Open Surgical Biopsy Have Similar Accuracy for Breast Lesions
General Medicine Summary and Comment
And complication rates are lower after needle biopsy.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening Without Mammography: A New Standard?
In women at high risk for developing breast cancer, the combination of MRI and mammography screening was not substantially better than MRI alone.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
March 23, 2010
Covering:
Kuhl C et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Mar 20; 28:1450
Klijn JGM., J Clin Oncol 2010 Mar 20; 28:1441
Can Newly Identified Genetic Variants Help Predict Risk for Breast Cancer?
Risk assessment combining genetic information and clinical risk factors did not substantially improve the ability to predict risk over standard clinical risk models.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
March 17, 2010
Covering:
Wacholder S et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 18; 362:986
Devilee P and Rookus MA., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 18; 362:1043
After Surgery, Is Time to Radiotherapy Linked to Local Recurrence of Breast Cancer?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In older women, the longer the interval, the greater the risk for recurrence.
You've Got a Friend: Befriending for the Distressed
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This intervention, pioneered in the U.K., is better than nothing — but not as helpful as psychotherapy.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 15, 2010
Covering:
Mead N et al., Br J Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 196:96
