Doctors able to predict chance of breast cancer returningNovember 07, 2006Doctors have created a first-ever computer tool to predict the risk of breast cancer returning in the same breast over a 10-year period in women who have had breast conserving surgery to remove only the cancer (lumpectomy), according to a study presented November 6, 2006, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 48th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. "Our tool provides physicians with information regarding the risk of breast cancer returning in the same breast for any individual patient, which can then help them evaluate the potential benefit of additional treatments needed to cure the cancer, including radiation therapy," said Mona Sanghani, M.D., lead author of the study and an oncologist at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. "This predictive tool, however, must be validated by independent clinical data before it is widely used." For patients with early stage breast cancer, the current standard treatment involves breast conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy to the breast over a six to eight week period to kill any remaining cancer cells. Researchers developed a formula that takes into account all of the risk factors associated with breast cancer coming back in the same breast after breast conserving surgery, such as the age of the patient at the time of treatment, the size and grade of the cancer, if lymphatic vessels are affected, and the use of chemotherapy or hormone therapy. With the help of a Web-based computer tool, doctors are able to determine by this formula how much a patient will be at risk for their cancer returning, along with how much a patient will benefit from radiation therapy. American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology |
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| Related Breast Cancer Current Events and Breast Cancer News Articles Blocking cancer in its path: New cellular defect discovered UCSF researchers have discovered that a key cellular defect that disturbs the production of proteins in human cells can lead to cancer susceptibility. Revisiting the need to detect circulating tumor cells One of the most dangerous characteristics of cancer is its ability to metastasize, or spread through the body. For this reason, oncologists have a major need for better tests to detect cells that break away from primary tumors to travel to other parts of the body. Palpable breast cancers are more common in women not undergoing annual mammography New research findings published in the March issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons indicate that some breast cancers continue to be detected as a palpable lump rather than being found through mammographic screening. Effort aims to spike breast cancer with new approach Many women live with breast cancer that does not respond to standard medical treatment, a condition that researchers at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare want to change by aggressively targeting specific genes. Berkeley Scientists Find New Way to Get Physical in the Fight Against Cancer Conventional biological wisdom holds that living cells interact with their environment through an elaborate network of chemical signals. Opposing functions of a key molecule in the development of organisms Scientists headed by ICREA researcher Marco Milán, at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), reveal a surprising new function of Notch protein that contrasts with the one known to date. Found in the cell membrane, this protein activates a signalling pathway that regulates the expression of genes that make the cell divide, grow, migrate, specialise or die. Breast cancer drug fulvestrant appears more effective in the presence of CK8 and CK18 Women's responsiveness to the second-line breast cancer drug fulvestrant may depend on whether the cancer cells are expressing two key proteins, Indiana University Bloomington scientists report in this month's Cancer Biology & Therapy. MU Researcher Presents Risk-free Treatment for Low Female Sexual Desire According to the Journal of Sexual Medicine, people who engage in regular sexual activity gain several health benefits, such as longer lives, healthier hearts, lower blood pressure, and lower risk of breast cancer. However, approximately 33 percent of women may not receive these benefits due to low sexual desire. K-State professor finds link between low oxygen levels in body and cancer-aiding protein What began as research into how diabetics could possibly preserve their eyesight has led to findings that could prolong the vision of children afflicted with retinoblastoma. New study questions benefits of elective removal of ovaries during hysterectomy Removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) while performing a hysterectomy is common practice to prevent the subsequent development of ovarian cancer. More Breast Cancer Current Events and Breast Cancer News Articles |
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