Cancer treatment reviews
-
Cancer treatment reviews · Jun 2016
Review Meta AnalysisThe value of adjuvant radiotherapy on survival and recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 5507 patients.
The value of adjuvant radiotherapy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in TNBC patients to assess survival and recurrence outcomes associated with radiotherapy following either breast conserving therapy (BCT) or post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). ⋯ Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of locoregional recurrence in TNBC patients, irrespective of the type of surgery. While radiotherapy was not consistently associated with an overall survival gain, benefits may be obtained in women with late-stage disease and younger patients.
-
Cancer treatment reviews · Jun 2016
Review Meta AnalysisBeta blockers and cancer prognosis - The role of immortal time bias: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Findings from experimental and observational studies have suggested beneficial effects of beta blocker (BB) use on cancer survival. Nevertheless, results have been inconclusive and there have been concerns that the observed associations might have resulted from immortal time bias (ITB). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize existing evidence, paying particular attention to this potential source of bias. ⋯ We found no clinically meaningful evidence for an association between BB use and survival after excluding studies with a possible ITB. Our results support suggestions that the proposed beneficial effect of BBs on cancer survival might be based on ITB.