Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Dec 2001
Comparative StudyFactors associated with initial therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer: prostate cancer outcomes study.
Because of the lack of results from randomized clinical trials comparing the efficacy of aggressive therapies with that of more conservative therapies for clinically localized prostate cancer, men and their physicians may select treatments based on other criteria. We examined the association of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with four management options: radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and watchful waiting. ⋯ The association of nonclinical factors with treatment suggests that, in the absence of definitive information regarding treatment effectiveness, men diagnosed with prostate cancer should be better informed of the risks and benefits of all treatment options.
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Dec 2001
Risk of pneumonitis in breast cancer patients treated with radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel.
Some chemotherapy (CT) drugs, including taxanes, may enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy (RT). However, combining these therapies may increase the incidence of radiation pneumonitis, a lung inflammation. In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the incidence of radiation pneumonitis in breast cancer patients treated with RT and standard adjuvant CT by use of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, with and without paclitaxel. ⋯ The use of paclitaxel and RT in the primary treatment of breast cancer should be undertaken with caution. Clinical trials with the use of combination CT, including paclitaxel plus RT, whether concurrent or sequential, must evaluate carefully the incidence of radiation pneumonitis.