Breast cancer research and treatment
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jul 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialHealth-related quality of life in axillary node-negative, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer patients undergoing AC versus CMF chemotherapy: findings from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-23.
NSABP Protocol B-23 compared two chemotherapy regimens: (1) cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF); and (2) doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) in terms of relapse-free survival, event-free survival, and overall survival in node-negative and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer patients. There are no previous data regarding the comparison of quality of life (QOL) between the two regimens in this population of breast cancer patients. QOL information was considered especially relevant given the possibility that the two chemotherapy regimens would prove equivalent in terms of clinical outcome. ⋯ Overall QOL is equivalent between the two chemotherapy regimens, with some differences in symptoms and in patterns of vitality over time.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jul 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe addition of manual lymph drainage to compression therapy for breast cancer related lymphedema: a randomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this investigation was to compare the reduction in arm lymphedema volume achieved from manual lymph drainage massage (MLD) in combination with multi-layered compression bandaging (CB) to that achieved by CB alone. ⋯ These findings indicate that CB, with or without MLD, is an effective intervention in reducing arm lymphedema volume. The findings suggest that CB on its own should be considered as a primary treatment option in reducing arm lymphedema volume. There may be an additional benefit from the application of MLD for women with mild lymphedema; however, this finding will need to be further examined in the research setting.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jul 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPrognostic and predictive impact of the HER-2/ neu extracellular domain (ECD) in the serum of patients treated with chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.
The extracellular domain of the HER-2/neu -receptor (ECD) is shed from the receptor protein and can be detected in serum. However, the clinical implication of HER-2/neu ECD measurement must be further evaluated. ⋯ In our group of metastatic breast cancer patients, elevated HER-2/neu ECD levels are associated with decreased overall survival. With regard to progression-free survival, particularly patients with high HER-2/neu ECD levels seem to benefit from taxane-containing chemotherapy.