The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Feb 2014
ReviewHealth-related quality of life in small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review on reporting of methods and clinical issues in randomised controlled trials.
Small-cell lung cancer represents about 15% of all lung cancers; increasingly, randomised controlled trials of this disease measure the health-related quality of life of patients. In this Systematic Review we assess the adequacy of reporting of health-related quality-of-life methods in randomised controlled trials of small-cell lung cancer, and the potential effect of this reporting on clinical decision making. Although overall reporting of health-related quality of life was acceptable, improvements are needed to optimise the use of health-related quality of life in randomised controlled trials.
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The lancet oncology · Feb 2014
ReviewInternational variations in childhood cancer in indigenous populations: a systematic review.
Although the cancer burden in indigenous children has been reported in some countries, up to now, no international comparison has been made. We therefore aimed to assess the available evidence of the burden of childhood cancer in indigenous populations. ⋯ Our findings highlight the paucity of accessible information and advocate the pressing need for data by indigenous status in countries where population-based cancer registries are established. The true extent of disparities between the burden in the indigenous community needs to be measured so that targeted programmes for cancer control can be planned and implemented.
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An estimated 16·5 million people worldwide illicitly use opiates, of whom 4 million use raw opium. We did a systematic review to investigate the association between opium use and cancer incidence and mortality. Opium use was associated with an increased risk of cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, larynx, lung, and urinary bladder. Although the present evidence suggests that these associations are possibly causal, further epidemiological studies (particularly prospective studies that collect detailed data about lifetime opium use and control for a broad range of potential confounders) are needed.
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The lancet oncology · Feb 2014
ReviewThe immune system and response to HER2-targeted treatment in breast cancer.
The monoclonal antibody trastuzumab targets the growth factor receptor HER2 and has profoundly improved the course of disease and survival of women with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Because trastuzumab targets aberrant expression of HER2 in tumours addicted to HER2 activation, its clinical activity is credited largely to inhibition of intracellular signalling. ⋯ Furthermore, findings indicate that immune-related markers can provide useful predictive information and that increased clinical activity might follow activation of the immune system. Development of immunomodulatory drugs with remarkable activity in many solid tumours defines a scenario in which the combination of immune modulation with trastuzumab, or other HER2-directed drugs, will result in augmented response and clinical outcome.
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The lancet oncology · Feb 2014
Incidence of complications other than urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a population-based cohort study.
Studies of complications resulting from surgery or radiotherapy for prostate cancer have mainly focused on incontinence and erectile dysfunction. We aimed to assess other important complications associated with these treatments for prostate cancer. ⋯ Ajmera Family Chair in Urologic Oncology.