AIM:To investigate the predictive clinical value of in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for directing chemosensitivity in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS:Results of ...AIM:To investigate the predictive clinical value of in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for directing chemosensitivity in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS:Results of a total of 353 consecutive patients with gastric cancer treated with MTT-directed chemotherapy or physician’s empirical chemotherapy from July 1997 to April 2003 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS:The overall 5-year survival rate of MTT- sensitive group (MSG) and control group (CG) was 47.5% and 45.1%, respectively. The results of subgroup analysis with Cox proportional-hazards model were favorable for the MSG-sensitive group. However, no statistically significant difference in survival rate was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION:Individualized chemotherapy based on in vitro MTT assay is beneficial, but needs to be confirmed by further randomized controlled trials.展开更多
For some survivors, the consequences of cancer are minimal; these patients can return to a normal life after the completion of treatment. In fact, a majority of cancer survivors report being in good general health and...For some survivors, the consequences of cancer are minimal; these patients can return to a normal life after the completion of treatment. In fact, a majority of cancer survivors report being in good general health and experience good to excellent quality of life. A recent review suggests that at least 50% of survivors suffer from some late effects of cancer treatment. The most common problems in cancer survivors are depression, pain, and fatigue. The guidelines suggest the following standards for survivorship care:(1) prevention of new and recurrent cancers and other late effects;(2) surveillance for cancer spread, recurrence, or second cancers;(3) assessment of late psychosocial and medical effects;(4) intervention for consequences of cancer and treatment(eg, medical problems, symptoms, psychologic distress, financial and social concerns); and(5) coordination of care between primary care providers and specialists to ensure that all of the survivor's health needs are met. The NCCN Survivorship Panel hopes that these guidelines can help both oncologic and primary health care professionals lessen the burden left on survivors by their cancer experience so they can transition back to a rewarding life.展开更多
Objective: The proper time to commence adjuvant chemotherapy after primary surgery for breast cancer is unknown. It is usually prescribed within 2-3 months after definitive surgery. The aim of this retrospective stud...Objective: The proper time to commence adjuvant chemotherapy after primary surgery for breast cancer is unknown. It is usually prescribed within 2-3 months after definitive surgery. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) delay beyond 3 weeks ( 21 days) in premenopausal patients with ER-absent tumors being treated for early stages breast cancer on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted through revision of medical records of premenopausal patients diagnosed with early stage |-|IIA breast cancer and ER-absent tumors who received adjuvant CT after definitive surgery at the Department of Clinical Oncology, Ain-Shams University Hospitals. Results: Between 2005 and 2008, 105 patients were retrospectively analyzed and included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A including 48 patients who started adjuvant CT 〈 21 days of surgery and group B which included 57 patients who had CT delay 〉 21 days. Both groups were matched demographically. Comparisons of overall survival, and disease-free survival between group A and group B patients all favored group A. At 5-year the OS rates were 87% and 73% for groups A and B respectively (P = 0.001), while DFS rates were 85% and 64% in groups A and B respectively (P = 0.001). Analysis of other prognostic factors (age, T, N, grade, HER2 status, surgery type, CT type, local radiotherapy received) were analyzed. Only nodal status predicted for worse DFS (P = 0.05) and OS (P = 0.006). Conclusion: Delay in initiating adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer patients with ER-absent tumors was associated with a decrease in both OS and DFS rates.展开更多
文摘AIM:To investigate the predictive clinical value of in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for directing chemosensitivity in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS:Results of a total of 353 consecutive patients with gastric cancer treated with MTT-directed chemotherapy or physician’s empirical chemotherapy from July 1997 to April 2003 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS:The overall 5-year survival rate of MTT- sensitive group (MSG) and control group (CG) was 47.5% and 45.1%, respectively. The results of subgroup analysis with Cox proportional-hazards model were favorable for the MSG-sensitive group. However, no statistically significant difference in survival rate was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION:Individualized chemotherapy based on in vitro MTT assay is beneficial, but needs to be confirmed by further randomized controlled trials.
文摘For some survivors, the consequences of cancer are minimal; these patients can return to a normal life after the completion of treatment. In fact, a majority of cancer survivors report being in good general health and experience good to excellent quality of life. A recent review suggests that at least 50% of survivors suffer from some late effects of cancer treatment. The most common problems in cancer survivors are depression, pain, and fatigue. The guidelines suggest the following standards for survivorship care:(1) prevention of new and recurrent cancers and other late effects;(2) surveillance for cancer spread, recurrence, or second cancers;(3) assessment of late psychosocial and medical effects;(4) intervention for consequences of cancer and treatment(eg, medical problems, symptoms, psychologic distress, financial and social concerns); and(5) coordination of care between primary care providers and specialists to ensure that all of the survivor's health needs are met. The NCCN Survivorship Panel hopes that these guidelines can help both oncologic and primary health care professionals lessen the burden left on survivors by their cancer experience so they can transition back to a rewarding life.
文摘Objective: The proper time to commence adjuvant chemotherapy after primary surgery for breast cancer is unknown. It is usually prescribed within 2-3 months after definitive surgery. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) delay beyond 3 weeks ( 21 days) in premenopausal patients with ER-absent tumors being treated for early stages breast cancer on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted through revision of medical records of premenopausal patients diagnosed with early stage |-|IIA breast cancer and ER-absent tumors who received adjuvant CT after definitive surgery at the Department of Clinical Oncology, Ain-Shams University Hospitals. Results: Between 2005 and 2008, 105 patients were retrospectively analyzed and included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A including 48 patients who started adjuvant CT 〈 21 days of surgery and group B which included 57 patients who had CT delay 〉 21 days. Both groups were matched demographically. Comparisons of overall survival, and disease-free survival between group A and group B patients all favored group A. At 5-year the OS rates were 87% and 73% for groups A and B respectively (P = 0.001), while DFS rates were 85% and 64% in groups A and B respectively (P = 0.001). Analysis of other prognostic factors (age, T, N, grade, HER2 status, surgery type, CT type, local radiotherapy received) were analyzed. Only nodal status predicted for worse DFS (P = 0.05) and OS (P = 0.006). Conclusion: Delay in initiating adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer patients with ER-absent tumors was associated with a decrease in both OS and DFS rates.