Nuclear localization of heparanase 2 (Hpa2) attenuates breast carcinoma growth and metastasis.

Unlike the intense research effort devoted to exploring the significance of heparanase in cancer, very little attention was given to Hpa2, a close homolog of heparanase. Here, we explored the role of Hpa2 in breast cancer. Unexpectedly, we found that patients endowed with high levels of Hpa2 exhibited a higher incidence of tumor metastasis and survived less than patients with low levels of Hpa2.

Prophylactic breast irradiation reduces background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on MRI: A secondary analysis.

Purpose: We recently showed that prophylactic breast irradiation (PBI) reduces the risk of contralateral breast cancer in BRCA mutation carriers undergoing treatment for early breast cancer. It has been suggested that Background Parenchymal Enhancement (BPE) may be a biomarker for increased risk of breast cancer.

Methods: For participants in the trial we reviewed the MRI prior to enrollment and following radiation treatment and scored the contralateral breast for BPE and density.

Outcome and prognostic factors in 110 consecutive patients with primary uterine leiomyosarcoma: A Rare Cancer Network study.

Objective: Primary uterine leiomyosarcomas (ULMS) are rare, and the optimal treatment is controversial. We aimed to assess the outcome and prognostic factors in a multicenter population of women treated for primary ULMS.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data of 110 women treated in 19 institutions of the Rare Cancer Network (RCN).

Oral Bisphosphonates and Improved Survival of Breast Cancer.

Bisphosphonates are used for treatment or prevention of osteoporosis and of bone metastases. The use of oral bisphosphonates was suggested to be associated with reduced risk of developing breast cancer, and their positive influence on breast cancer survival was only demonstrated with third-generation bisphosphonates. We studied the association of use of oral bisphosphonates after breast cancer diagnosis on overall and breast cancer survival.

The essential role of radiotherapy in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma: a study from the Rare Cancer Network.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Methods And Materials: A retrospective multicenter study was performed in 180 patients with MCC treated between February 1988 and September 2009. Patients who had had surgery alone were compared with patients who received surgery and postoperative RT or radical RT.

Management of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: a Rare Cancer Network study.

Background: Mammary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare breast cancer. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess prognostic factors and patterns of failure, as well as the role of radiation therapy (RT), in ACC.

Methods: Between January 1980 and December 2007, 61 women with breast ACC were treated at participating centers of the Rare Cancer Network.

Physical inactivity as a contributing factor for onset of idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Conclusion: Despite limitations arising from a questionnaire-performed study, it seems that nonspecific physical activity can protect against benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), possibly by relocating loosened otoconia from the semicircular canals.

Objectives: Mechanical factors might play a role in the onset of the idiopathic form of BPPV. We performed a structured questionnaire study of physical activity in patients with BPPV and controls.

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in ethnically diverse high risk families in Israel.

Three mutations in BRCA1 (185delAG, 5382InsC) and BRCA2 (6174delT) predominate among high risk breast ovarian cancer Ashkenazi Jewish families, with few "private" mutations described. Additionally, the spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations among high risk Jewish non Ashkenazi and non Jewish Israelis is undetermined. Genotyping by exon-specific sequencing or heteroduplex analysis using enhanced mismatch mutation analysis was applied to 250 high risk, predominantly cancer affected, unrelated Israeli women of Ashkenazi (n = 72), non Ashkenazi (n = 90), Moslem (n = 45), Christian Arabs (n = 21), Druze (n = 17), and non Jewish Caucasians (n = 5).

High efficacy of pre-operative trastuzumab combined with paclitaxel following doxorubicin & cyclophosphamide in operable breast cancer.

Background: Trastuzumab in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy improves disease free survival and overall survival in HER2 over-expressing breast cancer patients. Data concerning the use of trastuzumab in the neo-adjuvant setting is limited. We aimed to compare outcome of HER2 over-expressing breast cancer patients treated with either standard chemotherapy, consisting of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and a taxane to outcome of patients treated with the same chemotherapy regimen with the addition of trastuzumab in concurrence with paclitaxel.

Outcome after combined modality treatment for uterine papillary serous carcinoma: a study by the Rare Cancer Network (RCN).

Objectives: Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is a rare subtype of endometrial carcinoma, characterized by a poor outcome. We sought to better analyze the effect of surgery and adjuvant therapies on this disease.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the records of 138 women diagnosed with UPSC between 1986 and 2003 in the framework of the Rare Cancer Network.

Wheat grass juice may improve hematological toxicity related to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: a pilot study.

Myelotoxicity induced by chemotherapy may become life-threatening. Neutropenia may be prevented by granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GCSF), and epoetin may prevent anemia, but both cause substantial side effects and increased costs. According to non-established data, wheat grass juice (WGJ) may prevent myelotoxicity when applied with chemotherapy.

Boost radiotherapy in young women with ductal carcinoma in situ: a multicentre, retrospective study of the Rare Cancer Network.

Background: Outcome data in young women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are rare. The benefits of boost radiotherapy in this group are also unknown. We aimed to assess the effect of boost radiotherapy in young patients with DCIS.

Reducing malignant ascites accumulation by repeated intraperitoneal administrations of a Viscum album extract.

Background: Malignant ascites is a major problem in the management of advanced stages of certain malignancies. The possibility of reducing the accumulation of ascites by intraperitoneal injections of a Viscum album extract (Iscador M) was evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-three patients, with end-stage malignancies of varying histology, requiring repeated peritoneal punctures, were eligible for analysis.

Breast cancer in octogenarians.

Background: The number of older cancer patients has increased in recent years. Guidelines for their care are often lacking. Data on the natural course of breast cancer and outcome of therapy in this population are needed.

Definition of postlumpectomy tumor bed for radiotherapy boost field planning: CT versus surgical clips.

Purpose: To compare the location and extent of the tumor bed as defined by surgical clips and computed tomography (CT) scans, after lumpectomy, for electron boost planning as part of breast radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Planning CT images of 31 operated breasts in 30 patients who underwent lumpectomy were reviewed. One or more clips were placed in the lumpectomy cavity.

The safety of full-dose chemotherapy with secondary prophylactic granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) following a prior cycle with febrile neutropenia.

Secondary prophylactic administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) following an episode of febrile neutropenia is recommended if maintenance of dose-intensity is desired. This policy was adopted in our center in patients treated with an intent for cure or durable complete response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this policy.