The impact of Oncotype DX testing on adjuvant chemotherapy decision making in 1-3 node positive breast cancer.

Background: Oncotype DX testing has reduced the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative early breast cancer but less is known about its impact in node positive patients.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Oncotype DX gene assay testing on the decision to offer adjuvant chemotherapy in oestrogen positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, 1-3 lymph node positive patients.

Methods: Retrospective review of all node positive patients who underwent Oncotype DX testing at a single centre.

The impact of a supranetwork multidisciplinary team (SMDT) on decision-making in testicular cancers: a 10-year overview of the Anglian Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (AGCCCG).

Background: The germ cell supranetwork multidisciplinary team (SMDT) for the Anglian Network covers a population of 7.5 million.

Methods: We reviewed 10 years of SMDT discussion and categorised them into five domains ((1) overall outcome, (2) chemotherapy regimens-untreated disease and salvage therapy, (3) radiology, (4) pathology and (5) complex cases) to assess the impact of the SMDT.

Can the Cancer-related Fatigue Case-definition Criteria Be Applied to Chronic Medical Illness? A Comparison between Breast Cancer and Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: Fatigue is a crucial determinant of quality of life across rheumatic diseases, but the lack of agreed-upon standards for identifying clinically significant fatigue hinders research and clinical management. Case definition criteria for cancer-related fatigue were proposed for inclusion in the International Classification of Diseases. The objective was to evaluate whether the cancer-related fatigue case definition performed equivalently in women with breast cancer and systemic sclerosis (SSc) and could be used to identify patients with chronic illness-related fatigue.

Identification of factors associated with cancer related fatigue syndrome in disease-free breast cancer patients after completing primary treatment.

This study is an analysis of variables associated with women who meet the criteria for after completion of successful primary treatment for breast cancer. This analysis was conducted to identify factors independently associated with cancer related fatigue syndrome using a combined dataset from two non-overlapping studies conducted on similar populations. Participants who were clinically (and radiologically) disease-free, between 3 months and 2 years after treatment, were recruited from a single centre.

Evaluation of central serotonin sensitivity in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue syndrome.

Context: Increased central serotonin sensitivity is hypothesized to contribute toward the development of cancer-related fatigue syndrome (CRFS).

Objectives: To compare the responses of breast cancer survivors with or without CRFS to the buspirone challenge test (an index of central serotonin sensitivity).

Methods: Disease-free women who had successfully completed treatment for early-stage breast cancer were assessed.

Evaluation of screening instruments for depression and anxiety in breast cancer survivors.

Although cases of anxiety and depression post-breast cancer can be reliably identified using a structured psychiatric interview, such interviews are time consuming for both practitioner and patient and effective screening tools would increase detection rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in screening for depression and anxiety in a population of breast cancer survivors. For this purpose, The Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders was administered to 200 breast cancer survivors to identify those suffering from an anxiety and/or depressive disorder.

Evaluation of screening instruments for cancer-related fatigue syndrome in breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: Cases of cancer-related fatigue syndrome (CRFS) can be reliably indentified using a diagnostic interview combined with a structured psychiatric interview. However, these interviews are time consuming to conduct, require specialist training, and are not suitable for routine clinical use. The purpose of this study was to identify whether a screening questionnaire could identify patients at high risk of clinically significant fatigue who should be considered for a suitable intervention.

Investigation of diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue syndrome in patients with advanced cancer: a feasibility study.

The primary aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of applying diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue syndrome (CRFS) in patients with advanced cancer. A secondary aim was to assess the use of screening instruments for fatigue and depression in this population. Patients with advanced cancer (n=16) were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview for CRFS and a semi-structured psychiatric interview.