prognosis of Breast cancer - Prostrate cancer

prognosis of Breast cancer - Prostrate cancer

Tamoxifen and prognosis in breast

breast cancer..prognosis

Prognosis is frequently defined in terms of 5-year survivalthe percentage of people alive 5 years after diagnosis. Although several factors affect prognosis, the stage of the disease is most important. People with disease confined to the breast have a 97% 5-year survival rate. Those with involvement of regional lymph nodes have a 75%-85% 5-year survival, and those with stage III disease with more extensive local or lymph disease have approximately a 50% 5-year survival. When the disease has already spread from the immediate area or metastasized, the 5-year survival rate is 20%. Older people with breast cancer, those over 65, have a better prognosis than younger ones.

It is helpful to remember that survival rates are calculated for groups of people with the same disease. Within the group, variation exists in the individual survival rates. Even with disease that has metastasized, breast cancer is a highly treatable disease.

prostate cancer..prognosis

The prognosis depends on the stage of the cancer as well as the degree of differentiation.

Differentiation refers to how closely the cancer resembles normal tissue. The less differentiated the cancer, the poorer the prognosis.
The stage refers to the extent of the cancerwhether it is localized or has spread beyond the prostate. The greater the degree the cancer has spread, the poorer the outlook.
Five-year survival rates are very good for men with prostate cancer: 92% of men diagnosed with cancer survive at least 5 years, according to the American Cancer Society. Most prostate cancers are slow growing as evidenced by the fact that 67% of men diagnosed survive at least 10 years. However, it is possible that a prostate cancer may grow and spread rapidly. Therefore early diagnosis is essential for a cure.
For elderly men: For men who are at an advanced age and have other medical conditions, it may be more prudent to observe the person and follow the PSA levels. Therapy may be more harmful. This is especially the case if the man is elderly and not expected to live more than 10 years. Many times, the man will die as a result of something else, such as heart disease, not the slow-growing prostate cancer. It is advisable for the physician to discuss this issue with the man and his family.

Tamoxifen (national cancer institute) date reviewed: 03/05/2001

What is tamoxifen?
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is a medication in pill form that interferes with the activity of estrogen (a hormone). Tamoxifen has been used for more than 20 years to treat patients with advanced breast cancer. It is used as adjuvant, or additional, therapy following primary treatment for early stage breast cancer. In women at high risk of developing breast cancer, tamoxifen reduces the chance of developing the disease. Tamoxifen continues to be studied for the prevention of breast cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of several other types of cancer. It is important to note that tamoxifen is also used to treat men with breast cancer.


How does tamoxifen work on breast cancer?
Estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen works against the effects of estrogen on these cells. It is often called an 'anti-estrogen.' As a treatment for breast cancer, the drug slows or stops the growth of cancer cells that are present in the body. As adjuvant therapy, tamoxifen helps prevent the original breast cancer from returning and also helps prevent the development of new cancers in the other breast.


Are there other beneficial effects of tamoxifen?
While tamoxifen acts against the effects of estrogen in breast tissue, it acts like estrogen in other tissue. This means that women who take tamoxifen may derive many of the beneficial effects of menopausal estrogen replacement therapy, such as lower blood cholesterol and slower bone loss (osteoporosis).


Can tamoxifen prevent breast cancer?
Research has shown that when tamoxifen is used as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, it reduces the risk of recurrence of the original cancer and also reduces the risk of developing new cancers in the other breast. Based on these findings, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded a large research study to determine the usefulness of tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer in women who have an increased risk of developing the disease. This study, known as the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT), was conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a component of the NCIs Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program. This study found a 49 percent reduction in diagnoses of invasive breast cancer among women who took tamoxifen. Women who took tamoxifen also had 50 percent fewer diagnoses of noninvasive breast tumors, such as ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ. However, there are risks associated with tamoxifen. Some are even life threatening. The decision to take tamoxifen is an individual one: The woman and her doctor must carefully consider the benefits and risks of therapy.

Women with an increased risk of developing breast cancer have the option to consider taking tamoxifen to reduce their chance of developing this disease. They may also consider participating in the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (see question 5).

At this time, there is no evidence that tamoxifen is beneficial for women who do not have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.


What is the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR), and how can a woman learn more about it?
The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) is a clinical trial (a research study conducted with people) designed to see whether the osteoporosis drug raloxifene (Evista) is more or less effective than tamoxifen in reducing the chance of developing breast cancer in women who are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Raloxifene may have breast cancer risk reduction properties similar to those found in tamoxifen. This study will also examine whether raloxifene has benefits over tamoxifen, such as fewer side effects.

The STAR trial, which began in June 1999, is being conducted by the NSABP. It will involve about 22,000 postmenopausal women who are at least 35 years old and are at increased risk for developing breast cancer.

Women can learn more about the STAR trial in several ways. They can call NCIs Cancer Information Service at 18004CANCER (18004226237). The number for deaf and hard of hearing callers with TTY equipment is 18003328615. Information is also available on NSABPs Web site at https://www.nsabp.pitt.edu or NCIs cancerTrials Web site at https://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov on the Internet.


What are some of the more common side effects of taking tamoxifen?
In general, the side effects of tamoxifen are similar to some of the symptoms of menopause. The most common side effects are hot flashes and vaginal discharge. Some women experience irregular menstrual periods, headaches, fatigue, nausea and/or vomiting, vaginal dryness or itching, irritation of the skin around the vagina, and skin rash. As is the case with menopause, not all women who take tamoxifen have these symptoms. Men who take tamoxifen may experience headaches, nausea and/or vomiting, skin rash, impotence, or a decrease in sexual interest.


Does tamoxifen cause uterine cancer?
The BCPT found that women taking tamoxifen had more than twice the chance of developing uterine cancer compared with women who took a placebo (an inactive substance that looks the same as, and is administered in the same way as, tamoxifen). The risk of uterine cancer in women taking tamoxifen was in the same range as (or less than) the risk in postmenopausal women taking single-agent estrogen replacement therapy. Additional studies are under way to define more clearly the role of other risk factors for uterine cancer, such as prior hormone use, in women receiving tamoxifen.

Most of the uterine cancers that have occurred during studies of women taking tamoxifen have been found in the early stages, and treatment was usually effective. However, tamoxifen was life threatening for some breast cancer patients who developed uterine cancer while taking tamoxifen.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal (pelvic) pain are two symptoms of uterine cancer. Women who are taking tamoxifen should talk with their doctor about having regular pelvic examinations, and should also be checked promptly if they have any abnormal vaginal bleeding between scheduled exams.


Does tamoxifen cause blood clots or stroke?
Data from large treatment studies suggest that there is a small increase in the number of blood clots in women taking tamoxifen, particularly in women who are receiving anticancer drugs (chemotherapy) along with tamoxifen. The total number of women who have experienced this side effect is small. The risk of having a blood clot due to tamoxifen is similar to the risk of a blood clot when taking estrogen replacement therapy.

Women in the BCPT who took tamoxifen also had an increased chance of developing blood clots and an increased chance of stroke.


Does tamoxifen cause eye problems?
As women age, they are more likely to develop cataracts (a clouding of the lens inside the eye). Women taking tamoxifen appear to be at increased risk for developing cataracts. Other eye problems, such as corneal scarring or retinal changes, have been reported in a few patients.


Does tamoxifen cause other types of cancer?
Although tamoxifen can cause liver cancer in particular strains of rats, it is not known to cause liver cancer in humans. It is clear, however, that tamoxifen can sometimes cause other liver toxicities in patients, which can be severe or life threatening. Doctors may order blood tests from time to time to check liver function.

One study suggested a possible increase in cancers of the digestive tract among women receiving tamoxifen for breast cancer. Other trials, including the BCPT, have not shown an association between tamoxifen and these cancers.

Studies such as the BCPT show no increase in cancers other than uterine cancer. This potential risk is being evaluated.


Should women taking tamoxifen avoid pregnancy?
Yes. Tamoxifen may make premenopausal women more fertile, but doctors advise women on tamoxifen to avoid pregnancy because animal studies have suggested that the use of tamoxifen in pregnancy can cause fetal harm. Women who have questions about fertility, birth control, or pregnancy should discuss their concerns with their doctor.


Does tamoxifen cause a woman to begin menopause?
Tamoxifen does not cause a woman to begin menopause, although it can cause some symptoms that are similar to those that may occur during menopause. In most premenopausal women taking tamoxifen, the ovaries continue to act normally and produce estrogen in the same or slightly increased amounts.


Do the benefits of tamoxifen in treating breast cancer outweigh its risks?
The benefits of tamoxifen as a treatment for breast cancer are firmly established and far outweigh the potential risks. Patients who are concerned about the risks and benefits of tamoxifen or any other medications are encouraged to discuss these concerns with their doctor.


How long should a patient take tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancer?
Patients with advanced breast cancer may take tamoxifen for varying lengths of time, depending on their response to this treatment and other factors. When used as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, tamoxifen is generally prescribed for 5 years. However, the ideal length of treatment with tamoxifen is not known.

Two studies have confirmed the benefit of taking adjuvant tamoxifen daily for 5 years. These studies compared 5 years of treatment with tamoxifen with 10 years of treatment. When taken for 5 years, the drug reduces the risk of recurrence of the original breast cancer and also reduces the risk of developing a second primary cancer in the other breast. Taking tamoxifen for longer than 5 years is not more effective than 5 years of therapy.



Sources of National Cancer Institute Information

A 56-year-old chronic alcoholic and heavy smoker presents with a 3-cm, firm, right midcervical neck mass. An excisional biopsy reveals squamous cell carcinoma. Which of the following is the most appropriate approach at this time?

A: Bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, and laryngoscopy

B: CT of the neck

C: CT of the brain

D: Neck dissection

E: Radiation therapy

The answer is A
Patients who are heavy smokers and drinkers are at increased risk to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In fact, the risk for those who both smoke and drink is multiplicatively increased compared with those who abuse just one of these substances. A firm neck mass in a patient with these habits should prompt an aggressive search for a primary lesion in the head and neck region and would include panendoscopy (laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy, and bronchoscopy) with biopsy of all suspicious areas.