Active clinical trials for "Breast Neoplasms"

Axillary dissection is the standard treatment for breast cancer patients with positive nodes. However, seroma formation after axillary dissection remains the most common early complication to breast cancer surgery. It can delay the initiation of adjuvant therapy, predispose to wound infection, delay wound healing and has also been linked to arm lymphoedema. Based on some studies and our experience that vacuum assisted closure （VAC）is effective in complex wound failures following axillary dissection and groin dissection, we use VAC to prevent seroma formation after extensive axillary dissection. This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and economics benefits of early VAC application on postoperative complications and wound healing after extensive axillary dissection in comparison to conventional suction drain.

This pilot study involves very frequent monitoring of breast cancer patient blood levels of hs-cTnT Troponin and n-t-BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) before and after initiation of chemotherapy with either adriamycin or trastuzumab in order to define the kinetics of both biomarkers during the first two cycles of chemotherapy. Cardiac troponins and BNP are frequently elevated after experimental chemotherapy in animal models. Their behavior in humans has been inconsistent, with occasional elevations seen, usually within 30 days of therapy. Assays for troponin with sensitivity into the pg/ml range have now been introduced. A majority of patients greater than age 50 have elevations above the detection limit, compared to only 1-3% with conventional troponin assays, and over 90% of diabetics have elevations above the detection limit. Moreover, augmented release of high sensitivity troponin is detected after exercise or rapid atrial pacing of durations of 10-15 minutes in patients with and without coronary artery disease. This improved sensitivity suggests the potential for detection and monitoring of cardiac damage after cancer chemotherapy. We hypothesized that this new generation of troponin assay would be associated with kinetic behavior suggesting ongoing cardiac damage with anthracycline therapy, and possibly also with trastuzumab.

Postmenopausal women who have hormone receptor positive breast cancer are typically treated with aromatase inhibitor medications, which substantially decrease the amount of estrogen produced by their bodies. These medications are fairly well tolerated, but can cause aches and pains which can be quite severe in some cases. People experience pain differently. Estrogen appears to play a role in how we experience pain. Therefore, decreasing estrogen levels may lead to more pain in some women than others. The goal of this study is to evaluate perception of pain in women with breast cancer, and to determine if differences in pain perception lead to more aches and pains in some women treated with aromatase inhibitors. In this study, we plan to enroll 55 women with breast cancer who are starting treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Participants will undergo testing to evaluate their perception of pain, and will also complete a set of questionnaires. Testing will be conducted before starting aromatase inhibitor therapy, as well as after 3 and 6 months of therapy. We will investigate whether pre-existing differences in pain perception lead to different amounts of pain during aromatase inhibitor therapy.

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the effects of the chemotherapeutic drug, Trastuzumab (Herceptin) on the heart. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is used to treat specific types of breast cancer and is known to cause weakening of the heart. Unfortunately, little is know as to why this this happens. The investigators want to identify any factors that may lead to the early detection, treatment and prevention of the cardiotoxicity (heart problem) associated with this drug.

The purpose of this study is to try and provide data linking the impact of increased inflammatory cytokines as a result of chemotherapy and their relationship with increased levels of CNS glutamate and related behavioral and cognitive consequences in breast cancer patients. The investigators will use neuropsychiatric assessments, blood sampling and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to collect study data.

This study was designed to evaluate safety and tolerability of Herceptin as treatment for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) positive metastatic breast cancer. Frequency, characteristics and severity of adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE) were followed to evaluate the safety of Herceptin in patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer.

This study aimed to compare detection rate between dual sentinel node staining method using mixture of indocyanine green (ICG) with radioisotope(RI), and RI only. To identify the first lymph node(s) along the lymphatic drainage pathway from the primary tumor in the breast cancer using RI only has several disadvantages such as invisibility, interference. As ICG can be visualized with a fluorescence imaging system, we expects dual sentinel lymph node staining method had better outcomes.

The purpose of this prospective observational study is to understand the relationship between paclitaxel exposure and development of peripheral neuropathy during treatment.

This randomized research trial studies the Community-based Health Information Technology (HIT) Tools for Cancer Screening and Health Insurance Promotion (CATCH-UP) intervention in increasing cancer screening and prevention care in uninsured patients at community health centers. The CATCH-UP intervention may contribute to increased rates of insurance coverage, leading to improved cancer screening and prevention rates in community health care settings, and general recommended preventive care.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the result of the Prosigna Test (assay) on the therapeutic decision of adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and hormone therapy) in patients suffering from early-stage breast cancer.