Active clinical trials for "Breast Neoplasms"

The purpose of this study is to test the ability of a technique called Transillumination Breast Spectroscopy (TIBS) to monitor an individual's breast density changes over time.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a socio-aesthetic intervention on body image and quality of life in post-surgical patients with mastectomy or tumorectomy for breast cancer.Two groups of randomized subjects were constituted. Patients of the experimental group received 2 or 3 aesthetic care during the first post-surgical week, whereas those of the control group not. Body image, quality of life and diverse other personality variables were assessed at three different times: surgical operation day before, exit day before of hospitalization and three months afterwards. Our general hypothesis is that subjects who receive aesthetic care report levels significantly higher of corporal satisfaction and of quality of life at the end of the hospitalization and three months later than patients of the control group.

RATIONALE: Identification of genes that may be associated with developing certain types of cancer may someday provide important information about a person's risk of getting cancer. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying to see if certain genes may be associated with cancer in patients with cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, or colon and siblings of these patients.

This study will examine two subsets of patients with breast cancer metastasis, that is, spreading, to the brain. It will identify genes and proteins that promote metastasis, particularly in women who are found to over-express (have more than other people do) the human epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB2, also known as HER-2. The molecular and genetic events that permit tumor metastasis are not well understood. There is intense investigation going on into the process in which tumor cells escape the primary local tumor, spread to distant places in the body, and find and create conditions that promote growth in those tissues. Metastasis of tumors such as breast cancer to the brain is a common problem. Tumor cells will be analyzed with the use of microarrays. A microarray is a tool for analyzing gene expression, consisting of a small membrane or glass slide containing samples of many genes arranged in a regular pattern. The goal is to identify a potential molecular signature. It is hoped that there will be discovery of why some patients are more likely than others to develop a brain metastasis, which can have a major negative effect on the quality of life and survival. Female patients 18 years of age with known or evidence by radiology of a breast tumor metastatic to the brain or those who have had a removal of a brain tumor for diagnosis or treatment may be eligible for this study. Participants will undergo the following procedures and tests: Craniotomy, that is, surgical opening of the skull, and removal of the brain tumor. Blood specimens taken from a central vein or artery before the operation, throughout as needed, and for several days afterward, to measure blood chemistries, blood count, and so forth. Physical examination and imaging of the central nervous system before and after surgery. Urine or serum, or both, pregnancy test of women of childbearing potential. Patients will also undergo blood tests at 3-month intervals after surgery for up to 5 years. The purpose is to determine if there are tumor cells in the blood, which may explain how they reached the brain.

RATIONALE: Timing of breast cancer surgery may improve effectiveness of treatment and may help patients live longer. PURPOSE: Clinical trial to determine whether timing of primary surgery in relation to menstrual cycle is associated with disease-free survival 5 years after surgery in women who have stage I or stage II breast cancer.

Women who carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation or who are the first- or second-degree relative of an individual with a BRCA-associated cancer in a family documented to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will be eligible for enrollment into this pilot study of breast cancer screening modalities. We will recruit up to fifty women (twenty-five women who carry an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and 25 non-carriers matched by age and family mutation type) with regular menstrual cycling (documented by menstrual history and premenopausal FSH level). A physical exam including exam of the breast and pelvis, a standard four view mammogram, breast MRI and PET scan will be scheduled initially during either the follicular or mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. A unilateral cranio-caudal mammogram, and bilateral MRI and PET scan will be repeated three months after entry during the phase not initially studied. A CA125 and transvaginal color doppler ultrasonography will be done in the follicular phase. Carriers and non-carriers will be compared with respect to menstrual cycle differences in: (1) two measures of mammographic density (qualitative and semiquantitative); (2) a semiquantitative measure of fibroglandular volume (MRI); (3) a semiquantitative measure of contrast enhancement (MRI); and (4) FDG uptake measured over time (PET scan). On the initial and three-month visit, all participants will undergo breast duct lavage to investigate if there are consistent menstrual cycle differences in breast ductal cytologies. Participants will be seen annually thereafter for an additional three years of follow-up. A physical exam, standard four-view mammography, breast MRI, CA 125, transvaginal color doppler ultrasonography and breast duct lavage will be done annually. Consent for a PET study will be requested if an abnormality is detected on mammography or breast MRI requiring additional clinical or radiographic follow-up. Participants in the Menstrual Cycle Pilot Study, will complete a self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview and will complete periodic follow-up questionnaires to assess various behavioral and psychosocial endpoints. As part of the Menstrual Cycle Pilot Study, we will recruit 25 volunteers to assist in training study investigators in performing breast duct lavage. Cytologies obtained from volunteers will be used to develop oncogene probe panels to be used in the study.

RATIONALE: Quality-of-life assessment in postmenopausal women who are receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer may help to determine the effects of treatment on these patients and may improve the quality of life for future breast cancer patients. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying quality of life of postmenopausal women who are receiving either exemestane or anastrozole with or without celecoxib for stage I, stage II, or stage IIIA primary breast cancer.

This study will explore whether different forms, or variants, of genes are related to a person s risk of developing breast cancer. The genes that are looked at have no clinical significance today, and thus will not impact your personal healthcare at this time. However, these results may help researchers better understand why some people develop breast cancer and others do not. The study will try to determine: if people with breast cancer have different gene variants from people without the disease; if these genetic differences influence a person s susceptibility to breast cancer when they are exposed to certain environmental substances, such as nicotine and estrogen; and if breast cancer that occurs in families is related to a grouping of these variants. The study will also look for certain proteins, cells, or other substances in fluid aspirated (by the use of gentle suction; no needles) from the nipple that might represent a pattern, or "fingerprint," indicating increased risk for breast cancer. Study participants will complete questionnaires on cancer risk factors, diet, and family history. A small blood sample (3 tablespoons) will be drawn for study of genetic differences between people with breast cancer and people who are cancer-free. Nipple aspirations, a noninvasive method to obtain fluid from a women s breast, will be attempted 4 to 6 times, over a 4 6 week period. For this procedure, the subject places a warm moist towel over the breasts for about 20 minutes. The breasts are then cleansed with a rubbing alcohol pad. The subject compresses the breast with both hands and a small plastic cup is inverted over the breast. Suction is applied to a small syringe (no needles) attached to the cup for about 15 seconds. The procedure may be repeated up to 5 times on each breast. Any drops of fluid obtained from the nipple will be collected in a glass tube. ...

Breast cancer are common on mediterranean basin. Epidemiological data suggest that breast cancer in young women (< 40years old) is more aggressive in the Maghreb countries comparatively to western countries. This aggressiveness could be associated with phenotypic and genotypic differences between this two populations.

This research trial studies how well patient navigation and tailored treatment planning work in Latina patients with breast cancer. Patient navigation and tailored treatment planning may provide extra support by guiding patients through the healthcare system, remove barriers to care and provide ease of access to essential resources, encourage patient participation in their care, provide in-language summaries and plans for follow-up care, improve patient access to needed supportive care services and may improve general healthcare experience in Latina patients with breast cancer.