View clinical trials related to Breast Neoplasms.
Filter by:To evaluate the response rate and the response duration of high dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation as intensification following induction chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer and to evaluate prospectively the subdivision of patients with metastatic breast cancer according to prognostic groups.
The investigators have studied the potential of breast computed tomography (bCT) for breast imaging under an NIH-funded Biomedical Research Partnership (BRP) grant (R01 EB002138-10), and 4 breast CT scanners have been developed that have imaged over 600 women to date (under more than one IRB-approved protocol). The BRP grant cannot be renewed, and with this (resubmitted) R01 grant application, the investigators seek to finalize the investigators' research in breast CT - The specific aims have been significantly modified as a result of the first critique, and the investigators now focus on a narrower set of remaining issues. This version of the protocol will add breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the experimental procedures.
The purpose of this study was two-fold: (i) to assess whether MBSR favorably influences psychological status, quality of life, stress hormones, and immune status in breast cancer survivors; and (ii) to explore possible mechanisms by which MBSR may favorably influence these outcomes, in particular, through reduction in fear of breast cancer recurrence and associated perceived stress. Both objectives were studied at the critical transition time immediately following completion of surgical, radiation and/or chemotherapy therapy for breast cancer.
Accurate targeting of treatment sites should increase local control by radiation therapy for breast-cancer lumpectomy patients. Currently, ultrasound localization is used for prostate cancer patients to locate the prostate before daily radiation treatments. There is now documented evidence that the lumpectomy site does change during the external radiation therapy. Thus, treatment efficacy should be increased by localizing the target, monitoring volume changes, and adjusting the radiation target prior to the boost radiation dose.
A randomized trial from the British National Health Service found that supervised exercise benefits women with early stage breast cancer with improved functional and psychological benefit after a 12-week intervention and 6 months later. Considering the needs of breast cancer patients and survivors and the reported benefits of exercise and yoga intervention, the investigators propose a pilot study of an 8-week yoga intervention in breast cancer patients. This study would specifically address measures of fatigue and psychosocial distress in the population of breast cancer patients during treatment and within the year following treatment. Currently there is very limited literature on yoga intervention in this population.
The purpose of this study is to examine for changes in the bone scan after treating with zoledronic acid (Zometa™). This study is designed to show if intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates, which are infused by vein, such as pamidronate (Aredia™) or zoledronic acid (Zometa™), cause changes in the result of bone scans in women with metastatic breast cancer. Both bone scans and the IV bisphosphonates are components of routine care of women with breast cancer that has spread to the bone.
Women with strong family histories of breast cancer are at increased risk to have breast cancer. Women whose close relatives have had breast cancer often have more breast cancer screening than other women their age. To increase the chance that any breast cancer will be caught early, women at risk often take part in special screening programs. These programs involve more frequent visits to the doctor for breast exams, yearly mammography, and new types of exam like breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Studies are going on to find out whether these programs are better than standard screening. The purpose of this study is to find out how these programs impact women's quality of life. The study will also try to learn what factors make it hard to take part in the programs. We hope to be able to design new programs that are easier to follow.
The purpose of this study is to look at how breast cancer treatment affects quality of life in women of different ages. The U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program funds this study. In this research project, we wish to study a woman's quality of life after breast cancer treatment as related to her health. We want to know how you feel about your quality of life.
The purpose of this study is to determine the specific genetic alterations associated with breast cancer. This will leat to a better understanding of the genetic causes of breast cancer.
Background: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the Netherlands. Approximately 11,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, of whom about 30% are below 50 years of age. Premenopausal women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy may experience a premature onset of the menopause. Estrogen deficiency following adjuvant treatments leads to primary endocrine symptoms, including vasomotor and urogenital problems. Secondary symptoms include insomnia due to night sweats, dyspareunia due to vaginal dryness, weight gain, and psychological distress. The symptoms resulting from accelerated estrogen withdrawal can be pronounced and severe, and may adversely affect women's sexual functioning, body image, and overall HRQL. Healthy women who enter natural menopause are often prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate vasomotor and sexual symptoms. However, due to possible tumor-promoting effects, HRT is contraindicated for patients with a history of breast cancer. For these women, non-hormonal medications are frequently prescribed to treat vasomotor symptoms. Although these medications have been shown to yield moderate symptom relief, they also have a number of bothersome side effects. To alleviate urogenital symptoms, local vaginal moisturizing or estrogen cream is often prescribed. There is growing evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) including relaxation techniques, and physical exercise may effectively reduce vasomotor symptoms in naturally occurring menopause. CBT and relaxation techniques are aimed primarily at the modification of precipitants of hot flushes and at stress management. Physical exercise on a regular basis affects neurotransmitters, which regulate central thermoregulation. Purpose: The proposed study will evaluate the efficacy of a supportive intervention program in alleviating menopausal symptoms, improving sexual functioning and enhancing the quality of life of younger women (< 50 years) with breast cancer who have become prematurely menopausal as a result of their treatment. Specifically, the study will evaluate CBT including relaxation (A), physical exercise (B), and a combination of A and B. Plan of investigation: This multicenter study will employ a prospective, full-factorial design. In total, 325 consenting women will be randomized to group A, group B, group AB or a usual care, 'waiting list' control group (N = 81-81 per group). Upon completion of the study, the patients assigned to the control group will be given the opportunity to undergo either the A or B intervention program. The program will begin with a structured assessment of the target symptoms: hot flushes, night sweating and vaginal dryness. The overriding goal of the intervention is to provide symptomatic women with information skills and support to manage their symptoms more effectively. For group A, the intervention will consist of 6 weekly group CBT sessions of 1.5 hours, of 15 minutes of daily homework and a booster session at 3 months. The CBT will focus on understanding and self-control of menopausal symptoms. Relaxation techniques (paced respiration and muscle relaxation) will focus on the reduction of sympathetic nervous system activity, and are expected to have a positive impact on the frequency and intensity of hot flushes. For group B, the intervention will be an individually tailored, 12 week home-based physical exercise program of 2.5-3 hours per week, with instructions provided in-clinic on 2 occasions, and telephone support on 2 additional, interim occasions. The physical exercise program is intended to enhance fitness levels, in general, and to improve thermoregulation specifically related to hot flushes. Group AB will receive both the CBT and exercise program elements. Women allocated to the intervention groups will be asked to complete a battery of questionnaires assessing menopausal symptoms (the primary outcome), sexuality, body- and self-image, psychological distress and generic HRQL prior to the start of the program (baseline, T0), at 12 weeks (T1) and at 6 months follow-up (T2). Women allocated to the control group will complete the same questionnaire battery at parallel points in time. Results/ relevance: If demonstrated to be effective, the availability of a structured supportive intervention program (modules A, B or AB) will be a welcome addition to regular medical care offered to breast cancer patients with treatment-induced menopause. It is anticipated that such a program will have direct benefit in terms of symptoms relief and the improvement of patients' HRQL.