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Query: UMLS:C0006142 (breast cancer)
 160,383 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ondansetron was compared with metoclopramide for antiemetic efficacy in a randomised double-blind trial in 122 patients with advanced breast cancer. All patients were treated with epirubicin (greater than 50 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (greater than 500 mg/m2). 50 patients receiving ondansetron and 60 with metoclopramide were considered evaluable. Ondansetron was at least as effective as metoclopramide in the control of vomiting and nausea. The percentage of patients with complete plus major control was 72% (59-85%) vs. 61% (48-74%) on day 1 (P = 0.230) and 79% (67-91%) vs. 66% (53-78%) on days 2-3 after chemotherapy (P = 0.122). Over the 3-day study period, nausea was absent or mild in 60% of the patients treated with ondansetron, compared to 45% given metoclopramide (P = 0.064). No major drug-related side-effects were reported. 1 patient receiving ondansetron experienced gastrointestinal disturbance and headache. Episodes of diarrhoea, fever, hyperkinetic syndrome, fatigue, restlessness and migraine with vomiting were reported by 5 patients treated with metoclopramide. None of the changes in the biochemical or haematological parameters was attributed to the antiemetic treatments.
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PMID:Double-blind randomised trial of the antiemetic efficacy and safety of ondansetron and metoclopramide in advanced breast cancer patients treated with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide. 183 24

Detailed interview information was obtained from 515 women in connection with a Swedish-Norwegian comparative investigation on possible connections between use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and premenopausal breast cancer. The Norwegian data was reviewed to ascertain the occurrence of mild side effects and how these side effects influence the use of OCs. In all, 63% of those interviewed had used OCs. Side effects were reported in 55.6% of the 629 use periods. The most frequent side effects were weight gain (17.8%), irregular menses (14.0%), nausea (8.9%) and tender breasts (8.8%). The respondents also reported depression, aggressiveness, decreased libido, headache and migraine. Differences in side effects were found for various OCs depending upon quantity of hormone and composition. Estrogen related complaints such as tender breasts and weight gain increased in relation to the estrogen dosage in the pill. Users of the minipills often reported irregular menses. Reports of psychological problems were relatively evenly distributed but users of minipills reported significantly lower rates of side effects for such complaints. Although relatively few use periods were reported for triphasic pills, these also appear to be involved with a number of side effects. 2 out of 5 women who began taking OCs reported that they had to stop because of side effects. This reduced the value of OCs as an effective and easily obtainable means of contraception.
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PMID:[Mild side-effects of oral contraceptives]. 320 63

The paper presents data on 52 cases of breast cancer disseminated into cranial vault bones (2 into the orbit). Metastases into the brain (11) and meninges (6) were detected in 17 cases with the aid of computed tomography of the brain and examination of cerebrospinal fluid. The latter cases were not included into the study group. Metastases into cranial bones were identified by craniography and scanning of the skeleton. Half the patients (18 out of 35) revealed the following neurologic syndromes which were determined by the site of metastases into cranial vault bones and tumor growth pattern (into cranial cavity or soft tissues of the head): lesions in ramus primus nervi trigemini, greater occipital nerve, migraine, pseudotumorous and pseudoencephalitic syndromes. Cases of such neurologic disorders require an all-round examination including ophthalmooscopy, EEG, computed tomography of the brain, craniography and scanning of the skeleton.
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PMID:[Neurological disorders in patients with metastases of breast cancer to the cranial bones]. 373 93

Recent cohort and case control studies of low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing the new generation of progestogens have allowed classification of adverse effects into those which are rare but serious and should be considered risks and those which are more frequent but are less of a threat to health. Low-dose COCs continue to affect coagulation in a complex way, but the risk is less than with the older preparations, and it can be minimized by screening women for a personal or familial history of early or unusual thrombosis and for levels of protein C, S, and antithrombin III. Women with true migraine with focal signs should also avoid using COCs. The relative risk of myocardial infarction (MI) may increase from 4:1 in women with one risk factor (age, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes) to 20:1 with two risk factors and 128:1 with three or more risk factors. In the absence of all risk factors, a recent study indicated that the relative risk of MI with COC use was 1.9 for current and past use. COC use also causes a slight increase in hypertension in most women, especially those who are older or have a family history of hypertension. While the COC can affect carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, the new generation of progestogens has reduced these effects. The COC may accelerate presentation of gallbladder disease in predisposed women. The COC protects against benign breast disease but may increase the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer slightly. There is a strong link between hepatocellular adenoma and COC use, but the incidence is low. Return to fertility after use has not been a problem. Both estrogenic adverse effects (nausea, dizziness, irritability, weight gain, bloating) and progestogenic adverse effects (vaginal dryness, acne, hirsutism, weight gain, depression, loss of libido) can occur in 50% of women, but these generally disappear after a few months of use. In conclusion, the low-dose, third generation COCs are associated with minimal risks in the absence of other risk factors and have many beneficial effects such as the prevention of ovarian and endometrial cancer; a decrease in pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancies; and protection from anemia, primary dysmenorrhea, functional ovarian cysts, and benign breast disease as well as from the morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy.
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PMID:The combined oral contraceptive. Risks and adverse effects in perspective. 776 40

A set of new guidelines were formulated by an expert group meeting in Sweden organized by the pharmaceutical office during March 31-April 1, 1993. It contains various methods to avoid an undesired pregnancy and also advice about postcoital contraception. Among barrier methods, the condom is the only reversible method for men with a method failure of 2 and user failure of 10. It protects against gonorrhea, chlamydia, condyloma, herpes simplex, HIV, and hepatitis B. The diaphragm can be used with a spermicide and protects to a lesser degree against chlamydia, gonorrhea, and cervical cancer. The female condom is as effective as the condom. Among spermicides, nonoxynol-9 is not only effective against sperms but also against bacteria, viruses, and certain vaginal and cervical cells. The vaginal sponge is impregnated with nonoxynol-9 and is effective up to 24 hours. The copper IUD, with a method failure of less than 1, can cause profuse menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and endometritis-salpingitis. Hormonal methods include combination pills (2-phase and 3-phase pills) and gestagen methods (high dose with 150 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate injection every 3 months and low-dose minipills with levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or lynestrol). Mechanisms of action concern combination pills, gestagen methods, minipills, Norplant, and Levonova. Drug cross reaction can reduce effectiveness. Side effects include bleeding and amenorrhea. Risk-benefit determination is based on health effects. Possible risks are associated with breast cancer, cervical cancer, blood pressure increase, venous thromboembolism, and heart infarction. Various phases of the reproductive age include young women, lactating women, and women in the later part of the reproductive age. Special groups include those who have experienced ectopic pregnancy, infections (candida, sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia trachomatis, HIV infections), obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, tumors of the reproductive organs, liver diseases, migraine, epilepsy, surgery, and handicapped women. Postcoital contraception is used only in need, and methods for postcoital contraception include hormonal method and the copper IUD.
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PMID:[Contraception. Recommendations from a group of experts]. 790 65

More than 50 million US women have used oral contraceptives (OCs) in the past 25 years, and the consensus is that the benefits and advantages of OC use outweigh most of the disadvantages. Side effects have been reduced or eliminated by reduced dosage preparations, and effectiveness has been virtually 100%. Despite this widespread use, most US women are misinformed about OCs, perhaps because pediatricians, family physicians, and nurse-practitioners are insufficiently informed. The economic power of the drug manufacturers has been brought to bear on the medical profession to prescribe OCs for virtually every woman of child-bearing age. The drug industry which has been touting the safety of OCs has recently introduced new progestins which are supposed to be "lipid-neutral" and have fewer androgenic effects. Therefore, the potentially harmful effects of the old progestins were deemphasized deliberately. A cautious but advisable approach for physicians to follow in prescribing OCs has 8 points. 1) All sexually active females should be advised that barrier contraception is the best protection (except abstinence) from sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. 2) OCs with more than 35 mcg estrogen should be withdrawn from the market. 3) All patients should be encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. 4) Barrier methods should be encouraged for patients with such medical conditions as migraine headaches, prominent varicose veins, diabetes, increasing weight gain, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, and mitral valve prolapse. 5) Switching to a preparation with the new progestins should be considered for some patients who are smokers or have abnormal lipid profiles. 6) It might be advantageous under certain circumstances for a patient to discontinue OC use for a period of time. 7) Women who no longer desire a pregnancy should be encouraged to consider surgical sterilization. 8) Nulliparous women over 30 years old should discontinue OC use to diminish their risk of breast cancer. This last point is controversial, and the editors of this publication invite the readers' comments.
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PMID:A practical guide for prescribing birth control pills. 804 4

A number of drugs are capable of changing bodyweight as an adverse effect of their therapeutic action. Bodyweight gain is more of a problem than bodyweight loss. As bodyweight gain during drug treatment for any kind of disease may be the reflection of improvement of the disease itself, we will try to separate these effects from those due to drug-induced alterations of the mechanisms regulating bodyweight. Bodyweight gain may jeopardise patient compliance to the prescribed regimen and it may pose health risks. The body mass index (BMI) is determined by dividing bodyweight in kilograms by height in metres squared. A BMI of > or = 27 kg/m2 warrants therapeutic action; nutritional counselling and programmed physical exercise can be used as a basis. In general, if basic therapeutic measures are unsuccessful at controlling bodyweight gain then a change of drug might help. Finally, an anoretic drug may serve to support dietary measures. However, safety and efficacy has been demonstrated for only a few anorectic drugs when used as an adjunct to caloric restriction in the treatment of drug-induced obesity. Bodyweight is determined by complex mechanisms regulating energy balance. A number of neurotransmitter systems acting in several hypothalamic nuclei are pivotal to the regulation of body fat stores. Most drugs that are capable of changing bodyweight interfere with these neurotransmitter systems. The increment is dependent on the type and dose of the drug concerned. Some antidepressant drugs induce bodyweight gain, which may amount to 20 kg over several months of treatment. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors appear to cause less bodyweight change than tricyclic antidepressants. Selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors cause bodyweight loss instead of bodyweight gain. Lithium may cause large increases in bodyweight. Generally speaking, the bodyweight change induced by antipsychotics is more often of clinical significance than the bodyweight change associated with the use of antidepressants. Again, the changes of bodyweight are dependent upon the type and dose of the antipsychotic drug involved. Although almost all antipsychotics induce bodyweight gain, molindone and loxapine appear to induce bodyweight loss. Anticonvulsants, especially valproic acid (sodium valproate) and carbamazepine, induce bodyweight gain in a considerable percentage of patients. Treatment with corticosteroids is associated with dose-dependent bodyweight gain in many patients. Corticosteroid-induced obesity aggravates other corticosteroid-associated health risks. Insulin therapy in diabetic patients usually increases bodyweight. Finally, sulphonurea derivatives, antineoplastic agents used for the treatment of breast cancer and several drugs used in migraine prophylaxis may cause bodyweight gain as well.
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PMID:Bodyweight change as an adverse effect of drug treatment. Mechanisms and management. 880 Jun 28

Androgen replacement therapy (ART) is usually life-long, and should only be started after androgen deficiency has been proven by hormone assays. The therapeutic goal is to maintain physiological testosterone levels. Testosterone rather than synthetic androgens should be used. Oral 17 alpha-alkylated androgens are hepatotoxic and should not be used for ART. There is no indication for androgen therapy in male infertility. Although androgen deficiency is an uncommon cause of erectile dysfunction, all men presenting with erectile dysfunction should be evaluated for androgen deficiency. If androgen deficiency is confirmed, investigation for the underlying pathological cause is required. Contraindications to androgen therapy are prostate and breast cancer. Precautions include using lower starting doses for older men and induction of puberty. Intramuscular injections should be avoided in men with bleeding disorders. Androgen-sensitive epilepsy, migraine, sleep apnoea, polycythaemia or fluid overload need to be considered. Competitive athletes should be warned about the risks of disqualification. ART should be initiated with intramuscular injections of testosterone esters, 250 mg every two weeks [corrected]. Maintenance requires tailoring treatment modality to the patient's convenience. Modalities currently available include testosterone injections, implants, or capsules. Choice depends on convenience, cost, availability and familiarity. There is no convincing evidence that, in the absence of proven androgen deficiency, androgen therapy is effective and safe for older men per se, in men with chronic non-gonadal disease, or for treatment of non-specific symptoms. Until further evidence is available, such treatment cannot be recommended.
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PMID:Use, misuse and abuse of androgens. The Endocrine Society of Australia consensus guidelines for androgen prescribing. 1077 94

The ratio between the length of the 2nd and 4th digits is: (a) fixed in utero; (b) lower in men than in women; (c) negatively related to testosterone and sperm counts; and (d) positively related to oestrogen concentrations. Prenatal levels of testosterone and oestrogen have been implicated in infertility, autism, dyslexia, migraine, stammering, immune dysfunction, myocardial infarction and breast cancer. We suggest that 2D:4D ratio is predictive of these diseases and may be used in diagnosis, prognosis and in early life-style interventions which may delay the onset of disease or facilitate its early detection.
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PMID:The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: a new predictor of disease predisposition? 1085 2

Given the rapidly increasing number of women above 50 it is of pivotal importance to consider health issues related to gonadal hormone deficiency. The possibility of alleviating such symptoms by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should be recognized by all physicians, not merely by gynaecologists. But which women should be given what therapy, and for how long? Due to the increased risk of endometrial cancer and bleeding problems when using oestrogen monotherapy, only women who have undergone hysterectomy could use this regimen unless treatment is aimed at amelioration of urogenital symptomatology only. In this case a vaginal administration of low-dose oestrogens is possible as such doses do not induce endometrial proliferation. In all other cases a combination of an oestrogen and a progestogen must be used. There are several options for doing so. During the early phase of the climacteric period when irregular and/or heavy vaginal bleeds are part of the symptomatology a cyclical therapy will often combat these problems. As women pass into the menopause a sequential regimen is often preferred until 1-3 years have elapsed since menopause. With advancing time since menopause women become more and more reluctant to experience monthly bleeds. In such cases a continuous combined regimen may be offered even though it cannot guarantee a bleed-free remedy.Non-oral, particularly transdermal, therapy is an alternative in women with co-existing morbidity such as migraine, diabetes, malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and liver disease. Oral therapy is preferred particularly in women with elevated plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) or homocysteine. Oral therapy induces liver protein synthesis. This could be an advantage in cases with low plasma levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) as low levels of SHBG may promote androgenic stigmata such as hirsutism and a lowering of the voice. However, in cases with too low an androgen influence the use of a non-oral therapy may counteract symtoms such as low libido.Tibolone could be used for the prevention (and treatment?) of osteoporosis but it will also mitigate the typical climacteric symptoms. Raloxifene is a fairly new type of drug which is classified as a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It will reduce vertebral fractures to the same extent as bisphosphonates, albeit the increase in bone density is less. Raloxifene has no effect on climacteric symptoms. Its greatest benefit is a clear reduction of breast cancer in women, which is in contrast to HRT/ERT.There are insufficent data on tibolone and the incidence of breast cancer. Experimental data, however, are intriguing in suggesting less impact on the breast than conventional HRT/ERT.
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PMID:The role of ERT/HRT. 1209 68


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