Although the studies included in this review showed great heterogeneity, LVA surgery revealed both objective and subjective improvements in most patients.

No abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has been related to improved breast cancer outcomes. Especially in the older breast cancer population, physical activity may be important because old age is associated with comorbidities and decreased physical function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between physical activity and overall survival, breast cancer-specific survival, and recurrence in several age groups of postmenopausal breast cancer patients. METHODS: The Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational Lifestyle study was a side study of the Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational trial and prospectively investigated lifestyle habits of postmenopausal, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. The relations between prediagnosis and postdiagnosis physical activity and overall survival, breast cancer-specific survival, and recurrence-free survival were assessed with Cox regression and competing risk regression models. RESULTS: Among 521 patients, high levels of physical activity before and after the diagnosis were associated with better overall survival (the multivariate hazard ratios were 0.50 [95% confidence interval 5 0.26-0.98] and 0.57 (95% confidence interval 5 0.26-1.40] for patients who were very active before and after the diagnosis, respectively, in comparison with inactive patients). This was most evident in patients who were 65 years old or older. Physical activity was not significantly associated with breast cancer-specific survival or the relapse-free period. CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival was better for patients who were active before and after the diagnosis. In contrast with previous studies, breast cancer survival and the risk of recurrence were not significantly associated with physical activity. These findings confirmed the need for more studies investigating the use of physical activity to supplement breast cancer treatment in older patients. Cancer 2014;120:2847-54.

Certain specific AEs are associated with superior survival outcomes and may therefore be useful in predicting treatment responses in patients with breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy.

Objective To assess outcomes of percutaneous transjejunal biliary intervention (PTJBI) in terms of success and effectiveness in patients with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for benign biliary strictures and stones. Methods Clinical and radiographic records of 63 patients with a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy or hepaticojejunostomy for benign disease who underwent at least one PTJBI between 1986 and 2007 were reviewed. Effectiveness was determined by successful access rate, rates of stricture dilatation and/or stone extraction, morbidity, complications and hospitalisation. Results PTJBI was attempted 494 times. Successful access to the Roux-en-Y was accomplished in 93% of interventions. After access to the Roux-en-Y was granted, all strictures were effectively dilated. Ninety-seven percent of extraction attempts of intrahepatic calculi were successful. The median number of interventions per patient was five. The median interval between interventions was 51.5 weeks (range 2.7-1,279.6 weeks). The early complication rate was 3%. Morbidity, measured in terms of cholangitis episodes was 14%, in 25 out of 63 patients. Mean hospitalisation was 4.1 nights per year. Conclusion PTJBI is safe and effective in treating benign biliary strictures and/or calculi. High success rates and short hospitalisation periods, together with few complications make it a well-accepted and integral part of managing complex biliary problems.

The current nomogram accounts for elapsed time since starting adjuvant endocrine treatment and optimizes prediction of individual 5-year DOS during FU for postmenopausal, endocrine-sensitive BC patients. The nomogram can facilitate in determining whether further therapy will benefit an individual patient, although validation in an independent dataset is still needed.

Aortic root dilatation and reduced elasticity of the proximal aorta are frequently observed in patients who have undergone the ASO, in addition to minor degrees of AR, reduced LV systolic function, and increased LV dimensions.

No abstract