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Breast Cancer treatment details. Chemotherapy.

Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Survival: monthsCountry:Finland
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Helsinki
Treatments:ChemotherapyHospital:Helsinki University Central Hospital
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:May 2010

Description:

Patients:
For this study, women with advanced breast cancer were divided into two separate treatment groups. Group A consisted of 115 patients with a median age of 55 years (range of 31-69). Group B had 122 patients with a median age of 54 years (range of 31-70).

Treatment:
Patients in group A were given the chemotherapy agent docetaxel.

Patients in group B were treated with two chemotherapy agents, docetaxel and gemcitabine, which were administered in alternating cycles.

Toxicities:
One treatment-related death was reported for group A, although the specific cause was not given. Grade 3-4 toxicities in this group included neutropenia (99.1% of patients), leukopenia (86.7%), fatigue (23.9%), and shortness of breath (21.2%).

For group B, the highest toxicity reported was of grade 4. Grade 3-4 toxicities in this group included neutropenia (95.9% of patients), leukopenia (84.4%), and fatigue (20.5%).

Results:
The reported median overall survival for group A was 28 months.

The median overall survival for group B was 27 months.

Support:
This study was funded by Eli Lilly, the makers of gemcitabine (brand name: Gemzar).

Correspondence: Dr. Heikki Joensuu; email: [email protected]

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