Breast Cancer Tumors Grow Faster In Younger Women

A new approach to estimating tumour growth based on breast screening results from almost 400, 000 women is published today BioMed Central's open access journal, Breast Cancer Research . This new model can also estimate the proportion of breast cancers which are detected at screening ( screen test sensitivity ) . It provides a new approach to simultaneously estimating growth rate of breast cancer and the ability of mammography screening to detect tumours.

The results of the study show that tumour growth rates vary considerably among patients, with generally slower growth rates with increasing age at diagnosis. Understanding how tumours grow is important in planning and evaluation of screening programs, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies. However, studies of tumour growth rates in people have so far been based mainly on small and selected samples. Now, Harald Weedon-Fekjær of Department of Etiological Research, Cancer Registry of Norway and colleagues have developed a new estimating procedure to follow tumour growth in a very large population of breast cancer patients included in Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program.

The researchers applied their model to cancer incidence and tumour measurement data from 395, 188 women aged between 50 and 69 years old. They found that tumour growth varies considerably between subjects. About one in twenty tumours double in size in just over a month from 10 to 20mm, while similar numbers took more than six years to grow to this size. They estimated mean time for a tumour to double in size from 10 to 20 mm in diameter is 1. 7 years.

" There are enormous implications for sensitivity of breast cancer screening programs " Weedon-Fekjær explains. " We found that mammography screen test sensitivity ( STS ) increases sharply with increased tumour size, as one might expect. Detection rates are just 26% for a 5 mm tumour but increase to 91% once a tumour is 10 mm in size. " The team compared their model with previously used Markov model for tumour progression, and found its predictive power to be almost twice as accurate as Markov model, in addition to providing new estimates directly linked to tumour size.

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1. Breast cancer tumor growth estimated through mammography screening data Harald HWF Weedon-Fekjaer, Bo Henry BHL Lindqvist, Odd Olai OOA Aalen, Lars Johan LJV Vatten and Steinar ST Tretli Breast Cancer Research ( in press ) Article available at journal website: http: //breast-cancer-research. com/ All articles are available free of charge, according to BioMed Central's open access policy.

2. Breast Cancer Research is a high quality international, peer-reviewed journal. Breast Cancer Research publishes original research, reviews and commentaries in all areas of biology and medicine relevant to breast cancer, including normal mammary gland biology, with special emphasis on genetic, biochemical, and cellular basis of breast cancer. All research articles published in the journal are open access; commentaries, reviews and reports over two years old are free to access, prior to this they require a subscription. The journal is edited by Dr Lewis Chodosh ( USA ) and has an Impact Factor of 4. 16.

3. BioMed Central ( http: //www. biomedcentral. com/ ) is an independent online publishing house committed to providing immediate access without charge to peer-reviewed biological and medical research it publishes. This commitment is based on the view that open access to research is essential to the rapid and efficient communication of science.

Source: Charlotte Webber BioMed Central

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Tofranil - pro and contra.

uses of Tofranil

Tofranil is used to treat depression. Using this medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily life. Tofranil pamoate belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by restoring balance of certain natural substances ( neurotransmitters ) in brain.

how to use of Tofranil

Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have any questions.

Take Tofranil by mouth with or without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your age, medical condition and response to therapy. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start we at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Teenagers and elderly patients may need to start with other forms of Tofranil ( e. g. , Tofranil hydrochloride ) to start at a dose that's low enough.

Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Don't take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase. Use Tofranil regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help we remember, use it at same time ( s ) each day.

It's important to continue taking Tofranil even if we feel well. Don't suddenly stop taking Tofranil without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

When Tofranil is used for depression, it may take up to 3 weeks before we experience the full benefits.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

other used of Tofranil

This section contains uses of Tofranil that aren't listed in approved professional labeling for drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Tofranil for a condition that's listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Tofranil may also be used for treatment of anxiety, panic disorders, and certain types of ongoing pain.

side effects of Tofranil

See also Warning section. Dry mouth, blurred vision, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach cramps, weight gain/loss, and increased sweating may occur while use Tofranil. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Tofranil because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Tofranil do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Tofranil is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

precautions of Tofranil

Before taking Tofranil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other tricyclic antidepressants ( e. g. , amitriptyline ) ; or if we have any other allergies.

Tofranil shouldn't be used if we have a certain medical condition. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have had:

Before using Tofranil, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Tofranil.

Tofranil may make we dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To decrease dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Tofranil may make we more sensitive to sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

If we have diabetes, Tofranil may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as increased thirst/urination, shakiness, unusual sweating, or hunger. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Caution is advised when using Tofranil in elderly because they may be more sensitive to side effects of the drug, especially effects on the heart and mental/mood changes ( e. g. , confusion, agitation ) .

Caution is advised when using Tofranil in children. ( See also Warning section. )

Tofranil should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Infants born to mothers who have taken similar medications during pregnancy may have symptoms such as trouble urinating, prolonged sleepiness, shaking, and seizures. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Tofranil passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Tofranil is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

interactions of Tofranil

Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Don't start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Tofranil shouldn't be used with following medications because very serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur:

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks before, during and after treatment with Tofranil. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur while use Tofranil.

If we are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Tofranil pamoate.

Before using Tofranil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

If we have been taking fluoxetine, wait at least 5 weeks after your last dose before starting Tofranil.

Cigarette smoking decreases blood levels of this medication. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if we have recently stopped smoking.

Other drugs besides Tofranil pamoate that may affect the heart rhythm ( QTc prolongation in EKG ) include amiodarone, dofetilide, erythromycin, procainamide, sotalol, and sparfloxacin, among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal irregular heartbeat. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how we may decrease your risk of this effect.

Also report use of drugs which might increase seizure risk ( decrease seizure threshold ) when combined with Tofranil such as bupropion, isoniazid ( INH ) , theophylline, and tramadol, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-anxiety drugs ( e. g. , diazepam ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , levetiracetam ) , drugs for motion sickness ( e. g. , meclizine ) .

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-containing ingredients or decongestants that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Tofranil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist.

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