Presbyterian Healthcare 
Links
Early Results for Breast Cancer show Disease Free Survival Advantage
| Two large clinical studies, in which Presbyterian Cancer Center was a participant, have analyzed early data and on the basis of significant better outcomes will stop accrual, or putting new patients on the trial. |
April 27, 2005
These studies, NSABP B-31 and NCCGT N9893, conclude that women who have node-positive, that is, tumor in their lymph nodes, and over expressing HER-2, a type of receptor on the cancer cell, have a significantly improved disease free survival (DFS) when given a drug, Herceptin, that specifically targets the HER-2 receptor in addition to receiving a conventional chemotherapeutic regimen of treatment.
This is important for our own recommendations to patients despite the potential increased costs. But, also, it is important to stress the need to be able to do such trials so that reliable recommendations can be made.
At Presbyterian Cancer Center, we have a very well established cancer research program that provides our physicians, and most importantly, our patients, with the very latest in cancer treatment options. We cannot stress enough that in most clinical trials, you as a patient will receive the latest state of the art treatment but also may receive an additional treatment that is even better. So, in fact, if you participate in a trial, you will do as well if not better than the current standard treatment.
