More Clinical Trial Information. 11/28/06

ClinicalTrials.gov is a service of the National Institute of Health. It is a clearing house for information on different trials for various diseases. The list provided here is a specialized search for Inflammatory Breast Cancer in the Breast Disease. I would suggest cross referencing this list with the trial list on the previous post.

I hope this information is useful. Continue fighting and keep your spirits high.

Clinical Trials as of 11/14/06

Here is a link to the current clinical trials open to inflammatory breast cancer patients. There are thirty trials open across the country. Not all will apply to every persons situation. I've found that the best way to research this is to print the list off and take it to your doctor to see what might work for you. There is a lot of research that can be done before you do any traveling. Here is the link:

National Cancer Institute-Clinical Trials-Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Use of Hyperthermia Therapy in Treating Primary and Recurrent Breast Cancer Highlights Breast Cancer Congress. 11/8/06

Dr. Ellen Jones of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Duke University presented the results of two clinical studies using hyperthermia therapy, with the objective of providing better options for breast cancer patients. The first study involving 109 patients has concluded, and offers a very significant new option for women whose breast cancer has recurred in the chest wall, through a second course of radiation coupled with hyperthermia therapy. A second study that will also involve 109 patients with previously untreated advanced breast cancer is underway, with 44 patients thus far accrued and evaluated. The objective of this study is to provide a means for more women with advanced primary breast cancer to avoid surgical breast removal, or to otherwise improve their prognosis to more favorable options. ...

To read all of this press release please use the following link: Press Release

The Sister Study

The Sister Study is the only long-term study of women aged 35 to 74 whose sister had breast cancer. It is a national study to learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer. In the next 3 years, 50,000 women whose sister had breast cancer, and who do not have breast cancer themselves will be asked to join the study. ....

Please follow the link to find out more about The Sister Study.

10-Year Survival of Patients With Localized Inflammatory Breast Cancer Reported.

French researchers have reported a 35.7% disease-free survival in 120 patients with non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer treated with a high-dose chemotherapy regimen of fluorouracil (5-FU), Ellence® (epirubicin) and Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide) (FEC-HD) with or without Granocyte® (lenograstim). The details of this long-term follow-up were published as an advance of print publication in Cancer on October 19, 2006. ....

To read the complete article, please fallow this link to CancerConsultants.com.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic at M. D. Anderson.

M. D. Anderson Establishes Clinic, Research Program for Inflammatory Breast Cancer
First center in world dedicated to treatment, research of the rare disease
M. D. Anderson News Release 10/20/06

In an effort to best understand the complexities of a very rare, aggressive and often lethal form of breast cancer, and to improve the outcome of women everywhere with the disease, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer has announced today (Oct. 20) the first clinic in the world dedicated to the treatment and research of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).

Under the co-direction of Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology, and Thomas Buchholz, M.D., professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, the clinic will be housed in M. D. Anderson's Nellie B. Connally Breast Center. The clinic will open to patients Oct. 25......


To read the entire press release follow the link to M. D. Anderson.

Welcome To The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Update.

I am starting this blog with the hope of centralizing the most current information on Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I will do my best to make sure that all of the links given are accurate and active. I understand just how urgent it is that both a proper diagnoses and aggressive treatment begin as soon as possible.

My wife was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in January of 2005. She passed away on September 18 2006. I'm writing this not to dishearten anyone newly diagnosed with this form of breast cancer, but to let you know that I have been where you are and to hopefully save you time researching this disease.

The numbers are anywhere from one to four percent of all breast cancer patients face this diagnosis. Don't waste time looking for a prognosis. Find the best doctor you can who has had experience battling this condition. The one thing I would tell you is be as aggressive in your choices of treatment as this disease is. I wish you the very best, know that you are not alone, and if I can answer any questions please let me know.