Cochrane

Usually at diagnosis sarcoma shows no sign of having spread outside the original site and treatment is surgery (with/without radiotherapy). In about half the patients the cancer recurs. There is evidence that doxorubicin-based chemotherapy after initial treatment reduces recurrence, either at the original site or elsewhere in the body. Chemotherapy ...

There is not enough evidence about the effects of amniotomy alone (deliberate rupture of the membranes) to induce labour. Sometimes it is advisable to get labour started (induction) because of concerns about either the pregnant woman or her unborn baby. Amniotomy has been used as either the only method of inducing labour if the membranes can be reached, ...

Heavy menstrual bleeding (more than 80mls blood loss per menstrual cycle) is a common problem for women and can have a negative effect on their quality of life. In comparison to women with normal menstrual blood loss, these women have more enzymes in the lining of the uterus that dissolve blood clots. Options to avoid surgery include antifibrinolytic ...

Antimalarials have been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for several decades. This review found four trials, with 300 patients receiving hydrochloroquine and 292 receiving placebo. A benefit was observed in the patients taking hydroxychloroquine compared to placebo. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of those ...

Anxiety can contribute to increased smoking, and may be a smoking withdrawal symptom. Medications to reduce anxiety (anxiolytics) may theoretically help smokers trying to quit. There have not been many trials, and none of them showed strong evidence of an effect on quitting.

Azathioprine is a drug that suppresses the immune system. This review includes three trials with a total of 81 patients. Forty patients were given azathioprine and forty-one were given placebo. Patients taking azathioprine had lower tender joint scores when compared to patients taking placebo. Significantly more patients in the azathioprine group withdrew ...

This review included 31 patients taking cyclophosphamide and 39 patients taking placebo. Patients taking cyclophosphamide had improved tender and swollen joint scores. Patients receiving placebo were six times more likely to discontinue treatment because of lack of treatment effect than patients receiving cyclophosphamide. Withdrawals from adverse reactions ...

When considering that other therapies have been shown to reduce vertebral fracture rates, fluoride may not be the first choice of therapy for the treatment and prevention of osteoporotic fractures. The evidence showed an increase risk of gastrointestinal side effects and non vertebral fractures with fluoride.

Inducing labour with intravenous prostaglandin is effective but has adverse effects. Induction of labour is common when continuing the pregnancy poses a greater risk to the mother or her unborn child. Prostaglandins, produced naturally by the body, can ripen the cervix and stimulate contractions. This review found that giving prostaglandins intravenously ...

Worldwide, bladder cancer is common in both men and women. In most cases, the cancer occurs in the superficial layers of the bladder and can be surgically removed. However, in many people the cancer returns. Drugs placed directly into the bladder tissue following surgery are therefore often used to try to prevent the cancer recurring. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin ...