Cochrane

Review question We reviewed the evidence of the effects and safety of urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) in children with malignancies. Background TLS occurs when uric acid and other cellular substances are rapidly released into the circulation when tumour cells are broken down spontaneously or during treatment. ...

Review question What are the benefits and harms of radiotherapy administered externally in people with advanced liver cancer compared with other available therapies or no therapy? Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) is the most common cancerous tumour of the liver and the sixth most common cancerous tumour worldwide. In the ...

Review question We reviewed the evidence on the effects of local treatment of the bladder with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and interferon (IFN)-alpha (α) for cancer of the superficial layers of the bladder (known as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer). Background Bladder cancer is a common cancer worldwide. Bladder cancer that is non-muscle invasive ...

Review question We reviewed the evidence about the effect of different interventions for raising breast cancer awareness in women. We found two randomised controlled trials, the highest quality of research evidence. Background Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are ...

Review question We reviewed the ability of chemotherapy drugs (medicines used to treat cancer) to reduce tumour size and improve survival in people with metastatic colorectal cancer who had not responded to a prior treatment. We also looked at the side effects caused by the different drug regimens. Background People with metastatic colorectal cancer ...

Review question To determine the benefit and harm of a restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy when compared with a liberal red blood cell transfusion strategy for people diagnosed with a blood cancer (for example leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma) who were receiving intensive treatments for their disease (chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation). Background People ...

The issue Cervical screening programmes reduce the risk of cervical cancer, through the use of cervical cytology (smear tests), which aim to detect and treat any precancerous changes which might put some women at risk of developing invasive disease (invasive cervical cancer) in the future. Usually only severe precancerous changes require treatment, ...

Background Pre-cancerous cervical lesions can be treated by either excision or destruction of the abnormal cells from the cervix, to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer in the future. The advantage of excisional treatment is that the abnormal cells are removed, rather than destroyed, so tissue can be sent for detailed examination to confirm ...

We asked Does nutritional supplement of dietary fibre prevent recurrence of precancerous polyps and cancer in the bowel in participants with a history of polyps having been removed to achieve a polyp-free colon at baseline for the intervention. Background Colorectal (bowel) cancer is common worldwide but is especially prevalent in industrialised ...

Review question This review aimed to compare the benefits of surgical removal of underarm lymph nodes with the potential harms associated with this surgical procedure. The review also aimed to learn whether complete removal of all underarm nodes could be replaced by procedures that remove only a small number of lymph nodes. Background Surgical removal ...