[Doctor, I'm hot! Managing the effects of menopause in patients with breast cancer]. / Docteur, j'ai chaud! Gestion des effets de la menopause chez les patientes atteintes d'un cancer du sein.

The incidence of breast cancer is rising up, but the mortality rate is decreasing, leading to a growing number of survivors. Most of these women are postmenopausal at diagnosis or will reach menopause following anti-cancer treatments. Most of them have hormone-sensitive tumors and will receive an anti-hormonal treatment. Endocrine therapy is associated with many adverse effects, including a worsening of climacteric symptoms with a negative impact on quality of life and therefore a suboptimal therapeutic adherence. Some supportive therapies can alleviate these adverse effects and should be offered to patients.

[Lymphoma and pruritus: search for parasites]. / Lymphome et prurit: une association parfois parasitée.

Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasite that can be acquired not only in tropical and subtropical areas, but also in some European countries. This helminthiasis is often a- or paucisymptomatic, and may persist in a latent state for several decades. In case of immunosuppression, a reactivation of the disease can occur, that may result in severe -- sometimes fatal -- complications, due to a syndrome of hyperinfestation. We present two cases of reactivation in patients suffering from lymphoma under chemotherapy. Screening of this parasite should be proposed for patients that have stayed in an endemic area before any corticotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatment, and in the presence of a disease reducing the immunity.

[Surveillance following curative therapy for breast cancer]. / Surveillance après traitement curatif du cancer du sein.

Surveillance following curative therapy for localised breast cancer has two major aims: 1) diagnosis of recurrence or a second tumor: regular interviews and physical examinations with a frequency adapted to each case, and yearly mammography (+/- ultrasonography), are the only recommended procedure. Additional screening is not indicated in asymptomatic patient. 2) Screening for complications and side effects due to treatment: tamoxifen treatment should be stopped one week prior to any surgery or long trip to avoid thromboembolic events, and any metrorrhagia should be investigated due to the risk for endometrial cancer. Osteoporosis and arthralgia are frequently observed with aromatase inhibitors.

Bortezomib-induced skin eruption.

Bortezomib (Velcad) is a proteasome inhibitor recently developed and mainly used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Bortezomib represents a novel class of drugs functioning as proteasome inhibitors. Skin complications of bortezomib treatment are very frequent but poorly characterized. We describe the case of a patient who developed erythematous and edematous plaques after treatment with bortezomib. This case illustrates one of the potential reactions associated with bortezomib administration and underlines the need to recognize and report cutaneous side effects of this new drug.

[Bisphosphonates in oncology: update 2007]. / Les bisphosphonates en oncologie: incertitudes et controverses en 2007.

Bisphosphonates prevent bone complications induced by cancer. Their low toxicity promoted their extensive use supported by different international recommendations. However the prescription of these therapies is now seriously questioned because of their late and severe toxicity, the osteonecrosis of the jaw, and the growing efficiency of the oncologic therapies. No monitoring method is now available for bisphosphonates therapy. Therefore only a stricter selection of the patients, based on established and well-proven indications, as well as limitation of the administration durations could maintain an adequate risk/benefit ratio.