Intraoperative electron radiation therapy after salvage surgery in gynecological cancers and retroperitoneal sarcomas: outcomes and adverse effects.

Background: Salvage surgery is considered an option for isolated recurrences of retroperitoneal and pelvic tumors, in patients who have undergone previous radiotherapy. In order to increase local control intra operative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) can be used in these patients to administer additional radiation dose. We evaluated the outcomes and adverse effects in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma and gynecologic tumors after salvage surgery and IOERT.

Why is a very easy, useful, old technique underused? An overview of esophageal brachytherapy - interventional radiotherapy.

Endoesophageal brachytherapy (EBT) or endoesofageal interventional radiotherapy (EIRT) is an effective technique that has been used with varying frequency for many years. It is a very good technique in T1-T2 inoperable esophageal cancer and in the palliation of dysphagia. However, only some centers have access to this technique, and consequently, it is underused.

Systemic inflammation in older patients with breast cancer: the missing point in geriatric evaluations to sharpen survival prediction.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) prevalence steadily increases in older patients but their treatment is based on the geriatric evaluations of comorbidities and potential benefits proved in clinical trials with younger patients. The lack of better decision-making tools urges to promote the search for new prognostic markers. The association between inflammation, aging and cancer may be crucial for better treatment selection.

Analgesic effects of low-dose radiotherapy in greater trochanteric pain syndrome: results in a clinical series of 155 patients with recurrent or refractory symptoms.

Purpose: This prospective study assessed the effects of low-dose radiotherapy in patients diagnosed with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) with recurrent symptoms or refractory to previous conservative measures.

Methods: We evaluated a total of 155 patients (90.3% women, mean age 69 years).

Omitting axillary dissection: could we offer a more tailored management to elderly patients with breast cancer?

We retrospectively reviewed the data from patients ≥ 70 years old treated between January 2012 and January 2017. Axillary staging was scarcely used in the therapeutic algorithm but arm lymphedema was significantly associated to axillar dissection (p=0.04) and regional nodal irradiation (p = 0.

EQD2 Analyses of Vaginal Complications in Exclusive Brachytherapy for Postoperative Endometrial Carcinoma.

To evaluate whether EQD2 at 2 cm of the most exposed area of the vagina is related to late vaginal toxicity in postoperative endometrial cancer (PEC) patients (p) treated with exclusive brachytherapy (BT). From 2014 to 2017, 43p were included in this study. BT was administered: 3-fractions of 6Gy in 37p and 2-fractions of 7.

LincRNA-p21 Levels Relates to Survival and Post-Operative Radiotherapy Benefit in Rectal Cancer Patients.

LincRNA-p21 is a long non-coding RNA involved in the p53 pathway and angiogenesis regulation that acts as prognostic marker in several tumors. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the clinical value of lincRNA-p21 in 177 resected stage I-III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Tumor and normal paired tissue and plasma samples from tumor-draining mesenteric veins and paired peripheral veins were analyzed.

Analysis of Systemic Inflammatory Factors and Survival Outcomes in Endometrial Cancer Patients Staged I-III FIGO and Treated with Postoperative External Radiotherapy.

Background: The causal link between elevated systemic inflammation biomarkers and poor survival has been demonstrated in cancer patients. However, the evidence for this correlation in endometrial cancer (EC) is too weak to influence current criteria of risk assessment. Here, we examined the role of inflammatory indicators as a tool to identify EC patients at higher risk of death in a retrospective observational study.

Postoperative endometrial carcinoma treated with external beam irradiation plus vaginal-cuff brachytherapy. Is there a dose relationship with G2 vaginal complications?

Aim: To analyse the possible relationship between the EQD2 at 2 cm of the vagina and late toxicity in vaginal-cuff-brachytherapy (VBT) after external-beam-irradiation (EBRT) for postoperative endometrial carcinoma (EC).

Materials And Methods: From 2014 to 2016, 62 postoperative EC patients were treated with EBRT + VBT. The median EBRT dose was 45 Gy (44 Gy-50.

Economic impact of decreasing the fraction number in vaginal cuff brachytherapy: A direct cost analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the direct economic impact of two vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VBT) schedules in postoperative endometrial carcinoma (PEC) with similar vaginal control and toxicity results.

Materials And Methods: From 2006 to 2015, 397 PEC patients (p) were treated with VBT: mean 40p/year, 67.5% received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)+VBT and 32.

New pre-treatment eosinophil-related ratios as prognostic biomarkers for survival outcomes in endometrial cancer.

Background: Systemic inflammation has long been related with adverse survival outcomes in cancer patients, and its biomarkers, such as the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), are recognized as poor prognostic indicators. However, the role of eosinophils in this field has been largely overlooked. Here, we describe two new pre-treatment biomarkers, expressed as Eosinophil-to-Lymphocytes Ratio (ELR) and Eosinophil*Neutrophil-to-Lymphocytes ratio (ENLR), and we analyse their impact on prognosis of endometrial cancer (EC) patients.

Intraoperative radiation therapy in uterine cervical cancer: A review.

Locally advanced uterine cervical cancer continues to present a high number of pelvic relapses. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) allows a precise therapeutic intensification in the surgical area in cases in which removal of the tumour recurrence is feasible. At the same time, IORT excludes the radiosensitive organs from the field of irradiation.

Is anti-inflammatory radiotherapy an effective treatment in trochanteritis?

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy in refractory cases of trochanteritis.

Methods: We evaluated a total of 60 consecutive patients who received low-dose radiotherapy to achieve an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect for recurrent trochanteritis following scarce response to conventional therapy. All patients were evaluated at baseline (prior to radiotherapy) and at 1 and 4 months after radiotherapy and then yearly thereafter for pain assessment using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and to determine the administration of analgesic treatment.

Radiotherapy for Graves' disease. The possible role of low-dose radiotherapy.

Immunomodulatory effects of low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) have been used for the treatment of several benign diseases, including arthrodegenerative and inflammatory pathologies. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease and radiotherapy (RT) is a therapeutic option for ocular complications. The dose recommended in the clinical practice is 20 Gy (2 Gy/day).

Radiation Oncology Teaching Programmes as Part of the Undergraduate Degree in Medicine in Spanish Universities: the Need for an Update of the Contents and Structure.

The relevance of radiation oncology (RO) teaching in the Faculty of Medicine Degree Plan is justified by the high number of cancer patients who will require it at some point in their evolution of radiotherapy (RT). About 40 % of the population who will suffer cancer will be cured by RT alone or other related treatment modalities. Therefore, cancer education and RT teaching needs to have an in depth impact in the undergraduate medicine programmes.

Can we shorten the overall treatment time in postoperative brachytherapy of endometrial carcinoma? Comparison of two brachytherapy schedules.

Purpose: To analyze vaginal-cuff relapses (VCR) and toxicity of two brachytherapy (BT) schedules in postoperative endometrial carcinoma and to correlate vaginal toxicity with vaginal-surface-EQD2Gy3 dose (VS-EQD2Gy3).

Methods/materials: 319 patients (p) I-IIIC-Figo-stage were treated with 2 BT schedules. One schedule included 166p (Group-1) to whom 3 fractions (Fr) of 4-6Gy per week (w) of BT were administered after external beam radiotherapy (EBI) (125p) and 6Fr/2w of 4-6Gy in exclusive-BT (41p).

Endoluminal brachytherapy in the treatment of oesophageal cancer. Technique description, case report and review of the literature.

Endoesophageal brachytherapy is a useful technique for the palliative treatment of dysphagia in advanced oesophageal cancer. This technique offers good results on dysphagia control and quality of life.We report the case of a patient treated with this technique presenting complete response to the dysphagia.

Decentralisation of radiation therapy. Is it possible and beneficial to patients? Experience of the first 5 years of a satellite radiotherapy unit in the province of Tarragona, Spain.

Background: The concept of satellite radiotherapy originates in countries whose populations are largely dispersed in order to treat homogenously the population by a unique fixed team.

Aim: This report describes the creation and management of a satellite radiotherapy unit in Spain (RUTE-Radiotherapy Unit, Terres de l'Ebre). It is managed by the Radiation Oncology Department at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus.

Quality assurance in radiotherapy: analysis of the causes of not starting or early radiotherapy withdrawal.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the reasons for not starting or for early of radiotherapy at the Radiation Oncology Department.

Methods: All radiotherapy treatments from March 2010 to February 2012 were included. Early withdrawals from treatment those that never started recorded.

Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma: a rare, not well known and aggressive disease: report of 13 cases.

Purpose: Undifferentiated uterine sarcomas (UUS) are rare and aggressive tumor with scarce data on the outcome and best treatment. We aimed to describe the behavior among patients with UUS at our institution.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen patients with UUS treated in our centre from 1979 to 2010 were analyzed.

Pathologic prognostic factors in stage I-III uterine carcinosarcoma treated with postoperative radiotherapy.

Purpose: To analyse the impact of prognostic factors on specific overall survival (SOS) after postoperative radiotherapy (P-RT) in carcinosarcomas.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 81 patients who received P-RT from 1977 to 2010 after the diagnosis of carcinosarcomas. 2009 FIGO stage: 25-IA, 20-IB, 6-II, 9-IIIA, 11-IIIC.

Correlation between clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of local response after standard treatment in cervical cancer.

Background: The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation between gynecological examination and magnetic resonance (MRI) findings for the assessment of local response in cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy/chemotherapy (RT/ChT).

Patients And Methods: This study is a retrospective review of 75 consecutive cervical cancer patients from April 2004 to November 2009 treated with RT/ChT. Clinical and radiological data were subsequently analyzed.

Prognosis in women with breast cancer and private extra insurance coverage.

Background: Many women covered by the Spanish public health system also have an extra private insurance policy for gynecological examinations and routine annual mammography. We retrospectively analyzed the long-term survival rates in these patients when diagnosed with breast cancer.

Methods: We analyzed the survival and prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with breast cancer who were referred to a medical oncology unit for multidisciplinary treatment covered by private health insurance.

Daily schedule for high-dose-rate brachytherapy in postoperative treatment of endometrial carcinoma.

Purpose: To analyze the results of daily high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) on local control and toxicity in the postoperative treatment of endometrial carcinoma (EC).

Materials And Methods: From January 2007 to September 2010, 112 patients were treated with HDRBT after surgery for EC. FIGO staging: 24-IA, 48-IB, 14-II, 12-IIIA, 2-IIIB, 8-IIIC1 and 4-IIIC2.

PITASOR epidemiological study: prevalence, incidence and treatment of anaemia in radiation therapy oncology departments in Spain.

Introduction: Anemia is the most common haematological complication in cancer patients.

Objective: Analysis of the incidence, prevalence and treatment of anemia in oncologic patients treated in Radiation Oncology Departments in Spain (ROD) and monitoring of the existing recommendations for the treatment of anemia.

Material And Methods: Observational, prospective, multicenter study which involved 19 Spanish ROD.