Metastatic Versus Localized Disease as Inclusion Criteria That Can Be Automatically Extracted From Randomized Controlled Trials Using Natural Language Processing.

Purpose: Extracting inclusion and exclusion criteria in a structured, automated fashion remains a challenge to developing better search functionalities or automating systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials in oncology. The question "Did this trial enroll patients with localized disease, metastatic disease, or both?" could be used to narrow down the number of potentially relevant trials when conducting a search.

Methods: Six hundred trials from high-impact medical journals were classified depending on whether they allowed for the inclusion of patients with localized and/or metastatic disease.

Thyroid avoidance in treatment planning for breast cancer patients irradiated to the supraclavicular nodes.

Purpose: Hypothyroidism affects up to 21% of women with breast cancer after supraclavicular node irradiation. The PENTEC (pediatric normal tissue effects in the clinic) initiative highlighted the need to minimize the thyroid dose, albeit without giving a specific constraint. This study aimed to define a reasonable target thyroid mean dose (D) between 10 and 15 Gy using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and examine its impact on the hypothyroidism risk.

SMILE-stereotactic multiple fraction radiotherapy for non-spine bone metastases: study protocol for a multicenter, open-label phase III randomized controlled trial.

Background: The SMILE study addresses a significant need in palliative oncology by evaluating the non-inferiority of a shortened, 3-fraction stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) schedule against the traditional 5-fraction approach for non-spine bone metastases in terms of pain control. Optimizing SBRT could significantly enhance the quality of life for patients by providing effective pain relief while minimizing treatment sessions.

Methods: This international, multicenter phase III trial will randomize 162 patients to receive either a 3-fraction regimen (9 Gy per fraction) or a standard 5-fraction regimen (7 Gy per fraction).

Predicting the sample size of randomized controlled trials using natural language processing.

Objectives: Extracting the sample size from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains a challenge to developing better search functionalities or automating systematic reviews. Most current approaches rely on the sample size being explicitly mentioned in the abstract. The objective of this study was, therefore, to develop and validate additional approaches.

Retrospective Analysis of Efficacy and Toxicity of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Surgical Resection of Adrenal Metastases from Solid Tumors.

Background: This single-center retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity profiles of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and surgical resection in patients with adrenal metastases originating from solid tumors.

Methods/materials: Patients with advanced tumor conditions or comorbidities typically received SBRT, whereas those considered physically fit underwent standard surgical treatment. Endpoints included local control (LC), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and complication rates (CR).

Re-irradiation to the prostate using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) after initial definitive radiotherapy - A systematic review and -analysis of recent trials.

Background: There is increasing data on re-irradiation to the prostate using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) after definitive radiotherapy for prostate cancer, with increasing evidence on prostate re-irradiation using a C-arm LINAC or an MR LINAC in recent years. We therefore conducted this systematic review and -analysis on prostate re-irradiation including studies published from 2020 to 2023, to serve as an update on existing -analysis.

Methods: We searched the PubMed and Embase databases in October 2023 with queries including combinations of "repeat", "radiotherapy", "prostate", "re-irradiation", "reirradiation", "re treatment", "SBRT", "retreatment".

Discontinuation of Palliative Brain Radiotherapy in Patients with Brain Metastases: A Case-Control Study.

: Discontinuation of radiotherapy is rarely discussed in the scientific literature. The goal of this study was, therefore, to estimate the frequency of and reasons for treatment discontinuations in patients receiving radiotherapy for brain metastases from solid tumors and to identify factors predicting said discontinuations. : All patients treated for brain metastases from solid tumors between 2010 and 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Erectile function preservation after salvage radiation therapy for biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy: Five-year results of the SAKK 09/10 randomized phase 3 trial.

Objectives: To evaluate effects of dose intensified salvage radiotherapy (sRT) on erectile function in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (PC) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials And Methods: Eligible patients had evidence of biochemical failure after RP and a PSA at randomization of ≤ 2 ng/ml. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was investigated as secondary endpoint within the multicentre randomized trial (February 2011 to April 2014) in patients receiving either 64 Gy or 70 Gy sRT.

Real-world treatment patterns and medical costs of prostate cancer patients in Switzerland - A claims data analysis.

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent cancer in men in Switzerland. However, evidence on the real-world health care use of PC patients is scarce. The aim of this study is to describe health care utilization, treatment patterns, and medical costs in PC patients over a period of five years (2014-2018).

Converting between the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) urinary subscales: modeling and external validation.

Background: Prostate-related quality of life can be assessed with a variety of different questionnaires. The 50-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) are two widely used options. The goal of this study was, therefore, to develop and validate a model that is able to convert between the EPIC and the IPSS to enable comparisons across different studies.

Five Fractions versus Seven Fractions SBRT for Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Pair Analysis.

Purpose: To compare two stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) regimens in patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer with regards toxicity and efficacy.

Methods/material: We retrospectively collected data from 198 patients treated with SBRT for prostate cancer at two different institutions. Patients received either 35-36.

Impact of Imaging-Guided Localization on Performance of Tailored Axillary Surgery in Patients with Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer: Prospective Cohort Study Within TAXIS (OPBC-03, SAKK 23/16, IBCSG 57-18, ABCSG-53, GBG 101).

Background: Tailored axillary surgery (TAS) is a novel surgical concept for clinical node-positive breast cancer. It consists of the removal of the sentinel lymph nodes (LNs), as well as palpably suspicious nodes. The TAS technique can be utilized in both the upfront and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) setting.

Association of Axillary Dissection With Systemic Therapy in Patients With Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer.

Importance: The role of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) to determine nodal burden to inform systemic therapy recommendations in patients with clinically node (cN)-positive breast cancer (BC) is currently unknown.

Objective: To address the association of ALND with systemic therapy in cN-positive BC in the upfront surgery setting and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a prospective, observational, cohort study conducted from August 2018 to June 2022.

Re-irradiation for head and neck cancer: outcome and toxicity analysis using a prospective single institution database.

Purpose: Re-irradiation (re-RT) in head and neck cancer is challenging. This study prospectively explored the feasibility of re-RT in patients with loco-regionally recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer (LRR/SP HNC).

Methods: From 2004 to 2021, 61 LRR/SP HNC patients were treated with re-RT, defined as having a second course of RT with curative intent resulting in a cumulative dose of ≥100 Gy in an overlapping volume.

Dose-Volume Histogram Parameters and Quality of Life in Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated with Surgery and High-Dose Volumetric-Intensity-Modulated Arc Therapy to the Prostate Bed.

Introduction: Prostate bed radiotherapy (RT) is a major affecter of patients' long-term quality of life (QoL). To ensure the best possible outcome of these patients, dose constraints are key for optimal RT planning and delivery. However, establishing refined dose constraints requires access to patient-level data.

Trends in use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer in Europe: prospective TAXIS study (OPBC-03, SAKK 23/16, IBCSG 57-18, ABCSG-53, GBG 101).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical practice heterogeneity in use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) for patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer in Europe.

Methods: The study was preplanned in the international multicenter phase-III OPBC-03/TAXIS trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03513614) to include the first 500 randomized patients with confirmed nodal disease at the time of surgery.

Radiomics and machine learning for predicting the consistency of benign tumors of the central nervous system: A systematic review.

Purpose: Predicting the consistency of benign central nervous system (CNS) tumors prior to surgery helps to improve surgical outcomes. This review summarizes and analyzes the literature on using radiomics and/or machine learning (ML) for consistency prediction.

Method: The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) database was screened for studies published in English from January 1st 2000.

The Apple Watch spO sensor and outliers in healthy users.

It is unclear how frequently the Apple Watch produces spO measurements outside of the normal range in healthy individuals at rest. We conducted a head-to-head comparison in 38 healthy individuals between two watches and two medical-grade pulse oximeters. Fourteen percent of watch measurements yielded spO values below 95%, with no values below 92%.

Accuracy of the Apple Watch Oxygen Saturation Measurement in Adults: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this review is to summarize the research on the accuracy of oxygen saturation (spO) measurements using the Apple Watch (Apple Inc., Cupertino, California). The Medline and Google Scholar databases were searched for papers evaluating the spO measurements of the Apple Watch vs.

Applications of Machine Learning in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review.

To summarize the available literature on using machine learning (ML) for palliative care practice as well as research and to assess the adherence of the published studies to the most important ML best practices. The MEDLINE database was searched for the use of ML in palliative care practice or research, and the records were screened according to PRISMA guidelines. In total, 22 publications using machine learning for mortality prediction (n = 15), data annotation (n = 5), predicting morbidity under palliative therapy (n = 1), and predicting response to palliative therapy (n = 1) were included.

Intrafraction Prostate Motion Management for Ultra-Hypofractionated Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Determine the time-dependent magnitude of intrafraction prostate displacement and a cutoff for the tracking decision. Methods: Nine patients with localized prostate cancer were treated with ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy (CyberKnife) with fiducial markers. Exact tract kV/kV imaging was used with an average interval of 19−92 s.

Cranial Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer Patients With Brain Metastases Inaccessible to Stereotactic Radiotherapy.

Background/aim: To evaluate patients and treatment characteristics as well as clinical outcome in patients with intracranial metastases from prostate cancer (PCA) treated with palliative radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Fifteen patients treated for intracranial metastases of PCA were identified. The median age of patients was 69 years.

Retrospective Analysis of Emotional Burden and the Need for Support of Patients and Their Informal Caregivers after Palliative Radiation Treatment for Brain Metastases.

Cancer burdens not only the patients themselves but also their personal environment. A few studies have already focused on the mental health and personal needs of caregivers of patients. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to further assess the emotional burden and unmet needs for support of caregivers in a population of brain metastasis patients.

Machine Learning for the Detection and Segmentation of Benign Tumors of the Central Nervous System: A Systematic Review.

: To summarize the available literature on using machine learning (ML) for the detection and segmentation of benign tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) and to assess the adherence of published ML/diagnostic accuracy studies to best practice. : The MEDLINE database was searched for the use of ML in patients with any benign tumor of the CNS, and the records were screened according to PRISMA guidelines. : Eleven retrospective studies focusing on meningioma (n = 4), vestibular schwannoma (n = 4), pituitary adenoma (n = 2) and spinal schwannoma (n = 1) were included.