[Childhood cancer after fertility treatments?].

Since the introduction of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in 1978, more than 10 million ART-conceived children have been born. Each phase of the ART procedure is substantially different from natural conception and these processes occur in the same timeframe as epigenetic programming. It seems plausible that ART could influence early stages of embryogenesis and thereby permanently influence the development and health of these individuals.

A case series of intestinal adenomatous polyposis of unidentified etiology; a late effect of irradiation?

Background: In a large number of patients with multiple gastrointestinal adenomatous polyps, no causal germline mutation can be found. Non-genetic factors may contribute to the development of adenomatous polyps in these unexplained polyposis patients. In the development of gastrointestinal cancer, prior exposure to abdominal radiotherapy has been identified as such a factor, as it increases the gastrointestinal cancer risk in cancer survivors.

Physical Functioning in Older Patients With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study in the TEAM Trial.

Background: Previous retrospective studies have shown that physical functioning in older cancer survivors is affected after treatment, yet prospective data are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess change in physical functioning in different age groups of patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who were enrolled in the Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational (TEAM) phase III trial.

Methods: Two physical parameters were assessed.

[Hypofractionated adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer: no signs of increased risk of cardiotoxicity].

Adjuvant radiotherapy is frequently used in women with breast cancer to improve both local control of the tumour and overall survival. Hypofractionated regimens are increasingly being used as they involve fewer treatment sessions and, in terms of tumour control, the effects of conventionally fractionated and hypofractionated radiotherapy seem to be comparable. However, there is concern regarding increased cardiotoxicity following hypofractionated radiotherapy treatment to the left side.

[Consent for the secondary use of human residual tissue: the patient is best served by an 'opting-out' procedure].

In medical scientific research much use is made of human bodily material (residual tissue) which remains after treatment or diagnosis. Using this, relevant research questions can be answered. The way in which patients can consent to the secondary use of residual tissue is now formalised in a code of conduct, which allows such use unless the patient has objected to this use ('opting-out' procedure).

Total cancer incidence and overall mortality are not increased among patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Background & Aims: Barrett's esophagus (BE) increases risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, but it is not clear how it affects risk for other cancers or overall mortality. We analyzed data from a population-based cohort of subjects with BE.

Methods: The Netherlands Cohort Study was initiated in 1986 and included 120,852 participants (55-69 years old at baseline).

[Long-term complications following treatment of testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma].

Patients who were treated in the past with radiotherapy or chemotherapy for testicular cancer or Hodgkin lymphoma are at risk of new malignancies and cardiovascular disease on the long run. Two patient groups who were diagnosed in various hospitals in the Netherlands as having testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma in the period 1965-1995 have survived for a mean period of almost 20 years by now. Both patient groups have higher risks of a new malignancy or cardiovascular disease following radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy than the general population or patients treated without or with less intensive radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Increased risk of breast cancer development after diagnosis of salivary gland tumour.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with salivary gland tumours are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. A retrospective cohort study was performed. Female patients (n = 439) with a salivary gland tumour (major and minor) were included.

Mobile phones and children: is precaution warranted?

Are there health related arguments to recommend that children limit their use of mobile telephones? The International Expert Group on Mobile Phones from the UK concluded so, but did not come up with convincing scientific data to back this statement. The Health Council of the Netherlands approached the problem by considering whether developmental arguments might be found, i.e.