Prediction model for short-term mortality after palliative radiotherapy for patients having advanced cancer: a cohort study from routine electronic medical data.

We developed a predictive score system for 30-day mortality after palliative radiotherapy by using predictors from routine electronic medical record. Patients with metastatic cancer receiving first course palliative radiotherapy from 1 July, 2007 to 31 December, 2017 were identified. 30-day mortality odds ratios and probabilities of the death predictive score were obtained using multivariable logistic regression model.

A retrospective review for the use of palliative sedation in a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

Background: Palliative sedation is defined as monitored use of medication intended to induce a state of decreased or absent awareness to relieve intractable suffering in a manner that is ethically acceptable to the patient, family, and health-care providers. The prevalence of palliative sedation reported ranges from 10% to 50% during in end of life care setting. There was no major review performed on the prevalence and practice of palliative sedation in Hong Kong.

The Value of Prognostic Nutritional Index in Follicular Lymphoma.

Objectives: Previous studies reported that prognostic nutritional index (PNI), a marker of host inflammatory and nutritional status, is associated with prognoses in a number of cancer types. Thus, we investigated PNI at diagnosis as a prognostic factor in FL.

Methods: We reviewed FL patients in Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong from 2000 to 2014 (n=88).

Throwing the dart blind-folded: comparison of computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer with regard to dose received by the 'actual' targets and organs at risk.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) is inferior to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cervical tumor delineation, but similar in identification of organs at risk (OAR). The trend to over-estimate high-risk and low-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV, IRCTV) on CT can lead to under-estimation of dose received by 90% (D) of the 'actual' CTV. This study aims to evaluate whether CT-guided planning delivers adequate dose to the 'actual' targets while spares the OAR similarly.

Survival analysis of malignant epidural spinal cord compression after palliative radiotherapy using Tokuhashi scoring system and the impact of systemic therapy.

Background: Previous studies have shown similar clinical outcomes of both single and multi-fraction (Fr) radiation therapy among malignant epidural spinal cord compression (MSCC) patients with poor prognosis; whereas, patients expected to have longer survival may require long-course radiotherapy to prevent local failure. However, such a poor prognosis risk group has not yet been clearly identified for use in daily clinical practice. We examined if the known predictive Tokuhashi scoring system could be adapted in MSCC patients treated with palliative radiation therapy.

Outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiation in MRI staged locally advanced rectal cancer: Retrospective analysis of 123 Chinese patients.

Background: For advanced rectal cancer with involved or threatened mesorectal fascia (MRF), current standard is pre-operative long course chemoradiotherapy (PLCRT) with either capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, few Chinese data on its clinical outcome are available, especially for those with pelvic MRI staging.

Methods: Between Jan-2009 and Oct-2014, 123 consecutive patients with biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of rectum, all with pelvic MRI staging, selected for PLCRT after multi-disciplinary team discussion were recruited.

Aspirin and risk of multiple myeloma in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon plasma cell malignancy. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that aspirin might modify the risk of multiple myeloma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to examine the association between regular aspirin use and risk of multiple myeloma.

The Role of Radiotherapy in Early-stage Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Waldeyer Ring: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: The role of radiotherapy (RT) in improving survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the Waldeyer ring (WR) remains controversial. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the role of RT in the treatment of DLBCL of the WR as well as the effects of associated covariates.

Materials And Methods: Patients (n=35) with stage I to II DLBCL of the WR who underwent treatment at our center between 1994 and 2010 were retrospectively investigated.