Randomized phase-III-trial of concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer comparing dose reduced radiotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin to standard radiotherapy with fluorouracil/cisplatin: The PacCis-trial.

Background And Purpose: This multicenter, phase 3 trial investigates whether the incorporation of concurrent paclitaxel and cisplatin together with a reduced total dose of radiotherapy is superior to standard fluorouracil-cisplatin based CRT.

Materials And Methods: Patients with SCCHN, stage III-IVB, were randomized to receive paclitaxel/cisplatin (PacCis)-CRT (arm A; paclitaxel 20 mg/m on days 2, 5, 8, 11 and 25, 30, 33, 36; cisplatin 20 mg/m, days 1-4 and 29-32; RT to a total dose of 63.6 Gy) or fluorouracil/cisplatin (CisFU)-CRT (arm B; fluorouracil 600 mg/m; cisplatin 20 mg/m, days 1-5 and 29-33; RT: 70.

Identification of interactions of binary variables associated with survival time using survivalFS.

Many medical studies aim to identify factors associated with a time to an event such as survival time or time to relapse. Often, in particular, when binary variables are considered in such studies, interactions of these variables might be the actual relevant factors for predicting, e.g.

Accelerated vs. conventionally fractionated adjuvant radiotherapy in high-risk head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy in advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) reduces the risk of local-regional failure and most likely increases the survival rate. Patients at high risk for tumor recurrence may benefit from more aggressive altered fractionation schedules in order to reduce the overall time from surgery to completion of radiotherapy. Here, we reviewed the results of six randomized trials addressing the above hypothesis.

Influence of dosimetric and clinical criteria on the requirement of artificial nutrition during radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose/objective(s): Intensification of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for head-and-neck cancer (HNC) may lead to increased rates of long term dysphagia as a severe side effect. Mucositis and consequent swallowing problems require artificial nutrition in many HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiation. It is unknown, which predict factors for prophylactic PEG tube insertion appear useful.

Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent radio-chemotherapy versus concurrent radio-chemotherapy alone as treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC): A meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5 FU (TPF) before radiotherapy (RT) or radio-chemotherapy (RT-CHX) has been shown to improve overall survival (OS) compared to induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5 FU in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Whether TPF induction before RT-CHX improves clinical outcome in comparison with RT-CHX alone is still a matter of debate. Recently, the results of 5 randomized trials addressing this question have become available.

Effects of Radiotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma: a retrospective analysis of a Single Institution.

Background: Palliative irradiation of osteolytic lesions is a considerable component in the treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy of irradiation in these patients.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 153 patients with multiple myeloma who were admitted to our department between 1989 and 2013.

Thymoma-a clinico-pathological long-term study with emphasis on histology and adjuvant radiotherapy dose.

Introduction: To evaluate prognostic factors of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) with particular reference to histology and the dose-response relationship of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Methods: Retrospective study with central pathological review on patients resected for TET between 1966 and 2004 at a single institution. Prognostic factors were identified using Cox regression analysis.

Long-term outcome after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer and predictive factors for a pathologic complete remission : results of a multivariate analysis.

Background: An earlier published series of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (NRT-CHX) in locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer (LABC) has now been updated with a follow-up of more than 15 years. Long-term outcome data and predictive factors for pathologic complete response (pCR) were analyzed.

Patients And Methods: During 1991-1998, 315 LABC patients (cT1-cT4/cN0-N1) were treated with NRT-CHX.

Cystatin C - a fast and reliable biomarker for glomerular filtration rate in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: Determination of renal function is a prerequisite for planning therapy in cancer patients. Limitations of creatinine as marker for the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) led to the proposal of cystatin C as a more accurate biomarker especially in mild renal insufficiency or in patients with low muscle mass. We compared the accuracy of cystatin C- and creatinine-based equations to estimate GFR in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients receiving platinum-based radiochemotherapy.

Echinococcus multilocularis: the impact of ionizing radiation on metacestodes.

Alveolar echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Current chemotherapeutical options for the treatment of echinococcosis are not satisfactory, and novel drugs and/or other potential means of therapy are needed. E.

Palliative radiotherapy tailored to life expectancy in end-stage cancer patients: reality or myth?

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the adequacy of palliative radiation treatment in end-stage cancer patients.

Methods: Of 216 patients referred for palliative radiotherapy, 33 died within 30 days and constitute the population of the study. Symptoms, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), laboratory tests, and survival estimates were obtained.

Leser-Trélat sign presenting in a patient with ovarian cancer: a case report.

Introduction: Seborrheic keratoses are very common findings in elderly patients. However, a sudden onset and dramatic increase in the number and size of these benign lesions deserves special attention, since this may represent the Leser Trélat sign, a rare paraneoplastic cutaneous syndrome.

Case Presentation: A 92-year-old female presented to our clinic with multiple eruptive seborrheic keratoses, which had dramatically increased in size and number over the past two years.

Chest wall and intrathoracic desmoid tumors: surgical experience and review of the literature.

Desmoid tumors are fibroblastic/myofibroblastic neoplasms, which originate from musculo-aponeurotic structures and are classified as deep fibromatoses. Despite their benign histologic appearance and lack of metastatic potential, desmoid tumors may cause aggres?sive local infiltrations and compression of surrounding structures. They are often associated with female gender, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and sporadically may occur at sites of previous trauma, scars or irradiation.

[Radiotherapy of soft tissue sarcoma--part of a multidisciplinary strategy].

The management of soft tissue sarcoma has evolved from a solitary surgical treatment to an interdisciplinary multimodal approach including radiotherapy. These fundamental changes are the result of increased knowledge in tumor biology, radiation sensitivity and the improvement in modern radiation therapy techniques. A successful effective therapy regimen strongly depends on distinct preoperative diagnostics, preoperative conception of the surgical intervention and an experienced oncological team.

PSA after incidental irradiation of the nonmalignant prostate: long-term changes.

Background: Incidental irradiation of the prostate may affect serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, scarce data exist on PSA changes after irradiation of noncancerous prostatic tissue. This is an update of a study on PSA after pelvic irradiation.

Validity of S-100 B in patients after brain radiation.

Background: S-100B is a calcium binding acute phase protein and a potential biomarker for brain injury. In prior studies elevated plasma S-100B levels were detected in stroke and severe head trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether S-100 B is elevated during cerebral radiotherapy and whether that is associated with adverse outcomes.

Modern therapy of rectal carcinoma.

Throughout the past decade the treatment of rectal carcinoma has improved remarkably. Today, individualized multimodality treatment allows local and distant tumor freedom with preservation of anorectal and genitourinary function in a majority of patients. Radiotherapy is elementary in reducing the risk of local recurrence whereas chemotherapy including promising novel agents prevents or eliminates distant metastases.

Development and management of severe cutaneous side effects in head-and-neck cancer patients during concurrent radiotherapy and cetuximab.

Background: The concurrent administration of cetuximab to radiotherapy has recently been shown to improve the clinical outcome of head-and-neck cancer (HNC) patients. An aggravation of the radiation-induced skin toxicity was not described. Here, however, two cases with severe skin toxicity during the combined treatment are reported.

Unilateral keloid formation after bilateral breast surgery and unilateral radiation.

Background: Keloid is a hypertrophic scar that may arise within 6 months after injury in susceptible individuals. Different therapies like surgical excision, intralesional steroid injections, local application of pressure, or postoperative irradiation with x-rays or electrons are reported. Although an immediate starting of therapy after surgery is usually recommended, delayed radiotherapy may also be effective.

Survival prediction in terminally ill cancer patients by clinical estimates, laboratory tests, and self-rated anxiety and depression.

Purpose: To study how survival of palliative cancer patients relates to subjective prediction of survival, objective prognostic factors (PFs), and individual psychological coping.

Patients And Methods: Survival was estimated according to three categories (< 1 month, 1 to 6 months, and > 6 months) by two physicians (A and B) and the institutional tumor board (C) for 216 patients recently referred for palliative radiotherapy. After 6 months, the accuracy of these estimates was assessed.

Multifocal epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: case report of a clinical chamaeleon.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is an extremely rare vascular bone tumor with a slow growth and poor prognosis. The term was designed to describe neoplasms that had an appearance in between hemangiomas and sarcomas. Various synonyms for epithelioid hemangioendothelioma are used clinically: low grade anaplastic angiosarcoma, cellular hemangioma, histiocytoid hemangioma and angioendothelioma.