Development of a supportive cancer care model for patients with CAncer and pre-existing SEvere MEntal Disorders.

Purpose: Cancer patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders (SMD), including moderate to severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, have reduced life expectancy and are less likely to receive optimal cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to develop and pilot test a supportive care model, to enhance cancer care in this population.

Methods: The model was developed through three phases.

The value of tongue base mucosectomy in the work-up of squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary: A Danish national cohort study.

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary in the head and neck (HNSCCUP) remains a diagnostic challenge. Tongue base mucosectomy by transoral robotic surgery (TORS-TBM) can increase the diagnostic yield and de-intensify treatment. However, the added value of TORS-TBM as an adjunct to work-up programs for HNSCCUP is unclear.

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Patients with cancer and pre-existing severe mental disorder, which include moderate to severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are known to have reduced life expectancy and are less likely to get recommended cancer treatment. Barriers at patient-, provider- and system level have been identified, e.g.

Current aspects of the quality of head and neck cancer care - survey of the Scandinavian Society for Head and Neck Oncology.

Background: All Nordic countries have national cancer registries collecting data on head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence and survival. However, there is a lack of consensus on how other quality aspects should be monitored.

Aims: We conducted a web-based survey to find opportunities for quality control and improvement.

Enhancing the reliability of deep learning-based head and neck tumour segmentation using uncertainty estimation with multi-modal images.

Deep learning shows promise in autosegmentation of head and neck cancer (HNC) primary tumours (GTV-T) and nodal metastases (GTV-N). However, errors such as including non-tumour regions or missing nodal metastases still occur. Conventional methods often make overconfident predictions, compromising reliability.

Interprofessional education in cancer care - a scoping review.

Background: Comprehensive cancer care requires effective collaboration by interprofessional healthcare teams. The need to develop educational initiatives to improve interprofessional collaboration is increasingly recognised. However, there is no agreement regarding the interprofessional competencies required for effective cancer care leading to much variation on the focus of research, planning and managing change.

Professionals' perspectives on caring for cancer patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders.

Introduction: Cancer trajectories among patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders (SMD) are challenging and these pateints' prognosis is poor. This study aimed at exploring barriers in cancer trajectories among patients with pre-existing SMD as experienced by Danish healthcare professionals.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals who were sampled by purposive sampling.

Comparison of 3-year local control using DAHANCA radiotherapy guidelines before and after implementation of five millimetres geometrical GTV to high-dose CTV margin.

Introduction: Treatment planning using a five-millimetre geometrical margin from GTV to high-dose CTV (CTV1) has been used in DAHANCA treatment centres since 2013. We aimed to evaluate changes in CTV1 volumes, local control (LC), and recurrence pattern after the implementation of five-millimetre geometrical margins nationally.

Materials And Methods: 1,948 patients with pharyngeal, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas completed definitive IMRT-based treatment in 2010-2012 and 2013-2015 in three centres.

High-dose loco-regional pattern of failure after primary radiotherapy in p16 positive and negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - A DAHANCA 19 study.

Introduction: Patients with failure after primary radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a poor prognosis. This study investigates pattern of failure after primary curatively intended IMRT in a randomized controlled trial in relation to HPV/p16 status.

Material And Methods: Patients with HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx (OPSCC), hypopharynx or larynx were treated with primary curative IMRT (+/-cisplatin) and concomitant nimorazole between 2007 and 12.

Professional development through mentoring: Final evaluation of the pilot mentoring programme of the European society of radiotherapy and oncology.

The European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) organized a one-year pilot mentoring programme. At evaluation after one year, both mentors and mentees scored the programme with a median score of 9 on a scale of 10. All of the mentors indicated that they wanted to participate again as mentors.

Tumor volume and cancer stem cell expression as prognostic markers for high-dose loco-regional failure in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - A DAHANCA 19 study.

Background And Purpose: Reliable and accessible biomarkers for patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) are warranted for biologically driven radiotherapy (RT). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of putative cancer stem cell (CSC) markers, hypoxia, and tumor volume using loco-regional high-dose failure (HDF) as endpoint.

Materials And Methods: Tumor tissue was retrieved from patients treated with primary chemo-(C-)RT and nimorazole for HNSCC in the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Study Group (DAHANCA) 19 study.

A national repository of complete radiotherapy plans: design, Results, and experiences.

Background: Previously, many radiotherapy (RT) trials were based on a few selected dose measures. Many research questions, however, rely on access to the complete dose information. To support such access, a national RT plan database was created.

HPV testing versus p16 immunohistochemistry in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: results from the DAHANCA 19 study.

Introduction: The prognosis after primary (chemo-)radiotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is affected by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status, with a better prognosis in HPV-positive OPSCC. HPV-status is routinely assessed by p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC), but additional HPV DNA testing is debated. Also, there are numerous HPV genotypes, which prognostic role may need clarification.

Consistency in contouring of organs at risk by artificial intelligence vs oncologists in head and neck cancer patients.

Background: In the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group (DAHANCA) 35 trial, patients are selected for proton treatment based on simulated reductions of Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) for proton compared to photon treatment at the referring departments. After inclusion in the trial, immobilization, scanning, contouring and planning are repeated at the national proton centre. The new contours could result in reduced expected NTCP gain of the proton plan, resulting in a loss of validity in the selection process.

Evaluation of decentralised model-based selection of head and neck cancer patients for a proton treatment study. DAHANCA 35.

Introduction: Proton treatment can potentially spare patients with H&N cancer for substantial treatment-related toxicities. The current study investigated the reproducibility of a decentralised model-based selection of patients for a proton treatment study when the selection plans were compared to the clinical treatment plans performed at the proton centre.

Methods: Sixty-three patients were selected for proton treatment in the six Danish Head and Neck Cancer (DAHANCA) centres.

The influence of tumor volume on the risk of distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Background And Purpose: Distant metastases (DM) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are in most circumstances non-curable. The TNM staging system is insufficient to predict the risk of DM. This study investigates if the DM risk can be predicted using a multivariate model including pre-treatment total tumor volume for both p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and all other sites (other HNSCC).

Barriers in cancer trajectories of patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders-A systematic review.

Background: Patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders are significantly less likely to receive guideline-recommended cancer treatment and seems to have a significantly lower rate of cancer survival compared to patients with cancer without mental disorders.

Aim: To perform a systematic review on barriers at patient-, provider- and system-levels in cancer trajectories of patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders.

Method: A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022316020).