A comparison of acute patient-reported outcomes in breast cancer patients with and without regional nodal irradiation using the ESAS and PRFS tool.

Background And Purpose: Regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is commonly administered in patients with breast cancer with node-positive disease to prevent cancer recurrence. The purpose of this study is to identify whether RNI is associated with greater acute symptom burden from baseline to 1 to 3 months post completion of radiotherapy (RT) when compared to localized RT.

Materials And Methods: Patient and treatment characteristics were collected prospectively for breast cancer patients with and without RNI from February 2018 to September 2020.

Comparison of neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients prior to receiving radiation therapy using Edmonton Symptom assessment system (ESAS) scores.

Background And Purpose: Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer may receive adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to the initiation of RT treatment. In the present study, baseline Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) scores of patients who received neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy were collected prior to RT and compared to assess the association of each chemotherapy intent with pre-RT symptom burden.

Material And Methods: The ESAS and Patient-Reported Functional Status (PRFS) tools were used to collect patient-reported symptoms at baseline.

Impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on patient-reported shortness of breath in patients with breast cancer using the ESAS.

Background And Purpose: As breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) has been shown to give rise to adverse pulmonary outcomes, such as radiation pneumonitis, trends in patient-reported shortness of breath (SOB) associated with RT were investigated. Adjuvant RT is commonly administered for local and/or regional control of breast cancer and was therefore included.

Methods: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) was used to observe changes in SOB during RT, up to 6 weeks after RT completion, and one to three months post-RT.

Mepitel Film for the Prevention of Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Multicenter Open-Label Phase III Trial.

Purpose: Radiation dermatitis (RD) is common in patients undergoing breast radiotherapy. Mepitel film (MF) can reduce RD, but the results from two randomized controlled trials are conflicting. We aimed to conduct a confirmatory randomized controlled trial in patients at risk of RD.

The Real-World Experience of the Biosimilar (Grastofil) to the Reference Biologic (Neupogen) in Breast Cancer and Lymphoma: A Canadian Single-Centre Retrospective Study.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy that may result in poor treatment outcomes. The short acting granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) act to stimulate granulocytes to increase production of white blood cells. The filgrastim biosimilar is useful, as it may provide a cheaper and equally effective treatment to FN.

Symptom Burden Associated With Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Purpose: Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a side effect experienced by many patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer. In the present study, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), a validated patient-reported symptom screening tool, was used to determine the impacts of RT-induced skin outcomes on ESAS items. Patient- and treatment-related factors and skin treatments to manage RD symptoms, were assessed for association with ESAS scores.

Impact of adjuvant breast radiotherapy on patient-reported fatigue.

Purpose: Breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) benefit from local control. However, RT can give rise to increased fatigue, lowering quality of life. The aim of this study was to prospectively identify trends and risk factors in patient-reported fatigue associated with breast RT.

Predictive factors associated with radiation dermatitis in breast cancer.

Purpose: Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a side effect that frequently arises during radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients. The present study investigates possible predictive factors of RD, as well as the use of skin treatments to manage symptoms.

Methods: Demographic and treatment characteristics were collected retrospectively, while skin symptoms and treatments were collected prospectively for patients who received adjuvant RT between December 2013 and November 2015.

How do patient-reported outcomes compare with clinician assessments? A prospective study of radiation dermatitis in breast cancer.

Background And Purpose: Breast cancer patients frequently develop radiation dermatitis (RD) when undergoing post-operative radiation therapy (RT). Traditional RD assessment methods measure clinician-reported outcomes (CROs), but patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have gained recent popularity. The purpose of this prospective analysis was to compare PROs with CROs of breast RD.

Redistribution of the kinesin-II subunit KAP from cilia to nuclei during the mitotic and ciliogenic cycles in sea urchin embryos.

KAP is the non-motor subunit of the heteromeric plus-end directed microtubule (MT) motor protein kinesin-II essential for normal cilia formation. Studies in Chlamydomonas have demonstrated that kinesin-II drives the anterograde intraflagellar transport (IFT) of protein complexes along ciliary axonemes. We used a green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimera of KAP, KAP-GFP, to monitor movements of this kinesin-II subunit in cells of sea urchin blastulae where cilia are retracted and rebuilt with each mitosis.

Pediatric osteoblastoma of the sternum: a new surgical technique for reconstruction after removal: case report and review of the literature.

Benign osteoblastoma is a rare tumor of bone that has been reported in a variety of skeletal locations. A case of an isolated benign osteoblastoma in the sternum of an 11-year-old boy is described. In the chest wall, osteoblastoma has been reported in the ribs, and rarely in the sternum.

Predictors of progression of scoliosis after decompression of an Arnold Chiari I malformation.

Study Design: Retrospective study of patients with scoliosis and an Arnold Chiari I malformation requiring operative management.

Objectives: Determine the factors that could predict whether a particular spinal deformity might progress despite neurosurgical management of Arnold Chiari I malformation.

Summary Of Background Data: Few studies have documented the relationship between diagnosis and treatment of Arnold Chiari I malformation and associated spinal deformities.

The use of postoperative subcutaneous closed suction drainage after posterior spinal fusion in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the impact of closed suction drainage on transfusion requirements, frequency of dressing changes, and wound healing following posterior spinal fusion in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS Thirty patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: drain or no drain. Although the group with drains received more postoperative autologous blood transfusions than the group with no drains (0.

Exercise and children's health.

Every child and adolescent needs exercise, which is a risk-free investment for current and future health. Physicians can help parents and children understand the importance of exercise and help them select safe, enjoyable, age-appropriate activities. This article discusses current literature regarding exercise and its effects on children's health, including nutrition and cardiovascular issues.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical criteria in predicting successful nonoperative treatment of osteochondritis dissecans in children.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers promise as a noninvasive method to determine the potential of an osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion to heal without surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to compare the value of MRI, plain radiographs, and clinical findings in predicting the success of nonoperative treatment of juvenile OCD lesions. Twenty-seven lesions in 24 patients (mean age 12.

Prevention of sports injuries in children.

As children around the world become involved in increasingly competitive and more organized sports activities, the frequency and severity of both acute and overuse injuries continues to rise. Over the past year, several important studies have contributed to our knowledge in the prevention of sports injuries in children. Safety guidelines and protective equipment are crucial to minimizing pediatric recreational injuries.