Multi-domain neurocognitive impairment following definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Neurocognitive impairment from inadvertent brain irradiation is common following intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and radiation dose-toxicity relationship of this late complication.

Materials And Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional study of 190 post-IMRT NPC survivors.

Real-World Perspectives From Surgeons and Oncologists on Resectability Definition and Multidisciplinary Team Discussion of Stage III NSCLC in People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macau: A Physician Survey.

Introduction: Decision-making in diagnosis and management of stage III NSCLC remains complex owing to disease heterogeneity and diverse treatment options, and often warrants multidisciplinary team discussion. Specifically, the selection of patients for multimodality approaches involving surgical resection presents notable challenges owing to heterogeneity in guideline definitions and the subjective, case-specific nature of evaluating resectability on the basis of preoperative assessments.

Methods: An internet- and paper-based survey was conducted in 2020 among lung cancer specialists in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Docetaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Adjuvant or Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: Docetaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) is typically manifested as sensory and motor neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, duration, and risk factors of sensory and motor PN and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among breast cancer (BC) patients during the first year since starting docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

Methods: We reported a secondary analysis of longitudinal data on docetaxel-induced PN and HRQOL among 127 BC patients.

Integrated palliative medicine in public oncology: a 10-year review.

Objectives: The rapid ageing population of Hong Kong has a high demand on oncology and palliative care (PC) service. This study was the first territory-wide assessment in Hong Kong to assess the palliative service coverage in patients with advanced cancer in the past decade.

Methods: Cancer deaths of all 43 public hospitals of Hong Kong were screened.

Enhancement of photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green using iron doped titanium dioxide loaded on oil palm empty fruit bunch-derived activated carbon.

Iron-doped titanium dioxide loaded on activated carbon (Fe-TiO/AC) was successfully synthesized from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) using sol-gel method. The properties of the synthesized pure TiO, Fe-doped TiO, AC, TiO/AC and Fe-TiO/AC were examined by various techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analyses at 77 K. FE-SEM revealed that Fe-doped TiO particles were dispersed homogeneously on the AC surface.

Psychometric testing of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) subscale in a longitudinal study of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) subscale in a longitudinal study of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients were assessed with the FACT/GOG-Ntx subscale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Scale 20 (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20), National Cancer Institute -Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), and light touch test using 10 g monofilament for up to ten assessment points from baseline (prior to initiation of first chemotherapy), after the end of each cycle (up to 6 cycles, 3 weeks per cycle), and at 6, 9, and 12 months after starting chemotherapy. Psychometric analyses included internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, factorial validity, sensitivity to change and responsiveness (minimal clinically important difference, MCID).

Palliative radiation therapy for patients with orbital and ocular metastases.

Background: Patients with cancer may develop metastases to the orbit causing distressing symptoms. External beam radiation therapy (RT) is an effective palliative treatment for patients with orbital and ocular metastases. The aim of treatment is to preserve vision and to reduce pain.

NEPA efficacy and tolerability during (neo)adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin.

Objectives: This is a prospective study evaluating NEPA in patients with breast cancer (the NEPA group), who received (neo)adjuvant AC chemotherapy (consisting of doxorubicin 60 mg/m and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m). The primary objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of NEPA in controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The secondary objectives were to compare CINV between the NEPA group and historical controls (the APR group) who received aprepitant in an earlier prospective randomised study.

Biodiesel synthesis from oil palm empty fruit bunch biochar derived heterogeneous solid catalyst using 4-benzenediazonium sulfonate.

In this research, biomass from oil palm empty fruit bunch was used as the carbon precursor and sulfonated by 4-benzenediazonium sulfonate (4-BDS) to produce solid acid catalyst. The as-synthesized catalysts were characterized and the performances were tested in esterification of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) for biodiesel production. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that clear porous and rough carbon surface was successfully developed after calcination which favored the attachment of sulfonic groups.

Risk factors for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients receiving taxane- and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant and difficult to manage side effect of neurotoxic chemotherapies. Several risk factors for CIPN have been identified to date, but inconsistencies and methodological limitations exist in past research. Also, a limited number of potential risk factors has been investigated in the past.

Living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Uncovering the symptom experience and self-management of neuropathic symptoms among cancer survivors.

Purpose: The study aimed at uncovering the symptom experience of neurotoxicity, self-adopted approaches and perspectives in managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic (CIPN) symptoms in a sample of Chinese cancer survivors.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was used to explore individual experiences. A purposive sample of 12 female participants experiencing CIPN was invited to semi-structured interviews who were part of a larger prospective observational study investigating the natural progression and risk factors of CIPN.

Prophylaxis of radiation-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The aim of this article was to systematically review the efficacy and safety of various antiemetics in prophylaxis of radiation-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).

Methods: A literature search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of prophylaxis for RINV in patients receiving radiotherapy to abdomen/pelvis, including total body irradiation (TBI). Primary endpoints were complete control of nausea and complete control of vomiting during acute and delayed phases.

Current management of cervical esophageal cancer.

Background: Pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (PLE) has been regarded as a standard treatment for cervical esophageal cancer, but the morbidity and mortality rates associated with PLE are substantial. Chemoradiation (CTRT) is widely used to treat esophageal cancer; however, its role in managing cervical esophageal cancer has not been fully elucidated. It was hypothesized that up-front CTRT could be an effective alternative treatment option to PLE.

Histological regression of squamous esophageal carcinoma assessed by percentage of residual viable cells after neoadjuvant chemoradiation is an important prognostic factor.

Background: Whether the TNM staging system is applicable after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in esophageal cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of histopathological regression of the primary tumor in postchemoradiated patients.

Materials And Methods: The pretherapeutic and pathological ypTNM stages of patients who have had neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy were analyzed.

Development and validation of the functional assessment of cancer therapy nasopharyngeal cancer subscale.

Background: We aimed to develop a quality-of-life subscale for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and validate the functional assessment of cancer therapy-nasopharyngeal (FACT-NP).

Methods: The FACT-NP was tested cross-sectionally in survivors of postirradiated NPC (n = 357) and was administered to newly diagnosed patients (n = 160) before, at the end of, and 3 months after radiotherapy (RT).

Results: Each FACT-NP domain was internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.

Cervical nodal metastasis from intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is not necessarily an incurable disease.

Background: It remains controversial if metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with intrathoracic esophageal cancer signify distant metastases and are therefore incurable or if they should be regarded as regional spread with a potential for cure.

Material And Methods: Patients with intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma managed from 1995 to 2007, in whom metastatic cervical lymph node spread was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology, were studied. Treatment strategies and outcome were reviewed.

New insights in symptom assessment: the Chinese Versions of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form (MSAS-SF) and the Condensed MSAS (CMSAS).

There are very few symptom assessment instruments in Chinese. We present the validity and reliability of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form (MSAS-SF) and the Condensed Form MSAS (CMSAS) in Chinese cancer patients. The Chinese version of the 32-item MSAS-SF, a self-report measure for assessing symptom distress and frequency in cancer patients, was administered to 256 Chinese patients with colorectal cancer at a clinical oncology outpatient unit.

Validation of the Chinese version of the EORTC colorectal cancer-specific quality-of-life questionnaire module (QLQ-CR38).

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific quality-of-life questionnaire module (QLQ-CR38) assesses health-related quality of life in patients with CRC. We studied its psychometric properties and clinical validity in Hong Kong Chinese patients with CRC. The 38 items, forming functional and symptom scales, were administered to 256 Chinese patients diagnosed with CRC from a clinical oncology outpatient unit.

Combined endovascular stent grafting and endoscopic injection of fibrin sealant for aortoenteric fistula complicating esophagectomy.

A 67-year-old man with previous total gastrectomy and roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy had hematemesis 4 weeks after esophagectomy performed because of carcinoma of the esophagus. Investigation showed an aortojejunal fistula with a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular stent grafting of the pseudoaneurysm, followed by endoscopic injection of fibrin sealant for the fistula, was performed, and the infection was controlled with broad-spectrum antibiotic agents together with drainage and daily irrigation of the pseudoaneurysm sac.