Incident Cardiovascular Diseases Among Survivors of High-Risk Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer: A Cluster-Wide Cohort Study.

Background: The incidence and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing. There is an increasing number of long-term survivors, many of whom are elderly and have comorbidities. We conducted a population-based study in Hong Kong to assess the long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence associated with adjuvant fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy among CRC survivors.

Splenic irradiation contributes to grade ≥ 3 lymphopenia after adjuvant chemoradiation for stomach cancer.

Introduction: Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in gastric cancer inevitably results in an unintentional spleen radiation dose. We aimed to determine the association between the spleen radiation dose and the observed severity of lymphopenia which may affect the clinical outcomes (survival time and infection risk).

Methods: Patients who received adjuvant CRT for gastric cancer between January 2015 and December 2020 were analyzed.

A multi-institutional analysis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with consolidative radiotherapy and the impact of cell-of-origin on outcomes.

Background Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with bulky disease and/or those who fail to achieve complete response benefit from the addition of radiotherapy (RT). We aim to review the outcome, as well as determine the impact of cell-of-origin, on patients undergoing consolidative RT. Patients and methods Patients with DLBCL treated with radical intent consolidative RT were included.

Long-term outcomes after reirradiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with intensity-modulated radiotherapy: A meta-analysis.

Background: The purpose of this clinical review was to summate the published data for the long-term outcomes of reirradiation with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: We searched biomedical literature databases for eligible studies published from January 2005 to September 2016. Outcomes of interests were 5-year local failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, overall survival (OS), and toxicities.

Prognostic stratification of patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma using a clinical and biochemical scoring system.

Purpose: Metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is known to have poor survival outcomes. Clinical and biochemical parameters may impact survival outcomes among patients with metastatic NPC and may be used for prognostication.

Methods: One-hundred and fifty-eight patients with metastatic NPC treated at a single tertiary institution were analyzed retrospectively.

Efficacy of palliative radiation therapy for symptomatic rectal cancer.

99 patients with symptomatic locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with palliative radiation alone were reviewed. Dose-fractionation ranged from 18 to 54Gy. Response rate ranged from 62.

Clinical outcome of palliative radiotherapy for locally advanced symptomatic gastric cancer in the modern era.

The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with symptomatic locally advanced/recurrent gastric cancer treated with radiotherapy (RT) using modern 3-dimensional conformal techniques.We retrospectively reviewed patients who had palliative RT for index symptoms of gastric bleeding, pain, and obstruction. Study endpoints included symptom response, median survival, and treatment toxicity.

Meta-analysis of incidence of early lung toxicity in 3-dimensional conformal irradiation of breast carcinomas.

Background: This meta-analysis aims to ascertain the significance of early lung toxicity with 3-Dimensional (3D) conformal irradiation for breast carcinomas and identify the sub-groups of patients with increased risk.

Methods: Electronic databases, reference sections of major oncological textbooks and identified studies were searched for synonyms of breast radiotherapy and radiation pneumonitis (RP). Major studies in thoracic irradiation were reviewed to identify factors frequently associated with RP.

International radiation oncology trainee decision making in the management of radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Purpose: This study explored international radiation oncology trainee decision making in the management of radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).

Methods: Radiation oncology trainees who were members of the national radiation oncology associations of the USA, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain and Singapore completed a Web-based survey. Respondents estimated the risks of nausea and vomiting associated with six standardised radiotherapy-only clinical case vignettes modelled after international anti-emetic guidelines and then committed to prophylactic, rescue or no therapy as an initial management approach for each case.

International patterns of practice in the management of radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Purpose: To investigate international patterns of practice in the management of radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).

Methods And Materials: Oncologists prescribing radiation therapy in the United States, Canada, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cyprus, and Israel completed a Web-based survey that was based on 6 radiation therapy-only clinical cases modeled after the minimal-, low-, moderate-, and high-emetic risk levels defined in the antiemetic guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. For each case, respondents estimated the risks of nausea and vomiting separately and committed to an initial management approach.

Complementary and alternative medicine practices among Asian radiotherapy patients.

Aim: To describe the prevalence, expectations and factors associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Asian radiotherapy patients.

Methods: Overall 65 consecutive patients in an Asian oncology department were surveyed from December 2004 to January 2005, using a modified and translated instrument capturing information on patients' characteristics, CAM use, treatment refusal and satisfaction.

Results: Some basic characteristics were: 86% Chinese; median age 56 years (range: 31-87 years); 57% women; cancer types - breast 42%, lung 20%, nasopharyngeal 11%.

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the vulva: a typical cutaneous lesion with an 'atypical' presenting site.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of vulva is exceedingly rare and it often poses a diagnostic challenge if their existence is not suspected. We report a patient who has primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell (C-ALCL) with an unusual presentation as a vulvar ulcer. She received a brief course of chemotherapy followed by local irradiation and has remained disease-free more than a year from the time of diagnosis.

The role of palliative radiation therapy in symptomatic locally advanced gastric cancer.

Purpose: To review the outcome of palliative radiotherapy (RT) alone in patients with symptomatic locally advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

Methods And Materials: Patients with symptomatic locally advanced or recurrent gastric cancer who were managed palliatively with RT at The Cancer Institute, Singapore were retrospectively reviewed. Study end points included symptom response, median survival, and treatment toxicity (retrospectively scored using the Common Toxicity Criteria v3.

Order effects in the assessment of quality of life in cancer patients.

Methodological studies and outcome research often include several health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement scales in one questionnaire. Psychological studies have previously demonstrated that changing the sequential order of measurement scales within a questionnaire can alter the pattern of responses. Little is known, however, about whether there are order effects on the assessment of HRQoL in cancer patients.