[New techniques in thoracic radiation therapy].

Advanced technologies have led to an improvement of target volume delineation and a higher accuracy in dose delivery. Stereotactic body radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy and respiratory gating allow new therapeutic perspectives along with an improvement of the therapeutic ratio. Ongoing trials aim to show the magnitude of gains in patient care with technical improvements.

[Therapeutic impact of molecular diagnosis in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: targeted therapies in 2013].

Recent advances in the molecular characterization of metastatic unresectable lung cancers have markedly improved the management of patients. Today, molecular tests should be performed routinely in all patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and in case of squamous cell carcinoma occurring in a non-smoker. In the presence of EGFR mutation or ALK rearrangement, specific inhibitors have shown superior efficacy to chemotherapy in first-line treatment for anti-EGFR (erlotinib and gefitinib) and in second-line treatment for anti-ALK (crizotinib).

[Tolerance and efficacy of preoperative radiation therapy for elderly patients treated for rectal cancer].

Purpose: To retrospectively assess the impact of age on tolerance and oncologic outcomes treated by neoadjuvant treatment for patients of 70 years old or above with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-one consecutive patients were divided into three groups: group 1 from 70 to 75 years (n=31); group 2: 76 to 79 years (n=31) and group 3, patients aged 80 years or above (n=29). Radiation therapy was delivered according two schemes: 25Gy in five fractions (short scheme) or 45 to 50Gy with a classical fractionation (long scheme).

Should all cases of lung cancer be presented at Tumor Board Conferences?

Tumor Board Conferences (TBCs) have been associated with higher adherence of staging and treatment to guidelines. The influence of TBCs on the rate of curative treatments has been established. Patients with lung nodules and tumors of unknown histology should not be presented before surgery, but every patient with malignant histology should be declared to the TBC coordinator and registered at the time of histologic confirmation.