Custom 3D-printed applicators for high dose-rate brachytherapy in skin cancer.

Purpose: This paper describes the protocol for the development of 3D-printed custom applicators in treating skin carcinoma, the evaluation of the materials used, and the methods for segmentation and rendering of the applicators.

Material And Methods: The segmentation and rendering process for the applicator had six phases: (i) determination of the volume of the lesion using a computed tomography (CT) scan; (ii) delineation of the patient surface, using the same CT images; (iii) creation of the applicator in the planner and segmentation of the mold; (iv) preliminary dosimetry and establishment of the route of the catheter from the brachytherapy unit; (v) creation of the 3D applicator using specialized software; and (vi) applicator printing. Following this process, the patient returned for a second CT to undergo the definitive dosimetry with the applicator in place.

Determination of the optimal range for virtual monoenergetic images in dual-energy CT based on physical quality parameters.

Purpose: Virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) obtained from Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) with iodinated contrast are used in radiotherapy of the Head and Neck to improve the delineation of target volumes and organs at-risk (OAR). The energies used to vary from 40 to 70 keV, but noise at low keV and the use of Single Energy CT (SECT) at low kV settings may shrink this interval. There is no guide about how to find out the optimal range where VMI has a significant improvement related to SECT images.

Minimal clinically important differences in the EORTC QLQ-BN20 in patients with brain metastases.

Introduction: Quality of life (QOL) is an important treatment endpoint in advanced cancer patients with brain metastases. In clinical trials, statistically significant changes can be reached in a large enough population; however, these changes may not be clinically relevant.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire brain module (EORTC QLQ-BN20) in patients with brain metastases.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA repair genes as risk factors associated to prostate cancer progression.

Background: Besides serum levels of PSA, there is a lack of prostate cancer specific biomarkers. It is need to develop new biological markers associated with the tumor behavior which would be valuable to better individualize treatment. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in DNA repair and prostate cancer progression.

Polymorphisms in DNA-repair genes in a cohort of prostate cancer patients from different areas in Spain: heterogeneity between populations as a confounding factor in association studies.

Background: Differences in the distribution of genotypes between individuals of the same ethnicity are an important confounder factor commonly undervalued in typical association studies conducted in radiogenomics.

Objective: To evaluate the genotypic distribution of SNPs in a wide set of Spanish prostate cancer patients for determine the homogeneity of the population and to disclose potential bias.

Design Setting And Participants: A total of 601 prostate cancer patients from Andalusia, Basque Country, Canary and Catalonia were genotyped for 10 SNPs located in 6 different genes associated to DNA repair: XRCC1 (rs25487, rs25489, rs1799782), ERCC2 (rs13181), ERCC1 (rs11615), LIG4 (rs1805388, rs1805386), ATM (rs17503908, rs1800057) and P53 (rs1042522).

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.

Quality of life in patients with brain metastases using the EORTC QLQ-BN20+2 and QLQ-C15-PAL.

Purpose: The 20-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brain Neoplasm (QLQ-BN20) is a validated quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaire for patients with primary brain tumors. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 15 Palliative (QLQ-C15-PAL) core palliative questionnaire is a 15-item version of the core 30-item QLQ-C30 and was developed to decrease the burden on patients with advanced cancer. The combination of the QLQ-BN20 and QLQ-C30 to assess QOL may be too burdensome for patients.

Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCC) is a rare disease that mixes clinical and biological characteristics of both cervical neoplasms and neuroendocrine small cell cancer. The prognosis is poor and the optimal treatment has not yet been clarified. Multimodality treatment, with surgery and concurrent chemoradiation has recently been shown to improve local control and survival rates.

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with bone metastases: the EORTC QLQ-BM22.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a bone metastases module to supplement the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) or the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL for patients with bone metastases.

Methods: Phases 1-2 of module development were conducted in Canada, Australia and Germany according to EORTC QOL group guidelines. Phase 3 was conducted in nine countries in seven languages.

Breast metastases from a floor of the mouth carcinoma.

Metastases to the breast from extramammary tumours are uncommon and metastatis of floor of the mouth carcinoma to the breast is extremely rare. The clinical outcome of these patients remains dismal. We report the case of breast metastases from a floor of the mouth carcinoma successfully treated by conservative surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy with no demonstrable metastases 33 months after the initial diagnosis.

Randomized clinical trial with two palliative radiotherapy regimens in painful bone metastases: 30 Gy in 10 fractions compared with 8 Gy in single fraction.

Background And Purpose: The aim was to demonstrate similar pain relief with two schedules of radiotherapy for painful bone metastases.

Materials And Methods: A total of 160 patients were assigned to receive a single 8-Gy fraction or 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Pain intensity was measured on an ordinal pain scale of 0-10.