Results of a randomized trial of treatment modalities in patients with low or early-intermediate risk prostate cancer (PREFERE trial).

Purpose: The optimal treatment for patients with low to early-intermediate risk prostate cancer (PCa) remains to be defined. The randomized PREFERE trial (DRKS00004405) aimed to assess noninferiority of active surveillance (AS), external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), or brachytherapy by permanent seed implantation (PSI) vs. radical prostatectomy (RP) for these patients.

Termination rates and histological reclassification of active surveillance patients with low- and early intermediate-risk prostate cancer: results of the PREFERE trial.

Purpose: Active surveillance (AS) strategies for patients with low- and early intermediate-risk prostate cancer are still not consistently defined. Within a controlled randomized trial, active surveillance was compared to other treatment options for patients with prostate cancer. Aim of this analysis was to report on termination rates of patients treated with AS including different grade groups.

Outbreak of Cryptosporidium hominis following river flooding in the city of Halle (Saale), Germany, August 2013.

Background: During weeks 32-33, 2013, 24 cases of cryptosporidiosis were notified in the city of Halle (annual mean 2008-2012: 9 cases). We investigated the outbreak to identify the source and recommend control measures, considering that between weeks 23-25 the river Saale which flows through the city centre overflowed the floodplain, parts of the city centre and damaged sewage systems.

Methods: We defined a case as a resident of Halle with gastroenteritis, Cryptosporidium-positive stool and disease onset weeks 27 through 47.

Primary prophylactic colony-stimulating factors for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in breast cancer patients.

Background: High-dose or dose-intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy often causes myelosuppression and severe neutropenia among cancer patients. Severe neutropenia accompanied by fever, named febrile neutropenia (FN), is the most serious manifestation of neutropenia usually requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. FN and neutropenia can lead to chemotherapy treatment delays or dose reductions, which potentially compromises the effectiveness of cancer treatment and prospects for a cure.