Accuracy and consistency of intensity-based deformable image registration in 4DCT for tumor motion estimation in liver radiotherapy planning.

We investigate the accuracy of intensity-based deformable image registration (DIR) for tumor localization in liver stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). We included 4DCT scans to capture the breathing motion of eight patients receiving SBRT for liver metastases within a retrospective clinical study. Each patient had three fiducial markers implanted.

Patient-reported health-related quality of life from a randomized phase II trial comparing standard-dose with high-dose twice daily thoracic radiotherapy in limited stage small-cell lung cancer.

Objectives: In a randomized phase II trial, twice daily (BID) thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) of 60 Gy/40 fractions improved survival compared with 45 Gy/30 fractions in limited stage small-cell lung cancer (LS SCLC). Notably, the higher dose did not cause more toxicity. Here we present health related quality of life (HRQoL) reported by the trial participants during the first 2 years.

High-dose versus standard-dose twice-daily thoracic radiotherapy for patients with limited stage small-cell lung cancer: an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is standard treatment for limited stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Twice-daily thoracic radiotherapy of 45 Gy in 30 fractions is considered to be the most effective schedule. The aim of this study was to investigate whether high-dose, twice-daily thoracic radiotherapy of 60 Gy in 40 fractions improves survival.

Intrafractional fiducial marker position variations in stereotactic liver radiotherapy during voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold.

Objectives: To evaluate intrafractional fiducial marker position variations during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients treated for liver metastases in visually guided, voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH).

Methods: 10 patients with implanted fiducial markers were studied. Respiratory coaching with visual guidance was used to ensure comfortable voluntary breath-holds for SBRT imaging and delivery.

Hitherto unseen survival in an ALK-positive-patient with advanced stage adult ganglioneuroblastoma treated with personalized medicine.

Survival of stage 4 ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) patients is poor; no reports exist of patients surviving up to 5 years (1, 2). We report the clinical and therapeutic course of a patient with stage 4 GNB surviving beyond expectations due to a multimodal treatment approach incorporating new technologies in cancer diagnostic and treatment.

Incidence and survival from lung cancer in Greenland is comparable to survival in the Nordic countries.

Introduction: Oncological treatment of lung cancer has been available in Greenland since 2004. We evaluated patient characteristics and survival rates for the first six years of local lung cancer treatment.

Methods: From September 2004 to August 2010, a total of 173 patients with lung cancer were referred to treatment at Queen Ingrid's Hospital.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography predictors of overall survival in stage IIIC/IV ovarian cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the role of 2-deoxy-2-(F)fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for selecting patients with extensive ovarian cancer (OC) for neoadjuvant chemotherapy by evaluating predictors of overall survival in patients with stage IIIC/IV OC.

Materials And Methods: From September 1, 2004, to November 20, 2011, 514 consecutive patients with a pelvic tumor underwent preoperative PET/CT; 179 patients had stage IIIC/IV OC. Patients' characteristics were collected from 153 patients with stage IIIC/IV OC who underwent primary surgery.

A novel proteomic biomarker panel as a diagnostic tool for patients with ovarian cancer.

Background: Previous reports have shown that the proteomic markers apolipoprotein A1, hepcidin, transferrin, inter-alpha trypsin IV internal fragment, transthyretin, connective-tissue activating protein 3 and beta-2 microglobulin may discriminate between a benign pelvic mass and ovarian cancer (OC). The aim was to determine if these serum proteomic biomarkers alone as well as in combination with age and serum CA125, could be helpful in triage of women with a pelvic mass.

Methods: We included prospectively 144 patients diagnosed with (OC), 40 with a borderline tumor and 469 with a benign tumor.

Comparison of proteomic biomarker panels in urine and serum for ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to confirm previously found candidate epithelial ovarian cancer biomarkers in urine and to compare a paired serum biomarker panel and a urine biomarker panel from the same study cohort with regard to the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) area under the ROC curve (AUC) values.

Experimental Design: Four significant urine biomarkers were confirmed among 130 pelvic mass patients in the present study. The four biomarkers form a potential urine biomarker panel.

Proteomic biomarkers for overall and progression-free survival in ovarian cancer patients.

Purpose: To determine if the level of apolipoprotein A1, hepcidin, transferrin, inter-α trypsin IV internal fragment, transthyretin (TT), connective-tissue activating protein 3 (CTAP3), serum amyloid A1, β-2 microglobulin (B2M) might have impact on overall and progression-free survival for ovarian cancer (OC) patients.

Experimental Design: Serum from 150 OC patients was tested using SELDI-TOF-MS.

Results: A proteomic prognostic index (xb-pro) was constructed using the regression coefficients based on inter-α trypsin IV internal fragment, B2M and TT.

Standardized FDG uptake as a prognostic variable and as a predictor of incomplete cytoreduction in primary advanced ovarian cancer.

Introduction: In patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing preoperative PET/CT, we investigated the prognostic value of SUV in the primary tumor and we evaluated the value of SUV for predicting incomplete primary cytoreduction (macroscopic residual tumor).

Material And Methods: From September 2004 to August 2007, 201 consecutive patients with a pelvic tumor and a Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) > 150 based on serum CA-125, ultrasound examinations and menopausal state, underwent PET/CT within two weeks prior to standard surgery/debulking of a pelvic tumor. At two-year follow-up (August 15, 2009) the association between SUV and overall survival/cytoreductive result were analyzed in 60 ovarian cancer patients (58 stage III and two stage IV).

A proteomics panel for predicting optimal primary cytoreduction in stage III/IV ovarian cancer.

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate CA-125 and a 7-marker panel as predictors of incomplete primary cytoreduction in patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer (OC). From September 2004 to January 2008, serum from 201 patients referred to surgery for a pelvic tumor was analyzed for CA-125. In addition, serum was analyzed for 7 biomarkers using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Influence of 2-(18F) fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography on recurrent ovarian cancer diagnosis and on selection of patients for secondary cytoreductive surgery.

The objective of this prospective study was to compare the sensitivities and the specificities of combined 2-(F) fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), abdominal/transvaginal ultrasound (US), and CT for diagnosing recurrent ovarian cancer (OC) and to evaluate the influence of PET/CT on referral of patients with solitary recurrence to secondary cytoreductive surgery. From April 2005 to November 2007, 60 patients were consecutively included to PET/CT 68 times. The inclusion criteria were remission of 3 months or longer and recurrent OC suspected from physical examination, US, or increasing cancer antigen 125 (CA125) level (>50 U/mL or >15% above baseline level).

The diagnostic value of PET/CT for primary ovarian cancer--a prospective study.

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic value of combined PET/CT in detecting a malignant tumor in patients with no previous cancer history, presenting with a pelvic mass.

Methods: From September 2004 to March 2006, 101 patients (median age=60 years, range=24-85 years) with a Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI)>150 based on serum CA-125, ultrasound examinations (US) and menopausal state, were referred to PET/CT within 2 weeks prior to standard surgery/debulking of a pelvic tumor. Histological specimens from 97 patients were evaluated and the histological diagnoses were compared to the PET/CT results to calculate the diagnostic value of PET/CT in differentiating between malignant and borderline/benign tumors.

[Plantar-palmar erythrodysesthesia. A new and relatively frequent side effect in antineoplastic treatment].

Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE, hand-foot syndrome) is a relatively frequent cutaneous toxicity related to antineoplastic treatment with e.g. fluorouracil, capecitabine, and liposomal doxorubicin.