Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUP) versus CUP Turned to Primary Carcinoma of the Head and Neck-An Analysis of Diagnostic Methods and the Impact of Primary Tumor on Clinical Outcome.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the value of different diagnostic methods in detecting the primary site and the impact of primary tumors on the clinical outcome of carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP).

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, 124 patients with true CUP (n = 94) and CUP turned to primary carcinoma (n = 30) were included. Patients with evidence of primary site during the clinical examination were excluded a priori.

Bilateral vs ipsilateral adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with cancer of unknown primary of the head and neck: An analysis of the clinical outcome and radiation-induced side effects.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare ipsilateral and bilateral adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) of the head and neck.

Methods: Overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and radiation-induced side effects were assessed in 76 patients with CUP who underwent ipsilateral (n = 29) or bilateral (n = 47) radiotherapy.

Results: At a median follow-up of 41 months, the 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free rate were 67.

Short-time splenic irradiation for splenomegaly.

Background: Splenic irradiation is routinely used in the supportive treatment of lymphoepithelial and hemopoietic diseases associated with splenomegaly. A new short-time irradiation schedule with conventional dosage (Group A: 2 Gy/fract.) was compared retrospectively with low-dose prolonged treatment schedules (Group B: < or = 1 Gy/fract.

Lüscher colour test in orthodontic patients. Practicability for compliance assessment?

The Lüscher colour test has been repeatedly recommended as a tool for the prediction of orthodontic treatment course and patient cooperation despite its scientific shortcomings. A series of studies involving patients aged 9 to 16 years undergoing treatment with removable appliances at various orthodontic practices and at one university clinic provided no evidence of systematic correlations between Lüscher test colour preferences and cooperation with appliance wear. There was only slight consistency in colour preferences in a re-test conducted a few months after baseline measurements.