Outcomes With Radiation Therapy as Primary Treatment for Unresectable Cutaneous Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Aims: Unresectable cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNcSCC) poses treatment challenges in elderly and comorbid patients. Radiation therapy (RT) is often employed for locoregional control. This study aimed to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes achieved with upfront RT in unresectable HNcSCC.

An online intervention to improve oncology health professional self-efficacy in communicating with carers: Hybrid effectiveness-implementation evaluation of the eTRIO program.

Objectives: Many oncology health professionals (HPs) report communicating with carers as complex; and receive limited carer-relevant training. We developed an online HP education program for supporting and managing carer involvement (eTRIO). We aimed to assess whether HPs' self-efficacy in carer communication, knowledge, and decision-making preferences improve following eTRIO.

Acute Diabetes-Related Complications in Patients Receiving Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Unlabelled: Patients with cancer and diabetes face unique challenges. Limited data are available on diabetes management in patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), a curative intent anticancer therapy commonly associated with glucocorticoid administration, weight fluctuations and enteral feeds. This retrospective case-control study examined the real-world incidence of acute diabetes-related complications in patients with head and neck cancer receiving CCRT, along with the impact of diabetes on CCRT tolerance and outcomes.

Dentistry for patients with haemophilia: Trialling a safe and economical change in management.

Introduction: While the dental management of patients with haemophilia has changed considerably in the last decade, haemophiliacs in Western Australia have continued to receive pre-operative factor support for dentistry regardless of the type of dental procedure.

Aim: To review the efficacy and safety of established dental protocols that reduce factor use in the dental management of patients with haemophilia and to estimate cost savings.

Methods: Records of 11 patients with haemophilia that were seen in the pilot programme period were reviewed.

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity in X-linked retinoschisis: Findings from a South Indian patient cohort.

Purpose: Retinoschisis is a distinctive condition characterized by intraretinal layer clefts, primarily associated with X-linked recessive inheritance due to RS1 gene mutations. This study aims to uncover the RS1 mutation spectrum in a cohort of 22 X-linked retinoschisis cases from South India and emphasizes the genotypic and phenotypic associations within patients harboring only RS1 mutations.

Methods: A total of 22 probands were suspected of having X-linked retinoschisis.

Exploring mito-nuclear genetic factors in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy: insights from comprehensive profiling of unique cases.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial complex I disorder and causes inexorable painless vision loss. Recent studies from India reported that a significant proportion of LHON patients lack primary mitochondrial DNA mutations, suggesting that alternative genetic factors contribute to disease development. Therefore, this study investigated the genetic profile of LHON-affected individuals in order to understand the role of mito-nuclear genetic factors in LHON.

Development and implementation barriers of a new patient-reported measure: The Radiation therapy-related Inconvenience Questionnaire (RIQ).

Introduction: Radiation therapy (RT) can benefit approximately 50% of cancer patients and contribute to 40% of all cancer cures, yet its utilisation in cancer is low globally. Several factors contribute to this including perceived inconvenience related to accessing and utilising RT. To quantitatively assess the latter, a new tool - the Radiation therapy-related Inconvenience Questionnaire (RIQ) - was developed.

Myocilin Mutation N480K Leads to Early Onset Juvenile and Adult-onset Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in a Six Generation Family.

Prcis: A pathogenic autosomal dominant MYOC mutation N480K detected in 6 generations of an Indian family is primarily responsible for juvenile open angle glaucoma (JOAG) and adult-onset primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), emphasizing the importance of screening this mutation at a younger age.

Purpose: To screen myocilin mutations in a large South Indian family with early-onset JOAG and adult-onset POAG.

Methods: In a large South Indian family with 20 members, 8 members diagnosed as JOAG, 7 members as POAG, 4 members as JOAG suspect, and 1 member as POAG suspect were screened for myocilin ( MYOC) mutations using Sanger sequencing.

Molecular Factors in Carcinoma Ex Pleomorphic Adenoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) is a rare malignant salivary gland tumor. Although multiple reviews have been published on salivary gland malignancies, it has been a decade since the last dedicated systematic review pertaining to CXPA alone was published. This study examines molecular factors in CXPA diagnosis.

Characteristics of chief investigators and principal investigators in Australian and New Zealand radiation oncology clinical trials.

Introduction: Globally, the research community is coming to realise the need for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) amongst research teams and leadership. Diverse teams reduce homogeneous 'group think', propagate innovation, propound support for broader more representative research and facilitate the recruitment of patients from diverse backgrounds. Given the above, this study aims to retrospectively examine the characteristics of chief investigators (CI) and principal investigators (PI) in past and present Australian and New Zealand radiation oncology clinical trials.

Outcome prediction models incorporating clinical variables for Head and Neck Squamous cell Carcinoma: A systematic review of methodological conduct and risk of bias.

Multiple outcome prediction models have been developed for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). This systematic review aimed to identify HNSCC outcome prediction model studies, assess their methodological quality and identify those with potential utility for clinical practice. Inclusion criteria were mucosal HNSCC prognostic prediction model studies (development or validation) incorporating clinically available variables accessible at time of treatment decision making and predicting tumour-related outcomes.

An education resource for human papillomavirus oropharyngeal cancer patients: think-aloud interviews.

Purpose: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is well recognised as a factor in developing oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). A booklet for HPV-OPC patients aimed to deliver evidence-based messages in everyday language, in a way to minimise negative psychological impacts on patients. Our study explored the suitability of the booklet for use.

Measurement that matters: A systematic review and modified Delphi of multidisciplinary colorectal cancer quality indicators.

Aim: To develop a priority set of quality indicators (QIs) for use by colorectal cancer (CRC) multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).

Methods: The review search strategy was executed in four databases from 2009-August 2019. Two reviewers screened abstracts/manuscripts.

Immunotherapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: Sydney west cancer network experience.

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common malignancy in the Caucasian population. A minority of cases are inoperable at presentation, recur or develop metastatic disease with a historical 5-year overall survival of ~10%. Treatment options in this setting are generally palliative.

Trends in gender of first and senior authors of articles published in JMIRO.

Introduction: Despite progress of women in science and medicine, women remain underrepresented in academic publication. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential gender differences in women authorship in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology (JMIRO).

Methods: Gender of the first and senior author of all articles published in JMIRO between 2012 and 2021 were examined.

Special needs dentistry in multidisciplinary head and neck cancer management - characterizing scope and complexity of patient care.

Aims: To describe the involvement and need for specialists in special needs dentistry (SND) in the multidisciplinary management of patients and to characterize the complexity of patients with special health care needs.

Methods: Referrals for SND review from the Fiona Stanley Hospital head and neck cancer (HNC) multidisciplinary team between January 1 and December 31, 2019 were screened. Data recorded included demographic information, medical history, dental status, and dental treatment provided prior to HNC management.

Trajectory of Anxiety Related to Radiation Therapy Mask Immobilization and Treatment Delivery in Head and Neck Cancer and Radiation Therapists' Ability to Detect This Anxiety.

Purpose: Receiving radiation therapy treatment with an immobilization mask is a source of anxiety in people with head and neck cancer (HNC). This study aimed to document the trajectory of situational anxiety during HNC treatment delivery and explore radiation therapists' (RTs') ability to identify it.

Methods And Materials: Participants with HNC commencing radiation therapy completed the state-trait anxiety inventory at their mask-making session, and once each week immediately before and after their radiation treatment.

Systematic review of prognostic factors in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.

Objectives: Carcinoma ex Pleomorphic Adenoma (CXPA) is a rare primary salivary gland malignancy, typically arising from a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma. This systematic review examines prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) in major and minor salivary gland CXPA.

Materials And Methods: Systematic review of MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Open Grey databases from inception to 31st March 2022 for all English-language literature pertaining to 'carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma'.

Impact of Radiation Oncology Research Grants Awarded by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Using the "Payback Framework".

Purpose: Radiation Oncology (RO) societies which provide research grants from membership dues or charitable donations owe it to their funders to assess value for money, yet very little has been published on the outcomes of such grants. A previous Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) survey confirmed significant academic impact from their RO grants. The purpose of this work was to update and broaden the survey using, to our knowledge for the first time in the RO literature, the "Payback Framework", a model employed extensively elsewhere in health research.

Body Image Scale: Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties in Three Indian Head and Neck Cancer Language Groups.

Background: Body image is a subjective concept encompassing a person's views and emotions about their body. Head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis and treatment affects several psychosocial concepts including body image. Large numbers of HNC patients are diagnosed each year in India but there are no suitable measures in regional languages to assess their body image.

A web-based comprehensive head and neck cancer patient education and support needs program: Usability testing.

With increasing accessibility of the World Wide Web, patients are using it to obtain patient education materials (PEM). With this in mind, our group (surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nursing, allied health professionals and academic researchers) developed a comprehensive information resource for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), the Head and Neck Cancer Australia, formerly Beyond Five website. The aim of this study was to determine patient usability of the Head and Neck Cancer Australia website.

Mutation profile of neurodegenerative mitochondriopathy - LHON in Southern India.

Background: Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a rare mitochondriopathy causing retinal ganglion cell degeneration resulting in central vision loss. It is caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and thus follows maternal inheritance pattern.

Methods: We analysed the whole mitochondrial genome in 100 South Indian LHON patients by utilizing Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing approaches.