Congenital fibrous fusion of the jaws (synechiae) with cleft palate: A case report.

Background: Congenital maxillomandibular fusion is a rare disorder. Maxillomandibular fusion is usually discovered immediately after birth because the newborn is unable to open mouth or feed normally. The fusion defects can present with a wide range of severity, ranging from mucosal band (synechiae) to complete bony fusion (syngnathia).

Levetiracetam or Phenobarbitone as a First-Line Anticonvulsant in Asphyxiated Term Newborns? An Open-Label, Single-Center, Randomized, Controlled, Pragmatic Trial.

Background And Objective: Neonatal seizures are one of the most challenging problems for experts across the globe. Although there is no consensus on the "ideal" treatment of neonatal seizures, phenobarbitone has been the drug of choice for decades. Unfortunately, although extensively studied in adults and children, levetiracetam lacks rigorous evaluation in the neonatal population, despite its frequent use as an off-label drug.

A prospective phase II study of pre-operative chemotherapy then short-course radiotherapy for high risk rectal cancer: COPERNICUS.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) allows earlier treatment of rectal cancer micro-metastases but is not standard of care. There are currently no biomarkers predicting long-term progression-free survival (PFS) benefit from NAC.

Patients And Methods: In this single arm phase II trial, patients with non-metastatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined operable rectal adenocarcinoma at high risk of post-operative metastatic recurrence, received 8 weeks of oxaliplatin/fluorouracil NAC then short-course preoperative radiotherapy (SCPRT) before immediate surgery.

Preoperative chemoradiation with capecitabine, irinotecan and cetuximab in rectal cancer: significance of pre-treatment and post-resection RAS mutations.

Background: The influence of EGFR pathway mutations on cetuximab-containing rectal cancer preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) is uncertain.

Methods: In a prospective phase II trial (EXCITE), patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined non-metastatic rectal adenocarinoma threatening/involving the surgical resection plane received pelvic radiotherapy with concurrent capecitabine, irinotecan and cetuximab. Resection was recommended 8 weeks later.

Chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell anal carcinoma: a review of prognostic factors.

Aim: Previous literature has sought prognostic factors for the survival of anal cancer patients. The present study aimed to determine prognostic factors for local disease recurrence, distant metastasis and survival for patients treated with radical chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, Preston, UK.

Method: Patients treated with CRT for nonmetastatic squamous cell anal cancer between September 2000 and January 2013 were studied.

Watch-and-wait approach versus surgical resection after chemoradiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer (the OnCoRe project): a propensity-score matched cohort analysis.

Background: Induction of a clinical complete response with chemoradiotherapy, followed by observation via a watch-and-wait approach, has emerged as a management option for patients with rectal cancer. We aimed to address the shortage of evidence regarding the safety of the watch-and-wait approach by comparing oncological outcomes between patients managed by watch and wait who achieved a clinical complete response and those who had surgical resection (standard care).

Methods: Oncological Outcomes after Clinical Complete Response in Patients with Rectal Cancer (OnCoRe) was a propensity-score matched cohort analysis study, that included patients of all ages diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma without distant metastases who had received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (45 Gy in 25 daily fractions with concurrent fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy) at a tertiary cancer centre in Manchester, UK, between Jan 14, 2011, and April 15, 2013.

A multicenter phase II study of G17DT immunogen plus irinotecan in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer progressing on irinotecan.

Background: The G17DT is a novel human immunogen that raises antibodies to the growth factor gastrin 17 (G17). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of G17DT in combination with irinotecan in patients refractory to irinotecan, and to correlate efficacy with anti-G17 immune response.

Methods: Patients received G17DT immunogen as a single intramuscular injection of 500 μg at weeks 1, 5, 9, and 26.

An exploratory randomized controlled trial comparing telephone and hospital follow-up after treatment for colorectal cancer.

Aim: Following treatment for colorectal cancer it is common practice for patients to attend hospital clinics at regular intervals for routine monitoring, although debate persists on the benefits of this approach. Nurse-led telephone follow-up is effective in meeting information and psycho-social needs in other patient groups. We explored the potential benefits of nurse-led telephone follow-up for colorectal cancer patients.

Metachronous bilateral adrenal metastases following curative treatment for colorectal carcinoma.

A delayed, metachronous presentation of bilateral adrenal metastases following colorectal cancer has never previously been reported. We describe the case of a 68-year-old man who underwent curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for a locally invasive sigmoid adenocarcinoma, only to be diagnosed with metachronous bilateral adrenal metastasis necessitating further resection and chemotherapy. We discuss the literature surrounding this pathology and highlight the importance of continual, vigilant radiological surveillance of the adrenal glands after curative treatment of colorectal carcinoma with or without subsequent adrenal metastasis.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy using concurrent capecitabine and irinotecan in magnetic resonance imaging-defined locally advanced rectal cancer: impact on long-term clinical outcomes.

Purpose: To assess long-term clinical outcomes of preoperative chemoradiotherapy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma using concurrent irinotecan and capecitabine.

Patients And Methods: One hundred ten patients without distant metastases entered this phase II trial North West/North Wales Clinical Oncology Group (NWCOG) -2 after MRI demonstration of tumor threatening (≤ 2 mm) or involving mesorectal fascia. Pelvic radiotherapy was given to 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks with concurrent oral capecitabine at 650 mg/m(2) twice per day continuously days 1 through 35 and intravenous irinotecan at 60 mg/m(2) once weekly weeks 1 to 4.

An exploratory study of the follow-up care needs of patients treated for colorectal cancer.

Aims And Objectives: To explore patient perceptions of their experiences of follow-up care after treatment for colorectal cancer.

Background: The optimal follow-up strategy for colorectal cancer is not known, and although patients are seen in traditional outpatient follow-up clinics, this system may not meet psycho-social and information needs.

Design: An exploratory qualitative study.

Colorectal cancer follow-up: patient satisfaction and amenability to telephone after care.

Purpose: To explore patient satisfaction on different aspects of follow-up service provision following treatment for colorectal cancer and amenability to an alternative strategy for follow-up care.

Methods And Sample: A postal survey was administered to 297 eligible patients who had been treated for colorectal cancer at a large hospital in the North West of England. Patients were asked to indicate responses to questions comprising likert scales, including views on organisation of care, information and advice, personal experience of care, satisfaction with information and care, views on specialist nursing services and amenability to telephone follow-up.

Economic evaluation of a randomized clinical trial of hospital versus telephone follow-up after treatment for breast cancer.

Background: This was an economic evaluation of hospital versus telephone follow-up by specialist nurses after treatment for breast cancer.

Methods: A cost minimization analysis was carried out from a National Health Service (NHS) perspective using data from a trial in which 374 women were randomized to telephone or hospital follow-up. Primary analysis compared NHS resource use for routine follow-up over a mean of 24 months.

Preoperative downstaging chemoradiation with concurrent irinotecan and capecitabine in MRI-defined locally advanced rectal cancer: a phase I trial (NWCOG-2).

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of neoadjuvant chemoradiation using radiotherapy (RT) combined with concurrent capecitabine and irinotecan for locally advanced rectal cancer before surgery.

Methods: Forty-six patients were recruited and treated on the basis that MRI scanning had shown poor-risk tumours with threatening (< or =1 mm) or involvement of the mesorectal fascia. Conformal RT was given using 3 or 4 fields at daily fractions of 1.

Colorectal cancer patients' attitudes towards involvement in decision making.

Objectives: To design and administer an attitude rating scale, exploring colorectal cancer patients' views of involvement in decision making. To examine the impact of socio-demographic and/or treatment-related factors on decision making. To conduct principal components analysis to determine if the scale could be simplified into a number of factors for future clinical utility.

Comparing hospital and telephone follow-up after treatment for breast cancer: randomised equivalence trial.

Objective: To compare traditional hospital follow-up with telephone follow-up by specialist nurses after treatment for breast cancer.

Design: A two centre randomised equivalence trial in which women remained in the study for a mean of 24 months.

Setting: Outpatient clinics in two NHS hospital trusts in the north west of England

Participants: 374 women treated for breast cancer who were at low to moderate risk of recurrence.

Preoperative neo-adjuvant therapy for curable rectal cancer--reaching a consensus 2008.

Objective: Our aim was to determine the range of neo-adjuvant therapy the multidisciplinary team (MDT) currently offers patients with curable (M(0)) rectal cancer.

Method: A senior oncologist from each of the four oncology centres in north Wales and the north-west of England (approximate target population 8 million - Glan Clwyd, Clatterbridge, Christie and Preston) reviewed his/her understanding of the current evidence of neo-adjuvant therapy in rectal cancer. Then a representative from each centre was asked to identify which of three neo-adjuvant options (no neo-adjuvant therapy, short-course radiotherapy 25 Gy over five fractions and long-course chemoradiotherapy) he/she would use for a rectal cancer in the upper, middle or lower third of the rectum staged by magnetic resonance imaging as being T(2)-T(4) and/or N(0)-N(2).

Irinotecan+5-fluorouracil with concomitant pre-operative radiotherapy in locally advanced non-resectable rectal cancer: a phase I/II study.

In the UK, 10% of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer have inoperable disease at presentation. This study ascertained whether the resectability rate of inoperable locally advanced rectal cancer was improved by administration of intravenous irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and pelvic radiotherapy. During phase I of the trial (n=12), the dose of irinotecan was escalated in three-patient cohorts from 50 mg m(-2) to 60 mg m(-2) to 70 mg m(-2) to identify the maximum tolerated dose (60 mg m(-2)).

Patient participation in decision making: views of health professionals caring for people with colorectal cancer.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore views on patient participation in decision making, as described by health professionals caring for people with colorectal cancer.

Background: Patient participation in health-care decision making is on the policy agenda at an international level. However, many aspects of cancer care and treatment are complex and it is unclear how health professionals view their role as promoters of patient participation.

Exploring the decision-making preferences of people with colorectal cancer.

Objectives: To explore patient views on participation in treatment, physical care and psychological care decisions and factors that facilitate and hinder patients from making decisions.

Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients.

Setting And Participants: Three NHS Trusts in the north-west of England.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck region: clinicopathological correlation in 25 cases.

Extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP) of head and neck are rare tumours. Between 1972 and 1993, 25 cases of EMP of head and neck were seen at our institute. The clinical and pathological features and response to treatment are presented.

Osteosarcoma: experience of the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India.

This is a report on the management of 210 patients with biopsy-proven OS seen at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India from January 1985 to December 1988. The treatment administered to these patients reflects the constraints experienced in cancer management by developing nations. The small number of patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy showed the highest survival figures of 30% at 5 years.