Is the omission of the external iliac or upper pelvic lymph nodes from elective irradiation safe in selected anal canal squamous cell cancers?

Background: Guidelines recommend elective irradiation of the external iliac and upper pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) regardless of clinical stage, but the supporting evidence for this recommendation is limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 68 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal who underwent volumetric modulated arc therapy chemoradiation, excluding external iliac LNs from elective irradiation. In patients with negative bilateral inguinal LNs, both external iliac regions were omitted, while in those with unilateral positive inguinal LNs, only the ipsilateral external iliac region was included and the contralateral side was omitted.

Simple, Effective and Validated. VTE CASE Risk Assessment Score for Venous Thromboembolism in Metastatic Germ Cell Tumour Patients Before First-Line Chemotherapy.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) may jeopardise excellent treatment results of germ cell tumours (GCT). We previously constructed a VTE risk score for GCT patients qualified for first-line chemotherapy (CTH), including vein compression, clinical stage (CS) and haemoglobin concentration.

Aim: Validating our score in a separate cohort and establishing the cut-off point for the score.

Which tumour factors preclude organ preservation in patients with rectal cancer?

Background: cT3cdT4, cN2, mesorectal nodes > 8 mm, clinically positive lateral nodes, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) and mesorectal fascia threatening (MRF+) have been utilized as exclusion criteria in several studies on the watch-and-wait (w&w) strategy. Here, our aim was to validate these criteria through a post hoc analysis of two pooled prospective studies on w&w following routine radio(chemo)therapy.

Methods: A review of baseline magnetic resonance imaging was performed in a subgroup of 223 patients treated at a single institution.