Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Punjabi Version of EPIC.

Background: With earlier prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and increased survivorship, post-treatment quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) is a widely adopted QoL instrument for PCa. We aimed to create a Punjabi version of EPIC to further research in the Punjabi-speaking population.

Late Toxicity of Prostate Ultrahypofractionated Radiation Therapy Compared With Moderate Hypofractionation in a Randomized Trial.

Purpose: We report late toxicity, quality of life (QOL), and urinary symptom score with prostate cancer radiation therapy in a randomized trial comparing moderate hypofractionation and ultrahypofrationation.

Methods And Materials: Patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer were randomized to either Arm 1 (70 Gy/28 fractions) or Arm 2 (36.25 Gy/5 weekly fractions).

Web-Based Peer Navigation for Men with Prostate Cancer and Their Family Caregivers: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

This study assessed the feasibility, acceptability and potential effects of True North Peer Navigation (PN)—a web-based peer navigation program for men with prostate cancer (PC) and their family caregivers. A one-arm, pre-post pilot feasibility study was conducted at two cancer centres in Canada. Participants were matched through a web-app with a specially trained peer navigator who assessed needs and barriers to care, provided support and encouraged a proactive approach to health for 3 months.

Acute Toxicity of Ultrahypofractionation Compared With Moderate Hypofractionation in Prostate Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Trial.

Purpose: We report on the early toxic effects and quality of life of localized prostate cancer radiation therapy in a randomized trial comparing moderate hypofractionation (MHF) with ultrahypofractionation (UHF).

Methods And Materials: We randomized patients with intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer to radiation therapy with MHF (70 Gy in 28 daily fractions) or UHF (36.25 Gy in 5 weekly fractions).

Cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the expanded prostate cancer index composite.

Aim: The expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) is a widely adopted instrument for the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer. We aimed to create a Chinese version of EPIC to further research in the Chinese-speaking population.

Methods: A prototype was created by forward-backward translations and revisions.

Prospective surveillance and targeted physiotherapy for arm morbidity after breast cancer surgery: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate prospective surveillance and targeted physiotherapy (PSTP) compared to education (EDU) on the prevalence of arm morbidity and describe the associated program cost.

Design: Pilot randomized single-blinded controlled trial.

Setting: Urban with assessments and treatment delivered in hospitals.

Hypofractionated Nodal Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Was Not Associated With Increased Patient-Reported Arm or Brachial Plexopathy Symptoms.

Purpose: To determine whether nodal radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer using modest hypofractionation (HF) with 2.25 to 2.5 Gy per fraction (fx) was associated with increased patient-reported arm symptoms, compared with conventional fractionation (CF) ≤2 Gy/fx.

A longitudinal analysis of chronic arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery.

Arm morbidity (AM) arising from breast cancer (BC) treatment can detrimentally impact quality of life; often limiting a survivor's ability to participate in valued activities. The present study explored (a) the developmental time course of AM [restricted range of motion (ROM), pain, and arm volume changes], negative affect, and perceived disability in the immediate years post-surgery, and (b) the mediating role of perceived disability on the relationship between AM and negative affect over time. In this 5-year longitudinal study, BC survivors from four Canadian oncology clinics (n = 431) completed five annual clinical assessments, where differences in ROM (shoulder abduction, external rotation) and arm volume between the affected and non-affected arm were measured.

Loss, adaptation and new directions: The impact of arm morbidity on leisure activities following breast cancer.

The impact of arm morbidity on leisure and quality of life is an understudied area in cancer survivorship. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively describe the impact of breast cancer-related arm morbidity on leisure participation in Canadian women. A grounded theory approach was used to generate thematic categories and a model.

Impact of Prostate Cancer Treatment on the Sexual Quality of Life for Men-Who-Have-Sex-with-Men.

Introduction: With earlier prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and an increased focus on survivorship, post-treatment sexual quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. Research and validated instruments for sexual QoL assessment based on heterosexual samples have limited applicability for men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM).

Aim: We aimed to create a validated instrument for assessing sexual needs and concerns of MSM post-PCa treatment.

Template-based Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Cost-effective Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Planning Procedure for Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been widely accepted for the treatment of prostate cancer. In comparison with traditional three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), it improves local control while minimizing side effects. However, IMRT comes at a significantly higher cost.

Radiotherapy and Conservative Surgery in the Locoregional Management of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: The British Columbia Cancer Agency Experience.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon aggressive skin malignancy. Published series mainly focus on wide excision, which can be difficult at some sites (e.g.

Late urinary side effects 10 years after low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy: population-based results from a multiphysician practice treating with a standardized protocol and uniform dosimetric goals.

Purpose: To determine late urinary toxicity (>12 months) in a large cohort of uniformly treated low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy patients.

Methods And Materials: From 1998 to 2009, 2709 patients with National Comprehensive Cancer Network-defined low-risk and low-tier intermediate-risk prostate cancer were treated with Iodine 125 ((125)I) low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy; 2011 patients with a minimum of 25 months of follow-up were included in the study. Baseline patients, treatment, implant factors, and late urinary toxicity (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group [RTOG] grading system and International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]) were recorded prospectively.

Outcomes of Merkel cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy without radical surgical excision.

Background: Achieving clear surgical margins in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) can be difficult due to tumor location or patient comorbidity. Clinical impression suggests that radiation treatment achieves good control of macroscopic disease.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all patients with pathological evidence of MCC and treated with curative intent at the BC Cancer Agency between 1979 and 2007.

Population-based validation of a policy change to use long-term androgen deprivation therapy for cT3-4 prostate cancer: impact of the EORTC22863 and RTOG 85-31 and 92-02 trials.

Purpose: After publication of EORTC-22863 trial, prolonged androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) combined with radiation therapy (RT) became standard policy for high-risk prostate cancer patients in British Columbia (BC) in 1997. We evaluated whether population-based survival improved after this policy change.

Patients And Methods: Two cohorts comprising all patients with T3-T4 prostate cancer treated with curative-intent RT in BC were reviewed.

Template-based breast IMRT planning for increased workload efficiency.

Background: To be less resource intensive, we developed a template-based breast IMRT technique (TB-IMRT). This study aims to compare resources and dose distribution between TB-IMRT and conventional breast radiation (CBR).

Methods: Twenty patients with early stage breast cancer were planned using CBR and TB-IMRT.

Population-based 10-year oncologic outcomes after low-dose-rate brachytherapy for low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to report the rates of disease-free survival (DFS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival after low-dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy (PB).

Methods: Data from 1006 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who received LDR-PB and underwent implantation on or before October 23, 2003 were extracted from a prospective database on November 11, 2011. The selected patients had low-risk (58%) or intermediate-risk (42%) disease according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria.

Evaluation of dosimetric consequences of seroma contour variability in accelerated partial breast irradiation using a constructed representative seroma contour.

Purpose: Contouring variability of the seroma can have important implications in the planning and delivery of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). This study aimed to quantify the dosimetric impact of these interobserver and intraobserver contouring variations by construction of a representative seroma contour (RSC).

Methods And Materials: Twenty-one patients with a seroma suitable for APBI underwent four computed tomography (CT) scans: one planning CT and three additional CTs on the first, third, and fifth days of treatment.

Biochemical control with radiotherapy improves overall survival in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients who have an estimated 10-year overall survival of >90%.

Purpose: To identify subgroups of patients with carcinoma of the prostate treated with radical radiotherapy that have improved overall survival when disease is biochemically controlled.

Methods And Materials: A cohort of 1,060 prostate cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy was divided into nine subgroups based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk category and estimated 10-year overall survival (eOS 10y) derived from the age adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index. Patients with and without biochemical control were compared with respect to overall survival.

Rectal toxicity and rectal dosimetry in low-dose-rate (125)I permanent prostate implants: a long-term study in 1006 patients.

Objective: To describe the acute and late rectal toxicity in 1006 prostate brachytherapy patients implanted 1998-2003. To determine whether rectal dose-volume histogram as well as patient and treatment factors were associated with rectal toxicity.

Methods And Materials: Median followup was 60.

Do breast cancer survivors' post-surgery difficulties with recreational activities persist over time?

Introduction: Most longitudinal breast cancer studies have found that treatment-related sequelae such as arm morbidity [lymphedema, pain, and range of motion (ROM) restrictions] can have a significant impact on quality of life. In a previous study, we found that at 6-12 months after breast cancer surgery, 49% of participants had difficulties engaging in recreational activities and that arm morbidity significantly predicted difficulties with participation in recreation.

Methods: A longitudinal national study employing clinical assessments and survey methods followed 178 women over 43 months (3.

Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) modeling of late rectal bleeding following external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer: A Test of the QUANTEC-recommended NTCP model.

Purpose/background: Validating a predictive model for late rectal bleeding following external beam treatment for prostate cancer would enable safer treatments or dose escalation. We tested the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model recommended in the recent QUANTEC review (quantitative analysis of normal tissue effects in the clinic).

Material And Methods: One hundred and sixty one prostate cancer patients were treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer at the British Columbia Cancer Agency in a prospective protocol.

Predictors of arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery.

Objective: Arm morbidity post-breast cancer surgery is increasingly being recognized as a chronic problem for some women following breast cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic, disease, and treatment-related predictors of a comprehensive array of chronic arm morbidity (pain, lymphedema, functional disability, and range of motion) post-breast cancer surgery.

Methods: Women (n=316) with a non-metastatic primary diagnosis of breast cancer were accrued from cancer centers in four Canadian cities.

A phase II trial of a soy beverage for subjects without clinical disease with rising prostate-specific antigen after radical radiation for prostate cancer.

Our objective was to evaluate the tolerability and effect of a daily soy beverage in prostate cancer patients with biochemical failure after radiotherapy. Patients with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical radiation for prostate cancer were instructed to consume 500 ml of soy beverage daily for 6 mo. Tolerability of the soy beverage and compliance were assessed.

The impact of breast cancer among Canadian women: disability and productivity.

Each year over 20,000 Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Many breast cancer survivors anticipate a considerable number of years of potential participation in the paid labour market, therefore, the link between breast cancer survivorship and productivity deserves serious consideration. The hypothesis guiding this study is that arm morbidities such as lymphedema, pain, and range of motion limitations are important explanatory variables in survivors' loss of productivity.