Tongue: the unusual site in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) are malignancies of the mesothelium, with primary deposits originating in the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium and the tunica vaginalis (ie, testicular). Metastatic spread is commonly reported to affect the liver, adrenal glands, kidney and contralateral lung (in cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma). Metastases to distant sites are uncommon.

Evolution of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy in Lung Cancer and Birmingham's (UK) Experience.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has taken a pivotal role in early lung cancer management particularly in the medically inoperable patients. Retrospective studies have shown this to be well tolerated with comparable results to surgery and no significant increase in toxicity. Paucity of randomized evidence has dictated initiation of several trials to provide good quality evidence to steer future practice.

Cost analysis of cetuximab (Erbitux) plus radiotherapy (ERT) versus concomitant cisplatin plus radiotherapy (CRT) within an NHS oncology unit (single institution): a pilot study.

Objective: The aim of this feasibility study is to define the resource effectiveness of cetuximab vs cisplatin given concomitantly with radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma within a National Health Service clinical oncology unit.

Methods: 20 patients with Stage 3 or 4 head and neck squamous cell cancers were randomized to receive either cetuximab with radiotherapy (ERT) or cisplatin with radiotherapy concurrent with external beam radiotherapy 70 Gy in 35 fractions on a 1 : 1 basis over a 12-month duration. The study compared the resource utilization of ERT vs cisplatin with radiotherapy taking into account drug costs, clinical management and the costs of managing treatment-related toxicity from first fraction of radiotherapy to 6 months after the completion of therapy.

Outcomes Following Interval Debulking Surgery in Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma.

Aim: Primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 11-24 months. Unlike ovarian cancer, there exist no published data on the effectiveness of interval debulking surgery (IDS) in PPC and it is not routine practice. Our series compared outcomes in patients with PPC treated with IDS following chemotherapy versus patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

Survival and Toxicity Following Chemoradiation for Carcinoma of the Cervix - Impact of Multiple-phase Treatment and Shielding.

Aim: We report on outcomes and significant grade 3-4 late toxicities between January 1999 and October 2006 following introduction of multi-phase treatment and effect of shielding in treatment of cervical cancer with concurrent chemoradiation.

Patients And Methods: Radiotherapy dose by phase, recurrence, survival and toxicity data was collated by a retrospective review of clinical notes. Shielding information was retrieved from original planning films.