Strategic SWOT analysis of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital using Modified Delphi Technique: implications for strengthening national and regional health systems.

Background And Aim: The perennial underperformance of the Nigerian Health System necessitated enhanced advocacy for health to be placed at the centre of a renewed social contract and as a means of bolstering public trust. The hospital management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) introduced initiatives to improve the hospital's operational environment and service performance in response to the population served. Following these changes, an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) is critical to direct further development in the organization.

Effectiveness of combined targeted and hormonal therapies for post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

Objective: we aim to synthesize available evidence on the effectiveness of hormonal plus targeted therapies for post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.

Data Sources And Methods: We searched the following databases: Medline PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and African Journal. Only studies that investigated the effectiveness of hormonal therapy combined with targeted therapy for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer treatment were included.

Trends in the treatment of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma in Slovakia.

The optimal treatment of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently a subject of clinical research. This questionnaire study investigated current trends in the treatment of HPV-associated (HPV+) OPC in Slovakia with the incorporation of deintensification of oncological treatment into routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials. The Slovak Cooperative Head and Neck Cancer Group (SCHNCG) developed a questionnaire aimed at identifying trends in the oncological treatment of HPV+ OPC intended for all radiation oncology (RO) facilities in Slovakia.

Global Workforce and Access: Demand, Education, Quality.

There has long existed a substantial disparity in access to radiotherapy globally. This issue has only been exacerbated as the growing disparity of cancer incidence between high-income countries (HIC) and low and middle-income countries (LMICs) widens, with a pronounced increase in cancer cases in LMICs. Even within HICs, iniquities within local communities may lead to a lack of access to care.

Adjuvant radiotherapy after brain metastasectomy: analysis of consecutive cohort of 118 patients from real world practice.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze a consecutive cohort of brain metastasis (BM) patients treated off clinical trials through combination of surgery and radiotherapy over the last 15 years in a tertiary neurooncology center.

Materials And Methods: All BM patients operated between 2007-2019 received adjuvant linac-based radiotherapy categorized to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and tumor bed stereotactic radiotherapy. Survival outcomes and local control was analyzed.

High-value breast cancer care within resource limitations.

Breast cancer care is a costly global health issue where effective management depends on early detection and treatment. A breast cancer diagnosis can result in financial catastrophe especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Large inequities in breast cancer care are observed and represent a global challenge to caregivers and patients.

Weight Changes in Breast Cancer Survivors in a Nigerian Hospital: Pattern and Correlates.

Background: One of the recognized issues faced by cancer survivors is increasing weight. Weight gain has been associated with an increased death rate in cancer survivors. Research on weight gain among breast cancer survivors (BCS) is scarce in Nigeria.

Dermoscopy of Chronic Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers Treated with Radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy (RT) is an integral part of many cancer treatment protocols. Chronic radiation-induced dermatitis (CRD) is a cutaneous toxicity that occurs in one-third of all patients treated with this method. CRD is usually observed several months after completion of treatment.

Three-year survival of breast cancer patients attending a one-stop breast care clinic nested within a primary care health facility in sub-Saharan Africa-Zambia.

In Zambia, women with breast symptoms travel through multiple levels of the healthcare system before obtaining a definitive diagnosis. To eradicate this critical barrier to care, we nested a novel breast specialty service platform inside a large public-sector primary healthcare facility in Lusaka, Zambia to offer clinical breast examination, breast ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy in a one-stop format, tightly linked to referral for treatment. The objective of the study was to determine the life expectancy and survival outcomes of a prospective cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer who were attended to and followed up at the clinic.

A systematic review of endometrial cancer clinical research in Africa.

Background: Women in Africa are experiencing a rising burden of endometrial cancer. Research and investment to improve treatment and outcomes are critically needed. We systematically reviewed and characterized endometrial cancer-related research within a clinically relevant context to help organize and assess existing endometrial cancer research in Africa.

Association between Pre-Operative Total Prostate-Specific Antigen and Survivorship of Prostate Cancer following Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review.

Objective: This review aimed to systematically quantify the association between pre-operative total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and survivorship of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: Data sources for the review included MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, and relevant reference lists. Databases were searched from inception to June 2022.

Dermoscopy of acute radiation-induced dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancers treated with radiotherapy.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) was the seventh most common cancer in the world in 2018. Treatment of a patient may include surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these methods. Ionizing radiation used during RT covers relatively large volumes of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.

Pattern of metastasis of head and neck cancer in Nigeria: A 10 year review.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer is a common and aggressive malignancy with a high morbidity and mortality profile that occur in several anatomical sites in the head and neck region. They constitute the tenth most common cancer in the world. Metastatic head and neck cancers are associated with severe morbidities and its treatment is mainly palliative.

Sacubitril/valsartan for cardioprotection in breast cancer (MAINSTREAM): design and rationale of the randomized trial.

Aims: In recent years, survival in patients with breast cancer has increased. Despite the improvement in outcomes of those patients, the risk of treatment-related cardiotoxicity remains high, and its presence has been associated with a higher risk of treatment termination and thus lower therapeutic efficacy. Prior trials demonstrated that a preventive initiation of heart failure drugs, including the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors, might reduce the risk of treatment-related cardiotoxicity.

Human Papillomavirus-Related Non-Metastatic Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Current Local Treatment Options and Future Perspectives.

Over the last two decades, human papillomavirus (HPV) has caused a new pandemic of cancer in many urban areas across the world. The new entity, HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), has been at the center of scientific attention ever since, not only due to its distinct biological behavior, but also because of its significantly better prognosis than observed in its HPV-negative counterpart. The very good treatment outcomes of the disease after primary therapy (minimally-invasive surgery, radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy) resulted in the creation of a separate staging system, reflecting this excellent prognosis.

High dose rate brachytherapy in nonmelanoma skin cancer-Systematic review.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies worldwide. Millions of new cases every year present challenge to healthcare systems. Recent years brought numerous new data concerning high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) as treatment option for NMSCs.

Radiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast: An international multicenter analysis.

Introduction: Radiation-associated angiosarcoma (RAAS) is a rare and serious complication of breast irradiation. Due to the rarity of the condition, clinical experience is limited and publications on this topic include only retrospective studies or case reports.

Materials And Methods: All patients diagnosed with RAAS between January 2000 and December 2017 in twelve centers across the Czech Republic and Slovakia were evaluated.

β-cell self-destruction and extremely complicated and still unknown etiopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is based on apoptosis, which leads to b-cell death. Factors triggering apoptosis processes are very diverse and currently not fully explained. The main role is attributed to genetic and environmental factors.

Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Critical Review of Local Treatment Options Including Recommendations during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma represents an extremely challenging therapeutic situation. Given the vulnerability of the already pretreated neurological structures surrounding the nasopharynx, any potential salvage retreatment option bears a significant risk of severe complications that result in high treatment-related morbidity, quality of life deterioration, and even mortality. Yet, with careful patient selection, long-term survival may be achieved after local retreatment in a subgroup of patients with local or regional relapse of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Palliative external beam radiotherapy for advanced breast cancer patients with brain metastasis in the university college hospital Ibadan.

Background: Brain metastasis is a dreaded complication that significantly reduces the quality of life in breast cancer patients. The treatment options are limited by the inability of many chemotherapeutic agents to cross the blood-brain barrier. Surgery also has a limited role, except in few selected patients with oligometastasis.

The impact of the patient's condition, diagnostic procedures and treatment on the survival of carcinoma of unknown primary site patients.

Introduction: Carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP) refers to 1-5% of all head and neck neoplasms. Very often, the primary site remains difficult to determine. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent histopathological type diagnosed in the head and neck region.

Advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is featured by SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex aberrations.

Purpose: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare neurotropic cancer with slow progression occurring in salivary glands and less frequently in other body parts. ACC is featured by hyperchromatic nuclei and various mutations in genes encoding chromatin-related machineries. The ACC treatment is mainly limited to the radical surgery and radiotherapy while the chemotherapy remains ineffective.

Pattern of Bone Generation after Irradiation in Vascularized Tissue Engineered Constructs.

Background:  Regenerative medicine modalities provide promising alternatives to conventional reconstruction techniques but are still deficient after malignant tumor excision or irradiation due to defective vascularization.

Methods:  We investigated the pattern of bone formation in axially vascularized tissue engineering constructs (AVTECs) after irradiation in a study that mimics the clinical scenario after head and neck cancer. Heterotopic bone generation was induced in a subcutaneously implanted AVTEC in the thigh of six male New Zealand rabbits.

Lack of association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and breast cancer risk in Ahvaz, west south-Iran.

Background: Association between C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a key enzyme involved in folate metabolism and DNA methylation, and breast cancer risk are inconsistent. We investigated in a case-control study, possible effect of the common MTHFR C677T polymorphism on breast cancer risk in a sample of Iranian patients.

Materials And Methods: The study subjects comprised of 123 breast cancer cases and 110 cancer-free control, who were matched for age and body mass index (BMI).