Lymph nodal radiotherapy in breast cancer: what are the unresolved issues?

: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the gold standard in invasive breast cancer. Axillary dissection (ALND) is controversial in some presentations.: Key questions were formulated and explored focused on four different scenarios in adjuvant axillary radiation management in early and locally advanced breast cancer.

Endothelial Cell Density After XEN Implant Surgery: Short-term Data From the Italian XEN Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR).

Precis: XEN implant was associated with low endothelial cell density (ECD) reduction. In fact, when combined with phacoemulsification, the reduction in ECD was similar to that expected after phacoemulsification alone.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of XEN implant, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, on ECD.

Biliary involvement in liver metastases: long-term experience with biliary biopsy from a single center.

Objective: To investigate long-term results of biliary biopsy performed with transluminal forceps in the setting of metastatic biliary involvement.

Materials And Methods: Between September 2014 and June 2019, 25 patients-18 males (72%)-with a mean age of 65 ± 15 years, underwent 26 biliary biopsy procedures with a dedicated forceps system. All patients presented with obstructive jaundice that was suspected of being malignant and underwent pre-procedural magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Atrial fibrillation ablation: is common practice far from guidelines' world? The Italian experience from a national survey.

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, occurring in 1-2% of the general population. Catheter ablation has become an important treatment modality for patients with symptomatic drug-refractory AF. We report data regarding the AF ablation approaches and modalities in the Italian "real world.

Radiation treatment for adult rare cancers: Oldest and newest indication.

Aim: Aim of this analysis is to review the role of RT in the management of several rare tumors for adult patients.

Methods: Collection data regarding RT and rare tumors was made by Pubmed.

Results: For mucosal melanomas, RT is prescribed, being associated with lower local recurrence rate.

Linac-based STereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation (STAR) of ventricular tachycardia: Case report and literature review.

Linac-based STereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation (STAR) is a safety and effective approach for selected patients with ventricular arrhythmias.

ESTRO ACROP guideline for target volume delineation of skull base tumors.

Background And Purpose: For skull base tumors, target definition is the key to safe high-dose treatments because surrounding normal tissues are very sensitive to radiation. In the present work we established a joint ESTRO ACROP guideline for the target volume definition of skull base tumors.

Material And Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed using various combinations of the following medical subjects headings (MeSH) and free-text words: "radiation therapy" or "stereotactic radiosurgery" or "proton therapy" or "particle beam therapy" and "skull base neoplasms" "pituitary neoplasms", "meningioma", "craniopharyngioma", "chordoma", "chondrosarcoma", "acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma", "organs at risk", "gross tumor volume", "clinical tumor volume", "planning tumor volume", "target volume", "target delineation", "dose constraints".

Minimally Invasive Approaches in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Surgery After Chemoradiotherapy: A Propensity Score Analysis.

Purpose: Chemoradiation (CT/RT) followed by radical surgery (RS) may play a role in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients with suboptimal response to CT/RT or in low-income countries with limited access to radiotherapy. Our aim is to evaluate oncological and surgical outcomes of minimally invasive radical surgery (MI-RS) compared with open radical surgery (O-RS).

Patients And Methods: Data for stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer patients managed by CT/RT and RS were retrospectively analyzed.

Using the Bolus in Post-mastectomy Radiation Therapy (PMRT): A National Survey on Behalf of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) Breast Cancer Group.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the bolus practice among Italian radiation oncologists.

Patients And Methods: In 2018, a survey on bolus application was sent to all members of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology.

Results: The survey was joined by 102 radiation oncologists.

Risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a secondary analysis of the WAPM study on COVID-19.

Objectives To evaluate the strength of association between maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Methods Secondary analysis of a multinational, cohort study on all consecutive pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 from 73 centers from 22 different countries. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens.

Comparison of absorbable and permanent sutures for laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common cause of morbidity and decreased quality of life among women and is treatable by laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. Recent data suggest that absorbable sutures are a feasible and appealing option for mesh attachment given a potential decreased risk of complications related to mesh erosion. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of absorbable sutures to permanent sutures for laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy.

Role of minimally invasive surgery versus open approach in patients with early-stage uterine carcinosarcomas: a retrospective multicentric study.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare surgical and survival outcome in only patients with early-stage UCSs managed by laparotomic surgery (LPT) versus minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected in four Italian different institutions. Inclusion criteria were UCS diagnosis confirmed by the definitive histological examination, and stage I or II according to the FIGO staging system.

Electroanatomic guidance versus conventional fluoroscopy during transseptal puncture for atrial fibrillation ablation.

Introduction: Technological advancement in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has decreased radiation exposure and complications associated with the procedure. Yet, transseptal puncture (TSP) remains a challenging step that necessitates accurate guidance. We describe our experience performing TSP under electroanatomic (EA) guidance.

Patients with cancer in the COVID-19 era: the clinical trial issue.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospital reorganization may result in reduced ability for the hospital to fully use its armamentarium for battling cancer. Thus different therapeutic modalities have been recommended. During the pandemic, despite regulatory agencies' recommendations, several considerations and doubts remain for oncologic clinical trials.

Stereotactic Ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for cardiac arrhythmia: A new therapeutic option?

Aim: Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) is used in non-oncologic indications, recently even for cardiac arrhythmias. Thus, aim of this analysis is to review preclinical, early clinical evidences and future direction of the latter new treatment approach.

Method: A collection of available data regarding SABR and cardiac arrhythmias was made, by Pubmed research and 2 independent researchers, including preclinical and clinical data.

Older age and comorbidity in breast cancer: is RT alone the new therapeutic frontier?

Aim: To assess the impact of age, comorbidities and endocrine therapy (ET) in older breast cancer (BC) patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy (Hypo-RT).

Methods: From June 2009 to December 2017, we enrolled in this study 735 ER-positive BC patients (stage pT1-T2, pNx-1, M0 and age ≥ 65 years) receiving hypo-RT and followed them until September 2019. Baseline comorbidities included in the hypertension-augmented Charlson Comorbidity Index were retrospectively retrieved.

Use of a multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon catheter to achieve pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: 12-Month outcomes of the RADIANCE study.

Background: The RADIANCE first-in-man study evaluated acute (3-month) safety and design concept in terms of utility of a new multi-electrode radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter (HELIOSTAR, Biosense Webster) to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). After study conclusion, a subset of patients was followed up to 12 months.

Methods: Patients with drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were enrolled.

Endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with crossed fused renal ectopia.

Chimney/snorkel endovascular aneurysm repair (Ch-EVAR) enables the minimally invasive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in anatomically challenging and high-risk surgical cases. Here, we present the case of a 77-year-old man with an abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with crossed fused renal ectopia and an ectopic renal artery arising directly from the aneurysm sac. After successful implementation of Ch-EVAR, computed tomography angiography at 18 months revealed no endoleaks, patency of the parallel graft, and normal renal vascularization and function.

The controversial role of Bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with intracranial meningioma: a comprehensive literature review.

: Meningiomas represent the most common primary intracranial tumors. Today, surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy when indicated, is still the treatment of choice. In recent years, distinct oncogenic pathways have been identified, laying the foundations of new personalized targeted therapies.