HER2-low breast cancer could be associated with an increased risk of brain metastasis.

Purpose: The HER2-low breast cancer is a newly recognized entity with the clinical characteristics is yet to be defined. We hypothesized that HER2-low breast cancer could lead to an increased rate of brain metastases in patients with localized breast cancer. We tested this hypothesis in a large cohort of breast cancer patients with long follow-up.

Lower prognostic nutritional index is associated with poorer survival in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Blood-based biomarkers like prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are readily available biomarkers for immunotherapy efficacy, although the data are limited. So, we aimed to evaluate the association between PNI and overall survival (OS) in immunotherapy-treated patients. For this retrospective cohort study, data of 150 immunotherapy-treated advanced cancer patients were evaluated.

The association between antibiotic use and survival in renal cell carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy: a multi-center study.

Background: Immunotherapy improves overall survival (OS) in the second and later lines of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment. Recent studies have suggested that antibiotic (ATB) use either shortly before or after the start of immunotherapy could lead to decreased OS. Herein, we evaluate the impact of ATB use on OS in RCC patients treated with nivolumab in a multi-center cohort from Turkey.

Circulating Epstein-Barr virus DNA and cell-free DNA in pediatric lymphomas.

Background And Objectives: Quantification of serum Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA and/or cell-free total DNA (cf-DNA) may become valuable sources for prognosis evaluation and monitoring treatment response in lymphomas. We aimed to investigate their roles as potential markers in pediatric Hodgkin (HL) and non- Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL).

Method: Between the years 2005-2008, 34 patients with HL and 45 with NHL were prospectively included.

Risk assessment of febrile neutropenia and evaluation of G-CSF use in patients with cancer: a real-life study.

Purpose: The guidelines suggest using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for febrile neutropenia (FN) as prophylaxis in chemotherapy protocols with the risk of 10-20% after assessment of patient's risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the risk of FN by using the Patient Risk Score (PRS) and evaluating G-CSF use and its side effects by a clinical pharmacist at an outpatient clinic.

Methods: The study was conducted from May 2017 until November 2017 at the University Hospital oncology outpatient clinic.

Comparison of two different carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel schedule in elderly advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Purpose: In this study our aim was to compare efficacy and toxicity profiles of two different schedule of carboplatin-paclitaxel regimen in elderly advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods: Data from the charts of 59 elderly patients with metastatic NSCLC, treated with weekly paclitaxel combined with two different schedule of carboplatin were collected retrospectively from three medical oncology centers in Turkey between September 2002 to March 2018. No prior systemic therapy or radiotherapy was allowed.

Cancer patients and oncology nursing: Perspectives of oncology nurses in Turkey.

Background And Aim: Burnout and exhaustion is a frequent problem in oncology nursing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the aspects of oncology nurses about their profession in order to enhance the standards of oncology nursing.

Materials And Methods: This survey was conducted with 70 oncology nurses working at Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital.

Evaluation of quality of life and anxiety and depression levels in patients receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer: impact of patient education before treatment initiation.

Background: As a consequence of the improved survival due to the availability of several treatment option cost-effectiveness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) issues have gained increasing attention in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate quality of life, level of anxiety and depression before and after a 6-month follow-up period in chemotherapy receiving patients with CRC.

Methods: The study was conducted in 50 patients with colon or rectal cancer.

Symptom characteristics and clustering in children and adolescents undergoing or being off cancer chemotherapy.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of symptoms, their characteristics and distress and to define symptom clusters occurring among children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy or having completed their treatment.

Methods: Data were collected using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale in patients receiving chemotherapy and those who had completed it. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, whilst information over the disease status and treatment regimens was obtained from medical records.