Prognostic Value of Pretreatment Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in Rectal Cancer Treated with Preoperative Short-Course Radiotherapy with Delayed Surgery or Long-Course Radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of the pretreatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in patients with rectal cancer treated by preoperative short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by chemotherapy and delayed surgery.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred and sixty-six consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma without distant metastasis receiving preoperative radiotherapy were enrolled. Group 1 patients (n=144) received long-course radiotherapy (LCRT) with 50.

Evidences on the Use of Hypofractionation in Postoperative/Salvage Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Systematic Review of the Literature and Recent Developments.

Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one possible curative treatment for localized prostate cancer. Despite that, up to 40% of patients will later relapse. Currently, post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) courses deliver 1.

Hypoalbuminemia is Associated with Higher 90-Day Mortality and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis Receiving Radiotherapy-Based Therapy.

Background: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is common among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) due to shared etiologic factor, alcohol. For non-metastatic ESCC (nmESCC) patients with cirrhosis, surgery is often contraindicated or associated with high morbidity, therefore radiotherapy-based therapy was commonly applied. This study aims to investigate prognosticators for overall survival (OS) in nmESCC and cirrhotic patients receiving radiotherapy-based therapy.

Risk Factors for Unplanned Emergency Department Visits in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma During Radiotherapy.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is commonly treated with radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, unplanned emergency department (ED) visits during treatment can disrupt therapy and impact patient outcomes. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with unplanned ED visits in patients with NPC receiving RT or CCRT.

Factors associated with functional ability in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy: a prospective longitudinal study.

Purpose: During and after treatment, esophageal cancer (EC) patients experience changes in body mass index (BMI), performance status, nutrition status, symptom distress, and physical fitness. This study aims to evaluate temporal changes and their associated factors in BMI, performance status, nutrition status, symptom distress, physical fitness, and functional ability in EC patients during and after treatment.

Methods: This prospective longitudinal study recruited EC patients from a medical center in Northern Taiwan.

Intensity-modulated proton therapy versus volumetric-modulated ARC therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A long-term, multicenter cohort study.

Background: Data evaluating the impact of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) on survival among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients are limited. This study aims to elucidate the survival benefits and toxicity profiles of IMPT compared to modern photon therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), over an extended follow-up period.

Methods: We analyzed data from NPC patients recorded in the Chang Gung Research Database.

Exploring Black Soybean Extract Cream for Inflammatory Dermatitis-Toward Radiation Dermatitis Relief.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of black soybean extract cream (BSEC) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced dermatitis in murine models mimicking inflammatory dermatitis observed in humans. In this DNCB-induced model, BALB/c mice were spread with 100 μL of 2% DNCB twice a week for two weeks to induce skin inflammation on the shaved back skin; then, a placebo or BSEC that consisted of the volatile fraction derived from the seeds of (L.) Merr.

Optomechanical motions of gold dimer's spin, rotation and revolution manipulated by bessel beam.

The optomechanical motion of a gold nanoparticle (GNP) dimer-a pair of optically bound GNPs-in fluid, manipulated by a Bessel beam, is theoretically studied using the multiple multipole (MMP) method. Since a Bessel beam possesses orbital angular momentum (OAM) and spin angular momentum (SAM) simultaneously, complicated rigid-body motions of the dimer can be induced. The mechanism involves the equilibrium between the optical force with the reactive drag force exerted by the fluid.

Perceived stress and betel quid dependence associated with reasons for betel quid chewing among male chewers: a mixed methods study.

Aims: Social culture concerns and betel quid (BQ) dependence may be the potential reasons for BQ chewing. This study's purpose was to identify the correlates of reasons for male BQ chewing.

Methods: We adopted a mixed-methods design.

Upfront Surgery Versus Upfront Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy as Primary Modality in Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: The management of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) continues to be one of the most formidable challenges in the realm of head and neck oncology.

Objectives: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the disparity in survival outcomes between upfront surgery and upfront concurrent chemoradiotherapy as the primary treatment modality in patients with HPSCC.

Design: Systemic review with meta-analysis.

Investigation of linear energy transfer (LET)-dependence behavior and dosimetric response of a flat-panel detector in pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the dependence of the flat-panel detector's response on the linear energy transfer (LET) and evaluate the practical viability of employing flat-panel detectors in proton dosimetry applications through LET-dependent correction factors.

Methods: The study assessed the flat-panel detector's response across varying depths using solid water and distinct 100, 150, and 200 MeV proton beams by comparing the flat-panel readings against reference doses measured with an ionization chamber. A Monte Carlo code was used to derive LET values, and an LET-dependent response correction factor was determined based on the ratio of the uncorrected flat-panel dose to the ionization chamber dose.

Treatment outcomes of oral leukoplakia on the irradiated or nonirradiated mucosa among survivors of head and neck cancer in the papulation where practice of betel nut chewing and cigarette smoking are widespread.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) has numerous effects on the oral mucosa, primarily genetic alterations and changes in the microenvironment. The characteristics of oral leukoplakia (OL) may differ between patients who have received previous head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment with radiation therapy and those who have not. Due to a lack of data on this scenario, we aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of OL by comparing these two patient groups.

Incidence of Carotid Blowout Syndrome in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer after Radiation Therapy: A Cohort Study.

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a rare yet life-threatening complication that occurs after radiation therapy (RT). This study aimed to determine the incidence of CBS in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing contemporary RT and to explore potential discrepancies in the risk of CBS between nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and non-NPC patients. A total of 1084 patients with HNC who underwent RT between 2013 and 2023 were included in the study.

Post-irradiation dysbiosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma having received radiotherapy - A pilot study.

Objective: To compare the changes in the sinonasal mucosa microbiome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) before and after radiotherapy (RT), and to explore the pathogenesis of post-irradiation chronic rhinosinusitis (PI-CRS) and its association with dysbiosis.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Unicenter, Tertiary referral hospital.

Salvage radiofrequency ablation followed by external beam radiotherapy for inoperable recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer.

Purpose: The treatment of recurrent thyroid cancer with critical organ invasion is challenging. The combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been proposed as an effective option. This study evaluates outcomes for inoperable residual/recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer (rDTC) patients treated with RFA followed by EBRT.

Dosimetric Correlation of Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Hypofractionated Proton Beam Therapy Using Pencil Beam Scanning.

Purpose: Pencil-beam scanning (PBS) is a modern delivery technique used in proton beam therapy (PBT) to reduce normal tissue reactions. No dosimetric correlation between dermatitis and PBS has been reported for breast cancer. The current study aimed to investigate the factors associated with grade 2 or higher dermatitis in patients with breast cancer undergoing PBT using PBS.

Postoperative radiotherapy versus surgery alone in pN1 oral cavity cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the potential benefits of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with pN1 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: A literature search through major databases was conducted until January 2023. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of different survival outcomes were extracted and pooled.

Factors associated with shame and stigma among head and neck cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients often suffer from shame and stigma due to treatment limitations or due to societal factors. The purpose of this study was to assess perceived body image, depression, physical and psychosocial function, and self-stigma, as well as to identify factors that predicted shame and stigma in patients with HNC.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 178 HNC patients from the outpatient radiation department of a medical center in Northern Taiwan.

The prognostic value of lymph node to primary tumor standardized uptake value ratio in cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The lymph node to primary tumor standardized uptake value ratio (NTR) is an innovative parameter derived from positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans that captures the intricate relationship between primary tumors and associated lymph nodes. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prognostic value of NTR in cancer patients.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases was conducted to identify studies investigating the association between NTR and survival outcomes in cancer patients.

Mapping scoping reviews in neurosurgery: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: The realm of neurosurgery is currently witnessing a surge in primary research, underscoring the importance of adopting evidence-based approaches. Scoping reviews, as a type of evidence synthesis, offer a broad perspective and have become increasingly vital for managing the ever-expanding body of research in swiftly evolving fields. Recent research has indicated a rising prevalence of scoping reviews in healthcare literature.

An Investigation of Patient Preferences and Gender Dynamics of Neurosurgeon Selection in Taiwan: A Mixed-Method Study.

Objective: To investigate the influence of gender on patient preferences during the selection of neurosurgeons.

Methods: A mixed-method, cross-sectional study was conducted at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, involving 60 patients. The study encompassed both structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, administered postpatient-surgeon interactions to assess the nuanced effect of surgeon gender on patient choice.

A Joint Model Based on Post-Treatment Longitudinal Prognostic Nutritional Index to Predict Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: a low PNI in patients with NPC is linked to poor survival, but prior studies have focused on single-timepoint measurements. Our study aims to employ joint modeling to analyze longitudinal PNI data from each routine visit, exploring its relationship with overall survival.

Methods: In this retrospective study using data from the Chang Gung Research Database (2007-2019), we enrolled patients with NPC undergoing curative treatment.

Collaborative clinical reasoning: a scoping review.

Background: Collaborative clinical reasoning (CCR) among healthcare professionals is crucial for maximizing clinical outcomes and patient safety. This scoping review explores CCR to address the gap in understanding its definition, structure, and implications.

Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to examine CCR related studies in healthcare.