Late-term effects of hypofractionated chest wall and regional nodal radiotherapy with two-dimensional technique in patients with breast cancer

Purpose@#Hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) is becoming a new standard in postoperative treatment of patients with early stage breast cancer after breast conservation surgery. However, data on hypofractionation in patients with advanced stage disease who undergo mastectomy followed by local and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is lacking. In this retrospective study, we report late-term effects of 3 weeks post-mastectomy hypofractionated local and RNI with two-dimensional (2D) technique in patients with stage II and III breast cancer. @*Methods@#Between January 1990 and December 2007, 1,770 women with breast cancer who were given radical treatment with mastectomy, systemic therapy and RT at least 10 years ago were included. RT dose was 35 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks to chest wall by two tangential fields and 40 Gy in same fractions to supraclavicular fossa (SCF) and internal mammary nodes (IMNs). SCF and IMNs dose was prescribed at dmax and 3 cm depth, respectively. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy was given in 64% and 74% patients, respectively. Late-term toxicities were assessed with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scores and LENT-SOMA scales (the Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force-Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic scales). @*Results@#Mean age was 48 years (range, 19 to 75 years). Median follow-up was 12 years (range, 10 to 27 years). Moderate/marked arm/shoulder pain was reported by 254 (14.3%) patients. Moderate/marked shoulder stiffness was reported by 219 (12.3%) patients. Moderate/marked arm edema was seen in 131 (7.4%) patients. Brachial plexopathy was not seen in any patient. Rib fractures were noted in 6 (0.3%) patients. Late cardiac and lung toxicity was seen in 29 (1.6%) and 23 (1.3%) patients, respectively. Second malignancy developed in 105 (5.9%) patients. @*Conclusion@#RNI with 40 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks hypofractionation with 2D technique seems safe and comparable to historical data of conventional fractionation (ClinicalTrial.gov Registration No. XXXX).

A forgetful and angry old lady

@#Dementia is typically characterized by the deterioration of cognitive abilities and is a common disorder among the elderly in Malaysia. However, behavioral and psychological symptoms are also present in approximately 90% of dementia patients.1 We report the manifestation of these symptoms in an elderly woman with dementia and the treatment thereof

Bilateral fracture of prostheses post-hip replacement

Fracture of hip prostheses is a rare occurrence. A case of bilateral hip prostheses fracture is described here. The need to follow-up and remain vigilant post hip replacement is highlighted.

Patients that benefit from buprenorphine-naloxone on medically assisted treatment for opioid dependence in Malaysia

Introduction: Opioid dependence is recorded as the most common drug of abuse in Malaysia. Currently, the preferred substitution therapy for most Government treatment centres is methadone used as substitution therapy for opioid dependence. There are, however patients who may benefit from being on the combined buprenorphine-naloxone formulation as substitution therapy instead. We discuss six cases of opioid dependence of varied backgrounds that were treated with buprenorphinenaloxone therapy and their outcomes. Discussion: All of the reported patients improved after the induction of buprenorphine- naloxone. Two of the cases highlighted the transfer of patients on methadone to buprenorphine-naloxone due to the adverse effect and interactions of methadone with other medications. During the transfer there were no major adverse reactions noted, and patients were safely able to continue with the maintenance therapy of buprenorphine- naloxone. Conclusion: Buprenorphine-naloxone is a safe and effective drug substitution therapy for opioid dependence. It has fewer interactions with other medications, and has similar efficacy to methadone. Being a partial agonist, it has a less sedating effect making patients more functional.

Hidden penile fracture: an unusual presentation and review of literature

Penile fractures, a not so uncommon urological emergency, mostly present with a characteristic history and physical examination. Here, we present an atypical case where even in the absence of physical findings, a characteristic history led us to penile exploration and timely repair, highlighting the importance of careful history-taking in these cases