Câncer de colo uterino na gestação / Cervical cancer in pregnancy

PONTOS-CHAVE • A incidência de câncer durante a gestação tem aumentado devido à tendência das mulheres em postergar a gravidez. O câncer de colo de útero é a terceira neoplasia mais comumente diagnosticada durante o período gestacional. • O rastreamento e o diagnóstico devem se dar como nas pacientes não gestantes; a citologia oncótica cervical é o exame obrigatório do pré-natal, e a colposcopia com biópsia pode ser realizada em qualquer período da gestação. • A gestação complicada pelo diagnóstico de um câncer deve sempre ser conduzida em centro de referência e por equipe multidisciplinar. • A interrupção da gestação em situações específicas, para tratamento-padrão, é respaldada por lei. • A quimioterapia neoadjuvante é uma alternativa segura de tratamento durante a gestação, para permitir alcançar a maturidade fetal. Apresenta altas taxas de resposta, sendo relatada progressão neoplásica durante a gestação em apenas 2,9% dos casos. O risco de malformações fetais decorrentes da quimioterapia é semelhante ao da população geral. Contudo, a quimioterapia está associada a restrição de crescimento intraútero, baixo peso ao nascer e mielotoxicidade neonatal. • Na ausência de progressão de doença, deve-se levar a gestação até o termo.

Efficacy and survival outcomes of dose-dense carboplatin plus paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and survival outcomes of dose-dense (biweekly) carboplatin plus paclitaxel (PC) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and to explore an optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen for TNBC. Methods: Patients diagnosed as TNBC(cT1-4N0-3M0) in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Between January 2008 and September 2018 who received dose-dense PC and standard 3-weekly PC as NAC were 1∶1 matched using propensity score matching (PSM) to compare the efficacy, safety and survival outcomes. Results: One hundred of TNBC patients were enrolled (50 patients were divided in dose-dense group, 50 patients in standard group). The objective response rate (ORR) of dose-dense group and standard group were both 90.0% (45/50). The grade 3-4 neutropenia in dose-dense group was less than that of standard group (32.7% vs. 68.0%, P=0.001), while the rate of ALT/AST elevation in dose-dense group was higher than that of standard group (57.1% vs. 32.0%, P=0.012). The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 34.0% (17/50) in dose-dense group and 38.0% (19/50) in standard group, without statistically significance (P=0.677). The median follow-up time was 55 months (3-150 months). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) in dose-dense group and standard group were 83.5% and 75.2%, respectively the 5-year overall survival (OS) in dose-dense and standard group were 87.9% and 84.5% the difference were not statistically significant (P=0.322 and 0.647, respectively). Patients with residual disease (tumor size≥1 cm or lymph node positive) had poor prognosis, the 5-year RFS and OS were 59.3% and 68.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Dose-dense PC has similar efficacy with standard 3-weekly PC and has a good safety profile. Since dose-dense regimen can shorten the duration of therapy, it can be an alternative in TNBC.

Combination transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We compared the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the survival of patients who received radiofrequency ablation (RFA) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with patients treated with TACE or RFA alone. METHODS: This study included 201 patients with HCC, who were consecutively enrolled at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between December 2004 and February 2010. Inclusion criteria were a single HCC < or = 5.0 cm or up to three HCCs < or = 3.0 cm. We used a propensity score model to compare HCC patients (n = 87) who received RFA after TACE (TACE + RFA) with those who received TACE (n = 71) or RFA alone (n = 43). RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 33.3 months (range, 6.8 to 80.9). The TACE + RFA group showed significantly lower local recurrence than the RFA or TACE groups (hazard ratio [HR], 0.309; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.130 to 0.736; p = 0.008; and HR, 0.352; 95% CI, 0.158 to 0.787; p = 0.011, respectively). The overall survival was significantly better in the TACE + RFA group compared to the RFA group (HR, 0.422; 95% CI, 0.185 to 0.964; p = 0.041). However, the survival benefit was not different between the TACE + RFA and TACE groups (p = 0.124). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients with a tumor size < 3 cm, the TACE + RFA group had significantly better long-term survival than those in the TACE or RFA groups (p = 0.017, p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: TACE + RFA combination treatment showed favorable local recurrence and better overall survival rates in early-stage HCC patients. Patients with tumors < 3 cm are likely to benefit more from TACE + RFA combination treatment. Additional studies are needed for the selection of suitable HCC patients for TACE + RFA treatment.

Evaluation of treatment response and tissue necrosis as prognostic indicators following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic roles of treatment response and tissue necrosis after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 243 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant CRT were included. Three treatment response groups were classified by their pathological stage results: complete treatment response (CTR), intermediate treatment response (ITR), and poor treatment response (PTR). Three tissue necrosis groups were classified based on tissue pathological results: complete necrosis response (CNR), intermediate necrosis response (INR), and poor necrosis response (PNR). RESULTS: Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate at three years were 74.5% and 61.3%, respectively. The 3-year OS rates of the CTR, ITR, and PTR groups were 83.7%, 75.9%, and 69.7%, respectively (p < 0.001); the 3-year RFS rates were 76.7%, 69.0%, and 52.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The 3-year OS rates of the CNR, INR, and PNR groups were 83.7%, 80.6%, and 61.8%, respectively (p < 0.001); the 3-year RFS rates were 76.7%, 68.9%, and 44.3%, respectively (p < 0.001). When compared to CTR/CNR, PTR/PNR was strongly related to an increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 5.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01 to 15.23 vs. HR, 6.37; 95% CI, 2.29 to 17.74, respectively) in univariate Cox regression. Both PTR and PNR were strongly associated with shorter RFS and OS when compared with CTR and CNR in the multivariate Cox regression. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue necrosis is an equally important prognostic marker as treatment response for oncologic outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Ifosfamide-induced Fanconi syndrome with diabetes insipidus

Ifosfamide-induced Fanconi syndrome is a rare complication that typically occurs in young patients due to a cumulative dose of ifosfamide > 40-60 g/m2, a reduction in kidney mass, or concurrent cisplatin treatment. It is usually characterized by severe and fatal progression accompanied by type II proximal renal tubular dysfunction, as evidenced by glycosuria, proteinuria, electrolyte loss, and metabolic acidosis. Diabetes insipidus is also a rare complication of ifosfamide-induced renal disease. We herein describe a case involving a 61-year-old man who developed ifosfamide-induced Fanconi syndrome accompanied by diabetes insipidus only a few days after the first round of chemotherapy. He had no known risk factors. In addition, we briefly review the mechanisms and possible therapeutic options for this condition based on other cases in the literature. Patients who receive ifosfamide must be closely monitored for renal impairment to avoid this rare but fatal complication.

Complicaciones anastomóticas en cáncer de recto bajo luego de neoadyuvancia / Anastomotic complications in low rectal cancer after neoadyuvant therapy

Introducción: El tratamiento actual del cáncer de recto combina muchas veces el uso de radio-quimioterapia preoperatoria y cirugía. Algunos autores postulan que la neoadyuvancia podría provocar mayor índice de complicaciones anastomóticas, especialmente en los tumores de recto inferior. Objetivo: Evaluar la incidencia de complicaciones anastomóticas en pacientes operados por tumor de recto inferior comparando aquellos que hayan recibido neoadyuvancia con los que no la recibieron. Como objetivo secundario se evalúo la mortalidad en ambos grupos. Lugar de aplicación: Hospital General de Agudos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Diseño: Análisis comparativo retrospectivo. Población y métodos: Fueron evaluados 180 pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de recto bajo. Sólo se seleccionaron para el análisis los tumores que fueron pasibles de resección rectal y anastomosis primaria y que estuvieran ubicados por debajo de los 12 cm. desde el margen anal en el período comprendido entre el año 2003 y 2010. Todos los pacientes fueron operados por el mismo equipo quirúrgico. Del total de 180 pacientes, 77 recibieron quimio-radioterapia preoperatoria (grupo 1), y 103 fueron operados sin tratamiento previo (grupo 2). Resultados: En el grupo 1 se registraron 5 complicaciones anastomóticas y hubo 2 casos de mortalidad, no asociada a complicación anastomótica. En el grupo 2 hubo 9 complicaciones anastomóticas y la mortalidad fue de cuatro casos, dos de ellos relacionados a dichas complicaciones. No hubo significación estadística para ninguna de estas diferencias (p=0.7797 y p=1.000 respectivamente) Conclusiones: La neoadyuvancia en cáncer de recto inferior no aumentó el número de complicaciones anastomóticas en esta serie.

Introduction: Current treatment of rectal cancer often combined the use of preoperative chemotherapy and radiosurgery. Some authors suggest that neoadjuvant therapy may result in higher rates of anastomotic complications, especially in lower rectal tumors. Objective: To evaluate the incidence of anastomotic complications in patients undergoing surgery for lower rectal tumor by comparing those who received neoadjuvant therapy with those who did not. A secondary objective was evaluated mortality in both groups. Application site: Acute General Hospital of the City of Buenos Aires. Design: Retrospective comparative analysis. Population and methods: 180 patients were evaluated with a diagnosis of low rectal cancer. Only selected for analysis the tumors were resecable rectal and primary anastomosis and were located below 12 cm. from the anal margin in the period between 2003 and 2010. All patients were operated by the same surgical team. Of the total 180 patients, 77 received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (group 1), and 103 were operated without pretreatment (group 2). Results: In group l, there were 5 anastomotic complications and there were 2 cases of mortality, not associated with anastomotic complications. In group 2 there were 9 anastomotic complications and mortality was four cases, two of them related to these complications. There was no statistical significance for any of these differences (p = 0.7797 and p = 1.000 respectively) Conclusions: Neoadjuvant lower rectal cancer did not increase the number of anastomotic complications in this series.

Eficácia local e complicações da terapêutica neoadjuvante no carcinoma epidermóide do esôfago: radioterapia versus radioterapia associada à quimioterapia / Local effectiveness and complications of neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: radiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy

OBJETIVO: avaliar por meio de um estudo retrospectivo não randomizado as respostas tumorais à terapêutica neoadjuvante, conforme os achados histopatológicos das peças cirúrgicas dos pacientes operados e tratados por carcinoma espinocelular do terço médio e distal do esôfago. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 97 pacientes assim distribuídos: grupo I 81 (83,5 por cento) submetidos à radioterapia neoadjuvante; e grupo II 16 (16,5 por cento) submetidos à radioterapia e quimioterapia neoadjuvantes. Um terceiro grupo de 26 pacientes submetidos à esofagectomia exclusiva foi utilizado na comparação das complicações pós-operatórias. As características de cada paciente (idade, sexo e raça), o local do tumor, o estadiamento, e a avaliação histológica das modalidades de tratamento foram revisadas e analisadas. A resposta tumoral à terapêutica neoadjuvante foi avaliada com estudos histopatológicos da peça cirúrgica. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças estatisticas significativas quanto à cor, sexo, idade, estadiamento e complicações pós-operatórias nos pacientes dos três grupos analisados. Os pacientes submetidos à radioterapia e quimioterapia neoadjuvante apresentaram redução tumoral mais satisfatória, com melhor eficácia local, quando comparado ao grupo submetido apenas a radioterapia neoadjuvante. CONCLUSÃO: o estudo sugere que a radioterapia associada à quimioterapia apresentou maior eficácia local na redução tumoral em comparação com o grupo tratado com radioterapia; além disso, a terapêutica neoadjuvante não elevou as complicações pós-operatórias em comparação aos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia exclusiva.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tumor responses to neoadjuvant therapy, according to the histopathological findings of surgical specimens of patients operated and treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third and distal esophagus. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective nonrandomized study including 97 patients distributed as follows: Group I - 81 (83.5 percent) underwent neoadjuvant radiation therapy, and group II - 16 (16.5 percent) underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A third group of 26 patients undergoing esophagectomy alone was used for comparison of postoperative complications. The characteristics of each patient (age, gender and race), tumor site, staging, and histological evaluation of treatment modalities were reviewed and analyzed. Tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy was evaluated by histopathology of the specimen. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant differences regarding race, gender, age, staging and postoperative complications in patients in the three groups. Patients undergoing radiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed more satisfactory tumor reduction, with improved local efficacy when compared to the group only submitted to neoadjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy was more efficient in reducing tumor site when compared to the group treated with radiotherapy. In addition, neoadjuvant therapy did not increase the postoperative complications when compared to patients undergoing surgery alone.

Terapêutica neo-adjuvante aumenta as complicações pós-operatórias da esofagectomia / Does neoadjuvant therapy increase postoperative complications of esophagectomy

RACIONAL: O câncer de esôfago é o oitavo tipo de câncer mais incidente na população no mundo, sendo que no Brasil são estimados 10.630 novos casos para o ano de 2010. Na terapêutica curativa, a esofagectomia destaca-se nas suas mais diversas modalidades de tratamento. OBJETIVO: Avaliar por meio de um estudo retrospectivo não-randomizado as complicações peri-operatórias dos pacientes submetidos à esofagectomia por carcinoma epidermóide do esôfago, com ou sem terapêutica neo-adjuvante. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 123 pacientes operados, submetidos na sua maioria (80 por cento) à esofagectomia transmediastinal com anastomose esofagogástrica cervical, assim distribuídos: 81 (65,8 por cento) submetidos à radioterapia neo-adjuvante, 16 (13 por cento) à radioterapia e quimioterapia neo-adjuvantes e 26 (21,2 por cento) à cirurgia exclusiva. RESULTADOS: As principais complicações consideradas foram: hemorragia intra-operatória (4 por cento), pneumotórax / hemotórax (73,1 por cento), broncopneumonia (20,3 por cento) e fístulas e estenose de anastomose (44,7 por cento). Não houve diferenças significativas nas complicações entre os grupos, exceto em relação pneumotórax / hemotórax em que houve menor ocorrência no grupo de cirurgia exclusiva. A mortalidade geral foi de 14 casos (8,8 por cento), não relacionada ao tratamento empregado. CONCLUSÃO: O emprego da terapêutica neo-adjuvante com quimioterapia e radioterapia com a finalidade de obter-se melhor sobrevida e taxas de ressecção completa não resultou em aumento nas complicações peri-operatórias.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is the eighth most frequent type of cancer in the population in the world, and in Brazil 10.630 new cases are estimated for the year 2010. In curative treatment, esophagectomy stands out in its various treatment modalities. AIM: To assess by means of a retrospective nonrandomized the perioperative complications of patients submitted to esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, with or without neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: Were analyzed 123 patients operated, undergoing mostly (80 percent) transmediastinal esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis, distributed as follows: 81 (65.8 percent) underwent radiotherapy neo-adjuvant, 16 (13 percent) chemoradiotherapy neoadjuvant and 26 (21,2 percent) to surgery alone. RESULTS: Major complications considered were: intraoperative hemorrhage (4 percent), pneumothorax / hemothorax (73.1 percent), pneumonia (20.3 percent) and fistula and anastomotic stenosis (44.7 percent). No significant differences in complications between the groups, except for pneumothorax / hemothorax in which there was a lower incidence in the group of surgery alone. Overall mortality was 14 cases (8.8 percent), unrelated to the treatment used. CONCLUSION: The neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in order to obtain better survival rates and complete resection resulted in no increase in perioperative complications.

Dermatological Toxicity in Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment / Toxicidade dermatológica em mulheres com câncer de mama submetidas à quimioterapia / Toxicidad dermatológica en mujeres con cáncer de mama sometidas a quimioterapia

This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of skin toxicity caused by drugs used in the protocol of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy among women with breast cancer. Patient records of 72 women who were subject to this therapy between 2003 and 2006 were assessed. Of the 558 cycles of chemotherapy, 152 adverse events were registered. There were 37 registrations of dermatological toxicity, of those, 20 were extravasations that affected 17 women. Nine reports of hardened local injury, local fibrosis, pain, and hyperemia were registered during neoadjuvancy. In adjuvancy, among the 11 extravasations registered there were reports of hardened local injury, fibrosis and local pain. Lack of follow-up records for both periods was observed. Registration of the events and reports by the nursing team are essential to monitor the sites of venous puncture during the chemotherapy treatment, besides measuring and making a photographic record of the site.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a ocorrência de toxicidade dermatológica, provocada por drogas utilizadas no protocolo de quimioterapia neoadjuvante e adjuvante, entre mulheres com câncer de mama. Foram avaliados 72 prontuários de mulheres submetidas a essa terapia, entre 2003 e 2006. De 558 ciclos de quimioterapia, foram registrados 152 eventos adversos, 37 de toxicidade dermatológica, e, desses, 20 eram ocorrências de extravasamento em um total de 17 mulheres. Observou-se nove ocorrências na neoadjuvância com registros nos prontuários de lesão endurecida no local, fibrose local, dor e hiperemia. Na adjuvância, dos 11 extravasamentos registrados, destacam-se lesão endurecida no local, fibrose e dor local. Houve falta de registro de seguimento e avaliação dos eventos adversos para os dois períodos. O registro das intercorrências pela equipe de enfermagem é essencial para o acompanhamento dos sítios de punções venosas, utilizados durante o tratamento quimioterápico, além da mensuração e registro fotográfico do local.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la ocurrencia de toxicidad dermatológica provocada por drogas utilizadas en el protocolo de quimioterapia neoadyuvante y adyuvante entre mujeres con cáncer de mama. Fueron evaluadas 72 fichas de mujeres sometidas a esta terapia de 2003 a 2006. De 558 ciclos de quimioterapia, fueron registrados 152 eventos adversos, 37 de toxicidad dermatológica; de estos, 20 fueron ocurrencias de extravasación de líquido ocurridos en un 17 mujeres. Se observó 9 ocurrencias en la quimioterapia neoadyuvante con registros en las fichas de lesión endurecida en el local, fibrosis local, dolor e hiperemia. En la quimioterapia adyuvante, de las 11 extravasaciones registradas, se destacan lesión endurecida en el local, fibrosis y dolor local. Hubo falta de registro de seguimiento y evaluación de los eventos adversos para los dos períodos. El registro de las interocurrencias por el equipo de enfermería es esencial para el acompañamiento de los sitios de punciones venosas utilizados durante el tratamiento de quimioterapia, además de mensuración y registro fotográfico del local.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities are still controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of a protocol of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for extremity sarcomas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out in a consecutive series of 49 adult patients with advanced extremity soft tissue sarcomas that could not be resected with adequate margins during the primary resection. All patients were treated with a protocol of preoperative radiation therapy at a total dose of 30 Gy, concomitant with doxorubicin (60 mg/m²) chemotherapy. The main endpoints assessed were local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival. The median follow-up time was 32.1 months. RESULTS: The five-year local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates were 81.5 percent, 46.7 percent and 58.3 percent, respectively. For high-grade tumors, the five-year metastasis-free and overall survival rates were only 36.3 percent and 41.2 percent, respectively. Severe wound complications were observed in 41.8 percent of the patients who underwent surgery. These complications precluded adjuvant chemotherapy in 73.7 percent (14/19) of the patients eligible to receive it. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy was associated with a good local control rate, but the distant relapse-free rate and overall survival rate were still poor. The high rate of wound complications modified the planning of adjuvant treatment in most patients.

Tratamiento neoadyuvante del cáncer de mama localmente avanzado: comparación de dos esquemas a base de docetaxel-epirrubicina versus 5-fluoraciloepirrubicina-ciclofosfamida / Neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced breast cancer: comparison of two schemes based on docetaxel-epirubicin vs. 5-fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. In Mexico, >34% of patients are in locally advanced stages at the time of diagnosis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is administered to control local disease, make surgical resection possible and increase the possibility of breast tissue conservation. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (stages IIB and IIIA) with two therapy schemes; 5-fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide (control group) vs. docetaxel-epirubicin (study group). Both were indicated in three preoperative cycles, and patients were submitted afterwards to surgery. Pathological response was measured. RESULTS: Forty one patients were included in our study. They were distributed in two homogeneous groups: 21 in the control group and 20 in the study group. Dimensional pathological response was higher in the study group than in the control one (p <0.05). Five patients in the control group and ten patients of the study group experienced complete pathological response (p <0.05). The most common secondary events were leucopenia, neutropenia and fever. Morbidity, number of lymph nodes, disease-free survival and general survival did not show significant differences between groups. No mortality was reported during a minimum follow-up of 28 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the effectiveness of docetaxel-epirubicin to obtain complete pathological response. Neoadjuvant therapy has been shown to increase the pathological response when a taxane is added to an anthracycline. This combination presented more secondary events, but they can be effectively managed medically. Neoadjuvant docetaxel-epirubicin followed by surgery is an appropriate regimen for patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical cytoreduction in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

AIMS: To study the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgical cytoreduction in the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 82 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancers (stage IIIC and IV) who were treated with NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction between 1995 and 2004 was performed. Response to NACT, optimal cytoreduction rate, disease-free survival and overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 59 patients (72%) with stage IIIC disease and 23 (28%) with stage IV disease. Diagnosis was established by imaging, ascitic fluid cytology and CA-125 estimations in 75% and by laparotomy in 25% of the patients. After NACT, complete response occurred in 17 patients (20.7%), 50 (61.0%) had partial response and no response was documented in 15 (18.3%) patients. Optimal surgical cytoreduction could be achieved in 72% of the patients. At the median follow-up of 34 months (range 6-102 months), 5-year disease-free and overall survivals were 31 and 32% respectively. The median disease free interval was 25.4 months. On multivariate analysis, degree of optimal cytoreduction was the only factor (P < 0.05) affecting survival. CONCLUSIONS: NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction is a promising treatment strategy for the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers. A significant number of patients exhibit response to NACT. Downstaging following NACT leads to higher optimal cytoreduction rates and improved survival in comparison to historical controls.

Micronuclei evaluation of reduction in neoadjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity in locally advanced lung cancer: an indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world accounting for 17.6% cancers worldwide. The AAR i n I ndian population varies f r om 0.98-15.55. The aim of t he present study was to analyze areduction in neoadjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity in locally advanced lung cancer (stage IIIA and III B) using Wobe Mugos E and its evaluation using micronuclei as a cytogenetic marker. Micronuclei, which are cytoplasmic fragments of DNA, have been used as a biological dosimeter to assess DNA damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty patients of locally advanced NSCLC were randomized into two study groups between 2001-2003. One group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy using Cisplatin and Etoposide. The other group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy using Cisplatin and Etoposide along with Wobe Mugos E which is a proteolytic enzyme preparation. A study of micronuclei frequency was done pre and post chemotherapy in both groups. RESULTS: Thirty eight patients were available for final evaluation. Anemia was the most common hematological toxicity observed. Nausea and vomiting were the most common non -hematological toxicity seen. Wobe Mugos E was found to reduce the incidence of leucopenia (p = 0.005), nausea (p=0.004), vomiting (p= 0.003), sensory neuropathy (p = 0.032) and treatment related depression (p= 0.005). A reduction in micronuclei was seen in patients in patients on Wobe Mugos E. (p =0.01). CONCLUSION: Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity is a major problem in patients with advanced lung cancer. A reduction in micronuclei frequency shows Wobe Mugos E to be effective in reducing chemotherapy related acute toxicity.

Chemotherapy related toxicity in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: For inoperable non-small cell lung cancer combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy plays an important role as a therapeutic modality. The aim of the present study was to analyze neoadjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity in locally advanced lung cancer (stage IIIA and IIIB) in Indian patients using Cisplatin and Etoposide combination chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients of locally advanced Non small cell lung cancer received three cycles neoadjuvant chemotherapy using Injection Cisplatin and Etoposide. The patients were taken for Radical radiotherapy to a dose of 60 Gray over 30 fractions in conventional fractionation after completing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy associated toxicity was assessed using common toxicity criteria (CTC v2.0) RESULTS: Forty patients were available for final evaluation. Median age of presentation of patients was fifty-six years. Thirteen patients had Non small cell lung cancer stage IIIA while twenty-seven patients had Stage IIIB disease. Anemia was the most common hematological toxicity observed (seen in 81% of patients). Nausea and vomiting were the most common non-hematological toxicity seen. Sensory neuropathy was seen in 38% of patients. 88% patients developed alopecia. Seven patients developed febrile neutropenias. CONCLUSION: Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy using Cisplatin and Etoposide continues to be a basic regimen in the Indian set up despite availability of higher molecules, since it is cost effective, well tolerated and therapeutically effective. Blood transfusions, growth factors and supportive care can be used effectively to over come toxicity associated with this regimen.

Depressao e ansiedade em pacientes com cancer de mama / Depression and anxiety in patients with breast cancer

Objetivos: 1) estabelecer a prevalencia de depressao maior e ansiedade generalizada em pacientes com cancer de mama no Instituto do Cancer do Estado do Ceara, Brasil; 2) relacionar as interacoes medicas (quimioterapicas e cirurgicas) com o desenvolvimento de depressao maior e ansiedade generalizada nessas pacientes. Amostras: 84 pacientes, com idade variando de 24 a 66 anos, com cancer de mama, atendidas no Instituto do Cancer do Ceara. Procedimento: foram entrevistadas usando os criterios do DSM-IV para diagnosticar...