Implementing the Yorkshire Cancer Research funded Prehabilitation Radiotherapy Exercise smoking Habit cessation And Balanced diet Study (PREHABS): a therapeutic radiographer's perspective

Introduction: Lung cancer patients often have a number of comorbidities which impacts patient mortality and morbidity rates. Lifestyle changes for this group of patients have the potential to positively impact both quality of life and longevity. The Yorkshire Cancer Research funded Prehabilitation Radiotherapy Exercise smoking Habit cessation And Balanced diet Study (PREHABS) was designed to determine if it is feasible to embed interventions promoting a healthier lifestyle into the radical lung radiotherapy pathway. Method(s): The PREHABS study was led by therapeutic radiographers trained in smoking cessation provision, motivational interviewing, informed consent and good clinical practice and a dietitian. Radiographers screened and consented study participants, delivered the exercise intervention and up to 12-weeks of smoking cessation support, whilst dietary advice was provided by the dietitian. Patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were referred to a community based pulmonary rehabilitation service rather than the PREHABS exercise intervention. Ethical and regulatory approvals were secured in September 2021. Result(s): 61 patients were recruited between September 2021 and October 2022. The majority were female (n=42), mean age 73.1 years (SD 9.36 years). Discussion(s): In addition to the training requirements detailed above and the challenges of COVID-19, the radiographers had to become adept in a number of study-specific aspects including writing the study standard operating procedures (SOPs), creating a study organisational workflow and patient recruitment. The PREHABS study has broadened the radiographer's perspective beyond the radiotherapy department, by further understanding the complex comorbidities that lung cancer patients present with, how to motivate patients to positively change their lifestyle, and how the side effects caused by cancer treatment can affect a patient's ability to change their lifestyle. Conclusion(s): Therapeutic radiographers, after appropriate training, are capable of delivering lifestyle intervention support within a radical lung cancer radiotherapy pathway. Disclosure: No significant relationships.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of head and neck cancer in Brazil

Introduction: To restrict the spread of COVID-19 infection, billions of people around the world have been quarantined or in social isolation. As a result of these health public measures, only essential services were maintained. Outpatient consultations and non-urgent surgeries were suspended to reduce hospitalizations and the risk of contagion. This context resulted in a delay in the diagnosis of several diseases, including head and neck cancer (HNC). Objective(s): To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of HNC, comparing the number of surgery and radiotherapy, and chemotherapy procedures carried out during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in Brazil. Material(s) and Method(s): We compared the mean number of HNC surgeries and the number of radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures carried out during the pre-pandemic (from March to July 2015-2019) and pandemic period (from March to July 2020) in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Result(s): Between 2015 and 2019, the mean number of surgeries for HNC was 5410. In 2020, during the same period, there were 3522 surgeries, representing a 35% decrease during the pandemic period. The greatest decrease was observed in the Northern region (60.7%). The number of radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures increased by 50,8% in the pandemic period, with a higher prevalence in the Northeast (75.1%). Conclusion(s): During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data demonstrate a likely change in the HNC treatment protocol in Brazil.

Case Report on a Rare Malignancy: Anorectal Melanoma

Introduction: Melanoma of the rectum is an extremely rare disease. The median survival rate is 2-5 years. Current treatment for this aggressive cancer is resection if possible and consider adjuvant or neoadjuvant radiotherapy;immunotherapy in nonresectable cases. Given the rapid spread of disease due to its submucosal growth and metastasis pattern, there is low success rates with treatments. Case Description/Methods: An 84-year-old male presented to the emergency department with an acute COVID-19 infection. The patient was also found to have gram-negative septicemia on blood cultures, so a CT abdomen/pelvis was performed (Figure 1a). The CT showed rectal wall thickening. A flexible sigmoidoscopy was planned for a future outpatient visit after recovering from his acute infection. The patient, however, developed an acute onset of dyspnea and had a high probability V/Q scan while in the hospital. He was started on anticoagulation, and shortly after starting therapy the patient developed bright red rectal bleeding. Due to the new onset of rectal bleeding it was decided to expedite the sigmoidoscopy. The sigmoidoscopy was performed in the hospital showing an ulcerated partially black pigmented non- obstructing medium-sized mass that was partially circumferential involving one-third of the lumen (Figure 1b). A biopsy of the lesion was taken using cold-forceps. The pathology stained positive for S100 consistent with melanoma. The diagnosis of anorectal melanoma was made, and colorectal surgery was consulted. The patient was deemed not to be a surgical candidate secondary to age and active COVID-19 infection. Oncology was consulted, and it was decided to start the patient on radiation and immunotherapy with a PD-1 inhibitor. Discussion(s): The symptoms of anorectal melanoma can be subtle and in this case report completely asymptomatic. Symptoms to be aware of are rectal bleeding and tenesmus. Diagnosing melanoma on sigmoidoscopy can be challenging as most tumors are not pigmented. Biopsies should be taken and sent for immunohistochemical staining for S100, if positive the patient should have a PET scan. Treatment choices for the tumor are based on staging. In a resectable tumor sphincter-saving local excision with radiotherapy to the site of the tumor and the pericolic and inguinal lymphatics is recommended. For unresectable tumors or tumors with distant metastasis, immunotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab and ipilimumab) is an emerging treatment choice.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting as a Clival Mass

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprises the majority of primary liver cancer and has a poor prognosis. Clivus metastasis is rare with only a few reported cases in the medical literature. We report a case of a patient who presented with clival mass found to have metastatic HCC. Case Description/Methods: A 63-year-old woman presented for neurosurgical evaluation after she was found to have a skull base mass on computerized tomography (CT) of the head at an outside hospital. She endorsed dysphagia for three months, however denied headaches or visual disturbances. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 5.4 cm by 2.9 cm by 3.6 cm mass in the clivus, which was deemed as the cause of dysphagia (Figure 1a). The patient subsequently underwent an endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of the clival mass. Histopathology from the tissue revealed a hepatoid carcinoma, concerning for metastatic HCC (Figure 1b and 2c). Immunohistochemical strains were positive for hepatocytic marker arginase-1 (Figure 1d). Laboratory studies revealed alpha fetoprotein (AFP) of 56,344 ng/mL, CA-125 of 376 ng/mL, normal B-HCG and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Thereafter, a triple phase CT of the liver revealed two LI-RADS 5 lesions suggestive of HCC as the primary malignancy. Patient's case was discussed at multidisciplinary tumor board with recommendations for systemic immunotherapy with atezolimumab plus bevacizumab and radiation therapy to the clivus. Discussion(s): The incidence of HCC has almost tripled since the 1980s making it the fastest rising cause of cancer related deaths. Metastasis to the brain comprises 0.26% to 2.2% of cases and the skull base is the most rarely affected anatomical site. Although CNS presentation is rare, we may see more neurological manifestations of metastatic HCC with the persistence of chronic hepatitis infections, the rise of metabolic diseases such as NASH, and an increase in alcohol-related liver disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although exceedingly rare, metastasis to the clivus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skull base masses. Despite detection and treatment, prognosis remains poor and emphasis should be placed on consistent HCC surveillance. This case emphasizes that skull masses must be evaluated diligently as they can be the first sign of underlying liver malignancy. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with HCC, recognition of atypical manifestations of HCC can lead to a prompt diagnosis and initiation of life-saving treatment. (Figure Presented).

Autoimmune Enteropathy (AIE) in a Patient Diagnosed with Thymoma: A Case Report

Introduction: Autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) is a very rare immune disorder that mainly attacks the gastrointestinal tract by T-cell. The full pathology mechanism is not clear. Typically, characterized by intractable diarrhea and nutritional malabsorption with extra-intestinal manifestations. The proposed diagnostic criteria include small bowel villous atrophy not responding to diet restriction, circulating gut epithelial cell autoantibodies (GECA), and lack of immunodeficiency. We describe a case of AIE with extensive GI involvement, presenting in a 60-year-old patient diagnosed with Type AB thymoma. Case Description/Methods: Our gentleman with a history of Covid-19 complicated with pulmonary embolism and an incidental finding of malignant thymoma. A CT-guided biopsy was consistent with undifferentiated malignant thymoma supported by immunohistochemistry staining. Subsequently, complicated severe diarrhea erupted with significant weight loss. Conservative management, antibiotics, and diet restriction were ineffective. Diagnostic work-up was unremarkable except for anti-enterocytes antibodies (AEA) and anti-goblet cells antibodies (AGA). Bowel biopsy revealed villous blunting, loss of Paneth cells, and minimal intraepithelial lymphocytosis with no evidence of crypt abscesses. Corticosteroid and Octreotide have helped the patient's diarrhea. Thoracoscopy thymectomy performed with radiation therapy due to local and lymphovascular invasion. Discussion(s): AIE characterized by severe villous blunting with the absence of goblet cells and Paneth cells, intraepithelial lymphocytosis, and increased crypt apoptosis. In comparison, graft vs host disease lack crypt abscesses, celiac disease shows increase in the intraepithelial lymphocytosis with intact goblet and Paneth cells, whereas inflammatory bowel disease has intact goblet and Paneth cells, and CVID characterized by absence of plasma cell in the lamina propria. The presences of the GECA are nonspecific but it may help in confirming the diagnosis or may predict the prognosis and recurrence. Only AGA has been reported in IBD. Neither has been observed in celiac disease. The low incidence of AIE and the limited existing literature available on the optimal guidance in management. Oral nutritional supplementation as well as total parenteral nutrition is helpful. The target is to control diarrhea and optimize the nutritional status before surgery. The main treatment is thymectomy.

The experience and inspiration on the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 in the department of radiotherapy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a public health emergency, is a serious threat to human health. Cancer patients have a high risk of being infected with COVID-19. As one of important means of cancer treatment, radiotherapy has become an important alternative to surgery during the epidemic of COVID-19. The radiotherapy department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital ensured the smooth development of radiotherapy work on the setup of prevention and control systems for COVID-19 by establishing admission strategies for cancer patients, disinfection, isolation, daily management measures, scientific exploration, and clinical practice. In this paper, the associated strategies are summarized and analyzed, which can provide experience and reference for radiotherapy treatment under public health emergencies.Copyright © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.

Radiium systemic radiotherapy - 223 patients with mCRPC. Experience of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Introduction & Objectives: The incidence of prostate cancer, both in the world and in the Russian Federation, tends to increase. In the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2021, 699 patients with this diagnosis were registered. 19.6% of patients had stage IV disease at the time of diagnosis. 5818 patients were registered, of which 361 died within a year. The effectiveness of hormonal treatment of common prostate cancer has time limitations, after which there is a development of resistance to castration and progression of the disease. To date, drugs such as kabazitaxel, sipuleucel-T vaccine, abiraterone, enzalutamide and radium-223 have been approved for use in metastatic CRPC. The purpose of the work: analysis of the experience of systemic radiotherapyand Radium - 223 patients with mCRPC in the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2021. Material(s) and Method(s): Analysis of patients who received systemic radiotherapy Radium - 223 in the Republic of Bashkortostan according to medical documentation and research data. In 2021, Radiy-223 radiotherapy was performed on 7 patients diagnosed with mCRPC. Median age 63.14 years. All patients met the criteria for treatment, i.e. had castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases, without visceral metastases. All patients had concomitant pathology from the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract, endocrine system. According to the previous surgical treatment, patients were distributed as follows: orchidectomy - 4, prostatectomy - 1 and 2 patients underwent tumor biopsy. By morphology: Glisson 6 - 2 patients, Glisson 7 - 1, Glisson 8 - 3, Glisson 10 - 1. 4 patients were referred to Xofigo for radiologically confirmed progression, 3 patients were progressingin height at PSA levels. Result(s): 1 patient previously received 1 line of systemic therapy, 5 patients received 2 lines, 1 patient received 3 lines of therapy. 6 patients received all 6 courses of radiotherapy, 1 patient did not complete treatment due to COVID 19. He is expected to complete therapy. All patients are currently alive with no signs of disease progression. Serious side effects were not registered. Conclusion(s): The "therapeutic window" for the prescription of radium-223 is the period before the appearance of visceral metastases and decline of the somatic status. To achieve the maximum benefit from the appointment of radium-223, it is necessary to conduct >=5 cycles of therapy, which is possible in 1-2 treatment lines. It is necessary to select patients carefully for radiotherapy - Radium 223.Copyright © 2022 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Anaplastic extramedullary plasmacytoma resistant to novel therapies: A case report

The treatment of choice for extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is radiotherapy (RT). It is under discussion whether the management of an anaplastic form of EMP requires the addition of systemic therapy. We present a case of a 66-year-old male who was diagnosed with anaplastic plasmacytoma of the maxillary sinus. After the exclusion of multiple myeloma, Dara-VMP (daratumumab, bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisolone) regimen was initiated. During the third cycle of Dara-VMP, a progression of the tumor was observed. RT and BRd (bendamustine, dexamethasone, and lenalidomide) regimen were initiated. After 4 cycles of BRd, disease progression was established. KRd (carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) regimen was initiated. The first cycle of KRd was not completed, as the patient was diagnosed with COVID-19. After the infection, the progression of EMP was observed. In this case, the anaplastic EMP was resistant to RT and chemotherapy regimens with novel agents, including a monoclonal antibody, an immunomodulatory drug, and proteasome inhibitors. Copyright © 2023 the author(s), published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.

Trends in Definitive Therapy for Prostate Cancer during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Grade-by-Gradeanalysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic placed a significant burden on the US healthcare system. Moreover, many healthcare systems triaged cases based on the severity of disease. Therefore, we assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prostate cancer management according to the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade groups. METHOD(S): We retrospectively analyzed the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients with prostate cancer between 2018- 2020. We divided our cohort into "Pre-Pandemic" (2018/2019) and "Pandemic" (2020) periods. Men were classified according to their ISUP grade group at diagnosis. Hospital characteristics and patient-level clinical and sociodemographic variables were extracted. Our primary outcome was the utilization of definitive treatment (surgery or radiation) versus expectant management (active surveillance, watchful waiting, or no treatment). We performed multivariable logistic regressions to predict the type of management for each ISUP grade group across the two periods adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic covariates. RESULT(S): A total of 398,719 men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer were reported during the "Pre-Pandemic" (70.6%) and "Pandemic" (29.4%) periods. Overall, 24.5% had an ISUP 1, 30.6% an ISUP 2, 18.2% an ISUP 3, 13% ISUP 4, and 13.8% ISUP 5 disease (Table 1). Treatment was less likely during the "Pandemic" compared to the "Pre-Pandemic" period for ISUP grade group 1 (aOR 0.80;95% CI 0.77 - 0.83;p-value <0.001), for ISUP grade group 2 (aOR 0.85;95% CI 0.81 - 0.89;p-value <0.001) and for ISUP grade group 3 (aOR 0.87;95% CI 0.80 - 0.96;p-value <0.003). However, no differences in treatment trends were found for ISUP grade groups 4 and 5 across the two time periods. CONCLUSION(S): During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with prostate cancers ISUP grade groups 1, 2, and 3 were more likely to receive expectant management than definitive treatment;however, this was not true for patients with more aggressive diseases. This finding suggests a high capacity of facilities to appropriately risk stratify and prioritize higher-risk cases during a public health emergency. A limitation of our study is the inability to assess the treatment trends of men diagnosed in the last 2020 quarter due to the lack of follow-up.

Systematic Evaluation of Studies in the Fields of Diagnosis and Management of Prostate Cancer in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Era

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The proper management of this cancer during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or similar outbreaks could be a serious challenge. Proper timing of surgery, radiotherapy, and other medical modalities are essential in providing the most effective treatment. Objective(s): This systematic review aimed at evaluating the proper management of prostate cancer during the COVID-19 outbreak. Method(s): This study was conducted from 2019 to 2022. An internet search was conducted using the keywords: Diagnosis, man-agement, radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, hormone ablation therapy, chemotherapy and prostate cancer, and COVID-19. The visited databases included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database. The review was performed based on the preferred reporting items for a systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Result(s): Postponing the biopsy for up to three months and adopting of non-invasive diagnostic methods were likely reasonable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with cancer were more prone to severe injuries and were more likely to have serious compli-cations. Surgery, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, palliative radiation, hormone ablation therapy, and chemotherapy were among the pre-institutional treatments that had to be performed according to medical protocols as well as health and professional guide-lines. Conclusion(s): It was recommended that the prostate cancer screening should not be performed for asymptomatic men during the COVID-19 outbreak. It was also suggested that the treatment should be performed in the shortest possible time and in the safest way.Copyright © 2023, Author(s).

An Evaluation of Surgical Management Including Breast Reconstruction During the COVID 19 Pandemic at a Community-Based Academic Hospital

INTRODUCTION: The COVID 19 pandemic caused unprecedented changes in treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this IRB approved retrospective study was to assess trends in surgical management and reconstructive choice after mastectomy during the pandemic. Even as an epicenter at the start of COVID, our hospital prioritized the treatment of breast cancer patients facilitating timely care within accepted standards. METHOD(S): We compared female patients with breast cancer (BC) treated with either lumpectomy (L) or mastectomy (M) during a 12-month period in 2017 and 2020-2021. We stratified based on no reconstruction (NR) versus surgical reconstruction (R), reconstruction using autologous tissue (AT) or tissue expander/implant (TE/I), and age above or below 60 years (< 60, >60). RESULT(S): 399 total patients were treated surgically in 2017 and 2020. In 2017, there were 50 M and 115 L (30.3%/69.7%) versus in 2020, 113 M and 121 L (48.3%/51.7%). In 2017, 9 patients had NR (18.0%) while in 2020, 37 had NR (32.7%). In 2017, 41 had R (82.0%), with 24 receiving AT (58.5%) and 17 had TE/I (41.5%). In 2020, 76 had R (67.3%), with 34 receiving AT (44.7%) and 42 had TE/I (55.3%). For age < 60, 29 had R (70.7%) and 2 had NR (22.2%) in 2017;51 had R (67.1%) and 16 had NR (43.2%) in 2020. For age >60, 12 had R (29.2%) and 7 had NR (77.8%) in 2017;25 had R (32.9%) and 21 had NR (56.8%) in 2020. These data show a 13.8% shift towards TE/I over AT with a 14.7% increase in NR. CONCLUSION(S): Breast cancer patients were prioritized and surgically treated within quality standards. With the changes in availability of hospital resources, staff, and limiting viral exposure, mastectomy rates versus lumpectomy increased dramatically. These trends were possibly due to avoidance of daily facility trips for radiation treatment. Tissue expander/implant rates increased substantially possibly from avoidance of prolonged versus overnight hospital stay. Mastectomy without reconstruction also increased and future studies are needed to determine the number of delayed reconstruction in this group.

Clinical Outcomes of Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Radical Radiotherapy in a Institution in Brazil

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. Stage III cancers are treated in a curative manner, despite the low success rate. Our objective was to define the clinical and epidemiological profile of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (pts) treated with radiotherapy (RT) and their response to therapy. Method(s): It is a retrospective and observational study of all non-surgical stage III NSCLC pts treated with RT with curative intent at a public cancer center in the south of Brazil between January/2016 and June/2022. Data collected: dates of biopsy, treatment initiation, image progression or relapse, death and last registration;ECOG-PS;sex;smoking status;histology;stage (TNM 7th Ed) and chemotherapy (CT) use. Survival analysis were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and factors associated with the events were analyzed using Cox regression. Groups were compared with chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Result(s): Eighty-seven pts were identified;median age 63 years-old;46 (52%) male, 78 (90%) former or present smokers;51 (62%) ECOG-PS 0/1;49 (58%) squamous (sq) histology;48 (60%) stage IIIb;60 (68%) had abdomen, bone and brain scans;64 (73%) had concurrent CT, 11(13%) sequential and 12 (14%) exclusive RT;64 (74%) concluded RT;53 (60%) had disease progression or relapse and 47 (54%) died. It took a median of 77 days (d) from biopsy to treatment initiation, without difference between pre or during COVID-19 pandemic. The follow-up was of 305d, progression free survival 192d and overall survival 253d (median for all), using the treatment initiation as baseline date. Younger pts and ECOG-PS 0/1 pts were more commonly treated with concurrent CT (X2:8,87;p 0,0054 and X2:10,82;p 0,004 respectively). No factor influenced progression free survival on uni or multivariable analyses. Factors correlated with overall survival on univariable analysis were: ECOG-PS (hazard ratio (HR) 2,02;p 0,010);bone scan (HR 0,5;p 0,028);treatment conclusion (HR 3,53;p<0,0001). Multivariable analysis: ECOG-PS (HR 2,95;p 0,017), non-sq histology (HR 2,26;p 0,044);RT conclusion (HR 4,69;p<0,0001). Conclusion(s): Our study shows shorter overall and progression free survival than literature, with a large portion of patients being treated with ECOG-PS of 2 or greater and without adequate systemic staging. About one-quarter of patients did not conclude the treatment, and this was the most negative factor impacting survival next to ECOG-PS.Copyright © 2023

Predictors, surrogate and patient-reported outcomes in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for lung cancer: A single-center retrospective study

Background Development of immunotherapy/molecular targeted therapy has significantly increased survival/QoL in advanced stages of NSCLC. Aim(s): to analyze outcome predictors, surrogate outcomes, and PROMs after neoadjuvant immunotherapy for initially unresectable NSCLC. Methods Initially unresectable NSCLC (2014-2021) patients who received immunotherapy +/- platinum-based chemo and/or radiotherapy evaluated after response (reduction of primary tumor and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy/control of distant metastatic disease underwent surgical resection). PROMs were recorded using EORTC QLQ-29. Results 19 underwent salvage surgery after ICI. 14 had partial response (73.6%), 5 stable disease. Diagnosis was achieved by endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in 8 (42.1%), fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in 7 (36.8%), metastasis biopsy in 4 (21.0%). 11 (57.9%) were treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based chemo before or with ICI, 1 (5.2%) pemetrexed before ICI, 5 (26.3%) radiotherapy for metastatic control. 3 (15.7%) had ICI adverse effects. Radiotherapy was never used preoperatively for pulmonary/mediastinal disease. 7 (36.8%) received adjuvant therapy (5 [26.3%] pembrolizumab, 1 [5.2%] pemetrexed, 1 [5.2%] pemetrexed + pembrolizumab). 4 (21.0%) had local relapse (no systemic relapse). Median OS was 19 months (range: 2-57.4). At 2 months, 94.7% were alive (6 months: 89.5%;31 months: 79.5%). 2 (10.5%) had local recurrence. 2 (10.5%) died due to recurrence, 1 (5.2%) to COVID. 4 (21.0%) relapsed (median DFS: 5.3 months [range: 2.2-13.0]). PROMs were reviewed retrospectively at 30 days/1 year with significant decrease in coughing, side effects of treatment, surgery-related problems. [Formula presented] Conclusions Radical surgical resections following definitive immunotherapy/immune-chemotherapy in selected initially unresectable NSCLC are feasible and safe (low surgical-related mortality and morbidity). Symptoms and surgery-related outcomes were lower with higher QoL due to a selected group of highly motivated patients. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Ministero della Salute. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.Copyright © 2023 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Patient Care: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges to the healthcare systems including cancer treatment. We aim to evaluate the impact of lockdown during COVID-19 on breast cancer (BC) care in terms of BC stage at presentation, treatment compliance and delays, and follow-up in a tertiary care center in Lebanon. METHOD(S): This is a retrospective observational study comparing patients with BC who presented to a tertiary care center in Lebanon in the pre-COVID period (Sep 2019-Dec 2019) and during COVID (Sep 2020-Dec 2020). After receiving the IRB approval, we retrieved the charts of BC patients who had their initial presentation, were under treatment or were on follow-up during our period of interest. We extracted data from electronic medical records of patients related to demographic parameters, cause of visit, tumor description, and type of treatment received. Descriptive analysis, as well as multivariate analysis, were done using SPSS. RESULT(S): Out of the 497 patients included, 274 visited the hospital in the pre-COVID period (median age 52.5 years) and 223 patients during COVID (median age 54.7 years). More than half of patients presented for BC screening in the pre-COVID (52%), while 52% came symptomatic during COVID. Almost 54% had advanced BC at presentation in the COVID period compared to 48% pre-COVID but with no statistical significance (p=0.36). During the COVID period, almost 39% of patients had surgery, 79.7% received chemotherapy, and 21.2% received radiotherapy, but with no significant difference between the two periods. Also, no difference was found in the type of surgery done between the two periods. The mean time between the onset of symptoms and biopsy was significantly longer in the COVID period (4.8 +/- 3.5 months) than that in the pre-COVID (3.2 +/- 5.1 months). The mean time between the biopsy and first treatment was not significantly different between the two periods (1.5 +/- 2.2 months versus 2.1+/-3.8 months). For patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the mean time between the last chemotherapy and surgery was longer in the COVID period (1.9 +/- 1.4 months) than in the pre-COVID period (1.2 +/- 1.1 months). Multivariate analysis showed that age at diagnosis (p=0.014) and time to diagnosis (p=0.01) were significantly associated with the advanced stage of BC. CONCLUSION(S): This study showed that COVID pandemic has resulted in a delay in the initial presentation of patients resulting in more advanced stages at presentation. However, the management of breast cancer was not substantially impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown.

A nontraumatic, right-sided diaphragmatic hernia in an adult diagnosed during an asthma attack

Case report We present a rare case of a right-sided diaphragmatic herniation of the ascending colon, in a 76-year-old asthmatic patient with a non-congenital diaphragmatic hernia, no history of trauma, surgery, or radiation. The patient presented at the emergency room with dyspnea, non-productive cough, wheezing, tachypnea, tight chest, respiratory failure. This patient has a 40-year history of severe persistent extrinsic asthma, treated with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and LABA. Before the pandemic, this patient was hospitalized 3-4 times a year for her asthma attacks, but in the last 2 years, due to Covid-19, the patient was not hospitalized, resulting in uncontrolled asthma with daily symptoms. During the hospitalization, chest radiography was performed where the hernia was suspected and confirmed by a CT Scan. Despite the diagnosis of diaphragmatic herniation, she was clinically better with the proper asthma treatment and after consulting with her family she refused the intervention to correct the hernia. She has had two vaginal deliveries, no malignancies, no trauma, no intervention in her life. In this case, the only possible cause for the herniation of the colon is persistent cough combined with advanced age, chronic steroid use, and obstructive lung disease. Non-traumatic, right-sided diaphragmatic hernia of the colon in adults is very rare. Persistent cough with other predisposing conditions of this patient is the cause of this herniation. The chest X-ray and CT were essential for making the diagnosis. Rare hernias like this should be kept in mind when coming to a diagnosis.

Management of Metastatic CA (Cancer) Pancreas Pain in Post Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy Patient With Combination of Neural Interventions (Oral Neuromodulators, Peripheral Nerve Blocks) and Muscular Intervention USGDN (Ultrasonography Guided Dry Needling): A Case Report

Aims: To describe combined neural and muscular interventions in post covid exacerbations of cancer pain with disabilities.To present a new perspective of neuromyopathy to explain Intractable CA pancreas pain. Introduction: Additional challenges in cancer pain management are due to cancer treatment complications (chemotherapy, radiotherapy). CA Pancreas pains routinely addressed with oral neuromodulators, opioids neurolytic coeliac plexus block (NCPB) or splanchnic nerve radiofrequency ablation (SRF). 75 years male, CA pancreas with spine, pelvic bone metastasis, post chemotherapy radiotherapy. 6 months bedridden with post covid exacerbations in pain (vas 10/10) received prior painkillers. Started oral pregabalin 75mg od, ultracet bd, myospaz bd. Result(s): With 15 days medications vas 6/10, patient could sit on wheelchair. Given sciatico-femoral block, pain reduced vas 2/10 but recurred in 7 day vas 5/10. Started USGDN of tight back and lower limb muscles with 32G solid needles.post3 sessions vas 2/10, able to walk with support after 4 weeks. Discussion(s): Viscerosomatic convergence at the dorsal horn neurons produces visceral pain referred to back and abdominal muscles led to muscle spasm with generation of myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)and pain. USGDN addresses MTrPs. Needle insertion produces local twitch reflex (LTR) followed by muscle relaxation with pain relief. Neural interventions addresses only visceral nociceptive afferents from celiac plexus which forms 10% of total spinal cord afferent input which sensitizes peripheral and central motor nociceptive pathway processing neuromyopathy. Conclusion(s): Viscerosomatic convergence with muscles involvement (neuromyopathy) proved to be effectively managed by using combined approaches, neuromoduation and USGDN in Ca pancreas pain with disabilities.Copyright © 2023

Hypofractionated Postmastectomy Radiotherapy (HF-PMRT): What did We Learn from COVID-19 Era?

Objectives: In breast cancer (BC) patients receiving mastectomy, postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) improves long-term outcomes by decreasing local failure and cancer mortality. However, the optimal PMRT schedule is still under investigation. The present review aims to discuss the evidence regarding hypofractionated (HF) PMRT in BC patients in order to identify the optimal treatment approach. Additional purpose is to highlight what we have learned from COVID-19 era regarding HF schedules for PMRT in BC patients. Mechanism: Between February and November 2021, literature and database research were conducted. Key references were detected from a PubMed query. Range of publication date was between 2000 and 2021. Selection criteria included English language publications in humans. Hand searching included meeting proceedings of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The website clinicaltrials.gov was also searched. Randomized controlled trials evaluating HF-PMRT were included. Findings in brief: Our research returned 87 published papers. Fourteen trials were included in our final analysis. The comparisons of several different schedules of HF-PMRT with conventional fractionated PMRT provided similar results in terms of locoregional disease control without increasing toxicity. Particularly, an acute skin toxicity incidence grade 2 or higher ranged between 10 and 25% among the studies we analyzed. Conclusion(s): The present paper suggests that safety and efficacy of HF-PMRT is comparable with conventional schedules and standard practice guidelines are already available. COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the need for increasingly tailored treatment protocols. Modern HF regimens should continue to be the standard of treatment in BC patients who receive PMRT also in the post-COVID-19 era.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s).