[Radiotherapy of Lung Tumours in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis]. / Radioterapie nádoru s plicní lokalizací u idiopatické plicní fibrózy.

BACKGROUND: This article is a joint statement of the Czech Pneumological and Physiological Society and the Czech Society for Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, and reviews current opinions on radiotherapy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In general, radiotherapy of lung tumours is associated with risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP); moreover, IPF may be complicated by acute exacerbations (AE-IPF). Both complications may immediately threaten patients lives. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Assessment of individual radiotherapy modalities has shown that conventional radiotherapy is not appropriate, especially in large tumours. Up to 30% of patients are at risk of developing AE-IPF. As a result, as many as 83% of patients die within 3 months of initiation of lung cancer treatment. Fatal RP is most commonly observed within 2 months of radiotherapy. In IPF accompanied by early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may be considered. NSCLC should be treated with chemotherapy. Several cases report severe exacerbations of subclinical IPF after SBRT even with minimal signs of previous interstitial involvement. Grade 2 RP has been reported in up to 50% of cases with any level of interstitial change detected by lung CT prior to radiotherapy. In palliative radiotherapy, external radiation may be considered as an exception if the main bronchi are involved. Similarly, brachytherapy may be indicated for certain cases of bronchial stenosis. RESULTS: The presence of any level of interstitial change suggests a risk for fatal RP and AE-IPF. This is also supported by the fact that, at the present time, there are no dose limitations for radiation therapy of lung cancer in IPF, irrespective of whether conventional fractionated radiotherapy or SBRT is used. Moreover, there are no reliable predictive factors for lung involvement. In some studies, RP was more frequently associated with high CRP and LDH levels, PS 2 and interstitial changes of 10% or more. Treatment depends on the severity of the involvement. In more severe forms, corticosteroids, antibiotics and oxygen therapy should be administered. Ventilation support is often needed. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy for patients with IPF and lung cancer or other chest tumours requires an individual approach depending on the local findings, the patients lung function and general condition, and the prognosis of the primary disease. Decision-making should take into consideration potential benefits and risks, and be carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising a pulmonologist and clinical and radiation oncologists. Treatment should always be thoroughly discussed with the patient signing an informed consent form.Key words: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - chest radiotherapy - indications - radiation pneumonitis - acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - treatment This work was supported by grant AZV 16-32-318 A. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 4. 5. 2017Accepted: 18. 5. 2017.

[Multimodal Therapy of Recurrent Malignant Schwannoma]. / Kombinovaná lécba recidivujícího maligního schwannomu.

BACKGROUND: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor schwannoma (MPNST), also known as malignant schwannoma, is a very rare tumor accounting for only 2% of all sarcomas. The prognosis is relatively poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 46-69%. The treatment of MPNST has not been standardized yet. Mainstay treatment is radical resection. Oncological adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment has equivocal indications with unclear effects. CASE: The case report presents a 55-year-old patient who showed resistance in the medial-ventral area of the left lower limb. An MRI scan showed a tumor adjacent to the femoral nerve. Tumor extirpation was performed. Histology revealed malignant schwannoma (MPNST) and the resection was assessed as R0. Postoperative whole-body PET/CT revealed no viable tumor tissue. The patient was regularly followed-up. On a follow-up MRI scan, performed 53 months after initial surgery, tumor recurrence was detected in the left thigh. Extirpation of the recurrent tumor was performed. Histology confirmed MPNST and the resection radicality was assessed as R2. Postoperative PET/CT revealed tumor residues. Therefore, 58 months after the initial surgery, another operation of the residual tumor was performed with R0 resection. Three applicators for interstitial brachytherapy were placed in the resection cavity. Following the operation, radiotherapy with an interstitial brachytherapy boost of 18 Gy followed by external fractionated radiotherapy of 50 Gy were administered. The latest MRI scan, performed 66 months after the diagnosis of MPNST, showed no tumor tissue. The patient had no neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: The mainstay of treatment for MPNST is radical en bloc resection. The use of subsequent oncological therapy depends on the radicality of the resection. In our case, because of the good radicality of the initial surgery, adjuvant oncological therapy was postponed. As part of recurrence management, we again attempted to achieve the most radical resection possible and then apply adjuvant radiotherapy. In MPNST, as in all soft tissue sarcomas, high doses are chosen because of potential radioresistance. Given the confined nature of the disease, we chose this locally intensified therapeutic strategy, which resulted in this case in disease remission. Due to the low incidence of MPNST, it is not possible to test the efficacies of individual oncologic therapeutic procedures in larger patient cohorts.Key words: malignant schwannoma - soft tissue sarcoma - multimodal therapyThe authors declare they have no potential confl icts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 13. 3. 2016Accepted: 25. 4. 2016.

[Continuing progress in withdrawal of axillary dissection in early stage breast cancer]. / Dalsí postupný ústup od axilární disekce u casného karcinomu prsu.

For a long period of time, axillary dissection represented a standard approach for axillary node management in the case of sentinel node biopsy positivity during early stage breast cancer treatment. In recent years, there has been a trend to highlight the morbidity of such an axillary procedure considering longterm survival of early stage breast cancer patients. Two big trials, AMAROS and Z0011, were initiated to answer the question whether axillary dissection should be performed in the case of positivity of axillary sentinel node considering the fact that more than 70% of these patients will have no metastasis found during the axillary dissection and such a procedure only increases the morbidity of the surgery. Considering the results of the above mentioned trials, axillary dissection may be avoided in the case of fulfilling of inclusion criteria of these trials without any impact on the patient survival. IBCSG 23- 01 study brought similar conclusion in the case of micrometastasis in axillary sentinel node.

Significance of using DICOM communication standard in quality assurance in radiation oncology - an institutional experience.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to highlight the importance of data management systems in radiotherapy. METHODS: We performed a database search to review the errors or potential errors in radiotherapy planning and delivery which could be prevented in case of using the DICOM communication system. RESULTS: We registered the following rates of errors: 1) Errors caused by manual rewriting of treatment plan 30%; 2) Errors caused by wrong assignment of the verification system 15%; 3) Errors during the manual rewriting of treatment data to the verification system 15%; 4) Patient identification 5%; 5) Field verification 15% 6) Wedge orientation 10%. CONCLUSION: DICOM communication system may significantly improve the quality assurance in radiotherapy.

[Patient with atypical neurocytoma -  case report]. / Pacientka s atypickým neurocytomem -  kazuistika.

BACKGROUND: Neurocytoma represents a rare tumor of the central nervous system usually slowly growing and generally with good prognosis after surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. CASE: A 25-year- old woman presented with sudden fainting. During the initial workup, brain CT was completed with finding of tumor inside the third ventricle spreading into both lateral ventricles. The patient underwent partial surgical resection followed by radical gross resection, no adjuvant radiotherapy was indicated during the initial treatment and the patient was followed up with regular brain MRIs and clinical examinations. Thirty six months after the initial resection, there was progression on MRI and radiotherapy was recommended. At this moment, patient is 12 months after radiotherapy with stable disease on MRI and with good stable performance status. CONCLUSION: One of the greatest problems in the management of neurocytoma is the timing of adjuvant radiotherapy. From published data, it is clear that adjuvant radiotherapy increases local control; however, this has to be considered carefully against the possible risks from late side effects of radiotherapy considering long-time survival of the patients.

[Breast cancer adjuvant radiotherapy using active breathing control-moderate inspiration breath-hold - a case report]. / Adjuvatní radioterapie karcinomu prsu s vyuzitím Active breathing control - moderate inspiration breath-hold - kazuistika.

BACKGROUND: Chest movements during the breathing cycle represent a significant problem during radiotherapy of target volumes in the chest. There are several methods how to solve this problem. CASE: We have used Active breathing control-moderate inspiration breath-hold device in the case of adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. RESULTS: Comparing the DVH (dose-volume histograms) without ABC the heart dose is V25 = 6,95% = 34 cm3, V30 = 5,36%, V45 = 1,71%, D mean 6,2 Gy, however in the case of using ABC device V25 = 1,96% = 8,77 cm3, V30 = 1,26%, V45 = 0%, D mean = 2,58 Gy. The dose delivered to left lung was in the first case V20 = 31,2%, D mean = 15,9 Gy and with ABC device V20 = 26,99% a D mean 13,6 Gy. Doses deliver to right lung, cord and target volume coverage were similar in both situations. CONCLUSION: According to our experience ABC device represents simple technique how to solve problems with chest movements during radiotherapy.

The significance of portal vein embolization in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

UNLABELLED: The first aim of the present paper was to evaluate hypertrophy of liver parenchyma after portal vein embolization in patients after systemic chemotherapy for colorectal carcinoma metastases and planned extensive liver resections. The second aim was to study whether hypertrophy of the liver parenchyma remnant after could influence the postoperative course large liver resections in long-term chemotherapy within complex therapy of colorectal carcinoma.The prospective study comprised of 43 patients with colorectal hepatic metastases in whom liver resections of 4-5 segments were planned (Table 1). All patients underwent complex therapy of colorectal carcinoma, including chemotherapy consisting of 6-12 therapeutic cycles. Time interval between chemotherapy and liver resection was 2-24 months (mean interval of 8 months). Twenty patients whose presumed liver parenchyma remnant was less than 40% of total liver volume were indicated for portal vein embolization (mean liver parenchyma remnant of 29%). This was always embolization of the right portal branch. Twenty-three patients were primarily indicated to liver resection. RESULTS: Hypertrophy of the left liver lobe occurred in all 20 patients. After portal vein embolization, the volume of left liver increased on average from 476 ml (282-754) to 584 ml (380-892) (P < 0.05). Mean hypertrophy of left liver lobe after portal vein embolization was 28.5%. The measured parenchyma remnant after tumor resection increased from 29% up to 38% by hypertrophy. Mean values of ALT and AST in the postoperative period were significantly different in the groups in this study. The values of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GMT) were lower in patients after portal vein embolization (P < 0.05). Significant differences were in postoperative level of serum bilirubin, bilirubin levels in patients after portal vein embolization were 2-3 times lower than in the group of patients after immediate surgery (P < 0.05). he values of prothrombin time were also significantly lower in patients who underwent surgery without previous portal vein embolization (P < 0.05).

Cationic liposomal paclitaxel plus gemcitabine or gemcitabine alone in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a randomized controlled phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel embedded in cationic liposomes (EndoTAG™-1; ET) is an innovative agent targeting tumor endothelial cells. This randomized controlled phase II trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of ET in combination with gemcitabine (GEM) in advanced pancreatic cancer (PDAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease were randomly assigned to receive weekly GEM 1000 mg/m(2) or GEM plus twice-weekly ET 11, 22 or 44 mg/m(2) for 7 weeks. After a safety run-in of 100 patients, a second cohort continued treatment. End points included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response and safety. RESULTS: Two hundred and twelve patients were randomly allocated to the study and 200 were treated (80% metastatic, 20% locally advanced). Adverse events were manageable and reversible. Transient thrombocytopenia and infusion reactions with chills and pyrexia mostly grade 1 or 2 occurred in the ET groups. Disease control rate after the first treatment cycle was 43% with GEM and 60%, 65% and 52% in the GEM + ET cohorts. Median PFS reached 2.7 compared with 4.1, 4.6 and 4.4 months, respectively. Median OS was 6.8 compared with 8.1, 8.7 and 9.3 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of advanced PDAC with GEM + ET was generally well tolerated. GEM + ET showed beneficial survival and efficacy. A randomized phase III trial should confirm this positive trend.

Repeated chemosensitivity testing in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is a highly chemosensitive tumor, but most patients with advanced EOC initially responding to first-line chemotherapy will eventually relapse. Chemosensitivity testing may offer an opportunity for the optimal selection of chemotherapeutic agents for individual patients. In the present retrospective analysis we have examined the changes in chemosensitivity profiles during the course of the disease. Chemosensitivity was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Two or more samples at least 14 days apart were obtained from 34 patients with ovarian cancer. Chemoresistance increased significantly at the second measurement only for paclitaxel and carboplatin, the most frequently used cytotoxic drugs. No significant difference compared to baseline was observed at subsequent measurements for any other cytotoxic agent studied, although a non-significant trend for increased chemoresistance was observed. In conclusion, in the present cohort only paclitaxel and carboplatin chemosensitivity changed significantly, although to a limited extent, during the course of the disease. In contrast to a limited increase of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemoresistance, no significant changes were observed for other cytotoxic agents examined. The present data indicate that chemoresistance increases, to a modest extent, against the drug most frequently used, but remains relatively stable during the course of disease, especially for agents that are not used in the therapeutic regimen.

The radiosensitising effect of olomoucine derived synthetic cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.

Bohemine and roscovitine are the most important representatives of the group of compounds structurally derived from olomoucine. Biologically they function as inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), the key regulators of cell cycle, which is often disrupted in cancer cells resulting in uncontrollable proliferation. Bohemine and roscovitine have demonstrated their cytostatic and cytotoxic in vitro and also in vivo effects. Currently the phase II clinical trials for roscovitine are underway. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential in vitro radiosensitising effect of bohemine (BOH) and roscovitine (ROS). Clonogenic survival assay and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 were used. Tested schedules were: A-pretreatment, B-concomitant application and C-posttreatment. Concentrations corresponded to IC10, IC25 and IC50 for BOH/ROS (0.1-30 microM). The radiation doses were 1, 2 and 3 Gy. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis were used to characterize cell cycle distribution, BrdU incorporation and DNA repair processes. The highest in vitro radiosensitising effect of BOH/ROS was observed for Schedule A in all tested concentrations (SER(37%) 1.46-3.20). Cell cycle analysis showed an inclination towards G0/G1 delay 48 hours posttreatment and unaltered level of apoptosis. Changes in the DNA repair processes were observed - inhibition of DNA-PK kinase, inhibition of BrdU incorporation, strong and enduring induction of p21 protein and long-lasting phosphorylation of gammaH2AX(Ser139). Certain low concentration activities of BOH/ROS in monotherapy were detected, mainly the activation of DNA-PK kinase. The results demonstrated strong in vitro radiosensitising effect of BOH/ROS that is concentration and especially schedule dependent. The strong cytostatic effect of the pretreatment schedule is mediated through the inhibition/rearrangements of DNA repair processes.

An open-label expanded access study of lapatinib and capecitabine in patients with HER2-overexpressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Lapatinib Expanded Access Program (LEAP) was designed to provide access to lapatinib plus capecitabine for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients who previously received an anthracycline, a taxane, and a trastuzumab and had no other treatment options. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LEAP opened globally and enrollment continued until lapatinib received regulatory approval in each participating country. Patients were assessed for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and monitored for serious adverse events (SAEs). RESULTS: As of 30 September 2008, 4283 patients from 45 countries enrolled in LEAP. The median treatment duration was 24.7 weeks. The most common drug-related SAEs were diarrhea (9.7%), vomiting (4.3%), and nausea (2.4%) and were mainly grade 3 or higher. The incidences of special interest SAEs were decreased left ventricle ejection fraction (0.5%), interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (0.2%), and serious hepatobiliary events (0.4%). This safety profile is consistent with the overall lapatinib program. The median PFS and OS were 21.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 20.1-22.3] and 39.6 (95% CI = 37.7-40.7) weeks, respectively (n = 4006). Subgroup analysis showed longer PFS and OS in patients who had not received prior capecitabine. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of lapatinib in a broader patient population compared with a clinical trial.

[IKARUS Project--incidence of bone events in breast cancer: retrospective analysis of patients in oncological centres in the Czech Republic and Slovakia]. / Projekt IKARUS--zjistení incidence kostních príhod u karcinomu prsu: retrospektivní analýza nemocných dispenzarizovaných v onkologických centrech Ceské a Slovenské republiky.

BACKGROUND: Bone incidents today represent, in terms of frequency and the overall effect on the quality of life of patients with breast cancer, a serious health problem. In a number of clinical studies bisphosphonates have been shown to have a positive impact on reducing the risk of bone events and therefore to be effective in the prevention of bone events. The primary objective of this project was to identify the incidence of bone events in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated in the Czech and Slovak Republics. SUBJECTS: Retrospective, multi-centre, non-interventional, epidemiological and explorative studies to identify the incidence of bone events in the defined group of patients and a description of the practice of prevention and treatment of skeletal events in the years 2000-2005. Enrolled were patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer diagnosed in 2000. METHODS AND RESULTS: Analysis of overall survival and survival to disease progression, analysis of patterns of treatment of bone events and the practice of the use of bisphosphonates in the prevention of bone events in metastatic skeleton affection in the normal conditions of clinical practice, analysis of patient compliance in the treatment with bisphosphonates, analysis of the time interval between the occurrence of bone metastases and the occurrence of bone events and, last but not least, survival analysis of patients in relation to bone events. CONCLUSION: This work has shown that the practice of treatment with bisphosphonates since 2000 and assessed the survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

[Radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastases]. / Radiofrequenzablation von kolorektalen Lebermetastasen*

INTRODUCTION: Liver resection is the preferred treatment for colorectal liver metastases. About 30 to 40 % of the patients survive for five years after radical resection of liver metastases. In contrast to that, patients who are not fit enough for radical resection of metastases and two are treated by chemotherapy survive only for 18 months on average. The survival of patients with non-resectable liver metastases can be improved by metastases destruction and subsequent chemotherapy. At present, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used for the destruction of liver tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the four-year period (2000-2003), 190 patients with liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma have been operated upon at the 2 (nd) Surgical Department of University Hospital in Olomouc. Radical resection of metastases was carried out in 136 patients (71.5 %), RFA combined with liver resection was performed in 23 patients (12 %) and exclusive RFA of metastases was indicated in 31 patients (16 %). The patients were evaluated for the disease-free survival after one year and the survival rates at 12, 24 and 36 months after operation were determined. RESULTS: 12 months after the operation no tumour progression was found in 115 patients (85 %) subjected to radical resection of liver metastases, in 16 patients (52 %) after sole RFA of metastases and in 15 individuals (65 %) who underwent liver metastasis resection combined with RFA of the remaining cancer foci. The survival of patients after 12, 24 and 36 months was 124 / 136 (91 %) 103 / 136 (76 %) and 79 / 136 (58 %) in the group of radical metastasis resection; after sole RFA of the metastases and subsequent chemotherapy, the survival at 12, 24 and 36 months amounted to 27 / 31 (87 %), 19 / 31 (61 %) and 8 / 31 (26 %) of the patients; in the group undergoing metastases resection combined with RFA and adjuvant chemotherapy patient survival at 12, 24 and 36 months was as follows: 19 / 23 (83 %), 13 / 23 (57 %), and 7 / 23 (30 %). CONCLUSION: RFA combined with adjuvant chemotherapy considerably extends the survival of patients with liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma compared to chemotherapy alone. However, no difference in survival was found between our patients subjected to RFA of metastases and adjuvant chemotherapy and those patients undergoing resection of liver metastases combined with RFA of unresectable metastases and subsequent chemotherapy.

[Treatment of invasive candidiasis--recommendations of professional]. / Lécba invazivní kandidózy--doporucení odborných spolecností.

National working group representing clinicians (hematologists, oncologists, infection diseases and ICU specialists), microbiologists, and different special medical societies and working groups prepared evidence-based guidelines for the treatment established fungal infection--invasive candidiasis in the adult hematology and ICU patients. These guidelines updated those published in the Czech Republic in 2003-2004. Evidence criteria of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) were used for assessing the quality of clinical trials, and EORTC/MSG Consensus Group for definitions of invasive fungal disease.

[Treatment for invasiveness aspergillosis--recommendations of professionals]. / Lécba invazivní aspergilózy--doporucení odborných spolecností.

An increasing incidence of invasive aspergillosis is observed in most immunocompromised patients, and especially patients with acute leukemia and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In order to decrease the mortality due to this infection, the clinicians need to optimise their treatment choice. The objective of these guidelines is to summarize the current evidence for treatment of invasive aspergillosis. The recommendations have been developed by an expert panel following an evidence-based search of literature with regard to current recommendation of European Conference in Infections in Leukemia and Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Endorectal sonography in rectal cancer staging and indication for local surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radical surgery still plays a decisive role in the therapy of rectal cancer. Besides classical abdominal operations, an alternative is transanal endoscopic resection of rectal tumor at T1 and T2 stages. Indication for local resection of malignant rectal tumor requires an accurate preoperative staging. METHODOLOGY: The paper evaluates the accuracy of 3D endorectal sonography in rectal cancer staging. In the group of 78 patients the staging of preoperative 3D endorectal sonography was compared with a final histopathologic of the operative sample. RESULTS: The results obtained indicate that the preoperative staging of malignant rectal tumor using 3D endorectal sonography represents 100% only in the pT1 stage. In the pT2 stage, the accuracy of 3D endorectal sonography is 72%, in pT3 and pT4 represents 92%. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our experience, complicated interpretation of findings obtained by 3D endorectal sonography occurs at limits of T2-T3 and T3-T4. In these localizations the peripheral reactive fibrous and inflammatory sections in the vicinity of tumor tissue often involve even the next layer of rectal wall and leads to overevaluation of invasion depth at endorectal sonography of rectal cancer.

Analysis of ERBB2 and TOP2A gene status using fluorescence in situ hybridization versus immunohistochemistry in localized breast cancer.

The aim of our study was to assess the ERBB2 and TOP2A gene status in breast carcinoma tissue using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and to compare their amplification with immunohistochemistry assay (IHC) of the ERBB2, resp. topoisomerase IIalpha proteins. TOP2A status is important in tailored treatment as topoisomerase IIalpha is the molecular target for topoisomerase IIalpha inhibitors. This study was conducted to determine whether the methods are equivalent in their assessment of TOP2A status and to correlate the genetic findings with basic tumor and disease characteristics. Locus specific ERBB2, TOP2A genes and chromosome 17 centromeres (CEP17) probes were hybridized to 72 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients with non-metastatic breast carcinoma (M0). The ERBB2, TOP2A and CEP17 signals were counted and gene numbers per nucleus or per CEP17 were calculated, respectively. Sections were also stained with commercial polyclonal antibody (HercepTestTM), anti-topoisomerase IIalpha monoclonal antibody (clone SWT3D1) and scored for the presence of membrane/nuclear staining. ERBB2 amplification was found in 20.3%, ERBB2 and TOP2A co-amplification was detected in 14.5% of cases. Deletion of the ERBB2/TOP2A gene was found in 1.4/2.8% of sections, respectively. Concordance of FISH and IHC techniques in the evaluation of ERBB2 and TOP2A status was found in 88.4% and 66.7%, respectively. The low concordance of FISH versus IHC in the evaluation of TOP2A status was mainly due to the presence of TOP2A amplified tumors in IHC negative or weakly positive specimens. Topoisomerase IIalpha expression was increased in bigger tumors, although direct correlation with tumor grading was not found. ERBB2 amplification was found in more aggressive breast cancers with grades 2 and 3, respectively. Interestingly, chromosome 17 polysomy was more frequently observed among older women (>55 years), suffering usually from less aggressive disease. Our results confirm the high concordance of the ERBB2 and TOP2A gene co-amplification in breast carcinoma. Differences between FISH and IHC in the case of ERBB2 gene status were found only in IHC 2+ sections as reported in the literature. However, our study points to the importance of FISH examination of TOP2A gene status in all tumors with ERBB2 amplification.

[Guideline for gynecological malignant tumors--primary complex therapy in operable stages of malignant tumors of uterus cervix]. / Guideline gynekologických zhoubných nádoru 2004--primární komplexní lécba operabilních stadií zhoubných nádoru delozního hrdla.

OBJECTIVE: Elaboration of guideline for primary treatment of operable cervical cancer. DESIGN: Review, consensus between proposers and opponents. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University, Prague, 2nd Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital Motol. METHOD: A retrospective review of published data, analysis of Czech statistics and consensus between proposers and opponents. RESULTS: Team work is essential in the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. For the preoperative diagnostic management it is possible to perform magnetic resonance volumometry. For the treatment of early stage cervical cancer it is possible to perform sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) by patent blau and 99mTc together with frozen section. SLNM does not substitute systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy. For the treatment of IB2 stage cervical cancer, an alternative for primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy is neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by radical surgery. In other topics only minor changes were made from the 1998 guideline. CONCLUSION: The guideline for cervical cancer treatment should represent directions for clinicians and others, who participate in the process of the treatment of cervical cancer. The guidelines include all parts of the process (from diagnosis to follow up). It originated from the consensus between proposers and opponents: we voted about all parts of guideline.

[Guideline for gynecological malignant tumors 2004--primary complex therapy in operable stages of malignant tumors of vulva]. / Guideline gynekologických zhoubných nádoru 2004--Primární komplexní lécba operabilnich stadií zhoubných nádoru vulvy.

OBJECTIVE: Elaboration of guideline for primary treatment of operable vulvar cancer. DESIGN: Review, consensus between proposers and opponents. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2nd Medical Faculty Charles University and Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague. METHOD: A retrospective review of published data, analysis of Czech statistics and consensus between proposers and opponents. RESULTS: Guideline for the diagnosis remain the same as in the proposal from 1998. We elaborated practically new guideline for surgical treatment. Wide excision or simplex vulvectomy is adequate only for stage la without angioinvasion, free margins have to be 5 mm. Standard surgical procedure is radical vulvectomy with inquinofemoral lymphadenectomy in stage 1a with angioinvasion, 1b and 2. In laterally localised lesions it is possible to perform hemivulvectomy or radical excision with inquinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Free margins have to be more than 8 mm. An alternative procedure in internally high-risk patients is sentinel node detection with radical vulvectomy (hemivulvectomy). Sentinel node detection has to by performed by combined method of blue dye and radiocoloid Tc 99 simultaneously. Bilateral inquinofemoral lymphadenectomy is indicated in case of positive sentinel node. Primary radiotherapy is indicated in higher stages, in stage 3 we can perform an exenteration with the agreement of patient. CONCLUSION: Guideline for the treatment of vulva cancer should be directions for clinicians and others, who participate in the process of treatment of the vulva cancer. Guidelines include all parts of the process (from diagnosis to follow up). All topics of the guidelines were arise from a voting of the proposers and opponents.

[Significance and possibilities of cytostatic treatment of malignant tumors: testing the effects of cytostatics]. / Význam a moznosti soucasné cytostatické lécby maligních nádoru; testování úcinnosti cytostatik.

The authors present an account on the initiation of a study concerned with the administration of cytostatics according to the sensitivity of the tumour cells. To assess the sensitivity the MTT test was used. The method is described in the paper. Four groups of tumours were examined by the MTT test: breast cancer, carcinoma of the colon and rectum, of the lungs and oesophagus + stomach. Six cytostatics were tested: 5-fluorouracil, cisplatinum, daunorubucin, paclitaxel, vincristine, and vepeside. Evaluation of the sensitivity of different tumours was based on the median of TCS50. The results of the MTT test were not used so far in the therapeutic protocol in all patients where the examination was made, as in solid tumours, contrary to haemo-blastomas, usually common empirically tested protocols are used. The authors reflect whether individually administered cytostatics according to the MTT test can improve the prognosis of patients with malignant diseases. They assume that long-term follow-up of the patients may provide favourable results in particular because more and more effective cytostatics are becoming available.