The effect of demographic, clinical, and pathological data on quality of life in rectum cancer.

PURPOSE: The aims of the current study are to describe the quality of life among patients with rectal cancer and to determine the clinical and demographic correlation that influences the quality of life of rectal cancer patients. METHOD: In this study, 50 patients with rectal cancer treated in the Radiation Oncology Department of Kayseri City Education and Research Hospital were included. Ethics committee approval was received for the study. Data collection form was used to determine the demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. To assess the quality of life, the European Committee of Cancer Treatment and Organization Quality of Life Scale (EORTC QLQ-C30) question-answer scale was used. The data were collected by interviewing the patients face to face. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the data. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between dependent variables. RESULTS: As a result of this study, 52% of patients were 65 years and older and 54% were male patients. The most common surgery was low anterior resection and the most common type of pathology was adenocarcinoma. According to American Cancer Committee (AJCC) 7th edition 2009 staging, 80% stage 3 was the most common. In EORTC C30 Cancer Quality of Life Scale Functional Scale Subscale, the highest score is from the physical function and the lowest score is from the emotional function. In the symptom scale subscale, the most common symptom was nausea/vomiting. Performance status (ECOG) was found to be significantly associated with T stage, N stage, TNM stage, and symptom scores. There was a moderately significant positive correlation between symptom scales and global health status scales (ρ = 0.51; p < 0.001). There was a perfectly positive and significant relationship between symptom scales and functional scales (ρ = 0.83; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study we conducted, it was observed that rectal cancer patients decreased performance status and increased symptoms in the presence of advanced disease. Accordingly, it was found that the quality of life of the patient decreased.

Nanoparticle-Based Radiosensitizers in Radiotherapy Applications.

In this article, it was examined whether the combined application of nanoparticle-based radiosensitizers with radiotherapy is beneficial. Nanoparticular or nanoparticle-based radiosensitizers appear promising in terms of feasibility, safety, and efficacy, as evidenced by preliminary results of ongoing studies. However, this method has its own advantages and disadvantages. According to current knowledge, it is impossible to mention that this method is the definitive treatment method because cancer is an individual disease and the treatments may differ from person to person. With the studies to be done, the application methods of optimal combinations with radiotherapy should be defined.

Recurrence of retroperitoneal localized perivascular epithelioid cell tumor two years after initial diagnosis: case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal tumors. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are administered according to the patient's clinical characteristics. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old female patient was operated to treat a retroperitoneal mass. The diagnosis was established as PEComa with benign behavior. Two years after the diagnosis, chest and abdominal computed tomography scans showed intra-abdominal recurrence and lymphangioleiomyomatosis in the lung. Treatment with everolimus was started. The disease stabilized in the third month of treatment, according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. CONCLUSION: PEComas are tumors with unpredictable behavior. Therefore, these patients require long-term follow-up, even in cases of correct diagnosis and benign PEComa.

Recurrence of retroperitoneal localized perivascular epithelioid cell tumor two years after initial diagnosis: case report.

CONTEXT: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal tumors. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are administered according to the patient's clinical characteristics. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old female patient was operated to treat a retroperitoneal mass. The diagnosis was established as PEComa with benign behavior. Two years after the diagnosis, chest and abdominal computed tomography scans showed intra-abdominal recurrence and lymphangioleiomyomatosis in the lung. Treatment with everolimus was started. The disease stabilized in the third month of treatment, according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. CONCLUSION: PEComas are tumors with unpredictable behavior. Therefore, these patients require long-term follow-up, even in cases of correct diagnosis and benign PEComa.

Place of Sterotactic Radiotherapy in Treatment of Extramedullary Plasmocytoma.

In conclusion, extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMPs) initially develop as localized disease. These tumors are quite sensitive to radiotherapy (RT) and the response is often complete recovery after RT. In addition, highly sensitive, conformal radiosurgery can be preferred to conventional RT; however, further studies are needed to define indications and therapeutic fractions in stereotactic RT of plasmacytoma since guidelines and clinical trials are lacking. Although general principles are valid, radiosurgery may be planned based on anatomical localization of EMP.