Differences and Similarities in Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Cutaneous and Uveal Melanoma.

Both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM) represent important causes of morbidity and mortality. In this review, we evaluate the available knowledge on the differences and similarities between cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma, focusing on the epidemiological aspects and risk factors. Uveal melanoma is a rare condition but is the most prevalent primary intra-ocular malignant tumor in adults. Cutaneous melanoma, on the other hand, is significantly more common. While the frequency of cutaneous melanoma has increased in the last decades worldwide, the incidence of uveal melanoma has remained stable. Although both tumors arise from melanocytes, they are very distinct entities biologically, with complex and varied etiologies. Both conditions are encountered more frequently by individuals with a fair phenotype. ultraviolet-radiation is an important, well-documented risk factor for the development of CM, but has shown not to be of specific risk in UM. Although cutaneous and ocular melanomas seem to be inherited independently, there are reported cases of concomitant primary tumors in the same patient.

COVID-19 immunization in people with cancer-Is it safe and efficient? What do we know?

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination of people with cancer or a recent history of cancer was advisable under specific conditions, depending on the type of vaccine (inactivated or live attenuated virus or bacterium), type of cancer, and whether they had undergone treatment for cancer. Some malignancies, especially hematological malignancies, and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and splenectomy negatively impact the immune response. The clinical trials of currently used vaccines against COVID-19 did not include people with active cancer; thus, there is an important gap in the knowledge of safety and efficiency data for COVID-19 immunization in this population. However, considering the risk of mortality and morbidity due to possible infection with SARS-CoV-2, medical experts recommend immunization on an individual basis. As the worldwide prevalence of malignancies is high, reliable information on COVID-19 vaccination is expected to be revealed in future clinical trials. In this review, we examine the key aspects of cancer that may be affected by COVID-19 and summarize the current literature on COVID-19 immunization.

Magnetic Composite Scaffolds for Potential Applications in Radiochemotherapy of Malignant Bone Tumors.

Background and objectives: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, an alarming but expected increase. In comparison to other types of cancer, malignant bone tumors are unusual and their treatment is a real challenge. This paper's main purpose is the study of the potential application of composite scaffolds based on biopolymers and calcium phosphates with the inclusion of magnetic nanoparticles in combination therapy for malignant bone tumors. Materials and Methods: The first step was to investigate if X-rays could modify the scaffolds' properties. In vitro degradation of the scaffolds exposed to X-rays was analyzed, as well as their interaction with phosphate buffer solutions and cells. The second step was to load an anti-tumoral drug (doxorubicin) and to study in vitro drug release and its interaction with cells. The chemical structure of the scaffolds and their morphology were studied. Results: Analyses showed that X-ray irradiation did not influence the scaffolds' features. Doxorubicin release was gradual and its interaction with cells showed cytotoxic effects on cells after 72 h of direct contact. Conclusions: The obtained scaffolds could be considered in further studies regarding combination therapy for malignant bone tumors.

EVOLUTION OF SYNCHRONOUS BILATERAL BREAST CARCINOMA IN A YOUNG PATIENT.

Bilateral breast cancer incidence is appreciated to be between 0.3 to 12% and is determined either by a hereditary load associated with chromosomal instability under the effect of environmental factors, or by the evolution in a particular hormonal context which gives biological aggressiveness. We present the case of a patient, aged 38 years, clinically, imagistic and bioptic diagnosed with left axillary lymph node metastases of breast carcinoma NST invasive G3, IHC-RE = 60%, RP = 30%, HER2neu = 2 +, Ki67 = 20%, in August 2013. Patient followed neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment during September-October 2013. In December 2013 she was clinically and imaging diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, for which surgical intervention was done which consisted of bilateral radical Madden mastectomy with bilateral axillary lymphadenectomy. BAP-invasive carcinoma NST: left breast-pT2mN3a G2, right breast--pT3mN3a G2, IHC-RE = 90%, RP =70% HER2neu = 2 +, Ki67 = 50%. During the period of January-March 2014, the patient followed adjuvant chemotherapy and Herceptin. Bilateral breast ultrasound assessment in April 2014 revealed: left axilla--liquid blade 29 / 6mm; right axilla--oval ganglion 9/5 mm. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound: empty uterine cavity, bosselated contour; at left ovary level multiple cystic formations. During the period of May-June 2014, adjuvant radiation therapy and ovarian irradiationwas administered to the patient. Subsequently hormone therapy was initiated. Following CHT / ovarian irradiation patient continues to experience intermittent uterine bleeding, which is why a total hysterectomy with bilateral ovariectomy was done, and BAP: cervical, endometrialand left ovary with tumor multifocal infiltration with histopathological aspect of invasive breast carcinoma NST. Periodic imaging evaluations do not reveal local or distant recurrence. The particularity of this case is synchronous bilateral breast cancer diagnosis in a young patient complicated in its evolution by ovarian metastases. This form of metastasis is rare in young women and occurs in advanced stages of the disease.

THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS APPLICATIONS IN RADIATION THERAPY.

This is an example of the use of thermoplastic materials in a high-tech medicine field, oncology radiation therapy, in order to produce the rigid masks for positioning and immobilization of the patient during simulation of the treatment procedure, the imaging verification of position and administration of the indicated radiation dose. Implementation of modern techniques of radiation therapy is possible only if provided with performant equipment (CT simulators, linear accelerators of high energy particles provided with multilamellar collimators and imaging verification systems) and accessories that increase the precision of the treatment (special supports for head-neck, thorax, pelvis, head-neck and thorax immobilization masks, compensating materials like bolus type material). The paper illustrates the main steps in modern radiation therapy service and argues the role of thermoplastics in reducing daily patient positioning errors during treatment. As part of quality assurance of irradiation procedure, using a rigid mask is mandatory when applying 3D conformal radiation therapy techniques, radiation therapy with intensity modulated radiation or rotational techninques.

Pulmonary rehabilitation and quality of life in lung cancer patients.

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, often diagnosed in advanced stages. Chest surgery is the main component of curative treatment, the pre-operative functional status being predictive for post-operative morbidity. The potential benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in lung cancer management appear in pre-operative period, improving the exercise capacity and increasing the number of patients sent to surgery, in post-operative period, decreasing the number of complications, and during the medical treatment of patients with advanced disease, improving the symptoms and increasing the quality of life. The quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer is determined by factors related to patient (stage of disease, co morbidities) as well as treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy). The assessment of QOL is made through questionnaires, mainly related to therapeutic regimens and symptoms. Among the most used are Questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ - C30), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT - G), FACT - L (Lung) and the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS).

[Multi-modal treatment in breast cancer. The prognostic role and correlation between relapse and metastasis]. / Tratamentul multimodal in cancerul mamar. Rolul prognostic, corelatia cu recidivele si metastazele.

AIM: The main aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic role of the treatment in breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 445 patients with breast cancer with 3 categories of treatments. RESULTS: Statistic correlation between treatment categories and overall survival, high correlation between treatment and disease free survival.

[Superficial microwaves hyperthermia tumoral temperature distribution by using finite element analysis]. / Evaluarea distributiei de temperatura tumorala în hipertermia superficiala cu microunde prin metoda analizei cu element finit.

UNLABELLED: The main aim of this study is to present a virtual method for tumor temperature distribution by using finite element analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First step is geometrical synthesis that means tumor and neighbor structures three-dimensional reconstruction using CT sections; the second represent temperature and material synthesis: temperature values application and tissues density, thermal conductivity, specific heat values application, then finite element analysis. RESULTS: Finite element analysis indicate tumor temperature distribution with maximum and minimum values as a result of microwave hyperthermia treatment.

[Superficial microwaves hyperthermia--physical treatment parameters obtained on experimental phantom]. / Hipertermia superficiala cu microunde parametri fizici de tratament determinati pe fantom experimental.

AIM: To present the physical treatment parameters of superficial hyperthermia device that may be used in cancer treatment in association with radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First step is to present the way to measure continuous temperature, the deep and surface temperature distribution obtained by using hyperthermia device. Second step is to describe the experimental protocol. RESULTS: Some physical parameters were obtained by measuring the temperature on the experimental phantom: deep penetration and superficial distribution. These values help to evaluate the useful therapeutic surface and optimal deep penetration of the treatment temperature.

[Microwaves hyperthermia. Preliminary experimental results]. / Hipertermia cu microunde. Rezultate experimentale preliminare.

AIM: The main aim of this study was to present a way of designing a hyperthermia device based on microwaves, which will be used for cancer treatment in association with radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A hyperthermia device with two parts - the electrical part and the mechanical support--was built. The surface temperature distribution was evaluated using a plastic material with micro-pockets filled with water. RESULTS: The experimental results were obtained by measuring the temperature in each micro-pocket. These values helped to evaluate the surface temperature distribution and to delimit the region with useful temperature.