Search

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of retracted oncology papers from Chinese scholars and the reasons for retraction. Methods: Data on retracted oncology papers from Chinese scholars published from 2013 to 2022 were retrieved from the Retraction Watch database. The retraction number and annual distribution, article types, reasons for retraction, retraction time delay, publishers, and journal characteristics of the retracted papers were analyzed. Results: A total of 2695 oncology papers from Chinese scholars published from 2013 to 2022 had been retracted. The majority of these papers were published from 2017 to 2020. In terms of article type, 2538 of the retracted papers were research articles, accounting for 94.17% of the total number of retracted papers. The main reasons for retraction were data, result, and image problems, duplicate publication, paper mills, author- and third-party-related reasons, plagiarism, false reviews, and method errors. The retraction time delay for the retracted papers ranged from 0 to 3582 days (median, 826 days). The retractions mainly occurred within the first 4 years after publication. A total of 77 publishers were involved in the retracted papers. In terms of journal distribution, 394 journals were involved in the retracted papers, of which 368 (93.40%) were included in the SCI database. There were 243 journals with an impact factor of <5 (66.03%). Conclusion: In the field of oncology, the annual distribution of retracted papers from Chinese scholars exhibited first an increasing and subsequently a decreasing trend, reaching a peak in 2019, indicating an improvement in the status of retraction after 2021. The main type of the retracted papers was research article, and the main reason for retraction was academic misconduct. The retractions were mainly concentrated in several major publishers and periodicals in Europe and the United States. Most of the journals had low-impact factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To optimize the patient dose and image quality through quality assurance (QA) of diagnostic x-ray equipment and to ensure compliance with international and national standards in x-ray specification parameters, the use of contactless and quick non-invasive instruments has gained importance. Considering the importance of equipment qualification and the intervention level for equipment management, it is vital to account for uncertainties in the measurement of parameters in diagnostic radiology. However, the limits and measurement uncertainties associated with the parameter measurement are not well established and many technical and scientific literature provide different tolerance values, either as absolute or in terms of percentage. Methods and Materials: In this paper, the authors analyze non-invasive multi-parameter detector measurements with the aim to (i) improve the accuracy in measurement of x-ray parameters (kilovoltage, dose, and exposure time); (ii) estimate the uncertainty associated with such measurements; (iii) analyze the tolerance values prescribed by various professional and regulatory bodies and propose an improvised method of reporting the parameters. The approach adopted in this paper takes into account the uncertainties associated with traditional instruments and the subjectivity in the measurements. Results: Estimated uncertainty for kV measurements in the range between 1.45 kV at 40 kV measurements and 4.88 kV at 150 kV measurements. The MU associated with the dose measurement is estimated to be 6.2% at 110 kVp, 100 mA, and 500 msec. Maximum MU estimated at 10 msec exposure time is 4.5% and with MU of 5% deviation added to 9.5%. Conclusions: The current practice of reporting the measured mean values deviation without considering the inherent measurement uncertainty may not be a correct quantification procedure in QA. This is evident from the case study that 3% addition to the measured kV, 6.2% addition in the measured dose, and 4.5% to the measured time accounts for measurement uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Malignant and aggressive, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) constitutes about 15% of all diagnosed lung cancer cases. With primary therapeutic options such as chemotherapy accompanied by debilitating side effects, interest has been soaring in the therapeutic competencies of herbs. The pharmacological driving force behind the beneficial properties of Nigella sativa is the quinone, thymoquinone (TQ). The anti-cancer effects of TQ on different cancers have been extensively studied. Nonetheless, only one paper in the entire National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database describes its effects on SCLC. A more detailed investigation is required. Methods: The current study examined the impact of TQ in vitro on five SCLC cell lines and in vivo in a nude mouse xenograft model. The following in vitro effects of TQ on SCLC were evaluated: (a) cell viability; (b) apoptosis; (c) cell cycle arrest; (d) intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and (e) protein expression in concomitant signaling pathways. For the in vivo effects of TQ on SCLC, (a) tumor volume was measured, and (b) selected protein expression in selected concomitant signaling pathways was determined by Western blotting. Result: In general, TQ reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, depleted ROS, and altered protein expression in associated signaling pathways. Furthermore, TQ exhibited a tumor-suppressive effect in an H446 SCLC xenograft model. Conclusion: The cytotoxic impact of TQ arising from anti-cancer mechanisms was elucidated. The positive results obtained in this study warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of radiation to treat keloid scars has gained popularity during the last few decades. However, few bibliometric analyses have been performed on the published articles. This research aimed to demonstrate and evaluate the trends, top-cited articles, and frontier areas. In this cross-sectional study, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus database literature was searched for all MESH terms related to "keloid" and "radiotherapy." The bibliometric analysis was carried out by VOSviewer 1.6.15. Articles with Web of Science-based citations of ≥20 were included. The citation per year index (CPYI) of articles was calculated for further inclusion of papers if they had CPYI higher than the mean value. There were 95 papers on keloid radiation that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were published between 1942 and 2019. The CPYI ranged from 0.38 to 11.3. Most studies were published in the "International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics" (9 papers). The United States has the most papers (14), followed by Japan (9), the Netherlands (7), and Germany (5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of top-cited papers on keloid radiotherapy. From 2014 to the present, it seems that this title has resurfaced as a popular topic, with radiotherapy within 24 h of surgery being the most commonly recommended treatment plan. Since around 2011, high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) has been used as an effective treatment for keloid control. Individualization of therapy and dose/technique based on the location is strongly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of Cancer Research & Therapeutics presents several studies on radiation therapy for cancer treatment. One study compares different radiation therapy techniques for thoracic tumors, finding that volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) provides comparable tumor control with lower normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) compared to other methods. Another study focuses on patient-reported outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, revealing discrepancies between patient-reported and physician-reported symptoms. A Phase 3 trial on head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma evaluates different radiation dose regimens for palliative treatment, showing no significant differences in progression-free survival or overall survival between the groups. Additionally, a study on inoperable oral cavity cancers explores a patient choice-driven radical treatment approach, demonstrating improved survival outcomes for patients opting for aggressive treatment. Lastly, a comparison of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy regimens for rectal carcinoma shows higher complete pathological response rates with total neoadjuvant therapy. [Extracted from the article]

There was a significant difference in the delay of radiation treatment delivery by 3 weeks (15 fractions) in COVID-19-positive patients compared to only 1 week delay in COVID-19-negative patients. The disease was clinically controlled in 56 patients (42.42%) of the COVID-19-positive patients, and the patients reported locoregional disease progression in 34 patients (25.75%). There was a longer duration of treatment interruptions in the COVID-19-positive patients, mostly in second wave of the pandemic, leading to fewer patients completing the radiation treatment and thereby increased locoregional disease progression. The study was conducted to present the real-world analysis of the effect of treatment interruptions on the outcomes of patients treated with radiation therapy during all the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care institute in India. [Extracted from the article]

The use of radiation to treat keloid scars has gained popularity during the last few decades. However, few bibliometric analyses have been performed on the published articles. This research aimed to demonstrate and evaluate the trends, top-cited articles, and frontier areas. In this cross-sectional study, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus database literature was searched for all MESH terms related to "keloid" and "radiotherapy." The bibliometric analysis was carried out by VOSviewer 1.6.15. Articles with Web of Science-based citations of =20 were included. The citation per year index (CPYI) of articles was calculated for further inclusion of papers if they had CPYI higher than the mean value. There were 95 papers on keloid radiation that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were published between 1942 and 2019. The CPYI ranged from 0.38 to 11.3. Most studies were published in the "International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics" (9 papers). The United States has the most papers (14), followed by Japan (9), the Netherlands (7), and Germany (5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of top-cited papers on keloid radiotherapy. From 2014 to the present, it seems that this title has resurfaced as a popular topic, with radiotherapy within 24 h of surgery being the most commonly recommended treatment plan. Since around 2011, high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) has been used as an effective treatment for keloid control. Individualization of therapy and dose/technique based on the location is strongly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to report 12 years of experience in the development of a quality assurance system in radiation oncology in a university hospital. Material and Methods: We developed the Quality Assurance Program in Radiation Oncology (QUAPRO) in 2008 to detect treatment deviation in the radiotherapy (RT) process with three steps of near-miss detection: simulation and prescription (primary check, PC), treatment planning (secondary check, SC), and treatment delivery process (tertiary check, TC). We transferred our paper-based medical records to electronic-based radiotherapy information systems (RTISs) in 2013. QUAPRO was completely integrated into RTIS in 2017. Since then, electronic-based incident reporting has been conducted. The program is called the Radiation Incident Learning System (RILS). The near-miss rates were compared during the three time periods: 2008–2012, 2013–2017, and 2017–2020. Results: Five years of paper-based QUAPRO for 2008–2012 demonstrated a fluctuation in the checking ratio, with a gradually increasing rate of near misses of 3.5–19.7%. After electronic-based medical records were developed in 2013, the results revealed a dramatic increase from a rate of 2.7 to 4.2 in the number of checks per patient and achieved an increased rate of near misses of 24.7% for PC, SC, and TC. The rate of near misses gradually decreased to 5.3% after 2017 because of RT workflow improvement. Conclusion: The analysis of 12 years in near-miss data reflected the effectiveness of our quality assurance program. The QUAPRO system can detect near-miss incidents in the whole RT workflow and illustrate the detection improvement when integrated into electronic-based medical records. Regular feedback and exploration of near-miss reporting are recommended for proper RT workflow improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of radiation to treat keloid scars has gained popularity during the last few decades. However, few bibliometric analyses have been performed on the published articles. This research aimed to demonstrate and evaluate the trends, top-cited articles, and frontier areas. In this cross-sectional study, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus database literature was searched for all MESH terms related to "keloid" and "radiotherapy." The bibliometric analysis was carried out by VOSviewer 1.6.15. Articles with Web of Science-based citations of ≥20 were included. The citation per year index (CPYI) of articles was calculated for further inclusion of papers if they had CPYI higher than the mean value. There were 95 papers on keloid radiation that satisfied the inclusion criteria and were published between 1942 and 2019. The CPYI ranged from 0.38 to 11.3. Most studies were published in the "International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics" (9 papers). The United States has the most papers (14), followed by Japan (9), the Netherlands (7), and Germany (5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of top-cited papers on keloid radiotherapy. From 2014 to the present, it seems that this title has resurfaced as a popular topic, with radiotherapy within 24 h of surgery being the most commonly recommended treatment plan. Since around 2011, high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) has been used as an effective treatment for keloid control. Individualization of therapy and dose/technique based on the location is strongly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis to salivary glands from the secondary source outside the head and neck region is extremely rare and Carcinoma Lung is one of the rarest sources of distant spread to salivary glands. Owing to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, accurate identification of clinical and pathological aspects of these metastatic lesions remains a challenging task. Many studies regarding metastasis to the oral cavity have been already documented in the literature, but very little research work has been done to analyse the cases of lung cancer metastasis as the sole primary source, particularly to salivary glands. Thus this review was conducted to analyse the published cases of lung cancer metastasizing to salivary glands as the only primary source till date. An electronic search of the published literature was performed without publication year limitation in PubMed/ Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science direct, Embase, and Research gate databases, using Mesh keywords like (Lung cancer', OR 'Lung carcinoma), AND (Metastasis OR Metastases), And (Salivary glands OR Parotid gland OR Submandibular gland OR Sublingual gland). We also searched all related journals manually. The reference list of all articles was also checked. Our research revealed 34 relevant papers between 1965-2022 with a total of 44 patients. The most prevalent diagnosed metastatic Lung cancer was Small cell lung cancer. Parotid was the most common gland involved in metastasis. 48% of patients died of metastasis with a mean survival time of 2.2 years. Salivary gland metastasis from Lung cancer is very rare and has a poor prognosis. More cases need to be published in order to raise awareness of these lesions and gain a better understanding of their characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current scoping review's objective was to outline existing applications, recent breakthroughs, and quantum dots' applicability in imaging of oral squamous cell cancer. Quantum dots are nanometric semiconductor crystals with customizable optical characteristics and intense, stable fluorescence suited for bioimaging and labeling. We used the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations for conducting our systematic search. An analysis of the properties and applications of quantum dots in noninvasive detection of oral squamous cell cancer is presented in this study, which comprehensively explores the available evidence. Following searches in the databases PubMed, Ovid SP, and Cochrane using the search terms quantum dots AND oral squamous cell cancer, 55 published publications were chosen for this review. The review identified a total of eight papers that met the criteria. In noninvasive detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma, quantum dots have the potential to offer an array of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Furthermore, quantum dots emit near-infrared and visible light, which is advantageous in biological imaging since it reduces light dispersion and absorption of tissue. The future may see quantum dots become a popular noninvasive imaging technique for oral squamous cell cancer. The number of studies accessible is quite limited, and further research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the incidence and factors influencing surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical resection for colorectal cancer and assess their health and economic impact on the patients and hospital. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-controlled study comprised patients who underwent robot-assisted radical resection for colorectal cancer at a tertiary hospital in China. Information about baseline characteristics, perioperative details, postoperative SSI incidence, hospitalization costs, and follow-up was collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for SSI. Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the health and economic impacts of SSI on the patients and the hospital. Results: The overall incidence of colorectal SSI in 546 patients undergoing robot-assisted radical resection for colorectal cancer was 11.72% (64/546). Intraoperative blood loss, duration of operation, preoperative absolute lymphocyte count, preoperative and postoperative serum albumin levels, tumor location, gender, history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, surgical wound classification, and preoperative hypoalbuminemia levels were associated with SSI. Rectal cancer, male gender, and class 3 or 4 surgical wounds were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative SSI. SSI prolonged the hospital stay by 6.60 days, increased the patient's direct costs by 31,669.88 CNY, increased the economic burden by 3,262.38 CNY, and caused an indirect economic loss of 50,546.79 CNY for the hospital. Conclusions: Patients undergoing robot-assisted radical resection for colorectal cancer are at a high risk for SSI. SSI can prolong postoperative hospital stays and increase the economic burden for patients and hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors that may delay enhanced recovery in the ablation of liver tumors. Methods: A total of 310 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided ablation of liver tumors under general anesthesia were prospectively enrolled. Baseline data, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative events were evaluated. Postoperative pain was scored using the visual analog scale (VAS). Logistic regression analysis was conducted for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The study included 42 females (13.5%) and 268 males (86.5%). The mean age of the sample was 57 ± 11 years old. The average length of stay (LOS) was 4.3 ± 2.4 days. A total of 199 out of 310 patients (64.2%) experienced moderate to severe pain (VAS score > 3). Seventy out of 310 patients (22.6%) experienced other complications. In the multivariable analysis, the number of lesions [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 3.23 (2.15–4.84); P < 0.001], maximum diameter of lesions [1.12 (1.07–1.17), P < 0.001], and smallest distance between the lesions and the liver capsule [0.91 (0.89–0.94), P < 0.001] were risk factors for postoperative pain (VAS > 3). A history of alcohol consumption [2.62 (1.33–5.19), P = 0.005] was a risk factor for other complications. Surgical history [0.40 (0.24–0.67), P = 0.001] was a protective factor against LOS. Total operation time [1.01, 1.00–1.01, P = 0.009] was a mild risk factor for LOS. Conclusion: The number of lesions, maximum diameter of the lesions, smallest distance between the lesions and the liver capsule, total operation time, and a history of alcohol use were risk factors that may delay enhanced recovery in patients undergoing ablation of liver tumors. These findings may provide evidence to promote the use of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Despite the advancements in surgical procedures and treatment options, CRC remains a considerable cause of cancer-related mortality. Shikonin is a naphthoquinone compound that exhibits multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects as well as wound healing promotion. Recently, Shikonin has been increasingly used in basic research on colorectal malignant tumors. Therefore, we explored the mechanisms of action and structural improvements of Shikonin in colorectal cancer through a literature review to provide valuable insights for the advancement of research and development of related pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document discusses innovative technologies and techniques in radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment. It includes the development of a pressure sensor-based deep breath-hold device to enhance treatment accuracy and reduce radiation exposure to critical organs. Additionally, the use of 3D printing and artificial intelligence in radiotherapy is explored to improve treatment precision and patient outcomes. The study also evaluates dosimetric efficacy in postmastectomy radiotherapy and compares different irradiation techniques for left-sided breast cancer treatment. These advancements aim to optimize treatment accuracy, minimize radiation exposure, and improve patient care in cancer treatment. [Extracted from the article]

The Journal of Cancer Research & Therapeutics presents three studies on cancer treatment. The first study compares sequential boost versus integrated boost for head-and-neck cancer, finding no difference in outcomes but higher toxicity in the integrated boost arm. The second study identifies predictors of esophageal stricture following chemoradiotherapy, highlighting T4 stage and specific chemotherapy as risk factors. The third study evaluates the accuracy and efficiency of a five-moving-laser system in radiation therapy planning, showing time-saving benefits for patient setup. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Breast cancer is leading globally in 2020, with mortality being a concern in developing countries. Cancer registration can help in studying systematically collected data about breast cancer. The aim of this study is (1) to describe demographic aspects, stage at diagnosis, histological types, and treatment availed by evaluating the 2016 Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) of a Tertiary Cancer Centre (TCC), (2) to study the relationship between sociodemographic factors, the stage of the disease, the time between diagnosis and registration at TCC and the treatment status. Methodology: The data of all breast cancer patients who registered at the institution in 2016 was included in the study. The variables in the HBCR core form were used as a baseline for collecting data from hospital records. Results: The number of patients registered in 2016 was 534. The mean age was 53.8 (SD 53.8 ± 12.11). Majority (59.2%) presented in the early stages. Seventy-two percent were from rural areas, and 59.5% had a middle school education and above. Our study found a significant association between education status, the stage of disease, and treatment status. Conclusion: Education level plays an important role in early presentation and treatment completion. Registry data analysis can be used as a guideline for understanding patterns and for formulating cancer control activities in the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an increasing trend in the country. The aim of this study is to gain knowledge on patterns of quality assurance (QA) and treatment planning (TP) aspects with respect to SBRT. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire with multiple choice was designed to determine practices of SBRT covering areas such as years of experience, type of linear accelerator, tumor-motion strategies, calculation algorithm used in the TP system (TPS), the protocol used for small field dosimetry, the detector used for small field dosimetry and QA, respiratory management during delivery. The survey was sent to all radiotherapy institutes in the country having a minimum of one linear accelerator, and responses were analyzed. Results: From June 2022 to December 2022, 265 responses to the SBRT survey were received with response rate as 60.4%. The most common reason for not adopting SBRT was reported as a lack of capability of treatment machines to deliver SBRT (61.6%). Lung (81.1%) was the most practiced site. The most common delivery unit was a conventional linear accelerator (83%); 6 MV FFF (85.7%) was mostly used energy; volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) (91.5%) was mostly used delivery technique; most of the equipment (more than 91.5%) used multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf width ≤5 mm. The most popular methods used for motion strategies during computed tomography (CT) were motion-encompassing and breath-hold techniques used by 65 (62.5%) and 62 (59.6%) respondents, respectively. The most popular method used for respiratory management during delivery was breath-hold by 55 (52.4%) respondents. Most TPS are equipped with either Type-C or Type-B algorithms. Heterogeneity was observed in the QA protocol and acceptance criteria for analysis of patient-specific QA. Conclusion: The survey resulted in heterogeneity in QA and TP aspects among users of SBRT and demands for harmonizing the dosimetric aspects of SBRT in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Low energy X-rays from synchrotron radiation (SR) and X-ray generators are used for diagnostic imaging procedures. The dosimetry of low energy X-rays is challenging. For these types of radiations, the free-air ionization chamber (FAIC) is considered as the primary standard for absolute determination of air-kerma, which is an important quantity for the patient dose during diagnostic radiology investigation. Materials and Methods: To fulfil above requirement, a miniature parallel-plate FAIC (FAICSR) and portable parallel-plate FAIC (FAICDIAG) were designed and fabricated as the absolute dosimeter for standardization of SR beams and for establishing diagnostic X-rays beam qualities, RQR series respectively. Experiments were performed in SR beams (8-25 keV) as well as in diagnostic X-ray beams of 40, 50, 60, 70, 81, 90, 100 KVp for evaluating the basic characteristics of these chambers. Results: The basic characteristics of these chambers were in conformity with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) TRS-374 and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61674, 60731. Dosimetric beam quality parameters such as the first half-value layer and homogeneity coefficient of the RQR series, measured using FAICDIAG are within the acceptable limits specified by IEC 61267 and IAEA TRS-457. The RQR series (RQR 2 to RQR 8) are established as per IAEA TRS-457 specifications. Conclusions: The performance of the indegeneously developed FAICs was found satisfactory as per design and expectation and they qualify as absolute dosimeters for measurement of air-kerma of low energy regions and for direct calibration of field dosimeters and quality assurance test tools used for performance evaluation of diagnostic X-ray machines in the radiology department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brachytherapy (BT) is an extensively used treatment modality for cancer in many sites in the body. In this treatment method, small radioactive sources are localized proximal to cancerous tumors. The commercially available applicators, templates, etc., used for tumor localization and targeting in BT have standard sizes and dimensions. Besides this, researchers are now focusing on achieving more accuracy in BT. This goal can be accomplished through 3D printing technology, also known as "additive manufacturing" (AM) or rapid prototyping, which has rapidly evolved in numerous applications. The 3D printing technology has enormous potential to perform personalized BT products and has enormous scope to improve clinical outcomes while lowering the risk of radiation-induced toxicity by growing recognition of precision medicine. In this review, the authors summarize the application of 3D printing in BT, and the challenges in developing a practical system are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is essential in modern radiotherapy treatment practices to evaluate the quality assurance (QA) of the treatment plan prior to the exclusion of patient from treatment. The typical suitable tools used for patient pretreatment QA are phantoms representing the human anatomy. An anthropomorphic heterogeneous female pelvic (AHFP) phantom has been developed to represent the real female pelvic structure. Purpose: The objective of the current study is to assess the findings of relative dosimetry carried out utilizing an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) on the AHFP phantom fabricated. Methods: The planning target volume (PTV) was created on CT slices of an AHFP phantom to confirm the tool's ability to represent female pelvic anatomy and serve as a QA tool. In order to assess the dose received by healthy organs during radiotherapy, organs at risk such as the bladder and rectum were additionally drawn alongside the PTV. Rapid Arc and Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were both used to create the treatment plan on treatment planning system, and the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm Version 11.0.31 was used to calculate the dose. Results: The results obtained for the average gamma value in RapidArc plans are 0.26, 0.27, and 0.28 (g ≤1) and IMRT plans are 0.39, 0.40, and 0.46 (g ≤1) for target 1, target 2, and target 3, respectively. Conclusion: According to the findings of the current study, the AHFP phantom was used to explore the potential of relative dosimetry using EPID as a QA tool, which was found to be suitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We analyzed the prevalence and genotype distribution of multiple- or single-type cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in a population of women in mainland China. Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP, and Wan Fang) were searched for studies on HPV prevalence and the examination of this relationship. All analyses were performed using STATA (version 12.0). Data from selected studies were extracted into tables, and all included studies were weighted and summarized. Results: Thirty studies were included. The prevalence of single types (10.4%) and multiple types (4.7%) primarily occurred in healthy Chinese women, in which the dominant single-type infection was HPV16 (1.6%), 52 (1.5%), 58 (1.0%), and 18 (0.5%), and the dominant type of multiple infection was HPV16 (0.7%), 52 (0.7%), 58 (0.6%), and 18 (0.3%). The prevalence in North and South China was 14.3%, in which the prevalence of the single type was 10.41% and 8.27%, and the prevalence of multiple types was 4.00% and 6.52%, respectively. Conclusion: Mainland China exhibits unique type-specific single and multiple HPV infections. Overall single or multiple HPV prevalence varied across regions of China, whereas type-specific HPV differences were relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exosomes derived from gastric cancer cells on the phenotypic transformation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the effect of HSC activation on the malignant behavior of gastric cancer cells, including its molecular mechanism. Methods: Exosomes derived from the human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS were extracted and purified by polymer precipitation and ultrafiltration, respectively. The exosomes' morphologic characteristics were observed using transmission electron microscopy, particle size was determined through nanoparticle-tracking analysis, and marker proteins were detected using western blotting. Exosome uptake by LX-2 HSCs was observed through fluorescence-based tracing. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Using functional assays, the effects of LX-2 HSC activation on the biological behavior of malignant gastric cancer cells were evaluated. The effects of LX-2 HSC activation on the protein expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes and β-catenin were evaluated via western blotting. Results: The extracted particles conformed to the definitions of exosomes and were thus considered gastric cancer cell-derived exosomes. Fluorescence-based tracing successfully demonstrated that exosomes were enriched in LX-2 HSCs. RT-qPCR revealed that the mRNA expression of the cancer-associated fibroblast markers α-SMA and FAP was significantly increased. LX-2 HSC activation considerably enhanced gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Western blotting showed that the expression of the EMT-related epithelial marker E-cadherin was significantly downregulated, whereas the expression of interstitial markers (N-cadherin and vimentin) and β-catenin was remarkably upregulated in gastric cancer cells. Conclusion: Exosomes derived from gastric cancer cells promoted phenotypic transformation of HSCs and activated HSCs to become tumor-associated fibroblasts. Gastric cancer cell-derived cells significantly enhanced gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration after HSC activation, which may promote EMT of gastric cancer cells through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis to salivary glands from the secondary source outside the head and neck region is extremely rare and Carcinoma Lung is one of the rarest sources of distant spread to salivary glands. Owing to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, accurate identification of clinical and pathological aspects of these metastatic lesions remains a challenging task. Many studies regarding metastasis to the oral cavity have been already documented in the literature, but very little research work has been done to analyse the cases of lung cancer metastasis as the sole primary source, particularly to salivary glands. Thus this review was conducted to analyse the published cases of lung cancer metastasizing to salivary glands as the only primary source till date. An electronic search of the published literature was performed without publication year limitation in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science direct, Embase, and Research gate databases, using Mesh keywords like (Lung cancer', OR 'Lung carcinoma), AND (Metastasis OR Metastases), And (Salivary glands OR Parotid gland OR Submandibular gland OR Sublingual gland). We also searched all related journals manually. The reference list of all articles was also checked. Our research revealed 34 relevant papers between 1965-2022 with a total of 44 patients. The most prevalent diagnosed metastatic Lung cancer was Small cell lung cancer. Parotid was the most common gland involved in metastasis. 48% of patients died of metastasis with a mean survival time of 2.2 years. Salivary gland metastasis from Lung cancer is very rare and has a poor prognosis. More cases need to be published in order to raise awareness of these lesions and gain a better understanding of their characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a surface glycoprotein important for tumor invasion and angiogenesis. The present research is conducted to investigate whether specific gene polymorphism of ICAM-1 K469E (rs5498) and plasma redox status could be associated with laryngeal cancer (LC) development. Since there is no clear evidence which investigates the relationship between ICAM-1 polymorphism and ROS-mediated plasma protein oxidation in LC, our study is the first significant contribution for investigating the relationship. Methods: The study covered patients with primary LC and their age-matched healthy control subjects. Evaluation of ICAM-1 K469E (rs5498) gene polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Plasma redox status was assessed with spectrophotometric methods. Results: In the current paper, we found that LC patients with GG genotype had a decreasing trend for the plasma oxidative damage biomarker levels when compared with all allele genotypes (AA and AG). Conclusion: We concluded that G allele of the ICAM-1 K469E gene plays a significant role in the optimal regulation of plasma redox homeostasis in patients with LC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ablative procedures of the oral cavity require composite removal of tissues, which results in compromise of both functional activities and esthetic mutilation and proves to be a reconstructive challenge. This paper focuses on the reliability and versatility of a single perforator-based anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in oral cancer reconstruction. Materials and Methods: All patients who underwent reconstruction with a single perforator-based ALT for oral cancer defects at our center were included in the study. Results: Forty-seven patients who underwent reconstruction with a single perforator-based ALT flap were included in our study. The average flap size in our series was 111 cm2, with the largest measuring 375 cm2. They was a complete loss of flap in two patients; both of them underwent salvage procedure and were reconstructed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. One had a partial loss that underwent re-exploration. Conclusion: We conclude that a single perforator-based ALT is a very safe, reliable, and versatile flap for head and neck reconstruction. The microvascular anastomosis may be expensive and technically a limitation; however, it has found a permanent place in our head and neck reconstructive toolkit and is the workhorse flap for head and neck reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess and compare the quality of life (QOL) in Oral Cancer patients undergoing 3-DCRT with or without concomitant Chemotherapy at three different time intervals. Materials and Methods: This unicentric longitudinal study included 50 patients of oral cancer undergoing 3-DCRT with or without concomitant chemotherapy. QOL was recorded using the EORTC H and N 35 Questionnaire at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), and 3 months after treatment. Results: Maximum deterioration of most QOL domains were noted at End of treatment (EOT) in all the patients. A highly statistically significant difference was noted between different time intervals with the highest scores noted at the EOT (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in patients undergoing 3DCRT with chemotherapy when compared to those with 3DCRT without chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is substantial deterioration in QOL at the EOT after head–neck irradiation by 3-DCRT with or without concomitant Chemotherapy although it gradually improves over time. However, 3DCRT results in clinically meaningful and statistically better QOL scores at 3 months after treatment compared to baseline and EOT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Brainstem is a rare yet challenging site for primary brain tumors. We present the patient characteristics, treatment-related details, and survival outcomes of patients with brain stem gliomas treated over a decade, from August 2010 to July 2022, at a tertiary care center in northern India. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients of brainstem gliomas were treated in our hospital from August 2010 to July 2022. All of these patients were treated with radiation therapy based on a radiological diagnosis only. Data were collected and analyzed from patient registration, treatment, and follow-up records. Results: Of the 27 patients, 18 were male and 9 were female. Fourteen patients (51.85%) were in the pediatric age group (<12 years). The most common symptom at onset was hemiparesis, seen in 62.96%. The majority of the patients (24; 88.88%) had pontine involvement at the time of treatment. Overall survival at a minimum 2-year follow-up post-treatment was 22.22% in the entire cohort. Age, sex, or size of tumor at presentation was not seen to have any significant impact on survival of patients. Conclusion: With the advancement in surgical techniques and molecular analysis of brain tumors, there is likely to be a change in the management of brainstem gliomas; however, radiation therapy has been used for the management of these tumors for decades now. Radiation therapy continues to show rapid and significant radiological and clinical improvement in the majority of such patients, and it would continue to play an important part in multi-modality management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiotherapy (RT) may increase the dose of heart structure like left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the impact of various multileaf collimators (MLCs) in shielding organ at risks (OARs), especially LAD, of patients with left breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with left breast cancer were selected. The treatment plans were created applying three techniques for all patients. In the first plan (uncovered LAD), the treatment plan was made without considering LAD as OARs. In the two other plans, two MLCs with different leaf widths (6.8 mm and 5 mm) were used to shield the LAD. For all plans, MLC was shielded as much of OAR as possible without compromising planning target volume (PTV) coverage. Dosimetric parameters of the heart, LAD, and ipsilateral lung were assessed. Results: Compared to other plans, the covered LAD plan 1(CL1) obtained lower lung, cardiac, and LAD doses with the same PTV coverage. On average, the mean heart dose decreased from 6.2 Gy to 5.4 Gy by CL1, and the average mean dose to the LAD was reduced from 36.4 Gy to 33.7 Gy, which was statistically significant. The average lung volume receiving >20 Gy was significantly reduced from 24.6% to 23.4%. Moreover, the results show that covered LAD plan 2(CL2) is less useful for shielding OARs compared to CL1. Conclusion: CL1 plans may reduce OAR dose for patients without compromising the target coverage. Hence, the proper implementation of MLC can decrease the side effects of RT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis to salivary glands from the secondary source outside the head and neck region is extremely rare and Carcinoma Lung is one of the rarest sources of distant spread to salivary glands. Owing to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, accurate identification of clinical and pathological aspects of these metastatic lesions remains a challenging task. Many studies regarding metastasis to the oral cavity have been already documented in the literature, but very little research work has been done to analyse the cases of lung cancer metastasis as the sole primary source, particularly to salivary glands. Thus this review was conducted to analyse the published cases of lung cancer metastasizing to salivary glands as the only primary source till date. An electronic search of the published literature was performed without publication year limitation in PubMed/ Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science direct, Embase, and Research gate databases, using Mesh keywords like (Lung cancer', OR 'Lung carcinoma), AND (Metastasis OR Metastases), And (Salivary glands OR Parotid gland OR Submandibular gland OR Sublingual gland). We also searched all related journals manually. The reference list of all articles was also checked. Our research revealed 34 relevant papers between 1965-2022 with a total of 44 patients. The most prevalent diagnosed metastatic Lung cancer was Small cell lung cancer. Parotid was the most common gland involved in metastasis. 48% of patients died of metastasis with a mean survival time of 2.2 years. Salivary gland metastasis from Lung cancer is very rare and has a poor prognosis. More cases need to be published in order to raise awareness of these lesions and gain a better understanding of their characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distinguishing benign breast diseases (BBDs) from malignant breast diseases is a worrisome entity and should also have knowledge of the pattern of occurrence of the disorders in their geographical location. This research aimed to study the clinical and histopathological pattern of BBD in Indian patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 153 specimens from lumpectomy, core needle biopsy, and mastectomy. Data regarding patients' age, sex, presenting complaints, duration of the complaints, and history of menstrual cycles and lactation were collected from the biopsy requisition forms and case papers. The tissue bits were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and a histopathological examination was performed. Results: Most of the patients in the present study were females (n = 151, 98.7%). The mean age of the patients was 30.45 years. Most of the BBD cases (n = 118, 77.14%) were benign, of which fibroadenoma (101 cases) accounted for 66%. Majority of the lesions were in the upper outer quadrant (39.22%). Of the 153 cases, 94 cases of fibroadenoma, one case of breast abscess, nine cases of fibrocystic change, four cases of phyllodes, three cases of lipoma, and one case of gynecomastia diagnosed clinically correlated well with histopathology (n = 112, 73%). Conclusion: BBDs are mostly seen in female patients in the age group of 21-30 years. Fibroadenoma is the most common BBD. Clinical assessment followed by histopathological examination provided an accurate diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis correlated well with histopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinosarcoma is an extremely rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma characterized by biphasic histology defined by epithelial and mesenchymal components. Because of the aggressive nature, early risk of metastasis, and high mortality, this tumor is associated with poor prognosis. Surgery is considered as the main modality of treatment, although radiotherapy can be discussed in inoperable cases. The present paper describes a rare case of carcinosarcoma of buccal mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor budding is gaining importance as a prognostic factor in various carcinomas due to its association with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hence clinical outcome. Reporting tumor budding in breast cancer lacks homogeneity. We aim to systematically review the existing literature and conduct a meta-analysis to assess the prognostic implication of tumor budding in breast carcinoma. A systematic search was performed to identify studies that compared different prognostic variables between high- and low-grade tumor budding. Quality assessment was performed using a modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Dichotomous variables were pooled using the odds ratio using the Der–Simonian–Laird method. Meta-analysis was conducted to study the association between low/high-grade tumor budding and tumor grade, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, ER, PR, HER2neu, KI67, and the molecular subtype triple-negative breast carcinoma. Thirteen studies with a total of 1763 patients were included. A moderate risk of bias was noted. The median bias scoring was 7 (6–9). High-grade tumor budding was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.52–3.34, P < 0.01) and lymphovascular invasion (OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 2.10–4.71, P < 0.01), and low-grade budding was significantly associated with triple-negative breast carcinoma (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.03) There was significant heterogeneity in the assessment and grading of tumor budding; thus, a checklist of items was identified that lacked standardization. Our meta-analysis concluded that tumor budding can act as an independent prognostic marker for breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibromatosis is a rare and locally invasive soft tissue lesion with propensity for local recurrence after surgical excision. Recently, many drugs have been explored with curative intent instead of surgical excision. We present a case of pediatric recurrent fibromatosis which was managed by hydroxyurea monotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report two cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) who were treated with distinct surgical approaches. In the first case, a 50‑year‑old woman presented with a mass on her right shoulder and underwent local excision with subsequent reconstruction using a deltopectoral flap. The second case was of a young female who presented with a giant protuberant DFSP on the anterior abdominal wall who was treated with wide local excision along with inlay mesh repair of the defect. Early excision and adjuvant radiotherapy facilitates a low recurrence rate while also improving the prognosis of the patients. In this paper, we report two cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) who were treated with distinct surgical approaches. In the first case, a 50‑year‑old woman presented with a mass on her right shoulder and underwent local excision with subsequent reconstruction using a deltopectoral flap. The second case was of a young female who presented with a giant protuberant DFSP on the anterior abdominal wall who was treated with wide local excision along with inlay mesh repair of the defect. Early excision and adjuvant radiotherapy facilitates a low recurrence rate while also improving the prognosis of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study aims to compare the split x-jaw planning technique of volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) with the traditional open and limited jaw techniques of VAMT in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment. The multi-leaf collimators on the varian linear accelerator move on a carriage with a maximum leaf span of 15 cm. Therefore, treatment of larger planning target volumes, such as in nasopharyngeal cancer with traditional open and limited jaw technique, yields compromised dose distribution. Method: Computed tomography data sets of 10 nasopharynx cancer patients were enrolled for the study. For each case, three separate treatment plans were generated viz. open, limited, and split x-jaw planning techniques with similar planning objectives. Only PTVs requiring a field size larger than 18 cm in the x-jaw position were considered. Results: Comparable results were obtained regarding organs at risk (OAR) sparing in all the techniques. The target dose coverage with split x-jaw VMAT was superior to both open and limited jaw planning techniques, with a statistically significant difference in the intermediate dose planning target volumes (PTVs) (PTV59.4), P < 0.05. However, the split technique’s dose to the spinal cord and larynx was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The split x-jaw planning technique of VMAT can be adapted for larger PTVs requiring an x-jaw of more than 15 cm. The only concern with this technique is the increased MU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effects of different dose rates (DRs) in continuous and interrupted irradiation on in-vitro survival of the MCF-7 cell line, towards finding possible radiobiological effects of breath-hold techniques in breast radiotherapy (RT), in which intra-fractional beam interruptions and delivery prolongation can occur. Materials and Methods: MCF-7 cells were irradiated continuously or with regular interruptions using 6 MV x-rays at different accelerator DRs (50-400 cGy/min) to deliver a 2 Gy dose. The interrupted irradiation was delivered in a 10 s on, 10 s off manner. Then, cell survival and viability were studied using colony and MTT assays, respectively. Results: Survival and viability with continuous and interrupted irradiation were similar (P > 0.5). A significant increase in survival at 50, 100, and 400 cGy/min compared to 200 and 300 cGy/min was observed, also a significant decreasing and then increasing trend from 50 to 200 cGy/min and 200 to 400 cGy/min, respectively (P < 0.04). Relative to 200 cGy/min, the survival fractions at 50, 100, 300, and 400 cGy/min were 1.24, 1.23, 1.05, and 1.20 times greater, respectively. Cell viability did not show significant differences between the DRs, despite following the same trend as cell survival. Conclusion: Our results suggest that for continuous irradiation of in-vitro MCF-7 cells, with increasing DR within the 50-400 cGy/min range, sensitivity increases and then decreases (inverse effect), also that up to doubling of treatment time in breath-hold techniques does not affect in-vitro radiobiological efficacy with 200-400 cGy/min accelerator DRs. Further confirmatory studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous lesion, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being the most prevalent malignancy affecting the oral mucosa. The malignant transformation of OSF into OSCC is estimated to occur in 7-13% of cases. Myofibroblasts (MFs) play pivotal roles in both physiological and pathological processes, such as wound healing and tumorigenesis, respectively. This study aimed to explore the involvement of MFs in the progression of OSF and its malignant transformation. Materials and Methods: In total, 94 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were collected, including normal oral mucosa (NOM; n = 10), early-moderate OSF (EMOSF; n = 29), advanced OSF (AOSF; n = 29), paracancerous OSF (POSF; n = 21), and OSCC (n = 5) samples. Alpha-smooth muscle actin was used for the immunohistochemical identification of MFs. Results: NOM exhibited infrequent expression of MFs. A higher staining index of MFs was found in AOSF, followed by EMOSF and NOM. Additionally, a significant increase in the staining index of MFs was found from EMOSF to POSF and OSCC. The staining index of MFs in NOM, EMOSF, AOSF, POSF, and OSCC was 0.14 ± 0.2, 1.69 ± 1.4, 2.47 ± 1.2, 3.57 ± 2.6, and 8.86 ± 1.4, respectively. All results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression of MFs exhibited a gradual increase as the disease progressed from mild to malignant transformation, indicating the contributory role of MFs in the fibrogenesis and potential tumorigenesis associated with OSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The feasibility and safety of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for treating lung nodules remain unclear. Methods and Materials: A total of 409 patients with lung tumors treated at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from August 2020 to May 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative data, including baseline characteristics, operation time, postoperative pain score (visual analog scale [VAS]), hospitalization expenses, postoperative complications, total hospital stay, and patient satisfaction, were observed and recorded. Results: No perioperative mortality occurred in either group and complete ablation was achieved in all patients. Patients in the ERAS group had significantly shorter hospital stays (P < 0.001), reduced operation times (P = 0.047), lower hospitalization expenses (P < 0.001), lower VAS scores (P < 0.001), and fewer complications (P = 0.047) compared with the traditional group. Conclusions: ERAS for percutaneous CT-guided MWA (ERAA) is safe, effective, and feasible for the treatment of lung nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone sarcomas encompass a group of spontaneous mesenchymal malignancies, among which osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chordoma are the most common subtypes. Chondrosarcoma, a relatively prevalent malignant bone tumor that originates from chondrocytes, is characterized by endogenous cartilage ossification within the tumor tissue. Despite the use of aggressive treatment approaches involving extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for patients with osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chordoma, limited improvements in patient outcomes have been observed. Furthermore, resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been observed in chondrosarcoma and chordoma cases. Consequently, novel therapeutic approaches for bone sarcomas, including chondrosarcoma, need to be uncovered. Recently, the emergence of immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors has garnered attention given their clinical success in various diverse types of cancer, thereby prompting investigations into their potential for managing chondrosarcoma. Considering that circumvention of immune surveillance is considered a key factor in the malignant progression of tumors and that immune checkpoints play an important role in modulating antitumor immune effects, blockers or inhibitors targeting these immune checkpoints have become effective therapeutic tools for patients with tumors. One such checkpoint receptor implicated in this process is programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1). The association between PD-1 and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and cancer progression in humans has been extensively studied, highlighting their remarkable potential as biomarkers for cancer treatment. This review comprehensively examines available studies on current chondrosarcoma treatments and advancements in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy for chondrosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the patients, 15 (50%) belonged to upper lower category of the scale, followed by lower category 10 patients (33%), lower middle category 4 patients (13%) & one patient(3%) in the upper class category. Brachytherapy could be the best method of radiotherapy dose escalation at least in a subset of patients that have responded well to the initial concurrent chemoradiotherapy and may have the potential to improve on treatment outcomes in esophageal cancer. 4 patients maintained their pre-treatment swallowing status while 1 patients had worsening of dysphagia. [Extracted from the article]

65% patients with complete or partial responses to induction chemotherapy received 54 Gy radiation, and 35% with less than partial responses received 60 Gy. Methods: Patients who underwent neoadjuvant short course radiation therapy, chemotherapy and underwent surgery were included in the present analysis. These patients then received FOLFOX based chemotherapy for 4-6 cycles, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. AJCC pathological tumour regression grade (pTRG) was assessed: 5/16 (31%) has TRG 0 (Complete response), 7/16 (44%) patients had TRG 1 (Moderate/significant response), 4/16 (25%) had TRG 2 (Minimal response), No patient (0%) had TRG3 (Poor response). [Extracted from the article]

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Intraluminal brachytherapy (BT) is one of the most adopted treatment modalities for lung malignancies with Ir-192 source in radiotherapy. In intraluminal BT, treatment delivery is required to be very accurate and precise with respect to the plan created in the treatment planning system (TPS). The BT dosimetry is necessary for better treatment outcomes. Therefore in this review article, some relevant studies were identified and analyzed for dosimetric outcomes in intraluminal BT in lung malignancies. The dosimetry in BT for plan verification is not presently in practice, which needs to be performed to check the variation between the planned and measured doses. The necessary dosimetric work done by the various researchers in intraluminal BT such as the Monte Carlo CYLTRAN code was used to calculate and measure the dose rate in any medium. Anthropomorphic phantom was used to measure doses at some distance from the source with Thermo luminescence dosimeters (TLDs). The dosimetric influence of air passage in the bronchus was evaluated with the GEANT4 Monte Carlo method. A pinpoint chamber was used to measure and quantify the impact of inhomogeneity in wax phantom for the Ir-192 source. The Gafchromic films and Monte Carlo methods were used to find the phantom and heterogeneities, which were found to underestimate the dose for the lungs and overestimated for the bones in TPS. The exact tool to quantify the variation in planned and delivered doses should be cost-effective and easy to use possibly with tissue equivalent phantoms and Gafchromic films in lung malignancies treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in treating oligometastatic pancreatic cancer, a rare subset of the disease with limited metastases. A total of 25 patients were included in the analysis, with a median age of 58 years and a male predominance. The study found that SBRT was well tolerated, with manageable toxicities and promising survival outcomes, highlighting the importance of careful treatment planning and monitoring for patients with oligometastatic pancreatic cancer. Further research is needed to optimize treatment strategies and improve outcomes in this patient population. [Extracted from the article]

The text discusses rare cases of intracranial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma metastasizing to the pancreas and ganglioglioma, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment for uncommon tumors. A study at India's first proton therapy center treated 40 patients with complex meningiomas using pencil beam proton therapy, showing a high local control rate and minimal toxicity. The research suggests that proton therapy may be effective in managing challenging meningiomas, including cases of re-irradiation and NF2-associated multiple tumors. [Extracted from the article]

This study emphasizes the importance of evaluating different treatment techniques in breast cancer patients, particularly in understanding the correlation between mammographic findings and histopathological characteristics. It also highlights the need for close monitoring of patients on CDK4/6 inhibitors for potential drug-induced ILD and effective management of CINV to improve patient quality of life and treatment outcomes. The use of DIBH IMRT technique in left-sided breast cancer adjuvant radiotherapy significantly reduces the dose to critical structures like the heart and ipsilateral lung compared to the FB IMRT technique, potentially lowering the risk of radiation-induced cardiac events and lung toxicity. The case series discussed in the text underscores the challenges of managing disease failure in previously treated cases of breast cancer, emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment strategies, close monitoring, and multidisciplinary care for optimal outcomes and patient survival. The integration of AR and VR technologies in interventional radiology procedures for breast cancer management is revolutionizing precision, navigation, simulation, training, patient anxiety reduction, and procedure understanding, although challenges such as cost and integration need to be addressed for wider adoption. [Extracted from the article]

The Journal of Cancer Research & Therapeutics published several articles on innovative technologies and techniques in radiotherapy. One study focused on predicting the right time for adaptive radiotherapy using portal dosimetry on a Halcyon LINAC. Another study developed a quality assurance tool for dose verification in vaginal cylinder brachytherapy using radiochromic film. Additionally, research examined the impact of setup errors on dose-volume histogram variations in head and neck radiotherapy using cone beam computed tomography. Other studies explored voxel-based evaluation of treatment plans for radiation-induced dermatitis and compared dosimetric effectiveness of IMRT and VMAT plans for pediatric radiotherapy. Lastly, articles discussed the use of 3D printing and AI in radiotherapy, a pressure sensor-based breath hold device for left-side breast cancer treatment, and the clinical validation of EPID-based in vivo dosimetry. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the long-term treatment outcome of conventional and hypofractionation radiotherapy in postmastectomy cancer breast patients. Material and Methods: A total of 140 postmastectomy breast cancer patients were included in this retrospective study, who were treated from 2012 to 2014 with chemotherapy and various fractionation radiotherapy schedules. Radiotherapy treatment records for study group-I received radiotherapy 4256 cGy in 16 fractions over 31/2 weeks, group-II patients received 4005 cGy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks, and conventional radiotherapy group-III received 5000 cGy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Results: The median follow-up of patients from all groups was 60 months (range 9 to 111 months). There were 39 cases with disease failure, 13 (26%) in group I (42.56 Gy), 16 (40%) in group II (40.05 Gy), and 10 (20%) in group III (50 Gy). There were 4 locoregional recurrences (LRRs), two isolated, and 11 distant failures in group I, 3 LRRs (1 isolated LRR) and 15 distant failures in group II, and only one LRR and 9 distant failures in group III. The disease-free survival (DFS) were 74%, 60%, and 80%, respectively, in groups I, II, and III (P =0.044). Conclusion: The long-term results of this study show that hypofractionation radiotherapy in postmastectomy cases is well tolerated and acute and late side effects are also comparable to conventional fractionation. In our study, locoregional and distant failure seems slightly higher with hypofractionation schedules than in other studies, highlighting the need for more studies with long-term follow-up in postmastectomy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Total skin electron beam therapy, commonly known as TSET, is a good choice of treatment for patients suffering from mycosis fungoides. The aim of this study was to introduce a new approach to the beam profile measurement using diodes and to calculate the monitor units required for the TSET treatment by the use of a simple setup of output measurement. Dosimetric measurements required for the treatment were taken to establish the Stanford technique in the department, and the measured data was compared with the published data. Materials and Methods: High-energy Linear Accelerator Clinac-DHX, Varian medical system, Palo Alto, CA, was commissioned for TSET. The output of the machine was measured by the use of a Parallel-Plate Chamber (PPC40) as per the TRS 398 recommendation. Diode dosimeters (EDD2 and EDD5) were used for beam profile measurements due to easy setup and to reduce the measurement time. Results: Homogeneous dose distribution within a field size of 80 cm x160 cm was observed with the variation of -5.0% on the horizontal axis and -5.4% on the vertical axis. The calculated monitor unit to deliver 200 cGy per fraction per field at the source to surface (SSD) of 416 cm was 489 MU. Conclusion: The technique described for the output measurements is simple and accurate. Results of the absorbed dose and MU measured were within good agreement compared to the published literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine the trend of cancer cases referred to the Department of Clinical Oncology in UMMC in terms of patient volumes over a period of 10 years. To define the stage at presentation of the top five cancers in males and females, respectively. To determine the overall radiotherapy utilization rates. Methods and Material: This is a retrospective analysis of all new cases seen at the Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), from the year 2009 to 2018 inclusive. The top five cancers in males and females were defined in terms of patient volumes and stage at presentation. The overall actual radiotherapy utilization rates were determined. Results: A total of 12,672 patients were included for analysis. A total of 62.9% of the cases were females and 37.1% were males. The median age of presentation was 59 years old. Breast cancer was the most common cancer, followed by colorectal, lung, thyroid, and prostate cancer. The most common presenting stage was stage 4. The overall actual radiotherapy utilization rate (aRTU) was 40.1%. Curative intent makes up 74.3% of radiotherapy and 66.6% of chemotherapy utilization. Conclusions: The cancer distribution and trends among our patients are comparable with national and regional data. The overall actual radiotherapy utilization rate in the UMMC was lower than the estimated optimal rate of 53% but higher than the actual rate of 28% for Malaysia. This study provides valuable insight into current cancer trends and treatment demands to facilitate service planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]