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Objective: The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) reflects the immunological response and nutritional status. We evaluated the effect of immunonutrition on PNI in patients with brain tumors receiving chemoradiotherapy and immunonutritional support. Methods: Demographic, laboratory and clinical data were collected retrospectively from 30 consecutive brain tumor patients who received brain chemoradiotherapy between 2019 and 2022 in our clinic and who were given immunonutrition support during their treatment. The cut-off PNI value before adjuvant therapy was calculated in patients who received immunonutrition support in the postoperative period and compared with the PNI values after adjuvant therapy. Results: While glioblastoma patients constitute the majority (60%) of all patients diagnosed as pathological, different histopathological brain tumors were also included in the study (meningioma, oligodendroglioma). The mean albümin value before adjuvant treatment was 4.04 g/dL, while the mean albümin value after adjuvant treatment increased to 4.16 g/dL (p=0,057). The optimal cut-off value for PNI was found to be 45.5 by ROC analysis. PNI was calculated as 49.38 ± 6.03 SD before adjuvant treatment and 49.40 ± 6.12 SD after adjuvant treatment (p>0.05). Retrospective analysis was conducted on over 30 HGG patients who did not receive immunonutritional supplementation containing Arg/gln/HMB (Arginine/glutamine/Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate). Interestingly, the analysis revealed that the average PNI was 45.15 before adjuvant therapy and decreased to 42.26 after adjuvant therapy, indicating a statistically significant decline in PNI among those without immunonutritional supplementation. This finding suggests a potential beneficial impact of immunonutritional supplementation on PNI. Conclusions: Immunonutrition support has positive effects on PNI and albumin levels in brain tumor patients who will undergo postoperative radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy. It can be thought that low PNI, which may be an indicator of hematological and nutritional toxicity predicted by brain chemoradiotherapy, can be prevented by immunonutrition support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE This is the first study to determine whether there is a relationship between penile bulb radiation dose and urinary incontinence. METHODS This study comprises 131 patients with localized, locally advanced, and pelvic oligometastatic prostate cancer treated at our institution. All patients were treated with IMRT between February 2016 and August 2020. Urinary incontinence after the treatment was assessed retrospectively using a standardized follow-up program based on data available at our center. The urinary incontinence was scored using the CTCAE version 5.0 scoring system. In univariate analysis, the Mann-Whitney test was used to detect any association between penile bulb V50 doses and membranous urethral length on urinary incontinence. RESULTS Urinary incontinence after the treatment was reported in 17 of 131 patients. The average penile bulb V50 values of patients with incontinence were 28.66 gy and 26.8 in patients who did not have urinary incontinence. The mean membranous urethral length was 3.01cm in patients with incontinence and 3.34cm in patients without incontinence. Although these parameters have minimal difference in patients with and without incontinence, they are not statistically significant (p>0.05 all). CONCLUSION Radiation-induced urinary incontinence was not associated with the radiation dose of the penile bulb and membranous urethral length. However, further studies are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess nutritional status among radiation oncology outpatients. METHODS: A total of 394 consecutive oncology outpatients who were screened for nutritional status through nutritional risk screening (NRS) 2002 during their admission to 12 radiation oncology centers across Turkey in October 2018 were included in this cross-sectional screening study. Data on cancer type, time of diagnosis (former and newly diagnosed), and NRS 2002 scores were recorded. Patients with NRS 2002 scores =3 were considered to be at risk of malnutrition necessitating the provision of nutritional intervention. NRS 2002 scores were evaluated in the overall study population as well as according to cancer types and time of diagnosis. RESULTS: NRS 2002 assessment (scores ≤3) revealed 133 (33.8%) patients to be at risk for malnutrition. The highest rates for malnutrition risk were noted for patients with lung cancer (43.8%), head-and-neck cancer (43.5%), and gastrointestinal tumors (42.7%). Poor nutritional status was evident in 36.0% and 25.3% of newly diagnosed and former cancer patients, respectively (p=0.067). CONCLUSION: This screening study revealed malnutrition risk and need for nutritional intervention in 33.8% of cancer patients, including 36.0% of newly diagnosed patients. A need for nutritional intervention was evident in two out of every five patients with newly diagnosed cancer, emphasizing the importance of screening for nutritional risk in every cancer patient at the time of initial diagnosis given the role of appropriate multimodal nutritional intervention before anti-cancer therapy in the long-term success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The discovery of PD-L1 receptors triggered a great interest in immunotherapeutics for the management of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The efficacy of immunotherapeutics for overall survival (OS) in locally advanced NSCLC has been proven in several clinical trials. However, no data exist for the relationship between radiotherapy (RT) response and programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) receptor positivity in the literature. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the predictor value of PD-L1 receptors for RT response. METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed as having locally advanced NSCLC were selected from among patients in whom PD-L1 status was assessed in the Gazi University pathology laboratory. The relationship between PD-L1 and progression-free survival (PFS), OS, metastasis-free survival (MFS), RT response, and RT doses was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. Chi-square and t-tests were used for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 16.1 months. The mean age was 61.1 years. PD-L1 positivity was detected in 34 patients. One year and 2-year OS and PFS ratios were found as 87%, 54% and 65%, 30%, respectively. The median OS and PFS were 26.8 and 15.1 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between PD-L1 receptor status and OS and PFS (p=0.736 and p=0.372, respectively). In the PD-L1 positive subgroup analysis for OS, doses higher than 60 Gy (n=28, mean dose 64.6±1.53) were found superior to the 60 Gy dose (n=6) (p=0.034). The median MFS was 33 months. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 status did not seem to be a predictor for RT response. However, despite the low number of patients in the 60 Gy group, our study showed that dose-escalation could improve survival in PD-L1 positive locally advanced NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Clinical Science of Nutrition is the property of Aves Yayincilik Ltd. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use (2) the characteristics of CAM users, (3) patients' source of information about CAM, (4) patients' perceived attitude of their physician regarding CAM use, and (5) the association between CAM use and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). METHODS: This descriptive-cross section study was conducted between June 2007 and December 2007. Three-hundred and six patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about the use of CAM along with HADS. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients treated with radiotherapy was 35%. The patients with severe anxiety score were more likely to use CAM than the others. The younger age were found as predicting variables for CAM use. Majority of user patients wanted to add CAM to conventional therapies. CONCLUSION: Oncologist might be aware of the CAM issue and talk to their patients about the use of CAM. The documentation of CAM use in the medical history might be advised at the time of initial consultation in radiotherapy centers. Although CAM use is a method that patients want to use in addition to conventional treatments, it is not clear that these methods can be used together safely. It is thought that there is a need for prospective and innovative studies in modern oncology centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiation causes to damage on endothelial cells by increasing oxidative stress. Vitamin D is also a potent anti-oxidant that facilitates balanced mitochondrial activities, preventing oxidative stress-related protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. Aims and Objective:We aimed to investigate the potential effect of vitamin D supplementation on levels of Hcy (homocysteine), ADMA (Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine), and SDMA (Symmetrical Dimethyl Arginine) which are admitted as endothelial dysfunction markers in rat models that are exposed to gamma radiation. Materials and Methods: Twentyfour female Wistar Albino rats were selected for the study. The mean weight of these rats were between 200 and 250 grams. Rats were fed with standard light (12 hours day light / 12 hours dark), enough water (ad-libitum) at temperature (25°C) for a total of 4 weeks. The rats were divided into 4 different groups and each group consisted of 6 rats. controlgroup (group I) did not receive any supplementation and not expose to gamma radiation), Group II was merely exposed to gamma radiation, Group III was exposed to gamma radiation and received vitamin D supplementation, and Group IV merely received vitamin D supplementation. Groups that are given vitamin D supplementation were fed by oral gavage at the same time and every day for one week. Finally, Group II and Group III were exposed to gamma radiation at the 8th day. After the completion of all processes, Vitamin D, ADMA, SDMA and Hcy levels were measured by HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography) method. Results: When the results of Group II and Group III were compared with each other, we achieved merely statistical significance in vitamin D results (p=0.04) but did not other parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: We observed that vitamin D supplementation did not any effect on SDMA, ADMA, and Hcy that accompany possible endothelial dysfunction after gamma radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningiomas are mostly benign, slowly-growing, non-metastatic, particularly limited to the central nervous system, however, they were occasionally reported for spreading to distant organs. While the risk factors still remain widely unknown for metastasis of meningiomas, the histopathological type and size of tumor are predicted to be predisposing factors for it. We aimed to discuss a possible new predisposing factor, which is contiguity of intracranial meningiomas to the dural sinuses, for metastasis to the body by presenting a case with metastatic cavernous meningioma and literature research. We presented a rare case that has been treated for cavernous sinus meningioma and then diagnosed with malign meningioma metastasis to the lung. We speculated that meningiomas adherent to the dural sinuses may be more inclined to distant organ metastasis, and they might use dural sinuses for seeding. This hypothesis can be likely verified by large case series, and this case report may inspire further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate prognosis and prognostic factors affecting oncological outcome. Methods: Records of the subjects managed for a submandibular gland cancer (SGC) between January 1997 and June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival outcomes were analyzed. All subjects had a minimum follow up of 5 years or until death. Results: Of 24 subjects (13 male, 11 female), 16 (64.6%) were adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Eight patients had clinically positive neck nodes and 2 of the 16 clinically negative necks were also positive histologically. None of the subjects had distant metastases at presentation. The Kaplan–Meier 5-year estimated locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 62.5%, 83.3%, 58.3% and 66.7%, respectively. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) overall stage and extra glandular extension (EGE) proved to be significant predictors of LRC. Only smoking was found to be a significant factor related with lower DMFS and only EGE significantly lowered DFS. Positive nodal stage and positive surgical margin were proved to be significant predictors of OS. Conclusion: Surgery alone is effective in subjects with early stage, noninvasive and low-grade cancers. Despite aggressive treatment, locoregional recurrence was common in subjects who were at advanced stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Baş ve boyun kanseri istemsiz kilo kaybı riskini yükseltmektedir ve bu kayıp %10 seviyelerine ulaşabilmektedir. Bu durum tedavi sürekliliğini bozmakta ve tedavi sürecini dolayısıyla hastane kalım sürecini de uzatmaktadır. Tedavi sürecindeki bozulmanın düşük klinik yanıt, zayıf prognoz, düşük fonksiyonel performans, hayat kalitesinde azalma ve yüksek mortaliteye sebep verdiği gözlemlenmiştir. Bu çalışma, baş boyun kanseri hastalarında beslenme yönetiminin antropometri ve kanser prognozu üzerindeki etkilerinin tanımlanmasını amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmada 5 merkezden katılan 94 baş boyun kanser hastasının verileri dahil edilmiştir. Başlangıçta ölçülen boy, kilo, vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) ve C3 seviyesi paravertebral kas hacmi nütrisyonel risk skoru (NRS) =3 olan ve tüm hasta grubu için 5. hafta ölçümleriyle kıyaslanmıştır. VKİ ve kas hacmi 5 haftalık değişimi tüm gruba ek olarak tümör yanıtı, tümör cevabı ve yeri alt grupları altında ayrıca kıyaslanmıştır. Albümin ve lenfosit ölçümleriyle hastaların prognostik nütrisyonel indeks (PNI) ve nütrisyonel risk indeks (NRI) değerleri hesaplanarak 5 haftalık VKİ ve kilo z-skoru değişimiyle kıyaslanmıştır. İstatistiksel anlamlılık p <0.05 olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bulgular: Demografik bilgiler Tablo 1a' da verilmiştir. Hastalarda 5 hafta sonunda kilo z-skoru ve VKİ'de anlamlı düzelme (sırasıyla, p<0.001 ve p<0.001) (Tablo 1b, Şekil 1a,b) ve VKİ'ne göre kilolu ve obez hasta sayılarında azalma gözlemlenmiştir, sırasıyla 6.4% ve 11.7% (Tablo 1c). PNI değeri yüksek olan hastaların C3 seviyesi paravertebral 1. hafta ile 5. hafta arası kas hacmindeki azalma da yüksek görülmüştür (p=0.037), NRI ile kas hacmi arasında bağlantı görülmemiştir (p=301). C3 paravertebral kas hacmi değişim Bunun dışında, hastaların 1. hafta ile 5. hafta arası ağırlık z-skoru ve VKİ miktarlarıyla, PNI ve NRI değerleri arasında bir korelasyon görülmemiştir (sırasıyla, p>0.066 ve p>0.210) (Tablo 1b). Ayrıca, C3 seviyesi paravertebral kas hacminde 5 haftalık süreçte anlamlı oranda azalma görülmüştür (p <0.001) (Tablo 1b ve Şekil 1c). NRS =3 olan hastalar ile tüm grup arasında VKİ düzelme miktarı açısından bir fark görülmemiştir (p=0.485). Tümör yeri, yanıtı ve evresi alt grupları ayrı ayrı incelendiğinde hepsinde 5 haftada anlamlı VKİ azalışı görülmüştür (p<0.036, tüm değişkenler için) (Tablo 2). Kas hacmindeki azalma ise sadece evre 2 kanser hastalarında ve oral cavite ile orofarenks lokasyonlu tümöre sahip hastalarda görülmemiştir (sırasıyla, p=0.196, p=0.695 ve p=0.889). Diğer hastaların kas hacminde anlamlı azalma görülmüştür (p<0.025) (Tablo 2). Beslenme yolu ile VKİ değişim miktarı arasında da bir anlamlılık görülmemiştir (p=0.063). Sonuç: Beslenme müdahalesi 5 haftalık izlem süresinde hastaların baş boyun kanser tipi, evresi ve risk skoru gözetmeksizin ideal VKİ'ye ve kiloya yaklaşmasını sağlamıştır. Çalışma kohortunun 53.2%'si kilolu ve obez hastalardan oluştuğundan, çalışmadaki VKİ ve kilo z-skoru bazlı düzelme kilo kaybı ile ortaya çıkmıştır. 5 haftalık izlem sonucu indekslerin kas hacmi ile aralarında bir korelasyon görülmemiştir. Ancak daha uzun vadeli bir izlem ile daha net sonuçlar elde edilecektir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although definitive chemoradiation (CRT) has been used for locally advanced laryngeal cancer for more than 2 decades, studies focusing on CRT failures in advanced laryngeal cancer are scarce. In this study, we aimed to determine the failure patterns and the survival outcomes in the patients who had recurrence after concurrent CRT for laryngeal cancer. Clinical records of the patients who had definitive concurrent CRT for laryngeal cancer between 2001 and 2014 at a tertiary referral center were reviewed. The end points of the study were 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).In our results, there were 48 failures and the mean time period from the first diagnosis of disease to the diagnosis of recurrence was 18.0 months (range 2-72; standard deviation: 15.6). The most common recurrence pattern was local recurrence in 21 (47.9%) patients followed by regional recurrence in 11 (22.9%) patients. The 1 and 3 years OS rates were 41.7%, and 19.2% for the entire cohort, and 64.5%, and 29.7% for the patients who had not systemic recurrence at presentation of recurrence, respectively. The 1 and 3 years DSS rates were 43.5%, and 20.0% for the entire cohort, and 69.0%, and 31.8% for the patients who had not systemic recurrence at presentation of recurrence, respectively. All patients who had systemic recurrence initially (n = 13) died within 9 months (median = 4 months, range: 1-9 months). This study reveals that survival outcomes are unfavorable in the CRT failures and careful patient selection is critical to minimize failures. In the presence of systemic recurrence, disease course is aggressive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine the electronic portal imaging (EPI) evaluation differences between the therapists in the reference of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS In the present study, 62 EPI images belonging to 13 head and neck patients were evaluated separately by four therapists as offline, and the amount of shift in the center of fields was determined. CBCT obtained at the same time with the EPI images was accepted as reference, and the amount of shift in the center of fields was compared separately for each therapist with the results of EPI. RESULTS According to our results, the amount of shift in the center of fields had changed between therapists with 0-9.4 mm in the reference of CBCT. The probability of shifting center of fields to be >3 mm was 60% for the first therapist, 35% for the second therapist, 63% for the third therapist, and 50% for the fourth therapist. The probability of shifting center of fields to be >5 mm was 24%, 8%, 27%, and 14.5%, respectively. Analysis of variance for repeated measures test was applied to center shift values, and there were a significant difference in the groups (sig. <0.05) and a significant difference between the groups (sig. <0.05). CONCLUSION The usage of CBCT for the verification of treatment fields eliminates the differences in interpersonal evaluation. CBCT improves the set-up accuracy such that planning tumor volume expansion margin can be safely dropped. Therefore, CBCT should be the preferred imaging modality in intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Recent meta-analysis have not revealed any positive effects of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) on locoregional recurrence (LRR) or overall survival in axilla-negative patients. However, risk of LRR increases to 15% in the presence of two or more adverse factors for the same patient group. In this study, PMRT indications and volume selections of radiation oncologists in Turkey for axilla-negative breast cancer was investigated. METHODS Questionnaires were distributed to members of the breast cancer study group. Data of patients with axillary negative or isolated/micrometastasis and PMRT over 10 years (2006-2016) were collected from 10 participating centers. Clinical and tumor histopathological features and treatment details of 185 patients were analyzed. RESULTS The median age of patients was 48 years. Ratio of early-stage patients was 60% (T1-15%,T2-45%). There were 147 (79%) negative cases, 32 (17%) with micrometastasis, and 6 (3%) with isolated tumor cells. Half of the patients had only their chest walls (CW) irradiated. Peripheral lymphatics were also included in the rest. In Nmic cases, ratio of irradiation of supraclavicular and axillary lymph nodes with CW were statistically significant compared to CW irradiation (72% and 28%, respectively; p=0.015). CONCLUSION Considering the low number of patients treated over 10 years in 10 different centers in Turkey, it can be said that PMRT is often done in node-negative breast cancer. It is difficult to reach a definite conclusion for patients with Nmic, due to lack of data from patients with PMRT. However, the general tendency is to irradiate peripheral lymphatics in Nmic cases if PMRT is to be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To compare the tumor characteristics, treatment approaches, recurrence patterns and survival results rates of young and elderly patients with breast cancer. METHODS In this study, Between between 2000-2013, a total of 779 patients were treated for breast cancer at nine radiation oncology departments were evaluated retrospectively. Three-hundred eight-four of these patients were young (≤35 years), and 395 of those the patients were elderly (≥70 years). RESULTS Young patients were more likely to present with aggressive tumor features. They were more often received comprehensive lymphatic irradiation, tumor bed boost and intense chemotherapy. No difference was found for 5 and 10-year loco-regional recurrence- free survival rates were (96% and 93% for young, 97% and 97% for elderly). The 5 and 10-year distant recurrence- free survival rates were lower in the young patients (77% and 67% for young, 85% and 85% for elderly, p<0.0001). No difference was found in 5 and 10-year breast cancer- specific survival (91% and 79% for young, 92% and 87% for elderly). The 5 and 10-year overall survival rates were higher in the young patients (92% and 78% for young, 78% and 63% for elderly, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION The reason for the similarity between the age groups in terms ofregarding loco-regional recurrence- free survival can be more comprehensive lymphatic irradiation and tumor bed boost, the young patients received. The distant recurrence- free survival rates rates were significantly lower in the young patients even though they received more intensive chemotherapy. Future studies aimed at more effective systemic regimens to decrease distant recurrence in young patients are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gazi Medical Journal is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation on the intensity and duration of oral mucositis related to therapy and on proinflammatory cytokines in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who were treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS In total, 28 outpatients with HNC (24 male and 4 female) who were admitted to the Gazi University, Department of Radiation Oncology, between October 2008 and November 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 18-76 years. All the patients were histopathologically diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Of the 28 patients who were included in the radiotherapy (RT) program, five were postoperatively included and 23 were included according to organ protection protocols. Eighteen patients prophylactically received oral powdered L-glutamine (Glutamine ResourceR, Nestle) starting from the first day of RT at a dose of 30 g/day (10 g each at 8-h intervals by mixing with water or fruit juice). For these patients, glutamine supplementation was continued until the completion of RT. Ten patients did not receive any supplementation product. At the initiation of RT, height and weight were measured for all the patients. The grade of oral mucositis was evaluated using the "Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)" scoring system. During RT, changes in the weight of patients were routinely evaluated, whereas oral mucositis scoring was performed every week. At the beginning, during, and at the end of the therapy, serum IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels were measured, in addition to performing routine blood tests. RESULTS The incidences of grade 2 mucositis were comparable between the groups who received and did not receive glutamine supplementation (42.1% and 44.4%, respectively). However, the incidence of severe mucositis (RTOG of =grade 3) was significantly lower in the group receiving glutamine supplementation than in the group which did not receive glutamine supplementation (5.3% and 55.6%, respectively; p=0.008). The day of onset of mucositis was the 18th day of the therapy in the group that received glutamine supplementation and 14th in the group that did not receive glutamine supplementation, and this was statistically significant (p=0.007). Similarly, the median dose at which mucositis was started was 36 Gy in the group that received glutamine supplementation and 28 Gy in the group that did not receive glutamine supplementation (p=0.006). The two groups did not show any statistically significant difference in terms of weight change (kg), percentage of weight change, and BMI (kg/m2) when the changes of weight were examined at the beginning and end of the treatment (p=0.42, p=0.47, and p=0.44, respectively). When the changes in serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 levels were compared at the beginning and end of the treatment, the groups did not show any significant difference (p=0.16, p=0.08, and p=0.77, respectively). CONCLUSION Glutamine is a well-tolerated supplementation product with proven effects on oral mucositis, which is the side effect occurring during the therapy of HNCs. The effect of glutamine on inflammation leading to mucositis development in patients with HNC should be investigated in larger patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Integrative oncology is an emerging field that helps support the health of patients with cancer and their caregivers through an evidence-informed approach to lifestyle and behavior modification and the use of complementary health therapies in the context of conventional cancer care delivery. Integrative approaches, such as lifestyle, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and massage, can provide patients relief from cancer and cancer treatment-related symptoms and improve their physical and psychosocial health. In this review, the current status of this subject both in the world and in our country has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) agents are a promising approach to increase the efficacy of treatment for treatment-resistant prostate cancer. Aims: To correlate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and outcome following radiation therapy in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Forty-one patients and clinically localized disease that were treated with radiation therapy were analyzed. For VEGF expression, immunoreactivity scores (IRS) were calculated using percent scores and intensity scores. Twenty-four patients were classified as having low (0 to 4 IRS) and 17 patients were classified as having high (5 to 8 IRS) VEGF expression. Results: The median age was 71 years, median follow-up was 5.4 years and median radiation therapy dose was 70 Gy. VEGF expression was calculated as low in 24 patients and high in 17 patients. Higher VEGF expression was observed in 6/26 patients with a low Gleason score versus 11/15 patients with a high Gleason score (p=0.02). Biochemical failure (BF) was observed in 2/24 patients with low VEGF expression versus 7/17 patients with high VEGF expression (p=0.01). In univariate analysis, having a higher Gleason score (p<0.01), being in the high risk group (p=0.03) and having higher VEGF expression (p=0.01) predicted BF after definitive radiation therapy. The biochemical failure-free survival rate at 5 years tended to be different (91% vs. 53%) when patients were grouped according to VEGF expression (p=0.06). Conclusion: In attempt to define patients with clinically localized disease that are not sensitive to standard treatment modalities, cellular and/or molecular biological markers may be required.

Abstract: Pycnogenol® has excellent radical scavenging properties and enhances the production of antioxidative enzymes which contributes to the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Irradiation delivered to the abdominal region, typically results in severe damage to the intestinal mucosa. The effects of ionizing radiation are mediated by the formation of free radicals through radiolysis. Irradiation has local effects on tissues. These local effects of irradiation on the bowel are believed to involve a two-stage process which includes both short and long term components. In our study we aimed to investigate the short term effects of Pycnogenol® on the healing of colon anastomoses in irradiated bowel. Sixty male Wistar-Albino rats were used in this study. There were three groups: Group I, control group (n = 20); group II which received preoperative irradiation (n = 20); group III which received per oral Pycnogenol® before irradiation (n = 20). Only segmeter colonic resection and anastomosis was performed to the control group (Group I). The other groups (Group II, III) underwent surgery on the 5th day after pelvic irradiation. On postoperative days 3 and 7, half of the rats in each group were sacrificed and then relaparotomy was performed. There was no statistical difference between groups with respect to biochemical parameters. Bursting pressure was significantly higher in the Control and Group III compared with the Group II. In conclusion, the present study showed that preoperative irradiation effect negatively on colonic anastomoses in rats by means of mechanical parameters and administration of Pycnogenol® preoperatively ameliorates this unfavorable effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Oncology / Türk Onkoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Primary prostatic signet ring cell carcinoma is a rare form of cancer with a poor prognosis, which is generally treated with a traditional prostate adenocarcinoma therapy. This case report presents a 70-year-old diagnosed with primary prostatic signet ring cell carcinoma, treated with a combination of radiotherapy and hormone therapy and a 16 month survival without an evidence of the disease at follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primitive neuroectodermal tumors are the second common malignancies among the childhood brain tumors. Their prognosis are quite variable and the multidisciplinary treatment approach is required. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the factors that can affect overall survival. After the surgery, seventeen patients have received the radiotherapy (median 34.2 Gy to craniospinal region and median 54 Gy to posterior fossa at a 1.5-1.8 Gy daily fractionation dose) and the chemotherapy. The average preoperative tumor volume was 41.5 cm3. Eight patients were in a standard risk group and the rest was in a high risk group. The mean follow-up time was 27.8 months and the overall survival was three years. It has been found that the overall survival was affected by the unfavorable prognostic factors such as larger (>30 cm3) preoperative tumor volume, supratentorial location, being in high risk group and more than fifty days radiotherapy treatment. The preoperative large tumor volume and prolonged radiotherapy duration were determined as unfavorable prognostic factors in our study, that differ from the literature data. Due to the limited number of the patients in this study, these results should be confirmed with additional studies with larger patient groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study reports on long-term quality of life (QoL) status after conventional radiotherapy in 187 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients from 14 centers in Turkey. Patients and Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, who were treated in 14 centers in Turkey with minimum 6 months of follow-up and were in complete remission, were asked to complete Turkish versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the HN-35 module. Each center participated with the required clinical data that included age at diagnosis, gender, symptoms on admission, follow-up period, treatment modalities, radiotherapy dose, and AJCC 1997 tumor stage. Each patient’s 33 QoL scores, which included function, global health status, and symptoms, were calculated as instructed in EORTC QLQ-C30 scoring manual. All of the scales and single-item measures range from 0 to 100. A high score represents a higher response level. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U nonparametric tests were used for comparisons. Results: One hundred eighty-seven patients with median age of 46 years (range, 16–79 years) participated and completed the questionnaires. Median follow-up time was 3.4 years (range, 6 months–24 years). All patients have received external-beam radiotherapy. Beside external-beam radiotherapy, 59 patients underwent brachytherapy boost, 70 patients received concomitant chemotherapy, and 95 patients received adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Most of the patients in the analysis (75%) were in advanced stage (Stage III, n = 85 [45.4%]; Stage IV, n = 55 [29%]). Mean global health status was calculated as 73. Parameters that increased global health status were male gender, early-stage disease, and less than 4-year follow-up (p < 0.05). Functional parameters were better in males and in early-stage disease. Factors that yielded better symptom scores were short interval after treatment (10 scores), male gender (7 scores), and lower radiation dose (6 scores). Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy did not have any effect on QoL, whereas concomitant chemotherapy adversely affected 5 symptom scores. Conclusion: Quality of life is adversely affected in our nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with combined therapies. The factors that adversely affect quality of life are advanced tumor stage, female gender, and long-term follow-up. Further controlled studies to evaluate both preradiotherapy and postradiotherapy status are necessary to clarify the contribution of each treatment modality to QoL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hematogenous metastases to the skeletal muscles are extremely rare, while the liver and lung are primary targets for distant metastasis from colorectal carcinoma. An unusual case of metastasis to the skeletal muscle of the right forearm from an adenocarcinoma of the rectum is reported herein. In addition to the rarity of an uncommon metastasis, skeletal muscle metastasis from an adenocarcinoma of the rectum as the first presentation of the metastatic disease is, therefore, extremely rare. The previously published reports are reviewed and the possible mechanisms underlying are discussed in the light of the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]