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The geographical location and differences in tumor biology significantly change the management of gastric cancer. The prevalence of gastric cancer ranks fifth and sixth among men and women, respectively, in Turkey. The international guidelines from the Eastern and Western countries fail to manage a considerable amount of inconclusive issues in the management of gastric cancer. The uncertainties lead to significant heterogeneities in clinical practice, lack of homogeneous data collection, and subsequently, diverse outcomes. The physicians who are professionally involved in the management of gastric cancer at two institutions in Istanbul, Turkey, organized a consensus meeting to address current problems and plan feasible, logical, measurable, and collective solutions in their clinical practice for this challenging disease. The evidence-based data and current guidelines were reviewed. The gray zones in the management of gastric cancer were determined in the first session of this consensus meeting. The second session was constructed to discuss, vote, and ratify the ultimate decisions. The identification of the T stage, the esophagogastric area, imaging algorithm for proper staging and follow-up, timing and patient selection for neoadjuvant treatment, and management of advanced and metastatic disease have been accepted as the major issues in the management of gastric cancer. The recommendations are presented with the percentage of supporting votes in the results section with related data.

WOS: 000370169700013, PubMed ID: 26500735, To date, the Rare Cancer Network (RCN) has initiated more than 90 studies and 54 peer-reviewed publications were produced as a result. The Second International Symposium of the Rare Cancer Network recently took place in Istanbul, Turkey on April 17-18, 2015, and update was given on multiple currently ongoing projects, while also giving room for new proposals which will shape the direction of future studies for the group. This companion issue of the RCN Proceedings summarized the findings of this meeting, while also serving as a call for fresh projects and papers which will continue to energize the group and advance the oncologic science. A brief introduction to the principles, history, and vision of the RCN was also included. To review, the academic year of 2014-15 marked an enormous success for the international members of the RCN, with the generation of 8 fully published papers and more than 12 newly proposed topics. By the collective efforts of all RCN members, in the future, we look forward to the upcoming opportunities in continuing to advance the standard of chemo-and radiotherapeutic oncologic care for selected rare tumor topics. The studies of these rare cancers often do not allow the design and execution of prospectively enrolled trials; however, these uncommon malignancies do impact the humankind and add to its suffering globally in significant ways.

Objectives: we endeavored to retrospectively assess the prognostic merit of pretreatment systemic immune response index (SIRI) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients who underwent postoperative partial brain radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent plus adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ), namely, the Stupp protocol. Methods: the records of 181 newly diagnosed GBM patients who received the postoperative Stupp protocol were retrospectively analyzed. The SIRI value for each eligible patient was calculated by utilizing the platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte measures obtained on the first day of treatment: SIRI=NeutrophilsxMonocytes/Lymphocytes. The ideal cutoff values for SIRI connected with the progression-free- (PFS) and overall survival (OS) results were methodically searched through using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Primary and secondary end-points constituted the potential OS and PFS distinctions among the SIRI groups, respectively. Results: the ROC curve analysis labeled the ideal SIRI cutoffs at 1.74 (Area under the curve (AUC): 74.9%; sensitivity: 74.2%; specificity: 71.4%) and 1.78 (AUC: 73.6%; sensitivity: 73.1%; specificity: 70.8%) for PFS and OS status, individually. The SIRI cutoff of 1.78 of the OS status was chosen as the common cutoff for the stratification of the study population (Group 1: SIRI 1.78 (N=85)) and further comparative PFS and OS analyses. Comparisons between the two SIRI cohorts manifested that the SIRI 1.78 counterparts. The results of multivariate Cox regression analyses ratified the independent and significant alliance between a low SIRI and longer PFS (P, NA

Purpose: we evaluated the prognostic quality of the novel pancreas cancer prognostic index (PCPI), a combination of CA 19-9 and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), on the outcomes of locally advanced pancreas adenocarcinoma (LAPAC) patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT). Methods: this retrospective analysis covered 152 unresectable LAPAC patients treated from 2007 to 2019. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to define ideal cutoff thresholds for the pretreatment CA 19-9 and SIRI measurements, indivi-dually. The associations between the PCPI groups and progression -free-(PFS) and overall survival (OS) comprised the respective primary and secondary endpoints. Results: the ROC curve analysis distinguished the respective rounded optimal cutoffs at 91 U/m/ L (< versus >= 90) and 1.8 (< versus >= 1.8) for CA 19-9 and SIRI, arranging the study cohort into two significantly different survival groups for each, with resultant four likely groups: Group-1: CA 19-9= 1.8, Group-3: CA 19-9 >= 90 U/ m/L but SIRI= 90 U/m/L and SIRI >= 1.8. Since the PFS (P=0.79) and OS (P=0.86) estimates of the groups 2 and 3 were statistically indistinct, we merged them as one group and created the novel three-tiered PCPI: PCPI-1: CA 19-9= 1.8 or CA 19-9 >= 90 U/m/L but SIRI= 90 U/m/L and SIRI >= 1.8, respectively. Comparative analyses unveiled that the PCPI-1 and PCPI-3 groups had the respective best and worst PFS (17.0 versus 7.5 versus 4.4 months; P, NA

Objective:we surveyed the anxiety, depression, and secondary trauma levels of Turkish Radiation Oncologists related with COVID pandemics. Methods: an anonymous online questionnaire survey was created to evaluate levels of depression, anxiety, and secondary trauma among Turkish Radiation Oncologists. The survey included demographics and occupational status, Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSSS), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: seventy-two respondents provided the power of about 91.4% for the significance level of 0.05. The variance homogeneity was checked by the Levene test, the effect of COVID-19 on psychology is higher in the group of >19 (9.02 +/- 0.820), as well as the effect of social isolation (8.02 +/- 1.622), the STSS scores (34.28 +/- 9.062), the STAIS scores (60.46 +/- 5.296), the STAIT scores (82.21 +/- 9.298), the BDI scores (22.68 +/- 2.788), and the BAI scores (21.04 +/- 9.321). The multiple regressions to estimate BDI revealed statistically significant effects in STAIS, BAI, and STAIT. There is a significant correlation between STSS, STAIS, STAIT, BDI, BAI, the effect of COVID-19 on psychology, and the effect of social isolation. Conclusion: we have established one of the first studies demonstrating the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on depression, anxiety levels, and secondary trauma on a special physician population, the Radiation Oncologists, who specifically do not directly take part in COVID19 management., NA

Purpose: we explored the prognostic influence of the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) on the survival outcomes of stage IIIB/C non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods: present propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis comprised 876 stage IIIB/C NSCLC patients who received 1-3 cycles of platinum-based doublets concurrent with thoracic radiotherapy from 2007 to 2017. The primary and secondary objectives were the relationships between the SIRI values and overall (OS) and progression-free survival, respectively. Propensity scores were calculated for SIRI groups to adjust for confounders and to facilitate well-balanced comparability between the SIRI groups by creating 1 : 1 matched study groups. Results: the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified an optimal SIRI cutoff at 1.9 for OS (AUC: 78.8%; sensitivity: 73.7%; specificity: 70.7%) and PFS (AUC: 80.5%; sensitivity: 75.8%; specificity: 72.9%) and we grouped the patients into two PSM cohorts: SIRI < 1.9 (N = 304) and SIRI >= 1.9 (N = 304), respectively. The SIRI >= 1.9 cohort had significantly worse median OS (P= 1.9) cohorts had the best and worst outcomes, respectively, with SIRI-2 cohort (IIIB and SIRI >= 1.9 or IIIC and SIRI < 1.9) being remained in between (P= 1.9 independently prognosticated significantly worse OS and PFS results and plated the stage IIIB/C patients into three fundamentally distinct prognostic groups., NA

Radiation therapy (RT) is emerging as an interventional modality in the cancer-immunity cycle, augmenting the activation of an adaptive immune response against tumors. RT, particularly in combination with immunotherapy, can enhance immune memory effects and shape the tumor-directed T-cell populations. However, a single cycle of RT delivered to a limited number of polymetastatic lesions is rarely sufficient to achieve systemic control. We hypothesize that several rounds of RT, akin to several rounds of immunotherapeutic drugs, is likely to provide greater clinical benefit to patients with metastatic disease. We propose that the repeated exposure to tumor antigens released by ""pulsed-RT"" (i.e., treating 2-4 tumor lesions with 3 irradiation cycles given one month apart) may amplify the adaptive immune response by expanding the tumor-specific T-cell receptor repertoire, the production of high-affinity tumor antibodies, and the generation of memory lymphocytes and thereby improve immune control of systemic disease., National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health; Cancer Center Support (Core) Grant

Background: we investigated the prognostic significance of pretreatment systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) in locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods: present retrospective cohort analysis investigated consecutive 154 LAPC patients who received radical CRT. The SIRI was defined as:SIRI=neutrophilxmonocyte/lymphocyte counts. Ideal SIRI cutoff(s) influencing overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) results were sought by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The primary endpoint was the interaction between the SIRI and OS results. Results: the median follow-up, PFS, and OS durations were 14.3 (range: 2.9-74.6), 7.9 [%95 confidence interval (CI): 5.7-10.1), and 14.7 months (%95 CI: 11.4-18.0) for the entire cohort, respectively. ROC curve analyses determined the ideal SIRI cutoff that exhibiting a significant link with OS and PFS outcomes at the rounded 1.6 point (AUC: 74.3%; sensitivity: 73.8%; specificity: 70.1%).The SIRI = 1.6 patients (N=96), respectively. Although the N0 (versus N1; P90 U/mL) appeared as the other significant associates of better OS and PFS in univariate analyses, yet the results of multivariate analyses confirmed the SIRI, NA

Objective: although there is no complete consensus on elective pelvic nodal irradiation for patients with - risk prostate cancer, pelvic radiotherapy with androgen ablation has been more commonly used in many centers. An important part of bone marrow (BM) reserve remains in the pelvic radiation treatment field. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the intensity modulated (step-and-shoot IMRT: ssIMRT) and volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) techniques for pelvic radiotherapy in terms of pelvic BM doses. Methods: this study was based on the simulation scan data of 10 patients with prostate cancer as 3-mm slice thickness using a full bladder and rectal balloon. The first phase of the treatment planning prescribed to pelvic lymphatic (46 Gy/2 Gy/fraction). The second phase consisted of the seminal vesicles and prostate (32 Gy/2 Gy/fraction). The PTV margin was 0.4 cm posteriorly due to rectum and 0.6 cm in all other (including PTVlymphatic) directions. Using same target volumes, ssIMR'l with eight angles (225 degrees, 260 degrees, 295 degrees, 330 degrees, 30 degrees, 65 degrees, 100 degrees, 135 degrees) and double arc (182 degrees, -178 degrees arc angle) VMAT were planned for each patient data set. The planning objective was to cover the PTV by at least 95% of the prescribed isodose and CTV by 98% of the prescribed isodose line. No special dose constraint was given for BM sparing. Each technique was compared by using dose volume histograms (DVH) of V5, V10, V20, V30, V40 of the sacral BM (SBM), iliac BM (IBM), and ischium, pubis, and proximal femora (lower pelvis) and femoral BM (IBM). In addition, V20 V30, V40, and V70 for bladder, and V30, V40, V76, and V80 for the rectum, homogeneity index and the monitor units (MU) were evaluated. The two-sided Wilcoxon's test was used for statistical analysis (p, NA

Background: to retrospectively investigate the influence of pretreatment anemia and hemoglobin levels on the survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT). Methods: a total of 149 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who received C-CRT were included. All patients had received 70 Gy to the primary tumor plus the involved lymph nodes, and 59.4 Gy and 54 Gy to the intermediate- and low-risk neck regions concurrent with 1-3 cycles of cisplatin. Patients were dichotomized into non-anemic and anemic (hemoglobin, NA

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for reirradiation of recurrent pediatric tumors. Methods and Materials: The study included 23 pediatric patients who were reirradiated using hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in the radiation oncology department between January 2008 and November 2013. In total, 33 tumors were treated-27 (82%) cranial and 6 (18%) extracranial. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy was administered due to recurrent disease in 31 (94%) tumors and residual disease in 2 (6%) tumors. The median total dose was 25 Gy (range: 15-40 Gy), and the median follow-up was 20 months (range: 2-68 months). Results: The 1-year and 2-year local control rates in the entire study population were 42% and 31%, respectively. The median local control time was 11 months (range: 0-54 months) following hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. The patients with tumor response after hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy had significantly longer local control than the patients with post-hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy tumor progression (21 vs 3 months, P < .001). Tumor volume, Hacettepe University

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine if volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) provided superior dose distribution than intensity-modulated radiotherapy (step-and-shoot; ssIMRT) based on target volume coverage and organs at risk (OARs) doses in postoperative radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS: New 4-dimensional computed tomography plans for 10 pancreatic cancer patients were created. The ssIMRT plans had 6 coplanar fields (330-0-30-60-90 degrees) and VMAT plans were generated with 2 268-92 degrees arcs.RESULTS: VMAT plans revealed better overall sparing of right ki dney (volume receiving 15% of prescribed dose [V15]: 28.3% vs 46.9%, p=0.012; V20: 16.1% vs 27.6%, p=0.007; V25: 8.6% vs 15.2%, p=0.005; mean dose 1549 centigray [cGy] vs 1987 cGy, p=0.005). VMAT delivered similar isodose distribution (planning target volume [PTV] mean dose: 5164 vs 5183 cGy, PTV max: 5526 cGy vs 5505 cGy; p=0.541) with significantly fewer monitor units (MU) (MU: 468 vs 527; p=0.032) in comparison with ssIMRT. VMAT was also found to be superior for V30 intestinal dose, but mean dose was similar (1963 cGy vs 2032 cGy; p=0.05). CONCLUSION: VMAT provided more effective protection for bilateral kidneys and small intestine with better OAR doses, as well as for liver, with reduced high-dose volumes in this cohort. This could be investigated as more tolerable concurrent radiochemotherapy treatment with better OAR preservation., NA