rss_2.0Sciendo RSS Feed for Radiology and Oncologyhttps://sciendo.com/journal/RAONhttps://www.sciendo.comhttps://sciendo-parsed.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/6473549d4e662f30ba53a824/cover-image.jpghttps://sciendo.com/journal/RAON140216https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0035<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Iodine is an essential element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Therefore, a reliable marker of iodine supply is important. Iodine is predominantly excreted via kidneys, but also via salivary glands. Our aim was to introduce a new and simple method for determination of salivary iodine concentration (SLIC).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Materials and methods</title> <p>Self-prepared chemicals and standards for Sandell-Kolthoff reaction on microplate with ammonium peroxydisulfate (AP) in the range 0−400 µg/L were used. Suitability of water-based standards (WBS) and artificial saliva-based standards (ASS) for standard curve were tested. We followed standards for method validation, defined concentration of used AP and compared our results with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>WBS gave more reliable results than ASS as an underestimation of iodine concentration was found for ASS. LoB was 6.5 µg/L, LoD 12.0 µg/L, therefore analytical range was 12−400 µg/L. Intra- and inter-assay imprecisions at iodine concentrations, namely 20, 100, 165, and 350 µg/L were 18.4, 5.1, 5.7, and 2.8%, respectively, and 20.7, 6.7, 5.1, and 4.3%, respectively. Suitable molarity of AP was 1.0 mol/L and showed no difference to 1.5 mol/L (P values for samples with concentration 40, 100, and 150 µg/L, were 0.761, 0.085, and 0.275, respectively), whereas there was a significant change using 0.5 mol/L (P&lt;0.001). Saliva samples could be diluted up to 1:8. There was no interference of thiocyanate and caffeine up to 193.5 mg/L. Our original method was comparable to ICP-MS. Spaerman coefficient was 0.989 (95% CI: 0.984−0.993).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>The new method for SLIC determination is in excellent agreement with ICP-MS and easy-to-use.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00352024-07-22T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0032<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>This study aimed to assess ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-TATE (-TOC) PET/CT quantitative parameters in monitoring and predicting everolimus response in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients with hepatic metastases (NELM).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title><p>This retrospective analysis included 29 patients with 62 target lesions undergoing everolimus treatment and pre-therapy, and follow-up ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-TATE (-TOC) PET/CT scans. Response evaluation utilized progression-free survival (PFS) categorized as responders (R; PFS &gt; 6 months) and non-responders (NR; PFS ≤ 6 months). Lesion size and density, along with maximum and median standardize uptake value (SUV) in target lesions, liver, and spleen were assessed. Tumor-to-spleen (T/S) and tumor-to-liver (T/L) ratios were calculated, including the tumor-to-spleen (T/S) ratio and tumor-to-liver (T/L) ratio (using SUVmax/SUVmax, SUVmax/SUVmean, and SUVmean/SUVmean).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>PET/CT scans were acquired 19 days (interquartile range [IQR] 69 days) pre-treatment and 127 days (IQR 74 days) post-starting everolimus. The overall median PFS was 264 days (95% CI: 134–394 days). R exhibited significant decreases in Tmax/Lmax and Tmean/Lmax ratios compared to NR (p = 0.01). In univariate Cox regression, Tmean/Lmax ratio was the sole prognostic parameter associated with PFS (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.28–0.92, p = 0.03). Percentage changes in T/L and T/S ratios were significant predictors of PFS, with the highest area under curve (AUC) for the percentage change of Tmean/Lmax (AUC = 0.73). An optimal threshold of &lt; 2.5% identified patients with longer PFS (p = 0.003). No other imaging or clinical parameters were predictive of PFS.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>This study highlights the potential of quantitative SSTR-PET/CT in predicting and monitoring everolimus response in NET patients. Liver metastasis-to-liver parenchyma ratios outperformed size-based criteria, and Tmean/Lmax ratio may serve as a prognostic marker for PFS, warranting larger cohort investigation.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00322024-06-12T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0033<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>Spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of metastatic disease is increasingly utilized owing to improved pain and local control over conventional regimens. Vertebral body collapse (VBC) is an important toxicity following spine SBRT. We investigated our institutional experience with spine SBRT as it relates to VBC and spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title><p>Records of 83 patients with 100 spinal lesions treated with SBRT between 2007 and 2022 were reviewed. Clinical information was abstracted from the medical record. The primary endpoint was post-treatment VBC. Logistic univariate analysis was performed to identify clinical factors associated with VBC.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>Median dose and number of fractions used was 24 Gy and 3 fractions, respectively. There were 10 spine segments that developed VBC (10%) after spine SBRT. Median time to VBC was 2.4 months. Of the 11 spine segments that underwent kyphoplasty prior to SBRT, none developed subsequent VBC. No factors were associated with VBC on univariate analysis.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>The rate of vertebral body collapse following spine SBRT is low. Prophylactic kyphoplasty may provide protection against VBC and should be considered for patients at high risk for fracture.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00332024-06-12T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0034<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>The aim of the study was to provide insight into the influence of the COVID-19 on the frequency and characteristics of urgent and emergent tracheostomies (TS), comparing data collected both before and during the pandemic. Our two hypotheses were that <italic>during COVID-19, more TS were performed in the emergent setting</italic> and that <italic>during COVID-19 more TS were performed under general anaesthesia</italic>.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title><p>The research was retrospective. The study period included the two years before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Slovenia. Forty-one patients in each period met the inclusion criteria. Their medical charts were reviewed. The anamnestic, clinical, surgical and anaesthesiological data were collected. The two groups of patients from corresponding time periods were statistically compared.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>Predominantly men required the surgical resolution of acute upper airway obstruction (76% of patients). The causes for acute respiratory distress included head and neck cancer (62%), infections (20%), vocal cord paralysis (16%), and stenosis (2%). There were no statistically significant differences either in the (emergent/urgent) setting of TS or in the type of anaesthesia used. Both hypotheses were rejected. A statistically significant rise in use of the C-MAC laryngoscope during COVID-19 (from 3% to 15%) was reported.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>The outbreak of COVID-19 did not have a statistically significant effect on the frequency of performing emergent and urgent tracheostomies nor on the use of general or local anaesthesia. It did, however, require a change of intubation technique. Consequently, a significant rise in the use of the C-MAC laryngoscope was noted.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00342024-06-12T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0031ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00312024-06-11T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0029<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develop early colorectal adenomas and if left untreated, progression to cancer is an inevitable event. Prophylactic surgery does not prevent further development of cancer in the rectal remnant, rectal cuff in patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) and even on the ileal mucosa of the pouch body. The aim of this review is to assess long-term rates of cancer and adenoma development in patients with FAP after prophylactic surgery and to summarise current recommendations for endoscopic management and surveillance of these patients.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Materials and methods</title> <p>A systematic literature search of studies from January 1946 through to June 2023 was conducted using the PRISMA checklist. The electronic database PubMed was searched.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>Fifty-four papers involving 5010 patients were reviewed. Cancer rate in the rectal remnant was 8.8–16.7% in the western population and 37% in the eastern population. The cumulative risk of cancer 30 years after surgery was 24%. Mortality due to cancer in the rectal remnant is 1.1–11.1% with a 5-year survival rate of 55%. The adenoma rate after primary IPAA was 9.4–85% with a cumulative risk of 85% 20 years after surgery and a cumulative risk of 12% for advanced adenomas 10 years after surgery. Cumulative risk for adenomas after ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) was 85% after 5 and 100% after 10 years. Adenomas developed more frequently after stapled (33.9–57%) compared to hand-sewn (0–33%) anastomosis. We identified reports of 45 cancers in patients after IPAA of which 30 were in the pouch body and 15 in the rectal cuff or at the anastomosis.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>There was a significant incidence of cancer and adenomas in the rectal remnant and ileal pouch of FAP patients during the long-term follow-up. Regular endoscopic surveillance is recommended, not only in IRA patients, but also in pouch patients after proctocolectomy.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00292024-06-11T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0030<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Recent evidence brought by novel anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody-drug conjugates is leading to significant changes in HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) best practices. A new targetable category termed ‘HER2-low’ has been identified in tumors previously classified as ‘HER2-negative’. Daily practice in pathology and medical oncology is expected to align to current recommendations, but patient access to novel anticancer drugs across geographies might be impeded due to local challenges.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Materials and methods</title> <p>An expert meeting involving ten regional pathology and oncology opinion leaders experienced in BC management in four Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia) was held. Herein we summarized the current situation of HER2-low metastatic BC (mBC), local challenges, and action plans to prevent delays in patient access to testing and treatment based on expert opinion.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>Gaps and differences at multiple levels were identified across the four countries. These included variability in the local HER2-low epidemiology data, certification of pathology laboratories and quality control, and reimbursement conditions of testing and anticancer drugs for HER2-negative mBC. While clinical decisions were aligned to international guidelines in use, optimal access to testing and innovative treatment was restricted due to significant delays in reimbursement or limitative reimbursement conditions.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Preventing delays in HER2-low mBC patient access to diagnosis and novel treatments is crucial to optimize outcomes. Multidisciplinary joint efforts and pro-active discussions between clinicians and decision makers are needed to improve care of HER2-low mBC patients in CEE countries.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00302024-06-11T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0028<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Non-cardia gastric cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, despite declining incidence rates in many industrialized countries. The development of intestinal-type gastric cancer occurs through a multistep process in which normal mucosa is sequentially transformed into hyperproliferative epithelium, followed by metaplastic processes leading to carcinogenesis. Chronic infection with <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> is the primary etiological agent that causes chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, induces atrophic gastritis, and can lead to intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia. Both intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are precancerous lesions, in which gastric cancer is more likely to occur. Atrophic gastritis often improves after eradication of <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic>; however, the occurrence of intestinal metaplasia has been traditionally regarded as “the point of no return” in the carcinogenesis sequence. <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication heals non-atrophic chronic gastritis, may lead to regression of atrophic gastritis, and reduces the risk of gastric cancer in patients with these conditions. In this article, we discuss the pathogenesis, epigenomics, and reversibility of intestinal metaplasia and briefly touch upon potential treatment strategy.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Gastric intestinal metaplasia no longer appears to be an irreversible precancerous lesion. However, there are still many controversies regarding the improvement of intestinal metaplasia after <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00282024-04-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0025<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>A fast and well-organized complex diagnostic process is important for better success in the treatment of lung cancer patients. The aim of our study was to reveal the gaps and inefficiencies in the diagnostic process and to suggest improvement strategies in a single tertiary centre in Slovenia.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>We employed a comprehensive approach to carefully dissect all the steps in the diagnostic journey for individuals suspected of having lung cancer. We gathered and analysed information from employees and patients involved in the process by dedicated questionnaires. Further, we analysed the patients’ data and calculated the diagnostic intervals for patients in two different periods.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>The major concerns among employees were stress and excessive administrative work. The important result of the visual journey and staff reports was the design of electronic diagnostic clinical pathway (eDCP), which could substantially increase safety and efficacy by diminishing the administrative burden of the employees. The patients were generally highly satisfied with diagnostic journey, but reported too long waiting times. By analysing two time periods, we revealed that diagnostic intervals exceeded the recommended timelines and got importantly shorter after two interventions - strengthening the diagnostic team and specially by purchase of additional PET-CT machine (the average time from general practitioner (GP) referral to the multidisciplinary treatment board (MDTB) decision was 50.8 [± 3.0] prior and 37.1 [± 2.3] days after the interventions).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>The study illuminated opportunities for refining the diagnostic journey for lung cancer patients, underscoring the importance of both administrative and capacity-related enhancements.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00252024-04-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0027<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Various types of immunotherapy (i.e. immune checkpoint inhibitors [ICIs], chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cells and bispecific T-cell engagers [BiTEs]) and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) have been used increasingly to treat solid cancers, lymphomas and leukaemias. Patients with serious complications of these therapies can be presented to physicians of different specialties. In this narrative review we discuss potentially fatal complications of new systemic anticancer therapies and some practical considerations for their diagnosis and initial treatment.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>Clinical presentation of toxicities of new anticancer therapies may be unpredictable and nonspecific. They can mimic other more common medical conditions such as infection or stroke. If not recognized and properly treated these toxicities can progress rapidly into life-threatening conditions. ICIs can cause immune-related inflammatory disorders of various organ systems (e.g. pneumonitis or colitis), and a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) may develop after treatment with CAR T-cells or BiTEs. The cornerstones of management of these hyper-inflammatory disorders are supportive care and systemic immunosuppressive therapy. The latter should start as soon as symptoms are mild-moderate. Similarly, some severe toxicities of ADCs also require immunosuppressive therapy. A multidisciplinary team including an oncologist/haematologist and a corresponding organ-site specialist (e.g. gastroenterologist in the case of colitis) should be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of these toxicities.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Health professionals should be aware of potential serious complications of new systemic anticancer therapies. Early diagnosis and treatment with adequate supportive care and immunosuppressive therapy are crucial for the optimal outcome of patients with these complications.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00272024-04-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0024<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>This study explores the predictive and monitoring capabilities of clinical and multiparametric MR parameters in assessing capecitabine and temozolomide (CAPTEM) therapy response in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>This retrospective study (n = 44) assessed CAPTEM therapy response in neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) patients. Among 33 monitored patients, as a subgroup of the overall study cohort, pretherapeutic and follow-up MRI data (size, apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] values, and signal intensities), along with clinical parameters (chromogranin A [CgA] and Ki-67%), were analyzed. Progression-free survival (PFS) served as the reference. Responders were defined as those with PFS ≥ 6 months.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>Most patients were male (75%) and had G2 tumors (76%) with a pancreatic origin (84%). Median PFS was 5.7 months; Overall Survival (OS) was 25 months. Non-responders (NR) had higher Ki-67 in primary tumors (16.5 <italic>vs</italic>. 10%, p = 0.01) and increased hepatic burden (20% <italic>vs</italic>. 5%, p = 0.007). NR showed elevated CgA post-treatment, while responders (R) exhibited a mild decrease. ADC changes differed significantly between groups, with NR having decreased ADCmin (−23%) and liver-adjusted ADCmean/ADCmean liver (−16%), compared to R’s increases of ADCmin (50%) and ADCmean/ADCmean liver (30%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified the highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.76) for a single parameter for ∆ ADC mean/liver ADCmean, with a cut-off of &lt; 6.9 (76% sensitivity, 75% specificity). Combining ∆ Size NELM and ∆ ADCmin achieved the best balance (88% sensitivity, 60% specificity) outperforming ∆ Size NELM alone (69% sensitivity, 65% specificity). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated significantly longer PFS for ∆ ADCmean/ADCmean liver &lt; 6.9 (p = 0.024) and ∆ Size NELM &gt; 0% + ∆ ADCmin &lt; −2.9% (p = 0.021).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Survival analysis emphasizes the need for adapted response criteria, involving combined evaluation of CgA, ADC values, and tumor size for monitoring CAPTEM response in hepatic metastasized NETs.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00242024-04-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0021<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>This retrospective study investigated the efficacy of endovascular treatment with multilayer flow modulators (MFMs) for treating aortic aneurysms in high-risk patients unsuitable for conventional treatments.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>Conducted from 2011 to 2019 at a single center, this retrospective observational study included 17 patients who underwent endovascular treatment with MFMs. These patients were selected based on their unsuitability for traditional surgical or endovascular procedures. The study involved meticulous pre-procedural planning, precise implantation of MFMs, and follow-up using CT angiography. The primary focus was on volumetric and flow volume changes in aneurysms, along with traditional diameter measurements. Moreover, the technical success and post-procedural complications were also registered.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>The technical success rate was 100%, and 30-day procedural complication rate was 17.6%. Post-treatment assessments revealed that 11 out of 17 patients showed a decrease in flow volume within the aneurysm sac, indicative of a favorable hemodynamic response. The median decrease in flow volume was 12 ml, with a median relative decrease of 8%. However, there was no consistent reduction in aneurysm size; most aneurysms demonstrated a median increase in volume for 46 ml and median increase in diameter for 18 mm.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>While MFMs offer a potential alternative for high-risk aortic aneurysm patients, their effectiveness in preventing aneurysm expansion is limited. The results suggest that MFMs can provide a stable hemodynamic environment but do not reliably reduce aneurysm size. This underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and long-term monitoring in patients treated with this technology.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00212024-04-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0026<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the disease is incurable. Currently used tumor biomarkers have limited diagnostic value for BTCs, so there is an urgent need for sensitive and specific biomarkers for their earlier diagnosis. Deregulation of the homeostasis of trace elements is involved in the carcinogenesis of different cancers, including BTCs. The objective of the study is to determine/compare the total concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) and the proportions of free Cu and Cu bound to ceruloplasmin (Cp) and the isotopic ratio of ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu in serum samples from healthy volunteers and cancer patients using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry-based methods (ICP-MS).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>In this prospective, noninterventional, nonrandomized study 20 patients and 20 healthy volunteers will be enrolled to identify serum Cu, Zn and Fe levels, Cu isotopic fractionation as a predictive biomarker of response to systemic therapy of BTCs, which will be evaluated by computed tomography. Newly developed analytical methods based on ICP-MS will be applied to metal-based biomarker research in oncology.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>In the study the comparison of the total concentration of selected trace elements, the proportion of free Cu and Cu bound to Cp and the isotopic ratio of ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu in serum samples from healthy volunteers and cancer patients will be conducted to provide the foundation for the development of a BTC cancer screening methodology and the data on their usability as a potential predictive biomarker for BTCs of response to systemic therapy.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00262024-03-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0023<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Transarterial chemoembolisation with irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEBIRI TACE) can be considered in patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) who progress after all approved standard therapies or in patients unsuitable for systemic therapy.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>Between September 2010 and March 2020, thirty patients (22 men and 8 women; mean age 66.8 ± 13.2) were included in this retrospective study. DEBIRI TACE was conducted in 43% of patients unsuitable for systemic therapy as a first-line treatment and 57% as salvage therapy after the progression of systemic therapy. All the patients had liver-limited disease. In the case of unilobar disease, two treatments were performed at four-week intervals, and in the case of bilobar disease, four treatments were performed at two-week intervals. All patients were premedicated and monitored after the procedure. Adverse events were graded according to the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) classification system for complications.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>The median overall survival (OS) from the beginning of DEBIRI TACE in the salvage group was 17.4 months; in the group without prior systemic therapy, it was 21.6 months. The median overall survival of all patients was 17.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.0–24.7 months), and progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.2 months (95% CI: 0.9–7.4 months). The one-year survival rate after the procedure was 61%, and the two-year rate was 25%. Univariate analysis showed better survival of patients with four or fewer liver metastases (<italic>p = 0.002</italic>). There were no treatment-related deaths or grade 4 and 5 adverse events. Nonserious adverse events (Grades 1 and 2) were present in 53% of patients, and Grade 3 adverse events were present in 6% of the patients.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>DEBIRI TACE is a well-tolerated treatment option for patients with liver metastases of colorectal cancer. Patients with four or fewer liver metastases correlated with better survival.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00232024-03-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0022<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors is effective in various cancers, but may be associated with immune-mediated side effects in other organs. Among the more common ones is gastrointestinal tract involvement, especially colitis. In most patients, colitis is mild or responds to corticosteroid treatment. A smaller proportion of patients, more often those treated with cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitors, may have a more severe course of colitis, even life-threatening complications. In these patients, prompt action, timely diagnosis with endoscopic evaluation and early treatment with high-dose corticosteroids and, if ineffective, rescue therapy with biologic agents such as infliximab and vedolizumab are needed. We present three cases from our clinical practice, data on incidence and clinical presentation, current recommendations regarding diagnostic approach and treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors induced colitis.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00222024-03-22T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0019<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>The aim of the study was to explore the therapeutic effect of ultrasound targeted destruction of schisandrin A contrast microbubbles on liver cancer and its related mechanism.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Materials and methods</title><p>The Span-PEG microbubbles loaded with schisandrin A were prepared using Span60, NaCl, PEG-1500, and schisandrin A. The loading rate of schisandrin A in Span-PEG composite microbubbles was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry method. The Walker-256 cell survival rate of schisandrin A was determined by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay. The content of schisandrin A in the cells was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect <italic>in situ</italic>. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the content of inflammatory factors in serum. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of experimental animals in each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothlial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in tumor tissues, and western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in tumor tissues.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>The composite microbubbles were uniform in size, and the particle size distribution was unimodal and stable, which met the requirements of ultrasound contrast agents. The loading rate of schisandrin A in Span-PEG microbubbles was 8.84 ± 0.14%, the encapsulation efficiency was 82.24±1.21%. The IC50 value of schisandrin A was 2.87 μg/mL. The drug + microbubbles + ultrasound (D+M+U) group had the most obvious inhibitory effect on Walker-256 cancer cells, the highest intracellular drug concentration, the largest reduction in tumor volume, the most obvious reduction in serum inflammatory factors, and the most obvious improvement in pathological results. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that HIF-1α, VEGF and VEGFR-2 protein decreased most significantly in D+M+U group (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01). WB results showed that D+M+U group inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway most significantly (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>Schisandrin A had an anti-tumor effect, and its mechanism might be related to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The schisandrin A microbubbles could promote the intake of schisandrin A in tumor cells after being destroyed at the site of tumor under ultrasound irradiation, thus playing the best anti-tumor effect.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00192024-03-07T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0015<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>Intraoperative fluid management is a crucial aspect of cancer surgery, including colorectal surgery and pancreatoduodenectomy. The study tests if intraoperative multimodal monitoring reduces postoperative morbidity and duration of hospitalisation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery treated by the same anaesthetic protocols with epidural analgesia.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title><p>A prospective study was conducted in 2 parallel groups. High-risk surgical patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomly selected in the control group (CG), where standard monitoring was applied (44 patients), and the protocol group (PG), where cerebral oxygenation and extended hemodynamic monitoring were used with the protocol for intraoperative interventions (44 patients).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>There were no differences in the median length of hospital stay, CG 9 days (interquartile range [IQR] 8 days), PG 9 (5.5), p = 0.851. There was no difference in postoperative renal of cardiac impairment. Procalcitonin was significantly higher (highest postoperative value in the first 3 days) in CG, 0.75 mcg/L (IQR 3.19 mcg/L), than in PG, 0.3 mcg/L (0.88 mcg/L), p = 0.001. PG patients received a larger volume of intraoperative fluid; median intraoperative fluid balance +1300 ml (IQR 1063 ml) than CG; +375 ml (IQR 438 ml), p &lt; 0.001.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>There were significant differences in intraoperative fluid management and vasopressor use. The median postoperative value of procalcitonin was significantly higher in CG, suggesting differences in immune response to tissue trauma in different intraoperative fluid status, but there was no difference in postoperative morbidity or hospital stay.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00152024-03-07T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0020<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>The high mortality rate of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is primarily attributed to metastasis. Laminin subunit alpha 3 (LAMA3) is known to modulate tumor progression. However, the influence of LAMA3 on liver metastasis in PDAC remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether LAMA3 expression is increased in PDAC with liver metastasis.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title><p>We extracted information related to LAMA3 expression levels and associated clinicopathological parameters from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Clinicopathological analysis was performed; the Kaplan-Meier Plotter was used to evaluate LAMA3’s prognostic effect in PDAC. We retrospectively collected clinicopathological data and tissue specimens from 117 surgically treated patients with PDAC at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. We assessed LAMA3 expression and investigated its correlation with the clinicopathological traits, clinical outcomes, and hepatic metastasis.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>Amplified expression of LAMA3 was observed in PDAC tissue compared with normal tissue in the TCGA and GEO databases. High LAMA3 expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with PDAC. LAMA3 expression was significantly enhanced in PDAC tissues than in adjacent tissues. Tumor tissues from patients with PDAC exhibiting liver metastasis showed higher LAMA3 expression than those without liver metastasis. High LAMA3 expression correlated with large tumor size and TNM stage. LAMA3 expression and liver metastasis were independent predictive factors for OS; the former was independently associated with liver metastasis.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>LAMA3 expression is elevated in patients with PDAC with liver metastasis and is a predictor of prognosis.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00202024-03-07T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0016<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Fatigue after breast cancer treatment is a common burden that is challenging to treat. The aim of this study was to explore if such integrated rehabilitation program reduces the prevalence of chronic fatigue compared to simple, non-integrated rehabilitation.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>The subjects of our prospective study were 600 female breast cancer patients (29–65 [mean 52 years] of age), who participated in the pilot study on the individualized integrated rehabilitation of breast cancer patients in 2019–2021 and were monitored for one year. The control group included 301 patients and the intervention group numbered 299 patients. The patients completed three questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30, -BR23 and NCCN): before cancer treatment, and then six and twelve months after the beginning of cancer treatment. The control group obtained the standard rehabilitation program, while the intervention group was part of the early, individualized multidisciplinary and integrated approach of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation coordinator referred patients for additional interventions (<italic>e.g.</italic>, psychologist, gynecologist, pain management team, physiotherapy, clinical nutrition team, kinesiologist-guided online training, vocational rehabilitation, general practitioner). Data on the patients’ demographics, disease extent, cancer treatment and complaints reported in questionnaires were collected and analyzed.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>There were no differences between the control and the intervention group of patients in terms of age, education, disease extent, surgical procedures, systemic cancer treatment, or radiotherapy, and also no differences in the fatigue before the beginning of treatment. However, patients from the control group had a greater level of constant fatigue than patients from the intervention group half a year (p = 0.018) and a year (p = 0.001) after the beginning of treatment. Furthermore, a greater proportion of patients from the control group experienced significant interference with their usual activities from fatigue than from the intervention group, half a year (p = 0.042) and a year (p = 0.001) after the beginning of treatment. A multivariate logistic regression showed that one year after the beginning of treatment, the only independent factor correlated to fatigue was inclusion into the intervention group (p = 0.044). Inclusion in the intervention group was beneficial—patients from the control group were 1.5 times more likely to be fatigued.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Early individualized integrated rehabilitation is associated with a lower prevalence of chronic fatigue or fatigue interfering with usual activities in breast cancer patients in comparison to the control group of patients.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00162024-03-07T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-0018<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) poses a challenge to treatment planning due to the large target, field junction, and multiple organs at risk (OARs) involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of knowledge-based planning (KBP) in CSI by comparing original manual plans (MP), KBP RapidPlan initial plans (RP_I), and KBP RapidPlan final plans (RP_F), which received further re-optimization to meet the dose constraints.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Patients and methods</title> <p>Dose distributions in the target were evaluated in terms of coverage, mean dose, conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI). The dosimetric results of OARs, planning time, and monitor unit (MU) were evaluated.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>All MP and RP_F plans met the plan goals, and 89.36% of RP_I plans met the plan goals. The Wilcoxon tests showed comparable target coverage, CI, and HI for the MP and RP_F groups; however, worst plan quality was demonstrated in the RP_I plans than in MP and RP_F. For the OARs, RP_F and RP_I groups had better dosimetric results than the MP group (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05 for optic nerves, eyes, parotid glands, and heart). The planning time was significantly reduced by the KBP from an average of 677.80 min in MP to 227.66 min (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) and 307.76 min (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) in RP_I, and RP_F, respectively. MU was not significantly different between these three groups.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>The KBP can significantly reduce planning time in CSI. Manual re-optimization after the initial KBP is recommended to enhance the plan quality.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/raon-2024-00182024-03-07T00:00:00.000+00:00en-us-1