Imaginando el futuro / Looking to the future

Presentamos la visión futurista que de su especialidad tienen 7 líderes de opinión estrechamente comprometidos con la patología mamaria. Las especialidades incluidas fueron radiología, patología, cirugía, cirugía plástica, medicina nuclear, oncología médica y oncología radioterápica. Los autores plasman, en este artículo, sus opiniones y criterios respecto a los avances que vislumbran en su futuro profesional.Conceptos clave como sistemas de cribado sin radiación, transcriptómica clínica, diagnóstico funcional del tumor, inteligencia artificial, navegación intraoperatoria, biopsia líquida, ADN tumoral circulante, reconstrucción con técnicas microquirúrgicas avanzadas, hipofraccionamiento extremo o teragnosis, son algunos de los conceptos presentados y discutidos.Los autores justifican sus puntos de vista, abriendo líneas de trabajo a tener en cuenta para optimizar esfuerzos y el conocimiento futuro. (AU)

We present the futuristic vision of their specialty of seven opinion leaders closely involved in breast pathology. The specialties were radiology, pathology, surgery, plastic surgery, nuclear medicine, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. In this article, the authors express their opinions and criteria regarding the advances they foresee for their professional future.Key concepts such as radiation-free screening systems, clinical transcriptomics, functional tumor diagnosis, artificial intelligence, intraoperative navigation, liquid biopsy, circulating tumor DNA, reconstruction with advanced microsurgical techniques, extreme hypofractionation or theragnosis are some of the concepts presented and discussed.The authors justify their points of view, suggesting lines of work to optimize efforts and future knowledge. (AU)

Evidence-based guidelines for hypofractionated radiation in breast cancer: conclusions of the Catalan expert working group

IntroductionDaily, moderate hypofractionation has become standard treatment for breast cancer following breast-conserving surgery, although substantial variation exists in its use. This paper describes the generation of consensus-based recommendations for the utilisation of this therapy at the healthcare system level and compares these to American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) guidelines.Materials and methodsConsensus-based guidelines were developed in three steps, including a systematic literature review and involvement of radiation oncologists specialising in breast cancer in Catalonia: (a) creation of a working group and evidence review; (b) consideration of the levels of evidence and agreement on the formulation of survey questions; and (c) performance of survey and development of consensus-based recommendations. Results were compared to the ASTRO recommendations.ResultsConsensus was above 80% for 10 of the 14 survey items. Experts supported hypofractionated radiotherapy for all breast cancer patients aged 40 years or more; with invasive carcinoma and breast-conserving surgery; without radiation of lymph nodes; and regardless of the tumour size, histological grade, molecular subtype, breast size, laterality, other treatment characteristics, or need for a boost. Over half favoured its use in all situations, even where available scientific evidence is insufficient. The resulting recommendations and the quality of the evidence are comparable to those from ASTRO, despite some differences in the degree of consensus.ConclusionSpecialists agree that hypofractionation is the standard treatment for breast cancer following breast-conserving surgery, but some specific areas require a higher level of evidence before unequivocally extending indications. (AU)

RENORT: a project to analyze patterns of care in radiation oncology in Spain

PurposeRENORT is an application (app) developed to assess the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer using the oncology information systems (OIS).Methods/PatientsThe RENORT app was used to analyze the data for all patients seen and/or treated at six radiation oncology departments in Spain in 2019. This app can be used to extract the demographic data, treatment sequence, disease status, and radiotherapy treatments from the ARIA and Mosaiq OIS.ResultsA total of 6564 treatments were performed at these six centers in 2019. Most patients (56.9%) were males (females 43.1%). The mean patient age was 64.9 years. The most common treatment types and sites were as follows: metastases/palliative care (25.9%), followed by breast (19.0%), genitourinary (13.7%), lung (10.1%), head and neck (6.0%), rectal (6.0%), gynecological (4.9%), and other (< 4%) cancers. Distribution by disease stage was as follows: breast cancer: 75.5% early stage (stages 0, I, and II); lung: 63.1% advanced stage (III and IV); and head and neck: 72.1% advanced. Treatment intent was curative in 76.5% of cases and palliative in 23.5%. The most common techniques were intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) (41.4%), followed by three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) (39.2%); stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) (8.1%); brachytherapy (5.5%); radiosurgery (2.1%); fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to the brain (1.4%); and intraoperative radiotherapy (1.4%). Hypofractionation was used in 62.3% of curative treatments (mean number of fractions = 16.5).ConclusionsRENORT is a free app that is available for the two main oncology information systems used in most radiation oncology departments. This app has demonstrated the capacity to extract data from these systems, which in turns allows for a comprehensive analysis and better understanding of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer.

SEOR SBRT-SG survey on SRS/SBRT dose prescription criteria in Spain

Aim Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are essential tools in radiation oncology. In Spain, the use of these techniques continues to grow as older linear accelerators (linacs) are replaced with modern equipment. However, little is known about inter-centre variability in prescription and dose heterogeneity limits. Consequently, the SBRT-Spanish Task Group (SBRT-SG) of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) has undertaken an initiative to assess prescription and homogeneity in SRS/SBRT treatment. In the present study, we surveyed radiation oncology (RO) departments to obtain a realistic overview of prescription methods used for SBRT and SRS treatment in Spain. Methods A brief survey was developed and sent to 34 RO departments in Spain, mostly those who are members of the SEOR SBRT-SG. The survey contained seven questions about the specific prescription mode, dose distribution heterogeneity limits, prescription strategies according to SRS/SBRT type, and the use of IMRT–VMAT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy–Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy). Results Responses were received from 29 centres. Most centres (59%) used the prescription criteria D95% ≥ 100%. Accepted dose heterogeneity was wide, ranging from 107 to 200%. Most centres used IMRT–VMAT (93%). Conclusions This survey about SRS/SBRT prescription and dose heterogeneity has evidenced substantial inter-centre variability in prescription criteria, particularly for intended and accepted dose heterogeneity. These differences could potentially influence the mean planning target volume dose and its correlation with treatment outcomes. The findings presented here will be used by the SEOR SBRT-SG to develop recommendations for SRS/SBRT dose prescription and heterogeneity (AU)

Pattern of care in radiotherapy at a University Hospital in Spain: the RENORT project

Purpose RENORT is a novel data mining application developed to extract relevant clinical data from oncology information systems (OIS; ARIA and Mosaiq) used in radiation oncology (RO). Methods/patients We used RENORT to extract demographic and clinical data from the OIS of all patients treated at the RO Department at the General Hospital of Valencia during the year 2019. Results A total of 1158 treatments were performed. The female/male ratio was 39.3%/60.7%, with a mean age of 66 years. The mean waiting time between the treatment decision/proposal to the first visit was 10.1 days. Mean duration of the treatment preparation process was 21 days. Most patients (90.4%) completed treatment within the prescribed time ± 7 days. The most common sites/treatment types were: metastatic/palliative treatments (n = 300; 25.9%), breast (209; 18.0%), genitourinary (195; 16.8%), digestive (116; 10.0%), thoracic (104; 9.0%), head and neck (62; 5.4%), and skin cancer (51; 4.4%). The distribution according to treatment intent was as follows: palliative (n = 266; 23.0%), adjuvant curative (335; 28.9%), radical without adjuvant treatment (229; 19.8%), radical with concomitant treatment (188; 16.2%), curative neoadjuvant (70; 6.0%), salvage radiotherapy (61; 5.3%); and reirradiation (9; 0.8%). The most common treatment techniques were IMRT/VMAT with IGRT (n = 468; 40.4%), 3D-CRT with IGRT (421; 36.4%), SBRT (127; 11.0%), 2DRT (57; 4.9%), and SFRT (56; 4.8%). A mean of 15.9 fractions were administered per treatment. Hypofractionated schemes were used in 100% of radical intent breast and prostate cancer treatments. Conclusions The RENORT application facilitates data retrieval from oncology information systems to allow for a comprehensive determination of the real role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer patients. This application is valuable to identify patterns of care and to assess treatment efficacy (AU)

Interdisciplinaridad: un requerimiento esencial para la traslación de investigación en radiómica a la práctica clínica / Interdisciplinarity: an essential requirement for translation of radiomics research into clinical practice - a systematic review focused on thoracic oncologys

INTRODUCCIÓN: En los últimos años, se ha generado evidencia que demuestra el potencial que tiene la radiómica para futuras aplicaciones en numerosas situaciones clínicas, incluyendo la oncología torácica. Se han identificado varias razones metodológicas que justifican la inmadurez de los estudios sobre la minería de la imagen (basada en radiómica y en inteligencia artificial). No obstante, faltan datos sobre la influencia de la composición del equipo investigador sobre la calidad de las investigaciones en radiómica. OBJETIVOS: Esta revisión tiene como objetivo evaluar el carácter interdisciplinar dentro de los estudios sobre radiómica en oncología torácica, para evaluar su influencia sobre la calidad de la investigación (puntuación QUADAS-2) en el campo de la minería de la imagen. MÉTODOS: Se consideraron para inclusión estudios de radiómica con objetivos relacionados con la práctica clínica en oncología torácica. A continuación, se entrevistó a los autores responsables de la correspondencia de cada estudio seleccionado. El campo de conocimiento o el nivel educativo fue utilizado para evaluar el carácter interdisciplinar de los equipos investigadores. Después, todos los estudios fueron evaluados aplicando la previamente establecida puntuación QUADAS-2, asignando una fase de investigación de 0 a IV. RESULTADOS: En conjunto se incluyeron 27 estudios. La calidad de los estudios, basada en la puntuación QUADAS-2, fue baja (puntuación ≤ 5) en 8, moderada (= 6) en 12 y alta (≥ 7) en 7 artículos. Un equipo interdisciplinar (al menos 3 diferentes categorías de expertos) participó en la mitad de los estudios sin ningún tipo de confirmación y en todos los estudios con confirmación independiente. Los clínicos no participaron en los estudios fase 0, mientras que contribuyeron a todos los artículos clasificados como fase I y a 4 de 5 artículos clasificados como fase II con confirmación independiente. CONCLUSIONES: La composición del equipo de investigación influencia la calidad de las investigaciones en radiómica. También el incremento en el carácter interdisciplinar de los equipos de investigación aparentemente refleja el desarrollo de la investigación desde una fase temprana a una fase de mayor madurez y de mayor orientación clínica de la investigación

BACKGROUND: Recently, evidence has accumulated that demonstrates the potential for future applications of radiomics in many clinical settings, including thoracic oncology. Methodological reasons for the immaturity of image mining (radiomics and artificial intelligence-based) studies have been identified. However, data on the influence of the composition of the research team on the quality of investigations in radiomics are lacking. AIM: This review aims to evaluate the interdisciplinarity within studies on radiomics in thoracic oncology in order to assess its influence on the quality of research (QUADAS-2 score) in the image mining field. METHODS: We considered for inclusion radiomics investigations with objectives relating to clinical practice in thoracic oncology. Subsequently, we interviewed the corresponding authors. The field of expertise and/or educational degree was then used to assess interdisciplinarity. Subsequently, all studies were evaluated applying the QUADAS-2 score and assigned to a research phase from 0 to IV. RESULTS: Overall, 27 studies were included. The study quality according to the QUADAS-2 score was low (score ≤5) in 8, moderate (=6) in 12, and high (≥7) in 7 papers. An interdisciplinary team (at least 3 different expertise categories) was involved in half of the papers without any type of validation and in all papers with independent validation. Clinicians were not involved in phase 0 studies while they contributed to all papers classified as phase I and to 4/5 papers classified as phase II with independent validation. CONCLUSIONS: The composition of the research team influences the quality of investigations in radiomics. Also, growth in interdisciplinarity appears to reflect research development from the early phase to a more mature, clinically oriented stage of investigation

Oncología intervencionista: ¿cuál es la situación actual y qué estrategia debemos seguir en el futuro? / Interventional Oncology - where are we now? - And where we should head for

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Conocimiento y evaluación de la toma de decisiones compartidas en la práctica oncológica desde el punto de vista médico / Physicians' awareness and assessment of shared decision making in oncology practice

OBJETIVO: La implementación de la Toma de Decisiones Compartidas (TDC) en oncología es escasa. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el conocimiento de la TDC que tienen los médicos que tratan a pacientes con cáncer, la utilidad que le conceden, el rol que desempeñan, la evaluación que hacen, y las barreras y facilitadores que encuentran para su uso. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una encuesta a oncólogos médicos, oncólogos radioterápicos y cirujanos generales que ejercían en Andalucía (España). Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, clínico-asistenciales y de aspectos de la TDC. La TDC se evaluó mediante el cuestionario SDM-Q-Doc. Se emplearon contrastes no paramétricos para determinar las posibles diferencias entre especialidades médicas. RESULTADOS: El cuestionario se envió a 351 médicos y la tasa de respuesta fue del 37,04%. Respondieron 63 mujeres y 67 hombres, con un promedio de 45,6 años de edad y 18,04 años de experiencia. El 33,08% eran oncólogos médicos, el 34,61% oncólogos radioterápicos y el 29,23% cirujanos generales. El 82,3% no tenía formación en TDC y el 33,8% reconocía saber bastante y utilizarla en su práctica habitual. El 80% consideró que era muy útil. El 60% respondió que la decisión sobre el tratamiento la tomaban mayormente ellos. Al evaluar la TDC con la escala SDM-Q-Doc, todas las especialidades obtuvieron más de 80 puntos sobre 100. Las principales barreras para aplicar la TDC fueron la dificultad del paciente para entender lo que necesitaba saber, la falta de instrumentos de apoyo, así como la falta de tiempo. CONCLUSIONES: Un 82% de los médicos no tiene formación en TDC y un 66% no la utiliza en su práctica habitual, tomando la decisión sobre el tratamiento mayoritariamente ellos. Es importante adoptar estrategias para aumentar la formación en TDC e implementarla en la práctica clínica diaria

OBJECTIVE: Implementation of Shared Decision Making (SDM) in oncology is limited. The objective of the study was to determine the extent of physicians' awareness of Shared Decision Making (SDM) in their treatment of cancer patients, the usefulness that they assign to SDM, the role they play, their assessment of SDM, and perceptions of the main barriers and facilitators to its use. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and general surgeons working in Andalusia (Spain). Sociodemographic, clinical-care and aspects of SDM variables were collected. SDM was evaluated using the SDM-Q-Doc questionnaire. Non-parametric contrasts were used to determine the possible differences between medical specialties. RESULTS: The questionnaire was sent to 351 physicians. The response rate was 37.04%, 63 women and 67 men, with an average age of 45.6 years and 18.04 years' experience. Of these, 33.08% were medical oncologists, 34.61% radiation oncologists and 29.23% general surgeons. A total of 82.3% stated they had received no training in SDM, whereas 33.8% said they knew a lot about SDM and applied it in practice; 80% considered it to be very useful. In addition, 60% of respondents said they were mainly the ones who made the decisions on treatment. An evaluation of SDM on the SDM-Q-Doc scale showed that all the specialities scored more than 80/100. The main barriers to applying SDM were the difficulty patients experienced in understanding what they needed to know, the lack of decision aids and time. CONCLUSIONS: Some 82% of physicians have no training in SDM and 66% don't use it in practice, with decisions on treatment taken mainly by the physicians themselves. Strategies to increase training in SDM and to implement it into clinical practice are important

Management of patients with implanted cardiac devices during radiotherapy: results of a Spanish survey in radiation oncology departments

Background: There is an increasing number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), either pacemakers or defibrillators, who are receiving a course of radiotherapy. Several guidelines have been published by national societies, but no Spanish national guidelines for management of these patients have been published. More importantly, national clinical practice regarding these patients is not standardised. Materials and methods: Members of the Spanish Breast Cancer Radiation Oncology Group (GEORM in Spanish) were surveyed through an online questionnaire on behalf of the Spanish radiation oncology departments. Results: Only 39.3% of the Spanish radiation oncology departments have policies aimed at CIED carrier patients. Regardless of that, 96.4% of those who responded to the survey refer these patients to their Cardiology department before the start of the course of radiotherapy, and 17.8% of respondents said to manipulate the CIED without any cardiology department direction. A wide range of responses was obtained related to concepts such as "distance from the irradiation field to the CIED" or "safe accumulated doses". Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the need for national guidelines for CIED patients and the need to promote educational activities addressed to standardise clinical management of these patients in the radiation oncology departments

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Radioterapia intraoperatoria con Intrabeam(R) para el tratamiento del adenocarcinoma de páncreas resecable / Intraoperative radiotherapy with the Intrabeam(R) device for the treatment of resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCCIÓN: La aplicación de radioterapia intraoperatoria en el lecho tumoral tras la resección de un cáncer de páncreas ha demostrado ser beneficiosa en el control local de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar los resultados iniciales obtenidos tras la aplicación de una nueva modalidad de radioterapia intraoperatoria (Intrabeam(R)) en términos de viabilidad, seguridad y resultados a corto plazo. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron 5 pacientes sometidos a duodenopancreatectomía cefálica por cáncer de páncreas resecable, en los que se aplicó intraoperatoriamente un boost de radioterapia (5Gy) en el lecho tumoral mediante la utilización del dispositivo portátil Intrabeam(R), fuente puntual de rayos X de baja energía. Se analizaron las complicaciones, estancia y mortalidad postoperatorias, recidivas y superviviencia a corto plazo. RESULTADOS: La edad media fue de 68 años. Todos los pacientes presentaban un estadio tumoral T3 y uno de ellos N1. En 3 pacientes se realizó una resección R0 y en 2 casos resultó ser una resección R1. La mortalidad peroperatoria fue del 0%. Solo se presentaron como complicaciones un retraso en el vaciamiento gástrico y una hemorragia postoperatoria. No hubo fístulas pancreáticas. Durante el seguimiento (media: 11,2 meses) se constató una recidiva en el paciente en el que se había practicado una resección R1. CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación de radioterapia con el dispositivo Intrabeam(R) en pacientes seleccionados no ha supuesto un aumento de la morbimortalidad peroperatoria, mostrándose como un procedimiento seguro en el tratamiento del cáncer resecable

INTRODUCTION: The application of intraoperative radiation therapy to the tumor bed after resection of pancreatic cancer has been shown to be beneficial in the local control of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the preliminary outcomes after the application of a single intraoperative dose to the tumor bed with a new intraoperative radiotherapy device (Intrabeam(R)) in terms of viability, safety and short-term results. METHODS: We studied 5 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for resectable pancreatic cancer in which a radiotherapy boost (5Gy) was intraoperatively applied to the tumoral bed using the portable Intrabeam(R) device, a low-energy point-source X-ray. Postoperative complications, hospital stay and mortality, recurrences and short-term survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 68 years. All patients had a T3-stage tumor and one of them N1. In 3 patients, R0 resection was performed, while R1 resection was conducted in 2. Perioperative mortality was 0%. The only complications included delayed gastric emptying and postoperative hemorrhage. There were no pancreatic fistulas. During follow-up (mean: 11.2 months), there was a relapse in the patient who had undergone R1 resection. CONCLUSIONS: The application of radiotherapy with the Intrabeam (R) device in selected patients has not resulted in increased perioperative morbidity or mortality; therefore, this is a safe procedure for the treatment of resectable cancer

Proposal for the creation of a national strategy for precision medicine in cancer: a position statement of SEOM, SEAP, and SEFH

Precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. Precision medicine is transforming clinical and biomedical research, as well as health care itself from a conceptual, as well as a methodological viewpoint, providing extraordinary opportunities to improve public health and lower the costs of the healthcare system. However, the implementation of precision medicine poses ethical-legal, regulatory, organizational, and knowledge-related challenges. Without a national strategy, precision medicine, which will be implemented one way or another, could take place without the appropriate planning that can guarantee technical quality, equal access of all citizens to the best practices, violating the rights of patients and professionals, and jeopardizing the solvency of the healthcare system. With this paper from the Spanish Societies of Medical Oncology, Pathology, and Hospital Pharmacy, we highlight the need to institute a consensual national strategy for the development of precision medicine in our country, review the national and international context, comment on the opportunities and challenges for implementing precision medicine, and outline the objectives of a national strategy on precision medicine in cancer (AU)

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Improving efficacy and efficiency through the implementation of a new organisational model in a Radiation Oncology Department

Background. To evaluate a new organisational model, "process management" (PM), implemented in the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria (HUVV) compared with traditional models used in other Radiation Oncology Departments (RODs), in terms of efficacy and efficiency. Methods. The study period ranged from September 2011 to August 2012. Efficacy was assessed, comparing the number of patients attended in first consultation and treated per month, average waiting time from referral to first visit and average waiting time from first visit to treatment. Data were collected from two public hospitals in Andalusia: the HUVV and another Public Hospital in Andalusia (PHA1). Efficiency was assessed comparing the costs per patient attended in first visit and treated at HUVV in 2012 compared with those of a second Public Hospital in Andalusia (PHA2) for 2008. The number of sessions saved using hypofractionation versus classical schemes during the year 2012 in HUVV was estimated, and the money saved was calculated. Results. In the efficacy analysis, we found significant differences in the average waiting time for first visit, start of treatment, and the number of patients seen and treated annually. After calculating the total cost generated in the ROD, the efficiency analysis showed a lower cost per patient attended in first visit (EUR 599.17) and per patient treated (EUR 783.50), with a saving of 6035 sessions using hypofractionated schemes. Conclusions. Process management in an ROD reduces time, both to first medical visit and to treatment initiation, allowing an optimisation of linear accelerator (LINAC) capacity (AU)

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Effect of adaptive replanning in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy: a propensity score matched analysis

Purpose. Limited data have been published regarding the effect of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) on clinical outcome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We compared the long-term outcomes in patients with locally advanced NPC treated by adaptive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) replanning versus IMRT. Methods. 200 NPC patients with stage T3/T4 were included between October 2004 and November 2010. Patients in both treatment groups were matched using propensity score matching method at the ratio of 1:1. Clinical outcomes were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox regression. Results. After matching, 132 patients (66 patients in each group) were included for analysis. The median follow-up for the IMRT replanning group was 70 months, while the IMRT group was 69 months. The 5-year local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rate was higher in IMRT replanning group (96.7 vs. 88.1 %, P = 0.022). No significant differences in distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were observed between the two groups. 21.2 % patients in IMRT replanning group and 28.8 % patients in IMRT group had distant metastasis. In multivariable analysis, IMRT replanning was identified as an independent prognostic factor for LRFS (hazard ratio 0.229; 95 % CI 0.062-0.854; P = 0.028), but not for DMFS, PFS and OS. Conclusions. IMRT replanning provides an improved LRFS for stage T3/T4 NPC patients compared with IMRT. Distant metastasis remains the main pattern of treatment failure. No significant advantage was observed in DMFS, PFS and OS when adaptive replanning was used (AU)

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Evaluación de la calidad de un servicio de voluntariado en oncología: un Análisis Importancia-Valoración (IPA) / Quality assessment of a volunteer service in oncology: an importance performance analysis (IPA)

Objetivo: Usando el Análisis de Importancia-Valoración (IPA), este artículo examina la importancia y valoración percibidas por pacientes oncológicos y sus acompañantes de un programa de humanización realizado por voluntarios en un servicio de Radioterapia de un hospital general en España. Método: Los autores identifican una lista de siete ítems que surgen de la revisión de literatura en Marketing Sanitario; cada ítem fue puntuado con una escala Likert de 5 puntos. Resultados: Los resultados se obtuvieron de las respuestas a 148 entrevistas. El gráfico fue corregido con las recomendaciones sugeridas en la literatura y en el caso de los pacientes, muestra tres factores que caen en el cuadrante de "Mantener el buen trabajo", cuatro atributos caen dentro del cuadrante de "Baja Prioridad" y ningún atributo se observa en los cuadrantes de "Posible dilapidación de recursos" y "Concentrarse aquí". Se encuentran diferencias entre medias de la muestra de pacientes (n=68) y de familiares acompañantes (n=80) en los atributos de catering (t=-2,38; g.l.=146; p<0,05), y en el de información (t=2,16; g.l.=146; p<0,05). Conclusiones: Los resultados parecen útiles para identificar áreas de interés para los gestores de los servicios de salud para desarrollar programas de humanización de servicios basados en el trabajo de voluntarios y dirigidos a diferentes tipos de usuarios. Las implicaciones para los gerentes de programas de voluntariado e investigadores son discutidas

Objective: Using an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), this paper examined a Radiotherapy and Oncological Patient and Non-patient perceived importance and performance of ten Humanization Volunteer Program selection factors in the General Hospital in Spain. Methods: The authors identified a list of seven items from the Health-marketing literature reviews, and each item was rated using a 5-point Likert scale. Responses were obtained of 148 usable interviews. Results: The importance-performance patient grid was corrected with literature recommendations and, in the patient sample, shows three items fall in the "Keep up the good work" quadrant, four items fall into the "Low priority" quadrant, zero items fall into the "Possible overkill" quadrant, and no items fall in the "Concentrate here" quadrant. Nonpatient (n=80) factors means shows statistical differences with patient (n=68) means in catering (t=-2.38; df.=146; p<0.05), and information (t=2.16; df146; p<0.05). Conclusions: The results are useful in identifying areas for strategic focus to help Health Services managers develop humanization programs with volunteer workers and different program users. Implication to volunteer programs managers and researchers were discussed

Clinical target volume in postoperative radiotherapy for gastric cancer: identification of major difficulties and controversies

Purpose: To identify the main difficulties in postoperative clinical target volume (CTV) delineation in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Before and after a training course, 20 radiation oncology residents were asked to delineate the CTV for the postoperative GC case on four computed tomography scans: dome of the diaphragm, anterior abdominal wall, duodenal stump and porta hepatis level, and to determine the lower CTV border. CTV volume was reconstructed from requested planar contours. Area of intersection (AI) for each requested scan and volume of intersection (VI), defined as the overlap of delineated area/volume with respective reference area (RA)/reference volume (RV) proposed by the senior radiation oncologist, were computed. The degree of agreement between the reference and participants’ contours was quantified using the Concordance Index (CI): AI/RA 9 100 % or VI/RV 9 100 %. The lower CTV border was analyzed separately. Pre- and post-training CIs were compared. A questionnaire investigated the difficulties with contouring. Results: Mean CI value was the lowest for the dome of the diaphragm (24 % pre-training, 35 % post-training) and for the duodenal stump (49 % pre-training, 61 % post-training). Mean CI for the CTV volume was 49 % pre-training and 59 % post-training, p = 0.39. Mean distance from the reference to the participants’ lower CTV borders was 2.73 cm pre-training and 2.0 cm post-training, p = 0.71. In a questionnaire, 75 % of respondents indicated the elective nodal area as the main difficulty. Conclusions: Delineation of the dome of the diaphragm and the duodenal stump, as yet not recognized as the source of variation, should be addressed in the international consensus guidelines and clarified (AU)

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Recidivas y segundos tumores en el cáncer de pulmón de larga supervivencia / Disease Recurrence and Second Tumors in Long-term Survivors of Lung Cancer

Introducción y objetivos: Al mejorar la supervivencia del cáncer, la presencia de tumores múltiples en un paciente es cada vez más frecuente. El objetivo del estudio ha sido analizar la evolución a largo plazo, especialmente las posibles recidivas y segundos tumores primarios, en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón (CP) y supervivencia ≥ 3 años. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 1.769 pacientes con CP. Se incluyen 218 (136 tratados con cirugía y 82 con otros tratamientos) con supervivencia global ≥ 3 años, de cualquier estirpe y seguidos durante un período entre 5 y 23 años. Se registró la evolución del CP y las enfermedades intercurrentes. Resultados: Un total de 65 presentaron recidiva del tumor, de los cuales el 60,9% apareció en los 3 primeros años; 26 desarrollaron segundos primarios pulmonares (84,6% después de 5 años) y 24, 2 o más segundos extrapulmonares (66,6% después de 5 años), la mayoría relacionados con el tabaco. La incidencia de segundos primarios fue superior a la incidencia esperable de cáncer en población general de similar edad y género. Conclusión: El efecto carcinogénico múltiple del tabaco persiste y se manifiesta en diversos órganos después de pasados 5 años tras el diagnóstico de CP, incluso en pacientes que han tenido una larga supervivencia. Después de 5 años, un segundo tumor es más probable que una recidiva del primero y el pulmón es el órgano con mayor probabilidad de desarrollar un segundo tumor

Introduction and objectives: As cancer survival improves, the appearance of multiple tumors in a single patient is becoming more common. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term evolution, focusing particularly on disease recurrence and second primary tumors, in patients with lung cancer (LC) and ≥ 3 years overall survival. Material and methods: Retrospective study of 1,769 patients with LC. A total of 218 (136 treated with surgery and 82 with other treatments), followed up for between 5 and 23 years were enrolled. LC progress and intercurrent diseases were recorded. Results: A total of 65 patients presented tumor relapse, of which 60.9% occurred in the first 3 years; 26 patients developed secondary primary tumors (84.6% after 5 years) and 24 developed 2 or more second extrapulmonary tumors (66.6% after 5 years), most of which were smoking-related. The incidence of second primaries was greater than the expected incidence of cancer in the general population matched for age and sex. Conclusion: The multiple carcinogenic effect of smoking persists and manifests in various organs, more than 5 years after the diagnosis of LC, even in patients with long survival. After 5 years, a second tumor is more likely than a relapse of the primary disease, and the lung is the most common site of development of a second tumor

Del consentimiento como prueba / Informed consent as evidence

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Avances en uro-oncología «OncoForum»: lo mejor de 2014 / Developments in urologic oncology "OncoForum": The best of 2014

Objetivo: Conocer las últimas evidencias sobre urología oncológica de tumores de próstata, riñón y vejiga, analizando su impacto en la práctica clínica diaria, además de los esquemas futuros a medio y largo plazo. Métodos: Se revisan los resúmenes sobre cáncer de próstata, renal y de vejiga presentados en los congresos del año 2014 (EAU, AUA, ASCO y ASTRO) que recibieron mayor valoración por parte del comité del OncoForum. Resultados: El comité consideró importantes los siguientes mensajes: en pacientes con cáncer renal metastásico, la nefrectomía citorreductora seguida de tratamiento con un inhibidor de tirosina cinasa puede aumentar significativamente la supervivencia global; en cáncer de vejiga avanzado es preferible la quimioterapia adyuvante de forma precoz tras la cistectomía, porque aumenta significativamente la supervivencia libre de progresión; en cáncer de próstata, varios estudios muestran que la resonancia magnética multiparamétrica y la fusión de imágenes mejoran el diagnóstico y proporcionan mayores posibilidades de ajustar a los pacientes en el grupo de riesgo adecuado para ofrecerles el mejor tratamiento posible. Los resultados del estudio PREVAIL han demostrado la eficacia de enzalutamida sobre la supervivencia global en varones con cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración sin tratamiento previo con quimioterapia, con metástasis con un perfil de seguridad favorable. Conclusiones: En cáncer renal y de vejiga se continúa avanzando para mejorar el abordaje y los resultados clínicos con las opciones terapéuticas actuales. En cáncer de próstata resistente a castración existe una constante evolución, y en el año 2014 se han consolidado tratamientos previos a la quimioterapia

Objective: To review the latest evidence on the oncologic urology of prostate, renal and bladder tumors, analyzing their impact on daily clinical practice and the future medium to long-term regimens. Methods: We review the abstracts on prostate, renal and bladder cancer presented at the 2014 congresses (European Association of Urology, American Urological Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society for Radiation Oncology) that received the best evaluations by the OncoForum committee. Results: The committee considered the following messages important: cytoreductive nephrectomy followed by treatment with a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor can significantly increase the overall survival of patients with metastatic renal cancer; for advanced bladder cancer, early adjuvant chemotherapy after cystectomy is preferable because it significantly increases progression-free survival; and several studies have shown that multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and fusion imaging improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer and provide greater possibilities for placing patients in the appropriate risk group in order to offer them the best treatment possible. The results of the PREVAIL study have demonstrated the efficacy of enzalutamide on the overall survival of men with castration-resistant prostate cancer and metastases, with no prior chemotherapy. The study also demonstrated the drug's favorable safety profile. Conclusions: Progress is continuing in renal and bladder cancer, improving the approach and clinical results with current therapeutic options. There is constant progress in castration-resistant prostate cancer; in 2014, prechemotherapy treatments were consolidated

Androgen deprivation and radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer and cardiovascular risk factors: clinical controversies

Introduction. Recent reports of an association between androgen deprivation treatment (ADT) and increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events have generated debate on the use of ADT in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and CV comorbidities. This study aims to describe the recommendations of radiation oncologists in the most controversial aspects of treating such patients. Materials and methods. The project involved 61 oncologists and comprised 4 phases: (1) selection of the most controversial aspects in the administration of ADT in patients with a history of CV disease and PCa, (2) selection of the most relevant published evidence, (3) preparation of case reports, (4) critical reading and discussion. Therapeutic procedures were classified as “highly recommendable”, “recommendable in some cases”, or “not recommendable/not applicable”. For each item assessed, the mode of the scores given, and the percentage of experts who selected each score were calculated. Results. The panel recommended that patients with high/very high-risk PCa and a history of CV disease should receive gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa). ADT with GnRHa for 24–36 months + radiotherapy (RT) was also considered highly recommendable. In intermediate-risk PCa and a history of CV, ADT with GnRHa for 6–8 months + RT, and not administering ADT were considered highly recommendable. Conclusions. Studies are necessary to investigate the impact of ADT on CV mortality in patients who benefit most from adjuvant ADT in terms of survival. In the meantime, the experts believe that clinical evidence on the proven therapeutic benefits of ADT should override concerns about potential cardiac toxicity (AU)

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Change of the editorial board

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