Limited applicability and implementation of the international oncology treatments guidelines in low- and middle-income countries, an example from the Mediterranean area borders.

The quality of cancer care in the modern era is based on a precise diagnosis and personalized therapy according to patients and their disease based on validated guidelines with a high level of evidence. During cancer patients' management, the objective is first to make an accurate diagnosis and then offer the best treatment, validated beforehand in a multidisciplinary board meeting, with the best benefit/risk ratio. In the context of many low- and middle-income countries, the limited available means do not allow an adequate offer, resulting in non-optimal patients' care. In addition, in many low- and middle-income countries, priority can be given to other types of disease than cancer, which may considerably reduce allocation of specific resources to cancer care. Thus, the limited availability of systemic therapy, radiotherapy machines, brachytherapy and technological development may come up against another difficulty, that of geographical distribution of the means in the countries or a lack of expertise due to insufficient training programs. For all these reasons, the implementation of the guidelines established in Western countries could be impossible for many low- and middle-income countries which, moreover, have to face a completely different epidemiology of cancers compared to developed countries. In this work, we will discuss through a few examples of common cancers on both borders of the Mediterranean area, the applicability of the guidelines and the limits of their implementation for optimal cancer care.

[Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate: a rare tumor]. / Carcinome à cellules en bague à chaton primitif de la prostate: une entité rare.

The prostate is a very rare localization of signet ring cell carcinoma, with few cases reported in the literature. This histological type occurs rather in cancers of the digestive tract (stomach, colon). Authors report a case of a patient aged 63 years. Diagnostic and therapeutic features are discussed.

[4D-CT scan and radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: role in the definition of internal target volume (ITV)]. / Scanographie quadrimensionelle et irradiation des carcinomes hépatocellulaires: rôle dans la définition du volume cible interne (ITV).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of 4D-CT scan and the breath-related margins in the definition of internal target volume (ITV) during radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma that underwent a 4D-CT simulation scan were retrospectively analysed in order to assess breath-related movements of GTV in the 3-D directions. After a standard CT-scan simulation performed to contour GTV and organs at risk (OARs), a 4D-scan simulation was then realized in order to contour ITV. Margins to be added for every patient to pass from GTV to ITV were calculated and evaluated also regarding liver lobe and GTV size (< or>5 cm). RESULTS: Twenty-seven hepatocellular carcinoma patients were evaluated (total: 28 lesions). Median tumor movements in the craniocaudal, lateral and anteroposterior direction were 8.6mm (range: 0-72.9 mm), 6.5mm (range: 1-68.1mm) and 9.1mm (range: 1-34 mm), respectively. ITV had a median volume increase of 94% (range: 8-403%). CONCLUSION: Tumour breath-related displacements are significant. 4D-CT simulation scan allows to precisely define these displacements and to tailor the treatment. A precise evaluation of breath-related effects on GTV is essential, particularly with new conformal radiotherapy techniques as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and/or stereotactic body radiotherapy.

[Post-radiation choanal stenosis]. / Sténose choanale post-radique.

OBJECTIVE: Description of a rare complication of radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinomas and the therapeutic value of surgical endoscopic desobstruction. CASE REPORT: A choanal stenosis observed in an 8-year-old boy, 3 years after radiation therapy and chemotherapy for a voluminous nasopharyngeal carcinoma. No initial involvement of the nasal fossa was observed. Concomitant relapse was excluded after clinical and histological examination. RESULTS: A good functional result was achieved after the choana was unblocked in videoendoscopic surgery. After 9 months of follow-up, the breathing and odor functions remained intact. CONCLUSION: Choanal stenosis is a rare complication of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Relapse should be excluded with biopsies beyond the stenosis. Treatment is based on endoscopic surgery.