SEOM-GEINO clinical guidelines for high-grade gliomas of adulthood (2022).

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most common primary brain malignancies and account for more than half of all malignant primary brain tumors. The new 2021 WHO classification divides adult HGG into four subtypes: grade 3 oligodendroglioma (1p/19 codeleted, IDH-mutant); grade 3 IDH-mutant astrocytoma; grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytoma, and grade 4 IDH wild-type glioblastoma (GB). Radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CTX) are the current standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed HGG. Several clinically relevant molecular markers that assist in diagnosis and prognosis have recently been identified. The treatment for recurrent high-grade gliomas is not well defined and decision-making is usually based on prior strategies, as well as several clinical and radiological factors. Whereas the prognosis for GB is grim (5-year survival rate of 5-10%) outcomes for the other high-grade gliomas are typically better, depending on the molecular features of the tumor. The presence of neurological deficits and seizures can significantly impact quality of life.

Delphi consensus on strategies in the management of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a frequent and bothersome adverse event related with opioid therapy in cancer patients. Despite the high prevalence, medical management of OIC is often uncertain. The current project aimed to investigate expert opinion on OIC management and provide practical recommendations to improve the clinical approach of OIC in cancer patient. METHODS: A modified Delphi method was conducted involving 46 different physicians experts in OIC. Using a structured questionnaire of 67 items this project intended to seek consensus on aspects related to diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients suffering with OIC. RESULTS: After two rounds, a consensus was reached in 91% of the items proposed, all in agreement. Agreement was obtained on OIC definition (95.7%). Objective and patient-reported outcomes included in that definition should be assessed routinely in clinical practice. Responsive to symptom changes and easy-to-use assessment tools were recommended (87.2%). Successful diagnosis of OIC requires increase clinicians awareness of OIC and proactivity to discuss symptoms with their patients (100%). Successful management of OIC requires individualization of the treatment (100%), regular revaluation once is established, and keeping it for the duration of opioid treatment (91.5%). Oral Peripherally Acting µ-Opioid Receptor Agonists (PAMORAs), were considered good alternatives for the treatment of OIC in cancer patients (97.9%). This drugs and laxatives can be co-prescribed if OIC coexist with functional constipation. CONCLUSIONS: The panelists, based on their expert clinical practice, presented a set of recommendations for the management of OIC in cancer patients.

Adapting care for older cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Recommendations from the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) COVID-19 Working Group.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a barrier to equal and evidence-based management of cancer in older adults. The International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) formed a panel of experts to develop consensus recommendations on the implications of the pandemic on several aspects of cancer care in this age group including geriatric assessment (GA), surgery, radiotherapy, systemic treatment, palliative care and research. Age and cancer diagnosis are significant predictors of adverse outcomes of the COVID-19 infection. In this setting, GA is particularly valuable to drive decision-making. GA may aid estimating physiologic reserve and adaptive capability, assessing risk-benefits of either providing or temporarily withholding treatments, and determining patient preferences to help inform treatment decisions. In a resource-constrained setting, geriatric screening tools may be administered remotely to identify patients requiring comprehensive GA. Tele-health is also crucial to ensure adequate continuity of care and minimize the risk of infection exposure. In general, therapeutic decisions should favor the most effective and least invasive approach with the lowest risk of adverse outcomes. In selected cases, this might require deferring or omitting surgery, radiotherapy or systemic treatments especially where benefits are marginal and alternative safe therapeutic options are available. Ongoing research is necessary to expand knowledge of the management of cancer in older adults. However, the pandemic presents a significant barrier and efforts should be made to ensure equitable access to clinical trials and prospective data collection to elucidate the outcomes of COVID-19 in this population.

[Sentinel lymph node in pulmonary carcinoma. Molecular study after radioisotope detection]. / El ganglio centinela en el carcinoma pulmonar. Estudio molecular tras detección con radioisótopo.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic lymph node affectation is the main prognostic factor in localized lung cancer. Pathological study of the obtained samples even after an adequate lymphadenectomy, present tumoral relapses of 40% of stage I patients after oncological curative surgery. In this paper we have studied micrometastasis in the sentinel lymph node by molecular methods in patients with stage I lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sentinel node was marked by injecting peritumorally performed just after performing the thoracotomy with 2 mCi of nanocoloid of albumin (Nanocol®) marked with 99mTc in 0.3 ml. Guided with a Navigator® gammagraphic sensor, we proceeded to its resection. RNA of the tissue was extracted and the presence of genes CEACAM5, PLUNC and CK7 in mRNA was studied. RESULTS: Twenty nine 29 patients were included. Of the tested genes, CEACAM5 and PLUNC were the ones that showed a high expression in lung tissue. Of the 29 analyzed sentinel lymph nodes, 7 (24%) were positive in the molecular study. A positive sentinel lymph node was found in 4/7 adenocarcinomas and 3/12 squamous-cell tumors. Affected lymph nodes were: station 5 (1/3), station 7 (0/6), station 9 (0/1); station 10 (5/11); station 11 (1/1). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of sentinel node in patients with stage I lung cancer by marking with radioisotope is a feasible technique. The application of molecular techniques shows the tumoral affectation in cases staged as stage I.