Prospektive Kohortenstudie von InspECT zur Sicherheit und Wirksamkeit der Elektrochemotherapie bei Hauttumoren und Metastasen in Abhängigkeit von Ulzeration.

HINTERGRUND: Elektrochemotherapie (ECT) ist eine wirksame lokale Behandlung von Hauttumoren. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Wirksamkeit der ECT bei ulzerierten gegenüber nichtulzerierten Tumoren zu vergleichen und den Effekt auf tumorassoziierte Symptome zu untersuchen. METHODIK: 20 Krebszentren des International Network for Sharing Practices on Electrochemotherapy (InspECT) sammelten prospektiv Daten. Die ECT wurde nach dem ESOPE-Protokoll durchgeführt. Das Therapieansprechen wurde anhand der Entwicklung der Läsionsgröße bewertet. Zusätzlich wurden Schmerzen, Symptome, Leistungsstatus (ECOG-Index) und Gesundheitszustand (EQ-5D-Fragebogen) untersucht. ERGEBNISSE: 716 Patienten mit ulzerierten (n = 302) und nichtulzerierten (n = 414) Hauttumoren und Metastasen wurden eingeschlossen (Mindest-Nachsorge 45 Tage). Nicht-ulzerierte Läsionen sprachen besser auf die ECT an als ulzerierte Läsionen (vollständiges Ansprechen: 65 % gegenüber 51 %, p = 0,0061). Nur 38 % (115/302) der Patienten mit ulzerierten Läsionen vor der ECT wiesen bei der letzten Nachuntersuchung ulzerierte Läsionen auf. Patienten mit ulzerierten Läsionen berichteten über stärkere Schmerzen und schwerere Symptome im Vergleich zu Patienten mit nichtulzerierten Läsionen, die sich nach der ECT signifikant und kontinuierlich besserten. Bei Patienten mit nichtulzerierten Läsionen hingegen nahmen die Schmerzen während der Behandlung vorübergehend zu. Es wurden keine schwerwiegenden Nebenwirkungen beobachtet. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die ECT ist eine sichere und wirksame lokale Behandlung von Hauttumoren. Während die ECT die Symptome insbesondere bei Patienten mit ulzerierten Läsionen verbessert, sollte auf Basis der Daten die Implementation eines perioperativen Schmerzmanagements besonders bei nichtulzerierten Läsionen während der ECT erwogen werden.

Prospective cohort study by InspECT on safety and efficacy of electrochemotherapy for cutaneous tumors and metastases depending on ulceration.

BACKGROUND: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective local treatment for cutaneous tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ECT in ulcerated vs. non-ulcerated tumors and investigate the effect on tumor-associated symptoms. METHODS: Twenty cancer centers in the International Network for Sharing Practices on Electrochemotherapy (InspECT) prospectively collected data. ECT was performed following ESOPE protocol. Response was evaluated by lesion size development. Pain, symptoms, performance status (ECOG-Index) and health status (EQ-5D questionnaire) were evaluated. RESULTS: 716 patients with ulcerated (n = 302) and non-ulcerated (n = 414) cutaneous tumors and metastases were included (minimum follow-up of 45 days). Non-ulcerated lesions responded to ECT better than ulcerated lesions (complete response 65 % vs. 51 %, p = 0.0061). Only 38 % (115/302) with ulcerated lesions before ECT presented with ulcerated lesions at final follow-up. Patients with ulcerated lesions reported higher pain and more severe symptoms compared to non-ulcerated lesions, which significantly and continuously improved following ECT. In non-ulcerated lesions however, pain spiked during the treatment. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: ECT is a safe and effective local treatment for cutaneous tumors. While ECT improves symptoms especially in patients with ulcerated lesions, data suggest the implementation of a perioperative pain management in non-ulcerated lesions during ECT.

Do helmets worn for hurling fail to protect the ear? Identification of an emerging injury pattern.

Hurling is an Irish national game of stick and ball known for its ferocity, played by 190 000 players. Facial injuries were common but have been significantly reduced by legislation enforcing compulsory helmet wearing. Current standard helmets worn by hurlers do not offer protection to the external ear. Here we describe an emerging pattern of ear injuries and demonstrate the risk of external ear injuries in hurlers complying with current helmet safety standards. A 6-month retrospective analysis was carried out of patients attending Cork University Hospital (CUH) with ear lacerations sustained while hurling. Patient notes were reviewed and helmet manufacturers were interviewed. Seven patients were identified, all of whom sustained complex through ear lacerations while wearing helmets complying with current safety standards. Current helmet design fails to protect the external ear placing it at an increased risk of injury, a potential solution is to include ear protection in the helmet design.

Head and neck injury in major trauma in Ireland: a multicentre retrospective analysis of patterns and surgical workload.

PURPOSE: Head and neck injuries are common in major trauma patients, but the prevalence is poorly documented in the literature. This study aims to investigate this further, particularly in the context of increasing development of Irish and European trauma systems. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of, and patterns behind head and neck injury in major trauma in an Irish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Trauma Audit Research Network database was analysed for major trauma patients (injury severity score > 15) with head and neck injuries admitted to any of the 26 participating hospitals in the Republic of Ireland between 2014 and 2017. The data was studied for patterns in the epidemiology of injuries and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 5364 patients were identified. Males were affected more than females (M:F 2.1:1). The most common mechanism of injury was falls. There were 1272 counts of soft tissue injury, and 5814 counts of bony injury recorded within the cohort. Twenty-six percent of patients underwent some form of surgical procedure. Median length of hospital stay was 8 days, and the 30-day survival rate was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of Irish major trauma patients of all ages and genders sustain some form of head and neck injury. It produces significant injury and surgical workload involving input from multiple disciplines.

The effectiveness of radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare condition with a poor prognosis. Surgery is the corner stone of treatment, however, radiotherapy has been commonly employed as a treatment strategy and recent studies suggesting that survival outcomes may be improving are emerging. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing risk ratios of radiotherapy and surgery and radiotherapy (SRT) with surgery for 5-year overall survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis in head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM). RESULTS: SRT has a lower risk of death compared to surgery [RR 0.93 [95% CI = 0.87, 0.98] (P = .01)] and a reduced risk of local recurrence [RR 0.63 [95% CI = 0.48, 0.82] (P = .005)]. SRT has no effect on distant metastasis. Radiotherapy has worse survival when compared to surgery [RR 1.2 [95% CI = 1.03, 1.33] (P = .0006)]. CONCLUSIONS: SRT confers a moderate survival advantage in HNMM compared to surgery. This is most likely secondary to reduced local recurrence.