Survival after biochemical failure in prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy: Spanish Registry of Prostate Cancer (RECAP) database outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical course in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after biochemical failure (BF) has received limited attention. This study analyzes survival time from recurrence, patterns of progression, and the efficacy of salvage therapies in patients treated with radical or postoperative radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective comparative study of 1135 patients diagnosed with BF and treated with either radical (882) or postoperative (253) RT. Data correspond to the RECAP database. Clinical, tumor, and therapeutic characteristics were collected. Descriptive statistics, survival estimates, and comparisons of survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: Time to BF from initial treatment (RT or surgery) was higher in irradiated patients (51 vs 37 months). At a median follow-up of 102 months (14-254), the 8-year cause-specific survival (CSS) was 80.5%, without significant differences between the radical (80.1%) and postoperative (83.4%) RT groups. The 8-year metastasis-free survival rate was 57%. 173 patients (15%) died of PCa and 29 (2.5%) of a second cancer. No salvage therapy was given in 15% of pts. Only 5.5% of pts who underwent radical RT had local salvage treatment and 71% received androgen deprivation (AD) ± chemotherapy. The worst outcomes were in patients who developed metastases after BF (302 pts; 26.5%) and in cases with a Gleason > 7. CONCLUSIONS: In PCa treated with radiotherapy, median survival after BF is relatively long. In this sample, no differences in survival rates at 8-years have been found, regardless of the time of radiotherapy administered. AD was the most common treatment after BF. Metastases and high Gleason score are adverse variables. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare outcomes after BF among patients treated with primary RT vs. those treated with postoperative RT and to evaluate recurrence patterns, treatments administered, and causes of death. The results allow avoiding overtreatment, improving quality of life, without negatively affecting survival.

Outcomes and prognostic factors in intermediate-risk prostate cancer: multi-institutional analysis of the Spanish RECAP database.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess outcomes and to identify prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with intermediate-risk (IR) prostate cancer (PCa) treated with primary external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the multi-institutional Spanish RECAP database, a population-based prostate cancer registry in Spain. All IR patients (NCCN criteria) who underwent primary EBRT were included. The following variables were assessed: age; prostate-specific antigen (PSA); Gleason score; clinical T stage; percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPBC); androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); and radiotherapy dose. The patients were stratified into one of three risk subcategories: (1) favourable IR (FIR; GS 6, ≤ T2b or GS 3 + 4, ≤ T1c), (2) marginal IR (MIR; GS 3 + 4, T2a-b), and (3) unfavourable IR (UIR; GS 4 + 3 or T2c). Biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1754 patients from the RECAP database were included and stratified by risk group: FIR, n = 781 (44.5%); MIR, n = 252 (14.4%); and UIR, n = 721 (41.1%). Mean age was 71 years (range 47-86). Mean PSA was 10.4 ng/ml (range 6-20). The median radiotherapy dose was 74 Gy, with mean doses of 72.5 Gy (FIR), 73.4 Gy (MIR), and 72.8 Gy (UIR). Most patients (88%) received ADT for a median of 7.1 months. By risk group (FIR, MIR, UIR), ADT rates were, respectively, 88.9, 86.5, and 86.9%. Only patients with ≥ 24 months of follow-up post-EBRT were included in the survival analysis (n = 1294). At a median follow-up of 52 months (range 24-173), respective 5- and 10-year outcomes were: OS 93.6% and 79%; BRFS 88.9% and 71.4%; DFS 96.1% and 89%; CSS 98.9% and 94.6%. Complication rates (≥ grade 3) were: acute genitourinary (GU) 2%; late GU 1%; acute gastrointestinal (GI) 2%; late GI 1%. There was no significant association between risk group and BRFS or OS. However, patients with favourable-risk disease had significantly better 5- and 10-year DFS than patients with UIR: 98.7% vs. 92.4% and 92% vs. 85.8% (p = 0.0005). CSS was significantly higher (p = 0.0057) in the FIR group at 5 (99.7% vs. 97.3%) and 10 years (96.1% vs. 93.4%). On the multivariate analyses, the following were significant predictors of survival: ADT (BRFS and DFS); dose ≥ 74 Gy (BRFS); age (OS). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first nationwide study in Spain to report long-term outcomes of patients with intermediate-risk PCa treated with EBRT. Survival outcomes were good, with a low incidence of both acute and late toxicity. Patients with unfavourable risk characteristics had significantly lower 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates. ADT and radiotherapy dose ≥ 74 Gy were both significant predictors of treatment outcomes.

Influence of different treatment techniques and clinical factors over the intrafraction variation on lung stereotactic body radiotherapy

Purpose: In the present study we compared three different Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment delivery techniques in terms of treatment time (TT) and their relation with intrafraction variation (IFV). Besides that, we analyzed if different clinical factors could have an influence on IFV. Finally, we appreciated the soundness of our margins. Materials and methods: Forty-five patients undergoing SBRT for stage I lung cancer or lung metastases up to 5 cm were included in the study. All underwent 4DCT scan to create an internal target volume (ITV) and a 5 mm margin was added to establish the planning target volume (PTV). Cone-beam CTs (CBCTs) were acquired before and after each treatment to quantify the IFV. Three different treatment delivery techniques were employed: fixed fields (FF), dynamically collimated arcs (AA) or a combination of both (FA). We studied if TT was different among these modalities of SBRT and whether TT and IFV were correlated. Clinical data related to patients and tumors were recorded as potential influential factors over the IFV. Results: A total of 52 lesions and 147 fractions were analyzed. Mean IFV for x-, y- and z-axis were 1 ± 1.16 mm, 1.29 ± 1.38 mm and 1.17 ± 1.08 mm, respectively. Displacements were encompassed by the 5 mm margin in 96.1 % of fractions. TT was significantly longer in FF therapy (24.76 ± 5.4 min), when compared with AA (15.30 ± 3.68 min) or FA (17.79 ± 3.52 min) (p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, IFV did not change significantly between them (p = 0.471). Age (p = 0.003) and left vs. right location (p = 0.005) were related to 3D shift ≥2 mm. In the multivariate analysis only age showed a significant impact on the IFV (OR = 1.07, p = 0.007). Conclusions: The choice of AA, FF or FA does not impact on IFV although FF treatment takes significantly longer treatment time. Our immobilization device offers enough accuracy and the 5 mm margin may be considered acceptable as it accounts for more than 95 % of tumor shifts. Age is the only clinical factor that influenced IFV significantly in our analysis

No disponible

Influence of different treatment techniques and clinical factors over the intrafraction variation on lung stereotactic body radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: In the present study we compared three different Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment delivery techniques in terms of treatment time (TT) and their relation with intrafraction variation (IFV). Besides that, we analyzed if different clinical factors could have an influence on IFV. Finally, we appreciated the soundness of our margins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients undergoing SBRT for stage I lung cancer or lung metastases up to 5 cm were included in the study. All underwent 4DCT scan to create an internal target volume (ITV) and a 5 mm margin was added to establish the planning target volume (PTV). Cone-beam CTs (CBCTs) were acquired before and after each treatment to quantify the IFV. Three different treatment delivery techniques were employed: fixed fields (FF), dynamically collimated arcs (AA) or a combination of both (FA). We studied if TT was different among these modalities of SBRT and whether TT and IFV were correlated. Clinical data related to patients and tumors were recorded as potential influential factors over the IFV. RESULTS: A total of 52 lesions and 147 fractions were analyzed. Mean IFV for x-, y- and z-axis were 1 ± 1.16 mm, 1.29 ± 1.38 mm and 1.17 ± 1.08 mm, respectively. Displacements were encompassed by the 5 mm margin in 96.1 % of fractions. TT was significantly longer in FF therapy (24.76 ± 5.4 min), when compared with AA (15.30 ± 3.68 min) or FA (17.79 ± 3.52 min) (p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, IFV did not change significantly between them (p = 0.471). Age (p = 0.003) and left vs. right location (p = 0.005) were related to 3D shift ≥2 mm. In the multivariate analysis only age showed a significant impact on the IFV (OR = 1.07, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of AA, FF or FA does not impact on IFV although FF treatment takes significantly longer treatment time. Our immobilization device offers enough accuracy and the 5 mm margin may be considered acceptable as it accounts for more than 95 % of tumor shifts. Age is the only clinical factor that influenced IFV significantly in our analysis.

[Clinical impact of image guided radiotherapy]. / Radioterapia guiada por imagen. Impacto clínico.

Image guided radiotherapy (IGR) is a concept that encompasses the most modern way of administering radiotherapy treatment. The aim is to maximise the dose deposited in the target volume, minimising the dose in healthy organs. This would not be possible without the continuous development of technology and software, above all in the following areas: deformable image registration, replanning new treatments, real time image and calculation of accumulated dose. While the clinical impact is evident, little is said about the impact on the reorganisation of the Radiotherapy Oncology services. IGR supposes training all team members involved, with a training and a starting period. With the experience acquired, the time dedicated to each patient (in all stages of treatment: simulation, planning, starting out, systems for verifying position, on-line, off-line corrections, replanning, periodic clinical controls) is far higher than that required in conventional radiotherapy, which gives rise to new responsibilities and roles.

[Radiotherapy of mobile tumors]. / Radioterapia en tumores móviles.

In this article we detail some questions related to managing the treatment of mobile tumors, that is, those tumors that shift with respiratory movements, integrating movement into the plan of treatment. This fact complicates the administration of high doses of radiotherapy since, in such cases, the radiation margin must be wider than that required by the tumor itself, representing a greater risk to surrounding healthy tissue. However, the new technologies offer an alternative in these cases, such as tracking and respiratory gating in radiotherapy (RT), that is, the synchronization of treatment with respiratory movement. In gating we capture the tumor and other organs at risk at a specific moment in the breathing cycle, while in tracking we trace the tumor and the organs at risk throughout the breathing cycle. It is therefore essential to obtain good images and to correlate them with each phase of the breathing cycle. The tumors with which these strategies have been most employed are those of the lung, breast and lymphomas, and less frequently with some abdominal tumors such as pancreas, liver and prostate.

[Image-guided brachytherapy]. / Braquiterapia guiada por imagen.

Brachytherapy consists in the administration of radiation in intimate contact with the tumour, with a low exposure of neighbouring healthy tissues. Its use began in the early XX century and it has developed since then: different radioisotopes, systems of remote treatment, computer programs making individual dose calculation possible. In recent years there have been changes affecting two aspects of brachytherapy. In the first place, the incorporation of imaging techniques such as echography, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), indispensable for diagnosis and tumoural staging. Their use when the implant is being done helps in guiding and carrying out the operation with greater precision. In the second place, the use of CT, MR and echography makes better coverage of the tumour possible, or reduces the dose to healthy organs. They are used in inverse planning systems, which carry out dose calculation on the basis of the doses to be administered to the tumour and healthy organs. In these planning programs it is possible to make calculations more rapidly, taking account of the placement of the source at each moment in time. This technique, called real-time planning, is starting to show advantages in the treatment of prostate cancer. Incorporation of imaging techniques and improvements in calculation systems mean that brachytherapy is currently playing an important role in treating cancer of the prostate, cervix, breast, head and neck tumours, bronchial tubes or oesophagus.

Radioterapia guiada por imagen. Impacto clínico / Clinical impact of image guided radiotherapy

La radioterapia guiada por imagen (RTGI) es unconcepto que engloba la manera más moderna de administrarel tratamiento radioterápico El objetivo esmaximizar la dosis depositada en el volumen a tratar(target), minimizando la dosis en los órganos sanos.Esto no sería posible sin el continuo desarrollo tecnológicoy de los software, sobre todo en las siguientesáreas: registrar imágenes deformables, replanificar nuevostratamientos, imagen en tiempo real y cálculo dedosis acumulada.El impacto clínico es evidente, pero poco se habladel impacto en la reorganización de los servicios de OncologíaRadioterápica. La RTGI supone un entrenamientode todo el equipo involucrado, con un periodo deaprendizaje y puesta en marcha. Con la experiencia adquirida,el tiempo dedicado a cada paciente (en todaslas etapas de su tratamiento: simulación, planificación,puesta en marcha, sistemas de verificación de posicionamiento,correcciones on-line, off-line, replanificación,controles clínicos periódicos), es muy superior al quese precisa en la radioterapia convencional, motivo porel que aparecen nuevas responsabilidades y roles(AU)

Image guided radiotherapy (IGR) is a concept thatencompasses the most modern way of administering radiotherapytreatment. The aim is to maximise the dosedeposited in the target volume, minimising the dose inhealthy organs.This would not be possible without the continuousdevelopment of technology and software, above all inthe following areas: deformable image registration, replanningnew treatments, real time image and calculationof accumulated dose.While the clinical impact is evident, little is saidabout the impact on the reorganisation of the RadiotherapyOncology services. IGR supposes training all teammembers involved, with a training and a starting period.With the experience acquired, the time dedicatedto each patient (in all stages of treatment: simulation,planning, starting out, systems for verifying position,on-line, off-line corrections, replanning, periodic clinicalcontrols) is far higher than that required in conventionalradiotherapy, which gives rise to new responsibilities and roles(AU)

Radioterapia en tumores móviles / Radiotherapy of mobile tumors

En el presente trabajo, se detallan algunas cuestiones relacionadas con el manejo del tratamiento conradioterapia de los tumores móviles, es decir, aquellosque se desplazan con los movimientos respiratorios,integrando el movimiento en el plan de tratamiento.Este hecho complica la administración de dosis altasde radioterapia ya que, en estos casos, el margen deradiación debe ser más amplio de lo que el tumor en síexige, suponiendo un mayor riesgo para el tejido sanocircundante. Sin embargo, las nuevas tecnologías ofrecenuna alternativa en estos casos, como son el trakingy el gating respiratorio en radioterapia (RT), es decir,la sincronización del tratamiento con el movimientorespiratorio.En el gating capturamos el tumor y demás órganosde riesgo en un momento determinado del ciclo respiratorio,mientras que en el traking realizamos un “rastreo”del tumor y de los órganos de riesgo a lo largo del ciclorespiratorio, siendo entonces fundamental contar conuna buena adquisición de imágenes y una correlaciónde las mismas con cada fase del ciclo respiratorio.Los tumores en los que más se han utilizado estas estrategiasson los de pulmón, mama y linfomas y con menosfrecuencia en algunos abdominales como páncreas, hígado y próstata (AU)

In this article we detail some questions related to managing the treatment of mobile tumors, that is,those tumors that shift with respiratory movements,integrating movement into the plan of treatment. Thisfact complicates the administration of high doses of radiotherapysince, in such cases, the radiation marginmust be wider than that required by the tumor itself,representing a greater risk to surrounding healthy tissue.However, the new technologies offer an alternativein these cases, such as tracking and respiratory gatingin radiotherapy (RT), that is, the synchronization oftreatment with respiratory movement.In gating we capture the tumor and other organs atrisk at a specific moment in the breathing cycle, whilein tracking we trace the tumor and the organs at riskthroughout the breathing cycle. It is therefore essentialto obtain good images and to correlate them with eachphase of the breathing cycle.The tumors with which these strategies have beenmost employed are those of the lung, breast and lymphomas,and less frequently with some abdominal tumors such as pancreas, liver and prostate (AU)

Braquiterapia guiada por imagen / Image-guided brachytherapy

La braquiterapia consiste en la administración deradiación en contacto íntimo con el tumor, con una bajaexposición de los tejidos sanos circundantes. Empezó autilizarse a comienzos del siglo XX y desde entonces haido desarrollándose: diferentes radioisótopos, sistemasde tratamiento a distancia, programas informáticos quepermiten un cálculo individualizado de la dosis.Los cambios en los últimos años dentro de la braquiterapiahan afectado a dos aspectos. En primer lugar,la incorporación de las técnicas de imagen como la ecografía,la tomografía computarizada (TC) y la resonanciamagnética (RM), imprescindibles para el diagnóstico yla estadificación tumoral. Su utilización mientras se realizael implante ayuda a guiarlo y realizarlo con mayorprecisión. En segundo lugar, la utilización de TC, RM yecografía permiten mejorar la cobertura del tumor o reducirla dosis a los órganos sanos. Se utilizan dentro desistemas de planificación inversa, que realizan el cálculode dosis a partir de las recomendaciones de las dosisa administrar al tumor y a los órganos sanos. En estosprogramas de planificación es posible hacer los cálculoscon mucha rapidez, teniendo en cuenta la colocación encada momento de la fuente. Esta técnica, llamada planificaciónen tiempo real, empieza a mostrar ventajas en eltratamiento de los cánceres de próstata.La incorporación de las técnicas de imagen y lasmejoras en los sistemas de cálculo han hecho que en laactualidad la braquiterapia juegue un papel importanteen el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata, cérvix, mama,tumores de cabeza y cuello, bronquio o esófago(AU)

Brachytherapy consists in the administration of radiationin intimate contact with the tumour, with a lowexposure of neighbouring healthy tissues. Its use beganin the early XX century and it has developed since then:different radioisotopes, systems of remote treatment,computer programs making individual dose calculationpossible.In recent years there have been changes affectingtwo aspects of brachytherapy. In the first place, the incorporationof imaging techniques such as echography,computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance(MR), indispensable for diagnosis and tumoural staging.Their use when the implant is being done helps inguiding and carrying out the operation with greater precision.In the second place, the use of CT, MR and echographymakes better coverage of the tumour possible,or reduces the dose to healthy organs. They are used ininverse planning systems, which carry out dose calculationon the basis of the doses to be administered tothe tumour and healthy organs. In these planning programsit is possible to make calculations more rapidly,taking account of the placement of the source at eachmoment in time. This technique, called real-time planning,is starting to show advantages in the treatment ofprostate cancer.Incorporation of imaging techniques and improvementsin calculation systems mean that brachytherapyis currently playing an important role in treating cancerof the prostate, cervix, breast, head and neck tumours,bronchial tubes or oesophagus(AU)

The EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with prostate cancer: EORTC QLQ-PR25. Validation study for Spanish patients.

OBJECTIVES: The EORTC Quality of Life (QL) Group has developed a questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-PR25, for evaluating QL in prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQPR25 when applied to a sample of Spanish patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven prostate cancer patients with localised disease who started radiotherapy with radical intention combined with or without hormonotherapy prospectively completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaires three times: on the first and last day of radiotherapy and in the follow-up period. Psychometric evaluation of the questionnaires' structure, reliability and validity was conducted. RESULTS: Multitrait scaling analysis showed that many of the item-scale correlation coefficients met the standards of convergent and discriminant validity. Exceptions appeared mainly in the scales for bowel symptoms and for hormonal- treatment-related symptoms. Cronbach's coefficients of the scales were good (0.72-0.86) for the urinary symptoms and sexual function scales but they were lower (<0.70) for the bowel and hormonal treatment scales. Most scales of the EORTC QLQ-PR25 had low to moderate intercorrelations. Correlations between the scales of the QLQ-C30 and the module were generally low. Group comparison analyses showed better QL in patients with higher Performance Status. Changes in QL appeared throughout the measurements. These were in line with the treatment process. CONCLUSIONS: The EORTC QLQ-PR25 was a reliable and valid instrument when applied to a sample of Spanish prostate cancer patients. These results are in line with those of the EORTC validation study.

The EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with prostate cancer: EORTC QLQ-PR25. Validation study for Spanish patients

OBJECTIVES: The EORTC Quality of Life (QL) Group has developed a questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-PR25, for evaluating QL in prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQPR25 when applied to a sample of Spanish patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven prostate cancer patients with localised disease who started radiotherapy with radical intention combined with or without hormonotherapy prospectively completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaires three times: on the first and last day of radiotherapy and in the follow-up period. Psychometric evaluation of the questionnaires' structure, reliability and validity was conducted. RESULTS: Multitrait scaling analysis showed that many of the item-scale correlation coefficients met the standards of convergent and discriminant validity. Exceptions appeared mainly in the scales for bowel symptoms and for hormonal- treatment-related symptoms. Cronbach's coefficients of the scales were good (0.72-0.86) for the urinary symptoms and sexual function scales but they were lower (<0.70) for the bowel and hormonal treatment scales. Most scales of the EORTC QLQ-PR25 had low to moderate intercorrelations. Correlations between the scales of the QLQ-C30 and the module were generally low. Group comparison analyses showed better QL in patients with higher Performance Status. Changes in QL appeared throughout the measurements. These were in line with the treatment process. CONCLUSIONS: The EORTC QLQ-PR25 was a reliable and valid instrument when applied to a sample of Spanish prostate cancer patients. These results are in line with those of the EORTC validation study (AU)

No disponible

Impact of radiotherapy on the quality of life of elderly patients with localized breast cancer. A prospective study

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies on the effect on quality of life (QL) of cancer-related illness and treatment in elderly patients. The aim of this work was to evaluate prospectively QL in a sample of elderly patients with stages I.III breast cancer who started radiotherapy treatment and compare their QL with that of a sample of younger patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients, > or = 65 years of age completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QL questionnaires QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23, and the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia (IDDD) daily activities scale three times throughout treatment and follow-up periods. Clinical and demographic data were also recorded. Fifty patients ages 40-64 years with the same disease stage and treatment modality had previously completed the QL questionnaires. QL scores, changes in them among the three assessments, differences between groups based on clinical factors, and differences between the two samples were calculated. RESULTS: QL scoring was good and stable (>70/100 points) in most areas, in line with clinical data. Light and moderate limitations occurred in global QL and some emotional, sexual, and treatment-related areas. Moderate decreases (10-20) appeared in some toxicity-related areas, which recovered during the follow-up period. Breast-conservation and sentinel-node patients presented higher scores in emotional areas. There were few QL differences among agebased samples. CONCLUSIONS: QL and clinical data indicate radiotherapy was well tolerated. Age should not be the only factor evaluated when deciding upon treatment for breast cancer patients (AU)

No disponible

[Neutropenia and fever in the patient with cancer]. / Neutropenia y fiebre en el paciente con cáncer.

Infection in the immunocompromised host is a serious clinical situation due to its high morbi-mortality and is one of the most frequent complications in the patient with cancer. In patients treated with chemotherapy, the risk of infection basically depends on the duration and intensity of the neutropenia. It is essential to evaluate, the most probable pathogen involved to initiate, a priori, the most suitable treatment, and also to evaluate the general clinical situation of the patient, because from the very beginning the treatment is quite aggressive. Outpatient care is possible for patients at "low risk" of complications. By evaluating the antecedents and clinical history of the patient, through physical exploration and from the data of laboratory and radiological explorations these points can be acknowledged. The early start of broad spectrum antibiotherapy is crucial, and in this chapter we review the most recent therapeutical recommendations.

[Malign obstruction of the superior vena cava]. / Obstrucción maligna de la vena cava superior.

The present paper offers a review of the malign syndromes of the superior vena cava, their clinical expressions related to the anatomical characteristics of the compartment where the superior vena cava runs, the diagnostic requirements for realising treatment under the best conditions and the ensemble of measures that must be adopted in dealing with this.

[Acute dysphagia of oncological origin. Therapeutic management]. / Disfagia aguda de causa oncológica. Manejo terapéutico.

Dysphagia is one of the most frequent syndromes in patients with tumours of the head and neck, and the oesophagus. This can be the initial symptom or, more frequently, related to the oncological treatment. We review the most important therapeutic and physio-pathological aspects of acute dysphagia of oncological origin. Deglutition is a complex process in which numerous muscular-skeletal structures intervene under the neurological control of different cranial nerves. The complex neuro-muscular coordination needed for a correct deglutition can be affected by numerous situations, both from the effect of the tumours and from their treatment, basically surgery or radiotherapy. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that for a suitable treatment of oncological dysphagia, a correct initial evaluation and an active treatment are required, since not only the patient's quality of life but, on numerous occasions, the possibility of continuing the treatment and thus maintaining the possibilities of a cure depend on control of the dysphagia.

[Metastatic bone disease. Diagnosis and treatment]. / Enfermedad metastásica ósea. Diagnóstico y tratamiento.

The high incidence of bone metastasis secondary to carcinomas and its serious functional repercussion are motives for constant study and advance in the methods of evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Pain is the most frequently shown symptom, although at times the start is a pathological fracture. The classic tests of detection and evaluation of the spread of the metastatic disease, simple radiology and gammagraphy, are today complemented by others such as computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), improving the information on the characteristics of the lesion both inside and outside the bone. On the other hand, positron emission tomography (PET) is showing a far higher sensitivity than gammagraphy and will probably be the test of the future for the early detection of metastasis and of silent primary tumours. The possibilities of treatment of bone metastasis are based on the use of bone regenerators, radiotherapy and surgery. The former two are indicated in lesions already detected in radiography, whether symptomatic or not, if there is no foreseeable risk of fracture. Surgery is indicated in situations of poor or null response to those treatments, when the risk of fracture is high or a pathological fracture has been produced. Before any therapeutic planning, a detailed evaluation of the patient must be carried out, both at a local level (size, site, extension of the metastasis) and general (type of primary tumour, phase of treatment and response, estimated survival).

[Medullar compression]. / Compresión medular.

Medullar compression is an oncological and neurological emergency, whose diagnosis and early treatment are key factors for avoiding severe and irreversible neurological damage. Paralysis, loss of consciousness and alteration in control of the sphincters are the final consequence of the process, and represent an important source of morbidity of the oncology patient, besides being related to a shorter time of survival. The invasion of the vertebral body by haematogenous dissemination is the most frequent cause of medullar compression. On occasions it can create mechanical vertebral instability which represents a real orthopaedic emergency. Pain is the earliest and most frequent symptom. The signs and symptoms appear to the degree that the process advances, passing through motor weakness, alterations in consciousness until paralysis and incontinence of the sphincters are reached, as a result of complete neurological damage. Clinical history and physical exploration should lead to suspicion about the level at which medullar compression is developing, and the most important complementary exploration is MR of the entire spine, which should be requested immediately in order to decide on starting treatment. Treatment is individualised and must be started early. In general, corticoids in combination with radiotherapeutic oncological treatment and/or surgery are the therapeutic weapons to employ.

[Emergency treatment of urological complications in cancer patients]. / Manejo urgente de las complicaciones urológicas en el paciente tumoral.

Patients affected by neoplastic diseases frequently come for consultation to the emergency services of our hospitals. A large part of these consultations occur due to complications of an urological type, whatever the origin of the tumour that the patient presents. The pathology can be secondary to the neoplasy or to the means used in its treatment, although they are often complications that appear independently of the course of the disease. We offer an outline of the most frequent causes of emergency consultation due to urological problems in the patient affected by neoplastic diseases, whether they are in the urogential apparatus or not. We comment especially on the initial study and treatment by the emergency doctor or by the oncologist.

Neutropenia y fiebre en el paciente con cáncer / Neutropenia and fever in the patient with cancer

La infección en el huésped inmunocomprometido supone una situación clínica de gravedad por su alta morbi-mortalidad y es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes del paciente con cáncer. En los pacientes tratados con quimioterapia, el riesgo de infección depende fundamentalmente de la duración e intensidad de la neutropenia. Es fundamental evaluar cuál es el patógeno involucrado con mayor probabilidad para iniciar el tratamiento, a priori, más adecuado, así como la situación clínica general del paciente, que nos obligará a realizar un tratamiento más o menos agresivo desde el inicio, teniendo en cuenta que es posible el manejo domiciliario en aquel grupo de pacientes considerado de "bajo riesgo" de complicaciones. Estas cuestiones las podremos conocer evaluando los antecedentes y la historia clínica del paciente, la exploración física y los datos de exploraciones de laboratorio y radiológicas. El inicio precoz de la antibioterapia de amplio espectro es crucial, y revisaremos en este capítulo, las recomendaciones terapéuticas más recientes (AU)

Infection in the immunocompromised host is a serious clinical situation due to its high morbi-mortality and is one of the most frequent complications in the patient with cancer. In patients treated with chemotherapy, the risk of infection basically depends on the duration and intensity of the neutropenia. It is essential to evaluate, the most probable pathogen involved to initiate, a priori, the most suitable treatment, and also to evaluate the general clinical situation of the patient, because from the very beginning the treatment is quite aggressive. Outpatient care is possible for patients at "low risk" of complications. By evaluating the antecedents and clinical history of the patient, through physical exploration and from the data of laboratory and radiological explorations these points can be acknowledged. The early start of broad spectrum antibiotherapy is crucial, and in this chapter we review the most recent therapeutical recommendations (AU)