Changes in health-related quality of life in oesophagogastric cancer patients participating in palliative and curative therapies.

Background: Various treatments are used to prolong survival and improve quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to assess the change in QOL scores in patients with Oesophagogastric (OG) cancer undergoing curative intent and palliative therapy. Methods: This was a mix-designed cohort study with a consecutive sampling of patients with OG cancer who underwent curative or palliative treatment regimens. The QOL, as a determinant of efficacy and impact of cancer care, was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires. QOL data were collected from the eligible subjects at three points of time. The repeated measurement test was used to compare the significance of change in scores. Results: Overall, 149 patients (54.4% male, 61.1% curative intent, 52.3% esophageal, 37.6 % gastric, 10.1% OG junction cancer; with mean age 62 year) with OG cancer were eligible for inclusion in the study. Compared to the palliative group, the curative group was more likely to have an esophageal tumor site, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and stage 2 (versus stomach, Adenocarcinoma, and stage 4 in the palliative group). In comparing the patients' functional, global health status, and cancer symptom, considering time, group of treatment, and their mutual effect the result indicated significant difference between the intervention groups. Conclusion: Most patients with Oesophagogastric cancer are diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease. Hence in absence of curative treatment, palliative therapy is the most effective therapy to maintain patient independency and relieve pain and symptom in order to improve their QOL. The present study has shown that palliative similar to curative intervention can improve the QOL in cancer patient especially in short term.

Investigating the Quality of Life and the Related Factors in Iranian Women with Breast Cancer

Introduction: Nowadays breast cancer is the most important factor concerning the women's health which can affect the quality of life (QOL). This study was performed with aim to investigate the QOL and the related factors in Iranian women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014-2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 94 women with breast cancer who were selected by convenience sampling in Mashhad, Iran from 2014-2015. The data were collected through Demographic and Clinical Questionnaire and EORTC QLQ-C30.V3 Standard Questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 18) and also descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean of total score for the quality of life was 71.45± 22.28. In the area of the symptoms of disease, the highest score belonged to insomnia (22.73± 14.89) and fatigue (19.81± 14.42). In the functional area, physical and emotional scales accounted for the highest (91.35±9.67) and lowest (78.55±2.84) scores, respectively. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the variables of age, social status, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy are effective factors in the QOL. Conclusion: Breast cancer can affect the women's QOL. Therefore, efforts to promote the QOL in breast cancer patients is considered as one of the most important topics in women's health care. This requires more attention to identify various aspects of life and find effective ways to promote and improve the QOL in these patients.

Is sentinel node mapping possible in surgically removed ectopic axillary breast cancer? A case report.

We reported a 24-year-old female patient with the history of ectopic axillary breast cancer which was removed surgically. Sentinel node mapping was performed for lymphatic axillary staging of this patient with two injections of the 99m-Tc-phytate in both ends of the surgical scar. Lymphoscintigraphy showed an axillary sentinel node which was harvested during surgery and was not pathologically involved. Our case showed that sentinel node mapping is possible for ectopic axillary breast cancer patients even after excisional biopsy of the index lesion.

Effect of saffron on liver metastases in patients suffering from cancers with liver metastases: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer represents the second cause of mortality in the world. Saffron as a medicinal plant is known for its anti-cancer and anti-depressant properties. In this randomized double blind clinical trial, the effects of saffron on response to treatment in patients suffering from liver metastasis were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients suffering from liver metastases who referred to Ghaem and Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran were included in this study and then divided into two different groups. Both groups received chemotherapy regimen. Patients in group one were treated with saffron capsule (50 mg, twice daily) during chemotherapy periods whereas patients in group two received placebo. A sum of the longest diameter were calculated and compared for all lesions in IV contrast CT scan before and after the treatment. RESULTS: from 13 patients included in this study, six patients quit and seven continued until the end. In saffron-treated group, two patients showed partial and complete response (50%) whereas in placebo group, no response was seen. Also, two deaths in placebo and one in saffron group occurred. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that saffron might be useful in patients suffering from liver metastasis. However, further investigations with larger sample size are required.

A retrospective analysis of rectal and bladder dose for gynecological brachytherapy treatments with GZP6 HDR afterloading system.

AIM: The aim of this work is to evaluate rectal and bladder dose for the patients treated for gynecological cancers. BACKGROUND: The GZP6 high dose rate brachytherapy system has been recently introduced to a number of radiation therapy departments in Iran, for treatment of various tumor sites such as cervix and vagina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our analysis was based on dose measurements for 40 insertions in 28 patients, treated by a GZP6 unit between June 2009 and November 2010. Treatments consisted of combined teletherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy. In vivo dosimetry was performed with TLD-400 chips and TLD-100 microcubes in the rectum and bladder. RESULTS: The average of maximum rectal and bladder dose values were found to be 7.62 Gy (range 1.72-18.55 Gy) and 5.17 Gy (range 0.72-15.85 Gy), respectively. It has been recommended by the ICRU that the maximum dose to the rectum and bladder in intracavitary treatment of vaginal or cervical cancer should be lower than 80% of the prescribed dose to point A in the Manchester system. In this study, of the total number of 40 insertions, maximum rectal dose in 29 insertions (72.5% of treatment sessions) and maximum bladder dose in 18 insertions (45% of treatments sessions) were higher than 80% of the prescribed dose to the point of dose prescription. CONCLUSION: In vivo dosimetry for patients undergoing treatment by GZP6 brachytherapy system can be used for evaluation of the quality of brachytherapy treatments by this system. This information could be used as a base for developing the strategy for treatment of patients treated with GZP6 system.