Multidisciplinary Team Meeting in the Core of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Management Improved Quality of Care and Survival of Patients.

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cases are often diagnosed in advanced stages. The complexity of clinical management for advanced-stage NPC requires thorough communication and shared decisions between medical professionals and allied teams. Incorporating a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDTM) for newly diagnosed NPC patients was chosen to facilitate collaboration and communication between physicians. This retrospective study aimed to compare the quality of care, clinical responses and survival between NPC patients treated with and without MDTM. Data on clinical responses, assessment visits, date of progression and death with progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and hazard ratio (HR) were collected and analyzed with 95% confidence interval (CI) and significance set as P < .05. There were 87 of 178 NPC patients treated with MDTM. Revisions of diagnosis and stage occurred in 5.7% and 52.9% of cases during the MDTM. More clinical responses were achieved by patients treated with MDTM (69.0%vs 32.0%, P < .00). NPC patients who received MDTM treatment recommendation had a lower risk for progression (median PFS 59.89 months vs 12.68 months; HR 0.267, 95% CI: 0.17-0.40, P < .00) and mortality (median OS was not reached vs 13.44 months; HR 0.134, 95% CI: 0.08-0.24, P < .00) compared to patients without MDTM. Incorporating the MDTM approach into NPC management improves patients' clinical responses and survival.

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Breast Cancer: Risk Factor and Predictive Model Using Classification and Regression Tree (CART).

Introduction Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common and debilitating adverse effect of breast cancer chemotherapy. The incidence of CINV in the first cycle of chemotherapy is essential, as it sets the tone for anticipatory CINV and the overall patients' treatment experience. We aimed to investigate the risk factors of first cycle CINV in breast cancer patients and to develop a classification and regression tree (CART) model to predict its occurrence. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that nested in a prospective cohort. One hundred and thirty-seven female breast cancer patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy were included. We used the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 to assess patient-reported nausea and vomiting in the first chemotherapy cycle. The proportional difference of CINV between sociodemographic and clinicopathologic variables was analyzed using chi-square, and the strength and direction of the relationship with CINV were analyzed using bivariable logistic regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression and CART analysis included variables with a p-value <0.250. Results The incidence of first-cycle CINV was 43.1%. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between insurance status and CINV (p<0.001) and between the stage at diagnosis and CINV (p<0.001). Underweight to normal body mass index (BMI) patients are significantly associated with an increased risk of first-cycle CINV (OR =2.17, 95% CI 1.03-4.56, p =0.041). In hierarchical order, three variables (stage at diagnosis, BMI, and age) were included in the CART model, which significantly influenced the probability of first cycle CINV. With an accuracy of 61.3%, the CART model had a sensitivity of 28.8%, a specificity of 85.9%, a positive predictive value of 60.7%, a negative predictive value of 61.5%, and an area under curve (AUC) of 0.602.  Conclusion Breast cancer patients with an underweight to normal BMI have a higher risk of developing first-cycle CINV. Our CART model was better at identifying patients who would not develop CINV than those who would. The CART model may provide a simple and effective way to individualize patient care for first-cycle CINV.

Classic and rare manifestations of multiple osteoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Osteoma is a benign tumor that can arise from compact or cancellous bone and is more commonly found in the face or skull. The incidence of osteoma believed to be underreported as most are asymptomatic. To date, the best modality to diagnose osteoma is CT scan. We report a unique case of osteoma presenting with cranial and extracranial manifestations and highlight the importance of bone survey in evaluating patients with osteoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old female complained of bilateral pain in the jawbone and several areas of her head. On physical examination, there were several masses in the head with the largest on the left mandible measuring 5.6 × 6.0 × 4.5 cm from MSCT examination. Hemi-mandibulectomy, histopathological and cytopathology examination were performed on the tissue obtained from the left mandible which concluded osteoma. Post-operative bone survey was performed and found osteoma on left ulna and bilateral fibula. Suspected Gardner syndrome with multiple osteoma manifestation was excluded from normal results of colon in-loop examination. We conservatively monitored the patient and most recent 6-month follow-up found no complaint nor changes in the extracranial osteoma manifestation on left ulna and both fibulas. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The benign tumor osteoma is incredibly uncommon to present both intra and extracranially. We suggest thorough skeletal studies such as bone survey to be performed as they are crucial in the full evaluation of patients with multiple osteomas. Osteoma treatment is based on the patient's symptoms, surgery for patients with symptoms and periodic monitoring for asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to consider radiological modality for diagnosing osteoma patients. The majority of osteomas are asymptomatic and the choice of radiological examination sometimes still misses the lesion. It is important to evaluate histologically if the lesion difficult to diagnose.

Sexual Dysfunction Following Breast Cancer Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Introduction Sexual dysfunction is rarely studied in Indonesian patients with breast cancer. We aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction symptoms following chemotherapy, as well as the pattern and the associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional study included 135 female breast cancer patients receiving primary chemotherapy. The present study measured the prevalence of sexual dysfunction symptoms using an e-questionnaire containing Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4 at different time points. Other data included sociodemography, clinicopathology, treatment, and other concurrent symptom characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to analyze any association among variables. Results In the whole panel, 86 (63.7%) of 135 cases experienced sexual dysfunction. The most common symptom was vaginal dryness (45.9%), followed by decreased libido (45.2%), dyspareunia (13.3%), delayed orgasm (11.1%), and anorgasmia (8.9%). When observed at five different time points, the frequency of symptoms increased during chemotherapy and persisted until six months after completing treatment. Chemotherapy duration of >120 days was associated with a higher probability of vaginal dryness (p=0.012) and decreased libido (p=0.033). Spouse age ≥55 years old and body mass index (BMI) ≥23 kg/m2 were associated with a reduced probability of decreased libido (p=0.033 and 0.025, respectively). The presence of comorbidity was associated with a reduced probability of delayed orgasm (p=0.034). Conclusions A significant proportion of patients with breast cancer had sexual dysfunction following chemotherapy. Vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and dyspareunia were the commonest symptoms observed. Duration of chemotherapy, spouse age, BMI, and comorbidity were associated with the risk of sexual dysfunction occurrence.

The Association between Abdominal Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Survival Outcomes in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been linked to the risk of developing certain cancers. This study aimed to analyze the association between obesity markers, MetS and survival outcomes of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This study retrospectively investigated patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-), nonmetastatic breast cancer diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2019. Data on clinical conditions, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), MetS, time of metastasis and death were collected. RESULTS: A total of 223 breast cancer patient records were eligible for analysis. Obesity (BMI ≥ 25) was found in 38.1% of cases. Abdominal obesity measured as WHR ≥ 0.85 was found in 48.9%. Metabolic syndrome was detected in 56.1% of patients and was associated with older age (OR = 2.196, p = 0.005), postmenopausal status (OR = 2.585, p = 0.001), obesity (OR = 5.684, p = 0.001) and abdominal obesity (OR = 2.612, p = 0.001). Obesity was not associated with poor disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS), while abdominal obesity was modestly associated with poor DFS (HR = 1.539, p = 0.083) and OS (HR = 3.117; p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis revealed that WHR ≥ 0.85 was independently associated with unfavorable DFS (HR = 1.907, p = 0.027). Patients with MetS had a similar survival rate to those with normal metabolism. CONCLUSION: In Indonesian women with HR+/HER2- breast cancers, obesity and MetS were not associated with poor survival outcomes. The abdominal obesity marker (WHR) was more accurate in predicting unfavorable DFS.

Obesity, leptin, and deregulation of microRNA in lipid metabolisms: their contribution to breast cancer prognosis.

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome have been associated with cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer incidence. Obesity is a state of inflammation. There are cross-talks between adipocyte, adipokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, insulin, leptin, and other growth factors to initiate signals for proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Those networks lead to cancer initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis. Post menopause women with breast cancer commonly have overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, which are previously reported as conditions to be associated with breast cancer prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA that regulate gene expression, are known to play important roles either in metabolic or carcinogenesis process in patients with breast cancer. Some miRNAs expressions are deregulated in persons either with obesity, breast cancer, or breast cancer with co-morbid obesity. This literature review aimed at reviewing recent publications on the role of obesity, leptin, and microRNA deregulation in adverse prognosis of breast cancer. Understanding the influence of deregulated miRNAs and their target genes in patients with breast cancer and obesity will direct more studies to explore the potential prognostic role of obesity in breast cancer from epigenetic points of view.

Primary treatment results of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is a major health problem in southern and eastern Asia. In Indonesia NPC is the most frequent cancer in the head and neck area. NPC is very sensitive to radiotherapy resulting in 3-year disease-free and overall survival of approximately 70% and 80%, respectively. Here we present routine treatment results in a prospective study on NPC in a top referral; university hospital in Indonesia. METHODS: All NPC patients presenting from September 2008 till January 2011 at the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department of the Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, were possible candidates. Patients were included if the biopsy was a histological proven NPC without distant metastasis and were assessed during counselling sessions prior to treatment, as being able to complete the entire treatment. RESULTS: In total 78 patients were included for treatment analysis. The median time between diagnosis and start of radiotherapy is 120 days. Forty-eight (62%) patients eventually finished all fractions of radiotherapy. The median duration of the radiotherapy is 62 days for 66 Gy. Median overall survival is 21 months (95% CI 18-35) from day of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The results presented here reveal that currently the treatment of NPC at an Indonesian hospital is not sufficient and cannot be compared to the treatment results in literature. Main reasons for these poor treatment results are (1) a long waiting time prior to the start of radiotherapy, (2) the extended overall duration of radiotherapy and (3) the advanced stage of disease at presentation.