Histopathologic and Molecular Features of Cutaneous Melanoma in a Moroccan Population.

Background Cutaneous cancer is the most common malignancy type, among which melanomas are considered the most aggressive and lethal. In Morocco, skin melanoma is the 25th most common cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first and largest Moroccan study specifically describing cutaneous melanoma.  Materials and methods We obtained data for 100 patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma in the Department of Pathology of Hassan II University Hospital, Morocco. Clinical, histopathological, molecular, and follow-up data were recorded from pathology request forms and the patient's medical records.  Results The mean age of our patients was 65 years old. Histologically, the most prevalent were the nodular (48%) and acro-lentiginous (38%) melanoma subtypes. A total of 66% of the patients had a Breslow thickness of >4 mm. The presence of ulceration was noted in 46% of cases. The average mitoses was 9/1 mm². A total of 44% of patients had metastatic melanoma at the time of diagnosis. The BRAF V600E mutation was found in six cases, and the C-KIT mutation in five cases. The five-year overall survival and metastasis-free survival were 85% and 15%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between Breslow thickness and Clark's level (p<0.001), histologic subtype (p=0.012), and presence of metastasis (p=0.002). There was a significant difference between the head and neck melanomas and those of the feet, particularly in the histological subtype and the presence of ulceration. BRAF V600E mutation was found in six cases of metastatic melanomas of the head and neck, of which three cases were positive for this mutation, as compared with the 23 cases of acral melanomas, which tested negative for the same mutation.  Conclusion The results of our study showed that cutaneous melanomas were characterized by advanced age at diagnosis and late-stage diagnosis with a high Breslow index. The lower limbs were the most affected sites, especially in the plantar region. The acral lentiginous subtype was the most common. The presence of BRAF V600E mutation was associated with a better prognosis.

Effect of Serelys Homme on the Incidence and Severity of Vasomotor Symptoms and Quality-of-Life Impairments in Patients Receiving Hormone Therapy and Radiation for Localized Prostate Cancer: Results of the ESCULAPE Phase 2 Prospective Study.

Purpose: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may cause vasomotor symptoms (VMS) including hot flushes and sweats, which affect quality of life (QoL). Serelys Homme is a nonhormonal and a natural origin product that could affect VMS in men undergoing ADT. We evaluated effectiveness and tolerance of Serelys Homme administration on VMS and QoL of patients undergoing combined ADT and radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: Between April 2017 and July 2019, 103 patients were screened, and 53 patients refused to participate in the study. Serelys Homme therapy consisted of a daily administration of 2 tablets for 6 months. Patients were evaluated with 4 questionnaires including the adapted Modified Rankin Scale (adapted-MRS), European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version (EQ 5D3L), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), and Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) at day 0, day 90 (D90), and day 180 (D180). Statistical evaluation was performed using the Wilcoxon rank sign test. A 2-sided P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 50 patients, 4 withdrew after inclusion. All patients (n = 46) received either postoperative or definitive radiation therapy combined with a short (n = 15) or long course (n = 31) of ADT. Serelys Homme administration significantly decreased the rate of patients who had ≥7 VMS and 3 to 6 VMS per day. The number of patients presenting with moderate or severe VMS was decreased at D90 (P = .005) and at D180 (P = .005). In addition, VMS duration was reduced at D90 (P = .002) and D180 (P < .001). Finally, at D90 and D180, 11.1% and 16.0% of patients, respectively, with initial severe or moderate VMS had a complete response without further symptoms. Among QoL parameters, fatigue decreased significantly. Effectiveness evaluated by doctors was rated as moderate or good to excellent VMS control in 20% and 60% of the patients, respectively. No side effects were recorded in the whole population. Conclusions: This study demonstrated effectiveness and excellent tolerance of Serelys Homme. We observed a significant reduction of the frequency, duration, and intensity of hot flushes and sweats induced by ADT. Serelys Homme increased QoL scores. These encouraging results open the prospect to further studies and Serelys Homme use in patients undergoing ADT for prostate cancer.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the nose in a child treated with external radiation therapy: a case report.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are very rare in children. The recommended treatment for localized cancers is surgery with sufficient margins which can sometimes be mutilating especially for facial localizations. We report a rare case of facial skin carcinoma in a 13-year-old girl measuring 3 cm in diameter infiltrating the tip of the nose. The treatment was an exclusive external radiation therapy with a dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions in standard fractionation. The technique used was intensity-modulated conformational radiotherapy. It was proposed as an alternative to surgery which could be mutilating. A complete tumour response was obtained with a good aesthetic result and without major toxicity.

Management of Esthesioneuroblastoma: A Retrospective Study of 6 Cases and Literature Review.

The esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is a rare malignant sinonasal tumor of neuroectodermal origin. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the clinical features by reviewing the literature and analyzing the medical records of patients diagnosed with ENB in our institution between 2012 and 2019. A total of 6 cases of ENB were available for analysis. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 36 years. The main complaints at presentation were the rhinologic signs. Tumors were classified as stage C of Kadisk in 3 cases and stage D in the others. According to TNM (modified by Dulguerov), 2 patients were T3N0M0, one T4N0M0, one T3N1M0, and two T4N1M0. The diagnosis of ENB was based on pathological examination. According to Hyams histological grading, low-grade lesions (Hyams I and II) were seen in 2 cases, high-grade undifferentiated lesions (Hyams III and IV) were seen in 4. Of the 6 patients, 4 received surgery. The surgical approaches mainly included an endoscopic endonasal resection in 2 cases, a cranial-facial resection surgery in 1 case, and an expanded endoscopic endonasal approach in combination with craniotomy in 1 case. Four patients received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). RT dose ranged from 60 to 70 Gy. A total of 3 patients had lymph node metastasis and received RT of the neck. Chemotherapy was delivered in 2 patients. After a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, 4 patients were free of recurrence. Unfortunately, 1 patient died from a progressive disease 6 months after RT. ENB is a rare locally aggressive tumor of the nasosinusal cavities. The first-line treatment for resectable tumors should include primary surgical resection with adjuvant RT. However, this tumor remains of poor prognosis. Therefore, long-term close follow-up based on symptoms, endoscopy, and imaging is essential.

Radiation Therapy Delivery Challenges in Older Patients During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The management of older patients in radiation therapy (RT) departments has been challenging in the context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. We report our experience of RT adapted schedules or strategy changes in older patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients aged ≥75 years were recruited during weekly chart rounds. All were potentially eligible for a specific intervention to reduce the frequency of patients' visits to the hospital. The effect of deferring radiation and hypofractionation of RT schedules was assessed in terms of the number of courses initially planned and replanned during the lockdown. RESULTS: Twenty patients were identified during the official lockdown in France (March 17 to May 11). Median age was 78 years (75-95 years). Most patients were male (n = 12, 60%) being treated in the postoperative setting (n = 17, 85%). RT was delayed in 11 cases (55%) with hormonal therapy prescribed in 10 cases (50%). Altered RT fractionation was proposed for 5 cases (25%); combinations of altered fractionation and deferral of radiation were applied in 3 cases (15%). The number of radiation courses initially planned and replanned according to the pandemic context: 563 and 197, respectively (-62%; P < .001). None presented recurrence when RT was initiated, and no patient developed symptomatic COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, individual risk-based radiation therapy seems to be safe. Systematic screening of patients for COVID-19 before starting radiation therapy is mandatory. In our department the oncogeriatrics expertise availability for daily practice was of great use during the pandemic. Other prospective studies are needed to validate such strategies in case of resurgence of similar outbreaks.

Radiation Therapy Department Reorganization during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak: Keys to Securing Staff and Patients During the First Weeks of the Crisis and Impact on Radiation Therapy Practice from a Single Institution Experience.

PURPOSE: During the first weeks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in France, it was necessary to clearly define organizational priorities in the radiation therapy (RT) departments. In this report, we focus on the urgent measures taken to reduce risk for both our staff and patients by reducing the number of patients receiving treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the fractionation schemes for all patients in our department, including those receiving treatment and those soon to start treatment. Our goals were to (1) decrease the number of patients coming daily to the hospital for RT, (2) adapt our human resources to continue patients' care in the department, and (3) help to cover understaffed COVID-19 sectors of the hospital. RESULTS: We identified 50 patients who were receiving treatment (n = 6), were going to start radiation after CT scan simulation (n = 41), or for whom the CT scan was pending (n = 3). The majority were women (64%) treated for breast cancer (54%). RT was delayed for 22 (44%) patients. The majority were offered hormone therapy as "waiting therapy." Hypofractionation was considered in 21 (42%) patients mainly with breast cancer (18 of 21, 86%). The number of courses initially planned and replanned as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak during the period of March 15 to May 31, 2020, were 1383 and 683, respectively, which represented a reduction of 50% (including delayed sessions) that allowed our reorganization process. CONCLUSIONS: To conserve resources during the pandemic, we successfully reduced the number of patients receiving treatment in a proactive fashion and adapted our organization to minimize the risk of COVID-19 contamination. Departments across the world may benefit from this same approach.