The Feasibility and Safety of Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Definitive Chemoradiation in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Single-Arm Phase II Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed at investigating the feasibility and safety of induction chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiation (dCRT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-arm clinical trial, patients with cervical cancer (stages IB3-IVA) received a median four cycles of induction chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin, every three weeks) followed by dCRT (which consisted of the whole pelvis at the dose of 45-50 Gy along with weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) followed by intracavitary brachytherapy at the total dose of 80-90 Gy). Primary end point was local control at three months, which was assessed by gynecologic examination and pelvic MRI. The secondary outcome of the study was treatment-related toxicity. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with the mean age of 51.6 ± 9.5 years were included. The most frequent (51.4%) disease stage was IIB. Complete and partial clinical responses were observed in 60.8% and 14.9% of patients, respectively. The frequency of progressive disease and stable disease were 14.9% and 9.5%, respectively. Grade II and III neutropenia (during neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 13.5% and 2.7%, respectively; these figures during chemoradiation were 29.7% and 13.5%, respectively. A treatment interruption was observed for 60.8% (45 cases) of patients during chemoradiation and 31.1% during  induction chemotherapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation is feasible in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer; however, the toxicity should be managed properly to avoid delayed e treatment. More than three quarters of the patients achieved complete or partial clinical response within a three-month follow-up.

Intraoperative radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We report our experiences with Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) among breast cancer (BC) patients in our region. METHODS: All patients who received radical IORT from April 2014 on to March 2020 were included in the study. Patient selection criteria included: Age equal or older than 45 years old; All cases of invasive carcinomas (in cases of lobular carcinomas only with MRI and confirmation); Patients who were 45-50 years old with a tumor size of 0-2 cm, 50-55 years old with a tumor size of < 2.5 cm, and those who were ≥ 55 years old with a tumor size of < 3 cm; Invasive tumors only with a negative margin; Negative nodal status (exception in patients with micrometastasis); A positive estrogen receptor status. Primary endpoints included death and recurrence which were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Overall, 252 patients entered the study. Mean (SD) age of patients was 56.43 ± 7.79 years. In total, 32.9% of patients had a family history of BC. Mean (SD) tumor size was 1.56 ± 0.55 cm. Mean (IQR) follow-up of patients was 36.3 ± 18.7 months. Overall, 8 patients (3.1%) experienced recurrence in follow-up visits (disease-free-survival of 96.1%), among which four (1.5%) were local recurrence, two (0.8%) were regional recurrence and two patients (0.8%) had metastasis. Median (IQR) time to recurrence was 46 (22, 53.7) months among the eight patient who had recurrence. Overall, one patient died due to metastasis in our series. Eleven patients (4.3%) with DCIS in our study received IORT. All these patients had free margins in histopathology examination and none experienced recurrence. CONCLUSION: Inhere we reported our experience with the use of IORT in a region where facilities for IORT are limited using our modified criteria for patient selection.

Evaluation of Mucosamin Effect on Treating Radiation Induced Oral Mucositis during and after Radiotherapy amongst Patients with Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis is a serious complication radiation therapy for cancer. This is a major complication during radiation therapy of the head and neck tumors in approximately all patients. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Mucosamin on treatment of radiation induced oral mucositis during and after radiotherapy amongst patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, eligible patients who referred to radiation oncology department of Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran from Jan 2018 till Jan 2019 were evaluated. The cases with confirmed pathologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity underwent 6,000 cGy radiation therapy and were randomly divided into two groups: 1- Intervention group; Mucosamin spray for 3-4 times a day (n = 40); 2 - Control group; standard medications (3 times a day) (n = 40). Oral mucositis was evaluated weekly based on RTOG scoring scale. Grade of mucositis was recorded during treatment and after radiation therapy. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were divided in two groups of Mucosamin and control. From week 3 until the end of radiotherapy (week 6) and after radiotherapy (week 8), there was a significant difference in the severity of oral mucositis between the Mucosamin and the control groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that Mucosamin spray was able to significantly improved radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Efficacy and safety of sequential neoadjuvant chemotherapy and short-course radiation therapy followed by delayed surgery in locally advanced rectal cancer: a single-arm phase II clinical trial with subgroup analysis between the older and young patients.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of short-course radiation therapy (SCRT) and sequential chemotherapy followed by delayed surgery in locally advancer rectal cancer with subgroup analysis between the older and young patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-arm phase II clinical trial, eligible patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (T3-4 and/or N1-2) were enrolled. All the patients received a median three sequential cycles of neoadjuvant CAPEOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin) chemotherapy. A total dose of 25 Gy in five fractions during 1 week was prescribed to the gross tumor and regional lymph nodes. Surgery was performed about 8 weeks following radiotherapy. Pathologic complete response rate (pCR) and grade 3-4 toxicity were compared between older patients (≥65 years) and younger patients (<65 years). RESULTS: Ninety-six patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were enrolled. There were 32 older patients and 64 younger patients. Overall pCR was 20.8% for all the patients. Older patients achieved similar pCR rate (18.7% vs. 21.8; p = 0.795) compared to younger patients. There was no statistically significance in terms of the tumor and the node downstaging or treatment-related toxicity between older patients and younger ones; however, the rate of sphincter-saving surgery was significantly more frequent in younger patients (73% vs. 53%; p=0.047) compared to older ones. All treatment-related toxicities were manageable and tolerable among older patients. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant SCRT and sequential chemotherapy followed by delayed surgery was safe and effective in older patients compared to young patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Efficacy and Feasibility of Adding Induction Chemotherapy to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Phase II Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Currently, neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) followed by total mesorectal resection is considered the standard of care for treating locally advanced rectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of adding induction chemotherapy to neoadjuvant CRT in locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: This phase-II clinical trial included 54 patients with newly diagnosed, locally advanced (clinical T3-4 and/or N1-2, M0) rectal cancer. All patients were treated with 3 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy using the XELOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin) regimen before and after a concurrent standard long course of CRT (45-50.4 Gy) followed by standard radical surgery. Pathologic complete response (PCR) rate and toxicity were the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. RESULTS: The study participants included 37 males and 17 females, with a median age of 59 years (range, 20-80 years). Twenty-nine patients (54%) had clinical stage-II disease, and 25 patients (46%) had clinical stage-III disease. Larger tumor size (P = 0.006) and distal rectal location (P = 0.009) showed lower PCR compared to smaller tumor size and upper rectal location. Pathologic examinations showed significant tumor regression (6.1 ± 2.7 cm vs. 1.9 ± 1.8 cm, P < 0.001) with 10 PCRs (18.5%) compared to before the intervention. The surgical margin was free of cancer in 52 patients (96.3%). Treatment-related toxicities were easily tolerated, and all patients completed their planned treatment without interruption. Grade III and IV toxicities were infrequent. CONCLUSION: The addition of induction chemotherapy to neoadjuvant CRT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment approach in patients with rectal cancer.

Insufficient lymph node assessment in gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the sufficient (≥ 16) lymph node assessment in 449 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and literature review. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed locoregional invasive gastric adenocarcinoma from 2004 to 2013 were included. A standard surgical resection was performed for all the patients with (n = 16) or without (n = 433) neoadjuvant treatment. RESULTS: In this study, 301 men and 148 women with a median age of 58 (range 21-88) years were included. The median total numbers of examined lymph nodes were 9 (range 0-55). Ninety-five patients (21.2%) had adequate (≥ 16) lymph node examination, and 70 patients (15.6%) had no examined lymph nodes. In univariate analysis, total or near total gastrectomy (P <  0.001), advanced node stage (P < 0.001), primary tumor size > 6 cm (P < 0.001), and the presence of perineural invasion (P = 0.039) were associated with more average number of examined lymph nodes. On multivariate analysis, node stage (P < 0.001) and type of surgery (P = 0.008) were independent predictive factors. CONCLUSION: In this study, approximately one in five patients with gastric adenocarcinoma had sufficient lymph node assessment. More studies are suggested for identifying a true inadequate lymph node dissection from insufficient lymph node assessment.

Lack of Prophylactic Effects of Aloe Vera Gel on Radiation Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: Radiotherapy induced dermatitis is a common and sometimes serious side effect. We conducted a randomized study to understand whether the adjunctive use of aloe vera gel might reduce the prevalence and/or severity of radiotherapy induced dermatitis. Methods: One hundred patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were randomized to receive aloe vera gel or nothing during adjuvant radiotherapy consisting of conventional external beam radiation using 6 MV mega voltage linear accelerator photons. The radiation portals were composed of breast fields in all patients and supraclavicular and posterior axillary fields in node positive cases. The total dose was 50 Gy with a daily fraction of 2 Gy, five fractions per week. Results: Dermatitis was first found among patients of both groups after week 2. In the aloe vera and control groups, 2/8 patients and 5/12 patients had dermatitis grade 1 after weeks 2 (P value = 0.240) and 3 (P value = 0.317). After the 4th week, the numbers were 18 and, 23 fordermatitis grade 1 and only 1 for grade 3 dermatitis (P value = 0.328). After the 5th week, 31, 12 and 2 patients in the aloe vera group and 36, 6 and 5 of the controls had grades 1, 2 and 3 dermatitis, respectively (P value = 0.488). Conclusion: Aloe vera exerted no positive effect on prevalence orseverity of radiation dermatitis in this study.

A comprehensive approach in high-grade glioma management: position statement from the Neuro-Oncology Scientific Club (NOSC), Shiraz, Iran.

Establishing a robust teamwork model in the practice of neuro-oncology requires continued interdisciplinary efforts. The Neuro-Oncology Scientific Club (NOSC) initiative is an interdisciplinary clinical forum promoting the comprehensive approach across involved disciplines in the management of central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. With its provincial founding panels and national steering board, NOSC has been operational in Iran since 2011. This initiative has pursued its mission through interval strategic meetings, tumor boards, case discussions as well as publishing neuro-oncology updates, case study periodicals, and newsletters. A provincial meeting of NOSC in Shiraz put together insights from international practice guidelines, emerging evidence, and expert opinions to draw a position statement on high-grade glioma management in adults. The present report summarizes key highlights from the above clinical forum.

Efficacy of Ginger in Control of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Doxorubicin-Based Chemotherapy.

Nausea and vomiting are among the most serious side effects of chemotherapy, in some cases leading to treatment interruption or chemotherapy dose reduction. Ginger has long been known as an antiemetic drug, used for conditions such as motion sickness, nausea-vomiting in pregnancy, and post-operation side effects. One hundred and fifty female patients with breast cancer entered this prospective study and were randomized to receive ginger (500 mg ginger powder, twice a day for 3 days) or placebo. One hundred and nineteen patients completed the study: 57 of them received ginger and 62 received ginger for the frst 3 chemotherapy cycles. Mean age in all patients was 48.6 (25-79) years. After 1st chemotherapy, mean nausea in the ginger and control arms were 1.36 (±1.31) and 1.46 (±1.28) with no statistically significant difference. After the 2nd chemotherapy session, nausea score was slightly more in the ginger group (1.36 versus 1.32). After 3rd chemotherapy, mean nausea severity in control group was less than ginger group [1.37 (±1.14), versus 1.42 (±1.30)]. Considering all patients, nausea was slightly more severe in ginger arm. In ginger arm mean nausea score was 1.42 (±0.96) and in control arm it was 1.40 (±0.92). Mean vomiting scores after chemotherapy in ginger arm were 0.719 (±1.03), 0.68 (±1.00) and 0.77 (±1.18). In control arm, mean vomiting was 0.983 (±1.23), 1.03 (±1.22) and 1.15 (±1.27). In all sessions, ginger decreased vomiting severity from 1.4 (±1.04) to 0.71 (±0.86). None of the differences were significant. In those patients who received the AC regimen, vomiting was less severe (0.64±0.87) compared to those who received placebo (1.13±1.12), which was statistically significant (p-value <0.05). Further and larger studies are needed to draw conclusions.

Lack of Prognostic Impact of Adjuvant Radiation on Oncologic Outcomes in Elderly Women with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy plays an important role as adjuvant treatment in locally advanced breast cancer and in those patients who have undergone breast-conserving surgery. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of adjuvant radiation on oncologic outcomes in elderly women with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed and analyzed the characteristics, treatment outcome and survival of elderly women (aged ≥ 60 years) with breast cancer who were treated and followed-up between 1993 and 2014. The median follow up for the surviving patients was 38 (range 3-207) months. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight patients with a median age of 74 (range 60-95) years were enrolled in the study. Of the total, 60 patients received postoperative adjuvant radiation (radiation group) and the remaining 118 did not (control group). Patients in the radiation group were significantly younger than those in the control group (P value=0.004). In addition, patients in radiation group had higher node stage (P value<0.001) and disease stage (P=0.003) and tended to have higher tumor grade (P=0.031) and received more frequent (P value <0.001) adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to those in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding the local control, disease-free survival and overall survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we did not find a prognostic impact for adjuvant radiation on oncologic outcomes in elderly women with breast cancer.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose-Rate Endorectal Brachytherapy as a Boost to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Distal Rectal Cancer: A Phase-II Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Despite advances in rectal cancer treatment over the last decade, local control and risk of late side effects due to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) remain as concerns. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and the safety of low-dose-rate endorectal brachytherapy (LDRBT) as a boost to neoadjuvant chemoradiation for use in treating locally advanced distal rectal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: This phase-II clinical trial included 34 patients (as the study arm) with newly diagnosed, locally advanced (clinical T3-T4 and/or N1/N2, M0) lower rectal cancer. For comparative analysis, 102 matched patients (as the historical control arm) with rectal cancer were also selected. All the patients were treated with LDRBT (15 Gy in 3 fractions) and concurrent chemoradiation (45-50.4 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 plus oral capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily during LDRBT and EBRT. RESULTS: The study results revealed a significant differences between the study arm and the control arm in terms in the pathologic tumor size (2.1 cm vs. 3.6 cm, P = 0.001), the pathologic tumor stage (35% T3-4 vs. 65% T3-4, P = 0.003), and the pathologic complete response (29.4% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.028). Moreover, a significantly higher dose of EBRT (P = 0.041) was found in the control arm, and a longer time to surgery was observed in the study arm (P < 0.001). The higher rate of treatment-related toxicities, such as mild proctitis and anemia, in the study arm was tolerable and easily manageable. CONCLUSION: A boost of LDRBT can optimize the pathologic complete response, with acceptable toxicities, in patients with distal rectal cancer.

Treatment results and prognostic indicators in thymic epithelial tumors: a clinicopathological analysis of 45 patients.

BACKGROUND: Thymomas are rare epithelial tumors arising from thymus gland. This study aims at investigating the clinical presentation, prognostic factors and treatment outcome of forty five patients with thymoma and thymic carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-five patients being histologically diagnosed with thymoma or thymic carcinoma that were treated and followed-up at a tertiary academic hospital during January 1987 and December 2008 were selected for the present study. Twelve patients were solely treated with surgery, 14 with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, 12 with sequential combined treatment of surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and 7 with non-surgical approach including radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.  Tumors were classified based on the new World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification. RESULTS: There were 18 women and 27 men with a median age of 43 years. Twelve patients (26.7%) had stage I, 7 (17.8%) had stage II, 23 (51%) had stage III and 2 (4.5%) had stage IV disease. Tumors types were categorized as type A (n=4), type AB (n=10), type B1 (n=9), type B2 (n=10), type B3 (n=5) and type C (n=7). In univariate analysis for overall survival, disease stage (P=0.001), tumor size (P=0.017) and the extent of surgical resection (P<0.001) were prognostic factors. Regarding the multivariate analysis, only the extent of the surgical resection (P<0.001) was the independent prognostic factor and non-surgical treatment had a negative influence on the survival. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 70.8% and 62.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection is the most important prognostic factor in patients with thymic epithelial tumors.

Paratesticular liposarcoma; a case report.

Paratesticular sarcomas have happened rarely. Due to the infrequency of this malignant disease and its diverse histopathologic subtypes, no standard treatment would be available. Multiple treatments have reported in literature with different results. We have reported a 55 years old man with a 30 years history of paratesticular mass. After multiple operations, radical orchiectomy has revealed liposarcoma. The patient has been receiving 50 Gy radiation to the scrotum and inguinal area. After 18 months follow up, the patient was well and disease free. He has shown good response to surgery and radiotherapy, so we have reported the disease and its clinical course.

Efficacy of topical alpha ointment (containing natural henna) compared to topical hydrocortisone (1%) in the healing of radiation-induced dermatitis in patients with breast cancer: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This two-arm, randomized clinical study aimed to compare efficacy between topical Alpha ointment and topical hydrocortisone cream (1%) in the healing of radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients. METHODS: The inclusion criteria comprised newly pathologically proven, locally advanced breast cancer (treated with modified radical mastectomy followed by sequential adjuvant treatments, including chest wall radiotherapy [45-50.4 Gy]) and grade 2 and/or 3 chest wall dermatitis. The exclusion criteria were comprised of any underlying disease or medications interfering with the wound healing process, previous history of chest wall radiotherapy, and concurrent use of chemotherapy. Sixty eligible patients were randomly assigned to use either topical Alpha ointment (study arm, n=30) or topical hydrocortisone cream (1%) (control arm, n=30) immediately after receiving a total dose of 45-50 Gy chest wall radiotherapy. RESULTS: The mean radiation dose was 49.1 Gy in the control arm and 48.8 Gy in the study arm. The mean dermatitis area was 13.54 cm(2) in the control arm and 17.02 cm(2) in the study arm. Topical Alpha ointment was more effective on the healing of radiation-induced dermatitis than was topical hydrocortisone cream (1%) (P=0.001). This effect was significant in the second week (P=0.007). In addition, Alpha ointment decreased the patients' complaints such as pain (P<0.001), pruritus (P=0.009), and discharge (P=0.010) effectively and meaningfully. CONCLUSION: Topical Alpha ointment was more effective on the healing of radiation-induced dermatitis than was topical hydrocortisone cream (1%) in our patients with breast cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: IRCT201206099979N1, ACTRN12612000837820.

Comparison of abdominoperineal resection and low anterior resection in lower and middle rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate local control and survival rates following abdominoperineal resection (APR) compared with low anterior resection (LAR) in lower and middle rectal cancer. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 153 patients with newly histologically proven rectal adenocarcinoma located at low and middle third that were treated between 2004 and 2010 at a tertiary hospital. The tumors were pathologically staged according to the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. Surgery was applied for 138 (90%) of the patients, of which 96 (70%) underwent LAR and 42 were (30%) treated with APR. Total mesorectal excision was performed for all patients. In addition, 125 patients (82%) received concurrent (neoadjuvant, adjuvant or palliative) pelvic chemoradiation, and 134 patients (88%) received neoadjuvant, adjuvant or concurrent chemotherapy. Patients' follow-up ranged from 4 to 156 (median 37) months. RESULTS: Of 153 patients, 89 were men and 64 were women with a median age of 57 years. One patient (0.7%) was stage 0, 15 (9.8%) stage I, 63 (41.2%) stage II, 51 (33.3%) stage III and 23 (15%) stage IV. There was a significant difference between LAR and APR in terms of tumor distance from anal verge, disease stage and combined modality therapy used. However, there was no significant difference regarding 5-year local control, disease free and overall survival rates between LAR and APR. CONCLUSION: LAR can provide comparable local control, disease free and overall survival rates compared with APR in eligible patients with lower and middle rectal cancer.

Treatment outcome and prognostic factors of adult glioblastoma multiforme.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to report the characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcome of 223 patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This retrospective study was carried out by reviewing the medical records of 223 adult patients diagnosed at a tertiary academic hospital between 1990 and 2008. Patients' follow up ranged from 1 to 69 months (median 11 months). Surgery was attempted in all patients in whom complete resection in 15 patients (7%), subtotal resection in 77 patients (34%), partial resection in 73 patients (33%) and biopsy alone in 58 patients (26%) were done. In addition, we performed a literature review of PubMed to find out and analyze major related series. In all, we collected and analyzed the data of 33 major series including more than 11,000 patients with GBM. RESULTS: There were 141 men and 82 women. The median progression free- and overall survival were 6 (95% CI=5.711-8.289) and 11 (95% CI=9.304-12.696) months respectively. In univariate analysis for overall survival, age (P=0.003), tumor size (P<0.013), performance status (P<0.001), the extent of surgical resection (P=0.009), dose of radiation (P<0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy (P<0.001) were prognostic factors. However, in multivariate analysis, only radiation dose, extent of surgical resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of adult patients with GBM remains poor; however, complete surgical resection and adjuvant treatments improve progression-free and overall survival.

Very late relapse in breast cancer survivors: a report of 6 cases.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among the women worldwide. The risk of local and distant recurrence is the highest during the first two years following the initial treatment. Very late relapse (after 12 years) is uncommon in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Herein, we report the characteristics and outcomes of 6 such cases of breast cancer. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.1 years (range 30-57) and the mean disease free survival was 19.6 years. CONCLUSION: Late relapse is not so common in breast cancer but can occur in any stage. Therefore, we suggest life-time follow up for every patient with breast cancer.

Pediatric glioblastoma multiforme: A single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common astrocytoma in adults and has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of about 12 months. But, it is rare in children. We report our experience on the pediatric population (20 years or younger) with GBM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with GBM who were treated at our hospital during 1990-2008 were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 15.2 years, and the majority of them (14/23) were male. All had received radiotherapy and some had also received chemotherapy. The mean survival was 16.0 months. Two cases survived more than 5 years. Age, radiation dose and performance status were significantly related to survival. CONCLUSION: GBM in pediatric patients were not very common in our center, and prognosis was unfavorable.

The efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy +/- letrozole in postmenopausal women with locally advanced breast cancer: a randomized phase III clinical trial.

This two-arm randomized clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant concurrent chemotherapy and letrozole in postmenopausal women with locally advanced breast carcinoma. One hundred and one postmenopausal women aged 50-83 years with pathologically proven locally advanced (clinical stage T3, T4 and/or N2, N3) breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (control arm, n = 51) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy concurrent with letrozole 2.5 mg (study arm, n = 50). Chemotherapy consisted of a median 4 (range 3-5) cycles of intravenous 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2), and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2), every three weeks. All patients subsequently underwent modified radical mastectomy approximately two weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy. Pathologic complete response rates were 25.5% and 10.2% in the study and the control group, respectively (P = 0.049). Similarly, clinical complete response rates were 27.6% and 10.2% in the study and the control group, respectively (P = 0.037). In the subgroup analysis of hormone receptor-positive cases, the complete response rates were more prominent in study group compared with control group. Common treatment-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bone marrow suppression, and mucositis were similar in both groups, but hot flush was more prevalent in study group compared with control group (P = 0.023). The addition of letrozole concurrently with neoadjuvant chemotherapy provides a higher clinical and pathologic response rates with acceptable toxicity compared with chemotherapy alone in postmenopausal women with locally advanced sensitive breast cancer.