IROCA-TES: Improving Quality in Radiation Oncology through Clinical Audits - Training and Education for Standardization.

Background: Clinical audits are an important tool to objectively assess clinical protocols, procedures, and processes and to detect deviations from good clinical practice. The main aim of this project is to determine adherence to a core set of consensus- based quality indicators and then to compare the institutions in order to identify best practices. Materials and methods: We conduct a multicentre, international clinical audit of six comprehensive cancer centres in Poland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, and Romania as a part of the project, known as IROCATES (Improving Quality in Radiation Oncology through Clinical Audits - Training and Education for Standardization). Results: Radiotherapy practice varies from country to country, in part due to historical, economic, linguistic, and cultural differences. The institutions developed their own processes to suit their existing clinical practice. Conclusions: We believe that this study will contribute to establishing the value of routinely performing multi-institutional clinical audits and will lead to improvement of radiotherapy practice at the participating centres.

Multicentre clinical radiotherapy audit in rectal cancer: results of the IROCA project.

PURPOSE: To perform a clinical audit to assess adherence to standard clinical practice for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients undergoing radiotherapy for rectal cancer treatment in four European countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study of 221 patients treated for rectal cancer in 2015 at six European cancer centres. Clinical indicators applicable to general radiotherapy processes were evaluated. All data were obtained from electronic medical records. RESULTS: The audits were performed in the year 2017. We found substantial inter-centre variability in adherence to standard clinical practices: 1) presentation of cases at departmental clinical sessions (range, 0-100%) or multidisciplinary tumour board (50-95%); 2) pretreatment MRI (61.5-100%) and thoracoabdominal CT (15.0-100%). Large inter-centre differences were observed in the mean interval between biopsy and first visit to the radiotherapy department (range, 21.6-58.6 days) and between the first visit and start of treatment (15.1-38.8 days). Treatment interruptions ≥ 1 day occurred in 43.9% (2.5-90%) of cases overall. Treatment compensation was performed in 2.1% of cases. Treatment was completed in the prescribed time in 55.7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional clinical audit revealed that most centres adhered to standard clinical practices for most of the radiotherapy processes-related variables assessed. However, the audit revealed marked inter-centre variability for certain quality indicators, particularly inconsistent record keeping. Multiple targets for improvement and/or harmonisation were identified, confirming the value of routine clinical audits to detect potential deviations from standard clinical practice.

Women's fertility after laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrioma and other benign ovarian tumors - a 24-month follow-up retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The golden standard in treatment benign ovarian cysts is laparoscopic cystectomy, but it may also influence women's fertility. The aim of the study was to compare women's fertility after laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrioma versus other benign ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the 123 patients operated because of benign ovarian tumor (OT), 66 underwent laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrioma (endometrioma group) and 57 underwent laparoscopic cystectomy of other benign ovarian tumor like: functional cyst, hemorrhagic cyst, yellow body cyst or mature teratoma (reference group). OT-related data were obtained from medical documentation (diagnostic tests, medical reproductive and surgical history, clinical status during OT surgery). Follow-up data were collected by means of a telephone interview. The survey included questions focused on women's fertility during a 24-month period following the surgical treatment of OT (conception, subsequent pregnancies, recurrence of OT). RESULTS: A 24-month follow-up period revealed that the cumulative pregnancy rate was significantly higher in reference group (RG) as compared to endometrioma group (EG), i.e. 52.6% vs. 32.3%. Lower pregnancy risk was demonstrated in a EG group vs. other benign ovarian tumors, HR=0.57 (CI 0.33-0.99; p=0.049), log-rank test p=0.045. Benign OT returned in 19.3% vs. EG 36.3%, HR= 2.5 (CI 1.16-5.55 ; p=0.019) log-rank test: p=0.0136. The EG was divided on two subgroups: women with solitary endometrioma and women with endometrioma and coexistent peritoneal endometriosis. The study showed insignificantly lower risk of pregnancy in a group of advanced endometriosis vs. solitary endometrioma group (HR= 0.79 (CI 0.34-1.83; log-rank test p=0.57; pregnancy rate 29.3% vs. 40.0%). Statistically nonsignificant higher pregnancy rate occurred in a group of women with tumor ≤50mm in size among patients with benign ovarian tumor and solitary endometrioma vs. group of women with tumor >50mm (30% vs. 61%; p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: There is a low pregnancy rate after laparoscopic cystectomy of benign OT. Moreover, pregnancy rate after cystectomy of endometrioma is significantly lower and the percentage of reccurence of endometrioma is significantly higher. That is why, the decision about surgical treatment among childbearing women must be well-considered because of the risk of subsequent surgery in the future.

Microvesicles as a potential biomarker of neoplastic diseases and their role in development and progression of neoplasm.

Neoplastic diseases together with cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent causes of death in the Polish population. Cancers of reproductive organs with breast cancer are responsible for the highest morbidity and mortality in women suffering from neoplasm diseases. Asymptomatic dynamics of the development of a neoplasm and no deviations from the normal level of laboratory results contribute to the fact that malignant diseases are diagnosed too late. The aim of modern medicine is to diagnose cancer at the earliest stage, however, there is no sufficiently sensitive and specific biomarker which can be used for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. Cellular interactions play the main role in the development, angiogenesis and invasiveness of a tumor. Recent research suggests the possibility of microvesicles (MVs) involvement in communication between cells. The MVs ability to fuse with various cells is used in cell-to-cell contact. Microvesicles cargo may include growth factors, their receptors, protease, adhesion molecules, signaling molecules and the sequence of DNA, mRNA, and micro-RNA. Larger quantities of MVs released from neoplastic cells affect both the local environment and systematic range causing metastases and progression. The research on molecular mechanisms of MVs' release and the presence of characteristic oncogenes in blood of patients with neoplasms is being carried out. Confirmation of MVs presence in patients' serum can potentially serve as useful information for therapeutic purposes and as the biomarker of a neoplastic disease.

Vaginal hysterectomy vs. laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive system. Although the majority of myomas are asymptomatic, some patients have symptoms or signs of varying degrees and require a hysterectomy. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical results of two minimally invasive hysterectomy techniques: vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was performed at a tertiary care center: the Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology Department, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute. The study period was from January 2003 to December 2012. A total of 159 women underwent either vaginal hysterectomy (VH, n = 120) or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH, n = 39) for symptomatic uterine myomas. Outcome measures, including past medical history, blood loss, major complications, operating time and discharge time were assessed and compared between the studied groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t-test, U-Mann Whitney test, χ(2) test and Yates'χ(2) test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no differences in patients' mean age. Parity was significantly higher in the VH group (VH 1.9 ± 0.7 vs. LAVH 1.5 ± 0.8; p = 0.008). No difference was found in the mean ± standard deviation (SD) uterine volume between vaginal hysterectomy and LAVH groups (179 ± 89 vs. 199 ± 88 cm(3)), respectively. The mean operative time was significantly longer for the LAVH group (83 ± 29 vs. 131 ± 30 min; p = 0.0001). The intraoperative blood loss (VH 1.3 ± 1.1 vs. LAVH 1.4 ± 0.9 g/dl; p = 0.2) and the rate of intra- and postoperative complications were similar in both groups studied. The mean discharge time was longer for LAVH than for VH (VH 4.2 ± 1.2 vs. LAVH 5.3 ± 1.3 days, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and VH are safe hysterectomy techniques for women with the myomatous uterus. Concerning the LAVH, the abdominal-pelvic exploration and the ability to perform adnexectomy safely represent the major advantages comparing with VH. Vaginal hysterectomy had a shorter operating time and the mild blood loss making it a suitable method of hysterectomy for cases in which the shortest duration of surgery and anesthesia is preferable.

[Salpingotomy vs salpingectomy--a comparison of women's fertility after surgical treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy during a 24-month follow-up study]. / Salpingotomia vs salpingektomia--porównanie plodnosci kobiet po operacyjnym leczeniu jajowodowej ciazy ektopowej, 24-miesieczne badanie obserwacyjne.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is usually located in the Fallopian tube and it has a significant adverse effect on womens fertility Three types of EP treatment include: expectant, medical, and surgical radical (salpingectomy) or conservative (salpingotomy) management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare women's fertility after surgical radical or conservative treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the 58 patients operated because of tubal EP pregnancy 22 underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy (group 1) and 36 laparoscopic salpingectomy (group 2). EP-related data were obtained from medical documentation (the symptoms, diagnostic tests, EP risk factors, medical reproductive and surgical history clinical status during EP surgery). Follow-up data were collected by means of a telephone interview. The survey included questions focused on women's fertility during a 24-month period following the surgical treatment of EP (conception, subsequent intrauterine pregnancies and ectopic pregnancy). RESULTS: A 24-month follow-up period revealed that the cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate was higher in group 1 (salpingotomy) as compared to group 2 (salpingectomy), i.e. 50% vs. 41.5%, respectively. Tubal EP returned in 13.6% cases (group 1) vs. 19.4% (group 2). All submitted results are statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with the literature which reports a trend of higher odds for intrauterine pregnancy after salpingotomy for surgical treatment of EP as compared to salpingectomy Moreover the risk for recurrent tubal EP is comparable for both methods. Regardless, the decision about the operating range in case of EP always depends on the actual clinical state of the patient.

[Peritonitis caused by a giant trichobezoar ventriculi--a case report]. / Objawy ostrego brzucha wywolane bezoarem zoladka--opis przypadku.

Bezoars are the most common foreign bodies of gastrointestinal tract. They contain swallowed hair, different fibres, seeds, nut shells, sweets or drugs. Clinical manifestations vary, depending on the location and size of bezoar, from "no symptoms" to "acute abdomen" syndrome. In this case report, the authors describe a giant trichobezoar from the stomach of an 18-year-old girl, who had been admitted to the gynecological department with syndromes suggesting an ovarian cyst torsion. The preoperative diagnosis was not confirmed and a giant trichobezoar was found and removed during the surgery.

[The rare case of erosive lichen planus with large leasions in vulvar area and vagina]. / Rzadki przypadek liszaja plaskiego nadzerkowego z rozleglymi zmianami w obrebie sromu i pochwy.

The main aim of our paper was to point out the rare localization of erosive lichen planus in vulvar region and vagina. Moreover, these untreated lesions may be the starting point of squamous cell carcinoma.