Outcomes, toxicity profiles, and prognostic factors of unresectable head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy

Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that can have a poor prognosis when diagnosed in advanced stages. The optimized treatment for locally advanced and unresectable lesions is mainly based on radiotherapy associated with chemotherapy (cisplatin 100mg/m²), however, at the expense of a high toxicity index. Objective: Evaluate whether chemoradiotherapy (CRT) ­ the goldstandard treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) ­ is effective in the study population. Methods: This is a retrospective study aimed at determining the efficacy of definitive CRT in patients with unresectable HNC treated between the 2012 and 2018 in a single institution. The following outcomes were evaluated: objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity profiles. Results: Fifty-two (52) patients diagnosed with HNC between 2012 and 2018 met the inclusion criteria. The ORR was 84.6%, with 50% showing complete response. Median PFS and OS were 35.3 and 52 months, respectively. Analysis of the toxicity profiles revealed that 69.2% of the patients presented grade 3-4 toxicity. Completion of two or more cycles of cisplatin-based therapy (HR 3.57 [95% CI 1.25­10.25]; p p<0.001), grade 3-4 toxicity (HR 0.27 [95% CI 0.09-0.8] ­ p<0.02), and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (HR 3.23 [95% CI 1.26­8.29]; p<0.001) were significantly associated with survival. Regarding toxicity, prophylactic low-level laser therapy (HR 0.48 [95% CI 0.27­0.86]; p<0.001 for those without this practice) and body mass index (BMI) (HR 0.27 [95% CI 0.09­0.76]; p<0.01) showed statistical significance. Conclusion: CRT was effective to treat HNC in the study population, with PFS and OS comparable to those reported in larger sample studies and lower toxicity grade. Some clinical characteristics have been identified as prognostic and/or predictive factors.

Prevalência e práticas preventivas em infertilidade entre mulheres atendidas em um serviço público de saúde / Prevalence and preventive practices in infertility among women attending a public health service

Objetivo: O estudo foi feito a fim de avaliar o conhecimento e a prática de medidas preventivas em infertilidade. Método: Durante um mês foi aplicado um questionário às pacientes que frequentam o Ambulatório de Ginecologia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, de modo consentido e sem se identificar, com perguntas relacionadas à prevenção de infertilidade. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que entre 134 mulheres entrevistadas, 68% nunca se preocuparam com não conseguir ter filhos, 62% responderam saber da existência de medidas que podem prevenir a infertilidade, 49% são sedentárias, 72% fazem uso de preservativos, 36% fumam, 84% evitam ingesta de bebida alcoólica em excesso, 94% não fazem uso de drogas ilícitas, 61% controlam o peso, 77% pensam em ter filhos antes dos 35 anos e 87% consultam regularmente um ginecologista. Conclusão: O índice de apenas 32% das mulheres entrevistadas que se preocupam com não conseguir ter filhos revela a falta de conhecimentos sobre o problema. Embora 62% delas referiram ter conhecimento de medidas que podem prevenir a infertilidade, acredita-se que esse percentual seja menor na população em geral.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of preventive measures in infertility. Methods: For one month a questionnaire was administered to patients who attend the Gynecology, Federal University of Pelotas, so consented and without identifying themselves, with questions related to prevention of infertility. Results: The results show that among 134 women interviewed, 68% never bothered to not be able to have children, 62% said they knew about the measures that can prevent infertility, 49% is sedentary, 72% makes use of condoms, 36% smoke, 84% avoid ingestion of alcohol in excess, 94% did not use illegal drugs, 61% controls weight, 77% think having children before 35 years and 87% of the group regularly consults a gynecologist. Conclusion: Since only 32% of women are concerned with can’t have children, reveals a lack of knowledge about the problem. Although 62% of them reported that he is aware of measures which can prevent infertility, it is believed that this percentage is smaller in the general population.