[Taking patients' views into consideration at planning and evaluating care. Patient Reported Outcomes]. / A páciensek véleményének figyelembevétele az egészségügyi ellátás tervezése és értékelése során. A páciensek egészségértékelése.

Provision of patient-centred health care is impossible without the knowledge of the patient's perceptions, feelings and expectations. In contrast, participants feel the available time limited for satisfactory communication. This shortage may partially be compensated by measurements belonging to the concept of Patient Reported Outcomes. Concept definition, invention circle and use of the methods are largely diverse, eventually leading to misinterpretation of outcomes. For this reason, some organizations developed instructions, guidelines supporting uniform interpretation and application. Measures so far have rather served research goals yet may be applied in the clinical practice as well. They are not only appropriate for the evaluation of outcomes, judgement of adequacy and safety of care on systemic or institutional level, but also for the planning of individual patient care and supporting communication and co-operation. The present paper aims to provide general information and references for introducing the details. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(6): 215-222.

[Paclitaxel containing chemotherapeutic regimens in first line and reintroduced palliative treatment of metastatic cervical cancer]. / Paklitaxeltartalmú kemoterápiás kombináció metasztatikus cervixtumor elso vonali és reindukciós palliatív kezelésében.

INTRODUCTION: The paclitaxel-carboplatin doublet is an alternative choice in the first line treatment of metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer according to international guidelines. METHOD: The history of seven patients treated with paclitaxel-platinum in the last three years in the Petz Aladár Hospital is reported. A case report, supporting the efficacy of the combination in emergency and in reintroduced settings is presented as well. RESULTS: The average progression-free survival was 10 months. All patients were alive at the time of the submission of the article. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the efficacy of the paclitaxel-carboplatin AUC 5 and the paclitaxel-cisplatin combinations in the treatment of metastatic cervical cancer. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(24): 974-977.

Variability of breath condensate pH may contribute to the better understanding of non-allergic seasonal respiratory diseases.

The seasonal variability of certain non-allergic respiratory diseases is not clearly understood. Analysis of the breath condensate, the liquid that can be collected by breathing into a cold tube, has been proposed to bring closer to the understanding of airway pathologies. It has been assumed, that (1) airway lining fluid was a stable body liquid and (2) the breath condensate samples were representative of the airway lining fluid. Research was focussed on the identification of biomarkers indicative of respiratory pathologies. Despite 30 years of extended investigations breath condensate analysis has not gained any clinical implementation so far. The pH of the condensate is the characteristic that can be determined with the highest reproducibility. The present paper shows, that contrary to the initial assumptions, breath condensate is not a representative of the airway lining fluid, and the airway lining fluid is not a stable body liquid. Condensate pH shows baseline variability and it is influenced by drinking and by the ambient temperature. The changes in condensate pH are linked to changes in airway lining fluid pH. The variability of airway lining fluid pH may explain seasonal incidence of certain non-allergic respiratory diseases such as the catching of a common cold and the increased incidence of COPD exacerbations and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in cold periods.

[Does the sidedness determine the first line treatment of irresectable metastatic colorectal cancer?] / Meghatározza-e az oldaliság az irreszekábilis metasztatikus colorectalis carcinoma elso vonalbeli kezelését?

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Median life expectancy of non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer may surpass three years. However, several points of the treatment strategy are subject of ongoing debate. Optimal sequence of targeted agents is not elucidated either. Based on retrospective analyses of six clinical studies and a metaanalysis, the superiority of anti-EGFR agents such as cetuximab and panitumumab over anti-VEGF bevacizumab has been proposed in the treatment of left sided tumours. METHOD: The results of the six major clinical trials were analysed. Insufficiencies of the meta-analysis are pointed: the lack of homogeneity among control groups, the omission of later lines of therapy, the inconsistency between progression free and overall survival benefit and the high proportion of excluded patients. RESULTS: The trials confirm the worse prognosis of right sided versus left sided colorectal cancers. CONCLUSION: To date the data are not strong enough to support the preference of any of the available targeted agents at the first line setting in the treatment of left sided metastatic RAS and BRAF wild type colorectal cancers. Several trials suggest that anti-EGFR treatment has no additional benefit as compared to chemotherapy alone in the treatment of right-sided tumours. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(9), 340-344.

[Analysis of the accessibility of short acting oral opioids in Hungary]. / A rövid hatású, szájon át adható morfinszármazékok hazai elérhetoségének elemzése.

Short acting oral formulas make part of optimal opioid analgesia. The use of short acting oral morphine has not widely spread in Hungary, and these drugs completely lacked from the market for three years. Since December 2015 short acting morphine-sulphate has again been commercialised. The causes of the market failure are analysed in this article. The aim of the retrospective analysis is to help the accessibility of the medicine to every patient in need. Prescription morphine use depends on the harmonised cooperation of a number of actors. Besides regulating and financing authorities and professional organisations, patients and the opinion forming media are also responsible for building up the right routine.

[Effective palliative chemotherapy in a patient with collecting duct carcinoma of a unilateral kidney associated with anuria. Case report]. / Féloldali vese gyujtocsatornás daganatának eredményes palliatív kemoterápiás kezelése anuria mellett.

The case of a 54-year-old woman is presented. She underwent right sided unilateral nephrectomy for metastatic bilateral renal tumour of the Bellini collecting ducts. Progression of the contralateral tumour resulted in acute complete anuric renal failure. Haemodialysis was started along with palliative gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2))-cisplatine (70 mg/m(2)) chemotherapy. In parallel, renal function was improving and dialysis could be stopped at the end of the chemotherapy line comprising 6 cycles. Half a year later the patient was lost of uncontrolled local and pulmonary progression. The potentially nephrotoxic cisplatine chemotherapy associated to complex supportive treatment improved the renal function by controlling diffusely infiltrative tumour growth and allowed a survival benefit over one year with active household keeping capacity.

[Effective systemic palliative chemotherapy for intracranial metastases of breast cancer]. / Emlotumor intracranialis metasztázisainak eredményes szisztémás palliatív kemoterápiája.

The authors present the history of two patients. The first patient, a 69-year-old woman was diagnosed with locally invasive triple negative breast cancer with pulmonary and cerebral metastases. Complete radiological remission of the clinically asymptomatic cerebral metastases was detected under systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin-docetaxel (75 mg/m2). Later, the patient received whole brain radiotherapy and a second line of chemotherapy. The overall survival was 20 months from the diagnosis of cerebral metastases with conservation of partial autonomy. The second patient, a 57-year-old woman was diagnosed as having hormone sensitive lobular breast cancer with leptomeningeal, lymphonodular and multiple osseal metastases. Before the appearance of the lymphonodular metastasis the patient received intrathecal methotrexate chemotherapy for the leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Her neurological symptoms completely disappeared. At the onset of the lymphonodular metastasis systemic chemotherapy with ifosfamide (1000 mg/m2, D1-3) - etoposide (100 mg/m2, D1-3) was started allowing complete clinical remission of the lymphadenomegaly and stability of the asymptomatic neurological status. The overall survival was 13 months from the diagnosis of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis with conservation of autonomy. The two cases support potential efficacy of systemic chemotherapy for intracranial metastases of breast cancer. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(45), 1809-1813.

[New option in the management of cancer pain in Hungary: short acting oral opioid therapy]. / Új lehetoség a daganatos fájdalom csillapításában Magyarországon: rövid hatású major analgetikumok.

Short acting oral morphine has recently been registered again in Hungary. Short acting oral morphine has two essential indications: dose titration at initiation of major analgesic therapy and treatment of breakthrough pain appearing beside round the clock major analgesic therapy. The clinical management of short acting oral morphine is summarised in this article.

[Hemospray: a novel therapeutic option in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding]. / Hemospray: Új lehetoség az akut felso gastrointestinalis vérzések ellátásában.

INTRODUCTION: Early endoscopic diagnosis and endoscopic therapy are very important in cases of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemospray is an inorganic powder with hemostatic properties recently proposed for the treatment of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. AIM: The aim of the authors was to report the first Hungarian experience obtained with Hemospray in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. METHOD: During a 14-month period 10 acute upper gastrointestinal bleeder patients were treated endoscopically with Hemospray in 11 settings. In 5 patients previous endoscopic hemostatic methods failed and in the remaining 5 patients Hemospray was administrated as a first-line therapy. RESULTS: Primary hemostasis was achieved in 9 of the 10 patients treated with Hemospray. Two patients died during hospitalization (uncontrolled arterial bleeding in one patient and hepatic encephalopathy in the other one patient). Primary hemostasis and hemodynamic stability were achieved in each of the 4 patients who had thrombopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Hemospray as a rescue therapy may ensure primary hemostasis in severe acute gastrointestinal bleeding even in cases with thrombopenia.

[Acute acalculous cholecystitis: from common to rare causes]. / Akut acalculosus cholecystitis: a mindennapostól a nagyon ritkáig.

Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of acute calculous cholecystitis are well defined. Cholecystectomy is among the most frequently performed surgical interventions. In contrast, acute acalculous cholecystitis is a secondary condition; its cause may be difficult to determine and indication for surgical intervention has not been clearly established. The authors summarize the primary causes of acute acalculous cholecystitis and discuss ultrasonographic features which may help the decision to perform cholecystectomy in patients with acalculous cholecystitis.

[Acute cytomegalovirus infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in a patient treated with azathioprine]. / Azathioprin adása mellett kialakult haemophagocytosis szindrómával szövodött akut cytomegalovirus-fertozés.

The authors present the case of a 21-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis. Azathioprine treatment was complicated with pancytopenia and septic shock. Acute cytomegalovirus infection related to the immunosuppressive therapy, resulting in hemophagocytosis syndrome and neutropenic fever was diagnosed. Recovery was achieved by the administration of parenteral ganciclovir, broad spectrum antibiotic and complex intensive care.

[Empyema thoracis, hemorrhagic pericarditis and acalculous cholecystitis caused by Eikenella corrodens sepsis]. / Empyemát, haemorrhagiás pericarditist és acalculosus cholecystitist okozó Eikenella corrodens szepszis.

The authors present a case of a 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pneumonia in the left side complicated with pleural effusion and hemorrhagic pericarditis one month after she had undergone tonsillectomy. Eikenella corrodens was identified as pathogenic agent when the empyema was removed during thoracotomy. After the patient was given antibiotic treatment she was discharged from the hospital without any symptoms or complaints. However, one month after she had left the hospital she was readmitted to the surgical unit as an emergency because of acute abdominal complaints. On admission acalculous cholecystitis as well as hemorrhagic pericarditis requiring pericardiocentesis were also observed. A rare cause of sepsis, Eikenella corrodens was identified which resulted in a severe disorder including polyserositis. Pericardiocentesis was performed two times and the patient was given targeted antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. She was also treated with antimycotics as she had developed mycosis. After one month the patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital. No further recurrence of symptoms or complaints was observed during follow up.

[Multicentric Hungarian results of cabozantinib therapy in patients with metastatic kidney cancer based on real-world data]. / Áttétes vesedaganatos betegek kabozantinibterápiájának multicentrikus magyarországi eredményei.

The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of cabozantinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cabozantinib therapy initiated between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2022 was evaluated based on a retrospective review of data from 14 renal centers in Hungary. The starting dose was 60 or 40 mg. Physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed every 4 weeks and imaging studies 3-monthly. Tumor response was assessed according to RECIST 1.1, and toxicity according to NCI CTCAE 4.0. A total of 230 patient records were evaluated, 201 (87.4%) of them had clear cell RCC. Cabozantinib was administered as third, second and first-line treatment in 48.7%, 38.3% and <5% of cases, respectively. Dose reductions occurred in 62.6% and treatment interruption in 6.5%. Duration of therapy was 10.03 months, which was independent of dose reduction. Overall tumor response rate was 39.2% and clinical benefit was 82.8%. The duration of first-, second-, third- and fourth-line treatment was 11.47, 8.03, 11.57 and 10.13 months, respectively. Overall survival from the start of therapy was 22.0 months. Cabozantinib therapy in daily practice was more beneficial than according to registry study results. Dose reduction did not affect efficacy.

[Multicentric Hungarian results of cabozantinib therapy in patients with metastatic kidney cancer based on real-world data]. / Áttétes vesedaganatos betegek kabozantinibterápiájának multicentrikus magyarországi eredményei.

The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of cabozantinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cabozantinib therapy initiated between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2022 was evaluated based on a retrospective review of data from 14 renal centers in Hungary. The starting dose was 60 or 40 mg. Physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed every 4 weeks and imaging studies 3-monthly. Tumor response was assessed according to RECIST 1.1, and toxicity according to NCI CTCAE 4.0. A total of 230 patient records were evaluated, 201 (87.4%) of them had clear cell RCC. Cabozantinib was administered as third, second and first-line treatment in 48.7%, 38.3% and <5% of cases, respectively. Dose reductions occurred in 62.6% and treatment interruption in 6.5%. Duration of therapy was 10.03 months, which was independent of dose reduction. Overall tumor response rate was 39.2% and clinical benefit was 82.8%. The duration of first-, second-, third- and fourth-line treatment was 11.47, 8.03, 11.57 and 10.13 months, respectively. Overall survival from the start of therapy was 22.0 months. Cabozantinib therapy in daily practice was more beneficial than according to registry study results. Dose reduction did not affect efficacy.

[Treatment of anaemia in medical oncology]. / A vérszegénység kezelésének onkológiai szempontjai.

Development of cytotoxic chemotherapy, which has several side effects, has resulted in the development in supportive care as well. Two families of novel drugs have spread in the care of chemotherapy induced anaemia: human recombinant erythropoietin and intravenous iron. They were praised for the decreased transfusion demand and the increased quality of life. However, if we read the literature critically, our enthusiasm should be decreased. New data show an unfavourable impact of erythropoietin on life expectancy. Furthermore, the health care policy has changed since the introduction of erythropoietin 25 years ago. Transfusion control has improved and cost awareness in health care has increased. Recommendations of the American Societies of Haematology and Clinical Oncology reflect on these considerations. Erythropoietin is not recommended in adjuvant settings. The choice between erythropoietin and transfusion is conferred to the clinician in case of the development of metastases. No sufficient scientific argument was found to support the use of intravenous iron supplementation.

[Intrathecal methotrexate chemotherapy for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis]. / Meningitis carcinomatosa kezelése intrathecalis methotrexat-kemoterápiával.

Lung and breast cancer can give meningeal metastases. Clinical manifestations of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis include all forms of defect of the central nervous system depending on the localization of carcinomatous foci. Diagnosis is based on the detection of carcinomatous cells by the cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid. Without treatment the prognosis is limited to only some weeks or months. In case the meningeal carcinomatosis is related to breast cancer, intrathecal methotrexate chemotherapy may allow a significant survival benefit and improve the quality of life in about half of the patients.

Reinfection, recontamination and revaccination for SARS-CoV-2.

The reports on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) describe the pandemic in waves. Similar to the ocean's waves, the frequency and amplitude of the number of new cases and the number of deaths were globally quite regular; nevertheless, they showed important regional irregularities and the direction of spread has been generally rather unpredictable for COVID-19. One of the major reasons for the repeated outbreaks is the mutating capacity of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that allows the virus to infect persons who have natural immunity or have been vaccinated. Vaccination began in vast campaigns from the second year of the pandemic that was supposed to decrease the magnitude of the waves. Although it reduced the complications, the expected attenuation of the disease expansion has not yet been met. This paper provides a short overview of the most recent data on the rate of reinfection in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals. It points out that testing positive for a second time for SARS-CoV-2 does not necessarily mean a reinfection; it can also be interpreted as recontamination. The symptom free outcome as well as the rapid reconversion of the polymerase chain reaction test may help to determine the difference between reinfection and recontamination. Awareness of this phenomenon may be valuable in times of human resource difficulties. The available evidence may suggest that the protective value of a prior infection could be better considered for vaccine distribution in the future.

Assessment of exhaled breath condensate pH in exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A longitudinal study.

RATIONALE: Exhaled breath condensate pH has been proposed as a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation. However, due to standardization difficulties in pH measurement techniques, different pH readings were obtained in previous studies. OBJECTIVES: In this longitudinal study we assessed condensate pH in patients with an exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease using the very precise carbon dioxide standardization method that negates the effect of this gas on condensate acidity. METHODS: Condensate pH, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, lung function, and blood gases were measured in 20 nonsmoking patients with asthma and 21 smoking and 17 ex-smoking patients with chronic obstructive airway disease first at hospital admission due to an acute exacerbation of the disease and again at discharge after treatment. Condensate pH was also assessed in 18 smoking and 18 nonsmoking healthy control subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In patients with asthma, condensate pH was significantly decreased at the time of exacerbation compared with nonsmoking control subjects and increased with treatment. In patients with chronic obstructive airway disease, condensate pH remained unchanged during exacerbation, both in smokers and ex-smokers. Nevertheless, condensates collected from smokers were more acidic than those of ex-smokers. A similar difference was observed between smoker and nonsmoker healthy control subjects. No correlations were found between condensate pH and fractional exhaled nitric oxide or lung function variables measured either at admission or discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that exacerbation of asthma, but not chronic obstructive airway disease, is associated with acidification of breath condensate.

Complex oncologic therapy for loco-regionally advanced breast cancer associated with long-lasting SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positivity / Tartós SARS-CoV-2-PCR-pozitivitáshoz társuló, lokoregionálisan elorehaladott emlodaganat komplex onkológiai kezelése.

Összefoglaló. A COVID-19 mortalitását a súlyos társbetegségek, közöttük bizonyos daganatos betegségek is növelik. Immunszuppresszív hatásuk miatt felmerülhet a citotoxikus kezelések rizikónövelo hatása is. Ugyanakkor az onkológiai terápia megszakítása vagy halasztása, különösen az agresszívebb, kiterjedtebb és fiatalkorban jelentkezo daganatok esetében ronthatja a kórjóslatot. Egy 39 éves nobeteg esetét ismertetjük. A járvány során késlekedve felismert, lokoregionálisan kiterjedt emlodaganat miatt primer szisztémás kemoterápiában részesült. A kezelés 5. ciklusa során enyhe légúti tünetek kapcsán, az onkológiai ambulancián SARS-CoV-2-fertozése igazolódott. Kemoterápiás kezelését felfüggesztettük. A diagnózistól számított 3. napon tünetmentessé vált, ám SARS-CoV-2-PCR-pozitivitása még a 43. napon is fennállt. A 19. napon hormongátló kezelést indítottunk. Az 51. napon mastectomia és axillaris block dissectio történt. A 82. napon a megszakított kemoterápiát a hormongátló kezelés leállítását követoen G-CSF-profilaxis mellett újraindítottuk. A kezelés során fertozéses szövodményt nem észleltünk. Kemoterápia és mutét SARS-CoV-2-fertozött, tünetmentes daganatos betegnél szövodménymentesen végezheto elhúzódó virológiai pozitivitás esetén, felszabadító vizsgálat nélkül is. A daganatos betegek koronavírus-fertozése esetén az onkológiai protokolltól történo eltérés egyénre szabott optimalizálásával és a multidiszciplináris team szorosabb együttmuködésével az infektológiai és az onkológiai kockázat együttes alacsonyan tartása is megvalósítható. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 611-614. Summary. Mortality of COVID-19 is increased when certain co-morbidities, among others advanced malignancies are present. Deleterious effect of cytotoxic therapy, related to its immunosuppressive effect, may also be hypothesised. However, postponing or cancelling oncologic treatment, especially in younger patients with advanced and more aggressive tumors may worsen the prognosis. The case of a 39-year-old female patient is presented, who was diagnosed with loco-regionally advanced breast cancer during the pandemic. Primary systemic chemotherapy was started. The patient presented with acute respiratory tract symptoms during the fifth cycle and subsequently SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed. Chemotherapy was cancelled. Symptoms resolved in three days after diagnosis. SARS-CoV-2 PCR remained positive up to day 43. Antihormonal therapy was introduced on day 19 and she underwent mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection on day 51. Chemotherapy was reset postoperatively on day 82 with prophylactic G-CSF protection. No adverse event was observed throughout the treatment. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and surgery can be successfully delivered in breast cancer patients with prolonged asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity, even without negative swab result. Individual optimisation of the therapy may require deviations from standard protocols. Closer multidisciplinary cooperation may contribute to the minimisation of both oncologic and infectious risks. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 611-614.

Analysis of cytokine pattern in exhaled breath condensate of patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis is a promising method for investigating airway pathology. In this study we compared the cytokine pattern of EBC of patients suffering from squamous cell lung carcinoma with that of healthy smokers. Breath condensates collected from 8 smoking lung cancer patients before receiving any anticancer treatment and 8 smokers without any clinical or radiological evidence of pulmonary tumors were used for antibody microarray analysis testing 120 cytokines simultaneously. Ninety-eight cytokines on the array gave a detectable signal in both groups. Cytokine levels were similar across the samples, and none of the cytokines exhibited a significant increase or decrease in cancer patients as compared to healthy subjects with similar smoking status, lung function, and airway inflammation. The results of this pilot study suggest that patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma cannot be distinguished from smokers with no pulmonary tumors based on EBC cytokine signals only.