A Survey of Female Sexual Functioning in the General Dutch Population.

BACKGROUND: After the diagnosis and treatment of disease, a major barrier to research on psychosexual functioning is the lack of a consistent estimate for the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in the general population. AIM: To clarify the prevalence of age-related female sexual functioning in the general population. METHODS: A sample was compiled by random selection of women from the general population in the northern part of the Netherlands and was categorized by age. Women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), personal medical items and daily activities, the Body Image Scale, the SF-36 Health Survey, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Participants' representativeness was assessed by comparing their characteristics with data from the Dutch Central Agency for Statistics and the Dutch Health Monitor. General health, fatigue, and well-being were compared with national or international data. OUTCOMES: Age-related total and domain scores of the FSFI. RESULTS: We evaluated female sexual functioning of 521 sexually active women. For women 20 to 80 years old, sexual functioning showed wide variance and was poor in 28% of all sexually active women, with FSFI scores being below the defined clinical cutoff (FSFI score < 26.55). Although sexual activity and functioning significantly decreased with increasing age, sexual satisfaction decreased only non-significantly. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides valuable age-specific ranges for female sexual functioning in the general population and can inform upcoming clinical studies. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the largest study on female sexual function in a representative Dutch population using internationally validated tools and described by age categories, providing valuable information that can help in the understanding of how female sexual function changes with age. The FSFI has been criticized for not assessing personal distress related to sexual problems, so the lack of the Female Sexual Distress Scale in our study is an unfortunate shortcoming. The high rate of sexual inactivity (31%) resulted in fewer women being available to evaluate sexual functioning, but this could reflect the actual level of sexual (in)activity among women in a general population. CONCLUSION: FSFI total and domain scores showed wide variation across all age categories, but overall, one in four sexually active women scored below the diagnostic cutoff score. Sexual activity and functioning also decreased with age, whereas sexual satisfaction decreased only slightly. Lammerink EAG, de Bock GH, Pascal A, et al. A Survey of Female Sexual Functioning in the General Dutch Population. J Sex Med 2017;42:937-949.

Overall survival benefit of androgen suppression in addition to dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy for high-risk prostate cancer: Nationwide real-world data indicates a shift in men that benefit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the real-world added value of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in addition to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in men with high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer, in view of advances in radiotherapy and diagnostics. METHODS: All Dutch men diagnosed with high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer (defined as: ≥cT2c-T3b N0M0, PSA ≥20-50 ng/ml, and/or Gleason score ≥8 (International Society of Urological Pathology [ISUP] grade ≥4)) from 2009 through 2019 and treated with EBRT with or without ADT were identified in the population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry. Propensity scores were used to match (1:1) men that received ADT to men that did not receive ADT. Subsequently, OS was compared. Analyses were also stratified by number of high-risk features, 1 (either ≥cT2c, PSA >20 ng/ml or Gleason score ≥8) versus ≥2 (out of ≥cT2c, PSA >20 ng/ml and Gleason score ≥8). RESULTS: A total of 14,773 men with high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer were identified, 3,958 (27%) of which received EBRT alone. After matching, 3,427 men remained in both groups and baseline characteristics were well-balanced. After a median follow-up of 92 months, OS was better in men treated with EBRT and ADT compared to men treated with EBRT alone (10-year OS: 66.4% versus 61.8%; HR 0.88 [95%CI: 0.80-0.96]). There was no statistically significant difference in OS in the subgroup of men with only 1 high-risk feature (10-year OS 67.7% versus 64.9%; HR 0.95 [95%CI: 0.85-1.07]). CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary cohort of men treated for high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer with EBRT, an OS benefit of adding ADT was only observed in men with at least 2 high-risk features. These results suggest that improvements in diagnostics and treatment in recent decades have resulted in a stage shift of men benefiting from the addition of ADT to EBRT.

Cognitive functioning in patients treated for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma and the effects of pituitary radiotherapy.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Cognitive deterioration is reported in patients with a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFA) and after pituitary radiotherapy. However, reported results are inconsistent and are potentially confounded by different underlying pituitary disorders. The aim of this study was to examine cognitive functions in patients previously treated for NFA with or without radiotherapy. DESIGN: Verbal memory was assessed with the Dutch equivalent to the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (15 Words Test, 15 WT). Executive functioning was examined using the Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT). We compared our patient cohort with large reference populations representative of the Dutch population. PATIENTS: Eighty-four patients (62±10 years) who underwent transsphenoidal surgery 8.6±6.3 years earlier participated. Patients who underwent radiotherapy (n=39) were compared to those who received surgery alone (n=45). All patients were on stable hormonal replacement therapy. RESULTS: The total patient group scored significantly below the reference sample on all 15 WT z-scores (95%CI): short-term memory, -0.3 (-0.5 to -0.1); total memory, -0.8 (-1.1 to -0.5); learning score, -0.3 (-0.5 to -0.1); delayed memory, -0.8 (-1.1 to -0.5), all P<0.01. The total patient group scored significantly below the reference sample on RFFT z-scores (95%CI): unique designs, -0.7 (-0.9 to -0.5) and perseverative errors, -0.5 (-0.8 to -0.2), both P<0.001. Patients who underwent radiotherapy showed no significant differences on cognition when compared to those who received surgery alone. CONCLUSION: Patients with NFA score significantly worse on cognition compared to reference populations. Radiotherapy does not appear to have a major influence on cognition.

An aggressive poorly differentiated plurihormonal Pit-1-positive adenoma.

SUMMARY: In July 2017, a 35-year-old woman was referred to our care for treatment of a large pituitary mass with an unusually high growth rate. She presented with right-sided ptosis and diplopia (n. III palsy), increasing retrobulbar pain and vertigo. Although laboratory investigations were consistent with acromegaly, she exhibited no clear phenotypic traits. During transsphenoidal surgery aimed at biopsy, typical adenomatous tissue was encountered, upon which it was decided to proceed to debulking. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a poorly differentiated plurihormonal Pit-1-positive adenoma with focal growth hormone (GH) and prolactin positivity, positive SSTR2 staining and a Ki-67 of 20-30%. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination revealed a large tumour remnant within the sella invading the right cavernous sinus with total encasement of the internal carotid artery and displacement of the right temporal lobe. As a consequence, she was treated additionally with radiotherapy, and a long-acting first-generation somatostatin analogue was prescribed. Subsequently, the patient developed secondary hypocortisolism and diabetes mellitus despite adequate suppression of GH levels. In September 2019, her symptoms recurred. Laboratory evaluations indicated a notable loss of biochemical control, and MRI revealed tumour progression. Lanreotide was switched to pasireotide, and successful removal of the tumour remnant and decompression of the right optic nerve was performed. She received adjuvant treatment with temozolomide resulting in excellent biochemical and radiological response after three and six courses. Symptoms of right-sided ptosis and diplopia remained. Evidence for systemic therapy in case of tumour progression after temozolomide is currently limited, although various potential targets can be identified in tumour tissue. LEARNING POINTS: Poorly differentiated plurihormonal Pit-1-positive adenoma is a potentially aggressive subtype of pituitary tumours. This subtype can express somatostatin receptors, allowing treatment with somatostatin analogues. A multidisciplinary approach involving an endocrinologist, neurosurgeon, pituitary pathologist, neuroradiologist, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist is key for the management of patients with aggressive pituitary tumours, allowing the successful application of multimodality treatment. Temozolomide is first-line chemotherapy for aggressive pituitary tumours and carcinomas. Further development of novel targeted therapies, such as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-targeted therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, is needed.

Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Survivors of Testicular Cancer More Than 20 Years after Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Impaired cognition can be a late effect after treatment in long-term testicular cancer (TC) survivors, negatively affecting their daily life. However, little data is available beyond 20 years post-treatment. We assessed cognitive impairment in very long-term TC survivors after CT or RT and compared the results with stage I TC survivors and controls. METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter cohort study, we enrolled TC survivors (treated with orchiectomy followed by CT or RT or orchiectomy only)-with a follow-up duration ≥ 20 years-and age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive testing included the Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Letter Fluency Test, Category Fluency Test, and Trail Making Test. We used fasting blood samples to assess the presence of hypogonadism and measured cardiovascular aging parameters, including carotid pulse wave velocity (c-PWV) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). RESULTS: We included 184 TC survivors (66 CT patients, 53 RT patients, and 65 orchiectomy-only patients) and 70 healthy controls. The median follow-up was 26 years (range: 20-42). TC survivors had a lower combined score of the cognitive tests (mean cumulative Z-score -0.85; 95% CI -1.39 to -0.33) compared to controls (mean 0.67; 95% CI -0.21 to 1.57, p < 0.01). In univariate analysis, the presence of hypogonadism (ß -1.50, p < 0.01), high c-PWV (ß -0.35, p = 0.09), and high AGEs (ß -1.27, p = 0.02) were associated with lower cognitive scores, while only AGEs (ß -1.17, p = 0.03) remained a significant predictor in multivariate analysis (Model R2 0.31, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term TC survivors performed worse on cognitive tests compared to controls. Physicians and patients should be informed about timely cardiovascular risk management and testosterone supplementation therapy during follow-up to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02572934.

Quality assurance in the 22991 EORTC ROG trial in localized prostate cancer: dummy run and individual case review.

INTRODUCTION: EORTC trial 22991 was designed to evaluate the addition of concomitant and adjuvant short-term hormonal treatments to curative radiotherapy in terms of disease-free survival for patients with intermediate risk localized prostate cancer. In order to assess the compliance to the 3D conformal radiotherapy protocol guidelines, all participating centres were requested to participate in a dummy run procedure. An individual case review was performed for the largest recruiting centres as well. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT-data of an eligible prostate cancer patient were sent to 30 centres including a description of the clinical case. The investigator was requested to delineate the volumes of interest and to perform treatment planning according to the protocol. Thereafter, the investigators of the 12 most actively recruiting centres were requested to provide data on five randomly selected patients for an individual case review. RESULTS: Volume delineation varied significantly between investigators. Dose constraints for organs at risk (rectum, bladder, hips) were difficult to meet. In the individual case review, no major protocol deviations were observed, but a number of dose reporting problems were documented for centres using IMRT. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results of this quality assurance program were satisfactory. The efficacy of the combination of a dummy run procedure with an individual case review is confirmed in this study, as none of the evaluated patient files harboured a major protocol deviation. Quality assurance remains a very important tool in radiotherapy to increase the reliability of the trial results. Special attention should be given when designing quality assurance programs for more complex irradiation techniques.

Postoperative use of somatostatin analogs and mortality in patients with acromegaly.

Objective To assess the effect of somatostatin analogs (SSAs) on mortality in relation to disease control of acromegaly after pituitary surgery. Design A retrospective study in two large tertiary referral centers in The Netherlands. Methods Overall, 319 patients with acromegaly in whom pituitary surgery was performed as primary therapy between January 1980 and July 2017 were included. Postoperative treatment with SSA was prescribed to 174 (55%) patients because of persistent or recurrent disease. Disease control at last visit was assessed by IGF1 standard deviation score (SDS). Adequate disease control was defined as IGF1 SDS ≤2. Univariate determinants of mortality and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for groups with and without SSA at any moment postoperatively and at last visit. Results In total, 27 deaths were observed. In univariate analysis, determinants of mortality were inadequate disease control (relative risk (RR): 3.41, P = 0.005), surgery by craniotomy (RR: 3.53, P = 0.013) and glucocorticoid substitution (RR: 2.11, P = 0.047). There was a strong trend toward increased mortality for patients who used SSA (RR: 2.01, P = 0.067) and/or dopamine agonists (RR: 2.54, P = 0.052) at last visit. The SMR of patients with adequate disease control who used SSA at any moment postoperatively (1.07, P = 0.785) and at last visit (1.19; P = 0.600) was not increased. Insufficiently controlled patients had a significantly raised SMR (3.92, P = 0.006). Conclusions Postoperative use of SSA is not associated with increased mortality in patients with acromegaly who attain adequate disease control. In contrast, inadequate disease control, primary surgery by craniotomy and glucocorticoid substitution are associated with increased mortality.

Development of a prediction model for late urinary incontinence, hematuria, pain and voiding frequency among irradiated prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Incontinence, hematuria, voiding frequency and pain during voiding are possible side effects of radiotherapy among patients treated for prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to develop multivariable NTCP models for these side effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was composed of 243 patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (stage T1-3). Genito-urinary (GU) toxicity was assessed using a standardized follow-up program. The GU toxicity endpoints were scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 (CTCAE 3.0) scoring system. The full bladder and different anatomical subregions within the bladder were delineated. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression analysis was used to analyze dose volume effects on the four individual endpoints. RESULTS: In the univariable analysis, urinary incontinence was significantly associated with dose distributions in the trigone (V55-V75, mean). Hematuria was significantly associated with the bladder wall dose (V40-V75, mean), bladder dose (V70-V75), cardiovascular disease and anticoagulants use. Pain during urinating was associated with the dose to the trigone (V50-V75, mean) and with trans transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). In the final multivariable model urinary incontinence was associated with the mean dose of the trigone. Hematuria was associated with bladder wall dose (V75) and cardiovascular disease, while pain during urinating was associated with trigone dose (V75) and TURP. No significant associations were found for increase in voiding frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation-induced urinary side effects are associated with dose distributions to different organs as risk. Given the dose effect relationships found, decreasing the dose to the trigone and bladder wall may reduce the incidence of incontinence, pain during voiding and hematuria, respectively.

Risk of Solid Cancer After Treatment of Testicular Germ Cell Cancer in the Platinum Era.

Purpose Testicular cancer (TC) treatment increases risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs). It is unknown whether changes in TC treatment over time have affected SMN risk. Methods Solid SMN risk was evaluated in a multicenter cohort comprising 5,848 1-year survivors treated for TC before age 50 years between 1976 and 2007. SMN incidence was compared with cancer incidence in the general population. Treatment-specific risks were assessed using multivariable regression in a case-cohort design. Results After a median follow-up of 14.1 years, 350 solid SMNs were observed, translating into a 1.8-fold (95% CI, 1.6-2.0) increased risk compared with general population rates. Solid SMN risk was increased in patients with seminoma and those with nonseminoma (standardized incidence ratio, 1.52 and 2.21, respectively). Patients with nonseminoma experienced increased risk of SMNs of the thyroid, lung, stomach, pancreas, colon, and bladder and of melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma, whereas those with seminoma experienced increased risk of SMNs of the small intestine, pancreas, and urinary bladder. The 25-year cumulative incidence of solid SMNs was 10.3% (95% CI, 9.0% to 11.6%). In multivariable analysis, platinum-based chemotherapy was associated with increased risk of a solid SMN (hazard ratio [HR], 2.40; 95% CI, 1.58 to 3.62), colorectal SMN (HR, 3.85; 95% CI, 1.67 to 8.92), and noncolorectal GI SMN (HR, 5.00; 95% CI, 2.28 to 10.95). Receipt of platinum 400 to 499 and ≥ 500 mg/m2 increased solid SMN risk compared with surgery only (HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.40 to 4.23 and HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.50 to 3.90, respectively), whereas risk was not significantly increased with lower doses (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 0.90 to 3.43). The HR of a GI SMN increased by 53% (95% CI, 26% to 80%) per 100 mg/m2 of platinum-containing chemotherapy. The HR of an infradiaphragmatic SMN increased by 8% per Gray of radiation dose administered (95% CI, 6% to 9%; P < .001). Conclusion Radiotherapy and platinum-containing chemotherapy are associated with increased solid SMN risk, specifically with GI SMNs.

Immediate postoperative radiotherapy in residual nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma: beneficial effect on local control without additional negative impact on pituitary function and life expectancy.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the benefit of immediate postoperative radiotherapy in residual nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFA) in perspective to the need for hormonal substitution and life expectancy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective cohort analysis of 122 patients, operated for NFA between 1979 and 1998. Recurrence was defined as regrowth on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The occurrence of hormonal deficiencies was defined as the starting date of hormonal substitution therapy. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients had residual NFA after surgery and received immediate postoperative radiotherapy (Group 1); three patients developed a recurrence, resulting in a 95% local control rate at 10 years. Twenty-eight patients had residual NFA after surgery, but were followed by a wait-and-see policy (Group 2). Sixteen developed a recurrence, resulting in a local control rate of 49% at 5 years and 22% at 10 years (p < 0.001 compared with Group 1). There were no differences between Group 1 and 2 regarding the need for substitution with thyroid hormone, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones before first surgery, directly after surgery and at end of follow-up. There were no differences in hormone substitution free survival between Group 1 and Group 2 during the study period after first surgery. Life expectancy was similar in Group 1 and 2, and their median life expectancy did not differ from median life expectancy in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate postoperative radiotherapy provides a marked improvement of local control among patients with residual NFA compared with surgery alone, without an additional deleterious effect on pituitary function and life expectancy.

Patient position verification with oblique radiation beams.

PURPOSE: In this study we investigated whether the position of head and neck cancer patients during radiotherapy could be determined from portal images of oblique radiation beams. Currently applied additional anterior posterior (AP) and lateral verification beams could then be abandoned. METHOD: The patient position was determined from portal images of the oblique radiation beams and compared with that determined from AP and lateral verification beams. Seven hundred and fifty-one portal images of 18 different patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The set-up errors of patients that were treated with oblique gantry angles could be determined with the same accuracy from the oblique beams as from the AP and lateral verification beams in the ventrodorsal and craniocaudal direction. An additional AP beam was necessary to obtain the same accuracy in the lateral direction, because the used beam directions were relatively close to lateral. The position verification of patients treated with both oblique gantry angles and isocentric table rotations was more accurate if AP and lateral verification beams were used. CONCLUSIONS: For patients treated with an irradiation technique with oblique gantry angles (and no isocentric table rotations) position verification can be performed by using these oblique radiation beams.

Guidelines for target volume definition in post-operative radiotherapy for prostate cancer, on behalf of the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group.

The appropriate application of 3-D conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy or image guided radiotherapy for patients undergoing post-operative radiotherapy for prostate cancer requires a standardisation of the target volume definition and delineation as well as standardisation of the clinical quality assurance procedures. Recommendations for this are presented on behalf of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Radiation Oncology Group and in addition to the already published guidelines for radiotherapy as the primary treatment.

Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models for late rectal bleeding, stool frequency and fecal incontinence after radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Curative radiotherapy for prostate cancer may lead to anorectal side effects, including rectal bleeding, fecal incontinence, increased stool frequency and rectal pain. The main objective of this study was to develop multivariable NTCP models for these side effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample was composed of 262 patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (stage T1-3). Anorectal toxicity was prospectively assessed using a standardized follow-up program. Different anatomical subregions within and around the anorectum were delineated. A LASSO logistic regression analysis was used to analyze dose volume effects on toxicity. RESULTS: In the univariable analysis, rectal bleeding, increase in stool frequency and fecal incontinence were significantly associated with a large number of dosimetric parameters. The collinearity between these predictors was high (VIF>5). In the multivariable model, rectal bleeding was associated with the anorectum (V70) and anticoagulant use, fecal incontinence was associated with the external sphincter (V15) and the iliococcygeal muscle (V55). Finally, increase in stool frequency was associated with the iliococcygeal muscle (V45) and the levator ani (V40). No significant associations were found for rectal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Different anorectal side effects are associated with different anatomical substructures within and around the anorectum. The dosimetric variables associated with these side effects can be used to optimize radiotherapy treatment planning aiming at prevention of specific side effects and to estimate the benefit of new radiation technologies.

Outcome of high-risk stage IC, grade 3, compared with stage I endometrial carcinoma patients: the Postoperative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma Trial.

PURPOSE: Stage IC, grade 3 endometrial cancer is regarded as a high-risk category. Stage IC, grade 3 patients were not eligible for the randomized Postoperative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC) trial, but were registered and received postoperative radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The PORTEC trial included 715 patients with stage IC, grade 1 or 2, and stage IB, grade 2 or 3 endometrial cancer. Patients were randomly assigned after surgery to receive pelvic radiotherapy (RT) or no further treatment. A total of 104 patients with stage IC, grade 3 endometrial cancer were registered, of whom 99 could be evaluated. Patterns of relapse and survival were compared with PORTEC patients receiving RT. Median follow-up was 83 months. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-year rates of locoregional relapse were 1% to 3% for PORTEC patients who received RT, compared with 14% for stage IC, grade 3 patients. Five-year distant metastases rates were 3% to 8% for grade 1 and 2 tumors; 20% for stage IB, grade 3 tumors; and 31% for stage IC, grade 3 tumors. Overall survival rates were 83% to 85% for grades 1 and 2; 74% for stage IB, grade 3; and 58% for stage IC, grade 3 patients (P <.001). In multivariate analysis grade 3 was the most important adverse prognostic factor for relapse and death as a result of endometrial cancer (hazard ratios, 5.4 and 5.5; P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients with stage IC, grade 3 endometrial carcinoma are at high risk of early distant spread and endometrial carcinoma-related death. Novel strategies for adjuvant therapy should be explored to improve survival for this patient group.

Cognition and brain abnormalities on MRI in pituitary patients.

PURPOSE: The extent to which cognitive dysfunction is related to specific brain abnormalities in patients treated for pituitary macroadenoma is unclear. Therefore, we compared brain abnormalities seen on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in patients treated for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFA) with or without impairments in cognitive functioning. METHODS: In this cross-sectional design, a cohort of 43 NFA patients was studied at the University Medical Center Groningen. White matter lesions (WMLs), cerebral atrophy, (silent) brain infarcts and abnormalities of the temporal lobes and hippocampi were assessed on pre-treatment and post-treatment MRI scans. Post-treatment cognitive examinations were performed using a verbal memory and executive functioning test. We compared our patient cohort with large reference populations representative of the Dutch population. RESULTS: One or more impairments on both cognitive tests were frequently observed in treated NFA patients. No treatment effects were found with regard to the comparison between patients with and without impairments in executive functioning. Interestingly, in patients with one or more impairments on verbal memory function, treatment with radiotherapy had been given more frequently (74% in the impaired group versus 40% in the unimpaired group, P=0.025). Patients with or without any brain abnormality on MRI did not differ in verbal memory or executive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Brain abnormalities on MRI are not observed more frequently in treated NFA patients with impairments compared to NFA patients without impairments in verbal memory or executive functioning. Conversely, the absence of brain abnormalities on MRI does not exclude impairments in cognition.

Radiation optic neuropathy after external beam radiation therapy for acromegaly: report of two cases.

For diagnosing radiation optic neuropathy (RON) ophthalmological and imaging data were evaluated from 63 acromegalic patients, irradiated between 1967 and 1998. Two patients developed RON: one patient in one optic nerve 10 years and another patient in both optic nerves 5 months after radiation therapy. RON is a rare complication after external beam radiation therapy for acromegaly, which can occur after a considerable latency period.

Cognitive adaptation: a comparison of cancer patients and healthy references.

OBJECTIVES: Taylor's theory of cognitive adaptation proposes that adjustment depends on the ability to sustain and modify illusions (i.e. unrealistic optimism, exaggerated perceptions of control, and self-aggrandizement) that buffer against threats but also against possible future setbacks. Because the question of whether cancer patients show these illusions has received little attention, the present study compared patients' perceptions of optimism, control, and self-esteem at different stages of the cancer process with that of healthy references. The effects of these perceptions on psychological distress were also assessed. DESIGN: The present study has a longitudinal design. Including a group of healthy references enabled us to draw more firm conclusions about the effect of cancer upon cognitive perceptions. METHODS: The participants were 67 cancer patients and 50 healthy references. Patients filled out questionnaires prior to their first radiotherapy (T1), at 2 weeks (T2), and at 3 months (T3) after completing radiotherapy. Healthy references were assessed at similar intervals. RESULTS: T tests revealed that patients experienced significantly higher levels of optimism and self-esteem than the healthy reference group. Concerning control, no group differences were found. Importantly, regression analyses showed that lower levels of optimism and control at T1 were predictive of feelings of anxiety at T3. Lower perceived control also predicted depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Results support the theory of cognitive adaptation in that patients are indeed able to respond to cancer with high levels of optimism and self-esteem and that lower levels of optimism and control are predictive of psychological distress.

The impact of gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity on health related quality of life among irradiated prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of late radiation-induced toxicity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample was composed of 227 patients, treated with external beam radiotherapy. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 were used to grade late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess HRQoL at baseline, and 6, 12 and 24 months after completion of radiotherapy. Statistical analysis was performed using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). RESULTS: Urinary incontinence and rectal discomfort significantly affected HRQoL. The impact of urinary incontinence on HRQoL was most pronounced 6 months after radiotherapy and gradually decreased over time. The impact of rectal discomfort on HRQoL was predominant at 6 months after radiotherapy, decreased at 12 months and increased again 2 years after radiotherapy. No significant impact on HRQoL was observed for any of the other toxicity endpoints, or non-toxicity related factors such as hormonal therapy, radiotherapy technique or age. CONCLUSION: Urinary incontinence and rectal discomfort have a significant impact on HRQoL. Prevention of these side effects may likely improve quality of life of prostate cancer patients after completion of treatment.

Quality of life among prostate cancer patients: a prospective longitudinal population-based study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the course of quality of life (QoL) among prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy and to compare the results with QoL of a normal age-matched reference population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population was composed of 227 prostate cancer patients, treated with radiotherapy. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was used to assess QoL before radiotherapy and six months, one year, two years and three years after completion of radiotherapy. Mixed model analyses were used to investigate longitudinal changes in QoL. QoL of prostate cancer patients was compared to that of a normative cohort using a multivariate analysis of covariance. RESULTS: A significant decline in QoL was observed after radiotherapy (p<0.001). The addition of hormonal therapy to radiotherapy was associated with a lower level of role functioning. Patients with coronary heart disease and or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma had a significantly worse course in QoL. Although statistically significant, all differences were classified as small or trivial. CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer patients experience a small worsening of QoL as compared with baseline and as compared with a normal reference population. As co-morbidity modulates patients' post-treatment QoL, a proper assessment of co-morbidity should be included in future longitudinal analyses on QoL.

Follow-up effects of social comparison information on the quality of life of cancer patients: the moderating role of social comparison orientation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how social comparison orientation (SCO) moderates the effects of three types of social comparison information on the global quality of life of cancer patients 2 weeks and 3 months later. DESIGN: Cancer patients (n=226) were provided with social comparison information just prior to undergoing radiation therapy, using audiotapes. Each participant was confronted with one of three tapes: (1) focusing on procedural aspects, (2) focusing on emotional reactions and (3) focusing on coping strategies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality of life as measured with the Cantril self-anchoring scale [Cantril, H. (1965). The pattern of human concerns. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press]. RESULTS: With increasing SCO, a lower quality of life was reported after listening to the emotion tape, while a higher quality of life was reported after listening to the coping tape. These effects were found 2 weeks as well as 3 months after the radiation therapy had ended. CONCLUSION: Social comparison information may have longitudinal effects on quality of life, but these effects are to an important extent dependent on the nature of the information and individual differences in SCO.