Impact of gastrointestinal side effects on patients’ reported quality of life trajectories after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Data from the prospective, observational pros-it CNR study

Radiotherapy (RT) represents an important therapeutic option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The aim of the current study is to examine trajectories in patients’ reported quality of life (QoL) aspects related to bowel function and bother, considering data from the PROState cancer monitoring in ITaly from the National Research Council (Pros-IT CNR) study, analyzed with growth mixture models. Data for patients who underwent RT, either associated or not associated with androgen deprivation therapy, were considered. QoL outcomes were assessed over a 2-year period from the diagnosis, using the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (Italian-UCLA-PCI). Three trajectories were identified for the bowel function; having three or more comorbidities and the use of 3D-CRT technique for RT were associated with the worst trajectory (OR = 3.80, 95% CI 2.04–7.08; OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.22–3.87, respectively). Two trajectories were identified for the bowel bother scores; diabetes and the non-Image guided RT method were associated with being in the worst bowel bother trajectory group (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.67; OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.70–3.86, respectively). The findings from this study suggest that the absence of comorbidities and the use of intensity modulated RT techniques with image guidance are related with a better tolerance to RT in terms of bowel side effects

Disease-specific and general health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients: The Pros-IT CNR study

Background: The National Research Council (CNR) prostate cancer monitoring project in Italy (Pros-IT CNR) is an observational, prospective, ongoing, multicentre study aiming to monitor a sample of Italian males diagnosed as new cases of prostate cancer. The present study aims to present data on the quality of life at time prostate cancer is diagnosed. Methods: One thousand seven hundred five patients were enrolled. Quality of life is evaluated at the time cancer was diagnosed and at subsequent assessments via the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Results: At diagnosis, lower scores on the physical component of the SF-12 were associated to older ages, obesity and the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities. Lower scores on the mental component were associated to younger ages, the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities and a T-score higher than one. Urinary and bowel functions according to UCLA-PCI were generally good. Almost 5% of the sample reported using at least one safety pad daily to control urinary loss; less than 3% reported moderate/severe problems attributable to bowel functions, and sexual function was a moderate/severe problem for 26.7%. Diabetes, 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities, T2 or T3-T4 categories and a Gleason score of eight or more were significantly associated with lower sexual function scores at diagnosis. Conclusions: Data collected by the Pros-IT CNR study have clarified the baseline status of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. A comprehensive assessment of quality of life will allow to objectively evaluate outcomes of different profile of care

Relapsed mantle cell lymphoma presenting with lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia: A case report

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia are rare presentations of malignancy with a poor prognosis. We present the case of a mantle cell lymphoma patient who relapsed with lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. Although blood glucose, pH, and lactate normalized following chemotherapy and intensive care support, the patient died from ventilator‐associated pneumonia

Relapsed mantle cell lymphoma presenting with lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia: A case report.

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia are rare presentations of malignancy with a poor prognosis. We present the case of a mantle cell lymphoma patient who relapsed with lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. Although blood glucose, pH, and lactate normalized following chemotherapy and intensive care support, the patient died from ventilator-associated pneumonia

Relapsed mantle cell lymphoma presenting with lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia: A case report.

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia are rare presentations of malignancy with a poor prognosis. We present the case of a mantle cell lymphoma patient who relapsed with lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. Although blood glucose, pH, and lactate normalized following chemotherapy and intensive care support, the patient died from ventilator-associated pneumonia

Long-term functional outcomes in patients with a W-shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder with no antireflux mechanism

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term renal function, continence, and voiding function in 64 patients, surviving for 5 or more years after W-shaped ileal neobladder with a short afferent limb and refluxing ureterointestinal anastomoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Kidney morphology and function were evaluated using nuclear renography, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate. Continence and voiding function were evaluated with a diary on frequency, voided volumes, number of pads, and with the incontinence severity index (ISI) questionnaire, the American Urological Association-Symptom Index (AUA-SI), and the American Urological Association-Symptom Problem Index. RESULTS The renal scan showed a dilatation of the upper urinary tract in 4.8% of renoureteral units. Of the patients, 12.5% voided with intermittent or permanent catheterization. The remaining 87.5% voided spontaneously; 75% did not use pads, 12.5% used protection for safety, 7.1% 1 pad, and 5.4% more than 1 pad, during the day; during night, 55.3% did not use pads, 23.2% used protection for safety, and 12.6% and 8.9% 1 or more than 1 pad. The ISI questionnaire showed that 35.7% were fully continent, whereas 41%, 12.5%, and 10.8% had slight, moderate, and severe incontinence. The AUA-SI showed that 50% had mild, 39.3% moderate, and 10.7% severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Urinary incontinence, daytime frequency, and nocturia correlated positively with the age of patients at follow-up and negatively with voided volume. CONCLUSION Long-term detrimental effect on renal function of orthotopic neobladder with no antireflux anastomoses is limited. Long-term continence and voiding function results are satisfactory. The ISI questionnaire might be useful to evaluate and grade incontinence in patients with orthotopic neobladder, whereas the AUA-SI has many limitations