Prospective subjective evaluation of swallowing function and dietary pattern in head and neck cancers treated with concomitant chemo-radiation

Aim : Prospective subjective evaluation of swallowing function and dietary pattern in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with concomitant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Materials and Methods : Prospective evaluation of swallowing function with performance status scale for head and neck cancer patients (PSSHN) at pre-CRT, CRT completion and at subsequent follow-ups in adult with loco-regionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Results : In 47 patients (40 male, seven females; mean age 53; 72% smoker 53%, oropharyngeal cancer), the mean total PSSHN score at pre-CRT was 258.5 and decreased to 225.2 and 219.2 at two and six months respectively. Understandability of speech, normalcy in diet and eating in public at pre-CRT and six months were 91.5 and 84.4; 80.4 and 63.1; 87.3 and 76.6 respectively. In univariate analysis, pre-CRT PSSHN scores were significantly lesser in patients with severe pre-CRT dysphagia (P = 0.001), hypopharyngeal cancer (P = 0.244) and advanced T-stage (T3/4) disease (P = 0.144). At CRT completion, there was significant reduction of PSSHN scores in patients with severe pre-CRT dysphagia (P = 0.008), post-CRT weight loss (>10%) and disease progression (P = 0.039). At two months and six months, 17 (57%) and 11 (73.5%) patients respectively showed change in dietary habit. Mean increase in meal time was 13% and 21% at two and six-month follow-up. Conclusions : HNSCC patients show deterioration in swallowing function after CRT with normalcy of diet in maximum and eating in public least affected. Pre-CRT severity of dysphagia, weight loss> 10% and disease progression have significant correlation with higher swallowing function deterioration after CRT

Accelerated partial breast irradiation: An advanced form of hypofractionation

Altered fractionation schedules are being increasingly investigated in the treatment of breast cancer. Two such schedules that are frequently compared are hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (HERT) and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Though these two modalities are considered separately, APBI is an actually an advanced form of hypofractionation, where acceleration of the treatment is possible due to the smaller volume being irradiated. HERT as well as APBI are investigational at present and are being tested in randomized trials. This article looks at the advantages of APBI as a hypofractionation schedule

Accelerated partial breast irradiation: An advanced form of hypofractionation

Altered fractionation schedules are being increasingly investigated in the treatment of breast cancer. Two such schedules that are frequently compared are hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (HERT) and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Though these two modalities are considered separately, APBI is an actually an advanced form of hypofractionation, where acceleration of the treatment is possible due to the smaller volume being irradiated. HERT as well as APBI are investigational at present and are being tested in randomized trials. This article looks at the advantages of APBI as a hypofractionation schedule

Accelerated partial breast irradiation: An advanced form of hypofractionation

Altered fractionation schedules are being increasingly investigated in the treatment of breast cancer. Two such schedules that are frequently compared are hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (HERT) and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Though these two modalities are considered separately, APBI is an actually an advanced form of hypofractionation, where acceleration of the treatment is possible due to the smaller volume being irradiated. HERT as well as APBI are investigational at present and are being tested in randomized trials. This article looks at the advantages of APBI as a hypofractionation schedule

Review Article - Management of locally advanced breast cancer: Evolution and current practice

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) accounts for a sizeable number (30-60%) of breast cancer cases and is a common clinical scenario in developing countries. The treatment of LABC has evolved from single modality treatment, consisting of radical mutilating surgery or higher doses of radiotherapy in inoperable disease to multimodality management, which along with the above two included systemic therapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has made a tremendous impact on the management of LABC. NACT was initiated to institute systemic therapy upfront at the earliest in this group of patients with a high risk of micrometastasis burden. While NACT did not yield a survival advantage, it has however made breast conservation possible in selected group of cases. Large number of studies and many randomised trials have been done in women with LABC in order to improve the therapeutic decisions and also the local control and survival. With this background we have reviewed various treatment options in patients with LABC which should possibly help in guiding the clinicians for optimal management of LABC

Review Article - Management of locally advanced breast cancer: Evolution and current practice

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) accounts for a sizeable number (30-60%) of breast cancer cases and is a common clinical scenario in developing countries. The treatment of LABC has evolved from single modality treatment, consisting of radical mutilating surgery or higher doses of radiotherapy in inoperable disease to multimodality management, which along with the above two included systemic therapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has made a tremendous impact on the management of LABC. NACT was initiated to institute systemic therapy upfront at the earliest in this group of patients with a high risk of micrometastasis burden. While NACT did not yield a survival advantage, it has however made breast conservation possible in selected group of cases. Large number of studies and many randomised trials have been done in women with LABC in order to improve the therapeutic decisions and also the local control and survival. With this background we have reviewed various treatment options in patients with LABC which should possibly help in guiding the clinicians for optimal management of LABC

Patterns of locoregional treatment of breast cancer among radiation oncologists in India: A practice survey

Background: The objective of the study was to assess and evaluate the practice patterns of locoregional treatment of early and advanced breast cancer among radiation oncologists (ROs) in India. Materials and Methods: This questionnaire-based survey was served to practicing ROs through electronic mails and personal communication between November 2006 and March 2008. Patterns of practices with respect to locoregional treatment of breast cancer in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, early breast cancer (EBC), locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were studied. Results: We analyzed sixty completed forms from ROs in India. The median number of breast cancer patients evaluated per year by the treating oncologist was 130, wherein EBC comprised 30%; locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), 50%; and MBC, 20%. A median 46% of the ROs favored breast-conserving therapy (BCT) in EBC and 92% of this subgroup advised adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in BCT. For LABC, a majority 90% of the respondents advocated a modified radical mastectomy, whereas 42% chose to include the axilla in their RT portals. Conclusions: The survey highlights the prevalent varied treatment policies followed across the country and encourages us to understand and adopt a uniform consensus for the management of breast cancer