the standard of care for stage iii nsclc in the era of immunotherapy an italian national survey on the current pattern of care among italian thoracic oncologists

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Prospective evaluation of weekly concomitant tumor bed boost with three-week hypofractionated whole breast irradiation in early breast cancer

Objectives: A prospective study was conducted to assess the acute and late toxicity of hypofractionated whole breast irradiation with a weekly concomitant boost for women with early breast cancer (EBC). Methods: Women with EBC who underwent breast-conserving surgery were eligible. A dose of 40Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks was delivered to the whole breast with a concomitant weekly boost to the post-operative cavity of 3Gy in three fractions. Toxicity was graded using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute toxicity and RTOG/EORTC late toxicity scales. Results: A total of 67 women were enrolled with a median age of 49 years (range 31–69). Median follow-up was 25 months (range 11–34). Acute skin reactions included grade (G) 1 (n = 47, 70%), G2 (n = 10, 13%), and G3 (n = 1, 1.5%). Late skin toxicity was observed in 13 patients (19%), all of whom experienced G1 toxicity only. On multivariable analysis, diabetes mellitus was predictive of acute skin toxicity (p = 0.003), while age less than 50 years (p = 0.029) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.013) were predictive of late skin toxicity. Conclusions: Whole breast irradiation with concomitant weekly boost appears feasible and safe. Further investigation is required to fully evaluate this schedule as an alternative to conventional whole breast irradiation with a sequential boost

Clinical features and therapeutic management of patients admitted to Italian acute hospital psychiatric units: the PERSEO (psychiatric emergency study and epidemiology) survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The PERSEO study (psychiatric emergency study and epidemiology) is a naturalistic, observational clinical survey in Italian acute hospital psychiatric units, called SPDCs (Servizio Psichiatrico Diagnosi e Cura; in English, the psychiatric service for diagnosis and management). The aims of this paper are: (i) to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients, including sociodemographic features, risk factors, life habits and psychiatric diagnoses; and (ii) to assess the clinical management, subjective wellbeing and attitudes toward medications.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 62 SPDCs distributed throughout Italy participated in the study and 2521 patients were enrolled over the 5-month study period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost half of patients (46%) showed an aggressive behaviour at admission to ward, but they engaged more commonly in verbal aggression (38%), than in aggression toward other people (20%). A total of 78% of patients had a psychiatric diagnosis at admission, most frequently schizophrenia (36%), followed by depression (16%) and personality disorders (14%), and no relevant changes in the diagnoses pattern were observed during hospital stay. Benzodiazepines were the most commonly prescribed drugs, regardless of diagnosis, at all time points. Overall, up to 83% of patients were treated with neuroleptic drugs and up to 27% received more than one neuroleptic either during hospital stay or at discharge. Atypical and conventional antipsychotics were equally prescribed for schizophrenia (59 vs 65% during stay and 59 vs 60% at discharge), while atypical drugs were preferred in schizoaffective psychoses (72 vs 49% during stay and 70 vs 46% at discharge) and depression (41 vs 32% during stay and 44 vs 25% at discharge). Atypical neuroleptics were slightly preferred to conventional ones at hospital discharge (52 vs 44%). Polypharmacy was in general widely used. Patient attitudes toward medications were on average positive and self-reported compliance increased during hospital stay.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results confirm the widespread use of antipsychotics and the increasing trend in atypical drugs prescription, in both psychiatric in- and outpatients.</p

A strategy for young members within national radiation oncology societies: The Italian experience (AIRO Giovani group)

Aim: To briefly review history, structure, past events and future projects of AIRO (Associazione Italiana Radioterapia Oncologica) young group (AIRO Giovani), focusing on its specific commitment to multidisciplnary networking among junior clinical oncologists at a national and international level. Background: AIRO Giovani is a part of AIRO composed by members under 40 years old. Its main activities are scientific and educational meetings dedicated to young Italian radiation oncologists and collaborative research projects. Materials and Methods: AIRO Giovani structure, events organized and supported by AIRO giovani as well as scientific activities are here reported from its creation in 2007 up to current days. Results: AIRO Giovani group was able to create a consolidated network between Italian junior radiation oncologists, while opening the possibility to collaborate with junior groups of other national scientific societies in the field of oncology and with ESTRO young members. Scientific projects carried out by the group have been successful and will be further implemented in next years. Conclusions: AIRO Giovani is still in its infancy, but its early positive experience supports the creation and development of young groups within national radiation oncology societies. © 2012 Greater Poland Cancer Centre

Perinatal factors and the risk of atopic dermatitis : a cohort study

Objective: To analyze the effects of pregnancy and early events in the newborn on the risk of subsequent atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first year of life. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study of newborns during the first year of life. Newborns identified on random days in three obstetrics departments in the area of Bergamo, Lombardy, Northern Italy, were eligible. At baseline, the mothers were interviewed by medical staff during their stay in hospital after delivery. At 6 and 12 months after delivery, a postal questionnaire was sent to the parents. Relative risks were calculated with and without adjustment by multiple regression analysis. Results: A total of 1081 newborns entered the study: 796 (74%) parents answered the 12-month questionnaire. Hundred and thirty-eight (17%) reported a diagnosis of AD at 6 months and 222 (28%) at 12 months. Parental history of AD and/or asthma was associated with an increased risk of AD (RR 1.5, 95%CI 1.1-2.0). Birth weight was slightly associated with an increased risk of AD: RR 1.04, 95%CI 1.001-1.08 (continuous variable, increment of 100 grams). No association emerged between breast feeding, smoking, and risk of AD. Conclusions: This study in an Italian offspring cohort points to family history of atopic diseases and body weight at birth as relevant risk factors. The study was unable to document associations with other perinatal factors particularly breast feeding and parental smoking in the perinatal period