Second primary cancers after radiation for prostate cancer: a review of data from planning studies

A review of planning studies was undertaken to evaluate estimated risks of radiation induced second primary cancers (RISPC) associated with different prostate radiotherapy techniques for localised prostate cancer. A total of 83 publications were identified which employed a variety of methods to estimate RISPC risk. Of these, the 16 planning studies which specifically addressed absolute or relative second cancer risk using dose–response models were selected for inclusion within this review. There are uncertainties and limitations related to all the different methods for estimating RISPC risk. Whether or not dose models include the effects of the primary radiation beam, as well as out-of-field regions, influences estimated risks. Regarding the impact of IMRT compared to 3D-CRT, at equivalent energies, several studies suggest an increase in risk related to increased leakage contributing to out-of-field RISPC risk, although in absolute terms this increase in risk may be very small. IMRT also results in increased low dose normal tissue irradiation, but the extent to which this has been estimated to contribute to RISPC risk is variable, and may also be very small. IMRT is often delivered using 6MV photons while conventional radiotherapy often requires higher energies to achieve adequate tissue penetration, and so comparisons between IMRT and older techniques should not be restricted to equivalent energies. Proton and brachytherapy planning studies suggest very low RISPC risks associated with these techniques. Until there is sufficient clinical evidence regarding RISPC risks associated with modern irradiation techniques, the data produced from planning studies is relevant when considering which patients to irradiate, and which technique to employ

COVID-19 in cancer patients: clinical characteristics and outcome—an analysis of the LEOSS registry

Introduction Since the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, cancer patients have been assumed to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19. Here, we present an analysis of cancer patients from the LEOSS (Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients) registry to determine whether cancer patients are at higher risk. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 435 cancer patients and 2636 non-cancer patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, enrolled between March 16 and August 31, 2020. Data on socio-demographics, comorbidities, cancer-related features and infection course were collected. Age-, sex- and comorbidity-adjusted analysis was performed. Primary endpoint was COVID-19-related mortality. Results In total, 435 cancer patients were included in our analysis. Commonest age category was 76–85 years (36.5%), and 40.5% were female. Solid tumors were seen in 59% and lymphoma and leukemia in 17.5% and 11% of patients. Of these, 54% had an active malignancy, and 22% had recently received anti-cancer treatments. At detection of SARS-CoV-2, the majority (62.5%) presented with mild symptoms. Progression to severe COVID-19 was seen in 55% and ICU admission in 27.5%. COVID-19-related mortality rate was 22.5%. Male sex, advanced age, and active malignancy were associated with higher death rates. Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, age distribution and comorbidity differed significantly, as did mortality (14% vs 22.5%, p value < 0.001). After adjustments for other risk factors, mortality was comparable. Conclusion Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, outcome of COVID-19 was comparable after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity. However, our results emphasize that cancer patients as a group are at higher risk due to advanced age and pre-existing conditions

Entwicklung von technisch einsetzbaren supraleitenden Drahtmaterialien durch heissisostatisches Pressen (HIP) und Umformen Abschlussbericht

The feasibility of manufacturing high Tc-superconductor wires on the basis of YBaCuO-123 had to be evaluated. Powder-pressed specimens of YBaCuO-123 were encapsulated in copper tubes (precursors) and shaped to wires by means of HIP and wire drawing. A barrier system against O_2-loss as well as the addition of Ag_2O acting as O_2-donator had been provided in this precursors. Fine-dispersed Ag was added to the high Tc-powder as ductilization component. Furthermore, the feasibility an orientation of the superconductor phase in direction of the wire axis corresponding with the best current bearing capacity of the sc phase was investigated. Since the technological aspects of this investigation (wire, drawing, geometrical reduction of the precursors to thin filaments, texturization and densification of the 123-structure) are very promising. The thermodynamic stability of the high Tc-phase YBaCuO-123 seems not to be compatible with this process combination: Thermal decomposition under high O_2-pressure and the loss of superconductivity as well as the formation of unusual phase compositions require further fundamental investigations of the phase relationships in this system with respect to the process technology used in this study. (orig.)Am Beispiel des Hochtemperatursupraleiters YBaCuO-123 sollten die Moeglichkeiten zur technischen Drahtherstellung mit hoher Stromtragfaehigkeit untersucht werden. Hierzu wurden kupferummantelte HTSL-Proben mittels heissisostatischen Pressens und Umformens zu Draehten gezogen. Sauerstoffbarrieren zwischen dem HTSL und Kupfermantel sowie Ag_2O als Sauerstoffspender sollten in diesem quasi abgeschlossenen System einen Sauerstoffverlust des ''123'' verhindern. Feindispers verteiltes Silber diente als duktilisierendes Medium. Ausserdem sollten die Supraleiterkristallite durch die Verfahrenskombination HIP/Drahtziehen im Draht in der Richtung ihrer hoechsten Stromtragfaehigkeit orientiert werden. Waehrend die technologischen Aspekte der Drahtherstellung (proportionale Querschnittsreduzierung, Verdichtung, Gefuegetexturierung) positive Ansaetze bieten, erweist sich die 123-Phase aus Gruenden der thermodynamischen Instabilitaet als wenig geeignet. Weitere grundlegende Systemuntersuchungen zur Aufklaerung der Stabilitaet der YBaCuO-123 unter hohem O_2-Druck sind notwendig. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RR 2035(40.052) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie (BMFT), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

COVID-19 in cancer patients: clinical characteristics and outcome-an analysis of the LEOSS registry

Introduction Since the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, cancer patients have been assumed to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19. Here, we present an analysis of cancer patients from the LEOSS (Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients) registry to determine whether cancer patients are at higher risk. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 435 cancer patients and 2636 non-cancer patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, enrolled between March 16 and August 31, 2020. Data on socio-demographics, comorbidities, cancer-related features and infection course were collected. Age-, sex- and comorbidity-adjusted analysis was performed. Primary endpoint was COVID-19-related mortality. Results In total, 435 cancer patients were included in our analysis. Commonest age category was 76-85 years (36.5%), and 40.5% were female. Solid tumors were seen in 59% and lymphoma and leukemia in 17.5% and 11% of patients. Of these, 54% had an active malignancy, and 22% had recently received anti-cancer treatments. At detection of SARS-CoV-2, the majority (62.5%) presented with mild symptoms. Progression to severe COVID-19 was seen in 55% and ICU admission in 27.5%. COVID-19-related mortality rate was 22.5%. Male sex, advanced age, and active malignancy were associated with higher death rates. Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, age distribution and comorbidity differed significantly, as did mortality (14% vs 22.5%, p value < 0.001). After adjustments for other risk factors, mortality was comparable. Conclusion Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, outcome of COVID-19 was comparable after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity. However, our results emphasize that cancer patients as a group are at higher risk due to advanced age and pre-existing conditions