Is AIO belly board device advantageous in all rectal cancer patients irradiated in the pelvic area?

Purpose. To compare the prone position on a flat table vs an “All in one” belly board device (AIO BBD) in rectal cancer patients (RCPs). Material and methods. Fifteen RCPs scheduled for irradiation were scanned in the two evaluated positions. After tomography, they completed a questionnaire concerning positioning. The dose-volume histograms (DVHs) for the small bowel and bladder were compared for both immobilization methods and setup accuracy was analyzed in electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) and X-ray volume imaging (XVI) procedures. Results. AIO BBD was accepted by the majority of RCPs and provided better DVHs for the small bowel than the prone position on a flat table. The setup reproducibility was within tolerance limit for patients with BMI ≤ 29 kg/m2. Patients with obesity regarded AIO BBD as uncomfortable and they presented mean setup shifts out of the tolerance limit in the Y axis — 5.9 mm. Conclusions. The AIO BBD should be recommended for RCPs, especially for those with BMI ≤ 29 kg/m2

Is AIO belly board device advantageous in all rectal cancer patients

Purpose. To compare the prone position on a flat table vs an “All in one” belly board device (AIO BBD) in rectal cancer patients (RCPs).Material and methods. Fifteen RCPs scheduled for irradiation were scanned in the two evaluated positions. After tomography, they completed a questionnaire concerning positioning. The dose-volume histograms (DVHs) for the small bowel and bladder were compared for both immobilization methods and setup accuracy was analyzed in electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) and X-ray volume imaging (XVI) procedures.Results. AIO BBD was accepted by the majority of RCPs and provided better DVHs for the small bowel than the prone position on a flat table. The setup reproducibility was within tolerance limit for patients with BMI ≤ 29 kg/m2. Patients with obesity regarded AIO BBD as uncomfortable and they presented mean setup shifts out of the tolerance limit in the Y axis — 5.9 mm. Conclusions. The AIO BBD should be recommended for RCPs, especially for those with BMI ≤ 29 kg/m2

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH)--implications for human genetic identification.

The aim of this study was assessment of possible effects of loss of heterozygosity on human genetic identification of histolopathogical tissue sections. DNA templates were extracted from tumour tissue specimens excised from oncological patients and from reference blood samples. AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit and ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applera) were used to obtain genetic profiles. Frequency of LOH was calculated for respective samples. Fisher's exact test was performed for statistical analysis. Forty-two percent of the 101 cancer cases analysed were found to possess alterations of the microsatellites manifesting with allelic loss. The most frequently altered loci were D3S1358 and D18S51. The alteration was detected in 47% of cases with larynx carcinoma, 44% of cases with uveal melanoma, 60% of cases with cervical cancers, one case of liposarcoma G3 and one case od neurofibrosarcoma. No LOH was found in liposarcoma G1, dermatofibrosarcoma and cystosarcoma protuberans in either primary or recurrent tumours. In benign tumours (lipoma and fibroma) LOH was also absent. During genotyping of DNA extracted from histopathological tissue sections caution should be taken when non-match or exclusion based on few discrepancies is concluded

The usefulness of an 18F-FDG-PET/MR examination in a patient with rectal and breast cancer. A case report

Recently, we have gained access to innovative radiological and metabolic examination methods. One of these methods is PET/MRI with fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) tracer. Performing this innovative examination in a 69-year-old woman with diagnosed rectal cancer brought additional benefits. The use of PET/MRI resulted in precise clinical staging, the detection of a synchronous early-stage right breast cancer, and in the optimisation of treatment of both cancers. To date, diagnostic guidelines concerning rectal and breast cancers do not recommend the use of functional imaging for routine imaging.Recently, we have gained access to innovative radiological and metabolic examination methods. One of these methods is PET/MRI with fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) tracer. Performing this innovative examination in a 69-year-old woman with diagnosed rectal cancer brought additional benefits. The use of PET/MRI resulted in precise clinical staging, the detection of a synchronous early-stage right breast cancer, and in the optimisation of treatment of both cancers. To date, diagnostic guidelines concerning rectal and breast cancers do not recommend the use of functional imaging for routine imaging

Przydatność hybrydowego badania 18F-FDG-PET/MR u chorej na raka odbytnicy i piersi. Opis przypadku

W ostatnim czasie istnieje dostęp do innowacyjnych obrazowych badań radiologicznych i metabolicznych. Jedną z takich możliwości jest wykorzystanie hybrydy PET/MR z użyciem znacznika — fluorodeoksyglukozy (18F-FDG). Wykonanie tego badania w opisywanym przypadku 69-letniej chorej z rozpoznaniem raka odbytnicy przyniosło dodatkowe korzyści w postaci precyzyjnego określenia stadium zawansowania raka odbytnicy, wykrycia synchronicznego wczesnego raka piersi prawej oraz zoptymalizowania planu leczenia pacjentki z powodu obu tych nowotworów. Jak dotąd, wytyczne diagnostyki chorych na raka odbytnicy lub piersi nie zalecają stosowania badań metabolicznych w rutynowym postępowaniu

Characteristics of Atopic Bronchial Asthma in Seniors over 80 Years of Age

Background. Asthma in the elderly is an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of asthma in seniors. Materials and Methods. The study involved 105 people of at least 80 years of age (mean age of 84.1 ± 3.9 years) selected from a group of 1860 individuals. Spirometry, the methacholine test, allergy diagnosis, a measurement of exhaled nitric oxide, and administration of the asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) were performed. Results. The average morbidity of asthma in the study population of elderly people (at least 80 years of age) was 5.6% (105 people) of the confidence interval (95% CI: 5.1–6.0). In the study group, 34% of the elderly asthmatics had uncontrolled asthma, 47% had partly controlled asthma, and only 24% had fully controlled asthma. Allergy to house dust mites was predominant. The average total score on the AQLQ was 4.12 ± 0.72 (arithmetic mean ± standard deviation) for the seniors, which was significantly lower than the score for the young. Conclusion. The pathogenesis, natural history, and value of the basic diagnostic methods of asthma in the elderly are similar to those observed in younger age groups

Testicular dose contributed by X-ray volume image-(XVI)-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in prostate cancer patients

Introduction: To assess the dose received by testes during XVI-guided IMRT in prostate cancer patients (PCPs). Material and methods: Testes dose was calculated in 56 PCPs who underwent definitive IMRT using 6 MV or 15 MV photon energies. The dose was measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) MTS-N attached to the scrotum during the first three fractions of IMRT. Testicular concomitant exposure from XVI was measured using a PTW DIADOS E diagnostic dosimeter in ten randomly chosen patients. Results: The mean and standard deviation values of the average calculated testes dose was 123 ± 117 cGy comprising 1.6% of the prescribed total irradiation dose (Dt). A testicular dose measured by TLDs was 303 ± 110.5 cGy (4% of Dt) and depended on the distance from isocenter to testes (r = –0.8). From one XVI scan, the detected testicular mean dose was 4.3 mGy. Mean XVI scan numbers for all patients was 10.4 so mean concomitant dose in testes was 44.7 mGy (0.06% of Dt). Conclusions: Testicular dose may be significant in the aspect of fertility during IMRT in PCPs. Kilovoltage XVI-contributed dose to testes seems to be clinically negligible.Introduction: To assess the dose received by testes during XVI-guided IMRT in prostate cancer patients (PCPs). Material and methods: Testes dose was calculated in 56 PCPs who underwent definitive IMRT using 6 MV or 15 MV photon energies. The dose was measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) MTS-N attached to the scrotum during the first three fractions of IMRT. Testicular concomitant exposure from XVI was measured using a PTW DIADOS E diagnostic dosimeter in ten randomly chosen patients. Results: The mean and standard deviation values of the average calculated testes dose was 123 ± 117 cGy comprising 1.6% of the prescribed total irradiation dose (Dt). A testicular dose measured by TLDs was 303 ± 110.5 cGy (4% of Dt) and depended on the distance from isocenter to testes (r = –0.8). From one XVI scan, the detected testicular mean dose was 4.3 mGy. Mean XVI scan numbers for all patients was 10.4 so mean concomitant dose in testes was 44.7 mGy (0.06% of Dt). Conclusions: Testicular dose may be significant in the aspect of fertility during IMRT in PCPs. Kilovoltage XVI-contributed dose to testes seems to be clinically negligible

Przydatność hybrydowego badania 18F-FDG-PET/MR u chorej na raka odbytnicy i piersi. Opis przypadku

W ostatnim czasie istnieje dostęp do innowacyjnych obrazowych badań radiologicznych i metabolicznych. Jednąz takich możliwości jest wykorzystanie hybrydy PET/MR z użyciem znacznika — fluorodeoksyglukozy (18F-FDG). Wykonanie tego badania w opisywanym przypadku 69-letniej chorej z rozpoznaniem raka odbytnicy przyniosło dodatkowe korzyści w postaci precyzyjnego określenia stadium zawansowania raka odbytnicy, wykrycia synchronicznego wczesnego raka piersi prawej oraz zoptymalizowania planu leczenia pacjentki z powodu obu tych nowotworów. Jak dotąd, wytyczne diagnostyki chorych na raka odbytnicy lub piersi nie zalecają stosowania badań metabolicznych w rutynowym postępowaniu