The current role of radiotherapy in paraplegia due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in thalassemia. A case report and a review of the literature

Spinal cord compression as a consequence of mass lesions due to extramedullary hematopoiesis is a well - described but rare syndrome occurring in thalassemia and some other hematologic conditions. Generally presents as parapa­resis with sensory impairment. Treatment option mostly includes surgery and/or radiotherapy. After low-dose radiotherapy a rapid and durable response occurred in a patient with thalassemia. No side effects were encountered and the patient has been stable neurologically. We hereby report a case of thalassemia with paraplegia treated successfully with low-dose radiotherapy

The current role of radiotherapy in “Bilateral exophthalmos in Graves’ disease’’

Bilateral exophthalmos in Graves’ disease is a rare occurrence. It is highest in patients with Thyroid ophthal­mopathy. We report a case in witch a bilateral malignant exophthalmos in the course of Graves Basedow disease has been irradiated at the Radiotherapy Department of the Aristotle University Hospital AHEPA of Thessaloniki

The current role of radiotherapy in chloroma: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Chloroma (myeloid sarcoma) is a rare extramedullary manifestation of haematologic malignancy, most com­monly acute myeloid leukemia(AML).It can occur in association with Myelogenous leukemia myeloproliferative disorders, and myelodysplasia.Myeloid sarcoma has different modalities of presentation and can affect any organ. We report two cases which has been irradiated in the Radiotherapy Oncology Department in Aristotle University Hospital AHEPA of Thessaloniki

Utilizing Yoga in oncologic patients treated with radiotherapy: Review

Purpose: Several trials on noncancer population indicate that yoga is associated with meaningful clinical effects. This study evaluated the physical and psychosocial outcomes of yoga in oncologic patients treated with radiotherapy. Methods: We focused on a research through Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), BioMed Central, and MEDLINE studies up to May 2017. Results: Yoga was found to have a substantial benefit in cancer patients' distress, anxiety, and depression. It also demonstrated a moderate impact on fatigue and emotional function and a small and insignificant effect on functional well-being and sleep disturbances. As far as the effects on psychological outcomes are concerned, there was insufficient evidence. Conclusions: This systematic review of randomized controlled trials showed that yoga has strong beneficial effects on oncologic patients' quality of life. Results of the current review must be interpreted with caution due to the relative small sample sizes of most of the included studies, while a prospective randomized study stands in need for the confirmation of our results

Prognostic Significance of Serum Inflammatory Response Markers in Newly Diagnosed Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer before Chemoirradiation

Purpose. To identify whether the serum’s baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin (Alb) levels related to clinicopathological parameters and overall survival (OS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods. In total, 100 consecutive patients (mean age = 68.38 +/- 10.85 years) that underwent chemoradiotherapy were studied. Measurements of CRP and Alb were performed before any treatment. Results. Serum CRP levels were significantly associated with histological grade (P < 0.001), TNM stage (P < 0.001), PS (P = 0.009), and Alb (P < 0.001). Additionally CRP and Alb levels were found significantly associated with overall survival in univariate analysis (log-rank test, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, resp.) and CRP remained significant after controlling for age, alcohol, performance status, and TNM stage, whereas albumin showed a borderline effect on the hazard rate (P = 0.052). Conclusions. CRP and Alb are both promising biomarkers in identification of NSCLC patients with poor prognosis and form a possible target for intensifying their therapies

Prognostic Value of MRS Metabolites in Postoperative Irradiated High Grade Gliomas

Purpose. We studied the prognostic significance of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in operated high grade gliomas. Materials and Methods. Twelve patients were treated with radiotherapy and Temozolomide. The MRS data were taken four weeks after operation (before radiotherapy) and every six months after the completion of RT. The N-acetyl aspartate, choline, creatine, and myo-inositol parameters were quantified, analyzed, and correlated to recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results. The median RFS was 26.06 months. RFS was significantly worse in elderly patients (P = 0.001) along with the higher choline/creatine ratios at either baseline (P = 0.003) or six months post Radiotherapy (P = 0.042). Median RFS was 23 months in high choline/creatine levels = 2 at 6 months after radiotherapy and 11 months for those with <2 choline/creatine levels. There was a significant correlation of maximum difference of choline/creatine ratio with RFS (rho = 0.64, P = 0.045). Conclusion. Age and choline/creatine ratio are strong independent prognostic factors in high grade gliomas