Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Advanced Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Testicular Tumors

Background: Predictor factors determining complete response to treatment are still not clearly defined. We aimed to evaluate clinicopathological features, risk factors, treatment responses, and survival analysis of patient with advanced nonseminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs). Materials and Methods: Between November 1999 and September 2011, 140 patients with stage II and III NSGCTs were referred to our institutions and 125 patients with complete clinical data were included in this retrospective study. Four cycles of BEP regimen were applied as a first-line treatment. Salvage chemotherapy and/or high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation were given in patients who progressed after BEP chemotherapy. Post-chemotherapy surgery was performed in selected patients with incomplete radiographic response and normal tumor markers. Results: The median age was 28 years. For the good, intermediate and poor risk groups, compete response rates (CRR) were, 84.6%, 67.9% and 59.4%, respectively. Extragonadal tumors, stage 3 disease, intermediate and poor risk factors, rete testis invasion were associated with worse outcomes. There were 32 patients (25.6%) with non-CR who were treated with salvage treatment. Thirty-one patients died from GCTs and 94% of them had stage III disease. Conclusions: Even though response rates are high, some patients with GCTs still need salvage treatment and cure cannot be achieved. Non-complete response to platinium-based first-line treatment is a negative prognostic factor. Our study confirmed the need for a prognostic and predictive model and more effective salvage approaches

Application of positron emission tomography in gynecological malignancies

Use of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging has gained an increasing importance in oncological applications. PET/computerized tomography (CT) scan provides both anatomic and functional imaging. FDG-PET/CT is used for staging of gynecological tumors, evaluating response to treatment and detecting relapses. It has been proven that FDG-PET/CT is useful for both early and advanced stages of cervical cancer. It gives promising results in determining prognoses and demonstrating recurrence foci in the case of indefinable increased tumor markers existing after treatment. As a diagnostic tool, PET/CT provides an important benefit in patients with ovarian cancer with an increase in the specific biomarker, CA-125, and negative findings on conventional imaging. It has been emphasized that PET/CT has an important role in endometrial cancer. Alternative PET tracers are used for diagnosis of genital system cancers. In this paper, we review the literature on the current role and future contributions of PET imaging in gynecologic tumor imaging, with particular attention on PET/CT

The Use of Poster Projects as a Motivational and Learning Tool in Managerial Accounting Courses

Posterprojectsareanalternativemethodofmotivation,learning,andinformationdisseminationineducation.Themainpurposeofthisinitialstudywastodeterminetheeffectofposterprojectson the motivational and learning process of managerial accounting students. In addition, theauthors aimed to compare the opinions of managerial accounting students regarding traditionalterm papers and poster projects. A poster project that culminated in a professional-style postersession was assigned. Students completed a group project producing a poster describingthe production process of a manufacturing company and determining the most appropriatecosting system for that company with underlying reasons. Two questionnaires were conductedafter each assignment in order to measure the effect of the poster project on the motivationand learning of the managerial accounting students. This pilot study is the first to exploreperceptions of poster projects as a motivational and learning tool in managerial accountingcourses in the world