Prognostic Value of Lymph Node and Spleen Activity in [18F]FDG PET-CT in Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of primary mass, spleen and lymph node metabolic activity in [18F]FDG PET-CT as well as the prognostic value of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (TLR) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Seventy-four patients, with pathological data, complete blood count and [18F]FDG PET-CT images, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were grouped as lung adenocarcinoma (n = 32) or squamous cell carcinoma (n = 42). The time between [18F]FDG PET-CT imaging and death was calculated. Standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of primary lesion was calculated (lung or mediastinum). The SUVmax value of the spleen was used as an indicator of RES activity. Metabolic activity of lymph node was calculated from the lymph node having the highest activity independent of localization. Results: The SUVmax spleen/liver and SUVmax lymph node/liver ratios were significantly higher in the exitus subgroup of squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.025, p=0.043; respectively). The SUVmax lymph node/liver ratio was found to be a predictor for survival in squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.019, OR:1.282). The SUVmax spleen/liver and SUVmax lymph node/liver ratios were similar between subgroups of adenocancer. Conclusions: The SUV ratios of the spleen were not a predictor for survival in both groups. The SUVmax lymph node/liver ratio was found to be a predictor for survival in squamous cell carcinoma. However, NLR and PLR were not found to be prognostic factors

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USAGE IN CANCER PATIENTS IN SOUTHEAST OF TURKEY

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods and clinical characteristics in cancer patients in southeast of Turkey. A total of 324 patients (173 female) were enrolled to this study. Questionnaire was applied to all patients individually for approximately 15 minutes by a doctor. At least one CAM method was used by 62% (n=201) of the patients. 82.5% (n=166) of patients treated with CAM were using at least one herbal species. Likewise, 40.9% (68/166) of these patients were using herbal mixtures and 39.8% (66/166) of them were using single herbal as nettle (Urtica dioica) or its seed, 19.3 % (32/166) of them were using other herbals. CAM methods were preferred more frequently by the patients with metastatic stage (p=0.005), receiving palliative treatment (

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) elevation gastric adenocarcinoma and importance of AFP change in tumor response evaluation

Background: Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in adults are considered abnormal. This parameter is used mostly in the diagnosis and follow-up of hepatocellular carcinomas and yolk sac tumors. Among the other rare tumors accompanied with elevated serum AFP levels, gastric cancer is the most common. In this study, we evaluated the follow-up and comparison of the treatment and marker response of patients with metastatic gastric cancer who had elevated serum AFP levels. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study, including all consecutive patients with advanced gastric cancer, who received systemic chemotherapy with elevated AFP level. Results: Seventeen metastatic gastric cancer patients with elevated AFP levels at the time of diagnosis were evaluated. Fourteen (82.4%) were males and three (17.6%) were females. The primary tumor localization was the gastric body in 8 (76.4%), cardia in 7 (41.2%), and antrum in 2 (11.8%). Hepatic metastasis was observed in 13 (76.4%) at the time of diagnosis. When the relationship of AFP levels and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) response of the patients with their radiologic responses was evaluated, it was found that the radiologic response was compatible with AFP response in 16 (94.1%) patients and with CEA response in 12 (70.6%); however, in 5 (29.4%) patients no accordance was observed between radiological and CEA responses. Conclusions: Follow-up of AFP levels in metastatic gastric cancer patients with elevated AFP levels may allow prediction of early treatment response and could be more useful than the CEA marker for follow-up in response evaluation

What are the differences between young (25 years) and adults (> 25 years) colorectal cancer (CRC)? An Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology Study.

Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Clinical-Oncology (ASCO) / Clinical Science Symposium on Predicting and Improving Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults with Cancer -- MAY 29-JUN 02, 2015 -- Chicago, ILWOS: 000358036902751…Amer Soc Clin Onco

Efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer

Gastric cancer has a poor prognosis despite available treatments. Inclusive studies are still needed with real-life data. Our research retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer who received trastuzumab-based chemotherapy as first-line therapy. In total, 138 patients were included in this study. Clinical response to trastuzumab-based chemotherapy was obtained in 79% of the patients. We also divided the patients who had a clinical response into two groups according to whether they received maintenance therapy. In the present study, trastuzumab administration had compatible survival outcomes with recent studies. Continuation of trastuzumab maintenance treatment provided a survival advantage in patients with clinical response. We suppose that maintenance trastuzumab may be recommended in patients with clinical responses to the first-line treatment. Furthermore, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 2, grade 3 and having more than four metastatic lesions were determined as risk factors for death. Therefore, although we recommend maintenance of trastuzumab in patients with clinical response, those with identified risk factors may not benefit from treatment

Oral Etoposide for Platinum-Resistant and Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: a Study by the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of long-term, low-dose oral etoposide as an advanced treatment option in patients with platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: For the purposes of this study, 51 patients with histologically-confirmed, recurrent or metastatic platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated at six different centers between January 2006 and January 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were treated with oral etoposide (50 mg/day for a cycle of 14 days, repeated every 21 days). Results: Among the 51 platinum-resistant patients, 17.6% demonstrated a partial response and 25.5% a stable response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.9 months (95% CI, 2.1-5.7), while the median overall survival was 16.4 months (11.8-20.9). No significant relationship was observed between the pre-treatment CA 125 levels, post-treatment CA-125 levels and the treatment response rates (p=0.21). Among the 51 patients who were evaluated in terms of toxicity, grade 1 or 4 hematologic toxicity was observed in 19 (37.3%); and grade 1-4 gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 15 patients (29.4%). Conclusions: Chronic low-dose oral etoposide treatment is generally effective and well-tolerated in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients

The Efficacy and Safety of Treatment Regimens Used in the First-Line Setting in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Patients A Multicenter Real-Life Study

ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 3 chemotherapy regimens used as first-line treatments in the real-life management of metastatic pancreatic cancer.MethodsA total of 218 patients were included in this multicenter study. Gemcitabine (Gem, n = 71), gemcitabine-cisplatin (Gem-Cis, n = 91), and FOLFIRINOX (a combination of leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin [FFX], n = 56) treatments were compared.ResultsOverall response rate was significantly higher in the FFX group (50.0%) than in the Gem (28.2%) and Gem-Cis (27.5%) groups (P = 0.010). Median progression-free survival (8.4 vs 4.6 and 5.5 months, respectively, P < 0.001) and overall survival (16.4 vs 8.1 and 8.7 months, respectively, P = 0.002) were significantly longer in the FFX group than in the Gem and Gem-Cis groups. Toxicity of any grade was noted in 46 (64.8%), 56 (61.5%), and 49 (87.5%) patients in the Gem, Gem-Cis, and FFX groups, respectively (P = 0.003).ConclusionsIn our study, FFX regimen provides a significant advantage over the other treatment regimens in terms of response rates and survival. Treatment toxicity was more frequent but manageable with the FFX regimen