1451. Olfaction and gustation abilities after a total laryngectomyGordana Mumović, Irena Hočevar-Boltežar, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background A laryngectomy affects many of a patient's functions. Besides speech and respiratory-tract problems, olfaction and gustation problems can also have an influence on the quality of life. The aim of this study was to find out how often various nasal problems and decreased gustation appear after a laryngectomy. Patients and methods. One hundred and five laryngectomized patients (9 women, 96 men, aged 45-88 years), treated in two tertiary centers, were included in the study. They completed a questionnaire about various nasal problems, olfactory and gustatory capabilities, possible allergies and irritants in their environment, and the impact of the nasal and gustation problems on their quality of life. Results Olfaction was impaired in 51.4%, and was even not possible in 30.5%, of patients. Decreased gustation abilities were reported in 26.7%, and dysgeusia in 11.4%, of patients. Almost 21% of patients were bothered by an impaired gustatory ability and 50.5% of patients were affected by their loss of olfaction. Frequent nasal discharge was reported in 20%, frequent sneezing in 58.1%, and nasal itching in 33.3% of the laryngectomized patients. There were no correlations between the age and the olfaction and gustation abilities and between the allergy and the nasal symptoms, whereas the correlation between olfaction and gustation appeared significant (p=0.025). Conclusions Various nasal and gustatory problems were reported in more than 80% of laryngectomized patients. The olfaction and gustation abilities are connected and have a substantial impact on the quality of life. Like in the case of speech, the rehabilitation of olfaction is also necessary in all laryngectomized patients and must take place soon after the completion of the treatment. Keywords: laryngectomy, olfaction, gustation, questionnaire, quality of life Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 483; Downloads: 392
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1452. Effectiveness of adjuvant trastuzumab in daily clinical practiceErika Matos, Branko Zakotnik, Cvetka Grašič-Kuhar, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer is an entity with aggressive behaviour. One year of adjuvant trastuzumab significantly improves the disease free survival in the range of 40-50% and reduces the risk of dying from HER2 positive breast cancer by one third. Adjuvant treatment with trastuzumab became available in Slovenia in 2005 and the aim of this study is to explore, if the exceptional results reported in adjuvant clinical trials are achieved also in daily clinical practice. Patients and methods. An analysis of tumour and patient characteristics, type of treatment and outcome (relapse free and overall survival) of 313 patients (median age 52 years) treated at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana in years 2005-2009 was performed. Results. Median follow-up was 4.4 years. Sixty-one patients relapsed and 24 died. Three and four years relapse free survival was 84.2% and 80.8% and the overall survival was 94.4% and 92.5%, respectively. Independent prognostic factors for relapse were tumour grade (HR 2.10; 95% CI 1.07-4.14; p = 0.031) and nodal stage (HR 1.35; 1.16-1.56; p < 0.0001) and for the overall survival nodal stage only (HR 1.36; 1.05-1.78; p = 0.021). Conclusions. The outcome in patients with adjuvant trastuzumab in daily clinical practice, treated by medical oncologists, is comparable to results obtained in international adjuvant studies. Keywords: breast cancer, trastuzumab, adjuvant, clinical practice Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 535; Downloads: 383
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1453. Glioblastoma patients in Slovenia from 1997 to 2008Uroš Smrdel, Viljem Kovač, Mara Popović, Matjaž Zwitter, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumour. It has a poor prognosis despite some advances in treatment that have been achieved over the last ten years. In Slovenia, 50 to 60 glioblastoma patients are diagnosed each year. In order to establish whether the current treatment options have any influence on the survival of the Slovenian glioblastoma patients, their data in the period from the beginning of the year 1997 to the end of the year 2008 have been analysed. Patients and methods. All patients treated at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana from 1997 to 2008 were included in the retrospective study. Demographics, treatment details, and survival time after the diagnosis were collected and statistically analysed for the group as a whole and for subgroups. Results. From 1997 to 2008, 527 adult patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma and referred to the Institute of Oncology for further treatment. Their median age was 59 years (from 20 to 85) and all but one had the diagnosis confirmed by a pathologist. Gross total resection was reported by surgeons in 261 (49.5%) patients; good functional status (WHO 0 or 1) after surgery was observed in 336 (63.7%) patients, radiotherapy was performed in 422 (80.1%) patients, in 317 (75.1%) of them with radical intent, and 198 (62.5 %) of those received some form of systemic treatment (usually temozolomide). The median survival of all patients amounted to 9.7 months. There was no difference in median survival of all patients or of all treated patients before or after the chemo-radiotherapy era. However, the overall survival of patients treated with radical intent was significantly better (11.4 months; p < 0.05). A better survival was also noticed in radically treated patients who received additional temozolomide therapy (11.4 vs. 13.1 months; p = 0.014). The longer survival was associated with a younger age and a good performance status as well as with a more extensive tumour resection. In patients treated with radical intent, having a good performance status, and receiving radiotherapy and additional temozolomide therapy, the survival was significantly longer, based on multivariate analysis. Keywords: glioblastoma, treatment, survival, surgery, radiotherapy, termozolomide Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 548; Downloads: 455
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1454. Clonality analysis of lymphoid proliferations using the BIOMED-2 clonality assays : a single institution experienceIra Koković, Barbara Jezeršek Novaković, Petra Škerl, Srdjan Novaković, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Clonality determination in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders can improve the final diagnosis.The aim of our study was to evaluate the applicative value of standardized BIOMED-2 gene clonality assay protocolsfor the analysis of clonality of lymphocytes in a group of different lymphoid proliferations.Materials and methods. With this purpose, 121 specimens from 91 patients with suspected lymphoproliferationssubmitted for routine diagnostics from January to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to thefinal diagnosis, our series comprised 32 cases of B-cell lymphomas, 38 cases of non-Hodgkins T-cell lymphomas and51 cases of reactive lymphoid proliferations. Clonality testing was performed using the BIOMED-2 clonality assays.Results. The determined sensitivity of the TCR assay was 91.9%, while the sensitivity of the IGH assay was 74.2%. Thedetermined specificity of the IGH assay was 73.3% in the group of lymphomas and 87.2% in the group of reactivelesions. The determined specificity of the TCR assay was 62.5% in the group of lymphomas and 54.3% in the group ofreactive lesions.Conclusions. In the present study, we confirmed the utility of standardized BIOMED-2 clonality assays for the detectionof clonality in a routine diagnostical setting of non-Hodgkins lymphomas. Reactions for the detection of thecomplete IGH rearrangements and reactions for the detection of the TCR rearrangements are a good choice forclonality testing of a wide range of lymphoid proliferations and specimen types while the reactions for the detectionof incomplete IGH rearrangements have not shown any additional diagnostic value. Keywords: Biomed-2, clonality analysis, lymphomas, IGH rearrangement, TCR rearrangement Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 362; Downloads: 104
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1455. Cardiotoxicity of concomitant radiotherapy and trastuzumab for early breast cancerTanja Marinko, Jure Dolenc, Cvetka Bilban-Jakopin, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Trastuzumab therapy given in combination with one of several chemotherapy regimens is currently considered the standard of care for the treatment of early-stage, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) -positive breast cancer. The treatment with trastuzumab is due to a significant impact on the survival part of the standard adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Patients treated with postoperative breast or chest wall irradiation receive trastuzumab concomitant with radiotherapy. In a small proportion of patients trastuzumab causes cardiotoxicity. Preclinical findings indicate a radiosensibilizing effect of trastuzumab in breast cancer cells, but it is not yet clear whether it radiosensibilizes cells of healthy tissues too.Conclusions. Special attention is required when left breast or left thoracic wall is irradiated in patient receiving trastuzumab, because long-term effects of the concurrent treatment with trastuzumab and radiotherapy are not yet known. In an era where more patients are surviving a diagnosis of breast cancer, better understanding and earlier detection of therapy-induced cardiac toxicity will be of paramount importance. Keywords: radiotherapy, cardiotoxicity, trastuzumab, early breast cancer Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 350; Downloads: 169
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1456. Capecitabine in adjuvant radiochemotherapy for gastric adenocarcinomaIrena Oblak, Marija Skoblar Vidmar, Franc Anderluh, Vaneja Velenik, Ana Jeromen, Jasna But-Hadžić, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. In patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer surgery still remains the treatment of choice. Postoperative radiochemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin significantly improves the treatment outcome. The oral fluoropyrimidines, such as capecitabine, mimic continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion, are at least as effective as 5-fluorouracil, and such treatment is more comfortable for the patients. Patients and methods. In the period from October 2006 to December 2009, 101 patients with gastric cancer in stages Ib-IIIc were treated with postoperative chemoradiation with capecitabine. Distal subtotal resection of the stomach was performed in 46.3%, total resection in 50.5% and multivisceral resection in 3.2% of patients. The main endpoints of this study were loco-regional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). The rates of acute side-effects were also estimated. Results. Seventy-seven percent of patients completed the treatment according to the protocol. The median followup time of all patients was 3.9 years (range: 0.4-6.3 years) and in survivors it was 4.7 years (range: 3.2-6.3 years). No death occurred due to the therapy. Acute toxicity, such as nausea and vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhoea, hand-foot syndrome and infections of grade 3 or 4, occurred in 5%, 1%, 2%, 8.9% and 18.8% of patients, respectively. On the close-out date 63.4% patients were still alive and with no signs of the disease. The 4-years follow-up survey showed that LRC, DFS, DSS and OS were 95.5%, 69.2%, 70.7%, and 66.2%, respectively. Higher pN-stage and splenectomy were found to be independent prognostic factors for all four types of survival and perineural invasion and lower treatment intensity for DFS, DSS and OS. Keywords: gastric cancer, adjuvant therapy, radiochemotherapy Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 319; Downloads: 111
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1457. Osteoblastic bone metastases from renal cell carcinomaVladka Salapura, Irena Preložnik Zupan, Boštjan Šeruga, Gorana Gašljević, Pavel Kavčič, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. RCC accounts for only 2-3% of all cancers. Due to its non-specific symptoms disease is often diagnosed in advanced stage. Disseminated RCC frequently produces bone metastases that are almost always highly destructive, hyper vascularized and purely osteolytic. Case report. In this article we describe a case of a 71-year old male patient with disseminated osteoblastic bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and present a short review of published literature reporting cases of osteoblastic bone metastases from RCC. Our patient presented with thoracic pain aggravated by movement. He was diagnosed with predominantly osteoblastic bone metastases in the skeleton of thoracic and lumbar vertebra along with metastases in iliac bones, ribs, humerus and clavicles. Initially, origin of bone metastases was unknown, but later a small tumor in patients right kidney was identified. Microscopic evaluation of the open bone biopsy showed clear cell RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. Conclusions. Although, due to its rarity, RCC is not included in the primary differential diagnosis in patients with osteoblastic metastases, such rare cases suggest that RCC may be considered in the diagnosis when there no other primary tumor is found. Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 389; Downloads: 100
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1458. Distant metastasis of rectal adenocarcinoma in a temporary tracheostomaRobert Šifrer, Primož Strojan, Nina Zidar, Miha Žargi, Aleš Grošelj, Milena Krajinović, 2014, review article Keywords: temporary tracheostoma, distant metastasis, rectal adenocarcinoma, rak (medicina), traheostoma, zasevki, metastaziranje, žlezni rak Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 350; Downloads: 186
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1459. Minimally invasive CT guided treatment of intraspinal synovial cystSergeja Kozar, Miran Jeromel, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Intraspinal synovial cysts of vertebral facet joints are uncommon cause of radicular pain as well as neurological deficits. They can be managed both conservatively and surgically.Case report. A 77-year old polymorbid patient presented with bilateral low back pain which worsened during the course of time and did not respond to the conservative treatment. A diagnosis of intraspinal synovial cyst was made using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Percutaneous computed tomography (CT) guided injection with installation of local anesthetic together with corticosteroid and rupture of the cyst was successfully used. A month after the procedure his pain improved, the usage of analgesics diminished and his over-all quality of life improved.Conclusions. Percutaneous CT guided lumbar synovial cyst treatment is safe and reliable alternative to the surgical treatment in polymorbid patients with radiculopathy who are not able to tolerate general anesthesia and operation. Keywords: ciste, intraspinalne sinovialne ciste, bolečina, zdravljenje, radiologija Published in DiRROS: 11.04.2024; Views: 319; Downloads: 197
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1460. Incidental uptake of 18F-fluorocholine (FCH) in the head or in the neck of patients with prostate cancerMarina Hodolič, Jurij Fettich, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-fluorocholine (FCH) is routinely performed in patients with prostate cancer. In this clinical context, foci of FCH uptake in the head or in the neck were considered as incidentalomas, except for those suggestive of multiple bone metastases. Case reports. In 8 patients the incidental focus corresponded to a benign tumour. The standard of truth was histologyin two cases, correlative imaging with MRI in four cases, 99mTc-SestaMIBI scintigraphy, ultrasonography and biochemistry in one case and biochemistry including PTH assay in one case. The final diagnosis of benign tumoursconsisted in 3 pituitary adenomas, 2 meningiomas, 2 hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands and 1 thyroid adenoma. Malignancy was proven histologically in 2 other patients: 1 papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and 1 cerebellar metastasis.Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, FCH uptake by pituitary adenomas or hyperfunctioning parathyroidglands has never been described previously. We thus discuss whether there might be a future indication for FCH PET/CT when one such tumour is already known or suspected: to detect a residual or recurrent pituitary adenoma aftersurgery, to guide surgery or radiotherapy of a meningioma or to localise a hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland. Inthese potential indications, comparative studies with reference PET tracers or with 99mTc-sestaMIBI in case of hyperparathyroidism could be undertaken. Keywords: FCH, PET/CT, incidentaloma, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, hyperparathyroidism, thyroid adenoma Published in DiRROS: 10.04.2024; Views: 400; Downloads: 104
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