1. Impact of early integrated rehabilitation on fatigue in 600 patients with breast cancer : a prospective studyMaša Auprih, Tina Žagar, Nina Kovačević, Andreja Cirila Škufca Smrdel, Nikola Bešić, Vesna Homar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Fatigue after breast cancer treatment is a common burden that is challenging to treat. The aim of this study was to explore if such integrated rehabilitation program reduces the prevalence of chronic fatigue compared to simple, non-integrated rehabilitation. Patients and methods The subjects of our prospective study were 600 female breast cancer patients (29–65 [mean 52 years] of age), who participated in the pilot study on the individualized integrated rehabilitation of breast cancer patients in 2019–2021 and were monitored for one year. The control group included 301 patients and the intervention group numbered 299 patients. The patients completed three questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30, -BR23 and NCCN): before cancer treatment, and then six and twelve months after the beginning of cancer treatment. The control group obtained the standard rehabilitation program, while the intervention group was part of the early, individualized multidisciplinary and integrated approach of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation coordinator referred patients for additional interventions (e.g., psychologist, gynecologist, pain management team, physiotherapy, clinical nutrition team, kinesiologist-guided online training, vocational rehabilitation, general practitioner). Data on the patients’ demographics, disease extent, cancer treatment and complaints reported in questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results There were no differences between the control and the intervention group of patients in terms of age, education, disease extent, surgical procedures, systemic cancer treatment, or radiotherapy, and also no differences in the fatigue before the beginning of treatment. However, patients from the control group had a greater level of constant fatigue than patients from the intervention group half a year (p = 0.018) and a year (p = 0.001) after the beginning of treatment. Furthermore, a greater proportion of patients from the control group experienced significant interference with their usual activities from fatigue than from the intervention group, half a year (p = 0.042) and a year (p = 0.001) after the beginning of treatment. A multivariate logistic regression showed that one year after the beginning of treatment, the only independent factor correlated to fatigue was inclusion into the intervention group (p = 0.044). Inclusion in the intervention group was beneficial—patients from the control group were 1.5 times more likely to be fatigued. Conclusions Early individualized integrated rehabilitation is associated with a lower prevalence of chronic fatigue or fatigue interfering with usual activities in breast cancer patients in comparison to the control group of patients.
Keywords: breast cancer, early integrated rehabilitation, fatigue
Published in DiRROS: 26.06.2026; Views: 112; Downloads: 59
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2. Anastomosing hemangioma of the ovary : a comprehensive review of this rare ovarian entitySebastjan Merlo, Gregor Vivod, Barbara Gazić, Nina Kovačević, 2024, review article Abstract: Anastomosing hemangioma of the ovary is a rare vascular tumor that predominantly affects middle-aged women. Despite its benign nature, its histological appearance can mimic aggressive vascular lesions, posing diagnostic challenges. This review aims to provide an overview of this uncommon entity. Methods The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles published in English. Information on all retrieved cases was extracted and reviewed in detail. Results We found 33 cases with relevant details of anastomosing heamangioma of the ovary. Despite the small number of cases we found, our study demonstrated the importance of an accurate hystopathological evaluation. Conclusions Although the preliminary imaging and initial microscopic features may appear alarming, careful microscopic examination reveals benign behavior. There is a need to raise awareness of this unusual and rare entity to improve morphologic recognition and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment or patient anxiety.
Keywords: anastomosing hemangioma, ovary, ovary hemangioma
Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 85; Downloads: 51
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6. Priporočila za obravnavo bolnic z rakom jajčnikov, jajcevodov in s primarnim peritonealnim seroznim rakom v SlovenijiNina Kovačević, Barbara Šegedin, Sebastjan Merlo, Sonja Bebar, Ana Blatnik, Andrej Cokan, Branko Cvjetičanin, Nina Fokter Dovnik, Barbara Gazić, Biljana Grčar-Kuzmanov, Brigita Gregorič, Matej Horvat, Vid Janša, Jure Knez, Borut Kobal, Manja Šešek, Mateja Krajc, Maja Krajec, Mateja Lasič Pecev, Srdjan Novaković, Maja Pakiž, Maja Ravnik, Špela Smrkolj, Ksenija Strojnik, Erik Škof, Iztok Takač, Gregor Vivod, Vesna Zadnik, Helena Barbara Zobec Logar, 2022, professional article Keywords: rak (medicina), ginekološki raki, ginekologija, onkologija, epidemiologija, histopatologija, preživetje, diagnostika, zdravljenje, kirurgija
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2026; Views: 453; Downloads: 338
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9. Quality of life of women with recurrent vulvar cancer treated with electrochemotherapyGregor Vivod, Ines Cilenšek, Nina Kovačević, Gregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, Sebastjan Merlo, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background: The quality of life of patients undergoing oncologic treatment has become an important issue in recent years. Owing to potential mutilation following surgery for vulvar cancer, more conservative approaches have evolved with the integration of new local ablative therapies, such as electrochemotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life of women with vulvar cancer recurrence treated with electrochemotherapy for nonpalliative purposes. Patients and methods: Eleven patients with vulvar cancer recurrence were treated with electrochemotherapy from July 2020 to December 2023. Patients completed different questionnaires: the EuroQol - 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Vulva Cancer 34 (EORTC QLQ-VU34) and visual analog pain scale (VAS) before and one, three and six months after electrochemotherapy. As a control group, fifteen patients with vulvar cancer recurrence treated with wide local excision completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and VAS questionnaires before surgery and three and six months after surgery. Results: No significant differences in EQ-5D scores were found between quality of life before electrochemotherapy and at each follow-up visit. A comparison of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scores between the electrochemotherapy and surgery groups showed a significant difference in physical functioning, fatigue, insomnia, and global health status three months after the procedure and in role, cognitive, social functioning and appetite loss six months after the procedure, all of which were in favor of the electrochemotherapy group. The EORTC QLQ-VU34 questionnaire showed improvements in urinary symptoms and symptoms related to scarring and mutilation of the external genitalia in the electrochemotherapy group. The VAS score did not differ significantly between the electrochemotherapy and surgical groups. Conclusions: The study showed that the quality of life after treatment with electrochemotherapy is better in some segments than after surgical treatment.
Keywords: bleomycin, electrochemotherapy, quality of life
Published in DiRROS: 16.01.2026; Views: 410; Downloads: 158
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