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Objectives: The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to investigate the demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with mucosal malignant melanoma (MM) of the oral cavity. Materials and methods: This was a multicenter study involving 8 Japanese universities. The medical records of 69 patients who were diagnosed with primary oral MM between January 2000 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors for OS were analyzed statistically. Results: There were 40 (58.0%) males and 29 (42.0%) females, and their mean (range) age was 69.8 ± 14.6 (22–96) years old. The most common primary site was the palate (30 patients, 43.5%). Stage IVA was the most common disease stage (36 patients, 52.2%). Radical therapy was performed in 55 patients (79.7%). The 2-year and 5-year OS rates of the 69 patients were 64.6% and 42.5%, respectively. The 2-year and 5-year OS rates of the stage III patients were 85.9% and 72.5%, respectively, and those of the stage IVA patients were 56.3% and 26.0%, respectively. The 1-year OS rate of the stage IVB/IVC patients was 26.7%. The 2-year and 5-year OS rates of the radical therapy group were 74.1% and 50.5%, respectively, whereas the 2-year OS rate of the non-radical therapy group was 26.0%. An advanced T classification was the only identified prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio: 6.312, 95% confidence interval: 1.133–38.522, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Early detection and radical treatment are essential for improving the prognosis of oral MM patients. Clinical relevance: Early detection and adequate radical therapy leads to the better prognosis of oral MM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung neoplasm is the main cause of cancer-related mortality, and bone metastasis is among the most common secondary tumors. The vast majority of patients also present with multiple bone metastases, which makes systemic and adjuvant pain therapy preferable to surgery. The optimal approach for a resectable non-small-cell lung tumor that also presents a unique, resectable bone metastasis is not fully established. The number of papers addressing this subject is small, and most are case reports; nevertheless, survival rates seem to increase with radical surgery. The sequencing of local versus systemic treatment should always be discussed within the multidisciplinary team that will choose the best approach for each patient. As targeted systemic therapies become more accessible, radical surgery, together with existing reconstructive methods, will lead to an increase in life expectancy and a better quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practising the personal in a political context: How the FORT movement contributed to a spiritual and political consciousness for feminists in the Netherlands between 1975-1988 This characterisation of FORT groups as apolitical is remarkable given the fact that FORT groups, like other consciousness-raising groups, were rooted in radical feminist ideology ([14], pp. 41-42). In the wake of Dutch consciousness-raising groups, a new kind of feminist consciousness-raising initiative emerged: the "Feministische Oefengroepen Radicale Therapie" (FORT) groups. Keywords: Netherlands; feminism; consciousness-raising; radical therapy; oral history; spirituality EN Netherlands feminism consciousness-raising radical therapy oral history spirituality 199 211 13 09/19/22 20220901 NES 220901 During the early 1970s, second-wave feminism emerged in the Netherlands. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract Background This study evaluated the predictive value of gene signatures for biochemical recurrence (BCR) in primary prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Methods Clinical features and gene expression profiles of PCa patients were attained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, which were further classified into a training set (n = 419), a validation set (n = 403). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO‐Cox) method was used to select discriminative gene signatures in training set for biochemical recurrence‐free survival (BCRFS). Selected gene signatures established a risk score system. Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors about BCRFS were performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression models. A nomogram based on multivariate analysis was plotted to facilitate clinical application. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses were then executed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results Notably, the risk score could significantly identify BCRFS by time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (t‐ROC) curves in the training set (3‐year area under the curve (AUC) = 0.820, 5‐year AUC = 0.809) and the validation set (3‐year AUC = 0.723, 5‐year AUC = 0.733). Conclusions Clinically, the nomogram model, which incorporates Gleason score and the risk score, could effectively predict BCRFS and potentially be utilized as a useful tool for the screening of BCRFS in PCa.

Background: This study evaluated the predictive value of gene signatures for biochemical recurrence (BCR) in primary prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Methods: Clinical features and gene expression profiles of PCa patients were attained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, which were further classified into a training set (n = 419), a validation set (n = 403). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO‐Cox) method was used to select discriminative gene signatures in training set for biochemical recurrence‐free survival (BCRFS). Selected gene signatures established a risk score system. Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors about BCRFS were performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression models. A nomogram based on multivariate analysis was plotted to facilitate clinical application. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses were then executed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results: Notably, the risk score could significantly identify BCRFS by time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (t‐ROC) curves in the training set (3‐year area under the curve (AUC) = 0.820, 5‐year AUC = 0.809) and the validation set (3‐year AUC = 0.723, 5‐year AUC = 0.733). Conclusions: Clinically, the nomogram model, which incorporates Gleason score and the risk score, could effectively predict BCRFS and potentially be utilized as a useful tool for the screening of BCRFS in PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung neoplasm is the main cause of cancer-related mortality, and bone metastasis is among the most common secondary tumors. The vast majority of patients also present with multiple bone metastases, which makes systemic and adjuvant pain therapy preferable to surgery. The optimal approach for a resectable non-small-cell lung tumor that also presents a unique, resectable bone metastasis is not fully established. The number of papers addressing this subject is small, and most are case reports; nevertheless, survival rates seem to increase with radical surgery. The sequencing of local versus systemic treatment should always be discussed within the multidisciplinary team that will choose the best approach for each patient. As targeted systemic therapies become more accessible, radical surgery, together with existing reconstructive methods, will lead to an increase in life expectancy and a better quality of life.

The evidence for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is meagre for patients with clinical T3-4N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer (8th Edition of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)). This study retrospectively investigated clinical outcomes following SBRT for such patients. Among consecutive patients treated with SBRT, patients staged as cT3-4N0M0 by all criteria were examined, most of whom were unsuitable to chemoradiotherapy due to their fragile characters. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and factors associated with outcomes were investigated. Between 2005 and 2017, 70 eligible patients (T3: 58, T4: 12; median age 81 (63–93) years) were identified. Median follow-up duration was 28.6 (1.0–142.5) months. No adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. The 3-year local recurrence rates were 15.8% and 16.7% in T3 and T4 patients, respectively, and they were significantly lower in the high-dose group (3.1% vs 28.6%, P < 0.01). Multivariate analyses showed that the dose-volumetric factor was the significant factor for local recurrence. The 3-year regional and distant metastasis rates, cancer-specific mortality, and overall survival in T3 and T4 patients were 22.7% and 25.0%, 26.5% and 33.3%, 32.2% and 41.7%, and 39.5% and 41.7%, respectively. Only age was correlated with overall survival. Radiation pneumonitis ≥grade 3 and fatal hemoptysis occurred in 3 and 1 patients, respectively. SBRT for cT3-4N0M0 lung cancer patients achieved good local control. Survival was rather good considering that patients were usually frail, staged with clinical staging, and were not given adjuvant chemotherapy, and it may be comparable to surgery. To validate these outcomes following SBRT, a prospective study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing low-quality evidence rationalizing the use of radical therapy for men at high risk of disseminated prostate cancer. Objective: To investigate, using high-quality epidemiologic data, whether initial radical therapy in men at high risk of disseminated prostate cancer improves survival. Design, setting, and participants: An observational population-based Swedish study from 1996 to 2010 of men at high risk of disseminated prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] > 50) initially treated by radical therapy (radiation therapy [n = 630] or radical prostatectomy [n = 120]) or androgen deprivation therapy (n = 17 602), and followed for up to 15 yr. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Prostate-cancer and other-cause mortality was estimated for the treatment groups. We also matched the two cohorts for grade, T stage, M stage, Charlson score, year of diagnosis, age, and PSA, and found androgen deprivation therapy patient matches for 575 of the radical therapy patients, and then repeated comparative effectiveness analyses. Results and limitation: Prostate-cancer mortality was substantially greater in the androgen deprivation therapy group compared with the radically treated one, in unmatched (9062/17 602 vs 86/750) and matched (177/575 vs 71/575) cohorts. Among matched cohorts, initial androgen deprivation therapy was associated with nearly three-fold higher hazard of prostate-cancer death compared with initial radical therapy (2.87; 95% confidence interval 2.16-3.82). Multiple sensitivity analyses suggested that the findings were robust, although the general limitations of nonrandomized studies remain. Further, the study cohort may have included men with both systemic and nonsystemic disease, as a sole eligibility criterion of PSA > 50 was used. Conclusions: This large and comprehensive population-based study suggests that initial radical therapy in men at high risk of disseminated prostate cancer improves survival. Patient summary: This large Swedish study suggests that men with prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate benefit from treating the prostate itself with radiation therapy or surgery rather than treating the disease with hormones alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last three decades, there has been an increasing incidence of the esophageal cancer at the global level, approx. 400,000 new esophageal cancers being currently diagnosed annually. This is the eighth leading cause of cancer incidence and the sixth leading cause of cancer death overall. If we refer to the countries of Western Europe and North America, we could see an increase in the esophageal adenocarcinoma in detriment of squamous cancer. As for the Asian region, referring in particular to China and Japan, 9 out of 10 esophageal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Considering that the incidence of gastric cancer in Japan is very high, the endoscopic screenings performed inevitably led to an increased rate of early detection of esophageal cancer, reaching approximately 20% of all esophageal cancers detected. This has led to the possibility of developing therapeutic endoscopic techniques with radical visa that we will describe while presenting comparative data from literature. Currently, however, there are not enough data on the effectiveness of these types of therapies, compared to surgery, in order to be transformed into standard therapeutic endoscopic treatment for early esophageal cancer. However, the combined therapy, resection/ endoscopic ablation + chemoradiotherapy, appears as an alternative to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The place of focal therapy in prostate cancer management requires further evaluation within randomized comparative clinical trials. Methods: This review article discusses the place of focal therapy and asks whether it is an alternative to active surveillance or radical therapy. This question therefore is at the heart of whether this proposed paradigm shift should be delivered with the intent of cure or cancer control. Results: For such trials to report on outcomes that have meaningful utility in the clinic, it is necessary to discuss whether focal ablation should be delivered with intent to eradicate all cancer foci ('cure') or ablate all clinically significant lesions with surveillance of all remaining tissue (benign or harboring clinically insignificant cancer). While the former will inevitably mean that fewer men will be appropriate for focal therapy were it to become standard care, it is the safest approach. The latter strategy will open focal therapy to the majority of men with low- to intermediate-risk disease with the potential of offering a treatment strategy that treats important cancer while preserving function with a high degree of probability. Conclusion: A pragmatic randomized controlled clinical in which focal therapy is randomized against standard of care may be feasible. The pragmatic nature of such a trial would allow eligibility criteria, localization of cancer to reflect local practice (novel imaging and transrectal biopsy or template prostate mapping), and the focal intervention (ablative modality, intent to ablate all cancer foci or all clinically significant foci) to be kept broad to reflect clinical practice. Further, it would satisfy individual equipoise by allowing either active surveillance or radical therapy in the standard care arm, to be decided on by patient and physician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To describe the Avodart after Radical Therapy for prostate cancer Study (ARTS), investigating the use of dutasteride (a dual 5α-reductase inhibitor that suppresses intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone, reduces tumour volume and improves other markers of tumour regression in prostate cancer) to prevent or delay disease progression in patients with biochemical recurrence after therapy with curative intent. PATIENTS AND METHODS An increasing serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy (RT) is indicative of recurrent prostate cancer and typically pre-dates clinically detectable metastatic disease by several years. ARTS is an ongoing European multicentre trial in which patients are stratified by previous therapy (RP with or without salvage RT vs primary RT) and randomized to double-blind treatment with dutasteride 0.5 mg or placebo once daily for 2 years. Eligible patients will have a PSA doubling time (DT) of 3–24 months. Biochemical recurrence is defined as three increases in PSA level from the nadir, with each increase ≥4 weeks apart and each PSA level ≥0.2 ng/mL, and a final PSA level of ≥0.4 ng/mL (after RP) or ≥2 ng/mL (after primary RT). Study endpoints include time to PSA doubling, time to disease progression, treatment response (PSA decrease or an increase of ≤15% from baseline), changes in PSA and PSADT, and changes in anxiety (Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer). CONCLUSIONS ARTS will be the first study to evaluate the effects of dutasteride on PSADT, disease progression and treatment response in patients with biochemical failure after RP or RT, and should help to elucidate the potential role of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This writing—a contemplation of the poem, An die Musik, by Rainer Maria Rilke—emerged during analysis of a qualitative inquiry about the meaning of a music therapy support group for adult cancer patients. It is literary writing intended to be accessible to a wide readership. The convention of discursive research representation is disrupted for the purpose of expanding the realm of searching, re-searching, asking, telling, knowing and showing. More than an artistic product, this process of creative writing serves as a way of uncovering meaning and a means through which knowing evolves during research analysis. Research results, however, are not fully detailed here. Reported here are memories, reflections, speculations and reflexive insights posed to Mr. Rilke about poetry and phenomenological writing, translation, phenomenological engagement, embodiment, theorizing about musicology, music therapy, relationships to music and the lived experience of music, cancer, death and existentialism. He doesn’t answer. We are left to draw our own conclusions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A cohort of 197 adults in Kassena-Nankana District (northern Ghana) was radically cured of malaria parasites to study subsequent incidence of malaria infection. During the following 20 weeks of the malaria transmission season, 49% experienced clinical attacks associated with Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia. In a group of 202 adults identically followed-up 1 year later without being treated, only 38% experienced such episodes (log-rank test for equality of survivor functions, P=0.035). Clinical attacks in radically cured individuals presented with lower parasite densities but more symptoms. Randomized studies are needed to test the hypothesis that radical cure of P. falciparum enhances the risk and severity of subsequent clinical malaria attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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