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Purpose: Xerostomia after radiation therapy for head and neck (H&N) cancer has serious effects on patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to validate the Greek version of the self-reported eight-item xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) in patients treated with radiotherapy for H&N cancer.Methods: The XQ was translated into Greek and administered to 100 XQ patients. An exploratory factor analysis was performed. Reliability measures were calculated. Several types of validity were evaluated. The observer-rated scoring system was also used.Results: The mean XQ value was 41.92 (SD 22.71). Factor analysis revealed the unidimensional nature of the questionnaire. High reliability measures (ICC, Cronbach's α, Pearson coefficients) were obtained. Patients differed statistically significantly in terms of XQ score, depending on the RTOG/EORTC classification.Conclusion: The Greek version of XQ is valid and reliable. Its score is well related to observer's findings and it can be used to evaluate the impact of radiation therapy on the subjective feeling of xerostomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. We studied the prognostic significance of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in operated high grade gliomas. Materials and Methods. Twelve patients were treated with radiotherapy and Temozolomide. The MRS data were taken four weeks after operation (before radiotherapy) and every six months after the completion of RT. The N-acetyl aspartate, choline, creatine, and myo-inositol parameters were quantified, analyzed, and correlated to recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results. The median RFS was 26.06 months. RFS was significantly worse in elderly patients (P=0.001) along with the higher choline/creatine ratios at either baseline (P= 0.003) or six months post Radiotherapy (P=0.042). Median RFS was 23 months in high choline/creatine levels ≥2 at 6 months after radiotherapy and 11 months for those with <2 choline/creatine levels. There was a significant correlation of maximum difference of choline/creatine ratio with RFS (rho = 0.64, P=0.045). Conclusion. Age and choline/creatine ratio are strong independent prognostic factors in high grade gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The continuously increasing survivorship of female breast cancer makes the monitoring and improvement of patients' quality of life ever so important. While globally there is a growing body of research on health-related quality of life 1 year after surgical treatment for non-metastatic breast cancer, up-to-date information regarding Greek patients is scarce.Objective: To measure the level of QoL of non-metastatic BC survivors in Greece 1 year after surgery.Methods: A sample of 200 female breast cancer survivors aged 18 to 75, who followed up as outpatients in five public hospitals were included in this cross-sectional study. All recruited patients agreed to participate in the study (100% response rate). Quality of life data were collected through the EORTC QLQ-C30 as well as BR23 questionnaires.Results: Cronbach's alpha for all scales of the two questionnaires was from 0.551 to 0.936 indicating very good reliability. According to the Multiple Linear Regression, older patients showed a lower future perspective (p = .031), with those living in rural areas, which was associated with more financial difficulties (p = .001). Women with tertiary education and those who had been hospitalized in a university hospital recorded better on global health status (p = .003 and .000 respectively). Patients who underwent chemotherapy reported better scores in the emotional function sub-scale (p = .025). Women with reconstruction and at least one complication appeared to have significantly better scores in future perspective and social function (p = .005, .002 respectively).Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors were found to have an overall good quality of life, functioning/symptoms scores and were satisfied with the provided care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is nowadays the treatment of choice, in terms of technique, for either head & neck or prostate cancer. With this paper, we are sharing our experience for the first inplementation of IMRT planning in the public sector in Greece, and especially in the Aretaieion University Hospital of Athens., Methods: From May 2013 until January 2014 four prostate and four head & neck cancer patients were evaluated in the present study. We used the ONCENTRA IMRT treatment planning with a step and shoot technique in a SIEMENS ONCORE Linac. The dose verification method used was based on the delta4(PT) Pre-Treatment volumetric quality assurance system, by Scadidos., Results: In all cases, the Relative Standard Deviation between the prescribed and the calculated average dose received by the target volume was less than 5%, while the γ-index was more than 90%. The acute toxicity was low and equivalent to published data with IMRT technique., Conclusion: In conclusion, the first implementation of IMRT technique in the Medical School of Athens was feasible and safe as well as in terms of dose verification. The IMRT technique is already in clinical use and further results with long term radiation induced toxicity will be reported.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) in males is a rare disease and comprises 0.5-1% of all BC cases. Due to its rarity, there are limited data regarding risk factors, biology and relevant treatment., Aim: A prospective observational study of demographic, clinical and histological characteristics of serially-admitted men with breast cancer was carried out from 1999 to 2009., Patients and Methods: Data were recorded and analyzed from a database including 1,315 cases of BC. Registered data concerned age, initial presentation, family and lifestyle history (risk factors), histological features, phenotypic subtypes and TNM staging., Results: Twenty two men with BC were identified, with a median age of 63 years. The most common initial presentation was a palpable lump in 12 patients, nipple contraction in three and ulceration in three. According to their medical history, nine men were overweight, 10 suffered from hypertension and 12 were smokers. The most prevalent phenotype was luminal-A followed by triple-negative type. BC in none of the cases was HER 2-amplified. The majority of cases were grade II or III and stage II or III., Conclusion: In the present small study, we confirm that BC in males is rare. It is a disease of middle-age and presents at advanced stages. Most of patients had 1-3 risk factors for BC. Expression of hormonal receptors occurs in the majority of BC tumors in males and with rarity in HER 2 amplification.