bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breast change perception in women after smoking cessation. A pilot study
Authors: De Marco Cinzia , Invernizzi Giovanni , Miceli Rosalba , Mariani Luigi , Villarini Anna , Munarini Elena , Mazza Roberto , Boffi Roberto 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background There are several barriers to smoking cessation that are unique to women. Compared to men, women report lower levels of motivation to quit and greater perceived difficulty with cessation. However, recent studies might favor commitment by women to quit through higher risk perception related e.g. to the development of premature facial wrinkling or the decrease in mammographic density due to cigarette smoking. Methods A pilot study to evaluate the perception of breast change after cessation and its possible motivational effect on maintenance was carried out. We interviewed 25 premenopausal women who had quit ≥1 year before. We obtained information from the women and discussed changes in breast size and fullness. The two groups of women with and without breast change were statistically compared using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test (continuous variables) and the Fisher test (categorical variables). Results Median age was 41 years (range, 30–49 years). Median carbon monoxide (CO) before quitting was 18 ppm and median pack years (PY) was 22.5; both parameters characterize a category of mild smokers. Sixteen women (64%) reported breast changes 6 months after quitting smoking. This outcome was paralleled by only moderate effects on weight or body mass index (BMI) increase after quitting. Notably, of the 16 women with breast change, only 3 (19%) with a normal baseline BMI showed a BMI increase to >25. Conclusions Within the limitations of the small size of a pilot study, these results indicate that premenopausal women experience subjective perception of change in breast size after smoking cessation, which may not be totally explained by weight gain. Further studies are needed to understand the effect, if any, of such perception on the motivation to quit smoking.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome induced by infusion of oxaliplatin: A case report
Authors: Racca Patrizia , Spadi Rosella , Fora Gianluca , Fanchini Laura , Ritorto Giuliana , Ferrari Laura , Pinta Francesco , Lista Patrizia , Ciuffreda Libero 
Published: February 2018

Introduction Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum compound with proven antitumor activity in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The occurrence of life-threating hemolitic uremic syndrome has been observed after oxaliplatin therapy. The kind of tumor and treatment modalities seem to influence the onset of hemolitic uremic syndrome. Methods The clinical course of the case is reviewed and compared with reports of other similar cases in the literature. Results We describe the development of hemolitic uremic syndrome as a result of prolonged oxaliplatin treatment of a colon cancer patient. Conclusions Although this rare event requires the concurrence of other unknown factors, it should be considered in a decision-making setting.
Delays in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Sulu Ebru , Tasolar Oktay , Takir Huriye Berk , Tuncer Leyla Yagci , Karakurt Zuhal , Yilmaz Adnan 
Published: February 2018

Aims To investigate patterns of delays among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and to identify reasons for the delays. Methods This prospective study included 101 patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Clinical files of the patients were analyzed and a questionnaire was created to obtain data. Several time intervals and delays were determined for each patient. The reasons for the delays were also evaluated. Results The mean time was 59.9 days for the application interval, 40.3 days for the referral interval, 16.4 days for the diagnostic interval, and 24.7 days for the treatment interval. The application interval was longer than 30 days (patient's delay) in 48 patients (48.5%). There was a doctor delay in 54 (53.5%) patients, a referral delay in 47 (46.5%) patients, a diagnostic delay in 37 (36.6%) patients, and a treatment delay in 57 (56.4%) patients. The mean total time was 119.6 days. Sixty-two patients (62.6%) had a total delay. The most common reason for patient's delay was neglect of symptoms by patients. A low index of suspicion for lung cancer was the most common cause for referral delay. The low performance of diagnostic tests was the frequent reason for diagnostic delay. Conclusions Patient's and doctor's delays were a common problem among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. The rate of doctor's delay was higher than that of patient's delay. Several efforts such as education of the physicians and people about lung cancer should be made to reduce these delays.
Increased Mean Corpuscular Volume of Erythrocytes during Capecitabine Treatment: A Simple Surrogate Marker for Clinical Response
Authors: Arslan Cagatay , Aksoy Sercan , Dizdar Omer , Kurt Mevlut , Guler Nilufer , Ozisik Yavuz , Gullu Ibrahim , Altundag Kadri 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Capecitabine, as all fluoropyrimidines, interferes with vitamin metabolism and may thus have an impact on hematopoiesis. It is metabolized to its active form 5-fluoruracil by the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase, which exists in higher concentrations in tumor tissue and liver than in normal tissues. In the study, we investigated the changes in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of red blood cells and the possible correlation of these changes with the clinical outcome of capecitabine treatment in women with metastatic breast cancer. Methods and Study Design Data from 75 metastatic breast cancer patients were analyzed retrospectively. Capecitabine was used at a dose of 2500 mg/m2 daily for 14 days of every 3-week period. Mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells and other parameters of complete blood count were recorded at the beginning of the treatment, in the ninth week, and periodically thereafter. Results Mean age was 51.5 ± 10.8 and 61.3% of the patients were premenopausal. Capecitabine was administered as the median 3rd line (min-max: 1–9) treatment and a median of 6 cycles (min-max: 1–24) for metastatic breast cancer. Median ΔMCV level (post-treatment values at ninth week - baseline) was 8. ΔMCV was ≥8 in 37 patients and <8 in 38 patients. The 35 of the 37 patients with ΔMCV level ≥8 and 25 of the 38 patients with ΔMCV level <8 had clinical benefit (complete response + partial response + stable disease) from capecitabine treatment (P = 0.02). However, the difference between progression-free survival of the patients with ΔMCV levels higher than 8 and those with ΔMCV levels lower than 8 according to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was not statistically significant (6.7 and 4.3 months, respectively, P = 0.26). Additionally, median ΔMCV level was 9.1 (min-max: −2.4 to 24.9) among patients who had clinical benefit and 5.90 (min-max: −0.8 to 12.3) among nonresponders (P = 0.016). Conclusions Capecitabine increases the mean corpuscular volume levels of red blood cells by a yet unidentified mechanism. Early increment of mean corpuscular volume levels is higher than 8, i.e. by the 9th week, might predict clinical benefit from the treatment.
Circulating Tumor Cells as Predictors of Prognosis in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Clinical Application outside a Clinical Trial
Authors: Consoli Francesca , Grisanti Salvatore , Amoroso Vito , Almici Camillo , Verardi Rosanna , Marini Mirella , Simoncini Edda 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Circulating tumor cells have a prognostic role in metastatic breast cancer. The aim of the study was to confirm the ability of circulating tumor cells, detected by the US Food and Drug Administration approved Cell Search assay, to predict the outcome of patients treated in a community general hospital. Patients and Methods. A prospective mono-institutional study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology at Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy, from January 2009 to September 2010. A total of 93 consecutive patients with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled. Patients underwent a blood sample collection to detect circulating tumor cells at baseline and, subsequently, at the first follow-up examination (after 3-4 weeks from the beginning of a systemic therapy). A third sample was drawn at disease progression (at the beginning of a subsequent new course of therapy). The prognostic cutoff value of circulating tumor cells was fixed at 5 cells/7.5 ml of blood. Results At baseline, median overall survival and progression-free survival in the subgroup ≥5 circulating tumor cells/7.5 ml of blood were significantly shorter (5 months and 3 months, respectively) than in the subgroup with <5 circulating tumor cells (8 months and 7 months, respectively) (P = 0.003 and P <0.001). At the first follow-up, the subgroup with more than 5 circulating tumor cells/7.5 ml of blood had a median overall survival of 4 months versus 8 months in the subgroup with <5 circulating tumor cells (P <0.001) and a median progression-free survival of 3 months versus 7 months respectively (P <0.001). At multivariate analysis, the level of circulating tumor cells at the first follow-up and at baseline remained significant as a predictor of progression-free and overall survival. The number of metastatic sites was significantly associated with overall and progression-free survival and correlated with the number of circulating tumor cells. Conclusions Our study confirms the role of circulating tumor cells as predictors of prognosis in metastatic breast cancer patients treated in general clinical practice.
Targeted Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling Pathway Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Laryngeal Carcinoma Cells in vitro
Authors: Li Rongrui , Wang Riguang , Zhai Raosheng , Dong Zhen 
Published: February 2018

Aim and Objective Laryngeal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive cancers of the head and neck region. The survival rate of patients with laryngeal carcinoma is low due to its late metastases and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was reported that mTOR was involved in the growth and apoptosis of various cancer cells. The aim of this study was to detect the effects of mTOR inhibition by mTOR shRNA on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasive ability of Hep-2 human laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro. Methods and Study Design mTOR shRNA was designed and transfected into Hep-2 human laryngeal carcinoma cells. Untreated cells and cells treated with control vector (non-targeted shRNA) were used as control. The proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2 cells were detected by MTT and flow cytometry. A transwell assay was used to measure the invasive ability of Hep-2. The inhibition effects on the mTOR signaling pathway by mTOR shRNA were studied using RT-PCR and Western blot. Results Our results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of mTOR and Akt were high in laryngeal carcinoma cells and could be inhibited by mTOR shRNA. At the same time, low expression of PTEN mRNA and protein was observed in Hep-2 cells. The expression increased when the cells were transfected with mTOR shRNA. This showed that mTOR shRNA could inhibit the proliferation and invasive ability of Hep-2 cells. It also could induce the apoptosis of Hep-2 cells in vitro. Conclusions The mTOR signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of laryngeal carcinoma. The mTOR shRNA we designed in this experiment effectively inhibited the mTOR signaling pathway. It inhibited the proliferation and invasive ability of the studied laryngeal carcinoma cells and induced their apoptosis in vitro. mTOR might therefore be a useful target in the therapy of laryngeal carcinoma.
Obstructive Colon Metastases from Lobular Breast Cancer: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mistrangelo Massimiliano , Cassoni Paola , Mistrangelo Marinella , Castellano Isabella , Codognotto Elena , Sapino Anna , Lamanna Ginevra , Cravero Francesca , Bianco Lavinia , Fora Gianluca , Sandrucci Sergio 
Published: February 2018

Introduction Gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer are rare. One large series reported a rate of 0.7% of gastrointestinal metastatic manifestations from breast cancer, but its true incidence could be underestimated. Here we report a case of bowel obstruction caused by sigmoid metastases from breast cancer and describe its relevance to histological origin and clinical practice. Methods The clinical course and histopathology of the case are reviewed and compared with reports of similar cases in the literature. Results An 80-year-old woman presented with bowel obstruction. Her medical history included infiltrating lobular breast cancer treated with left radical mastectomy 25 years before the current presentation; 13 years later bone metastases developed and were treated with hormone therapy. In 2003 the patient came to our emergency department because of symptoms of bowel obstruction. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a mass in the distal sigmoid causing the obstruction. A colostomy was performed, followed by a second operation completed with Hartmann's procedure. Histological examination revealed metastases from invasive lobular carcinoma. The patient was discharged 45 days postoperatively and died 9 months later because of disease progression. Conclusions Although gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer are rare, patients with diagnosed breast cancer, particularly invasive lobular carcinoma, should be regularly followed up with endoscopy, CT, endosonography and PET-CT when abdominal symptoms are present. This could permit early diagnosis of gastrointestinal metastases and improve treatment planning.
Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Fibrosarcoma of the Spermatic Cord: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Balducci Mario , Di Rito Alessia , Mantini Giovanna , Manfrida Stefania , Chiesa Silvia , Frascino Vincenzo , D'Agostino Giuseppe Roberto , Valentini Vincenzo , De Bari Berardino 
Published: February 2018

Background Spermatic cord sarcomas are rare. The therapeutic approach is based only on case reports and small series. The standard treatment is radical orchiectomy with wide local resection, while the role of adjuvant therapies is not clear. We present a case of fibrosarcoma of the spermatic cord treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. A review of the literature about the role of adjuvant treatments is also discussed. Case Report A 59-year-old man presented a right testicular mass of about 4 × 3 cm in size. Biopsy showed a high-grade polymorphous sarcoma, consistent with a diagnosis of poorly differentiated fibromyosarcoma. He underwent a right radical inguinal orchiectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (total dose: 5940 cGy). During treatment the patient developed a G3 skin toxicity (RTOG score) in the inguinal fold. After a follow-up of 57 months, he is alive and without evidence of local or distant recurrence. No late toxicity was noted. Conclusion The optimal adjuvant management of spermatic cord sarcoma is still uncertain. Looking at the literature, it seems that adjuvant radiotherapy can improve locoregional control and disease-free survival without additional late toxicity.
Cervical Cancer Screening visit as an Occasion for Counseling Female Smokers to Quit
Authors: Chellini Elisabetta , Gorini Giuseppe , Gasparrini Antonio , Grazzini Grazia , Iossa Anna , Martellucci Pietro Mario , Terrone Rosangela 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background In the last decades in Italy, a smaller decrease in smoking among women than in men has been observed and a younger age at start in young women. Nevertheless, gender-specific strategies for smoking cessation have rarely been developed, except those for pregnant women. A study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out an intervention of primary prevention by counseling for smoking cessation the female smokers attending cervical cancer screening programs in Florence, Italy. Methods All female smokers attending the services for cervical cancer prevention at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute in Florence, Italy, between March 2004 and January 2005, who volunteered to participate in the study, received a brief motivational stage-matched counseling for smoking cessation and a face to face interview at enrollment and after 6 and 12 months. The counseling was evaluated by comparing quit rates, changes in smoking intensity, and motivation to quit at the first and second follow-up periods to the same data collected at enrollment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the influence on smoking cessation of demographic characteristics, smoking habit and attitude to quit. Results 177 women participated in the study. After 1 year, a quit rate of 12.4% (95% CI, 7.5–17.3) was observed. Among those who never quit, there was a 39.3% reduction in the average daily cigarette consumption and a 51.9% reduction in smoking the first cigarette of the day immediately on awaking or just after breakfast. Conclusions The results and the opportunity to contact a large number of female smokers on the occasion of cervical cancer screening suggest the importance to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention of primary prevention in this health setting.
Lapatinib-Based Therapy in Heavily Pretreated HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Crivellari Diana , Spazzapan Simon , Lombardi Davide , Militello Loredana , Torrisi Elena , Russo Alessia E , Sorio Roberto , Talamini Renato , Miolo Gianmaria , Carli Paolo , Veronesi Andrea 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Lapatinib in combination with capecitabine is feasible in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer pretreated with anthracyclines, taxanes and trastuzumab, but inferior results were reported in the global lapatinib expanded access program in comparison with the phase III registration trial. Methods and Study Design Women with HER2-positive metastatic breast carcinoma after antracycline, taxane and trastuzumab-based regimens were treated at progression with lapatinib plus capecitabine. The outcome of these patients was evaluated. From April 2007 to August 2010, 68 patients were treated overall. Results Median progression-free survival was 6 months (range, 1–29), and median overall survival was 26 months (range, 1–39). Eight (12%; 95% CI, 4–25) patients experienced a complete response. Partial response was observed in 22 patients (31%; 95% CI, 20–42), for an overall response rate of 43% (95% CI, 31–55). The treatment with lapatinib plus capecitabine was well tolerated, with grade 3–4 toxicity reported in few patients, and no treatment-related deaths were noted. Of note, no cardiac toxicity was reported in this highly pretreated group of patients or in the subgroup of 10 elderly patients. Conclusions Our data confirm that lapatinib plus capecitabine is an active regimen even in heavily pretreated patients with visceral and brain metastases and is feasible and active also in selected elderly patients.
Changes in Lymphocyte Count Induced by Repeated Cycles with Low-Dose Interleukin-2 and Interferon-α in 146 Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Buti Sebastiano , Rovere Rodrigo Kraft , Donini Maddalena , Passalacqua Rodolfo , Pezzuolo Debora , Buzio Carlo 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background The exact mechanism by which recombinant interleukine-2 and interferon-a modulate the immunological response, inducing long-term responses in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, is still not clear. The aim of the study was to analyze the modifications in peripheral blood lymphocytes during cycles of low-dose immunotherapy as a marker of the biological response to the treatment in 146 patients with renal cell carcinoma (advanced and localized disease). Methods and Study Design Peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated before and after every cycle of treatment. Results We found a statistically significant overall difference between pre- and post-cycle values (mean increase of 39%). The differences between pre- and post-cycle lymphocyte counts for each cycle were significant. Also, the post-cycle lymphocyte count of each cycle remained higher than the baseline value. Furthermore, pre-cycle lymphocyte counts of each cycle were still higher than the baseline value, with no difference between a pre-cycle lymphocyte mean value and the other one (except that between the first and second cycle). From the end of each cycle, but before starting the next one, the absolute value of lymphocytes fell on the average by 15–30%, concurring with the fact that, even starting from pre-cycle values higher than baseline, the immune system remains sensitive to chronically repeated stimulation by immunotherapy. We also found that non-metastatic patients had a higher number of peripheral blood lymphocytes than metastatic patients, whereas the latter had a lower immune response to therapy. Conclusions The results support the idea that “maintenance” immunotherapy may not develop resistance over time in terms of biological response and thus may have a role as chronic therapy in combination with other drugs such as target therapy. We suppose that the immune system of patients with metastases is in a state of relative impairment, resulting in less sensitivity to immunostimulating agents.
Clinical Study of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy or Radiotherapy Alone for Esophageal Cancer Patients with Positive Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Han Jihua , Zhu Weiguo , Yu Changhua , Zhou Xilei , Li Tao , Zhang Xiaoye 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Esophageal cancer patients with pathologic lymph node involvement generally have a poor prognosis. Many randomized controlled trials have not achieved consistent results similar to those of the RTOG8501 trial, and the long-term survival rate has not increased. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and toxic side effects of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy alone to treat N1 esophageal carcinoma. Methods and Study Design A total of 130 N1 esophageal carcinoma patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (n = 65) and radiotherapy group (n = 65). Both groups received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with a total dose of 64–66 Gy. Meanwhile, to the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group, an additional chemotherapy protocol (nedaplatin, 20 mg/m2/d, 5-FU, 500 mg/m2/d for four days) was given from day 1, and such treatment was repeated until day 29. From day 21 after radiotherapy, two cycles of a consolidated chemotherapy protocol were given at an interval of 28 days. Results The survival rates at one, two, and three years were 72.3%, 55.3%, and 40% in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group, respectively, and 75.3%, 38.5%, and 18.5% in the radiotheray group (P = 0.007), respectively. The survival rates of the patients in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group who completed one to two cycles and three to four cycles at one, two, and three years were 70%, 53.3%, and 30%, and 74.2%, 57.1%, 48.6% (P = 0.128), respectively. Three-year distant metastasis rates were 10.7% in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group and 16.9% in the radiotherapy group. Acute toxicity in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group was higher than in the radiotherapy group. Late toxic side effects were similar in the two groups. Conclusions Compared with radiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma with local lymph node enlargement can improve the three-year survival rate. Moreover, completion of three to four cycles of chemotherapy may have better efficacy than one to two cycles.