bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimates of cancer burden in Campania
Authors: Fusco Mario , De Angelis Roberta , Senatore Gennaro , Zigon Giulia , Rossi Silvia 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background In Campania two cancer registries have been operating since 1996, covering part of the province of Naples and the province of Salerno, and amounting to 29% of the regional population. The aim of this paper is to provide estimates of the incidence, mortality and prevalence of seven major cancers for the entire Campania region. Methods The estimates were obtained by applying the MIAMOD method, a statistical back-calculation approach to derive incidence and prevalence figures starting from mortality and relative survival data. Survival was modeled on the basis of published data from the Italian cancer registries. Results In 2012 the most frequent cancers were colorectal, breast and lung cancer with 3,969, 3,675 and 3,629 new diagnosed cases, respectively. The cancers with increasing incidence trends were breast cancer, lung cancer and skin melanoma in women, and colorectal cancer and skin melanoma in men. By contrast, the incidence rates of uterine cervix cancer and stomach cancer were decreasing. In men the lung and prostate cancer incidence rates increased, reaching a peak in different periods, and then decreased and stabilized, respectively. Prevalence was increasing for all considered cancers with the exception of cervical cancer. The highest values in 2012 were estimated for breast and colorectal cancer (34,000 and 22,000 prevalent cases, respectively). In the final period under study there was a decline in mortality for all cancers except female lung cancer. The highest crude mortality rates in 2012 were estimated for lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women: 80 and 31 per 100,000, respectively. Conclusion This paper provides a description of the burden of the major cancers in Campania until 2015. The estimates highlight the need to reinforce organized screening, especially for breast and colorectal cancer, and to support evidence-based prevention campaigns against female smoking. All these aspects require continuous and updated monitoring of the main epidemiological indicators in the Campania population.
Estimates of cancer burden in Basilicata and Calabria
Authors: Galasso Rocco , Capocaccia Riccardo , Del Riccio Luciana , Viviano Lorena , Matera Rosa , Rossi Silvia 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Basilicata and Calabria are two neighboring, low income regions of southern peninsular Italy with an overall population of about 2.5 million in 2010. Cancer registration has covered the entire Basilicata population since 2005 and the province of Catanzaro (18.3% of the Calabria population) since 2003. This paper will provide estimates and projections for the period 1970—2015 of the basic epidemiological indicators — incidence, prevalence and mortality — in the Basilicata and Calabria regions for the major cancers (lung, colon and rectum, stomach, skin melanoma, breast, cervix and prostate). Methods The indicators were estimated by applying the MIAMOD statistical back-calculation method to the 1970—2002 official mortality data, and to the 1985—2002 relative survival data collected by population-based registries of the southern regions of Italy. Results The incidence rates were estimated to be still rising for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer, and for skin melanoma in men. By contrast, they were estimated to be declining for cervix and stomach cancer. The incidence increased, reaching a peak, and subsequently decreased for lung cancer in men and for skin melanoma in women. The age-standardized mortality rates were estimated to decrease for all considered cancers except prostate cancer in men and lung cancer in women, which presented quite stable mortality rates from the mid 2000s onwards. Except for cervix cancer, prevalence was increasing for all considered cancers, particularly those of the breast and prostate. Conclusion These data support the need for health policies focused on primary and secondary prevention, which is the main way to reduce the overall impact of cancer and to preserve health care resources, as well as on actions aimed at ensuring equal access to cancer care and at transferring innovation into clinical practice.
Estimates of cancer burden in Sicily
Authors: Tumino Rosario , Capocaccia Riccardo , Traina Adele , Madeddu Anselmo , Contrino Maria Lia , Zigon Giulia 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Estimates are complementary epidemiological measures which allow to present data on cancer burden, especially in geographical areas where measurements of cancer occurrence are not supported by exhaustive statistics on incidence, mortality and survival. The aim of this paper is to provide cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence estimates and projections for the major cancers in the period 1970—2015 for the entire region of Sicily. Methods The estimates were computed by applying the MIAMOD method, a statistical back-calculation approach to derive incidence and prevalence figures starting from mortality and relative survival data. Published data from the Italian cancer registries were modeled in order to estimate the regional cancer survival. Results In 2012 the most common cancers were breast cancer in women, colorectal cancer in both sexes, and prostate cancer in men, with about 4,000, 3,500 and 3,000 estimated new cases, respectively. The highest crude mortality rates were estimated for lung cancer in men (63.6 per 100,000) and breast cancer in women (30.8 per 100,000) and the lowest for skin melanoma (both sexes) and cancer of the cervix uteri. For colorectal, lung and stomach cancer and skin melanoma, all the indicators were higher in men than women. The prevalence figures in women were more than 9 times the incidence figures for breast cancer and more than 10 times the incidence figures for skin melanoma. The prevalence was twice the incidence for lung cancer in both sexes. The prevalence increased for all the considered cancers except cervical cancer. Conclusion According to our analyses in Sicily we expect about 14,000 new diagnoses and 5,500 deaths for the major cancer types in a year, while about 92,000 persons with a diagnosis of the considered cancers were alive in 2012. We expect an increase in cancer survival and contemporary aging of the population: both expectations will inflate the cancer prevalence, causing more demand for oncology facilities.
Cancer Burden Estimates and Forecasts: Uses and Cautions
Authors: Gatta Gemma , Rossi Silvia , Capocaccia Riccardo 
Published: February 2018

Incidence, prevalence and mortality indicators, as provided in this monographic issue for each of the Italian regions and for the major cancers (stomach, colorectal, lung, breast, uterine cervix, prostate cancer and skin melanoma), provide necessary information for cancer control activities. In Italy, these activities are mainly organized on a regional level. Incidence depends on the distribution of risk factors in the population and is monitored to assess the efficacy of primary prevention programs as well as to measure the effect of screening activities. Mortality is a summary indicator incorporating the effects of both occurrence and survival. Finally, the prevalence of people with a diagnosis of cancer within a population is a direct measure of the demand for health care and social services. When taken separately, each of these indicators provides a partial view of the cancer phenomenon and should therefore be interpreted with caution. In this paper we give some examples of the uses of these indicators, and also of the interpretation difficulties by relating the regional cancer incidence to tobacco use, overweight and residence in polluted sites. We comment on the observed mortality trends in terms of their contribution to incidence and survival. We associate the estimated trends in cancer prevalence from 1990 to 2015 with the gross domestic product, an indicator of the resources available in Italy. The simultaneous consideration of all three indicators, as was done throughout this monograph by means of a unique methodology, is suggested for public health use.
A case of long-term survival after repeated response to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and repeated thermoablation of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Should we introduce the concept of oxaliplatin-resistant tumors?
Authors: Ottone Azzurra , Bellini Elisa , Ferrero Anna , Baratelli Chiara , Taberna Eleonora , Bitossi Raffaella , Brizzi Maria Pia , Tampellini Marco 
Published: February 2018

Background The management of advanced colorectal cancer patients differs among cancer centers. International guidelines recommend offering all the recognized active regimens in order to obtain survival advantage, but little information is given about the sequence and combination in which such regimens should be administered. Case report We report the case of a man with multiple liver metastasis from colorectal cancer followed for more than 78 months at our Institution. Repeated response to the same oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid chemotherapy schedule was achieved, and repeated radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases was performed until progression of lung and brain disease at 50 and 72 months, respectively, after the diagnosis of advanced disease. Although the tumor became oxaliplatin and chemo-resistant after the onset of extra-hepatic disease, a more aggressive chemotherapy regimen, including a doublet with a biological, halted tumor growth. Conclusions The patient survived for more than 78 months without experiencing a major impact on his quality of life. This case reflects the importance of following tumor biology in the therapeutic decision-making process, reintroducing oxaliplatin whenever possible, and adopting a more aggressive strategy when the tumor becomes oxaliplatin-resistant.
Chylothorax in a Patient with Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Janjetovic Snjezana , Janning Melanie , Daukeva Liliana , Bokemeyer Carsten , Fiedler Walter 
Published: February 2018

Background Chylothorax is defined as chyle entering the pleural space. The most common causes of chylothorax are lymphoma followed by bronchogenic carcinoma and trauma. Case report We report a case of chylothorax in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma. A 28-year old man was admitted to the hospital with exertional dyspnea and dry cough. A chest X-ray showed the large opacity on the left side suggesting to the presence of pleural effusion. Methods The effusion was drained, and biochemical tests of the pleural fluid revealed high contents of triglycerides and, hence, confirmed the diagnosis of chylothorax. Cytology of the pleural fluid showed no evidence of Hodgkin's cells. Computer tomography scans of the chest and abdomen exhibited the presence of a soft tissue mass located in the left mediastinum. Mediastinal mass biopsy led to diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nodular sclerosis subtype. The patient received the standard treatment with two cycles of chemotherapy with prednisolone, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, procarbazine, and etoposide (BEACOPP), followed by an additional two cycles of therapy with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). Results After one cycle of chemotherapy, chylothorax initially decreased. Unfortunately, during the following courses of chemotherapy, the pleural effusion reoccurred and repeated pleural taps were necessary. According to the treatment protocol, radiation of the mediastinal bulk was performed after chemotherapy. Now, nearly one year after completion of radiotherapy, the chylothorax has significantly regressed and no further thoracocenteses were necessary. Conclusion The case reveals an example of left-sided chylothorax as the first manifestation of Hodgkin's lymphoma in a young patient. In this case, radiotherapy was shown to be an effective treatment option for lymphoma-associated chylothorax unresponsive to chemotherapy.
Palliative Two-Dimensional Radiotherapy of Pancreatic Carcinoma: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Morganti Alessio G , Marinelli Alfonso , Buwenge Milly , Macchia Gabriella , Deodato Francesco , Massaccesi Mariangela , Kigula-Mugambe Joseph , Wondemagegnhu Tigeneh , Dawotola David , Caravatta Luciana , Sallustio Giuseppina , Piermattei Angelo , Valentini Vincenzo , Cilla Savino 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The aim of the study was to analyze the dose to be administered with two-dimensional involved-field palliative radiotherapy in advanced pancreatic carcinoma with respect to current dose-volume constraints (QUANTEC). Methods and study design The following standard regimens were evaluated: 30 Gy at 3 Gy/fraction (regimen A), 36 Gy at 2.4 Gy/fraction (regimen B), 45 Gy at 1.8 Gy/fraction (regimen C), and 50 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction (regimen D). The following constraints were considered: spinal cord Dmax <50 Gy, duodenum Dmax <55 Gy, liver Dmean <30 Gy, kidneys Dmean <15 Gy. For dose/fraction different from 1.8–2 Gy, the correction of constraints using a value of alpha/beta = 3 for late effects was considered. The calculation of dose/volume constraints was repeated for three different radiation beams: cobalt unit, 6 MV photons, and 15 MV photons. Standard field sizes were used and adapted according to the different beam types, using the parameters of our previous study. Respect of dose-volume constraints was assessed for each type of beam and treatment (dose per fractionation) in all patients. Treatments were considered acceptable in case of: 1) respect of the constraints for spinal cord and duodenum in all patients; 2) respect in >10/15 patients of constraints for kidneys and liver. Therefore, minor violations (<10%) of the constraints for these organs were accepted (in less than 5/15 patients), in consideration of the palliative aim of treatment. Results In regimen A (30 Gy, 3 Gy/fraction), evaluated constraints were respected in all patients, regardless of the type of energy. In regimen B (36 Gy, 2.4 Gy/fraction), constraints were met in all patients undergoing irradiation with 6 and 15 MV photons. However, using the cobalt unit, kidney constraint was respected only in 5 of 15 patients. In regimens C and D (45 Gy, 1.8 Gy/fraction and 50 Gy, 2 Gy/fraction, respectively), the constraint for the kidney was respected only in 2–5 patients, depending on the energy used. Furthermore, using 50 Gy, the spinal cord constraint was not respected in 2–3 patients, depending on the beam used. Therefore, only the following treatments were considered acceptable: 1) 30 Gy, 3 Gy/fraction, regardless of the energy used; 2) 36 Gy, 2.4 Gy/fraction, only for treatments performed with linear accelerator (6–15 MV). Conclusions The clinical benefits of radiotherapy in pancreatic tumors should not be withheld from patients treated in centers only with two-dimensional technology. Prospective trials, particularly in developing countries, would be useful to evaluate the efficacy in this setting of involved-field two-dimensional treatments using the dose and fractionation defined in this analysis.
Girdin correlated with autophagy in invasive ductal breast carcinomas
Authors: Jiang Ping , Cui Su-Ping , Ren Ya-Li , Mao Jing-Zhuo , Liu Hai-Jing , Tian Yuan , Liu Jian-Ying , Du Juan , Hou Lin , Zhang Bo 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Increasing evidence claims that autophagy is essential for breast cancer progression. Girdin was found highly expressed in breast cancers. It has been reported that Girdin attenuates autophagy in HeLa cells. We explored the relationship between Girdin expression and autophagic patterns in breast cancer. Methods and study design In the study, Girdin expression and autophagic activity were investigated in a series of 99 invasive ductal breast carcinomas after immunohistochemical staining for the autophagy-associated proteins LC3-II and Girdin. Results The level of Girdin expression negatively correlated with LC3-II level, which represents autophagic activity (r = −0.289), and positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (r = 0.472). Girdin level was found no different in the “diffuse cytoplasmic” and “stone-like” patterns of LC3-II. Conclusions Up-regulated autophagy was negatively associated with Girdin level. There was a significant correlation between Girdin expression and lymph nodes metastasis in invasive ductal breast carcinoma.
Assessment of chemokine serum levels in epithelial ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Falcão-Júnior João Oscar Almeida , Teixeira-Carvalho Andréa , Cândido Eduardo Batista , Lages Elisa Lopes , Freitas G Gustavo Ferreira , Lamaita Rívia Mara , Bonfim Lívia Paula Freire , Salera Rafael Borges , Traiman P Paulo , da Silva-Filho Agnaldo Lopes 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The study was undertaken to investigate CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL5/RANTES and CXCL8/IL-8 women with epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods and study design Sixteen patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer and 18 healthy women with no evidence of malign neoplasia (control group) aged from 23 to 89 years (mean ± SEM, 58.7 ± 2.3) were included. The epithelial ovarian cancer patients underwent laparotomy and debulking surgery. Chemokines serum levels were measured by cytometric bead array. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and Kendall's tau. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results The tumor staging (FIGO) was classified into: I in 4 cases (25%), III in 5 cases (31.3%) and stage IV in 7 cases (43.8%). Sera chemokine dosages of CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL4/MIP-1β were lower in epithelial ovarian cancer patients than in the control group (P = 0.021 and P = 0.030, respectively). No significant difference between groups was observed in the levels of CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL5/RANTES and CXCL8/IL-8. No association between the chemokines analyzed and tumor stage was found. The serum level of CCL4/MIP-1β was correlated with CA-125. Conclusions The study of serum levels of CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL5/RANTES and CXCL8/IL-8 chemokines in epithelial ovarian cancer patients identified a down-regulation in CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL4/MIP-1β, which suggests that the two chemokines may play an important role in the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer.
Nocardia yamanashiensis in an immunocompromised patient presenting as an indurated nodule on the dorsal hand
Authors: Anzalone C Lane , Cohen Philip R , Tarrand Jeffrey J , Diwan Abdul H , Prieto Victor G 
Published: February 2018

Background Nocardia are ubiquitous, aerobic, gram-positive actinomycetes. Nocardiosis typically occurs in immunocompromised patients, although immunocompetent individuals can also be affected. Purpose The purpose of this case study is to review the clinical characteristics and treatments of a unique form of cutaneous nocardiosis. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical literature using PubMed, searching the terms cutaneous, host, immunocompromised, Nocardia, primary, yamanashiensis. Patient reports and previous reviews of the subject were critically assessed and the salient features are presented. Results Cutaneous nocardiosis typically presents as pustular nodules and the lesions may progress to become abscesses, cellulitis, granulomas or keloid-like tumors. N. brasiliensis is the predominant species involved in primary cutaneous nocardiosis; other common Nocardia species involved in human disease are N. farcinica, N. abscessus, N. cyriacigeorgica, and N. nova. Only two individuals (including the patient presented here) with primary cutaneous infection by N. yamanashiensis have been described in the literature; a third clinical isolate was recovered from a lung biopsy. Conclusion Nocardia yamanashiensis is a rare clinical form of primary cutaneous nocardiosis. 16S ribosomal gene sequencing, as well as Gram stain and modified Fite acid-fast stain, play a vital role in identifying this clinical variant.
Cost of Illness in Patients with Multiple Myeloma in Italy: The CoMiM Study
Authors: Petrucci Maria Teresa , Calabrese Elisabetta , Levi Anna , Federico Vincenzo , Ceccolini Michela , Rizzi Rita , Gozzetti Alessandro , Falco Patrizia , Lazzaro Carlo , Martelli Elisa , Boccadoro Mario , Lauria Francesco , Liso Vincenzo , Cavo Michele , Foa Robert 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer. Although it accounts for only a relatively small percentage of all cancer types, the costs associated with managing multiple myeloma are considerable. Available studies are mainly focused on health care costs. The Costo del Mieloma Multiplo (Cost of MM, CoMiM) study investigated the cost of illness of multiple myeloma in Italy during one year of disease management. Methods CoMiM is a retrospective, prevalence-based, multi-center, cross-sectional study based on a stratified sample of patients seen during normal clinical practice (asymptomatic; symptomatic on drugs; symptomatic receiving autologous stem cell transplantation; plateau/remission). Demographics, clinical history, health care and non-health care resource consumption data were collected. Costs were evaluated from the societal viewpoint and expressed in Euro 2008. Results Data on 236 patients were analyzed (39 asymptomatic, 17%; 29 symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, 12%; 105 symptomatic receiving drugs, 44%; 63 plateau/remission, 27%). The total cost of illness reached € 19,267.1 ± 25,078.6 (asymptomatic, € 959.3 ± 1091.6; symptomatic receiving drugs, € 21,707.8 ± 21,785.3; symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, € 59,243.7 ± 24,214.0; plateau/remission, € 8130.7 ± 15,092.5). The main cost drivers of total cost of illness were drugs and hospital admissions (46.1% and 29.4%, respectively). Antineoplastics and immunomodulators drove the cost of drugs (21.6% and 21.1% of the total cost of illness). Cost of antineoplastics was led by bortezomib (97.4%), whereas the cost driver for immunomodulators was lenalidomide (99.4%). Cost of hospitalization funded by the Italian National Health Service was strongly influenced by transplantation (94.6%), whereas chemotherapy and skeletal fractures did not exceed 1% and 2%, respectively. Conclusions Despite some limitations, the CoMiM study provides Italian health care decision-makers with an insight into the stratified cost of illness of multiple myeloma patients.