| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Hörberger, Filip, et al.
(author)
-
Pencil beam scanning proton therapy for mediastinal lymphomas in deep inspiration breath-hold : a retrospective assessment of plan robustness
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 62-69
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose/background: The aim of this study was to evaluate pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy (PT) in deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) for mediastinal lymphoma patients, by retrospectively evaluating plan robustness to the clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs) on repeated CT images acquired throughout treatment.Methods: Sixteen mediastinal lymphoma patients treated with PBS-PT in DIBH were included. Treatment plans (TPs) were robustly optimized on the CTV (7 mm/4.5%). Repeated verification CTs (vCT) were acquired during the treatment course, resulting in 52 images for the entire patient cohort. The CTV and OARs were transferred from the planning CT to the vCTs with deformable image registration and the TPs were recalculated on the vCTs. Target coverage and OAR doses at the vCTs were compared to the nominal plan. Deviation in lung volume was also calculated.Results: The TPs demonstrated high robust target coverage throughout treatment with D98%,CTV deviations within 2% for 14 patients and above the desired requirement of 95% for 49/52 vCTs. However, two patients did not achieve a robust dose to CTV due to poor DIBH reproducibility, with D98%,CTV at 78 and 93% respectively, and replanning was performed for one patient. Adequate OAR sparing was achieved for all patients. Total lung volume variation was below 10% for 39/52 vCTs.Conclusion: PBS PT in DIBH is generally a robust technique for treatment of mediastinal lymphomas. However, closely monitoring the DIBH-reproducibility during treatment is important to avoid underdosing CTV and achieve sufficient dose-sparing of the OARs.
|
|
| 3. |
- Ekberg, Sara, et al.
(author)
-
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lymphoma incidence and short-term survival - a Swedish Lymphoma Register Study
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 164-168
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background & purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a large challenge for healthcare systems across the world. Comprehensive data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and mortality in lymphoma are lacking.Patients/methods: Using data from the Swedish lymphoma register, we compare incidence and 1-year survival of lymphoma patients in Sweden before (2017-2019) and during the pandemic (2020 and 2021).Results: Fewer patients were diagnosed with lymphomas during March-June 2020, but the annual incidence rates for 2020 and 2021 were similar to those of 2017-2019. A larger proportion of patients presented with stage IV disease during 2021. There were no differences in other base-line characteristics nor application of active treatment in pre-pandemic and pandemic years. One-year overall survival was not inferior among lymphoma patients during the pandemic years compared to pre-pandemic years i.e., 2017-2019.Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic had limited impact on the incidence and mortality of lymphoma in Sweden.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Heyman, Sofia, et al.
(author)
-
Reduction of elective lymph node volume in radiotherapy of early anal squamous cell cancer : a comparative study between two Swedish university hospitals
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63:1, s. 118-124
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Anal squamous cell cancer (ASCC) in early stages (T1–2N0M0) is treated with chemoradiotherapy with a 3-year overall survival (OS) exceeding 90%. In Swedish guidelines, it has been optional to include the external iliac and presacral lymph node (LN) stations in radiotherapy (RT) treatment fields in early ASCC. Two Swedish hospitals treating ASCC (SU: Sahlgrenska University Hospital; UU: Uppsala University Hospital) have chosen different approaches since 2010.Material and methods: This study included consecutive patients with early ASCC (T1–2N0M0) treated between 2010 and 2017 at both sites (SU n = 70; UU n = 46). Data were retrieved from medical records and RT charts.Results: At SU, the external iliac and presacral LN stations were included in elective LN irradiation in 96.8% (n = 60) and 95.2% (n = 59) patients compared to 2.4% (n = 1) and 29.3% (n = 12) at UU. The mean elective LN volume was 2,313 cc (interquartile range [IQR] 1,951–2,627) in the SU cohort compared to 1,317 cc (IQR 1,192–1,528) in the UU cohort, p < 0.0001. No case of regional LN recurrence was seen in either cohort. Disease specific survival (DSS) at 5 years was 95.7% (confidence interval [CI] 90.1–100.0) in the SU cohort and 97.8% (CI 93.2–100.0) in the UU cohort (p 0.55). OS at 5 years was 84.5% (CI 76.1–93.0) in the SU cohort and 82.6% (CI 69.6–89.1) in the UU cohort (p 0.8).Interpretation: We found no differences in regional recurrence, DSS or OS between the cohorts treated with different elective LN volumes. In this population-based study, reduction of RT volume in early ASCC did not lead to inferior outcome.
|
|
| 6. |
- Karihtala, Peeter, et al.
(author)
-
Clinical trials in older patients with cancer : typical challenges, possible solutions, and a paradigm of study design in breast cancer
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 441-447
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While the prevalence of older breast cancer patients is rapidly increasing, these patients are greatly underrepresented in clinical trials. We discuss barriers to recruitment of older patients to clinical trials and propose solutions on how to mitigate these challenges and design optimal clinical trials through the paradigm of IMPORTANT trial.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a narrative review of the current literature evaluating barriers to including older breast cancer patients in clinical trials and how mitigating strategies can be implemented in a pragmatic clinical trial. RESULTS: The recognized barriers can be roughly divided into trial design-related (e.g. the adoption of strict inclusion criteria, the lack of pre-specified age-specific analysis), patient-related (e.g. lack of knowledge, valuation of the quality-of-life instead of survival, transportation issues), or physician-related (e.g. concern for toxicity). Several strategies to mitigate barriers have been identified and should be considered when designing a clinical trial dedicated to older patients with cancer. The pragmatic, de-centralized IMPORTANT trial focusing on dose optimization of CDK4/6 -inhibitors in older breast cancer patients is a paradigm of a study design where different mitigating strategies have been adopted.INTERPRETATION: Because of the existing barriers, older adults in clinical trials are considerably healthier than the average older patients treated in clinical practice. Thus, the study results cannot be generalized to the older population seen in daily clinical practice. Broader inclusion/exclusion criteria, offering telehealth visits, and inclusion of patient-reported, instead of physician-reported outcomes may increase older patient participation in clinical trials.
|
|
| 7. |
- Kinos, Sampsa, et al.
(author)
-
Detailed analysis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients who developed cardiotoxicity on another fluoropyrimidine and switched to S-1 treatment (subgroup analysis of the CardioSwitch-study)
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 248-258
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose: The CardioSwitch-study demonstrated that patients with solid tumors who develop cardiotoxicity on capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment can be safely switched to S-1, an alternative fluoropyrimidine (FP). In light of the European Medicines Agency approval of S-1 in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), this analysis provides more detailed safety and efficacy information, and data regarding metastasectomy and/or local ablative therapy (LAT), on the mCRC patients from the original study.Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 12 European centers. The primary endpoint was recurrence of cardiotoxicity after switch. For this analysis, safety data are reported for 78 mCRC patients from the CardioSwitch cohort (N = 200). Detailed efficacy and outcomes data were available for 66 mCRC patients.Results: Data for the safety of S-1 in mCRC patients were similar to the original CardioSwitch cohort and that expected for FP-based treatment, with no new concerns. Recurrent cardiotoxicity (all grade 1) with S-1-based treatment occurred in 4/78 (5%) mCRC patients; all were able to complete FP treatment. Median progression-free survival from initiation of S-1-based treatment was 9.0 months and median overall survival 26.7 months. Metastasectomy and/or LAT was performed in 33/66 (50%) patients, and S-1 was successfully used in recommended neoadjuvant/conversion or adjuvant-like combination regimens and schedules as for standard FPs.Interpretation: S-1 is a safe and effective FP alternative when mCRC patients are forced to discontinue 5-FU or capecitabine due to cardiotoxicity and can be safely used in the standard recommended regimens, settings, and schedules.
|
|
| 8. |
- Ljungman, Lisa, 1981-, et al.
(author)
-
Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Parenting Concerns Questionnaire in parents with cancer
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63:1, s. 592-599
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose: Parenting concerns can be a major source of distress for patients with cancer who are parents of dependent children; however, these are often not addressed in health care. The Parenting Concerns Questionnaire (PCQ) is an instrument designed to assess parents' worries about the impact of cancer on their children and their ability to parent during this time. The Swedish version of the PCQ has, however, not been evaluated. This study therefore aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the PCQ in a sample of Swedish parents with cancer.Material and methods: A sample of 336 patients with cancer having dependent children (<= 18 years) were included in a cross-sectional web-based survey. Participants completed questionnaires assessing parenting concerns, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms (DASS); self-efficacy, family functioning (FAD-GF); and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Descriptive analyses, as well as reliability and validity analyses, were conducted followed by a confirmatory factor analysis of the factor structure proposed by the authors of the original version of the PCQ.Results: The majority were mothers (94.9%) with breast cancer (66.4%) aged 40-50 years (59.5%). The results showed evidence for convergent, criterion, and known group's validity, but the original three-factor structure of the PCQ was not fully supported by confirmatory factor analysis.Interpretation: Evaluating parenting concerns may be an important step towards identifying patients who could benefit from targeted psychosocial interventions. However, the PCQ may require some further refinement to fully capture the breadth of parenting concerns in parents with cancer in different settings.
|
|
| 9. |
- Romare Strandh, Maria, et al.
(author)
-
Parenting under pressure : a cross-sectional questionnaire study of psychological distress, parenting concerns, self-efficacy, and emotion regulation in parents with cancer
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose: As many as one in four adults with cancer have children under 18 years. Balancing parenting and cancer is challenging and can be a source of psychological distress. This study aimed to examine psychological distress in parents with cancer and its associations with parenting concerns, self -efficacy, and emotion regulation.Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 406 parents (aged 25-60 years) diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years, with at least one dependent child (<= 18 years). Parents completed questionnaires on psychological distress (DASS-21), parenting concerns (PCQ), self -efficacy (GSE), emotion regulation (ERQ), mental and physical health, and sociodemographics. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regressions on depression (yes/no), anxiety (yes/no), and stress (yes/no).Results: Higher parenting concerns were associated with greater odds of depression (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.64-3.31), anxiety (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.64-3.20), and stress (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 2.20-4.69) when adjusting for health and sociodemographic factors. Poorer self -efficacy was associated with increased odds of anxiety (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99, p < 0.05), whereas lower use of cognitive reappraisal and higher use of expressive suppression increased the odds of depression (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.98 | OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.80).Interpretation: The findings highlight the complexity of parental well-being in relation to parenthood and cancer, stressing the need for interventions that address relevant psychological factors to improve overall mental health in this population.
|
|
| 10. |
- Smedby, Karin E., et al.
(author)
-
The National Swedish Lymphoma Register - a systematic validation of data quality
- 2024
-
In: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 563-572
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose: The Swedish Lymphoma Register (SLR) was initiated in the year 2000 with the aim to monitor quality of care in diagnostics, treatment and outcome of all lymphomas diagnosed nationally among adults. Here, we present the first systematic validation of SLR records as a basis for improved register quality and patient care.Patients and methods: We evaluated timeliness and completeness of register records among patients diagnosed with lymphoma in the SLR (n n = 16,905) compared with the National Cancer Register for the period 2013-2020. Comparability was assessed through evaluation of coding routines against national and international guidelines. Accuracy of 42 variables was evaluated through re-abstraction of data from medical records among 600 randomly selected patients diagnosed in 2016-2017 and treated across all six Swedish healthcare regions.Results: Completeness was high, >95% per year for the period 2013-2018, and >89% for 2019-2020 compared to the National Cancer Register. One in four patients was registered within 3 months, and 89.9% within 2 years of diagnosis. Registration instructions and coding procedures followed the prespecified guidelines. Missingness was generally low (<5%), but high for occasional variables, for example, those describing maintenance and consolidative treatment. Exact agreement of categorical variables was high overall (>80% for 24/34 variables), especially for treatment-related data (>80% for 17/19 variables).Interpretation: Completeness and accuracy are high in the SLR, while timeliness could be improved. Finetuning of variable registration guided by this validation can further improve reliability of register reports and advance service to lymphoma patients and health care in the future.
|
|
