Clinical oncology : a journal of the Royal College of Radiologists
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In 2008, the worldwide estimated age-standardised incidence rates for thyroid cancer incidence were 4.7 and 1.5 per 100,000 women and men, respectively. Thyroid cancer's overall contribution to the worldwide cancer burden is relatively small, but incidence rates have increased over the last three decades throughout the world. This trend has been hypothesised to reflect a combination of technological advances enabling increased detection, but also changes in environmental factors, including population exposure to ionising radiation from fallout, diagnostic tests and treatment for benign and malignant conditions. ⋯ Although the radiation exposure from computed tomography scans is substantially lower than that from radiotherapy, multiple computed tomography scans could result in non-trivial cumulative doses to the thyroid. Studies are currently underway to assess the incidence of cancer in large cohorts of children who received computed tomography scans. National and international efforts have been developed to raise awareness and to standardise procedures for use of computed tomography and interventional radiology procedures in paediatric and general populations.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Dec 2010
Results of a quantitative survey to explore both perceptions of the purposes of follow-up and preferences for methods of follow-up delivery among service users, primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians after cancer treatment.
To ascertain perceptions of reasons for follow-up after cancer treatment among service users (patients and carers), primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians (doctors and specialist nurses) and to identify levels of preference for different models of follow-up and the effect of an individual's experience on preferred models. ⋯ There was a reasonable level of consensus between service users, primary care practitioners and specialist clinicians as to the reasons for follow-up. Service users seemed to have higher expectations of follow-up, particularly in relation to detecting recurrences early. As respondents were more likely to prefer a method of follow-up delivery that they had experienced than one they had not; there could be resistance to change from established methods to new methods without adequate explanation. This suggests that the communication of new methods could be critical to their successful introduction.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Nov 2010
ReviewManagement of oncological and iatrogenic urinary incontinence in malignant disease.
Urinary incontinence can have a major effect on quality of life, and may contribute to overall disability in patients with abdominal and pelvic malignancy. It can lead to isolation and depression, and delay rehabilitation and integration within family and society. ⋯ This involves close co-operation between the oncologist, urologist, specialist nurses and individual patient, setting realistic expectations, guided by the patient's views and wishes. This paper reviews the management of urinary incontinence and its surgical treatment in the palliative setting.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Sep 2010
Prognostic significance of age in the radical treatment of oesophageal cancer with surgery or chemoradiotherapy: a prospective observational cohort study.
To compare the outcomes of stage-directed surgical therapy and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for oesophageal cancer and to determine if a significant age-treatment interaction exists to guide therapy. ⋯ Overall survival for patients treated with surgery was strongly age dependent around the age of 70 years, and patients>or=70 years with oesophageal cancer should be aware that outcomes after CRT are similar to those after surgery.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Sep 2010
Efficacy and tolerability of limited field radiotherapy with concurrent capecitabine in locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
Patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) are most commonly managed with chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), which may or may not include non-involved regional lymph nodes in the clinical target volume. We present our results of CRT for LAPC using capecitabine and delivering radiotherapy to a limited radiation field that excluded non-involved regional lymph nodes from the clinical target volume. ⋯ CRT using capecitabine and limited field radiotherapy is a well-tolerated, relatively efficacious treatment for LAPC. The low toxicity and low regional progression rates support the use of limited field radiotherapy, allowing evaluation of this regimen with other anti-cancer agents.