Response of nevus of Ota to Q-switched alexandrite laser according to treatment interval

In order to determine the appropriate treatment interval, 267 patients who underwent 3 sessions of treatment with Q-switched alexandrite laser were divided into 4 groups according to treatment interval, and their clinical responses were compared. Among them, 187 were asked about the process of pigment fading. Moreover, light and transmission electron microscopy were performed. It was noted that the clinical response of the 5 - 6 month interval group was significantly better than that of the 3 - 4 month group, but showed no significant difference from that of the 7 - 8 or ≥ 9 month group. 80.21% of investigated patients stated that marked pigment fading could no longer be observed 7 months after irradiation. 4 months after irradiation, the degenerated melanosomes and cell debris were still scattered among collagen fibers, scavenged gradually by macrophage. In conclusion, an appropriate treatment interval is 5 - 6 months.

Treatment Free Intervals after Subsequent Chemotherapy Lines in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Aim: Despite recent advances in the treatment of ovarian cancer, recurrence of the disease is still frequent. This study evaluated whether multiple lines of chemotherapy have impact on overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) or on treatment free intervals (TFIs) after serial chemotherapy lines in recurrent settings. Methods: A total of 189 patients with ovarian cancer (including fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer), who were treated in Kuopio University Hospital in Finland during 2009-2014, were enrolled. The medical files of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Median OS and PFS were significantly higher at the time of the first relapse compared to subsequent relapses (p < 0.001). TFIs shortened significantly after the first relapse (p < 0.001). The differences in TFIs were also seen when comparing platinum sensitive, semi-sensitive and platinum resistant patients. The total amount of TFI times during the whole follow-up time was significantly reduced in those patients that received at least one form of aggressive care at the end of life (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Ovarian cancer patients received often multiple lines of chemotherapy. TFIs after subsequent chemotherapy lines decreased during the disease course. More efforts should be taken to avoid unnecessary and ineffective treatments especially in recurrent phase of the disease.