New Look on Ureterocolic Diversion with Adjuvant Radiotherapy;SECI (South Egypt Cancer Institute) Experience

Background: Ureterosigmoidostomy was the first form of continent urinary diversion and had broad popularity during the first half of the 20th century. Primary enthusiasm was followed by disappointment when serious problems such as pyelonephritis, electrolyte imbalance, renal calculi and renal function deterioration become evident. In the 1950s these life threatening complications led to avoid this urinary diversion in favor of uretro-intestinal conduits. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate our experience in ureterocolic shunt after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Methodology: This study was conducted in surgical oncology department, South Egypt cancer institute, Assiut university;in the period from January 2012 to January 2017 and including 115 patients (75 males & 40 females). Results: This is retrospective study including 115 patients (75 males & 40 females). Operative time was 130 minutes ranging between 2 to 2.5 hours. Average blood loss was 450 ml. After removal of rectal tube all patients were continent except 15 patients who were improved after 1 - 3 days. Within a month 12 patients had night incontinence and 5 patients had day time incontinence. After that day and night continence gradually improved in all patients except two females who had persistent night soiling and was in need for night time rectal tube. Conclusion: Ureterosigmoidostomy regains the interest of surgical oncology and urologist because of its simplicity and absence of appliance as many patients refusing cutaneous stoma and others are not suitable for orthotopic substitutes.

Risk Stratification Treatment of Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma: South Egypt Cancer Institute Experience

Risk stratification allows tailoring of treatment protocol using, for selected patients, reduced total chemotherapy exposure, including decreases in alkylator therapy and avoidance of agents with recognized risk of late complications (anthracyclines), elimination of irradiation and reduction of radiotherapy dose. Patients and Methods: Twenty-nine newly diagnosed pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma patients attended the pediatric oncology department between January 2008 and May 2011. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age, stage, group, pathology and site of the tumor. Treatment protocol tailored according to risk group. Results: Twenty-nine newly diagnosed pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma patients were evaluated. Seven patients had low risk, Intermediate risk included 12 patients, and 10 patients had high risk. After three years median follow up, event free survival was 51.7% for all patients however it was 86%, 67% and 10% for low, intermediate and high risk respectively (P = 0.0002). There was statistical difference for survival among different sites, histology, clinical group and stage as risk factors within each risk group, no statistically survival significance of any of these factors within the same risk group. Conclusion: Risk stratification is the best single predictor factor for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma and allows tailoring of the treatment protocol. For selected patients, reductions in total chemotherapy exposure, elimination of irradiation in selected low risk patients and reduction of radiotherapy dose according to postoperative margin and nodal status is safe.

Right and Left Colon Cancer: Clinico-Pathological Features and Treatment Results (South Egypt Cancer Institute Experience)

Background: Colon cancer (CC) ranks as the third most common cancer worldwide and is considered the second leading cause of cancer death. Recently, many international studies have made the observation that right and left colon cancer have many significant differences regarding clinico-pathological characteristics and primary tumor location has a crucial impact on treatment outcomes and overall survival. Our study was conducted to verify the presence of significant differences between right and left colon cancer. Patients and Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study which aimed at comparing right and left colon cancer as regards clinico-pathological data and treatment results among patients with colon cancer receiving treatment at South Egypt Cancer Institute (SECI) during the period from 1/2008 to 12/2018. A sample size of 160 cases of colon cancer patients (80 diagnosed as right colon cancer and 80 diagnosed as left colon cancer) was randomly selected from our South Egypt Cancer Institute (SECI)’s tumor registry. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS program version 20. Difference was considered statistically significant at P-value < 0.05. Survival curves were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier methods and were compared with the log-rank test. Results: Right colon cancer occurred at an older age and was more commonly presented with abdominal pain while left colon cancer was more commonly presented with bleeding manifestations. More cases of the right side underwent curative surgeries whereas more palliative surgeries were performed to left-sided cases. Left sided cases were associated with a more advanced stage at diagnosis while right-sided cases were associated with a better response to first-line chemotherapy. More cases of the left side died due to metastatic disease. On the other hand, our findings demonstrated no differences between both sides regarding gender predilection, risk factors, sites of metastases, number of metastatic organs, histo-pathological examination and grading, response to second- or third-line chemotherapy, chemotherapy toxicity (hematological or non-hematological), overall survival, progression-free survival, or disease-free survival. Conclusion: Primary tumor location of colon cancer has a significant effect on clinico-pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes.

Incidence and characteristics of HBV reactivation in hematological malignant patients in south Egypt

AIM:To investigate characteristics of hepatitis B virus(HBV)implicated in HBV reactivation in patients with hematological malignancies receiving immunosuppressive therapy.METHODS:Serum samples were collected from 53 patients with hematological malignancies negative for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)before the start of and throughout the chemotherapy course.HBV reactivation was diagnosed when the HBsAg status changed from negative to positive after the initiation of chemotherapy and/or when HBV DNA was detected by realtime detection polymerase chain reaction(RTD-PCR).For detecting the serological markers of HBV infection,HBsAg as well as antibodies to the core antigen(antiHBc)and to the surface antigen were measured in the sera by CEIA.Nucleic acids were extracted from sera,and HBV DNA sequences spanning the S gene were amplified by RTD-PCR.The extracted DNA was further subjected to PCR to amplify the complete genome as well as the specific genomic sequences bearing the enhancerⅡ/core promoter/pre-core/core regions(nt1628-2364).Amplicons were sequenced directly.RESULTS:Thirty-five(66%)of the 53 HBsAg-negative patients were found to be negative serologically for antiHBc,and the remaining 18(34%)patients were positive for anti-HBc.Five of the 53(9.4%)patients with hematologic malignancies experienced HBV reactivation.Genotype D1 was detected in all five patients.Four types of mutant strains were detected in the S gene product of HBV strains and were isolated from 3 patients with HBV reactivation:T/S120,L143,and I126.HBV DNA was detected in the pretreatment HBsAg-negative samples in one of the five patients with HBV reactivation.In this patient,sequences encompassing the HBV full genome obtained from sera before the start of chemotherapy and at the time of de novo HBV hepatitis were detected and it showed 100%homology.Furthermore,in the phylogenetic tree,the sequences were clustered together,thereby indicating that this patient developed reactivation from an occult HBV infection.CONCLUSION:Past infection with HBV is a risk factor for HBV reactivation in Egypt.Mandatory anti-HBc screening prior to chemotherapy in patients with hematological malignancies is recommended.

Characteristics of escape mutations from occult hepatitis B virus infected patients with hematological malignancies in South Egypt

AIM To investigate the prevalence and virological characteristics of occult hepatitis B virus(HBV) infections in patients with hematological malignancies in South Egypt.METHODS Serum samples were collected from 165 patients with hematological malignancies to monitor titers of HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), and antibodies to HBV core(anti-HBc) and surface antigens. Serum samples negative for HBs Ag and positive for anti-HBc were subjected to nucleic acid extraction and HBV DNA detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction. DNA sequences spanning the S region were analyzed in cases with occult HBV infection. In vitro comparative study of constructed 1.24-fold wild type and S protein mutant HBV genotype D clones was further performed. RESULTS HBV DNA was detected in 23(42.6%) of 54 patients with hematological malignancies who were HBsA g negative, but anti-HBc positive, suggesting the presence of occult HBV infection. The complete HBV genome was retrieved from 6 occult HBV patients, and P120 T and S143 L were detected in 3 and 2 cases, respectively. Site directed mutagenesis was done to produce 1.24-fold genotype D clones with amino acid mutations T120 and L143. The in vitro analyses revealed that a lower level of extracellular HBsA g was detected by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay(CLEIA) with the clone containing T120 mutation, compared with the wild type or the clone with S143 L mutation despite the similar levels of extracellular and intracellular HBs Ag detected by Western blot. Southern blot experiments showed that the levels of intracellular HBV DNA were not different between these clones. CONCLUSION Occult HBV infection is common in patients with hematological malignancies and associated with P120 T and S143 L mutations. 120 T mutation impairs the detection of HBsA g by CLEIA.

Laparoscopy Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Cancer at a Tertiary Center in Egypt. Is It Safe and Feasible?

Background: Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for cancer has significant short- and long-term advantages. The feasibility and safety of laparoscopicdistal gastrectomy for cancer (LADG) is unclear in low to middle income countries as resources are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of (LADG) in low to middle income countries;Egypt as an example. Methods: Thirty four Patients with stage I-II cancer at the pylorus and antrum have been enrolled for LADG between 2012 and 2015 with the reuse of single use vascular sealing device has been evaluated. Results: Finally 27 patients had been included in the study and successful LADG has been done for all selected cases. The average operative time was 151 ± 10 minutes. The average estimated blood loss was 73.3 ± 13 ml. No intra-operative complications have been recorded. The average time for post-operative patient ambulation was 9 hours (SD ± 1.8) and for oral fluid intake was 3.5 SD ± 1 days. The average duration of the hospital stay was 9.3 ± 1.2 days. The average number of retrieved lymph nodes was 21.7 ± 3.8 days. All the cases had free surgical margin. The median number of reuse of the vascular sealing device was 3.8 times (3 - 5 times). Conclusion: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for cancer could be safe and feasible in developing countries and give similar results for that of developed countries. Safe reuse of single use expensive parts of some instruments for laparoscopy could help in utilization of these advanced surgeries in low to middle income countries. Long term follow up as well as comparative studies with open surgery are required.

Prognostic Impact of HER/2 Expression on Survival of Preoperatively Treated Children with Wilms Tumor at South Egypt

Aim: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most frequent type of pediatric renal tumors. Her/2 is an oncoprotein, its over-expression revealed to play a very vital role in the progress and improvement of certain tumors. This study evaluates the possible role of Her/2 as a prognostic indicator in formerly treated WT. Method: Immunohistochemical expression of Her/2 was studied in paraffin material of 40 WT patients followed SIOP 9 protocol. Patients’ medical records reviewed for clinical, pathological and outcome data and correlated with HER2 expression. Additional 15 samples of normal surrounding kidney tissue specimens were included. Results: Her/2 was often expressed in normal kidney tissue (renal tubules but not glomeruli) and at variable levels in the three elements of WT. At a median of 84 months, 70% of patients are living and under follow-up, surgical stage and pathologic subtypes were the only two factors significantly affect the outcome of our patients (p = 0.000, p = 0.007 & p = 0.004, p = 0.005 for OS (Overall survival) and DFS (Disease Free survival) respectively). Her/2 expression was associated with epithelial differentiation (p < 0.001). There was non-significant effect of Her/2 expression on OS or DFS of studied group. Conclusion: while the major progress in studying biology of WT, stage and pathological subtype continues the only predictive factors of significant value affecting the outcome of patients with WT. There was important association between Her/2 expression and histological differentiation in formerly treated Wilms tumor. Non-conclusive results regarding influence of Her/2 expression on the result of WT patients were found.

Preoperative Conformal Radiotherapy Concurrently with Paclitaxel/Carboplatin in Gastric Cancer

Background and objectives: Surgery is the primary therapy for localized gastric cancer, but even with the best results only 40% 5-year survival can be achieved with the use of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Preoperative therapy might help increase the R0 resection rate, which is an independent predictor of 5-year OS. Our study hypothesized that the concurrent combination of carboplatin-paclitaxel with radiation therapy would result in a pathological CR rate, which will be in turn associated with OAS and DFS benefits. Patients and methods: prospective phase II study included 32 patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma including gastroesophageal junction who received a combination of neoadjuvant conformal radiotherapy concurrently with carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by surgery. Results: Pathological CR and R0 resection rates were 18.8% and 75% respectively. With a median follow up of 24 months, 2 years disease-free survival was 28.1% and overall survival was 51.3%. The regimen was tolerated with neither grade 4 toxicities nor deaths. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy concomitant with carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy is a well-tolerated approach for patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma resulting in significant pathological CR and R0 resection margins as reflected by the good DFS and OS.

The Effect of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy on Tumor Control and Survival in Patients with High-Risk Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND Adjuvant radiotherapy is given following surgery in breast cancer patients. Hypofractonated radiotherapy can significantly reduce the waiting time for radiotherapy, working load on machines, patient visits to radiotherapy departments and medical costs. Material and Methods 244 patients with high-risk breast cancer (stage IIB, stage III and stage IA with any of the following criteria: lymphovascular invasion, hormonal receptor negative, young age) who underwent Breast conservative surgery (BCS) or Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) were enrolled in this study. All patients received adjuvant radiotherapy with different hypofractionation schedules either 3900 cGY/13 fractions or 4240 cGY/16 fractions or 4005 cGY/15 fractions using linear accelerator with 6 MV photon beam. Lateral/Medial tangential and Ipsilateral supraclavicular fields were employed and the ipsilateral axilla was also irradiated if required to the same dose with posteroanterior field. Patients were followed every 3 mons for the first 2 years and every 6 mons thereafter. Outcomes were analyzed in terms of tumor control and survival. Results 244 patients with high-risk breast cancer requiring postoperative radiotherapy to the intact breast or chest wall were treated. The mean age was 48 years (range 28 - 69 years). The 5-year locoregional free survival of all patients was 93.8% the local relapse reported in 15 patients (6.2%) 7 patients at site of operated scar & 8 patients at the regional lymph nodes. The median follow up period was 75 months ranged from 49 to 102 months. Distant metastasis free survival was 92.2%, the distant metastasis reported in 19 patients which represent (7.8%) of all patients, median survival is 75 months ranged from 49 to 102 months and overall survival was 88.6%. Conclusion It is concluded that hypofractionated radiotherapy is a simple and effective protocol in patients with high-risk breast cancer regarding tumor control and survival.

Predictive and Prognostic Factors for the Outcome of the Patients Receiving Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin for Advanced Breast Cancer

Purpose:?The treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) is still challenging aiming mainly to improve or maintain the quality of life. The efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) was proven in patients with ABC.?Because its expensive treatment?there is a great need to find the predictive factors for the clinical outcome of PLD.?Our purpose was to evaluate the factors which?would affect the clinical outcomes in patients receiving PLD for advanced breast cancer. Methods: Retrospectively, we studied the medical records of 60 eligible patients during the period of seven years (Jan.?2011-Dec.?2017).?All patients?were treated in Medical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut?University,?Egypt. We included only patients with visceral metastasis who received at least 2 cycles of PLD and had radiological assessment after that. Clinical benefit rate of PLD and survival outcome were assessed and correlated with patients and disease?characteristic. Results:?The majority of patients had a performance status grade II (81.7%), recurrent disease (86.7%), more than one metastatic site (83.3%), and chemoresistance to previous anthracycline (75%).?The clinical benefit rate (CBR) to PDL was 30%. We found statistical?significant association between higher CBR and biological subtypes (p??0.001), type of metastatic breast disease (p?=?0.003), chemosensitivity to anthracycline (p??0.001), and the number of previous lines of chemotherapy (p?=?0.041).?The median progression-free survival (PFS) was five months. There was a statistically-significant improvement of PFS among patients with anthracycline-sensitive tumors compared to those with anthracycline-resistant tumors (10 months vs. 5 months, respectively, p?=?0.004). The most common toxicity was palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (28% for all grade and 9% for grade 3 or more). There was no severe cardiotoxicity or treatment-related death.?Conclusion:?Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin appears to be more effective in patients?with (luminal B with Her2neu?positive, triple-negative and in her2neu amplified), also we noticed that de novo metastatic disease, patient who are not heavily pretreated tumors and patients with the anthracycline-sensitive tumor get more benefit from PLD than others.

Sphincter Saving Surgeries for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation

Background: Rectal cancer accounts for the largest distribution within one anatomical region of the large bowel, with approximately one third of all CRC located within the rectum. The Golden standard treatment of primary rectal cancer is curative surgical resection;however, a fine balance remains between disease cure and restoration of gastrointestinal continuity. Combined modality has proven efficacy in many malignant tumors with advantage of organ preservation. Methods: Forty nine (49) patients with low rectal carcinoma were included in a prospective study, between Jan 2007 and Jan 2012. Preoperative chemoradiation was administrated to all patients and subjected to different techniques of sphincter saving surgery. Stage I and Stage IV disease at diagnosis were excluded from the study. Results: Forty nine patients were included in the study. 27 (55%) patients were male and 22 (45%) were female;the age ranges from 23 years to 70 years with the median age 46 years. The main presenting symptoms were bleeding per rectum and tenesmus, Stage II 18 patients (36.7%), stage III 31 patients (63.3%). Complete clinical and pathological response in 3 patients (6%), and complete clinical response with only microscopically residual carcinoma in 20 patients (41%), partial response in 18 patients (36.7%), and no significant response in 8 patients (16%) 7 from 8 were mucoid carcinoma. Low anterior resection (LAR) in 22 patients (44.9%), Hartman’s procedure in 4 patients (8.1%), Coloanal pull-through (COP) was done in 19 patients (38.9%) and perineal colostomy in 4 patients (8.1%). For patients with colo-anal pull-through technique complete dehiscent and retraction observed in 2 cases, Major leakage in one case, stenosis in 4 cases. Conclusion: There is tendency of colorectal cancers to affect younger groups. Most patients presented in advanced stage. Neadjuvant chemo radiation is an excellent tool in sphincter saving surgery. Coloanal pull-through technique is not a widely spread technique for low rectal cancer with good oncological safety and acceptable functional outcome.

Feasibility of Upfront Debulking Surgery versus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Interval Debulking Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Background: Inappropriately ovarian cancer cannot be detected until an advanced stage. Radical debulking surgery is considered the cornerstone in the management of advanced ovarian cancer pointing to complete tumor resolution. Unless optimal debulking cannot be achieved, these patients gain little benefit from surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been recommended as a novel therapeutic modality to a diversity of malignant tumors when the disease is not willing to optimal surgical resection at the time of diagnosis or the patient who unfit for aggressive debulking surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare survival in the patient with advanced ovarian cancer (stage III/IV) underwent primary debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (PDS-ACTR) to those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS). Results: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT-IDS) showed significant complete cytoreduction and decreased in surgical morbidity in comparison to primary debulking surgery (PDS-ACTR). NACT-IDS showed significant improvement in progression-free survival (P-value 0.002) and overall survival (P-value 0.03) in comparison to PDS-ACTR. Response to NACT and residual volume were the two independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion: NACT-IDS for advanced ovarian cancer (III/IV) resulted in higher frequency of complete resection with no residual tumor, less post-operative surgical morbidity and significant increase progression-free survival and overall survival. Both responses to NACT and residual tumor volume were the two independent prognostic factors for survival in ovarian cancer.

Intersphincteric Resection Is the Optimal Procedure for Very Low Rectal Cancer: Techniques, Morbidity, Oncologic and Functional Outcomes

Background: The intersphincteric resection the most extreme form of a sphincter-preserving alternative for the abdominoperineal resection. Aim of the Work: We investigated oncological, functional outcomes and morbidity after ISR. Methods: This retrospective study included 164 patients who underwent ISR with between 2010 and 2015, Male 56.1%, Female 43.9%, with a median age was 54.5 years, Median follow-up time was of 48 months, Average surgical time was 230 min, Median blood loss was 700 mL and median hospital stay was nine days. Mean tumour size was34 mm. The surgical procedure through a laparotomy (72.6%), laparoscopically (27.4%). Neoadjuvant radiotherapy 89.6% {long-course radiotherapy 74.4%, short-course radiotherapy 15.2%}, neoadjuvant chemotherapy 28.7% and adjuvant chemotherapy 70.1%. Colonic J-pouch 16.5%, Transverse coloplasty 15.9%, a side-to-end anastomosis 26.8% and straight coloanal anastomosis 40.9%. Partial-ISR 36.6%, subtotal-ISR 37.2%, total-ISR 26.2%, diverting ileostomy 6.7%. Results: Operative mortality 1.2%, morbidity 14.6% (anastomotic leakage 3.7%, anastomotic stenosis 1.8%, a recto-vaginal fistula 2.4% bowel obstruction 3%, surgical site infection 3%. Respiratory tract infection 1.2%, local 7.9%, distant recurrence 15.2%, 5-year overall 79.8%, disease-free survival 75.8%, R0 resection 95.1%. Pathologic complete response 11%. Circumferential margin involvement 2.4%. Median number of lymph nodes 17. Mean distal margin20 mm, after 12 months Median Wexner score 6. Incontinence for (flatus 11%, liquid 4.9%, solid 4.3%). Median bowel motions in a 24-h were 3. Faecal urgency 17.7%. Stool fragmentation 18.9%. Difficult evacuation 17.7%, lifestyle alteration 14.6%. Difficulty Feces/flatus discrimination 43.3%. Nocturnal soiling in 17.1%. Daytime soiling 11%. Pad wearing 23.8%. Anti-diarrhoea medication loperamide 14%. Conclusion: ISR is a feasible surgical procedure for low rectal cancer. Oncologic and functional, outcomes after are acceptable.

Feasibility of Concurrent Radiotherapy and Paclitaxel-Based Chemotherapy after Conservative Surgery for Breast Cancer

Purpose: Our prospective phase II trial aims to show the feasibility of adjuvant paclitaxel-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) following doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) to get the survival benefit of taxanes addition and avoid delay of radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: A total of 63 patients with pT1-2, and pN1-3, M0 breast cancer underwent conservative surgery followed by adjuvant 4 cycles AC followed by 4 cycles Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Adjuvant radiotherapy started during the first and second cycle of paclitaxel (CCRT). Toxicities evaluated at the base time, weekly during radiation therapy and every 3 months for 24 months for skin, pulmonary, cardiac, lymphedema, subcutaneous fibrosis and cosmoses. Survival reported at 2-year median follow-up. Results: At median follow up time of 24 months (6 - 30), we did not report any toxicity postpone or stop treatment and only two patients had grade III acute dermatitis. Fifty-two patients (82.5%) had satisfactory cosmoses and none of the patients developed local recurrence. Conclusion: Three-weekly paclitaxel during radiotherapy is considered safe without significant complications and acceptable cosmoses with excellent local control and could be considered to avoid radiotherapy delay.

Clinical Examination and Ultrasonography as Predictors of Lateral Neck Lymph Nodes Metastasis in Primary Well Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Background: Lateral neck dissection is risky and should be performed only as a therapeutic intervention for known disease. Aim of the Study: This study aims at finding predictors which help in selecting patients who have high risk of lymph node metastasis. Methods: All the patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer underwent thyroidectomy with lateral lymph nodes (LNs) dissection with available pathology report and sufficient data have been included in the study. Results: Sixty nine patients have been included in this study. In multivariate analysis, the most reliable and significant factors for detecting L.N. involvement were the clinical picture and the U/S appearance of the Neck with P value of (0.008) and (0.001) respectively. Conclusion: Clinical and U/S examinations are the most independent and reliable factors to detect lateral neck lymph nodes involvement.

Toxicity of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Following Breast Conservative Surgery in Breast Cancer

Background:Adjuvant radiotherapy has increased disease-free and overall survival rates in breast cancer. Conventionally fractionated radiotherapy delivers 50 Gy over 5 weeks which is the standard approach. A shorter duration of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) will be more convenient for patients and treatment providers if found safe and equally effective. Material and Methods: Fifty-four breast cancer patients who underwent breast conservative surgery (BCS) were enrolled in this study. The patients received 4005 cGy/15 fractions. A boost to the tumor bed was administered in all patients. In this study, radiotherapy induced toxicity was evaluated. Results: In this study, the median age of our patients was 48 years with age ranged from 28 to 69 years. Acute skin toxicity was assessed, and it was noted that grade 2 skin toxicity was shown in only 6 patients (11.1%) at the end of radiotherapy and disappeared after 6 weeks of treatment. Late skin toxicity (telangectasia, hyperpigmentation, and subcutaneous fibrosis) was assessed and showed that most patients had grade 0 toxicity with no grade 3 toxicity at all. Regarding pulmonary toxicity, 5 patients (9.3%) developed acute pneumonitis and as regards chronic lung toxicity, it was evident in only 3 patients, 2 patients (3.7%) were grade 1 and 1 patient (1.9%) was grade 2. Cardiac toxicity was evident in 2 patients (7.1%) of the left breast cancer patients. Regarding lymphoedema, most patients that showed lymphoedema were grade 1. Conclusion: The results confirm the safety and feasibility of adjuvant hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy in breast cancer patients in terms of acute and late toxicity.

The Prognostic Significance of Pre and Post Treatment Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Breast Cancer Patients

Background: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to reflect systemic inflammation and independent prognostic significance in different types of cancer. In present study, we analyzed the association between NLR and clinicopathologic features and verified the significance of NLR as a prognostic factor for patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 388 patients with stage I - III breast cancer were retrospectively recruited into this study. Associations with clinicopathologic factors and NLR were assessed;disease-free survival and overall survival were estimated. Results: There was no significant association between NLR and clinicopathologic factors. Patients with low pre/post-treatment NLR had longer OS. Conclusion: A high pre/postoperative NLR may be considered an important factor for predicting poor prognosis in non-metastatic breast cancer patients.

Intravenous Fluorouracil versus Oral Capecitabine: Postoperative Chemoradiation for Gastric Cancer

Purpose: Aim of this prospective, phase III trial was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of intravenous fluorouracil and oral capecitabine when given concurrently with radiation in adjuvant sitting for adenocarcinoma of the stomach after gastrectomy with D2 resection. Patients and Method: The study included 60 patients having histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction;stage T2-4 N0-3 M0 after gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive adjuvant radiotherapy concurrently with intravenous fluorouracil [arm A] or oral capecitabine [arm B]. Results: Ten patients cannot complete their whole treatment course because of either progressive [4 patients;2 arm A and 2 arm B] or G 3 toxicity [1 patient] or refuse to complete their treatment [5 patients;3 arm A and 2 arm B]. Patients received fluorouracil have significant increase grade 3 or 4 hematological [neutropenia] and gastrointestinal (diarrhoea, anorexia, and vomiting). During a median follow-up period of 24 months, the 2-year disease free and overall survivals in this study were 60% and 63.3%, for groups A and B respectively, while overall survival were 63.3% and 70% for groups A and B respectively without significant differences. Conclusion: Oral capecitabine concurrently with radiation therapy has comparable efficacy and favourable toxicity profile when compared to infusion fluorouracil as postoperative adjuvant therapy for gastric adenocarcinoma.

The Impact of Total Intravenous Propofol Anaesthesia versus Sevoflurane Anaesthesia on Perioperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Colonic Cancer Surgery

Background: Cancer colon is one of the most common malignancies. After colon cancer surgery patients may experience severe pain. Several studies have reported that a significant decrease in postoperative pain with propofol while other studies have showed this effect was not significant. Aim: Our goal was to assess the effect of combined epidural anaesthesia either with propofol or sevoflurane on intraoperative fentanyl consumption and postoperative pain in patients undergoing open surgical resection of colon cancer. Patients and Methods: 48 adult patients suffering from cancer colon scheduled for open surgical resection randomly allocated either to receive epidural-propofol by total intra venous anaesthesia (TIVA) (n = 24) or epidural-sevoflurane anaesthesia (n = 24), intraoperative heart rate and fentanyl consumption and postoperative pain score (verbal analogue scale, 0 - 10) were recorded. Results: In our study we found that the intensity of postoperative pain was low in all patients and the propofol based anaesthesia had relatively lower pain scores up to 24 hrs postoperatively in comparison to sevoflurane based anaesthesia, intraoperative fentanyl consumption was lower with sevoflurane and heart rate lower with propofol group. Conclusions: we recommend that use of multimodal analgesia decrease postoperative pain in all cancer colon patients undergoing open surgery who anaesthetized with either propofol or sevoflurane. Also use of propofol showed better analgesic outcomes postoperatively.

Cardiac Safety with High Cumulative Dose of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Previously Treated with Conventional Anthracyclines

Introduction: The treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is still challenging. Many studies documented the efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with MBC, but there is a limited data about the cardiac safety with high cumulative dose (HCD) of PLD. Aim of the work: We conducted this trial to outline the cardiac safety of HCD of PLD in patients with MBC who previously received conventional anthracyclines. Methods: During the period of nine years (January 2011 to December 2019). We extracted the data of the patients with MBC receiving PLD at Medical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University. These included patients’ demographics and therapeutic data including the full data of PLD, prior conventional anthracyclines, prior trastuzumab, and prior radiotherapy. Also, data about comorbidities as well as cardiac and other toxicities of PLD were obtained. The data was analysed using SPSS v. 21. Results: For all 81 eligible patients, the mean age was 43.9 years (±standard deviation (SD) 13.2). The mean cumulative dose of PLD was 378.4 mg/m2 (± SD of 250.2) and a range of 100 - 1200 mg/m2. About thirty-one (38.3%) patients received high cumulative dose (400 mg/m2 or more), while the remaining 50 patients did not. The decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was relatively rare;and of low grade. Grade 2 decline in LVEF occurred in only two patients who received high cumulative dose of PLD, and only one patient who did not reach HCD (p = 0.555). Grade 3 or 4 decline in LVEF did not occur in patients either with or without HCD. Regarding other toxicities, there was a significant increase in incidence of all grades palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) in patients who received HCD of PLD when compared to those who did not reach the HCD (38.7% versus 16% respectively;p = 0.021). Conclusion: Our study concluded that the use of PLD seems to be a justified agent in the treatment of MBC who previously treated by conventional anthracyclines in the adjuvant, metastatic or both settings, even in patients reaching the cumulative dose of conventional anthracycline.