Andersen Kv

Delineation of target volumes and organs at risk in adjuvant radiotherapy of early breast cancer: National guidelines and contouring atlas by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group

Abstract During the past decade planning of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) of early breast cancer has changed from two-dimensional (2D) to 3D conformal techniques. In the planning computerised tomography (CT) scan both the targets for RT and the organs at risk (OARs) are visualised, enabling an increased focus on target dose coverage and homogeneity with only minimal dose to the OARs. To ensure uniform RT in the national prospective trials of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG), a national consensus for the delineation of clinical target volumes (CTVs) and OARs was required. Material and methods. A CT scan of a breast cancer patient after surgical breast conservation and axillary lymph node (LN) dissection was used for delineation. During multiple dummy-runs seven experienced radiation oncologists contoured all CTVs and OARs of interest in adjuvant breast RT. Two meetings were held in the DBCG Radiotherapy Committee to discuss the contouring and to approve a final consensus. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to evaluate the delineation agreement before and after the consensus. Results. The consensus delineations of CTVs and OARs are available online and a table is presented with a contouring description of the individual volumes. The consensus provides recommendations for target delineation in a standard patient both in case of breast conservation or mastectomy. Before the consensus, the average value of the DSC was modest for most volumes, but high for the breast CTV and the heart. After the consensus, the DSC increased for all volumes. Conclusion. The DBCG has provided the first national guidelines and a contouring atlas of CTVs and OARs definition for RT of early breast cancer. The DSC is a useful tool in quantifying the effect of the introduction of guidelines indicating improved inter-delineator agreement. This consensus will be used by the DBCG in our prospective trials.

Smoking habits among pregnant women in Norway 1994-95

AIMS To investigate the smoking prevalence the last three months before pregnancy and at 18 weeks of gestation among women in Norway and to evaluate the impact of pre-pregnancy smoking habits, maternal age, level of education, civil status and parity on smoking cessation. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective, multicenter survey. The study population included 4 766 pregnant women who attended a routine ultrasound examination at 18 weeks of pregnancy in six Norwegian hospitals during the period from September 1994 to March 1995. Smoking habits before and during pregnancy were recorded. RESULTS The point prevalence of self-reported daily smoking among the women three months before the pregnancy was 34%. At 18 weeks of pregnancy, 21% of the women reported smoking daily (p<0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that a low number of cigarettes smoked per day during the last three months before pregnancy was the best predictor for smoking cessation. Educational level, maternal age, parity and civil status were also statistically significant contributors to smoking cessation. Eighty percent of the women who were unable to stop smoking, reported a reduction in cigarette consumption. The mean number of cigarettes per day was reduced from 13.9 before pregnancy to 7.3 at 18 weeks of pregnancy (p<0.001). CONCLUSION In a national survey, 21% of the pregnant women reported smoking daily in the second trimester. Thirty-eight percent of the women who were daily smokers before the pregnancy stopped smoking in early pregnancy. A low cigarette consumption prior to the pregnancy was the best predictor for smoking cessation.

Placenta flow Reduction in Pregnant Smokers

Abstract. Using a radio‐isotope method, the perfusion through the intervillous spaces of the placenta was recorded in 23 pregnant smokers and 23 pregnant non‐smokers between 33rd and 37th week of gestation. All women were normotensive and the two groups were comparable in all essential variables. As compared with that in the non‐smokers, the perfusion was significantly lower in the smokers and the infants borne by the smokers had a significantly lower birth weight. In both groups there was a positive correlation between the perfusion values and the birth weights. Because we found a slight, chronic reduction in the blood flow through the invervillous space of the placenta in pregnant smokers, the results suggest that the changes caused by smoking are rather permanent. We find it well‐founded to advise pregnant women against smoking.

Time trends in socio-economic factors and risk of hospitalisation with infectious diseases in pre-school children 1985-2004: a Danish register-based study.

The purpose of this study was to examine socio-economic differences in the risk of hospitalisation among children aged 0-5 years in Denmark from 1985 to 2004. All children born between 1985 and 2004 (n=1,278,286) were followed for hospital admissions for infectious diseases from the 29th day of life until the children reached the age of 6 years or the end of 2004, whichever came first. Information on parental socio-economic position (education, labour market attachment and household income) was gathered through record linkage with administrative registries. Infections were grouped into upper respiratory, lower respiratory, gastrointestinal, ear and fever infections. The data were analysed using Cox regression. Children of parents on sick leave or early retirement had an increased risk of being hospitalised with an infection compared with children of employed parents. A clear inverse educational gradient in risk of offspring hospitalisation was also found. From 1985 to 2004 the inverse associations between parental education and risk of hospitalisation grew stronger, whereas the comparatively weaker association between household income and risk of offspring hospitalisation decreased in magnitude. The association between socio-economic status and hospitalisation was strongest for lower respiratory, gastrointestinal and ear infections. This study documented a socially patterned hospitalisation of pre-school children in Denmark. Future studies should investigate possible explanations for the increased risk among children from families with low socio-economic status.

Therapeutic consequences of oesophageal function studies in patients with benign oesophageal disease

Evaluation of oesophageal function was performed in 91 patients referred to a specialized department of cardiothoracic surgery for surgical treatment of benign oesophageal disease. Standard manometry was used in addition to radiology and endoscopy, and in some patients, an acid perfusion test, an acid clearing test, and a prolonged monitoring of pH in the distal oesophagus were additionally performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether assessment of oesophageal function is needed in such a patient group, and whether the results of these investigations were taken into account when making the final decision for therapy. Eleven percent of the patients referred with a diagnosis of hiatal hernia or reflux had achalasia or oesophageal spasm. Nine percent of the patients referred for motility disorders had reflux-related disease. The referral diagnosis was changed to a diagnosis with a different therapeutic approach in 16% of the patients. In 33%, a diagnosis of disordered oesophageal function was considered either at referral or during the routine assessment for oesophageal disease. Eighty-one percent of the patients with achalasia were treated in accordance with the manometric results. In all cases where an anatomical diagnosis was replaced by a diagnosis of disordered function, the treatment was in accordance with the findings of the motility studies. None of the patients with oesophageal spasm were suspected of having this disease. It is concluded, that not only anatomical features, but also functional considerations have to be taken into account when selecting treatment for benign oesophageal disease. Treatment failure and unnecessary surgical intervention can thus be avoided.