F. Little

Sexual function following radical radiotherapy for bladder cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The effect of radical radiotherapy (RT) for bladder cancer on sexual function has not been previously investigated. The current study was designed as a pilot to assess sexual function in males pre- and post-radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS An anonymous questionnaire was devised to examine the following sexual domains: libido, frequency of sexual function, erectile capacity, orgasm and ejaculation in the 6 months prior to radiotherapy and following treatment. Serum testosterone, FSH and LH were measured in 10 patients. RESULTS Eighteen patients completed the questionnaire from 10 to 56 months following irradiation, 13 of whom were able to achieve an erection prior to RT. Over half of these patients noted a decline in the quality of erections after RT, with a similar proportion noting decreased libido and frequency of sexual activity. Three patients lost the ability to have any erections whatsoever. Of the 10 patients retaining erectile capacity, three noted reduced frequency of early morning erections suggesting a physical aetiology, five had decreased frequency of ejaculation and four had reduced intensity of orgasms. Seventy-one percent (12/17) felt their sex life was worse following RT but only 56% (9/16) were concerned about the deterioration. Testosterone levels were normal in all but one patient. CONCLUSIONS Radical RT to the bladder can cause a decrease in sexual function in males.

Improved Treatment and Survival for Lung Cancer Patients in South-East Scotland

Introduction: Lung cancer survival in Scotland has historically been poor but many changes to the lung cancer services have been introduced and this study was conducted to investigate the impact of these changes on treatment and survival. Methods: Data obtained from the Scottish Cancer Registry, South-East Scotland Cancer Network audit and Edinburgh Cancer Centre database were used to conduct a comparison of the management and outcomes of lung cancer patients from South-East Scotland diagnosed in 1995 and in 2002. Results: Data on 971 patients diagnosed in 2002 and 927 in 1995 were analyzed and demonstrated that though the use of treatment overall had not changed (62% in 2002 versus 63% in 1995) the use of potentially curative radiotherapy (15 versus 5% &khgr;2 p < 0.001) and chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (18 versus 7% &khgr;2 p < 0.001) had increased, but not resection rates (11 versus 10%). The use of palliative radiotherapy declined (38% versus 31% &khgr;2 p < 0.001). Patients diagnosed in 2002 had an adjusted hazard of death of 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.6–0.8) compared with 1995, with median survival from date of diagnosis of 5.2 versus 4.1 month and 2 year overall survival 15 versus 11% (log rank p = 0.004). Localized disease and younger age were also associated with a reduced hazard of death. Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with lung cancer in Scotland in 2002 had a reduced hazard of death and improved survival compared with 1995. It is hypothesized that this was due in part to improvements in service organization and increased use of treatments likely to increase survival.

Malignant superior vena cava obstruction: stent placement via the subclavian route.

Over a 3-year period 23 patients with malignant superior vena cava obstruction were referred for interventional management. They underwent repeat localized central venography and deployment of self-expanding Wallstents. All patients (age range 26–89 years) were approached by the subclavian route using 29 stents. The stent was used to exclude thrombus in the contralateral brachiocephalic vein in five patients and histologic information was available in all patients. Retrospective analysis of the clinical records was used to assess symptom-free survival and symptom recurrence.All patients reported an improvement in symptoms within 24 hr of the procedure. There was 100% technical success. Primary clinical success was achieved in 19 of 23 patients followed-up to their death with no symptom recurrence (range 1–34, mean 15 weeks). In four patients symptoms recurred but only one patient was referred for re-intervention, which was successful. Complications included single cases of early post-stent rethrombosis, distal slip on deployment, and distal slip on balloon dilatation. There were no puncture-related complications.

EP-1215: Do higher doses of palliative radiotherapy still prolong survival in stage III/IV NSCLC?

ESTRO 35 2016 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion: Obtained results do not permit to form robust conclusion concerning role of RT in the management of thymic tumors patient. Besides clear, unquestionable bad prognostic factors as bad PS, low differentiation, presence of local relapse, lung fibrosis, second malignancy or distant metastases, we found only one more male sex, decreasing LC.

Three Years of Erlotinib in Routine Practice for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in South East Scotland

We present a review of 111 patients who were treated over an initial 3-year period with erlotinib. The median treatment time was 68 days and 59% of patients had stopped treatment within the first 3 months. However, 20 patients were on erlotinib for more than 12 months. Performance status and smoking history were the significant prognostic factors. The overall 3-year survival in patients who had never smoked was 26%.