ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates are high in patients with obstructing colon cancer (OCC). Different treatment options have been evaluated over the years, mainly for left sided OCC. Optimising the preoperative health condition in elective colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment shows promising results. The aim of this study is to determine whether preoptimisation is feasible in patients with OCC, with a special interest/focus on right-sided OCC, and if, ultimately, optimisation reduces mortality and morbidity (stoma rates, major and minor complications) rates in OCC.

METHODS: This is a prospective registration study including all patients presenting with OCC in our hospital. Patients with OCC, treated with curative intent, will be screened for eligibility to receive preoptimisation before surgery. The preoptimisation protocol includes; decompression of the small bowel with a NG-tube for right sided obstruction and SEMS or decompressing ileostomy or colostomy, proximal to the site of obstruction, for left sided colonic obstructions. For the additional work-up, additional nutrition by means of parenteral feeding (for patients who are dependent on a NG tube) or oral/enteral nutrition (in case the obstruction is relieved) is provided. Physiotherapy with attention to both cardio and muscle training prior surgical resection is provided. The primary endpoint is complication-free survival (CFS) at the 90 day period after hospitalisation. Secondary outcomes include pre- and postoperative complications, patient- and tumour characteristics, surgical procedures, total in hospital stay, creation of decompressing and/or permanent ileo- or colostomy and long-term (oncological) outcomes.

DISCUSSION: Preoptimisation is expected to improve the preoperative health condition of patients and thereby reduce postoperative complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registry: NL8266 date of registration: 06-jan-2020.

STUDY STATUS: Open for inclusion.

PMID:37231376 | PMC:PMC10214621 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-023-02799-z

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

A Brain, A Heart, and the Courage: Balancing Benefit and Toxicity of Immunotherapy in Melanoma

Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2023 May;43:e390594. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_390594.

ABSTRACT

The overall survival of advanced melanoma has improved dramatically. Immunotherapies, specifically checkpoint inhibitors, have played a large role in this improvement. These agents have also shown benefit in the adjuvant setting, are approved for treatment of resected stage II, III, and IV melanoma, and play an evolving role in the neoadjuvant setting. Although generally well tolerated, immune-related adverse events occur and can be severe. Here we focus on some severe and potentially long term toxicities, including cardiovascular and neurologic toxicities. Our understanding of the acute and long-term toxicities of immune checkpoint inhibitors continues to evolve. Oncologists must continue to balance cancer risk and treatment-related toxicities.

PMID:37229626 | DOI:10.1200/EDBK_390594

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

The Incident Ocular Diseases Related to Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients are Associated with Increasing Risk of Incident Stroke

Acta Cardiol Sin. 2023 May;39(3):435-448. doi: 10.6515/ACS.202305_39(3).20221005A.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In addition to cardiotoxicity, ocular toxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents is not uncommon.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between ocular adverse events and major adverse cardiovascular events (composite endpoint) caused by chemotherapy, and whether specific ocular events could be potential predictors of some specific components of the composite endpoint.

METHODS: A total of 5378 newly diagnosed patients (age > 18 y/o) with any malignancy or metastatic solid tumors who received chemotherapy from January 1997 to December 2010 were enrolled from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients who developed new incident ocular diseases were classified as the study group, and those who did not develop incident ocular diseases as the control group.

RESULTS: After propensity score matching, there was a significant increase in the incidence of stroke in the ocular diseases group compared to the no ocular diseases group (13.4% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.0001). Tear film insufficiency, keratopathy, glaucoma, and lens disorders were associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke. A longer duration of methotrexate and a longer duration with higher total amount of tamoxifen were associated with both incident ocular diseases and incident stroke. Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the only independent risk factor for stroke was incident ocular diseases [Adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval): 2.96 (1.66-5.26), p = 0.0002]. In addition, incident ocular disease was the most significant risk factor compared with other traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Incident ocular diseases related to chemotherapy were associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke.

PMID:37229341 | PMC:PMC10203719 | DOI:10.6515/ACS.202305_39(3).20221005A

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Comparison of Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy and Coronary Angiography Results in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

PDE10A Inactivation Prevents Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity and Tumor Growth

Circ Res. 2023 May 26. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.322264. Online ahead of print.