I. Dimoliatis, I. Zerdes, A. Zampeta, Zoi Tziortzioti, E. Briasoulis, I. Souglakos
{"title":"The outcome-based iCAN! / theyCAN! feedback paradigm differentiates strong and weak learning outcomes, learner diversity, and the learning outcomes of each learner: A shift to metacognitive assessment","authors":"I. Dimoliatis, I. Zerdes, A. Zampeta, Zoi Tziortzioti, E. Briasoulis, I. Souglakos","doi":"10.2478/fco-2018-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/fco-2018-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Can learning outcomes be transformed in useful tools revealing strong and weak learning outcomes, learners, teachers; reporting student self-assessment overestimation; informing formative feedback and summative examinations? Methods Based on the ESMO / ASCO global curriculum, 66 level-two learning outcomes were identified and transformed in the iCAN!-Oncology and theyCAN!-Oncology questionnaires, anonymously completed online, before and after teaching, by trainees and trainers respectively, in a five-day fulltime undergraduate oncology course. Results In total, students assessed themselves (iCAN!) with 55% before and 70% after the course (27% improvement); teachers assessed students (theyCAN!) with 43% before and 69% after (60% improvement). Twenty level-two learning outcomes (30%) were scored below the pass / fail cut-point by students while 46 (70%) by teachers, before the course; none after the course. Students assessed themselves the highest in “TNM system” before (81%) and after (82%), while the teachers assessed students so in “Normal cell biology” before (72%) and “Moral / ethical issues in clinical research” after (83%). The lowest assessed outcome was the “Research protocol” by students (28%) and teachers (18%) before, and the “Anticancer agents” after (54% by both). Individual students self-assessed themselves from 31% to 88% before, and from 54% to 88% after; individual teachers assessed students from 29% to 66% before, and from 55% to 94% after. The iCAN! / theyCAN! provided detailed individual student or teacher profile, tightfisted or generous. Conclusions The iCAN! / theyCAN! differentiate strong and weak learning outcomes, learners, teachers; reveal no student self-assessment overestimation; inform formative feedback and summative exams at a metacognitive level; generalize to any course and assessor; support evidence-based teaching and learning SWOT policy.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"9 1","pages":"17 - 29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49299152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evangelos Galitis, V. Droukas, M. Tzakis, Vassileios Psarras, D. Galiti, E. Kyrodimos, M. Trichas, A. Psyrri, N. Papadogeorgakis, M. Kouri, E. Belli, V. Kouloulias
{"title":"Trismus and reduced quality of life in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, who received post-operative radiotherapy alone or combined with chemotherapy","authors":"Evangelos Galitis, V. Droukas, M. Tzakis, Vassileios Psarras, D. Galiti, E. Kyrodimos, M. Trichas, A. Psyrri, N. Papadogeorgakis, M. Kouri, E. Belli, V. Kouloulias","doi":"10.1515/fco-2015-0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2015-0023","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Patients, who receive radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer, develop chronic functional abnormalities and survive with reduced quality of life. Purpose We aimed to study patients with oral cancer, who received post-operative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Patients Ten patients (mean age 63.8 years) were included. Methods Oral mucositis, pain and xerostomia, maximum mouth opening (MMO) and functional abnormalities before and after RT were recorded. The 35 mm MMO or less was accepted as trismus. Patients completed the EORTC QLQ C-30 and Head/Neck35 questionnaires. Results Mean RT dose was 64.3 Gray. Six patients received chemoradiotherapy. Severe mucositis, pain and xerostomia were recorded in 6 and 5 patients respectively. MMO was reduced in all patients. The mean MMO (34 mm) reached the level of trismus. The total number of symptoms increased from 3.1 to 6.3 in C-30 and from 3.1 to 8.8 per patient in the H/N35. Severe fatigue, pain, limitations at work, weakness, sad feelings, family problems, sleeping problems, anorexia, financial difficulties, tense/irritable, constipation, nausea, vomiting and depression were most often reported with C-30. Most patients reported low to moderate quality of life. Severe oral, jaw and neck pain, swallowing problems, taste alterations, sticky saliva, dry mouth, coarseness, dental problems, feeling sick and reduced interest in life/sex were the most common symptoms reported with N/H35. Conclusions The observed trismus, 2- to 3-fold increase of symptoms and poorer quality of life highlighted the need for support of oral cancer patients, who receive postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"8 1","pages":"29 - 36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1515/fco-2015-0023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48350376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Role of Genetics in Sporadic GEP-NETs: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature","authors":"G. Fotopoulos, I. Vathiotis, G. Nikou, K. Syrigos","doi":"10.1515/fco-2017-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2017-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are composed of a heterogeneous group of malignancies from neuroendocrine cell compartments, with roles in both the endocrine and the nervous system. The majority of NETs are gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) in origin, arising in the foregut, midgut, or hindgut. The genomic landscape of GEP-NETs has been scarcely studied in terms of genomic profiling.The following algorithm was followed using the keywords neuroendocrine, genomics, targeted therapy, personalized medicine, gastroenteropancreatic and NET. The search was performed in PubMed and ScienceDirect database. Our current knowledge of sporadic GEP-NETs genetics must be further advanced to elucidate the molecular basis and pathogenesis of the disease, improve the accuracy of diagnosis, and guide tailor-made therapies.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"8 1","pages":"1 - 5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44282500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is postoperative radioactive iodine associated with a survival advantage among…","authors":"R. Hamed","doi":"10.1515/fco-2015-0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2015-0027","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Aim This trial aimed to determine wether postoperative radioactive iodine(RAI) associated with a survival benefit among intermediate-risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer patients or not. Methods this study is a retrospective study of intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients that were treated with or without post operative RAI from 1st January 2002 till 1st January 2012. Overall survival (OS) and multivariate regression analyses were measured for all patients. Results 100 patients were included in this trial : 70 patients received postoperative RAI and 30 patients did not. The mean follow-up time was 7.1 (4.8 -15.1 years), and a median survival time could not be estimated. Overall survival at 10 years was 96% in the RAI vs 93% in the group without RAI (P < .001). RAI reduced risk of death by a 27% [hazard risk (HR) 0.73, confidence interval (CI) 0.64 - 0.84, P < .001]. Older patient age, male gende, larger tumor size, multifocal tumors, lymph node metastases, aggressive histology, vascular invasion, positive surgical margin, minimal extrathyroidal extension and absence of postoperative RAI were accompanied by compromised OS (all P ≤ .001). Conclusion This representative study addresses the survival advantage of RAI for with intermediate risk PTC patients but conducting of large prospective randomized controlled trial is still warranted.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"8 1","pages":"23 - 27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46732923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing an algorithm for the management of Renal Cell Carcinoma: focus on metastatic disease","authors":"A. Kyriazoglou, I. Dimitriadis, A. Bamias","doi":"10.1515/fco-2015-0025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2015-0025","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The treatment paradigm in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rapidly changing. The incidental finding of small renal tumours combined with the development of novel therapeutic agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways or inhibiting the interaction of the programmed death 1 (PD 1) receptor with its ligand have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients suffering from this malignancy. At the same time, the availability of multiple effective options with similar indications complicates the development and applicability of guidelines in this disease. We conducted a systematic review of the existing guidelines. Our study revealed areas of agreement as well as of discrepancies amongst the published scientific papers included. By critically evaluating these areas, we developed a therapeutic algorithm for RCC. We suggest that this methodology can define the practices of wide applicability and areas of future research.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"8 1","pages":"15 - 21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48736645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Sklavenitis-Pistofidis, T. Koletsa, A. Lazaridou, A. Goulas
{"title":"Targeting Bruton Tyrosine Kinase: A novel strategy in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas","authors":"R. Sklavenitis-Pistofidis, T. Koletsa, A. Lazaridou, A. Goulas","doi":"10.1515/fco-2015-0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2015-0026","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In normal B-cells, Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in B-cell receptor (BCR) signalling, is essential for cell survival and maturation. Not surprisingly, Btk is also implicated in the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphomas, like Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL), Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM), which are driven by aberrant BCR signalling. Thus, targeting Btk represents a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma patients. Ibrutinib, a selective Btk inhibitor, has already been approved as second-line treatment of CLL/SLL, MCL and WM patients, while more clinical studies of ibrutinib and novel Btk inhibitors are currently under way. In light of results of the RESONATE-2 trial, the approval of ibrutinib as a first-line treatment of CLL/SLL may well be approaching. Herein, we review Btk’s role in normal and malignant BCR signalling, as well as ibrutinib’s performance in B-cell lymphoma treatment and prognosis.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"8 1","pages":"14 - 7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48968018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cardiotoxicity of the adjuvant trastuzumab in a Saudi population: clinical experience of a single institution","authors":"R. Hamed, K. Salim, A. Alzahrani, S. Elsamany","doi":"10.1515/fco-2016-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2016-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Purpose Adjuvant trastuzumab is currently an internationally standard for the treatment of localised breast cancer that over express HER2 with the most adverse effect being cardiotoxicity. We conducted this study to evaluate the cardiac safety of trastuzumab in clinical practice. Methods This study is a retrospective observational single institutional study conducted in the Oncology Center of King Abdulla Medical City (KAMC), Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from June 2011 to January 2014. We evaluated the incidence of cardio toxicity and associated risk factors during adjuvant trastuzumab treatment. Results Of 57 patients, 20 patients (35%) exhibited cardiotoxicity. About 14% of patients had drop of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50%, whilst 10% and 15% drop of LVEF below their baseline levels were found in 30% and 5% of patients, respectively. About 98.3% of our patients have completed treatment, of whom 21% had a provisional interruption because of a fall in LVEF. A definitive trastuzumab discontinuation has been made in 1.75% of cases because of a nonregressive reduction in LVEF. Analysis of risk factors related to trastuzumab cardio toxicity found that patients older than 40 years were more likely to develop cardio toxicity compared to those younger than 40 years. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.042). Conclusion In our study, the cardiac safety seems comparable with the literature data. Trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity is manifested by an asymptomatic decrease in the LVEF and less commonly by clinical heart failure. Most instances are transient, asymptomatic and reversible.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"7 1","pages":"1 - 6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67375204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Veniou, I. Sofatzis, I. Kalantzis, M. Karakosta, M. Logothetis, E. Lianos, N. Ziras
{"title":"Metabolic syndrome and Cancer: Do they share common molecular pathways?","authors":"E. Veniou, I. Sofatzis, I. Kalantzis, M. Karakosta, M. Logothetis, E. Lianos, N. Ziras","doi":"10.1515/fco-2016-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2016-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors including obesity, has emerged as a global health plague. A lot of epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that the metabolic syndrome is linked not only to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2 but also to cancer development and progression. In this review the potential mechanisms tying the metabolic syndrome with cancer are presented. The role of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, the activation of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway, and the induction of cytotoxic products are highlighted. Subsequent effects leading to oxidative stress, release of lipokines with signaling properties by adipocytes, development of a sustained systemic inflammation, production of inflammatory cytokines, and establishment of a tumorigenic environment are also discussed. The importance of the metabolic syndrome and obesity coupled with the deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms has trigger intensive clinical research with an aim to prevent the risk of cancer and improve outcomes. Moreover, the need for lifestyle changes with increased physical activity and improved dietary quality has been emerged as urgent health priority.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"7 1","pages":"15 - 7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67375601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"BRCA1/2 associated cancer susceptibility: a clinical overview","authors":"G. Lypas","doi":"10.1515/fco-2015-0022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2015-0022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The most frequently identified genetic cause of breast cancer is the germline mutation of BRCA1 and 2 genes. The carriers of these mutations are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers and increased risk for pancreatic and prostate cancers. Personal and family history are routinely used to identify individuals at risk for carrying such mutations. Genetic counselling is required to guide them through genetic testing and risk management. Positive testing corresponds to a deleterious mutation, whereas negative testing is considered as uninformative; variants of unknown clinical significance are also classified as uninformative. The most effective risk reduction strategy involves bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, eliminating 90% of breast and 97% of ovarian cancer risks, respectively. Before and until such surgery, surveillance with physical examination, mammography and magnetic resonance mammography, starting at 25–30 years of age, are recommended for the early diagnosis of breast cancer; semi-annual surveillance with physical examination, transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA-125 is recommended for women who have not had prophylactic surgery. Carriers diagnosed with breast cancer run a high risk for a new breast primary and this information should be used accordingly. PARP inhibitors is a new class of antineoplastic agents, already approved for advanced BRCA1/2 mutant (germline or somatic) ovarian cancer. Multigene panel testing may follow a negative BRCA genetic test, often identifying other genetic causes of cancer, expanding its role in oncology. Further adoption of PARP inhibitors, refinement in estimation of BRCA-associated cancer risks and wider population testing, through NGS technology, may become available in the near future.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"7 1","pages":"16 - 24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67375178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reinstating endogenous antitumor immunity: The concept of therapeutic management of cancer","authors":"N. Pistamaltzian, S. Perez, C. Baxevanis","doi":"10.1515/fco-2016-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/fco-2016-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Strong evidence points to the role of cancer immunoediting and tumor immune infiltrates in regulating cancer progression. By understanding the immune tumor microenvironment, we can now target key pathways that suppress endogenous antitumor responses, thereby re-instating such immune responses and identifying novel targets for immune therapies. Therapies targeting oncogenic pathways and checkpoint blockades turn on a new paradigm shift in immune-therapy for cancer with remarkable clinical efficacy seen in various malignancies. However, a lot of cancer patients will fail to respond and therefore, it becomes crucial to identify biomarkers to predict who of the patients will most likely benefit from these therapies.","PeriodicalId":38592,"journal":{"name":"Forum of Clinical Oncology","volume":"7 1","pages":"16 - 4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67375409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}