Patient reported outcomes for symptom toxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Background: Patient reported outcomes (PRO) usually report greater symptom toxicity compared to physician reported outcomes (PhyRO). In the present study, we measured PRO about symptom toxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy and compared them with the PhyRO. We analysed the factors responsible for greater symptom severity on PRO.

IFTAK technique for management of anterior fistulae in ano in female patients - A case series.

Anterior fistula in ano is an uncommon and challenging condition in females, with sparse literature describing effective management strategies. Surgical interventions are often complicated by the anatomical intricacies of the pelvic region. This case series explores the use of the Interception of Fistulous Tract with the Application of Ksharasutra (IFTAK) technique, a modification of traditional Ksharasutra therapy, in managing anterior fistulae in ano among female patients.

IFTAK (Interception of Fistulous Tract with Application of Ksharasutra) technique: a minimally invasive solution for recurrent fistula-in-ano-a case series analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of the case series analysis is to explore the multifactorial causes of recurrent fistula-in-ano, highlighting the limitations of conventional treatment methods, and to evaluate the potential of the IFTAK (Interception of the Fistulous Tract with Application of Ksharsutra) technique. By addressing challenges such as incontinence and relapse associated with recurrent fistulas, the study aims to demonstrate how the IFTAK approach, with its sphincter-sparing and healing-promoting properties, offers an effective and sustainable solution for better management and reduced recurrence rates.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 10 patients with recurrent fistula-in-ano, consecutively selected on the basis of the date of intervention and treated using the IFTAK technique.

Stakeholder's Perspectives on the Barriers and Facilitators of Childhood Cancer Care in India.

Objective: To explore the stakeholders' perspectives on barriers and facilitators influencing childhood cancer care delivery in India.

Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted across 26 states and 4 Union Territories, involving childhood cancer physicians from tertiary and secondary hospitals, state nodal officers (SNOs) for the National Programme for Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), and representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). A hub-and-spoke sampling model was employed, with designated tertiary hospitals coordinating data collection from secondary hospitals.

Real world data of Ewing sarcoma from a resource-limited setting with poor compliance to treatment leading to poor outcomes.

Background: There is limited data from India on Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients. We analysed the demographic and clinical profile of ES patients, the systemic chemotherapy, local treatment and outcomes in patients with localised, metastatic and recurrent disease.

Methods: Data of ES patients reporting from 2010 to 2019 to a tertiary care referral centre in north India was evaluated.

Metaplastic breast cancer: Experience with ifosfamide based chemotherapy.

Background: Metaplastic breast cancer (MPBC) is a rare variant of breast cancer and most treatment protocols are based on the guidelines for triple negative breast cancer. However, response to standard anthracycline and taxane based chemotherapy is poor. Published literature on use of ifosfamide based chemotherapy in the first line setting for MPBC is scarce.

An assessment of childhood cancer care services in India - gaps, challenges and the way forward.

Background: Childhood cancers are emerging as an essential concern in India where there is lack of a specific programme component or policy to address childhood cancer control. There is limited information on the status and quality of childhood cancer care services in India. This paper describes the childhood cancer care services available at secondary and tertiary-level hospitals in India through a cross sectional study design.

Health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients in India.

Purpose: This study evaluated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer patients during various phases of treatment and with different treatment modalities, which helps in monitoring treatment outcomes, assessing the well-being of patients, and conducting health technology assessments.

Methods: A total of 534 interviews were conducted among the patients of breast cancer recruited at different stages of disease and with different treatment modalities. HRQoL was determined using EuroQoL five dimensions questionnaire with five levels (EQ-5D-5L), EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS), and the EORTC QLQ-BR23 instrument.

Time to Surgery in Spinal Trauma: A Meta-Analysis of the World's Literature Comparing High-Income Countries to Low-Middle Income Countries.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to: 1) compare time from traumatic spinal injury (TSI) to operating room (OR) in high-income countries (HICs) versus low-middle-income countries (LMICs), and 2) evaluate hospital length of stay (LOS) in HICs versus LMICs.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines involving articles of all languages.

Inclusion Criteria: published between 1991 and 2021, spine trauma population, single country/region, and recorded time from injury to OR.

Epidemiological profile and antifungal susceptibility pattern of species in a tertiary care hospital in Chandigarh, India.

Background And Purpose: species are ubiquitous in nature which are associated with fatal opportunistic invasive infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical details, as well as the antifungal susceptibility pattern of the patients with infections.

Materials And Methods: In total, 50 clinical isolates of from various samples were included in this study.

Impact of COVID-19 on Outcomes for Patients With Cervical Cancer in India.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on the health system. This led to delays in the initiation and completion of cancer treatment. We assessed the long-term health consequences because of the delay in diagnosis and treatment for cervical cancer due to COVID-19 in India.

Plaque brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma with vitreous haemorrhage: a therapeutic challenge.

A 47-year-old man presented with profound loss of vision in right eye and relative afferent pupillary defect. On fundus examination, posterior pole details were obscured due to dense vitreous haemorrhage. B-scan ultrasonography was performed that revealed a mushroom-shaped hyperechoic lesion with medium internal reflectivity on A-scan ultrasonography.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among the cancer patients in Northern India.

Background: Cancer has emerged as a major public health problem. People often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) when they have a long-lasting problem. CAM is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine.

Conventional radiotherapy with concurrent weekly Cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck cancers of squamous cell origin - a single institution experience.

Background: Platinum based concurrent chemo-radiation is the de-facto standard of care in the non-surgical management of locally-advanced head and neck cancer of squamous origin. Three-weekly single agent cisplatin at 100 mg/m2 concurrent with radical radiotherapy has demonstrated consistent improvement in loco-regional control and survival. This improvement is however at the cost of considerable hematologic toxicity and poor overall compliance.

Long term survival in non-small-cell lung carcinoma with synchronous brain metastasis.

Brain metastasis is common in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and is associated with poor prognosis with a median survival rate below six months, even if treated with palliative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Here, we report a case of NSCLC with synchronous brain metastasis treated with whole brain radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy and oral gefitinib with survival of 62 months. We found that adequate treatment combining radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy in a patient with non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastasis can improve survival.