Impact of PM2.5 exposure on acute toxicities and survival outcomes in radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

Particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) remains a persistent environmental challenge in upper Northern Thailand.

Impact of Saccharomyces boulardii on acute gastrointestinal toxicities in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy for gynecologic cancers: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities are common side effects of pelvic radiotherapy in gynecologic cancers. Although bacterial probiotics show promise, there is limited evidence for yeast-based probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of S.

The Burden of Genitourinary Malignancies in Southeast Asia from 1990 to 2021.

Background And Objective: The global burden of genitourinary (GU) cancers is rising; yet, the specific burden on the diverse population of 700 million in Southeast Asia (SEA) remains poorly understood. This study presents the most updated trends in the incidence and mortality of bladder, kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer patients across SEA from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database were analyzed for the incidence, deaths, and age-standardized rates by sex and age of patients with four major GU cancers across 11 SEA countries from 1990 to 2021.

Enhancing global cancer care for sexual and gender minority populations: regional perspectives and global implications.

Little is known about cancer disparities faced by diverse sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations globally, with unique barriers in many low-income and middle-income countries. This Viewpoint examines the intersectional challenges faced by SGM groups across multiple settings in accessing high-quality equitable cancer care. In India, the Hijra population (a legally recognised third gender) experiences compounded discrimination due to stigma and socioeconomic marginalisation.

Effect of immunonutrition during concurrent chemoradiotherapy on acute oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A prospective randomized study.

Objective: Immunonutrition (IN) supplements, designed to modulate immune system, may help reduce treatment-related toxicities. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IN in reducing acute oral mucositis (OM) and other side effects in head and neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: A multicenter, prospective, open-label randomized controlled study was conducted to assess the impact of IN on reducing OM and other side effects in head and neck cancer patients undergoing CCRT.

The association between Ki-67 expression and survival in breast cancer subtypes: a cross-sectional study of Ki-67 cut-point in northern Thailand.

Background: Breast cancer is a major health concern worldwide, and Ki-67 level index is a prognostic factor that indicates tumor proliferation and predicts survival outcomes. However, the standard Ki 67 cut-off level varies between local laboratories, and in Thailand, there is no established optimal cut-off level.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off point for Ki-67 expression and investigate the association between Ki-67 levels and other prognostic factors with 8-year overall survival.

Serum biomarkers associated with health impacts of high residential radon exposure: a metabolomic pilot study.

Long-term epidemiological evidence suggests that populations exposed to high natural radiation levels for extended periods may have an increased risk of cancer and other diseases. However, research on health effects in high-radon areas, particularly regarding disease-related biomarkers, remains limited. This study aimed to investigate serum metabolic biomarkers associated with diseases in individuals from areas with high radon exposure.

Multicentric Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess the Variation of Fractionation Strategies Used in the Management of Head and Neck Cancers in the Asian Region (INNOCENCE-ASIA).

Purpose: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are in general treated with conventional fractionation regimen of 1.8-2 Gy per fraction. Altered fractionation (ALFT) strategies such as hypofractionation radiotherapy (HYPO-RT), accelerated fractionation radiotherapy (AFRT), and hyperfractionation radiotherapy (HFRT) have not been practiced uniformly across centers in different parts of the world.

Short- and Long-Term Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Irradiated Breast Cancer Patients With Long-Standing Lymphedema: A Prospective Case Series.

Background: Several studies have explored the advantage of treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) for upper extremity lymphedema in irradiated breast cancer patients and reported controversial results. This prospective case series aimed to document the short- and long-term efficacy of this therapy, focusing on the arm volume and functional assessment in breast cancer patients with a history of long-standing lymphedema for more than 2 years.

Case: Six breast cancer patients with long-standing lymphedema were enrolled.

Serum Metabolomics Study to Screen Potential Biomarkers of Lung Cancer Risk in High Natural Background Radiation Areas of Thailand: A Pilot Study.

Indoor radon is a significant risk factor for the development of LC. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for LC risk in high background radiation areas using a metabolomics approach (UHPLC-HRMS). Based on the indoor radon activity concentration measurements in the Kong Khaek subdistrict, serum samples were collected from 45 nonsmoker or former smoker participants, comprising 15 LC patients and 30 matched healthy controls (low- and high-radon groups, respectively).

Fluconazole for Preventing Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of fluconazole prophylaxis in reducing radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) and Candida carriage in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 78 HNC patients receiving either fluconazole (100 mg daily) or placebo during CCRT. The primary outcome was the incidence of grade 2 or higher RIOM.

Information Needs Among Thai Women Breast Cancer Patients During the Initial Treatment Phase: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims: To examine the information needs of breast cancer patients during the initial phase of treatment and to analyse the factors that influenced these needs.

Background: Providing comprehensive and timely information during early breast cancer treatment is crucial for informed decision-making and effective coping. Healthcare providers must address these needs to enhance patient support and improve outcomes.

Pilot Feasibility and Safety Study of Hydrogen Gas Inhalation in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Hydrogen (H) gas inhalation might alleviate acute radiotherapy toxicities by scavenging free radicals produced by ionizing radiation and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of H gas inhalation during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC).

Patients And Methods: We designed a pilot prospective study combining CCRT with aerosol inhalation of H gas.

Global radiotherapy demands and corresponding radiotherapy-professional workforce requirements in 2022 and predicted to 2050: a population-based study.

Background: Addressing the challenge of cancer control requires a comprehensive, integrated, and global health-system response. We aimed to estimate global radiotherapy demands and requirements for radiotherapy professionals from 2022 to 2050.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 and predicted global radiotherapy demands and workforce requirements in 2050.

Utilizing CT imaging for evaluating late gastrointestinal tract side effects of radiotherapy in uterine cervical cancer: a risk regression analysis.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is effective for cervical cancer but causes late side effects (SE) to nearby organs. These late SE occur more than 3 months after RT and are rated by clinical findings to determine their severity. While imaging studies describe late gastrointestinal (GI) SE, none demonstrate the correlation between the findings and the toxicity grading.

Health Impacts of Natural Background Radiation in High Air Pollution Area of Thailand.

Chiang Mai province of Thailand is known for having the highest natural background radiation in the country, as well as being recognized as one of the world's most polluted cities for air quality. This represents the major contributor to the development of lung cancer. This research aims to estimate the comprehensive dose of both internal and external exposure due to natural background radiation and related health perspectives in the highly polluted area of Chiang Mai.

Preliminary results of adjuvant image-guided vaginal brachytherapy alone for early stage endometrial carcinoma.

Objective: This retrospective study evaluated the preliminary outcomes of image-guided vaginal brachytherapy (IG-VBT) in the adjuvant treatment of high intermediate risk endometrial cancer.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected from 48 patients who underwent adjuvant IG-VBT between 2019 and 2022 at the Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. The vaginal cuff clinical target volume (CTV-VC) is composed of a 4-mm-thick band around vaginal cylinder at the upper 3 cm of the vaginal cuff.

Association between sociodemographic factors and health beliefs related to breast cancer screening behavior among Northern Thai women: a hospital-based study.

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial for reducing mortality rates. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of demographics/social determinants of health on beliefs about the practice of self-breast examination, using mammogram and ultrasound in the context of breast cancer screening among Thai women in a hospital-based setting for implying program planning and future research. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two health centers in Chiang Mai Province from August 2021 to December 2021, involving 130 Thai women ages 40 to 70 years.