Comprehensively evaluating cancer survival in children with birth defects: a population-based assessment

Cancer Causes & Control - Congenital malformations are strong risk factors for childhood cancer. Our objective was to determine whether cancer survival differs by birth defect status among...     

EAU-EANM-ESTRO-ESUR-SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer—2020 Update. Part 1: Screening,Diagnosis, and Local Treatment with Curative Intent

ObjectiveTo present a summary of the 2020 version of the European Association of Urology (EAU)-European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM)-European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)-European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR)-International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) guidelines on screening, diagnosis, and local treatment of clinically localised prostate cancer (PCa).Evidence acquisitionThe panel performed a literature review of new data, covering the time frame between 2016 and 2020. The guidelines were updated and a strength rating for each recommendation was added based on a systematic review of the evidence.Evidence synthesisA risk-adapted strategy for identifying men who may develop PCa is advised, generally commencing at 50 yr of age and based on individualised life expectancy. Risk-adapted screening should be offered to men at increased risk from the age of 45 yr and to breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutation carriers, who have been confirmed to be at risk of early and aggressive disease (mainly BRAC2), from around 40 yr of age. The use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in order to avoid unnecessary biopsies is recommended. When a biopsy is performed, a combination of targeted and systematic biopsies must be offered. There is currently no place for the routine use of tissue-based biomarkers. Whilst prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography computed tomography is the most sensitive staging procedure, the lack of outcome benefit remains a major limitation. Active surveillance (AS) should always be discussed with low-risk patients, as well as with selected intermediate-risk patients with favourable International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) 2 lesions. Local therapies are addressed, as well as the AS journey and the management of persistent prostate-specific antigen after surgery. A strong recommendation to consider moderate hypofractionation in intermediate-risk patients is provided. Patients with cN1 PCa should be offered a local treatment combined with long-term hormonal treatment.ConclusionsThe evidence in the field of diagnosis, staging, and treatment of localised PCa is evolving rapidly. The 2020 EAU-EANM-ESTRO-ESUR-SIOG guidelines on PCa summarise the most recent findings and advice for their use in clinical practice. These PCa guidelines reflect the multidisciplinary nature of PCa management.Patient summaryUpdated prostate cancer guidelines are presented, addressing screening, diagnosis, and local treatment with curative intent. These guidelines rely on the available scientific evidence, and new insights will need to be considered and included on a regular basis. In some cases, the supporting evidence for new treatment options is not yet strong enough to provide a recommendation, which is why continuous updating is important. Patients must be fully informed of all relevant options and, together with their treating physicians, decide on the most optimal management for them.     

A survey of internists’ recommendations for aspirin in older adults and barriers to evidence-based use

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Recent trials suggest that aspirin for primary prevention may do more harm than good for some, including adults over 70 years of age. We sought to...     

Radical radiotherapy in older patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer

Background

Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is prevalent in the older patients, who are a vulnerable population with multiple co-morbidities and at increased risk of complications. Radical cystectomy is often not suitable, hence radical radiotherapy (RT) is an alternative option. We reviewed the outcomes of older patients treated with RT with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CRT) at our institution.

Rupture Resolution Rating System (3RS): Development and validation

Objective: Our aim was to examine the reliability and validity of the Rupture Resolution Rating System (3RS), an observer-based measure of alliance ruptures and resolution processes. Method: We used the 3RS to rate early sessions from 42 cases of cognitive behavior therapy. We compared the 3RS to a simplified version of the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), as well as patient and therapist self-reports of ruptures and the alliance. Results: Coders achieved high rates of interrater reliability on the frequency of confrontation and withdrawal ruptures and resolution strategies (ICCs?=?.85 to .98), as well as ratings of the therapist’s contribution to ruptures and the extent to which ruptures were resolved (ICC?=?.92). Predictive validity analyses found that confrontation markers (d?=?.74), successful resolution (d?=?.67), and ratings of the therapist’s contribution to ruptures (d?=?.61) predicted dropout from therapy. Analyses of convergent validity with the SASB failed to meet predictions; however, we observed theoretically coherent relations between 3RS and SASB variables. Confrontation rupture markers were significantly associated with patient self-report of rupture (d?=?1.54) and therapist self-reported alliance (r?=??.50, p?=?.002). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the 3RS is a reliable and useful tool for examining psychotherapy process and predicting dropout.

Clinical or methodological significance of this article: This study provides evidence of the reliability and validity of the 3RS, an observer-based measure of alliance ruptures and resolution processes. The 3RS can be used to identify problems in the therapeutic relationship that are associated with premature dropout from therapy.     

Pathways from Positive,Negative, and Specific Alcohol Expectancies to Weekday and Weekend Drinking to Alcohol Problems

Prevention Science - The current study tested and identified risk and protective pathways from alcohol expectancies to weekday and weekend consumption to problematic consequences. Adult alcohol...