Challenges in physician supply planning: the case of Belgium

Introduction  

Planning human resources for health (HRH) is a complex process for policy-makers and, as a result, many countries worldwide swing from surplus to shortage. In-depth case studies can help appraising the challenges encountered and the solutions implemented. This paper has two objectives: to identify the key challenges in HRH planning in Belgium and to formulate recommendations for an effective HRH planning, on the basis of the Belgian case study and lessons drawn from an international benchmarking.     

FOLFOX4与替加氟替代方案对晚期胃癌疗效的对比研究

目的:对比观察FOLFOX4方案与替加氟替代方案治疗晚期胃癌的疗效和不良反应.方法:经病理或细胞学确诊的晚期胃癌患者75例,按收治的时间顺序交叉分入FOLFOX4组(A组)或替加氟替代组(B组),两方案均至少连用3周期评价疗效.A组:OXA 85mg/m2,静滴2h,第1天;LV 200mg/m2,静滴2h,第1、2天;5-FU 400mg/m2,静推,然后600mg/m2,22h静脉维持,第1、2天;2周重复,14天为1个周期.B组:OXA 130mg/m2,静滴2h,第1天;LV 200mg/m2,静滴2h,第1-5天;FT-207 800mg/m2,静滴3h,第1-5天;3周重复,21天为1个周期.结果:研究对象共75例.A组39例,总有效率(CR + PR)41.0%,其中初治患者总有效率55.6%;复治患者的总有效率28.6%.B组36例, 总有效率38.9%,其中初治患者总有效率 50.0%;复治患者的总有效率30.0%.两组总有效率比较均无统计学差异.不良反应主要是白细胞减少、恶心呕吐、神经感觉毒性等,A组白细胞下降发生率和消化系统不良反应发生率均明显高于B组(P均＜0.05).两组均无化疗相关死亡.结论:FOLFOX4方案与替加氟替代方案均为治疗晚期胃癌有效的方案,FOLFOX4方案总有效率稍高,不良反应较替加氟替代方案重,但可耐受.建议晚期胃癌初治可选用FOLFOX4方案,而其中年龄偏大,体质欠佳的患者宜选替加氟替代方案.     

Efficacy of epoetin-beta 30,000 IU/week in correcting anaemia in patients with gastrointestinal tumours subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Objective  

The aim of the project was to assess the effectiveness and safety of weekly epoetin-beta (EB) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCTRT).     

Extravasation of Chemotherapy

Extravasation of chemotherapy is a feared complication of anticancer therapy. The accidental leakage of cytostatic agents into the perivascular tissues may have devastating short-term and long-term consequences for patients. In recent years, the increased focus on chemotherapy extravasation has led to the development of international guidelines that have proven useful tools in daily clinical practice. Moreover, the tissue destruction in one of the most dreaded types of extravasation (ie, anthracycline extravasation) now can effectively be prevented with a specific antidote, dexrazoxane.     

Contribution of hypoxia-measuring molecular imaging techniques to radiotherapy planning and treatment

Hypoxia is related to poor prognosis because it is associated to chemo-and radioresistance. During recent years the evolution of imaging methods like PET/CT and MRI has meant the appearance of new perspectives with direct implications in radiation therapy. We discuss previous experiences in staging, planning and in the follow-up process with these techniques for measuring tumour hypoxia.     

Characterization of bortezomib-adapted I-45 mesothelioma cells

Background  

Bortezomib, a proteasome-specific inhibitor, has emerged as a promising cancer therapeutic agent. However, development of resistance to bortezomib may pose a challenge to effective anticancer therapy. Therefore, characterization of cellular mechanisms involved in bortezomib resistance and development of effective strategies to overcome this resistance represent important steps in the advancement of bortezomib-mediated cancer therapy.     

Personality styles in patients with fibromyalgia,major depression and healthy controls

Background  

The fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is suggested to be a manifestation of depression or affective spectrum disorder. We measured the cognitive style of patients with FMS to assess personality styles in 44 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) by comparing them with 43 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 41 healthy controls (HC).     

Repeat Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for Progressive Hepatic Carcinoid Metastases Provides Results Similar to First TACE

Background Transarterial chemoemobolization (TACE) is commonly used to treat metastatic carcinoid tumors; however, the management of progressive disease is less clear. We sought to determine if patients with disease progression after TACE would benefit from repeat TACE. Methods The records of 27 patients undergoing repeat TACE for radiologic or symptomatic progression after TACE for metastatic carcinoid were reviewed and compared to 122 undergoing first TACE. Overall and progression-free survivals were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results Mean disease-free interval after first TACE was 11.8 months. Radiologic response was observed in 61% compared to 82% after first TACE (p = 0.058); hormone response in 64% compared to 80% (p = 0.159); and symptomatic response in 77% compared to 92% (p = 0.053). The complication rate after repeat TACE was lower than after first TACE (p = 0.03). Median overall survival was similar after repeat (28.1 months) and first TACE (33.3 months) (p = 0.53). Progression-free survival was shorter after repeat TACE but not significantly so. No factor examined could predict survival after repeat TACE. Conclusion Repeat TACE for patients with hepatic carcinoid metastases failing first TACE or having evidence of disease progression is safe and offers a viable treatment option. Presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, DC, May, 2007.