D. Schrijvers MD, PhD

Impact of treatment delays in patients with head and neck cancer

SUMMARY

Head and neck cancer is a complex cancer that involves multiple disciplines (surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy). The timely start of surgery and radiotherapy is of utmost importance since the time between the start of treatment is related to overall survival. A delay in surgery increases overall mortality by 6%, while a delay in radiotherapy increases overall mortality by 9%. In this article, the importance of a short time to start treatment in patients with head and neck cancer is discussed.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(2):46–8)

A rare tumour of the lacrimal gland: Immunoglobulin G4-related pseudo tumour

SUMMARY

This case report describes a patient with a lacrimal tumour and distant bone lesions. The diagnosis of an IgG4-related pseudo tumour of the lacrimal gland with involvement of the skeleton was made. A review of lacrimal gland lesions and IgG4-related disease is given. The oncologist should be aware of this entity and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland lesions.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2024;18(1):24–8)

A subungual glomus tumour in a patient with a previous history of testicular cancer

SUMMARY

This article presents the case of a 35-year-old patient with a glomus tumour in the fourth digit of the right hand. The patient had a history of a bilateral embryonal testicular carcinoma, which was treated with surgery and chemotherapy. The initial complaints consisted of pain in all the fingers on the right hand, suspected of Raynaud phenomenon. Finally, the diagnosis was made clinically and through magnetic resonance imaging. He underwent surgery to remove the tumour, and the diagnosis was pathologically confirmed. The treatment was curative, and the complaint of pain resolved.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(7):264–6)

Burnout in resident physicians

SUMMARY

Burnout is an important consequence of work-related stress. It is observed in 15–40% of resident physicians and has an important influence on their wellbeing, their professional career, and their patient-doctor relationship. Different interventions at the organisational, interpersonal and personal levels can be performed to prevent the development of burnout.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(3):85–7)

Head and neck cancer: The role of cisplatin

SUMMARY

Cisplatin has been the backbone of the treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, both in recurrent/metastatic settings and in patients with locoregional disease. In patients with recurrent/metastatic disease and a combined positivity score (CPS) ≥20, cisplatin can be replaced by pembrolizumab. In patients with locoregional disease and treated with definitive chemoradiation or in the adjuvant setting, the 3-weekly high-dose cisplatin can be replaced by the weekly 40 mg/m² cisplatin regimen.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(2):52–7)

Audits in medical oncology

SUMMARY

The quality of oncological care can be ensured by different means, such as graduate and postgraduate education, guidelines, quality labels and audits. Audits in medical oncology departments are not routinely performed and are only used in case of problems. In this article, the introduction of audits in the medical oncology department is advocated, and a strategy to implement this quality improving tool is proposed.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(1):19–26)

What are the treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer anno 2023?

SUMMARY

Patients developing metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer are in most instances pre-treated with androgen deprivation treatment and a newer androgen receptor-targeting agent in the metastatic castration-sensitive setting.

In this article, I discuss the first- and second-line treatment options in this patient population.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(1):15–8)