4.Hemoglobin patterns and anemia in forward‐planned intensity‐modulated radiotherapy versus three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy among patients with breast cancer.
Sylvester Rio L. Abellana ; Maria Lourdes B. Lacanilao
Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services 2022;8(1):1-8
BACKGROUND:
Radiotherapy (RT) to the chest or other large areas of the body may cause bone marrow suppression,
resulting in anemia and other changes in blood cell counts.
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the postRT hemoglobin levels between patients who underwent forward planned intensitymodulated radiotherapy (FPIMRT) and those who underwent threedimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT).
DESIGN:
Retrospective cohort study
SETTING:
Department of Radiological and Imaging Sciences, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City,
from October 2018 to March 2019.
PARTICIPANTS:
94 women with invasive ductal carcinoma, aged 29 to 75 years, who received at least 28 fractions
(with or without boost dose) of either 3DCRT or FPIMRT.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Mean hemoglobin counts and anemia within 4 weeks postRT.
MAIN RESULTS:
Of the 94 women, 62 (65.96%) underwent 3DCRT, and 32 (34.04%) underwent FPIMRT. The
proportion of patients with leftsided tumors was significantly higher in the FPIMRT group than in the 3DCRT
group. The baseline hemoglobin levels (12.60 ± 1.04 g/dL for 3DCRT vs 12.49 ± 0.80 g/dL for FPIMRT; p=0.5994)
and the mean changes in hemoglobin count from baseline (0.11 ± 0.72 g/dL for 3DCRT vs 0.18 ± 0.67 g/dL
for FPIMRT; p=0.6707) were both comparable between the two groups. The proportions of patients with anemia
within four weeks postRT were also comparable between the two groups (13/62, 20.97% for 3DCRT vs 8/32,
25.00% for FPIMRT; p=0.6565). Leftsided tumors were significantly associated with postRT anemia (unadjusted
OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.00 to 8.22; p=0.0498), even after controlling for type of RT technique (adjusted OR 3.15; 95%
CI 1.01 to 9.87; p=0.0484).
CONCLUSION
After RT, the mean hemoglobin levels of patients with breast cancer who underwent 3DCRT were
comparable with those of patients who underwent IMRT. The type of RT technique was not significantly
associated with the occurrence of postRT anemia in these patients.
5.Acute epiglottitis in a 47‐year‐old male: Case report.
Maria Irene Lourdes N. Tonog ; Johnny R. Perez
Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services 2022;8(1):1-5
Acute epiglottitis (AE), an inflammation of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures, can lead to a fatal
airway obstruction. We report the case of a 47yearold male who developed AE after experiencing a sore
throat, odynophagia, and highgrade fever for a week. The patient came in with late signs of AE, suggesting a
poor prognosis. Laryngoscopy revealed a swollen epiglottis obstructing the patient’s tracheal opening. He had
cardiopulmonary arrest due to the airway obstruction. The patient was successfully resuscitated but had
several episodes of generalized seizure after the return of spontaneous circulation. He was discharged in a
persistent vegetative state. Because AE is unusual in the adult population, a clinician's high index of suspicion
for the diagnosis and the emergency team’s prompt intervention are crucial factors in the management
approach to AE. Physicians working in the emergency room must be equipped with skills in establishing a
definitive airway, especially in securing a surgical airway.
Epiglottitis
;
Laryngoscopy
;
Tracheostomy
;
10.Introducing: Slices
Southern Philippines Medical Center Journal of Health Care Services 2018;4(1):1-
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