Breast cancer remains a significant health concern for women, with a significant number of women facing unresectable, symptomatic, and advanced disease that severely affects their quality of life. Palliative radiotherapy (RT) is a well-established modality for managing such cases and alleviating symptoms. Recent advancements in systemic therapies and the resulting increase in long-term survival rates have not only heightened the need for retreatment in certain patients, but have also emphasized the importance of achieving durable local control. Additionally, inconsistencies in RT referral timing and variations in disease severity and extent contribute to diverse RT objectives and expected outcomes. The optimal dose fractionation for RT remains underexplored. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of breast radiobiology, along with the introduction of ultra- and moderately hypofractionated regimens and the widespread adoption of conformal techniques such as intensity-modulated RT, has diversified the approaches in RT dose and target volume. This review aimed to provides a comprehensive summary of the current evidence on the efficacy, outcomes, and toxicity profiles of palliative RT for symptomatic breast cancer. It highlights the need for more optimized regimens and further research to address the evolving treatment landscape and differing expectations of patients and physicians regarding RT.

OBJECTIVE: In locally advanced cancer, bleeding is a common clinical presentation and radiotherapy (RT) provides a noninvasive, well-tolerated, cost-effective treatment. However, the choice for fractionation dose and schedule seem to merely depend on physician\'s preference rather than specific guidelines. We reviewed the available literature on palliative hemostatic RT for response rate (RR) and bleeding duration in relation with the given dose.
METHODS: The PubMed database was used to search for articles, which were assessed by predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 54 articles, published over the last 20 years until December 2023 were analyzed for dose and/or fractionation regimen and their relation to the RR.
UNASSIGNED: A variety of fractionation schedules are used for palliative symptom control, including hemostasis. Research focusing on hemostatic irradiation specifically and prospective studies are rare. Moreover, to our knowledge, there are no specific (prospective) studies ongoing. Both external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy lead to bleeding control and daily or weekly hypofractionated irradiation is safe and effective for both high and low biological equivalent dose (BED) regimens. If feasible, based on patient condition, some studies favor higher BED regimens to obtain more durable tumor/higher bleeding response. Higher radiation dose for thoracic irradiation may be indicative for simultaneous presentation of obstruction and/or dysphagia. Brachytherapy may be used solely or in combination with EBRT or in the setting of re-irradiation. Short-course regimens are preferred in patients in with low performance index scores. For future studies, multivariate analysis, including BED, can be important to assess efficacy of different fractionation schedules for a variety of tumor etiologies.
CONCLUSIONS: Hemostatic RT, both by EBRT and brachytherapy, appears to be a safe and effective palliative treatment that clinically and statistically significantly reduces bleeding in cancer patients. The available literature is limited regarding prospective and uniform evaluation of hemostatic RT, including fractionation schedules. BED seems to be indicative for a better RR for specific indications. Current evidence suggests that treatment decisions should be tailored according to the patients\' condition, tumor etiology and other clinical symptoms. More (prospective) research focusing on hemostasis is necessary to develop clear guidelines.

UNASSIGNED: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common and debilitating condition seen in advanced cancer disease, and life-expectancy is short. Symptoms include pain and severe shortness of breath. Current first-line treatment options include pleural drainage using catheters as well as pleurodesis. However, these treatment modalities are often inefficient and patients need repeated procedures. Pressurized IntraThoracic Aerosol Chemotherapy (PITAC) is a minimally invasive procedure, where antineoplastic agents are nebulized under pressure into the pleural space.
UNASSIGNED: We present the preliminary safety, feasibility, and response assessment data for PITAC based on a comprehensive literature review.
UNASSIGNED: Five retrospective studies reported data on 38 PITACs in 21 patients. Data were heterogeneous and incomplete on several important aspects such as procedure, safety, local effect and long-term outcomes. PITAC seems technically feasible with a low risk of complications and may provide some reduction in MPE in selected cases.
UNASSIGNED: PITAC seems feasible, but prospective phase I and II studies are needed to define safety, indications, and efficacy.

The escalating prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers underscores the urgency for transformative approaches. Current treatment costs amount to billions of dollars annually, combined with the risks and comorbidities associated with invasive surgery. This highlights the importance of less invasive alternatives with organ preservation being a central aspect of the treatment paradigm. The current standard of care typically involves neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by surgical resection. There is a growing interest in organ preservation approaches by way of minimizing extensive surgical resections. Endoscopic ablation has proven to be useful in precursor lesions, as well as in palliative cases of unresectable disease. More recently, there has been an increase in reports on the utility of adjunct endoscopic ablative techniques for downstaging disease as well as contributing to non-surgical complete clinical response. This expansive field within endoscopic oncology holds great potential for advancing patient care. By addressing challenges, fostering collaboration, and embracing technological advancements, the gastrointestinal cancer treatment paradigm can shift towards a more sustainable and patient-centric future emphasizing organ and function preservation. This editorial examines the evolving landscape of endoscopic ablation strategies, emphasizing their potential to improve patient outcomes. We briefly review current applications of endoscopic ablation in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, bile ducts, and colon.

Cementoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that consists of injecting a bone substitute into the tumor lesion to provide bone reinforcement and alleviate pain. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of cementoplasty with a calcium phosphate cement in osteosarcoma to reduce pain and preserve limb function. Throughout the 6-month study, dogs received no adjuvant therapy, and dogs\' evaluations included a clinical examination, monitoring of postoperative complications, radiographic follow-up, and assessment of limb function and pain scores. Out of 12 dogs enrolled, 10 were withdrawn before study completion due to deterioration in their general condition. Nine (9) dogs were followed until D28, six until D56, and two until D183. Compared to D0, more than 50% of the dogs showed improvement in both veterinarian and owner scores at their final visit. Throughout the study, 10 major and 4 minor complications were reported, all unrelated to the procedure. This open non-controlled study provides first evidence of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of cementoplasty procedure using a calcium phosphate bone cement to relieve pain and preserve limb function in dogs suffering from appendicular osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: Treating aggressive superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) poses challenges due to invasiveness. Palliative care is recommended for inoperable cases with extensive tumors near vital organs, risking disfigurement or functional impairment. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an emerging cutaneous tumor treatment, but its efficacy against superficial SCC remains uncertain. This study conducts a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis to evaluate ECT\'s effectiveness against superficial SCC and provide current evidence for clinical practice.
METHODS: Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched for studies up to May 2023. The random effects model analyzed complete response (CR) and partial response (PR), with subgroup assessment based on drug dosage, treatment response evaluation, tumor size, primary/recurrent status, and tumor location.
RESULTS: Ten studies involving 162 patients and 208 tumors were included. Pooled CR and PR rates for ECT-treated superficial SCC were 66.5% (95% CI 48.4%-82.5%; I2 = 84%) and 20.3% (95% CI 10.5%-32.3%; I2 = 70%), respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated ECT\'s superiority in treating primary tumors (PR: 70%, CR: 30%) and tumors ≤ 3 cm (PR: 81.3%, CR: 10.1%) compared to recurrent tumors (PR: 56.7%, CR: 36.5%) and tumors > 3 cm (PR: 45.2%, CR: 34.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: This single-arm meta-analysis confirms ECT\'s efficacy against superficial SCC, especially in primary tumors and those ≤ 3 cm in diameter. The study highlights the impact of tumor location and response evaluation on ECT\'s benefits, warranting further investigation through additional research.

Secondary tumors of the ampulla of Vater are exceedingly rare and associated with relatively poor prognosis. Tumors of the ampulla are classified into four distinct subtypes based on the location and involvement of surrounding structures. Most reported cases are of renal cell or malignant skin melanoma primary with only five previously reported cases of breast primary found in a literature review. We present a 72-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer to the ampulla of Vater as well as multiple bones. She had a history of breast cancer status post bilateral mastectomy and chemo 27 years prior. She presented to the hospital with altered mental status and was found to have an acute liver injury. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a distended gallbladder and an indeterminate left retroperitoneal mass concerning for cystic or necrotic lymphadenopathy. Endoscopy then showed an edematous and erythematous periampullary region, which was biopsied and returned positive for carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining of the retroperitoneal mass returned positive for keratin, estrogen receptor, GATA3, and MOC31 and negative for progesterone receptor, WT1, calretinin, and E-cadherin. The periampullary region\'s immunohistochemistry returned positive for pankeratin (AE1/AE3) and CD138 and negative for CD45 and S100, supporting a diagnosis of primary breast carcinoma. The average time from diagnosis of breast cancer to metastasis was found to be 2.5 years. Endoscopic visual presentation of metastatic cancer to the ampulla is indistinguishable from that of primary cancers. Thus, a biopsy with cytology and immunohistochemical analysis is necessary for diagnosis. Management of secondary ampullary tumors requires a multidisciplinary team, including gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, and often palliative care. Secondary tumors have been found to be treated by any combination of Whipple\'s resections, chemotherapy, drainage/stenting, and endoscopic ampullectomy.

BACKGROUND: Palliative treatment has been associated with improved quality of life and survival for a wide variety of metastatic cancers. However, it is unclear whether the benefits of palliative treatment are uniformly experienced across the US cancer population. We evaluated patterns and outcomes of palliative treatment based on socioeconomic, sociodemographic and treating facility characteristics.
METHODS: Patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2019 with Stage IV primary cancer of nine organ sites were analyzed in the National Cancer Database. The association between identified variables, and outcomes concerning the administration of palliative treatment were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models.
RESULTS: Overall 238,995 (23.6%) of Stage IV patients received palliative treatment, which increased over time for all cancers (from 20.7% in 2008 to 25.6% in 2019). Palliative treatment utilization differed significantly by region (West less than Northeast, OR: 0.55 [0.54-0.56], p < 0.001) and insurance payer status (uninsured greater than private insurance, OR: 1.35 [1.32-1.39], p < 0.001). Black race and Hispanic ethnicity were also associated with lower rates of palliative treatment compared to White and non-Hispanics respectively (OR for Blacks: 0.91 [0.90-0.93], p < 0.001 and OR for Hispanics: 0.79 [0.77-0.81] p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: There are important differences in the utilization of palliative treatment across different populations in the United States. A better understanding of variability in palliative treatment use and outcomes may identify opportunities to improve informed decision making and optimize quality of care at the end-of-life.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular metastases arising from solid tumors are found in approximately 2% of patients with metastatic tumor diseases and are therefore more frequent than originally assumed. They often affect the uvea and are associated with a poor prognosis. Due to the difficult diagnosis and an inconsistent treatment regimen, ophthalmologists have a special responsibility here.
OBJECTIVE: This article gives a summary of the various types of intraocular metastases with respect to clinical features, diagnostics, treatment and prognosis as well as recommendations for follow-up care.
METHODS: A selective literature search was carried out on the topic of intraocular metastases using PubMed and Google Scholar.
RESULTS: Intraocular metastases most frequently affect the uvea, specifically the choroid. In most cases the underlying disease is breast or lung cancer, but other rarer primary tumors have also been reported in the literature. Metastatic lesions can show very different morphological manifestations but can be distinguished based on the corresponding structure of manifestation in the eye and with the aid of targeted staging, thus providing valid information on the type of primary tumor. The treatment is partly experimental and usually depends on the primary tumor and leading symptoms of the patient. A differentiation between a curative or palliative treatment situation must always be made.
CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular metastases are the most frequent intraocular tumor and are usually associated with a poor prognosis. Accurate diagnostics for finding the treatment as well as interdisciplinary collaboration and the presentation of the patient on the tumor board are essential.
UNASSIGNED: HINTERGRUND: Intraokuläre Metastasen solider Tumoren finden sich bei ca. 2 % aller Patienten mit metastasierter Tumorerkrankung und sind damit häufiger als ursprünglich angenommen. Sie betreffen oft die Uvea und sind mit einer schlechten Prognose assoziiert. Aufgrund der erschwerten Diagnose und eines nicht einheitlichen Therapieregimes besteht hier eine besondere Verantwortung der Augenheilkunde.
UNASSIGNED: Es wird eine Zusammenfassung der verschiedenen intraokulären Metastasen in Bezug auf Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Prognose sowie Empfehlung der Nachsorge gegeben.
METHODS: Es erfolgte eine selektive Literaturrecherche zum Thema intraokuläre Metastasen mittels PubMed und Google Scholar.
UNASSIGNED: Intraokuläre Metastasen betreffen am häufigsten die Uvea, genauer die Choroidea. Meist liegt ein Mamma- oder Lungenkarzinom zugrunde, aber auch andere, seltenere Primarien sind in der Literatur beschrieben. Die metastatischen Läsionen können sich sehr unterschiedlich darstellen, lassen sich aber durch die entsprechende Manifestationsstruktur am Auge und mithilfe eines zielgerichteten Stagings voneinander abgrenzen und können so gute Hinweise auf die Art des Primarius liefern. Die Therapie ist teils experimentell und richtet sich meist nach dem Primarius und führenden Symptomen der Patient:innen. Es muss immer zwischen einer kurativen und palliativen Therapiesituation unterschieden werden.
UNASSIGNED: Intraokuläre Metastasen sind der häufigste intraokuläre Tumor und meist mit einer schlechten Prognose assoziiert. Eine genaue Diagnostik zur Therapiefindung genauso wie die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit und die Vorstellung des/der Patient:in im Tumorboard sind essenziell.

OBJECTIVE: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is an aggressive disease. Yet, many patients, especially those with advanced age and multiple comorbidities, do not receive treatment with curative intent. We evaluated the disease course and health care burden of these patients.
METHODS: Bi-center, retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who did not undergo curative-intent treatment (radical cystectomy or trimodal therapy) between 2016 and 2021. Patient characteristics and treatment burden were described. Metastasis-free, cancer-specific, and overall survivals were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
RESULTS: Sixty-six patients with a median age of 86 (IQR 78,90) were evaluated. The median follow-up for survivors was 29 months (IQR 9, 44). All patients were diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and 32 (48%) presented with clinical T3 and T4 disease. The median age adjusted Charlson comorbidity index at diagnosis was 7 (IQR 6,8). Treatment with curative intent was not provided due to comorbidities and low-performance status in 58 patients (88%) and patient refusal in 8 (12%). Two-year estimated metastasis-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were 11%, 18%, and 12%, respectively. During follow-up, 7 patients (10%) were treated with chemotherapy, 4 (6%) received immunotherapy, 21 (32%) radiation, and 17 (26%) had emergent operations due to hematuria. Twenty-four patients (37%) required nephrostomy tubes, and 39 (59%) required an indwelling urinary catheter for various periods. Forty-three patients (65%) suffered from recurrent hematuria episodes. Overall, median emergency room visits were 4 (IQR 2, 6), and median hospital admission was 16 days (IQR 9, 29).
CONCLUSIONS: Untreated muscle-invasive bladder cancer is associated with a limited lifespan and a high disease burden for the patient and health system. These data should be taken into consideration and portrayed to the patient when curative intent treatment is chosen to be avoided.