Browsing by Author "Akyurek, Serap"

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Evaluation of Nutritional Status and Anxiety Levels in Patients Applying to the Radiation Oncology Outpatient Clinic during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology Group Study (TROD 12:02)
(2022) Caloglu, Vuslat Yurut; Akmansu, Muge; Yalman, Deniz; Gul, Sule Karabulut; Kocak, Zafer; Alicikus, Zumre Arican; Serarslan, Alparslan; Akyurek, Serap; Mustafayev, Teuta Zoto; Demiroz, Candan; Oksuz, Didem Colpan; Kanyilmaz, Gul; Altinok, Pelin; Saglam, Esra Kaytan; Balkanay, Ayben Yentek; Akboru, Halil; Keven, Emine; Yildirim, Berna; Onal, Cem; Igdem, Sefik; Ozkan, Emre; Ozdener, Fatih; Caloglu, Murat; 35792709
Cancer patients often face malnutrition, which negatively affects their response to cancer treatment. This study aims to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutritional status and anxiety in cancer patients with different types and stages of cancer. This is a cross-sectional cohort study that includes 1,252 patients with varying cancer types from 17 radiation oncology centers. The nutritional risk scores (NRS-2002) and coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) scores of all patients were measured. NRS-2002 >= 3 and CAS >= 5 were accepted as values at risk. Of all patients, 15.3% had NRS-2002 >= 3. Breast cancer was the most prevalent cancer type (24.5%) with the lowest risk of nutrition (4.9%, p < 0.001). Nutritional risk was significantly higher in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer (p < 0.005) and in patients with stage IV disease (p < 0.001). High anxiety levels (CAS >= 5) were significantly related to voluntary avoidance and clinical postponement of hospital visits due to the pandemic (p < 0.001), while clinical postponement was particularly frequent among patients with NRS-2002 < 3 (p = 0.0021). Fear and anxiety in cancer patients with COVID-19 cause hesitations in visiting hospitals, leading to disrupted primary and nutritional treatments. Thus, nutritional monitoring and treatment monitoring of cancer patients are crucial during and after radiotherapy.
Lung Cancer in Turkey
(2022) Cangir, Ayten Kayi; Yumuk, Perran Fulden; Sak, Serpil Dizbay; Akyurek, Serap; Eralp, Yesim; Yilmaz, Ulku; Selek, Ugur; Eroglu, Atilla; Tatli, Ali Murat; Dincbas, Fazilet Oner; Kilickap, Saadettin; Sendur, Mehmet Ali Nahit; Dilektasli, Asli Gorek; Bozcuk, Hakan Sat; Ozkok, Serdar; Oztop, Ilhan; Topkan, Erkan; Dilege, Sukru; Kaya, Akin; Demirkazik, Ahmet; 36192076
A multi-institutional analysis of sequential versus 'sandwich' adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage IIIC endometrial carcinoma
(2019) Onal, Cem; Sari, Sezin Yuce; Yildirim, Berna Akkus; Yavas, Guler; Gultekin, Melis; Guler, Ozan Cem; Akyurek, Serap; Yildiz, Ferah; 0000-0002-2742-9021; 30887753; D-5195-2014
Objective: To analyze the outcomes of sequential or sandwich chemotherapy (ChT) and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with node-positive endometrial cancer (EC). Methods: Data from 4 centers were collected retrospectively for 179 patients with stage IIIC EC treated with postoperative RT and ChT (paclitaxel and carboplatin). Patients were either treated with 6 cycles of ChT followed by RT (sequential arm; 96 patients) or with 3 cycles of ChT, RT, and an additional 3 cycles of ChT (sandwich arm; 83 patients). Prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results: The 5-year OS and PFS rates were 64% and 59%, respectively, with a median followup of 41 months (range, 5-167 months). The 5-year OS rates were significantly higher in the sandwich than sequential arms (74% vs. 56%; p=0.03) and the difference for 5-year PFS rates was nearly significant (65% vs. 54%; p=0.05). In univariate analysis, treatment strategy, age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, pathology, rate of myometrial invasion, and grade were prognostic factors for OS and PFS. In multivariate analysis, non-endometrioid histology, advanced FIGO stage, and adjuvant sequential ChT and RT were negative predictors for OS, whereas only non-endometrioid histology was a prognostic factor for PFS. Conclusion: Postoperative adjuvant ChT and RT for stage IIIC EC patients, either given sequentially or sandwiched, offers excellent clinical efficacy and acceptably low toxicity. Our data support the superiority of the sandwich regimen compared to the sequential strategy in stage IIIC EC patients for OS.
National Multi-Center Observational Retrospective Study to Understand Treatment Patterns and Outcomes for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Turkey: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology Study, STONE Trial
(2022) Onal, Cem; Demiral, Ayse Nur; Atalar, Banu; Yalman, Deniz; Dagoglu, Nergiz; Hurmuz, Pervin; Erpolat, Petek; Akyurek, Serap; Gul, Sute Karabulut; Berber, Tanju; Guler, Ozan Cem; Umay, Cenk; Sert, Fatma; Karahacioglu, Eray; Birgi, Sumerya Duru; Yaprak, Gokhan; Saglam, Esra Kaytan
This study investigated treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiotherapy (RT) in Turkey. We included 492 patients with stage III NSCLC in this multi-center retrospective study. Pa-tient demographics, clinical characteristics, and clinical treatment patterns from the time of the initial diagnosis to disease progression were recorded. Additionally, the prognostic factors predicting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. For the initial treatment, 429 patients (89.2%) received chemotherapy and RT, whereas 53 patients (10.8%) were treated only with RT. The first disease progression occurred in 288 patients (58.4%) at 9.3 months (median) after the initial treatment, and 64.6% re-ceived treatment after first progression. The second disease progression occurred in 30 patients, and 20 patients (66.7%) received treatment. Median OS and PFS were 27.0 months and 13.4 months, respectively. Age (p< 0.001), stage (p= 0.04), poor performance score (PS) (p= 0.03) and RT doses (p= 0.002) were independent predictors for OS and PFS in our multivariate analysis. Additional significant predictors for OS in the multivariate analysis were gender (p= 0.004), treatment period (0.02), and irradiation technique (p= 0.02). Disease progression occurred in nearly 58% of the patients, and one-third of these patients remained untreated during the disease progression. These findings indicate a need for additional treatment options in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC with high-risk features, namely older age, stage IIIB disease, poor PS, and lower RT doses.
Outcome and Safety Analysis of Endometrial Cancer Patients Treated with Postoperative 3D-Conformal Radiotherapy or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy
(2021) Onal, Cem; Sari, Sezin Yuce; Yavas, Guler; Oymak, Ezgi; Birgi, Sumerya Duru; Yigit, Ecem; Guler, Ozan Cem; Gultekin, Melis; Akyurek, Serap; Yildiz, Ferah; 33999750
Background We sought to analyze the toxicity rates and the treatment outcomes in endometrial cancer (EC) patients treated with postoperative three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Material and methods The clinical data of 646 EC patients treated with postoperative adjuvant 3DCRT (265 patients, 41%) or with IMRT (381 patients, 59%) between April 2007 and August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoints were treatment-related acute and late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities. The secondary endpoints were LC and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results Median follow-up time was 37 months. The rates for acute GI and GU toxicities of any grade for the entire group were 55.6% and 46.8%, respectively. Acute grade >= 2 GI toxicity was significantly less in patients treated with IMRT compared to those treated with 3DCRT (11.0% vs. 19.2%, p=.004). However, no significant difference grade >= 2 GU toxicities was observed between the 3DCRT and IMRT groups (15.1% vs. 11.0%; p=.15). Acute grade >= 2 GI and GU toxicities were higher in patients receiving systemic chemotherapy, while paraaortic field irradiation increases only the risk of acute grade >= 2 GI toxicity. Estimated 3-year late grade >= 3 GI toxicity rates in the 3DCRT- and IMRT-treated patients were 4.6% and 1.9% (p= .03), respectively. The patients treated with adjuvant ChT had higher rates of late serious GI complications than those without adjuvant ChT. No significant difference in terms of survival and disease control was observed between the 3DCRT and IMRT treatment groups. No significant factor for LC was found in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion In this multicentric study involving one of largest patient population, we found that IMRT-treated EC patients showed comparable clinical outcomes but with a lower incidence of GI toxicities compared with those treated with 3DCRT.
Prognostic Significance of Serum Human Epididymis Protein 4 Level in Patients with Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer who Underwent Definitive Chemo-Radiotherapy
(2022) Yavas, Guler; Birgi, Sumerya Duru; Unlu, Ali; Yavas, Cagdas; Duzova, Mursel; Akyurek, Serap
We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) level in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) who underwent definitive chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). A hundred seventeen patients with the diagnosis of LA-NSCLC were enrolled. The serum concentrations of HE4 were measured at the beginning of CRT, at the end of CRT, and 3 months after the completion of CRT. The median follow-up period was 21.7 months (range, 5.4-39.8 months). The mean serum HE4 levels prior to CRT, at the end of the CRT, and 3rd month after the completion of CRT were 159.2, 130.2, and 127.5, respectively (p= 0.023). The median progression free survival (PFS) was 15.4 months. One, and two-year PFS rates were 58.1%, and 22.2%, respectively. One, and two-year expected survival rates were 81.2%, and 62%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, stage (p= 0.002), HE4 levels after 3 months of CRT (p= 0.037) were predictive of OS. Stage IIIC patients had 10.2 times likely to death when compared to stage IIIA patients (95%CI: 2.3-45.7; p= 0.037). The increase of 1 HE4 levels after 3 months of CRT increased the mortality rate 1.002 (95%CI: 1.000-1.0004; p= 0.037). In multivariate analysis stage was predictive of PFS. When compared to stage IIIA patients, stage IIIC patients have 2.5 times risk for progression (95% CI: 1.2-5.2; p= 0.014). Our findings suggested that serum HE4 may be an important prognostic biomarker for LA-NSCLC patients. This issue warrants further prospective studies with more patient populations.
Role of Consolidative Thoracic Radiotherapy for Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: Trod Thoracic Oncology Study Group 08-006 Multi-institutional Study
(2022) Yavas, Guler; Kirakli, Esra Korkmaz; Dagdelen, Meltem; Topkan, Erkan; Saynak, Mert; Dincbas, Fazilet Oner; OzdemIr, Yurday; Yavas, Cagdas; Birgi, Sumerya Duru; Akyurek, Serap
OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the role of consolidative thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). METHODS The clinical data for 151 patients with the diagnosis of ES-SCLC treated with consolidative TRT from six different hospitals from Turkey analyzed. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 36-83 years). The median dose of radiotherapy (RT) was 45 Gy (range: 30-66 Gy) applied in median 25 fractions (range 10-34 fractions). For 151 assessable patients, the median survival time (MST) was 14 months (range: 12.6-15.3). The patients who has complete response and partial response had 16 months, and 14 months of MST. In multivariate analyses prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) (p=0.011), female gender (p=0.017), and comorbidity (p=0.006) were found as significant parameters associated with survival. The MSTs were 12 months in patients without comorbidity, and 16 months for the patients with at least one comorbid disease. The patients who received PCI had improved MSTs when compared the ones without PCI (16 months vs. 12 months). There was a trend towards improved overall survival times in patients who received EQD2 >= 47 Gy RT doses (p=0.08). CONCLUSION Female gender, use of PCI, and unavailability of comorbid disease were associated with improved survival in ES-SLCL patients. There was a trend towards overall survival times in patients who received >= 47 Gy EQD2 doses; however, we believe that this statistical insignificance was related to our limited patient numbers.
Treatment outcome and prognostic factors for adult patients with medulloblastoma: The Rare Cancer Network (RCN) experience
(2018) Atalar, Banu; Ozsahin, Mahmut; Call, Jason; Napieralska, Aleksandra; Kamer, Serra; Villa, Salvador; Erpolat, Petek; Negretti, Laura; Lassen-Ramshad, Yasmin; Onal, Cem; Akyurek, Serap; Ugurluer, Gamze; Baumert, Brigitta G.; Servagi-Vernat, Stephanie; Miller, Robert C.; Ozyar, Enis; Sio, Terence T.; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2742-9021; 29373196; D-5195-2014
Background and purpose: The optimal treatment for adults with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma (MB) has not been defined. We report a large series of cases from the Rare Cancer Network. Material and methods: Thirteen institutions enrolled 206 MB patients who underwent postoperative radiotherapy (RT) between 1976 and 2014. Log-rank univariate and Cox-modeled multivariate analyses were used to analyze data collected. Results: Median patient age was 29 years; follow-up was 31 months. All patients had the tumor resected; surgery was complete in 140 (68%) patients. Postoperative RT was given in 202 (98%) patients, and 94% received craniospinal irradiation (CSI) and, usually, a posterior fossa boost. Ninety-eight (48%) patients had chemotherapy, mostly cisplatin and vincristine-based. The 10-year local control, overall survival, and disease-free survival rates were 46%, 51%, and 38%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >= 80 and CSI were significant for disease-free and overall survival (P <= .04 for all); receiving chemotherapy and KPS >= 80 correlated with better local-control rates. Conclusions: Patients with high KPS who received CSI had better rates of disease-free and overall survival. Chemotherapy was associated with better local control. These results may serve as a benchmark for future studies designed to improve outcomes for adults with medulloblastoma. (C) 2018 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved. Radiotherapy and Oncology 127 (2018) 96-102
Treatment outcomes of endometrial cancer patients with paraaortic lymph node metastasis: a multi-institutional analysis
(2019) Onal, Cem; Yildirim, Berna Akkus; Sari, Sezin Yuce; Yavas, Guler; Gultekin, Melis; Guler, Ozan Cem; Yildiz, Ferah; Akyurek, Serap; 0000-0002-2742-9021; 0000-0001-6908-3412; 30640689; D-5195-2014; AAC-5654-2020
Objective To analyze the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in endometrial cancer patients with paraaortic lymph node metastasis. Methods Data from four centers were collected retrospectively for 92 patients with endometrial cancer treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy or adjuvant radiotherapy alone postoperatively, delivered by either the sandwich or sequential method. Prognostic factors affecting overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed. Results The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 35 % and 33 %, respectively, after a median follow-up time of 33 months. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were significantly higher in patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy postoperatively compared with patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy alone (P < 0.001and P < 0.001, respectively). In a subgroup analysis of patients treated with adjuvant combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were significantly higher in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy via the sandwich method compared with patients treated with sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy (P = 0.02and P = 0.03, respectively). In the univariate analysis, in addition to treatment strategy, pathology, depth of myometrial invasion, and tumor grade were significant prognostic factors for both overall survival and progression-free survival. In the multivariate analysis, grade III disease, myometrial invasion greater than or equal to 50%, and adjuvant radiotherapy alone were negative predictors for both overall survival and progression-free survival. Conclusion We demonstrated that adjuvant combined treatment including radiotherapyand chemotherapy significantly increases overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared with postoperative pelvic and paraaortic radiotherapy.