PURPOSE: The prevalence of breast cancer is increasing in low- to middle-income countries such as Senegal. Our prospective study assessed the quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Senegal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy as initial treatment at the Center Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar. Clinical, sociodemographic, and QoL data were collected and analyzed at three different times: baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after the start of systemic therapy. Health-related QoL was assessed using a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapies-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire after translation into the Wolof language. Linear mixed-effects models were performed to assess the changes in QoL scores. RESULTS: Between July 2017 and February 2018, 120 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 45 years. Most patients (n = 105; 92%) had locally advanced disease (T3 to T4 stage) and lymph node involvement (n = 103; 88%), and half had metastatic disease. The FACT-B total scores significantly improved over time (β = 1.58; 95% CI, 0.50 to 2.67; P < .01). Nausea and vomiting were significantly associated with a decrease in FACT-B total scores (β = −16.89, 95% CI, −29.58 to −4.24, P = .012; and β = −13.44, 95% CI, −25.15 to −1.72, P = .028, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the feasibility of standardized QoL assessment in Senegalese patients with breast cancer. Our results indicated a potential improvement of QoL over the course of chemotherapy. Optimizing nausea and vomiting prevention may improve QoL.

Purpose: Lip carcinoma represents one of the most common types of head and neck cancer. Brachytherapy is a highly effective therapeutic option for all stages of lip cancers. We report our experience of pulsed dose rate brachytherapy (PDR) as treatment of lip carcinoma. Methods and Materials: this retrospective single center study included all consecutive patients treated for a lip PDR brachytherapy in our institution from 2010 to 2019. The toxicities and outcomes of the patients were reported, and a retrospective quality of life assessment was conducted by phone interviews (FACT H&N). Results: From October 2010 to December 2019, 38 patients were treated in our institution for a lip carcinoma by PDR brachytherapy. The median age was 73, and the majority of patients presented T1-T2 tumors (79%). The median total dose was 70.14 Gy (range: 60–85 Gy). With a mean follow-up of 35.4 months, two patients (5.6%) presented local failure, and seven patients (19%) had lymph node progression. The Kaplan–Meier estimated probability of local failure was 7.2% (95% CI: 0.84–1) at two and four years. All patients encountered radiomucitis grade II or higher. The rate of late toxicities was low: three patients (8.3%) had grade II fibrosis, and one patient had grade II chronic pain. All patients would highly recommend the treatment. The median FACT H&N total score was 127 out of 148, and the median FACT H&N Trial Outcome Index was 84. Conclusions: This study confirms that an excellent local control rate is achieved with PDR brachytherapy as treatment of lip carcinoma, with very limited late side effects and satisfactory functional outcomes. A multimodal approach should help to improve regional control.

Un myofibroblastome de type mammaire est une tumeur molle rare; les myofibroblastomes extra-mammaires sont particulièrement rare. Un homme de 78 ans s´est présenté en consultation pour des douleurs pelviennes soulagées par la défécation ou les urines. Le toucher rectal retrouve une masse en avant de la paroi rectale antérieure. L´IRM montre une masse de 10 x 6 x 8cm, bien circonscrite et hétérogène, située en arrière de la vessie qu´elle refoule vers l´avant, en avant du recto-sigmoïde. L´immunohistochimie montre des cellules tumorales co-exprimant CD34 et la desmine de façon diffuse, expression de Rb dans la majorité des cellules, expression des récepteurs aux œstrogènes, expression intense et diffuse de la P16, un index de prolifération avec le ki67 estimé à 25%. Il n´y a pas eu de récidive après 8 mois de radiothérapie d´induction suivie de chirurgie. Un myofibroblastome de type mammaire est une tumeur rare et bénigne. La récidive n´est quasiment pas observée après traitement local. Ce cas permet de mettre en avance la possibilité d´utiliser la radiothérapie afin de faciliter la chirurgie.

Radiotherapy r5emains a cornerstone of treatment for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer, yet substantial heterogeneity persists in oncological outcomes and treatment-related toxicity. Increasing evidence suggests that systemic inflammation, immune microenvironment characteristics, and tumor-specific molecular features contribute to these variations and may provide clinically relevant biomarkers. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding immunological and inflammatory biomarkers in prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy, focusing on their biological rationale, prognostic significance, predictive potential, and clinical applicability. Circulating biomarkers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and cytokines such as IL-6 and TGF-β1, have been associated with oncological outcomes and toxicity in several studies. However, their interpretation remains limited by biological nonspecificity, methodological heterogeneity, variable cutoff definitions, and lack of prospective validation. Within the tumor microenvironment, immune cell populations, including CD8 ⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, regulatory T cells, CD163 ⁺ macrophages, and immune checkpoint molecules, provide insights into tumor–immune interactions and radiotherapy-induced immune modulation. Emerging biomarkers such as extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and microRNAs offer promising opportunities for disease monitoring and treatment adaptation, although most evidence remains preliminary, particularly in localized disease. In contrast, genomic classifiers such as Decipher, Prolaris, and OncotypeDX currently represent the most clinically mature biomarker platforms for risk stratification and treatment decision support. Although several biomarkers demonstrate biological plausibility and prognostic value, few have sufficient clinical validation to guide routine radiotherapy decision-making. Future multicenter prospective studies, standardized biomarker assessment protocols, and integrated approaches combining clinical, imaging, molecular, and immune data are required to enable clinically actionable precision radiotherapy strategies.