Medicine is a rapidly-evolving discipline, with progress picking up pace with each passing decade. This constant evolution results in the introduction of new tools and methods, which in turn occasionally leads to paradigm shifts across the affected medical fields. The following review attempts to showcase how 3D printing has begun to reshape and improve processes across various medical specialties and where it has the potential to make a significant impact. The current state-of-the-art, as well as real-life clinical applications of 3D printing, are reflected in the perspectives of specialists practicing in the selected disciplines, with a focus on pre-procedural planning, simulation (rehearsal) of non-routine procedures, and on medical education and training. A review of the latest multidisciplinary literature on the subject offers a general summary of the advances enabled by 3D printing. Numerous advantages and applications were found, such as gaining better insight into patient-specific anatomy, better pre-operative planning, mock simulated surgeries, simulation-based training and education, development of surgical guides and other tools, patient-specific implants, bioprinted organs or structures, and counseling of patients. It was evident that pre-procedural planning and rehearsing of unusual or difficult procedures and training of medical professionals in these procedures are extremely useful and transformative.

Due to the rarity of high-grade gliomas (HGG) in children, data on this topic are scarce. The study aimed to investigate the long-term results of treatment of children with HGG and to identify factors related to better survival. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated for HGG who had the main tumor located outside the brainstem. The evaluation of factors that correlated with better survival was performed with the Cox proportional-hazard model. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method. The study group consisted of 82 consecutive patients. All of them underwent surgery as primary treatment. Chemotherapy was applied in 93% of children with one third treated with temozolomide. After or during the systemic treatment, 79% of them received radiotherapy with a median dose of 54 Gy. Median follow-up was 122 months, and during that time, 59 patients died. One-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival was 78%, 48%, 30% and 17%, respectively. Patients with radical (R0) resection and temozolomide-based chemotherapy had better overall survival. Progression-free survival was better in patients after R0 resection and radical radiotherapy. The best outcome in HGG patients was observed in patients after R0 resection with immediate postoperative temozolomide-based chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy.

Uterine endometrial stromal sarcomas including true low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS) and high-grade (HG-ESS) or undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma (UES) constitute a group of rare, aggressive malignancies. Most LG-ESSs express steroid receptors. Surgery is the principal primary therapy for endometrial stromal sarcomas and should be considered in all cases. These malignancies are relatively radio- and chemoresistant. Chemotherapy is used in recurrent and advanced HG-ESS and UES. Currently, the combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel is considered the most effective regimen, but at the expense of substantial toxicity. In steroid receptor positive advanced LG-ESS hormonal therapy, mainly with progestins, allows in some patients for a long-term survival. Aromatase inhibitors seem to be equally effective as first- and subsequent-line of treatment, and are well tolerated. The role of molecular-targeted therapies in endometrial stromal sarcomas remains to be established.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC), defined as the infiltration of the leptomeninges by cancer cells, is a rare oncological event with the most common etiology being breast cancer (BC), lung cancer, and melanoma. Despite innovations in radiotherapy (RT), firm evidence of its impact on survival is lacking, and concerns are related to its possible neurotoxicity. Owing to a paucity of data, the optimal treatment strategy for LC remains unknown. This review discusses current approaches, indications, and contraindications for various forms of RT for LC in BC. A separate section is dedicated to new RT techniques, such as proton therapy. We also summarize ongoing clinical trials evaluating the role of RT in patients with LC.

In 2018, Polish Society of Radiation Oncology formed a young section (yPTRO), dedicated to radiation oncologists under the age of 40. To evaluate their current situation, an anonymous, nationwide, online survey was carried out. Thirty-two-item-based questionnaire investigated young radiation oncologists’ perception of employment, workload, education, malpractice lawsuits, scientific research, and board exam. A total of 44 physicians responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 25%. Results of the survey identified the main problematic areas. In general, young radiation oncologists in Poland are overloaded with bureaucracy. They complain on spending too much time at work and lack work-life balance. The risk of being sued for medical error is threatening two-thirds of responders in everyday work. Compensation is not satisfying for nearly half of the survey participants. Nearly all young radiation oncologists continue education and participate in national and international educational events. Forty-eight percent of responders do scientific research alongside clinical work. However, the perception of young radiation oncologists on the board exam is alarming and requires further discussion. Fifty-five percent of the survey participants think that current form of the exam is not appropriate. Hopefully, 75% of physicians feel fairly evaluated. The presented report is the first of its kind in Poland. Issues mentioned in our questionnaire will help newly formed yPTRO to develop strategic priorities for the upcoming years.