Purpose Along with the improvement in the outcomes of breast cancer treatment being observed in the recent years, long-term studies to assess distant adverse effects of the treatment have become increasingly important. The objective of this study was to assess the foot posture in patients subjected to breast-conserving therapy. The assessment was made 5 years after the surgical procedure. Methods 116 female patients (mean age of 58.75 years) were qualified into a case–control study. Foot posture on the operated breast side (F1) as well as on the contralateral side (F2) was evaluated using a computer-based foot analysis tool as an extension of projection moiré-based podoscopic examination. Comparisons were made for the following parameters: limb load, L—foot length, W—foot width, L/W—Wejsflog index, ALPHA—hallux valgus angle, BETA—little toe varus angle, GAMMA—heel angle, KY—Sztriter–Godunov index, CL—Clarke’s angle, HW—heel width. Results Five years after BCT, patients placed higher load on the foot on the side of the healthy breast (p = 0.0011). No statistically significant differences were observed between F1 and F2 with respect to other foot posture parameters (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in foot posture parameters in patients having undergone BCT + ALND (axillary lymph node dissection) procedure as compared to patients subjected to BCT + SLNB (sentinel lymph node biopsy) procedure (p > 0.05). Conclusions No changes in foot posture were observed in patients 5 years after the BCT procedure. The type of the surgical procedure related to the lymph nodes within the axillary fossa has no effect on changes in foot posture.

Background and Objectives: Despite advances in treatment, local recurrence remains a great concern in patients with rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of local recurrence of rectal cancer in our single center over a 7-year-period. Materials and Methods: Patients with stage I-III rectal cancer were treated with curative intent. The necessity for radiotherapy and chemotherapy was determined before surgery and/or postoperative histopathological results. Results: Of 365 rectal cancer patients, 76 (20.8%) developed recurrent disease. In total, 27 (7.4%) patients presented with a local tumor recurrence (isolated in 40.7% of cases). Radiotherapy was performed in 296 (81.1%) patients. The most often used schema was 5 × 5 Gy followed by immediate surgery (n = 214, 58.6%). Local recurrence occurred less frequently in patients treated with 5 × 5 Gy radiotherapy followed by surgery (n = 9, 4%). Surgical procedures of relapses were performed in 12 patients, six of whom were operated with radical intent. Only two (7.4%) patients lived more than 5 years after local recurrence treatment. The incidence of local recurrence was associated with primary tumor distal location and worse prognosis. The median overall survival of patients after local recurrence treatment was 19 months. Conclusions: Individualized rectal cancer patient selection and systematic treatment algorithms should be used clinical practice to minimize likelihood of relapse. 5 × 5 Gy radiotherapy followed by immediate surgery allows good local control in resectable cT2N+/cT3N0 patients. Radical resection of isolated local recurrence offers the best chances of cure.

Aim of the study To assess the quality of life in patients treated for breast cancer who were 5 years after diagnosis and were active members of Breast Cancer Self-Help Groups. Material and methods The study had a non-randomized, cross-sectional design. We enrolled 167 women who were more...