Articles

Algorithms for molecular testing in solid tumours

BJMO - volume 13, issue 7, november 2019

A. Hébrant PhD, M. Lammens MD, PhD, C. Van den Broecke MD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, J. Van den Oord MD, PhD, A. Vanderstichele MD, PhD, A. Dendooven MD, PhD, P. Neven MD, PhD, K. Punie MD, PhD, G. Floris MD, PhD, J. Van der Meulen PhD, HA. Poirel MD, PhD, C. Dooms MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD, T. Boterberg MD, PhD, L. Brochez MD, PhD, M.C. Burlacu MD, G. Costante MD, D. Creytens MD, PhD, P. De Paepe MD, PhD, R. De Pauwn MD, B. Decallonne MD, PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, H. Denys MD, PhD, L. Ferdinande MD, PhD, R. Forsyth MD, PhD, M. Garmyn MD, PhD, T. Gevaert MD, PhD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, E. Govaerts MD, E. Hauben MD, PhD, J. Kerger MD, PhD, O. Kholmanskikh Van Criekingen MD, PhD, V. Kruse MD, PhD, Y. Lalami MD, L. Lapeire MD, PhD, P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, J.P. Machiels MD, PhD, B. Maes MD, PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, M. Remmelink MD, PhD, I. Salmon MD, PhD, R. Sciot MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, K. Van de Vijver MD, PhD, L. Van de Voorde MD, I. Van den Berghe MD, A. Van den Bruel MD, K. Vandecasteele MD, PhD, L. Vanwalleghem MD, K. Vermaelen MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, E. Wauters MD, B. Weynand MD, PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD

SUMMARY

In order to advise the Federal Government on the reimbursement of molecular tests related to Personalised Medicine in Oncology, the Commission of Personalised Medicine (ComPerMed), represented by Belgian experts, has developed a methodology to classify molecular testing in oncology. The different molecular tests per cancer type are represented in algorithms and are annotated with a test level reflecting their relevance based on current guidelines, drug approvals and clinical data. The molecular tests are documented with recent literature, guidelines and a brief technical description. This methodology was applied on different solid tumours for which molecular testing is a clear clinical need.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(7):286–95)

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Belgian consensus guidelines for prostate core needle biopsy reporting

BJMO - volume 12, issue 6, october 2018

T. Gevaert MD, PhD, L. Libbrecht MD, PhD, E. Lerut MD, PhD, B. Weynand MD, PhD, M. Lammens MD, PhD, S. Verschuere , C. Mattelaer MD, B. Lelie MD, J. Eben , L. Martinez , M-A. van Caillie , S. Rorive MD, PhD, S. Verbeke , M. Baldewijns MD, PhD

The Belgian Working Group on Uropathology has agreed upon a dataset for prostate core needle biopsy reporting, based on existing international guidelines, recent scientific insights, national survey analysis and panel discussion, with the focus on a user- and receptor-friendly format. This dataset should encourage standardised structured reporting of prostate biopsies in the Belgian healthcare system, aiming to improve the quality of individual pathology reports and to provide real benefit for the clinical management of patients and secondary users. Therefore the Belgian Working Group on Uropathology recommends implementing this dataset in each Belgian pathology lab, in close consultation with the entire clinical team involved in the treatment of the prostate cancer patient.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2018;12(6):279–286)

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TPFE (docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-FU and cetuximab) for recurrent mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland: an aggressive strategy for an aggressive disease

BJMO - volume 11, issue 8, december 2017

A.R. Garcia MD, C. van Laer MD, D. van den Weyngaert , T. van den Wyngaert , M. Lammens MD, PhD, P. Specenier MD, PhD, J.B. Vermorken MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The prognosis of patients with advanced malignant salivary gland cancer is usually poor. Systemic therapy combined with best supportive care is recommended for patients with metastatic or recurrent advanced salivary gland cancer ineligible for surgery or radiotherapy. Sensitivity to chemotherapy is thought to be histotype specific. However, to date, none of the systemic therapies, whether cytotoxic or non cytotoxic, can be considered standard for these tumours.

We report the case of a 43 year-old male patient with a third (loco)regional recurrence and metastases in lymph nodes below the clavicles of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the right parotid gland. He participated in a feasibility study and was treated with 3-weekly cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil plus weekly cetuximab (TPFE). After four TPFE cycles, additional radiation was given to the left neck. A complete response was reached which is ongoing for ten years. TPFE induced acute toxicities: skin rash grade 3, hypotension grade 3, neutropenia grade 3, anaemia grade 2 and alopecia grade 2. This observation underlines the importance of offering patients the possibility to participate in clinical trials. International collaboration for rare head and neck cancers, such as mucoepidermoid carcinoma, is urgently needed.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2017;11(8):386-392)

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