Background Depression is one of the major psychiatric morbidities in cancer patients. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of depressive symptoms in the quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies treatments. Methods Observational, cross-sectional study conducted between April and November 2016. To evaluate the QoL, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaire were used. The patients were screened for depressive symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) and those with a positive HADS-D positive questionnaire were referenced to the Psychiatry and Mental Health Department for further assessment and follow-up. Results We included 45 female patients. Sixteen (35.6%) patients had a positive HADS-D questionnaire and depressive symptoms confirmed by a psychiatric physician. Of those patients, 7 (15.6%) had a major depressive episode confirmed by psychiatric interview. There was a significant association of depressive symptoms with the future perspectives scale ( p = 0.022), breast symptoms scale ( p = 0.011) and arm symptom scale ( p = 0.005). Significant differences were found in the fatigue ( p = 0.024), pain ( p = 0.037) and dyspnea ( p = 0.009) subscales being worse in patients with depressive symptoms. The association between having depressive symptoms or not was shown to be significant or marginally significant for the variables stage of the tumour ( p = 0.057), presence of distant metastasis ( p = 0.072) and previous diagnosis of depression ( p = 0.011). The patients treated with regimens containing monoclonal antibodies presented better outcomes in various subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-B23 questionnaires than those patients treated with chemotherapy regimens without monoclonal antibodies. Conclusions Despite the small sample of our study, this study provided evidence that depressive symptoms in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies treatments detrimentally reduced various aspects of QoL.

Introduction  Fournier’s gangrene is a polymicrobial infection caused by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, which determine a fast and progressive necrotizing fasciitis, compromising mainly the perineal region and the genital region, being able to evolve to sepsis, multiple organ failure and death. Treatment consists of early surgical diagnosis and debridement, associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Objective  Compare the most prevalent epidemiological data of patients with Fournier's Syndrome with the data examined in the literature in order to evaluate the incidence in the analyzed service, treatment form and evolution of the patients with the disease. Materials and methods  Observational transversal study from the medical records of patients diagnosed with the disease at the São Vicente de Paulo Charity Hospital in Jundiaí, SP, from October 2016 to October 2018. Results  23 patients with Fournier’s Syndrome, all included in the study, and were analyzed. The most prevalent epidemiological data on the disease, such as age, sex, association with other comorbidities, treatment performed, mortality and early surgical procedure, had obtained a similar data as compared as the medical literature that was in studied. Conclusion  Despite the recognized severity of Fournier’s Syndrome, early diagnosis combined with extensive surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and measures and oxygen therapy when available are important measures to contain the rapid progression of the disease, thus decreasing its levels of mortality.

Introduction Cancer care providers have faced many challenges in delivering safe care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional survey-based study investigated the impact of the pandemic on clinical practices of Portuguese medical oncologists caring for patients with breast cancer. Methods An anonymous online survey comprising 42 questions gathered information regarding COVID-19 testing, treatment in (neo)adjuvant and metastatic settings, and other aspects of breast cancer management. Practices before and during the pandemic were compared, and potential differences in outcomes according to respondents’ regions, case volumes, and practice type were explored. Results Of 129 respondents, 108 worked in the public health system, giving a representative national picture of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported a reduction in visits for new cases of breast cancer, and there was a shift towards increased use of telemedicine. Clinical decision-making was largely unaffected in the most aggressive indications (i.e., triple-negative, HER2-positive, visceral crisis). The use of neoadjuvant therapy increased when access to surgery was difficult, whereas dose-dense regimens decreased, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor treatment decreased for less aggressive disease and increased for more aggressive disease. The use of oral formulations and metronomic chemotherapy regimens increased, and clinical trial participation decreased. Some differences by respondents’ region and case volume were noted. Conclusion Medical oncologists in Portugal implemented many changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which were logical and reasonable responses to the current healthcare emergency; however, the true impact on patient outcomes remains unknown. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40487-022-00191-7.

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All physical and psychological outcomes improved clinically meaningful in "fit" (non-responding by FTSTS) and unfit patients.Conclusions: Cancer-treatment related fatigue syndrome rehabilitation is both effective in endurance training responders and non-responders fpr psychological and social outcomes. Further research is justified testing different types of interventions tailored to subgroups.Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors.