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This study aims to review the current evidence on the utility of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with or without transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ESHCC) patients not amenable to standard curative treatment options. MethodsLiterature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Comparative studies reporting oncologic outcomes were included in the review. ResultsFour studies (one prospective cohort, three retrospective studies) compared SBRT versus TACE. Pooled analysis showed an overall survival (OS) bene t after three years (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.17-2.39, p = 0.005) which persisted in the 5-year data (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06-2.39, p = 0.02) in favor of SBRT. Recurrence-free survival bene t with SBRT was also seen at three years (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.03-4.11, p = 0.04) which continued after ve years (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.47-3.75, p = 0.0004). Two retrospective studies compared TACE followed by SBRT (TACE + SBRT) versus TACE alone. Pooled analysis showed signi cantly improved 3year OS (OR 5.47;, p < 0.0001) and local control (LC) (OR: 21.05; 95% CI 5.01-88.39, p = < 0.0001) in favor of the TACE + SBRT group. A phase III study showed signi cantly improved LC and progression-free survival with SBRT after failed TACE/TAE versus further TACE/TAE.

Introduction: Quality-of-life (QOL) is paramount in clinical decision-making in the management of prostate cancer patients. The expanded prostate index composite (EPIC) is a widely used and well-validated QOL tool that allows for the evaluation of bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal domains. A Filipino translation was previously lacking. We describe the development and pilot testing of the Filipino translation of the EPIC (EPIC-F). Methodology:The EPIC-32 was translated into Filipino using iterative forward and backward procedures with checks for semantic congruency. The translation was then evaluated by an expert panel consisting of a prostate cancer survivor and pertinent health professionals. A focused group discussion (FGD) was conducted to explore sources of difficulty of use to guide improvement. Results:The linguistically validated translation was evaluated to have cultural relevancy, adequacy, and representativeness by the expert panel, and to have good understandability and answerability by a representative pilot cohort of prostate cancer patients. Seven unsatisfactory items were identified, all pertaining to the sexual domain, and required minimal revision on review during the FGD. Conclusion:The EPIC-F is a linguistically and culturally validated version of the EPIC 32, with good understandability and answerability, permitting clinical use. Its psychometric properties need to be determined to define its utility in clinical research.

PURPOSE The study reports on the current perception of medical and radiation oncologists regarding teleconsultation in the Philippines. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of telemedicine was not widespread. With movement restrictions imposed during the pandemic, physicians were compelled to use telemedicine. It is uncertain whether physicians will still adopt its use in practice in the post–COVID-19 era. This study gives insight into the possible adaptation of this mode of consultation in the future, especially in areas with limited health care resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a national survey among medical oncologists and radiation oncologists in the Philippines. A 43-item online survey was developed, validated, and administered to the oncologists. The demographics and data from categorical questions were reported as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS A total of 142 responses were gathered from 82 medical oncologists and 60 radiation oncologists. There was agreement among participants that, during the pandemic, teleconsultation could be used for the first visit, diagnostic workup request, treatment explanation, follow-up care, and chronic disease management. There was disagreement whether cancer diagnosis disclosure and cancer prognosis revelation could be performed via teleconsultation, and there was agreement that emergency consultation and physical examination would warrant a face-to-face consultation. After the COVID-19 pandemic, 78.7% intend to continue using teleconsultation except for emergency consultations, first visits, physical examination, diagnosis disclosure, and cancer prognosis revelation. CONCLUSION Teleconsultation was perceived by oncologists as an acceptable method of providing cancer care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Oncologists also intend to use teleconsultation in the post–COVID-19 era in certain aspects of patient care.

Purpose This study aims to review the current evidence on the utility of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with or without transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ESHCC) patients not amenable to standard curative treatment options. Methods Literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Comparative studies reporting oncologic outcomes were included in the review. Results Four studies (one prospective cohort, three retrospective studies) compared SBRT versus TACE. Pooled analysis showed an overall survival (OS) benefit after three years (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.17–2.39, p = 0.005) which persisted in the 5-year data (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06–2.39, p = 0.02) in favor of SBRT. Recurrence-free survival benefit with SBRT was also seen at three years (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.03–4.11, p = 0.04) which continued after five years (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.47–3.75, p = 0.0004). Two retrospective studies compared TACE followed by SBRT (TACE + SBRT) versus TACE alone. Pooled analysis showed significantly improved 3-year OS (OR 5.47; 95% CI 2.47–12.11, p < 0.0001) and local control (LC) (OR: 21.05; 95% CI 5.01–88.39, p = < 0.0001) in favor of the TACE + SBRT group. A phase III study showed significantly improved LC and progression-free survival with SBRT after failed TACE/TAE versus further TACE/TAE. Conclusions In ESHCC patients not amenable to established SOC, SBRT alone or the combination of TACE + SBRT appears to be more effective than TACE alone. SBRT after TACE/TAE failure also appears to be superior to further TACE/TAE based on a phase III trial. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further define the role of SBRT and TACE for ESHCC.