BIODOSIMETRY AND BIODOSIMETRY NETWORKS FOR MANAGING RADIATION EMERGENCY

Biological dosimetry enables individual dose reconstruction in the case of unclear or inconsistent radiation exposure situations, especially when a direct measurement of ionizing radiation is not or is no longer possible. To be prepared for large-scale radiological incidents, networking between well-trained laboratories has been identified as a useful approach for provision of the fast and trustworthy dose assessments needed in such circumstances. To this end, various biodosimetry laboratories worldwide have joined forces and set up regional and/or nationwide networks either on a formal or informal basis. Many of these laboratories are also a part of global networks such as those organized by World Health Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency or Global Health Security Initiative. In the present report, biodosimetry networks from different parts of the world are presented, and the partners, activities and cooperation actions are detailed. Moreover, guidance for situational application of tools used for individual dosimetry is given.

Inpatient burden of esophageal cancer and analysis of factors affecting in-hospital mortality and length of stay

Esophageal cancer (EC) continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, there has been a relative dearth of research into hospital utilization in patients with EC. This study examines temporal trends in hospital admissions, length of stay (LOS), mortality, and costs associated with EC. In addition, we also analyzed factors associated with inpatient mortality and LOS. We interrogated National Inpatient Sample (NIS), a large registry of inpatient data, to retrieve information about various demographic and factors associated with hospital stay in patients who were admitted for EC between the years 1998 and 2013 in the United States. After examining trends over time, multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with LOS and mortality. During 1998-2013, 538,776 hospital stays with principal diagnosis of EC were reviewed. Number of hospital stays and inpatient charges increased by 397 per year (±67.8; P < 0.0001) and $3,033 per patient per year (±135; <0.0001) respectively. Mortality and LOS decreased by 0.23% per year (±0.03; P < 0.0001) and 0.07 days per year (±0.006; P < 0.0001) respectively. Multiple factors associated with LOS and mortality were outlined. Despite overall increase in hospital utilization with respect to number of admissions and inpatient charges, inpatient mortality and LOS associated with EC declined. Factors associated with inpatient mortality and LOS may help drive clinical decision-making and influence healthcare or hospital policy.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic spray cryotherapy for esophageal cancer

Although surgery is traditionally the standard of care for esophageal cancer, esophagectomy carries significant morbidity. Alternative endoscopic therapies are needed for patients who are not candidates for conventional treatment. The objective of this study is to assess the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of spray cryotherapy of esophageal adenocarcinoma. This study includes patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma who had failed or were not candidates for conventional therapy enrolled retrospectively and prospectively in an open-label registry and patients in a retrospective cohort from 11 academic and community practices. Endoscopic spray cryotherapy was performed until biopsy proven local tumor eradication or until treatment was halted due to progression of disease, patient withdrawal or comorbidities. Eighty-eight patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (median age 76, 80.7% male, mean length 5.1 cm) underwent 359 treatments (mean 4.4 per patient). Tumor stages included 39 with T1a, 25 with T1b, 9 with unspecified T1, and 15 with T2. Eighty-six patients completed treatment with complete response of intraluminal disease in 55.8%, including complete response in 76.3% for T1a, 45.8% for T1b, 66.2% for all T1, and 6.7% for T2. Mean follow-up was 18.4 months. There were no deaths or perforations related to spray cryotherapy. Strictures developed in 12 of 88 patients (13.6%) but were present before spray cryotherapy in 3 of 12. This study suggests that endoscopic spray cryotherapy is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment option for early esophageal adenocarcinoma.