Rehabilitation did not result in a better QOL. Exercise tolerance improved at the cost of more pain and more limitations because of physical problems. We suggest that rehabilitation is better postponed for 3 to 4 months after hospital discharge.

Purpose The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) reduces the incidence of symptomatic brain metastases in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with curative intention. Patients and Methods Patients with stage III NSCLC-staged with a contrast-enhanced brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-were randomly assigned to either observation or PCI after concurrent/sequential chemoradiotherapy with or without surgery. The primary end point-development of symptomatic brain metastases at 24 months-was defined as one or a combination of key symptoms that suggest brain metastases-signs of increased intracranial pressure, headache, nausea and vomiting, cognitive or affective disturbances, seizures, and focal neurologic symptoms-and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography demonstrating the existence of brain metastasis. Adverse effects, survival, quality of life, quality-adjusted survival, and health care costs were secondary end points. Results Between 2009 and 2015, 175 patients were randomly assigned: 87 received PCI and 88 underwent observation only. Median follow-up was 48.5 months (95% CI, 39 to 54 months). Six (7.0%) of 86 patients in the PCI group and 24 (27.2%) of 88 patients in the control group had symptomatic brain metastases ( P = .001). PCI significantly increased the time to develop symptomatic brain metastases (hazard ratio, 0.23; [95% CI, 0.09 to 0.56]; P = .0012). Median time to develop brain metastases was not reached in either arm. Overall survival was not significantly different between both arms. Grade 1 and 2 memory impairment (26 of 86 v seven of 88 patients) and cognitive disturbance (16 of 86 v three of 88 patients) were significantly increased in the PCI arm. Quality of life was only decreased 3 months post-PCI and was similar to the observation arm thereafter. Conclusion PCI significantly decreased the proportion of patients who developed symptomatic brain metastases with an increase of low-grade toxicity.

Aim of the study Patients with cancer might have an increased risk for severe outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify risk factors associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19, a nationwide registry was developed for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Methods This observational cohort study has been designed as a quality of care registry and is executed by the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC), a nationwide collaboration of oncology physicians in the Netherlands. A questionnaire has been developed to collect pseudonymised patient data on patients’ characteristics, cancer diagnosis, and treatment. All patients with COVID-19 and a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the past 5 years are eligible. Results Between March 27 th and May 4 th , 442 patients were registered. For this first analysis, 351 patients were included of whom 114 patients died. In multivariable analyses, age ≥65 years ( p <0.001), male gender ( p =0.035), prior or other malignancy ( p =0.045), and active diagnosis of haematological malignancy ( p =0.046) or lung cancer ( p =0.003) were independent risk factors for a fatal outcome of COVID-19. In a subgroup analysis of patients with active malignancy, the risk for a fatal outcome was mainly determined by tumour type (haematological malignancy or lung cancer) and age (≥65 years). Conclusion The findings in this registry indicate that patients with a haematological malignancy or lung cancer have an increased risk of a worse outcome of COVID-19. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerable patients should avoid exposure to SARS-CoV-2, whereas treatment adjustments and prioritizing vaccination, when available, should also be considered.

Haemothorax is a problem commonly encountered in medical practice and is most frequently related to open or closed chest trauma or to invasive procedures of the chest. Spontaneous haemothorax is less common and can have various causes, such as the use of anticoagulants, neoplasia, and rupture of pleural adhesions. Identification by radiography and thoracentesis is indicated and treatment of the underlying trauma should start immediately. After insertion of a large chest tube, antibiotic prophylaxis in trauma patients should be administered for 24 h. Further treatment depends on the haemodynamic stability of the patient, the volume of evacuated blood and the occurrence of persistent blood loss. Surgical exploration by VATS or thoracotomy is necessary if >1.500 ml of blood has accumulated and/or an ongoing production of >200 ml of blood per hour is observed. If the haemorrhage is less severe, careful investigation into the underlying cause must be performed and blood should be evacuated by tube thoracostomy. If clotted blood retained in spite of tube thoracostomy, intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy can be applied to breakdown clots and adhesions. If conservative treatment is insufficient, a surgical approach with VATS or thoracotomy is indicated to prevent subsequent complications.