3D conformal hypofractionated radical radiotherapy in early glottic cancer

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute and late toxicity and the locoregional control in patients treated with hypofractionated radical radiotherapy 2.25 Gy/fraction/day for early glottic carcinoma.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis was performed of 27 patients, stage T1–T2 N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma, that underwent radical RT from April 2008 to October 2011. The mean age was 64.6 years (range 36–81). Seventeen patients were staged T1a, 3 patients T1b and 7 patients T2. All patients were 3D planned and treated in a 6 MV LINAC, 2.25 Gy/fraction/5 days per week, to a total dose between 63 Gy and 67.5 Gy. Biological Effective Dose (BED (α/β = 10)) ranged from 77.18 Gy to 82.69 Gy and EQD2 from 64.31 Gy to 68.91 Gy. Patients were evaluated in periodic follow-up. Toxicity was evaluated according to RTOG Toxicities Scales.

Results

With a median follow-time of 24.7 months (range 3.6–44.2 months), no evidence of locoregional recurrence was observed. The treatment was well tolerated and no unscheduled interruptions in treatments for toxicity were documented, with the median overall treatment time of 41 days (range 38–48). Only grades 1 and 2 acute toxicity were observed and no evidence of severe late toxicity.

Conclusion

The authors believe that this moderately hypofractionated scheme can provide a good locoregional control for T1–T2 glottic carcinomas with no increase of toxicity. As the limitation of this work is the reduced number of patients and the lack of long term follow-up, the authors hope to update this retrospective study in the future in order to improve the power of the results.     

Clinical Outcomes for Gastric Cancer following Adjuvant Chemoradiation Utilizing Intensity Modulated versus Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy

Purpose/Objective(s)

To determine if intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the post-operative setting for gastric cancer was associated with reduced toxicity compared to 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT).

Materials/Methods

This retrospective study includes 24 patients with stage IB-IIIB gastric cancer consecutively treated from 2001–2010. All underwent surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU/leucovorin (n = 21), epirubicin/cisplatin/5FU (n = 1), or none (n = 2). IMRT was utilized in 12 patients and 3DCRT in 12 patients. For both groups, the target volume included the tumor bed, anastomosis, gastric stump, and regional lymphatics.

Results

Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 19 months (range 0.4–8.5 years), and 49 months (0.5–8.5 years) in surviving patients. The 3DCRT group received a median dose of 45 Gy, and the IMRT group received a median dose of 50.4 Gy (p = 0.0004). For the entire cohort, 3-year overall survival (OS) was 40% and 3-year disease free survival (DFS) was 41%. OS and DFS did not differ significantly between the groups. Acute toxicity was similar. Between 3DCRT and IMRT groups, during radiotherapy, median weight lost (3.2 vs. 3.3 kg, respectively; p = 0.47) and median percent weight loss were similar (5.0% vs. 4.3%, respectively; p = 0.43). Acute grade 2 toxicity was experienced by 8 patients receiving 3DCRT and 11 receiving IMRT (p = 0.32); acute grade 3 toxicity occurred in 1 patient receiving 3DCRT and none receiving IMRT (p = 1.0). No patients in either cohort experienced late grade 3 toxicity, including renal or gastrointestinal toxicity. At last follow up, the median increase in creatinine was 0.1 mg/dL in the IMRT group and 0.1 mg/dL in the 3DCRT group (p = 0.78).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric cancer with IMRT to 50.4 Gy was well-tolerated and compared similarly in toxicity with 3DCRT to 45 Gy.     

Toxicity outcome in patients treated with modulated arc radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer

Aim

This study evaluates the acute toxicity outcome in patients treated with RapidArc for localized prostate cancer.

Background

Modern technologies allow the delivery of high doses to the prostate while lowering the dose to the neighbouring organs at risk. Whether this dosimetric advantage translates into clinical benefit is not well known.

Materials and methods

Between December 2009 and May 2012, 45 patients with primary prostate adenocarcinoma were treated using RapidArc. All patients received 1.8 Gy per fraction, the median dose to the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, pelvic lymph nodes and surgical bed was 80 Gy (range, 77.4–81 Gy), 50.4 Gy, 50.4 Gy and 77.4 Gy (range, 75.6–79.2 Gy), respectively.

Results

The time between the last session and the last treatment follow up was a median of 10 months (range, 3–24 months). The incidence of grade 3 acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity was 2.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Grade 2 acute GI and GU toxicity occurred in 30% and 27% of patients, respectively. No grade 4 acute GI and GU toxicity were observed. Older patients (>median) or patients with V60 higher than 35% had significantly higher rates of grade ≥2 acute GI toxicity compared with the younger ones.

Conclusions

RapidArc in the treatment of localized prostate cancer is tolerated well with no Grade >3 GI and GU toxicities. Older patients or patients with higher V60 had significantly higher rates of grade ≥2 acute GI toxicity. Further research is necessary to assess definitive late toxicity and tumour control outcome.     

Early Stage W.H.O. Grade I and II Follicular Lymphoma Treated with Radiation Therapy Alone

Objectives

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of patients with stage I or II (limited stage), grade I–II follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (FL) treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone as initial management.

Methods

Patients with stage I or II and pathologically confirmed WHO grade I or II FL treated initially with RT alone between 1982 and 2008 were identified from a population based cancer registry.

Results

Forty patients with a mean age 61.3 years at diagnosis were identified. The median follow up was 6.9 years from the end of radiation therapy. Stage was I (n = 26) and II (n = 14). None had B symptoms. The Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) was low risk in 26 patients and intermediate risk in 5. Doses ranged from 15 Gy to 48 Gy, with a median dose of 35 Gy. All patients achieved a complete clinical response (CR). 5 and 10 year overall survival (OS) was 86% and 59%, progression free survival (PFS) 67% and 54%. Age ≥60 at diagnosis was associated with reduced OS, p = 0.029, but did not affect PFS. No other clinical features including grade or FLIPI were significant for outcomes. Local failure was uncommon occurring in 8% (3/40) although this was 21% (3/14) of all recurrences.

Conclusions

OS and PFS outcomes for radiation alone in limited stage low grade FL patients from this single institution study are consistent with previously published data. No predictors were prognostic for PFS. A dose of ≤35 Gy may be appropriate. In this highly selected homogeneous group the FLIPI loses discriminating ability. Local control is excellent, and a majority of patients are free of disease after 5 years.     

Thermal boost combined with interstitial brachytherapy in breast conserving therapy – Assessment of early toxicity

Background

Hyperthermia (HT) causes a direct damage to cancerous cells and/or sensitize them to radiotherapy with usually minimal injury to normal tissues. Adjuvant HT is probably one of the most effective radiation sensitizers known and works best when delivered simultaneously with radiation. In breast conserving therapy, irradiation has to minimize the risk of local relapse within the treated breast, especially in an area of a tumor bed. Brachytherapy boost reduces 5-year local recurrence rate to mean 5,5%, so there still some place for further improvement. The investigated therapeutic option is an adjuvant single session of local HT (thermal boost) preceding standard CT-based multicatheter interstitial HDR brachytherapy boost in order to increase the probability of local cure.

Aim

To report the short-term results in regard to early toxicity of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) boost with or without interstitial microwave hyperthermia (MV HT) for early breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving therapy (BCT).

Materials and methods

Between February 2006 and December 2007, 57 stage IA–IIIA breast cancer patients received a 10 Gy HDR BT boost after conservative surgery and 42.5–50 Gy whole breast irradiation (WBI) ± adjuvant chemotherapy. 32 patients (56.1%) were treated with additional pre-BT single session of interstitial MW HT to a tumor bed (multi-catheter technique). Reference temperature was 43 °C and therapeutic time (TT) was 1 h. Incidence, severity and duration of radiodermatitis, skin oedema and skin erythema in groups with (I) or without HT (II) were assessed, significant p-value ≤ 0.05.

Results

Median follow-up was 40 months. Local control was 100% and distant metastasis free survival was 91.1%. HT sessions (median): reference temperature 42.2 °C, therapeutic time (TT) 61.4 min, total thermal dose 42 min and a gap between HT and BT 30 min. Radiodermatitis grades I and II occurred in 24 and 6 patients, respectively, differences between groups I and II were not significant. Skin oedema and erythema occurred in 48 (85.7%) and 36 (64.3%) cases, respectively, and were equally distributed between the groups. The incidence and duration of skin oedema differed between the subgroups treated with different fractionation protocols of WBI, p = 0.006. Skin oedema was present up to 12 months. No difference in pattern of oedema regression between groups I and II was observed, p = 0.933.

Conclusion

Additional thermal boost preceding standard HDR BT boost has a potential of further improvement in breast cancer local control in BCT. Pre-BT hyperthermia did not increase early toxicity in patients treated with BCT and was well tolerated. All side effects of combined treatment were transient and were present for up to 12 months. The increase in incidence of skin oedema was related to hypofractionated protocols of WBI. The study has to be randomized and continued on a larger group of breast cancer patients to verify the potential of local control improvement and to assess the profile of late toxicity.     

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with TURB followed by concomitant boost with small reduction of radiotherapy field with or without of chemotherapy

Aim

To evaluate the clinical outcome and toxicity of the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) that combined transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) with “concomitant boost” radiotherapy delivered over a shortened overall treatment time of 5 weeks, with or without concurrent chemotherapy.

Background

Local control of MIBC by bladder-sparing approach is unsatisfactory. In order to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy, we have designed a protocol that combines TURB with a non-conventionally fractionated radiotherapy “concomitant boost”.

Materials and methods

Between 2004 and 2010, 73 patients with MIBC cT2-4aN0M0, were treated with “concomitant boost” radiotherapy. The whole bladder with a 2–3 cm margin was irradiated with fractions of 1.8 Gy to a dose of 45 Gy, with a “concomitant boost” to the bladder with 1–1.5 cm margin, during the last two weeks of treatment, as a second fraction of 1.5 Gy, to a total dose of 60 Gy. Radiochemotherapy using mostly cisplatin was delivered in 42/73(58%) patients, 31/73(42%) patients received radiotherapy alone.

Results

Acute genitourinary toxicity of G3 was scored in 3/73(4%) patients. Late gastrointestinal toxicity higher than G2 and genitourinary higher than G3 were not reported. Complete remission was achieved in 48/73(66%), partial remission in 17/73(23%), and stabilization disease in 8/73(11%) patients. Three- and five-year overall, disease specific and invasive locoregional disease-free survival rates were 65% and 52%, 70% and 59%, 52% and 43%, respectively.

Conclusions

An organ-sparing approach using TURB followed by radio(chemo)therapy with “concomitant boost” in patients with MIBC allows to obtain long-term survival with acceptable toxicity.     

Early closure of phase II prospective study on acute and late tolerance of hypofractionated radiotherapy in low-risk prostate cancer patients

Aim

To assess acute and late toxicity of hypofractionated radiotherapy, its efficacy and impact on quality of life in patients with low-risk prostate cancer.

Materials and methods

Since August 2006 to October 2007, 15 prostate cancer patients with favorable clinical features, aged 54–74 years (mean 67 years) entered the study. Tumor stage in the majority (73%) of patients was T2a, the mean pretreatment PSA value was 7.2 ng/ml (range 5–10.9 ng/ml). The study group was treated 3 times a week with 4 Gy per fraction to the total dose of 60 Gy within 5 weeks. 3D conformal treatment planning was used with no fiducial markers. Acute and late toxicity was evaluated using modified EORTC/RTOG/LENT scoring systems. Patients regularly filled the EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaires.

Results

All patients completed radiotherapy according to the plan. During radiotherapy, 26% of patients had grade 1–2 rectal symptoms. The incidence of acute urinary toxicity score was 26%, 60%, and 14% for grade 0–1, 2 and 3, respectively. One year after RT, the incidence of grade 2 GI toxicity was 27%, which was the reason for an early closure of the accrual. Grade 2 late urinary toxicity was noted in 20% of patients. The mean PSA level was 0.61 ng/ml after 24 months and 0.47 ng/ml after 36 months (range: 0.06–1.54 ng/ml).

Conclusions

Low number of patients does not allow to determine the influence of hypofractionation on unsatisfactory tolerance of this regimen. Suboptimal (from the present day''s perspective) target localization (no fiducial markers) could potentially explain higher than expected late GI reactions in our series.     

Degree of tumor regression after preoperative chemo-radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer—Preliminary results

Aim

The aim of this investigation is to determine the degree of tumor regression by histopathological evaluation of surgical specimen after neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for patients with stage IIIB rectal cancer.

Background

The standard therapy for rectal carcinoma is surgical, however, preoperative radiochemotherapy will play an increasing role especially in locally advanced disease. To estimate the prognosis and the effect of radiochemotherapy the postradiochemotherapeutical pathological features are important to assess.

Materials and methods

Ten patients with cT3–4, cN1 stage rectal cancer received preoperative chemo-radiotherapy. A total tumor dose of 50 Gy was applied to all patients, with a daily fraction of 2 Gy, 5 times a week, with concomitant Capecitabine 1650 mg/m². A pathomorphologic assessment of the therapeutic response of the residual tumor volumes and estimation of tumor control were performed using Dworak''s system of tumor regression grading (TRD) from no regression (0) to a complete tumor control (4).

Results

Dworak''s TRD for the examined patients is as follows: in 20% of the patients no tumor regression was observed – Grade 0, in 30% – Grade 1, in 20% – Grade 2 and in 30% a complete tumor regression was achieved – Grade 4. Four of the patients (40%) presented with borderline resectable tumors before the neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. Nine of the patients (90%) underwent radical surgery. In one case (10%) a radical surgery was not possible. One patient (10%) developed severe radiation enteritis in both the early and late postoperative period, with her tumor regression evaluated as Grade 4.

Conclusion

Accurate evaluation of local tumor control using Dworak''s tumor regression grading scale after preoperative chemo-radiotherapy gives the basis for a larger investigation and search for a correlation with the prognosis of the disease and individual choice of adjuvant treatment.     

Treatment of pure uterine sarcoma at the Institut Català D’Oncologia

Aim

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of the disease and treatment outcome of patients with pure uterine sarcomas.

Background

Uterine sarcomas are especially rare tumours, comprising only 3–5% of uterine cancers. They are characterized by histopathological diversity, rapid clinical progression, and poor prognosis. Optimal management consists of complete surgical removal and adjuvant radiotherapy may improve the prognosis.

Materials and methods

All patients with pure uterine sarcoma histology treated at our centre, the Institut Català D’Oncologia in Barcelona Spain, between 2002 and 2010 were reviewed.

Results

Records of 17 patients treated at our hospital over an 8-year period were obtained. Nine patients (53%) had leiomyosarcoma, 7 (41%) had endometrial stromal sarcoma, and 1 patient had unclassified sarcoma. All patients were treated with external beam radiation after surgical excision. Mean age was 62 years (range, 51–69 years). Of the 17 patients, 13 (76%) presented with stage I disease, 2 (12%) were stage II, and 2 (12%) stage III. The overall actuarial 2-year survival estimate was 82.5%. Two patients experienced local relapse. The 2-year local control rate was 90%. A total of 5 patients experienced either local or metastatic relapse. The 2-year progression free survival rate was 58%.

Conclusion

In our experience, combined treatment (surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy) is effective with acceptable side effects. Larger and multicenter studies are needed to assess treatment outcome for pure uterine sarcoma histology.     

The Impact of Delayed Chemotherapy on Its Completion and Survival Outcomes in Stage II Colon Cancer Patients

Background

Delayed chemotherapy is associated with inferior survival in stage III colon and stage II/III rectal cancer patients, but similar studies have not been performed in stage II colon cancer patients. We investigate the association between delayed and incomplete chemotherapy, and the association of delayed chemotherapy with survival in stage II colon cancer patients.

Patients and Methods

Patients (age ≥66) diagnosed as stage II colon cancer and received chemotherapy from 1992 to 2005 were identified from the linked SEER–Medicare database. The association between delayed and incomplete chemotherapy was assessed using unconditional and conditional logistic regressions. Survival outcomes were assessed using stratified Cox regression based on propensity score matched samples.

Results

4,209 stage II colon cancer patients were included, of whom 73.0% had chemotherapy initiated timely (≤2 months after surgery), 14.7% had chemotherapy initiated with moderate delay (2–3 months), and 12.3% had delayed chemotherapy (≥3 months). Delayed chemotherapy was associated with not completing chemotherapy (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.11, 1.59) for moderately delayed group, adjusted OR: 2.60 (2.09, 3.24) for delayed group). Delayed chemotherapy was associated with worse survival outcomes (hazard ratio (HR): 1.75 (1.29, 2.37) for overall survival; HR: 4.23 (2.19, 8.20) for cancer-specific survival).

Conclusion

Although the benefit of chemotherapy is unclear in stage II colon cancer patients, delay in initiation of chemotherapy is associated with an incomplete chemotherapy course and poorer survival, especially cancer-specific survival. Causal inference in the association between delayed initiation of chemotherapy and inferior survival requires further investigation.     

Oxaliplatin-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy without Radiotherapy Can Improve the Survival of Locally-Advanced Rectal Cancer

Objective

To assess the impact of oxaliplatin-containing adjuvant chemotherapy on the survival of patients with locally-advanced rectal cancer.

Methods

Data on patients with pathologically-confirmed T3/4 or N1/2 rectal cancer who accepted radical surgery at our center from January 2002 to June 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients'' 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by comparing those who accepted radical surgery only (Group S) with those who accepted radical surgery and oxaliplatin-containing adjuvant chemotherapy (Group SO).

Results

A total of 236 patients were analyzed (Group S 135; Group SO 101). Group S patients were older and had a higher proportion with stage II disease and more perioperative complications than those in Group SO (P<0.05). The OS and DSS of patients with stage III disease under 50 years of age or with mucinous adenocarcinoma were higher in Group SO than Group S (P<0.05). In addition, the OS of patients with stage N2b disease was higher in Group SO than Group S (P = 0.016), and the OS of patients with stage N1a or N2b disease who received more than 8 weeks of oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy was also higher in Group SO than Group S (P<0.05). Although the OS and DSS of patients with stage II disease in Group SO showed a tendency towards improvement, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Adjuvant oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy can improve the survival of patients with locally-advanced low and middle rectal cancers in comparison with observation. Randomized, prospective trials are warranted to confirm this benefit of oxaliplatin for rectal cancer.     

Postoperative Capecitabine with Concurrent Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy or Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Patients with Stage II and III Rectal Cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival outcomes and toxicity of postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in patients with stage II and III rectal cancer.

Patients

We recruited 184 patients with pathologically proven, stage II or III rectal cancer. Following total mesorectal excision (TME), the patients were treated with capecitabine and concurrent IMRT/3D-CRT. The treatment regimen consisted of two cycles of oral capecitabine (1600 mg/m²/day), administered twice daily from day 1–14 of radiotherapy, followed by a 7-day rest. The median pelvic dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy was administered after the chemoradiotherapy.

Results

The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival and locoregional control (LRC) rates were 85.1%, 80% and 95.4%, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were observed in 28.3% of patients during treatment. Grade 3 or 4 late toxicity, including neurotoxicity or gastrointestinal toxicity, was only observed in nine patients (4.9%).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that capecitabine chemotherapy with concurrent IMRT/3D-CRT following TME is safe, is well tolerated and achieves superior LRC and favorable survival rates, with acceptable toxicity.     

Radiotherapy applications of patients with malignant mesothelioma: A single center experience

Background

In the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma, radiotherapy has been used for the purpose of prophylaxis to reduce the incidence of recurrence at surgical insertion sites or palliate the symptoms.

Aim

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the techniques and effectiveness of radiotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Materials and methods

Forty-four (18 female, 26 male) patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had surgery or thoracoscopic biopsy for diagnosis, staging or treatment and all received palliative or prophylactic radiotherapy. Fifty-seven percent of the patients received chemotherapy.

Results

Prophylactic radiation was applied to 27 patients with 4–15 MeV electron energies. The median radiotherapy dose was 30 Gy with 3 Gy daily fraction dose. During treatment, 12 patients had grade 1 erythema according to the RTOG scale. In 3 (12%) patients, a local failure at treatment field was observed. Palliative radiotherapy was applied to 17 patients for pain palliation. The median radiation dose was 40 Gy with 2 Gy daily fraction dose by using 6–18 MV photon and/or 4–12 MeV electron energies. Two patients had grade 1 erythema and one patient had grade 2 odynophagy according to the RTOG scale. For 10 (59%) patients, palliation of chest pain was delivered. No late toxicity was observed for all cases.

Conclusion

Our experience showed that prophylactic and palliative radiotherapy are effective and safe therapy modalities in malignant pleural mesothelioma in preventing seeding metastasis at intervention sites or relieving pain. Prospective randomized studies are still needed to determine the benefits of radiotherapy application and to indicate optimum dose schemes.     

Tolerance of the vaginal vault to high-dose rate brachytherapy and concomitant chemo-pelvic irradiation: Long-term perspective

Aim/background

We sought to determine the tolerance level and complication rates of the vaginal vault to combined high-dose-rate intra-cavitary brachytherapy with concomitant chemo-radiotherapy.

Patients and methods

A retrospective review of medical records of all the patients who received definitive chemo-radiotherapy for cervical cancer between 1998 and 2002 was undertaken. The records were reviewed for doses and for radiation-associated early and late sequelae of the vagina, rectum and bladder. Cumulative biological effective dose was calculated for two reference vaginal surface points.

Results

Fifty patients were included. Average age at diagnosis was 54 years. Median follow-up was 59 months. There were no recorded instances of acute grade IV toxicity. Maximal high-dose-rate vaginal surface dose (upper central point) was 103 Gy, and maximal brachytherapy lateral surface dose was 70 Gy. Maximal cumulative biological effective dose for the lateral surface reference point was 465.5 Gy₃, and the maximal cumulative biological effective dose for the superior reference point was 878.6 Gy₃. There were no cases of vaginal necrosis or fistulas, and no cases of grade IV late vaginal, rectal or bladder toxicity. No correlation was found between the maximal vaginal surface dose and vaginal, rectal or bladder toxicity.

Conclusions

The maximal surface HDR brachytherapy dose of 103 Gy and the maximal cBED of 878.6 Gy₃ were not associated with fistula or necrosis or other grade 3–4 vaginal complications. Concomitant chemo-radiotherapy, including pelvic radiotherapy and high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy, is relatively safe for cervical cancer patients.     

A novel dynamic field-matching technique for treatment of patients with para-aortic node-positive cervical cancer: Clinical experience

Aim

To report outcomes for patients with para-aortic lymph node positive cervical cancer treated with a dynamic field-matching technique.

Background

PET staging of cervical cancer has increased identification of patients with para-aortic lymph node metastasis. IMRT enables dose escalation in this area, but matching IMRT fields with traditional whole pelvis fields presents a challenge.

Materials and methods

From 2003 to 2012, 20 patients with cervical cancer and para-aortic lymph node metastasis were treated utilizing the dynamic field-matching technique. As opposed to single-isocenter half-beam junction techniques, this technique employs wedge-shaped dose junctions for the abutment of fields. We reviewed the records of all patients who completed treatment with the technique and abstracted treatment, toxicity, and disease-related outcome data for analysis.

Results

Median prescribed dose to the whole pelvis field was 45 Gy and para-aortic IMRT field 50.4 Gy. All but 3 patients underwent HDR (13 pts) or LDR (4 pts) brachytherapy. All patients developed lower GI toxicity; 10 grade 1, 9 grade 2, and 1 grade 4 (enterovaginal fistula). Median DFS was 12.4 months with 1 and 2-year DFS 60.0% and 38.1%. One-year OS was 83.7% and 2-year OS, 64.4%. A total of 10 patients developed recurrence; none occurred at the matched junction.

Conclusions

The dynamic field-matching technique provides a means for joining conventional whole pelvis fields and para-aortic IMRT fields that substantially reduces dose deviations at the junction due to field mismatch. Treatment with the dynamic matching technique is simple, effective, and tolerated with no apparent increase in toxicity.     

Intracranial Ependymoma: Long-Term Results in a Series of 21 Patients Treated with Stereotactic 125Iodine Brachytherapy

Background

We evaluated the long-term outcome in patients harboring intracranial ependymomas treated with interstitial brachytherapy (IBT).

Methods

Twenty-one patients (M/F = 9/12; median age: 29 years; range: 8–70 years), diagnosed with intracranial ependymoma (1 WHO I, 11 WHO II, 9 WHO III) were treated with IBT using stereotactically implanted ¹²⁵Iodine seeds between 1987 and 2010, either primarily, as adjuvant therapy following incomplete resection, or as salvage treatment upon tumor recurrence. Sixteen of 21 patients underwent microsurgical resection prior to IBT; in 5 patients, IBT was performed primarily after stereotactic biopsy for histological diagnosis. The cumulative tumor surface dose ranged from 50–65 Gy treating a median tumor volume of 3.6 ml (range, 0.3–11.6 ml). A median follow-up period of 105.3 months (range, 12.7–286.2 months) was evaluated.

Results

Actuarial 2-, 5- and 10-years overall- and disease-specific survival rates after IBT were each 90% and 100% at all times for ependymomas WHO I/II, for anaplastic ependymomas WHO III 100%, 100%, 70% and 100%, 100%, 86%, respectively. The neurological status of seven patients improved, while there was no change in 12 and deterioration in 2 patients, respectively. Follow-up MR images disclosed a complete tumor remission in 3, a partial remission in 12 and a stable disease in 6 patients. Treatment-associated morbidity only occurred in a single patient.

Conclusions

This study shows that stereotactic IBT for intracranial ependymomas is safe and can provide a high degree of local tumor control. Due to the low rate of side effects, IBT may evolve into an attractive alternative to microsurgery in ependymomas located in eloquent areas or as a salvage treatment.     

Hyperfractionated high-dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of oral tongue cancer

Background

Low-dose rate brachytherapy is a well established treatment modality of oral cancer. Data about high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy are still sparse with various fractionation schedules and heterogeneous results.

Aim

The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate the results of HDR brachytherapy with doses of 3 Gy twice daily.

Patients and methods

Twenty patients with squamous cell tongue cancer were treated in the years 2001–2009 by exclusive HDR BT 18 × 3 Gy twice daily. The plastic tube technique was used. Median follow up was 47 months (7.8–118) since brachytherapy.

Results

The local and locoregional control was 85% and 68%, respectively. Bone necrosis developed in one case treated without mandibular shielding and soft tissue necrosis in 2 cases.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that HDR brachytherapy with 18 × 3 Gy twice daily is safe with promising local control. The risk of nodal recurrences is substantial.     

MRI Assessment of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration with Lumbar Degenerative Disease Using the Pfirrmann Grading Systems

Background

To evaluate by MRI intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with lumbar degenerative disease using the Pfirrmann grading system and to determine whether Modic changes correlated with the Pfirrmann grades and modified Pfirrmann grades of disc degeneration.

Methods

The clinical data of 108 surgical patients with lumbar degenerative disease were reviewed and their preoperative MR images were analyzed. Disc degeneration was evaluated using the Pfirrmann grading system. Patients were followed up and low back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the effect of back pain on the daily quality of life was assessed using Oswestry disability index (ODI).

Results

Forty-four cases had normal anatomical appearance (Modic type 0) and their Pfirrmann grades were 3.77±0.480 and their modified Pfirrmann grades were of 5.81±1.006. Twenty-seven cases had Modic type I changes and their Pfirrmann grades were 4.79±0.557 and their modified Pfirrmann grades were 7.00±0.832. Thirty-six cases exhibited Modic type II changes and their Pfirrmann grades and modified Pfirrmann grades were 4.11±0.398 and 6.64±0.867, respectively. One case had Modic type III changes. Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant difference in modified Pfirrmann grade among Modic type 0, I and II changes (P<0.01) but no significant difference between Modic type I and II changes (P>0.05). Binary regression analysis showed that Modic changes correlated most strongly with disc degeneration. Follow up studies indicated that the VAS and ODI scores were markedly improved postoperatively. However, no difference was noted in VAS and ODI scores among patients with different Modic types.

Conclusion

Modic changes correlate with the Pfirrmann and modified Pfirrmann grades of disc degeneration in lumbar degenerative disease. There is no significant correlation between Modic types and surgical outcomes.     

Adjuvance in refractory keloids using electron beams with a spoiler: Recent results

Aim

To present clinical results of adjuvant irradiation of excised refractory keloid wounds using a novel bolus-free technique developed within our group to irradiate the skin surface with a linear accelerator.

Background

The use of a bolus to increase surface dose over a newly excised keloid presents several problems. Previous solutions are unsatisfactory. Our technique is promising but needs to be evaluated in practice.

Materials and methods

Twenty refractory skin keloids in 19 patients were excised and irradiated in Hospital Plató (Barcelona, Spain) using a 6 MeV electron beam with a 4-mm aluminium spoiler. 15 Gy in fractions of 3 Gy were delivered to the excision site plus a safety margin. All patients were examined during the follow-up (median: 40 months, interval: 12–68 months) and toxicities were recovered.

Results

At the end of the follow-up period, 76% of the cases had not recurred, while the complete response rate amounted to 53%. Residual hypertrophic scars were classified as partial responses. After therapy, itching and pain were observed in 30% of the patients, as well as one telangiectasia and two hyperchromatic scars.

Conclusion

Our technique avoids using a bolus while combining the benefits of electron beam therapy in keloids (fewer secondary effects, and fewer and shorter treatments) with a dose deposition adequate for skin surface treatments. Our results are in line with the most successful therapies evaluated in the literature, as secondary effects are acceptable and recurrence rates are low.     

Low Incidence of Chest Wall Pain with a Risk-Adapted Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Approach Using Three or Five Fractions Based on Chest Wall Dosimetry

Purpose

To examine the frequency and potential of dose-volume predictors for chest wall (CW) toxicity (pain and/or rib fracture) for patients receiving lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using treatment planning methods to minimize CW dose and a risk-adapted fractionation scheme.

Methods

We reviewed data from 72 treatment plans, from 69 lung SBRT patients with at least one year of follow-up or CW toxicity, who were treated at our center between 2010 and 2013. Treatment plans were optimized to reduce CW dose and patients received a risk-adapted fractionation of 18 Gy×3 fractions (54 Gy total) if the CW V30 was less than 30 mL or 10–12 Gy×5 fractions (50–60 Gy total) otherwise. The association between CW toxicity and patient characteristics, treatment parameters and dose metrics, including biologically equivalent dose, were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

With a median follow-up of 20 months, 6 (8.3%) patients developed CW pain including three (4.2%) grade 1, two (2.8%) grade 2 and one (1.4%) grade 3. Five (6.9%) patients developed rib fractures, one of which was symptomatic. No significant associations between CW toxicity and patient and dosimetric variables were identified on univariate nor multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Optimization of treatment plans to reduce CW dose and a risk-adapted fractionation strategy of three or five fractions based on the CW V30 resulted in a low incidence of CW toxicity. Under these conditions, none of the patient characteristics or dose metrics we examined appeared to be predictive of CW pain.