Surgical resection,intraoperative radiotherapy and immediate plastic reconstruction: A good option for the treatment of distal extremity soft tissue sarcomas

AimTo show three patients with soft tissue sarcomas of distal extremities conservatively treated after tumor-board discussion, involving margin-free surgery, exclusive intraoperative radiotherapy, and immediate reconstruction.BackgroundCurrent guidelines show clear and robust recommendations regarding the composition of the treatment of sarcomas of extremities. However, little evidence exists regarding the application of these treatments depending on the location of the primary neoplasia. Tumors that affect the distal extremities present different challenges and make multidisciplinary discussions desirable.Methods/ResultsWe reported 3 patients who were approached with a conservative intention, after tumor board recomendation. The goals from the treatment performed were aesthetic and functional preservation, while enruring locoregional control. We had wound healing complications in 2 of the cases, requiring additional reconstruction measures. Patients are followed up for 24, 20 and 10 months; local control is 100%, and functional preservation is 100%.ConclusionsDespite being a small series, it was sufficient to illustrate successful multidisciplinary planning, generating a therapeutic result with improved quality of life for patients who had an initial indication for extremity amputation.     

Short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer patients

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (AHR T) regarding locoregional response (LRR), symptoms relief and acute toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The radical treatment for inoperable NSCLC is intolerable for some patients. An alternative RT regime should be considered for them.Materials and methodsInoperable NSCLC patients who could not tolerate radical treatment were treated with AHRT (45 Gy in 15 fractions over three weeks) by using the 3-dimensional conformal (RT) technique. The LRR was assessed by chest computed tomography (CT) performed before and 6 weeks after RT. Relief of symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea and chest pain was evaluated during RT and 6 and 12 weeks after RT, compared with the status before RT. Treatment-related acute toxicities such as dysphagia and radiation dermatitis were observed during and 6 and 12 weeks after RT.ResultsTotal 65 patients (seven patients of stage II and fifty-eight patients of stage III) were included. Partial response was seen in 70.8% of patients, and stable disease was seen in 29.2% while there was neither complete response nor progressive disease after RT. Statistically significant associations were found between tumour response vs. pre-treatment tumour size and tumour response vs. performance status of the patients. Satisfactory symptom relief was found after RT, but severe acute dysphagia and radiation dermatitis (more than grade 3) were not observed.ConclusionSatisfactory LRR, symptom relief and acute toxicities were achieved by this regime. Long term studies are recommended to evaluate late toxicities and survival outcome further.Trial registration noTCTR20200110001     

Helical tomotherapy for asymptomatic chemotherapy-refractory or -unfit multiple (3 or more) metastases

BackgroundDespite chemotherapy innovations, prognosis of patients with chemotherapy-refractory or -unfit multiple metastases (CRMM/CUMM) remains poor. In this prospective study, the efficacy and toxicity of helical tomotherapy for CRMM/CUMM were evaluated.Materials and methodsBetween 2014 and 2020, asymptomatic patients with CRMM/CUMM with ≥ 3 lesions and no prior radiotherapy of the targets were enrolled. Patients who had intolerable toxicities to chemotherapy and those who refused chemotherapy were included in the CRMM and CUMM groups, respectively. Prostate cancer patients and patients with metastases mainly localized in the liver, lung, or brain were excluded. By helical tomotherapy, up to 10 lesions per patient were irradiated in order of volume. The standard dose was 50–60 Gy in 25–30 fractions.ResultsForty-five patients (median age, 63 years; 35 CRMM/10 CUMM) were enrolled. Primary tumors included lung, gynecological, and gastrointestinal cancers. The most frequently treated targets were lymph node metastases, followed by peritoneal/pleural disseminations and bone tumors. The 1-year survival rate was 51% (median, 12.5 months). In the 35 patients with CRMM, the median survival time was 12.5 months, and the median pre-radiation chemotherapy period was 8.8 months (p > 0.05). The 6-month target control rate was 78%. Acute adverse events (grade ≥ 2) occurred in 33 patients: hematologic toxicities in 23, dermatitis in 6, and others in 8. Late grade ≥ 2 toxicities occurred in 6 patients: pneumonitis in 4 and gastric hemorrhage in 2.ConclusionTomotherapy for CRMM/CUMM resulted in median survival times > 1 year. This treatment should be investigated further in larger prospective studies.     

奈达铂与紫杉醇联合同期放疗对中晚期宫颈癌的临床疗效分析

目的:探讨紫杉醇-奈达铂联合同期放疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌的临床疗效。方法:选择2012年1月~2013年12月62例中晚期宫颈癌患者,随机分成观察组和对照组,各31例,两组患者均行盆腔三维适型放疗+腔内后装放疗,观察组在此基础上同时再行奈达铂、紫杉醇全身化疗。结果:两组近期疗效比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者不良反应主要表现为骨髓抑制和胃肠道反应。随访一年,两组患者一年生存率比较差异显著(P0.05)。结论:本研究采用放疗联合紫杉醇+奈达铂化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌有效率高,耐受性好,值得临床推广应用。     

Stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases in patients with lung cancer; outcome and toxicity in clinical practice

BackgroundStereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is an established modality for treating limited brain metastases (BMs). This study aimed to assess the real-life treatment outcome and associated prognostic factors for survival in a consecutive lung cancer cohort receiving SRT for BMs.Materials and methodsA retrospective review and analysis of patients with lung cancer with BMs treated with SRT in western Sweden between 2002 and 2017 were performed. Data were collected from patient charts and the radiotherapy dose planning system.ResultsOne hundred nine patients corresponding to 139 lesions were assessed; the majority were treated with single-fractionated SRT with 20 Gy. The median overall survival (OS) was 6.1 months, with a 12-month survival rate of 24%. The estimated overall disease control rate (DCR) was 84% at a median time of three months. On multivariate analysis, WHO performance status (PS) (p = 0.002) and smoking status (p = 0.005) were significant predictive factors for survival. Four percent of the patients experienced possible grade III–IV toxicity, and previously administered cranial radiation therapy was a significant independent factor (p = 0.03) associated with the risk of developing acute toxicity.ConclusionsSRT due to brain metastases from lung cancer is a well-tolerated treatment. When selecting patients suitable for treatment, PS and extracranial disease progression should be considered. Smoking cessation is probably of value even in this palliative setting. The goal of SRT for BMs is not only to improve survival but also to provide symptom relief, and future studies on SRT should assess patient-reported outcomes in addition to survival.     

Management of advanced ovarian cancer in South West Wales − a comparison between primary debulking surgery and primary chemotherapy treatment strategies in an unselected,consecutive patient cohort

ObjectivesThis study represents the first reported outcomes for patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) in South-West Wales undergoing treatment with primary debulking surgery or primary chemotherapy respectively.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of consecutive, unselected patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (FIGO III/IV) presenting to a regional cancer centre between October 2007 and October 2014. Patients were identified from Welsh Cancer Services records and relevant data was extracted from electronic National Health Service (NHS) databases. Main outcome measures were median overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and perioperative adverse events. Hazard ratio estimation was carried out with Cox Regression analysis and survival determined by Kaplan-Meier plots.ResultsOf 220 women with AOC, 32.3% underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS) and 67.7% primary chemotherapy and interval debulking (PCT-IDS). Patients were often elderly (median age 67 years) with a poor performance status (26.5% PS >1). Complete cytoreduction (0 cm residual) was achieved in 32.4% of patients in the PDS group and in 50.0% of patients undergoing IDS. Median OS for all patients was 21.9 months (PDS: 27.0 and PCT-IDS: 19.2 months; p > 0.05) and median PFS was 13.1 months (PDS: 14.3 months and PCT-IDS: 13.0 months; p > 0.05). Median overall and progression free survival for patients achieving complete cytoreduction were 48.0 and 23.2 months respectively in the PDS group and 35.4 months and 18.6 months in the IDS group (p > 0.05).ConclusionThis retrospective study of an unselected, consecutive cohort of women with AOC in South West Wales shows comparable survival outcomes with recently published trials, despite the relatively advanced age and poor performance status of our patient cohort. Over the seven-year study period, our data also demonstrated a non-significant trend towards improved survival following primary surgery in patients who achieved maximal cytoreduction. Our future aim therefore is to examine and develop the role of extended surgery in these patients.     

Spinal metastases: From conventional fractionated radiotherapy to single-dose SBRT

AimTo review the recent evolution of spine SBRT with emphasis on single dose treatments.BackgroundRadiation treatment of spine metastases represents a challenging problem in clinical oncology, because of the high risk of inflicting damage to the spinal cord. While conventional fractionated radiation therapy still constitutes the most commonly used modality for palliative treatment, notwithstanding its efficacy in terms of palliation of pain, local tumor control has been approximately 60%. This limited effectiveness is due to previous lack of technology to precisely target the tumor while avoiding the radiosensitive spinal cord, which constitutes a dose-limiting barrier to tumor cure.Materials and methodsA thorough review of the available literature on spine SBRT has been carried out and critically assessed.ResultsStereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) emerges as an alternative, non-invasive high-precision approach, which allows escalation of tumor dose, while effectively sparing adjacent uninvolved organs at risk. Engaging technological advances, such as on-line Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), coupled with Dynamic Multi-Leaf Collimation (DMLC) and rapid intensity-modulated (IMRT) beam delivery, have promoted an interactive image-guided (IGRT) approach that precisely conforms treatment onto a defined target volume with a rapid dose fall-off to collateral non-target tissues, such as the spinal cord. Recent technological developments allow the use of the high-dose per fraction mode of hypofractionated SBRT for spinal oligometastatic cancer, even if only a few millimeters away from the tumor.ConclusionSingle-dose spine SBRT, now increasingly implemented, yields unprecedented outcomes of local tumor ablation and safety, provided that advanced technology is employed.     

体素内不相干运动成像对于周围型肺癌血供情况及细胞密集程度的价值研究

摘要 目的：探究周围型肺癌3.0 T磁共振成像（MRI）的体素内不相干运动成像（IVIM-DWI）各参数值对其血供情况以及细胞密集程度的价值。方法：选取2019年1月-2021年10月于本院行手术切除后并经病理检查证实为周围型肺癌的患者50例,术前均行常规MRI平扫、增强以及IVIM-DWI成像,分别测量所有病灶以及对侧相对称正常肺组织的标准表观扩散系数（sADC）、真实扩散系数（D）、灌注相关扩散系数（Ｄ*）以及灌注分数（?）。比较两者IVIM-DWI参数;比较不同强化程度下周围型肺癌病灶IVIM-DWI参数;Spearman 秩相关分析周围型肺癌病灶IVIM-DWI参数与强化程度的相关性;通过绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线,分析与强化程度存在相关性的IVIM-DWI参数对周围型肺癌血供情况及细胞密集程度的评估价值。结果：周围型肺癌病灶的sADC、D均低于正常肺组织,D*、?均高于正常肺组织,差异均具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。高度强化下周围型肺癌病灶D*高于中度强化、轻度强化,?低于中度强化、轻度强化,而D仅高于轻度强化,差异均具有统计学意义（P<0.05）,不同强化程度间sADC均无统计学差异（P>0.05）。Spearman秩相关分析显示周围型肺癌病灶的D*与强化程度呈正相关（P<0.05）,?与强化程度呈负相关（P<0.05）。通过绘制ROC曲线分析显示D*、?对周围型肺癌血供情况以及细胞密集程度评估的AUC大于0.700,提示其具有较高的评估价值。结论：IVIM-DWI模型既可以反映周围型肺癌的血供情况,也可以反映病变细胞密集程度,有助于提高对周围性肺癌血管情况及细胞密集程度的评估价值。     

Factors affecting survival after palliative radiotherapy in patients with lung cancer

BackgroundLung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is estimated that 60% of patients with NSCLC at time of diagnosis have advanced disease. The aim of this study was to identify factors that play a major role in the survival of lung cancer patients treated with palliative radiotherapy.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed data of 280 lung cancer patients treated with palliative radiotherapy from January 2013 to December 2017. A multivariate analysis using the proportional hazards model of Cox was conducted. Also, Kaplan Meier curves were used to describe the distribution of survival times of the patients. The level of significance was set at 0.05.ResultsThe mean age at diagnosis was 65.6 years. About 77.5% of patients were male and 22.5% were female. In our cohort > 95% had stage 4 lung cancer. Most cases were adenocarcinomas (72.5%) and ECOG-PS 0–1 (80.4%). Different sites were submitted to palliative treatment: 120 brain metastases, 96 bone metastases, 53 lung tumour, 8 lymph nodes and 3 lung metastases. Brain as first site of palliative radiotherapy (HR: 1.553, 95% CI: 1.167–2.067, p = 0.003) and ECOG-PS 2–3 compared with ECOG-PS 0–1 (HR: 2.253, 95% CI: 1.546–3.283, p ≤ 0.001) were associated with increased likelihood of lung cancer death. Patients who received biological therapy had 70.7% (p ≤ 0.001) reduction in lung cancer death risk.ConclusionBrain as the first metastatic site treated with radiotherapy and ECOG-PS 2–3 are associated with increased lung cancer death. Biological therapy was associated with decreased death risk.     

HER2 status in ovarian carcinomas: a multicenter GINECO study of 320 patients

Background

Despite a typically good response to first-line combination chemotherapy, the prognosis for patients with advanced ovarian cancer remains poor because of acquired chemoresistance. The use of targeted therapies such as trastuzumab may potentially improve outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer. HER2 overexpression/amplification has been reported in ovarian cancer, but the exact percentage of HER2-positive tumors varies widely in the literature. In this study, HER2 gene status was evaluated in a large, multicentric series of 320 patients with advanced ovarian cancer, including 243 patients enrolled in a multicenter prospective clinical trial of paclitaxel/carboplatin-based chemotherapy.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The HER2 status of primary tumors and metastases was evaluated by both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue on conventional slides. The prognostic impact of HER2 expression was analyzed. HER2 gene was overexpressed and amplified in 6.6% of analyzed tumors. Despite frequent intratumoral heterogeneity, no statistically significant difference was detected between primary tumors and corresponding metastases.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results show that the decision algorithm usually used in breast cancer (IHC as a screening test, with equivocal results confirmed by FISH) is appropriate in ovarian cancer. In contrast to previous series, HER2-positive status did not influence outcome in the present study, possibly due to the fact that patients in our study received paclitaxel/carboplatin-based chemotherapy. This raises the question of whether HER2 status and paclitaxel sensitively are linked.     

Intrathyroidal Ectopic Thymic Tissue Mimicking Thyroid Cancer in Children

ObjectiveTo increase awareness of the important differential diagnosis between thyroid cancer and intrathyroidal ectopic thymic tissue when performing neck ultrasound (US) in pediatric patients.MethodsWe report 2 cases of intrathyrodal thymic tissue that were initially referred as possible papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). US and cytologic features of these lesions are described, and the distinguishing US characteristics of intrathyroidal thymic tissue versus PTC are discussed.ResultsTwo pediatric patients who underwent thyroid US were diagnosed with thyroid nodules suggestive of PTC. The suspected lesions in both patients exhibited an echo texture identical to the normal thymus gland. Fine-needle aspirate (FNA) biopsy of the nodule in the first case revealed numerous lymphocytes with positive immunocytochemical staining for CD3, confirming a T cell phenotype. The second patient underwent follow-up US imaging 8 months later that showed stability of the intrathyroidal nodule.ConclusionIntrathyroidal ectopic thymic tissue can be mistaken for PTC as both conditions have similar US features. Increased awareness of this unique mimicry may help to avoid unnecessary invasive investigations and surgery in these young patients. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20: e241-e245)     

Whole body MR in patients with multiple myeloma

BackgroundMultiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells which leads to bone marrow infiltration.AimWhole-body MR is the most sensitive imaging method available to detect multiple myeloma lesions.Material and MethodsMR scans were performed in 100 patients with multiple myeloma who were receiving treatment in the Haematology Clinic in Poznań in the years 2005–2006. Whole-body MR scans were performed with general coil 1.0 T in STIR sequences and T1 sequences, in coronal and sagittal planes with scanning area covering the head, neck, trunk and the limbs (FOV for specific regions was 36–48 cm). The bone lesions were classified as focal (monofocal/multifocal lesions), in-filtrative, mixed and “salt and pepper” type. Depending on the size of the lesions the patients were included in one of three groups according to Salmon-Durie Plus classification.ResultsFour main types of multiple myeloma were distinguished based on MR scans: focal (48 patients; monofocal in 10 patients), infiltrative (17 patients), mixed type (19 patients) and “salt and pepper” type (4 patients). The remaining 12 patients had no multiple myeloma lesions in the bone marrow. Additionally, in 18% of patients a soft tissue mass could be observed. According to Salmon-Durie Plus categorisation 27 subjects were classified as having stage I, 16 patients stage and 57 patients stage III disease. In 12% of patients MR data changed the disease staging.ConclusionsWB MR is a sensitive and effective diagnostic method with an important impact on staging and further treatment of multiple myeloma.     

Simultaneous Integrated Boost Radiotherapy in Unresectable Stage IV (M0) Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Patients: Daily Clinical Practice

AimTo evaluate clinical outcome in locally-advanced stage IV (M0) head and neck cancer patients treated using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in daily clinical practice.BackgroundDespite SIB-IMRT has been reported as a feasible and effective advanced head and neck cancer treatment, there are few data about its concurrent use with systemic therapies.Material and MethodsWe reviewed 41 staged IV (M0) head and neck cancer patients treated in two radiotherapy units in the city of Messina (Italy) during the last six years, using intensity modulated techniques-SIB. 22/41 patients had concomitant chemotherapy or cetuximab. Acute and late toxicities, objective response (OR) rate, local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) have been evaluated.Results37/41 patients received the planned doses of radiotherapy, 2 patients died during the therapy. The major acute regional toxicities were skin reaction and mucositis. A case of mandibular osteoradionecrosis was recorded. At completion of treatment, OR was evaluated in 38 patients: 32/38 patients (84.2%) had complete (55.3%) and partial (28.9%) response. The 1- and 5-year LC rates were 73.4% and 69.73%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 85.93%, 51.49% and 44.14%, respectively. No statistically significant differences in outcomes have been observed in patients treated with radiotherapy alone vs. irradiation concomitant to chemo/biotherapy. The median OS was 45 months.ConclusionSIB-IMRT is safeand can be used with concomitant chemotherapy/biotherapy in real-life daily clinical practice. SIB-IMRT alone is a valid alternative in patients unfit for systemic therapies.     

7例影像学表现为弥漫肺间质性病变的肺结核报道及文献复习

目的:通过对7例高分辨CT(High Resolution Computed Tomography,HRCT)表现为弥漫肺间质性病变的肺结核患者的相关资料进行分析,结合相关文献,提高对该类肺结核的认识。方法:分析本院2012.2~2015.3确诊的7例HRCT表现为弥漫肺间质性病变的肺结核的临床症状、体征、影像学资料及痰抗酸杆菌、结核菌素纯蛋白衍生物(Purified Protein Derivative,PPD)试验、T细胞斑点试验(T-SPOT.TB)、抗结核抗体、血常规、血沉(Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate,ESR)等实验室检查、病理检查等资料。结果:6例经2次以上痰涂片阳性确诊为肺结核,1例抗结核治疗有效诊断为肺结核;弥漫肺间质性病变的肺结核患者HRCT上间质性病变的范围与抗酸杆菌的检出及发热症状的出现有关联;与盗汗、乏力、咯血等结核中毒症状及PPD、结核抗体、ESR等指标无明显相关关系。结论:弥漫肺间质性病变也可为肺结核的一种特殊表现,极易误诊为其他间质病变。当患者临床表现及实验室检查无特殊发现时,需考虑肺结核的可能并进行结核病相关检查,尤其是抗酸杆菌及肺组织病理检查,以尽早明确诊断。     

High dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy in the management of advanced lung cancer – comparison of different doses – preliminary assessment

PurposeBrachytherapy is one of the most efficient methods of overcoming endobronchial obstruction in palliative treatment of lung cancer. In single cases, brachytherapy is performed as radical treatment, however in most of cases, due to advanced clinical stage it has a palliative aim. In the absence of clear consensus regarding the value of doses used in brachytherapy different fraction doses are used in clinical treatment. The aim of this work is to compare results of palliative high dose rate brachytherapy using various treatment protocols with the view to analysing differences in survival and diminishing breathing difficulties.Material and methodsBetween May 1999 and February 2000 at the Greatpoland Cancer Center, 69 patients with advanced lung cancer were treated by high dose rate brachytherapy. They were disqualified from radical treatment due to advanced clinical stage. The age of the patients ranged from 39 to 76 years (average 53,2 years). Fifty-one patients received a total dose of 22,5 Gy in 3 fractions once a week, 18 patients received one single fraction of 10 Gy. All the patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical stage and the Karnofsky score – those with the Karnofsky score lower than 50 were qualified for a single fraction treatment. They were under clinical and endobronchial observation as regards survival rates, local remission and subsiding dyspnoea, breathing, cough and haemoptysis in the first, third, sixth and twelveth month of observation.ResultsFour weeks after the end of treatment subjective improvement (subsidence of all symptoms) was ascertained in 61/69 (88,4%) patients. In 12 cases (17,4%) complete remission (CR), in 49 cases (71,0%) – partial remission (PR) of the tumor were found. During one year of observation 45 (65,2%) patients died, in 10 cases (14,5%) improvement of in dyspnoea was observed and in 14 cases (20,3%) recurrence and progression of the disease were noted. There was no statistical difference in the survival rates between the two groups of patients treated with different fractions protocols.Conclusions

• 1.Brachytherapy in advanced lung cancer is an efficient method that led in most of patients to subcidence of symptoms and to improvement of the quality their lives.
• 2.The two treatment protocols showed similar efficiency in overcoming difficulties in breathing.
• 3.Survival rates were similar in both group of patients treated with different treatment protocols.

     

Brain metastases from stomach cancer – The role of different treatment modalities and efficacy of palliative radiotherapy

Aim

To evaluate different treatment modalities, sequences, and prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases from stomach cancer.

Background

Brain metastases from gastric cancer are rare and late manifestation of the disease, occurring in less than 1% of gastric cancer patients. The prognosis is poor and median overall survival is 1.3–2.4 months. The standard treatment scheme has not yet been described. Most studies present small sample sizes. The choice of treatment scheme is individually based on performance status, number, location and size of metastases, the status of primary tumor and the presence of other metastases.

Materials and methods

Sixteen patients diagnosed with brain metastases from gastric cancer in Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch.Patients, mostly men (69%) aged 51–75 years, (median 68.5 years). Thirteen (81.25%) had treatment of primary tumor before diagnosis of brain metastases. Primary metastatic gastric cancer was diagnosed in 6 patients (37.5%), in 3 cases (18.75%) brain was the site of those metastases. Treatment schemes were individually based.

Results

We identified prognostic factors influencing OS: performance status, number of brain metastases, type of treatment. Median OS was 2.8 months. Median time to brain metastases was 12.3 months and it was shorter in patients with pretreatment metastases to other organs. Patients treated with combined treatment had median survival of 12.3 months.

Conclusions

Aggressive treatment schemes are needed to improve the outcome. Prognostic factors such as performance status, number of metastases, dissemination to other organs are helpful in considering the best treatment options.     

Deregulated systemic IL-10/IL-12 balance in advanced and poor prognosis paediatric soft tissue sarcomas

Abstract

Context: The roles of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IL-12 in regulation of cancer growth and Th1/Th2 immune responses towards cancer are unclear.

Objective: To establish the prognostic significance of serum IL-10 and IL-12 in paediatric soft tissue sarcomas (STS).

Materials and methods: ELISA determinations of cytokines were performed as pre-treatment in 59 children with STS and 30 healthy controls.

Results: Elevated IL-10 and decreased IL-12 serum levels correlated with advanced disease, poor response to chemotherapy and poor outcome. IL-10?≥?9.5?pg/ml, IL-12?≤?65?pg/ml and lymph nodes involvement independently predicted poor overall survival (OS) in multivariate Cox analysis.

Conclusion: Serum IL-10/IL-12 balance determination may facilitate to assess risk groups and prognosis in childhood STS.     

An Italian survey on “palliative intent” radiotherapy

BackgroundThe aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the scenario on radiotherapy (RT) delivered with palliative intent in Italy.Materials and methodsA structured online questionnaire was submitted to Italian radiation oncologists in order to explore the clinical practice in different areas of palliation, namely: bone, lung, brain, liver, and emergencies suitable to RT.Results209 radiation oncologists took part in the study. Stereotactic body irradiation was found to be the preferred technique in lung and liver metastases, whereas 3D conformal RT was registered as the technique of choice for bone and brain metastases. The majority (98%) of participants stated to treat mainly radiotherapy emergencies with 3D conformal RT at doses ranging from 25 to 50 Gy. Re-irradiation is delivered by the majority of respondents, whereas post-treatment follow-up is done only by 51.4% of them.ConclusionsThis nationwide study highlights some heterogeneity among Italian radiation oncologists regarding treatment and follow-up of metastatic cancer patients.     

Genetic Variants Associated with Colorectal Adenoma Susceptibility

BackgroundCommon low-penetrance genetic variants have been consistently associated with colorectal cancer risk.AimTo determine if these genetic variants are associated also with adenoma susceptibility and may improve selection of patients with increased risk for advanced adenomas and/or multiplicity (≥ 3 adenomas).MethodsWe selected 1,326 patients with increased risk for advanced adenomas and/or multiplicity and 1,252 controls with normal colonoscopy from population-based colorectal cancer screening programs. We conducted a case-control association study analyzing 30 colorectal cancer susceptibility variants in order to investigate the contribution of these variants to the development of subsequent advanced neoplasia and/or multiplicity.ResultsWe found that 14 of the analyzed genetic variants showed a statistically significant association with advanced adenomas and/or multiplicity: the probability of developing these lesions increased with the number of risk alleles reaching a 2.3-fold risk increment in individuals with ≥ 17 risk alleles.ConclusionsNearly half of the genetic variants associated with colorectal cancer risk are also related to advanced adenoma and/or multiplicity predisposition. Assessing the number of risk alleles in individuals within colorectal cancer screening programs may help to identify better a subgroup with increased risk for advanced neoplasia and/or multiplicity in the general population.     

Prognostic Value of Components of Body Composition in Patients Treated with Targeted Therapy for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Case Series

BackgroundTo evaluate the association between various components of body composition and overall survival of patients treated with targeted therapies for advanced renal cell carcinoma.MethodsThis retrospective study included 124 Chinese patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who had been treated with targeted therapy from 2008 to 2012 at Fudan University Cancer Center. The L3 plane from a computed tomography scan was analyzed. Area and density were recorded as quantitative and quality measures. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportion hazard regression models were constructed to calculate the crude and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of various components of body composition for overall survival. X-tile software was used to search for optimal cutoffs for male and female patients and the concordance index evaluated incremental changes in prognostication.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, sex and Heng risk stratification, only visceral adipose tissue index (HR 0.981, p = 0.002) and subcutaneous adipose tissue index (HR 0.987, p = 0.048) were independently associated with overall survival. Visceral adipose tissue remained a significant prognostic factor (HR 0.997, p = 0.005) when the influence of body mass index was included. Using defined cutoffs, patients with low VAT had double the death rate (p = 0.007). Visceral adipose tissue also added significant benefit to Heng risk stratification. Further exploratory analysis revealed that visceral adipose tissue may be an indicator of nutritional status in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.ConclusionRadiologic measurement of VAT is an independent prognostic factor for Asian patients treated with targeted therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma.