Cheng-Hsiang Lo

18F-FDG PET and Combined 18F-FDG–Contrast CT Parameters as Predictors of Tumor Control for Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy

The application of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is emerging. To identify pretreatment prognostic indicators is crucial for patient selection and optimal individual therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether 18F-FDG PET and a combined 18F-FDG–contrast CT parameter could be useful tools to predict tumor control for patients with HCC treated by SABR. Methods: We retrospectively identified 31 patients (41 tumors) who underwent 18F-FDG PET before SABR between November 2007 and September 2011. 18F-FDG PET parameters were collected as prognostic indicators, including visual PET scale (+/−), maximal standardized uptake value (SUV) of the tumor (TSUVmax), ratio of TSUVmax to maximal normal-liver SUV, ratio of TSUVmax to mean normal-liver SUV, and score combining tumor volume and TSUVmax (CT/18F-FDG PET score). They underwent SABR with a median dose of 42 Gy (ranging from 30 to 50 Gy) in 4–5 fractions. 18F-FDG PET parameters and clinical factors were tested as predictors of tumor control and patient survival. Results: The median follow-up time was 18 mo. Among the parameters examined, TSUVmax and CT/18F-FDG PET score were significantly correlated with tumor control. TSUVmax with a cutoff value of 3.2 was the most significant prognostic indicator. The 4-y control rate was 86.2% in tumors with a TSUVmax of 3.2 or less but only 37.5% in those with a TSUVmax of more than 3.2 (adjusted hazard ratio, 9.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–74.76; P = 0.034). CT/18F-FDG PET score (≤4 vs. >4) was also a significant predictor of tumor control after SABR. Tumors with a CT/18F-FDG PET score of more than 4 had a 5.23-fold risk of tumor failure. After adjustment for factors of sex, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score, and Child–Pugh classification, tumors with a score of more than 4 had a 4.96-fold risk of failure after SABR, compared with tumors with a score of 4 or less. For overall survival, none was statistically significant. Conclusion: The use of 18F FDG PET to predict tumor control is feasible. TSUVmax with a cutoff value of 3.2 is the best prognostic indicator. We suggest that 18F-FDG PET may be a reference for prognostic prediction, patient selection, and radiation dose adjustment for HCC patients treated with SABR.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients who failed or were unsuitable for transarterial chemoembolization.

Background The role of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are refractory to or unsuitable for transarterial chemoembolization remains unclear. We examined the efficacy and safety of Cyberknife SABR and its effect on survival in this group of HCC patients. Materials and methods From June 2008 to June 2011, 53 patients with 68 tumors of unresectable HCC were treated using Cyberknife SABR. The tumors measured 1.1–13 cm (median, 4.3 cm). The median prescribed dose was 40 Gy in four to five fractions over 4–5 consecutive working days. Results The median follow-up period was 13.1 months for all patients and 18.1 months for the living patients. Objective responses were observed in 48 of 67 tumors (71.6%), including 22 tumors (32.8%) with complete responses. The 1- and 2-year in-field failure-free rate was 73.3 and 66.8%, respectively. Out-field intrahepatic recurrence was the main cause of treatment failure (28/52 patients). The median survival time was 20.0 months, and the 1- and 2-year overall survival rate was 70.1 and 45.4%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (⩽1 vs. >1) and tumor response (responder vs. nonresponder) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Radiation-induced liver disease, including classic and nonclassic types, developed in five patients (9.4%). Other acute toxicities were generally mild and tolerable. Conclusion Our findings supported the feasibility of SABR as a salvage treatment for HCC when transarterial chemoembolization was ineffective or technically unsuitable. Additional efforts to improve the response rate and reduce out-field recurrence are required.

Subsequent risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma among patients with allergic rhinitis: A nationwide population‐based cohort study

The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

Repeated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy using CyberKnife for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and toxicities of repeated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Survival outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a nationwide analysis of 13 407 patients in Taiwan.

We reported the contemporary survival outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and analysed the factors affecting survival.

Long-Term Breast Cancer Patient Outcomes After Adjuvant Radiotherapy Using Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy or Conventional Tangential Radiotherapy

AbstractThe aim of the article is to analyze breast cancer patient clinical outcomes after long-term follow-up using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or conventional tangential radiotherapy (cRT).We retrospectively reviewed patients with stage 0–III breast cancer who received breast conserving therapy between April 2004 and December 2007. Of the 234 patients, 103 (44%) were treated with IMRT and 131 (56%) were treated with cRT. A total prescription dose of 45 to 50 Gy (1.8–2 Gy per fraction) was delivered to the whole breast. A 14 Gy boost dose was delivered in 7 fractions. The median follow-up was 8.2 years.Five of 131 (3.8%) cRT-treated patients and 2 of 103 (1.9%) IMRT-treated patients had loco-regional failure. The 8-year loco-regional failure-free survival rates were 96.7% and 97.6% (P = 0.393) in the cRT and IMRT groups, respectively, whereas the 8-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 91.2% and 93.1%, respectively (P = 0.243). Patients treated with IMRT developed ≥ grade 2 acute dermatitis less frequently than patients treated with cRT (40.8% vs 56.5%; P = 0.017). There were no differences in late toxicity.IMRT reduces ≥ grade 2 acute skin toxicity. Local control, DFS, and overall survival were equivalent with IMRT and cRT. IMRT can be considered a standard technique for breast cancer treatment.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy with CyberKnife in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer: preliminary results.

Aims and Background Recent clinical reports of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in the treatment of low-risk prostate cancer have been encouraging. Our study evaluates the efficacy and safety of SABR using the CyberKnife system for treating intermediate- to very-high-risk prostate cancer. Methods and Study Design Between May 2010 and June 2013, 31 patients (15 intermediate risk, 14 high risk, and 2 very high risk) without pelvic lymph node metastasis were enrolled retrospectively. The treatment consisted of 37.5 Gy in 5 fractions over 1-2 weeks using CyberKnife SABR. Twenty-five patients (81%) received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Biochemical failure was defined using the nadir + 2 criterion. Toxicity was assessed with the Common Terminology Criteria of Adverse Events (version 4). Results The median follow-up was 36 months (range 7-58 months). The median pretreatment prostate-pecific antigen (PSA) was 13.5 ng/mL (range 4.5-124.0 ng/mL). The median PSA decreased to 0.09 ng/mL (range <0.04-5.38 ng/mL) and 0.12 ng/mL (range <0.04-2.63 ng/mL) at 6 months and 12 months after SABR, respectively. The 3-year biochemical relapse-free survival was 90.2% for all patients, 100% for the intermediate-risk patients, and 82% for the high- and very-high-risk patients (p = 0.186). No patient experienced ≥ grade 3 toxicity. There were 7 acute and 5 late grade 2 genitourinary toxicities and 1 acute and no late grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity. Conclusions Our preliminary results support that CyberKnife SABR with ADT is safe and feasible in patients with intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer. A further large-scale clinical trial with longer follow-up is warranted.

Novel application of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy using CyberKnife® for early‑stage renal cell carcinoma in patients with pre‑existing chronic kidney disease: Initial clinical experiences

The treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires particular care in order to preserve the remaining renal function. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of a novel nephron-sparing treatment, which is capable of targeting tumors embedded deep within tissues. The present study analyzed three patients, with pre-existing CKD and multiple comorbidities, who were successfully treated for stage I RCC using the CyberKnife® stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) system. The total prescribed dose was 40 Gy in five fractions administered over five consecutive days. Treatment efficiency was determined using computed tomography scans of the tumors and periodic measurements of the glomerular filtration rate over a period of 12–40 months. Local control, defined as a radiologically stable condition, was achieved in all patients. Lung metastasis was observed in one patient nine months after SABR; however, the side-effects were generally mild and self-limiting. One patient developed renal failure 26 months after SABR, while the severity of CKD was only marginally altered in the other two patients and renal failure did not occur. In conclusion, in the present study, SABR with CyberKnife® was observed to be well tolerated in the patients, with an acceptable acute toxicity effect. Therefore, it may represent a potential therapeutic option for patients with early-stage RCC who have previously been diagnosed with CKD, but for whom other nephron-sparing treatments are contraindicated.

Survival and prognostic factors for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy

Objective To evaluate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). Methods This retrospective study evaluated patients with advanced HCC who underwent SABR between December 2007 and July 2015. All patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C disease and Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) class A–B function. In-field control (IFC), overall survival (OS), prognostic factors, and toxicity were evaluated. Results In this study of 89 patients, the 3-year IFC rate was 78.1%, and the 1-year and 3-year OS rates were 45.9% and 24.3%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that CTP class, the presence of main portal vein tumor thrombosis, and the presence of extrahepatic spread were independent predictors of OS. The expected median OS values among patients with ≥2, 1, and 0 predictors were 4.2, 8.6, and 26.4 months, respectively (p <0.001). Conclusions SABR may be useful for patients with advanced HCC, and patient selection could be based on the CTP classification, main portal vein tumor thrombosis, and extrahepatic spread.

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with multiple metastases to the right posterior knee complicated by paraneoplastic hypercalcemia

In this report, we describe the case of a 46-year-old male who presented with a three-month history of progressive intermittent pain over the right posterior knee. Magnetic resonance imaging showed soft tissue masses over the right popliteal fossa. Surgery was performed, and histological examination revealed the mass to be a sarcomatoid carcinoma of poor differentiation. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography showed FDG uptake in the lungs and in the right para-aortic and popliteal regions. On the basis of the morphological and immunohistochemical features of the specimens, the patient’s condition was diagnosed as a pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with multiple metastases. Systemic chemotherapy was initiated with paclitaxel and cisplatin. The patient then developed paraneoplastic hypercalcemia and ultimately succumbed to healthcare-acquired pneumonia. The results of this rare case indicate that pulmonary pleomorphic carcinomas respond poorly to combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin. The firm mass in the popliteal fossa that was situated behind the knee was considered to be a Baker cyst; however, the possibility of malignant metastatic sarcomas, such as pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In conclusion, we emphasize that pretherapeutic examinations should be the basis for the diagnosis of a mass lesion at either an unusual or usual site.