Daleep Singh

Scattered radiation to gonads: role of testicular shielding for para-aortic and homolateral illiac nodal radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND Scattered radiation to organs at risk deserves great attention during radiotherapy especially when the concern is about fertility. Minimizing the delivery of scattered radiation to the gonads while treating abdominal nodes or pelvic fields in male patients requires adequate shielding of the testes to preserve testicular functions. We constructed a testicular shield with cerrobend for the purpose of treatment of seminoma of testis stage I and IIA disease. MATERIALS & METHODS An outer shell of coconut of required dimensions was taken as a base over which cerrobend was poured to obtain two semi-spherical half testicular shields. Five patients of seminoma early stage (stage I and IIA) were treated with this testicular shield. RESULTS The estimated total dose received by the testis by scatter radiation after completion of the treatment was 0.115Gy (0.28%) of total mid-plane dose of 40Gy delivered by inverted Y field. At a distance of 8cm from the inferior field border the 2cm thick cerrobend testicular shield provided a shielding factor of 3.2/0.3=10.33. CONCLUSIONS With proper testicular shielding, doses as low as 0.28% of the prescribed dose can be achieved. This low dose is believed to maintain the fertility of the patient.

Comparative analysis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in head and neck cancer and carcinoma cervix during concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Background: Cisplatin is widely used as radio sensitizer in head and neck cancer (HNC) and carcinoma cervix (CaCx). This study aims to see comparative nephrotoxicity of cisplatin in HNC and in CaCx without obstructive uropathy treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients of HNC and 50 patients of CaCx stage II/III without obstructive uropathy were included in this study. Cisplatin 50 mg intravenous weekly was given before EBRT with adequate hydration and premedication in both groups. Before chemotherapy; blood urea, serum creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. GFR was measured using 99mTc diethylene triamine pentacaetic acid (DTPA) renogram study. Results: At the end of 4th week, blood urea level 41-45 mg% was in 40 and 4% in HNC and CaCx, respectively (P = 0.018). At the end of 3rd and 4th week, blood urea level >45 mg% was 10 and 6% in HNC cases, respectively. At the end of 4th week, serum creatinine level 1.1-1.5 mg% was 50 and 8% in HNC and CaCx, respectively (P = 0.047). Serum creatinine level >1.5 mg% was 6, 8, and 22% in HNC at the end of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week, respectively. GFR <80 ml/min at the end of 4th week was 14% in HNC and only 2% in CaCx. GFR <100ml/min was significant at the end of 4th week (P = 0.04). Univariate analysis showed significant relation between reduced oral fluid intake and reduced GFR (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In HNC, during concurrent chemoradiation, as the 3rd-4th week is reached, oral mucosal reactions increase and affect oral intake which further add to the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. In CaCx without obstructive uropathy, renal function impairment is less severe as oral intake of water and liquid is not much impaired.

Addition of magnetic resonance imaging to computed tomography-based three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning for postoperative treatment of astrocytomas: Changes in tumor volume and isocenter shift

Introduction: Postoperative radiotherapy is the current gold standard treatment in astrocytomas. Computed tomography (CT)-based radiotherapy planning leads to either missing of the tumor volume or underdosing. The aim of this prospective study was to study the changes in tumor volume on addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to CT-based three-dimensional radiotherapy treatment planning of astrocytomas. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients of astrocytoma (WHO grades I-IV) for postoperative three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy were included in this prospective study. Postoperative tumor volumes were contoured on CT-based images and recontoured on CT-MRI images after automated MRI co-registration on treatment planning system Eclipse 8.9.15 as per ICRU-50 report. Tumor volumes were compared with each other. Result: The MRI-based mean and median tumor volume was 24.24 cc ± 13.489 and 18.72 cc (range 5.6-46.48 cc), respectively, while for CT it was 19.4 cc ± 11.218 and 16.24 cc (range: 5.1-38.72 cc), respectively. The mean and median isocenter shift between CT and MRI was 4.05 mm and 4.39 mm (range 0.92-6.32 mm), respectively. There is a linear relationship between MRI and CT volume with a good correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.989, and MRI-based tumor volume was 1.208 times as compared to CT volume. Statistical analysis using paired sample t-test for the difference in CT and MRI tumor volume was highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Addition of MRI to the CT-based three-dimensional radiation treatment planning reduces the chances of geographical miss or tumor under dosing. Thus, MRI should be an integral part of three-dimensional planning of astrocytomas.

Necessity of CT-MRI based treatment planning for cervical tumors with retroverted uterus: A case report with review of literature

Treatment of carcinoma cervix is a complex issue influenced by numerous factors, including the patients age, clinical stage of the disease, position of the uterus, comorbidities, etc. The major drawback of the conventional four-field box technique is the lack of complete information about the flexion of the uterus and topography of the tumor. These are further influenced by bladder and rectal filling, which may lead to geographical miss of the clinical target volume (CTV). This problem was noticed mainly in the anterior and posterior borders of the lateral fields and in the superior and lateral borders of the anteroposterior fields. We demonstrate the need for computed tomographic-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based 3D planning of each patient and necessity of sagittal MRI for designing lateral portal in case of conventional four-field technique through an example of a patients sagittal MRI of pelvis showing retroverted uterus.

A simple planning technique of craniospinal irradiation in the eclipse treatment planning system.

A new planning method for Craniospinal Irradiation by Eclipse treatment planning system using Field alignment, Field-in-Field technique was developed. Advantage of this planning method was also studied retrospectively for previously treated five patients of medulloblastoma with variable spine length. Plan consists of half beam blocked parallel opposed cranium, and a single posterior cervicospine field was created by sharing the same isocenter, which obviates divergence matching. Further, a single symmetrical field was created to treat remaining Lumbosacral spine. Matching between a inferior diverging edge of cervicospine field and superior diverging edge of a Lumbosacral field was done using the field alignment option. ′Field alignment′ is specific option in the Eclipse Treatment Planning System, which automatically matches the field edge divergence as per field alignment rule. Multiple segments were applied in both the spine field to manage with hot and cold spots created by varying depth of spinal cord. Plan becomes fully computerized using this field alignment option and multiple segments. Plan evaluation and calculated mean modified Homogeneity Index (1.04 and 0.1) ensured that dose to target volume is homogeneous and critical organ doses were within tolerance. Dose variation at the spinal field junction was verified using ionization chamber array (I′MatriXX) for matched, overlapped and gap junction spine fields; the delivered dose distribution confirmed the ideal clinical match, over exposure and under exposure at the junction, respectively. This method is simple to plan, executable in Record and Verify mode and can be adopted for various length of spinal cord with only two isocenter in shorter treatment time.

Cutaneous metastasis involving face in breast cancer: A series of three patients

Breast carcinoma is the most common malignancy encountered in clinical practice presenting with cutaneous metastasis (CM). CM all over the body with involvement of eyelids is very rare. Here, we present a case series of three patients, two with common nodular metastasis to facial skin and one, a rare case of carcinoma breast with multiple diffuse CM all over the body and face involving eyelids.

Prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients with brain metastasis treated by whole brain radiotherapy: A regional cancer center experience from North West India

Background: Brain metastases are unfortunate consequences frequently found in patients with advanced cancer. The prognosis is poor with an average expected survival time of <6 months by all possible efforts (including radiotherapy). This retrospective study aims to determine survival and prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases who underwent whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to August 2010, a total of 186 patients with brain metastasis was analyzed with the help of available medical records. Of these, 140 patients who received WBRT ΁ chemotherapy were included in this study. The prognostic factors evaluated for overall survival were age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, number of lesions, primary tumor site, extracranial metastases, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Results: The median overall survival was 4 months (95% confidence interval: 3.56-4.43), while 1- and 2-year survival rates were 8.57% and 3.57%, respectively. The most common primary tumor sites were the lung (n = 82; 44.08%) followed by the breast (n = 46; 24.73%), kidney (n = 11; 5.91%), and unknown primary (n = 11; 5.91%). The median overall survival was maximum (4 months) in patients with breast cancer. The 1-year overall survival rate was 8.57% (n = 12) for the whole group and 18.2% (6/33) in breast cancer patients (P = 0.058). In this study, the patients with higher performance status (P = 0.199), solitary brain metastasis (P < 0.0001), female (P = 0.201), and primary tumor under control (P = 0.223) had better survival. Conclusion: This study suggests that overall prognosis of patients with brain metastasis remains to be poor, 1-year survival being <10%. Patients with solitary metastasis and carcinoma breast have comparatively better prognosis.

Multiple metastases from ovarian cancer : case report

Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most common ovarian tumours. Ovarian cancer affects women in the age group >60 years much more frequently than younger women. At the time of diagnosis, cancer will already have spread beyond the ovaries in approximately 75% of cases. We report a case of epithelial ovarian cancer presenting with liver and thoracic vertebral metastases 4 months after completion of treatment, as part of distant spread. The patient was then treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Palliative radiotherapy was given for the involved spine.

Analysis of Sociodemographic Parameters of Patients Admitted in a Newly Established Palliative Care Center in a Regional Cancer Institute of North-West India.

Background: After 4 months of the establishment of palliative care center (PCC) in our institute, we present an audit of the sociodemographic parameters of admitted patients. Such an audit can help to recognize the lacuna in the management and thus help to identify the specific requirements of cancer patients that might be overlooked in a busy cancer center. Materials and Methods: A total of 234 patients were admitted in our PCC since its inception in October 2013. The study design was retrospective, collecting the data from the medical records of the patients. The descriptive statistics of all these data were calculated in terms of frequencies and percentage of categorical variables. Results: Out of 234 patients admitted in PCC, 156 (66%) were male. The median age of the patients was 54 years. A total of 44% patients had primary malignancy of head and neck, 14% of cervical, 17% of lung cancer, 6% of breast, and 5% of colon, respectively. Metastatic disease was present in 76% of the patients admitted in the PCC. Liver was the most common (46%) metastatic site. Total 13 symptoms were identified with mean number of symptoms per patient at admission in PCC being 5.17. Conclusions: Palliative care services are an indispensable part of a tertiary regional cancer care center. The oncologists should be made aware of the requirement of better relief of pain and other distressing symptoms to provide better quality of life to the patients suffering from advanced cancer.

Chylothorax with superior vena caval syndrome as the initial presentation of squamous cell lung cancer: A case report and review of literature

Chylothorax is a rare complication in patients of lung cancer developing usually after cardiothoracic surgery or radiotherapy to chest. Chylothorax as an initial presentation is a rare manifestation of lung cancer. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of lung diagnosed after patient with features of superior vena caval (SVC) syndrome was placed on intercostal drainage tube and frank milky white fluid appeared. SVC syndrome was managed with hypofractionated radiotherapy to the mediastinum. However, chylothorax resolved only after two cycles of chemotherapy. A review of available literature on this rare association is also discussed along with.