Daniel J. Indelicato

The management of adult soft tissue sarcomas.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a relatively rare, heterogeneous group of tumors arising from mesenchymal tissues and occurring almost anywhere in the body. The rate of progression and likelihood of hematogenous dissemination, usually to the lung, is determined primarily by tumor grade. The likelihood of regional spread is low. Pretreatment evaluation includes computed tomography of the primary site and chest and magnetic resonance imaging of the primary tumor. The mainstay of treatment is surgery; wide excision for low-grade lesions and wide or radical (compartmental) resection for high-grade tumors. Often, these procedures cannot be achieved either because of the location and extent of the sarcoma or anticipated functional deficit. Adjuvant preoperative and/or postoperative radiotherapy improves the likelihood of local control and preserves function when adequate margins cannot be achieved with surgery alone. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is unclear; however, some data suggest the doxorubicin containing regimens may improve the likelihood of cure for high-grade lesions, particularly large tumors arising in the extremities. Prognosis is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, tumor size, histologic grade, depth (superficial or deep), histologic subtype, and site. Approximately 90% and 98% of recurrences are observed within 5 years and 10 years, respectively. Five-year overall survival rates range from approximately 60% to 80%.

Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) technologies for radiation therapy localization and delivery.

Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) Technologies for Radiation Therapy Localization and Delivery Jennifer De Los Santos, MD,* Richard Popple, PhD,* Nzhde Agazaryan, PhD,y John E. Bayouth, PhD,z Jean-Pierre Bissonnette, PhD,x Mary Kara Bucci, MD,k Sonja Dieterich, PhD,{ Lei Dong, PhD, Kenneth M. Forster, PhD,** Daniel Indelicato, MD,yy Katja Langen, PhD,zz Joerg Lehmann, PhD,{ Nina Mayr, MD,xx Ishmael Parsai, PhD,{{ William Salter, PhD, Michael Tomblyn, MD, MS,*** William T.C. Yuh, MD, MSEE,kk and Indrin J. Chetty, PhDyyy *Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; yDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; zDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; xDepartment of Radiation Physics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; kAnchorage Radiation Therapy Center, Anchorage, Alaska; {Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California; Scripps Proton Therapy Center, San Diego, California; **Department of Radiation Oncology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama; yyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, Florida; zzDepartment of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida; Departments of xxRadiation Oncology and kkRadiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; {{Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio; Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah; ***Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida; and yyyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital and Health Centers, Detroit, Michigan

Incidence and dosimetric parameters of pediatric brainstem toxicity following proton therapy

Abstract Background. Proton therapy offers superior low and intermediate radiation dose distribution compared with photon-based radiation for brain and skull base tumors; yet tissue within and adjacent to the target volume may receive a comparable radiation dose. We investigated the tolerance of the pediatric brainstem to proton therapy and identified prognostic variables. Material and methods. All patients < 18 years old with tumors of the brain or skull base treated from 2007 to 2013 were reviewed; 313 who received > 50.4 CGE to the brainstem were included in this study. Brainstem toxicity was graded according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0. Results. The three most common histologies were ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, and low-grade glioma. Median patient age was 5.9 years (range 0.5–17.9 years) and median prescribed dose was 54 CGE (range 48.6–75.6 CGE). The two-year cumulative incidence of toxicity was 3.8% ± 1.1%. The two-year cumulative incidence of grade 3 + toxicity was 2.1% ± 0.9%. Univariate analysis identified age < 5 years, posterior fossa tumor location and specific dosimetric parameters as factors associated with an increased risk of toxicity. Conclusion. Utilization of current national brainstem dose guidelines is associated with a low risk of brainstem toxicity in pediatric patients. For young patients with posterior fossa tumors, particularly those who undergo aggressive surgery, our data suggest more conservative dosimetric guidelines should be considered.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to parotid-area lymph nodes.

Introduction: Metastatic spread to parotid‐area lymph nodes (PALN) occurs in 1% to 3% of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Presented herein is the University of Florida experience using radiation therapy (RT) to treat patients with PALN metastases from a skin primary.

The significance of a marginal excision after preoperative radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity

Marginal excision of soft tissue sarcoma (STS), defined as resection through the tumor pseudocapsule or surrounding reactive tissue, increases the likelihood of local recurrence and necessitates re‐excision or postoperative radiation. However, its impact after preoperative radiation therapy (RT) remains unclear. This study therefore investigated the significance of marginal margins in patients treated with preoperative RT for extremity STS, reporting long‐term local control and limb preservation endpoints.

Clinical and molecular features of papillary thyroid cancer in adolescents and young adults

Age disparities in thyroid cancer incidence and outcome among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with thyroid cancer are under reported. In this study, the authors compared the molecular and clinical features of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in AYAs with the same features among patients in other age groups.

Cine-magnetic resonance imaging assessment of intrafraction motion for prostate cancer patients supine or prone with and without a rectal balloon.

Purpose:Determine prostate intrafraction motion with Cine-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and deformable registration. Methods:A total of 68 cine-MRI studies were done in 17 different series with 4 scans per series in 7 patients. In without rectal balloon (WORB) scans, 100 mL of water was infused in the rectum. Each series consisted of supine and prone, with a rectal balloon (WRB) and WORB. Each scan was performed over 4 minutes. Automatic deformable registration software developed by View Ray, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio was employed to segment the prostate for each cine-MRI image. A time-based analysis was done for the different positions and the use of the rectal balloon. Results:The variation/standard deviation of the prostate position during 240 seconds was: supine WRB: 0.55 mm, WORB: 1.2 mm, and prone WRB: 1.48 mm, WORB: 2.15 mm (P < 0.001). A strong relationship was observed between time and prostate motion. For the initial 120 s the standard deviation was smaller than for the second 120 s supine WRB 0.54 mm versus 1.37 mm; supine WORB 0.61 mm versus 1.70 mm; prone WRB 0.85 mm versus 1.85 mm; and prone WORB 1.60 mm versus 2.56 mm. The probabilities for prostate staying within ±2 mm to its initial position are: 94.8% supine WRB; 91.5% supine WORB; 92.3% prone WRB; 79.2% prone WORB. Conclusions:Intrafraction prostate motion was found dependent on time, patient position, and the use of a rectal balloon. Relatively stable positions can be obtained for 4 minutes or less especially in the supine position with a rectal balloon.

The Dynamic Tumor Bed: Volumetric Changes in the Lumpectomy Cavity During Breast-Conserving Therapy

PURPOSE To characterize the magnitude of volume change in the postoperative tumor bed before and during radiotherapy, and to identify any factors associated with large volumetric change. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirty-six consecutive patients with early-stage or preinvasive breast cancer underwent breast-conserving therapy at our institution between June 2006 and October 2007. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the breast were obtained shortly after surgery, before the start of radiotherapy (RT) for treatment planning, and, if applicable, before the tumor bed boost. Postoperative changes, seroma, and surgical clips were used to define the tumor bed through consensus agreement of 3 observers (B.P., D.I., and J.L.). Multiple variables were examined for correlation with volumetric change. RESULTS Between the first and last scan obtained (median time, 7.2 weeks), the tumor bed volume decreased at least 20% in 86% of patients (n = 31) and at least 50% in 64% of patients (n = 23). From the postoperative scan to the planning scan (median time, 3 weeks), the tumor bed volume decreased by an average of 49.9%, or approximately 2.1% per postoperative day. From planning scan to boost scan (median interval, 7 weeks), the median tumor bed volume decreased by 44.6%, at an average rate of 0.95% per postoperative day. No single factor was significantly associated with a change in tumor bed volume greater than 20%. CONCLUSIONS The average postlumpectomy cavity undergoes dramatic volumetric change after surgery and continues this change during RT. The rate of change is inversely proportional to the duration from surgery. In this study no factors studied predicted large volumetric change.

External‐beam radiotherapy for pediatric and young adult desmoid tumors

To report long‐term outcomes following radiotherapy for desmoid tumors in children and young adults and identify variables impacting local‐regional control and treatment complications.

Patterns of Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicities in Younger Children and Adolescents with Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report from the Children’s Oncology Group Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee

Patients aged >10 years with rhabdomyosarcoma have an inferior outcome compared with patients ages 1 to 9 years, which may be explained by toxicities (adverse events [AEs]) that result in chemotherapy dose reductions.