Daya Nand Sharma

Early Clinical Outcomes and Toxicity of Intensity Modulated Versus Conventional Pelvic Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Cervix Carcinoma: A Prospective Randomized Study

PURPOSE To evaluate the toxicity and clinical outcome in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with whole pelvic conventional radiation therapy (WP-CRT) versus intensity modulated radiation therapy (WP-IMRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS Between January 2010 and January 2012, 44 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO 2009) stage IIB-IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were randomized to receive 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions delivered via either WP-CRT or WP-IMRT with concurrent weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m(2). Acute toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0, and late toxicity was graded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group system. The primary and secondary endpoints were acute gastrointestinal toxicity and disease-free survival, respectively. RESULTS Of 44 patients, 22 patients received WP-CRT and 22 received WP-IMRT. In the WP-CRT arm, 13 patients had stage IIB disease and 9 had stage IIIB disease; in the IMRT arm, 12 patients had stage IIB disease and 10 had stage IIIB disease. The median follow-up time in the WP-CRT arm was 21.7 months (range, 10.7-37.4 months), and in the WP-IMRT arm it was 21.6 months (range, 7.7-34.4 months). At 27 months, disease-free survival was 79.4% in the WP-CRT group versus 60% in the WP-IMRT group (P=.651), and overall survival was 76% in the WP-CRT group versus 85.7% in the WP-IMRT group (P=.645). Patients in the WP-IMRT arm experienced significantly fewer grade ≥2 acute gastrointestinal toxicities (31.8% vs 63.6%, P=.034) and grade ≥3 gastrointestinal toxicities (4.5% vs 27.3%, P=.047) than did patients receiving WP-CRT and had less chronic gastrointestinal toxicity (13.6% vs 50%, P=.011). CONCLUSION WP-IMRT is associated with significantly less toxicity compared with WP-CRT and has a comparable clinical outcome. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are warranted to justify its use in routine clinical practice.

Role of FDG PET-CT in detecting recurrence in patients with uterine sarcoma: comparison with conventional imaging.

PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT in detecting recurrent disease in posttherapy patients of uterine sarcoma and compare the same with conventional imaging (CI). MethodsA total of 15 FDG PET-CT studies were acquired in 12 posttherapy uterine sarcoma patients. The images were evaluated by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians in consensus. Clinical/imaging follow-up (minimum 6 months) and histopathology were taken as the reference standard. All the patients had also undergone CI (CT or MRI or ultrasonography) of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET-CT was calculated and compared with that of CI. ResultsThe median age of the patients was 51.5 years (interquartile range: 47.5–53). Histopathology was leiomyosarcoma in six, carcinosarcoma in five, and endometrial stromal sarcoma in one patient. Six FDG PET-CT studies were carried out for suspected recurrence and nine for posttherapy surveillance. Six FDG PET-CTs were positive and nine were negative for recurrence. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG PET-CT were 85.7, 100, and 93.3%, respectively, on per study-based analysis, and 80, 100, and 83.3% on per lesion-based analysis. PET-CT showed higher sensitivity and specificity compared with CI for both study-based and lesion-based analysis. However, no significant difference was found between FDG PET-CT and CI either in the study-based or in the lesion-based analysis (P not significant). ConclusionFDG PET-CT is a highly sensitive and specific modality for detecting recurrence in posttherapy patients with uterine sarcoma. However, it provides no significant advantage over CI for this purpose.

Carcinoma endometrium: role of 18-FDG PET/CT for detection of suspected recurrence.

Objective Recurrent carcinoma endometrium has a poor prognosis. However, successful salvage with long-term survival has been achieved after hormone therapy, radical surgery, and radiotherapy/chemotherapy in patients with recurrent disease. Conventional imaging (CI) and tumor marker have limited accuracy for detecting recurrence in these patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of 18-flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients suspected to have recurrence of carcinoma endometrium. Methods In this retrospective study, total 101 patients were evaluated. All patients had undergone surgery with/without adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy/radiotherapy/both) for histologically proven carcinoma endometrium. They underwent 18-FDG PET/CT studies for suspected recurrence. Comparable CI (contrast-enhanced CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging) was available for 76 patients. Results of FDG PET/CT were confirmed with clinical/imaging follow-up and/or histopathology. Results The mean age was 56.9 ± 8.6 years. 18-FDG PET/CT was positive for recurrence in 51 (50.5%) patients and negative in 50 (49.5%). Locoregional disease was observed in 24 patients, metastatic disease was observed in 10, and 17 showed both locoregional and metastatic disease. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of 18-FDG PET/CT were 88.9%, 93.6%, 94.1%, 88%, and 91%, respectively. 18-FDG PET/CT showed strong positive correlation with final diagnosis based on reference standard (&kgr; 0.823; P = 0.0001). Compared to CI, 18-FDG PET/CT has much higher specificity (62% vs. 96.4%), and accuracy (76.3% vs. 92.1%), with comparable sensitivity (85.1% vs. 89.5%). Conclusion 18-FDG PET/CT is a highly sensitive and specific modality for detecting recurrence in post-therapy patients of carcinoma endometrium with suspected recurrence. It performs better than CI.

Use of transrectal ultrasound for high dose rate interstitial brachytherapy for patients of carcinoma of uterine cervix

OBJECTIVE Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has been widely used for guiding prostate implants, but not much for interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) of cervix cancer. The aim of our study is to report our experience with TRUS guided high dose rate (HDR) IBT in patients with carcinoma of uterine cervix. METHODS During the year 2005-2006, 25 patients of cervical cancer not suitable for intracavitary radiotherapy (ICRT), were enrolled in this prospective study. We used B-K Medical USG machine (Falcon 2101) equipped with a TRUS probe (8658) having a transducer of 7.5 MHz for IBT. Post procedure, a CT scan was done for verification of needle position and treatment planning. Two weekly sessions of HDR IBT of 8-10 Gy each were given after pelvic external beam radiation therapy. RESULTS A total of 40 IBT procedures were performed in 25 patients. Average duration of implant procedure was 50 minutes. There was no uterine perforation in any of 11 patients in whom central tandem was used. CT scan did not show needle perforation of bladder/rectum in any of the patients. During perioperative period, only 1 procedure (2.5%) was associated with hematuria which stopped within 6 hours. Severe late toxicity was observed in 3 (12%) patients. Overall pelvic control rate was 64%. CONCLUSION Our experience suggests that TRUS is a practical and effective imaging device for guiding the IBT procedure of cervical cancer patients. It helps in accurate placements of needles thus avoiding the injury to normal pelvic structures.

Lycopene in treatment of high-grade gliomas: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND The therapeutic benefit of lycopene is well established for carcinoma prostate in various clinical trials and has been proposed for other malignancies including high-grade gliomas. SETTING AND DESIGN Randomized placebo control study in the Department of Radiation Oncology of a teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients with high-grade gliomas were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and concomitant paclitaxel. Patients were randomized to receive either oral lycopene (Group A) 8 mg daily with radiotherapy or placebo (Group B). Pre-and post-radiotherapy plasma lycopene levels were measured using high-precision liquid chromatography. McDonalds criteria were used for response assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomograph (SPECT) were done three-monthly for two visits and six-monthly thereafter. Primary endpoint was response at six months post radiotherapy. Statistical Analysis Used : The data was analyzed using SPSS Software v10.0 (SPSS corporation Chicago IL) by applying Students t-test, ANOVA F test, Chi-square test and Karl Pearson Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS Median age was 38 years. The commonest histology was glioblastoma multiforme (n = 32). Pre- and post-treatment plasma lycopene levels in the patients in Gropu A were 152 ng/ml and 316 ng/ml and in the patients in Group B were 93 ng/ml and 98 ng/ml (P = 0.009). There was non-significant differences in favor of lycopene between Group A and Group B with higher overall response at six months (P = 0.100), response at last follow-up (P = 0.171) and time to progression (40.83 vs. 26.74 weeks, P = 0.089)., The follow-up duration was significantly higher for Group A than Group B (66.29 vs. 38.71 weeks, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Addition of nutrition supplements such as lycopene may have potential therapeutic benefit in the adjuvant management of high-grade gliomas.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Trachea Treated with PET-CT Based Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

Primary tumors of the trachea are rare and are usually malignant in adults and benign in children. Adenoid cystic carcinoma, which is of salivary gland origin, account for about one thirds of adult primary tracheal tumors. A 49-year-old gentleman presented to us after undergoing a pneumonectomy elsewhere. Computed tomography scan of the thorax at our hospital showed a residual disease in the primary site, size of which was same as that in the preoperative scan. Because there was a compromised respiratory reserve due to pneumonectomy we decided to keep the radiation dose to the remaining lung as low as possible. We treated him by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) directed intensity modulated radiation therapy to a dose of 60 Gy in 30 Fractions over 6 weeks on a linear accelerator. PET helped in exact localization of the target on the planning CT. He tolerated the treatment very well. PET-CT done 1 year posttreatment showed no residual disease. Presently he is disease free with good pulmonary reserve.

Granulocytic sarcoma masquerading as Ewing's sarcoma: A diagnostic dilemma

An eleven-year-old boy presented with a swelling in his left elbow. Radiologically the features were that of an Ewings sarcoma involving the ulna. Histopathology showed small round cell tumor strongly positive for Monoclonal Imperial Cancer research fund 2 (MIC2) antigen. Similar cells in the bone marrow were involved with MIC2 positivity. The patient developed skin lesions, which on biopsy were found to be chloromas. The initial biopsies were reevaluated with special stains revealing granulocytic sarcomas in acute myeloid leukemia masquerading as Ewings due to its MIC2 positivity. The possibility of myeloid neoplasms should be considered routinely with known MIC2 positive round cell tumors.

High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for T1-T2-stage penile carcinoma: short-term results.

PURPOSE Interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) is a preferred treatment option over partial penectomy in selected patients with T1-T2-stage penile carcinoma because of its organ preservation ability. Literature is mostly based on the use of low-dose-rate IBT, and experience with high-dose-rate (HDR) IBT is extremely limited. We studied the role of HDR-IBT alone in patients with T1-T2-stage penile carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between April 2010 and July 2013, 14 patients with T1-T2-stage penile carcinoma were treated with HDR-IBT at our center. Size of the primary lesion ranged from 1.5 to 4.0cm. A two-to-four-plane free-hand implant was performed using plastic catheters. The prescribed dose of HDR-IBT was 42-51Gy in 14-17 fractions using twice-a-day fractionation schedule. Patients were followed up regularly for assessment of local control, survival, toxicity, and sexual function. RESULTS At a median followup of 22 months, 2 patients developed recurrent disease at locoregional site. The 3-year overall survival was 83% with penis preservation rate of 93%. All patients developed acute Grade III skin toxicity that healed during 6-8-weeks time. Urethral stenosis and soft tissue necrosis was not seen in any of the patients. A total of 4 patients experienced mild asymptomatic fibrosis in the implanted area. Around 10 patients had satisfactory sexual function status at the last followup visit. CONCLUSIONS Although it was a small sample size, our results have demonstrated excellent local control rate and acceptable toxicity with HDR-IBT in patients with T1-T2-stage penile carcinoma.

High Dose Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy using Two Weekly Sessions of 10 Gy Each for Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of high-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-IBT) using two weekly sessions of 10 Gy in combination to pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between the year 2005 and 2007, 42 patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IIB-IVA), not suitable for intracavitary radiotherapy after completing EBRT, were enrolled in this prospective study. Two weekly sessions of HDR-IBT with 10 Gy each were delivered 1 week after pelvic EBRT. Various parameters studied for evaluating the feasibility were procedure-related complications, delayed radiation toxicity, and recurrence-free survival. RESULTS International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage distribution of patients was as follows: Stage IIB (10), Stage IIIB (27), and Stage IVA (5). A total of 84 HDR-IBT procedures were performed in these 42 patients. Each session of brachytherapy treatment (from needle insertion to removal of template) was completed in less than 4 h. Frequency of various procedure-related complications were as follows: hematuria (3.5%), deep vein thrombosis (0%), and visceral puncture (0%). Overall delayed radiation toxicity (Grade III-IV) was 9%. Median followup was 23 months. The 3-y overall survival for all stages was 47% and the 3-y recurrence-free survival for stage IIB, IIIB, and IVA was 67%, 34%, and 20%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our clinical results have shown that weekly HDR-IBT schedule (10 Gy × 2) is associated with low toxicity, decent local control, and survival rates thereby proving its clinical feasibility.

Taxane and Anthracycline Based Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer : Institutional Experience

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the response rates (clinical and pathological ) with docetaxel and epirubicin combination chemotherapy and its effect on outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients who received NACT from January 2008 to December 2012 in our tertiary care centre. LABC constituted 37% of all breast cancer cases and 120 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The regimens used for NACT were, six cycles of DEC (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, epirubicin 75 mg/ m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 on Day 1, 3 weekly) and a sequential regimen (4 cycles of FEC, 5-flurouracil 600 mg/m2, epirubicin 75 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel 85 mg/m2). RESULTS The median age was 47 years (range 23-72). Ninety six ( 80 %) had T4 disease and 90% had clinically palpable lymph nodes at diagnosis. The median size of primary tumor at presentation was 5.9 cm. Hormone receptor positivity was seen in 55% and HER2/neu positivity, in 25%. Triple negative breast cancers constituted 25 % of the cases. The overall clinical response rate ( complete or partial ) was 85% and pathological complete responses were obtained in 15%. Four cases defaulted, 5 patients died of treatment related toxicity and 15% developed febrile neutropenia on DEC. The median duration of follow up was 22 months. The median time to relapse was 20 months and the 3 year relapse free and overall survival rates were 50% and 70% respectively. CONCLUSIONS LABC constituted 37% of all breast cancer cases at our institute. With NACT, pCR was seen in 15% of the cases. Sequential chemotherapy was better tolerated than concurrent anthracyline and taxane chemotherapy with a similar pCR.