F. Couñago

Role of 3T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging without endorectal coil in the detection of local recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: the radiation oncology point of view

Abstract Objective. The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of 3 tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (3TmMRI) without endorectal coil in the detection of radiographic local recurrences (rLRs) in a contemporary cohort of patients with prostate cancer who presented with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) with low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and to identify clinical parameters associated with the 3TmMRI findings. Materials and methods. Between 2009 and 2013, 57 patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after RP who were considered for salvage radiation therapy (SRT) were included. 3TmMRI with T2-weighted imaging, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging without endorectal coil was carried out in all patients before treatment. Results. In 14 out of 57 patients (24.56%) local recurrence was detected through 3TmMRI. Median pre-SRT PSA was 0.40 ng/ml (interquartile range 0.30–2.05 ng/ml). The recurrence was perianastomotic in eight out of 14 patients (57.14%) and retrovesical in six out of 14 patients (42.86%). The median size of the local recurrence was 15.2 mm (range 8.0–46.0 mm). The probability of rLR was significantly higher in patients with PSA levels above 0.5 ng/ml [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 6.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27–30.79, p = 0.02] or PSA doubling time (PSADT) over 14 months (adjusted OR 7.12, 95% CI 1.40–36.25, p = 0.01). Conclusions. This is the first study to find a significant relationship between the PSADT and the rLR through MRI. Patients with PSADT longer than 14 months or pre-SRT PSA above 0.5 ng/ml benefited most from 3TmMRI. Its routine use could have significant clinical implications for SRT.

Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate cancer before radical and salvage radiotherapy: What radiation oncologists need to know

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is one of the principal curative treatments for patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Risk group classification is based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, and T-stage. After risk group determination, the treatment volume and dose are defined and androgen deprivation therapy is prescribed, if appropriate. Traditionally, imaging has played only a minor role in T-staging due to the low diagnostic accuracy of conventional imaging strategies such as transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography, and morphologic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a result, a notable percentage of tumours are understaged, leading to inappropriate and imprecise EBRT. The development of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), an imaging technique that combines morphologic studies with functional diffusion-weighted sequences and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of PCa. As a result, mpMRI is now used in staging PCa prior to EBRT, with possible implications for both risk group classification and treatment decision-making for EBRT. mpMRI is also being used in salvage radiotherapy (SRT), the treatment of choice for patients who develop biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. In the clinical context of biochemical relapse, it is essential to accurately determine the site of recurrence - pelvic (local, nodal, or bone) or distant - in order to select the optimal therapeutic management approach. Studies have demonstrated the value of mpMRI in detecting local recurrences - even in patients with low PSA levels (0.3-0.5 ng/mL) - and in diagnosing bone and nodal metastasis. The main objective of this review is to update the role of mpMRI prior to radical EBRT or SRT. We also consider future directions for the use and development of MRI in the field of radiation oncology.

Targeted therapy combined with radiotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer: a review of the Oncologic Group for the Study of Lung Cancer (Spanish Radiation Oncology Society)

In recent years, major advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of lung cancer, together with significant improvements in radiotherapy technologies, have revolutionized the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This has led to the development of new therapies that target molecular mutations specific to each tumor type, acting on the cell surface antigens or intracellular signaling pathways, or directly affecting cell survival. At the same time, ablative dose radiotherapy can be delivered safely in the context of metastatic disease. In this article, the GOECP/SEOR (Oncological Group for Study of Lung Cancer/Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology) reviews the role of new targeted therapies used in combination with radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced (stage III) NSCLC and in patients with advanced, metastatic (stage IV) NSCLC.

Recent developments in radiotherapy for small-cell lung cancer: a review by the Oncologic Group for the Study of Lung Cancer (Spanish Radiation Oncology Society)

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 13% of all lung tumours. The standard treatment in patients with limited-stage disease is radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. In extensive SCLC, the importance of consolidation thoracic radiotherapy in patients with a good treatment response has become increasingly recognized. In both limited and extensive disease, prophylactic cranial irradiation is recommended in patients who respond to treatment. New therapeutic approaches such as immunotherapy are being increasingly incorporated into the treatment of SCLC, although more slowly than in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Diverse radiation dose and fractionation schemes, administered in varying combinations with these new drugs, are being investigated. In the present study we review and update the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of SCLC. We also discuss the main clinical trials currently underway in order to identify future trends.

Evidence-based recommendations of postoperative radiotherapy in lung cancer from Oncologic Group for the Study of Lung Cancer (Spanish Radiation Oncology Society)

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a diversified illness in which postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for complete resection with positive hiliar (pN1) and/or mediastinal (pN2) lymph nodes is controversial. Although several studies have shown that PORT has beneficial effects, randomized trials are needed to demonstrate its impact on overall survival. In this review, the Spanish Radiation Oncology Group for Lung Cancer describes the most relevant literature on PORT in NSCLC patients stage pN1–2. In addition, we have outlined the current recommendations of different national and international clinical guidelines and have also specified practical issues regarding treatment volume definition, doses and fractionation.

Neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery versus definitive chemoradiation in stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer: A multi-institutional study by the oncologic group for the study of lung cancer (Spanish Radiation Oncology Society)

OBJECTIVES The role of surgery in stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an actively debated in oncology. To evaluate the value of surgery in this patient population, we conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study comparing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy plus surgery (CRTS) to definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 247 patients with potentially resectable stage T1-T3N2M0 NSCLC treated with either CRTS or dCRT between January 2005 and December 2014 at 15 hospitals in Spain were identified. A centralized review was performed to ensure resectability. A propensity score matched analysis was carried out to balance patient and tumor characteristics (n = 78 per group). RESULTS Of the 247 patients, 118 were treated with CRTS and 129 with dCRT. In the CRTS group, 62 patients (52.5%) received neoadjuvant CRT and 56 (47.4%) neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Surgery consisted of either lobectomy (97 patients; 82.2%) or pneumonectomy (21 patients; 17.8%). In the matched samples, median overall survival (OS; 56 vs 29 months, log-rank p = .002) and progression-free survival (PFS; 46 vs 15 months, log-rank p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the CRTS group. This survival advantage for CRTS was maintained in the subset comparison between the lobectomy subgroup versus dCRT (OS: 57 vs 29 months, p < 0.001; PFS: 46 vs 15 months, p < 0.001), but not in the comparison between the pneumonectomy subgroup and dCRT. CONCLUSION The findings reported here indicate that neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery (preferably lobectomy) yields better OS and PFS than definitive chemoradiotherapy in patients with resectable stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC.

Endorectal magnetic resonance imaging for risk classification of localized prostate cancer: Radiographic findings and influence on treatment decisions.

To the Editor: We appreciated the article of Liauw et al. [1] about the endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its influence in radiotherapeutic management. The influence of the 3 T endorectal MRI staging on the final radiotherapy (RT) treatment decision was analyzed in a total of 122 patients with prostate cancer. Briefly, in that study, the initially planned treatment was modified in 18% of patients. Surprisingly, the authors stated the following within the discussion: “There are no reports to our knowledge, which address the role of MRI on clinical decision-making from the radiation oncologists perspective.” However, our group has already published 2 studies analyzing the influence on final decisions in RT treatment of 3 T multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) without endorectal coil [2,3]. In our series, with a total of 274 patients [3], the global change in the risk groups when considering all factors, such as prostate-specific antigen levels, Gleason score, and tumor category, occurred in 32.8% of patients. Our results are comparable to an article published by Panje et al. [4] (28.7%). According to these data, we might say that at least 18% to 32% of patients with prostate cancer staged with mpMRI with or without endorectal coil could face an alteration of the final RT treatment decision. We obtained a global alteration of RT treatment in 43.8% or 52.5% of patients (depending on hormone therapy [HT] criteria for intermediate-risk patients). Other studies have shown a change in RT treatment of between 8% and 34% [5–8]. Such variability can be due to several causes previously described [3], such as factors related to MRI (magnet and coil, the use of functional sequences, expertise of the radiologist, the use of previous HT, etc.); factors related to the initial clinical staging (expertise of the clinician for the digital rectal examination/transrectal ultrasound, the use of computerized tomography scan to evaluate pelvic lymph nodes, etc.); clinical features of the cohorts of patients included in the studies; factors related to the RT treatment given in each center (doses, fractionation, target volume, HT indication, brachytherapy use, etc.); and

PO-0736: Tumour staging using MRI in prostate cancer: improvement of treatment decisions for radiotherapy

Hospital Quiron, Radiology, Madrid, Spain Universidad Europea, Clinical DepartmentFaculty of Biomedicine, Madrid, Spain Universidad Europea, Department of Research, Madrid, Spain Universidad Europea, School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain Hospital Quiron, Medical Physics, Madrid, Spain Hospital Quiron, Pathology, Madrid, Spain Hospital Quiron, Urology, Madrid, Spain Hospital Quiron, Clinical Oncology, Madrid, Spain Hospital Quiron, Assistant manager, Madrid, Spain