Irfan Ahmad

Case of polyostotic primary bone lymphoma successfully treated with immunochemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy

A 47-year-old woman presented with symptoms of sharp pain over the left anterior thigh with radiation from the groin to the knee. She subsequently developed numbness in that region and reduced motor strength in extensors of the left knee. Plain radiography of the spine and knee was normal. An MRI of the spine revealed an irregular extramedullary mass with intradural and extradural components, extending from the L3 to L5 vertebrae. She underwent a laminectomy and posterior spinal decompression based on a working diagnosis of nerve sheath tumour. Histopathology revealed a primary bone lymphoma. A positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT) performed as part of the staging workup revealed fluorodeoxyglucose avid lesions in the spine and left femur. She received immunochemotherapy (Rituximab-Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin and Prednisone) for eight cycles with an interim PET-CT revealing complete response. Subsequently, she received consolidation radiotherapy, 36 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks to both lesions. She is now disease-free on follow-up for the past 1 year.

Primary vertebral leiomyosarcoma masquerading as a nerve sheath tumour

A 47-year-old woman presented with symptoms of low back pain and weakness in bilateral lower limbs. MRI of the spine revealed a mass arising from T11 vertebra involving neural foramina at bilateral T11–12 and right T10–11 levels with extension to the right paravertebral region. Suspecting a nerve sheath tumour, she underwent posterior spinal decompression, stabilisation and debulking, following which her neurological symptoms resolved. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation revealed a leiomyosarcoma. A month later she developed sudden paraparesis and MRI revealed an increase in size of the tumour with cord compression and displacement. She underwent a repeat spinal decompression and debulking procedure after which she received adjuvant radiotherapy via volumetric modulated arc therapy, to a total dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. MRI performed 2 months later revealed complete response and she is disease free for the past 5 months.

Technological Development, Clinical Application, Quality Assurance and Dosimetric Validation of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (Vmat): A Comprehensive Literature Review

Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) is a recently developed technology which, similar to Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), utilizes optimization algorithms to find an acceptable solution. VMAT optimization algorithms are more complex and resource intensive than IMRT algorithms, as the former have to account for many more variables including machine-specific limitations. VMAT is distinguished from traditional fixed-beam IMRT in that radiation is delivered while the gantry rotates around the patient. It is a significant advancement over fixed gantry angle IMRT in terms of the efficiency of delivery of desired complex dose distributions (dose painting) in modern-day radiotherapy. The purpose of this review is to discuss the technological development, clinical applications and quality assurance of VMAT.

Radiation Induced Alopecia: An Under-Appreciated Side Effect of Whole Brain Radiotherapy and Strategies to Ameliorate it

Irfan Ahmad1*, Kabir Sardana2, Kundan Singh Chufal3 and Chandi Prasad Bhatt1 1Deptt of Radiotherapy, Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre, 1 Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi, India 2Deptt of Dermatology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi, India 3Deptt of Radiotherapy, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Rohini, New Delhi, India

Early Clinical Outcomes, Patterns of Failure, and Acute Haematologic Toxicity of Image-Guided Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (IG-VMAT) in the Definitive Treatment of Locally Advanced Carcinoma Cervix:

Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes and failure patterns in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated definitively using image-guided volumetric-modulated arc therapy (IG-VMAT). Methods and materials: This retrospective review included 18 consecutively treated patients with LACC. Treatment consisted of IG-VMAT and concurrent chemotherapy followed by intracavitary radiotherapy. The primary end points were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Acute haematologic toxicity was evaluated using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Results: A total of 16 patients were either stage IIB or IIIB and the median follow-up was 30.5 months (interquartile range: 13-36.25 months). The 2-year DFS was 63.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.8%-72.4%) and 2-year OS was 72.2% (95% CI: 62.1%-80.5%). There were 7 treatment failures, predominantly in-field. Acute haematologic toxicity was low. Conclusions: IG-VMAT is associated with favourable outcomes for patients with LACC.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cervix: a rare diagnosis.

A 48-year-old woman presented with symptoms of lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge for 6 months. Clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound scan suggested a diagnosis of infected Gartners cyst, for which she underwent vaginal cystectomy. However, histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cervix. Further investigations revealed the stage to be FIGO IIIB, which was inoperable. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide, cisplatin and etoposide, every 21 days), but the tumour did not respond to treatment and she was started on radiotherapy with definitive intent (55.8 Gray in 31 fractions over 6.2 weeks). A PET-CT performed 2 months after completion of radiotherapy showed complete response, and she is now receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.