M. Algara

Five-year outcomes, cosmesis, and toxicity with 3-dimensional conformal external beam radiation therapy to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation.

PURPOSE To report the interim results from a study comparing the efficacy, toxicity, and cosmesis of breast-conserving treatment with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) or whole breast irradiation (WBI) using 3-dimensional conformal external beam radiation therapy (3D-CRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS 102 patients with early-stage breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery were randomized to receive either WBI (n=51) or APBI (n=51). In the WBI arm, 48 Gy was delivered to the whole breast in daily fractions of 2 Gy, with or without additional 10 Gy to the tumor bed. In the APBI arm, patients received 37.5 Gy in 3.75 Gy per fraction delivered twice daily. Toxicity results were scored according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Common Toxicity Criteria. Skin elasticity was measured using a dedicated device (Multi-Skin-Test-Center MC-750-B2, CKelectronic-GmbH). Cosmetic results were assessed by the physician and the patients as good/excellent, regular, or poor. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 5 years. No local recurrences were observed. No significant differences in survival rates were found. APBI reduced acute side effects and radiation doses to healthy tissues compared with WBI (P<.01). Late skin toxicity was no worse than grade 2 in either group, without significant differences between the 2 groups. In the ipsilateral breast, the areas that received the highest doses (ie, the boost or quadrant) showed the greatest loss of elasticity. WBI resulted in a greater loss of elasticity in the high-dose area compared with APBI (P<.05). Physician assessment showed that >75% of patients in the APBI arm had excellent or good cosmesis, and these outcomes appear to be stable over time. The percentage of patients with excellent/good cosmetic results was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS APBI delivered by 3D-CRT to the tumor bed for a selected group of early-stage breast cancer patients produces 5-year results similar to those achieved with conventional WBI.

Predictors of Acute Esophagitis in Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Concurrent Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

PURPOSE To evaluate the risk factors for acute esophagitis (AET) in lung cancer patients treated with concurrent 3D-CRT and chemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Data from 100 patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with a mean dose of 62.05 +/- 4.64 Gy were prospectively evaluated. Esophageal toxicity was graded according to criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. The following dosimetric parameters were analyzed: length and volume of esophagus in treatment field, percentage of esophagus volume treated to >or=10, >or=20, >or=30, >or=35, >or=40, >or=45, >or=50, >or=55, and >or=60 Gy, and the maximum (D(max)) and mean doses (D(mean)) delivered to the esophagus. Also, we developed an esophagitis index (EI) to account the esophagitis grades over treatment time. RESULTS A total of 59 patients developed AET (Grade 1, 26 patients; Grade 2, 29 patients; and Grade 3, 4 patients). V50 was associated with AET duration (p = 0.017), AET Grade 1 duration (p = 0.016), maximum analgesia (p = 0.019), esophagitis index score (p = 0.024), and AET Grade >or=1 (p = 0.058). If V50 is <30% there is a 47.3% risk of AET Grade >or=1, which increases to 73.3% if V50 is >or=30% (p = 0.008). The predictive abilities of models (sensitivity and specificity) were calculated by receiver operating characeristic curves. CONCLUSIONS According to the receiver operating characeristic curve analysis, the 30% of esophageal volume receiving >or=50 Gy was the most statistically significant factor associated with AET Grade >or=1 and maximum analgesia (A(max)). There was an association with AET Grade >or=2 but it did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.076).

Relationship Between Radiation-Induced Apoptosis of T Lymphocytes and Chronic Toxicity in Patients With Prostate Cancer Treated by Radiation Therapy: A Prospective Study

PURPOSE To assess the correlation of radiation-induced apoptosis in vitro of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes with late toxicity of prostate cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS 214 patients were prospectively included in the study. Peripheral blood was drawn from patients before treatment and irradiated with 8 Gy. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes that underwent radiation-induced apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Toxicity and mortality were correlated in 198 cases with pretreatment apoptosis and clinical and biological variables by use of a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS The mean percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte radiation-induced apoptosis was 28.58% (±14.23) and 50.76% (±18.9), respectively. Genitourinary (GU) toxicity was experienced by 39.9% of patients, while gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was experienced by 19.7%. The probability of development of GU toxicity was nearly doubled (hazard ratio [HR] 1.99, P=.014) in those patients in whom the percentage of in vitro radiation-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T-lymphocytes was ≤28.58%. It was also almost double in patients who received doses ≥50 Gy in 65% of the bladder volume (V65 ≥50) (HR 1.92, P=.048). No correlation was found between GI toxicity and any of the variables studied. The probability of death during follow-up, after adjustment for different variables, was 2.7 times higher in patients with a percentage of CD8+ T lymphocyte apoptosis ≤50.76% (P=.022). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study shows, in the largest prospective cohort of prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, that in vitro radiation-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T lymphocytes assessed before radiation therapy was associated with the probability of developing chronic GU toxicity. In addition, the radiation dose received in the urinary bladder (V65 ≥50) affected the occurrence of GU toxicity. Finally, we also demonstrate that radiation-induced apoptosis of CD8+ T lymphocytes was associated with overall survival, although larger series are needed to confirm this finding.

Radiation techniques used in patients with breast cancer: Results of a survey in Spain

AIM To evaluate the resources and techniques used in the irradiation of patients with breast cancer after lumpectomy or mastectomy and the status of implementation of new techniques and therapeutic schedules in our country. BACKGROUND The demand for cancer care has increased among the Spanish population, as long as cancer treatment innovations have proliferated. Radiation therapy in breast cancer has evolved exponentially in recent years with the implementation of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy, image guided radiotherapy and hypofractionation. MATERIAL AND METHODS An original survey questionnaire was sent to institutions participating in the SEOR-Mama group (GEORM). In total, the standards of practice in 969 patients with breast cancer after surgery were evaluated. RESULTS The response rate was 70% (28/40 centers). In 98.5% of cases 3D conformal treatment was used. All the institutions employed CT-based planning treatment. Boost was performed in 56.4% of patients: electrons in 59.8%, photons in 23.7% and HDR brachytherapy in 8.8%. Fractionation was standard in 93.1% of patients. Supine position was the most frequent. Only 3 centers used prone position. The common organs of risk delimited were: homolateral lung (80.8%) and heart (80.8%). In 84% histograms were used. An 80.8% of the centers used isocentric technique. In 62.5% asymmetric fields were employed. CTV was delimited in 46.2%, PTV in 65% and both in 38.5%. A 65% of the centers checked with portal films. IMRT and hypofractionation were used in 1% and in 5.5% respectively. CONCLUSION In most of centers, 3D conformal treatment and CT-based planning treatment were used. IMRT and hypofractionation are currently poorly implemented in Spain.

Demand for radiotherapy in Spain.

AimAssessing the demand for radiotherapy in Spain based on existing evidence to estimate the human resources and equipment needed so that every person in Spain has access to high-quality radiotherapy when they need it.Material and methodsWe used data from the European Cancer Observatory on the estimated incidence of cancer in Spain in 2012, along with the evidence-based indications for radiotherapy developed by the Australian CCORE project, to obtain an optimal radiotherapy utilisation proportion (OUP) for each tumour.ResultsAbout 50.5 % of new cancers in Spain require radiotherapy at least once over the course of the disease. Additional demand for these services comes from reradiation therapy and non-melanoma skin cancer. Approximately, 25–30 % of cancer patients with an indication for radiotherapy do not receive it due to factors that include access, patient preference, familiarity with the treatment among physicians, and especially resource shortages, all of which contribute to its underutilisation.ConclusionsRadiotherapy is underused in Spain. The increasing incidence of cancer expected over the next decade and the greater frequency of reradiations necessitate the incorporation of radiotherapy demand into need-based calculations for cancer services planning.

Acute motor axonal neuropathy associated with anal carcinoma: Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome or coincidence?

AIM Assessment of the association of an acute motor axonal neuropathy with a squamous cell anal carcinoma. BACKGROUND Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are not a direct consequence of neither primary tumor nor its metastasis. They often parallel the course of the malignancy but may be the presenting sign of an occult cancer. Sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish if it is a paraneoplastic syndrome or just a coincidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS We report a 60-year-old man that presented with an acute motor deficit of the four limbs. Clinical examination found a pure and severe motor deficit in the four limbs. No sensory abnormality was found and all motor nerves were unexcitable. Electromyography suggested the diagnosis of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). Four months after developing the AMAN, blood in the stool revealed anal carcinoma. The patient was treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Radiation was given to the tumor and to the pelvis, including inguinal nodes, over a five-week period plus fluorouracil and mitomycin. We investigated the presence of antiganglioside antibodies as studies suggest that carcinomas can express antigens shared with Schwann cells. RESULTS Anti-GM1 IgG antibodies were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Other antibodies, including antinuclear nucleoprotein antibody (anti-Hu), anti-Tr, anti-Ri, anti-CV2, anti-amphiphysin and anti-Yo, were negative. Clinical improvement of the motor state was observed at the fourth week of oncologic treatment. CONCLUSION The presence of anti-GM1 IgG antibodies and the clinical improvement of the motor state after concurrent chemoradiotherapy lead us to believe there is an association between anal carcinoma and this severe impairment.

Long-term results and prognostic factors of patients with cervical carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Aims and backgroundTo evaluate the predictive factors of recurrence in cervical cancer treated with radical radiochemotherapy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 56 women was performed. Response was assessed using the RECIST response. Overall survival and disease-free survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse predictors of recurrence.ResultsLocal recurrence was documented in 16 patients and distant metastases in 15. The Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities were 95.1±6.4% at 3 years and 80.4±13.1% at 5 years and the Kaplan-Meier curve values for disease-free survival were 60.3±14.3% at 3 years and 53.0±15.7% at 5 years. Thirty-five patients were alive and 21 patients died, 19 from metastatic disease and 2 from other causes. Complete response after chemoradiation therapy, squamous cell carcinoma and tumour size ≤4 cm were significantly associated with outcome. In the Cox regression model, tumour size >4 cm (hazard ratio 7.48; 95% CI 2.71–20.6; p<0.001) and partial response (hazard ratio 7.09; 95% CI 2.82–17.8; p<0.001) were predictive factors for disease-free survival and partial response (hazard ratio 3.7; 95% CI 1.3–10.1; p<0.001) and non-squamous cell carcinoma (hazard ratio 3.5; 95% CI 1.2–9.7; p<0.001) were predictive factors for overall survival.ConclusionsNon-squamous histology and partial response were independent prognostic factors for overall survival and tumour size and partial response were independent prognostic variables for 5-year disease survival.

Once-Weekly Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer in Elderly Patients: Efficacy and Tolerance in 486 Patients

Purpose Radiation therapy is a key treatment of breast cancer. Elderly patients with associated diseases that modify their performance status do not tolerate long periods of daily irradiation. The objective of this study is to analyze the results of weekly hypofractionated treatment in these patients. Material and Methods Between 1992 and 2016, we included 486 elderly patients presenting concomitant pathology or sociofamilial problems in which it was not feasible to propose conventional treatment. They were treated with conservative surgery or mastectomy and then adjuvant hypofractionated irradiation, administering 5 Gy or 6.25 Gy in 6 fractions, once a week (total dose 30–37.5 Gy) over 6 weeks. Results Breast cancer overall survival according to the Kaplan-Meier method at 5 years was 74.2% ± 2.3%; breast cancer disease-free survival was 90% ± 1.6%; local relapse-free survival was 96.5% ± 1% showing that patients die more from other causes and not from their neoplasia. Acute dermatitis was mild (75.6% of the patients grades I–III) and 30.6% had moderate chronic fibrosis. Conclusions The once-weekly hypofractionated radiotherapy is a feasible and convenient option for elderly patients with breast cancer. It is a safe treatment modality with similar survival and local control results compared to standard fractionation, while the side effects are acceptable.

Hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer: how to evaluate chronic toxicity and cosmesis?

Adjuvant irradiation constitutes an important component in the postoperative treatment of breast cancer, reaching as far as 25–30% of workload in radiotherapy departments. Some approaches to reduce delays and optimize available resources include accelerated schedules of daily doses slightly superior to standard ones (1). Several trials had utilized altered fractionations ranging from 2.5 Gy in 16 fractions to 3.3 Gy in 13 fractions (2,3), showing almost an equivalent safety and effectiveness compared to standard fractionation.

OC-0342: Chemoradiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer (QRT SOGUG trial): Preliminary report

S157 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion: There is evidence to suggest a dose volume effect between the PB and EP. Discriminatory PB dosevolume constraints were found to predict G2 EP. Further analysis is in progress to include patient reported outcomes related to EP. Ref: (1) Wallner, IJROBP 2002 (2) Perna, Rad Onc 2011 (3) Gay, IJROBP 2012