Rahul Ravind

Radiation dose to dysphagia aspiration-related structures and its effect on swallowing: Comparison of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans.

CONTEXT Radiotherapy techniques have improved over years but have also raised concerns over subsequent acute and late effects. One such complication, dysphagia, has led to much interest and optimization in treatment delivery. AIMS The aim of this study was to compare radiation dose to dysphagia aspiration related structures (DARS) in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), and assess its relation to post-treatment swallowing status, in patients of carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of tongue. MATERIALS AND METHODS Treatment plans of patients treated with IMRT and 3DCRT, from November 2011 to December 2012, were retrieved. Swallowing structures were contoured. Dose volume histograms were generated. Constraint doses were considered based on the statistical derivations. Swallowing status was evaluated based on University of Washington Head- and Neck-related Quality-of-Life questions addressing swallowing. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED IBM SPSS Statistics 20 Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used. Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearmans rho correlation coefficient, and receiver operating curves were used. RESULTS Definitive statistical and subjective correlations were found to exist between doses of swallowing structures, especially the constrictor muscles, the base of the tongue and larynx. Probable mean dose constraints derived statistically clinically corroborates with the swallowing status of patients. IMRT had statistically significant advantage over 3DCRT, in terms of V30 (P - 0.051), V50 (P - 0.002), V60 (P - 0.002), and D80 (P - 0.023) for swallowing structures taken together. CONCLUSION Our study is probably one of the few studies predicting possible mean dose constraints for superior constrictor, the base of the tongue and larynx. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these and to improve the swallowing quality.

Surgical resection of solitary distant metastasis from locoregionally controlled advanced hypopharyngeal malignancy: A ray of hope

Head and neck malignancies have always been challenging for the clinician, both with regards to locoregional control and distant metastasis. Aggressive approaches translate to an acceptable locoregional control, but distant failures pose a dilemma. Newer, sophisticated, imaging modalities have helped in early diagnosis of solitary metastasis, and in turn have opened up an array of interventional procedures, which to some extent improve the disease-free survival and quality of life, as was seen in the present case of locoregionally controlled advanced hypopharyngeal malignancy who presented with solitary distant metastasis. Still, diligent care needs to be taken not to aggravate the scenario with these interventions.

Leiomyosarcoma of scrotum: A rare in-field second malignancy in a previously irradiated carcinoma of prostate and review of literature

Background: Curative intent treatments for malignancies using radiation therapy while achieving longer disease-free survivals, may also lead to solid second malignancies, a dreaded late complication. Both in-field as well as out-field second malignancies are encountered and lead to diagnostic dilemma, and delay in treatment. Materials and Methods: Details of a case of rare, in-field, radiation induced leiomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue sarcoma, in a treated case of high risk carcinoma of prostate, who presented to our tertiary care centre was retrieved and analysed. Conclusion: Increasingly sophisticated radiotherapy techniques, while providing state of the art treatment options, does increase the potential risk of radiation-induced second-malignancies. Respecting integral-dose carries priority, until further studies elucidates mechanism of tumorigenesis.

Adjuvant hypofractionated radiation in carcinoma breast – Photon versus Electron: Comparison of treatment outcome

Background: Breast cancer tissue is sensitive to hypofractionation. This is an analysis of patients treated with hypofractionated protocols since 2009, at our tertiary cancer center. Methods: Details of breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) from January 2009 to December 2014 were retrieved and analyzed. Results: One thousand seven hundred and eighty patients received adjuvant EBRT during this period. Three hundred and eight were offered hypofractionated schedule. One hundred and eighty-eight had modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and 120 had breast conservation surgery (BCS). Dose was 40 Gy in 15 fractions to chest wall/breast, and tumor bed boost of 10 Gy in 5 fractions, where indicated, using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Electrons were used in 159 and photons in 149. Single en face electron field was used for chest wall in MRM patients, and tangential photon beams for the whole breast. Patients on follow-up were assessed for locoregional recurrence, chest wall, breast or ipsilateral upper limb edema, brachial neuralgia, local skeletal events, pulmonary and cardiac symptoms, and cosmetic results. Two developed chest wall recurrence, one each in electron and photon arms. No skeletal, cardiac, or pulmonary adverse events were recorded. About 13.6% had arm edema, which was staged according to the International Society of Lymphology lymphedema staging, as Stage I-7.8%, Stage II-3.9%, and Stage III-1.9%. Twenty-six treated with electrons had arm edema. Increased incidence of arm edema in MRM patients could be attributed to combined surgical and radiation morbidity. Five-year overall survival was 81.9%. Conclusion: Hypofractionation is an accepted cost-effective standard of care in adjuvant breast radiation. Single en face electron field is well tolerated, and 3DCRT planning ensures homogeneous chest wall coverage, respecting dose constraints to organs at risk.

Inflammatory breast cancer in a previously treated case of breast cancer: a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a relatively rare and aggressive subtype, accounting for nearly 2.5% of all diagnosed breast cancers worldwide. It is usually characterised by an acute onset, rapid clinical progression, poor prognosis and micrometastasis at the time of presentation. Prompt recognition of clinical symptoms and identification of warning signs are vital in diagnosing and appropriately treating a patient with IBC.

Synchronous phalangeal metastases in upper and lower limbs from primary breast malignancy: a rare case scenario with a review of the literature

Osseous metastasis from a primary breast cancer is common, and the skeletal related morbidity is high. However, solitary acral bony metastasis is rare and the diagnosis of these lesions poses a challenge to the physician. We describe a case of a patient treated with primary breast cancer who later presented with metastatic osteolytic bone lesions confined to a forefinger and toe.

Naughty knot: a case of nasogastric tube knotting.

Nasogastric intubation is a common procedure for enteral nutritional support in medical practice. Random spontaneous true knot formation in the tube is rarely encountered and is a cause of unanticipated trauma. This is a case of a true knot formation diagnosed with fluoroscopy and managed without untoward trauma.