Sarbani Ghosh

Interstitial brachytherapy in carcinoma of the penis

AimKeeping in line with the increasing emphasis on organ preservation, we at the Tata Memorial Hospital have evaluated the role of Ir-192 interstitial implant as regards local control, functional and cosmetic outcome in early as well as locally recurrent carcinoma of the distal penis.Patients and MethodsFrom October 1988 to December 1996, 23 patients with histopathologically proven cancer of the penis were treated with radical radiation therapy using Ir-192 temporary interstitial implant. Our patients were in the age group of 20 to 60 years. The primary lesions were T1 in 7, T2 in 7 and recurrent in 9 patients. Only 7 patients had palpable groin nodes at presentation, all of which were pathologically negative. The median dose of implant was 50 Gy (range 40 to 60 Gy), using the LDR afterloading system and the Paris system of implant rules for dosimetry. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 117 months (median 24 months).ResultsAt last follow-up 18 of the 23 patients remained locally controlled with implant alone. Three patients failed only locally, 2 locoregionally and 1 only at the groin. Of the 5 patients who failed locally, 4 were successfully salvaged with partial penectomy and remained controlled when last seen. Local control with implant alone at 8 years was 70% by life table analysis. The patients had excellent functional and cosmetic outcome. We did not record any case of skin or softtissue necrosis. Only 2 patients developed meatal stenosis, both of which were treated endoscopically.ConclusionOur results lead us to interpret that interstitial brachytherapy with Ir-192 offers excellent local control rates with preservation of organ and function. Penectomy can be reserved as a means for effective salvage.ZusammenfassungZielDas Prinzip des Organerhalts gewinnt in der Onkologie zunehmend an Bedeutung. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, die Rolle der interstitiellen Brachytherapie mit Ir-192 zur Behandlung des frühen und rezidivierten Peniskarzinoms zu evaluieren. Endpunkte waren die lokale Tumorkontrolle sowie funktioneile und kosmetische Resultate.Patienten und MethodenInsgesamt 23 Patienten mit einem histologisch gesicherten Peniskarzinom wurden zwischen 1988 und 1996 durch ein interstitielles Ir-192-Implantat behandelt. Die T-Kategorien (UICC 1979) waren wie folgt verteilt: Tl sieben Patienten, T2 sieben Patienten; einen Rezidivtumor hatten neun Patienten. Nur sieben Paienten wiesen vor Therapiebeginn tastbar vergrö\erte Leistenlymphknoten auf, die ausnahmslos zytologisch nicht befallen waren. Die Brachytherapie wurde mit einer medianen Dosis von 50 Gy (Spanne 40 bis 60 Gy) unter Verwendung eines Low-dose-rate-Afterloading-Systems ausgeführt. Die Dosiskalkulation und Implantation erfolgten analog zum Paris-System. Die Nachbeobachtungszeit lag zwischen vier und 117 Monaten (Median 24 Monate).Ergebnisse18 der 23 Patienten blieben in lokaler Tumorkontrolle. Drei Patienten erlitten ein lokales, zwei ein lokoregionÄres und ein Patient ein Leistenrezidiv. Vier der fünf Patienten mit Lokalrezidiv konnten durch eine Teilamputation saniert werden. Die lokale Tumorkontrolle (Kaplan-Meier) betrug 70% nach acht Jahren. Nur zwei Patienten erlitten eine Meatusstenose, die endoskopisch therapiert wurde. Die übrigen Patienten hatten ein exzellentes funktionelles Resultat.Schlu\folgerungDie interstitielle Brachytherapie im Low-dose-rate-Verfahren erbringt für das Peniskarzinom gute lokale Tumorkontrollraten bei Erhalt des Organs. Eine Amputation ist als Salvage-Prozedur immer noch effektiv.

Radiation therapy in T1–T2 glottic carcinoma: influence of various treatment parameters on local control/complications

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of various treatment parameters on local control as well as complications in T1 and T2 glottic carcinomas. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between 1975 and 1989, 676 patients with early glottic carcinoma (460 T1 and 216 T2) received curative radiation with three different treatment regimens, as follows: Regimen 1-50 Gy/15 Fr/3 weeks (3.33 Gy/daily) for 192 patients; Regimen 2-60-62.5 Gy/24-25 Fr/5 weeks (2.5 Gy/daily) for 352 patients; and Regimen 3-55-60 Gy/25-30 Fr/5-6 weeks (2-2.25 Gy/daily) for 132 patients. RESULTS The local control at 10 years was 82% and 57% for T1 and T2 lesions respectively (p = 0.0). For the T1N0M0 group, field size had significant impact on local control with both univariate (p = 0.05) and multivariate (p = 0.03) analysis. For T2N0M0, group field size (p = 0.03) as well as registration year (p = 0.016) were significant in univariate analysis whereas only field size remained significant on multivariate analysis. Persistent radiation edema was noted in 146 (22%) patients and was significantly worse with larger field size (p = 0.000) but not related to different treatment regimens. CONCLUSION The shorter fractionation schedule had comparable local control, without increased complications in comparison to the protracted schedule and is best suited for a busy department.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children: ten years' experience at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

PURPOSE To evaluate the disease characteristics and outcome of children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between 1990 and 2000, 81 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The median age was 14 years. The male/female ratio was 2.8:1. Of the 81 patients, 32 (39%), 21 (26%), and 28 (35%) had T1-T2, T3, and T4 (TNM International Union Against Cancer staging system, 1997), respectively. Ninety-one percent presented with nodal metastasis. Thirty patients (37%) had lymph nodes >6 cm, and 45 (56%) had bilateral nodes at presentation. Histologically, 77 patients (95%) had undifferentiated carcinoma. Eighty-five percent received neoadjuvant multiagent chemotherapy containing bleomycin, methotrexate, and cisplatin, followed by radiotherapy (RT). RESULTS After a median follow-up of 50 months, the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate for the entire group was 45% and 54%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for evaluation of prognostic factors and were compared using the log-rank test. Nodal status had a significant impact on DFS (p = 0.021) and OS (p = 0.006). Complete responders to chemotherapy had superior DFS (p = 0.000) and OS (p = 0.000). RT doses >60 Gy resulted in better DFS (p = 0.020) and OS (p = 0.012). Combined chemotherapy plus RT resulted in improved DFS (p = 0.457) and OS (p = 0.296), although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Combined modality management using chemotherapy and RT resulted in satisfactory locoregional control and OS in pediatric patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nodal involvement, response to chemotherapy, and RT dose were important prognostic factors.

Is there a role of induction chemotherapy followed by resection in T4b oral cavity cancers

OBJECTIVE The objective of the following study is to investigate the efficacy and impact of induction chemotherapy in T4b oral cavity cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Its a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of T4b oral cavity cancer patients who were offered induction chemotherapy and then assessed for resectability at the end of 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Post-induction these patients either underwent surgical or non-surgical local intervention depending upon their response. These patients were then followed-up until either recurrence progression or death whichever was later. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 16. Descriptive analysis was performed. Factors affecting achievement of resectability were sought by univariate and multivariate analysis. The impact of surgery on overall survival (OS) was studied using Kaplan Meier survival analysis with the use of log rank test. RESULTS A total of 110 patients received chemotherapy. Median age been 41.5 years (range 25-66 years). 21 (20%) of our patient received 3 drug regimen while the rest of our patients received 2 drug regimen. Partial response was achieved in 28 patients, stable disease in 49 patients and progression was noted in 23 patients. Resectability was achieved in 34 (30.9%) of 110 patients. The estimated median OS in patients who underwent surgery was 18.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.6-22.46 months) and for those treated with non-surgical treatment was 6.5 months (95% CI: 5.6-7.4 months) (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Use of induction chemotherapy is safe and can achieve resectability in 30.9% of our T4b patients. In those patients undergoing resection have much better OS then those who underwent non-surgical local treatment.

Weekly chemotherapy as Induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer for patients ineligible for 3 weekly maximum tolerable dose chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE To study the safety and efficacy of weekly chemotherapy as part of induction chemotherapy, in locally advanced head and neck cancer for patients, who are unfit for upfront radical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS It is a retrospective analysis of on-use weekly chemotherapy as Induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer, who are technically unresectable are unfit for upfront radical treatment. Induction chemotherapy given was a 2 drug combination of paclitaxel (80 mg/m 2 ) and carboplatin AUC 2. The decision to give weekly induction chemotherapy was given on the basis of presence of 2 more following features: Poor performance status (ECOG PS 2-3), presence of uncontrolled co morbidities, BMI below 18.5 kg/m 2 and age more than 60 years. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS version 16.0) was used for analysis. The response rates, toxicity (accordance with CTCAE vs. 4.02), completion rate (Cp) of radical intent treatment post neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are reported. RESULTS Fifteen patients were considered for such therapy. Fourteen out of fifteen patients completed NACT. The median numbers of planned weekly cycles were 6 (3-8). Response (CR + PR) was seen in 10 patients. Overall grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 6 patients. No toxicity related mortality was noted. The calculated completion rate (Cp) of radical intent treatment post NACT was 46.7%. The median PFS and OS were 10.36 months (95% CI 6.73-14.00 months) and 16.53 months (95% CI 4.22-28.84). CONCLUSION Use of induction chemotherapy with weekly regimen is safe and effective selected cohort of patients with locally advanced disease who are unfit for upfront radical treatment.

Vanishing bone disease involving the pelvis

Vanishing bone disease is a rare condition characterized by progressive osteolysis of the bony structures by vascular tissue and their replacement by fibrous, vascular connective tissue. A 38-year-old lady who had a previous history of angioma of the left iliac bone presented with vague symptoms of a limping gait and pain during walking since 2 years duration. The radiologic findings were suggestive of degenerative changes. A possibility of metastatic disease was also considered. However the biopsy and Positron emission tomography (PET) scan ruled out any active disease. Like in most other cases this was possibly a self-limited disease where bone resorption had spontaneously arrested.