Therapeutic factors influencing the cosmetic outcome and late complications in the conservative management of early breast cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of clinical and physical parameters on the cosmetic result and complications, in cancer breast treated with conservative surgery and definitive irradiation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between October 1980 and December 1990, 289 patients were treated with lumpectomy and/or axillary dissection, radical irradiation with or without adjuvant therapy. The radiation therapy technique consisted of external beam therapy followed by an Ir-192 implant or electron beam boost. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between multiple factors affecting the cosmetic outcome and the complications.

RESULTS

Of 289 patients, cosmesis was evaluable in 285 and recorded as excellent to good in 226 (79%), fair in 35 (12%), and poor in 24 (9%). On multivariate analysis of these results, a high dose per fraction (p = .0018), and use of electrons as boost to the tumor bed (p = .001) were found to be significant. When patients boosted with electrons were excluded, a high boost dose (p = .0433) was also found significant. Fifteen (5%) patients developed severe late radiation sequelae and 14 (5%) moderate or severe arm edema. On multivariate analysis only dose per fraction of 2.5 Gy (p < .0001) and higher boost doses (p = .017) were significant.

CONCLUSION

In 289 patients of early breast cancer treated with conservative surgery and radical irradiation, multivariate analysis suggests that higher dose per fraction with teletherapy and higher brachytherapy boost dose adversely affect cosmesis and contribute to the late complications.

Late radiation induced laryngeal oedema in the treatment of vocal cord cancer: analysis using the linear quadratic model

The incidence of late complications for different size of dose per fraction is analysed in 208 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cord. The series comprised 156 cases with T1 and 52 cases with T2 lesions. Radical radiotherapy was given with three different regimens having dose per fraction as 3.33, 2.5 and 2.25 Gy. There were 46 cases with persisting radiation induced laryngeal oedema. Using two different statistical methods, an alpha/beta value of 2.38 Gy of linear quadratic model was estimated for late complications of vocal cord. The analysis indicate the increased incidence of late complications with size of dose per fraction. Relevance of linear quadratic model for the prediction of late complication is demonstrated in the present study.

Alpha/beta value and importance of dose per fraction for the late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications

A total of 203 patients with cancer of cervix stage IIIB, treated by radiation alone were analysed retrospectively for the incidence of late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications. The patients were treated with a combination of external irradiation and a single intracavitary insertion during January 1979 to December 1983. The external irradiation was randomised to deliver by four different fractionation regimens having dose per fraction of 2 Gy, 3 Gy, 4 Gy and 5.4 Gy. The doses for various fractionation regimens were matched using the time dose factors (TDF) model. 39 cases of late radiation induced rectal and recto-sigmoid complications were observed. The complication rate increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the size of dose per fraction. Using this clinical data an alpha/beta value of 3.87 +/- 0.74 Gy was estimated for late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications.

CT assisted computation of collimator angle and importance of off-axis planning of inclined lesions

In the radiation treatment of inclined lesions the longitudinal axis of beam should be always parallel to the longitudinal axis of lesion in the treatment plane. Hence the choice of correct collimator angle is of prime importance in the oblique field off-axis treatment planning of inclined lesions. In this paper a graphical method is discussed to determine the collimator angles from the CT scans taken at different off-axis planes. A phantom was constructed which can simulate conditions like inclined lesion in the patient and CT scans were taken at different levels. The collimator angles estimated from CT scans are found to match with the collimator angles obtained from simulator within +/- 1 degree for various gantry angles. The method is applied to plan a case of cancer of the oesophagus (upper third), which is a typical example of inclined lesion.

Influence of dose-rate and dose per fraction on clinical outcome of breast cancer treated by external beam irradiation plus iridium-192 implants: analysis of 289 cases

PURPOSE

To study the influence of Iridium 192 implant dose-rate and dose per fraction of external irradiation on clinical outcome, the results in 289 patients with early breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 1980 to 1990, 118 T1 and 171 T2 lesions of breast were treated definitively by radiotherapy, following conservative surgery. External irradiation dose of 45 Gy was delivered either with 2.5 Gy or 1.8 Gy per fraction to the entire target volume, plus boost to the primary tumor. Boost dose of 15 to 30 Gy was given to the primary tumor either with iridium-192 implants or electrons. The implant dose-rate varied between 20 cGy/hr to 160 cGy/hr.

RESULTS

The minimum follow-up was of 12 months and maximum of 11 years (median: 56 months). Out of 273 tumors boosted with implants, the 270 patients were divided into five groups according to dose-rate as, groups 1 (20-29 cGy/hr, n = 17), group 2 (30-49 cGy/hr, n = 144), group 3 (50-69 cGy/hr, n = 69), group 4 (70-99 cGy/hr, n = 27) and group 5 (100-160 cGy/hr, n = 13). The local failure rate was significantly increased in the group of patients treated with implant dose-rate < 30 cGy/hr (p < 0.05). While the incidence of late normal tissue complications and poor cosmetic outcome was significantly higher in the group of patients treated with implant dose-rate > 100 cGy/hr (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present analysis indicate that the implant dose-rate should be maintained between 30-70 cGy/hr to maximize local control and reduce the late normal tissue injury. Also the increase in dose per fraction of external irradiation while not influencing local control rate was crucial for incidence of late complications and cosmetic outcome.

Osteosarcoma: experience of the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India

This is a report on the management of 210 patients with biopsy-proven OS seen at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India from January 1985 to December 1988. The treatment administered to these patients reflects the constraints experienced in cancer management by developing nations. The small number of patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy showed the highest survival figures of 30% at 5 years. In the context of the developing countries, limitations of affordability of optimum chemotherapy and the lack of adequate monitoring and support facilities warrant modifications in the currently recommended therapy schedule to suit indigenous needs.

Combination chemotherapy and radiation for palliation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Twenty seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by sequential methotrexate (75 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (750 mg/m2) on day 1 followed on days 8-36 by external beam radiotherapy (total dose 30 cGy). The response was assessed by liver size on clinical examination. One patient had complete response, and six patients had partial response. The overall response to the treatment was 25.9%. More than a 50% reduction in serum alfa-fetoprotein level was noted in 66.6% patients. Seventy-one percent of patients had palliation of pain following therapy. The median survival of responders was 11 months and of nonresponders, 2 months. Radiation was discontinued in two patients who developed radiation hepatitis. Additional trials with different dosages and schedules are needed to fully evaluate this form of therapy.

A prospective study of radiation induced damage of pancreatic ducts

To study radiation-induced pancreatic duct damage, endoscopic retrograde pancreatograms of 11 patients with primary gastric lymphoma who had completed chemotherapy and moderate dose external radiation therapy were compared with those of 22 normal subjects. No significant alteration was seen in the length and caliber of the main pancreatic duct and number of side branches. Clubbing of one or two side branches was observed in four patients who had received radiation (p = ns). We conclude that significant structural changes do not develop in the pancreas following moderate dose upper abdominal radiation.

Endobronchial brachytherapy: a preliminary experience

Fourteen patients with malignant airway obstruction were treated with a placement of a flexible nylon catheter for low dose rate manual afterloading Iridium 192 endobronchial brachytherapy using a flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope. Eight patients had obstructive pneumonitis at initial presentation, while 6 cases were recurrences after previous external irradiation. Six evaluable patients of the former group had complete or partial reinflation of lung and were followed by external radiotherapy. Of the latter group, 3 were evaluable and had moderate to good palliation of their symptoms. No complication was observed. The technique is simple and safe with good patient compliance. Further evaluation is indicated to assess its role in the locoregional management of lung cancer.

Out-patient esophageal dilation: an experience in 130 patients using Savary-Gilliard dilators

Experience of outpatient esophageal dilation using Savary-Gilliard dilators in 130 patients during a 17 month period is reported. The strictures were radiation induced (48), tumoral stenoses (40), anastomotic (16) and due to other causes (26). Both fluoroscopy and endoscopy were used in 58%, endoscopy alone in 23% and fluoroscopy alone in 19% of patients for placement of the guide wire. One hundred and twenty six stricture dilations (97%) were technically successful. Eighty one (62%) patients could be dilated to 14 mm or more. One hundred and nineteen (94%) patients were dilated in one or two sessions. Among the 109 patients who followed up, dilation was successful in providing adequate dysphagia relief in 97 patients and facilitated the performance of other therapies in 9 patients. Major complications included severe continuous chest pain (1 case), hematemesis (2), fever (4) and transient stridor (2). The patient with persistent pain and 9 patients undergoing other therapies required hospitalization. There were no perforations or death. We conclude that esophageal dilation with Savary-Gilliard dilators is safe and effective even in tumors and post-radiation strictures. It can be performed on an outpatient basis in a majority of patients.

The relevance of a staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease in India

A retrospective analysis of 328 cases of Hodgkin's Disease (HD) subjected to a staging laparotomy at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India, from 1974 to 1986 was undertaken to assess its relevance to our setup. Eighty percent of the patients were from clinical stages (CS) I and II, 38% with lymphocyte predominance (LP), and 41% with mixed cellularity (MC) histologies. Staging laparotomy was positive in 60% cases overall, including 50% from CS IA and IIA, 68% from CS IB and IIB, and 53% and 67%, respectively, from LP and MC histologies. Splenic involvement was seen in 54% cases. Operative complications were encountered in 2% of cases and deaths in two cases only. In view of the high propensity for abdominal spread, only selected CS IA and IIA cases would merit a staging laparotomy within which, nearly 50% cases with a negative yield could be offered radical segmental irradiation alone for cure. The majority of our patients would, however, require combination therapy.

Predictive role of TDF values in late rectal recto-sigmoid complications in irradiation treatment of cervix cancer

Radiation-induced late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications for different doses per fraction were analyzed retrospectively in 203 cases of Stage IIIB carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The patients were treated with a combination of external irradiation and a single intracavitary insertion during January 1979 to December 1983. The external irradiation was randomised to deliver by four different fractionation regimens having dose per fraction of 2 Gy, 3 Gy, 4 Gy and 5.4 Gy. The doses for various fractionations were matched with the daily regimen using the time-dose factors (TDF) model. A single intracavitary insertion delivered a dose of 22 to 24 Gy to point A using Fletcher-Suit applicator. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 30 months. Thirty nine cases of late radiation induced rectal and recto-sigmoid complications were observed. The complication rate of 8.2% for daily treatment regimen delivering 2 Gy per fraction was increased to 33.3% for once weekly treatment regimen delivering 5.4 Gy per fraction (p = 0.041). Despite similar Time-Dose Factors (TDF) values in four different treatment regimens, the complication rate increased significantly in the once weekly regimen. The analysis suggest that the Time-Dose Factors (TDF) values do not predict correctly the late normal tissue reactions for different dose fractionation schedules.

The predictive role of bioeffect dose models in radiation-induced late effects in glottic cancers

Late radiation-induced laryngeal oedema for different doses per fraction was analyzed in 208 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cord. The series comprised 156 cases with T1N0M0 and 52 cases with T2N0M0 lesions. Radical radiotherapy was given with three different regimens delivering 3.33 Gy, 2.5 Gy, and 2.25 Gy per fraction. There were 52 cases of late radiation-induced laryngeal oedema. A strong correlation (p less than 0.015) between the dose per fraction and the risk of the late complication in the vocal cord has been demonstrated. The analysis suggests that the empirical models like Nominal Standard Dose (NSD) or Time-Dose Factors (TDF) do not predict correctly the late normal tissue reactions for different dose fractionations. The analysis with extrapolated response dose (ERD) values of the linear-quadratic (L-Q) model also fail to correlate with the late complications (p greater than 0.5). Care should be exercised when using these bioeffect dose models to calculate regimens iso-effective for late damage, even when modest changes in fraction size from 2 to 3 Gy are contemplated.

The severity of late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications related to fraction size in irradiation treatment of carcinoma cervix stage III B

A retrospective analysis of late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications was carried out of the 203 patients with stage III B carcinoma of uterine cervix, treated using radiation therapy alone during January 1979 to December 1983. The patients were treated with a combination of external irradiation and single intracavitary insertion. External irradiation was randomised to one of the four different fractionation regimens having dose per fraction of 2 Gy, 3 Gy, 4 Gy and 5.4 Gy, delivering with five fractions/week, three fractions/week, two fractions/week and one fraction/week, respectively. The total doses in four different regimens were adjusted using the TDF model. There were 39 cases of late radiation induced rectal and recto-sigmoid complications. The complication rate was correlated with the dose per fraction and TDFs delivered in each regimen. The complication rate of 8.2% for 2 Gy per fraction was increased to 33.33% for 5.4 Gy per fraction. It was found that there is strong correlation (P less than 0.05) between size of dose per fraction and the risk of late complications. Present analysis shows that the empirical models as the NSD and TDF do not predict correctly, the late normal tissue damage for different dose fractionations.

Importance of dose per fraction and estimation of an alpha/beta value for the late complications of the vocal cord

The incidence of late complications for different sizes of dose per fraction is analysed in 208 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cord. The series comprised 156 cases with T1N0M0 and 52 cases with T2N0M0 lesions. Radical radiotherapy was given with three different regimens having dose per fraction of 3.33 Gy, 2.5 Gy and 2.25 Gy. There were 46 cases of late radiation induced laryngeal oedema. Using this clinical data an alpha/beta value of 2.35 +/- 0.13 Gy was estimated for late complications of the vocal cord. It was found that there is strong correlation between size of dose per fraction and the risk of late complication in the vocal cord.

The role of intraluminal radiotherapy and concurrent 5-fluorouracil infusion in the management of carcinoma esophagus: a pilot study

Fifty patients with carcinoma of the esophagus were entered in a randomized pilot study to test the efficacy of intraluminal radiotherapy (ILRT) and concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion. The median age was 65 years, with 80% having middle third lesions; in 62%, the lesions were longer than 5 cm. After external beam therapy of 50 Gy in 5 weeks, patients were randomized to receive chemotherapy. Significant improvement in dysphagia was recorded in 76% patients with complete response in 47 cases ranging from 6 to 27 months. The overall survival at 2 years was 15% with ILRT alone versus 22% with ILRT plus 5-FU infusion.

Association of esophageal cancer and esophageal varices

Of the 312 cases of esophageal cancer seen over 2 years, four patients had associated varices. Three patients gave history of alcohol abuse. All had malnutrition and splenomegaly. Endoscopic biopsies were safe in the presence of varices. External radiation did not have any untoward effect on the varices. Prophylactic sclerotherapy was not required in these patients. The association between esophageal carcinoma and varices could be secondary to alcohol consumption or merely coincidental.

Dysgerminoma of the ovary: review of 27 cases

Twenty-seven patients with pure dysgerminoma were seen at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, between January 1980 and December 1984. Of the 10 patients in stage I, 2 patients underwent a unilateral salpingoophorectomy (USO) and were kept under observation without any adjuvant therapy, while the remaining patients received adjuvant treatment following surgery. All of the 6 patients in stage II and 4 of 7 in stage III had total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAHBSO) followed by postoperative radiotherapy. One patient presented in stage IV and 3 patients presented with recurrence after previous definitive treatment undertaken at other institutions. The disease free, as well as the overall survival, at 108 months, for the 24 cases primarily treated at this institution, is 81% and 88% respectively, and, for patients in stages I and II, 100% (Kaplan-Meier estimation). The need for controlled clinical trials to devise optimal therapy in the early clinical stages and use of chemotherapy for advanced stages of this highly curable entity are stressed.

Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a report of four cases

Four cases of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the lung are described. Two cases had low and two intermediate grade lymphoma at the time of diagnosis. The patient who had disease for long duration and received pulmonary radiotherapy developed intractable chest infection and died six months after diagnosis; the three patients having short history of disease and treated with surgery and/or chemotherapy have been doing well for 4 to 77 months after the diagnosis. It is concluded that diagnosis of primary pulmonary lymphoma should be suspected in patients with nodular or interstitial lung disease and bronchoalveolar lavage with aspiration cytology should be done to make an early diagnosis.

Gastric metastases from esophageal cancer

Gastric metastases from esophageal cancer are seldom diagnosed antemortem. Two patients who had endoscopically detected gastric metastases from esophageal cancer are reported. One patient had a metastasis developing 6 months after radiation therapy; the other developed metastasis after surgical resection of the primary tumor.

Radiation therapy in early glottic carcinoma: significance of prognostic factors and dose fractionation

A retrospective analysis of 208 cases with early glottic cancers treated by radiation therapy is presented. Early T1 (156 cases) and T2 (52 cases) lesions accounted for only 43 per cent of all glottic tumours that presented at the Tata Memorial Hospital between 1975-80. A markedly predominant male to female ratio of 22:1 was noted with 66 percent presenting in the fifth and sixth decades of life. Radical Radiation therapy was delivered with two different regimens according to the then prevalent physician preference. Regimen 1 delivered 50 Gy/15 frs. in three weeks and regimen 2 with 60 Gy/24 frs./5 weeks. The actual total survival and disease free survival was 92 per cent and 85 percent for T1 lesions and 82 percent and 67 percent for T2 tumours respectively. Minimal tumour volume involving a unilateral mobile vocal cord had the best prognosis. With extension to more lengths of cord and/or involvement of the anterior commissure or with tethering or fixation of the cord the prognosis was adversely influenced. In T1 lesions, the shorter course with the higher fractionation dosage levels showed improved local controls. However, the results were not statistically significant. This was not so in the T2 lesions probably due to small number of cases. Treatment failure was recorded in 19 per cent cases of which 90 per cent was seen in the first two years after treatment. Persisting laryngeal oedema confirmed a high index of suspicion towards recurrent disease. A radiotherapeutic technique using proper patient positioning and accurate beam direction with total dosage level above 1850 rets and TDF between 101-106 values is the recommended optimal treatment. In conclusion, an understanding of the prognostic features and an appropriate dose fractionation schedule allows optimization to effectively control early glottic tumours and retain function in the majority of patients.

Primary lymphoma of bone: experience of 39 cases at the Tata Memorial Hospital, India

Primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) is an uncommon clinical entity and a rare presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At the Tata Memorial Hospital, over a period of 10 years from 1976 to 1985, 39 cases with a diagnosis of PLB were seen. Twenty-seven cases completed the prescribed treatment and were evaluable for treatment response. Eight patients (21%) presented in clinical stage I (E), four patients (10%) in stage II (E), and 27 patients (69%) in stage IV (E). All of the evaluable patients except two were treated with combination chemotherapy, which consisted of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone in 18 patients, and seven patients received Adriamycin in addition. The majority of patients received six courses of chemotherapy extending over 8 to 12 months. External radiotherapy was given to all except one patient, who had surgery as local treatment. Five patients had generalised relapse, one of which had in addition a local relapse. Five were resistant to treatment. Overall and disease-free survival by Kaplan-Meier method at 60 months are 66% and 56%, respectively.

Testicular dysfunction after cyclophosphamide-vincristine-procarbazine-prednisolone chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease. A long-term follow-up study

Gonadal functions were evaluated in 92 male patients after treatment for advanced Hodgkin's disease. The patients received six to ten cycles of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisolone (COPP) chemotherapy. All patients were in remission and were followed for 1 to 17 years (median, 6). Testicular atrophy was noticed in 89 (96.7%) patients. All patients remained azoospermic during the period of follow-up. The testosterone levels did not differ before and after treatment. The follicle stimulating hormone levels rose from pretreatment values (mean +/- standard deviation) of 179.27 +/- 21.99 ng/ml to 578.79 +/- 102.36 ng/ml after the treatment; the rise was significant (P less than 0.001). The luteinizing hormone levels rose from pretreatment values of 106.96 +/- 20.37 ng/ml to 127.37 +/- 32.19 ng/ml after treatment; the rise was significant (P less than 0.05). Testicular biopsy specimens in 19 patients showed germinal aplasia in all cases. It is concluded that six or more cycles of COPP chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease in men leads to permanent sterility.

Continuous cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone. A new, innovative protocol for diffuse aggressive lymphomas

One hundred eight patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (high and intermediate grade) were treated with a new protocol: continuous cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP). They were evaluated for long-term survival and pretreatment characteristics predictive of response and survival. Continuous CHOP protocol consists of initial 8 weeks of intensive chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone, followed by local/cranial radiotherapy and maintenance therapy. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 84 of 108 (78%) patients; seven (6%) had a moderate response and 17 (16%) had a poor response. A statistically significant difference in CR rate was found only in patients with different stages. Seventeen of 84 (20%) complete responders have had a relapse of the disease. The median survival has not been reached. Results show an actuarial disease-free survival (DFS) of 77% for the 84 patients who had a complete response. The overall survival for all patients was 53% at 5 years of follow-up. The difference in DFS at the end of 5 years between different stages, main histologic subgroups, and age groups was not statistically significant. The toxicity observed was acceptable. Thus continuous CHOP appears to be an effective protocol for the treatment of intermediate-grade and high-grade lymphomas.