Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharynx cancer: Update of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering experience

Correlation of PD-L1 Expression of Tumor Cells with Survival Outcomes after Radical Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Non-Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE

We investigated if programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression levels were prognostic of survival outcomes after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

104 patients with non-metastatic NPC treated with radical IMRT were investigated for their PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) which were correlated with survival endpoints including locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 21 (20.2%), 19 (18.3%) and 31 (29.8%) patients suffered from locoregional failure, distant metastases and overall disease progression, respectively, and 31 (29.8%) patients died. Patients whose tumors had PD-L1 IHC 2+ (moderate to strong membrane staining in ≥ 25% of tumor cells) enjoyed longer LRFFS (5-year 100% vs. 74.4%, Hazard ratio [HR], 0.159, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.021-0.988; P = 0.042) and marginally longer PFS (5-year 95.0% vs. 65.2%, HR, 0.351, 95% CI, 0.08-0.999, P = 0.067) compared to those whose tumors had PD-L1 IHC 0 (minimal membrane staining with PD-L1 in < 5% tumor cells or no staining with PD-L1) or 1+ (minimal to moderate membrane staining with PD-L1 in between 5-24% tumor cells). PD-L1 IHC 2+ was independently prognostic of both LRFFS (P = 0.014) and PFS (P = 0.045) in multivariable analyses. Only induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation was prognostic of DMFS (P = 0.003) and no prognostic factor for OS was identified.

CONCLUSION

PD-L1 expression levels correlated with LRRFS and PFS in non-metastatic NPC treated with radical IMRT. It may play a role in radiosensitivity for NPC, which should be further confirmed in prospective studies using immunotherapy together with IMRT.

Dosimetric Predictors of Hypothyroidism After Radical Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy for Non-metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

AIMS

To investigate dosimetric predictors of hypothyroidism after radical intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with non-metastatic NPC treated with radical IMRT from 2008 to 2013 were reviewed. Serum thyroid function tests before and after IMRT were regularly monitored. Univariable and multivariable analyses were carried out for predictors of biochemical and clinical hypothyroidism.

RESULTS

In total, 149 patients were recruited. After a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years, 33 (22.1%) and 21 (14.1%) patients developed biochemical and clinical hypothyroidism, respectively. Eight (24.2%) patients who had biochemical hypothyroidism developed clinical hypothyroidism later. Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed that the volume of the thyroid (P=0.002, multivariable), VS60 (the absolute thyroid volume spared from 60 Gy or less) (P<0.001, multivariable) and VS45 (P<0.001, multivariable) of the thyroid were significant predictors of biochemical hypothyroidism. The freedom from biochemical hypothyroidism was longer for those whose VS60 ≥ 10 cm(3) (mean 90.9 versus 62.6 months; P<0.001) and VS45 ≥ 5 cm(3) (mean 91.9 versus 65.2 months; P=0.001). Similarly multivariable analyses revealed that VS60 (P=0.001) and VS45 (P=0.003) were significant predictors of clinical hypothyroidism. The freedom from clinical hypothyroidism was longer for those whose VS60 ≥ 10 cm(3) (91.5 versus 73.3 months; P=0.002) and VS45 ≥ 5 cm(3) (91.5 versus 75.9 months; P=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

VS60 and VS45 of the thyroid should be considered important dose constraints against hypothyroidism without compromising target coverage during IMRT optimisation for NPC.

Correlation between pretreatment serum LDL-cholesterol levels and prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Purpose

To investigate the correlations between long-term survival outcomes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and pretreatment serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.

Patients and methods

Between January 2008 and December 2011, 935 patients with newly diagnosed NPC who were treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy were included in this retrospective clinical analysis. Patients were divided into two groups based on pretreatment LDL-C levels: normal LDL-C (≤3.64 mmol/L; n=816) and elevated LDL-C (>3.64 mmol/L; n=119). Associations between pretreatment LDL-C levels and treatment outcome were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The overall patient follow-up rate was 95.1%, and 726 patients received more than 5 years of follow-up. Five-year overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates of the entire patient population were 87.1%, 91.1%, and 87.2%, respectively. Rates of 5-year OS, LC, and DMFS for the elevated versus normal LDL-C groups were 77.0% vs 89.1% (P<0.001), 85.8% vs 91.9% (P=0.041), and 81.1% vs 88.1% (P=0.038), respectively. Compared with normal LDL-C levels, elevated LDL-C levels were identified as an independent prognostic factor of a poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR] =2.171; 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.424–3.309), LC rate (HR =1.762; 95% CI =1.021–3.942), and DMFS (HR =1.594; 95% CI =1.003–2.532).

Conclusion

This study found that elevated pretreatment LDL-C levels are negative prognostic indicators of NPC. Elevated LDL-C levels may be useful indicators of locoregional control and distant metastasis in NPC patients.

Survival outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a nationwide analysis of 13 407 patients in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

We reported the contemporary survival outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and analysed the factors affecting survival.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

We identified 13 407 patients with newly diagnosed NPC from 2002 to 2010.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was performed to measure the mortality-association risk factor in patients with NPC after adjusting for NPC treatment and socio-demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2-, 5- and 8-year overall survival (OS) rates were 89.6%, 80.4%, 65.2% and 56.5%, respectively. The factors associated with mortality risk were sex (men versus women, HR  =  1.45), age (>60 versus ≤ 40 years, HR  =  3.61), geographic region of residence (eastern Taiwan versus northern Taiwan HR   =   1.39), income (<15 840 versus >25  000, HR   =   1.87) and treatment modality (chemotherapy alone versus radiotherapy alone, HR   =   2.25).

CONCLUSION

The contemporary 5-year OS rate was 65.2% in Taiwan. Male patients, old age, residing in eastern Taiwan, low income and receiving chemotherapy alone were independent predictors for poor OS.

Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in carcinoma nasopharynx: Can we predict outcomes and tailor therapy based on postradiotherapy fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography?

BACKGROUND

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is an emerging modality for staging and response evaluation in carcinoma nasopharynx. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of PET-CT in assessing response and outcomes in carcinoma nasopharynx.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five patients of nonmetastatic carcinoma nasopharynx who underwent PET-CT for response evaluation at 10-12 weeks posttherapy between 2004 and 2009 were evaluated. Patients were classified as responders (Group A) if there was a complete response on PET-CT or as nonresponders (Group B) if there was any uptake above the background activity. Data regarding demographics, treatment, and outcomes were collected from their records and compared across the Groups A and B.

RESULTS

The median age was 41 years. 42 out of 45 (93.3%) patients had WHO Grade 2B disease (undifferentiated squamous carcinoma). 24.4%, 31.1%, 15.6, and 28.8% patients were in American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage IIb, III, Iva, and IVb. All patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy. Forty-five patients, 28 (62.2%) were classified as responders, whereas 17 (37.8%) were classified as nonresponders. There was no significant difference in the age, sex, WHO grade, and stage distribution between the groups. Compliance to treatment was comparable across both groups. The median follow-up was 25.3 months (759 days). The disease-free survival (DFS) of the group was 57.3% at 3 years. The DFS at 3 years was 87.3% and 19.7% for Group A and B, respectively (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed Groups to be the only significant factor predicting DFS (P value 0.002 and < 0.001, respectively). In Group B, the most common site of disease failure was distant (9, 53%).

CONCLUSION

PET-CT can be used to evaluate response and as a tool to identify patients at higher risk of distant failure. Further, this could be exploited to identify patients who may need treatment intensification. This needs to be validated prospectively.

Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemo-intensity-modulated Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer

AIMS

To determine the toxicity and tumour control rates after chemo-intensity-modulated radiotherapy (chemo-IMRT) for locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers (LA-NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with LA-NPC were enrolled in a trial to receive induction chemotherapy followed by parotid-sparing chemo-IMRT. The primary site and involved nodal levels received 65 Gy in 30 fractions and at risk nodal levels received 54 Gy in 30 fractions. Incidence of ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia was the primary end point. Secondary end points included incidences of acute and late toxicities and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stages II (12%), III (26%) and IV (62%) (World Health Organization subtype: I [5%]; II [40%]; III [55%]) completed treatment between January 2006 and April 2010 with a median follow-up of 32 months. Incidences of ≥grade 2 acute toxicities were: dysphagia 83%; xerostomia 76%; mucositis 97%; pain 76%; fatigue 99% and ototoxicity 12%. At 12 months, ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia was observed in 31%, ototoxicitiy in 13% and dysphagia in 4%. Two year locoregional control was 86.2% (95% confidence interval: 70.0-94.0) with 2 year progression-free survival at 78.4% (61.4-88.6) and 2 year overall survival at 85.9% (69.3-93.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Chemo-IMRT for LA-NPC is feasible with good survival outcomes. At 1 year, 31% experience ≥grade 2 subjective xerostomia.

Treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma using simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy via helical tomotherapy: a phase II study

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate short-term safety and efficacy of simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) delivered via helical tomotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Between August 2011 and September 2013, 132 newly diagnosed NPC patients were enrolled for a prospective phase II study. The prescription doses delivered to the gross tumor volume (pGTV_nx) and positive lymph nodes (pGTV_nd), the high risk planning target volume (PTV1), and the low risk planning target volume (PTV2), were 67.5 Gy (2.25 Gy/F), 60 Gy (2.0 Gy/F), and 54 Gy (1.8 Gy/F), in 30 fractions, respectively. Acute toxicities were evaluated according to the established RTOG/EORTC criteria. This group of patients was compared with the 190 patients in the retrospective P70 study, who were treated between September 2004 and August 2009 with helical tomotherapy, with a dose of 70-74 Gy/33F/6.5W delivered to pGTV_nx and pGTV_nd.

Results

The median follow-up was 23.7 (12–38) months. Acute radiation related side-effects were mainly problems graded as 1 or 2. Only a small number of patients suffered from grade 4 leucopenia (4.5%) or thrombocytopenia (2.3%). The local relapse-free survival (LRFS), nodal relapse-free survival (NRFS), local-nodal relapse-free survival (LNRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) were 96.7%, 95.5%, 92.2%, 92.7% and 93.2%, at 2 years, respectively, with no significant difference compared with the P70 study.

Conclusions

Smart delivered via the helical tomotherapy technique appears to be associated with an acceptable acute toxicity profile and favorable short-term outcomes for patients with NPC. Long-term toxicities and patient outcomes are under investigation.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and simultaneous integrated boost in head-and-neck cancer: is there a place for critical swallowing structures dose sparing?

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to reduce the risk of swallowing problems after curative chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

20 patients with head and neck cancer who previously underwent radiotherapy were selected. Radiotherapy was prescribed according to simultaneous integrated boost technique with all targets irradiated simultaneously over 30 daily fractions. Doses of 70.5 (67.5), 60.0 and 55.5 Gy were prescribed to primary tumour, high-risk nodal regions and low-risk nodal regions, respectively. Pharyngeal constrictor muscles (PCM) and glottic and supraglottic larynx (SGL) were considered organs at risk related to swallowing dysfunction (SW-OARs). Upper pharyngeal constrictor muscles (uPCM), middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles (mPCM) and lower pharyngeal constrictor muscles (lPCM) part of PCM were also outlined separately. Clinical standard plans (standard-VMAT) and plans aiming to spare SW-OARs (swallowing dysfunction-VMAT) were also created. Normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) for physician-rated swallowing dysfunction were calculated using a recently predictive model developed by Christianen et al.

RESULTS

Planning with two strategies demonstrated comparable planning target volume coverage and no differences in sparing of parotid glands and other non-swallowing organs at risk. SW-VMAT plans provided mean dose reduction for uPCM and SGL by 3.9 and 4.5 Gy, respectively. NTCP values for Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 2-4 swallowing dysfunction was decreased by 9.2%. Dose reductions with SW-VMAT depended on tumour location and overlap with SW-OARs.

CONCLUSION

VMAT plans aiming at sparing swallowing structures are feasible, providing a significant reduction in NTCP swallowing dysfunction with respect to conventional VMAT.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Dysphagia is today considered one of the dose-limiting toxicities of chemoradiotherapy. The dose sparing of swallowing structures represents a major challenge in radiotherapy. VMAT is a complex new technology having the potential to significantly reduce the risk of dysphagia after curative chemoradiotherapy.

Long-term patterns of relapse and survival following definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy for non-endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We report treatment outcomes for a large non-endemic cohort of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy.

METHODS

We identified 177 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer treated with definitive IMRT between 1998 and 2011. Endpoints included local, regional, distant control, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 52months. The 3-/5-year actuarial rates of local control, regional control, distant control, and overall survival were 92%/83%, 93%/91%, 86%/83%, and 87%/74%, respectively. The median time to local recurrence was 30months; the annual hazard of local recurrence did not diminish until the 6th year of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we observed excellent rates of disease control and survival consistent with initially reported results from our institution. Attaining locoregional control in patients with extensive primary tumors remains a significant clinical challenge. With mature follow-up we observed that more than half of observed local relapses occurred after 2years, a pattern distinct from that of carcinomas arising from other head and neck sites. These findings raise the possibility that patients with NPC may benefit from close follow-up during post-treatment years 3-5.

Experience with combination of nimotuzumab and intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using nimotuzumab in combination with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the primary treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods

Between December 2009 and December 2013, 38 newly diagnosed patients with stage III–IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with IMRT and nimotuzumab concomitantly. The distribution of disease was stage III in 20 (52.6%), stage IV A in 9 (23.7%), and stage IV B in 9 (23.7%). All the patients received at least two cycles of cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by nimotuzumab 200 mg/week concurrently with IMRT. Acute and late radiation-related toxicities were graded according to the Acute and Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.

Results

With a median follow-up of 39.7 months (range, 13.3–66.5 months), the estimated 3-year local recurrence-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, progression failure-free survival, and overall survival rates were 92.8%, 92.9%, 89.5%, 78.7%, and 87.5%, respectively. The median cycle for nimotuzumab addition was 6 weeks. Grade 3 radiation-induced mucositis accounted for 36.8% of treated people. No skin rash and infusion reaction were observed, distinctly from what is reported in cetuximab-treated patients.

Conclusion

Nimotuzumab plus IMRT showed promising outcomes in terms of locoregional control and survival, without increasing the incidence of radiation-related toxicities for patients.

Chemotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma - Current Recommendation and Controversies

Radiotherapy is the primary treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and combination chemotherapy can enhance treatment outcomes for locoregionally advanced disease. The Intergroup 0099 study using concurrent-adjuvant cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy was the first trial to demonstrate a survival benefit. Since then, there have been attempts to further improve the treatment results by altering the chemotherapy sequence, using different chemotherapeutic agents or schedules, and extending the use of chemotherapy to early-stage disease. This review provides an overview of the data and highlights the current controversies behind international guidelines.

Investigation of the feasibility of elective irradiation to neck level Ib using intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

To assess the feasibility of elective neck irradiation to level Ib in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 1438 patients with newly-diagnosed, non-metastatic and biopsy-proven NPC treated with IMRT.

RESULTS

Greatest dimension of level IIa LNs (DLN-IIa) ≥ 20 mm and/or level IIa LNs with extracapsular spread (ES), oropharynx involvement and positive bilateral cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) were independently significantly associated with metastasis to level Ib LN at diagnosis. No recurrence at level Ib was observed in the 904 patients without these characteristics (median follow-up, 38.7 months; range, 1.3-57.8 months), these patients were classified as low risk. Level Ib irradiation was not an independent risk factor for locoregional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, failure-free survival or overall survival in low risk patients. The frequency of grade ≥ 2 subjective xerostomia at 12 months after radiotherapy was not significantly different between low risk patients who received level Ib-sparing, unilateral level Ib-covering or bilateral level Ib-covering IMRT.

CONCLUSION

Level Ib-sparing IMRT should be safe and feasible for patients without a DLN-IIa ≥ 20 mm and/or level IIa LNs with ES, positive bilateral CLNs or oropharynx involvement at diagnosis. Further investigations based on specific criteria for dose constraints for the submandibular glands are warranted to confirm the benefit of elective level Ib irradiation.

Is Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Induction Chemotherapy Superior in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma?

Objective:

To investigate the outcome of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy.

Methods:

Between June 2005 and October 2007, 604 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were analyzed, of whom 399 and 205 were treated with conventional radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) respectively. Meanwhile, 153 patients received concurrent chemotherapy, and 520 were given induction chemotherapy.

Results:

With a median follow-up time of 65 months, the 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS), locoregional free survival (LRFS), and distant-metastasis free survival (DMFS) rates were 82.5% vs. 72.6%, 90.6% vs. 87.1%, and 82.5% vs. 81.2%, respectively. Induction chemotherapy was not an independent prognostic factor for OS (P=0.193) or LRFS, but there was a positive tendency for DMFS (P=0.088). GP regimen (gemcitabine + cisplatin) was an independent prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.038) and it had a trend toward improved DMFS (P = 0.109). TP regimen (taxol + cisplatin) was only a significant prognostic factor for DMFS (P =0.038).

Conclusions:

Adding induction chemotherapy had no survival benefit, but GP regimen benefited overall survival and had a trend toward improved DMFS. GP regimen may be superior to TP/FP regimen (fluorouracil + cisplatin) in treating locoregionally advanced NPC.

Distant metastasis risk and patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the era of IMRT: long-term results and benefits of chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To report the distant metastasis (DM) risk and patterns for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and to analyze the benefits of chemotherapy based on DM risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

576 NPC patients were analyzed. The DM rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to compare differences. The patients were divided into different risk subclassifications according to DM hazard ratios.

RESULTS

91 patients developed DM after treatment, with bone as the most common metastatic sites. 82.4% of DMs occurred within 3 years of treatment. Patients were classified as low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk, and the corresponding 5-year DM rates were 5.1%, 13.1% and 32.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). Chemotherapy failed to decrease the DM rate in the low-risk subclassification, but decreased the DM risk in the intermediate-risk subclassification (P = 0.025). In the high-risk subclassification, the DM rate was 31.9% though chemotherapy was used, which was significantly higher than that of other two subclassifications.

CONCLUSIONS

DM is the dominant treatment failure in NPC treated by IMRT, with similar occurrence times and distributions to those that occurred in the era of conventional radiotherapy. Further studies on treatment optimization are needed in high-risk patients.

Long-term outcome of sensorineural hearing loss in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: comparison between treatment with radiotherapy alone and chemoradiotherapy

The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term effect of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) resulted from radiotherapy (RT) alone versus chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (NPC). Seventy-two patients initially diagnosed with NPC were enrolled from Shandong Tumor Hospital between March 2003 and May 2007. They were assigned into two groups: RT alone and chemoradiotherapy according to the different treatment regimens. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy was applied for both groups, concurrent and adjuvant cisplatin were administered for chemoradiotherapy group additionally. Hearing threshold test was performed at various time periods after completion of RT. Mean radiation dose to the cochlea in each ear was calculated to determine the correlation between cochlear dose and SNHL. We found that the hearing loss is more severe in the chemoradiotherapy group compared with RT group, from completion of RT up to the 5 years of follow-up period. This is especially obvious in the high frequency range. Hearing level is seriously damaged when cochlea dose exceeds 46 GY. We concluded that concurrent/adjuvant chemotherapy plus RT aggravates SNHL in NPC patients than RT alone and thus inner ear tissue tolerance should be redefined in those patients.

Omission of Chemotherapy in Early Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with IMRT: A Paired Cohort Study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the necessity of concurrent chemotherapy in T1-2N1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The retrospective analysis was conducted using the paired comparison method. We matched cases to controls using the greedy matching algorithm with 1:1 control to case ratio. Controls were matched to cases by factors including age, gender, T stage, and duration of RT. The control group included patients received IMRT alone. In another group, concurrent chemotherapy (DDP 40 mg2/m/w) was administrated to each paired patient. From Jan 2009 to Dec 2011, a total of 86 well-balanced T1-2N1 (2002 UICC staging system) NPC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Half of them (43 patients) received radical IMRT alone and another 43 received concurrent chemotherapy with IMRT (CCRT). Median follow-up is 37.4 months (4.8-66.2 months). All patients received a radiation dose of 66 Gy/30Fx. In the CCRT group, all patients received a cumulative dose of ≥ 200 mg/m2. The differences of 3-year overall survival (OS), 3-year progression-free survival (PFS), 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS), and 3-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) between 2 groups were not significant (P > 0.05). The most frequently increased toxicities related to chemotherapy were mild to moderate leukopenia (P = 0.003) and mild anemia (P = 0.008).Omission of weekly cisplatin chemotherapy resulted in comparable survival outcomes to CCRT in IMRT populations. More data from future randomized trials are warranted to further confirm it.

A randomized phase II/III study of adverse events between sequential (SEQ) versus simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma; preliminary result on acute adverse events

BACKGROUND

To investigate acute and late toxicities comparing sequential (SEQ-IMRT) versus simultaneous integrated boost intensity modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed stage I-IVB NPC patients were randomized to receive SEQ-IMRT or SIB-IMRT, with or without chemotherapy. SEQ-IMRT consisted of two sequential radiation treatment plans: 2 Gy x 25 fractions to low-risk planning target volume (PTV-LR) followed by 2 Gy x 10 fractions to high-risk planning target volume (PTV-HR). In contrast, SIB-IMRT consisted of only one treatment plan: 2.12 Gy and 1.7 Gy x 33 fractions to PTV-HR and PTV-LR, respectively. Toxicities were evaluated according to CTCAE version 4.0.

RESULTS

Between October 2010 and November 2013, 122 eligible patients were randomized between SEQ-IMRT (54 patients) and SIB-IMRT (68 patients). With median follow-up time of 16.8 months, there was no significant difference in toxicities between the two IMRT techniques. During chemoradiation, the most common grade 3-5 acute toxicities were mucositis (15.4% vs 13.6%, SEQ vs SIB, p = 0.788) followed by dysphagia (9.6% vs 9.1%, p = 1.000) and xerostomia (9.6% vs 7.6%, p = 0.748). During the adjuvant chemotherapy period, 25.6% and 32.7% experienced grade 3 weight loss in SEQ-IMRT and SIB-IMRT (p = 0.459). One-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 95.8% and 95.5% in SEQ-IMRT and 98% and 90.2% in SIB-IMRT, respectively (p = 0.472 for OS and 0.069 for PFS).

CONCLUSION

This randomized, phase II/III trial comparing SIB-IMRT versus SEQ-IMRT in NPC showed no statistically significant difference between both IMRT techniques in terms of acute adverse events. Short-term tumor control and survival outcome were promising.

Disease control and toxicity outcomes for T4 carcinoma of the nasopharynx treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Treatment of T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is challenging because of the proximity of the tumor to the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of disease control and toxicity outcomes for patients with T4 NPC treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy.

METHODS

The medical records of 66 patients with T4 NPC treated from 2002 to 2012 with IMRT were reviewed. Endpoints included tumor control and toxicity outcomes (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE v4.0]).

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 38 months. Five-year rates of locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 80%, 62%, 57%, and 69%, respectively. Nodal involvement was associated with worse PFS (p = .015). Gross target volume (GTV) volume >100 cm and planning target volume (PTV) volume >400 cm were associated with worse OS (p = .038 and p = .004, respectively). Four patients had significant cognitive impairment, and 9 had MRI evidence of brain necrosis.

CONCLUSION

For patients with T4 NPC treated with IMRT and chemotherapy, survival and locoregional disease control rates have improved; however, late treatment toxicity remains a concern. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E925-E933, 2016.

Clinical Outcomes of Volume-Modulated Arc Therapy in 205 Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Analysis of Survival and Treatment Toxicities

Background

To investigate the clinical efficacy and treatment toxicity of volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Material and Methods

205 VMAT-treated NPC patients from our cancer center were prospectively entrolled. All patients received 68–70 Gy irradiation based on the planning target volume of the primary gross tumor volume. Acute and late toxicities were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria.

Results

The median follow-up period was 37.3 months (range, 6.3–45.1 months). The 3-year estimated local failure–free survival, regional failure–free survival, locoregional failure–free survival, distant metastasis–free survival, disease–free survival and overall survival were 95.5%, 97.0%, 94.0%, 92.1%, 86.8% and 97.0%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed primary gross tumor volume, N stage and EBV-DNA to be independent predictors of VMAT outcomes (P < 0.05). The most common acute and late side effects were grade 2–3 mucositis (78%) and xerostomia (83%, 61%, 34%, and 9% at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after VMAT), respectively.

Conclusions

VMAT for the primary treatment of NPC achieved very high locoregional control with a favorable toxicity profile. The time-saving benefit of VMAT will enable more patients to receive precision radiotherapy.

Ten-year outcomes of a randomised trial for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A single-institution experience from an endemic area

OBJECTIVE

We previously reported the five-year results of a randomised trial that compared induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC+CCRT) with induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (IC+RT) in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this study was to report the ten-year results and to explore potential prognostic factors.

METHODS

From August 2002 to April 2005, 408 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were randomly assigned to receive either IC (carboplatin and floxuridine)+CCRT (carboplatin) or IC+RT. The survival rates were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify valuable prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The ten-year overall survival, failure-free survival, locoregional failure-free survival and distant failure-free survival rates for the entire patient cohort were 49.5%, 48.0%, 80.8% and 66.9%, respectively. No significant survival differences were found between the IC+CCRT and IC+RT arms. By 3 years from the date of randomisation, 62.5% of the relapses had been detected; no recurrence occurred after 8 years. Within 3 years after randomisation, 77.0% of the metastases were detected; 0.8% was identified after 8 years. Age, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) N-stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and body mass index (BMI) were independent prognostic factors that predicted death. Smoking status and total radiotherapy dose were independent prognostic factors that predicted locoregional recurrence. UICC N-stage, LDH and BMI were independent prognostic factors that predicted distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent carboplatin chemotherapy did not significantly improve the long-term survival after inductive carboplatin and floxuridine chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition to patient and tumour characteristics, LDH, BMI and smoking status were important baseline prognostic factors for tumour recurrence or distant metastasis; these are worthy of further prognostic investigation in future studies.

Osteopontin is a useful predictor of bone metastasis and survival in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Bone is the most common metastatic site in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Osteopontin (OPN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) are demonstrated to be involved in multiple steps of distant metastasis and correlate with bone metastasis (BM) in cancers. We aim to explore the impacts of OPN and BSP on the prognosis of the patients with locally advanced NPC. A tissue microarray including 162 locally advanced NPC specimens was generated for immunohistochemical evaluation. All of the patients received curative treatment. Twenty-two patients developed BM during follow-up. The OPN expression level was higher in patients with BM than in those without BM (p = 0.005), whereas no significant difference of the BSP expression level was noted (p = 0.634). Univariate analysis demonstrated that a higher level of OPN expression associated with a poorer 8-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) rate (p < 0.001), 8-year bone metastasis-free survival (BMFS) rate (93.6 vs. 87.5 vs. 64.5% for immunoreactivity score 1, 2 and 3, respectively; p = 0.001) and median overall survival (OS) time (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed that high level of OPN expression was independent factor associated with decreased BMFS (p = 0.02), MFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that OPN is a prognostic biomarker for BM and survival in patients with locally advanced NPC, and therefore it is useful in identifying the patients with an increased risk of cancer progression and BM to guide tailored therapy.

The impact of reduced-volume, intensity-modulated radiation therapy on disease control in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with reduced, high-dose target volumes for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

The first 57 patients (admitted from October 2005 to May 2008) were treated with large-target-volume IMRT (LV-IMRT). For the LV-IMRT group, the CTV at 70 Gy (CTV70) was delineated as the gross target volume (GTV) plus 7mm, with or without the first-echelon lymph-node region. The next 56 patients (admitted from June 2008 to November 2011) were treated with reduced-target-volume IMRT (RV-IMRT). For the RV-IMRT group, the CTV70 was delineated as the GTV alone.

Results

The 4-year local recurrence-free, regional recurrence-free, distant metastasis-free, progression-free, and overall survival rates were 77.2%, 80.1%, 83.2%, 61.2%, and 74.4% for the LV-IMRT group and 83.5%, 92.6%, 89.1%, 78.5, and 91.0% for the RV-IMRT group, respectively. Late toxicity scoring of xerostomia was lesser in the RV-IMRT group than the LV-IMRT group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of RV-IMRT for the treatment of NPC did not negatively affect survival rates but did reduce the late xerostomia events compared to LV-IMRT.

Concurrent chemo-radiation with or without induction gemcitabine, Carboplatin, and Paclitaxel: a randomized, phase 2/3 trial in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

To compare survival, tumor control, toxicities, and quality of life of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemo-radiation (CCRT), against CCRT alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were stratified by N stage and randomized to induction GCP (3 cycles of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2), carboplatin area under the concentration-time-curve 2.5, and paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) given days 1 and 8 every 21 days) followed by CCRT (radiation therapy 69.96 Gy with weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m(2)), or CCRT alone. The accrual of 172 was planned to detect a 15% difference in 5-year overall survival (OS) with a 5% significance level and 80% power.

RESULTS

Between September 2004 and August 2012, 180 patients were accrued, and 172 (GCP 86, control 86) were analyzed by intention to treat. There was no significant difference in OS (3-year OS 94.3% [GCP] vs 92.3% [control]; hazard ratio 1.05; 1-sided P=.494]), disease-free survival (hazard ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.44-1.35, P=.362), and distant metastases-free survival (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.67, P=.547) between the 2 arms. Treatment compliance in the induction phase was good, but the relative dose intensity for concurrent cisplatin was significantly lower in the GCP arm. Overall, the GCP arm had higher rates of grades 3 and 4 leukopenia (52% vs 37%) and neutropenia (24% vs 12%), but grade 3 and 4 acute radiation toxicities were not statistically different between the 2 arms. The global quality of life scores were comparable in both arms.

CONCLUSION

Induction chemotherapy with GCP before concurrent chemo-irradiation did not improve survival in locally advanced NPC.

Efficacy of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent carboplatin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background.

The aim of the prospective phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of concurrent carboplatin with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Patients and methods.

Between October 2005 and November 2011, 73 stage II–IVB NPC patients received IMRT 70 Gy concurrently with three cycles of carboplatin (AUC 5) every three weeks, followed by three cycles of adjuvant carboplatin (AUC 5) and 5-FU (1,000 mg/m²/day for four days) every four weeks. All patients were evaluated for tumour response using response evaluation criteria in solid tumour (RECIST) criteria, survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier methods, and toxicities according to common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) version 4.0.

Results.

At three months after chemoradiation, 82.2% and 17.8% of patients achieved complete and partial response, respectively. With a median follow-up of 48.1 months (1.3–97.8 months), 9.6% and 17.8% had local recurrence and distant metastasis, respectively. The median survival was not reached. A three-year overall survival was 83.6% and a progression-free survival was 65.3%. Regarding treatment compliance, 97.2%, 68.5% and 69.8% completed radiation treatment, concurrent carboplatin and adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively. Grade 3–4 acute toxicities were oral mucositis (16.4%), dysphagia (16.4%), xerostomia (15.1%) and haematotoxicity (6.8%).

Conclusions.

Carboplatin concurrently with IMRT provided excellent tumour response, manageable toxicities and good compliance. This should be considered as an alternative treatment for NPC patients.

Organ sparing and clinical outcome with step-and-shoot IMRT for head and neck cancer: a mono-institutional experience

PURPOSE

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy has been suggested as the technique of choice for locally advanced head and neck cancer patients. In the last decade, most radiotherapy departments have focused their efforts in programs to implement this technique. We report our experience for parotid gland and constrictor muscle sparing with intensity-modulated radiotherapy in head and neck cancer using a step-and-shoot technique.

METHODS

Thirty-four consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, oropharynx and larynx treated between June 2008 and June 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. A simultaneous integrated boost was adopted to treat different volumes in 30 fractions over 6 weeks. Priority as organs at risk was given to the parotid glands as well as the constrictor muscle of the pharynx in 53 % (n = 18). Dysphagia and xerostomia were evaluated according to RTOG/EORTC scale at 6, 12 and 24 months. Outcomes were analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 43 months. The 5-year overall survival was 70 %, and local control was 94 %. Grade 2 dysphagia and xerostomia at 6, 12 and 24 months were as follows: 26 % (n = 9), 23 % (n = 8), 23 % (n = 8) and 21 % (n = 7), 12 % (n = 4), 12 % (n = 4), respectively. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was found. Ordinal logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hyposalivation was the main predictive factor for late dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

Excellent loco-regional results were achieved with acceptable acute and late toxicities. The low rate of late dysphagia was related to parotid gland sparing; we did not observe a correlation between late dysphagia and dose to pharyngeal constrictors.

Prognostic model for distant metastasis in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma after concurrent chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

A prognostic model should be established for distant metastasis in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced NPC who received CCRT were divided into a construction set (230 patients) and a validating set (115 patients). The constructed index was derived on the former and then tested on the latter.

RESULTS

The prognostic score was defined as the number of adverse prognostic factors: age >45, N3 category, hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL and lactate dehydrogenase ≥240 U/L. The score predicted the 5-year distant metastasis-free survival as follows: 0, 91%; 1, 74%; 2, 51%; and ≥3, 12%. In the validating set, the observed 5-year distant metastasis-free survival of these 4 groups with scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, or higher were 81%, 68%, 47%, and 15%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The established model might be useful for predicting the risk of distant metastasis in patients with locally advanced NPC who underwent CCRT and may identify the patients' need for intensified adjuvant chemotherapy.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with paranasal sinus invasion: the prognostic significance and the evidence-based study basis of its T-staging category according to the AJCC staging system

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the prognostic significance of paranasal sinus invasion for patients with NPC and to provide empirical proofs for the T-staging category of paranasal sinus invasion according to the AJCC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODS

The clinical records and imaging studies of 770 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, untreated, and nondisseminated NPC were reviewed retrospectively. The overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and local relapse-free survival of these patients were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The incidence of paranasal sinus invasion was 23.6%, with the rate of incidence of sphenoid sinus invasion being the highest. By multivariate analysis, paranasal sinus invasion was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and local relapse-free survival (p < 0.05 for all). No significant differences in overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and local relapse-free survival were observed between patients with sphenoid sinus invasion alone and those with maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus invasion (p = 0.87, p = 0.80, and p = 0.37, respectively). The overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and local relapse-free survival for patients with stage T3 disease with paranasal sinus invasion were similar to the survival rates for patients with stage T3 disease without paranasal sinus invasion (p = 0.22, p = 0.15, and p = 0.93, respectively). However, the rates of overall survival and local relapse-free survival were better for patients with stage T3 disease with paranasal sinus invasion than for patients with stage T4 disease (p < 0.01, and p = 0.03, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Paranasal sinus invasion is an independent negative prognostic factor for NPC, regardless of which sinus is involved. Our results confirm that it is scientific and reasonable for the AJCC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma to define paranasal sinus invasion as stage T3 disease.

Correlating planned radiation dose to the cochlea with primary site and tumor stage in patients with head and neck cancer treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy

The aim of the study was to determine tumor characteristics that predict higher planned radiation (RT) dose to the cochlea in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). From 2004 to 2012, 99 patients with HNC underwent definitive IMRT to a median dose of 69.96Gy in 33 fractions, with the right and left cochlea-vestibular apparatus contoured for IMRT optimization as avoidance structures. If disease involvement was adjacent to the cochlea, preference was given to tumor coverage by prescription dose. Descriptive statistics were calculated for dose-volume histogram planning data, and mean planning dose to the cochlea (from left or right cochlea, receiving the greater amount of RT dose) was correlated to primary site and tumor stage. Mean (standard deviation) cochlear volume was 1.0 (0.60)cm(3) with maximum and mean planned doses of 31.9 (17.5)Gy and 22.1 (13.7)Gy, respectively. Mean planned dose (Gy) to cochlea by tumor site was as follows: oral cavity (18.6, 14.4), oropharynx (21.7, 9.1), nasopharynx (36.3, 10.4), hypopharynx (14.9, 7.1), larynx (2.1, 0.62), others including the parotid gland, temporal bone, and paranasal sinus (33.6, 24.0), and unknown primary (25.6, 6.7). Average mean planned dose (Gy) to the cochlea in T0-T2 and T3-T4 disease was 22.0 and 29.2Gy, respectively (p = 0.019). By site, a significant difference was noted for nasopharynx and others (31.6 and 50.7, p = 0.012) but not for oropharynx, oral cavity, and hypopharynx. Advanced T category predicted for higher mean cochlear dose, particularly for nasopharyngeal, parotid gland, temporal bone, and paranasal sinus HNC sites.

Cochlea sparing effects of intensity modulated radiation therapy in head and neck cancers patients: a long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Radiation to the inner ear may lead to (irreversible) sensorineural hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of radiotherapy on hearing in patients treated with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), sparing the inner ear from high radiation dose as much as possible.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2006, 101 patients with head and neck cancer were treated with IMRT. Audiometry was performed before, short-term, and long-term after treatment. Data were compared to normal hearing levels according to the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO). Statistical analysis was done using repeated measurements. None of the patients received chemotherapy.

RESULTS

In 36 patients an audiogram at long-term follow-up (median 7.6 years) was available. The mean dose to the cochlea was 17.8 Gy (1.0-66.6 Gy). A hearing deterioration of 1.8 dB at Pure Tone Average (PTA) 0.5-1-2 kHz (p = 0.11), 2.3 dB at PTA 1-2-4 kHz (p = 0.02), and 4.4 dB at PTA 8-10-12.5 kHz (p = 0.01) was found. According to the ISO, the expected age-related hearing loss was 2.7, 4.8, and 8.8 dB at PTA 0.5-1-2 kHz, 1-2-4 kHz, and 8-10-12.5 kHz, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

After IMRT with radiation dose constraint to the cochlea, potential long-term adverse effects of IMRT remained subclinical. The progressive hearing loss over time was mild and could be attributed to the natural effects of ageing. Therefore, we recommend that a dose constraint to the cochlea should be incorporated in the head and neck radiotherapy protocols.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of 695 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The 5-year clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were evaluated.

METHODS

Six hundred ninety five NPC patients primarily treated with IMRT in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January, 2003 to December, 2006 were analyzed retrospectively, including 540 males and 155 females. The prescription dose was delivered as follows: gross target volume (GTVnx) 67-76 Gy in 30-33 fractions, positive neck lymph nodes (GTVln-R/L) 60-70 Gy in 30-33 fractions, high-risk clinical target volume (CTV1) 60-66 Gy, low-risk clinical target volume (CTV2) 54-60 Gy, and clinical target volume of cervical lymph node regions (CTVln) 50-55 Gy.

RESULTS

The 5-year local control (LC), regional control, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease free survival, disease specific survival, and overall survival (OS) rates were 89.8%, 95.2%, 74.1%, 69.6%, 83.2%, and 77.1%. The 5-year DMFS of IMRT and IMRT combined with chemotherapy was 62.1% and 70.9%, the OS of them was 72.9% and 79.1%. The incidence of grade 3 acute and late toxicity was 38.3% and 4.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The 5-year LC and OS rate of NPC treated with IMRT was 89.8% and 77.1%. The clinical stage, N stage, volume of GTVnx, and chemotherapy were the main prognostic factor for the OS. Distant metastasis was the main pattern of failure.

[Nasopharyngeal cancers, an overview]

Cancer of the nasopharynx is an uncommon malignancy in France (incidence  =  0.5/year/100,000 men) but is endemic in areas like in South-East Asia. Exclusive radiation therapy used to be the standard and results in local control rates for T3-T4 tumors around 50-75 %. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) improves tumor coverage with a sparing of organs at risk and has to be privileged. Concurrent chemotherapy with IMRT achieved significant survival benefice with 5-year overall survival above 75 %. Concurrent radiochemotherapy with platinum is the most frequent scheme but induction and adjuvant chemotherapies are discussed to reduce distant failure: studies are currently ongoing. Follow-up aims to detect early local failures with a chance of cure and to manage long-term toxicities.

MRI to delineate the gross tumor volume of nasopharyngeal cancers: which sequences and planes should be used?

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been found to be better than computed tomography for defining the extent of primary gross tumor volume (GTV) in advanced nasopharyngeal cancer. It is routinely applied for target delineation in planning radiotherapy. However, the specific MRI sequences/planes that should be used are unknown.

Methods

Twelve patients with nasopharyngeal cancer underwent primary GTV evaluation with gadolinium-enhanced axial T1 weighted image (T1) and T2 weighted image (T2), coronal T1, and sagittal T1 sequences. Each sequence was registered with the planning computed tomography scans. Planning target volumes (PTVs) were derived by uniform expansions of the GTVs. The volumes encompassed by the various sequences/planes, and the volumes common to all sequences/planes, were compared quantitatively and anatomically to the volume delineated by the commonly used axial T1-based dataset.

Results

Addition of the axial T2 sequence increased the axial T1-based GTV by 12% on average (p = 0.004), and composite evaluations that included the coronal T1 and sagittal T1 planes increased the axial T1-based GTVs by 30% on average (p = 0.003). The axial T1-based PTVs were increased by 20% by the additional sequences (p = 0.04). Each sequence/plane added unique volume extensions. The GTVs common to all the T1 planes accounted for 38% of the total volumes of all the T1 planes. Anatomically, addition of the coronal and sagittal-based GTVs extended the axial T1-based GTV caudally and cranially, notably to the base of the skull.

Conclusions

Adding MRI planes and sequences to the traditional axial T1 sequence yields significant quantitative and anatomically important extensions of the GTVs and PTVs. For accurate target delineation in nasopharyngeal cancer, we recommend that GTVs be outlined in all MRI sequences/planes and registered with the planning computed tomography scans.

Comprehensive treatment of squamous cell cancer of head and neck: Chinese expert consensus 2013

Abstract: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common malignant tumor worldwide, and squamous cell cancer of the head and neck accounts for more than 90% of head and neck cancers. In China, the incidence of oral cavity and pharyngolaryngeal cancer is 3.28 per 100,000 with a mortality of 1.37 per 100,000, and the incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer is 3.61 per 100,000 with a mortality was 1.99 per 100,000. In 2013, an expert consensus conference was held in China with the aim of establishing the optimum multimodality treatments that are applied in Chinese patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. The experts, who met to review the literature and discuss and modify treatment strategies used in clinical practice in China, reached a consensus on the optimum therapy approaches, which, in general, combine surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The experts strongly recommended that healthcare providers should integrate proper medical resources into a collaborative group involving specialists in several disciplines to agree upon and provide the most effective therapy for individual patients.

Analysis of simultaneous modulated accelerated radiotherapy (SMART) for nasopharyngeal carcinomas

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of simultaneous modulated accelerated radiotherapy (SMART) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 97 patients who underwent SMART for NPC between August 2005 and November 2011 were evaluated. The prescribed dose was 69.9 Gy/30 fractions at 2.33 Gy/fraction to the primary gross tumor volume (PGTV) including the nasopharynx gross target volume and the positive neck lymph nodes, and 60 Gy/30 fraction at 2.0 Gy/fraction to the PCTV1; 54 Gy/30 fractions at 1.8 Gy/fraction was given to the PCTV2. Among 59 patients with local advanced disease, 31 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (chemo-RT) with a regimen consisting of 135 mg/m(2) paclitaxel on Day 1 and 25 mg/m(2) cisplatin on Days 1-3. The median follow-up period was 42 months. The local control rate (LCR), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 93.3%, 90.3% and 91.6% at 3 years, and 87.6%, 87.9% and 85.7% at 5 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in outcome with respect to these three indicators for Stage III and IV disease treated with/without concurrent chemoradiotherapy (P > 0.05). Acute toxicities included Grade 3 mucositis, skin desquamation, and leucopenia, which occurred in 78 (80.4%), 8 (8.2%), and 45 (46.4%) patients, respectively. No patient had a Grade 3-4 late toxicity. SMART was associated with a favorable outcome for NPC with acceptable toxicity. The local-regional control was excellent but distant metastasis remains the main risk. The combination of SMART and chemotherapy needs to be optimized through further studies to enhance outcomes for locally advanced diseases.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for stage IVA/IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma: clinical outcomes and patterns of failure in an endemic area in China

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mode of relapse patterns and survival of 209 patients with stage IVA and IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND MATERIALS

A total of 209 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were subsequently histologically diagnosed with nondisseminated stage IV NPC received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as their primary treatment and were included in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 65 months (range, 3-108 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates for patients with stage IVA and stage IVB NPC were 72.7 vs. 60.0 % (p = 0.319), 62.9 vs. 51.3 % (p = 0.070), 82.9 vs. 93.1 % (p = 0.070), 82.9 vs. 82.9 % (p = 0.897), 76.4 vs. 58.5 % (p = 0.003), respectively. Age older than 44 years was found to be a statistically significant adverse independent prognostic factor for OS. Patients with advanced N status had worse OS, DFS, and DMFS rates. Patients with a primary gross tumor volume (GTV-P) ≥ 55.11 ml had worse OS, DFS, and LRRFS rates.

CONCLUSION

The results of treating stage IVA NPC with IMRT were excellent. Distant metastasis remains the most difficult treatment challenge for patients with stage IVA and IVB NPC, and more effective systemic chemotherapy should be explored.

Estimation of life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy in non-metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy

PURPOSE

This study was designed to estimate the life expectancy (LE) and quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) in non-metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients were eligible for the present study if they were diagnosed with NPC and had been treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2010. The quality of life (QOL) data were collected using the questionnaires of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35. The LE of NPC patients was obtained using linear extrapolation of a logit-transformed curve and was adjusted by the corresponding QOL function to calculate the QALE.

RESULTS

During the study period, 110 patients met the inclusion criteria, and 53 of these completed questionnaires. The median follow-up was 65.2 months (range 4.0-117.3 months). The average LE and QALE were estimated to be 20.6 years and 11.6 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for NPC patients and 24.4 years and 24.4 QALYs for the reference population, respectively. Compared to the reference population, the loss of LE and QALE for NPC patients were 3.8 years and 12.8 QALYs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers a quick overview of the LE and the QALE of NPC patients treated with IMRT. Moreover, the results appear more understandable than the 5 year survival outcomes when communicating with patients or the general population regarding cancer risk. In the future, evaluating the robustness of comparative assessments for the outcome of NPC patients undergoing different treatment protocols will be possible.

Beam path toxicity in candidate organs-at-risk: assessment of radiation emetogenesis for patients receiving head and neck intensity modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

To investigate potential dose-response relationship between radiation-associated nausea and vomiting (RANV) reported during radiotherapy and candidate nausea/vomiting-associated regions of interest (CNV-ROIs) in head and neck (HNC) squamous cell carcinomas.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

A total of 130 patients treated with IMRT with squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck were evaluated. For each patient, CNV-ROIs were segmented manually on planning CT images. Clinical on-treatment RANV data were reconstructed by a review of the records for all patients. Dosimetric data parameters were recorded from dose-volume histograms. Nausea and vomiting reports were concatenated as a single binary "Any N/V" variable, and as a "CTC-V2+" variable.

RESULTS

The mean dose to CNV-ROIs was higher for patients experiencing RANV events. For patients receiving IMRT alone, a dose-response effect was observed with varying degrees of magnitude, at a statistically significant level for the area postrema, brainstem, dorsal vagal complex, medulla oblongata, solitary nucleus, oropharyngeal mucosa and whole brain CNV-ROIs.

CONCLUSION

RANV is a common therapy-related morbidity facing patients receiving HNC radiotherapy, and, for those receiving radiotherapy-alone, is associated with modifiable dose to specific CNS structures.

The pretreatment albumin to globulin ratio has predictive value for long-term mortality in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Low serum albumin is predictive of poor survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We evaluated the ability of the pretreatment albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) to predict long-term mortality in patients with NPC.

METHODS

This retrospective study examined an unselected cohort of 694 patients with NPC who had documented pretreatment total serum protein and serum albumin levels (ALB). AGR was calculated as [AGR = ALB/(total serum protein--ALB)]. Survival analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of AGR.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a low pretreatment serum AGR (<1.4) was an independent predictor of poor OS (P  = 0.029) and DMFS (P  = 0.033). A low AGR was significantly associated with advanced stage disease (P<0.001), high white blood cell count (P  = 0.033), high neutrophil count (P  = 0.047), high total serum protein (P<0.001) and low ALB (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The pretreatment AGR may represent a simple, potentially useful predictive biomarker for evaluating the long-term prognosis of patients with undifferentiated NPC.

Update report of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with reduced-volume intensity-modulated radiation therapy and hypothesis of the optimal margin

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To establish the minimally required margins in different directions measured from GTV in the definitive treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using IMRT based on the 5-year results.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between November 2003 and May 2007, 414 patients with non-metastatic NPC were treated with IMRT according to our institutional protocol. Treatment outcomes at 5 years were analyzed. Distances from GTV-T to CTV2 (i.e., CTV 59.4 Gy) in 6 directions (anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, and bilateral) were measured and analyzed.

RESULTS

The 5-year estimated overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), local control (LC) were 80%, 77% and 95%, respectively. For the margins measured from GTV-T to CTV2, margins used with T4 disease were significantly and uniformly smaller than the whole group in all the 6 directions (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.046, respectively). However, no increase of local recurrence was associated to this limited margins used.

CONCLUSIONS

Our 5-years' experience showed a very high LC rate. The strategy we used for CTV delineation was safe and reliable. Determined CTV through GTV expansion to a minimally required margin, using GTV+margin (used in our T4 patients)+the whole nasopharyngeal mucosa, especially for the patients with early T disease, might be feasible.

Alternative endpoints to the 5-year overall survival and locoregional control for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective analysis of 2,450 patients

The purpose of the present study was to investigate alternative endpoints to the 5-year overall survival (OS) and locoregional control (LRC) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 2,450 NPC patients were enrolled in this study, including 1,842 patients treated with two-dimensional (2D) radiotherapy (RT), 451 treated with 3D conformal RT (CRT) and 157 treated with intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). We sequentially calculated the 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year survival rates using a life table and compared these with the 5-year survival rate using the McNemar method, with the survival rate of the last indifferent comparison being considered as the alternative endpoint. For 2D RT, stage I patients exhibited similar survival rates at 1 and 5 years (98.9 vs. 94.4%, respectively; P=0.125 for both OS and LRC); stage N3 patients exhibited similar 4-year OS (55.2 vs. 53.5%; P=1.000) and 2-year LRC (78.3 vs. 71.2%; P=0.125) to the 5-year OS and LRC. For IMRT, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year OS and LRC rates in stage I/II NPC patients were 100, 98, 96, 94 and 94% for OS and 100, 98, 96, 96 and 96% for LRC, respectively. No significant differences were observed for all the comparisons. For stage III/IV NPC patients treated with IMRT, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year rates were 99.1, 96.3, 92.5, 88.8 and 85.0% for OS and 98.1, 97.2, 95.3, 90.7 and 89.7% for LRC, respectively. Only the 4-year OS and LRC rates were indifferent from those at 5 years (P=0.125 for OS and P=1.00 for LRC). In conclusion, the 1-year OS and LRC for stage I NPC patients treated with 2D RT or stage I/II NPC patients treated with IMRT, the 4-year OS and 2-year LRC for stage N3 NPC patients treated with 2D RT and the 4-year OS and LRC for stage III/IV NPC patients treated with IMRT were determined as the alternative endpoints to the 5-year OS and LRC for NPC patients.