Use of brachytherapy in management of locally recurrent rectal cancer

Long-Term Outcomes and Prognostic Analysis of Computed Tomography-Guided Radioactive 125I Seed Implantation for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer After External Beam Radiotherapy or Surgery

Background

Management of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after surgery or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) remains a clinical challenge, given the limited treatment options and unsatisfactory outcomes. This study aimed to assess long-term outcomes of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioactive ¹²⁵I seed implantation in patients with LRRC and associated prognostic factors.

Methods

A total of 101 patients with LRRC treated with CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation from October 2003 to April 2019 were retrospectively studied. Treatment procedures involved preoperative planning design, ¹²⁵I seed implantation, and postoperative dose evaluation. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy, adverse effects, local control (LC) time, and overall survival (OS) time.

Results

All the patients had previously undergone surgery or EBRT. The median age of patients was 59 (range, 31–81) years old. The median follow-up time was 20.5 (range, 0.89–125.8) months. The median LC and OS time were 10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.5–11.5) and 20.8 (95% CI: 18.7–22.9) months, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year LC rates were 44.2%, 20.7%, and 18.4%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year OS rates were 73%, 31.4%, and 5%, respectively. Univariate analysis of LC suggested that when short-time tumor response achieved partial response (PR) or complete response (CR), or D₉₀>129 Gy, or GTV ≤ 50 cm³, the LC significantly prolonged (P=0.044, 0.041, and <0.001, respectively). The multivariate analysis of LC indicated that the short-time tumor response was an independent factor influencing LC time (P<0.001). Besides, 8.9% (9/101) of the patients had adverse effects (≥grade 3): radiation-induced skin reaction (4/101), radiation-induced urinary reaction (1/101), fistula (2/101), and intestinal obstruction (2/101). The cumulative irradiation dose and the activity of a single seed were significantly correlated with adverse effects ≥grade 3 (P=0.047 and 0.035, respectively).

Conclusion

CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation is a safe and effective salvage treatment for LRRC patients who previously underwent EBRT or surgery. D₉₀ and GTV significantly influenced prognosis of such patients.

Complex Clinical Decision-Making Process of Re-Irradiation

As patients live longer with their cancer as a result of more effective treatment, recurrences and second malignancies in a previously irradiated field are an increasing challenge. The technical advances that enable high-dose radiation to limited volumes, excluding critical normal tissues, have increased the use of re-irradiation for many tumour sites. Minimising the volume, selecting patients with good performance status, negative metastatic screening and longer disease-free intervals are important principles. Despite this there is a narrow therapeutic window, and careful consideration with open discussion, including the patient, of the probable benefit and the implications of potential toxicities will always be essential. In this overview we evaluate the various radiobiological factors that need to be considered for re-irradiation, tissue recovery and dose tolerances in the setting of re-irradiation and summarise the available literature to guide clinicians in their decision-making for re-irradiation to primary and metastatic site/s of disease.

The efficacy and dosimetry analysis of CT-guided 125I seed implantation assisted with 3D-printing non-co-planar template in locally recurrent rectal cancer

Background

Locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after surgery or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a serious challenge for which no standard treatment is defined. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioactive ¹²⁵I seed (RIS) implantation assisted with three-dimensional printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT) in LRRC patients who previously received surgery or EBRT.

Methods

Sixty-six patients with LRRC treated by CT-guided RIS implantation in our institute from December 2015 to May 2019 were included. The treatment procedure included: preoperative CT localization, planning design, the printing of 3D individualized template, CT-guided RIS implantation assisted with 3D-PNCT, and postoperative dose evaluation. Therapeutic outcomes including local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively evaluated, as well as side effects.

Results

All the patients had previously received surgery or EBRT. The median follow-up time was 12.2 (range, 2.5–35.9) months. The median radioactive activity of a single RIS was 0.6 (range, 0.43–0.72) mCi. The median number of RIS was 60, ranging from 10 to 175. The dosimetric parameters included D90 (140.7 ± 33.1) Gy, D100 (90.3 ± 138.6) Gy, and V100 (91.0 ± 13.3) %. Pain relief was achieved in 85.1% (40/47) of patients. Besides, 9.1% (6/66) of patients had severe side effects (≥grade 3), including perianal skin ulcer in 1 case, fistula, radiation proctitis, and intestinal obstruction each in two cases. Median OS time was 14.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.0–16.3) months, and median LC time was 12.2 (95% CI: 9.1–15.2) months. Univariate analysis revealed that when D90 > 130 Gy or D100 > 55 Gy or V100 > 90%, the LC time was remarkably prolonged. However, none of the parameters significantly affected OS.

Conclusions

CT-guided RIS implantation assisted with 3D-PNCT is an effective and safe salvage treatment strategy for patients with LRRC after EBRT or surgery. D90, D100, and V100 can be used as prognostic predictors.

Trial registration

NCT03890926.

Image-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for recurrent rectal cancer after salvage surgery: a case report

Treatment options for patients with recurrent rectal cancer in pelvis represent a significant challenge because the balance of efficiency and toxicity needs to be pursued. This case report illustrates a treatment effect of image-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) for locally relapsed rectal cancer after salvage surgery. A 61-year-old male who underwent laparoscopic high anterior resection (LAP-HAR) with D3 lymph node dissection as a primary treatment for rectal cancer (pT3N0M0, well-differentiated adenocarcinoma) had relapsed locally 8 months after initial surgery, for which he underwent salvage abdominal perineal resection (APR), followed by adjuvant 8 cycles of XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy. He developed pelvic recurrence 1 year after the second surgery. Image-guided HDR-ISBT was performed (30 Gy/5 fractions/3 days) followed by external beam radiation therapy with 39.6 Gy in 22 fractions. There were no severe complications related to salvage radiotherapy. CEA was decreased from 24.5 ng/ml to 0.7 ng/ml, 4 months after the salvage radiotherapy. Complete response was noted on follow-up MRIs done on 2, 5, 8, and 14 months after the treatment. Hence, HDR-ISBT appears to be effective for locally recurrent rectal cancer even after salvage surgery.

A Review on the Special Radiotherapy Techniques of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest cancers worldwide. Radiotherapy has been established as an indispensable component of treatment. Although conventional radiotherapy provides good local control, radiotherapy treatment side-effects, local recurrence and distant metastasis remain to be the concerns. With the recent technological advancements, various special radiotherapy treatment options have been offered. This review article discusses the recently-developed special radiotherapy treatment modalities for various conditions of colorectal cancer ranging from early stage, locally advanced stage, recurrent, and metastatic diseases. The discussion focuses on the areas of feasibility, local control, and survival benefits of the treatment modalities. This review also provides accounts of the future direction in radiotherapy of colorectal cancer with emphasis on the coming era of personalized radiotherapy.

Salvage high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer

For tumors of the lower third of the rectum, the only safe surgical procedure is abdominal-perineal resection. High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy is a promising treatment for local recurrence of previously irradiated lower rectal cancer, due to the extremely high concentrated dose delivered to the tumor and the sparing of normal tissue, when compared with a course of external beam radiation therapy.

Safety and efficacy of intraoperative iodine-125 seed implantation brachytherapy for rectal cancer patients: A retrospective clinical research

BACKGROUND

This pilot study was performed to evaluate the risk of anastomotic leakage (AL) and pelvic autonomic nerve dysfunction, and the effects of (125) I brachytherapy after intraoperative permanent implantation of iodine-125 seeds within the patients with rectal carcinoma.

METHODS

In a cohort consisting of 80 rectal cancer patients who received potentially curative resection of rectal carcinoma with implantation of (125) I brachytherapy or radical resection of rectal carcinoma underwent total mesorectal excision. The incidences of AL, fecal incontinence, urinary dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction were calculated for comparison, and risk factors for these complications were analyzed by logistic regression. Rates of tumor recurrence and overall survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

Six out of 17 (35.29%) patients in the (125) I implant group and 1 out of 34 (2.94%) patients in the non-implant group were complicated with AL (P = 0.006). The incidences of urinary dysfunction (P = 0.005) and fecal incontinence (P = 0.023) were significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analyses revealed that (125) I brachytherapy was an independent risk factor for AL (odds ratio, 18.702; 95%CI, 1.802-194.062; P = 0.014) and urinary dysfunction (odds ratio, 4.340; 95%CI, 1.158-16.264; P = 0.029), respectively. At postoperative 2-year, the recurrence rates were 5.56% in the (125) I implant group and 9.09% in the non-implant group (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative implantation of (125) I brachytherapy significantly increases the risk of AL, fecal incontinence, urinary dysfunction, and improves local control and do not improve overall survival after total mesorectal excision.

Clinical application of CT-guided (125)I seed interstitial implantation for local recurrent rectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to explore the safety profile and clinical efficacy of CT-guided radioactive seed implantation in treating local recurrent rectal carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation was carried out in 20 patients with locally recurrent rectal carcinoma. 14 of the 20 patient had prior adjuvant external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT). The treatment planning system (TPS) was used preoperatively to reconstruct three dimensional images of the tumor and to calculate the estimated seed number and distribution. The median matched peripheral dose (MPD) was 120 Gy (range, 100-160 Gy).

RESULTS

Of the 20 patients, 12 were male, 8 were female, and ages ranged from 38 to 78, with a median age of 62. Duration of follow-up was 3-34 months. The response rate of pain relief was 85% (17/20). Repeat CT scan 2 months following the procedure revealed complete response (CR) of the tumor in 2 patients, partial response (PR) in 13 patients, stable disease (SD) in 3 patients, and progressive disease (PD) in 2 patients. 75% of patients had either CR or PR. Median survival time was 18.8 months (95% CI: 3.5-22.4 months). 1 and 2 year survival rates were 75% and 25%, respectively. 4 patients died of recurrent tumor; 4 patients died of distant metastases; 9 patients died of recurrent tumor and distant metastases. 3 patients survived after 2 year follow up. Two patients were found to have mild hematochezia, which was reversible with symptomatic management.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation appeared to be a safe, useful and less complicated interventional treatment option for local recurrent rectal carcinoma.

Dosimetric evaluation of a novel high dose rate (HDR) intraluminal / interstitial brachytherapy applicator for gastrointestinal and bladder cancers

High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is one of the accepted treatment modalities in gastro-intestinal tract and bladder carcinomas. Considering the shortcoming of contact brachytherapy routinely used in gastrointestinal tract in treatment of big tumors or invasive method of bladder treatment, an intraluminal applicator with the capability of insertion into the tumor depth seems to be useful. This study presents some dosimetric evaluations to introduce this applicator to the clinical use. The radiation attenuation characteristics of the applicator were evaluated by means of two dosimetric methods including well-type chamber and radiochromic film. The proposed 110 cm long applicator has a flexible structure made of stainless steel for easy passage through lumens and a needle tip to drill into big tumors. The 2mm diameter of the applicator is thick enough for source transition, while easy passage through any narrow lumen such as endoscope or cystoscope working channel is ensured. Well-chamber results showed an acceptably low attenuation of this steel springy applicator. Performing absolute dosimetry resulted in a correlation coefficient of R = 0.9916 (p-value ≈ 10-7) between standard interstitial applicator and the one proposed in this article. This study not only introduces a novel applicator with acceptable attenuation but also proves the response independency of the GAFCHROMIC EBT films to energy. By applying the dose response of the applicator in the treatment planning software, it can be used as a new intraluminal / interstitial applicator.

Multidisciplinary treatment of resectable rectal cancer

This review identifies evidence that influences current practices in the multidisciplinary treatment and shapes future directions in the treatment of resectable rectal cancer. Recent advances in surgery, radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy have provided measurable improvements in disease control, functional outcomes and quality of life for patients with rectal cancer. However, controversies remain regarding the optimum delivery of adjuvant therapies. Preoperative radiation either with or without concurrent chemotherapy demonstrates lower recurrence, with minimal survival benefit. Currently, the use of neoadjuvant standard fractionation chemoradiation versus short-course radiation without chemotherapy is controversial and under investigation. New combinations of chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies are also being evaluated. In addition, criteria for patient selection are being re-evaluated to determine the relative benefit of modern treatments, so that we may better tailor adjuvant therapy recommendations to be patient-specific. Recommendations for adjuvant treatments of rectal cancer are continuing to evolve; however, survival has been only marginally affected despite low incidence of local recurrence. Future trials should aim to address the role of adjuvant therapies utilizing new criteria, such as function, quality of life and impact on development of metastatic disease.

Treatment Strategy for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer

Despite radical surgery, up to 33% of patients with rectal cancer will develop locoregional relapse. The management of these patients is particularly challenging. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for those with a mobile recurrence. However, the majority of patients develop recurrence involving the pelvic wall. In these patients, multimodality therapy including radical surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy have been reported with 5-year survival of up to 31% and local control rates of 50-71%. The most important factor for obtaining long-term local control and survival is R0 resection. Extended surgery such as abdomino-sacral resection has not been popular because of 5-year survival rates of 16-31%, and significant postoperative morbidity. Re-recurrence following surgery occurs locally and in the lung, and remains a significant problem. In surgical treatment for local recurrence, surgeon-related factors are crucial. A staging system using degree of fixation and other prognostic factors should be developed so that appropriate treatment modalities are applied to each case.

CT-fluoroscopy guided interstitial brachytherapy with image-based treatment planning for unresectable locally recurrent rectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to develop high-dose-rate (HDR) conformal interstitial brachytherapy by means of combined CT-fluoroscopy guidance with CT-based treatment planning for locally recurrent rectal carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Brachytherapy needle insertion was guided with a helical CT scanner providing continuous fluoroscopy reconstruction. A video monitor placed adjacent to the CT gantry simultaneously allowed the operator to see the process of needle insertion. Final CT images were transferred by an online system to the treatment-planning computer, which reconstructed the implant needles and organ contours. The doses in planning target volume were normalized and geometrically optimized. The patients received a brachytherapy dose at 5 Gy twice daily with a hypofractionated accelerated schedule at a total dose of 30-50 Gy with or without external radiation therapy. Eighteen patients were treated with this procedure.

RESULTS

Ten to thirty-six needles (average, 17.3) were successfully placed to the planning target volume in each patient. The average time for CT fluoroscopy was 357 seconds for each procedure. No accident was seen at needle insertion, but 2 patients developed incomplete peroneal nerve palsy after needle removal, but gradually recovered. CT-based treatment planning was faster and more accurate than projection reconstruction with conventional radiograms. Analysis of the dose volume histogram showed conformal dose distribution to the target, while avoiding normal structures.

CONCLUSION

CT fluoroscopy guidance ensures safety and increases the accuracy of needle placement in brachytherapy. Conformal high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy with CT-based treatment planning is a method worth considering for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Pain and quality of life after treatment in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer

PURPOSE

Because survival in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) is limited, pain control and quality of life (QOL) are important parameters. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of posttreatment pain and QOL of patients with LRRC treated with nonsurgical palliation or resection and identify predictors of poor outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Posttreatment pain severity and QOL were prospectively assessed in 45 patients with LRRC using the Brief Pain Inventory and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal questionnaire.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients received nonsurgical palliation, and 30 patients underwent resection of their pelvic tumors. There was a significant association between higher posttreatment pain scores and worse QOL (P <.001). Patients treated with nonsurgical palliation reported moderate to severe pain beyond the third month of treatment. Resected patients reported comparable levels of pain during the first 3 postoperative years, particularly after bony resections; long-term survivors (beyond 3 years), however, reported minimal pain and good QOL. Female sex, pelvic/sciatic pain at presentation, total pelvic exenteration, and bony resection were associated with higher rates of moderate to severe posttreatment pain (P =.04, P <.001, P =.04, and P =.02, respectively). Pain at presentation was an independent predictor of posttreatment pain (odds ratio, 7.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 30.3]; P =.006).

CONCLUSION

Patients with LRRC treated with nonsurgical palliation or resection experience significant levels of pain after treatment. Close posttreatment pain monitoring is warranted in patients presenting with pelvic pain, and more aggressive pain management strategies may improve posttreatment QOL.

Multimodality management of locally recurrent colorectal cancer

The combined management of locally recurrent colorectal cancer shows considerable promise, but the best way to incorporate the different treatment modalities and the potential benefits remain uncertain. The case series mentioned here were derived from highly selected groups from a much larger population of patients with recurrent disease; thus fully combined management may be only appropriate for a minority of people with recurrent disease. There is a need for multicenter randomized trials to better delineate the real benefits from the combined approach. Multimodality management of recurrent colorectal cancer, however, involves more than the combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy for a select minority of resectable patients. It involves the use of each modality to its greatest advantage for all patients, as determined by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. We should also not confine our attention to the treatment aspects of recurrent disease alone, as the greatest promise for improved survival could be with a more general application of total mesorectal excision. Because most people who develop local recurrence of colorectal cancer will die from their disease, the main contribution of a multimodality approach may be towards palliation.

The impact of recurrent rectal cancer on quality of life

AIMS

To determine, in patients operated upon for rectal cancer, the impact that tumour recurrence has on quality of life.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients, who had curative surgery for rectal cancer from 1992 to 1997, and who subsequently developed tumour recurrence, participated. Each patient was individually matched with two patients who also had rectal cancer surgery during the same period of time but were considered to be free of cancer. The patients were matched for age, gender, type of operation and socioeconomic status. They answered the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and CR38 quality of life questionnaires, as well as the SF36 II questionnaire, at least 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

Patients with recurrent rectal cancer had significantly lower quality of life scores than cured patients in most dimensions, as measured by the three questionnaires. A significant difference was also seen in the global quality of life score on the QLQ-C30 (median scores 50 vs 75, z = 4.015, P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Recurrence of rectal cancer has a profound effect on quality of life, affecting most measurable dimensions. Treatment of recurrent cancer should not only be directed at the physical aspect of the disease, but also at its psychological and social aspects.

Functional and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with rectal cancer after combined modality therapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and sphincter preservation

PURPOSE

Locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancers treated with external beam radiation therapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and chemotherapy represent a complex group of patients in the setting of extensive pelvic surgery and sphincter preservation. We sought to define functional outcome and quality of life in this subset of patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer patients who underwent intraoperative radiation therapy with either low anterior resection (n = 12) or coloanal anastomosis (n = 6) between 1991 and 1998. Current functional outcome and quality of life were evaluated by a detailed questionnaire.

RESULTS

Median time from operation to assessment was 24 (range, 6-93) months. Using a standardized Sphincter Function Scale, incorporating the number of bowel movements per day and degree of incontinence, patients were graded as poor, fair, good, or excellent function. Of all patients, 56 percent reported unfavorable (poor or fair) function. Of the subset of patients with coloanal anastomosis or very low low anterior resection, 88 percent had unfavorable function as compared with 30 percent with standard low anterior resection. (P = 0.02; Fisher's exact probability test). A quality-of-life satisfaction score based on social, professional, and recreational restrictions demonstrated 56 percent of patients to be dissatisfied with their bowel function.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with advanced rectal cancers who require external beam radiation therapy, extensive pelvic surgery, and intraoperative radiation therapy report unfavorable functional and quality-of-life outcomes after sphincter preservation. In this setting patients being considered for coloanal anastomosis or very low anterior resection may be better served by permanent diversion.

Pathologic significance of tumor progression in locally recurrent rectal cancer: different nature from primary cancer

PURPOSE

It has recently been demonstrated that the tumor growth rate is a stronger determinant of survival than the extent of the growth in local recurrence of rectal cancer. We studied which factors controlled the tumor growth rate using modern immunohistochemical methods.

METHODS

In 51 patients who underwent extended resection for this condition, paraffin-embedded specimens were examined for 1) tumor angiogenesis by CD31 staining and microvessel counting, 2) apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling staining, and 3) cellular proliferative activity using anti-proliferative cell nuclear antigen antibody. The results were compared with carcinoembryonic antigen doubling time and survival.

RESULTS

The five-year survival rate was 20 percent. The postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen doubling time, which was the strongest predictor of survival, correlated highly with proliferative cell nuclear antigen labeling index, but did not correlate with the apoptotic index or microvessel counts.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that cancer cell proliferation rather than apoptosis or angiogenesis is a major determinant of tumor growth rate and survival in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Multidisciplinary management of recurrent colorectal cancer

Isolated pelvic recurrence of rectal carcinoma may occur in up to one third of patients following definitive resection of primary disease. The means by which recurrence is diagnosed, methods by which it may be treated, and reported outcomes are all evolving and improving. Current data indicate that a substantial proportion of patients treated by aggressive multi-modality salvage therapy may be provided with durable survival. This review highlights current concepts in the diagnosis and management of locally recurrent rectal carcinoma.