Interstitial brachytherapy for eyelid carcinoma. Outcome analysis in 60 patients

Post-operative interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) in advanced ocular surface and eyelid tumors as an alternative to surgical retreatment

PURPOSE

The main purpose of treatment of advanced ocular surface and periocular malignant tumors is to eradicate the tumor while trying to preserve visual function and aesthetics. Our purpose is to describe the outcome of a retrospective case series of 10 patients with advanced ocular surface and periocular tumors treated surgically in first instance and then with postoperative interventional radiotherapy (IRT/Brachiterapy).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We describe the clinicopathological features, treatments and outcome, in a retrospective case series of 10 patients with advanced tumors involving ocular surface (staging ≥ T2) and eyelids (staging ≥ T3), with involvement of periocular and/or orbit tissues. Patients were first surgically treated, most of them with incomplete excision, and then underwent a post-operative interventional radiotherapy (IRT/Brachytherapy) as an alternative to more invasive and disfiguring surgical retreatment. Tumor location, risk factors, staging, histological features, and follow-up timing were analyzed.

RESULTS

Three patients had advanced eyelid basal cell carcinomas, 2 patients were diagnosed with eyelid and conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas, 3 as sebaceous carcinomas, and 2 as primary conjunctival melanomas. The mean follow-up time from IRT to last clinical follow-up was 58.6 weeks, range 28.4-168 (median 43.65, IQR 28.9-72.9). Two patients - one with ocular surface SCC, the other with conjunctival melanoma - had a local recurrence 23.4 and 40,9 weeks after IRT, respectively. An overview of the current knowledge on adjuvant or post-operative IRT is also provided.

CONCLUSIONS

IRT can be considered an effective therapeutic option to avoid more invasive surgical retreatment in advanced tumors involving eyelids and ocular surface.

Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Eyelid With High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy

Objective To report the outcomes with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) treatment in patients with lower eyelid basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and to evaluate the relationship between dosimetric parameters and acute and late toxicities. Material and methods A retrospective unicentric study with patients diagnosed with lower eyelid biopsy-proven BCC treated with HDR BT between January 2012 and December 2019. The prescribed dose was 36 Gy to 40 Gy in 9 to 10 fractions, twice daily, over five days. The primary endpoint was local control, and the secondary endpoints were acute and late toxicities, registered according to CTCAE v4.0. The cosmetic result was evaluated on a qualitative scale (the CAIB scale). Local control was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier test. Two sample T-tests and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the association between dosimetric parameters and side effects. Results Fifty-eight patients with a median age of 76 years were included. Among these patients, 55.2% received adjuvant HDR BT and 44.8% received radical HDR BT. At a median follow-up of 44 months, there were four local relapses, achieving a probability of local control at four years of 95% and 100% in the adjuvant and radical groups, respectively. Acute toxicity occurred in 76% of patients with only one grade 3 event (radiation dermatitis). Late toxicity was present in 56%. Eight patients underwent treatment for grade 3 cataracts during follow-up. Cosmetic results were excellent or very good in 93% of patients. Acute conjunctival hyperemia is strongly associated with the dose received by the ocular globe (volumes of 0.1cc, 1cc, and 2 cc) (p<0.05). Conclusion Lower eyelid BCC treatment with interstitial HDR BT is associated with excellent local control, acceptable long-term side effects, and good cosmetic results.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of basal cell carcinoma: a GRADE approach for evidence evaluation and recommendations by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer, with a high impact on the public health burden and social costs. Despite the overall prognosis for patients with BCC being excellent, if lesions are allowed to progress, or in a small subset of cases harboring an intrinsically aggressive biological behavior, it can result in local spread and significant morbidity, and conventional treatments (surgery and radiotherapy) may be challenging. When a BCC is not amenable to either surgery or radiotherapy with a reasonable curative intent, or when metastatic spread occurs, systemic treatments with Hedgehog inhibitors are available. These guidelines were developed, applying the GRADE approach, on behalf of the Italian Association of Medical Oncologists (AIOM) to assist clinicians in treating patients with BCC. They contain recommendations with regard to the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, from primitive tumors to those locally advanced or metastatic, addressing the aspects of BCC management considered as priorities by a panel of experts selected by AIOM and other national scientific societies. The use of these guidelines in everyday clinical practice should improve patient care.

Acute and late complications and toxicities of skin brachytherapy

Skin cancer is the most prevalent malignancy, and its incidence is rising. Surgery is the primary treatment, however, morbidity of surgical resection in certain parts of the body warrant alternate treatment options such as radiation therapy. Complex topology of the skin can pose a challenge for treatment with photon and electron external beam radiotherapy techniques. Brachytherapy can be an attractive radiotherapy technique for these regions. Furthermore, brachytherapy results in lower dose to the underlying deep organs. The goal of this manuscript is to provide a brief overview of the role of brachytherapy for skin malignancies and to outline potential acute and long-term toxicities.

Interstitial HDR Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancers around the Eye

BACKGROUND

Eyelid tumors are rare skin cancers, the most common of which is basal cell carcinoma characterized primarily by local growth. In addition to surgery, radiotherapy is among the basic methods of treatment. External beam radiotherapy is associated with the risk of complications within ocular structures, especially the lens. In the case of interstitial brachytherapy, it is possible to administer a high dose to the clinical target volume (CTV), while reducing it in the most sensitive structures.

METHODS

This paper presents the results of an analysis of 28 patients treated with interstitial high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for skin cancers of the upper and lower eyelid; medial and lateral canthus; and the cheek, nose and temples with the infiltration of ocular structures. The patients were treated according to two irradiation schedules: 49 Gy in 14 fractions of 3.5 Gy twice a day for 7 days of treatment, and 45 Gy in 5 Gy fractions twice a day for 5 days. The mean follow-up was 22 months (3-49 months).

RESULTS

two patients (6%) had a relapse: a local recurrence within the irradiated area in one of them, and metastases to lymph nodes in the other. The most common early complication was conjunctivitis (74%), and the most common late complication was dry eye syndrome (59%).

CONCLUSIONS

Interstitial HDR brachytherapy for skin cancers of the upper and lower eyelid; medial and lateral cants; and the cheek, nose and temples with infiltration of ocular structures is a highly effective, short and relatively low burden type of treatment.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy for facial skin cancer: Outcome and toxicity assessment for 71 cases

PURPOSE

In France, the reference technique for skin cancer was low-dose-rate brachytherapy (BT) delivered via iridium wire. At the end of their commercialization in 2015 we have replaced them by high-dose-rate (HDR) BT via interstitial catheters. We assessed efficacy and tolerance as soon as this technique was implemented.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients received 7 Gy on the first day, followed by 8 × 4 Gy over the next 4 days for exclusive BT and 9 × 4 Gy over 5 days for post-operative BT.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients of median age 81 years received a total of 58 primary BT and 13 post-operative BT for non-melanoma facial skin cancers. Implantation was without difficulty. Median follow up was 15.3 months. Two patients died of intercurrent diseases before first follow up. For the others, 98.5% showed complete response and 3% local recurrence after a median of 20.5 months. Four patients had grade 3 acute dermatitis and three patients had grade 3 mucositis. All the Grade 3 toxicities were resolved within 3 months. A late significant hypopigmentation occurred in 4 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

HDR BT is efficient and well-tolerated with good cosmetic results. HDR catheters are similar with iridium wires in terms of technical difficulty.

Radiation Therapy for Cutaneous Malignancies of the Head and Neck

Radiation therapy plays an integral role in the management of cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck. This article highlights the use of radiation therapy in the definitive and adjuvant setting for basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Themes that emerge include the overall efficacy of radiation therapy as a local therapy, the relevance of cosmesis, functional outcomes, late toxicities as secondary end points, and the multitude of treatment modalities that are used.

Development of a method for treating lower-eyelid carcinomas using superficial high dose rate brachytherapy

In this study, a method was developed for delivering high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments to basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) as well as squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the lower eyelid via superficial catheters. Clinically-realistic BCC/SCC treatment areas were marked in the lower-eyelid region on a head phantom and several arrangements of catheters and bolus were trialled for treating those areas. The use of one or two catheters of different types was evaluated, and sources of dosimetric uncertainty (including air gaps) were evaluated and mitigated. Test treatments were planned for delivery with an iridium-192 source, using the Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). Dose distributions were evaluated using radiochromic film. The proposed method was shown to be clinically viable, for using superficial HDR brachytherapy to overcome anatomical difficulties and create non-surgical treatments for BCC and SCC of the lower eyelid.

Definitive and Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Basal and Squamous Cell Cancers of the Skin: Executive Summary of an American Society for Radiation Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline

PURPOSE

This guideline reviews the evidence for the use of definitive and postoperative radiation therapy (RT) in patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

METHODS

The American Society for Radiation Oncology convened a task force to address 5 key questions focused on indications for RT in the definitive and postoperative setting for BCC and cSCC, as well as dose-fractionation schemes, target volumes, basic aspects of treatment planning, choice of radiation modality, and the role of systemic therapy in combination with radiation. Recommendations were based on a systematic literature review and created using a predefined consensus-building methodology and system for grading evidence quality and recommendation strength.

RESULTS

The guideline recommends definitive RT as primary treatment for patients with BCC and cSCC who are not surgical candidates while conditionally recommending RT with an emphasis on shared decision-making in those situations in which adequate resection can lead to a less than satisfactory cosmetic or functional outcome. In the postoperative setting, a number of indications for RT after an adequate resection are provided while distinguishing the strength of the recommendations between BCC and cSCC. One key question is dedicated to defining indications for regional nodal irradiation. The task force suggests a range of appropriate dose-fractionation schemes for treatment of primary and nodal volumes in definitive and postoperative scenarios. The guideline also recommends against the use of carboplatin concurrently with adjuvant RT and conditionally recommends the use of systemic therapies for unresectable primaries where treatment may need escalation.

CONCLUSIONS

Defining the role of RT in the management of BCC and cSCC has been hindered by a lack of high-quality evidence. This document synthesizes available evidence to define practice guidelines for the most common clinical situations. We encourage practitioners to enroll patients in prospective trials and to approach care in a multidisciplinary fashion whenever possible.

High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for a bulky sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid: A case report

High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) achieved excellent local control of the bulky sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. However, we must pay attention to dose of eyelid and cornea about late toxicity of HDR-ISBT.

GEC-ESTRO ACROP recommendations in skin brachytherapy

PURPOSE

The aim of this publication is to compile available literature data and expert experience regarding skin brachytherapy (BT) in order to produce general recommendations on behalf of the GEC-ESTRO Group.

METHODS

We have done an exhaustive review of published articles to look for general recommendations.

RESULTS

Randomized controlled trials, systemic reviews and meta-analysis are lacking in literature and there is wide variety of prescription techniques successfully used across the radiotherapy centers. BT can be delivered as superficial application (also called contact BT or plesiotherapy) or as interstitial for tumours thicker than 5 mm within any surface, including very irregular. In selected cases, particularly in tumours located within curved surfaces, BT can be advantageous modality from dosimetric and planning point of view when compared to external beam radiotherapy. The general rule in skin BT is that the smaller the target volume, the highest dose per fraction and the shortest overall length of treatment can be used.

CONCLUSION

Skin cancer incidence is rising worldwide. BT offers an effective non-invasive or minimally invasive and relative short treatment that particularly appeals to elder and frail population.

Organ-sparing treatment of penile cancer with interstitial pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy

AIM

To assess the efficacy and toxicity profile of protocol-based interstitial pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy for penile carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From August 2002 to February 2014, 13 men with penile cancer were treated by interstitial brachytherapy. The tumor stage was T1 for eight patients, T2 for four patients, and T3 for one patient. The tumor grade was well differentiated for five patients and moderately differentiated for seven patients, while it was unknown for one patient. Lymph node staging was positive for three of 13 patients. All patients were treated using interstitial PDR brachytherapy with dose specifications according to the Paris system. For data collection of erectile dysfunction, the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used, supplemented by the follow-up data.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 54.0 months (range, 13-155 months). Only one patient (1/13, 7.7 %) with local failure was documented. At 5 and 10 years, the local cumulative recurrence rate, disease-free survival, and the cancer-specific survival rates were 12.5 % (95 % CI, 80.4-119.6), 80.8 % (95 % CI, 75.2-124.8), and 77.9 % (95 % CI, 74.3-125.7), respectively. At the time of analysis, nine of 13 men were alive; two of 13 men died of distant metastases from the tumor and two for other reasons with no sign of cancer disease. Serious late side effects such as soft tissue necrosis occurred in four of 13 patients (30 %) and all were successfully treated with medication. Mutilating salvage surgery was not necessary in any of the cases. Urethral stenosis was documented for two of 13 (15.4 %) and dysuria occurred in four of 13 patients (30.8 %). Eight of 11 men (72.7 %) never or only sometimes had erectile dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients, interstitial PDR brachytherapy of penile cancer is effective as an organ-sparing treatment. It yields satisfactory results for the conservation of sexual function.

Brachytherapy in non melanoma skin cancer of eyelid: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) of eyelid are uncommon. Many treatments approach are available with surgery being considered as the gold standard. Radiotherapy is an effective alternative in patients unfit for surgery. Brachytherapy (BT) might be a better therapeutic option due high radiation dose concentration to the tumor and rapid dose fall-off resulting in normal tissues sparing. The aim of this review is to evaluate local control, toxicity, and functional cosmetic outcome of BT in NMSC of eyelid.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic search of the bibliographic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library from the earliest possible date through October 2015 was performed. Only studies published in English were included.

RESULTS

Six articles fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in our review. Due to high risk of bias, all studies were classified to provide a low level of evidence (according to Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Classification). No randomized controlled trials or case control studies were founded. Brachytherapy was well tolerated with acceptable toxicity and high local control rates (median: 95.2%). Functional and cosmetic outcome were reported in five study as acceptable good functional-cosmetic outcome (median: 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

To date, few evidences are available on the role of BT in eyelid NMSC, and they show satisfactory results in terms of local control and functional cosmetic outcome. Therefore, prospective controlled trials are justified.

[Malignant tumours of the eye: Epidemiology, diagnostic methods and radiotherapy]

Malignant tumours of the eye are not common, barely representing 1 % of all cancers. This article aims to summarise, for each of the main eye malignant diseases, aspects of epidemiology, diagnostic methods and treatments, with a focus on radiation therapy techniques. The studied tumours are: eye metastasis, intraocular and ocular adnexal lymphomas, uveal melanomas, malignant tumours of the conjunctive, of the lids, and retinoblastomas. The last chapter outlines ocular complications of radiation therapy and their management.

Interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy in eyelid cancer

PURPOSE

To report the experience and the outcomes of interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) of eyelid skin cancer at the Department of Radiotherapy of Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Seventeen patients (pts; mean age, 73.75 years) who underwent eyelid interstitial HDR BT with an (192)Ir source between January 2011 and February 2013 were analyzed. Lesions were basal (94%) and squamous (6%) cell carcinomas, on lower (88%) or upper (6%) eyelids, and on inner canthus (6%). T-stage was Tis (6%), T1 (46%), T2 (36%), and T3a (12%). The purpose of BT was radical (12%), adjuvant to surgery (71%), or salvage after surgery (18%). The BT implant and treatment planning were based on the Stepping Source Dosimetry System. The median total dose was 42.75 Gy (range, 32-50 Gy), with a median of 10 fractions (range, 9-11 fractions), twice daily, 6 h apart. The median V100 was 2.38 cm(3) (range, 0.83-5.59 cm(3)), and the median V150 was 1.05 cm(3) (range, 0.24-3.12 cm(3)).

RESULTS

At a median followup of 40 months (range, 7-43 months), the local control was 94.1%. There was one local recurrence and one non-related death. The BT was well tolerated. Madarosis was the most common late effect (65% of pts) and was related with higher values of V100 (p = 0.027). Cosmetic outcomes were good and excellent in 70% of pts.

CONCLUSIONS

Interstitial HDR BT is a feasible and safe technique for eyelid skin cancers, with good local control. Recurrent lesions and higher volumes receiving the prescribed dose were associated with worse outcomes.

Postoperative interstitial brachytherapy in eyelid cancer: long term results and assessment of Cosmesis After Interstitial Brachytherapy scale

Purpose

To analyse feasibility and safety of postoperative interstitial brachytherapy (IBRT) in patients of eyelid cancer treated primarily by surgical excision.

Material and methods

In this series, 8 patients with eyelid cancer were treated using postoperative interstitial brachytherapy. Patients were followed up for local control, cosmetic outcome, and acute and late toxicities. Cosmetic outcome was measured using a 6 point indigenous Cosmesis After Interstitial Brachytherapy (CAIB) scale.

Results

The patients were between 23-82 years (median: 71 years). There were 3 females and 5 males, and 3 patients had lesions in upper eyelid. Postoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy was used in all with 2 catheters implanted in most of them (6 out of 8). Local control was calculated from end of treatment to last follow-up. At last follow-up, all patients remained locally controlled. Two patients had nodal recurrence 6 months after interstitial brachytherapy and were salvaged effectively by external beam radiotherapy. At last follow-up, 7 patients were loco-regionally controlled and one was lost to follow up. All patients had Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade 1 acute toxicity and 2 had grade 1 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version.3 late toxicities. The cosmesis score for the whole group ranged between 0-1 indicating excellent to very good cosmesis.

Conclusions

Postoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy resulted in excellent disease control and cosmesis without significant acute or late toxicities. It is an effective modality for treatment of eyelid cancers in selected patients. Future prospective studies with the validation of CAIB scale would give us more insight to this effective yet often ignored modality of IBRT.

Regional nodal relapse in surgically staged Merkel cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The nodal relapse pattern of surgically staged Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) with/without elective nodal radiotherapy (RT) was studied in a single institution.

METHOD

A total of 51 patients with MCC, 33% UICC stage I, 14% II, 53% III (4 lymph node metastases of unknown primary) were eligible. All patients had surgical staging: 23 patients sentinel node biopsy (SNB), 22 patients SNB followed by lymphadenectomy (LAD) and 6 patients LAD. In all, 94% of the primary tumors (PT) were completely resected; 57% of patients received RT, 51% of known PT sites, 33% (8/24 patients) regional RT to snN0 nodes and 68% (17/27 patients) to pN+ nodes, mean reference dose 51.5 and 50 Gy, respectively. Mean follow-up was 6 years (range 2-14 years).

RESULTS

A total of 22% (11/51) patients developed regional relapses (RR); the 5-year RR rate was 27%. In snN0 sites (stage I/II), relapse occurred in 5 of 14 nonirradiated vs. none of 8 irradiated sites (p = 0.054), resulting in a 5-year RR rate of 33% versus 0% (p = 0.16). The crude RR rate was lower in stage I (12%, 2/17 patients) than for stage II (43%, 3/7 patients). In stage III (pN+), RR appeared to be less frequent in irradiated sites (18%, 3/14 patients) compared with nonirradiated sites (33%, 3/10 patients, p = 0.45) with 5-year RR rates of 23% vs. 34%, respectively.

DISCUSSION

Our data suggest that adjuvant nodal RT plays a major role even if the sentinel nodes were negative.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant RT of the lymph nodes in patients with stage IIa tumors and RT after LAD in stage III tumors is proposed and should be evaluated prospectively.