Endpoints and cutpoints in head and neck oncology trials: methodical background, challenges, current practice and perspectives

Clinical outcomes of head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma patients treated with pencil beam-scanning proton therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) treated using pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBS PT) at our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five patients who underwent treatment with PBS PT for ACC between 2001 and 2017 were included. Local control (LC), distant control (DC), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and their prognostic factors were evaluated. Adverse effects were prospectively assessed.

RESULTS

The median patient follow-up was 30 months. Prior to PT, 26 patients (74.3%) underwent surgery with R0/R1/R2 outcome in 5, 13 and 8 cases, respectively. Nine patients (25.7%) presented with inoperable disease. The 2-year LC, DC, PFS and OS was 92.2%, 77.8%, 74.3% and 88.8%, respectively. LC was influenced by patient age (p = 0.002) with a significant difference between local and distant failure (median 61.3 vs. 42.3 years, p = 0.005). Tumor T stage was a significant risk factor for PFS (p = 0.045) and tumor prognostic group affected OS (p = 0.049). No significant survival advantage for operable vs. inoperable disease could be identified. The acute and late grade 3 toxicity rates were 14.3% and 6.1%, respectively. No acute or late grade 4/5 toxicities were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

PBS PT is an effective and safe treatment for patients with head & neck ACC in both definitive and adjuvant setting. Distant metastases are the main pattern of failure. Age, tumor stage and clinical stage had a significant negative impact on LC, OS and PFS.

Feasibility of assessing pulmonary blood volume using C-arm CT during transpulmonary chemoperfusion and chemoembolization in primary and secondary lung tumours

OBJECTIVE

Assessment of parenchymal blood volume (PBV) of primary and secondary pulmonary malignancies by using a C-arm CT, regarding its role in detecting early functional response to transpulmonary chemoembolization (TPCE) and clinical practicability.

METHODS

21 patients with a mean age of 56.77 years, who were assigned to TPCE during their palliative treatment, were included. PBV and the diameter of tumours were analyzed. PBV maps were calculated from three-dimensional CT-angiographic (3D-CTA) data sets. Imaging was performed on a flat detector, C-arm CT. Groups of response were classified according to the criteria of the response evaluation criteria in solid tumours. Statistically significant differences were determined and Pearson's regression analysis correlated PBV and diameter as parameters of response to treatment.

RESULTS

During 4.91 sessions, median diameter increased 18.18% (p > 0.05) and PBV reduced 39.62% (p > 0.05). Functional and imaging response per tumour was statistical significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). Correlation coefficient was r = 0.058. 2/41 tumours showed partial response; 31/41 tumours showed stable disease; and 8/41 tumours showed progressive disease. The highest pre-treatment PBV values were measured in decreasing tumours (206.93 ml l(-1)), and the lowest values were measured in increasing tumours (60.17 ml l(-1); p > 0.05). The lowest values were also measured in lung cancer (53.02 ml l(-1)) that was significantly different to uterine leiomyosarcoma (103.31 ml l(-1)) and renal cell cancer (113.14 ml l(-1); p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of PBV maps by using 3D-CTA image data is feasible in the clinical routine. PBV shows a stronger response to TPCE treatment than measurement in diameter and should be considered as a response parameter for early detection.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Assessment of PBV using C-arm CT during TPCE is a feasible technique. Assessment of PBV might be useful in assessing response to treatment.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is increasingly used in laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer surgery. Ablative procedures described in these anatomical sites include: (i) supraglottic laryngectomy, (ii) total laryngectomy, (iii) glottic cordectomy, and (iv) partial pharyngectomy. TORS supraglottic laryngectomy remains the most commonly performed of these procedures. Initial oncologic and functional outcomes with these procedures are promising and comparable to other treatment options. As robotic instrumentation technology advances a rise in TORS laryngeal/hypopharyngeal surgery is anticipated.