Attention 3D U-NET for dose distribution prediction of high-dose-rate brachytherapy of cervical cancer: Direction modulated brachytherapy tandem applicator

BACKGROUND

Direction Modulated Brachytherapy (DMBT) enables conformal dose distributions. However, clinicians may face challenges in creating viable treatment plans within a fast-paced clinical setting, especially for a novel technology like DMBT, where cumulative clinical experience is limited. Deep learning-based dose prediction methods have emerged as effective tools for enhancing efficiency.

PURPOSE

To develop a voxel-wise dose prediction model using an attention-gating mechanism and a 3D UNET for cervical cancer high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment planning with DMBT six-groove tandems with ovoids or ring applicators.

METHODS

A multi-institutional cohort of 122 retrospective clinical HDR brachytherapy plans treated to a prescription dose in the range of 4.8-7.0 Gy/fraction was used. A DMBT tandem model was constructed and incorporated onto a research version of BrachyVision Treatment Planning System (BV-TPS) as a 3D solid model applicator and retrospectively re-planned all cases by seasoned experts. Those plans were randomly divided into 64:16:20 as training, validating, and testing cohorts, respectively. Data augmentation was applied to the training and validation sets to increase the size by a factor of 4. An attention-gated 3D UNET architecture model was developed to predict full 3D dose distributions based on high-risk clinical target volume (CTVHR) and organs at risk (OARs) contour information. The model was trained using the mean absolute error loss function, Adam optimization algorithm, a learning rate of 0.001, 250 epochs, and a batch size of eight. In addition, a baseline UNET model was trained similarly for comparison. The model performance was evaluated on the testing dataset by analyzing the outcomes in terms of mean dose values and derived dose-volume-histogram indices from 3D dose distributions and comparing the generated dose distributions against the ground-truth dose distributions using dose statistics and clinically meaningful dosimetric indices.

RESULTS

The proposed attention-gated 3D UNET model showed competitive accuracy in predicting 3D dose distributions that closely resemble the ground-truth dose distributions. The average values of the mean absolute errors were 1.82 ± 29.09 Gy (vs. 6.41 ± 20.16 Gy for a baseline UNET) in CTVHR, 0.89 ± 1.25 Gy (vs. 0.94 ± 3.96 Gy for a baseline UNET) in the bladder, 0.33 ± 0.67 Gy (vs. 0.53 ± 1.66 Gy for a baseline UNET) in the rectum, and 0.55 ± 1.57 Gy (vs. 0.76 ± 2.89 Gy for a baseline UNET) in the sigmoid. The results showed that the mean absolute error (MAE) for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid were 0.22 ± 1.22 Gy (3.62%) (p = 0.015), 0.21 ± 1.06 Gy (2.20%) (p = 0.172), and -0.03 ± 0.54 Gy (1.13%) (p = 0.774), respectively. The MAE for D90, V100%, and V150% of the CTVHR were 0.46 ± 2.44 Gy (8.14%) (p = 0.018), 0.57 ± 11.25% (5.23%) (p = 0.283), and -0.43 ± 19.36% (4.62%) (p = 0.190), respectively. The proposed model needs less than 5 s to predict a full 3D dose distribution of 64 × 64 × 64 voxels for any new patient plan, thus making it sufficient for near real-time applications and aiding with decision-making in the clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Attention gated 3D-UNET model demonstrated a capability in predicting voxel-wise dose prediction, in comparison to 3D UNET, for DMBT intracavitary brachytherapy planning. The proposed model could be used to obtain dose distributions for near real-time decision-making before DMBT planning and quality assurance. This will guide future automated planning, making the workflow more efficient and clinically viable.

Smoking and alcohol drinking effect on radiotherapy associated risk of second primary cancer and mortality among breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Smoking and alcohol consumption are potential risk factors for breast cancer (BC) and may modify the risk of radiotherapy-associated second primary cancer (SPC) occurrence and total mortality. We explored the joint effect of smoking, or alcohol drinking, and radiotherapy on the risk of SPC and overall mortality among BC survivals.

METHODS

We conducted a cancer registry-based study of 10,676 BC cases (stage 0-III) with data on smoking and alcohol consumption at time of diagnosis and clinical and therapeutics characteristics. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate Hazard Ratios [HRs] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of total and site-specific SPC and mortality adjusting for demographic and cancer related characteristics.

RESULTS

The SPC risk associated with radiotherapy was higher among ever-smokers than never-smokers (p for interaction = 0.04). Compared to never-smokers/unirradiated, the adjusted HR for ever-smokers/irradiated was 1.79 (95%CI, 1.43-2.23), and for never-smokers/irradiated was 1.31 (95%CI, 1.06-1.63). Analysis by cancer site showed that for ever-smokers/irradiated the risk for hematological, gastrointestinal, gynecological urological and lung/pulmonary cancer was significantly increased by two to five-fold. Mortality was significantly higher for ever-smokers/irradiated (HR = 1.25; 95%CI, 1.06-1.47), but was lower for never-smokers/irradiated (HR = 0.85; 95%CI, 0.73-0.99). Alcohol consumption did not alter the association between radiotherapy and SPC risk, but was associated with lower mortality risk.

CONCLUSION

Patients who received radiotherapy and smoked before or at time of BC diagnosis have an increased risk for specific SPCs; drinking alcohol did not alter the effect of radiotherapy. Smoking significantly increased mortality risk reducing the protective effect of radiotherapy treatment.

Prospective Comparison of Toxicity and Cosmetic Outcome After Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation With Conformal External Beam Radiotherapy or Single-Entry Multilumen Intracavitary Brachytherapy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to prospectively characterize toxicity and cosmesis after accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (CRT) or single-entry, multilumen, intracavitary brachytherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 281 patients with pTis, pT1N0, or pT2N0 (≤3.0 cm) breast cancer treated with segmental mastectomy were prospectively enrolled from December 2008 through August 2014. APBI was delivered using 3-dimensional CRT (n = 29) or with SAVI (n = 176), Contura (n = 56), or MammoSite (n = 20) brachytherapy catheters. Patients were evaluated at protocol-specified intervals, at which time the radiation oncologist scored cosmetic outcome, toxicities, and recurrence status using a standardized template.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time is 41 months. Grade 1 seroma and fibrosis were more common with brachytherapy than with 3-dimensional CRT (50.4% vs 3.4% for seroma; P < .0001 and 66.3% vs 44.8% for fibrosis; P = .02), but grade 1 edema was more common with 3-dimensional CRT than with brachytherapy (17.2% vs 5.6%; P = .04). Grade 2 to 3 pain was more common with 3-dimensional CRT (17.2% vs 5.2%; P = .03). Actuarial 5-year rates of fair or poor radiation oncologist-reported cosmetic outcome were 9% for 3-dimensional CRT and 24% for brachytherapy (P = .13). Brachytherapy was significantly associated with inferior cosmesis on mixed model analysis (P = .003). Significant predictors of reduced risk of adverse cosmetic outcome after brachytherapy were D0.1cc (skin) ≤102%, minimum skin distance >5.1 mm, dose homogeneity index >0.54, and volume of nonconformance ≤0.89 cc. The 5-year ipsilateral breast recurrence was 4.3% for brachytherapy and 4.2% for 3-dimensional CRT APBI patients (P = .95).

CONCLUSIONS

Brachytherapy APBI is associated with higher rates of grade 1 fibrosis and seroma than 3-dimensional CRT but lower rates of grade 1 edema and grade 2 to 3 pain than 3-dimensional CRT. Rates of radiation oncologist-reported fair or poor cosmetic outcomes are higher with brachytherapy. We identified dosimetric parameters that predict reduced risk of adverse cosmetic outcome after brachytherapy-based APBI. Ipsilateral breast recurrence was equivalent for brachytherapy and 3-dimensional CRT.

New Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Technology Confers Higher Complications and Costs Before Effectiveness Proven: A Medicare Data Analysis

A new breast cancer treatment, brachytherapy-based accelerated partial breast radiotherapy (RT), was adopted before long-term effectiveness evidence, potentially increasing morbidity and costs compared with whole breast RT. The aim of this study was to estimate complication rates and RT-specific and 1-year costs for a cohort of female Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with breast cancer (N = 47 969). We analyzed 2005-2007 Medicare claims using multivariable logistic regression for complications and generalized linear models (log link, gamma distribution) for costs. Overall, 11% (n = 5296) underwent brachytherapy-based RT; 9.4% had complications. Odds of any complication were higher (odds ratio [OR]: 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-1.76) for brachytherapy versus whole breast RT, similarly to seroma (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.97-4.13), wound complication/infection (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.52-1.95), cellulitis (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.27-1.73), and necrosis (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.55-2.75). Mean RT-specific and 1-year total costs for whole breast RT were $6375, and $19 917, $4886, and $4803 lower than brachytherapy ( P < .0001). Multivariable analyses indicated brachytherapy yielded 76% higher RT costs (risk ratio: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.74-1.78, P < .0001) compared with whole breast RT. Brachytherapy had higher complications and costs before long-term evidence proved its effectiveness. Policies should require treatment registries with reimbursement incentives to capture surveillance data for new technologies.

Promoting the Appropriate Use of Advanced Radiation Technologies in Oncology: Summary of a National Cancer Policy Forum Workshop

PURPOSE

Leaders in the oncology community are sounding a clarion call to promote "value" in cancer care decisions. Value in cancer care considers the clinical effectiveness, along with the costs, when selecting a treatment. To discuss possible solutions to the current obstacles to achieving value in the use of advanced technologies in oncology, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a workshop, "Appropriate Use of Advanced Technologies for Radiation Therapy and Surgery in Oncology" in July 2015. The present report summarizes the discussions related to radiation oncology.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The workshop convened stakeholders, including oncologists, researchers, payers, policymakers, and patients. Speakers presented on key themes, including the rationale for a value discussion on advanced technology use in radiation oncology, the generation of scientific evidence for value of advanced radiation technologies, the effect of both scientific evidence and "marketplace" (or economic) factors on the adoption of technologies, and newer approaches to improving value in the practice of radiation oncology. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion with dialogue among the stakeholders.

RESULTS

Challenges to generating evidence for the value of advanced technologies include obtaining contemporary, prospective, randomized, and representative comparative effectiveness data. Proposed solutions include the use of prospective registry data; integrating radiation oncology treatment, outcomes, and quality benchmark data; and encouraging insurance coverage with evidence development. Challenges to improving value in practice include the slow adoption of higher value and the de-adoption of lower value treatments. The proposed solutions focused on engaging stakeholders in iterative, collaborative, and evidence-based efforts to define value and promote change in radiation oncology practice. Recent examples of ongoing or successful responses to the discussed challenges were provided.

CONCLUSIONS

Discussions of "value" have increased as a priority in the radiation oncology community. Practitioners in the radiation oncology community can play a critical role in promoting a value-oriented framework to approach radiation oncology treatment.

Trends in the use of implantable accelerated partial breast irradiation for ductal carcinoma in situ: Implications of the recent amendments to the American Society for Radiation Oncology consensus guidelines

PURPOSE

In 2009, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) published consensus recommendations that stated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients were in a "cautionary" group for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and should not receive APBI outside of a clinical trial. However, very recently, ASTRO placed low-risk DCIS patients in the "suitable" category. Given this recent change, we aimed to use the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to evaluate past patterns of implantable APBI (IAPBI) utilization in women with DCIS.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for patients from 2000 to 2012 with DCIS that underwent lumpectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy. Patients receiving IAPBI were differentiated from those receiving whole breast radiation therapy. Trends based on treatment year and patient demographics were collected, and multivariable logistic regression determined factors independently predictive of use of IAPBI.

RESULTS

Of 52,012 eligible patients, 49,450 (95%) underwent external beam radiation and 2562 (5%) received APBI. Though IAPBI utilization steadily increased from 2000 (0.2% of the study population) to 2008 (9.4%), it abruptly declined in 2009 (7.9%, p = 0.009) and yearly thereafter. The 40-49 age group was proportionally most associated with this decline (8.6% in 2008 to 4.3% in 2009). Factors independently associated with IAPBI receipt included increasing age, hormone receptor negative status, and women living in the South.

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of IAPBI administration in DCIS are described. These trends are important to consider as a benchmark going forward, in light of the very recent change in ASTRO recommendations to include low-risk DCIS patients.

Survival after Breast-Conserving Surgery with Whole Breast or Partial Breast Irradiation in Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer: A SEER Data-base Analysis

Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated equivalency in survival outcomes for early stage breast cancer patients treated with either mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiation. Recent, state-level data confirm comparable survival outcomes. Using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Research (SEER) data, we sought to evaluate survival outcomes among patients with early stage breast cancer treated with mastectomy, BCS with whole breast irradiation (BCS + WBI), or BCS with accelerated partial breast irradiation (BCS + APBI). Data on women 50 years or older diagnosed with a node negative invasive breast cancer (≤3 cm in size) between 1995 and 2009 were extracted from the SEER data base. Women treated with mastectomy alone or BCS with radiation were eligible for analysis. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) among the treatment groups. 150,171 women fulfilled inclusion criteria. OS was significantly improved among women treated with BCS and WBI or BCS and APBI compared to mastectomy alone. Adjusted hazard ratios for death in BCS with WBI or APBI (versus mastectomy alone) were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.76) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.79), respectively. Adjusted CSS was also significantly improved in patients treated with BCS and WBI (HR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.85) as compared to mastectomy. BCS with radiation (WBI or APBI) was associated with significantly improved OS and CSS, versus mastectomy alone. These results support the use of BCS with WBI or APBI (in well selected patients) for the treatment of breast cancer.

Trends in Local Therapy Utilization and Cost for Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Older Women: Implications for Payment and Policy Reform

PURPOSE

Older women with early-stage disease constitute the most rapidly growing breast cancer demographic, yet it is not known which local therapy strategies are most favored by this population in the current era. Understanding utilization trends and cost of local therapy is important for informing the design of bundled payment models as payers migrate away from fee-for-service models. We therefore used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare database to determine patterns of care and costs for local therapy among older women with breast cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Treatment strategy and covariables were determined in 55,327 women age ≥66 with Tis-T2N0-1M0 breast cancer who underwent local therapy between 2000 and 2008. Trends in local therapy were characterized using Joinpoint. Polychotomous logistic regression determined predictors of local therapy. The median aggregate cost over the first 24 months after diagnosis was determined from Medicare claims through 2010 and reported in 2014 dollars.

RESULTS

The median age was 75. Local therapy distribution was as follows: 27,896 (50.3%) lumpectomy with external beam radiation, 18,356 (33.1%) mastectomy alone, 6159 (11.1%) lumpectomy alone, 1488 (2.7%) mastectomy with reconstruction, and 1455 (2.6%) lumpectomy with brachytherapy. Mastectomy alone declined from 39.0% in 2000 to 28.2% in 2008, and the use of breast conserving local therapies rose from 58.7% to 68.2%. Mastectomy with reconstruction was more common among the youngest, healthiest patients, whereas mastectomy alone was more common among patients living in rural low-income regions. By 2008, the costs were $36,749 for lumpectomy with brachytherapy, $35,030 for mastectomy with reconstruction, $31,388 for lumpectomy with external beam radiation, $21,993 for mastectomy alone, and $19,287 for lumpectomy alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of mastectomy alone in older women declined in favor of breast conserving strategies between 2000 and 2008. Using these cost estimates, price points for local therapy bundles can be constructed to incentivize the treatment strategies that confer the highest value.

Practical Implications of the Publication of Consensus Guidelines by the American Society for Radiation Oncology: Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation and the National Cancer Data Base

PURPOSE

To examine utilization trends of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in the American College of Surgeons' National Cancer Database and changes in APBI use after the 2009 publication of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) guidelines.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 399,705 women were identified who were diagnosed from 2004 to 2011 with nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ who were treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy to the breast. Patients were divided by the type of treatment received (whole breast irradiation or APBI) and by suitability to receive APBI as defined by the ASTRO guidelines. Logistic regression was applied to study APBI use overall and within guideline categorization, and a multivariable model was created to determine predictors of treatment with brachytherapy-based APBI based on guideline categorization.

RESULTS

For all patients, APBI use increased, from 3.8% in 2004 to 10.6% in 2011 (P<.0001). Overall rates of APBI utilization were higher among "suitable" than "cautionary"/"unsuitable" patients (14.8% vs 7.1%, P<.0001). The majority of APBI treatment was delivered using brachytherapy, for which use peaked in 2008. Starting in 2009, among "suitable" patients, utilization of APBI via brachytherapy plateaued, whereas for "cautionary"/"unsuitable" patients, treatment with brachytherapy-based APBI declined and then plateaued.

CONCLUSION

Use of APBI across all patient groups increased from 2004 through 2008. After publication of the ASTRO APBI guidelines in 2009, rates of brachytherapy-based APBI treatment plateaued among "suitable" patients and declined and then plateaued among "cautionary"/"unsuitable" patients. Our study highlights how large national databases can be used to assess national trends in radiation use in response to the publication of guidelines.

Costs of hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery and readmissions in privately insured US patients

BACKGROUND

Surgical costs are influenced by perioperative care, readmissions, and further therapies. We aimed to characterize costs in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery in the United States.

METHODS

The MarketScan database (2008-2010) was used to identify privately insured patients undergoing pancreatectomy (n = 2254) or hepatectomy (n = 1702). Costs associated with the index surgery, readmissions, and total short-term costs were assessed from a third party payer perspective using generalized linear regression models.

RESULTS

Mean total costs of pancreatectomy and hepatectomy were $107,600 (95% confidence interval [CI], 101,200-114,000) and $81,300 (95% CI, 77,600-85,000), respectively, with corresponding surgical costs of 69.2% and 60.9%. Ninety-day readmission costs were $36,200 (95% CI, 32,000-40,400) and $34,100 (95% CI, 28,100-40,100), respectively. In multivariate analysis, readmissions were associated with an almost two-fold increase in total costs in both pancreatectomy (cost ratio = 1.98; P < 0.001) and hepatectomy (cost ratio = 1.92; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery is associated with significant economic burden in the privately insured population. Substantial costs are incurred beyond the index surgical admission, with readmissions representing a major source of potentially preventable health care spending. Sustained efforts in defining high-risk populations and decreasing the burden of postoperative complications through a combination of prevention and improved outpatient management offer promising strategies to reduce readmissions and control costs.

Changes in brachytherapy-based APBI patient selection immediately before and after publication of the ASTRO consensus statement

PURPOSE

In July 2009, American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) released a consensus statement (CS) to guide patient selection for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). The goal of this study was to examine how practice patterns changed following the guideline's release.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried from 2008 to 2010 for females aged ≥20 years receiving breast conservation via brachytherapy. Among the APBI cohort, characteristics and CS grouping ("suitable," "cautionary," or "unsuitable") of patients receiving APBI in the 18 months before (January 2008 to June 2009) and after (July 2009 to December 2010) guideline publication were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 87,528 patients undergoing breast conservation therapy were identified. Of this, 4,253 patients (4.9%) received brachytherapy-based APBI. Limiting the analysis to patients not missing data that would affect their CS classification rendered 3,828 patients. The proportion of breast conservation patients receiving brachytherapy-based APBI before and after CS release remained the same (4.9% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.36). Among patients receiving brachytherapy-based APBI, the unsuitable category decreased (15.8 vs. 11.1%, p < 0.01), whereas the suitable category increased (37.7% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.03), and the cautionary category was stable (46.5% vs. 46.7% p = 0.90) after guideline publication. Joinpoint regression analysis failed to reveal that the changes in practice patterns corresponded with the CS publication date.

CONCLUSIONS

The period before and after publication of the ASTRO CS was associated with a decrease in "unsuitable" patients and an increase in "suitable" patients being treated with brachytherapy-based APBI. This trend began before guideline release and thus cannot be definitively attributed to the ASTRO CS.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation through brachytherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ: factors influencing utilization and risks of second breast tumors

The purpose of this study was to examine influencing factors and outcomes of accelerated partial breast irradiation through brachytherapy (APBIb) versus whole breast irradiation (WBI) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). From the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program of the US National Cancer Institute, we identified 40,749 women who were diagnosed with first primary DCIS between 2002 and 2011 and treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios of APBIb use. Hazard ratios (HRs) of developing ipsilateral breast tumors (IBTs) and contralateral breast tumors (CBTs) were analyzed in 1962 patients with APBIb and 7203 propensity score-matched patients with WBI, using Cox proportional hazards regression. Overall, 2212 (4.5 %) of 40,749 women (the whole cohort) received APBIb. Factors associated with the increased use of APBIb included older age, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, smaller tumor size, hormone receptor positivity, comedo subtypes, and urban residence. During the 46-month follow-up, 74 (0.8 %) and 131 (1.4 %) of 9165 propensity score-matched patients developed IBTs and CBTs, respectively. Compared with WBI, APBIb was associated with a significantly increased risk of IBTs (HR 1.74; 95 % CI 1.06-2.85) but not CBTs (OR 0.91; 95 % CI 0.59-1.41). This population-based study suggests that APBIb use for DCIS was influenced by patient and tumor characteristics as well as urbanization of residence. We observed a moderately increased IBT risk associated with APBIb versus WBI, suggesting that APBIb should be used with caution for DCIS before data from randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-ups are available.

Diffusion of accelerated partial breast radiotherapy in the United States: physician-level and patient-level analyses

PURPOSE

To evaluate diffusion of brachytherapy-based accelerated partial breast radiotherapy (RT) in the United States, a new breast cancer treatment requiring 5 days twice daily, rather than daily treatment for 6-7 weeks. It has limited long-term effectiveness data compared with standard whole breast RT.

DATA AND METHODS

We used 2005-2008 Medicare claims for female Medicare beneficiaries receiving RT after breast-conserving surgery merged with physician and area-based data (n=74,254 patient-subjects; n=1901 physicians), applying logistic regression to estimate: (1) proportion of patients for whom the radiation oncologist used brachytherapy-based accelerated RT, and (2) probability a patient received brachytherapy-based accelerated RT, clustering on physician.

RESULTS

Use of accelerated partial breast RT increased over time (8% in 2005 to 17% in 2008). Physician-level analysis indicates rural physicians were less likely to perform accelerated RT [odds ratio (OR): 0.35-0.49; P<0.002)]; as were those licensed 20+years [OR: 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39-0.74]. Overall, 11.7% of patients received accelerated RT. Treatment post 2005 was associated with increasing odds of receiving accelerated RT (P<0.0001). Older age was associated with lower odds of receiving accelerated RT (reference, 66-69 years old, OR: 0.90, P<0.006), as was black (OR: 0.73;95% CI, 0.63-0.85) or other race (OR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-1.00), living in rural areas (OR: 0.8; P<0.0001), or seeing an older physician [20+years postgraduation (OR: 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9)]. Patients living in counties with more hospitals with advanced RT facilities were more likely to undergo accelerated RT (OR: 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8).

DISCUSSION

This new technology appears to be in the early phase of diffusion across the United States and is more rapidly being taken up in younger, white patients living in urban and suburban areas with availability of advanced RT facilities. Rural and older patient populations are not tending to undergo the treatment.

Decision to Adopt Medical Technology

Objective. To understand decision making concerning adoption and nonadoption of accelerated partial breast radiotherapy (RT) prior to long-term randomized trial evidence. Methods. A total of 36 radiation oncologists and surgeons were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling strategies from September 2010 through January 2013. Semistructured phone interviews were conducted and audio-recorded and lasted 20–45 minutes. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a framework approach, iteratively exploring key concepts and emerging issues raised by subjects. Interviews were transcribed and imported into Atlas.ti v6. Transcripts were independently coded by 3 researchers shortly after each interview, followed by consensus development on each coded transcript. Barriers and facilitators of adoption, practice patterns, and informational/educational sources concerning accelerated partial breast RT were all assessed to determine major themes. Results. Nearly half of physicians were surgeons (47%), and half were radiation oncologists (53%), with 61% overall in urban settings. Twenty-nine of the 36 physicians interviewed used brachytherapy-based partial breast RT. Five major factors were involved in physicians’ decisions to adopt accelerated partial breast RT: facilitators encouraging adoption (e.g., enthusiastic colleagues and patient convenience), financial and prestige incentives, pressures to adopt (e.g., potential declines in referrals), judgment concerning acceptable level of scientific evidence, and barriers (e.g., not having appropriate machinery or referral mechanism in place). If technology was adopted, clinical guideline adherence varied. Conclusions. Technology adoption is based on financial and social pressures, along with often-limited scientific evidence and what seems “best” for patients. For technology adoption and diffusion to be rational and evidence-based, we must encourage appropriate financial payment models to curb use outside of research studies and promote development of additional treatment registries until sufficient evidence is gathered.

Increased use of partial-breast irradiation has not improved radiotherapy utilization for early-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy (RT) reduces local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for breast cancer, but under-utilization of RT has been reported. Accelerated partial-breast irradiation (PBI) improves RT accessibility, but it is uncertain if this has improved RT utilization.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry was used to identify women who underwent BCS for stage 0 or 1 breast cancer from 2000 to 2009. Temporal trends in RT utilization and RT modality were determined. Chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of RT utilization and modality.

RESULTS

Of 180,219 study patients, 131,343 (73 %) received RT; 123,703 (94 %) of RT recipients received whole-breast irradiation (WBI) and 6,251 (5 %) received PBI. PBI rates increased dramatically during the study period (0.32 % in 2000 vs. 6.5 % in 2009), but overall RT utilization remained relatively stable because of a decline in WBI (69.8 % in 2000 vs. 62.4 % in 2009). RT utilization was unchanged in rural counties, and declined for women <40 and ≥70 years of age, and for Native American, Asian and Hispanic patients. White and Black women used PBI most frequently (4 % each) and were the only race groups with improved RT utilization over time. Predictors of RT usage included age, race, marital status, tumor size, grade, hormone receptor status, lymph node evaluation, geographic region, metropolitan status, education, and employment status.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who undergo RT are opting for PBI more frequently, but the increased use of this modality has not improved overall RT utilization for patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Balloon brachytherapy for breast cancer prove that it works? Or, prove that it doesn't?

Balloon breast brachytherapy is a catheter-based technique to deliver high local concentration of radiation following breast-sparing surgery. Although this technique is logically appealing--providing more directed radiation to sites at high risk of local failure--there remains little empirical support that this intervention is non-inferior to external beam radiotherapy, a well-established standard. Additionally, observational studies suggest that balloon brachytherapy is associated with high rates of local complications, and higher rates of subsequent mastectomy, a marker of local failure. Here, I explore regulatory and clinical considerations that lead to the widespread adoption of breast brachytherapy. I argue that the therapy spread before its efficacy was confirmed. Breast brachytherapy illustrates ongoing complexities in the approval of novel devices.

For-profit hospital ownership status and use of brachytherapy after breast-conserving surgery

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the relationship between operative care for breast cancer at for-profit hospitals and subsequent use of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). Among Medicare beneficiaries, we examined whether hospital ownership status is associated with the use of breast brachytherapy--a newer and more expensive modality--as well as overall RT.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of female Medicare beneficiaries who received breast-conserving surgery for invasive breast cancer in 2008 and 2009. We assessed the relationship between hospital ownership and receipt of brachytherapy or overall RT by using hierarchical generalized linear models.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 35,118 women, 8.0% of whom had breast-conserving operations at for-profit hospitals. Among patients who received RT, those who underwent operation at for-profit hospitals were more likely to receive brachytherapy (20.2%) than patients treated at not-for-profit hospitals (15.2%; odds ratio [OR] for for-profit versus not-for-profit: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.23-1.84; P < .001). Among women aged 66-79 years, there was no relationship between hospital ownership status and overall use of RT. Among women ages 80-94 years of age--the group least likely to benefit from RT due to shorter life expectancy--undergoing breast-conserving operations at a for-profit hospital was associated with greater overall use of RT (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.03-1.45, P = .03) and brachytherapy use (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.18-2.34, P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Operative care at for-profit hospitals was associated with increased use of the newer and more expensive RT modality, brachytherapy. Among the oldest women who are least likely to benefit from RT, operative care at a for-profit hospital was associated with greater overall use of RT, with this difference largely driven by the use of brachytherapy.

Examining the cost-effectiveness of radiation therapy among older women with favorable-risk breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the cost-effectiveness of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or newer radiation therapy (RT) modalities such as intensity modulated radiation (IMRT) or brachytherapy among older women with favorable-risk breast cancer.

METHODS

Using a Markov model, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of no RT, EBRT, and IMRT over 10 years. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of IMRT compared with EBRT under different scenarios to determine the necessary improvement in effectiveness for newer modalities to be cost-effective. We estimated model inputs using women in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database fulfilling the Cancer and Leukemia Group B C9343 trial criteria.

RESULTS

The incremental cost of EBRT compared with no RT was $9500 with an ICER of $44600 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. The ICERs increased with age, ranging from $38300 (age 70-74 years) to $55800 (age 80 to 94 years) per QALY. The ICERs increased to more than $63800 per QALY for women aged 70 to 74 years with an expected 10-year survival of 25%. Reduction in local recurrence by IMRT compared with EBRT did not have a substantial impact on the ICER of IMRT. IMRT would have to increase the utility of baseline state by 20% to be cost-effective (<$100000 per QALY).

CONCLUSIONS

EBRT is cost-effective for older women with favorable risk breast cancer, but substantially less cost-effective for women with shorter expected survival. Newer RT modalities would have to be substantially more effective than existing therapies in improving quality of life to be cost-effective.

Application of a decision analytic framework for adoption of clinical trial results: are the data regarding TARGIT-A IORT ready for prime time?

The results from randomized clinical trials are often adopted slowly. This practice potentially prevents many people from benefiting from more effective care. Provide a framework for analyzing clinical trial results to determine whether and when early adoption of novel interventions is appropriate. The framework includes the evaluation of three components: confidence in trial results, impact of early, and late adoption if trial results are reversed or sustained. The adverse impact of early adoption, and the opportunity cost of late adoption are determined using Markov modeling to simulate the impact of early and late adoption in terms of quality of life years and resources gained or lost. We applied the framework to the TARGIT-A randomized clinical trial comparing intraoperative radiation (IORT) to standard external beam radiation (EBRT) and considered these results in the context of trials comparing endocrine therapy with and without radiation therapy in postmenopausal women. Confidence in the TARGIT-A trial 4 year results is high because the peak hazard for local recurrence in the trial is between 2 and 3 years. This is consistent with most trials, and no second peak has been observed in similar patient populations, suggesting that the TARGIT-A trial results are stable. The interventions offer approximately equivalent life expectancy. If IORT local recurrences rate were as high as 10 % at 10 years (which is higher than expected), we would project only 0.002 fewer expected life years (less than 1 day) compared to EBRT if IORT is adopted early. However, there is a $1.7 billion opportunity cost of waiting an additional 5 years to adopt IORT in low risk, hormone-receptor-positive, postmenopausal women. EBRT costs an additional $1467 in indirect costs per patient. Applying an evaluative framework for the adoption of clinical trial results to the TARGIT-A IORT therapy trial results in the assessment that the trial results are stable, early adoption would lead to minimal adverse impact, and substantially less resource use. Both IORT and no radiation are reasonable strategies to adopt.

Shortened radiation therapy schedules for early-stage breast cancer: a review of hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation and accelerated partial breast irradiation

Breast-conserving therapy consisting of segmental mastectomy followed by whole-breast irradiation (WBI) has become widely accepted as an alternative to mastectomy as a treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer. WBI is typically delivered over the course of 5-6 weeks to the whole breast. Hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation and accelerated partial breast irradiation have developed as alternative radiation techniques for select patients with favorable early-stage breast cancer. These radiation regimens allow for greater patient convenience and the potential for decreased health care costs. We review here the scientific rationale behind delivering a shorter course of radiation therapy using these distinct treatment regimens in this setting as well as an overview of the published data and pending trials comparing these alternative treatment regimens to WBI.

Factors contributing to underuse of radiation among younger women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based literature has confirmed the effectiveness of radiation therapy (RT) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS), especially for young women. However, women with young children may be less likely to be compliant. This study explores factors associated with noncompliance of RT among insured young patients.

METHOD

Using the MarketScan Database, we identified the study cohort as women aged 20 to 64 years who had a BCS between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2009, and had continuous enrollment 12 months before and after the date of BCS. Patients who had any radiation claims within a year of BCS were considered compliant. Adjusted odds of compliance were estimated from logistic regressions for the full sample and age-stratified subgroups. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of study findings. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Eighteen thousand one hundred twenty of 21 008 (86.25%) nonmetastatic BCS patients received RT. Among patients aged 20 to 64 years, those with children aged 7 to 12 years, those with children aged 13 to 17 years, and those with no children or children aged 18 years or older were more likely to receive RT than patients with at least one child aged less than 7 years (7-12 years: odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05 to 1.66, P = .02; 13-17 years: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.75, P = .002; no children or ≥18 years: OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.68, P = .001). Stratified analyses showed that the above association was primarily driven by women in the youngest age group (aged 20-50). Other important factors included breast cancer quality of care measures, enrollment in health maintenance organizations or capitated preferred provider organizations, travelled to a Census division outside their residence for BCS, and whether patients were primary holders of the insurance policy.

CONCLUSIONS

Competing demands from child care can constitute a barrier to complete guideline-concordant breast cancer therapy. Younger patients may be confronted by unique challenges that warrant more attention in future research.

Delivering high-quality and affordable care throughout the cancer care continuum

The national cost of cancer care is projected to reach $173 billion by 2020, increasing from $125 billion in 2010. This steep upward cost trajectory has placed enormous an financial burden on patients, their families, and society as a whole and raised major concern about the ability of the health care system to provide and sustain high-quality cancer care. To better understand the cost drivers of cancer care and explore approaches that will mitigate the problem, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the Institute of Medicine held a workshop entitled "Delivering Affordable Cancer Care in the 21st Century" in October 2012. Workshop participants included bioethicists, health economists, primary care physicians, and medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, from both academic and community settings. All speakers expressed a sense of urgency about the affordability of cancer care resulting from the future demographic trend as well as the high cost of emerging cancer therapies and rapid diffusion of new technologies in the absence to evidence indicating improved outcomes for patients. This article is our summary of presentations at the workshop that highlighted the overuse and underuse of screening, treatments, and technologies throughout the cancer care continuum in oncology practice in the United States.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer in the United States: predictors of use and association with toxicities

BACKGROUND

Intensity modulated radiotherapy for stage III lung cancer has become commonplace in the United States in the absence of randomized controlled trials. We used a large, population-based database to determine which factors led to increased utilization of IMRT and to evaluate associations of IMRT with toxicities.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare records identified 3986 individuals aged 66 years or older diagnosed with stage III lung cancer between 2001 and 2007 and treated with IMRT or 3D conformal radiotherapy. Predictors of IMRT use were determined using logistic regression. Associations of IMRT use with diagnosis codes for radiation-related toxicities were evaluated with multivariate proportional hazards regression and propensity-score matching.

RESULTS

Among the 3986 patients studied, the median age was 75 years, 54.1% were male, and 62% had IIIA disease. Two hundred and fifty seven (6.5%) patients received IMRT, with use increasing from 0.5% in 2001 to 14.7% in 2007 (P < 0.001). Key predictors of IMRT delivery included increasing year of diagnosis and treatment in a freestanding center (odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-2.77, P < 0.001); tumor size, stage, and number of radiotherapy fractions delivered were not associated with IMRT use. IMRT use was not associated with a higher burden of lung or esophagus toxicities when compared to 3DCRT.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that practice environment strongly influenced adoption of IMRT for lung cancer. Patient and tumor factors were not significant predictors of IMRT use. Esophagus and lung toxicity rates were similar between IMRT and 3DCRT.

Outcome of a phase II prospective study on partial breast irradiation with interstitial multi-catheter high-dose-rate brachytherapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Partial breast irradiation (PBI) is an alternative to whole-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery in selected patients. Until the results of randomized phase III studies are available, phase II studies inform about PBI. We report the 5 year results of a phase II prospective study with PBI using interstitial multi-catheter high-dose-rate brachytherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00499057).

METHODS

Hundred patients received PBI (4 Gy, twice a day for 4 days, until 32 Gy). Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 40years, infiltrating carcinoma without lobular histology, ductal in situ carcinoma, tumor size ≤ 2.5 cm, negative surgical margins and axillary lymph nodes.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 60 months late toxicity occurred in 25 patients; the 5-year probability of freedom from late toxicity was 72.6% (95% CI: 63.7-81.7). Tamoxifen was the only significant risk factor for late toxicity. Cosmetic results, judged by physicians and patients, were good/excellent in 98 patients. Three local relapses (1 true, 2 elsewhere) and 1 regional relapse occurred. The 5-year probability of local or regional relapse-free survival was 97.7% (95% CI: 91.1-99.4) and 99.0% (95% CI: 92.9-99.8), respectively.

CONCLUSION

PBI with interstitial multi-catheter brachytherapy is associated with low relapse and late toxicity rates.

Breast conservation therapy utilizing partial breast brachytherapy for early-stage cancer of the breast: a retrospective review from the Saint Luke's Cancer Institute

BACKGROUND

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is a convenient alternative to whole-breast irradiation, as less overall time is needed for completion. The use of APBI outside the framework of large prospective clinical trials has markedly increased. To our knowledge, no high-volume, community-based breast program has published their experience with APBI.

METHODS

The records of 93 consecutive patients who underwent APBI utilizing Mammosite Radiation Therapy System from 2005 to 2010 at Saint Luke's Cancer Institute in Kansas City, MO, were retrospectively reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the ipsilateral breast recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range, 45 to 86 y) and mean follow-up was 29 months. Patient stratification ASTRO consensus classifications for APBI was 37% suitable, 57% cautionary, and 6% unsuitable. The 3-year breast control rate was 98.7%. Three-year overall recurrence-free survival was 94.4%, and 3-year mastectomy-free survival was 97.4%. Using univariate analysis, no tumor or patient factors were associated with ipsilateral breast recurrence. However, tumor grade (P<0.05), stage (P=0.04), estrogen receptor status (P<0.001), progesterone receptor status (P<0.001), tumor size (P<0.001), and ASTRO suitability criteria (P=0.027) were associated with overall recurrence-free survival. No differences were observed when outcomes of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ were compared with those with invasive disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In our high-volume community-based program, APBI outcomes are comparable with those reported from large academic institutions. We also found relationships between tumor stage, grade, negative estrogen receptor status, and ASTRO suitability criteria with overall recurrence rates. The continued careful application of APBI in appropriately selected patients appears warranted until phase III trials comparing this modality to whole-breast irradiation have matured.

Survival after partial breast brachytherapy in elderly patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite growing utilization of accelerated partial breast irradiation using brachytherapy (APBI-Brachy) for elderly breast cancer patients, there are limited data from randomized Phase III trials to support its routine use. This study uses population-based data to examine whether APBI-Brachy results in comparable survival rates compared with whole breast irradiation (WBI).

METHODS

A sample of 29,647 female patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer in 2002-2007 treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy was identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-Medicare data set. Log-rank tests, Cox proportional hazards models, instrumental variable analysis, and subgroup analysis were used to study the comparative effectiveness of APBI-Brachy and WBI.

RESULTS

During a median followup of 3.6 and 4.8 years, 123 (7.7%) and 3438 (13.6%) patients died after APBI-Brachy and WBI, respectively. Recurrence-free survival (p = 0.9711) and overall survival rates (p = 0.0551) did not differ significantly between the two radiation modalities. After accounting for tumor characteristics, patient characteristics, community factors, and comorbidities, the recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.23; p = 0.5125) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.04; p = 0.1332) rates were still not significantly different between patients treated with APBI-Brachy and WBI.

CONCLUSION

Partial breast brachytherapy and WBI resulted in similar recurrence-free and overall survival rates in this cohort of elderly breast cancer patients, even after adjustment for the more favorable characteristics of patients in the former group. These findings will need to be confirmed by the randomized trials comparing these modalities.

A prospective study of the utility of magnetic resonance imaging in determining candidacy for partial breast irradiation

PURPOSE

Retrospective data have demonstrated that breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may change a patient's eligibility for partial breast irradiation (PBI) by identifying multicentric, multifocal, or contralateral disease. The objective of the current study was to prospectively determine the frequency with which MRI identifies occult disease and to establish clinical factors associated with a higher likelihood of MRI prompting changes in PBI eligibility.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

At The University of Chicago, women with breast cancer uniformly undergo MRI in addition to mammography and ultrasonography. From June 2009 through May 2011, all patients were screened prospectively in a multidisciplinary conference for PBI eligibility based on standard imaging, and the impact of MRI on PBI eligibility according to National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project protocol B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocol 0413 entry criteria was recorded. Univariable analysis was performed using clinical characteristics in both the prospective cohort and in a separate cohort of retrospectively identified patients. Pooled analysis was used to derive a scoring index predictive of the risk that MRI would identify additional disease.

RESULTS

A total of 521 patients were screened for PBI eligibility, and 124 (23.8%) patients were deemed eligible for PBI based on standard imaging. MRI findings changed PBI eligibility in 12.9% of patients. In the pooled univariable analysis, tumor size ≥ 2 cm on mammography or ultrasonography (P=.02), age <50 years (P=.01), invasive lobular histology (P=.01), and HER-2/neu amplification (P=.01) were associated with a higher likelihood of MRI changing PBI eligibility. A predictive score was generated by summing the number of significant risk factors. Patients with a score of 0, 1, 2, and 3 had changes to eligibility based on MRI findings in 2.8%, 13.2%, 38.1%, and 100%, respectively (P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI identified additional disease in a significant number of patients eligible for PBI, based on standard imaging. Clinical characteristics may be useful in directing implementation of MRI in the staging of PBI candidates.

The impact of accreditation on safety and cost of bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to examine how much of the impact of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' national coverage decision (NCD) on bariatric surgery was driven by the restriction of reimbursements to Centers of Excellence (COE). We used inpatient care data of those with employer-sponsored insurance plans across United States using the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounter Database (2003-2009).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating the impact of the accreditation on subjects with a difference-in-difference approach (removing the temporal changes occurring in non-COEs) on rates of inpatient mortality, 90-day reoperations, complications, readmissions, and total payments.

RESULTS

A total of 30,755 patients (43.9 ± 11.0 years; 79.9% women) had bariatric surgery. A total of 17,896 patients underwent procedures at sites that became COEs (8455 pre-NCD and 9441 post-NCD, [+10.4%]) compared with 12,859 at non-COEs (6534 pre-NCD and 6325 post-NCD, [-3.3%]). Of the total number of bariatric procedures, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable band procedures increased from 42.9% and 3.1% pre-NCD to 64.5% and 19.7% post-NCD, respectively. In the COEs, there were reductions in inpatient mortality (.3% to .1%; P = .02), 90-day reoperations (.8% to .5%; P = .006), complications (36.4% to 27.6%; P<.001), and readmissions (10.8% to 8.8%; P<.001) while payments remained similar ($24,543 ± $40,145 to $24,510 ± $37,769; P = .9). After distinguishing from temporal trends and differences occurring at non-COEs, 90-day reoperation (-.8%; P = .02) and complication rates (-2.7%; P = .01) were lower at the COEs after the NCD.

CONCLUSIONS

The accreditation-based NCD in bariatric surgery was associated with lower rates of reoperations and complications. Such policies may become a powerful tool to improve surgical safety and quality.

The adoption of new adjuvant radiation therapy modalities among Medicare beneficiaries with breast cancer: clinical correlates and cost implications

PURPOSE

New radiation therapy modalities have broadened treatment options for older women with breast cancer, but it is unclear how clinical factors, geographic region, and physician preference affect the choice of radiation therapy modality.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer from 1998 to 2007 who underwent breast-conserving surgery. We assessed the temporal trends in, and costs of, the adoption of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and brachytherapy. Using hierarchical logistic regression, we evaluated the relationship between the use of these new modalities and patient and regional characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 35,060 patients, 69.9% received conventional external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Although overall radiation therapy use remained constant, the use of IMRT increased from 0.0% to 12.6% from 1998 to 2007, and brachytherapy increased from 0.7% to 9.0%. The statistical variation in brachytherapy use attributable to the radiation oncologist and geographic region was 41.4% and 9.5%, respectively (for IMRT: 23.8% and 22.1%, respectively). Women undergoing treatment at a free-standing radiation facility were significantly more likely to receive IMRT than were women treated at a hospital-based facility (odds ratio for IMRT vs EBRT: 3.89 [95% confidence interval, 2.78-5.45]). No such association was seen for brachytherapy. The median radiation therapy cost per treated patient increased from $5389 in 2001 to $8539 in 2007.

CONCLUSIONS

IMRT and brachytherapy use increased substantially from 1998 to 2007; overall, radiation therapy costs increased by more than 50%. Radiation oncologists played an important role in treatment choice for both types of radiation therapy, whereas geographic region played a bigger role in the use of IMRT than brachytherapy.

Patterns of use and short-term complications of breast brachytherapy in the national medicare population from 2008-2009

PURPOSE

Brachytherapy has disseminated into clinical practice as an alternative to whole-breast irradiation (WBI) for early-stage breast cancer; however, current national treatment patterns and associated complications remain unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We constructed a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries ages 66 to 94 years who underwent breast-conserving surgery from 2008 to 2009 and were treated with brachytherapy or WBI. We used hospital referral regions (HRRs) to assess national treatment variation and an instrumental variable analysis to compare complication rates between treatment groups, adjusting for patient and clinical characteristics. We compared overall, wound and skin, and deep-tissue and bone complications between brachytherapy and WBI at 1 year of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 29,648 women in our sample, 4,671 (15.8%) received brachytherapy. The percent of patients receiving brachytherapy varied substantially across HRRs, ranging from 0% to over 70% (interquartile range, 7.5% to 23.3%). Of women treated with brachytherapy, 34.3% had a complication compared with 27.3% of women undergoing WBI (P < .001). After adjusting for patient and clinical characteristics, 35.2% of women treated with brachytherapy (95% CI, 28.6 to 41.9) had a complication compared with 18.4% treated with WBI (95% CI, 15.5 to 21.3; P value for difference, <.001). Brachytherapy was associated with a 16.9% higher rate of wound and skin complications compared with WBI (95% CI, 10.0 to 23.9; P < .001), but there was no difference in deep-tissue and bone complications.

CONCLUSION

Brachytherapy is commonly used among Medicare beneficiaries and varies substantially across regions. After 1 year, wound and skin complications were significantly higher among women receiving brachytherapy compared with those receiving WBI.

Association between treatment with brachytherapy vs whole-breast irradiation and subsequent mastectomy, complications, and survival among older women with invasive breast cancer

CONTEXT

Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment that uses an implanted radioactive source. In recent years, use of breast brachytherapy after lumpectomy for early breast cancer has increased substantially despite a lack of randomized trial data comparing its effectiveness with standard whole-breast irradiation (WBI). Because results of long-term randomized trials will not be reported for years, detailed analysis of clinical outcomes in a nonrandomized setting is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the likelihood of breast preservation, complications, and survival for brachytherapy vs WBI among a nationwide cohort of older women with breast cancer with fee-for-service Medicare.

DESIGN

Retrospective population-based cohort study of 92,735 women aged 67 years or older with incident invasive breast cancer, diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 and followed up through 2008. After lumpectomy 6952 patients were treated with brachytherapy vs 85,783 with WBI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cumulative incidence and adjusted risk of subsequent mastectomy (an indicator of failure to preserve the breast) and death were compared using the log-rank test and proportional hazards models. Odds of postoperative infectious and noninfectious complications within 1 year were compared using the χ(2) test and logistic models. Cumulative incidences of long-term complications were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Five-year incidence of subsequent mastectomy was higher in women treated with brachytherapy (3.95%; 95% CI, 3.19%-4.88%) vs WBI (2.18%; 95% CI, 2.04%-2.33%; P < .001) and persisted after multivariate adjustment (hazard ratio [HR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.84-2.61, P < .001). Brachytherapy was associated with more frequent infectious (16.20%; 95% CI, 15.34%-17.08% vs 10.33%; 95% CI, 10.13%-10.53%; P < .001; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 1.64-1.88) and noninfectious (16.25%; 95% CI, 15.39%-17.14% vs 9.00%; 95% CI, 8.81%-9.19%; P < .001; adjusted OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.89-2.17) postoperative complications; and higher 5-year incidence of breast pain (14.55%, 95% CI, 13.39%-15.80% vs 11.92%; 95% CI, 11.63%-12.21%), fat necrosis (8.26%; 95% CI, 7.27-9.38 vs 4.05%; 95% CI, 3.87%-4.24%), and rib fracture (4.53%; 95% CI, 3.63%-5.64% vs 3.62%; 95% CI, 3.44%-3.82%; P ≤ .01 for all). Five-year overall survival was 87.66% (95% CI, 85.94%-89.18%) in patients treated with brachytherapy vs 87.04% (95% CI, 86.69%-87.39%) in patients treated with WBI (adjusted HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.84-1.05; P = .26).

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of older women with breast cancer, treatment with brachytherapy compared with WBI was associated worse with long-term breast preservation and increased complications but no difference in survival.

Neuro-oncology: a selected review of ASCO 2011 abstracts

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the largest clinical oncology meeting in the USA, meets annually and consistently provides an exciting forum to present new cancer clinical trials and research data. The ASCO 2011 neuro-oncology session, comprising of 3 days of presentations and over 100 abstracts, provided an overview of neuro-oncology, including both metastatic diseases of the CNS and primary brain tumors. This brief article attempts to highlight select abstracts presented at this years meeting in an organizational manner that will hopefully provide a portrait of the large and multifaceted meeting.

[Exclusive radiotherapy and concurrent endocrine therapy for the management of elderly breast cancer patients: case study and review of hypofractionated schemes]

Normofractionated radiotherapy is standard for adjuvant management of patients treated with breast conservative surgery for breast cancer. However, many elderly patients are not eligible to such strategy, either because of concurrent diseases, or because the tumor is inoperable. Several protocols of exclusive radiotherapy have been reported in the literature, frequently using hypofractionated radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. We report a case of a patient treated with exclusive endocrine and radiotherapy and address the state of the art on hypofractionated schemes for the management of elderly breast cancer patients. While hypofractionated radiotherapy does not compromise the oncologic or cosmetic outcome, there is no prospective data that assesses the place of radiotherapy for the exclusive treatment of elderly patients. This strategy should be further assessed in clinical randomized trial.