Radiobiology: State of the present art. A conference report

Assessment of cervical vascularization density in patients with locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma evaluated in colour Doppler and power Doppler functions

Purpose

The aim of the prospective study was to assess changes during treatment and prognostic significance of cervical vascularization density in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) staged II B and III B and to find relationship of cervical vascularization density with tumour diameter, grading, staging and age of patients.

Methods

The study group included 50 patients who underwent transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography prior to chemoradiotherapy, after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and 6 weeks after HDR brachytherapy. The colour Doppler (CD) vascularity index (CDVI) and the power Doppler (PD) vascularity index (PDVI) in cervical tumour were examined.

Results

CDVI and PDVI values decreased significantly during radiotherapy (0.13 (95% CI 0.09–0.16); 0.09 (95% CI 0.07–0.11) and 0.05 (95% CI 0.03–0.06) for CDVI (p < 0.001) and 0.26 (95% CI 0.22–0.31); 0.18 (95% CI 0.14–0.22) and 0.08 (95% CI 0.06–0.11) for PDVI (p < 0.001)). No statistically significant associations of CDVI and PDVI with tumour diameter, grading, staging and age of patients were found. The higher (above median) CDVI values before EBRT were associated with better OS (p = 0.041). The higher (above median) PDVI values before EBRT were associated with superior DFS (p = 0.011) and OS (p < 0.001). DFS and OS did not differ significantly regarding CDVI and PDVI values after EBRT and after the treatment.

Conclusions

In the study group, cervical vascularization density evaluated in CD and PD functions did not depend on tumour diameter, grading, staging and age of patients and decreased during radiotherapy. The prognosis for our patients with CDVI and PDVI before the treatment above the median value was better than compared to patients with these parameters below the median value.

The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the management of high-grade gliomas

The purpose of this article is to update the neurosurgical community on the role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the management of patients with high-grade glioma. This information guides clinicians in the multidisciplinary management of these patients via a review of the literature describing current treatment paradigms as well as new avenues of investigation.