Tools to Guide Radiation Oncologists in the Management of DCIS

Similar to invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ is also going through a phase of changes not only from a technical but also a conceptual standpoint. From prescribing radiotherapy to everyone to personalized approaches, including radiotherapy omission, there is still a lack of a comprehensive framework to guide radiation oncologists in decision making. Many pieces of the puzzle are finding their place as high-quality data mature and are disseminated, but very often, the interpretation of risk factors and the perception of risk remain very highly subjective. Sharing the therapeutic choice with patients requires effective communication for an understanding of risks and benefits, facilitating an informed decision that does not increase anxiety and concerns about prognosis. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the current state of knowledge to highlight the tools available to radiation oncologists for managing DCIS, with an outlook on future developments.

Oligometastatic sarcoma treated with Curative intent Ablative Radiotherapy (OSCAR): A multicenter study on behalf of AIRO (Italian association of Radiotherapy and clinical Oncology)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is emerging as a valid alternative to surgery in the oligometastatic setting in soft tissue sarcomas (STS), although robust data are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate toxicity and efficacy of SABR in oligometastatic STS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective multicenter study including adult patients affected by stage IV STS, treated with SABR for a maximum of 5 cranial or extracranial metastases in up to 3 different organs. SABR was delivered with ablative purposes. Study endpoints were overall survival (OS), local control (LC), distant progression free survival (DPFS), time to polymetastatic progression (TTPP), time to new systemic therapy (TTNS) and toxicity.

RESULTS

From 10 Italian RT centers, 138 patients (202 metastases) treated between 2010 and 2022 were enrolled in the study. Treatment was generally well tolerated, no acute or late toxicity ≥ G3 was recorded. Median follow up was 42.5 months. Median OS was 39.7 months. Actuarial OS at 1 and 2 years was 91.5 % and 72.7 %. Actuarial LC at 1 and 2 years was 94.8 % and 88.0 %. Median DPFS was 9.7 months. Actuarial DPFS at 1 and 2 years was 40.8 % and 19.4 %.

CONCLUSION

SABR is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of oligometastatic sarcoma. One out of 5 patients is free of progression at 2-years.

Impact of inter-observer variability on first axillary level dosimetry in breast cancer radiotherapy: An AIRO multi-institutional study

This study quantified the incidental dose to the first axillary level (L1) in locoregional treatment plan for breast cancer. Eighteen radiotherapy centres contoured L1-L4 on three different patients (P1,2,3), created the L2-L4 planning target volume (single centre planning target volume, SC-PTV) and elaborated a locoregional treatment plan. The L2-L4 gold standard clinical target volume (CTV) along with the gold standard L1 contour (GS-L1) were created by an expert consensus. The SC-PTV was then replaced by the GS-PTV and the incidental dose to GS-L1 was measured. Dosimetric data were analysed with Kruskal-Wallis test. Plans were intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)-based. P3 with 90° arm setup had statistically significant higher L1 dose across the board than P1 and P2, with the mean dose (Dmean) reaching clinical significance. Dmean of P1 and P2 was consistent with the literature (77.4% and 74.7%, respectively). The incidental dose depended mostly on L1 proportion included in the breast fields, underlining the importance of the setup, even in case of IMRT.

A narrative review for radiation oncologists to implement preoperative partial breast irradiation

The strategy to anticipate radiotherapy (RT) before surgery, for breast cancer (BC) treatment, has recently generated a renewed interest. Historically, preoperative RT has remained confined either to highly selected patients, in the context of personalized therapy, or to clinical research protocols. Nevertheless, in the recent years, thanks to technological advances and increased tumor biology understanding, RT has undergone great changes that have also impacted the preoperative settings, embracing the modern approach to breast cancer. In particular, the reappraisal of preoperative RT can be viewed within the broader view of personalized and tailored medicine. In fact, preoperative accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) allows a more precise target delineation, with less variability in contouring among radiation oncologists, and a smaller treatment volume, possibly leading to lower toxicity and to dose escalation programs. The aim of the present review, which represents a benchmark study for the AIRC IG-23118, is to report available data on different technical aspects of preoperative RT including dosimetric studies, patient's selection and set-up, constraints, target delineation and clinical results. These data, along with the ones that will become available from ongoing studies, may inform the design of the future trials and representing a step toward a tailored APBI approach with the potential to challenge the current treatment paradigm in early-stage BC.Trial registration: The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04679454).

Axillary Management in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Upfront Surgery: Results from a Nationwide Survey on Behalf of the Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Group (COBCG) and the Breast Cancer Study Group of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)

BACKGROUND

We assessed the current practice concerning the axillary management of breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing upfront surgery among radiation oncologists (ROs) practising in Italy.

METHODS

An online survey via SurveyMonkey (including 21 questions) was distributed amongst ROs in Italy through personal contacts and the Italian Association for Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) network from August to September 2022. We particularly focused on the emerging omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in the presence of 1-2 sentinel node-positive patients and the consequent change in the role of regional nodal irradiation (RNI).

RESULTS

A total of 101/195 (51% response rate) Italian Radiotherapy Cancer Care Centres answered the survey. With respect to patients with 1-2 sentinel node-positive, the relative proportion of respondents that offer patients ALND a) always, b) only in selected cases, and c) never was 37.6%, 60.4%, and 2.0%, respectively, with no significant geographical (North vs. Centre-South Italy; p = 0.92) or institutional (Academic vs. non-Academic; p = 0.49) differences. Radiation therapy indications varied widely in patients who did not undergo ALND. Among these, about a third of the respondents (17/56, 30.4%) stated that RNI was constantly performed. On the other hand, half of the respondents offered RNI in selected cases, stating that an unfavourable biologic tumour profile and extracapsular nodal extension were considered drivers of their decision.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the present survey show the variability of axillary management offered in clinical practice for BC patients undergoing conserving surgery upfront in Italy. Analysis of these attitudes may trigger the modification of some clinical approaches through multidisciplinary collaboration and create the background for future clinical investigations.

Ten-year results of hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy and intraoperative electron boost in premenopausal women

AIM

To evaluate outcome of intraoperative electron boost (IOERT) and hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HWBI) for breast cancer (BC) in young women.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Women aged ≤ 48 with pT1-2 N0-1 BC received 12 Gy IOERT boost during conservative surgery followed by 3-dimensional conformal HWBI in 13 fractions (2.85 Gy/die). Local relapses (LR) and survival (disease-free, DFS; specific, BCSS; overall, OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

481 consecutive BC patients, mostly node negative, with median age of 42 were treated between 2004 and 2014. Median tumor size was 1.48 cm and median IOERT collimator was 4 cm. After 25-day mean interval, HWBI was delivered. At a median follow-up of 9.6 years, there were 23 LRs (4.8 %, 9 of which were in the boost region). Ten-year LR cumulative incidence was 4.1 % (95 %CI, 2.5-6.3). Over time, local control rate decreased for Luminal A and HER2 positive with negative hormonal receptors, while remained steady for triple negative. At multivariate analysis, LR predictors included age < 40, extensive intraductal component and the use of 4-cm IOERT collimator size. Ten-year survival outcomes were as follows: DFS 80.0 % (95 % CI, 75.8-83.5), BCSS 97.5 % (95 % CI, 95.5-98.6 %), OS 96.5 % (95 % CI, 94.3-97.9). Luminal B HER2 negative had the worse survival outcomes. Perioperative complications were uncommon (16.4 %), acute toxicity was mild (<2% Grade 3), but moderate/severe fibrosis was described in 40.8 % of the cases. Cosmesis was scored as excellent/good in 86 % of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

ELIOT boost and HWBI achieved an excellent local control at the cost of tumor bed fibrosis. IOERT boost dose lower than 12 Gy is advisable.

Single fraction ablative preoperative radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer: the CRYSTAL study – a phase I/II clinical trial protocol

Background

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) are the standard of care for early-stage breast cancer (BC). Based on the observation that most local recurrences occurred near the tumor bed, accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), consisting of a higher dose per fraction to the tumor bed over a reduced treatment time, has been gaining ground as an attractive alternative in selected patients with low-risk BC. Although more widely delivered in postoperative setting, preoperative APBI has also been investigated in a limited, though increasing, and number of studies. The aim of this study is to test the feasibility, safety and efficacy of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) in a single fraction for selected BC patients.

Methods

This is a phase I/II, single-arm and open-label single-center clinical trial using CyberKnife. The clinical investigation is supported by a preplanning section which addresses technical and dosimetric issues. The primary endpoint for the phase I study, covering the 1st and 2nd year of the research project, is the identification of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) which meets a specific target toxicity level (no grade 3–4 toxicity). The primary endpoint for the phase II study (3rd to 5th year) is the evaluation of treatment efficacy measured in terms of pathological complete response rate.

Discussion

The study will investigate the response of BC to the preoperative APBI from different perspectives. While preoperative APBI represents a form of anticipated boost, followed by WBRT, different are the implications for the scientific community. The study may help to identify good responders for whom surgery could be omitted. It is especially appealing for patients unfit for surgery due to advanced age or severe co-morbidities, in addition to or instead of systemic therapies, to ensure long-term local control. Moreover, patients with oligometastatic disease synchronous with primary BC may benefit from APBI on the intact tumor in terms of tumor progression free survival. The study of response to RT can provide useful information about BC radiobiology, immunologic reactions, genomic expression, and radiomics features, to be tested on a larger scale.

Trial registration

The study was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04679454).

The dosimetric impact of axillary nodes contouring variability in breast cancer radiotherapy: an AIRO multi-institutional study

AIM

To quantify the dosimetric impact of contouring variability of axillary lymph nodes (L2, L3, L4) in breast cancer (BC) locoregional radiotherapy (RT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

18 RT centres were asked to plan a locoregional treatment on their own planning target volume (single centre, SC-PTV) which was created by applying their institutional margins to the clinical target volume of the axillary nodes of three BC patients (P1, P2, P3) previously delineated (SC-CTV). The gold standard CTVs (GS-CTVs) of P1, P2 and P3 were developed by BC experts' consensus and validated with STAPLE algorithm. For each participating centre, the GS-PTV of each patient was created by applying the same margins as those used for the SC-CTV to SC-PTV expansion and replaced the SC-PTV in the treatment plan. Datasets were imported into MIM v6.1.7 [MIM Software Inc.], where dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were extracted and differences were analysed.

RESULTS

17/18 centres used intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). The CTV to PTV margins ranged from 0 to 10 mm (median 5 mm). No correlation was observed between GS-CTV coverage by 95% isodose and GS-PTV margins width. Doses delivered to 98% (D98) and 95% (D95) of GS-CTVs were significantly lower than those delivered to the SC-CTVs. No significant difference between SC-CTV and GS-CTV was observed in maximum dose (D2), always under 110%. Mean dose ≥ 99% of the SC-CTVs and GS-CTVs was satisfied in 84% and 50%, respectively. In less than one half of plans, GS-CTV V95% was above 90%. Breaking down the GS-CTV into the three nodal levels (L2, L3 and L4), L4 had the lowest probability to be covered by the 95% isodose.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, GS-CTV resulted worse coverage, especially for L4. IMRT was largely used and CTV-to-PTV margins did not compensate for contouring issues. The results highlighted the need for delineation training and standardization.

European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Advisory Committee in Radiation Oncology Practice consensus recommendations on patient selection and dose and fractionation for external beam radiotherapy in early breast cancer

High-quality randomised clinical trials testing moderately fractionated breast radiotherapy have clearly shown that local control and survival is at least as effective as with 2 Gy daily fractions with similar or reduced normal tissue toxicity. Fewer treatment visits are welcomed by patients and their families, and reduced fractions produce substantial savings for health-care systems. Implementation of hypofractionation, however, has moved at a slow pace. The oncology community have now reached an inflection point created by new evidence from the FAST-Forward five-fraction randomised trial and catalysed by the need for the global radiation oncology community to unite during the COVID-19 pandemic and rapidly rethink hypofractionation implementation. The aim of this paper is to support equity of access for all patients to receive evidence-based breast external beam radiotherapy and to facilitate the translation of new evidence into routine daily practice. The results from this European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Advisory Committee in Radiation Oncology Practice consensus state that moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy can be offered to any patient for whole breast, chest wall (with or without reconstruction), and nodal volumes. Ultrafractionation (five fractions) can also be offered for non-nodal breast or chest wall (without reconstruction) radiotherapy either as standard of care or within a randomised trial or prospective cohort. The consensus is timely; not only is it a pragmatic framework for radiation oncologists, but it provides a measured proposal for the path forward to influence policy makers and empower patients to ensure equity of access to evidence-based radiotherapy.

The Italian Association for Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) position statements for postoperative breast cancer radiation therapy volume, dose, and fractionation

Recent advances in non-metastatic breast cancer radiation therapy significantly reshaped our views on modern dose and fractionation schedules. Especially the advent of hypofractionation and partial breast irradiation defined a new concept of treatment optimization, that should strongly include both patient and tumour characteristics in the physician's decision-making process. Unfortunately, hypofractionation for breast cancer radiation therapy needed long time to enter the routine practice during the last decades despite the level-1 evidence published over time. Hereby we present the Italian Association for Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) Breast Cancer Group position statements for postoperative breast cancer radiation therapy volume, dose, and fractionation to harmonically boost routine clinical practice implementation following evidence-based data.

The POLO (Partially Omitted Lobe) approach to safely treat in-breast recurrence after intraoperative radiotherapy with electrons

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility of salvage 4-week hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) in patients with in-breast recurrence after receiving intraoperative radiotherapy with electrons (IOERT) for primary breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

BC patients who had repeated quadrantectomy underwent modified WBRT with intensity-modulated radiotherapy using Helical Tomotherapy to underdose the IOERT region. This approach, called POLO (Partially Omitted Lobe), excluded the IOERT volume from receiving the full prescription dose.

RESULTS

Nine patients were treated with this approach, receiving 45 Gy in 20 fractions. A simultaneous integrated boost of 2.5 Gy in 20 fractions was delivered in 6/9 patients. Dose constraints and planning objectives were reported. No severe toxicity was reported while local control and overall survival were 100%.

CONCLUSION

The POLO approach is technically feasible and capable to achieve a significant reduction of radiation dose delivered to the previous treated IOERT area.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The study demonstrates the technical and dosimetric feasibility of conservative salvage whole breast radiotherapy, while sparing the area already treated with IORT, in patients with in-breast recurrence.

Comparing TomoHelical and TomoDirect in postmastectomy hypofractionated radiotherapy after immediate breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) with TomoHelical™ (TH) or TomoDirect™ (TD) allows a uniform target coverage. In this study, we compare treatment plans using TD and TH in the setting of hypofractionated PMRT and immediate breast reconstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The TD-treatment plans of breast cancer patients treated between May 2016 and August 2019 were retrospectively selected. All the TD plans were re-planned on TH with the same prescription dose (40.05 Gy/15 fractions) and according to our dose/volume constraints. Data about the 2 treatment plans were compared with a focus on PTV coverage and all the organs at risk (OARs) constraints.

RESULTS

Fifty patients for a total number of 100 treatment plans (50 with TD and 50 re-planned with TH) were analyzed. All the median value in the TD PTV CHEST WALL plans fulfilled the predefined planning objectives, even though TH emerged as best for target coverage with statistically significant difference for V90%. TD provided the lowest V95% for the PTV SVC, but the median value was near to the recommended value of 90% (89.8 % vs 98.6% for TD and TH, respectively). Overall, TD reached the best OARs sparing. The main statistically significant differences with TH were for contralateral breast, ipsilateral and contralateral lung. All the other dose values for TH were higher than TD, but they fulfilled the recommended/acceptable predefined planning objectives.

CONCLUSIONS

In the setting of PMRT, TD compared to TH reached an acceptable target volume coverage, with an optimal sparing of OARs.

Predictors of positive axillary non-sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant systemic therapy

AIM

To assess the rate of positive non-sentinel lymph nodes (non-SLNs) after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) in breast cancer (BC) following positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From institutional database, 265 consecutive patients receiving NAST for cT1-3, any N, M0 BC between 2001 and 2018 were identified. Patients presented clinically negative axilla before surgery and were candidate for SLNB. Following metastatic SLNB, completion axillary lymph node dissection (AxLND) was performed. Non-SLNs rate was investigated using multivariate (MV) logistic regression models. The distribution of non-SLNs across the axilla was observed.

RESULTS

Positive non-SLNs were found in 62.3% of cases and showed no correlation with SLN metastasis size. At MV, statistically significant variables associated with non-SLNs were older age (p = 0.025), clinically positive lymph nodes (p = 0.002), SLN extracapsular extension (ECE, p = 0.001), and higher ratio of positive SLNs/total SLNs (p = 0.016). ECE and higher nodal ratio were independent predictors of III axillary level positivity. By categorizing patients in intermediate- and high-risk groups using the study variables, positive non-SLNs were found in the range of 23-56% across the three axillary levels, rates which did not support radiotherapy volume de-escalation. The III axillary level lower involvement (6.3%) was better identified with the RAPCHEM trial criteria based on the ypN status after AxLND.

CONCLUSIONS

Involved non-SLNs rate following positive SLNB after NAST is nearly double the rate observed after primary surgery, supporting some intervention on the axilla. If AxLND is limited to I and II level, the involvement of the III level up to 31% of the cases seems to require some additional treatment, while the omission in selected cases needs further investigation.

Implant risk failure in patients undergoing postmastectomy 3-week hypofractionated radiotherapy after immediate reconstruction

AIM

To evaluate reconstruction failure (RF) rate in patients receiving implant-based immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) and hypofractionated (HF) postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stage II-III breast cancer patients, treated with HF-PMRT using intensity modulated radiotherapy were stratified in two groups according to IBR: single-stage direct-to-implant (DTI-group) and two-stage expander and implant (TE/I-group). Irradiated patients were matched with non-irradiated ones who underwent the same IBR during the same period. Prescription dose was 40.05 Gy/15 fractions to chest wall and infra/supraclavicular nodal region. Primary endpoint was RF defined as the need of major revisional surgery (MaRS) for implant removal or conversion to autologous reconstruction. Secondary endpoint was the rate of minor revisional surgeries (MiRS) including implant repositioning or substitution with another implant.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven irradiated patients (62 in TE/I-group, 45 in DTI-group) were matched with 107 non-irradiated subjects. Median follow-up was 4.2 years (0.1-6.1) In the TE/I setting, MaRS was performed in 8/62 irradiated patients (12.9%) of the irradiated TE/I group compared to 1/62 (1.6%) non-irradiated subjects (p = 0.015). In the DTI setting, MaRs occurred in 3/45 irradiated patients (6.7%) compared to 1/45 non-irradiated ones (2.2%) (p = 0.35). Overall MaRS rate was 10.3% in the irradiated group. MiRS was performed in 35.6% and 31.1% of the irradiated and non-irradiated DTI-groups (p = 0.65), respectively, and in 12.9% and 8.1% of the irradiated and non-irradiated TE/I groups (p = 0.38), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the non-irradiated counterparts, the TE/I group showed higher rate of RF, while no statistically significant difference was observed for the DTI group. The use of hypofractionation and IMRT to implant-based IBR did not seem to increase the risk of RF which appeared to be in line with the literature.

Adjuvant radiotherapy and radioiodine treatment for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Treatment for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer is surgery followed by radioiodine while the role of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is debated.

METHODS

The panel of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology developed a clinical recommendation on the addition of EBRT to radioiodine after surgery for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer by using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and the Evidence to Decision framework. A systematic review with meta-analysis about this topic was conducted with a focus on outcome of benefits and toxicity.

RESULTS

Locoregional control was improved by EBRT while no considerable toxicity impact was reported.

CONCLUSION

The panel judged uncertain the benefit/harms balance; final recommendation was conditional both for EBRT + radioiodine and radioiodine alone in the adjuvant setting.

Acute and intermediate toxicity of 3-week radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost using TomoDirect: prospective series of 287 early breast cancer patients

AIMS

To report toxicity of a hypofractionated scheme of whole-breast (WB) intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to the tumor bed (TB) using Tomotherapy^® with Direct modality.

METHODS

Patients with early breast cancer, undergoing radiotherapy (RT) in 15 daily fractions to WB (prescription dose 40.05 Gy) and SIB to the TB (48 Gy), between 2013 and 2017, was analyzed. Primary endpoint was acute and intermediate toxicity assessed at the end and within 6 months from RT, according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scale. Secondary endpoints included early chronic toxicity at 12-months follow-up, using the Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Subjective, Objective, Management, and Analytic (LENT-SOMA) scale, and cosmesis using Harvard criteria.

RESULTS

The study population was of 287 patients. Acute and intermediate toxicity was collected among 183 patients with data available at the end of RT and within 6 months, 85 (46%) experienced G2 toxicity and 84 (46%) G1 toxicity, while 14 (8%) did not report toxicity at any time. A significant reduction of any grade toxicity was observed between the two time points, with the majority of patients reporting no clinically relevant toxicity at 6 months. At univariate analysis, age < 40 years, breast volume > 1000 cm³ and D_max ≤ 115% of prescription dose were predictive factors of clinically relevant acute toxicity (G ≥ 2) at any time. At multivariable analysis, only age and breast volume were confirmed as predictive factors, with Relative Risks (95% Confidence Intervals): 2.02 (1.13-3.63) and 1.84 (1.26-2.67), respectively. At 12-month follow-up, 113 patients had complete information on any toxicity with 53% of toxicity G < 2, while cosmetic evaluation, available for 102 patients, reported a good-excellent result for 86% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypofractionated WB IMRT with a SIB to the TB, delivered with TomoDirect modality, is safe and well-tolerated. Most patients reported no toxicity after 6 months and good-excellent cosmesis. Predictive factors of clinically relevant toxicity might be considered during treatment planning in order to further reduce side effects.

Breast Adjuvant Radiotherapy Amid the COVID-19 Crisis in a Hub Cancer Center, Lombardy, Italy

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lombardy (Northern Italy) Regional Health Council created hubs for cancer care, meant to be SARS-CoV-2-free pathways for cancer patients. The workflow of breast cancer (BC) radiotherapy (RT) in one of the hubs is presented here.

Methods

Candidates to adjuvant RT during the pandemic peak of March-April 2020 were compared to those treated in the same period of 2019, and patient volume, deferral rate, and type of RT were analyzed. Statistics were calculated with χ² or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables, and the Wilcoxon rank test for continuous variables.

Results

In March-April 2020 the BC patient volume increased by 28% compared to the same period in 2019 (scheduled patients: 175 vs. 137) and amid travel restrictions it was kept high (treated patients: 136 vs. 133), mainly due to an influx from across Lombardy. RT schemes basically did not change, being already centered on hypofractionation. The increase of median time (67 vs. 74.5 days in 2019 and 2020, respectively) to the commencement of RT for low-risk patients was clinically negligible yet statistically significant (p = 0.03), and in line with the pertinent recommendations. No significant difference was found in the time interval between treatments and RT for high-risk patients. Concomitant chemoradiotherapy was avoided throughout the pandemic peak. Twenty-one women (13.6%) delayed either computed tomography simulation or RT commencement mainly because of COVID-19-related concerns and mobility restrictions.

Conclusion

The workload for BC was high during the pandemic peak. Hubs allowed the continuation of oncologic treatments, while mitigating the strain on frontline COVID-19 hospitals.

Adjuvant radiotherapy treatment for soft tissue sarcoma of extremities and trunk. A retrospective mono-institutional analysis

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are uncommon, heterogeneous malignant tumors of mesodermal origin. Other than conservative surgery (CS), neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is recommended when the risk of local recurrence is high. The aim of this study is to present our Institutional experience in adjuvant RT for treatment of STS of extremities and trunk (with either brachytherapy (BRT), external beam RT (EBRT), or both) and to provide an insight of toxicity and oncological outcomes for each RT modality. According to the RT treatment approach, patients were divided into three categories: 1) BRT alone; 2) EBRT alone; 3) combined BRT+EBRT. Differences among the three groups were assessed by the Chi-squared test. Patients' follow-up was performed every 6 months for the first two years after the end of RT and then once a year. Data from 90 patients were analyzed. The overall 3-year distant relapse-free survival (DRFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 84%, 80%, and 97%, respectively. Acute erythema was the most frequent side effect, although severe grade 3 toxicity was present in 5 patients. Chronic toxicity of any grade was reported in 14 patients. The incidence of chronic toxicity did not show any association with treatment modality. Multivariate analysis suggested a significant correlation between acute toxicity and tumor size, RT modality, and RT dose. In conclusion, good local control and toxicity profile were observed, despite negative patients' selection at baseline. Further investigation on wider series is warranted in order to define the optimal combination with systemic therapy.

High-dose-rate Brachytherapy as Adjuvant Local rEirradiation for Salvage Treatment of Recurrent breAst cancer (BALESTRA): a retrospective mono-institutional study

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical results of catheter-based interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) as adjuvant treatment in previously irradiated recurrent breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2011 and September 2015, 31 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed recurrent breast cancer after conservative surgery and conventional whole breast radiotherapy, were retreated with a second conservative surgical resection and reirradiated with adjuvant interstitial HDR-BT. None of the brachytherapy implant was performed during the quadrantectomy procedure. A dose of 34 Gy in 10 fractions, 2 fractions per day, with a minimal interval of 6 hours was delivered.

RESULTS

At the time of the implant, the median age of patients was 59.7 years (range, 39.3-74.9 years). The median time from first treatment until BT for local recurrence was 11.9 years (range, 2.5-27.8 years). The median interval between salvage surgery and BT was 3.6 months (range, 1-8.2 months). No acute epidermitis or soft tissue side effects higher than grade 2 were recorded, with good cosmetic results in all patients. Most of the patients presented grade 1-2 late side effects. Only one patient developed grade 3 liponecrosis. After a median follow-up of 73.7 months (range, 28.8-102.4 months), the overall survival and cancer specific survival were 87.1% and 90.3%, respectively; 5-year local control and 5-year progression-free survival rate were 90.3% and 83.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary analysis showed that HDR-BT is a feasible treatment for partial breast reirradiation offering very low complications rate and fast procedure. Higher patients' cohort is warranted in order to define the role of this treatment modality in the breast conservative management of local recurrence.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy boost in locally-advanced cervical cancer in the absence of brachytherapy

OBJECTIVE

Standard treatment in locally-advanced cervical cancer is external beam radiotherapy concomitant with platinum-based chemotherapy, followed by brachytherapy. The goal of our study was to determine whether an intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) boost is feasible in patients unfit for brachytherapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 25 patients unfit for brachytherapy with median age 55 years (range, 30-82) with locally-advanced/metastatic cervical cancer who underwent external beam radiotherapy to pelvis ±para-aortic lymph nodes and sequential IMRT boost between July 2014 and December 2017. Total dose of 45-50.4 Gy in 25-28 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction) was administered to the cervix, uterus, parametria, ovaries, vaginal tissues (based on vaginal extension), involved lymph nodes, or relevant draining lymph-nodal groups. Para-aortic nodes were included if involved at radiological staging or if common iliac nodes were positive. The IMRT boost included all residual tumor after external beam radiotherapy identified on MRI. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 2 years' overall survival, 2 years' progression-free survival, and 2 years' local control. Overall survival- and progression-free survival were calculated considering the starting of radiotherapy or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy if prescribed, while local control was calculated from the end of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Median radiation dose to pelvis ±para-aortic lymph nodes was 50.4 Gy (45-50.4), boost treatment was homogeneously performed to a total dose of 25 Gy in five fractions every other day.After a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 4-77), tumor persistence at cervix at 6 months from the end of radiotherapy or local recurrence occurred in five women (20%), eight (32%) experienced a further distant progression (two of them had also tumor persistence). Two-year local control and overall survival rates for all stages were 78% and 67%, respectively. According to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v.4 scoring criteria, 10 patients experienced gastrointestinal and/or genitourinary grade G1-2 acute toxicity. G2 rectal late toxicity requiring laser-coagulation was registered in two patients, there were no gastrointestinal and/or genitourinary acute or late toxicities≥G3.

CONCLUSION

The combination of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy remains the standard of care, however our preliminary data show the feasibility of IMRT boost in terms of toxicity with promising results in terms of local control and overall survival.

The emerging role of radiation therapists in the contouring of organs at risk in radiotherapy: analysis of inter-observer variability with radiation oncologists for the chest and upper abdomen

Aims

To compare the contouring of organs at risk (OAR) between a clinical specialist radiation therapist (CSRT) and radiation oncologists (ROs) with different levels of expertise (senior–SRO, junior–JRO, fellow–FRO).

Methods

On ten planning computed tomography (CT) image sets of patients undergoing breast radiotherapy (RT), the observers independently contoured the contralateral breast, heart, left anterior descending artery (LAD), oesophagus, kidney, liver, spinal cord, stomach and trachea. The CSRT was instructed by the JRO e SRO. The inter-observer variability of contoured volumes was measured using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) (threshold of ≥ 0.7 for good concordance) and the centre of mass distance (CMD). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and a p-value < 0.01 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Good overlaps (DSC > 0.7) were obtained for all OARs, except for LAD (DSC = 0.34 ± 0.17, mean ± standard deviation) and oesophagus (DSC = 0.66 ± 0.06, mean ± SD). The mean CMD < 1 cm was achieved for all the OARs, but spinal cord (CMD = 1.22 cm). By pairing the observers, mean DSC > 0.7 and mean CMD < 1 cm were achieved in all cases. The best overlaps were seen for the pairs JRO-CSRT(DSC = 0.82; CMD = 0.49 cm) and SRO-JRO (DSC = 0.80; CMD = 0.51 cm).

Conclusions

Overall, good concordance was found for all the observers. Despite the short training in contouring, CSRT obtained good concordance with his tutor (JRO). Great variability was seen in contouring the LAD, due to its difficult visualization and identification of CT scans without contrast.

Workload of breast image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy delivered with TomoTherapy

OBJECTIVE

To report treatment times (door to door) of adjuvant treatments of breast cancer (BC) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

METHODS

Treatment times of 62 patients with BC on the TomoTherapy Hi-Art System were collected for the analysis. Patients underwent either locoregional radiotherapy (postmastectomy radiotherapy [PMRT]) with helical modality (TomoHelical) or whole breast radiotherapy (RT) with simultaneous integrated boost (WBRT-SIB) with direct modality (TomoDirect). Door-to-door time was broken down into different steps, which were crucial to RT session.

RESULTS

A total of 594 treatment fractions were monitored. Median treatment time was 22.4 minutes (17.2-30.8) for PMRT and 14.4 minutes (10.9-23.5) for WBRT-SIB. The mean beam-on time accounted for 61.36% of the overall treatment time for PMRT compared to 57% for WBRT-SIB. The beam-on time was a much more time-consuming process.

CONCLUSION

This treatment times analysis on the use of IMRT for BC might be useful to organize and improve the workflow efficiency in RT facilities.

Intra- and inter-observer variability in breast tumour bed contouring and the controversial role of surgical clips

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the visualization of surgical clips (SCs) on the same set of planning computed tomography (CT) of breast cancer (BC) patients influences agreement on tumour bed (TB) delineation. Planning CT (CT_orig) of 47 BC patients with SCs to visualize the TB was processed in order to blur SCs and create a virtual CT (CT_mod). Four radiation oncologists (ROs, 2 juniors and 2 seniors) contoured TB on both the CT sets. Centre of mass distance (CMD), percentage overlap as Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), surface distance as average Hausdorff distance (AHD) and TB volume size were analysed. The intra-observer variability when contouring TB with and without SCs was statistically significant (p-values = 0.016, 0.0002 and ≪ 0.001 for CMD, AHD and DSC, respectively). Junior ROs showed worse reproducibility compared to seniors. The median DSC was < 0.7. The inter-observer variability with and without SCs was statistically significant (p < 0.001) for all metrics, with an increase of 48.7% in DSC and decrease of 50.7% and 57.1% in CMD and AHD, respectively, as relative median values, when SCs were visible. Regarding TB volumes, when SCs were visible, the intra-observer analysis revealed that 3/4 ROs delineated larger volumes, especially juniors. The inter-observer analysis showed that, in presence of visible SCs, the difference in TB volume among all the ROs fell from statistically significant to borderline significance (p = 0.052). TB contouring is confirmed to be an observer-dependent task. SCs decreased the intra and inter-observer variability but the overall agreement between ROs remained low.

Ductal carcinoma in situ and intraoperative partial breast irradiation: Who are the best candidates? Long-term outcome of a single institution series

AIMS

To report the long-term outcome of a single institution series of pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with accelerated partial irradiation using intraoperative electrons (IOERT).

METHODS

From 2000 to 2010, 180 DCIS patients, treated with quadrantectomy and 21 Gy IOERT, were analyzed in terms of ipsilateral breast recurrences (IBRs) and survival outcomes by stratification in two subgroups. The low-risk group included patients who fulfilled the suitable definition according to American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Guidelines (size ≤2.5 cm, grade 1-2 and surgical margins ≥3 mm) (Suitable), while the remaining ones formed the high-risk group (Non-Suitable).

RESULTS

Eighty-four and 96 patients formed the Suitable and Non-Suitable groups, respectively. In the whole population, the cumulative incidence of IBR at 5, 7 and 10 years was 19%, 21%, and 25%, respectively. In the Suitable group, the cumulative incidence of IBR remained constant at 11% throughout the years, while in the Non-Suitable group increased from 26% at 5 years to 36% at 10 years (p < 0.0001). When hormonal positivity and HER2 absence of expression were added to the selection of the Suitable group, the cumulative incidence of IBR dropped and stabilized at 4% at 10 years. None died of breast cancer. In the whole population, 5-year and 10-year overall survival rate was 98% and 96.5%, respectively, without any difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall and by group IBR rates were high and stricter criteria are required for acceptable local control for Suitable DCIS. Because of the concerns raised, IOERT should not be used in clinical practice.

Case series on multiple prostate re-irradiation for locally recurrent prostate cancer: something ventured, something gained

The aim is to present the technical feasibility and efficacy of multiple re-irradiation (re-EBRT) for local recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) using retrospective analysis of an updated series of patients who received ablative re-EBRT with stereotactic image-guided technique for isolated local recurrence of PCa. Eight patients received three RT courses (2 re-RTs); of those 2 received 4 RT courses (3 re-RTs). Local relapse in the prostate was assessed by multiparametric magnetic resonance and/ or choline positron emission tomography. Before treatment planning, all patients had been evaluated for late toxicity from previous RT according to RTOG/EORTC. Biochemical control was assessed according to Phoenix definition. Mean age at the third RT course was 68 (standard deviation, SD: 7.2); all patients had a good performance status. At diagnosis, four cases were classified as high risk PCa, three as intermediate and one as low per NCCN 2017. Biochemical progression free interval after first and second RT-course were 74 (IQR: 59.3-133.6) months and 33 (IQR: 20.8-53.1) months, respectively. Biochemical and radiological response was registered in all patients. At present, seven out of eight patients are disease free. Overall toxicity profile was good; no severe acute or late genitourinary or gastrointestinal events were recorded. Multiple RT courses with high precision technology and image guidance can be proposed as a possible salvage therapy for locally recurrent, low-burden PCa recurrence in adequately selected patients. Deeper understanding of radiobiological effects of hypofractionation and larger series of patients are warranted to fully evaluate the applicability of multiple RT courses in the setting of locally recurrent PCa.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for mediastinal lymph node metastases: how do we fly in a 'no-fly zone'?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the treatment-induced toxicity (as primary endpoint) and the efficacy (as secondary endpoint) of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in the treatment of mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs) in the so-called no-fly zone (NFZ) in cancers with various histology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-two patients were retrospectively analyzed. Institutional dose/volume constraints for organs at risk (OARs) derived by published data were strictly respected. The correlation between treatment-related variables and toxicity was investigated by logistic regression, Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. Overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), progression-free survival (PFS) and local control (LC) were collected from the follow-up reports. The impact of potential predictive factors on LC, PFS and OS were estimated by Cox proportional-hazard regression.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 16 months (range 1-41). Four patients had esophageal G1 toxicity. Ten and six patients had G1 and G2 pulmonary toxicity, respectively. Treatment site and irradiation technique were significantly correlated with G ≥ 2 and G ≥ 1 toxicity, respectively. OS probability at 19 months was 88.3% and corresponded to CSS. LC probability at 16 months was 66.3% (median LC duration: 22 months, range 1-41). Fifteen patients (35.7%) were disease-free at 25 months (median time, range 1-41). The biologically effective dose (BED) and the target dose coverage indexes were significantly correlated with LC.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT can be considered as a safe treatment option for selected patients with oligo-metastases/recurrences in the NFZ, if strict dose/volume constraints are applied.

Cone-beam CT-based inter-fraction localization errors for tumors in the pelvic region

PURPOSE

To evaluate inter-fraction tumor localization errors (TE) in the RapidArc® treatment of pelvic cancers based on CBCT. Appropriate CTV-to PTV margins in a non-IGRT scenario have been proposed.

METHODS

Data of 928 patients with prostate, gynecological, and rectum/anal canal cancers were retrospectively analyzed to determine systematic and random localization errors. Two protocols were used: daily online IGRT (d-IGRT) and weekly IGRT. The latter consisted in acquiring a CBCT for the first 3 fractions and subsequently once a week. TE for patients who underwent d-IGRT protocol were calculated using either all CBCTs or the first 3.

RESULTS

The systematic (and random) TE in the AP, LL, and SI direction were: for prostate bed 2.7(3.2), 2.3(2.8) and 1.9(2.2) mm; for prostate 4.2(3.1), 2.9(2.8) and 2.3(2.2) mm; for gynecological 3.0(3.6), 2.4(2.7) and 2.3(2.5) mm; for rectum 2.8(2.8), 2.4(2.8) and 2.3(2.5) mm; for anal canal 3.1(3.3), 2.1(2.5) and 2.2(2.7) mm. CTV-to-PTV margins determined from all CBCTs were 14 mm in the AP, 10 mm in the LL and 9-9.5 mm in the SI directions for the prostate and the gynecological groups and 9.5-10.5 mm in AP, 9 mm in LL and 8-10 mm in the SI direction for the prostate bed and the rectum/anal canal groups. If assessed on the basis of the first 3 CBCTs, the calculated CTV-to-PTV margins were slightly larger.

CONCLUSIONS

without IGRT, large CTV-to-PTV margins up to 15 mm are required to account for inter-fraction tumor localization errors. Daily IGRT should be used for all hypo-fractionated treatments to reduce margins and avoid increased toxicity to critical organs.

Short-term high precision radiotherapy for early prostate cancer with concomitant boost to the dominant lesion: ad interim analysis and preliminary results of Phase II trial AIRC-IG-13218

OBJECTIVE

To report preliminary results of a cutting edge extreme hypofractionated treatment with concomitant boost to the dominant lesion for patients with early stage prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

AIRC-IG-13218 is a prospective Phase II trial started in June 2015. Patients with low and intermediate risk PCa who met the inclusion criteria underwent extreme hypofractionated radiotherapy to the prostate (36.25 Gy in 5 fractions) and a simultaneous integrated boost to the dominant intraprostatic lesion (DIL) to 37.5 Gy. The DIL was identified by a multiparamentric MRI (mpMRI) co-registered with planning CT. Toxicity was assessed according to CTCAE v4.0 and RTOG/EORTC criteria. The preliminary evaluation of the first 13 patients was required to confirm the feasibility of the treatment before completing the enrollment of 65 patients.

RESULTS

The first 13 patients completed the treatment between June 2015 and February 2016. With a median clinical follow-up of 17 months (range 11-26), no Grade 3 or 4 early toxicity was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary data about early toxicity of an extreme hypofractionated schedule with concomitant boost on the DIL are encouraging. The higher number of patients expected for the trial and a longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results. Advances in knowledge: The use of mpMRI to identify and boost the DIL is an innovative and interesting approach to PCa. Our preliminary findings suggest that dose escalation using DIL boost and extremely hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens might be a safe approach, allowing for short and effective treatment of organ-confined PCa.

Second pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer successfully treated with a re-reirradiation (3rd radiation course)

INTRODUCTION

In case of pelvic recurrence of colorectal cancer, reirradiation of previously irradiated patients may increase the rate of salvage radical resection. Due to the high cumulative dose, one of the main concerns is radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy. This report describes multiple irradiations of a lesion adjacent to the lumbosacral plexus, using a highly selective technique, which allows optimal sparing of such a critical structure.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 53-year-old woman treated in 2008 for a locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma with preoperative pelvic irradiation and concomitant chemotherapy followed by surgery had disease recurrence in 2011 and underwent a second course of pelvic radiotherapy. In December 2015, magnetic resonance imaging showed a single local recurrence infiltrating the muscle next to the right lumbosacral plexus and close to the cauda equina. Repeat reirradiation was planned. The total dose deriving from the previous treatment plans was assessed by nonrigid image registration using the dedicated tool implemented in MIM 6.1.7 (MIMvista Corp., Cleveland, OH). The treatment was performed with Cyberknife (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA) with a schedule of 20 Gy in 5 fractions (4 Gy per fraction). The dose was prescribed to 70% isodose and target coverage was 97%. Two months after the treatment, magnetic resonance imaging showed a decreased signal and stable disease with no change in tumor size.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report suggests that pelvic re-reirradiation might be a possibility in very carefully selected cases of rectal cancer, using high-precision radiation modalities.

Hypofractionated postmastectomy radiotherapy with helical tomotherapy in patients with immediate breast reconstruction: dosimetric results and acute/intermediate toxicity evaluation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dosimetry and toxicity of hypofractionation in postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in breast cancer (BC) patients. Stage II-III BC patients with implant-based immediate breast reconstruction received PMRT to the chest wall (CW) and to the infra/supraclavicular nodal region (NR) using a 15-fraction schedule (2.67 Gy/fraction) and helical IMRT (Tomotherapy^® System, Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA). A score was assigned to each treatment plan in terms of planning target volume (PTV) coverage of CW and NR and the sparing of the organs at risk (OARs). The total score for each plan was calculated. Toxicity was prospectively assessed according to validated scales. Data from 120 consecutive patients treated in the period 2012-2015 were analysed with a median follow-up from the end of radiotherapy of 13.2 months (range 0.0-35 months). 70.8% (85/120) of the plans had high total scores as a result of an optimal coverage of both CW and RN and optimal sparing of all OARs. The maximum acute toxicity was of grade 2 in 36.7% of the cases. Early late toxicity was mild in the majority of cases. In the study population, helical tomotherapy-based IMRT produced optimal treatment plans in most cases. Acute and late toxicity was mild/moderate. Hypofractionated helical IMRT appears to be safe and feasible in the moderate term for PMRT.

Recent advances in radiation oncology

Radiotherapy (RT) is very much a technology-driven treatment modality in the management of cancer. RT techniques have changed significantly over the past few decades, thanks to improvements in engineering and computing. We aim to highlight the recent developments in radiation oncology, focusing on the technological and biological advances. We will present state-of-the-art treatment techniques, employing photon beams, such as intensity-modulated RT, volumetric-modulated arc therapy, stereotactic body RT and adaptive RT, which make possible a highly tailored dose distribution with maximum normal tissue sparing. We will analyse all the steps involved in the treatment: imaging, delineation of the tumour and organs at risk, treatment planning and finally image-guidance for accurate tumour localisation before and during treatment delivery. Particular attention will be given to the crucial role that imaging plays throughout the entire process. In the case of adaptive RT, the precise identification of target volumes as well as the monitoring of tumour response/modification during the course of treatment is mainly based on multimodality imaging that integrates morphological, functional and metabolic information. Moreover, real-time imaging of the tumour is essential in breathing adaptive techniques to compensate for tumour motion due to respiration. Brief reference will be made to the recent spread of particle beam therapy, in particular to the use of protons, but also to the yet limited experience of using heavy particles such as carbon ions. Finally, we will analyse the latest biological advances in tumour targeting. Indeed, the effectiveness of RT has been improved not only by technological developments but also through the integration of radiobiological knowledge to produce more efficient and personalised treatment strategies.

Radiation-induced acute dysphagia : Prospective observational study on 42 head and neck cancer patients

PURPOSE

Acute toxicity in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT) has a crucial role in compliance to treatments. The aim of this study was to correlate doses to swallowing-associated structures and acute dysphagia.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 42 H&N cancer patients treated with RT. Dysphagia (grade ≥ 3) and indication for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion were classified as acute toxicity. Ten swallowing-related structures were considered for the dosimetric analysis. The correlation between clinical information and the dose absorbed by the contoured structures was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression method using resampling methods (bootstrapping) was applied to select model order and parameters for normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modelling.

RESULTS

A strong multiple correlation between dosimetric parameters was found. A two-variable model was suggested as the optimal order by bootstrap method. The optimal model (Rs = 0.452, p < 0.001) includes V₄₅ of the cervical esophagus (odds ratio [OR] = 1.016) and D_mean of the cricopharyngeal muscle (OR = 1.057). The model area under the curve was 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.69-0.95).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that the absorbed dose to the cricopharyngeal muscle and cervical esophagus might play a relevant role in the development of acute RT-related dysphagia.

Feasibility of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with high-dose cisplatin after induction TPF chemotherapy in head and neck cancer: a critical review of the literature and the experience of the European Institute of Oncology

Many concerns are related to the idea that the acute toxicity of induction chemotherapy (IC) performed with TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) could reduce the ability to deliver the subsequent standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in head and neck cancer patients. We performed a critical review of the literature on the toxicity profile of the standard CRT administered after the IC with TPF. A total of 13 papers (including 950 patients) were selected. Results showed that most patients were treated with an adequate radiation total dose although a significant proportion of them (from 15 to 30%) completed the planned treatment with a delay of more than 5 days. A minority of patients were able to be treated with three cycles of concurrent cisplatin, but only few papers reported how many of patients reached the cumulative total dose of almost 200 mg/m² cisplatin. The rate of deaths due to treatment-related toxicity varied from 0 to 9% (median and mean 2%). Two prospective trials stopped patient enrollment due to acute treatment-related toxicity and because a low number of patients were able to undergo the planned full schedule of cisplatin during the CRT, respectively. Retrospective analysis of 45 patients treated at our institute showed that this schedule was feasible with manageable side effects. In conclusion, the literature data did not provide homogeneous information on the feasibility of the standard CRT after induction TPF. A more uniform data collection of treatment-related toxicity will be helpful in better selecting the patients who might adequately tolerate this multimodality strategy.

Bladder preservation in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): a single-institution experience

The aim of this study is to access the feasibility, toxicity profile, and tumour outcome of an organ preservation curative approach in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients affected by M0 bladder cancer, who refused cystectomy and were treated with a curative approach. The standard bladder preservation scheme included maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and combination of radiotherapy and platin-based chemotherapy, followed by endoscopic evaluation, urine cytology, and instrumental evaluation.

Thirteen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. TNM stage was cT2cN0M0 and cT2cNxM0, in 12 and one patients, respectively. All patients had transitional cell cancer. Twelve patients completed the whole therapeutic programme (a bimodal treatment without chemotherapy for one patient). Median follow-up is 36 months. None of the patients developed severe urinary or intestinal acute toxicity. In 10 patients with a follow-up > 6 months, no cases of severe late toxicity were observed. Response evaluated in 12 patients included complete response and stable disease in 11 patients (92%), and one patient (8%), respectively. At the time of data analysis (March 2016), 10 patients (77%) are alive with no evidence of disease, two patients (15%) died for other reasons, and one patient has suspicious persistent local disease.

The trimodality approach, including maximal TURBT, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, is well-tolerated and might be considered a valid and feasible option in fit patients who refuse radical cystectomy.