Factors For Local Control Research Articles

Geochemistry of rare earth elements in the mid-late Quaternary sediments of the western Philippine Sea and their paleoenvironmental significance

Based on a delta O-18 chronology, rare earth elements (REE) and other typical elements in sediments from core MD06-3047 in the western Philippine Sea were analyzed to constrain the provenances of the sediments and investigate quantitative changes in the Asian eolian input to the study area over the last 700 ka. Among the competing processes that might affect REE compositions, sediment provenance is the most important one. Provenance analysis suggests that the study sediments have two provenance end-members; local volcanic sources are dominant, and eolian dust from the Asian continent has a smaller contribution. During glacial periods, eolian input to the western Philippine Sea was enhanced. In contrast, material supply from local volcanics increased during interglacial periods. Changes in eolian input to the study area were probably related to the strength of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) as well as aridity in the Asian continent on an orbital time scale, and were partly influenced by local control factors on shorter time scales. Therefore, we propose that the present study expands the application of the REE-based method for quantitatively estimating the eolian component from the mid-latitude northern Pacific to the low-latitude western Pacific. Additionally, the study preliminarily confirms the influence of EAWM-transported eolian material on sedimentation in the western Philippine Sea since 700 ka.

Prognostic value of tumor volume for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy

We aimed to analyze prognostic factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT); in addition, we aimed to elucidate the value of primary gross tumor volume (GTVp) in predicting prognosis of patients. Between February 2001 and December 2008, 321 patients with NPC treated with concurrent chemotherapy and IMRT were analyzed retrospectively. GTVp was calculated from treatment planning computed tomography scans. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the best cutoff point of GTVp. The 5-year local failure-free survival (LFFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) for NPC patients were 93.8, 80.1, 73.0, and 83.7%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that GTVp had exhibited a statistically significant correlation with LFFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS (P<0.05, all), whereas T classification was not an independent prognostic factor. According to ROC curve analysis, 49and 19mL were determined as the cutoff points of GTVp for local control and distant metastasis, respectively. Based on this, 321 patients were divided into three volume subgroups. LFFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS demonstrated significant differences among patients in different volume subgroups (P<0.001, all) and were superior to T classification for predicting prognosis of NPC patients. Primary gross tumor volume is an independent prognostic factor in local control, distant metastasis, disease-free survival, and overall survival in NPC. An adjusted TNM staging system that includes GTVp as a quantitative indicator to evaluate prognosis is warranted.

Tumor Volume Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Local Control of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated With Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Background: To retrospectively analyze whether primary tumor volume and primary nodal volume could be considered independent prognostic factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Methods: Three hundred sixty-three consecutive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who were stage I-IVa+b and treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in our center from October 2003 to October 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. The predictive ability of gender, age, T and N stage, combined chemotherapy, primary tumor and nodal volume for the 5-year local control (LC), distant-metastasis free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) rate were investigated. Primary tumor and nodal volume were measured based on registration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis, the log-rank test was used for univariate analyses and the Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate prognostic analyses. Results: The mean value of primary tumor and nodal volume were 31.5 ml and 9.7 ml. The primary tumor and nodal volume were respectively divided into four groups for analysis (primary tumor volume: TV1≤20 ml, 20 40 ml; primay nodal volume: NV1≤5 ml, 5 20 ml). In univariate analysis, the 5-year LC and DMFS rate for TV4 was significantly decreased compared to the other groups (LC: p 40 ml was an adverse prognostic factor for the 5-year local regional control (LRC) rate (RR 2.454, p=0.002). Primary nodal volume had no statistical significance in predicting 5-year LRC, DMFS and OS rate in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Primary tumor volume could predict LRC rate of NPC patients, and the primary tumor volume of 40 ml may be the cut-off. Primary nodal volume may have predictive significance, but more data are needed. These factors should be considered in the TNM staging system of NPC for better estimates of prognosis.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Pulmonary Metastases: Analysis of Outcomes and Predictive Factors for Local Control

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Pulmonary Metastases: Analysis of Outcomes and Predictive Factors for Local Control

External Beam Radiation Therapy Versus Image Guided High-Dose-Rate Endorectal Brachytherapy in the Management of Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study

brachytherapy is an effective treatment for anal cancer and is often used in Europe as exclusive or boost treatment. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the clinical outcome of patients undergoing brachytherapy as sole treatment or in combination with external beam radiation therapy and to search clinical predictive factors of toxicity and efficacy. Materials/Methods: From June 2000 to June 2010, 89 patients with anal canal carcinoma were treated in the 3 institutions of the GOCO (Occitan Catalan Oncologic Group) (39 patients in Montpellier, 31 in Toulouse and 19 in Barcelona). Data was retrospectively collected. Survival analyses were performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The log rank test was used to find predictive factors of efficacy ant toxicity. Results: Brachytherapy was given as a boost in 94% of the patients. Tumor staging reported was T1 Z 19 patients (21%), T2 Z 63 patients (71%), T3 Z 5 patients (6%), and T4 Z 2 patients (2%). Tumor size was less than 3 cm in 52% of the patients. Lymph node status was N0 in 74 patients (83%), N1 in 10 patients (11%) and N2 in 5 patients (6%). Concomitant chemotherapy was associated with external beam radiation therapy in 51% of the cases. Pulsed dose rate brachytherapy was used in 73% of the cases (low dose rate in 27%). The median brachytherapy dose was 20 Gy. The median total radiation therapy dose was 64.6 Gy. 95.5% of patients had a complete clinical response at 3 months. Acute grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred in 25% of the patients and was significantly correlated with the use of concomitant chemotherapy (p Z 0.003). The median follow-up was 4.6 years. Late grade 3 or 4 toxicity was observed in 9% of the patients but no clinical factor was correlated. The overall survival was 96, 91and 78%, respectively, at 3, 5 and 7 years. Local relapse free survival (LRFS) was 90, 84 and 80%, respectively, at 3, 5 and 7 years. LRFS was significantly correlated with the use of concomitant chemotherapy (p Z 0.016), especially in tumors less than 3 cm in size (1 local relapse with concomitant chemotherapy Vs 7 local relapse without, p Z 0.043). Conclusions: Interstitial brachytherapy is an effective and safe treatment which permits to deliver high dose to the tumor while limiting the risk of induced toxicity. Concomitant chemotherapy during the first part of external radiation therapy induces more acute toxicity but is an important factor for local control, even in tumors less than 3 cm, and despite the high dose of radiation delivered. Author Disclosure: O. Riou: None. F. Castan: None. F. Picaud: None. C. Llacer Moscardo: None. C. Gutierrez: None. J. Dubois: None. M. Cambray: None. D. Azria: None. F. Ferrer: None. M. Delannes: None.

Definitive radiotherapy for T1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma: a 15-year Cruces University Hospital experience

To evaluate the treatment outcomes for T1 N0 glottic carcinoma after definitive radiotherapy. One hundred and seventeen patients treated with radical radiotherapy from 1990 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. The median follow-up duration for the entire group was 92 months (range 4-227). A median dose of 70 Gy (range 63-70 Gy) was administered. We determined the rates of local control (LC), regional control, overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS) at 5, 10 and 15 years by Kaplan-Meier product-limit method. The Cox regression analysis was performed to identify significant prognostic factors for LC and survival. The incidence of secondary malignancies is also reported. The 5-, 10- and 15-year LC rates for the whole group were 84, 80.2 and 80.2 %, respectively. There were 20 local recurrences, of which 19 were salvaged with laryngectomy, giving an ultimate control rate of 90.6 %. The 5-/10-/15-year OS and CSS rates were 81.2 %/66.1 %/48.3 % and 90.6 %/90.6 %/90.6 %, respectively. None of the parameters analyzed exhibited a statistically significant relationship with LC. The age ≥65 years had a statistically significant effect on OS (but not in CSS), with a hazard ratio of 2.45 (95 % confidence interval 1.29-4.66; p = 0.006). During follow-up, 26 patients (22 %) developed a secondary malignancy. Only two patients (1.7 %) presented with severe toxicity (edema and mucositis). Radiotherapy alone offers a high likelihood of LC and an excellent CSS rate. In addition, the surgical approach for the salvage is a successful option.

Evaluation of the overall survival rates in locally advanced cervix cancer patients treated with radiotherapy alone and chemoradiation: A Brazilian experience.

e15509 Background: Locally advanced cervical cancer is a major worldwide health problem. The treatment might include radiotherapy and few trials evaluate the timing of pelvic external irradiation (RT) and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) in local control and survival rates of these patients as well as the addition of chemotherapy. The objective were to evaluate the overall survival rates in locally advanced cervix cancer patients and determine the clinical and treatment prognostic factors for local control and overall survival rates. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out with 261 patients stage IIIB, 164 patients received 54 Gy RT to the pelvis and 30 Gy HDR without chemotherapy and 97 patients received 54 Gy RT to the pelvis and 30 Gy HDR with weekly cisplatin 40mg/m2 IV (CDDP) from August 1998 to June 2004 in Hospital Haroldo Juacaba, a Brazilian northeastern hospital. The mean follow-up time was 50 months (2-185 months) and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival curves. The Cox regression was used to evaluate multivariate analysis and p values =&lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: Local control and 5-year survival rates were 39.6% and 38.4% for exclusively radiation and 50.5% and 47.4% for chemoradiation (p = 0.19 and p = 0.36, respectively). The mean treatment time was 61 days. Both local control and overall survival rates were affected by age, parametrial involvement and the timing of brachytherapy (p&lt;0.05). The overall treatment time did not influence survival or local control rates (p&gt;0.05). But less than six cycles of chemotherapy improved local control rates better than six or more cycles (55.1% versus 44.9% p = 0.02). Conclusions: The study is a nonsuperiority one where the addition of weekly chemotherapy with six cycles of CDDP 40mg/m2 during the irradiation did not improve overall survival rates. Further prospective studies would be useful to evaluate the benefit of adding weekly chemotherapy to the standard radiotherapy treatment as well as the financial impact of the adoption of this international guideline in patients with advanced lesions from developing countries.

Factors affecting the local control of stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung tumors including primary lung cancer and metastatic lung tumors

To identify factors affecting local control of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung tumors including primary lung cancer and metastatic lung tumors. Between June 2006 and June 2009, 159 lung tumors in 144 patients (primary lung cancer, 128; metastatic lung tumor, 31) were treated with SBRT with 48-60 Gy (mean 50.1 Gy) in 4-5 fractions. Higher doses were given to larger tumors and metastatic tumors in principle. Assessed factors were age, gender, tumor origin (primary vs. metastatic), histological subtype, tumor size, tumor appearance (solid vs. ground glass opacity), maximum standardized uptake value of positron emission tomography using (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D: -glucose, and SBRT doses. Follow-up time was 1-60 months (median 18 months). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year local failure-free rates of all lesions were 90, 80, and 77 %, respectively. On univariate analysis, metastatic tumors (p < 0.0001), solid tumors (p = 0.0246), and higher SBRT doses (p = 0.0334) were the statistically significant unfavorable factors for local control. On multivariate analysis, only tumor origin was statistically significant (p = 0.0027). The 2-year local failure-free rates of primary lung cancer and metastatic lung tumors were 87 and 50 %, respectively. A metastatic tumor was the only independently significant unfavorable factor for local control after SBRT.

Early evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response using FDG-PET/CT predicts survival prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of early survival prediction after completion of one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) by positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Fifty-seven patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) underwent FDG-PET/CT scans twice, before and after one cycle of NAC. We calculated the maximal standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) for a primary tumor and/or metastatic lymph nodes and defined %decrease as the %difference in SUV(max) between the two scans divided by that of the initial scan. Patients were classified as responders by PET (%decrease ≥55.5% or post-NAC SUV(max) ≤3.5) and by RECIST (≥30% decrease in size). The local control (LC) rate and the disease-specific survival (DSS) rate were assessed between the responders and non-responders. Multivariate analysis was also performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. In univariate analysis, the PET finding of a primary site was a significant risk factor for LC and DSS rates at 2 years after completion of NAC (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively), but there was no difference between responders and non-responders by the RECIST criteria. In a multivariate regression analysis, the PET finding in the primary site and the definitive therapy choice were independent prognostic factors in LC, while the PET finding in the primary site was the only independent prognostic factor in DSS. Our preliminary data indicate that the PET finding in the primary lesion after one cycle of NAC was an independent prognostic factor in LC and DSS in patients with HNSCC.

SBRT as an alternative to RFA for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors.

158 Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely used local therapy for small, unresectable liver tumors (LT). Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been used for similar patients, and has the advantage that it can be used when lesions are adjacent to blood vessels, are difficult to reach and cannot be imaged on ultrasound. We examined RFA and SBRT outcomes for treating primary and metastatic LT at our institution and identified predictive factors for local control. Methods: This study included 62 patients (pts) with 106 LT (69 metastatic, 37 primary) treated with SBRT and 127 pts with 206 LT (80 metastatic, 126 primary) treated with RFA from 2000 to 2010. 42 lesions were ablated intra-operatively while 164 were ablated percutaneously. Mean tumor size by maximum diameter was 2.2 cm (0.4-11) and 2.3 cm (0.6-6.2) for RFA- and SBRT-treated LT, respectively. Freedom from local progression (FFLP) for SBRT was defined as absence of progressive LT within or at the PTV margin while FFLP for RFA was defined as recurrence within or immediately adjacent to the ablation zone. Results: With a median follow-up of 29.4 months (0.46 to 120.8), 1- and 2-yr FFLP rates for all SBRT- vs RFA-treated LT were 93% and 84% vs 86% and 83%. There were 14 cases of residual LT after RFA, 6 of which were re-ablated; these were not counted as RFA failures. Significantly more pts in the SBRT group had received prior systemic therapy (54% vs 31%, p=0.0001) and had active extrahepatic disease at treatment start (36% vs 23%, p=0.01). For SBRT, neither LT size nor dose predicted for FFLP. For RFA, tumor size ≥3 cm had worse FFLP (HR: 5.3, p&lt;0.0001) but an intraoperative approach had better FFLP (HR: −2.2, p=0.01). For tumors &gt;3cm, SBRT had significantly better FFLP than percutaneous RFA (HR: 0.32, p=0.018). In the RFA group, there were 9 complications, including pneumothorax, hemothorax, and small bowel injury, 2 of which resulted in death. In the SBRT group, there was 1 case of radiation-induced liver disease in a Child-Pugh Class B pt but no other significant toxicities. Conclusions: SBRT is a safe alternative to RFA, can be used in a wider variety of patients, and may be more effective than percutaneous RFA at locally controlling larger liver tumors.

Predictors of radiotherapy outcome in patients with T2 supraglottic carcinoma

The decision regarding treatment of early supraglottic carcinoma remains controversial. Single institution clinical data of patients with T2 supraglottic carcinoma treated exclusively with radiotherapy in terms of prognostic factors and treatment results were analyzed. Patient-related factors that would potentially by useful for optimal therapeutic decision to be undertaken were especially investigated. Between 1994 and 2004, 78 patients with T2 supraglottic carcinoma underwent radiotherapy (RT) in Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland. There were 54 (69%) males and 24 (31%) females in the median age of 61 years. There were 17 (22%) patients with N+. Median body mass of patients before (BM0) and after RT (BM1) was 74 kg (range 45.2-130 kg) and 72.9 kg (range 49.9-122.5 kg), respectively. Median hemoglobin concentrations before (Hb0) and after (Hb1) RT were 14.3 and 13.4 g/dl, respectively. Median change of Hb concentration during RT (dHb) was -0.8 g/dl. All were treated up to total doses (TD) ranged from 62.5 to 72 Gy. The overall treatment time (OTT) ranged from 30 to 70 days. Estimates of local control (LC), ultimate local control (uLC), and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log rank statistics, Cox proportional hazard model and step-wise Cox regression hazard model were employed to identify prognostic factors for LC, uLC, and OS in univariate and multivariate analyses. The 5-year LC, RC, uLC and OS rates were 85, 92, 88, and 56%, respectively. In multivariate analysis N+ (p = 0.01) and prolonged OTT (p = 0.03) significantly decreased LC. Females (p = 0.02), higher BM0 (p = 0.03), and HB0 (p = 0.006) significantly prolonged OS. Patient-related factors like gender, hemoglobin concentration, and body mass may predict treatment outcome. Radiotherapy is effective for T2 supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx unless higher dose intensity is provided. Involved regional lymph nodes significantly deteriorate locoregional cure.

Clinical Analysis of stereotactic body radiation therapy using extracranial gamma knife for patients with mainly bulky inoperable early stage non-small cell lung carcinoma

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) using extracranial gamma knife in patients with mainly bulky inoperable early stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).Materials and methodsA total of 43 medically inoperable patients with mainly bulky Stage I/II NSCLC received SBRT using gamma knife were reviewed. The fraction dose and the total dose were determined by the radiation oncologist according to patients' general status, tumor location, tumor size and the relationship between tumor and nearby organ at risk (OAR). The total dose of 34~47.5 Gy was prescribed in 4~12 fractions, 3.5~10 Gy per fraction, one fraction per day or every other day. The therapeutic efficacy and toxicity were evaluated.ResultsThe median follow-up was 22 months (range, 3-102 months). The local tumor response rate was 95.35%, with CR 18.60% (8/43) and PR 76.74% (33/43), respectively. The local control rates at 1, 2, 3, 5 years were 77.54%, 53.02%, 39.77%, and 15.46%, respectively, while the 1- and 2-year local control rates were 75% and 60% for tumor ≤3 cm; 84% and 71% for tumor sized 3~5 cm; 55% and 14.6% for tumor sized 5~7 cm; and 45%, 21% in those with tumor size of >7 cm. The overall survival rate at 1, 2, 3, 5 years were 92.04%, 78.04%, 62.76%, 42.61%, respectively. The toxicity of stereotactic radiation therapy was grade 1-2. Clinical stages were significantly important factor in local control of lung tumors (P = 0.000). Both clinical stages (P = 0.015) and chemotherapy (P = 0.042) were significantly important factors in overall survival of lung tumors.ConclusionSBRT is an effective and safe therapy for medically inoperable patients with early stage NSCLC. Clinical stage was the significant prognostic factors for both local tumor control and overall survival. The toxicity is mild. The overall local control for bulky tumors is poor. Tumor size is a poor prognostic factor, and the patients for adjuvant chemotherapy need to be carefully selected.

Consolidative repeat radiofrequency ablation for alpha-fetoprotein negative hepatocellular carcinoma: does it have a role in local tumor control

Objective To retrospectively evaluate the role of consolidative repeat radiofrequency ablation (CRRFA) based on safety margin (SM) analyses in local tumor control for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who had been shown to have radiological complete ablation (CA) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods From July 2002 to July 2009,152 AFP negative HCC patients who were shown to have radiological CA with RFA therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 110 patients had a SM of less than 1 cm and the other 42 patients had a SM of 1cm or more. Among 110 patients with SM less than 1 cm, fifty nine patients accepted CRRFA within 6 months after the first RFA and 51 did not. From these patients, a narrow SM-CRRFA group (n=41) and a narrow SM-single RFA group (n=37) were enrolled respectively. The wide SM-single RFA group (n= 30) was enrolled from the 42 patients with a SM of 1 cm or more.The LTP (local tumor progression)-free survival rate of the 3 groups were compared with a log-rank test. Results One-, two-, three-, four-, and five-year LTP-free survival rates respectively were 97. 1%, 90.9%, 69.6%, 47.2%, and 33. 0% in the narrow SM-CRRFA patients. 85.9%, 66. 5%,43.5%, 15.8%, and 0. 0%, in the narrow SM-single RFA patients, and were 92.7%, 83.7%,59.3%, 36. 9%, and 9.2% in the wide SM-single RFA patients. There were statistically significant differences (χ2 = 14. 789, P= 0. 001) between the groups. Conclusions An ablation zone with an SM of 1 cm or greater was the most important factor for local control of AFP negative HCC ranging from 3 to 5 cm in diameter. For these patients with a SM of less than 1 cm, CRRFA improved the overall local control outcomes. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Radiofrequency ablation; Alpha fetoprotein; Safety margin; Local tumor progression

The effect of overall treatment time on local control in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy

At present, the clinical data about the effect of overall treatment time (OTT) on local control for nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) patients mainly derived from conventional radiotherapy (CRT). The effect of OTT on local control for NPC patients treated with IMRT is still unclear. This study was to explore the effect of OTT on local control in IMRT for NPC patients. Clinical data of 850 NPC (T1-4N0-3M0) patients that had undergone radical radiotherapy with IMRT from May 2001 to January 2008 in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were divided into two groups, which were group with OTT ≤ 42 and group with OTT > 42 days respectively. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves. The effect of clinical factors and treatment related factors on LCR were studied with univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression. The 5-years local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rate of group with OTT ≤ 42 were 90.7%, and 90.9% in group with OTT > 42, no significant differences were found between these two groups (χ² = 0.028, P = 0.866). Further stratified analysis found that the LRFS rate for early T-stage patients was no significant difference between group with OTT ≤ 42 and group with > 42 days, they were 97.2% and 97.9% (χ² = 0.672, P = 0.412). For advanced T-stage patients, the LRFS rate of OTT ≤ 42 and > 42 days were 86.5% and 87.2% respectively (χ² = 0.151, P = 0.698). The 5-year LRFS rate were 94.4% vs 93.0% (χ² = 0.090, P = 0.764) at OTT > 42 vs ≤ 42 days for patients treated with IMRT alone, and 89.7% vs 87.6% (χ² = 0.060, P = 0.807) for patients in combination chemotherapy with IMRT. We divided all patients into three groups: OTT ≤ 42 d, 43 - 49 d and ≥ 50 d, the 5-years LRFS rate of the three group was 90.7%, 91.7% and 88.4%, respectively, there was no significant difference of LRFS among those three groups (χ² = 0.136, P = 0.934). Univariate analysis showed that T-stage and GTV volume were correlation with local control. In multivariate analysis, GTV volume was confirmed as independent prognostic factors for local control. Within the range of the OTT observed in our study, prolonged OTT did not have adverse effect on local control. GTV volume was independent prognostic factors in local control for NPC patients treated with IMRT.

The Value of Cryosurgery in Treating a Case of Thoracic Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas of the spine are rare and difficult to treat. In this paper a case of thoracic chondrosarcoma is presented. Chondrosarcomas of the spine are generally smaller, more difficult to excise and are followed by higher local recurrence compared with chondrosarcomas of the peripheral skeleton. The tumor is radio- and chemoresistant, making the surgical treatment of utmost importance. The most important prognostic factor for local control is wide or marginal tumor resection. Our patient was treated in two stages, with total excision of the tumor, using cryosurgery. Liquid nitrogen was used to freeze the damaged tissue at a cellular level and made the excision more efficient.

Prognostic factors for local recurrence following breast-conserving treatment in young women

Breast cancer is a rare disease in young women. Its incidence has remained remarkably constant over the last decades, contrary to what has happened in older patients. Age is a major prognostic factor for local control after breast-conserving treatments, which does not seem to be entirely explained by the poor prognostic features that are more commonly associated with breast cancers in young women. A better knowledge of the prognostic factors for local control, and, whenever possible, those pertaining specifically to the young age group, is key, not only to better select the patients who would benefit the most from a breast-conserving approach but also to enhance the local control when this option has been elected. These prognostic factors can be related to the patient, the tumor and the treatment they receive. Finally, we will present a perspective of what the future could hold, both in terms of the selection of the patients and of a more customized therapeutic approach.

Correlation of Local Failure With Measures of Dose Insufficiency in the High-Dose Single-Fraction Treatment of Bony Metastases

In the setting of high-dose single-fraction image-guided radiotherapy of spine metastases, the delivered dose is hypothesized to be a significant factor in local control. We investigated the dependence of local control on measures of dose insufficiency. The minimum doses received by the hottest 100%, 98%, and 95% (D(min), D(98), and D(95)) of the gross target volume (GTV) were computed for 91 consecutively treated lesions observed in 79 patients. Prescribed doses of 18-24 Gy were delivered in a single fraction. The spinal cord and cauda equina were constrained to a maximum dose of 12-14 Gy and 16 Gy, respectively. A rank-sum test was used to assess the differences between radiographic local failure and local control. With a median follow-up of 18 months, seven local failures have occurred. The distributions of GTV D(min), D(98), and D(95) for treatments resulting in local failure were found to be statistically different from the corresponding distributions of the patient group as a whole. Taking no account of histology, p values calculated for D(min), D(98), and D(95) were 0.004, 0.012, and 0.031, respectively. No correlations between local failure and target volume or between local failure and anatomic location were found. The results indicate that D(min), D(98), and D(95) may be important risk factors for local failure. No local failures in any histology were observed when D(min) was >15 Gy, suggesting that this metric may be an important predictor of local control.

Radiotherapy for the Patients with Metastases to the Spinal Column: A Review of 603 Patients in Terms of Predictive Factors of Local Control and Survival

Radiotherapy for the Patients with Metastases to the Spinal Column: A Review of 603 Patients in Terms of Predictive Factors of Local Control and Survival

Difficulty Differentiating Ablative Margin from Necrotic Tumor at MR Imaging with Impaired Ferucarbotran Clearance

Editor: We read with great interest the article by Dr Mori and colleagues (1) about the determination of the ablative margin (AM) on magnetic resonance (MR) images by using impaired clearance of ferucarbotran, which appeared in the May 2009 issue of Radiology. We have also studied the effectiveness of this technique after radiofrequency (RF) ablation in nine patients with 11 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules. In these patients, the results of this approach were compared with those of three-phase dynamic computed tomography (CT). The nodules were 8–33 mm in maximum diameter. All patients underwent RF ablation 1 hour after ferucarbotran (Bayer Schering Pharma, Berlin, Germany) injection. Unenhanced T2*-weighted MR images were acquired after 3–7 days, and dynamic CT imaging was performed at the same time. In five (45%) of the 11 nodules, distinguishing the AM from the necrotic tumor was difficult because the volume of the central hyperintense area had increased, making the necrotic tumor nonvisible on MR images. Because the AM cannot be calculated if the necrotic tumor is not visible, the thickness of the hypointense rim (2 mm) was considered to be the thickness of the AM. In the remaining six nodules (55%), the AM was considered to be distinguishable from the tumor, and the border between the tumor and the ablated peritumoral liver tissue could be identified. A nonenhancing area (the AM) surrounding accumulated lipiodol (the tumor) was visualized in all nodules on CT images. An AM of 5 mm or greater was an important factor for local control of HCC and survival (2). MR imaging with impaired clearance of ferucarbotran can provide a useful approach for determining whether there is an AM surrounding the tumor, but it cannot be used to determine whether the AM is large enough.

Volumetric staging (VS) is superior to TNM and AJCC staging in predicting outcome of head and neck cancer treated with IMRT

The UICC classification (TNM) represents the validated standard tool to describe tumor extent and includes prognostic information on the probability of disease control. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage grouping is based on the evaluation of treatment and outcome. Gross tumor volume (GTV) might be more relevant than pure description (TNM) or stage grouping as prognostic factor for local control in head and neck cancer (HNC). Based on the observation of GTV-correlated outcome in our initial HNC patient cohort treated with IMRT, we tested the hypothesis that the GTV is the most reliable predictive tool in HNC outcome. A GTV based volumetric staging system (VS) was introduced, using two volumetric cut-off values (15 and 70 cm3). VS, TNM, and AJCC stages were assessed and correlated with outcome following primary radiation in 172 HNC patients. Analyses were based on Kaplan-Meier survival curves. VS proved to be superior to the TNM/AJCC in predicting outcome. In addition, VS enabled to stratify high- and low-risk patients in advanced TN stages. GTV represented the most important prognostic indicator in HNC treated with IMRT and is recommended to be considered for therapeutic decisions and estimation of outcome.