Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy Group Research Articles

Ten-Year Outcomes Of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) Combine With Chemotherapy Versus IMRT Alone For Stage II Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma In The Real-World Study (RWD).

ObjectivesThe aim was to define the role of chemotherapy in stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to identify the toxicity of chemotherapy for these patients in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).MethodsBetween January 2002 and December 2013, 169 patients with stage II NPC were analyzed. Of these patients, 149 patients treated with chemotherapy were divided into three groups as follows: neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by IMRT (NCT) group, concurrent chemotherapy with IMRT (CCRT) group, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by CCRT (NC+CCRT) group. In addition, 20 patients received IMRT alone. We retrospectively assessed the 10-year survival and acute adverse effects in the patients using SPSS software.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 93 months (2–160 months). The 10-year OS of the NCT, CCRT, NC+CCRT groups vs the IMRT alone group was 69.8%, 63.4%, 69.7% vs 72.4%, respectively (P=0.664, 0.940, and 0.998, respectively). Both univariable and multivariable analyses showed that the addition of chemotherapy to IMRT did not significantly improve the 10-year survival outcomes. The hematotoxicity and mucous reaction of patients with chemotherapy were more serious than those with IMRT alone (P=0.007 and 0.049). Distant metastasis for stage II NPC patients mostly occurred within 3 years, which is very different from patients with advanced NPC.ConclusionPatients with stage II NPC who are treated with IMRT may obtain satisfactory long-term survival outcomes. The additional chemotherapy cannot significantly increase survival; however, it may remarkably increase treatment-associated acute toxic reactions.

Comparative toxicity outcomes of proton-beam therapy versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer in the postoperative setting.

Despite increasing utilization of proton-beam therapy (PBT) in the postprostatectomy setting, no data exist regarding toxicity outcomes relative to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The authors compared acute and late genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity outcomes in patients with prostate cancer (PC) who received treatment with postprostatectomy IMRT versus PBT. With institutional review board approval, patients with PC who received adjuvant or salvage IMRT or PBT (70.2 gray with an endorectal balloon) after prostatectomy from 2009 through 2017 were reviewed. Factors including combined IMRT and PBT and/or concurrent malignancies prompted exclusion. A case-matched cohort analysis was performed using nearest-neighbor 3-to-1 matching by age and GU/GI disorder history. Logistic and Cox regressions were used to identify univariate and multivariate associations between toxicities and cohort/dosimetric characteristics. Toxicity-free survival (TFS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Three hundred seven men (mean±SD age, 59.7±6.3years; IMRT, n=237; PBT, n=70) were identified, generating 70 matched pairs. The median follow-up was 48.6 and 46.1months for the IMRT and PBT groups, respectively. Although PBT was superior at reducing low-range (volumes receiving 10% to 40% of the dose, respectively) bladder and rectal doses (all P ≤ .01), treatment modality was not associated with differences in clinician-reported acute or late GU/GI toxicities (all P≥.05). Five-year grade ≥2 GU and grade ≥1 GI TFS was 61.1% and 73.7% for IMRT, respectively, and 70.7% and 75.3% for PBT, respectively; and 5-year grade ≥3 GU and GI TFS was >95% for both groups (all P≥.05). Postprostatectomy PBT minimized low-range bladder and rectal doses relative to IMRT; however, treatment modality was not associated with clinician-reported GU/GI toxicities. Future prospective investigation and ongoing follow-up will determine whether dosimetric differences between IMRT and PBT confer clinically meaningful differences in long-term outcomes.

IMRT is Associated with Lower Reconstruction Failure and Complication Rates Following Post-Mastectomy Radiation to a Reconstructed Breast

An increasing percentage of breast cancer patients receive post-mastectomy radiation with a reconstruction in place, as immediate reconstruction has become more prevalent. Post-mastectomy radiation can improve survival, but also impact reconstruction outcomes. We investigated the impact of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on reconstruction failure and complication rates compared with conventional radiation (CRT). A prospectively-collected institutional database was queried for women with stage I-III breast cancer treated 2000-2018, undergoing mastectomy, immediate reconstruction, and radiation to the reconstructed breast within 1 year of surgery. Patients were stratified into IMRT and CRT groups based on post-mastectomy radiation technique. Reconstruction failure was defined as complication requiring surgical revision or removal of the reconstruction. Complications were defined as infection, contracture, necrosis, or fibrosis. Covariates of interest included age, race, BMI, smoking status, stage, histology, hormonal status, HER2 status, systemic therapy type and timing, use of nodal radiation, and time to start of radiation. Differences in characteristics and complication crude rates were assessed with Chi-square or Fishers exact tests. Competing risk regression was used to estimate hazard ratios; covariates were included one at a time to avoid overadjustment. Cumulative incidence curves were estimated for time to first complication and compared using Gray’s test. A total of 206 breast cancers in 202 patients were included, with 139 in the IMRT group and 67 in the CRT group. Median follow up was 45 months (range 4-210), and patient cohorts were generally similar. Overall, reconstruction failure (6.9%) and complication (11.4%) rates were low. The IMRT group had significantly lower rates of reconstruction failure (2.9% vs 15.6%, p=0.002) and complications (5.8% vs 23.4%, p<0.001) compared to the CRT group. On univariate analysis, use of CRT was strongly predictive of reconstruction failure (HR 4.82, p=0.007) and complication (HR 3.89, p=0.002), and significance persisted on multivariable analysis, after adjusting separately for other significant predictors including age, post-menopausal status, implant reconstruction, chemotherapy, and time to start of radiation (failure: adjusted HR= 4.2 to 5.6, all p<0.05; complication: adjusted HR=3.4 to 4.1, all p<0.01). Survival outcomes were similar, with no difference in overall (p=0.12) and progression free (p=0.41) survival and similar distribution of locoregional and distant failures. Post-mastectomy IMRT can improve reconstruction outcomes over CRT, with significantly lower reconstruction failure and complication rates and no survival difference. Increasing the use of IMRT can make radiation to a reconstructed breast safer for patients and potentially broaden the population eligible for immediate reconstruction.

Scanning Beam Proton Therapy Versus Photon IMRT for Stage III Lung Cancer: Comparison of Dosimetry, Toxicity and Outcomes

Abstract Purpose There are limited clinical data on scanning-beam proton therapy (SPT) in treating locally advanced lung cancer, as most published studies have used passive-scatter technology. There is increasing interest in whether the dosimetric advantages of SPT compared with photon therapy can translate into superior clinical outcomes. We present our experience of SPT and photon intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with clinical dosimetry and outcomes in patients with stage III lung cancer. Methods and Materials Patients with stage III lung cancer treated at our center between 2013 and May 2018 were identified in compliance with our institutional review board (64 patients = 34 SPT + 30 IMRT). Most proton patients were treated with pencil beam scanning (28 of 34), and 6 of 34 were treated with uniform scanning. Fisher exact test, χ2 test, and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare groups. All tests were 2-sided. Results Patient characteristics were similar between the IMRT and SPT patients, except for worse lung function in the IMRT group. Mean dose to lung, heart, and esophagus was lower in the SPT group, with most benefit in the low-dose region (lungs, 9.7 Gy vs 15.7 Gy for SPT vs IMRT, respectively [P = .004]; heart, 7 Gy vs 14 Gy [P = .001]; esophagus, 28.2 Gy vs 30.9 Gy [P = .023]). Esophagitis and dermatitis grades were not different between the 2 groups. Grade 2+ pneumonitis was 21% in the SPT group and 40% in the IMRT group (P = .107). Changes in blood counts were not different between the 2 groups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were not different between SPT and IMRT (median overall survival, 41.6 vs 30.7 months, respectively [P = .52]; median progression-free survival, 19.5 vs 14.6 months [P = .50]). Conclusions We report our experience with SPT and IMRT in stage III lung cancer. Our cohort of patients treated with SPT had lower doses to normal organs (lungs, heart, esophagus) than our IMRT cohort. There was no statistically significant difference in toxicity rates or survival, although there may have been a trend toward lower rates of pneumonitis.

IMRT Reduces Acute Toxicity in Patients Treated with Preoperative Chemoradiation for Gastric Cancer

Two large randomized trials are currently investigating preoperative chemoradiation for localized gastric adenocarcinoma. However, radiation therapy (RT) can be associated with relatively high rates of acute toxicity. Newer techniques, such as intensity modulated RT (IMRT), could reduce toxicity by reducing radiation dose to normal structures. Our goal was to compare rates of toxicity, toxicity-related events, and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3D conformal RT (3DCRT). The records of 202 gastric cancer patients treated with preoperative intent RT at our institution from 1998-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, treatment details, acute and late toxicities (CTCAE 4.0), progression and survival data were recorded. Patients who had stage IV disease were excluded. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Cox regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier survival. 54% were male, and the median age was 63. 82 patients received 3DCRT and 120 patients received IMRT. The median radiation dose was 45Gy (IQR: 45-45 Gy). 78% of patients in the 3DCRT group and 95% of patients in the IMRT group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to RT (p=0.001). 99% of patients in both groups received concurrent chemotherapy. There were no significant differences between the 3DCRT and IMRT groups with respect to gender, race, histology, tumor, or nodal stage. The rate of grade 3-4 acute toxicity was significantly lower in patients treated with IMRT compared to those treated with 3DCRT (53% vs. 73%, p=0.004). The composite rate of toxicity-related events (hospitalization, feeding tube, IV rehydration or RT breaks) was also significantly lower in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3DCRT (56% vs. 85%, p<0.001). 73% of patients who received 3DCRT and 68% of patients who received IMRT underwent subsequent surgical resection (p=0.245). Among patients who underwent surgical resection, there was no significant difference in the rate of positive margins between those who received 3DCRT and those who received IMRT (7% vs 15%, p=0.13). Among patients who underwent surgical resection, the 3-year OS and PFS rates were not significantly different in patients receiving 3DCRT compared to IMRT (OS 73% vs. 73%, p=0.93, PFS 65% vs. 64%, p=0.68). Among patients who did not undergo surgical resection, the 3-year OS and PFS rates were also not significantly different in patients receiving 3DCRT compared to IMRT (OS 27% vs. 28%, p=0.93; PFS 19% vs. 14%, p=0.69). Our study indicates a reduction in the rates of grade 3-4 acute toxicity and toxicity-associated events in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3DCRT, with no significant difference in oncologic outcomes. These findings suggest that IMRT should be considered as the preferred radiation modality in patients treated with preoperative chemoradiation for gastric cancer.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy does not decrease the risk of malnutrition in esophageal cancer patients during radiotherapy compared to three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy.

Esophageal cancer is a lethal disease of global scope. Radiotherapy is the main method to treat esophageal cancer; however, it concurrently leads to malnutrition. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is superior to three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in dosimetry and clinical outcomes. In this cohort study, we aimed to compare the effect of 3D-CRT and IMRT on malnutrition status. We retrospectively included 79 esophageal cancer patients (IMRT: n=27, 3D-CRT: n=52) who received radiotherapy. We collected nutrition indexes at the beginning, the second week, and the end of radiotherapy. Paired-T test was used to evaluate the nutrition status during radiotherapy in each group. Chi-square test and independent-sample T-test were applied to compare the dynamic changes of indexes between IMRT and 3D-CRT groups. The baselines of the two groups are comparable. Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) score, body weight, BMI, hemoglobin, lymphocyte, total protein, and albumin values were significantly reduced during radiotherapy in both groups. The dynamic changes of nutrition indexes during radiotherapy were not significantly different between the IMRT and 3D-CRT groups. Besides, no difference was found for radiation esophagitis or treatment completion between the two groups. Malnutrition occurs in esophageal cancer patients during radiotherapy. IMRT did not significantly decrease the risk of malnutrition compared to 3D-CRT.

Clinical Outcomes of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Following Intracavitary/Interstitial Brachytherapy in Cervical Cancer: A Single Institution Retrospective Experience.

Purpose: To evaluate treatment outcomes and toxicity in patients with cervical cancer (CC) treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), followed by three-dimensional high-dose-rate intracavity combined with interstitial brachytherapy (IC/IS BT) compared with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment.Materials and Methods: A total of 398 patients with stage IA–IVB CC treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed (331 VMAT and 67 IMRT). A total prescription dose of 45–50 Gy was delivered to pelvic field with VMAT/IMRT in 25/28 fractions, with five fractions per week. Every patient further received IC/IS BT for four to six 6.0-Gy fractions. Local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were calculated. Acute hematotoxicity and late toxicity were recorded.Results: The median follow-up period was 25.47 (range, 0.93–58.93) months for the VMAT and 35.07 (4.8–90.37) months for IMRT. The 3-year OS, DFS, LC, and DMFS rate were 80.5, 65.4, 88.7, and 78.1% in VMAT group, and 76.2, 76.4, 83.1, and 86.1% in the IMRT group, respectively. No significant differences were found between VMAT and IMRT groups for OS, DFS, LC, and DMFS rate. However, patients in the VMAT group had lower incidence of chronic enterocolitis complication (26.6 vs. 38.8%, p = 0.004). In addition, a total of 3 (0.9%) patients developed grade 3 chronic cystitis, and 7 (2.1%) patients developed grade 3 or greater chronic enterocolitis in VMAT group.Conclusion: VMAT combined with IC/IS BT can result in satisfactory curative outcomes and low incidences of late radiation enterocolitis and cystitis in CC treatment.

Quality Assurance of Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy in a Randomized Trial for Locally Advanced Oesophageal cancer

The ongoing phase 2/3 PRODIGE 26/CONCORDE trial compares chemoradiation therapy with and without dose escalation in patients with locally advanced or unresectable esophageal cancer. The results of a benchmark case procedure are reported here to evaluate the protocol compliance of participating centers as part of quality assurance for radiation therapy. Volume delineation, target coverage, and dose constraints to the organs at risk (OARs) were assessed on treatment plans of a common benchmark case performed by each participating center. The centers were classified in 3 categories: per protocol, minor acceptable deviation (MiD), or major unacceptable deviation (MaD). A plan was rejected if ≥4 MiDs or 1 MaD were found. Thirty-5 centers submitted 43 plans. Among them, 14 (32.6%) were per protocol, 19 (44.2%) presented at least 1 MiD, 2 (4.6%) presented at least 1 MaD, and 8 (18.6%) presented both MiD and MaD. Overall, 11 (25.6%) plans were rejected. Only 1 plan was rejected because gross tumor volume was not correctly delineated. The OAR delineation was respected in all cases. Dose constraints to the OARs were respected in the majority of cases except for the heart, where one-third of the plans presented a deviation. As for the target volume, 3 plans (5.8%) had a major underdosage and 1 plan (1.9%) had a major overdosage. Overall, 58% of all treatments were planned with intensity modulated radiation therapy, whereas 42% were planned with 3-dimensional chemoradiation therapy. Significantly more plans in the intensity modulated radiation therapy group were accepted compared with the 3-dimensional chemoradiation therapy group (P = .03). The high frequency of protocol deviations underlines the importance of a quality assurance program in clinical trials. Further work should assess the impact of quality assurance for radiation therapy on patient outcomes.

Correlation between pelvic bone marrow radiation dose and acute hematological toxicity in cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation.

PurposeTo evaluate the association between pelvic bone marrow (BM) dose volume parameters and probability of acute hematological toxicity (HT), a cohort of cervical cancer patients receiving definitive chemoradiation (CRT) was assessed.Materials and methodsMedical records of patients treated by CRT (45 Gy in 25 fractions, without dose constraints applied to the BM) were reviewed. Baseline and weekly hematological parameters were collected. BM was retrospectively delineated and divided into sub-sites: iliac crests, lower pelvis, lumbosacral region. BM volumes (V) receiving 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 Gy (V5, V10, V20, V30, V40, respectively) and mean dose (Dm) were calculated. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations between HT and dose-volume histograms parameters.Results114 patients were included. 75.4% were treated with 3D radiation therapy and 24.6% were receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Neither age, chemotherapy regimen (cisplatin vs carboplatin), number of chemotherapy cycles, performance status, body mass index, or para-aortic irradiation were associated with HT. In univariate analysis, more frequent grade 3+ leukopenia was found in the IMRT group (odds ratio [OR]: 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4–9.1; p=0.007). In multivariate analysis, grade 4 HT was associated with lower pelvis V5>95% (OR 4.1; 95% CI, 1.6–14. p=0.02), lower pelvis V20>45% (OR 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1–13.4; p=0.05), total pelvic bone V20>65%, and iliac crests Dm >31 Gy (OR 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4–14.7; p=0.02).ConclusionThe following dose constraints could be proposed to decrease acute HT risk: lower pelvis V5<95%, lower pelvis V20≤45%, total pelvic bone V20<65%, and iliac crests Dm <31 Gy.

Postoperative adjuvant IMRT for patients with HCC and portal vein tumor thrombus: An open-label randomized controlled trial

AimsTo investigate the impact of postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) after partial hepatectomy +/− thrombectomy. MethodsFrom July 2013 to June 2016, consecutive patients with HCC and PVTT who underwent partial hepatectomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups: a control group and an adjuvant IMRT group. Survival outcomes in the 2 groups were studied. ResultsThe 52 patients in this study were equally randomized into 2 groups with comparable clinicopathological data. The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 9.1 ± 1.6 months, 18.9 ± 1.8 months for the adjuvant RT group and 4.1 ± 0.5 months, 10.8 ± 1.3 months for the control group, respectively. The 1-, 2- and 3-years overall survival rates were significantly better in the adjuvant IMRT group (76.9%, 19.2%, and 11.5%; respectively) than the control group (26.9%, 11.5% and 0%, respectively; p = 0.005). ConclusionsPostoperative IMRT significantly improved the overall survival outcomes in patients with HCC and PVTT after partial hepatectomy +/− thrombectomy.

Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy versus Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy in Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Cervical Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Comparison of Survival Outcomes and Toxicities.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the survival and toxicities in cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CESCC) treated by concurrent chemoradiothrapy with either three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques.Materials and MethodsA total of 112 consecutive CESCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. 3D-CRT and IMRT groups had been analyzed by propensity score matching method, with sex, age, Karnofsky performance status, induction chemotherapy, and tumor stage well matched. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Toxicities were compared between two groups by Fisher exact test.ResultsWith a median follow-up time of 34.9 months, the 3-year OS (p=0.927) and PFS (p=0.859) rate was 49.6% and 45.8% in 3D-CRT group, compared with 54.4% and 42.8% in IMRT group. The rates of grade ≥ 3 esophagitis, grade ≥ 2 pneumonitis, esophageal stricture, and hemorrhage were comparable between two groups, while the rate of tracheostomy dependence was much higher in IMRT group than 3D-CRT group (14.3% vs.1.8%, p=0.032). Radiotherapy technique (hazard ratio [HR], 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01 to 0.79) and pretreatment hoarseness (HR, 0.12; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.70) were independently prognostic of tracheostomy dependence.ConclusionNo survival benefits had been observed while comparing IMRT versus 3D-CRT in CESCC patients. IMRT with fraction dose escalation and pretreatment hoarseness were considered to be associated with a higher risk for tracheostomy dependence. Radiation dose escalation beyond 60 Gy should be taken into account carefully when using IMRT with hypofractionated regimen.

Comparison of 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with endometrial cancer: efficacy, safety and prognostic analysis

Introduction: Adjuvant whole-pelvic radiation therapy (WPRT) improves locoregional control for high-intermediate stages I–III endometrial cancer patients. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) tends to replace the standard 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) technique used in trials.Material and methods: Consecutive patients with stages I–IIIc endometrial cancer treated between 2008 and 2014 in our department with post-operative 3DCRT or IMRT WPRT were studied retrospectively. Patients with cervical involvement underwent additional low-dose rate vaginal brachytherapy. The impact of the WPRT technique on local control, tolerance, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed. Clinicians evaluated routinely acute radiation toxicity each week during radiation therapy and late toxicity during standard follow-up consultations.Results: Median follow-up was 50 months (range: 6–158). Among the 83 patients included, 47 were treated with 3DCRT and 36 with IMRT. There was no difference in patient characteristics between groups. The 5-year locoregional control and DFS rates were 94.5% and 68%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the 3DCRT and IMRT groups in terms of survival, with 5-year OS rates of 74.6% and 78%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age over 68, stage > T1 and grade 3 were independently associated with shorter DFS and OS. Seven patients (8.4%) had grades 3–4 acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity with five patients (10.6%) and two (5.4%) in the 3DCRT and IMRT groups, respectively (p = .69). One case (1.2%) of late grade 3 GI toxicity was observed treated in 3DCRT.Conclusions: IMRT seems to be a safe technique for the treatment of endometrial cancer with a trend towards decreased acute GI toxicities. Results of the phase 3 RTOG 1203 trial are needed to confirm these results.

The Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy vs . the 3D-Conformal Radiotherapy Regarding Acute Radiation Skin Toxicity and TreatmentRelated Lymphopenia in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients

Adjuvant radiotherapy is an integral part of breast cancer treatment, and there was a great evolution of radiotherapy techniques over the past few years. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was developed in the 1990s as a modern technique aiming to spare normal tissues from toxic effects of radiotherapy. This study aimed at comparing the IMRT technique to the 3D-coformal radiotherapy technique (3D-CRT) in early breast cancer patients regarding the occurrence of acute skin toxicities and treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL). It is a prospective study conducted on 100 eligible patients who were divided equally between two groups; the first, are patients received adjuvant radiotherapy using IMRT technique and the second group were those who received 3D-CRT. Results showed that sever acute skin toxicity or moist desquamation in IMRT group was 6% vs. 18% in 3DCRT group (p<0.05). And, the sever TRL with IMRT technique was 9% compared 21% among those of the 3D-CRT group (p<0.05). The IMRT technique resulted in statistically significant lower incidence of sever acute skin toxicities as well as less sever TRL when compared with 3D-CRT technique.

NACT+IMRT versus NACT+IMRT+CCRT in locoregionally advanced NPC patients: a retrospective study.

The outcomes and safety profiles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) + intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or NACT + IMRT + concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were retrospectively analyzed. Between 2010 and 2014, 125 patients with stage III-IVb NPC, who were treated with IMRT (36, 28.8%) or IMRT + CCRT (89, 71.2%) following NACT, participated in the research. There were grade 3-4 toxicities during NACT or radiotherapy (RT) in NACT + IMRT group and NACT + IMRT + CCRT group. MRI within 3 months demonstrated that no patient suffered with progressive disease, 116 patients (92.8%) achieved a response rate (RR) with the complete response (CR) rate of 70.4% (88/125) and partial response (PR) rate of 22.4% (28/125), and nine patients (7.2%) showed stable disease (SD) at the primary site and metastatic nodes. Compared with NACT + IMRT group, patients in NACT + IMRT + CCRT group did not show significantly better RR (93.3% vs 91.7%, P=1.00), CR rate (71.9% vs 66.7%, P=0.67), or PR rate (21.4% vs 25%, P=0.81). There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS, P=0.114), local relapse-free survival (LRFS, P=0.124), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, P=0.668) or progression-free survival (PFS, P=0.475) between NACT + IMRT group and NACT + IMRT + CCRT group. T classification (P=0.042) and N classification (P=0.021) were independent prognostic factors for DMFS. To sum up, no significant difference was observed in combined RR, CR rate, LRFS, DMFS, PFS, or OS between the two groups.

The effect of IMRT on acute toxicity in patients with gastric cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation.

153 Background: Two trials are currently investigating preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) for localized gastric adenocarcinoma. However, radiation therapy (RT) can be associated with relatively high rates of acute toxicity. Newer techniques, such as intensity modulated RT (IMRT), could reduce toxicity by reducing radiation dose to normal structures. Our goal was to compare rates of toxicity and toxicity-related events in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3D conformal RT (3DCRT). Methods: The records of 202 gastric cancer patients treated with preoperative intent RT at our institution from 1998-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, treatment details, acute and late toxicities (CTCAE 4.0 criteria), progression and survival data were recorded. Patients who had stage IV disease were excluded. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Cox regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier survival. Results: 54% were male and the median age was 63. 82 patients received 3DCRT and 120 patients received IMRT (median 45Gy, IQR, 45-45Gy in each group). 78% of patients in the 3DCRT group and 91% of patients in the IMRT group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to RT. 99% of patients received concurrent chemotherapy. The rate of grade 3-4 acute toxicity was significantly lower in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3DCRT (53% vs. 73%, p = 0.004). The composite rate of toxicity-related events (hospitalization, feeding tube, IV rehydration, or RT break) was also significantly lower in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3DCRT (80% vs. 91%, p = 0.031). 72% of patients who received 3DCRT and 68% of patients who received IMRT underwent subsequent surgical resection. The 3-year OS rate was 58.1% for patients receiving IMRT and 60.2% for patients receiving 3DCRT (p = 0.649). The 3-year PFS rate was 47.5% for patients receiving IMRT and 52.7% for patients receiving 3DCRT (p = 0.486). Conclusions: Our study indicates a marked reduction in the rates of grade 3-4 acute toxicity and toxicity-associated events in patients treated with IMRT compared to 3DCRT. These findings suggest that IMRT should be considered as the radiation modality in patients treated with preoperative CRT for gastric cancer.

Comparison of efficacy and safety between late-course and simultaneous integrated dose-increasing intensity-modulated radiation therapy for cervical cancer complicated with pelvic lymph node metastasis

Abstract Objective This study aimed to compare and analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of late-course and simultaneous integrated dose-increasing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer complicated with pelvic lymph node metastasis. Methods Sixty patients with cervical cancer complicated with pelvic lymph node metastasis who were admitted to our hospital from January 2013 to January 2015 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into the late-course dose-increasing IMRT group and the simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT group, with 30 cases included in each group, respectively. All patients were concurrently treated with cisplatin. After treatment, the clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results The remission rate of symptoms in the simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT group was significantly higher than that in the late-course dose-increasing IMRT group (P &lt; 0.05). The follow-up results showed that the overall survival time, progression-free survival time, and distant metastasis time of patients in the simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT group were significantly longer than those in the late-course dose-increasing IMRT group (P &lt; 0.05). The recurrent rate of lymph nodes in the radiation field in the simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT group was significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than in the late-course dose-increasing IMRT group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of cervical and vaginal recurrence and distant metastasis between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). The radiation doses of Dmax in the small intestine, D1cc (the minimum dose to the 1 cc receiving the highest dose) in the bladder, and Dmax in the rectum in the simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT group were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than in the late-course dose-increasing IMRT group. There was no significant difference in intestinal D2cc (the minimum dose to the 2 cc receiving the highest dose) between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). The incidence of bone marrow suppression in the simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT group was significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than in the late-course dose-increasing IMRT group. Conclusion The application of simultaneous integrated dose-increasing IMRT in the treatment of cervical cancer patients complicated with pelvic lymph node metastasis can significantly control tumor progression, improve the long-term survival time, and postpone distant metastasis time with high safety.

Influence of 3D-CRT and conformal IMRT on thyroid function of patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer and comparison of clinical efficacy.

Clinical efficacy in patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer was compared between three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and conformal intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Medical data of 120 esophageal cancer patients undergoing RT in the Radiology Department in Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology (Xiaogan, China) from March 2015 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 3D-CRT group (treated with 3D-CRT, n=60) and IMRT group (treated with IMRT, n=60). The target conformal index (CI), PTV maximum dose (Dmax), PTV Dmin and PTV Dmean in both groups were observed. Changes in double-lung V5, double-lung V20, double-lung V30 and spinal cord Dmax in both groups were also observed. The serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were detected via chemiluminescence assay. Moreover, the short-term efficacy and radiation injury were observed. CI in IMRT group was significantly higher than that in 3D-CRT group (P<0.001). The organ-at-risk dose parameter V20 in IMRT group was obviously lower than that in 3D-CRT group (P<0.001). Serum FT3 and FT4 concentrations in both groups before RT were significantly higher than those after RT (P<0.05), but the TSH concentration was significantly lower than that after RT (P<0.05). Serum FT3 and FT4 concentrations in IMRT group after RT were obviously higher than those in 3D-CRT group (P<0.05). The incidence rates of radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonitis in IMRT group were remarkably lower than those in 3D-CRT group (P<0.05). IMRT can reduce the double-lung V20 in patients, improve the target conformal degree, better protect the normal tissues, cause less damage to thyroid function, and reduce radiation injury during and after RT of esophageal cancer.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and hypofractionated volumetric modulated arc therapy for elderly patients with breast cancer: comparison of acute and late toxicities.

To evaluate the differences between conventional fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and hypofractionated (HypoRT) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in elderly women affected by early-stage breast cancer (BC) in terms of RT-related acute/late side effect. Between October 2011 and July 2015, 80 consecutive elderly BC patients were treated with IMRT for 5weeks (40 patients) or HypoRT-VMAT for 3weeks (40 patients). Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 70years, early BC (pT1-2 pN0-1), no prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy and non-metastatic disease. For patients receiving IMRT or HypoRT-VMAT, a total dose of 50Gy (25 fractions) or 40.5Gy (15 fractions) was prescribed to the whole ipsilateral breast, respectively. All patients received a simultaneously integrated boost up to a total dose of 60Gy for IMRT and 48Gy for HypoRT-VMAT. Acute and late side effects were evaluated using the RTOG/EORTC radiation morbidity scoring system. With a median follow-up of 45months, acute skin toxicity was overall very low, with grade 1 in 25 cases (62.5%) of the IMRT group and 21 cases (52.5%) of the HypoRT-VMAT group, while grade 2 toxicity was reported in 10 IMRT patients (25%) and 1 HypoRT-VMAT patient (2.5%) (p = 0.001). Regarding late adverse events, only grade 1 skin toxicity was recorded. The present study showed that whole breast IMRT and HypoRT-VMAT are feasible and well tolerated in early-stage BC elderly patients and that HypoRT-VMAT is affected by lower risk of acute and late RT-related side effects.

Impact of VMAT-IMRT compared to 3D conformal radiotherapy on anal sphincter dose distribution in neoadjuvant chemoradiation of rectal cancer

BackgroundNeoadjuvant radio- or chemoradiation (nIRT) therapy is the standard treatment for loco-regional advanced rectal cancer patients of the lower or middle third. Currently, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is not the recommended radiation technique even though IMRT has advantages compared to 3D-radiation regarding dose sparing to organs at risk like small bowel and urinary bladder. So far, the benefit of IMRT concerning the anal sphincter complex is not examined. With this study we intended to evaluate the dose distribution on the anal sphincters of rectal cancer patients treated with IMRT in comparison with 3D-techniques.MethodsWe selected 16 patients for the IMRT-group and 16 patients for the 3D-group with rectal cancer of the middle third who were treated in our institute. All patients received 45 Gy in a chemoradiation protocol. Patients in both groups were matched regarding stage, primary tumor distance to the anal verge and size of the tumor. We delineated the internal and external anal sphincters, the addition of both sphincters and the levator ani muscle in all patients. Subsequently, we evaluated and compared dose parameters of the different sphincters in both groups and analysed the configuration of the isodoses in the area of the caudal radiation field, respectively.ResultsMost of the relevant dose parameters of the caudal sphincters (Dmean, Dmedian, V10–V40) were significantly reduced in the IMRT-group compared to the 3D-group. Accordingly, the isodoses at the caudal edge of the target volume in the IMRT group demonstrated a steep dose fall. The levator ani muscle always was included into the planned target volumes and received the full dose in both groups.ConclusionsThe modern VMAT-IMRT can significantly reduce the dose to the anal sphincters for rectal cancer patients of the middle third who were treated with conventional chemoradiation therapy.

Chemoradiation in female patients with anal cancer: Patient-reported outcome of acute and chronic side effects.

We evaluated acute and chronic side effects of 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in female patients with anal carcinoma and accessed correlations between dosimetric parameters and the considered toxicities. For 70 women with anal cancer treated at our department, acute and chronic side effects and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated with questionnaires using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v. 4.0.) and Late Effects in Normal Tissue, Subjective, Objective Management and Analytic Scales (LentSoma) before, during, and after the treatment. Forty-seven out of 70 (67%) patients completed the questionnaire and were enrolled in the study. Only poor urinary stream, loss of pubic hair during chemoradiation, and chronic vaginal dryness were observed more frequently in the 3D-CRT group compared to the IMRT group (univariable logistic regression p = .032, p = .04, p = .049, respectively). After the treatment, 43% in the 3D-CRT group and 29% in the IMRT group reported a severe loss of QoL. A higher proportion among the patients receiving a genital V20 ⩾35% showed grade 1-3 side effects such as chronic dyspareunia ( p = .035; Fisher exact test). Our results suggest that the use of IMRT decreases acute and chronic adverse effects although reduced QoL also occurred in the IMRT group. These effects are likely to be underreported in retrospective studies using physician-reported outcome measures.