Local Progression-free Survival Research Articles

Exploring Radiotherapy as a Promising Alternative for Managing Advanced Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Rescuing Chemotherapy-Intolerant Patients

PurposeTo investigate the safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy for advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients intolerant to chemotherapy. MethodsData for 21 patients with advanced UTUC intolerant to chemotherapy were retrospectively collected. All patients were treated with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (50-70 Gy/20-33 f) or partial-SABR boost to the lesions (50-60 Gy/20-25 f with tumor center boosted with 6-8 Gy/f, 3-5 f) for bulky tumors. ResultsThe median age was 75 years (range, 58-87 years). Primary tumor resection was performed for all patients and none underwent metastatic resection. Seventeen (81%) patients had oligometastasis (1-5 metastases) at diagnosis. Eighteen (85.7%) received irradiation to all tumor lesions. Lymph node metastasis was predominant in the whole group (17/21). Other lesions were distributed as local recurrence (7/21), bone metastases (2/21) and abdominal wall/muscle (2/21). The median follow-up time was 38.5 months (interquartile range, 15.2-48.7 months). Rate of local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the whole group at 1 year were 90%, 46.6%, and 80.4%, respectively. At 3 years, LC, PFS and OS were 65.6%, 26.6%, and 40.9%, respectively. Fourteen patients developed acute mild gastrointestinal toxicity, generally of grade 1-2; 8 patients developed acute grade 1-2 hematological toxicity, consisting mainly of anemia and leukopenia. No grade 3 or higher acute or late toxicities were observed. ConclusionFor patients with advanced UTUC who are not able to tolerate chemotherapy, radiotherapy is a safe treatment and can achieve good local tumor control.

Clinical Outcomes of Proton Beam Therapy for Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

PurposeWe retrospectively researched the treatment outcome of proton beam therapy (PBT) and assessed its efficacy for inoperable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) at our institution. Materials and MethodsFifty-four patients (28 males and 26 females, median age 67 years of ranges from 40 to 88 years were diagnosed with unresectable stage III LAPC and administered PBT from April 2009 to March 2020. Either patients who could not complete PBT, or had new distant metastases during the treatment, or did not have enough follow-up time were excluded from this study. All patients were clinically staged based on the International Union of Cancer TNM staging system (UICC 8th edition) using CT, MRI, and PET, and were diagnosed as stage III (histologic type: eighteen adenocarcinoma patients, thirty-six clinically diagnosed patients). PBT was performed using the passive method, with a median total dose of 67.5 GyE (range: 50-77 GyE/25-35 fractions). Chemotherapy was used in combination during PBT in forty-six patients (85.2%). Overall survival (OS), local progression-free survival (LPFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and median overall survival time (MST) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the following factors: maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), ECOG-performance status (PS), tumor site, total irradiation dose, concurrent chemotherapy, and primary tumor site. Cutoff values for SUVmax and tumor diameter were estimated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) based on OS. Multivariate analysis was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards models. Adverse events were evaluated using CTCAE ver. 5.0. ResultsThe median observation period was 17.4 months of ranges from 4.0 to 89.7 months. The median tumor diameter was 36.5 mm of ranges from 15 to 90 mm, the median SUVmax was 5.85 (range: 2.1-27.6), and their cutoff values were estimated to 37 mm and 4.8 mm, respectively. 1-, 2-year OS were 77.8%, 35.2% with MST 18.2 months, respectively and only one patient survived more than 5 years. 12 patients (22.2%) developed local recurrence, and 1-, 2-year LPFS rate were 89.7% and 74.5%, respectively; PFS at 1-year was 58.8%. PS score, Tumor site and irradiation dose were the prognostic factor related to OS that showed a significant difference. On the other hand, there was a significant difference in factors involved in LPFS, 96.7%/77.9% in the first year and 86.6%/54.4% in the second year in the groups with tumor dose ≥67.5 GyE and <67.5 GyE, respectively (p = 0.015). Treatment-related acute toxicities were neutropenia (Grade1/2/3:3.7%/11.1%/31.5%), leukopenia (Grade 1/2/3:1.8%/7.4%/20.4%), and thrombocytopenia (Grade 1/2:1.8%/7.4%), while the late effects including peptic ulcer were captured only grade2+. The late adverse events of Grade 3 or higher were not observed. ConclusionsPBT achieving 67.5 Gy combined with standard chemotherapy showed the excellent local control for unresectable LAPC. Total irradiation dose, Tumor site and PS score at an initial diagnosis could be important prognostic factors. In this study, the dose-effect relationship was found so an increase in dose should be considered to improve prognosis.

Irreversible Electroporation in Treating Colorectal Liver Metastases in Proximity to Critical Structures

PurposeTo evaluate the safety, efficacy, and oncological outcomes of irreversible electroporation (IRE) of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) close to critical structures. Materials and MethodsThis is a single-center, institutional review board (IRB)–approved, retrospective analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous computed tomography (CT)–guided IRE of CRLM. Between August 2018 and October 2023, 26 patients had 46 tumors treated with percutaneous IRE in 30 ablation sessions. Primary end points were tumor response and local progression-free survival analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), distant progression-free survival (DPFS) analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, adverse events rated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and length of hospital stay. ResultsAll tumors were close to critical structures, including the portal and hepatic veins, inferior vena cava, bile ducts, and gallbladder. All patients received preprocedural systemic therapy (median 10 cycles). Median length of hospital stay was 1 night. Adverse events occurred in 7 (23%) of 30 procedures, with four Grade 1 and two Grade 2 adverse events, including pleural effusions (n = 2), ileus (n = 1), small hematoma (n = 1), and pneumothorax (n = 2) requiring chest tube placements. Following IRE, the 1- and 2-year local tumor progression-free survival rates were 55.0% and 51.3%. The median DPFS was 3.5 months, with 1- and 2-year DPFS rates of 23.3% and 9.7%. Six patients (23.1%) died during follow-up, with a median OS of 40.4 months. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 90.9% and 83.9%. ConclusionsIRE is a safe and viable option in the treatment of unresectable CRLMs in locations close to critical structures, but carries a risk of local recurrence.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for managing ovarian cancer oligoprogression under poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi)

ObjectivePoly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have become a new standard of care for the maintenance treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety...

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Residual, Recurrent, and Metastatic Hemangiopericytomas: A Single-Institution Retrospective Experience.

Hemangiopericytomas are infrequent vascular tumors originating from Zimmermann pericytes. The conventional treatment involves gross total resection, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Nevertheless, their tendency to infiltrate dural sinuses, high vascularity, and anatomic complexity pose challenges for radical resection, leading to a significant risk of recurrence. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as a promising adjuvant therapy to address these challenges. Our study provides the largest single-institutional retrospective, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SRS as a treatment modality for residual, recurrent, and metastatic hemangiopericytomas. From 1998 to 2023, 27 patients with 101 tumors underwent CyberKnife SRS at Stanford University Medical Center. The median age was 51 years at the time of treatment. The median follow-up period from SRS was 103 months (range: 6-250). All patients underwent upfront surgical resection. The median tumor volume was 1.5 cc. The median single-fraction equivalent dose was 19 Gy. The SRS was administered at the 76% of the median isodose line (range: 64-89). Of the 101 treated tumors, 24 (23.8%) progressed with a median time to recurrence of 30 months. At 10 years, the rates of local tumor control (LTC), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were 74.3%, 80.8%, and 67%, respectively. In patients with metastatic lesions, the LTC rates were significantly greater when compared with those with residual or recurrent tumors. There was no significant difference between patients with residual, recurrent, and metastatic hemangiopericytomas in OS and PFS. Notably, no cases of radiation-induced adverse events were detected. SRS leads to excellent LTC, PFS, and OS at 10 years with negligible risk for adverse events. Therefore, it is an effective and safe management modality for patients with residual, recurrent, and metastatic hemangiopericytomas.

The efficacy of cone-beam computed tomography-guided transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma survival: A systematic review.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) represents an alternative treatment option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, yet a comprehensive evaluation of CBCT guidance on this procedure and CBCT's impact on patient survival remains lacking. We aimed to assess the efficacy and benefits of CBCT-guided TACE in improving survival outcomes for patients with HCC and show the importance of CBCT in interventional radiology. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate CBCT-guided TACE compared to conventional TACE in the treatment of HCC. PubMed and Cochrane library databases were searched for studies published. Outcomes of interest included 1- or 3-year local progression-free survival (LPFS) rates, overall survival (OS) rates, and tumor response results. A total of eight studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 1176 patients. The analysis showed that CBCT-guided TACE improved 1-year LPFS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.81, P < 0.001), 3-year (OR = 4.42, P = 0.002), and the 3-year OS rates (OR = 3.03, Confidence Interval = 1.65-11.80, P = 0.14) compared to conventional TACE. CBCT-guided TACE enhances survival outcomes for patients with HCC; by addressing this research gap, our study endeavors to encourage clinicians and researchers to pursue this medical technology by providing a robust synthesis of current evidence.

Effectiveness and safety of sequential transarterial chemoembolization and microwave ablation for subphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive evaluation.

Subphrenic carcinoma has been identified as a significant risk factor for the thermal ablation of intrahepatic tumors, resulting in a high rate of residual tumor recurrence. Some studies have proposed that combination treatment with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) followed by radiofrequency ablation is both feasible and safe for tumors in the subphrenic region. However, research specifically examining the therapeutic outcomes of combination therapy using TACE and microwave ablation (TACE-MWA) in subphrenic tumors is lacking. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE-MWA in patients with subphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Between December 2017 and December 2021, 49 patients diagnosed with HCC ≤ 6 cm, who received TACE-MWA, were included in this retrospective cohort study. These patients were classified into subphrenic and non-subphrenic groups based on the distance between the diaphragm and the tumor margin. The rates of local tumor progression (LTP), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups. Complications were evaluated by using a grading system developed by the Society of Interventional Radiology. After a median follow-up time of 38 mo, there were no significant differences in LTP between the subphrenic and non-subphrenic groups (27.3% and 22.2% at 5 years, respectively; P = 0.66), PFS (55.5% at 5 years in both groups; P = 0.91), and OS (85.0% and 90.9% in the subphrenic and non-subphrenic groups at 5 years; P = 0.57). However, a significantly higher rate of LTP was observed in subphrenic HCC > 3 cm compared to those ≤ 3 cm (P = 0.085). The dosage of iodized oil [hazard ratio (HR): 1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.08; P = 0.009] and multiple tumors (HR: 13.22; 95%CI: 1.62-107.51; P = 0.016) were independent prognostic factors for LTP. There were no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups (P = 0.549). Combined TACE and MWA was practical and safe for managing subphrenic HCC. The efficacy and safety levels did not vary significantly when tumors outside the subphrenic region were treated.

Safety and efficacy of thermal ablation of adrenal metastases secondary to lung cancer

ObjectivesAssess safety and efficacy of thermal ablation for adrenal metastases (AM) secondary to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included patients with NSCLC AM treated with thermal ablation between 2/2010–11/2021. Local tumor progression free survival (LTPFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Adverse events were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5. ResultsSeven patients (mean age ± SD, 63.9 ± 12.5 years; 6 males) with seven AM were treated in eight sessions. Retreatment was performed in one patient with residual disease. Five sessions were with microwave ablation and 3 with radiofrequency ablation. Mean tumor size was 20.1 ± 7.0 mm. Median number of ablation probes used was 1 (range, 1–5), with a median of 3 activations (range, 1–3), and average ablation time of 14.4 ± 15.0 minutes. Response based on RECIST v 1.1 or PERCIST criteria revealed stable disease in 1 tumor, progression of disease in 3 tumors (one was re-ablated), and partial response in 3 tumors. Median LTPFS was not reached (NR) [95 % CI: 1- NR]. Median OS was 47.97 months (95 % CI: 18.63- NR).Intraprocedural hypertension (blood pressure ≥180 mmHg) occurred during 5/8 (62.5 %) sessions and intraoperative tachycardia occurred during 2/8 (25 %) sessions. Complications within one month of ablation occurred in 3/8 (37.5 %) sessions: grade 2 pneumothorax, grade 1 hematuria, and grade 2 adrenal insufficiency. ConclusionsIn this small series, thermal ablation for NSCLC AM resulted in prolonged local control and OS with no major complications.

Impact of Dosimetric Compromises on Early Outcomes of Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas Treated With Image-guided Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Beam Therapy

PurposeTo critically review the clinical factors, dosimetry, and their correlation with early outcomes in patients with chordomas and chondrosarcomas treated with pencil beam scanning proton beam therapy (PBS-PBT). MethodsConsecutive 64 patients diagnosed with chordoma, or chondrosarcoma treated at our centre were studied. Patient, tumor and treatment-related factors including dosimetry were captured. Early and late toxicities and early outcomes were evaluated and correlated with clinical and dosimetric factors using standard statistical tools. ResultsThe median age of patients was 39(4-74 years) and most common site was skullbase (47%) followed by sacrum(31%) and mobile spine(22%). The median prescription dose to the high-risk CTV for chordoma and chondrosarcoma was 70.4CGE(Cobalt Gray equivalent) and 66CGE at 2.2CGE per fraction respectively. At presentation to our centre, 55% presented after a recurrence/progression of which 17% received prior radiation and 32% had a significant neural compression. At the time of PBT, 25% of patients had suboptimal neural separation. Three-fourths of patients had at least an acceptable target coverage. While 11% had a tier-1 compromise (GTVD98<90%), 14% had a tier-2 compromise (GTVD98<59CGE). With a median follow-up of 27.5 months, 2-year local control and PFS was 86.7% and 81.8% for chordomas and 87.5% and 77.1% for chondrosarcomas respectively. Residual GTV>25cc and a tier-2 compromise were associated with inferior local control (HR-0.19,p=0.019; HR-0.061,p=0.022 respectively) and progression-free survival (HR-0.128,p=0.014; HR-0.194,p=0.025 respectively) on multivariate analysis. Despite multiple surgeries, a majority with recurrent disease and prior radiations, grade-3 acute and late toxicities were limited and comparable to others in the literature. ConclusionDespite multiple surgeries, adequate neural separation was challenging to achieve. Severe dosimetric compromise(GTVD98<59CGE) led to inferior early outcomes. Adequate neural separation is key to avoiding dosimetric compromise and achieving optimal local control.

Safety and Effectiveness of Irreversible Electroporation in Lymph Node Metastases

PurposeDemonstrating the safety and efficacy of percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) for the treatment of lymph node metastases.Materials and MethodsAn IRB-approved, single-center retrospective review was performed on patients with lymph node metastases gastrointestinal, and genitourinary primary cancers. Primary objective safety was evaluated by assessing complications graded according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification, and efficacy was determined by tumor response on follow-up imaging and local progression-free survival (LPFS). Secondary outcome measures were technical success (complete ablation with an adequate ablative margin > 5 mm), length of hospital stay and distant progression-free survival (DPFS).ResultsNineteen patients underwent percutaneous IRE between June 2018 and February 2023 for lymph node metastases, close to critical structures, such as vasculature, bowel, or nerves. The technical success was achieved in all cases. Complications occurred in four patients (21.1%), including two self-limiting grade 1 hematomas, a grade 1 abdominal pain, and grade 2 nerve pain treated with medication. Seventeen patients were hospitalized overnight, one patient stayed two nights and another patient stayed fourteen nights. Median follow-up was 25.5 months. Median time to local progression was 24.1 months (95% CI: 0–52.8) with 1-, 2-, and 5-year LPFS of 57.9%, 57.9% and 20.7%, respectively. Median time to distant progression was 4.3 months (95% CI: 0.3–8.3) with 1-, 2-, and 5-year DPFS of 31.6%, 13.2% and 13.2%, respectively.ConclusionIRE is a safe and effective minimally-invasive treatment for lymph node metastases in locations, where temperature dependent ablation may be contraindicated. Care should be taken when employing IRE near nerves.Graphical

Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: Multi-Institutional Evaluation of Stereotactic Radiosurgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare low-grade glial tumor primarily affecting young individuals. Surgery is the primary treatment option; however, managing residual/recurrent tumors remains uncertain. This international multi-institutional study retrospectively assessed the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for PXA. METHODS: A total of 36 PXA patients (53 tumors) treated at 11 institutions between 1996 and 2023 were analyzed. Data included demographics, clinical variables, SRS parameters, tumor control, and clinical outcomes. Kaplan-Meier estimates summarized the local control (LC), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Secondary end points addressed adverse radiation effects and the risk of malignant transformation. Cox regression analysis was used. RESULTS: A total of 38 tumors were grade 2, and 15 tumors were grade 3. Nine patients underwent initial gross total resection, and 10 received adjuvant therapy. The main reason for SRS was residual tumors (41.5%). The median follow-up was 34 months (range, 2-324 months). LC was achieved in 77.4% of tumors, with 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year LC estimates at 86.7%, 82.3%, and 77.8%, respectively. Younger age at SRS (hazard ratios [HR] 3.164), absence of peritumoral edema (HR 4.685), and higher marginal dose (HR 6.190) were significantly associated with better LC. OS estimates at 1, 2, and 5 years were 86%, 74%, and 49.3%, respectively, with a median OS of 44 months. Four patients died due to disease progression. Radiological adverse radiation effects included edema (n = 8) and hemorrhagic change (n = 1). One grade 3 PXA transformed into glioblastoma 13 months after SRS. CONCLUSION: SRS offers promising outcomes for PXA management, providing effective LC, reasonable progression-free survival, and minimal adverse events.

CT-Guided Percutaneous Cryoablation of Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Experience.

This study shall retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of liquid-nitrogen based CT-guided cryoablation (CA) as a minimal-invasive technique for the curative treatment of primary breast cancer. A total of 45 female patients with 56 tumors were treated by CT-guided CA in analgosedation as an outpatient procedure. We used a liquid-nitrogen based system with a single cryoprobe and performed two freeze cycles with an intermediate thawing. The mean tumor diameter was 1.6 ± 0.7 cm. Follow-up was conducted via contrast-enhanced MR images of the breast. No complications were observed in all 56 ablations. Initial complete ablation was achieved in 100% of cases. Four cases of local tumor progression were reported, resulting in a rate of 8.9%, and 6 cases of intramammary distant recurrence at a rate of 13.3%. The extramammary tumor progression was observed in 7 patients at a rate of 15.6%. The mean overall survival was 4.13 years (95% CI: 3.7-4.5). The mean overall progression-free survival was 2.5 years (95% CI: 1.8-3.2) and the mean local progression-free survival was 2.9 years (95% CI: 2.3-3.6). Cryoablation is a safe and effective treatment for primary breast cancer tumors, which can be performed in analgosedation and as an outpatient procedure. However, potential for improvement exists and further evidence is necessary.

Hypofractionated proton and carbon ion beam radiotherapy for sacrococcygeal chordoma (ISAC): An open label, randomized, stratified, phase II trial

IntroductionSacrococcygeal chordomas have high recurrence rates and are challenging to treat. MethodsIn this phase II prospective, randomized, stratified trial, the safety and feasibility of hypofractionated ion radiation therapy were investigated. The primary focus was monitored through the incidence of Grade 3–5 NCI-CTC-AE toxicity. Secondary endpoints included local progression-free (LPFS) and overall survival (OS). ResultsThe study enrolled 82 patients with primary (87 %) and recurrent (13 %) inoperable or incompletely resected sacral chordomas from January 2013 to July 2022, divided equally into proton therapy (Arm A) and carbon ion beam therapy (Arm B) groups, each receiving a total dose of 64 Gy (RBE) in 16 fractions, 5–6 fractions per week. Overall 74 % of patients received no previous surgery and 66 % of tumors were confirmed by a brachyury staining. The mean and median Gross Tumor Volume at the time of treatment (GTV) was 407 ml and 185 ml, respectively. The median follow-up of the surviving patients was 44.7 months, and the 2-year and 4-year OS rates were 96 % and 81 %, respectively. Factors such as smaller GTV and younger age trended towards better OS. The LPFS after 2-year and 4-year was 84 % and 70 %, respectively. Male gender emerged as a significant predictor of LPFS. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups. We observed five grade 4 wound healing disorders (6 %). ConclusionThe initial response rates were promising; however local control was not sustained. More comparative research on fractionation schemes is essential to refine treatment approaches for inoperable sacral chordoma.

Angiosarcoma: clinical outcomes and prognostic factors, a single-center analysis

PurposeThis study sought to investigate oncological outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with angiosarcomas (AS).MethodsThis single-center, retrospective cohort study, analyzed histopathologically confirmed AS cases. Primarily diagnosed, locally recurrent and metastatic AS were included. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and local progression-free survival (LPFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimator. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to detect factors associated with OS and LPFS.ResultsIn total, 118 patients with a median follow-up of 6.6 months were included. The majority presented with localized disease (62.7%), followed by metastatic (31.4%) and locally recurrent (5.9%) disease. Seventy-four patients (62.7%) received surgery, of which 29 (39.2%) were treated with surgery only, 38 (51.4%) with surgery and perioperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and 7 (9.4%) with surgery, perioperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Multivariable Cox regression of OS showed a significant association with age per year (hazard ratio (HR): 1.03, p = 0.044) and metastatic disease at presentation (hazard ratio: 3.24, p = 0.015). For LPFS, age per year (HR: 1.04, p = 0.008), locally recurrent disease at presentation (HR: 5.32, p = 0.013), and metastatic disease at presentation (HR: 4.06, p = 0.009) had significant associations. Tumor size, epithelioid components, margin status, and perioperative RT and/or CTX were not significantly associated with OS or LPFS.ConclusionOlder age and metastatic disease at initial presentation status were negatively associated with OS and LPFS. Innovative and collaborative effort is warranted to overcome the epidemiologic challenges of AS by collecting multi-institutional datasets, characterizing AS molecularly and identifying new perioperative therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Clinical efficacy and prognostic factors of CT-guided radioactive iodine-125 seed implantation for the treatment of superficial soft tissue metastasis: a 12-year retrospective analysis

BackgroundSuperficial soft tissue metastasis (S-STM) of malignant tumors is uncommon and often brings great pain to patients. However, current treatment options are limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical efficacy and prognostic factors of CT-guided radioactive iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation (RISI) for the treatment of S-STM.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 132 patients with S-STM who received RISI between June 2010 and July 2022. Local tumor progression-free survival (ltPFS), tumor response, pain control and complication were analyzed. The independent factors affecting ltPFS were screened out using a layered Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 8.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 4.5–15.3 months). The objective response rate (ORR) was 81.8%. The median ltPFS was 9.1 (95% CI: 6.6, 11.6) months. The Cox proportional hazard regression model revealed that the independent factors influencing ltPFS included KPS score, primary tumor, metastases, boundary, density and postoperative D90 (All P < 0.05). After RISI, the rate of pain relief was 92.3%. 66 (84.6%) patients reported pain marked relief, and 6 (7.7%) experienced pain moderate relief. No severe adverse events associated with RISI were observed during follow-up.ConclusionsCT-guided RISI was associated with high local control and pain relief without severe adverse events and should be considered as a reliable palliative treatment modality for S-STM.Trial registrationTrial registration Retrospectively registered.

Prospective study on stereotactic body radiotherapy for small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: tolerance and effectiveness analysis.

Surgery is the standard treatment for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), obtaining favorable results but associating high morbidity and mortality rates. This study assesses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a radical approach for small (< 2cm) nonfunctioning pNETs. From January 2017 to June 2023, 20 patients with small pNETs underwent SBRT in an IRB-approved study. Endpoints included local control, tolerance, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Diagnostic assessments comprised endoscopy, CT scans, OctreScan or PET-Dotatoc, abdominal MRI, and histological confirmatory samples. In a 30-month follow-up of 20 patients (median age 55.5years), SBRT was well-tolerated with no grade > 2 toxicity. 40% showed morphological response, 55% remained stable. Metabolically, 50% achieved significant improvement. With a median OS of 41.5months, all patients were alive without local or distant progression or need for surgical resection. SBRT is a feasible and well-tolerated approach for small neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors, demonstrating effective local control. Further investigations are vital for validation and extension of these findings.

The safety and efficacy of volumetric modulated Arc therapy combined with computer tomography-guided adaptive brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer: a single institution experience

BackgroundVolumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a novel form of IMRT, which can deliver more accurate dose distribution and shorten treatment time. Compared to MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy, which is recommended as gold standard imaging for cervical cancer contours, CT-guided adaptive brachytherapy (CTGAB) is more available, more widespread, and more affordable in many centers. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the efficacy and the safety of VMAT combined with CTGAB for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods and materialsThis study retrospectively analyzed 102 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who underwent VMAT and CTGAB. Clinical outcomes including local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response to treatment evaluated by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) (version 1.1), and toxicities including gastrointestinal toxicity, urinary toxicity and hematologic toxicity evaluated by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) (version 5.0) were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate LC, OS, and PFS.ResultsMedian follow-up time was 19 months. Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) occurred in 68 (66.7%), 24 (23.5%), 4 (3.92%), and 6 (5.88%), respectively. The 2-year and 3-year OS were 89.6% and 83%, respectively. The 2-year and 3-year PFS were 84.2% and 74.3%, respectively. The 2-year and 3-year LC were 90.1% and 79.3%, respectively. The average cumulative D2cm3 in the rectum, the bladder, the colon, and the small intestine were 78.07 (SD: 0.46) Gy, 93.20 (SD: 0.63) Gy, 63.55 (SD: 1.03) Gy and 61.07 (SD: 0.75) Gy, respectively. The average cumulative D90% of the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was 92.26 (SD: 0.35) Gy. Grade ≥ 3 gastrointestinal and urinary toxicities occurred in 4.9% and 0.98%, respectively. 1.96% of patients were observed grade ≥ 4 gastrointestinal toxicities and none of the patients observed grade ≥ 4 urinary toxicities.ConclusionVMAT combined with CTGAB for locally advanced cervical cancer was an effective and safe treatment method, which showed satisfactory LC, OS, PFS, and acceptable toxicities.

RADT-01. TUMOR VOLUME INCREASE AND NEED FOR RADIOTHERAPY PLAN ADAPTATION IN PEDIATRIC HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA AND DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA DURING A SIX-WEEK COURSE OF RADIOTHERAPY

Abstract BACKGROUND Pediatric High-Grade Glioma/ diffuse midline glioma (pHGG/DMG) growth during a six-week course of radiotherapy may precipitate geographical miss of target volumes and early disease progression. In a patient cohort, we retrospectively evaluated the evolution of tumor volumes during radiotherapy, the clinical need for plan adaptation, and potential correlation with local disease progression. METHODS Twenty-four pHGG/DMG patients (12M/12F, ages 4-20 years) with gross tumor volume (GTV) after debulking (n=7) or biopsy (n=17) received 30 fractions of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy within an adaptive radiotherapy-protocol. The GTV was defined by combined T1+FLAIR MRI sequence abnormalities. A 1-cm margin was applied for Clinical Target Volume (CTV). MRI-based target volume re-evaluation was performed at fraction 10 and 20, defining GTV increase &amp;gt;1mL as growth. The clinical need for plan adaptation was based on tumor volume changes. GTV increase and need for plan adaptation were evaluated against local progression-free survival (LPFS). RESULTS Median time between baseline MRI and radiotherapy start was 10 days (range 3-29). From baseline, GTV growth was observed in 7/24 patients at fraction 10, and in an additional 7/24 patients at fraction 20 (cumulative 14/24), corresponding to a mean volume increase of 21%/3.7mL (range [-7%/-2.7mL] to [+185%/24.4mL]) and 40%/8.7mL (range [-18%/-8.1mL] to [+329%/115.1mL]) after 10 and 20 fractions, respectively. At fraction 10 and 20, respectively 6 and 6 plans needed adaptation in a total of 11 patients. Baseline tumor volumes between patients with/without plan adaptation were equivalent. Median LPFS was 8.3 months (95%CI 8.0-12.7). No significant difference in LPFS was observed between patients with versus without GTV increase or plan adaptation. CONCLUSIONS Between MRI at baseline and at fractions 10 and 20, this adaptive radiotherapy protocol using 1-cm CTV margins demonstrated pHGG/DMG tumor volume increase with a clinical need for plan adaptations in 11/24 patients.

Efficacy and safety of boron neutron capture therapy for Hypopharyngeal/Laryngeal cancer patients with previous head and neck irradiation

Background and purposePatients with hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC)/laryngeal cancer (LCA) with a history of head and neck irradiation are often difficult to treat with conventional radiotherapy. This study aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for HPC/LCA. Materials and methodsIn this retrospective study, HPC/LCA with local lesions were analyzed, including both recurrent cases after treatment and second primary cases. The primary endpoints were tumor response and incidence of adverse events (AEs) after BNCT. The secondary endpoints were local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Evaluation of tumor response was terminated when any additional treatment was administered, and only survival data were collected. ResultsThe analysis included 25 and 11 cases of HPC and LCA, respectively. All had a history of head and neck irradiation, and median dose of prior radiotherapy was 70 Gy. The complete response (CR) rate was 72%, overall response rate was 84%, and the 1-year LC and PFS were 63.1% and 53.7%, respectively. The median survival time was 15.5 months, and the 2-year OS was 79.8%. Of the 27 patients with CR, 11 cases recurred at a median of 6.0 months. The acute G3 AEs were oral mucositis (6%), pharyngeal mucositis (3%), and soft tissue infection (3%). Acutely, there were no G4-5 AEs, except hyperamylasemia, and in the late phase, there were no G3 or higher AEs. ConclusionBNCT can be achieve good tumor response while preserving the larynx without severe AEs.

Clinical outcomes of image-guided therapies in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma: a tertiary referral center retrospective study.

Image-guided therapies (IGTs) are commonly used in oncology, but their role in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is not well defined. A retrospective review of patients with ACC treated with IGTs. We assessed response to therapy using RECIST v1.1, time to next line of systemic therapy, disease control rate (DCR), local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS), and complications of IGTs (based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] version 5.0). Our cohort included 26 patients (median age 56 years [range 38-76]; n = 18 female) who had 51 IGT sessions to treat 86 lesions. IGTs modalities included cryoablation (n = 49), microwave ablation (n = 21), combined microwave and bland trans-arterial embolization (n = 8), bland trans-arterial embolization alone (n = 3), radio-embolization (n = 3), and radiofrequency ablation (n = 2). DCR was 81.4% (70 out of 86), of which 66.3% of tumors showed complete response, 18.6% showed progressive disease, 8.1% showed partial response, and 7.0% showed stable disease. LTPFS rates were 73% and 63% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Fourteen lesions underwent re-ablation for incomplete response on initial treatment. Sixteen patients (61.5%) received new systemic therapy following IGTs, with a median time to systemic therapy of 12.5 months (95% CI: 8.6 months upper limit not reached). There was 1 reported CTCAE grade 3 adverse event (biloma) following IGT. IGT use in properly selected patients with ACC is safe and associated with prolonged disease control and delay in the need for systemic therapy.