Post Chemoradiotherapy Research Articles

Pharyngocutaneous fistula repair: case report and review of management strategies

<p class="abstract"><span lang="EN-IN">Incidence of post chemoradiation salvage laryngectomy complication rate is 3%-65%. It is most common but most annoying complication after salvage laryngectomy for surgeon to manage. When conservative measures fail to repair the fistula surgical means have to be considered. But even after surgical correction it takes time to heal due to local conditions. Here we present a case of surgical repair of pharyngocutaneous fistula and review of various management strategies.</span></p>

Triple Test-a Predictor of Anastomotic Integrity in Patients Undergoing Low Anterior Resection After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

Anastomotic leak after low anterior resection for rectal cancer is a dreaded complication. Diversion stoma helps tiding over this crisis and it is routinely practised in most centres, especially in post chemoradiotherapy setting. But a diversion stoma has got its own problems. In this study, we attempt to use the triple test as a predictor of anastomotic integrity and thereby avoid a diverting stoma, and patients undergoing low anterior resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were spared the trouble of a diverting stoma if the on table triple test was negative. Two hundred such consecutive patients were prospectively followed up in the postoperative period. The incidence of anastomotic leak and the factors predicting the same were analysed in this group of patients. The incidence of anastomotic leak in our study was 7%, which is much less when compared to published literature. The triple test was a reliable predictor of the integrity of anastomosis and if the test is negative, a diverting stoma can be avoided. Age more than 60years and end-to-end anastomosis were found to be associated with increased incidence of leak, and patients with a negative triple test need not routinely undergo diversion stoma after a low anterior resection even in post chemoradiotherapy setting.

Pulsed-dye laser for disfiguring livedoid changes post chemoradiotherapy

Pulsed-dye laser for disfiguring livedoid changes post chemoradiotherapy

The role of PET for predicting nodal response in locally advanced (LA) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT): Results of a prospective multicenter trial.

6013 Background: Controversy about neck management after CRT in patients with LA HNSCC persists due to low accuracy of CT/MR to asses the neck. As already demonstrated (Mehanna, NEJM 374, 2016), PET is an alternative to planned neck dissection (ND) thanks to its high negative predictive value (NPV). However, no conclusion could be drawn for patients (pts) with equivocal response (e.g. suspicion of residual disease on CT/MR but negative PET) because pathologic confirmation was lacking. Methods: Multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized trial including pts with LA HNSCC of oral cavity, oro- hypopharynx, larynx, staged N1, N2, N3, treated with CRT and evaluated 12 weeks after CRT by overall assessment (OA): clinical examination (CE), PET and CT/MR. ND was performed in incomplete regional response based on at least 1 positive evaluation method. Pathologic analyses (HE and KI67) were performed on ND samples. Primary objective was to determine the NPV and accuracy of PET as a single examination in the post CRT nodal assessment. Primary outcome was 2-year regional recurrence free survival rate (RRFSR). Results: 264/318 pts included completed full treatment and had post CRT OA. Median follow up was 40 months. No ND was proposed in 119 patients because of a negative OA; 145 patients had ND. The presence of viable cells was reported in 27 ND (18.6%). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy of OA were 90.0%, 49.6%, 18.6%, 97.5%, 54.2% vs 69.7%, 75.3.%, 28.8%, 94.6%, 74.6% for PET alone. Kappa coefficient was of 0.838, indicating an almost perfect agreement. In pts with negative OA, RRFSR was 61.3% vs. 56.6% in pts with positive OA and ND (p=0.45). Using post CRT assessment with PET alone, RRFSR in pts with negative PET was 63.0% vs. 48.8% in pts with positive PET (p=0.04). Using PET assessment alone, 65/145 ND (44.8%) could have been avoided without compromising RRFSR. Conclusions: NPV using PET alone is 94.6%. Post CRT evaluation using only PET would have resulted in considerably fewer ND without jeopardizing neck control. PET alone is more accurate and more discriminant for predicting pts outcome. Clinical trial information: NCT00634777.

Magnitude and duration of immune checkpoint up-regulation and changes in the immune microenvironment post chemo-radiation (CRT) in esophageal cancer.

4060 Background: PD-1 inhibitors in metastatic gastroesophageal cancer have demonstrated response rates of approximately 25%. Unfortunately, the majority of patients do not respond. Therefore, a rationale strategy of combining immunotherapeutic agents with CRT in earlier stage esophageal cancer may prevent metastatic disease in a greater proportion of patients. This study assessed the impact of CRT on the immune microenvironment and the expression patterns of multiple immune checkpoints to optimally design neoadjuvant clinical trials. Methods: To determine the effects of CRT on resected esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC), we examined the immune microenvironment pre and post CRT using IHC, LCM followed by qRT-PCR, and functional analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Additionally, to assess the duration and dependency of radiation-induced PD-L1 sensitization, esophagojejunostomy were performed on rats to induce gastroduodenoesophageal reflux and EAC formation. First, tumor bearing animals were dosed with single fraction 13 Gy or 16 Gy radiation to determine safety, dose correlation, and PD-L1 sensitization using qRT-PCR post-radiation. Next, longitudinal PD-L1 expression levels within individual tumor bearing animals were determined using serial endoscopic biopsies at baseline, 1, 5 and 9 weeks post 16 Gy radiation. Results: The majority of cancers displayed enhanced interferon γ and activated CD8+ T lymphocytes at the tumor stroma interface. These tumors also demonstrated enhanced upregulation of PD-L1 and multiple other immune checkpoints including – TIM3, GITR, IDO1, LAG3, CD137, OX40 and KIR. The animal model results indicated PD-L1 upregulation is dose dependent and transiently elevated post radiation exposure. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings provide insights into the evolving immune landscape after CRT and have significant implications for future neoadjuvant trial designs that will combine radiotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Currently, we are conducting a neoadjuvant trial assessing Nivolumab or Nivolumab/Ipilimumab in combination with CRT in stage II/III operable esophageal cancer.

EP-1257: A look at pre-operative MRI accuracy at predicting rectal cancer staging post chemoradiotherapy

EP-1257: A look at pre-operative MRI accuracy at predicting rectal cancer staging post chemoradiotherapy

Checkpoint expression pre and post chemoradiation in operable esophageal cancer.

139 Background: PD-L1 expression has been reported in 40% of gastroesophageal cancers, but little data exists with regards to expression of other immune checkpoints. Here, we examined baseline expression levels for multiple immune modulators in 31 resected esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) and investigated the change in expression levels post-chemoradiation. Methods: Slides were stained on a Ventana BenchMark ULTRA automated stainer for CTLA-4 (Santa Cruz Clone F-8, dilutions 1:100) and PD-L1 (Dako clone 22C3 prediluted). Tonsil tissue was used as a control for lymphocytes, and a provided tumor control was used for PD-L1. Positivity was classified as > 1%, and the stained cell type was recorded (lymphocytes or tumor). Additionally, laser capture microdissection was performed, and RNA was isolated and pre-amplified to determine expression levels of TIM-3, GITR, IDO-1, LAG-3, CD-137, OX-40, and KIR-3 using RT-PCR. Gene expression was calculated using the ΔΔ -Ct method, and intergroup comparisons were performed and normalized against a cohort of 15 pathologically confirmed normal esophageal epithelium cases. Results: Post-chemoradiation cases demonstrated increased expression for PD-L1, when compared to matched pre-chemoradiation controls [p-value = 0.0098]. Similarly, all immune modulators profiled by gene expression were significantly upregulated in matched post vs. pre samples, except for CD-137. There was no significant difference in percentage of 4-fold or more upregulation based on PD-L1 status for IDO-1, OX-40, CD-137 and KIR-1, indicating that these markers may function independently of PD-L1 positivity. Conclusions: PD-1 inhibiton in both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting is currently being investigated in EAC, but future studies may look to select patients according to personalized checkpoint expression patterns. [Table: see text]

Tumor heterogeneity in anal cancer assessed with diffusion-weighted (DW) and T2-weighted MRI: Potential biomarker of treatment outcome.

617 Background: Despite advances in the management of anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC), roughly 25% of patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT) will experience a disease recurrence. Currently, there is no validated way to predict treatment failure and guidance on the timing of follow-up scans differs. This study was carried out to assess the role of statistical and fractal heterogeneity parameters from pre-treatment and early post-CRT T2- and diffusion-weighted MR in predicting disease outcome. Methods: Baseline and follow-up MR scans from patients with histologically proven non-metastatic ASCC undergoing radical CRT were included in this study. T2-W and DWI MR images were analyzed by two readers, blinded to clinical data. Statistical and fractal heterogeneity parameters were derived using in-house software. Results: 40 patients were included in the final analysis. Follow-up MRI scan was performed at a median of 15 weeks from the start of radiotherapy. 31/40 patients achieved a radiological complete response (CR) and a further 7/40 partial response (PR). Median follow-up was 34.5 months. During the course of follow-up, 12 patients experienced disease recurrence (30%). Radiological CR was not significantly associated with disease outcome. First order statistical heterogeneity analysis demonstrated a significantly lower ROI Skewness (median -0.05±0.49 vs 0.45±1.04 p=0.01) on baseline T2-W imaging as well as lower ROI Entropy (3.95±0.46 vs 4.45±0.49, p=0.01) and higher ROI Energy (0.07±0.03 vs 0.03±0.03, p=0.01) on follow-up T2-W imaging in subjects who experienced disease recurrence. In these patients T2-W Homogeneity derived from Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrices (GLCM) was lower at baseline (0.41±0.12 vs 0.58 ±0.15 p=0.02) and associated with a higher T2-W Sum Average (median 35±7 vs median 29±7 p=0.01), whereas T2-W Contrast and ADC Correlation derived from GLCM were lower on follow-up imaging (30±11 vs 38 ±35, p=0.01 and 0.77±0.12 vs 0.88±0.12 p=0.04, respectively). Conclusions: First order statistical and fractal heterogeneity analysis of baseline and early post CRT MR scans in patients with ASCC might have a role in predicting long-term disease outcome.

Using a tracheal stent for conservative management of speaking valve-associated tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Surgical voice rehabilitation is an essential dimension of treatment following total laryngectomy. The gold standard is tracheo-oesophageal puncture and speaking valve placement. Whilst offering excellent phonation in many patients, there is a well-documented risk of valve associated fistula formation, the incidence of which varies from 1 to 21% 1. Risk factors for delayed valve associated tracheo-oesophageal fistula include post chemo-radiotherapy (salvage laryngectomy), oesophageal stricture, persistent fungal infection and poor patient compliance in managing their speaking valve2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A study on Evaluation of efficacy of bethanechol in the management of chemoradiation-induced xerostomia in oral cancer patients.

Objectives:Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common oral cancer. Radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy is an ideal treatment modality largely used for oral cancers, which precipitates many side effects, of which the most challenging and debilitating side effect is xerostomia. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of bethanechol in patients with xerostomia following chemoradiation therapy for oral cancer.Materials and Methods:Fifty patients with xerostomia postchemoradiation therapy, aged between 30 and 65 years, were selected based on selection criteria. Thirty patients in the study group were administered 25 mg bethanechol three times daily (TDS) and 20 patients in the control group with placebo capsules. The subjective symptoms of oral dryness were periodically evaluated at baseline, at the end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks using a self-reported questionnaire. Salivary analysis such as whole resting saliva and whole stimulated saliva (WSS) volumes, amylase, pH and sodium potassium ratio were evaluated before and 3 weeks after bethanechol and placebo therapy.Results:Twenty-four (80%) patients in bethanechol group and only 2 (10%) patients in control group showed subjective improvement in oral dryness at the end of 3rd week. A significant difference was found between two groups in whole resting and stimulated saliva volume, pH and amylase. However, there was no statistically significant difference in sodium potassium ratio with insignificant adverse effects after 3 weeks of bethanechol therapy.Conclusions:25 mg bethanechol (TDS) has shown subjective improvement in oral dryness in 24 (80%) patients with significant improvement in whole resting and WSS volumes, pH and salivary amylase with insignificant adverse effects.

Waiting Time following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Does It Really Matter

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is considered the standard approach before any surgical intervention for locally advanced rectal tumors and has been proven to significantly improve the local recurrence rates of rectal cancer. However, the optimal timing of surgical resection after neoadjuvant CRT remains debatable. Objective and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 65 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent preoperative CRT followed by surgical resection in order to evaluate the optimal time for surgical treatment. We used two alternative groups for analysis: patients who underwent surgery up to 6 weeks after CRT (n = 28) and those who underwent surgery 6 weeks or more after CRT (n = 27). Also, we compared patients who were operated on within 3 months (n = 39) with those who underwent surgical resection after more than 3 months (n = 16). Nonresponders to CRT were excluded from the analysis. Results: There was no statistically significant association between waiting period post CRT and radiological downstaging for any group (p > 0.05 for any association). Also, there was no association between recurrence of disease, cancer-related deaths, perineural invasion, or positive lymph node ratio and any waiting period up to 3 months (p > 0.05 for all associations). Conclusion: In this small exploratory study there was no evident difference in outcome according to timing of surgery, which suggests that further research in larger cohorts is warranted.

Surgical outcomes of post chemoradiotherapy unresectable locally advanced rectal cancers improve with interim chemotherapy, is FOLFIRINOX better than CAPOX?

Role of chemotherapy in patients who continue to have unresectable disease after pre-operative chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) remains largely unaddressed. Patients with LA rectal cancer from January 2013 to June 2015 were evaluated. Post-CRT, patients, who were deemed unresectable, were considered for further interim chemotherapy (i-CT). Seventy six patients (15%) with median age of 38.5 years received i-CT after CRT. About 61.8% patients receiving i-CT managed to undergo a definitive surgery and the extent of surgery was reduced in 48.7% patients. With the median follow up of 19 months, the estimated 2-year event free survival (EFS) of 48% and OS was 56%. The estimated 2-year OS was 81% in mucinous tumors whereas it was 44.4% in signet ring pathology (P=0.045). The 2-year OS of 86% for whom surgery was done vs. 38% (2-year OS) in whom surgery was not done (P=0.011). Survival was better in conservative surgery group vs. total pelvic exenteration (TPE) vs. no surgery (2-year OS: 84% vs. 59.1% vs. 38%; P=0.033). In the CAPE-OX group, 71.4% (14/23) underwent surgery whereas 75.9% (29/47) in the 5-FU plus irinotecan plus oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) group with EFS (P=0.570) and OS (P=0.120). In conservative surgery group, OS was better in FOLFIRINOX (2-year OS: 95.7%) vs. capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) (2-year OS: 70%) (P=0.012). i-CT can lead to improved resection rates, improved survivals and downstaging with acceptable toxicity. FOLFIRINOX appears to better over CAPOX, specifically in whom conservative surgery is feasible.

Esophageal Lumen Restoration Using Ureteral Dilators for Complete Obstructive Aphasia

We present two cases of complete occlusion of the esophageal lumen resulting in complete obstructive aphasia treated with esophageal lumen restoration using Cook ureteral dilators. A 55 year old African American female with history of squamous cell carcinoma status post total laryngectomy with radiation developed pharyngeal stenosis that was treated by multiple dilations; however, her dysphagia progressed to complete inability to swallow. On physical exam, she appeared frail and malnourished with documented 40 pound weight loss. She completely relied on her Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrotomy (PEG) tube for nutrition. Modified Barium Swallow revealed complete obliteration of esophagus at level of C5. ENT performed the anterograde portion of the exam and GI performed retrograde endoscopy with tri-plane fluoroscopy for penetrating the occluded segment. After reconnection, a biliary guidewire was passed through the stenosis and pulled through under retrograde EGD. First dilations used Cook ureteral dilatores with 6Fr with final dilation of 16Fr. After sequential EGD with dilation, she is now dilated 42Fr and off of tube feeds.Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3A 72 year old male with history of esophageal adenocarcinoma status post chemoradiation treatments presented for evaluation for progressive dysphagia. He declined an offered esophagectomy for personal reasons. He has had numerous food bolus impactions and became solely dependent upon his Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrotomy (PEG) tube for nutrition. Fluoroscopic esophagram revealed complete occlusion of esophageal lumen above level of aortic arch. Anterograde with simultaneous retrograde esophagogastroduodenoscopy with tri-plane fluoroscopy was performed for penetrating the occluded segment. With biliary guidewire, the stricture was dilated using 6Fr to 18Fr Cook ureteral dilators. His stricture has been dilated to 42Fr and off of tube feeds. Biopsies were taken of the friable mass in distal esophagus concerning for persistent esophageal adenocarcinoma and is currently undergoing chemoradiation. The current technique: simultaneous anterograde and retrograde scope with tri-plane fluoroscopy guided dilation using Cook ureteral dilators can continue to be a safe and successful method for treating obstructive aphasia and remain on a soft or regular diet.

Impact on Radiological and Pathological Response with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation and Its Effect on Survival in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Thoracic Esophagus.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) has been shown to improve survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of 18-FDG PET-CT in predicting pathological response to NCRT. We assessed 70 patients of esophageal SCC who underwent NCRT and were evaluated with baseline and post chemoradiation 18F-FDG PET-CT scan. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated by analyzing the sensitivity and specificity of different cut-off points for defining a positive test and their ability to predict pathological complete response. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using log-rank and Cox proportional hazards models, and survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Radiological and pathological complete response was achieved in 44.3% (n=31) and 34.3% (n=24) patients, respectively. Using ROC curves, post-treatment standardized uptake value (SUV) max [3.25, area under curve (AUC) 0.752] and % change in SUVmax cut-off value (72.32%, AUC 0.705) was used to predict pathological response. Significant associations between pathological response in primary tumor and post chemotherapy/radiotherapy SUVmax values (p=0.016), % change in SUVmax (p=0.006), radiological response in primary (p=0.006), and grade of dysphagia at presentation (p=0.041) were observed. Mean overall survival and relapse free survival was 83 and 58%, respectively at 34months. 18F-FDG PET-CT can be used to predict pathological response to NCRT in locally advanced SCC.

MRI for evaluation of treatment response in rectal cancer.

MRI plays an increasingly pivotal role in the clinical staging of rectal cancer in the baseline and post-treatment settings. An accurate evaluation of response to neoadjuvant treatment is crucial because of its major influence on patient management and quality of life. However, evaluation of treatment response is challenging for both imaging and clinical assessments owing to treatment-related inflammation and fibrosis. At one end of the spectrum are clinical yT4 rectal cancers, wherein precise post-treatment MRI evaluation of tumour spread is particularly important for avoiding unnecessary exenterative surgery. At the other extreme, for tumours with clinical near-complete response or clinical complete response to neoadjuvant treatment, less invasive treatment may be suitable instead of the standard surgical approach such as, for example, a "Watch and Wait" approach or perhaps local excision. Ideally, the goal of post-treatment MRI evaluation would be to identify these subgroups of patients so that they might be spared unnecessary surgical intervention. It is known that post-chemoradiation therapy restaging using conventional MR sequences is less accurate than baseline staging, particularly in confirming T0 disease, largely owing to the difficulty in distinguishing fibrosis, oedema and normal mucosa from small foci of residual tumour. However, there is a growing utilization of multiparametric MRI, which has superseded other types of evaluations and requires review and periodic re-evaluation. This commentary discusses the current status of multiparametric MRI in the post-treatment setting and the challenges facing imaging in general in the accurate determination of treatment response.

Restaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancers: is histology the key in patient selection?

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, there is no clarity regarding the necessity for restaging scans to rule out systemic progression of disease post chemoradiation with existing literature being divided on the need for the same. Data from a prospectively maintained database was retrospectively analysed. All locally advanced rectal cancers (node positive/T4/T3 with threatened or involved CRM) were included. Biopsy proof of adenocarcinoma and CT scan of abdomen and chest were mandatory. Grade of tumor and response to CTRT on restaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were documented. Out of 119 patients subjected to CTRT, 72 underwent definitive total mesorectal excision while 13 patients progressed locoregionally on restaging MR pelvis and 15 other patients progressed systemically while the rest defaulted. Patients with poorly differentiated (PD) cancers were compared to those with well/moderately differentiated (WMD) tumors. PD tumors had a significantly higher rate of local progression (32.1% vs. 5.6% %, P=0.0011) and systemic progression (35.7% vs. 6.9%, P=0.0008) as compared to WMD tumors. Only one-third (9/28) of PD patients underwent TME while the rest progressed. Selecting poorly differentiated tumors alone for restaging CECT abdomen and thorax will be a cost effective strategy as the rate of progression is very high. Also patients with PD tumors need to be consulted about the high probability of progression of disease.

Recurrent head and neck cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.

This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. Recurrent cancers present some of the most challenging management issues in head and neck surgical and oncological practice. This is rendered even more complex by the poor evidence base to support management options, the substantial implications that treatments can have on the function and quality of life, and the difficult decision-making considerations for supportive care alone. This paper provides consensus recommendations on the management of recurrent head and neck cancer. Recommendations • Consider baseline and serial scanning with computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance (CT and/or MR) to detect recurrence in high-risk patients. (R) • Patients with head and neck cancer recurrence being considered for active curative treatment should undergo assessment by positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) scan. (R) • Patients with recurrence should be assessed systematically by a team experienced in the range of management options available for recurrence including surgical salvage, re-irradiation, chemotherapy and palliative care. (R) • Management of patients with laryngeal recurrence should include input from surgeons with experience in transoral surgery and partial laryngectomy for recurrence. (G) • Expertise in transoral surgery and partial laryngectomy for recurrence should be concentrated to a few surgeons within each multidisciplinary teams. (G) • Transoral or open partial laryngectomy should be offered as definitive treatment modality for highly-selected patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer. (R) • Patients with OPC recurrence should have p16 human papilloma virus status assessed. (R) • Patients with OPC recurrence should be considered for salvage surgical treatment by an experienced team, with reconstructive expertise input. (G) • Transoral surgery appears to be an effective alternative to open surgery for the management of OPC recurrence in carefully selected patients. (R) • Consider elective selective neck dissections in patients with recurrent primaries with N0 necks, especially in advanced cases. (R) • Selective neck dissection (with preservation of nodal levels, especially level V, that are not involved by disease) in patients with nodal (N+) recurrence appears to be as effective as modified or radical neck dissections. (R) • Use salivary bypass tubes following salvage laryngectomy. (R) • Use interposition muscle-only pectoralis major or free flap for suture line reinforcement if performing primary closure following salvage laryngectomy. (R) • Use inlaid pedicled or free flap to close wound if there is tension at the anastomosis following laryngectomy. (R) • Perform secondary puncture in post chemoradiotherapy laryngectomy patients. (R) • Triple therapy with platinum, cetuximab and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) appears to provide the best outcomes for the management of patients with recurrence who have a good performance status and are fit to receive it. If not fit, then combinations of platinum and cetuximab or platinum and 5-FU may be considered. (R) • Patients with non-resectable recurrent disease should be offered the opportunity to participate in phases I-III clinical trials of new therapeutic agents. (R) • Chemo re-irradiation appears to improve locoregional control, and may have some benefit for overall survival, at the risk of considerable acute and late toxicity. Benefit must be weighed carefully against risks, and patients must be counselled appropriately. (R) • Target volumes should be kept tight and elective nodal irradiation should be avoided. (R) • Best supportive care should be offered routinely as part of the management package of all patients with recurrent cancer even in the case of those who are being treated curatively. (R).

The assessment of local response using magnetic resonance imaging at 3- and 6-month post chemoradiotherapy in patients with anal cancer

ObjectivesTo assess the use of MRI-determined tumour regression grading (TRG) in local response assessment and detection of salvageable early local relapse after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC).MethodsFrom a prospective database of patients with ASCC managed through a centralised multidisciplinary team, 74 patients who completed routine post-CRT 3- and 6-month MRIs (2009–2012) were reviewed. Two radiologists blinded to the outcomes consensus read and retrospectively assigned TRG scores [1 (complete response) to 5 (no response)] and related these to early local relapse (within 12 months) and disease-free survival (DFS).ResultsSeven patients had early local relapse. TRG 1/2 scores at 3 and 6 months had a 100 % negative predictive value; TRG 4/5 scores at 6 months had a 100 % positive predictive value. All seven patients underwent salvage R0 resections. We identified a novel ‘tram-track’ sign on MRI in over half of patients, with an NPV for early local relapse of 83 % at 6 months. No imaging characteristic or TRG score independently prognosticated for late relapse or 3-year DFS.ConclusionsPost-CRT 3- and 6-month MRI-determined TRG scores predicted salvageable R0 early local relapses in patients with ASCC, challenging current clinical guidelines.Key Points• Post-chemoradiotherapy MRI (3 and 6 months) helps local response assessment in ASCC.• The MRI-TRG system can be used reproducibly in patients with ASCC.• The TRG system facilitates patient selection for examination under anaesthesia and biopsy.• The use of MRI-TRG predicts for detection of salvageable early local relapses.• The TRG system allows for a standardised follow-up pathway.

Predictive and prognostic value of PET/CT imaging post-chemoradiotherapy and clinical decision-making consequences in locally advanced head & neck squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study.

BackgroundThe accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxygluocose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting immediate failure after radical chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for HNSCC is poorly characterized at present. The purpose of this study was to examine PET/CT as a predictive and prognostic gauge of immediate failure after CRT and determine the impact of these studies on clinical decision making in terms of salvage surgery.MethodsMedical records of 78 consecutive patients receiving radical CRT for locally advanced HNSCC were reviewed, analyzing PET/CTs done before and 3 months after CRT. Immediate failure was defined as residual disease or locoregional and/or systemic relapse within 6 months after CRT.ResultsMaximum standard uptake value (SUV) of post CRT PET/CT (postSUVmax) was found optimal for predicting immediate failure at a cutpoint of 4.4. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were 90.0 %, 83.8 %, 98.3 %, and 45.0 %, respectively. Of 78 patients studied, postSUVmax ≥4.4 prevailed in 20 (25.6 %), with postSUVmax <4.4 in 58 (74.4 %). At postSUVmax ≥4.4 (vs. postSUVmax <4.4) OS was poorer by comparison (3-year OS: 56.9 vs. 87.7 %; P = 0.005), as was progression-free survival (3-year PFS: 42.9 vs. 81.1 %; P < 0.001). At postSUVmax ≥4.4, OS with and without immediate salvage surgery did not differ significantly (3-year OS: 60.0 vs. 55.6 %; Log-rank P = 0.913).ConclusionPost CRT PET/CT imaging has prognostic value in terms of OS and PFS and is useful in predicting immediate therapeutic failure, given its high NPV. However, OS was not significantly altered by early salvage surgery done on the basis of post CRT PET/CT findings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2147-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Small increases in enhancement on MRI may predict survival post radiotherapy in patients with glioblastoma.

To assess impact of volumetric changes in tumour volume post chemoradiotherapy in glioblastoma. Patients managed with chemoradiotherapy between 2008 and 2011 were included. Patients with incomplete MRI sets were excluded. Analyses were performed on post-operative MRI, and MRIs at 1month (M+1), 3months (M+3), 5months (M+5), 7months (M+7), and 12months (M+12) post completion of RT. RANO definitions of response were used for all techniques. Modified RANO criteria and two volumetric analysis techniques were used. The two volumetric analysis techniques involved utility of the Eclipse treatment planning software to calculate the volume of delineated tissue: surgical cavity plus all surrounding enhancement (Volumetric) versus surrounding enhancement only (Rim). Retrospective analysis of 49 patients with median survival of 18.4months. Using Volumetric analysis the difference in MS for patients who had a <5% increase versus ≥5% at M+3 was 23.1 versus 15.1months (p=0.006), and M+5 was 26.3 versus 15.1months (p=0.006). For patients who were classified as progressive disease using modified RANO criteria at M+1 and M+3 there was a difference in MS compared with those who were not (M+1: 13.1 vs. 19.4months, p=0.017, M+3: 13.2 vs. 20.1months, p=0.096). An increase in the volume of cavity and enhancement of ≥5% at M+3 and M+5 post RT was associated with reduced survival, suggesting that increases in radiological abnormality of <25% may predict survival.