Deep inspiratory breath hold assisted by continuous positive airway pressure ventilation for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation hyperinflates the lungs and reduces diaphragmatic motion. We hypothesized that CPAP could be safely combined with deep inspiratory breath hold (CPAP-DIBH) during lung stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with stage-1 lung cancer or lung metastasis treated with CPAP-DIBH SBRT between 3/2017-5/2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Patient characteristics, treatment parameters, duration of breath holds in all sessions and tolerance to CPAP-DIBH were recorded. Local control (LC) was assessed from CT or PET-CT imaging. The distances between the tumor and mediastinal organs at risk (OAR) in centrally located tumors using either free breathing (FB) or CPAP-DIBH were compared. Toxicity was graded retrospectively. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with 71 lesions were treated with CPAP-DIBH SBRT. Indications for CPAP-DIBH were prior radiation (35/71, 65%), lower lobe location (34/71, 48%), multiple lesions (26/71, 36.6%) and proximity to mediastinal OAR (7/71, 10%). Patient characteristics were: F:M 43%: 57%; mean gross tumor volume 4.5cm3 (SD 7.9), mean planning target volume 20cm3 (SD 27), primary: metastatic lesions (7%:93%). Mean radiation dose was 52.5 Gray (SD3.5). Mean lung volume was 5292cm3 (SD 1106). Mean duration of CPAP-DIBH was 41.3s (IQR 31-46.8). LC at 2 years was 89.5% (95% CI 76-95.5). In patients with central lesions, the distance between the tumor and mediastinal OAR increased from 0.84cm (SD 0.65) with FB to 1.23cm (SD 0.8) with CPAP-DIBH (p=0.002). Most patients tolerated CPAP well and completed all treatments after starting therapy. Three patients did not receive treatment: 2 were unable to tolerate CPAP and 1 had syncope (pre-existing). Toxicity was grade 2 in 4/65 (6%) and grade 3 in 1/65 (1.5%). There was no grade 2 or higher esophageal or tracheal toxicities. CONCLUSION: CPAP-DIBH assisted lung SBRT was tolerated well and was associated with minimal toxicity and favorable LC. This technique may be considered when treating multiple lung lesions, lesions located in the lower lobes or adjacent to mediastinal OAR.

Single-Fraction Celiac Plexus Radiosurgery: A Preliminary Proof-of-Concept Phase 2 Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Refractory epigastric/midback pain is associated with locally advanced abdominal malignancies, especially pancreatic cancer. The pain is caused by tumor infiltration of the celiac plexus, a nerve network attached to the abdominal aorta. Contemporary palliative approaches are often inadequate. We hypothesized that ablative radiation targeted to the celiac plexus would alleviate this pain. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We performed a single-arm prospective clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02356406). Eligible and evaluable patients had celiac pain of at least 5 out of 10 on the Numerical Rating Scale, completed treatment per protocol, and had at least 1 posttreatment visit. The entire retroperitoneal celiac plexus was irradiated with a single 25-Gy fraction. The primary endpoint was change in the Numerical Rating Scale 3 weeks posttreatment. Toxic effects and pain interference (as measured with the Brief Pain Inventory) were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: For our study, 31 patients signed consent, and, of these, 18 patients were treated and evaluable. Median age was 68 years (range, 51-79); 89% of the patients had pancreatic cancer; the median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 1; and the median interval from initial diagnosis to treatment was 9 months (range, 1-36), and, in this interval, patients received a median of 1 systemic treatment line (range, 0-3). Acute toxicity was limited to grade 1 to 2. Three weeks after treatment, 16 patients (84%) reported decreased celiac pain, with median pain level falling from 6 out of 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.0-7.5) at baseline to 3 out of 10 (IQR, 1.0-4.3); six weeks after treatment, the Numerical Rating Scale number fell further to 2.8 out of 10 (IQR, 0-3.3; both P < .005 vs baseline), including 4 patients who reported complete eradication of their celiac pain. Total daily morphine milligram equivalents decreased from 59 pretreatment to 50 at 3 weeks, and from 50 to 45 at 6 weeks. Significant improvement was seen in pain-interference scores. CONCLUSIONS: Celiac plexus radiosurgery appears to alleviate cancer-related pain. An international multicenter phase 2 trial is currently accruing.

[DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - CASE STUDY].

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents a challenge to health systems in general and for cancer patients in particular. The hurdles of receiving ongoing medical treatment starting from diagnosis through continuous medical care is exemplified in this case report. Here, we describe a patient who was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer concurrently with COVID-19. The patient needed urgent medical care for her cancer due to the delay in diagnosis that stemmed from fear of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. We will discuss the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic in cancer patients and specifically in breast cancer patients, the complexity of treating these patients and the influence of the pandemic on delays in diagnosis of cancer.

Image-guidance triggered adaptive replanning of radiation therapy for locally advanced lung cancer: an evaluation of cases requiring plan adaptation.

OBJECTIVES: Anatomic changes may occur during chemoradiation treatment for lung cancers, requiring adaptive replanning. Here we characterize these cases. METHODS: We retrospectively studied lung cancer cases that underwent resimulation and adaptive replanning during 1/2016-3/2019. We compared first and second CT-simulation regarding tumor location, timing of change, tumor volume, anatomical alteration and change in simulation technique. We also compared dosimetric parameters between the plans, recorded local control, and overall survival outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 281 patients, 58 underwent replanning (20.6%). Histology included small cell (22.4%) and non-small cell (77.6%). Stage III was in 91.4%. Mean radiation dose of 59.4 Gray (Gy) (range 50-66Gy).Tumor location was peribronchial in 53.5%. Timing of replanning was in the first, second and final third of the treatment course in 26%, 43% and 31% respectively. Changes in gross tumor volume were observed in 74%; mean gross tumor volume was 276.7cc vs 192.7 cc (first vs second simulation, p = 0.001). Anatomical changes were identified in 35.4% including pleural fluid accumulation, atelectasis or pneumothorax alteration. Change in simulation technique was performed in 25.9%, including breath-hold or continuous positive airway pressure.Changes in dosimetric parameters when the same technique was used: lung V20Gy 26% (standard deviation, SD 7.6) vs 25.3% (SD 6.6) (p = 0.36), mean lung dose 15.1 Gy (SD 3.7) vs 14.7Gy (SD 3.3) (p = 0.23), heart V40Gy 10.2% (SD13) vs 7.2% (SD 9.8) (p = 0.037). When simulation technique changed: lung V20Gy 30.8% (SD 8.2) vs 27.3% (SD 8) (p = 0.012), mean lung dose 17.3 Gy (SD 4.4) vs 15.3 Gy (SD 3.8) (p = 0.007), heart V40Gy 11.1% (SD 14.7) vs 6.5% (SD 6.7) (p = 0.014).2 year local control was 60.7% (95% confidence interval, 34.5-79.2%), and median overall survival was 19.7 months. CONCLUSION: Adaptive replanning of radiation was performed in a fifth of locally advanced lung cancer patients. In most cases tumor volume decreased, or atelectasis resolved, causing mediastinal shifts, which, if unidentified and left uncorrected, may have led to local failure and increased toxicity. The heart V40Gy was reduced significantly in all cases, but significant reduction in lung doses was evident only if simulation technique was altered. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: In locally advanced lung cancer image-guidance with cone beam CT can detect significant mediastinal shifts and gross tumor volume changes that raise the need for adaptive replanning. Image guidance-triggered adaptive replanning should be added to the armament of advanced radiation treatment planning in locally advanced lung cancer.

Comparative effectiveness of intensity modulated radiation therapy to 3-dimensional conformal radiation in locally advanced lung cancer: pathological and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has better normal-tissue sparing compared with 3-dimensional conformal radiation (3DCRT). We sought to assess the impact of radiation technique on pathological and clinical outcomes in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LANSCLC) treated with a trimodality strategy. METHODS: Retrospective review of LANSCLC patients treated from August 2012 to August 2018 at Sheba Medical Center, Israel. The trimodality strategy consisted of concomitant chemoradiation to 60 Gray (Gy) followed by completion surgery. The planning target volume (PTV) was defined by co-registered PET/CT. Here we compare the pathological regression, surgical margin status, local control rates (LC), disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between 3DCRT and IMRT. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 74 patients with mean age 62.9 years, male in 51/74 (69%), adenocarcinoma in 46/74 (62.1%), stage 3 in 59/74 (79.7%) and chemotherapy in 72/74 (97.3%). Radiation mean dose: 59.2 Gy (SD ± 3.8). Radiation technique : 3DCRT in 51/74 (68.9%), IMRT in 23/74 (31%). Other variables were similar between groups.Major pathological response (including pathological complete response or less than 10% residual tumor cells) was similar: 32/51 (62.7%) in 3DCRT and 15/23 (65.2%) in IMRT, p=0.83. Pathological complete response (pCR) rates were similar: 17/51 (33.3%) in 3DCRT and 8/23 (34.8%) in IMRT, p=0.9. Surgical margins were negative in 46/51 (90.1%) in 3DCRT vs. 17/19 (89.4%) in IMRT (p=1.0).The 2-year LC rates were 81.6% (95% CI 69-89.4%); DFS 58.3% (95% CI 45.5-69%) and 3-year OS 70% (95% CI57-80%). Comparing radiation techniques, there were no significant differences in LC (p=0.94), DFS (p=0.33) and OS (p=0.72). CONCLUSION: When used to treat LANSCLC in the neoadjuvant setting, both IMRT and 3DCRT produce comparable pathological and clinical outcomes. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study validates the real-world effectiveness of IMRT compared to 3DCRT.

Case report: A novel model for educating radiation therapists in small countries: Case study of the "Train the Trainer" initiative in Israel.

INTRODUCTION: Israel, as a small country faces many challenges to deliver quality RTT education. As technologies evolve, the need for RTT education becomes acute. This resulted in the Ministry of Health, IAEA and ESTRO running the train the trainers (TTT) program in a unique format. METHOD: An expanded TTT program was run in Israel. This resulted in the establishment of the National Center for Radiotherapy Education (NCRE). Key elements of the NCRE include national leadership, high-tech teaching environment, simulation based teaching methodologies, and evidence based education.Educational outcomes of the RTT course run in the NCRE were measured and statistically analysed. RESULTS: The measurement of educational outcome was highly significant (p < 0.00001). The feedback from the course was very positive, with a high aggregate data mean score for all questions pertaining to the effect the course has on work, and efficient use of time. DISCUSSION: The success of the RTT course of the NCRE is evident from the results. The impact of the TTT program went beyond RTT education, as the NRCE is a national radiotherapy education resource, utilized by all radiotherapy professionals. CONCLUSION: More knowledgeable RTTs may be able to work in advanced roles, taking on tasks from other sectors in the department; this could improve the efficiency of patient care and improve the safety of radiotherapy delivery.