Radiation Oncologists' Views on Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer in the Elderly: Comparisons between Japan and the United States.

PURPOSE: To understand perspective on breast cancer using a survey. MATERIALS & METHODS: Questionnaire was distributed to 304 Japanese radiation oncologists (RadOncs) (response rate: 64.1%). Result was compared with a similar US survey. RESULTS: In a scenario with an 81-year-old patient with comorbidities, while most US RadOncs chose to tell that radiation might not be necessary, 2% of Japanese chose it. In a scenario with a healthy 65-year-old breast cancer patient with lumpectomy, while most US RadOncs chose to discuss omission of radiation, 24.5% of Japanese chose it. CONCLUSIONS: Differences were observed on radiotherapy for older early-stage breast cancer.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration after transcatheter renal artery embolization correlates with reduction in renal angiomyolipoma volume.

BACKGROUND: The extent of renal angiomyolipoma (AML) volume reduction after renal transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) varies between patients, with no predictive measure available. PURPOSE: To determine whether the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration shortly after TAE correlates with the extent of tumor shrinkage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cohort of 36 patients undergoing prophylactic renal TAE for unruptured renal AML, we retrospectively acquired data from patient medical records, including serum LDH before and within 7 days after TAE and the tumor volume before and 12-36 months after TAE. The relationship between the serum level of LDH and reduction in tumor volume was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: The median LDH concentration was significantly higher after TAE than before (909.0 U/L vs. 186.5 U/L). This early post-TAE serum LDH level and LDH index (post-TAE LDH / pre-TAE LDH) correlated significantly and positively with the absolute decrease in tumor volume (both P < 0.0001). We observed no significant correlation between the relative tumor volume reduction and serum LDH level or LDH index. CONCLUSION: Serum LDH elevation occurs shortly after TAE and correlates with the extent of absolute decrease in AML volume at 12-36 months after TAE. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the predictive role of post-TAE serum LDH level and LDH index in tumor shrinkage in patients with unruptured renal AML.

Long-term volume reduction in renal angiomyolipomas embolized by gelatin sponge particles with or without supplementary microcoil embolization.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of supplementary microcoil embolization on the long-term progression of angiomyolipomas embolized using gelatin sponge particles (GSPs). METHODS: This retrospective study included 29 unruptured angiomyolipomas in 25 patients, treated by complete embolization and radiological follow-up for ≥3 years. Embolization was performed using GSPs and supplementary microcoils. Supplementary microcoil embolization affecting >90% of the tumor vasculature was defined as microcoil embolization. Tumor volumes pre- and post-embolization were measured by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Eleven tumors received supplementary microcoil embolization and 18 tumors did not. Relative tumor reduction at >3 years post-embolization was significantly greater in tumors with supplementary microcoil embolization compared with tumors without microcoil embolization (81% ± 8% vs. 55% ± 29%). Fourteen tumors tended to show volume regrowth and the volumes of the remaining 15 tumors continued to decline. Tumors without supplementary microcoil embolization were more likely to show volume regrowth during follow-up than tumors with supplementary microcoil embolization (78% vs. 0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: When using a combination of GSPs and microcoils, supplementary microcoil embolization should be carried out to ensure maximum long-term reduction in tumor volume in patients with angiomyolipomas.

Changes in renal function over time in outpatients with eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2: implication for timing of renal function testing before contrast-enhanced CT imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the associations between comorbidities and kidney function decline at 6-month and 1-year follow-up in outpatients with initial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outpatients aged 18 and older with confirmed diagnosis, who had eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 measured between April 2017 and March 2019, were included in this retrospective observational study. Of them, 30,595 included outpatients had 6-month eGFR test and 27,698 included outpatients had 1-year eGFR test. The outpatients were further divided into two groups based on initial eGFR: between 30 and 59 and ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Impaired renal function was defined as eGFR declined to below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. The comorbidities with P values less than 0.1 identified in univariable logistic regression models were entered into the multivariable analysis with backward selection, thereby identifying comorbidities that increased the risk of eGFR decline at 6-month and 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Outpatients with initial eGFR between 30 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 were 175.94 times more likely to have eGFR decline at 6 months, and were 94.10 times more likely to have eGFR decline at 1 year, compared with their corresponding initial eGFR ≥ 60 counterparts. Multivariable logistic regression analyses disclosed that chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and heart failure were independent risk factors for eGFR decline in outpatients with initial eGFR between 30 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatients with initial eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 might not need routine eGFR test prior to contrast-enhanced CT scan for 1 year. In addition, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and heart failure increased the risk of declined renal function, particularly, in outpatients with initial eGFR between 30 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Validation of algorithms to identify colorectal cancer patients from administrative claims data of a Japanese hospital.

BACKGROUND: Administrative claims data are a valuable source for clinical studies; however, the use of validated algorithms to identify patients is essential to minimize bias. We evaluated the validity of diagnostic coding algorithms for identifying patients with colorectal cancer from a hospital's administrative claims data. METHODS: This validation study used administrative claims data from a Japanese university hospital between April 2017 and March 2019. We developed diagnostic coding algorithms, basically based on the International Classification of Disease (ICD) 10th codes of C18-20 and Japanese disease codes, to identify patients with colorectal cancer. For random samples of patients identified using our algorithms, case ascertainment was performed using chart review as the gold standard. The positive predictive value (PPV) was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the algorithms. RESULTS: Of 249 random samples of patients identified as having colorectal cancer by our coding algorithms, 215 were confirmed cases, yielding a PPV of 86.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 81.5-90.1%). When the diagnostic codes were restricted to site-specific (right colon, left colon, transverse colon, or rectum) cancer codes, 94 of the 100 random samples were true cases of colorectal cancer. Consequently, the PPV increased to 94.0% (95% CI, 87.2-97.4%). CONCLUSION: Our diagnostic coding algorithms based on ICD-10 codes and Japanese disease codes were highly accurate in detecting patients with colorectal cancer from this hospital's claims data. The exclusive use of site-specific cancer codes further improved the PPV from 86.3 to 94.0%, suggesting their desirability in identifying these patients more precisely.

Use of Non-Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography to Assess Recanalization after Uterine Artery Embolization.

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) for assessing recanalization of uterine arteries (UAs) after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic fibroids. Pre-procedural and follow-up unenhanced MRA images of 30 patients were reviewed, and the extent to which the UAs could be visualized was classified on a 4-point scale. An increase in the score between consecutive time points indicates that a previously inconspicuous segment of the UA became visible on follow-up images. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (or absence) of recanalization. The median UA visualization score at each follow-up was significantly lower than that at baseline (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the scores of the follow-up images. Recanalization was detected in 63% (19/30) of patients. In these patients, the mean decrease in uterine and largest fibroid volume at 12 months after UAE was inferior to the mean decrease in patients for whom recanalization was not detected. Based on MRA assessment, recanalization after UAE occurred in 63% of patients but did not compromise the reduction in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes within 12 months after UAE.

Feasibility of Quantitative MRI Using 3D-QALAS for Discriminating Immunohistochemical Status in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional synthetic MRI of the breast has limited spatial coverage. Three-dimensional (3D) synthetic MRI could provide volumetric quantitative parameters that may reflect the immunohistochemical (IHC) status in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of 3D synthetic MRI using an interleaved Look-Locker acquisition sequence with a T2 preparation pulse (QALAS) for discriminating the IHC status, including hormone receptor (HR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2), and Ki-67 expression in IDC. STUDY TYPE: Prospective observational study. POPULATION: A total of 33 females with IDC of the breast (mean, 52.3 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3-T, 3D-QALAS gradient-echo and fat-suppressed T1-weighted 3D fast spoiled gradient-echo sequences. ASSESSMENT: Two radiologists semiautomatically delineated 3D regions of interest (ROIs) of the whole tumors on the dynamic MRI that was registered to the synthetic T1-weighted images acquired from 3D-QALAS. The mean T1 and T2 were measured for each IDC. STATISTICAL TESTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient for assessing interobserver agreement. Mann-Whitney U test to determine the relationship between the mean T1 or T2 and the IHC status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis followed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis for discriminating IHC status. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement was good to excellent. There was a significant difference in the mean T1 between HR-positive and HR-negative lesions, while the mean T2 value differed between HR-positive and HR-negative lesions, between the triple-negative and HR-positive or HER2-positive lesions, and between the Ki-67 level > 14% and ≤ 14%. Multivariate analysis showed that the mean T2 was higher in HR-negative IDC than in HR-positive IDC. ROC analysis revealed that the mean T2 was predictive for discriminating HR status, triple-negative status, and Ki-67 level. DATA CONCLUSION: 3D synthetic MRI using QALAS may be useful for discriminating IHC status in IDC of the breast. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Impact of "time zero" of Follow-Up Settings in a Comparative Effectiveness Study Using Real-World Data with a Non-user Comparator: Comparison of Six Different Settings.

BACKGROUND: Time-related bias can lead to misleading conclusions. Properly setting the "time zero" of follow-up is crucial for avoiding these biases. However, the time-zero setting is challenging when comparing users and non-users of a study drug because the latter do not have a time point for starting treatment. OBJECTIVE: This methodological study aimed to illustrate the impact of different time-zero settings on effect estimates in a comparative effectiveness study using real-world data with a non-user comparator. METHODS: Data for type 2 diabetes patients were extracted from an administrative claims database, and the onset of diabetic retinopathy (study outcome) was compared between users (treatment group) and non-users (non-use group) of lipid-lowering agents. We applied six time-zero settings to the same dataset. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the outcome was estimated using a Cox regression model in each time-zero setting, and the obtained results were compared among the settings. RESULTS: Of the six settings, three (study entry date [SED] vs SED [naïve approach], treatment initiation [TI] vs SED, TI vs Matched [random order]) showed that the treatment had a reduced risk of the outcome (HR [95% CI]: 0.65 [0.61-0.69], 0.92 [0.86-0.97], and 0.76 [0.71-0.82], respectively), one (TI vs Random) had an increased risk (HR [95% CI]: 1.52 [1.40-1.64]) , and two (SED vs SED [cloning method], and TI vs Matched [systematic order]) had neither increased nor decreased risk (HR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.93-1.13], and 0.99 [0.93-1.07], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that different time-zero settings can lead to different conclusions, even if the same dataset is analyzed for the same research question, probably because improper settings can introduce bias. To minimize such biases, researchers should carefully define time zero, particularly when designing a non-user comparator study using real-world data.

Prophylactic renal artery embolization before pregnancy in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis and renal angiomyolipoma.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) require care for both renal AMLs and pulmonary dysfunction because AMLs can grow and rupture during pregnancy, potentially causing hemorrhagic shock and fetal death. This study examined whether prophylactic transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) could prevent the pregnancy-associated growth and rupture of renal AMLs in patients with LAM. METHODS: This retrospective study included five women with 14 renal AMLs (initial diameter, ≥2 cm) first encountered between September 2010 and August 2015 who subsequently became pregnant. Seven tumors in five patients were embolized, and seven tumors in two patients were not treated. Changes in the volume of each tumor were evaluated. RESULTS: Untreated tumors were much more likely to grow than embolized tumors both during pregnancy (100% vs. 0%) and at the first follow-up visit after delivery (100% vs. 14%). One untreated hypervascular tumor grew rapidly during pregnancy to 409% of the pretreatment volume. No tumor ruptured. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic pre-pregnancy TAE decreased the growth and bleeding of renal AMLs during pregnancy in patients with LAM. TAE can be recommended for hypervascular tumors before pregnancy regardless of the size of the aneurysm.

Comparison of 1.5 T and 3 T non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography for visualization of uterine and ovarian arteries before uterine artery embolization.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the performance of non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA) at 1.5 T and 3 T for the visualization of uterine and ovarian arteries (OAs) before uterine artery embolization (UAE). METHODS: Preprocedural pelvic NCE-MRA images of 85 symptomatic patients undergoing UAE for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas were reviewed by two specialists in pelvic MRI. Left and right uterine arteries (UAs) were judged separately and scored on a 5-point scale. Score 5 was the highest, in which the UA could be visualized inside the musculature, forming a peritumoral plexus. Score 1 was the lowest, where visualization was limited to the descending segment. The detection of enlarged OAs was also compared. The Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 170 UAs, 110 were classified at 1.5 T and 60 were classified at 3 T. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) score was 3 (IQR: 2-4) for visualization at 1.5 T vs 5 (IQR: 4-5) for 3 T. The scores for UA visualization were significantly higher at 3 T (p < 0.05). For enlarged OAs, NCE-MRA at 1.5 T and 3 T visualized 7 and 5 enlarged OAs, respectively; there was no significant difference between the two field strengths (p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: NCE-MRA performed at 3 T can visualize UAs over a greater range than at 1.5 T. No difference was found regarding the detection of enlarged OAs. KEY POINTS: • Preprocedural MRA can provide interventional radiologists with valuable information, including the origin and course of the uterine arteries and the existence of collateral feeders to the tumor. • This study demonstrates the superiority of non-contrast-enhanced MRA performed at 3 T over that performed at 1.5 T in the visualization of the uterine arteries in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas. • Non-contrast-enhanced MRA is a useful imaging modality for patients with symptomatic leiomyoma undergoing uterine artery embolization in whom contrast administration is unfeasible. If available, it is preferable to perform the examination with a 3 T MR unit rather than a 1.5 T MR unit.