Total neoadjuvant therapy approach for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Where do we stand?

BACKGROUND: for the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), initial treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery and chemotherapy in selected patients is considered one of the recommended options by the main international clinical guidelines. Nonetheless, the administration of all chemotherapy before definitive treatment (total neoadjuvant therapy or TNT) is an optimal alternative with a growing level of evidence that must be evaluated in multidisciplinary boards. This review summarizes the available data and controversies in this scenario. SUMMARY: we have analyzed the characteristics of the main published studies that assess the use of TNT in patients with LARC, evaluating their inclusion criteria and distinguishing between the employed radiotherapy fractionations, systemic agents, timing, and the implications of these treatments in regard to surgery and long-term oncological results. Our aim is to describe the evidence that supports the use of a specific regime in everyday clinical practice. KEY POINTS: there is solid evidence for the use of TNT in patients with LARC. There is no data indicating the superiority of one specific TNT scheme among all the existing options. International clinical guidelines leave the door open to choose the most adequate treatment based on the clinical and pathological characteristics of each patient. This review shows the different approaches to TNT and assesses the best options based on clinical evidence.

Hypofractionated whole breast IMRT with HDR brachytherapy boost in early-stage breast cancer: Long-term results from a single-center.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The addition of a boost to the lumpectomy bed after whole-breast (WB) radiotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of patients with breast cancer (BC). The clinical benefits of a boost with high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) after conventional fractionation is supported by a large body of evidence. However, few studies have described its outcomes after a hypofractionated scheme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included all patients treated with adjuvant WB-IMRT in 15 sessions followed by a single-session HDR-BT boost with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2017, 638 patients with early-stage BC were treated according to the aforementioned protocol after breast-conserving surgery. Median follow-up was 6 years (4-11). Despite the low incidence of side effects and their slightness, we did identify an impact of breast volume on the risk of acute radiodermatitis, fibrosis, pain and edema. However, we did not identify any relationship between the volume in cubic centimeters of the BT-implant with acute or long-term side effects. 2.2% patients had an actual local relapse, 2.4% a 2nd primary in the same breast and 2.39% were diagnosed with contralateral BC. Event-free survival at 11 years was 85.5% with an overall survival of 95.7%. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant hypofractionated whole-breast IMRT followed by a single dose HDR-BT boost has a low incidence of acute and chronic toxicity and excellent oncological outcomes. However, it may be worthwhile to intensify self-care protocols and surveillance in women with large breasts who may be at increased risk of side effects.

IJRadiation therapy for recurrent hydatid cyst of the pelvic bone: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid disease usually affects the liver, but can also extend to other locations, such as the bones. In these cases, complete resection of the bone is considered the only curative approach. However, this is rarely feasible, and patients are left with benzimidazoles as their only option. In this context, there is an evident need for alternative treatments that can improve results. We present the case of a patient with a treatment-refractory hydatid cyst of the bone, who successfully underwent radiotherapy (RT). CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with a hydatid cyst of the bone in the sacroiliac joint that caused her sciatalgia and paresthesia. She underwent treatment with albendazole and surgery, and was treated with further doses of albendazole after relapsing six months later. After 2 years, she required a new resection, achieving a stable disease for 2 more years. At this point, she began to suffer from more intense pain (visual analogue scale 6/10). Given that further surgery was no longer feasible, she underwent radiotherapy (54 Gy in 27 fractions). No treatment-related toxicity was observed. At 1 month after radiotherapy, the pain had completely disappeared; 9 months later, the patient remains asymptomatic. The titer of anti-Echinococcus-granulosus antibodies and the absolute volume of eosinophils decreased after treatment with radiotherapy. The cyst remains radiologically stable. CONCLUSION: Although further studies are needed, radiotherapy seems to be effective for hydatid cysts that are refractory to other treatments.