Multi-institutional analysis of stereotactic body radiotherapy for sarcoma pulmonary metastases: High rates of local control with favorable toxicity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oligometastatic sarcoma pulmonary metastases (PM's) are traditionally treated with resection and/or chemotherapy. We hypothesize that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an effective, safe alternative to surgery that can achieve excellent local control (LC) with a favorable toxicity profile. METHODS: Patients treated with SBRT for sarcoma PM's from 2011 to 2016 at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania were included. Median dose was 50 Gy. Patients underwent computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography/CT Q3 months post-SBRT. RESULTS: 44 patients with 56 separate PM's were treated with SBRT. Median age was 59 (range 19-82). 82% received prior chemotherapy, 66% had prior pulmonary resections (range, 1-5 resections), and 32% received prior thoracic radiotherapy. Median lesion size was 2.0 cm (range, 0.5-8.1 cm). Median follow-up was 16 months and 25 months for patients alive at last follow-up. Overall survival at 12 and 24 months was 74% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67%-81%) and 46% (95% CI, 38%-55%). LC at 12 and 24 months was 96% (95% CI, 93%-98%) and 90% (95% CI, 84%-96%). LC and overall survival did not differ based on age, gender, histology, fractionation, lesion location, or size (P > .05). Three developed Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4 grade-2 chest-wall toxicities; one had grade-2 pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: In the first multi-institutional series on SBRT for sarcoma PM's, SBRT has excellent LC and is well-tolerated. SBRT should be considered as an alternative/complement to resection.

Novel Body Composition Predictors of Outcome in Patients With Angiosarcoma of the Breast: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine abdominal and breast adipose tissue parameters on 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) that may serve as outcome predictors in breast angiosarcoma patients. MATERIALS: Women with breast angiosarcoma (n = 13) who underwent 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT were identified. A control group was selected (n = 25). Abdominal subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were assessed on unenhanced computed tomographies. Breast adipose tissue (BAT) volumes of the uninvolved breast were quantified. Metabolic activity of VAT, SAT, and BAT was calculated (standardized uptake value [SUV]). RESULTS: Breast angiosarcoma patients had higher metabolic activity of VAT compared with controls (SUV 0.93 ± 0.39 vs 0.64 ± 0.11, P = 0.044). Within the patient group, there were 6 deaths (46.2%). Patients who died had higher SAT activity (SUV 0.52 ± 0.24 vs 0.29 ± 0.06, P = 0.027) and higher BAT metabolic activity (SUV 0.48 ± 0.20 vs 0.27 ± 0.11, P = 0.045) compared with nondeceased patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breast angiosarcoma have higher metabolic activity of VAT. Higher abdominal SAT and higher BAT metabolic activity of the uninvolved breast might predict mortality.

Improved local control with an aggressive strategy of preoperative (with or without intraoperative) radiation therapy combined with radical surgical resection for retroperitoneal sarcoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine our outcomes with advanced preoperative and intraoperative radiation therapy (XRT) combined with aggressive en bloc surgical resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) as a strategy to minimize the risk of local recurrence (LR). METHODS: From 2003 to 2013, 46 patients with RPS received preoperative XRT followed by radical en bloc surgical resection, with or without intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT). Clinical and pathologic variables predictive of LR and distant recurrence (DR) were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients had primary tumors and 80% were intermediate grade or higher. All patients received preoperative XRT to a median dose of 50.4 Gy and underwent complete (R0/R1) tumor resection, and 16 patients received IOERT. After a median follow-up of 53 months, 33 (72%) patients were disease-free, and there were 8 (17%) DRs, 2 (4%) abdominal recurrences outside of the XRT field, and 5 (10.9%) LRs. High tumor grade and recurrent disease at presentation were the only factors associated with higher rates of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent local control can be achieved with a coordinated strategy of preoperative (±intraoperative) XRT combined with aggressive en bloc surgical resection of RPS, but systemic failure remains a problem for higher-grade tumors.

Predictors of venous thromboembolism in patients with primary sarcoma of bone.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is known to be independently associated with both orthopaedic surgery and malignancy. Patients undergoing surgery for musculoskeletal malignancies are at an increased risk for thromboembolic events. Although VTE can lead to serious morbidity and mortality, the potential complications of prophylactic anticoagulation call for a greater understanding of a patient's risk factors, as well as more rigorous guidelines for prophylactic anticoagulation regimens. The aims of this study were to 1) Analyze the rate of VTE in patients surgically treated for primary bone sarcoma; 2) Identify risk factors for VTE in patients with primary bone sarcoma; 3) Discuss the complications associated with prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with primary bone sarcoma. METHODS: This retrospective study identified all patients 18 years and older treated surgically at our institution for a primary bone sarcoma between 1990 and 2015. All patients with at least 90 days of post-operative follow-up from the index surgery were analyzed for occurrence of VTE. Those with an event were compared to those without to identify predictors of VTE. RESULTS: 21 patients (5.5%) had a clinically symptomatic, radiographically confirmed VTE within 90 days of index surgery (12 DVT, 9 PE). Higher preoperative white blood cell count (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.29) and post-operative wound complications (OR 5.01, 95% CI 1.93-13.55) were found to be independent risk factors for VTE. No differences in terms of efficacy were found among medications. The risk of wound complications increased significantly in patients who received chemical prophylaxis (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.00-4.87). CONCLUSIONS: Our patient population had a relatively low rate of VTE as compared to the literature. Preoperative white blood cell count (WBC) and post-operative wound complications were both found to be independently associated predictors for VTE in patients with primary bone sarcoma. An elevated WBC may reflect hemoconcentration which per se is prothrombotic in nature. Aggressive DVT prophylaxis may, counter intuitively, increase the risk of thromboembolic events due to prolonged immobilization and additional surgeries that usually occur when addressing postoperative wound complications such as postoperative hematoma and wound dehiscence that may relate to overanticoagulation. Prospective randomized trials comparing different medications in combination with compressive devices are needed to assess efficacy with the lowest complication profile. Simpler protocols may increase patient compliance to prophylactic treatment.

The American Society for Radiation Oncology's 2010 core physics curriculum for radiation oncology residents.

PURPOSE: In 2004, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) published its first physics education curriculum for residents, which was updated in 2007. A committee composed of physicists and physicians from various residency program teaching institutions was reconvened again to update the curriculum in 2009. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Members of this committee have associations with ASTRO, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology, the American Board of Radiology (ABR), and the American College of Radiology. Members reviewed and updated assigned subjects from the last curriculum. The updated curriculum was carefully reviewed by a representative from the ABR and other physics and clinical experts. RESULTS: The new curriculum resulted in a recommended 56-h course, excluding initial orientation. Learning objectives are provided for each subject area, and a detailed outline of material to be covered is given for each lecture hour. Some recent changes in the curriculum include the addition of Radiation Incidents and Bioterrorism Response Training as a subject and updates that reflect new treatment techniques and modalities in a number of core subjects. The new curriculum was approved by the ASTRO board in April 2010. We anticipate that physicists will use this curriculum for structuring their teaching programs, and subsequently the ABR will adopt this educational program for its written examination. Currently, the American College of Radiology uses the ASTRO curriculum for their training examination topics. In addition to the curriculum, the committee updated suggested references and the glossary. CONCLUSIONS: The ASTRO physics education curriculum for radiation oncology residents has been updated. To ensure continued commitment to a current and relevant curriculum, the subject matter will be updated again in 2 years.