3D conformal hypofractionated radical radiotherapy in early glottic cancer.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute and late toxicity and the locoregional control in patients treated with hypofractionated radical radiotherapy 2.25 Gy/fraction/day for early glottic carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 27 patients, stage T1-T2 N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma, that underwent radical RT from April 2008 to October 2011. The mean age was 64.6 years (range 36-81). Seventeen patients were staged T1a, 3 patients T1b and 7 patients T2. All patients were 3D planned and treated in a 6 MV LINAC, 2.25 Gy/fraction/5 days per week, to a total dose between 63 Gy and 67.5 Gy. Biological Effective Dose (BED (α/ß = 10)) ranged from 77.18 Gy to 82.69 Gy and EQD2 from 64.31 Gy to 68.91 Gy. Patients were evaluated in periodic follow-up. Toxicity was evaluated according to RTOG Toxicities Scales. RESULTS: With a median follow-time of 24.7 months (range 3.6-44.2 months), no evidence of locoregional recurrence was observed. The treatment was well tolerated and no unscheduled interruptions in treatments for toxicity were documented, with the median overall treatment time of 41 days (range 38-48). Only grades 1 and 2 acute toxicity were observed and no evidence of severe late toxicity. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that this moderately hypofractionated scheme can provide a good locoregional control for T1-T2 glottic carcinomas with no increase of toxicity. As the limitation of this work is the reduced number of patients and the lack of long term follow-up, the authors hope to update this retrospective study in the future in order to improve the power of the results.

Anal canal plasmacytoma-An uncommon presentation site.

BACKGROUND: Extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP) are rare plasma cell tumors that arise outside the bone marrow. They are most often located in the head and neck region, but may also occur in the other locations. The lower gastrointestinal EMP represents less than 5% of all cases, and location in the anal canal is exceedingly rare. AIM: We present an exceedingly rare case of anal canal plasmacytoma, aiming to achieve a better understanding of this rare entity. METHODS: We report a case of a 61-year-old man with a bulky mass in the anal canal. The lesion measured about 6 cm and invaded in all layers of the anal canal wall. The biopsy was performed and revealed a round and plasmocitoid cell population with a solid growth pattern and necrosis. The tumoral cells have express CD79a and CD138 with lambda chains. There was no evidence of disease in other locations and these features were consistent with the diagnosis of an extra-osseous plasmacytoma. The patient was submitted to conformal radiotherapy 50.4 Gy total dose, 1.8 Gy per fraction. After 24 months, the patient is asymptomatic and the lesion has completely disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: EMP accounts for approximately 3% of plasma cell malignancies. The median age is about 60 years, and the majority of patients are male. The treatment of choice for extramedullary plasmacytoma is radiation therapy in a dosage of about 50 Gy. Patients should be followed-up for life with repeated bone marrow aspiration and protein studies to detect the development of multiple myeloma.

Thoracic radiation therapy and concomitant low-dose daily paclitaxel in non-small cell lung cancer: a phase I study.

The primary objective of the current study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel (PTX) that could be added daily to radiation therapy (RT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The secondary objective was to achieve a plasma concentration of PTX estimated to exert a radiosensitizing effect. Eighteen patients with locally advanced NSCLC were treated. 60 Gy of RT were given in 2 Gy fractions, 5 days per week. A daily dose of PTX was delivered by 4-h i.v. infusion before RT. The initial dose level of PTX was 9 mg/m2/day, escalated by 1 mg at each additional patient triplet. Two out of 6 patients experienced acute dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at the 12 mg/m2/day PTX dose level. PTX continuously greater than 10 nM, the estimated radiosensitizing condition, was achieved at the PTX dose level of 12 mg/m2/day. PTX at doses up to 11 mg/m2/day may be safely added to a conventional conformal RT course. Both DLT and the estimated radiosensitizing plasma exposure to PTX were encountered at the 12 mg/m(2)/day dose level.

A case of post-radiotherapy gastritis: radiation does not explain everything.

Hemorrhagic gastritis is a possible late toxicity outcome after radical radiotherapy but it is nowadays a very rare condition and most likely depends on other clinical factors. We report the case of a 77-year-old woman with a symptomatic solitary extramedullary intra-abdominal plasmacytoma and multiple gastric comorbidities, treated with external beam radiotherapy. Despite the good response to radiotherapy, the patient experienced multiple gastric bleeding a few months later, with the need of multiple treatments for its control. In this paper we will discuss in detail all aspects related to the different causes of hemorrhagic gastritis.

Interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy in eyelid cancer.

PURPOSE: To report the experience and the outcomes of interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) of eyelid skin cancer at the Department of Radiotherapy of Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventeen patients (pts; mean age, 73.75 years) who underwent eyelid interstitial HDR BT with an (192)Ir source between January 2011 and February 2013 were analyzed. Lesions were basal (94%) and squamous (6%) cell carcinomas, on lower (88%) or upper (6%) eyelids, and on inner canthus (6%). T-stage was Tis (6%), T1 (46%), T2 (36%), and T3a (12%). The purpose of BT was radical (12%), adjuvant to surgery (71%), or salvage after surgery (18%). The BT implant and treatment planning were based on the Stepping Source Dosimetry System. The median total dose was 42.75 Gy (range, 32-50 Gy), with a median of 10 fractions (range, 9-11 fractions), twice daily, 6 h apart. The median V100 was 2.38 cm(3) (range, 0.83-5.59 cm(3)), and the median V150 was 1.05 cm(3) (range, 0.24-3.12 cm(3)). RESULTS: At a median followup of 40 months (range, 7-43 months), the local control was 94.1%. There was one local recurrence and one non-related death. The BT was well tolerated. Madarosis was the most common late effect (65% of pts) and was related with higher values of V100 (p = 0.027). Cosmetic outcomes were good and excellent in 70% of pts. CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial HDR BT is a feasible and safe technique for eyelid skin cancers, with good local control. Recurrent lesions and higher volumes receiving the prescribed dose were associated with worse outcomes.