Stereotactic body radiation therapy for kidney cancer. Where do we stand?

At present, surgery is still the gold standard for the local treatment of renal cancer. Nonetheless, in several clinical scenarios, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) also known as stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is emerging as a highly effective ablative technique in fragile patients and those with significant comorbidities, as well as in cases where percutaneous therapy (cryoablation or radiofrequency) is not viable. However, considering the intrinsic radioresistance of renal tumors, the optimal treatment schemes have not been established. In oligometastatic patients, it has been reported that the control of the oligometastases can be a potentially curable approach. Being a technique than can be administered exclusively or in combination with systemic therapy, treatment individualization based on patient characteristics is key. Another scenario under investigation is oligoprogression, where SBRT offers the possibility of delaying further lines of systemic therapy by eliminating subclones of resistant tumor with ablative doses, with the additional opportunity of stimulating the immune system (immunomodulatory role). In this review, we have conducted an analysis of recently published studies that test the role of this technique in different clinical scenarios of this disease. We have found promising results that make SBRT a potent therapeutic approach with low toxicity. We also comment on ongoing studies that will generate the necessary evidence needed for the implementation of this technique in our daily clinical practice.

[Experience with the radiosurgical treatment of brain metastases]. / Experiencia en el manejo de metástasis cerebrales tratadas con radiocirugía estereotáctica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the survival rate of a cohort of patients with intracranial metastases treated with radiosurgery, and to determine the factors that influence the results. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis performed on a cohort of 126 patients undergoing radiosurgery for brain metastases. Patients treated with surgery before or after radiosurgery were excluded. Survival is analysed based on clinical (age, sex, primary tumour), radiological (number, location and volume of lesions), and radiotherapy factors (treatment dose, holocraneal radiation). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine significant prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 225 brain metastases in 126 patients, with a mean age of 59.8±11.6years, were treated between February 2008 and April 2015. The mean survival was 8.2 months. The overall survival rates at 6months, 1year, and 2years were 60.3%, 31.5%, and 12.8%, respectively. Lung (59.5%) and breast (14.3) were the most common primary tumours, and the most common site for metastases was the cerebral hemisphere (77%) and the average volume was 10.35 cc (0.2-43.5). Significant survival factors were: age under 60 (P=.046), female (P<.001), breast cancer (P<.001), KPS >80 (P=.001), SIR6 >5 (P=.031), and GPA ≥2.5 (P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: Radiosurgery is an appropriate technique for the treatment of brain metastases, and the main prognostic factors include being age under 65, female, breast cancer, and good scores on Karnofsky, SIR, and GPA scales.

Cáncer de recto localmente avanzado. La necesidad de la superespecialización / Locally advanced rectal cancer. The need for further specialization

Presentamos un caso que por sus connotaciones diagnósticas y terapéuticas resulta especialmente didáctico e ilustrativo, pues aborda el cómo, el quién y dónde debe realizarse la cirugía de cáncer de recto localmente avanzado. Ilustra el manejo diagnóstico y la estadificación del cáncer de recto en el momento actual. Este caso se aborda en el comité de forma multidisciplinar, y reúne los distintos avances en la cirugía de cáncer de recto de los últimos años (escisión total mesorrectal, abordaje laparoscópico, radioterapia intraoperatoria, resección perineal extendida, reparación del suelo pélvico con material protésico). Todo ello aunado a la opinión de que deben ser instituciones y grupos muy especializados y dedicados al tratamiento de esta patología los que deberían centralizar su atención médica.

We present a case, which due to its diagnostic and therapeutic connotations makes it especially educational, as it addresses the how, the who and where should the surgery be performed for locally advanced rectal cancer. It illustrates the diagnostic management and staging of rectal cancer at the present time. The case is approached in a multidisciplinary committee manner, and binds the various advances in surgery of rectal cancer in recent years (total meso-rectal excision, laparoscopy, intraoperative radiotherapy, extended perineal resection, pelvic floor repair with prosthetic material). This serves to underline the view that there must be highly specialized institutions and groups dedicated to the treatment of this condition in order to centralize its health care.