ACR Appropriateness Criteria® management of locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

OBJECTIVES: Locoregionally advanced vulvar cancer (LRAVC) is a rare disease that presents many challenging medical decisions. An expert panel was convened to reach consensus on the most appropriate pretreatment assessment and therapeutic interventions in LRAVC patients. METHODS: The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidenced-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journal and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to formulate recommendations. RESULTS: Three clinical variants were developed to address common scenarios in the management of LRAVC. Group members reached consensus on the appropriateness of specific evaluation and treatment approaches, with numerical ratings and descriptive commentary. CONCLUSIONS: In combining available medical literature and expert opinion, this manuscript may serve as an aid for other practitioners in the appropriate management of patients with LRAVC.

Outcomes of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer: long-term results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and toxicity of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-ISBT) in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between March 1996 and May 2009, 116 patients with cervical cancer were treated. Of these, 106 (91%) patients had advanced disease (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB-IVA). Ten patients had stage IB, 48 had stage II, 51 had stage III, and 7 had stage IVA disease. All patients were treated with a combination of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to the pelvis (5040 cGy) and 2 applications of HDR-ISBT to a dose of 3600 cGy to the implanted volume. Sixty-one percent of patients also received interstitial hyperthermia, and 94 (81%) patients received chemotherapy. RESULTS: Clinical LRC was achieved in 99 (85.3%) patients. Three-year DFS rates were 59%, 67%, 71%, and 57% for patients with stage IB, II, III, and IVA disease, respectively. The 5-year DFS and overall survival rates for the entire group were 60% and 44%, respectively. Acute and late toxicities were within acceptable limits. CONCLUSIONS: Locally advanced cervical cancer patients for whom intracavitary BT is unsuitable can achieve excellent LRC and OS with a combination of EBRT and HDR-ISBT.

Acr appropriateness Criteria management of vaginal cancer.

Due to its rarity, treatment guidelines for vaginal cancer are extrapolated from institutional reports and prospective studies of cervical and anal cancer. An expert panel was convened to reach consensus on the selection of imaging and therapeutic modalities. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) used by the panel to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. Four variants were developed to represent clinical scenarios in vaginal cancer management. Group members reached consensus on the appropriateness of the pretreatment evaluation and therapeutic interventions. This article represents the consensus opinion of an expert panel and may be used to inform clinical recommendations in vaginal cancer management.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® definitive therapy for early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The definitive treatment of early-stage cervical cancer involves multidisciplinary decision making. This expert panel was convened to reach consensus on the selection of appropriate therapies based on patient and disease characteristics at presentation. METHODS: The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or the treatment. RESULTS: Three clinical variants were developed to represent common scenarios in the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. Group members reached consensus on the appropriateness of therapeutic options. This process yielded numerical ratings and descriptive commentary. CONCLUSIONS: This manuscript represents the consensus opinion of an expert panel based on a survey of all available medical literature. This manuscript may be used to inform the clinical decision making of physicians involved in the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® role of adjuvant therapy in the management of early stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The use of adjuvant treatment(s) following initial hysterectomy and retroperitoneal nodal harvesting of patients with clinical stage I and II cervical carcinoma is (are) presently based on the pathological assessment of surgical specimens. This report sought to delineate further the clinical application of potential therapeutic interventions and associated follow-up investigations of this patient cohort. METHODS: The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every two years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journal and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. RESULTS: From this process, 5 unique clinical variants were developed. These scenarios pertained to options of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy, methods of delivery of radiotherapy to optimize target volume coverage while simultaneously minimizing radiation exposure of adjacent healthy organs, and recommendations for patient follow-up care. Group members reached consensus of topic ratings in descending order of importance. A risk assessment breakdown was established to highlight the most likely indications for adjuvant treatment(s). CONCLUSION: This assembly by the ACR of physicians involved in the management of patients with early stage cervical cancer was able to describe appropriateness criteria to aid other practitioners in selecting reasonable implementation of postoperative therapies and subsequent surveillance studies. These guidelines await further validation and refinement by both current and future prospectively randomized clinical studies regarding this patient population.

Low-lying rectal cancer with anal canal involvement: abdominoperineal or low anterior resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer with anal involvement is typically treated with abdominoperineal resection (APR). However, patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with good clinical response and tumor regression from the anus present a controversial management dilemma. This is a report of patients treated with low anterior resection (LAR) versus APR. METHODS: Patients with T2-3N0-2M0 (IIA-IIIC) rectal cancer with anal canal involvement were eligible. Anal canal involvement was determined by sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound. Patients were treated in the prone position with the three-field technique to 45-50.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy/fraction given concurrently with 5-fluorouracil. Patients then underwent APR/LAR via total mesorectal excision 4-6 weeks after chemoradiotherapy. LAR was performed in patients with good sphincter function at presentation, in those with sufficient tumor regression away from anal canal to permit LAR, and in those compliant with close follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with rectal cancer with anal canal involvement were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Local control was 85% and 89% for patients treated with APR and LAR, respectively. Overall survival was 76% and 86% in patients treated with APR and LAR, respectively. Pathologic complete response was seen in 24% of patients who underwent APR and 27% of patients who underwent LAR. CONCLUSION: Rectal cancers with anal involvement with good clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy are typically treated with APR. However, LAR may be a feasible alternative, particularly in those with excellent clinical response to neoadjuvant treatment with sufficient tumor regression away from the anal canal. In these patients close follow-up is necessary, and APR may be reserved as salvage when needed.

ACR appropriateness Criteria® pretreatment evaluation and follow-up of endometrial cancer of the uterus.

Endometrial cancer is one of the common malignancies in the female genital tract. Imaging in pretreatment evaluation may play an important role in an assessment of morphological prognostic factors including tumor size, depth of myometrial invasion, endocervical extent, and lymph node status. Imaging is also useful in posttreatment evaluation of patients with clinically suspected recurrence. Various modalities including MRI, CT ultrasound and FDG PET-CT-CT have been used for evaluation of the endometrial cancer in both before and after treatment settings. Literature on the indications and usefulness of these imaging studies for endometrial cancer is reviewed.

Prognostic significance of bone or cartilage invasion of locally advanced head and neck cancers.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): Locally advanced squamous cell cancers of the head and neck with bone and cartilage invasion (BCI) traditionally have been treated with resection followed up with radiotherapy or less commonly definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). However, it is unclear whether bone or cartilage invasion confers a worse prognosis in comparison with each other. MATERIALS/METHODS: T4N0-3M0 squamous cell cancers of the head and neck patients underwent CRT or radical resection followed up with postoperative CRT. Oral cavity, oropharynx, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell cancers were included. Radiotherapy ranged from 59.4 to 72 Gy. Concurrent chemotherapy was platinum based. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with BCI were treated. When treated with CRT, 5-year local control was 55% and 43% for BCI, respectively (P = 0.23). Five-year overall survival for these patients was 54% and 29% for BCI, respectively (P = 0.99). When treated with upfront resection, 5-year local control was not significantly different (P = 0.60) nor was 5-year overall survival (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests similar outcomes between patients with bone or cartilage invasion treated with upfront CRT or resection followed by CRT. Concurrent CRT may be viable alternative to resection in patients with either bone or cartilage invasion.

Interstitial brachytherapy as boost for locally advanced T4 head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Locally advanced squamous cell cancers of the head and neck (SCCHN) with bone and cartilage invasion (BCI) or those with soft-tissue invasion (STI) have been treated with resection followedup with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or definitive CRT. However, locoregional recurrence remained a large component of treatment failure. High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (BT) has been used for dose escalation to further prevent local relapse. This is a review of our experience. METHODS AND MATERIALS: T4N0-3M0 locally advanced oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) patients underwent definitive CRT or radiotherapy (RT) followedup with brachytherapy (BT). RT doses ranged from 45 to 50.4Gy. The patients were reassessed at this dose and if response was inadequate, patients underwent BT. BT doses ranged from 24 to 30Gy at 3-4Gy per fraction BID with 6h in between fractions. Concurrent chemotherapy was platinum based. RESULTS: Twenty patients were treated with CRT or RT alone followed by BT. Thirteen patients had STI and 7 had BCI; 14 patients were treated with CRT followed by BT; and 6 patients were treated with RT alone followed by BT. Five-year locoregional control was 61%. Five-year overall survival was 29%. When we excluded the patients treated with RT alone, 5-year overall survival was 36%. Nodal status was the only prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests CRT followedup with BT for patients with T4 locally advanced SCCHN of the oral cavity, and oropharynx is a feasible treatment option. In patients with poor response to CRT, BT may be used for dose escalation to increase locoregional control.

Treatment outcomes of T4 locally advanced head and neck cancers with soft tissue invasion or bone and cartilage invasion.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): T4 locally advanced squamous cell cancers of the head and neck (SCCHN) with bone and cartilage invasion (BCI) traditionally have been treated with resection followed up with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Because the organ preservation trials, more patients with BCI, as well as those with soft tissue invasion (STI), have been treated with definitive CRT. This is a review of our experience. MATERIALS/METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent definitive CRT or radical resection followed up with postoperative CRT for T4N0-3M0 locally advanced SCCHN. We analyzed outcomes based on STI/BCI and types of treatment. Radiotherapy doses ranged from 59.4 to 72 Gy. Concurrent chemotherapy was platinum based in all CRT patients. RESULTS: From 1995 to 2006, 101 patients with locally advanced SCCHN were treated definitively. Of these, 51 had STI and 50 had BCI. Of the 51 patients with STI, 42 were treated with CRT, 5 patients were treated with resection followed by CRT, and 4 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone. Of the 50 patients with BCI, 26 patients were treated with CRT, 20 patients were treated with radical resection followed by radiotherapy or CRT, and 4 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone. Five-year local-regional control was 51% and 43% for STI and BCI patients treated with CRT, respectively, and 44% for BCI treated with radical resection. Five-year overall survival was 23%, 51%, and 28% for STI treated with CRT, BCI treated with CRT, and BCI treated with radical resection. Outcomes were not statistically different between these groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests similar outcomes for CRT or resection followed up with chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced SCCHN with BCI. Concurrent CRT may be viable alternative to upfront resection in these patients. Further studies should be performed to validate these provocative findings.

High dose rate brachytherapy as a boost for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We report the outcome and toxicities of high dose rate brachytherapy as a boost for localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2003, 309 patients with prostate carcinoma were treated with external beam radiation therapy and high dose rate brachytherapy. Furthermore, 36% of the patients received neoadjuvant/concurrent or adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Patients were stratified into 3 groups. Group 1 of 67 patients had Gleason score 6 or less, pretreatment prostate specific antigen 10 ng/ml or less and clinical stage T2a or less. Group 2 of 109 patients had Gleason score 7 or greater, pretreatment prostate specific antigen greater than 10 ng/ml and clinical stage T2b or greater. Group 3 of 133 patients had 2 or more of these higher risk factors. RESULTS: At a median followup of 59 months the 5-year biochemical control rate, as defined by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, was 86%, cause specific survival was 98% and overall survival was 91%. Biochemical control in stratified groups 1 to 3 was 98%, 90% and 78%, respectively. On univariate analysis risk group, pretreatment prostate specific antigen and Gleason score were significant predictors of biochemical control. However, on multivariate analysis only risk group and pretreatment prostate specific antigen were significant. Using the Common Toxicity Criteria scale there were 2 cases of grade 3 acute urinary toxicity. Regarding late side effects 4% of patients had grade 3 genitourinary toxicity and 1 had a grade 4 rectal complication. CONCLUSIONS: External beam radiation therapy and high dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer resulted in excellent biochemical control, cause specific survival and overall survival with minimal severe acute or late complications.

Salvage high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for recurrent head-and-neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: A significant portion of head-and-neck cancer patients will develop persistent or recurrent disease after definitive treatment. Radiation therapy is often used as definitive therapy or as an adjunct to surgery. Recurrent cancer of the head and neck in the previously irradiated field is, thus, a common occurrence and poses a therapeutic challenge. Some studies have evaluated low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy as a therapeutic option, including a large case series with long-term follow-up by our own institution. High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy offers therapeutic advantages over LDR brachytherapy. This study evaluates the local control and outcomes of patients with previously irradiated recurrent head-and-neck cancer treated with HDR interstitial brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1997 and 2002, 30 patients who received prior radiation therapy for primary tumors of the head and neck were treated for biopsy-proven recurrent disease. All patients received previous radiation as definitive therapy alone or as adjunct to surgery. All patients were inoperable, refused surgery, or had gross residual disease after salvage surgery for their recurrent disease. Thirty-six sites on the 30 patients were implanted by application of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy techniques with mean tumor dose of 34 Gy (18-48 Gy) in twice daily fractions of 300 to 400 cGy per fraction. RESULTS: At a minimum follow-up of 12 months, local tumor control was achieved in 69% of implanted sites. Disease-specific survival at 1 and 2 years was 54% and 45%, respectively. Overall survival at 1 and 2 years was 56% and 37%, respectively. Grade 3/4 late complications occurred in 16% of the patients. No fatal complications occurred. CONCLUSION: HDR brachytherapy can play an important role in the salvage treatment of previously irradiated recurrent head-and-neck cancer. This study shows that comparable results are obtained by HDR brachytherapy with fewer late complications than were indicated by previously reported data for LDR brachytherapy.

Long-term results of low-dose-rate interstitial-intracavitary brachytherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix.

PURPOSE: Brachytherapy plays a major role in the treatment of patients with carcinoma of the cervix. However, routine intracavitary brachytherapy may not be feasible or adequate to treat locally advanced disease. The purpose of this retrospective study (spanning a 20-year period) was to determine the outcome of interstitial low-dose-rate brachytherapy in the treatment of bulky or locally advanced cervical cancer. The long-term survival and safety of this technique were evaluated, along with its impact on local and locoregional control, disease-free survival, and complications. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 185 previously untreated patients with cervical cancer were treated between 1977 and 1997. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification, 21 patients had Stage IB (barrel), 77 Stage II, 77 Stage III, and 10 Stage IV disease. All patients were treated by a combination of external megavoltage irradiation to the pelvis to a dose of 5040 cGy followed by interstitial-intracavitary implants to a dose of 40-50 Gy to the implanted volume in two applications. RESULTS: Clinical local control was achieved in 152 (82%) of the 185 patients. A 5-year disease-free survival rate of 65%, 67%, 49%, and 17% was achieved for patients with Stage IB, II, III, and IV disease, respectively. Eighteen (10%) of the 185 patients developed Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Grade 3 or 4 late complications. CONCLUSION: Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, or with distorted anatomy, may be treated adequately with interstitial brachytherapy to achieve excellent locoregional control and a reasonable chance of cure with acceptable morbidity.

Treatment of recurrent gynecologic malignancies with iodine-125 permanent interstitial irradiation.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of permanent 125I interstitial radiotherapy for unresectable retroperitoneal recurrences of gynecologic malignancies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective review of 20 patients treated between 1979 and 1993 was performed to evaluate survival and morbidity associated with the interstitial 125I technique. RESULTS: Nineteen tumors were located on the lateral pelvic wall and one in the para-aortic region. Eight patients, not previously irradiated, received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) along with 125I interstitial implants placed at the time of celiotomy. Nineteen (95%) are dead of disease at 1-69 months of follow-up. The median survival was 7.7 months for patients treated with 125I alone and 25.4 months for those treated with both 125I and EBRT. One patient is alive without evidence of disease 69 months after 125I implantation. Fistulas, bowel obstructions, and fatal complications occurred only among patients previously irradiated. CONCLUSIONS: When used in a previously irradiated field, 125I interstitial radiotherapy has major morbidity and is unlikely to be associated with cure or long-term survival. In radiotherapy-naive patients with unresectable isolated recurrent gynecologic malignancies, 125I implants and EBRT are feasible and occasionally may contribute to long-term disease-free survival.