Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Penile Metastasis: Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Penile metastases (PMs) are a rare clinical presentation mainly related to advanced stages of disease. Considering the low incidence, an optimal treatment approach has not yet been defined; surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (RT) are different options used in the vast majority with palliative intent. The advances in modern RT can represent an innovative tool in PM management and a curative option. This paper aimed to report the case of a PM patient treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and perform a systematic literature review of current evidence on the RT approach to PM. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported the case of an 80-year-old patient with PM from primary bladder cancer. Following the surgical approach for the primary tumor, evidence of PM was shown, and the patient was admitted to SBRT treatment on PM after an adjuvant RT course on the pelvis. A 25 Gy in 5-fraction SBRT treatment was performed, and a complete clinical response was shown at the first follow-up. A PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase systematic review was carried out. The search strategy terms were [("penile metastasis"/exp OR "penile metastasis" OR (penile AND ("metastasis"/exp OR metastasis))) AND ("radiotherapy"/exp OR radiotherapy)] and only original articles up to October 24, 2023 were considered. CONCLUSION: A total of 174 studies were obtained using the previously mentioned search strategy, and the analysis was performed on 15 papers obtained following the complete selection process. All reported evidence was focused on the palliative approach of PM, showing good results in terms of symptom control. The potential role of modern RT in the management of PM has yet to be defined. The reported case showed the feasibility and the clinical impact of SBRT in PM treatment.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Neoadjuvant and Exclusive Settings: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common tumors; better screening policies and multidisciplinary approach allow personalized treatment. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a central role in the multimodal approach in BC, and recent evidence has shown the non-inferiority of hypofractionated treatments. The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility and validity of stereotactic RT (SBRT) in BC in a neoadjuvant and exclusive setting. METHODS: A PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase systematic review was conducted to assess the role of radiomics in BC. The search strategy was "breast [All Fields] AND "stereotactic" [All Fields] AND "radiotherapy" [All Fields]" and only original articles referred to BC in humans in the English language were considered. RESULTS: A total of 2,149 studies were obtained using the mentioned search strategy on PubMed and Embase. After the complete selection process, a total of 12 papers were considered eligible for the analysis of the results. SBRT in BC was described in 8 studies regarding neoadjuvant approach and 4 papers regarding exclusive approach. CONCLUSIONS: Relative low toxicity rates, the reduced treatment volumes in the neoadjuvant setting, and the possibility to replace surgery when not feasible in exclusive setting resulted to be main advantages for SBRT in BC. Current evidence shows that both the neoadjuvant and the definitive settings seem to be promising clinical scenarios for SBRT, especially for EBC.

The Added Value of [18F]Choline PET/CT in Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Staging: A Case Report.

In the management of prostate cancer (PCa), correct staging is crucial in order to assess the right therapeutic approach. [18F]Choline PET/CT has been shown to provide more accurate staging information than conventional imaging approaches. The aim of this paper is to provide a real practice demonstration of the impact of [18F]Choline PET/CT on low-risk prostate cancer staging and clinical management. We report a 64-year-old man with biochemical PCa recurrence diagnosis after transurethral resection of the prostate. The patient, after the detection of an increased level of PSA, underwent multi-parametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) that did not show evidence of disease. The patient was admitted to perform [18F]Choline PET/CT that showed a macroscopic prostate recurrence. Patient underwent photon external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) treatment, and [18F]Choline PET/CT was also used to define treatment volumes. At 3- and 6-month clinical follow-up evaluations, no late toxicity was detected and a significant reduction in PSA value was shown. Therefore, our case highlights the potential usefulness of [18F]Choline PET/CT for the staging of low-risk prostate cancer and its impact on the management and quality of life of such patients. The presented case should urge the scientific community to enhance larger and multicentric studies, assessing more extensively the potential impact of [18F]Choline PET/CT in this clinical scenario.

Heel Spur and Radiotherapy: Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

Heel spur is a chronic inflammatory condition causing pain and other typical symptoms. Therapeutic recommendations include the use of several drug or orthotic/physical therapies, performed alone or in combination. Surgery is usually reserved for refractory conditions. Radiotherapy has been shown to ensure good clinical outcomes in this clinical setting. A systematic review was performed to describe the feasibility and effectiveness of radiotherapy in the treatment of heel spur, evaluating its role in alleviating pain and consequently ensuring a better quality of life. A case report of 45-year-old patient treated for refractary right hindfoot pain was reported. A single fraction of 6 Gy RT was delivered with symptomatic complete response at 2 months observed. A systematic database search was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The systematic review included studies describing heel spur treatment and providing complete information about radiotherapy. Fifteen articles published between 1996 and 2020 were reviewed. Study characteristic analysis resulted in seven prospective randomized studies and eight retrospective studies. Radiotherapy of painful heel spur seems to be safe and effective, with high response rates even at low doses and with an overall favorable toxicity profile. Predictive parameters and modern tailored treatment should be investigated with further studies.

Bullous pemphigoid and radiotherapy: Case report and literature review update.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a common autoimmune bullous disease generally occurring in elderly patients. Itchy and tense blisters on normal skin or erythematous and edematous lesions on the trunk and extremities usually characterize BP. Trigger factors are still unclear while several case reports suggest a potential role of radiotherapy (RT) as BP trigger for disease onset or recrudescence. A review was performed to provide an update of literature. A case report of a patient affected by BP undergoing two radiotherapy courses for a primary breast cancer was also reported. A comprehensive review of the published literature was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The review included studies describing BP and its relationships with RT treatments. A total of 13 articles were reviewed. Studies characteristics analysis resulted in eleven case reports, one case series and one large-scale case- control study. Literature update confirms the existence of a reasonable connection between RT and BP. Case report showed that a multidisciplinary management seems to assure the feasibility of RT in patients affected by BP, not depriving them of standard therapeutic opportunities.

New dosimetric parameters to predict ano-rectal toxicity during radiotherapy treatment.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is essential in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Side effects of radiotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer have a great effect on quality of life. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the correlation between dosimetric parameters and acute toxicity in rectal cancer patients. METHODS: We analyzed the Dose Volume Histogram parameters for both the target structures and the Organs at risk of 89 patients. A dedicated statistical analysis was performed for all the acute toxicities showing a frequency rate higher than 20%. A linear logistic regression model was elaborated using the variable showing the highest level of significance at the univariate analysis. RESULTS: The occurrence of proctitis was significantly correlated with three dosimetric parameters: D98% of low ano-rectum, D98% and Dmean of low ano-rectum wall. A predictive linear logistic regression model reports that the D98% of the wall of the low ano-rectum must be < 38.5 Gy to decrease the rate of proctitis. A general analysis on grade 2 acute toxicity occurrence reported that it was correlated with D98% of low ano rectum. CONCLUSIONS: Two dose constraints were elaborated: D98%<33.5 Gy for low ano rectum to prevent grade 2 acute toxicity and D98%<25 Gy for low ano-rectum wall to prevent proctitis (grade 1 or superior).

Five-Fraction Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases: A Single-Institution Experience on Different Dose Schedules.

INTRODUCTION: The most common intracranial neoplasm diagnosed in adults are brain metastases (BrM). The benefit in terms of clinical control and toxicity for stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) has been investigated for patients with low load of BrM. AIM: The aim of this single-institution experience was to investigate the best dose schedule for five-fraction SRT (FFSRT). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients treated for BrM with different dose schedules of FFSRT was performed. Local control (LC) and clinical outcomes were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging at 3, 6, and 9 months. Toxicity data were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients treated from November 2016 to September 2020 were enrolled in the analysis. Non-small cell lung cancer (51.2%) and breast cancer (24.3%) represented the most frequent primitive tumors. Treatment was performed on 5 consecutive days with prescribed dose ranging from 30 to 40 Gy, prescribed to the 95% isodose line that covered at least 98% of the gross tumor volume. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.025) with higher LC rates for dose schedules >6 Gy for fractions. Toxicity rates were not found to be higher than G1. CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective analysis suggest that FFSRT for BrM seems to be safe and feasible. Our results also underline that a total dose lower than 30 Gy in 5 fractions should not be used due to the expected minor LC.

Radiofrequency Thermoablation and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Combined Treatment for Bone Metastases: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Bone metastases (BMs) are the common cause of cancer-related pain, as approximately 45% of cancer patients suffer from bone pain (BP). Radiotherapy (RT) is well established as BP treatment strategy; also, other approaches have been shown to be effective in this setting. Radiofrequency thermoablation (RFA) in a combined strategy with RT appears to be feasible and effective in the treatment of metastatic BP ensuring a better quality of life. Aim of this retrospective study was to describe a case series of patients with painful osteolytic lesions at risk of fracture treated with the RFA-RT combined approach, analyzing local control and pain control as outcomes. METHODS: Data of all patients with BM treated with combined approach in our center from April 2016 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients underwent RFA followed by cementoplasty on the same day and RT in a second phase. RT dose ranged between 30 and 37.5 Gy in 5/10 fractions. BP was evaluated according to the numeric rating scale (NRS), at the beginning of treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from the end of combined treatment. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients were treated from April 2016 to June 2020 with RFA-RT combined approach. The large majority of patients underwent stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) (23/27). All patients experienced an NRS value decrease >2 at 1 month and between the first and second months. NRS mean value reached 0 at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months' evaluations. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective analysis of patients treated with RFA-RT combined approach for BP support its safety and efficacy in terms of pain reduction. SBRT role in this combined approach has to be investigated in randomized trials.

Paget's disease of scrotum and penis case report of a re-irradiation and review of the literature.

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous adenocarcinoma generally arising in the anogenital region. Surgery is still considered the treatment of choice for patients with EMPD, while Radiotherapy is a common alternative for inoperable cases and it's necessary in case of lack of surgical radicality. In this article, we described our experience and a review of the literature, with a particular focus on radiation-induced toxicity and on the feasibility of re-irradiation. A 70-year-old patient with EPMD underwent adjuvant radiotherapy in 2015. After 28 months for recurrence another radiant treatment was performed. No G3 (CTCAE v4) toxicity were recorded. In the last follow-up visit at 18 months, no signs of relapse were reported. A search strategy of the bibliographic database PubMed was performed. The inclusion criteria for the articles were case report, clinical prospective, or retrospective studies with histological confirmation of EMPD of scrotum and penis; studies with patients undergoing RT; studies in the past 30 years. In most of the 14 reported studies, RT was overall well tolerated. The major observed toxicity was G3 skin toxicity in one study. To our knowledge, there are no other cases of EPMD re-irradiation in literature. Our patient showed an excellent response and tolerated very well the high doses of both the radiation treatments. This suggests that the tolerance of skin to re-irradiation following a long period between the two treatments may be comparable to the normal constraints.