[Survey by SFRO, SNRO and AFPPE about the evolution of the radiation therapist profession in France]. / Enquête SFRO­SNRO­AFPPE sur l'évolution du métier de manipulateur exerçant en radiothérapie en France.

PURPOSE: As part of the multidisciplinary team, radiation therapists are in charge of elements of treatment preparation and delivery of radiotherapy to cancer patients. Helping scientific and technological improvements, more and more patients with cancer were treated with radiotherapy including hypofractionnated radiotherapy, that explain the increase of demands on services. The professional impacted by this increase of demands are radiation oncologists and medical physicists. The opportunity to push forward the radiation therapist's competencies appears with the possibility to shift them some tasks. In this context, a first work was performed with objectives to have an overview of the tasks shifted to radiation therapists in France, the tasks that they could perform but also to evaluate some criteria of job satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The committee of "new status and value of status" including six radiation oncologists (the French society of radiation oncology [SFRO] et national union of radiation oncologists [SNRO]) and six radiation therapists committee members of the French association of radiation therapists (AFPPE), built a questionnaire including three parts: demographic characteristics, tasks shifted and job satisfaction criteria. In total, the questionnaire included 19 questions and 24 items assessed with a four point-Likert scale (ranging from "completely disagree" to "completely agree"). This survey, formatting with google form, was tested by the committee members and the final version was sent to the SFRO, AFPPE and SNRO members, before being disseminated on the social networks. RESULTS: From November 18th 2022 to December 31st 2022, 492 responses were received (response rate=18.3%): 55 % of the respondents had at least 11 years of experience in radiotherapy. The respondents worked in different type of health facilities (36 % in specialized cancer centres, 19.5 % in private centers, 17.5% in university and general hospital, 10.2% in general hospital). More than » of the respondents had a teaching lecturer activity, 20% had a management team activity and a research activity for 18%. Less than 10% of the respondents had another degree than that of radiation therapist: university degree (n=27), degree in dosimetry (n=11) and master (n=3). More than 76% would like to be trained and to have access to the advanced practice, more than 50% would like expend competencies with a university degree, 30% with a master and 67% would like to participate in research. Forty-two percent of the respondents were involved in a task shifting (excluding decree relating to acts and activities carried out by radiation therapists) and among the radiation therapists non-involved, 63% would be interested in being. Regarding job satisfaction, 53% of the respondents were satisfied with their job and their salary and 68% believed that their job occupation is in line with their professional aspirations. More than 2/3 of the respondents described a significant workload and mental load, 53% thought to have time for their patient care and 70% felt some organisational difficulties. CONCLUSION: This survey shows: (i) A significant involvement of radiation therapists in the task shifting; (ii) A very strong demand for career development, in particular with existing degrees or to be created degree such as advanced practice; and (iii) The need to reinforce a job satisfaction for almost the half of the respondents, linked to a workload, a mental load and some organisational difficulties.

[Radiation therapists shortage in France: Organizational consequences and difficulties in deploying new missions and/or tasks delegation]. / Métier de manipulateur en radiothérapie en tension en France : conséquences organisationnelles et difficultés à déployer de nouvelles missions et/ou délégation de tâches.

PURPOSE: Radiation therapists shortage has been evaluated at national level in France, specifically in oncology radiotherapy, in terms of: (i) organizational adaptations, (ii) impact on patients care, and (iii) difficulties in deploying new missions and/or tasks delegation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: French professional organisations representing radiation therapists - SFRO, SNRO and AFPPE - sent their members a national survey (ten questions on 32 items). RESULTS: From 18 November 2022 to 31 December 2022, 55 responses were received (response rate: 31%) from radiotherapy managers or department heads; 51% had a structure comprising three to five treatment rooms (receiving 500 to 1000 patients per year [36%], or 1500 to 2000 patients per year [33%]). Activities performed were intensity-modulated radiotherapy (100%), stereotaxic radiotherapy (85%), brachytherapy (40%), adaptive radiotherapy (34%). These structures described consequences in closing machine time for 25% of them (reduction of the hourly volume greater than 10% in 57%) with the following consequences in the last 6 months: (i) an extension of the period of medical care (78%), a closing of one or more accelerators (50%) and the development of moderate hypofractionation scheme or extreme hypofractionation (50%). In current functioning, linear accelerators can deliver treatments with a team of two radiation therapists per room for a short day (43%) or two to four radiation therapists per room teams for a long day (40%). During the last 6 months, there has been a 10% increase in linear accelerators operating with a single team. (ii) regarding treatment planning: 16.4% reported a decrease in the opening amplitude (less than 20% in 44% of cases, from 20 to 50% in 33 % of cases). The initial scheduling of appointments for radiotherapy sessions was carried out by radiation therapists in 84% of the departments in current functioning (0.1 to 1 FTE dedicated to this activity in 62% of the departments). Over the last 6 months, there has been a clear reduction in the number of dedicated FTEs: [FTE=0.1 to 1]=-8%; [FTE=0]=+7%. (ii) Regarding tasks delegation (excluding the decree on acts and activities carried out by the radiation therapist): organ at risk delineation is partially performed by radiation therapist in 26% of the centres; caregiver support time in 78% (56% totally or 22% partially). This activity has been reduced by 42%. Seventy-five percent of departments want to develop new techniques, patient-centered approaches (44%), implement task delegation (organ at risk delineation: 58%; weekly consultations: 67%; positioning imaging validation: 71%), and 78% of departments are interested in developing advanced radiotherapy practice. However, the number of radiation therapists is considered insufficient in their implementation in 76% of cases (one to two FTE missing for 72% of structures). CONCLUSION: This survey shows a significant impact of radiation therapist shortage in radiotherapy oncology care (treatment delays, access to caregiver support time, workload on treatment teams), and represents a major obstacle to the development of radiotherapy structures.

Radiotherapy of skin adnexal carcinoma.

Skin adnexal carcinomas are rare skin cancer, developing from pilosebaceous, eccrine and apocrine unit. Treatment of localised tumours usually includes surgery and radiotherapy. Indications and modalities of radiotherapy depend on the pathological subtype with a lack of consensus for some histologies. This review summarises the place of radiotherapy in terms of indication, dose and fractionation, volumes to irradiate and discuss ongoing studies.

AFSOS-SFRO-SFH-SFNEP-SFCE-GFRP guidelines on radio-induced nausea and vomiting.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of radiation-induced nausea and vomiting varies between 40% and 80%. They have many consequences on treatment and comorbidities. This work thus aimed to define clinical practice guidelines for the management of radiation-induced nausea and vomiting. METHODS: XXXXX, XXXX, XXX, XXXXX, XXXX and XXXX compiled a working group who draft these recommendations. RESULTS: The assessment of the emetogenic risk found two main predictive factors: 1) the irradiated anatomical location, 2) an associated concomitant chemotherapy. In the case of exclusive radiotherapy, primary antiemetic prophylaxis depends on the emetogenic risk (the irradiated anatomical location). In the case of concomitant chemotherapy, the emetogenic risk is generally higher and the primary antiemetic prophylaxis corresponds to that of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In cases where symptoms persist, remedial treatments are poorly codified. CONCLUSION: Radiation-induced nausea and vomiting remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, its rapid detection and treatment are essential to reinstate good clinical practice.

Radiation therapy of cutaneous cancers.

We present the update of the recommendations of the French society of oncological radiotherapy on radiotherapy of cutaneous cancers. The indications of radiotherapy for skin cancers are not clearly defined because of the lack of randomized trials or prospective studies. For basal cell carcinomas, radiotherapy frequently offers a good local control, but a randomized trial showed that surgery is more efficient and less toxic. Indications of radiotherapy are contra-indications of surgery for patients older than 60, non-sclerodermiform histology and located in non-sensitive areas. Adjuvant radiotherapy could be proposed to squamous cell carcinomas, in case of poor prognostic factors. Dose of 60 to 70Gy are usually required, and must be modulated to the size of the lesions. Adjuvant radiotherapy seems beneficial for desmoplastic melanomas but not for the other histological types. Prophylactic nodal irradiation (45 to 50Gy), for locally advanced tumors (massive nodal involvement), decreases the locoregional failure rate but do not increase survival. Adjuvant radio- therapy (50 to 56Gy) for Merkel cell carcinomas increases also the local control rate, as demonstrated by meta-analysis and a large epidemiological study. Nodal areas must be included, if there is no surgical exploration (sentinel lymph node dissection). Kaposi sarcomas are radiosensitive and could be treated with relatively low doses (24 to 30Gy). Also, cutaneous lymphomas are good indications for radiotherapy: B lymphomas are electively treated with limited fields. The role of total skin electron therapy for T-lymphomas is still discussed; but palliative radiotherapy is very efficient in case of cutaneous nodules.

[Predictive factors for mandibular osteoradionecrosis after irradiation of head and neck cancers]. / Facteurs prédictifs de l'ostéoradionécrose mandibulaire après irradiation des cancers des voies aérodigestives supérieures.

The identification of the different risk factors for mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) must be done before and after the management of patients with head and neck cancer. Various clinical criteria for this severe radiation-induced complication are related to the patient (intrinsic radiosensitivity, malnutrition associated with thin weight loss, active smoking intoxication, microcapillary involvement, precarious oral status, hyposalivation) and/or related to the disease (oral cavity, large tumor size, tumor mandibular invasion). Therapeutic risk factors are also associated with a higher risk of ORN (primary tumor surgery, concomitant radio-chemotherapy, post-irradiation dental avulsion, preventive non-observance with the absence of stomatological follow-up and daily installation of gutters fluoride and, non-observance curative healing treatments). Finally, various dosimetric studies have specified the parameters in order to target the dose values distributed in the mandible, which increases the risk of ORN. An mean mandibular dose greater than 48-54Gy and high percentages of mandibular volume receiving 40 to 60Gy appear to be discriminating in the risk of developing an ORN.

Patterns of practice of androgen deprivation therapy combined to radiotherapy in favorable and unfavorable intermediate risk prostate cancer. Results of The PROACT Survey from the French GETUG Radiation Oncology group.

PURPOSE: The intermediate-risk (IR) prostate cancer (PCa) group is heterogeneous in terms of prognosis. For unfavorable or favorable IR PCa treated by radiotherapy, the optimal strategy remains to be defined. In routine practice, the physician's decision to propose hormonal therapy (HT) is controversial. The PROACT survey aimed to evaluate pattern and preferences of daily practice in France in this IR population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web questionnaire was distributed to French radiotherapy members of 91 centers of the Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs Uro-Genitales (GETUG). The questionnaire included four sections concerning: (i) the specialists who prescribe treatments and multidisciplinary decisions (MTD) validation; (ii) the definition of IR subsets of patients; (iii) radiotherapy parameters; (iv) the pattern of practice regarding cardiovascular (CV) and (iv) metabolic evaluation. A descriptive presentation of the results was used. RESULTS: Among the 82 responses (90% of the centers), HT schedules and irradiation techniques were validated by specific board meetings in 54% and 45% of the centers, respectively. Three-fourths (76%) of the centers identified a subset of IR patients for a dedicated strategy. The majority of centers consider PSA>15 (77%) and/or Gleason 7 (4+3) (87%) for an unfavorable IR definition. Overall, 41% of the centers performed systematically a CV evaluation before HT prescription while 61% consider only CV history/status in defining the type of HT. LHRH agonists are more frequently prescribed in both favorable (70%) and unfavorable (98%) IR patients. Finally, weight (80%), metabolic profile (70%) and CV status (77%) of patients are considered for follow-up under HT. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey on HT practice in IR PCa. The PROACT survey indicates that three-quarters of the respondents identify subsets of IR-patients in tailoring therapy. The CV status of the patient is considered in guiding the HT decision, its duration and type of drug.

[Effects of high-dose irradiation on vascularization: Physiopathology and clinical consequences]. / Effets de l'irradiation à haute dose sur la vascularisation : physiopathologie et conséquences cliniques.

A review of the literature has been conducted to better understand the effect of stereotactic radiotherapy on tumour vascularization and their consequences. High irradiation doses cause the death of endothelial cells by apoptosis through the ceramide pathway. Vascular consequences are multiple: increased permeability, decreased blood flow, increased hypoxia and tumoral necrosis. This necrosis causes an indirect death of the cancer cells in the days following the irradiation. The importance of indirect cell death in tumour control remains controversial, but it can explain the good clinical results of stereotactic radiotherapy. Stereotactic radiotherapy is a treatment of the tumour microenvironment. Tumour recurrence in this hypoxic environment is slower through disturbance of revascularization mechanisms but also more aggressive, with increased resistance to treatment and a higher risk of metastasis. In a longer time, vascular damage leads to chronic inflammation and a dysfunctional healing process resulting in vascular occlusion. This phenomenon is used in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations but is also responsible for damage to healthy tissues responsible for chronic complications. This is why high-dose irradiation can only be delivered using stereotactic radiotherapy, which reduces the irradiated volume.

Two cases of cutaneous drug eruption associated with temozolomide therapy for glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is the most common form of primary brain cancer. Its treatment involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide (tmz), which is an oral alkylating agent. To the best of our knowledge, few dermatologic side effects of tmz have been described. We report two cases of cutaneous drug eruption caused by tmz during and after radiochemotherapy treatment. In the first case, all tests were negative, but the clinical history and the time of onset supported an allergy to tmz. In the second case, an allergy to tmz was proved by a positive lymphocyte activation test. In this context, our study is one of a very few trying to determine dermatologic side effects by applicable tests used in routine practice.

[Radiation induced skin reactions]. / Réactions cutanées induites par la radiothérapie.

Radiotherapy is one of the most important treatment modality of cancers. Skin secondary effects are well known. Cutaneous complications are described. Physiopathogenic mechanisms are reported. Many preventative and treatment options have been used with varying degrees of evidence of success. Information of patients, further research studies and a multidisciplinary approach are necessary to increase the management of radiation induced skin reactions.

Concomitant intensive chemoradiotherapy induction in non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer: long-term follow-up.

The aim of this study was to evaluate with a long follow-up the efficacy of concomitant chemoradiotherapy in non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and to evaluate the breast conservation rate. Between 1990 and 2000, 66 non-metastatic patients with IBC were treated with chemotherapy and concomitant irradiation. The induction chemotherapy consisted of epirubicine, cyclophosphamide and vindesine, in association with split-course bi-fractionated irradiation to a total dose of 65 Gy with concomitant cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of high-dose methotrexate and six cycles of epirubicine, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil. Hormonal treatment was given if indicated. Mastectomy was not systemic. Among 65 evaluable patients, 57 (87.6%) achieved a complete clinical response and had a breast conservation. Only six loco regional relapses were noted in six patients with a delay of 20 months and with concomitant metastatic dissemination in four cases. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 28 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 63 months and median follow-up was 55.5 months. Induction chemotherapy and concomitant irradiation is feasible in patients with IBC, permitting a breast conservation with a high rate of local control with an OS comparable to that of the best recent series.

Epirubicin-vinorelbine vs FEC100 for node-positive, early breast cancer: French Adjuvant Study Group 09 trial.

The aim of the study was to compare our reference adjuvant chemotherapy, FEC100 (fluorouracil 500 mg m(-2), epirubicin 100 mg m(-2) and cyclophosphamide 500 mg m(-2), six cycles every 21 days), to an epirubicin-vinorelbine (Epi-Vnr) combination for early, poor-prognosis breast cancer patients. Patients (482) were randomised to receive FEC100, or Epi-Vnr (epirubicin 50 mg m(-2) day 1 and vinorelbine 25 mg m(-2), days 1 and 8, six cycles every 21 days). The 7-year disease-free survival rates were 59.4 and 58.8%, respectively (P=0.47). The relative dose intensity of planned epirubicin doses was 89.1% with FEC100 and 88.9% with Epi-Vnr. There were significantly more grades 3-4 neutropenia (P=0.009) with Epi-Vnr, and significantly more nausea-vomiting (P<0.0001), stomatitis (P=0.0007) and alopecia (P<0.0001) with FEC100. No cases of congestive heart failure were reported, whereas four decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction occurred after FEC100 and five after Epi-Vnr. One case of acute myeloblastic leukaemia was registered in the FEC100 arm. After 7 years of follow-up, there was no difference between treatment arms. Epi-Vnr regimen provided a good efficacy in such poor-prognosis breast cancer patients, and could be an alternative to FEC100, taking into account respective safety profiles of both regimens.

Complete hormonal blockade versus epirubicin-based chemotherapy in premenopausal, one to three node-positive, and hormone-receptor positive, early breast cancer patients: 7-year follow-up results of French Adjuvant Study Group 06 randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine optimal adjuvant therapy between complete hormonal blockade in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer and one to three positive nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomised 333 patients to receive either LHRH agonist (triptorelin 3.75 mg i.m., monthly) plus tamoxifen 30 mg/day for 3 years (TAM-LHRHa, n=164), or fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 every 21 days for six cycles, without any hormonal treatment (FEC50, n=169). RESULTS: The 7-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 76% with TAM-LHRHa, and 72% with FEC50 (P=0.13). The 7-year overall survival (OS) was 91% and 88%, respectively (P=0.20). The multivariate analysis confirmed that both treatments were not different for DFS and OS (P=0.83 and P=0.41, respectively). Amenorrhoea occurred in 64% of patients treated with FEC50; it was temporary in 58% of cases after hormonotherapy and in 31% after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: In intermediate-risk breast cancer, complete hormonal blockade and chemotherapy provided similar outcomes. Hormonal treatment is an alternative to chemotherapy in hormone-sensitive patients, considering the preference of patients in terms of quality of life.

[Induction chemotherapy and laryngeal preservation in pharyngolaryngeal carcinomas. Study of a 124 serie's patients and patient's follow up with laryngeal preservation]. / Chimiothérapie d'induction et préservation laryngée dans les cancers du pharyngolarynx. Etude d'une série de 124 patients et suivi des patients en préservation laryngée.

OBJECTIVE: To try and determine the value of chemotherapy and its subsequent effect on laryngeal preservation in patients presenting with laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinomas. One group was initially treated with surgery and radiotherapy. The second group was treated with chemotherapy and subsequent salvage surgery and/or radiotherapy. Their survival rates and laryngeal preservation rates were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 251 patients the authors have retrospectively studied 124 patients with induction chemotherapy. The survival rate has been compared with a control group of 127 patients who was treated by initial surgery and radiotherapy. RESULTS: The survival rate at 5 years for the patients initially treated by surgery and radiotherapy was 64.1%. The survival for patients with a total clinical response following chemotherapy was 49.8% at 5 years. Survival with no total clinical response following chemotherapy treated by secondary radiotherapy was 25.7% at 3 years. The initial rate of laryngeal preservation is 32.2% but this rate fell to 22% after local recurrencies. CONCLUSION: The group with total clinical response after induction chemotherapy with laryngeal preservation have a non significantly difference in their survival compared with the group initially treated by surgery and radiotherapy. In contrary patients with non complete clinical response have a survival of 25.7% at 3 years. The rate of local recurrency of patients with laryngeal preservation is 32.5% and gives a finally rate of laryngeal preservation of 21%. These recurrencies decrease the survival rate.

Pre-irradiation chemotherapy for newly diagnosed high grade astrocytoma.

The purpose of this work was to determine the response rate and toxicity of a combination of Carmustine and Cisplatin administered before radiation in patients with newly diagnosed high grade astrocytoma. A good response rate has been published with this association in primary cerebral high grade tumor. This protocol was administered in a homogeneous population of 37 adult patients with measurable tumor on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scan. After biopsy or subtotal resection, the patients received BCNU 40 mg/m2/d and CODP 40 mg/m2/d, for 3 days every 28 days for 3 cycles. Evaluation was performed before each cycle. Radiation therapy began 4 weeks after completing the chemotherapy or immediately if there was evidence of tumor progression on chemotherapy. Seven out of 37 (19%) demonstrated tumor regression with a median duration to progression of 11 months. Median survival was 6 months. Myelosuppression was the predominant but manageable toxicity. This work indicated that the first chemotherapy protocol gave poor results in a homogeneous group of patients, with bad prognosis.

Impact of screening on breast cancer detection. Retrospective comparative study of two periods ten years apart.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the mode of discovery of breast cancer in the last 15 years. We compared two periods separated by a 10-year interval, during which a mass mammographic screening programme was established in our department. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We made a retrospective comparison of the records of female patients with breast cancer diagnosed in our hospital over the period 1986-1989 (first period) and 1997-1999 (second period). The mass screening programme for breast cancer began in 1995. RESULTS: We collected 372 patients in the first period and 341 in the second. We found a significant change in the mode of the discovery of breast cancer between the two periods: 80.2% versus 51.9%, respectively, of the cases of breast cancer were discovered by breast self-examination, 10.2% versus 13.7% were discovered by a physician, and 4.8% versus 29.1% were discovered by routine mammography as part of an individual or mass screening programme. The mean size of the tumours decreased significantly (2.6 cm versus 2.3 cm: p = 0.019), and the number of tumours with initial metastases or lymph node involvement decreased, almost attaining the level of significance (p = 0.06). It is difficult to compare the survival and disease-free survival curves because of the short follow-up in the second period (median follow-up = 10 months). However, a marked difference appears to be developing (p < 0.0001): patients diagnosed by mammography are showing better survival and disease-free survival compared with the others. DISCUSSION: We observed that more widespread use of mammography screening for breast cancer led to smaller tumours being discovered during the second period, with less lymph node involvement and less initial metastasis. Breast cancer screening is one of the most intensively evaluated health care practices with eight completed randomized trials yet its net benefit has remained controversial. It has been shown that, at least for patients aged 50 to 70, properly organized mass screening for breast cancer led to a reduction in mortality rate. However, individual breast self-exam, physician and mammographic screening can interfere with assessment of mass screening programmes in terms of individual benefit. In addition, introducing a mass screening programme may induce opportunistic screening in non-invited age groups and influence health behaviour in the target and non target populations. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the mode of discovery, the diagnostic presentation, and prognostic factors in breast cancer in a French department before and after initiation of a mass-screening programme (MSP).

Chemotherapy and concomitant irradiation in inflammatory breast cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemotherapy and irradiation in inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Between January 1990 and December 1998, forty-eight non-metastatic patients with clinical or occult IBC were treated with chemotherapy and irradiation. The induction chemotherapy consisted of epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and vindesin, in association with split-course bi-fractionated irradiation to a total dose of 65 Gy with concomitant cisplatin and fluorouracil. Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of high-dose methotrexate and 6 cycles of epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil Hormonal treatment was given routinely but mastectomies were not routinely performed. A high rate of locoregional control was obtained in 47 evaluable patients of whom 93.6 % achieved a complete clinical response. Three patients had locoregional relapses, always with concomitant metastatic dissemination. In 47 patients, 21 developed metastatic dissemination with a median delay of 23 months. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 45 months. Median overall survival (OS) has not yet been reached after a median follow-up of 44.5 months. The 3-year DFS rate was 53 % and the 3-year OS rate was 71 %. Toxicity was mainly hematological. During the induction therapy, grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 54 % of patients, grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 23 % and grade 3 or 4 anemia in 8 %. The administration of induction chemotherapy and concomitant irradiation is feasible in patients with IBC. The hematological toxicity of this treatment approach is significant but nevertheless, the treatment achieves a high degree of locoregional control and improved survivaL

[Lymph node metastasis of cutaneous epidermoid carcinomas of the head and neck: prognostic factors and therapeutic strategies. Apropos of a series of 13 cases]. / Métastases ganglionnaires des carcinomes épidermoïdes cutanés cervico-faciaux. Facteurs pronostiques et modalités thérapeutiques. A propos d'une série de 13 cas.

UNLABELLED: Squamous cell skin carcinoma has a relatively low rate of metastasis (0.5 to 16%), but the prognosis of these metastases is poor (22% of survival at 5 years). PATIENTS AND METHODS: from a series of 243 patients, we studied 13 patients who were found initially to have metastases or who developed metastases later. Fifty-four percent (54%) of the patients presented initially with regional lymph node and parotid involvement in 54%. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery with removal of the skin cancer and a neck dissection. Radiotherapy was performed later in 92% of the cases. The 2 years survival rate was 62% and mean survival by Kaplan Meier curve was 47 months. DISCUSSION: Poor criteria of these cutaneous tumors are defined: tumor size, histologic differentiation, perineural spread. Patients with severe criteria must have a neck dissection to control the first lymph node. Along the anatomic area of the cutaneous tumor, a parotidectomy, a submaxillary control or a neck dissection will be performed. Its involvement will be followed by a neck dissection. A comparative study of the literature is made. Poor prognostic criteria of these cutaneous tumors are defined, in addition to the initial management of the cervical and parotid lymph nodes.