Efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy and response prediction using artificial intelligence in oligometastatic gynaecologic cancer.

PURPOSE: We present a large real-world multicentric dataset of ovarian, uterine and cervical oligometastatic lesions treated with SBRT exploring efficacy and clinical outcomes. In addition, an exploratory machine learning analysis was performed. METHODS: A pooled analysis of gynecological oligometastases in terms of efficacy and clinical outcomes as well an exploratory machine learning model to predict the CR to SBRT were carried out. The CR rate following radiotherapy (RT) was the study main endpoint. The secondary endpoints included the 2-year actuarial LC, DMFS, PFS, and OS. RESULTS: 501 patients from 21 radiation oncology institutions with 846 gynecological metastases were analyzed, mainly ovarian (53.1%) and uterine metastases(32.1%).Multiple fraction radiotherapy was used in 762 metastases(90.1%).The most frequent schedule was 24 Gy in 3 fractions(13.4%). CR was observed in 538(63.7%) lesions. The Machine learning analysis showed a poor ability to find covariates strong enough to predict CR in the whole series. Analyzing them separately, in uterine cancer, if RT dose≥78.3Gy, the CR probability was 75.4%; if volume was <13.7 cc, the CR probability became 85.1%. In ovarian cancer, if the lesion was a lymph node, the CR probability was 71.4%; if volume was <17 cc, the CR probability rose to 78.4%. No covariate predicted the CR for cervical lesions. The overall 2-year actuarial LC was 79.2%, however it was 91.5% for CR and 52.5% for not CR lesions(p < 0.001). The overall 2-year DMFS, PFS and OS rate were 27.3%, 24.8% and 71.0%, with significant differences between CR and not CR. CONCLUSIONS: CR was substantially associated to patient outcomes in our series of gynecological cancer oligometastatic lesions. The ability to predict a CR through artificial intelligence could also drive treatment choices in the context of personalized oncology.

Definitive chemoradiation in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: outcome and toxicity from an observational multicenter Italian study on vulvar cancer (OLDLADY 1.1).

BACKGROUND: Vulvar carcinoma is a rather uncommon gynecological malignancy affecting elderly women and the treatment of loco-regional advanced carcinoma of the vulva (LAVC) is a challenge for both gynecologic and radiation oncologists. Definitive chemoradiation (CRT) is the treatment of choice, but with disappointing results. In this multicenter study (OLDLADY-1.1), several institutions have combined their retrospective data on LAVC patients to produce a real-world dataset aimed at collecting data on efficacy and safety of CRT. METHODS: The primary study end-point was 2-year-local control (LC), secondary end-points were 2-year-metastasis free-survival (MFS), 2-year-overall survival (OS) and the rate and severity of acute and late toxicities. Participating centers were required to fill data sets including age, stage, histology, grading as well as technical/dosimetric details of CRT. Data about response, local and regional recurrence, acute and late toxicities, follow-up and outcome measures were also collected. The toxicity was a posteriori documented through the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5 scale. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 65 patients with primary or recurrent LAVC treated at five different radiation oncology institutions covering 11-year time interval (February 2010-November 2021). Median age at diagnosis was 72 years (range 32-89). With a median follow-up of 19 months (range 1-114 months), 2-year actuarial LC, MFS and OS rate were 43.2%, 84.9% and 59.7%, respectively. In 29 patients (44%), CRT was temporarily stopped (median 5 days, range 1-53 days) due to toxicity. The treatment interruption was statistically significant at univariate analysis of factors predicting LC (p: 0.05) and OS rate (p: 0.011), and it was confirmed at the multivariate analysis for LC rate (p: 0.032). In terms of toxicity profile, no G4 event was recorded. Most adverse events were reported as grade 1 or 2. Only 14 acute G3 toxicities, all cutaneous, and 7 late G3 events (3 genitourinary, 3 cutaneous, and 1 vaginal stenosis) were recorded. CONCLUSION: In the context of CRT for LAVC, the present study reports encouraging results even if there is clearly room for further improvements, in terms of both treatment outcomes, toxicity and treatment interruption management.

The Effect of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on One- and Two-Stage Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction and on Autologous Reconstruction: A Multicenter Italian Study among 18 Senonetwork Breast Centres.

Purpose: In modern breast cancer treatment, a growing role has been observed for breast reconstruction together with an increase in clinical indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). Choosing the optimum type of reconstructive technique is a clinical challenge. We therefore conducted a national multicenter study to analyze the impact of PMRT on breast reconstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control multicenter study on women undergoing breast reconstruction. Data were collected from 18 Italian Breast Centres and stored in a cumulative database which included the following: autologous reconstruction, direct-to-implant (DTI), and tissue expander/immediate (TE/I). For all patients, we described complications and surgical endpoints to complications such as reconstruction failure, explant, change in type of reconstruction, and reintervention. Results: From 2001 to April 2020, 3116 patients were evaluated. The risk for any complication was significantly increased in patients receiving PMRT (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.33-2.24; p < 0.001). PMRT was associated with a significant increase in the risk of capsular contracture in the DTI and TE/I groups (aOR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.57-3.20; p < 0.001). Comparing type of procedures, the risk of failure (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.06-3.12, p=0.030), explant (aOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 3.85-7.83, p < 0.001), and severe complications (aOR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.88-3.43, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the group undergoing DTI reconstruction as compared to TE/I reconstruction. Conclusion: Our study confirms that autologous reconstruction is the procedure least impacted by PMRT, while DTI appears to be the most impacted by PMRT, when compared with TE/I which shows a lower rate of explant and reconstruction failure. The trial is registered with NCT04783818, and the date of registration is 1 March, 2021, retrospectively registered.

AIRO Breast Cancer Group Best Clinical Practice 2022 Update.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and represents the leading cause of cancer death. Radiation therapy plays a key-role in the treatment of all breast cancer stages. Therefore, the adoption of evidence-based treatments is warranted, to ensure equity of access and standardization of care in clinical practice. METHOD: This national document on the highest evidence-based available data was developed and endorsed by the Italian Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) Breast Cancer Group.We analyzed literature data regarding breast radiation therapy, using the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) methodology (www.sign.ac.uk). Updated findings from the literature were examined, including the highest levels of evidence (meta-analyses, randomized trials, and international guidelines) with a significant impact on clinical practice. The document deals with the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of primary breast cancer, local relapse, and metastatic disease, with focus on diagnosis, staging, local and systemic therapies, and follow up. Information is given on indications, techniques, total doses, and fractionations. RESULTS: An extensive literature review from 2013 to 2021 was performed. The work was organized according to a general index of different topics and most chapters included individual questions and, when possible, synoptic and summary tables. Indications for radiation therapy in breast cancer were examined and integrated with other oncological treatments. A total of 50 questions were analyzed and answered.Four large areas of interest were investigated: (1) general strategy (multidisciplinary approach, contraindications, preliminary assessments, staging and management of patients with electronic devices); (2) systemic therapy (primary, adjuvant, in metastatic setting); (3) clinical aspects (invasive, non-invasive and micro-invasive carcinoma; particular situations such as young and elderly patients, breast cancer in males and cancer during pregnancy; follow up with possible acute and late toxicities; loco-regional relapse and metastatic disease); (4) technical aspects (radiation after conservative surgery or mastectomy, indications for boost, lymph node radiotherapy and partial breast irradiation).Appendixes about tumor bed boost and breast and lymph nodes contouring were implemented, including a dedicated web application. The scientific work was reviewed and validated by an expert group of breast cancer key-opinion leaders. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal breast cancer management requires a multidisciplinary approach sharing therapeutic strategies with the other involved specialists and the patient, within a coordinated and dedicated clinical path. In recent years, the high-level quality radiation therapy has shown a significant impact on local control and survival of breast cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to offer and guarantee accurate treatments according to the best standards of evidence-based medicine.

Observational multicenter Italian study on vulvar cancer adjuvant radiotherapy (OLDLADY 1.2): a cooperation among AIRO Gyn, MITO and MaNGO groups.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT) has been shown to reduce the risk of local relapse in vulvar cancer (VC). In this multicentre study (OLDLADY-1.2), several Institutions have combined their retrospective data on VC patients to produce a real-world dataset aimed at collecting data on efficacy and safety of aRT. METHODS: The primary study end-point was the 2-year-local control, secondary end-points were the 2-year-metastasis free-survival, the 2-year-overall survival and the rate and severity of acute and late toxicities. Participating centres were required to fill data sets including age, stage, tumor diameter, type of surgery, margin status, depth of invasion, histology, grading as well technical/dosimetric details of radiotherapy. Data about response, local and regional recurrence, acute and late toxicities, follow-up and outcome measures were also collected. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one patients with invasive VC from 9 Institutions were retrospectively identified. The majority of patients were stage III (63%), grade 2 (62.4%) squamous carcinoma (97.2%). Positive nodes were observed in 117 patients (64.6%), moreover tumor diameter > 4 cm, positive/close margins and depth of invasion deeper than 5 mm were found in 59.1%, 38.6%, 58% of patients, respectively. Sixty-one patients (33.7%) received adjuvant chemoradiation, and 120 (66.3%) received radiotherapy alone. aRT was started 3 months after surgery in 50.8% of patients. Prescribed volumes and doses heterogeneity was recorded according to margin status and nodal disease. Overall, 42.5% locoregional recurrences were recorded. With a median follow-up of 27 months (range 1-179), the 2-year actuarial local control rate, metastasis free and overall survival were 68.7%, 84.5%, and 67.5%, respectively. In term of safety, aRT leads to a prevalence of acute skin toxicity with a low incidence of severe toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of aRT for VC the present study reports a broad spectrum of approaches which would deserve greater standardization in terms of doses, volumes and drugs used.

The dosimetric impact of axillary nodes contouring variability in breast cancer radiotherapy: An AIRO multi-institutional study.

AIM: To quantify the dosimetric impact of contouring variability of axillary lymph nodes (L2, L3, L4) in breast cancer (BC) locoregional radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 18 RT centres were asked to plan a locoregional treatment on their own planning target volume (single centre, SC-PTV) which was created by applying their institutional margins to the clinical target volume of the axillary nodes of three BC patients (P1, P2, P3) previously delineated (SC-CTV). The gold standard CTVs (GS-CTVs) of P1, P2 and P3 were developed by BC experts' consensus and validated with STAPLE algorithm. For each participating centre, the GS-PTV of each patient was created by applying the same margins as those used for the SC-CTV to SC-PTV expansion and replaced the SC-PTV in the treatment plan. Datasets were imported into MIM v6.1.7 [MIM Software Inc.], where dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were extracted and differences were analysed. RESULTS: 17/18 centres used intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). The CTV to PTV margins ranged from 0 to 10 mm (median 5 mm). No correlation was observed between GS-CTV coverage by 95% isodose and GS-PTV margins width. Doses delivered to 98% (D98) and 95% (D95) of GS-CTVs were significantly lower than those delivered to the SC-CTVs. No significant difference between SC-CTV and GS-CTV was observed in maximum dose (D2), always under 110%. Mean dose ≥99% of the SC-CTVs and GS-CTVs was satisfied in 84% and 50%, respectively. In less than one half of plans, GS-CTV V95% was above 90%. Breaking down the GS-CTV into the three nodal levels (L2, L3 and L4), L4 had the lowest probability to be covered by the 95% isodose. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, GS-CTV resulted worse coverage, especially for L4. IMRT was largely used and CTV-to-PTV margins did not compensate for contouring issues. The results highlighted the need for delineation training and standardization.

Geometric contour variation in clinical target volume of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer radiotherapy: an AIRO multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine interobserver variability in axillary nodal contouring in breast cancer (BC) radiotherapy (RT) by comparing the clinical target volume of participating single centres (SC-CTV) with a gold-standard CTV (GS-CTV). METHODS: The GS-CTV of three patients (P1, P2, P3) with increasing complexity was created in DICOM format from the median contour of axillary CTVs drawn by BC experts, validated using the simultaneous truth and performance-level estimation and peer-reviewed. GS-CTVs were compared with the correspondent SC-CTVs drawn by radiation oncologists, using validated metrics and a total score (TS) integrating all of them. RESULTS: Eighteen RT centres participated in the study. Comparative analyses revealed that, on average, the SC-CTVs were smaller than GS-CTV for P1 and P2 (by -29.25% and -27.83%, respectively) and larger for P3 (by +12.53%). The mean Jaccard index was greater for P1 and P2 compared to P3, but the overlap extent value was around 0.50 or less. Regarding nodal levels, L4 showed the highest concordance with the GS. In the intra-patient comparison, L2 and L3 achieved lower TS than L4. Nodal levels showed discrepancy with GS, which was not statistically significant for P1, and negligible for P2, while P3 had the worst agreement. DICE similarity coefficient did not exceed the minimum threshold for agreement of 0.70 in all the measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial differences were observed between SC- and GS-CTV, especially for P3 with altered arm setup. L2 and L3 were the most critical levels. The study highlighted these key points to address. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The present study compares, by means of validated geometric indexes, manual segmentations of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer from different observers and different institutions made on radiotherapy planning CT images. Assessing such variability is of paramount importance, as geometric uncertainties might lead to incorrect dosimetry and compromise oncological outcome.

A Large, Multicenter, Retrospective Study on Efficacy and Safety of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) in Oligometastatic Ovarian Cancer (MITO RT1 Study): A Collaboration of MITO, AIRO GYN, and MaNGO Groups.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported improvement of outcomes (progression-free survival, overall survival, and prolongation of androgen deprivation treatment-free survival) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in non-small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer. The aim of this retrospective, multicenter study (MITO RT-01) was to define activity and safety of SBRT in a very large, real-world data set of patients with metastatic, persistent, and recurrent ovarian cancer (MPR-OC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The endpoints of the study were the rate of complete response (CR) to SBRT and the 24-month actuarial local control (LC) rate on "per-lesion" basis. The secondary endpoints were acute and late toxicities and the 24-month actuarial late toxicity-free survival. Objective response rate (ORR) included CR and partial response (PR). Clinical benefit (CB) included ORR and stable disease (SD). Toxicity was evaluated by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) scales, according to center policy. Logistic and Cox regression were used for the uni- and multivariate analysis of factors predicting clinical CR and actuarial outcomes. RESULTS: CR, PR, and SD were observed in 291 (65.2%), 106 (23.8%), and 33 (7.4%) lesions, giving a rate of CB of 96.4%. Patient aged ≤60 years, planning target volume (PTV) ≤18 cm3 , lymph node disease, and biologically effective dose α/ß10 > 70 Gy were associated with higher chance of CR in the multivariate analysis. With a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 3-120), the 24-month actuarial LC rate was 81.9%. Achievement of CR and total dose >25 Gy were associated with better LC rate in the multivariate analysis. Mild toxicity was experienced in 54 (20.7%) patients; of 63 side effects, 48 were grade 1, and 15 were grade 2. The 24-month late toxicity-free survival rate was 95.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the activity and safety of SBRT in patients with MPR-OC and identifies clinical and treatment parameters able to predict CR and LC rate. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study aimed to define activity and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in a very large, real life data set of patients with metastatic, persistent, recurrent ovarian cancer (MPR-OC). Patient age <60 years, PTV <18 cm3 , lymph node disease, and biologically effective dose α/ß10 >70 Gy were associated with higher chance of complete response (CR). Achievement of CR and total dose >25 Gy were associated with better local control (LC) rate. Mild toxicity was experienced in 20.7% of patients. In conclusion, this study confirms the activity and safety of SBRT in MPR-OC patients and identifies clinical and treatment parameters able to predict CR and LC rate.

Hair Loss Prevention by a Scalp Cooling Device in Early Breast Cancer Patients: The Poliambulanza Preliminary Experience.

BACKGROUND: The most effective agents in the treatment of breast cancer have a common side effect, the hair loss. Some studies reported a reduction of hair loss with the use of the scalp cooling device. Indeed, it decreases the drug accumulation in the hair follicles. We report our preliminary experience with a scalp cooling device in reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia and related distress in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Hair loss grading and treatment tolerability were evaluated during chemotherapy every 21 days and 3 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy via Dean's scale by patients and operators and a comfort analogic scale by patients. We administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire at the baseline and at the end of treatment to assess the distress related to chemotherapy- induced alopecia. RESULTS: Among the 46 patients identified, 27 accepted the device. The eligible chemotherapy regimens included docetaxel+cyclophosphamide (TC), doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide (AC) and paclitaxel (P) weekly+trastuzumab (T). 24 pts (89%) completed the treatment; 3 pts (11%) treated with AC prematurely interrupted use of the scalp-cooling device due to inefficacy. After the last cycle of chemotherapy, the number of patient who perceived a HL < grade 2 was 16 (59%). The hair retention reported by operators has been higher (78%). 81.5% of patients well tolerated the treatment. CONCLUSION: In our study, the scalp-cooling device reduced chemotherapy-induced alopecia in taxane- based chemotherapy. Furthermore, it suggests a discordance in hair loss perception between patients and operators.

Integrated Diagnostic Model That Incorporates Epstein-Barr Virus DNA, Imaging, and Nasal Endoscopy to Stratify Primary Tumor and Lymph Nodes in a Patient with N1 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Multidisciplinary Management.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy, with a high metastatic potential. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection plays a fundamental role, even if it is not well understood. The diagnosis of the disease in its early stage is infrequent. Imaging studies, positron emission tomography scans in addition to clinical examination, endoscopic examination, and biopsy provide information on the extent of the disease. The application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiation can improve the control of NPC. In March 2016, a 54-year-old male with NPC cT1 cN2 cM0, stage III (8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system) underwent to a two-step treatment: induction chemotherapy by TPF regimen (docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil), followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy (weekly cisplatin). The quantity of free plasma EBV-DNA can be related to the disease stage, and the detection of EBV-DNA during follow-up can be predictive of distant metastases. Especially, either plasma or serum EBV-DNA titer is estimated to reflect tumor volume. Biologically, such EBV-DNA reflects reproduced or released DNA from dead or dying tumor cells. On the other hand, EBV-specific DNA released as exosome may reflect the biological feature of the alive NPC tumor cell. The follow-up is ongoing after 21 months from a complete response.

Impact of a Psycho-Educational Team in early Breast Cancer Patients' Coping Strategies: The Venere Project.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The main purpose of our psycho-educational groups was to help women with breast cancer, learn how to cope with the physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes associated with cancer as well as with medical treatments that can be painful and traumatic. With this study, we wanted to detect the effects that group action had on the women who participated in it. METHODS: We studied a total of 97 patients who participated in 13 psycho-education groups. The whole sample was female patients who had breast cancer with no recurrence or metastases. RESULTS: All patients were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Body Image Scale (BIS). We found no significant effect on anxiety and body image for the brief psycho- educational group for women with breast cancer in this study. It is possible to highlight a statistical difference and hence an improvement between the results of the HADS depression test at T0 (first evaluation at the first meeting) and T1 (retest in the final meeting). CONCLUSION: The tests did not show a significant effect on anxiety and body image perception, but the patients reported that the psycho-educational group was an important intervention for their life. Outcome measurement is more complex in psychosocial research because many variables come into play and each phase of treatment is characterized by different types of problems for the patient: physical, relational and psychological aspects are involved.

Variability in axillary lymph node delineation for breast cancer radiotherapy in presence of guidelines on a multi-institutional platform.

AIM: To quantify the variability between radiation oncologists (ROs) when outlining axillary nodes in breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For each participating center, three ROs with different levels of expertise, i.e., junior (J), senior (S) and expert (E), contoured axillary nodal levels (L1, L2, L3 and L4) on the CT images of three different patients (P) of an increasing degree of anatomical complexity (from P1 to P2 to P3), according to contouring guidelines. Consensus contours were generated using the simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE) method. RESULTS: Fifteen centers and 42 ROs participated. Overall, the median Dice similarity coefficient was 0.66. Statistically significant differences were observed according to the level of expertise (better agreement for J and E, worse for S); the axillary level (better agreement for L1 and L4, worse for L3); the patient (better agreement for P1, worse for P3). Statistically significant differences in contouring were found in 18% of the inter-center comparison. Less than a half of the centers could claim to have a good agreement between the internal ROs. CONCLUSIONS: The overall intra-institute and inter-institute agreement was moderate. Central lymph-node levels were the most critical and variability increased as the complexity of the patient's anatomy increased. These findings might have an effect on the interpretation of results from multicenter and even mono-institute studies.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in gastric cancer: a pooled analysis of the AIRO gastrointestinal group experience.

BACKGROUND: Given the poor compliance with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in gastric cancer reported in previous studies, a survey was conducted among 18 Italian institutions within the AIRO Gastrointestinal Group to investigate current treatment modalities, toxicities, and compliance with adjuvant CRT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 348 patients operated on for gastric cancer were collected retrospectively from September 2000 to June 2008 and analyzed. The adjuvant treatments included CRT according to center guidelines. In multivariate analysis, acute hematological, gastrointestinal, and renal toxicity (according to the RTOG Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria) and compliance with treatment were studied, as well as risk factors for local control, metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: Compliance with treatment was excellent: 95.7% of patients completed CRT. During CRT, acute G3-G4 ­hematological toxicity was 3.7% and acute G3-G4 gastrointestinal toxicity 4%. 78.4% of patients completed chemotherapy (CT), either before or after CRT. During CT acute G3-G4 hematological toxicity was 5.4% and acute G3-G4 gastrointestinal toxicity 6%. Overall, 74.1% of patients completed the prescribed treatment (CRT and CT). Doses greater than 4500 cGy did not compensate for more aggressive disease. The 5-year overall survival was 51%. CONCLUSIONS: The adjuvant treatment of gastric cancer within the AIRO group was diverse, but radiotherapy treatment was homogeneous (in terms of technique) and well tolerated. Toxicity was low and compliance with treatment was good during CRT; these results may be due to the radiotherapy technique applied. This survey could be used as a benchmark for further studies.

Thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation: Case presentation of a young man.

Ectopic thymic tissue can be present in the thyroid gland and a carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) may arise from such tissue. We are reported the case of a 26-year-old man with CASTLE, with cervical subcutaneous nodules relapse, who showed a good response to treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The problematic aspect of this case was the diagnosis; only on review were we able to make a final diagnosis. CASTLE is a very rare neoplasm. It is important to differentiate this cancer from others tumors such as primary or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck or squamous cell thyroid carcinoma, because the therapy and prognosis are different. Diagnosis is complicated and requires careful histological analysis (CD5- and P63-positive with presence of Hassall's corpuscles); unfortunately there is no gold standard treatment so, in this case, we administered a sandwich of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Determinants of small bowel toxicity in postoperative pelvic irradiation for gynaecological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy for endometrial and cervical carcinomas from 1981 to 2000 were retrospectively analysed in order to assess the rate of late small bowel toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and six patients had received pelvic irradiation, with total doses of 40-55 Gy. The mean age was 57 years. Three hundred and eighteen patients had been treated for cervical and 488 for endometrial cancer; 46 had diabetes and 22 vascular diseases; 141 had a history of smoking and 367 were previously submitted to surgery for benign diseases. A CT treatment plan had been applied in 285 patients; 256 had been treated by arc moving therapy, 232 with 2 opposed beams (AP-PA) and 318 with 3 or 4 coplanar beams. Three hundred and forty-six were treated with X photons of 10 MV or more, 202 with 4-5 MV and 258 with cobalt gamma rays. Personalized blocks had been used in 389. Thirty-four women had received chemotherapy. Five hundred and eighty-four had been treated with dose fractions of 180 cGy or more and 56 had received a boost with brachytherapy or external beams. Eighty-one had needed treatment discontinuation due to acute small bowel toxicity. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 70 months. Thirty five patients had bowel obstructions, after a median time of 31 months. The 5- and 10-year toxicity rates were 4 and 7%. Uni- and multivariate comparisons identified age, acute toxicity and dose fraction as predictors for complications. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pelvic irradiation with standard techniques for gynaecological carcinomas results in tolerable rates of clinically significant late bowel damage, while older patients suffering from significant acute toxicity seem to be at higher risk.

Which role for radiation therapy in ethmoid cancer? A retrospective analysis of 84 cases from a single institution.

PURPOSE: To define the results of radiotherapy for the treatment of ethmoid carcinoma in a large, retrospective, substantially unselected series from a single institution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A relatively large series of 84 consecutive patients treated at our Institution over a 30-year period (1970-2000) was retrospectively analyzed. Sixteen more patients treated in the same period were affected by a relapse of disease at presentation and were therefore excluded from the analysis. Most of the patients had T3 or T4 disease (76%), and half of them had undifferentiated (G3-G4) tumors. Radical surgery preceded radiotherapy in 60 patients, the remaining had only biopsy or incomplete surgery. Average ICRU dose varied according to the extent of postsurgical residual disease. RESULTS: The 5-year actuarial overall survival of the entire series was 48.6%, 5-year disease-specific survival 58%, and 5-year relapse-free survival 54.6%. Overall, disease-specific and relapse-free survival were significantly better (logrank test) for early stage patients (T1-T2) and for those with low-grade disease; relapse-free and disease-specific survival were also significantly (or almost significantly) better for patients who had radical surgery and for those with less extended postsurgical residue. Patients treated with radiotherapy after biopsy only or grossly incomplete surgery had 5-year relapse-free, disease-specific and overall survival of 22%, 42% and 37%, respectively. Higher cumulative doses (>60 Gy) were related to a not significantly lower recurrence probability in patients with micro- or macroscopic residual disease after surgery (54% vs 62%). Multivariate analysis (Cox model) showed that only T stage and grading were independent prognostic factors for overall and disease-specific survival, whereas the prognostic impact of radical surgery was limited to relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Radical radiation therapy alone is able to cure about 25% of the unfavorably selected cases, after biopsy only or partial surgery. Radical surgery is associated with better relapse-free survival rates, but the contribution of postoperative radiotherapy to the primary treatment of these patients cannot be eliminated.