Oligometastatic sarcoma treated with Curative intent Ablative Radiotherapy (OSCAR): A multicenter study on behalf of AIRO (Italian association of Radiotherapy and clinical Oncology).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is emerging as a valid alternative to surgery in the oligometastatic setting in soft tissue sarcomas (STS), although robust data are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate toxicity and efficacy of SABR in oligometastatic STS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study including adult patients affected by stage IV STS, treated with SABR for a maximum of 5 cranial or extracranial metastases in up to 3 different organs. SABR was delivered with ablative purposes. Study endpoints were overall survival (OS), local control (LC), distant progression free survival (DPFS), time to polymetastatic progression (TTPP), time to new systemic therapy (TTNS) and toxicity. RESULTS: From 10 Italian RT centers, 138 patients (202 metastases) treated between 2010 and 2022 were enrolled in the study. Treatment was generally well tolerated, no acute or late toxicity ≥ G3 was recorded. Median follow up was 42.5 months. Median OS was 39.7 months. Actuarial OS at 1 and 2 years was 91.5 % and 72.7 %. Actuarial LC at 1 and 2 years was 94.8 % and 88.0 %. Median DPFS was 9.7 months. Actuarial DPFS at 1 and 2 years was 40.8 % and 19.4 %. CONCLUSION: SABR is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of oligometastatic sarcoma. One out of 5 patients is free of progression at 2-years.

Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: The Role of Three-Dimensional Tumour Volume in Patient Survival.

AIMS: The definition of oligometastatic prostate cancer (OPCa) is currently based solely on the maximum number of detectable metastases, as there are no validated biomarkers available. The aim of this study was to identify novel predictive factors for OPCa patients who underwent metastases-directed therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This monocentre, retrospective study included consecutive OPCa patients with a maximum of five metastases in up to two organs, detected with choline- or PSMA-positron emission tomography, who were treated with metastases-directed stereotactic body radiation therapy. Endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival, assessed with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression was carried out to evaluate the association between clinical factors and survival outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2021, 163 patients and 320 metastases were treated with 226 stereotactic body radiation therapy courses. The median three-dimensional metastatic tumour volume was 4.1 cm3, with a range from 0.01 to 233.4 cm3. In total, 87 (53.4%), 21 (12.9%) and 55 (33.7%) metastases were classified as cN1, cM1a and cM1b, respectively. The median follow-up was 28.5 months. The rates of overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years were 89.5% (95% confidence interval 83.4-93.4), 74.9% (95% confidence interval 66.1-81.7) and 57.2% (95% confidence interval 45.8-67.1), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that overall survival reduced with the increase in three-dimensional total tumour volume (hazard ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.06-3.52; P = 0.030) and confirmed a significant difference between cN1 versus cM1a-b disease (hazard ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.01-3.25; P = 0.046). The cut-off value of total volume correlated with the highest risk of death was 20 cm3 (hazard ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.34-4.18; P = 0.003). The median progression-free survival was 17.8 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year rates of 63.7% (95% confidence interval 55.4-70.9), 31.5% (95% confidence interval 22.8-40.6) and 24.7% (95% confidence interval 16.0-34.3). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified three-dimensional total tumour volume and the site of oligometastases as significant predictors of survival in OPCa patients treated with metastases-directed therapy. These parameters can potentially be used to personalised treatment and improve patient outcome.

The pattern of failure after Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) for oligo-metastases: predictive factors for poly-progression.

PURPOSE: Patients with oligo-metastatic disease (OMD) can be safely treated with Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT). Further disease progression is common in these patients. In most cases, patients relapse again with oligo-metastases, however some can experience a poly-progression after a local ablative treatment (LAT). The purpose of this study was to retrospectively identify factors associated with poly-progression in patients receiving SRT for OMD. METHODS: Data from a monocentric database were retrospectively analyzed. Patients treated with SRT for OMD and who developed progression after LAT were selected. Patients were categorized as oligo- or poly-progressive according to the number of new/progressing metastases (≤ or > 5). Herein, we analyzed data about patients' characteristics, oligo-metastatic presentation and radiation treatment characteristics to evaluate their relationship with progression type. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2021, data on 700 patients progressing after LAT were analyzed. Among them, 227 patients (32.4%) experienced a poly-progression; the median time to poly-progression was 7.72 months (range 1-79.6). Five variables associated with poly-progression were found to be statistically significant in the univariate analysis: performance status (p < 0.001), site of the primary tumor (p = 0.016), ablative dose (p = 0.002), treated site (p = 0.002), single or double organ (p = 0.03). Of those, all but the number of involved organs retained their significant predictive value on the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study identified four independent factors associated with poly-progression in patients with OMD receiving SRT. Our data may support comprehensive characterization of OMD, better understanding of factors associated with progression.

Risk-group Classification by Recursive Partitioning Analysis of Patients Affected by Oligometastatic Renal Cancer Treated with Stereotactic Radiotherapy.

AIMS: Due to the absence of consensus on metastases-directed treatment in kidney cancer, we conducted an analysis of patients treated with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) on cranial or extracranial metastases to classify them in survival class risk according to pre-treatment characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included oligometastatic kidney cancer patients treated with SRT on up to five metastases. Concomitant systemic treatment was allowed. End points included overall survival and the binary classification tree approach with recursive partitioning analysis was applied to stratify patients into overall survival risk groups. RESULTS: In total, 129 patients were treated on 242 metastases. The brain was the most common site (34.71%), followed by lung (25.62%). With a median follow-up of 19.4 months, 1- and 3-year overall survival were 82.62 and 55.11%. The recursive partitioning analysis identified four prognostic classes. Class 1 included patients aged ≤ 65 years treated on extracranial metastases, with 3-year overall survival of 82.66%. Class 2 included patients aged > 65 years, without history of metastatic bone disease, treated on extracranial metastases, with a 3-year overall survival of 67.91%. Patients aged > 65 years and a history of bone disease, treated on extracranial metastases, were classified as class 3, with a 3-year overall survival of 37.50%. Class 4 included patients treated on brain metastases, with a 3-year overall survival of 9.70%. CONCLUSION: We produced a stratification model that can predict survival of oligometastatic kidney cancer patients treated with metastases-directed SRT. Site of disease, patient's age and presence of bone disease can help clinicians in the decision-making process.

The sacral chordoma margin.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the manuscript is to discuss how to improve margins in sacral chordoma. BACKGROUND: Chordoma is a rare neoplasm, arising in half cases from the sacrum, with reported local failure in >50% after surgery. METHODS: A multidisciplinary meeting of the "Chordoma Global Consensus Group" was held in Milan in 2017, focusing on challenges in defining and achieving optimal margins in chordoma with respect to surgery, definitive particle radiation therapy (RT) and medical therapies. This review aims to report on the outcome of the consensus meeting and to provide a summary of the most recent evidence in this field. Possible new ways forward, including on-going international clinical studies, are discussed. RESULTS: En-bloc tumor-sacrum resection is the cornerstone of treatment of primary sacral chordoma, aiming to achieve negative microscopic margins. Radical definitive particle therapy seems to offer a similar outcome compared to surgery, although confirmation in comparative trials is lacking; besides there is still a certain degree of technical variability across institutions, corresponding to different fields of treatment and different tumor coverage. To address some of these questions, a prospective, randomized international study comparing surgery versus definitive high-dose RT is ongoing. Available data do not support the routine use of any medical therapy as (neo)adjuvant/cytoreductive treatment. CONCLUSION: Given the significant influence of margins status on local control in patients with primary localized sacral chordoma, the clear definition of adequate margins and a standard local approach across institutions for both surgery and particle RT is vital for improving the management of these patients.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Parasagittal and Parafalcine Meningiomas: Patient Selection and Special Considerations.

Treatment options for intracranial meningiomas are surgical resection alone, surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy (RT), or exclusive RT. Parasagittal and parafalcine meningiomas are a subgroup of meningeal disease located close to the vascular structures. Considering the frequent venous invasion, a complete resection is not possible in the majority of cases, and even if a Simpson Grade I resection can be performed, the risk of recurrence is relevant. To date, few studies are focused on parasagittal and parafalcine meningiomas. Because of their specific related issues, particular considerations on decision-making process, outcome, and toxicity follow-up are mandatory. In fact, parasagittal and parafalcine meningiomas require a clear-cut radiological assessment, as well as a tailored toxicity risk evaluation. Moreover, similarly to other meningioma sites, also for parasagittal and parafalcine ones, a standardization of local control, toxicity, and quality of life evaluation is needed in order to lead to a pooled analysis of the results. In this context, our aim was to review the literature data regarding the role of both single-session and multisession radiosurgery (RS), and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for parasagittal and parafalcine meningioma management, summarizing available data on safety and efficacy. It was also discussed how RS and SRT can be performed in a setting of evolving views concerning the treatment paradigm of the parasagittal and parafalcine meningiomas.

Discrepancies between biomarkers of primary breast cancer and subsequent brain metastases: an international multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Discordances between the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), expression between primary breast tumors and their subsequent brain metastases (BM) were investigated in breast cancer patients. METHODS: We collected retrospective data from 11 institutions in 8 countries in a predefined-standardized format. Receptor status (positive or negative) was determined according to institutional guidelines (immunohistochemically and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization). The study was subject to each institution's ethical research committee. RESULTS: A total of 167 breast cancer patients with BM were included. 25 patients out of 129 with a complete receptor information from both primary tumor and BM (ER, PR, HER2) available, had a change in receptor status: 7 of 26 (27%) ER/PR-positive/HER2-negative primaries (3 gained HER2; 4 lost expression of ER/PR); 10 of 31 (32%) ER/PR-positive/HER2-positive primaries (4 lost ER/PR only; 3 lost HER2 only; 3 lost both ER/PR and HER2); one of 33 (3%) ER/PR-negative receptor/HER2-positive primaries (gained ER); and 7 of 39 (18%) triple-negative primaries (5 gained ER/PR and 2 gained HER2). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of breast cancer patients with BM in this series had primary HER2-enriched tumors, followed by those with a triple-negative profile. One out of 5 patients had a receptor discrepancy between the primary tumor and subsequent BM. Therefore, we advise receptor status assessment of BM in all breast cancer patients with available histology as it may have significant implications for therapy.

Long-term Follow-up and Post-relapse Outcome of Patients with Localized Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Treated in the Italian Sarcoma Group-Soft Tissue Sarcoma (ISG-STS) Protocol 0303.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess patterns of recurrence and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for localized retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) after neoadjuvant high dose long-infusion ifosfamide (HLI) and radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: Patients received three cycles of HLI (14 g/m2). RT was started in combination with II cycle up to a total dose of 50.4 Gy. Surgery was scheduled 4-6 weeks after the end of RT. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival (RFS) after surgery. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), crude cumulative incidence of local recurrence (CCI-LR), and distant metastases (CCI-DM). For patients who relapsed, progression-free survival (PFS) and post-relapse OS were estimated. The trial was registered with ITASARC_*II_2004_003. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2010, 83 patients were recruited. At a median follow-up of 91.7 months, 42 (56%) of 75 operated patients developed LR (n = 27) or DM (n = 10) or both LR and DM (n = 5) relapse. Seven-year RFS was 46.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 29.6-52.4]. Thirty-two patients died. Seven-year OS rate was 63.2% (95% CI 42.7-66.0). The corresponding CCI of LR and DM were 37.4% [standard error (SE) 5.5%] and 20.0% (SE 12.6%), respectively. The only factor significantly associated with LR was FNCLCC grading, whereas histological subtype resulted associated with DM. At recurrence, 24 patients (57%) underwent surgery. Two-year post-relapse PFS and OS rates for patients developing LR or DM were 14.8, 41.0, 27.3, and 63.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LR after neoadjuvant CT-RT for RPS were predominantly infield. While almost one half of relapsed patients underwent further surgery, prognosis was poor.

Organs at risk in lung SBRT.

Lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an accurate and precise technique to treat lung tumors with high 'ablative' doses. Given the encouraging data in terms of local control and toxicity profile, SBRT has currently become a treatment option for both early stage lung cancer and lung oligometastatic disease in patients who are medically inoperable or refuse surgical resection. Dose-adapted fractionation schedules and ongoing prospective trials should provide further evidence of SBRT safety trying to reduce toxicities and complications. In this heterogeneous scenario, a non-systematic review of dose constraints for lung SBRT was performed, including the main organs at risk in the thorax.

Moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy with volumetric modulated arc therapy and simultaneous integrated boost for pelvic irradiation in prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: The optimal treatment for unfavourable intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer is still debated. In the present study, the pattern of toxicity and early clinical outcome of patients with localized prostate cancer was analyzed. METHODS: A cohort of 90 patients treated on pelvic lymph nodes from 2010 to 2015 was selected. All patients were treated with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in 28 fractions; the prostate, the seminal vesicle and the pelvic lymph node received total doses of 74.2, 65.5, and 51.8 Gy, respectively. End points were the detection of acute and late toxicities graded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria CTCAE version 3, evaluating the rectal, genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal toxicity. Correlation of OARs dose parameters and related toxicities was explored. Preliminary overall survival and Progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 25 months, no interruptions for treatment-related toxicity were recorded. Univariate analysis among dosimetric data and acute toxicities showed no correlations. Regarding late toxicity: the dose received by a rectal volume of 90 cm3 was found to be significant for toxicity prediction (p = 0.024). PFS was 90.6% and 60.2% at 2 and 4 years, respectively. PFS correlates with age (p = 0.011) and Gleason score (p = 0.011). Stratifying the PSA nadir in quartiles, its value was significant (p = 0.016) in predicting PFS, showing a reduction of PFS of 2 months for each PSA-nadir increase of 0.1 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: HRT with VMAT and SIB on the whole pelvis in unfavourable prostate cancer patients is effective with a mild pattern of toxicity.

Radical hypo-fractionated radiotherapy with volumetric modulated arc therapy in lung cancer : A retrospective study of elderly patients with stage III disease.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyse the feasibility and acute toxicity of radical hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (RT) for elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of treatment with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) of elderly patients affected by stage III inoperable NSCLC. The dose prescription was 56 Gy in 20 fractions, 55 Gy in 22 fractions, or 50 Gy in 20 fractions. Target volume included only the primary lesion and the infiltrated lymph nodes. The primary end point was acute and late toxicity, while secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In all, 41 patients were included in this analysis. The mean age of the patients was 78.6 years, and 22 patients had staged IIIA while 19 patients had stage IIIB disease. All but one patient had pathological nodal involvement; 15 patients received chemotherapy before RT. Acute grade 1-2 toxicity was recorded in 25 (61%) patients. Late toxicity was recorded in 13 (32%) patients. No cases of G3 or G4 toxicity were recorded. Complete response was obtained in two (5%) patients, 26 (63%) showed a partial response, and two (5%) experience disease progression. At a mean follow-up of 9.9 months (range, 1.1-25.4), 17 patients had died from disease progression, one died from other causes, and 23 were alive. Median OS was 13.7 ± 1.5 months (95% CI: 10.7-16.7), OS at 12 and 18 months was 51.3 ± 9.5% and 35.1 ± 10.1%, respectively. Median PFS was 13.7 ± 2.3 months (95% CI: 9.1-18.2), and PFS at 12 and 18 months was 50.1 ± 9.9% and 38.9 ± 10.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Radical hypo-fractionated VMAT is a promising treatment for locally advanced NSCLC in the elderly. The use of hypo-fractionated radiotherapy for lung cancer in older patients can be considered a valuable approach, particularly for patients with poor performance status or refusing other treatment approaches.

Clinical results of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in the treatment of isolated local recurrence of pancreatic cancer after R0 surgery: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and the feasibility of SBRT for selected patients with isolated local recurrence of pancreatic cancer after radical surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients treated with SBRT for isolated local recurrence from resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma, after multidisciplinary board evaluation. Prescription dose was 45 Gy in 6 fractions for all patients. Primary end-point was freedom from local progression (FFLP). Secondary end-points were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity. Local control was defined according to RECIST criteria. Acute and late toxicity was scored according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. RESULTS: Between January 2011 and February 2015, 31 patients with isolated local recurrence of resected pancreatic cancer were treated with SBRT. Pancreato-duodenectomy (PD) was performed on 24 patients and distal pancreatectomy (DP) in 7 cases, all with radical resection (R0). Median local recurrence disease free interval (DFI) was 14 months. Median follow-up was 12 months. FFLP was 91% and 82% at 1 and 2-years, respectively. Median PFS was 9 months. Median OS was 18 months. At univariate analysis, OS was correlated with a DFI>18 months. No cases of acute G3 toxicity or greater occurred. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT seems to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for isolated local recurrence of pancreatic cancer after surgery. Encouraging local control rate, very low toxicity profile and effective pain control suggest the crucial role of SBRT in the treatment of these long-survivors selected patients.

Can Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Be a Viable and Efficient Therapeutic Option for Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma? Results of a Phase 2 Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients received a prescription dose of 45 Gy in 6 fractions. Primary end point was freedom from local progression. Secondary end points were overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicity. Actuarial survival analysis and univariate or multivariate analysis were investigated. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were enrolled in a phase 2 trial. Median follow-up was 13.5 months. Freedom from local progression was 90% at 2 years. On univariate ( P < .03) and multivariate analyses ( P < .001), lesion size was statistically significant for freedom from local progression. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 8 and 13 months, respectively. On multivariate analysis, tumor size ( P < .001) and freedom from local progression ( P < .002) were significantly correlated with overall survival. Thirty-two (71%) patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer received chemotherapy before stereotactic body radiotherapy. Median overall survival from diagnosis was 19 months. Multivariate analysis showed that freedom from local progression ( P < .035), tumor diameter ( P < .002), and computed tomography before stereotactic body radiotherapy ( P < .001) were significantly correlated with overall survival from diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic body radiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with no G3 toxicity or greater and could be a promising therapeutic option in multimodality treatment regimen.

Radiotherapy and immunotherapy: Can this combination change the prognosis of patients with melanoma brain metastases?

Brain metastases are a common occurrence in patients with melanoma. Prognosis is poor. Radiotherapy is the main local treatment for brain metastases. Recently, immunotherapy (i.e. immune checkpoints inhibitors) showed a significant impact on the prognosis of patients with metastatic melanoma, also in the setting of patients with brain metastases. Despite various possible treatments, survival of patients with melanoma brain metastases is still unsatisfactory; new treatment modalities or combination of therapies need to be explored. Being immunotherapy and radiotherapy alone both efficient in the treatment of melanoma brain metastases, the combination of these two therapies seems logical. Moreover radiotherapy can improve the efficacy of immunotherapy and the immune system plays a relevant role in the action of radiotherapy. Preclinical data support this combination. Clinical data are more contradictory. In this review, we will discuss available therapies for melanoma brain metastases, focusing on the preclinical and clinical available data supporting the possible synergism between radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

High-quality Linac-based Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy with Flattening Filter Free Beams and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Low-Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer. A Mono-institutional Experience with 90 Patients.

AIMS: The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with low or intermediate risk prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer patients were enrolled, provided that they had the following characteristics: initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤ 20 ng/ml, Gleason Score < 7, International Prostate Symptom Score < 7. The treatment schedule was 35 Gy in five fractions, delivered with volumetric modulated arcs with flattening filter free beams. Toxicity was recorded according to CTCAE criteria v4.0. Biochemical failure was calculated according to the Phoenix definition. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire was used to record health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Between December 2011 and March 2015, 90 patients were enrolled (53 low risk, 37 intermediate risk). The median age was 71 years (range 48-82). In total, 58 (64.5%) of the patients had Gleason Score=6, the remaining had Gleason Score=7.The median initial PSA was 6.9 ng/ml (range 2.7-17.0). Acute toxicity was mild, with 32.2 patients presenting grade 1 urinary toxicity and 32.2% of patients presenting grade 2 urinary toxicity, mainly represented by urgency, dysuria and stranguria. Rectal grade 1 toxicity was found in 15.5% of patients, whereas grade 2 toxicity was recorded in 6.6% of patients. Regarding late toxicity, grade 1 proctitis was recorded in 11.1% of patients and grade 1 urinary in 38.8%; only two events of grade 2 urinary toxicity were observed (transient urethral stenosis, resolved by a 24 h catheterisation). At a median follow-up of 27 months (6-62 months) only two intermediate risk patients experienced a biochemical failure. Health-related quality of life revealed a slight worsening in all the domains during treatment, with a return to baseline 3 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic body radiotherapy delivered using linac-based flattening filter free volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy in low and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients is associated with mild toxicity profiles and good patient-reported quality of life.

Clinical Outcome of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy for Lung Metastatic Lesions in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Oligometastatic Patients.

AIMS: The aim of this observational study was the evaluation of toxicity, local control and overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) oligometastatic patients who had undergone stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for lung metastatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SABR was carried out in oligometastatic patients with controlled primary tumour (adequate pulmonary function). We adopted the following dose prescriptions according to the site and the maximum diameter of the lung lesions: 60 Gy in three fractions for peripheral lesions with diameter ≤ 2 cm, 48 Gy in four fractions for peripheral lesions between 2 and 5 cm and 60 Gy in eight fractions for central lesions. A radiological response was defined according to RECIST criteria. Toxicity was recorded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria version 4.0. RESULTS: Between October 2010 and December 2014, 60 NSCLC patients with 90 lung lesions in total were treated at our institution. A radiological response was obtained in most patients. No pulmonary toxicity grade 4, chest pain or rib fracture occurred. The median follow-up from diagnosis was 28 months (range 5.4-104.5 months). The local control at 2 years was 88.9%. Overall survival at 1 and 2 years was 94.5 and 74.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SABR is well tolerated with a good radiological response and toxicity profile. Discussion within a multidisciplinary team is crucial to identify the oligometastatic patients who would probably benefit from ablative local therapy.

Total monitor units influence on plan quality parameters in volumetric modulated arc therapy for breast case.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between total monitor units (MU), dosimetric findings, and pre-treatment quality assurance for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) by RapidArc (RA). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten patients with breast cancer were considered. Dose prescriptions were: 48 Gy and 40.5 Gy in 15 fractions to, respectively, PTV(Boost) and PTVWholeBreast. A reference plan was optimized and four more plans using the "MU Objective", a tool for total MU controlling, were prepared imposing ± 20 and ± 50% total MU for inducing different complexities. Plan objectives were: D95% > 95% for both PTVs, and D2% < 107% for PTV(Boost); mean dose < 9.5 Gy and V20 Gy < 10% for ipsilateral lung; V18 Gy < 5% for heart; mean dose <3 Gy for controlateral breast; furthermore V5 Gy, V10 Gy, V20 Gy, and V30 Gy to body were minimized. Plans were evaluated in terms of technical parameters, dosimetric plan objectives findings and pre-treatment quality assurance (QA). RESULTS: Concerning PTVs, there were no significant differences for target coverage (D95%); mean doses for ipsilateral lung and controlateral breast, and V18 Gy for heart decreased with MUs increasing, reaching a plateau with reference plan. Body volume receiving low dose (V5-10 Gy) was minimized for reference plans. All plans had GAI (3 mm, 3%) > 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the best plan is the reference one, where the "MU Objective" tool was not used during optimisation. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use the "MU Objective" tool for re-planning when low GAI is found to increase its value. In this case, attention should be paid to OARs dose limits, since their values may be increased.

Moderate hypofractionation and simultaneous integrated boost with volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) for prostate cancer. Report of feasibility and acute toxicity.

PURPOSE: In the present study, the acute toxicity profiles for prostate patients treated with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) with volumetric modulated arcs in a hypofractionated regime are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients treated with RapidArc between May 2010 and September 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were stratified into low (36%), intermediate (49%), and high-risk (16%) groups. Target volumes (expanded to define the planning volumes (PTV)) were clinical target volume (CTV) 1: prostate; CTV2: CTV1 + seminal vesicles; CTV3: CTV2 + pelvic nodes. Low-risk patients received 71.4 Gy to PTV1; intermediate-risk 74.2 Gy to PTV1 and 61.6 or 65.5 Gy to PTV2; high-risk 74.2 Gy to PTV1, 61.6 or 65.5 Gy to PTV2, and 51.8 Gy to PTV3. All treatments were in 28 fractions. The median follow-up was 11 months (range 3.5-23 months). The acute rectal, gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were scored according to EORTC/RTOG scales. RESULTS: Acute toxicities were recorded for the GU [G0 = 31/70 (44%), G1 = 22/70 (31%); G2 = 16/70 (23%); G3 = 1/70 (1%)], the rectum [G0 = 46/70 (66%); G1 = 12/70 (17%); G2 = 12/70 (17%); no G3], and the GI [G0 = 54/69 (77%); G1 = 11/69 (16%); G2 = 4/69 (6%); no G3]. Median time to rectal, GU, and GI toxicities were 27, 30, and 33 days, respectively. Only the GI toxicity correlated with stage and pelvic irradiation. Univariate analysis presented significant correlations between GI toxicity and intestinal irradiation (V(50 Gy) and V(60 Gy)). In the multivariate analysis, the only significant dosimetric variable was V(50 Gy) for the intestinal cavity. CONCLUSION: Moderate hypofractionation with SIB and RapidArc was shown to be safe, with acceptable acute toxicity. Longer follow-up is needed to assess late toxicity and clinical outcome.

Effectiveness of stereotactic body radiotherapy in the treatment of inoperable early-stage lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Stereotactic body irradiation offers a non-invasive treatment modality for patients with early stage NSCLC who are not amenable to surgery or other invasive approaches because of their poor medical condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three inoperable patients with NSCLC were treated with SBRT at our institution. A mean total dose of 30.5 Gy in 1-4 fractions was applied. The median follow-up duration was 14 months (range 6-36 months). RESULTS: The actuarial survival at two years was 53%: two patients died from cancer progression whereas a further 8 patients died from comorbidities. Acute toxicity was practically absent, with 7 (16.3%) patients suffering from grade 1 symptoms and two from (4.6%) grade II effects. At the time of this report, only 1 patient had grade II and 6 patients (13.9%) grade I chronic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our results compare favourably with recently published studies and confirm that stereotactic radiotherapy has the potential to produce high local control rates with a low risk of lung toxicity in patients not amenable to curative resection. The low grade of side-effects is encouraging for shortening the treatment using a greater dose per fraction.

Intramedullary astrocytoma with granular cell differentiation.

Granular cell astrocytomas are uncommon tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) of which no cases have been documented in the spinal cord. This variant of glioma should not be confused with benign granular cell tumor which, although rare, has been well characterized in the spinal cord. We describe here the clinical, pathological, and radiological features of such an astrocytoma arising within the spinal cord at the dorsal level. A 48-year-old female was seen after about 1 year of dorsal pain and gradual spastic paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies showed a 2-cm contrast-enhanced mass in the spinal cord at T6-T7, which had the appearance of an astrocytoma. At surgery, the tumor was found to be infiltrating a posterior column with no dural attachment. It was debulked and dissected. The histological diagnosis was astrocytoma with granular cell differentiation. In addition to documenting a unique example of intramedullary granular cell astrocytoma, we review the literature to investigate differences from other tumors with granular changes described in the spinal cord.