Breast Reconstruction using the Anterior Approach Scarless Latissimus Dorsi Muscular flap: A Single Center Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Scarless latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a breast reconstruction technique, which allow to cover the lower pole of implant with a large portion of the LD muscle without skin paddle; it represents a surgical solution that transpose vascularized tissue avoiding the failure of breast reconstruction, following necrosis of mastectomy skin flaps. Material and Method: A retrospective review of patients undergoing immediate or delayed breast reconstruction using scarless LD flap reconstructions was performed. Clinical data obtained from follow-up visits were recorded. To evaluate breast shape contentment and patient satisfaction, the patients were requested to answer the Breast-Q, version 2.0 reduction module postoperative scales questionnaire at the 12-month follow-up. Results: We performed 19 scarless LD flap reconstructions between September 2019 and June 2022. The surgical time in average (considering minutes ± SD) was 130 (±15) minutes. The aesthetic assessment was good/excellent in 83% of patients. This was statistically significant (P=0.0). Conclusions: The scarless LD flap reconstruction is a valid and reliable solution, which has the advantage to reduce the risk of exposed prosthesis if native skin necrosis occurs.

Image-guided moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: a multicentric retrospective study (IPOPROMISE).

BACKGROUND: Moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy is a treatment option for the cure of localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients based on the results of randomized prospective trials, but there is a clinical concern about the relatively short length of follow-up, and real-world results on outcome and toxicity based on cutting-edge techniques are lacking. The objective of this study is to present the long-term results of a large multicentric series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 1325 PCa patients treated with daily volumetric image-guided hypofractionated radiotherapy between 2007 and 2020 in 16 Centers. For survival endpoints, we used Kaplan-Meier survival curves and fitted univariate and multivariable Cox's proportional hazards regression models to study the association between the clinical variables and each survival type. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, 11 patients died from PCa. The 15-year values of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and biochemical relapse-free survival (b-RFS) were 98.5% (95%CI 97.3-99.6%) and 85.5% (95%CI 81.9-89.4%), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that baseline PSA, Gleason score, and the use of androgen deprivation therapy were significant variables for all the outcomes. Acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities of grade ≥ 2 were 7.0% and 16.98%, respectively. The 15-year late grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicities were 5% (95%CI 4-6%) and 6% (95%CI 4-8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Real-world long-term results of this multicentric study on cutting-edge techniques for the cure of localized PCa demonstrated an excellent biochemical-free survival rate of 85.5% at 15 years, and very low rates of ≥ G3 late GU and GI toxicity (1.6% and 0.9% respectively), strengthening the results of the available published trials.

Long-Term Outcomes of Once-Daily Accelerated Partial-Breast Irradiation With Tomotherapy: Results of a Phase 2 Trial.

PURPOSE: We report long-term outcomes of phase 2 trial on patients with invasive breast cancer treated with accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) using tomotherapy after breast conservative surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From December 2010 to December 2018, we treated 338 women with APBI-tomotherapy: 38.5 Gy in 10 once-daily fractions. Patients selected were age ≥50 years old, with ≤3 cm in size unifocal tumor and at least 2 mm of clear margins. Disease outcomes were analyzed by clinicopathologic characteristics, molecular phenotypes, and American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2017 updated consensus groupings. RESULTS: The median age was 65 years (range, 50-86). The invasive ductal (87.5%) and the luminal A-like molecular phenotype (70%) were the most common tumors. Overall 242 patients (71.6%) were considered "suitable" for enrollment in APBI according to the eligibility criteria of the ASTRO-2017 consensus statement. With a median follow-up of 76 months (range, 17-113), 2 patients (0.6%) had an invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), and 2 patients (0.6%) had an axillary ipsilateral failure. The rate of local control in terms of free of IBTR was 99.4% and locoregional control (no recurrence in ipsilateral breast as well as in regional nodes) was 98.8%. Progression-free survival was 98.4% and 92% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Acute and late skin toxicity, graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, were 7.7% (G1) and 0.6% (G2) and 4.4% (G1) and 1.1% (G2), respectively. There were no grade 3/4 toxicities, however. Very few patients (2%) or physicians (2%) assessed cosmetic outcome as fair or poor at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This phase 2 trial on APBI-tomotherapy shows excellent long-term results. Once-daily fractionation schedule was well tolerated with a low rate of adverse events and worse cosmetic outcome. In this series, even among those deemed cautionary or unsuitable for APBI by ASTRO criteria, we demonstrated a low rate of IBTR.

Whole breast external beam radiotherapy in elderly patients affected by left-sided early breast cancer: a dosimetric comparison between two simple free-breathing techniques.

BACKGROUND: Elderly breast cancer patients are frequently affected by significant comorbidities that make sophisticated radiotherapy treatments particularly challenging. AIMS: We dosimetrically analyzed two different simple free-breathing external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) techniques for the hypofractionated treatment of the left breast in elderly patients with a low compliance, to compare target coverage, and heart and left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) sparing. METHODS: We developed radiation plans for 24 elderly patients using 3D conformal (3DCRT) field-in-field tangential technique and intensity-modulated (IMRT) tangential beam technique. Dose-Volume-Histograms (DVHs) were used to provide a quantitative comparison between plans. RESULTS: The median breast volume was 645 cm3. IMRT and 3DCRT plans comparison demonstrated no significant differences in terms of organ sparing for the heart. Regarding LADCA, mean dose (10.3 ± 9.5 Gy vs 11.9 ± 9.6 Gy, p = 0.0003), maximum dose (26.1 ± 16.1 Gy vs 29.1 ± 16.1 Gy, p = 0.004) and V17 Gy (21.5% ± 26.9% vs 25.0% ± 27.2%, p = 0.002) significantly decreased using IMRT compared with 3DCRT. IMRT plans showed a better target coverage compared with 3DCRT (0.91 ± 0.05 vs 0.93 ± 0.04, p = 0.05). DISCUSSION: Comparing the two different EBRT techniques, we demonstrated few, although substantial, dosimetric differences in terms of doses to the organs at risk characterized by a statistically significant dose reduction of LADCA in the IMRT plans. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with a low compliance to treatment might benefit from 3DCRT with field-in-field tangential arrangement or from a simple IMRT approach. IMRT should be preferred.

Metastasis-directed Therapy in Treating Nodal Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer: A Multi-institutional Analysis Comparing the Outcome and Toxicity of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Elective Nodal Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and elective nodal radiotherapy (ENRT) are being investigated as metastasis-directed treatments in oligorecurrent prostate cancer (PC); however, comparative data are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome and toxicity between both treatments. Primary endpoint was metastasis-free survival, adjusted for selected variables (aMFS). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a multi-institutional, retrospective analysis of 506 (SBRT: 309, ENRT: 197) patients with hormone-sensitive nodal oligorecurrent PC (five or fewer lymph nodes (LNs; N1/M1a), treated between 2004 and 2017. Median follow-up was 36 mo (interquartile range 23-56). INTERVENTION: SBRT was defined as a minimum of 5 Gy per fraction to each lesion with a maximum of 10 fractions. ENRT was defined as a minimum dose of 45 Gy in up to 25 fractions to the elective nodes, with or without a simultaneous boost to the suspicious node(s). The choice of radiotherapy (RT) was at the discretion of the treating physician, with treatments being unbalanced over the centers. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: In total, 506 patients from 15 different treatment centers were included. Primary treatment was radical prostatectomy, RT, or their combination. Nodal recurrences were detected by positron emission tomography/computer tomography (97%) or conventional imaging (3%). Descriptive statistics was used to summarize patient characteristics. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: ENRT was associated with fewer nodal recurrences compared with SBRT (p < 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, patients with one LN at recurrence had longer aMFS after ENRT (hazard ratio: 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.85, p = 0.009). Late toxicity was higher after ENRT compared with that after SBRT (16% vs. 5%, p < 0.01). Limitations include higher use of hormone therapy in the ENRT cohort and nonstandardized follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ENRT reduces the number of nodal recurrences as compared with SBRT, however at higher toxicity. Our findings hypothesize that ENRT should be preferred to SBRT in the treatment of nodal oligorecurrences. This hypothesis needs to be evaluated in a randomized trial. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study investigated the difference between stereotactic and elective nodal radiotherapy in treating limited nodal metastatic prostate cancer. Nodal relapse was less frequent following elective nodal radiotherapy than following stereotactic body radiotherapy, and thus elective nodal radiotherapy might be the preferred treatment.

Interfraction prostate displacement during image-guided radiotherapy using intraprostatic fiducial markers and a cone-beam computed tomography system: A volumetric off-line analysis in relation to the variations of rectal and bladder volumes.

PURPOSE: Prostate motion during the radiotherapy course is an important issue. This study investigated the inter-fraction prostate motion in controlled rectal filling condition. METHODS: 10 prostate cancer patients underwent image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) using a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system, after the insertion of fiducial markers (FMs). The planning CT was the reference CT (CTref) used to estimate the reference intermarker distances, and CBCTs were used for off-line comparison with CTref. We evaluated the influence of rectal and bladder volume on prostate shifts. We calculated the required planning target volume (PTV) margins in this patient population. RESULTS: 120 CBCTs were analyzed. Mean prostate displacements (± SD) along the 3 axes (x, y, z) averaged over the 10 patients, were: 0.90 ± 0.84 mm in x, 0.00 ± 2.07 mm in y, -0.80 ± 1.28 mm in z. There is a statistically significant anti-correlation between prostate displacements and: bladder volume variations (P < 0.001) in the y-axis, and rectal volume variations (P < 0.05) in the z-axis. PTV margins obtained for the directions x, y and z are respectively 2.5, 5.6 and 3.9 mm. CONCLUSION: IGRT in reproducible empty rectum condition allow a high reduction of daily treatment uncertainties.

Oligometastatic cancer in elderly patients: the "blitzkrieg" radiotherapy approach : SBRT in oligometastatic elderly patients.

AIMS: To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in the treatment of elderly patients affected by isolated body metastasis from different primitive tumors. METHODS: 70 patients with isolated body metastasis were treated. Median age at diagnosis was 75 years (IQR 69-80). The most common SBRT fractionation scheme was 5 × 7 Gy (total dose 35 Gy). The primary endpoints were Local Control (LC) and Toxicity. Secondary endpoints were Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Specific Survival (DSS). Response to radiotherapy was assessed according to RECIST criteria v1.1. Toxicity was registered according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v 4.0. We performed survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. The correlation between time actuarial incidence and clinical parameters was studied. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 26.5 months. 44 patients (62.8%) were alive at the time of analysis, while 22 (31.4%) died because of the disease. Local control at 2 and 3 years was 87%. The 2-year OS and DSS were 84 and 71%, respectively, while the 3-year values were 57 and 62%. PFS at 2 and 3 years was 41 and 25%, respectively. On univariate analysis, KPS ≥ 90 is statistically correlated with improved OS and DSS (p < 0.05). Acute toxicity of grade ≥ 2 occurred in 4 (5.7%) patients, while late toxicity ≥ 2 was recorded in 6 (8.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ablative Radiotherapy represents a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment modality for elderly oligometastatic patients who are judged unfit for systemic therapy.

Volumetric image-guided conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: Analysis of dosimetric and clinical factors affecting acute and late toxicity.

AIM: To identify factors influencing toxicity in patients affected by localized prostate cancer treated with conformal image-guided radiotherapy. BACKGROUND: Image guidance in combination with conformal techniques is the standard of care in localized prostate cancer, but factors affecting toxicity are still under investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 294 patients were analyzed. Median age at diagnosis was 71 year. 76 Gy (38 × 2 Gy) were delivered to the target volume. We used the χ2 test to analyse associations between toxicity and dosimetric and clinical parameters. Multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 62.9 months. Acute grade ≥2 gastro-intestinal toxicity (GI) was 12.1%. Acute genito-urinary (GU) toxicity of grade ≥2 was 33.9%. Actuarial 4 and 5 years late grade ≥2 GI was 3% and 4%, respectively. Four and 5-year late grade ≥2 GU toxicity was 6% and 10%. At multivariate analysis for acute toxicity rectal V70 was correlated with GI toxicity (p = 0.01, HR 2.73 CI 1.19-6.26), and smoking habit with GU toxicity (p < 0.01, HR 2.50 CI 1.51-4.14). For late toxicity, rectal V70 was correlated with gastro-intestinal toxicity (p = 0.04, HR 4.76 CI 1.07-21.13), and pre-radiotherapy urinary symptoms with genito-urinary toxicity (p = 0.01, HR 2.84 CI 1.29-6.22). DISCUSSION: Conformal image-guided radiotherapy shows low rates of toxicity. Smoking should be avoided during radiotherapy. Besides the evaluation of high doses received by the organs at risk, individual factors, such as co-morbidities and lifestyle choices, have an impact on normal-tissue complication risk.

Exploring All Avenues for Radiotherapy in Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer Disease Limited to Lymph Nodes: A Systematic Review of the Role of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy.

CONTEXT: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is emerging as a treatment option in patients affected by oligorecurrent prostate cancer disease limited to lymph nodes, a subgroup of patients who would otherwise be treated only with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of SBRT for oligorecurrent prostate cancer limited to lymph nodes. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a systematic review of PubMed/Medline in October 2016 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). We searched for studies reporting on biochemical or clinical progression and/or toxicity or complications of SBRT. Reports were excluded if these end points could not be ascertained or separately analyzed, or if insufficient details were provided. EVIDENCE OF SYNTHESIS: A total of 363 patients from nine studies were collected. Of these patients, 211 were treated with SBRT for a total of 270 lymph nodes. With an alpha-beta ratio of 3 Gy, the biologically effective dose in fractionated SBRT was >100 Gy in all studies (range, 88-216 Gy). With a median follow-up of 19.23 mo, local control was achieved in 98.1% of patients. Median progression-free survival (defined as biochemical and/or radiological progression) was 22.5 mo (range, 11-30 mo). Information about ADT during SBRT was available in 281 patients, of whom 114 (40.5%) were on ADT during SBRT, and the duration of hormone therapy ranged from 1 to 17.5 mo. Median ADT-free survival was 32.8 mo (range, 25-44 mo). About toxicity, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events toxicity scale was most used. Acute and/or late grade ≥2 toxicity was reported in only 5.6% of patients, and no patient developed grade 4 toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT seems to be promising in lymph node oligorecurrent prostate cancer, although there is a weak level of evidence to support such investigational treatment, which is currently based on retrospective studies of single-institution or pooled experiences. ADT-free survival is an interesting end point, which needs to be investigated. PATIENT SUMMARY: We performed a systematic review to assess outcomes and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients affected by oligorecurrent prostate cancer limited to lymph nodes. We concluded that SBRT is a promising therapy in this setting, but it needs to be validated in randomized controlled trials.

Oligometastatic cancer: stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for patients affected by isolated body metastasis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcome of patients affected by a single isolated body metastasis treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven-eight patients were treated with SBRT for isolated body metastasis. The most frequent primary tumor was prostate cancer (28.2%), followed by colorectal cancer (23.1%) and lung cancer (20.5%). Median age at diagnosis of oligometastatic disease was 70 years (range 47-88). Median Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was 90 (range 70-100). The most common SBRT fractionation scheme was 5 × 7 Gy (total dose 35 Gy). Response to radiotherapy was determined according to RECIST criteria v1.1. Toxicity was registered according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. The survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The correlation between time actuarial incidence and clinical parameters was studied, and the Kaplan-Meier method of log-rank test was applied. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 22.68 months, local control was achieved in 89.7% of the cases. The two-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 68% and 42%, respectively. On univariate analysis, KPS ≥80 is predictive for improved OS (p = .001) and PFS (p = .001). Acute toxicity of grade ≥2 occurred in eight (10.2%) patients and late grade ≥2 toxicity in five (6.4%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ablative radiotherapy in 'early oligometastatic state' is a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment modality. A good performance status (KPS ≥80) seems to influence the clinical outcome.

Volumetric image-guided highly conformal radiotherapy of the prostate bed: Toxicity analysis.

AIM: To evaluate toxicity of high conformal image-guided radiotherapy of the prostate bed. BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy of the prostate bed has a pivotal role in the post-operative and salvage settings, but few clinical data are available on the use of daily image guidance in combination with highly conformal techniques, and data on long-term results are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 118 patients irradiated on the prostate bed using conformal plans processed with a micro-multileaf collimator, and daily checking treatment set-up with a cone-beam CT system. Correlation between toxicity and clinical-dosimetric parameters was assessed by the Cox regression model and log-rank test. Survival analyses were performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 54.08 months. Late grade ≥2 gastro-intestinal (GI) and genito-urinary (GU) toxicity were 3.4% and 4.2%, respectively. Actuarial 4-year late grade ≥2 GI and GU toxicities were 4% and 6%, respectively. Four-year relapse-free survival was 87%. At log-rank test, acute grade ≥2 GI toxicity is associated with the use of antihypertensives (p = 0.03), and there is a trend toward significance between the use of anticoagulants and late grade ≥2 GI toxicity (p = 0.07). At Cox analysis, acute grade ≥2 GU toxicity is correlated with the percentage of bladder volume receiving more than 65 Gy (p = 0.02, HR 1.87 CI 1.25-2.8), and the maximal dose to the rectum is correlated to the development of late grade ≥2 GI toxicity (p = 0.03, HR 2.75 CI 1.10-6.9). CONCLUSIONS: Conformal volumetric image-guided radiotherapy of the prostate bed leads to low toxicity rates.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in oligometastatic prostate cancer patients with isolated lymph nodes involvement: a two-institution experience.

OBJECTIVE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is emerging as a treatment option in oligometastatic cancer patients. This retrospective study aimed to analyze local control, biochemical progression-free survival (b-PFS), and toxicity in patients affected by isolated prostate cancer lymph node metastases. Finally, we evaluated androgen deprivation therapy-free survival (ADT-FS). METHODS: Forty patients with 47 isolated lymph nodes of recurrent prostate cancer were treated with SBRT. Mostly, two different fractionation schemes were used: 5 × 7 Gy in 23 (48.9 %) lesions and 5 × 8 Gy in 13 (27.7 %) lesions. Response to treatment was assessed with periodical PSA evaluation. Toxicity was registered according to RTOG/EORTC criteria. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 30.18 months, local control was achieved in 98 % of the cases, with a median b-PFS of 24 months. We obtained a 2-year b-PFS of 44 % with 40 % of the patients ADT-free at last follow-up (mean value 26.18 months; range 3.96-59.46), whereas 12.5 % had a mean ADT-FS of 13.58 months (range 2.06-37.13). Late toxicity was observed in one (2.5 %) patient who manifested a grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity 11.76 months after the end of SBRT. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that SBRT is safe, effective, and minimally invasive in the eradication of limited nodal metastases, yielding an important delay in prescribing ADT.

Technical solutions to reduce mediastinal irradiation in young patients undergoing treatment for lymphomas: Preliminary experience.

This study aims at optimizing treatment planning in young patients affected by lymphoma (Stage II to III) by using an inclined board (IB) that allows reducing doses to the organs at risk. We evaluated 19 young patients affected by stage I to III lymphomas, referred to our Department for consolidation radiotherapy (RT) treatment on the mediastinum. Patients underwent 2 planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed in different positions: flat standard position and inclined position. A direct comparison between the different treatment plans was carried out analyzing dosimetric parameters obtained from dose-volume histograms generated for each plan. Comparison was performed to evaluate the sparing obtained on breast and heart. Dosimetric evaluation was performed for the following organs at risk (OARs): mammary glands, lungs, and heart. A statistically significant advantage was reported for V5, V20, and V30 for the breast when using the inclined board. A similar result was obtained for V5 and V10 on the heart. No advantage was observed in lung doses. The use of a simple device, such as an inclined board, allows the optimization of treatment plan, especially in young female patients, by ensuring a significant reduction of the dose delivered to breast and heart.

Predicting genitourinary toxicity in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: A dose-volume parameters analysis of the bladder.

PURPOSE: In prostate cancer radiotherapy, the relationship between genitourinary (GU) toxicity and clinical-dosimetric parameters is debated. We report our analysis of the parameters associated with GU toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six consecutive patients treated with conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer were retrospectively analyzed; the bladder was delineated both as "whole bladder" (WB: Defined in its entirety as a solid organ) and "inferior bladder" (IB: Corresponding to the distal part of the bladder). GU toxicity and dose-volume parameters were correlated using the point biserial correlation coefficient. The normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) cut-off volume model was fitted to toxicity data; univariate analysis between GU toxicity and clinical parameters was done. RESULTS: Acute GU toxicity was correlated to doses higher than 80 Gy (P < 0.05) while late GU was correlated to doses higher than 77 Gy for WB and from 77.5 Gy for IB. The NTCP cut-off volume model identified for both WB and IB a bladder volume of 6 cc receiving a dose ≥77 Gy corresponding to a 50% probability of GU toxicity. At univariate analysis, acute GU toxicity was correlated with smoke (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bladder maximal doses quantified as hotspots show a correlation to GU toxicity.

Evaluation of serrated intraprostatic gold coils positional stability using on-board cone beam computed tomography scans acquired throughout the radiation treatment course.

PURPOSE: To investigate intraprostatic gold coils positional stability analyzing intermarker distance in on-board cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans acquired throughout the entire treatment course. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 29 fiducial markers (FMs) were implanted in 10 patients through the transperineal approach, under ultrasound guidance. After 2 weeks from the FM implantation, all the patients underwent CT and magnetic resonance imaging under radiation therapy-planning conditions. The planning CT was the reference CT (CTref) used to calculate the initial intermarker distances. For every patient, 8 CBCTi (i varying from 1 to 8) acquired once a week during the treatment course were selected to calculate intermarker distances and compared with CTref. Reconstructed images of CBCTi were exported to the treatment planning system, and every FM was contoured. A point of interest at the center of mass of each contoured FM was created. The mean coordinates obtained for point of interest at the center of mass of FMs were used to calculate relative marker distances on CTref and CBCTi. RESULTS: No patient developed postimplantation complications. A total of 224 marker distance variations (MDVs) were calculated for all 29 markers. The average directional variation of all MDVs (± standard deviation [SD]) was -0.14 ± 0.86 mm. The average absolute variations of all MDVs (± SD) were 0.71 ± 0.51 mm. The largest observed variation was 1.9 mm. All patients had not significant temporal trends in their marker distances. The SD of the MDVs was computed for each set of markers in all 10 patients. The SDs ranged between 0.4 and 1.1 mm in individual patients. The average of the mean SDs was 0.6 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The three-dimensional definition of each fiducial marker volume, using on-board CBCT, demonstrated the stability of FMs position throughout the entire radiation therapy treatment course.

Salvage Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Patients With Prostate Cancer With Isolated Lymph Node Metastasis: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate the efficacy of salvage stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a treatment modality in patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 16 patients with 18 isolated lymph nodes with recurrent prostate cancer were treated between 2008 and 2013. All patients underwent [(11)C] choline-positron emission tomography/computed tomography before SBRT. Two patients were treated in different sessions for metachronous metastases. Ten patients received androgen deprivation therapy concomitant to SBRT (total dose range, 12-35 Gy, delivered in 1-5 daily fractions). RESULTS: The mean and median follow-up periods were 29.35 and 29.38 months, respectively (range, 6.3-68.8 months). Local disease control and a decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen were obtained in 15 of 16 patients (94%); only 1 patient had an in-field progression. In the 6 patients without androgen deprivation therapy at the time of SBRT, the mean time of deferment of palliative androgen deprivation therapy was 23.7 months (range, 2.5-51 months). At last follow-up, 8 patients had active prostate cancer disease; biochemical progression was observed after a mean time of 7.9 months from the completion of SBRT. One patient died of disease. Overall survival was 94%. The 2-year biochemical relapse-free survival was 44%. Late toxicity (gastrointestinal) was observed in 1 patient who had a G3 toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT seems to be safe, effective, and minimally invasive in the eradication of limited nodal recurrence from oligometastatic prostate cancer. SBRT is well tolerated by patients with low toxicity and yielded a local control of the disease.

Acute and late toxicity after three-dimensional conformal image-guided radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

We evaluated the clinical impact of a high definition micro-multileaf collimator and a linac-integrated cone-beam computed tomography in 142 patients treated with conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer to a total dose of 76 Gy. Details on treatment toxicity and tumour control were collected. The 3 years biochemical relapse-free survival was 90%. Acute and late gastrointestinal toxicities were low (3-year actuarial late toxicity of 11.2%). Acute genitourinary toxicity was relatively high, the 3-year actuarial genitourinary late toxicity was 12%. Conformal image-guided radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer leads to low rates of late toxicity with a high rate of tumor control.

Dosimetric effect of Elekta Beam modulator micromultileaf in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the dosimetric effect of Elekta Beam Modulator in 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for localized prostate cancer. We compared treatment plans developed with 2 different Elekta multileaf collimators (MLC): Beam Modulator micro-MLC (mMLC) (4-mm leaf width at the isocenter) and standard MLC (10-mm leaf width at the isocenter). The comparison was performed for 15 patients with localized prostate cancer in 3DCRT and IMRT delivery; a total of 60 treatment plans were processed. The dose-volume histograms were used to provide the quantitative comparison between plans. In particular, we analyzed differences between rectum and bladder sparing in terms of a set of appropriate Vx (percentage of organ at risk [OAR] volume receiving the x dose) and differences between target conformity and coverage in terms of coverage factor and conformation number. Our analysis demonstrates that in 3DCRT there is an advantage in the use of Elekta Beam Modulator mMLC in terms of organ sparing; in particular, a significant decrease in rectal V60 and V50 (p = 0.001) and in bladder V70 and V65 (p = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively) was found. Moreover, a better target dose conformity was obtained (p = 0.002). IMRT plans comparison demonstrated no significant differences between the use of the 4 or 10-mm MLCs. Our analysis shows that in 3DCRT the use of the Elekta Beam Modulator mMLC gives a gain in target conformity and in OARs dose sparing whereas in IMRT plans there is no advantage.

Standard or hypofractionated radiotherapy in the postoperative treatment of breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of acute skin toxicity and dose inhomogeneities.

BACKGROUND: To identify predictive factors of radiation-induced skin toxicity in breast cancer patients by the analysis of dosimetric and clinical factors. METHODS: 339 patients treated between January 2007 and December 2010 are included in the present analysis. Whole breast irradiation was delivered with Conventional Fractionation (CF) (50 Gy, 2.0/day, 25 fractions) and moderate Hypofractionated Schedule (HS) (44 Gy, 2.75 Gy/day, 16 fractions) followed by tumour bed boost. The impact of patient clinical features, systemic treatments and, in particular, dose inhomogeneities on the occurrence of different levels of skin reaction has been retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: G2 and G3 acute skin toxicity were 42% and 13% in CF patients and 30% and 7.5% in HS patients respectively. The retrieval and revaluation of 200 treatment plans showed a strong correlation between areas close to the skin surface, with inhomogeneities >107% of the prescribed dose, and the desquamation areas as described in the clinical records. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience dose inhomogeneity underneath G2 - G3 skin reactions seems to be the most important predictor for acute skin damage and in these patients more complex treatment techniques should be considered to avoid skin damage. Genetic polymorphisms too have to be investigated as possible promising candidates for predicting acute skin reactions.