Comparison of different target volume delineation strategies based on recurrence patterns in adjuvant radiotherapy for glioblastoma.

Background: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) recommendations are commonly used guidelines for adjuvant radiotherapy in glioblastoma. In our institutional protocol, we delineate T2-FLAIR alterations as gross target volume (GTV) with reduced clinical target volume (CTV) margins. We aimed to present our oncologic outcomes and compare the recurrence patterns and planning parameters with EORTC and RTOG delineation strategies. Methods: Eighty-one patients who received CRT between 2014 and 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. EORTC and RTOG delineations performed on the simulation computed tomography and recurrence patterns and planning parameters were compared between delineation strategies. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized for statistical analyses. Results: Median overall survival and progression-free survival were 21 months and 11 months, respectively. At a median 18 month follow-up, of the 48 patients for whom recurrence pattern analysis was performed, recurrence was encompassed by only our institutional protocol's CTV in 13 (27%) of them. For the remaining 35 (73%) patients, recurrence was encompassed by all separate CTVs. In addition to the 100% rate of in-field recurrence, the smallest CTV and lower OAR doses were obtained by our protocol. Conclusions: The current study provides promising results for including the T2-FLAIR alterations to the GTV with smaller CTV margins with impressive survival outcomes without any marginal recurrence. The fact that our protocol did not result in larger irradiated brain volume is further encouraging in terms of toxicity.

Hypofractionated stereotactic re-irradiation for progressive glioblastoma: twelve years' experience of a single center.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors and the role of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) as a re-irradiation technique in the management of progressive glioblastoma. METHODS: The records of 77 previously irradiated glioblastoma patients who progressed and received second course hypofractionated SRT (1-5 fractions) between 2009 and 2022 in our department were evaluated retrospectively. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized for all statistical analyses. RESULTS: The median time to progression from the end of initial radiotherapy was 14 months (range, 6-68 months). The most common SRT schedule was 30 Gy (range, 18-50 Gy) in 5 fractions (range, 1-5 fractions). The median follow-up after SRT was 9 months (range, 3-80 months). One-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates after SRT were 46% and 35%, respectively. Re-irradiation dose and the presence of pseudoprogression were both significant independent positive prognostic factors for both OS (p = 0.009 and p = 0.04, respectively) and PFS (p = 0.008 and p = 0.04, respectively). For PFS, progression-free interval > 14 months was also a prognostic factor (p = 0.04). The treatment was well tolerated without significant acute toxicity. During follow-up, radiation necrosis was observed in 17 patients (22%), and 14 (82%) of them were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Hypofractionated SRT is an effective treatment approach for patients with progressive glioblastoma. Younger patients who progressed later than 14 months, received higher SRT doses, and experienced pseudoprogression following SRT had improved survival rates.

Every other day stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of uveal melanoma decreases toxicity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To report the long-term results of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS/FSRT) in patients with uveal melanoma (UM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the results of patients treated between 2007 and 2019. The primary endpoints were local control (LC), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), enucleation-free survival (EFS) and treatment toxicity. RESULTS: 443 patients with 445 UMs were treated via CyberKnife®. According to the COMS classification, 70% of the tumors were small/medium and 30% were large. Median total RT dose was 54 Gy, median BED10 was 151 Gy. After a median 74-months follow-up, SRS/FSRT yielded an 83% overall LC rate. The 5- and 10-year LRFS rate was 74% and 56%, respectively. Patient age and the COMS size were prognostic for all survival endpoints. An increased SRS/FSRT dose was associated with higher LRFS and EFS rates. SRS/FSRT-related toxicity was observed in 49% of the eyes. Median visual acuity (VA) significantly deteriorated after SRS/FSRT in 76% of the treated eyes. The overall eye preservation rate was 62%, and the 5- and 10-year EFS rate was 64% and 36%, respectively. The delivery of FSRT every other day resulted in a significantly lower rate of toxicity and enucleation compared to FSRT on consecutive days. CONCLUSION: A total dose of ≥45 Gy and BED10Gy ≥ 112.5 SRS/FSRT is associated with a higher LC rate in patients with UM. Despite the favorable outcomes, treatment toxicity is the major limitation of this treatment. Toxicity and enucleation can be minimized by treating the eye every other day.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy boost in patients with cervical cancer.

Our aim was to evaluate the oncological outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) boost in patients with cervical cancer. The data of 21 patients who received SBRT boost after definitive radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) between March 2012 and April 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was applied to patients with a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis (IBM SPSS 23 software) and p < .05 value was considered significant. After definitive RT or CRT, there was a complete response in 9 (43%) patients, partial response in 11 (52%) patients and stable disease in 1 (5%) patient. The median follow-up period was 28 months (range, 7.5-88 months). Two-years cancer-specific survival rate was 80%. While 2-year LC rate was 75% in patients with residual tumour size <4 cm, it was 50% when there was ≥4 cm residual tumour after definitive CRT (p = .1). The treatment was well-tolerated and no acute or late toxicity was observed. Although brachytherapy (BRT) is an essential part of the treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer, SBRT may be used in patients with small residual disease who are not candidate for BRT. IMPACT STATEMENTCervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BRT) are the main treatment options. However, in rare cases where BRT is not feasible, it has been questioned whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as an alternative to BRT.What is already known on this subject? Nowadays, BRT still appears to be the gold standard treatment. However, studies with a small number of patients and short follow-up periods in the literature show that SBRT can be a good alternative in cases where BRT cannot be performed.What do the results of this study add? Our study is one of the series with the largest number of patients in the literature and with the longest follow-up period. In this area where there is no prospective study, we think that retrospective data with high patient numbers are enlightening.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study shows that SBRT is an alternative option in cases with small residual disease where BRT cannot be applied, and it provides a basis for a prospective randomised study.

Ovarian Carcinoma Presenting With a Large Cervical Mass.

Cervical metastasis in ovarian cancer is a rare entity. Therefore, care should be taken in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses as it may mimic a primary tumor. This report aimed to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in these tumors. We present a case of a 73-year-old female who presented with post-menopausal vaginal bleeding and cervical mass. The patient was diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma with a multidisciplinary approach. Although cervical metastasis of ovarian cancer is rare, the possibility of secondary cancer should be kept in mind, especially in cervical tumors with atypical clinical course.

Turkish translation and validation of the Xerostomia Inventory.

Objectives: The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) was developed to assess the severity of dryness in patients with xerostomia. It has a long and a short form with three- and five-point Guttman-type response options. In this study, we aimed to translate the XI into Turkish, to assess the validity and reliability of both response options in patients with head & neck cancer (HNC) or Sjögren syndrome (SS), and to select the optimal version for Turkish patients. Patients and methods: Between January 2019 and June 2019, the XI was translated into Turkish (XI-T) and applied to patients aged ≥18 years with HNC and SS. All patients were applied two tests including both the three- and five-point options. The internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Content validity was based on expert opinion and patient reviews. Results: A total of 186 patients (109 males, 77 females; median age: 54 years; range, 19 to 78 years) answered the XI-T. The number of patients with HNC and SS was 143 (77%) and 43 (23%), respectively. Median XI-T score was 17 for the three-point, and 24 for the five-point option, respectively. Overall internal consistency was satisfactory for both options (α=0.81 and α=0.89, respectively). Overall test-retest reliability was satisfactory and ICCs ranged between 0.71 and 0.92 for the three-point, and 0.36 and 0.94 for the five-point option, respectively. Assessments based on expert opinions and patient reviews also favored the content validity of the scale. Conclusion: The XI-T with both three- and five-point options is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the presence and severity of dryness in patients with HNC and SS who experience xerostomia. The three-point option is more comprehensible and can be preferred over the five-point option in the Turkish population.

Results of concurrent radiotherapy and immunotherapy in recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer: A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: In metastatic and recurrent head and neck cancer (M/R HN-SCC), the median survival is less than a year and locoregional recurrence is the main cause of death. Our aim was to evaluate the results of concurrent stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and immunotherapy (ICI) in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients diagnosed with M/R HN-SCC were evaluated retrospectively. All patients received SBRT (3x8 Gy) to all recurrent and metastatic foci with concurrent ICI. RESULTS: Six months overall survival (OS) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 93% and 86%, respectively. Local control (LC) rate in the site of SBRT was 96%. Higher survival and LC rates were achieved with lower doses of radiotherapy with the synergistic effect of SBRT and ICI. CONCLUSION: Concurrent ICI and SBRT was feasible with excellent LC.

Definitive Chemoradiotherapy Results in Synchronous Oligometastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology Group Study (TROD 10-003).

OBJECTIVE: It is aimed to investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors after curative treatment of patients diagnosed with synchronous oligometastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients from 3 centers diagnosed between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed. The treatment results of thoracic and oligometastatic regions were retrospectively evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and log-rank tests for the factors affecting survival. Cox regression analysis was employed for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients, 46 (88%) had <2 organ involvement at diagnosis. Treatment of oligometastasis was radiotherapy (RT) in 37, surgery in 4, and surgery with RT in 11 patients. Median 60 Gy were administered to the thoracic tumor. Median RT dose for oligometastasis was 30 Gy in median 5 fractions with either stereotactic body radiation therapy or conventional RT. The median follow-up was 18 months. The median OS and PFS were 35 and 20 months, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 80.5%, 60.2%, and 41.2%, while the corresponding PFS rates were 75%, 42.5%, and 21.5%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of "0" and thoracic RT dose over 60 Gy were significant prognostic factors for both the OS and PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive chemoradiotherapy to the thoracic tumor and treatment of oligometastasis region indicate promising survival outcomes.

A hesitated approach: primary radiotherapy for keloids-a case series.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) alone in treatment-resistant symptomatic keloids. METHODS: Six patients with a total of 13 inoperable large keloid lesions and no response to previous treatments were admitted to our department between 2017 and 2019. All patients were examined for detailed wound localization, size, contour, and color assessment, and for objective and subjective symptoms. Response to treatment was graded as "complete remission" in case of full symptomatic relief and >75% decrease in lesion size, as "partial remission" in case of partial symptomatic relief and 25-75% decrease in lesion size, and as "stable disease" in case of no symptomatic relief or <25% decrease in lesion size. Patients were followed up monthly for the first 3 months and every 3 months thereafter by physical examination. RESULTS: A total dose of 37.5 Gy external RT in five fractions was prescribed by 6­MeV electrons in 4 patients and 6­MV photons in 2 patients. Complete response was obtained in all patients at the 6­month control. All patients were satisfied with cosmetic results at their last control. Grade 2 dermatitis developed in all patients during the second week of RT but resolved completely in all after 6 months following the end of RT. CONCLUSION: In keloids that are unresponsive to standard treatment, hypofractionated RT using a total dose of 37.5 Gy in five fractions is feasible.

Parotid gland stem cells: Mini yet mighty.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the correlation between the radiation doses to parotid gland (PG) stem cells and xerostomia. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) were retrospectively evaluated, and xerostomia inventory (XI) was applied to these patients. PG stem cells were delineated on the treatment planning CT, and the mean doses to the PG stem cells calculated. RESULTS: The total test score and mean doses to bilateral PGs were significantly correlated (r = .34, P = .001), and the mean doses to bilateral PG stem cell niches were significantly correlated with the total test score (r = .32, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that the mean dose to PG stem cells can predict dry mouth as much as the mean dose to the PG.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: Does beam-on time matter?

PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an effective treatment option for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we evaluated the treatment results using two different SBRT techniques and the effect of beam-on time (BOT) on treatment outcomes. METHODS: Between July 2007 and January 2018, 142 patients underwent SBRT for primary NSCLC. We have delivered SBRT using either respiratory tracking system (RTS) or internal-target-volume (ITV)-based motion management techniques. The effect of age, tumor size, pretreatment tumor SUVmax value, presence of tissue diagnosis, histopathological subtype, operability status, tumor location, motion management technique, BED10 value, BOT on overall survival (OS), loco-regional control (LRC), event-free survival (EFS) and primary tumor control (PTC) were evaluated. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 70 years (range, 39-91 years). Most of the patients were inoperable (90%) at the time of SBRT. Median BED10 value was 112.5 Gy. With a median follow-up of 25 months, PTC was achieved in 91.5% of the patients. Two-year estimated OS, LRC, PTC and EFS rates were 68, 63, 63 and 53%, respectively. For the entire group, OS was associated with BOT (P = 0.027), and EFS was associated with BOT (P = 0.027) and tumor size (P = 0.015). For RTS group, OS was associated with age (P = 0.016), EFS with BOT (P = 0.05) and tumor size (P = 0.024), LRC with BOT (P = 0.008) and PTC with BOT (P = 0.028). The treatment was well tolerated in general. CONCLUSION: SBRT is an effective and safe treatment with high OS, LRC, EFS and PTC rates in patients with primary NSCLC. Protracted BOT might deteriorate SBRT outcomes.

Stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with oligometastatic or oligoprogressive gynecological malignancies: a multi-institutional analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Data supporting stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastatic patients are increasing; however, the outcomes for gynecological cancer patients have yet to be fully explored. Our aim is to analyze the clinical outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with recurrent or oligometastatic ovarian cancer or cervical cancer. METHODS: The clinical data of 29 patients (35 lesions) with oligometastatic cervical cancer (21 patients, 72%) and ovarian carcinoma (8 patients, 28%) who were treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy for metastatic sites were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had <5 metastases at diagnosis or during progression, and were treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastatic disease. Patients with ≥5 metastases or with brain metastases and those who underwent re-irradiation for primary site were excluded. Age, progression time, mean biologically effective dose, and treatment response were compared for overall survival and progression-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were included in the study. De novo oligometastatic disease was observed in 7 patients (24%), and 22 patients (76%) had oligoprogression. The median follow-up was 15.3 months (range 1.9-95.2). The 1 and 2 year overall survival rates were 85% and 62%, respectively, and the 1 and 2 year progression-free survival rates were 27% and 18%, respectively. The 1 and 2 year local control rates for all patients were 84% and 84%, respectively. All disease progressions were observed at a median time of 7.7 months (range 1.0-16.0) after the completion of stereotactic body radiotherapy. Patients with a complete response after stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastasis had a significantly higher 2 year overall survival and progression-free survival compared with their counterparts. In multivariate analysis, early progression (≤12 months) and complete response after stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastasis were the significant prognostic factors for improved overall survival. However, no significant factor was found for progression-free survival in the multivariable analysis. No patients experienced grade 3 or higher acute or late toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early detection of oligometastasis (≤12 months) and with complete response observed at the stereotactic body radiotherapy site had a better survival compared with their counterparts. Stereotactic body radiotherapy at the oligometastatic site resulted in excellent local control rates with minimal toxicity, and can potentially contribute to long-term survival.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for bone metastasis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors are rare and only make bone metastases at a rate of 5%. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old male with a GIST presented with solitary bone metastasis at the right iliac bone. We performed stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and achieved excellent local control. Herein, our case is presented, and a short review of the literature is carried out. CONCLUSION: SABR should be considered as a treatment option in GIST with bone metastasis.

Dosimetric comparison of two different applicators and rectal retraction methods used in inverse optimization-based intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric differences between two different applicators and rectal-retraction methods used in image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients with LACC treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy and inverse optimization-based IGBT were included in this study. In each patient, at least one fraction of IGBT was performed using tandem-ovoids (TO) with vaginal gauze packing (VGP) or tandem-ring (TR) with rectal-retractor (RR). High-risk clinical target volume (CTVHR) and intermediate-risk CTV (CTVIR) were defined as CTVs, and bladder, rectum, sigmoid, small bowel, urethra, and vaginal mucosa were defined as organs at risk (OARs). All patients received 50.4 Gy external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in 28 fractions. After EBRT, 28 Gy high-dose-rate (HDR) IGBT in 4 fractions was delivered to central disease. A plan comparison was performed using dose-volume histogram (DVH) and treatment planning parameters for CTVs and OARs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in D90 values of CTVHR. In terms of rectum dose, TR with RR was found to be significantly better than TO with VGP (p < 0.0001 for D2cm3 and p < 0.013 for V5Gy). Although, there were no statistically significant differences in D2cm3 value of bladder, sigmoid, small bowel, upper vaginal mucosa, and urethra, mean value of D2cm3 for all defined OARs were found lower in TR than in TO. Bladder V7Gy, upper vaginal mucosa V7Gy, middle and lower vaginal mucosa D2cm3 values were all found to be significantly lower for TR than for TO (p < 0.035). CTVHR and CTVIR volumes contoured in TR were approximately 11% and 9% smaller than TO, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that there were no statistically differences in D90 value of CTVHR and CTVIR. However, all DVH parameters for OARs in TR with RR were found to be better than in TO with VGP.