Hemibody Irradiation for Bone Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hemibody irradiation (HBI) is a radiation therapy technique that involves treating one-half of the patient's skeletal system in a single radiation field. It is mostly given as upper hemibody irradiation (UHBI), lower hemibody irradiation (LHBI), or sequential UHBI and LHBI. It is used to treat extensive bone metastases from solid tumors. It was primarily utilized in the 1980s and 1990s and has since fallen out of favor. However, it is a potentially cost-effective treatment for widespread bone metastases. To determine its efficacy, we performed a meta-analysis of all available published articles on the efficacy of HBI to relieve pain from bone metastases. Twenty-seven articles involving 1318 patients were identified and analyzed. Our findings show that 80% of the patients had complete or partial pain relief and 29% had complete pain relief. The trials were of poor quality, but the results showed minimal heterogeneity in the response rates. These response rates are consistent with those seen with focal irradiation of bone metastases and for radionuclide treatment of bone metastases. The toxicity of the treatments decreased when delivered with modern treatment techniques. In light of this, we propose that this technique warrants re-evaluation with modern treatment methods.

Diagnosis and treatment of low-risk superficial basal cell carcinoma in a single visit.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical excision remains the most commonly utilized treatment for superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). In the era of cost containment of healthcare, the rising incidence of BCC and the high cost of excision require a continuous search for efficient and cost-effective management. OBJECTIVE: Examine the feasibility of the diagnosis and treatment of low-risk sBCC in a single visit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of sBCCs diagnosed and treated in a single visit. RESULTS: The study identified 151 histologically confirmed sBCCs in 86 patients over a 5-year period, 93 (61.6%) cases of which were diagnosed as low-risk sBCC and treated in a single appointment. The majority of the cases (n = 86) were treated with curettage alone and the rest (n = 7) with a shave removal technique. The average size of the lesion was 0.82 cm located primarily on the trunk and extremities (95.7%). One recurrence on the trunk was observed in the single appointment group. Overall, diagnostic sensitivity was 95.4% and specificity was 92.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis and treatment of sBCC in a single visit is an efficient and cost-effective management option for those who are proficient in identifying low-risk sBCC.

High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas on Sensitive Areas of the Face: A Report of Clinical Outcomes and Acute and Subacute Toxicities.

PURPOSE: Basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma are common malignancies (keratinocyte carcinomas [KCs]). Surgical resection is the standard of care. Radiation using high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) may serve as a superior alternative where surgical scars may be of cosmetic concern or in elderly patients with significant comorbidity. We aim to describe the clinical and cosmetic outcomes as well as posttreatment radiation toxicities associated with HDR-BT in patients who were treated for KCs of the face. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with KCs treated with HDR-BT from 2015 to 2018 were included in the study. Patient medical records and clinical photos were reviewed at multiple time points: start of treatment, end of treatment, short-term (2 week) follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and if needed at 6 months. Radiation toxicity was graded using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Grading (RTOG) acute toxicity scale. Median (range) toxicity grades at follow-up intervals were calculated. Clinical outcomes including local recurrence were evaluated for all patients. RESULTS: The study included 19 patients and 20 KCs. The median radiation dose was 42 Gy (39-42 Gy) over 6 fractions. The median toxicity at completion of treatment was RTOG grade 2 (85% of patients). At short-term follow-up, 50% of patients (n = 10) improved to RTOG grade 1 (0-2). At 3 months, 70% of patients (n = 14) had RTOG grade 0, and by 6 months, 100% of patients (n = 18) had RTOG grade 0. No RTOG grade 3 or higher skin toxicity was observed. With a median follow-up of 7.2 months (range, 1.3-54.4 months), the local recurrence-free survival was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that HDR-BT can be used as definitive treatment of KCs of the face with excellent cosmetic outcomes and local control. Acute and subacute skin toxicities were most commonly RTOG grade 2 or less with resolution of patient's skin toxicity by 3 months.