11C-Choline PET/CT in the primary diagnosis of prostate cancer: impact on treatment planning.

AIM: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of 11C-choline PET/CT for detecting lymphatic or haematogenous spread and for planning radiotherapy in patients with medium-to-high risk prostate cancer. METHODS: We have included 61 consecutive patients recently diagnosed with cancer prostate by biopsy. All patients were classified as medium-to-high risk: Gleason: 7-9; PSA: 6.3-30.4 ng/mL; stage T2c (N.=20) or stage T3 (N.=41). Image acquisition began 5 min after intravenous injection of 11C-choline (656+119 MBq), starting at the pelvis and continuing craniocaudally. Images were interpreted visually to evaluate uptake by the prostate gland. Lymph nodes with 11C-choline uptake were considered invaded, regardless of their size. Bone lesions were considered positive when they showed greater focal uptake than the surrounding bone. In patients with evidence of lymph-node invasion or bone metastases (15 patients), disease was classified as locoregional, oligometastatic, or multimetastatic. RESULTS: All patients had prostate gland uptake (20 focal, 8 bifocal, and 33 multifocal). Extraprostatic disease was present in 15 patients (24.6%), as follows: 9 (60%) in a single location: in an infradiaphragmatic lymph node (N.=6), in a supradiaphragmatic lymph node (N.=1), and in bone (M1) (N.=2). Six (40%) as multifocal invasion: with both infra- and supradiaphragmatic lymph node involvement (N.=2); with infradiaphragmatic lymph node involvement and M1 bone metastases (N.=3); and infra- and supradiaphragmatic lymph node involvement plus M1 bone metastases (N.=1). Disease was classified as locoregional (N.=6), oligometastatic (N.=5), and multimetastatic (N.=4). The 11 (73.3%) patients with locoregional and oligometastatic disease were selected to undergo intensity-modulated radiation therapy with dose escalation based on the PET findings. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that 11C-choline PET/CT is a useful one-stop diagnostic procedure for evaluating patients with medium/high risk prostate cancer scheduled for radical treatment. 11C-choline PET/CT can reliably rule out lymph node involvement and remote metastases, allowing to select candidates for radiotherapy and to plan their treatment.

Diagnostic utility and therapeutic impact of PET/CT [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine -Choline in the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. / Utilidad diagnóstica e impacto terapéutico de la PET/TC con [18F]F-Fluormetilcolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic capability of PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine in prostate cancer (PC) with biochemical recurrence and its therapeutic impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 108 patients, diagnosed with PC with biochemical criteria for recurrence. A PET/CT Choline scan was performed by dynamic pelvic and whole body study at 60min post-tracer injection. The relationship between the positive studies and the PSA value was analysed by classifying patients into three groups (<1.2/1.2-2/>2ng/ml), and the diagnostic capacity was assessed with respect to pelvic MRI and the impact on the therapeutic decision. RESULTS: The location of recurrence was identified in 85 of 108 patients (78.7%): 34 local, 47 pelvic lymph nodes and 58 distant lesions, including retroperitoneal, mediastinal lymph nodes and distant organ lesions (bone and lung). Second tumors were diagnosed in 4 patients. No significant differences were found in the percentage of positive studies depending on primary treatment. Patients with PSA>2ng/ml showed a higher percentage of disease detection than patients with a lower PSA level, with significant differences (p<0.0001). PET/CT [18F]F-Choline was able to detect local disease, not previously known from MRI, in 29.41% of patients. PET/CT Choline had an impact on therapeutic management in 67 of 108 patients (62%). CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine is a useful tool in the detection of locoregional and disseminated disease of PC treated with suspicion of recurrence, providing a change in therapeutic management in 62% of patients.

Survey of current practices from an international task force for gynecological stereotactic ablative radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is an effective treatment that improves local control for many tumours. However, the role of SABR in gynecological cancers (GYN) has not been well-established. We hypothesize that there exists considerable variation in GYN-SABR practice and technique. The goal of this study is to describe clinical and technical factors in utilization of GYN-SABR among 11 experienced radiation oncologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 63 question survey on GYN-SABR was sent to 11 radiation oncologists (5 countries) who have published original research, conducted trials or have an established program at their institutions. Responses were combined and analyzed at a central institution. RESULTS: Most respondents indicated that salvage therapy (non-irradiated or re-irradiated field) for nodal (81%) and primary recurrent disease (91%) could be considered standard options for SABR in the setting of inability to administer brachytherapy. All other indications should be considered on clinical trials. Most would not offer SABR as a boost in primary treatment off-trial without absolute contraindications to brachytherapy. Multi-modality imaging is often (91%) used for planning including PET, CT contrast and MRI. There is a wide variation for OAR tolerances however small bowel is considered the dose-limiting structure for most experts (91%). Fractionation schedules range from 3 to 6 fractions for nodal/primary definitive and boost SABR. CONCLUSIONS: Although SABR has become increasingly standard in other oncology disease sites, there remains a wide variation in both clinical and technical factors when treating GYN cancers. Nodal and recurrent disease is considered a potential indication for SABR whereas other indications should be offered on clinical trials. This study summarizes SABR practices among GYN radiation oncologists while further studies are needed to establish consensus guidelines for GYN-SABR treatment.

Primary neuroendocrine small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm that most frequently arises in the lung. Salivary gland involvement is rare, and the parotid is the main gland affected. We describe the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology findings, the immunophenotypical study and the differential diagnosis of a small cell carcinoma that presented in the parotid of a 91-year-old man. The tumour was treated only with radiotherapy and presented a complete response, with no evidence of the disease after three years of follow-up. This is the first case reported in the literature with good outcome after exclusive irradiation.

[Radiation therapy in simultaneous choroidal and brain metastases]. / La radioterapia en el tratamiento de las metástasis coroideas y cerebrales simultáneas.

Choroidal metastases from lung cancer can be the initial clinical manifestation of metastasic disease, although they generally coexist with at least two more metastasic sites. The most common symptom is decreased vision, however 20% of brain metastases can present with visual alterations. A differential diagnosis within brain metastases and/or choroidal is necessary. We present the case of a patient with lung cancer and decreased vision who was diagnosed as simultaneous choroidal and brain metastases. Radiation therapy (20Gy/5fractions) significantly improves decreased vision. This case shows that, although life expectancy of patients with metastasic lung cancer is short, an adequate diagnosis and treatment, can improve the quality of life of those patients.

Hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy to boost the prostate with ≥85 Gy/equivalent dose for patients with localised disease at high risk of lymph node involvement: feasibility, tolerance and outcome.

AIMS: To evaluate the tolerance and preliminary outcome of prostate cancer patients at high risk of lymph node involvement treated with normofractionated whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT) followed by a hypofractionated boost to the prostate with an intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, 78 T1-4N0M0 prostate cancer patients at high risk of lymph node involvement (70 patients with a Roach index ≥ 15%; 57 with T-stage ≥ 3a; 40 with Gleason score ≥ 8) underwent WPRT to a median normofractionated dose of 50.4 Gy (range 48.0-50.4 Gy) with conformal three-dimensional techniques for most patients. A 24 Gy boost (4 Gy/six fractions, twice weekly) was delivered to the prostate with IMRT. The total median delivered dose was 74.4 Gy, equivalent to 85.2 Gy in 2 Gy/fractions (α/ß = 1.5 Gy). All patients underwent androgen deprivation for a total median time of 10.8 months. The maximum gastrointestinal and genitourinary acute and late toxicity scores were recorded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scoring system. RESULTS: All patients completed treatment as planned. Only 1% of patients presented with grade 3 genitourinary or gastrointestinal acute toxicity and none scored ≥ grade 4. With a median follow-up of 57 months, the 5 year probability of late grade ≥2 genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity-free survival was 79.1 ± 4.8% and 84.1 ± 4.5%, respectively. The 5 year biochemical disease-free survival, local relapse-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival were 84.5 ± 4.5%, 96.0 ± 2.8% and 86.4 ± 4.4%, respectively. A pre-radiotherapy prostate-specific antigen ≤0.3 ng/ml was associated with a better 5 year biochemical disease-free survival (P = 0.036) and distant metastasis-free survival (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a hypofractionated IMRT boost after WPRT may allow a minimally invasive dose escalation to successfully treat patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer at high risk of lymph node involvement. Higher prostate-specific antigen values before radiotherapy may require alternative adjuvant treatments to further optimise the outcome of this high-risk group of patients.

Uterine sarcomas in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen (TMX) has been related with the development of uterine sarcomas. Since the first reported case in 1988, 65 TMX-related cases have been referred to. Here we present three new cases of uterine sarcomas in patients with breast cancer treated with TMX and we comment on the outcome of the cases described in the literature. In the past 25 years, 60 uterine sarcomas have been diagnosed and treated in Hospital Clínic. Three patients have previously received TMX 20 mg/day for 3, 5, and 7 years for breast cancer. Uterine sarcoma appeared 5, 5, and 7 years, respectively, after the start of TMX treatment, and all of them had stage I (FIGO) disease. Two patients had a carcinosarcoma and one patient had an adenosarcoma. After treatment, the disease progressed in two patients and the third patient is alive having a follow-up of 42 months. The low incidence of uterine sarcomas makes it difficult to establish a relationship with TMX. Nevertheless, looking at the literature data, 20 mg/day of TMX over 1 year could be enough to develop uterine sarcoma; the sarcoma appears mainly during the first 8 years and seem to behave more aggressively. Although only 65 cases have been reported in the past 14 years, a strict follow-up is necessary in patients with breast cancer receiving TMX therapy.

Evaluación clínica de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en los programas de rehabilitación respiratoria / Clinical evaluation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in pulmonary rehabilitation programs

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are the largest tributaries of the pulmonary rehabilitation programs. This chapter discusses the necessary evaluation required for patients with COPD, before entering the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Scientific evidence exists regarding the benefits of these programs. The assessment method recommend is: general evaluation, lung function, exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test, incremental walking test), dyspnea (scale of Borg, modified Medical Research Council scale) and health-related quality of life (Saint George's questionnaire). Also, BODE index, psychological and nutritional assessment and a cardiovascular evaluation to rule out cardiac pathology that contraindicates rehabilitation, should be carried out. Following the evaluation, the patient will be into a pulmonary rehabilitation program, the team should consist of a multidisciplinary and include: 1) education of patients and their families, 2) muscle testing and training of: lower extremities, upper extremities and respiratory muscles, and 4) psychosocial support. The pulmonary rehabilitation program provides significant benefits to patients with COPD in terms of reducing dyspnea, improve exercise capacity and quality of life (quality evidence A, strong recommendation). Physical space is required for the evaluation of patients and a training room. It is recommended that pulmonary rehabilitation program must be personalized and centred on the needs of the patient and has a duration of 6 to 12 weeks. Programs effectiveness is independent of where they are carried out and it depends primarily on its structure. It is important to work out a strategy study and control program for evaluating its success.

Los pacientes con Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva crónica (EPOC) son los mayores tributarios de los programas de rehabilitación respiratoria. En este capitulo se analiza la evaluación que requieren los pacientes con EPOC antes de ingresar al programa de rehabilitación respiratoria y la evidencia científica que existe en cuanto a sus beneficios. El método de evaluación recomendado es: una evaluación general, la función pulmonar, la tolerancia al ejercicio (prueba de caminata de 6 minutos, prueba de caminata incremental), la disnea (escala de Borg, escala del Medical Research Council modificada) y los relacionados con la calidad de vida con el cuestionario de Saint George. Además, evaluación del índice BODE, evaluación psicológica y nutricional y una evaluación cardiovascular para descartar patología cardiaca que contraindique la rehabilitación. Efectuada la evaluación, se ingresa al paciente a un programa de rehabilitación respiratoria, el cual debe constar de un equipo multidisciplinario y debe incluir: 1) Educación de los pacientes y su familia; 2) Evaluación y entrenamiento muscular de extremidades inferiores, superiores y músculos respiratorios; 3) Soporte nutricional, y 4) Apoyo psicosocial. El programa de rehabilitación pulmonar proporciona importantes beneficios a los pacientes con EPOC en términos de reducción de la disnea, mejoría en la capacidad de ejercicio y en la calidad de vida (calidad de la evidencia A, recomendación fuerte). Se debe contar con espacio físico para la evaluación de los pacientes y con una sala de entrenamiento. Se recomienda que el programa de rehabilitación respiratoria debe ser personalizado y centrado en las necesidades del paciente y debe tener una duración de 6 a 12 semanas. La efectividad del programa es independiente del lugar donde se lleva a cabo y depende principalmente de su estructura. Es importante elaborar un estudio de estrategia y programa de control para evaluar su éxito.

Entrenamiento de las extremidades superiores en el paciente con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Upper extremity exercise training in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) showed a reduction in force generating capacity of the muscle groups of the upper extremities (UE) and the chest wall compared with healthy subjects. Also, there is evidence that the exercise of the UE is associated with significant metabolic and ventilatory cost, this is particularly evident in patients with moderate and severe COPD. Clinically, patients have a significant increase in dyspnea and fatigue for simple activities of daily life.This chapter therefore evaluated the scientific evidence regarding the beneficial effect of upper extremities exercise in the pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients. The technical characteristics of this exercise training were also reviewed. Exercise training of upper extremities was recommended in respiratory rehabilitation of COPD patients as it improves exercise capacity, reducing ventilation and oxygen consumption (quality evidence B, moderate strength recommendation). Exercise training of upper extremities can be associated with lower limb muscle training to obtain every better result for patients. Upper extremities exercises can be done without support, with incremental or constant load.

En los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se observa una reducción de la capacidad de generación de fuerza de los grupos musculares de las extremidades superiores (EESS) y de la pared torácica comparado con sujetos sanos. Existen evidencias que el ejercicio de las EESS se asocia a un significativo costo metabólico y ventilatorio que es particularmente evidente en los pacientes con EPOC moderada a severa. Clínicamente, estos pacientes tienen disnea y fatiga con actividades sencillas de la vida diaria. En este capitulo se evaluó la evidencia científica que existe en cuanto a los beneficios del entrenamiento muscular de EESS en la rehabilitación respiratoria en pacientes con EPOC. Las características técnicas de dicho entrenamiento también fueron revisadas. Se recomendó la realización de entrenamiento muscular de EESS en la rehabilitación respiratoria de pacientes con EPOC, por cuanto mejora la capacidad de ejercicio, reduce la ventilación y el consumo de oxígeno (calidad de la evidencia: B, fuerza de la recomendación: moderada). El entrenamiento muscular de EESS puede ser asociado al entrenamiento muscular de extremidades inferiores por cuanto se obtienen mejores resultados para el paciente. Los ejercicios de EESS pueden realizarse sin apoyo, con carga incremental o carga constante.