Design and clinical application of intracavitary-interstitial brachytherapy applicator template in locally advanced cervical cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To design and evaluate the application value of intracavitary-interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) applicator template for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:MRI data of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 staging system) before and after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2019 to September 2020 were collected. The range of primary cervical lesions was retrospectively analyzed and compared. Based on the residual mass of patients, the corresponding high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was delineated, and the IC-ISBT applicator template was designed and initially applied to cervical cancer patients. Dosimetry analysis and efficacy evaluation were compared between the applicator template-guided ( n=37) and free-hand implantation groups ( n=63). Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was performed for categorical variables, and t-test or U-test for continuous variables. Results:The median distance between the residual tumor margin (clockwise 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock) and the center of 100 patients with ⅡB-ⅣA stage cervical cancer after EBRT was 16.5, 14.0, 17.0 and 13.0 mm, respectively. The corresponding HR-CTV was superimposed to reconstruct the three-dimensional diagram, and the cylindrical IC-ISBT applicator template with mushroom-like head was designed and manufactured: the longest and shortest diameter of the head was 35 and 20 mm, respectively; the central channel was adapted to the uterine tube, the C1-C12 channels was arranged in inner circle, and the peripheral B1-B5 and A1-A4 pin channels were expanded bilaterally. In terms of dose coverage, there was no significant difference between the HR-CTV D 90% [(635.12±22.65) vs. (635.80±25.84) cGy], bladder D 2 cm3 [(473.79±44.78) vs. (463.55±66.43) cGy)], rectum D 2 cm3 [(396.99±73.54) vs. (408.00±73.94) cGy] and sigmoid colon D 2 cm3 [(293.07±152.72) vs. (311.31±135.77) cGy] between the template-guided and free-hand implantation groups (all P>0.05), but the HR-CTV D 98% was significantly higher [(544.78±32.07) vs. (536.78±32.04) cGy, P=0.007] and the rectum D 1 cm3 and D 0.1 cm3 were significantly lower [(438.62±69.65) vs. (453.97±67.89) cGy, P=0.016; (519.46±70.67) vs. (543.82±81.24) cGy, P=0.001] in the template-guided implantation group. In addition, there was no significant difference in the complete response rate between two groups (86% vs. 83%, P>0.05). Conclusions:This IC-ISBT applicator template is reasonably designed, and the therapeutic efficacy of the template-guided implantation is equivalent to that of free-hand implantation. The dose coverage of the target area meets the clinical demand with a better protection of the organs at risk. The applicator template has the potential to be widely used as a conventional template in clinical practice as the applicator-guided implantation is convenient to operate and repeat.

Breast bracket combined with polyurethane foam improves the accuracy of immobilization in breast cancer radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To compare the difference between breast bracket combined with polyurethane foam and single polyurethane foam in the accuracy of immobilization, providing a better immobilization for breast cancer radiotherapy.Methods:Fifty breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2021 to July 2021 were selected. Among them, 25 patients were immobilized with polyurethane foam (foam group), and the other 25 patients were immobilized with polyurethane foam combined with breast bracket (combination group). All patients were scanned by CBCT once a week to obtain setup errors in the SI, LR and AP directions for t-test. The formula M PTV=2.5 Σ+0.7 σ was used to calculate the margin of the planning target volume(M PTV). Results:The setup errors in the foam group were SI (2.0±3.26) mm, LR (0.88±2.76) mm, AP (1.22±3.55) mm, Rtn -0.24°±0.85°, Pitch 0.16°±1.11°, Roll -0.32°±1.05°, and the M PTV were 6.75 mm, 8.46 mm and 8.73 mm, respectively. The setup errors in the combination group were SI (1.0±3.01) mm, LR (0.62±2.74) mm, AP (1.82±3.21) mm, Rtn 0.64°±0.59°, Pitch 0.71°±1.22°, Roll 0.29°±0.73°, and the M PTV were 6.35 mm, 7.47 mm, and 7.61 mm, respectively. After comparing the setup errors in the three-dimensional directions between two groups, the t value of LR, SI, AP and Rtn, Pitch, Roll was -4.304, -2.681, 1.384, and -9.457, -3.683, -5.323, respectively. And the differences in the LR, SI, Rtn, Pitch and Roll directions were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The immobilization effect of polyurethane foam combined with breast bracket is better and the M PTV is also smaller than those of polyurethane foam alone. Therefore, it is recommended to use polyurethane foam combined with breast bracket for immobilization in breast cancer radiotherapy.

Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation with Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Is Feasible for Chinese Breast Cancer Patients / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Several accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) techniques are being investigated in patients with early-stage breast cancer. The present study evaluated the feasibility, early toxicity, initial efficacy, and cosmetic outcomes of accelerated partial breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for Chinese female patients with early-stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery. METHODS: A total of 38 patients met the inclusion criteria and an accelerated partial breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy (APBI-IMRT) plan was designed for each patient. The prescription dose was 34 Gy in 10 fractions, 3.4 Gy per fraction, twice a day, in intervals of more than 6 hours. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, six patients did not meet the planning criteria. The remaining 32 patients received APBI-IMRT with a mean target volume conformity index of 0.67 and a dose homogeneity index of 1.06. The median follow-up time was 53 months and no local recurrence or distant metastasis was detected. The most common acute toxicities observed within 3 months after radiotherapy were erythema, breast edema, pigmentation, and pain in the irradiated location, among which 43.8%, 12.5%, 31.3%, and 28.1% were grade 1 toxicities, respectively. The most common late toxicities occurring after 3 months until the end of the follow-up period were breast edema, pigmentation, pain in the irradiated location, and subcutaneous fibrosis, among which 6.2%, 28.1%, 21.9%, and 37.5% were grade 1 toxicities, respectively. Thirty-one patients (96.8%) had fine or excellent cosmetic outcomes, and only one patient had a poor cosmetic outcome. CONCLUSION: It is feasible for Chinese females to receive APBI-IMRT after breast conserving surgery. The radiotherapeutic toxicity is acceptable, and both the initial efficacy and cosmetic outcomes are good.

Electron-beam chest-wall irradiation in breast cancer patients after mastectomy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effcacy of electron-beam chest-wall irradiation in patients with breast cancer after mastectomy.Methods From June 1999 to December 2007,280 women with localized breast cancer received postmastectomy radiotherapy using electron beam to chest wall.The effcacy and toxicity of these 280 women was compared with 118 women treated during the same period using tangential field with photon beam.Results The follow-up rate was 93.2%.140 patients had a minimum followed up time of 5 years and 12 patients had a minimum follow up time of 10 years.The 5-year and 10-year chest wall recurrence rates were 6.8%and 5.0%.14.8%and 10.1%for patients irradiated with electron and photon(X2=1.12,P=0.290).The corresponding 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 60.6%and 65.5%,47.6%and 57.3%(X2=0.97,P=0.325).The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 77.5%and 79.6%,48.4%and 53.3%(X2=0.37,P=0.545).Grade Ⅱ or more acute skin toxicity occurred in 10.4%and 16.9%of patients irradiated with electron and photon(X2=3.34.P=0.090).Pulmonary fibrosis developed in 28.8%and 22.1% of patients irradiated with electron and photon(X2=1.27,P=0.300).Conclusion Electron-beam chest-wall irradiation is as effective as photon-beam irradiation in breast cancer after mustectomy.

Clinical analysis of 35 cases second primary tongue squamous cell carcinoma after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To investigate the clinical features, effective treatment, survival and prognostic factors of second primary tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SPTSCC) after nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radiotherapy. Methods The clinical data of 35 cases with SPTSCC after NPC radiotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier method, Log-Rank test and COX proportional hazard mode was performed for statistical analysis. Results 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 55 % and 47 %, respectively, lymph node metastasis rate was 5.71 %. Univariate analysis indicated that gender (χ2 = 8.89, P = 0.00), T classification (χ2= 5.58, P= 0.02), clinical stage (χ2 = 8.51, P= 0.04) and treatment methods (χ2 = 29.37, P = 0.00) were important factors of prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that treatment methods (P = 0.00) and T classification (P = 0.03) were independent prognostic factors. Operative treatment group had better prognosis than the non-operative treatment group, the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05), male patients in the risk of SPTSCC was higher than the female patients, and the incidence of SPTSCC was increased along with extension of the time after NPC radiotherapy. Conclusion The rate of the lymph node metastasis is lower for SPTSCC after NPC radiotherapy and treatment patterns and T stage are independent prognostic factors. Long-term follow-up after NPC radiotherapy is necessary to the early diagnosis of SPTSCC, so that to give surgery or combined therapy with surgery in order to achieve a good effect.

Effects of quality of life on the prognosis of long-term survivors with nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To analyze the effect of quality of life (QOL) on the prognosis of long-term survivors with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods A total of 192 NPC patients treated between 1999 and 2000 and with tumor-free survival before July 2003 were enrolled in this study. All patients received QOL measurement between July and August in 2003. Measurement scales included Chinese SF-36 questionnaire and a checklist consisting of fourteen items about self-rating symptoms. The median follow-up time was 7.9S years (range 2.67-9.55 years). The effects of QOL, social demographic and clinical factors on prognosis were analyzed. Results Univariate analysis showed that QOL affected the tumor-free survival and overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that hypomnesia was an independent prognostic factor of tumor-free survival, while trismus, headache and age were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. The younger and the better QOL had better prognosis. The other sociodemographic and clinical factors had no prognostic value. Conclusion QOL is an important factor affecting the prognosis of long-term survivors with NPC, and it should be routinely evaluated during the follow-up.

Clinical study of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin in local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To assess the efficacy and feasibility of neoadjuvant therapy of TPF regimen including docetaxel (TAX), cisplatin (DDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) combined with concurrent DDP and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods From April 2008 to May 2009, 40 patients with newly diagnosed UICC stage Ⅲ orⅣ local advanced NPC were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to group A(DDP every 3 weeks) and group B(DDP every week). Two cycles of induction chemotherapy with TAX 60 mg/m2 dl, DDP 60 mg/m3 dl and 5-Fu 600 mg/m2 dl-5 were given on a 3-weekly cycle, followed by RT and chemotherapy(group A: DDP 80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 2 times; group B: DDP 30 mg/m2 weekly for 6 times). Two-dimension conformal RT technique with 68-72 Gy/(34-36) fractions for 7 weeks was administered to the nasopharynx and 60-66 Gy/(30-33) fractions for 6-6.5 weeks to the node-positive area. Results 38 patients (78 Cycles) were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. One patient in each group was excluded due to toxicity. 17 (17/19) patients of group A finished 2 cycles of planed DDP chemotherapy, while only 10 (10/19) patients of group B completed 6 weeks of planed DDP chemotherapy, 4 completed 5 weeks, 4 completed 4 weeks and 1 completed 2 weeks. Response to neoadjuvant TPF was as follows: 4 patients (10.5 %) achieved complete response(CR), 27(71.1%) achieved partial response(PR) and 7 (18.4 %) achieved stable disease (SD), so the overall response (CR+PR) rate was 81.6 %. After RT, 32 patients (84.2 %) achieved CR, 5 (13.2 %) PR and 1 (2.6 %) SD, so the overall response rate was 97.4 %. Conclusion TPF induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent DDP and RT is an effective regimen in the treatment of advanced NPC. Concurrent DDP chemotherapy on a 3-weekly cycle is recommended. Further study should be made to investigate how to increase the dose intensity of chemotherapy.