Outcomes of vaginal squamous cell carcinoma of patients treated with radiation therapy: a series of 37 patients from a single expert center.

INTRODUCTION: The aim is to assess the outcome of patients treated for vaginal carcinoma with radiation therapy in terms of long-term tolerance and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina treated with pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with or without vaginal brachytherapy (VB) between 1990 and 2013. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included with stage I (24%), II (60%), III (8%), or IV (8%) vaginal tumors. Median age was 66 years (range 27-86 years). Median tumor size was 4 cm (range 0.7-12 cm). Seven patients underwent first intention surgery. The 37 patients received pelvic EBRT (45 Gy) with inguinal irradiation in 57% of cases. Fifteen (41%) received concurrent chemotherapy. Low-dose supplemental VB was performed in 31 patients (84%) (median dose: 20 Gy). Median follow-up was 59 months (range 7-322 months). Four patients (11%) had late grade 3-4 complications. Relapse occurred in 11 patients (30%), five of them locally. The 5-year relapse-free and cancer-specific survival rates were 68% and 76%, respectively. Surgery and concurrent chemotherapy did not seem to have an impact on the course of the disease. CONCLUSION: In our experience, pelvic EBRT leads to prolonged survival with acceptable long-term toxicity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina.

[Effects of high-dose irradiation on vascularization: Physiopathology and clinical consequences]. / Effets de l'irradiation à haute dose sur la vascularisation : physiopathologie et conséquences cliniques.

A review of the literature has been conducted to better understand the effect of stereotactic radiotherapy on tumour vascularization and their consequences. High irradiation doses cause the death of endothelial cells by apoptosis through the ceramide pathway. Vascular consequences are multiple: increased permeability, decreased blood flow, increased hypoxia and tumoral necrosis. This necrosis causes an indirect death of the cancer cells in the days following the irradiation. The importance of indirect cell death in tumour control remains controversial, but it can explain the good clinical results of stereotactic radiotherapy. Stereotactic radiotherapy is a treatment of the tumour microenvironment. Tumour recurrence in this hypoxic environment is slower through disturbance of revascularization mechanisms but also more aggressive, with increased resistance to treatment and a higher risk of metastasis. In a longer time, vascular damage leads to chronic inflammation and a dysfunctional healing process resulting in vascular occlusion. This phenomenon is used in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations but is also responsible for damage to healthy tissues responsible for chronic complications. This is why high-dose irradiation can only be delivered using stereotactic radiotherapy, which reduces the irradiated volume.

[Cerebral infarction related to intracranial radiation arteritis twenty-four years after encephalic radiation therapy]. / Infarctus cérébral secondaire à une artériopathie radique intracrânienne, vingt-quatre ans après une irradiation encéphalique.

We report a case of a resolutive late cerebral ischemic event, related to radiation induced vasculopathy of the left posterior cerebral artery, documented by MRI, situated in the irradiated volume 24 years before, for an astrocytome with malignant potential.

[Epidermoid carcinomas of anal canal treated with radiation therapy and concomitant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin)]. / Carcinomes épidermoïdes du canal anal traités par association concomitante de radiothérapie et de chimiothérapie. Evaluation des résultats fonctionnels.

PURPOSE: To evaluate our results after radiation therapy and concomitant chemotherapy in terms of local control, survival and toxicity in patients with anal cancer. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Between November 1990 and January 2002, 60 patients (pts) were treated with radiation therapy and concomitant chemotherapy. The T-stage according to the 2001 UICC classification were: 2 T1, 26 T2, 25 T3, and 7 T4. There were 20 pts with nodal involvement at presentation. The treatment started with external beam RT (median dose: 45 Gy) and concomitant chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin during the first week and the fifth week of external beam RT (EBRT). After a rest period of 4 to 6 weeks, a boost of 20 Gy was delivered by EBRT in 58 pts and by interstitial (192)Ir brachytherapy in 2 pts. Mean follow-up were 78.5 months. RESULTS: At the end of RT with concomitant chemotherapy local tumor clinical complete response rate was 83%. Out of 10 non responders or local progression, 5 (50%) were salvaged with abdominoperineal resection (APR). Out of 5 local tumor relapses, 3 were salvaged with APR. The overall local tumor control (LC) rate with or without salvage local treatment were 88%. LC rate with a good anal function scoring (score 0 and 1) was 70%. Among 43 pts who preserved their anus, 98% had a good anal function scoring. The 5-year disease-free survival was 75%. After multivariate analysis, 2 independent predicting factors significantly influenced the disease-free survival: HIV-positive pts (negative vs positive, P=0.032) and clinical tumor response after the first course of radiotherapy (<50% vs >or=50%, P=0.00032). Acute grade 2 or 3 toxicities were low: haematological toxicity in 4 pts and intestinal complication corresponding to diarrhea in 10 pts. Late severe complication was observed in 3 pts: 2 pts with painful necrosis of the anus requiring colostomy and 1 pt with grade 3 rectal bleeding. CONCLUSION: We confirm the good results with RT and concomitant chemotherapy. The clinical tumor response after the first course of RT and concomitant chemotherapy is probably the most important predictive factor on the disease-free survival. For patients with T3 or T4 lesion and tumor regression

Adrenocorticotropic hormone in the prevention of cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting.

A double-blind trial to evaluate the antiemetic effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in patients treated with cisplatin was performed. Thirty-seven adults with advanced cancer who were treated with cisplatin were randomly assigned to receive either synthetic long-acting ACTH (1 mg IM given 24 hours, 12 hours, and immediately preceding the administration of cisplatin) or a placebo given under the same conditions. All of the patients received chlorpromazine (50 mg IM) 30 minutes before cisplatin infusion. Patients receiving ACTH and chlorpromazine had significantly fewer episodes of vomiting (p less than 0.01) and shorter periods of nausea (p less than 0.02) than patients receiving placebo and chlorpromazine. Patients receiving ACTH and chlorpromazine were significantly more comfortable than patients receiving placebo and chlorpromazine. No important side effects were observed. ACTH may be an effective agent in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by cisplatin.

[Delay to radiotherapy: a study of three tumour sites]. / Délais et retards à la radiothérapie: réflexion à propos de trois types de tumeurs.

In the following review of the literature, the reasons and consequences of a tendency to the increase of the delay between the diagnosis and the first irradiation session will be studied. The duration of the delay varies according to the protocol of treatment, which itself depends on the tumour. Moreover, all types of radiotherapy are concerned by the increase in delay. A retrospective study enables to determine for a given series of similar tumours and treatments the mean duration of delay and find the excessive duration. The increase of delay phenomenon exists in different countries. We know that before irradiation the tumour grows according to its biological characteristics and the TNM initial determination will no longer be true. On the other hand, effective treatments such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy are increasingly used alone, before or in combination with radiotherapy. Consequently, the classical timing of radiation therapy could be modified often delayed. It is difficult to consider that successive treatments are a real increase of delay and compare its results with previous data from radiotherapy alone. We will study its impact in three types of tumours, including tumours of head and neck, of the breast and prostate, which are the most widely reported. The consequences of prolonged delay are not easily evaluated: one of the more important parameters is the possible modification of the stage of tumour. This phenomenon is not restricted to the studied types of tumours. We will try to find possible ways of reducing abnormal delays before irradiation.

[Results of the Sainte-Anne - Lyons series of 318 oligodendroglioma in adults]. / Résultats de la série Sainte-Anne - Lyon de 318 oligodendrogliomes intracrâniens de l'adulte.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of cerebral oligodendrogliomas is increasing because of better recognition made possible by improved classifications. We studied a homogeneous series using the Sainte-Anne grading scale in order to better understanding the history of these tumors with or without treatment and to assess prognosis and associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective series of 318 adult patients with oligodendroglioma (OLG) treated at Hôpital Sainte-Anne, Paris (SA) and Hôpital Neurologique, Lyons (L) between 1984 and 2003 was analyzed: 182 grade A OLG (SA + L), 136 grade B among which a homogenous series of 98 (SA) were included. For grade A: age at diagnosis ranged from 21 to 70 (mean: 41), sex ratio was 1.28. For grade B: age at diagnosis ranged from 12 to 75 (mean: 45.5), sex-ratio was 1.58. The main first symptoms were: epilepsy (A: 91.5%; B: 76%), intracranial hypertension (A: 7.9%; B: 14.6%), neurological deficit (A: 5.1%; B: 17.7%). The most frequent locations were: frontal, insular and central for both A and B. Mean size was 55 mm for grade A, 62 mm for B. Calcifications were found in 20% of A, 48.5% of B. No tumor was enhanced on imaging (CT/MRI) in grade A, all but 7 in grade B. All patients underwent surgery either for biopsy (A: 47.2%; B: 53%), or removal which was partial (A: 26.4% vs B: 19.4%) or extended (A: 36.3% vs B: 37.8%). Fifty-six patients underwent 2 procedures and 12 three procedures. Radiotherapy was performed in 76.9% of grade A, and 91% of B patients, in the immediate postoperative period for 71% A and 82.7% B. Chemotherapy was delivered for 36% of grade A (in the event of transformation to grade B or failure of radiotherapy) and 67.5% of B patients. Among grade A tumors, 38% transformed into grade B within a mean delay of 51 months with a mean follow-up of 78 months. RESULTS: Median survival was 136 months for grade A and 52 for grade B. Survival at 5, 10 and 15 was 75.5%, 51% and 22.4% for grade A vs 45.2%, 31.3% and 0% for grade B respectively. In univariate and multivariate analysis, grade A survival was associated with age at diagnosis, tumor size, large removal and response to radiotherapy. Grade B survival was associated with age at diagnosis, wide removal and sharply defined limits of the tumor on imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of both published data and this series underlines many prognostic parameters. It shows that OLG are heterogeneous tumors even in each grade (A and B). Treatment should consequently progress towards more targeted procedures for patients mainly with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

[Ductal carcinoma in situ treated with radiation therapy and additional boost]. / Carcinomes canalaires in situ du sein traités par chirurgie conservatrice et irradiation avec complément dans le lit opératoire.

PURPOSE: Women with ductal carcinoma in situ are treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy. The impact of an additive boost radiation is under evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All women treated for ductal carcinoma in situ with breast-conserving surgery and whole breast radiation therapy at a total dose of 45Gy with a boost radiation from 1990 to 2008 have been included in this retrospective monocentric retrospective study. RESULTS: We included 171 patients. Boost radiation to the surgical bed was delivered by brachytherapy in 66 patients (39%), by direct en-face electron beam in 86 patients (50%), and by tangential fields using photon beams in 19 patients (11%). Median follow-up was 95.1months. Eight local relapses (4.6%) have occurred. The 10-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 97%. The 10-year overall survival rate was 98%. On multivariable analysis, brachytherapy (P=0.05; HR=5.15; IC=1-26.3) was associated with a reduction risk of local recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: In our experience, women treated for a ductal carcinoma in situ with breast-conserving surgery and whole breast radiation therapy with a boost radiation have a high 10-year local recurrence-free survival rate.

Use of a general inverse technique for the conformational stereotactic treatment of complex intracranial lesions.

PURPOSE: The stereotactic irradiation of intracranial lesions constitutes an excellent example of conformational therapy whose purpose is to adapt the dose envelope to the target volume with great precision and at the same time to deliver as low a dose as possible to the healthy tissues. We propose the mathematical analysis of the singular values decomposition (SVD) as an inverse planning process to find the optimal minibeam weightings that permit the calculation of the most conformational dose distribution. METHODS: For the radiosurgical treatment of complex lesions, we realize a division of the lesion into several elliptic volumes using the "Associated Target Methodology." This division allows the definition of an irradiation configuration: the number of isocenters, the position of the isocenters, and the diameter of each collimator. For this defined irradiation configuration, we use SVD to find the optimal minibeam weightings. This analysis enables us to understand better the ill-conditioning of the multi-isocentric irradiation and the influence of irradiation parameters on the process of reconstruction minibeam weightings. RESULTS: In this paper, the SVD analysis and the reconstruction technique have been evaluated for the first time on practical cases. We present, as an example, a complex lesion compartmentalized into 3 subvolumes according to our Associated Target Methodology. This analysis allows us to study the ill-conditioning of the example and proposes a large number of solutions from among which we have to choose the most conformational physical solution. This choice is based on the dose-volume histograms. CONCLUSION: We use the SVD procedure as a computer-aided planning system and obtain good solutions, i.e., healthy tissue protection and lesion coverage similar to or better than an experimented planner solution.

Results of radiation treatment of medulloblastoma in adults.

From 1961 to 1982, 20 adults (greater than 16 years of age) were treated with radiation therapy following surgery for medulloblastoma. All patients received neuro-axis irradiation. Five patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. A 5- and 10-year survival rate of 78 and 55%, respectively, were achieved. Treatment failures were mainly a result of local recurrences, but also of metastases. One patient died of acute myeloid leukemia. One patient developed paraplegia. The survival rate was better in males (2 deaths out of 14) than in females (5 deaths out of 6). All the survivors are free of deficit or sequelae, except the patient with paraplegia.

Epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal treatment results and prognostic variables in a series of 242 cases.

UNLABELLED: From 1972 to 1985, 260 cases of anal canal epidermoid carcinoma were irradiated. Eighteen cases treated for palliation were excluded from the study; 242 (93%) were treated with curative intent. The sex ratio was 1/5.5; mean age was 66 years. HISTOLOGY: 60.3% were well differentiated epidermoid carcinoma; 31.0% moderately differentiated and 8.7%, cloacogenic cases. Staging: T1: 11.5%; T2: 16.1%; T3a: 17%; T3b: 33.5%; and T4: 21.9%. Abnormal inguinal nodes were present in 15.3% of cases. Crude overall survival (Kaplan-Meier) for the 242 cases is 86.4% at 1 year, 63.9% at 3 years, 51.2% at 5 years, and 30.8% at 10 years. Radiation therapy was the sole treatment for 193 cases. No chemotherapy was given. Patients were irradiated by external beam. They received a first course of X rays (mostly 18 MV, some 6 MV) 40 to 45 Gy (box technique) over 4 to 5 weeks in the pelvis. Age and size of tumor were considered when deciding on the target volume. After a rest period of 4 to 6 weeks, a second course of 15 to 20 Gy in 2 weeks was given through a perineal field by electron-beam of suitable energy. The mean total dose was 60.56 Gy and median was 62.5 Gy; the mean overall treatment duration was 85.3 days (median 82 days) and the mean Time Dose Factor including decay factor was 98.96. In this group, 5-year determinate survival was: T1-T2, 84.5%; T3a, 74.8%; T3b, 64.9%; T4, 58.9%. In 147/193 patients (76.2%) local control was achieved. The overall anal conservation rate was 62.6%. In 106 cases (55%), the anus had maintained normal function. The 5-year survival rate by N was 73.3% in the absence of inguinal nodes (169 cases) and 36.1% if such nodes were present. There was no significant difference in survival rate according to histological type. In the second group, receiving radiation therapy plus surgery, 33/49 cases (T3b-T4) were irradiated before surgery (median dose 40.5 Gy). Post operative radiation therapy was administered in 16 cases (T3b-T4) (median dose 49.6 Gy). The 5-year determinate survival is 53.2% for T3b and 79% for T4. According to the log-rank test, there was no significant difference between survival with radiation therapy alone and radiation therapy plus surgery. Multivariate analysis of the whole group indicated that T stage is the only predictive variable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Interstitial pneumonitis following autologous bone-marrow transplantation conditioned with cyclophosphamide and total-body irradiation.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of different total-body irradiation (TBI) regimens on interstitial pneumonitis (IP), we retrospectively analyzed our clinical data concerning an homogeneous group of patients conditioned with cyclophosphamide (CY) alone and single-dose or fractionated TBI before autologous bone-marrow transplantation (ABMT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred eighty-six patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (n = 101), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 62), chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 11), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 10), and multiple myeloma (n = 2) referred to our department between May 13, 1981 and September 16, 1992, underwent TBI before ABMT. The male-to-female ratio was 123:63 (1.95), and mean and median age was 33 +/- 12 (6-63 years) and 35 years, respectively. Cyclophosphamide alone (60 mg/kg/day on each of 2 successive days) was used as conditioning chemotherapy in all patients. Patients were irradiated according to two techniques: either with single-dose (STBI) (n = 124; 10 Gy administered to the midplane at the level of L4, and 8 Gy to the lungs) or with fractionated (FTBI) (n = 62; 12 Gy in 6 fractions over 3 consecutive days to the midplane at the level of L4, and 9 Gy to the lungs) TBI. The mean instantaneous dose rate was 0.057 +/- 0.0246 Gy/min (0.0264-0.1692 Gy/min). It was < or = 0.048 Gy/min in 48 patients (LOW group), > 0.048 and < or = 0.09 Gy/min in 129 patients (MEDIUM group), and > 0.09 Gy/min in 9 patients (HIGH group). The median follow-up period was 5 years (24-120 months). RESULTS: In January 1994, the 5-year overall (including all causes of death) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 50 and 48%, respectively. The 5-year DFS was 47.9% in the STBI group, and 47.8% in the FTBI group (p = 0.77). It was 44% in the HIGH group, 53% in the MEDIUM group, and 34% in the LOW group (LOW vs. MEDIUM, p = 0.009). The 5-year IP incidence was 17% in all patients, 16% in the STBI group and 18% in the FTBI group (p = 0.37), but it was significantly higher in patients receiving high instantaneous dose rate TBI (56% in the HIGH, 13% in the MEDIUM, 20% in the LOW groups; HIGH vs. MEDIUM, p = 0.002). However, sex (p = 0.37), age (18% for > 20 vs. 10% for < or = 20 years, p = 0.37), and body weight (> 60 kg vs. < or = 60 kg, p = 0.09) did not influence the IP incidence in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis (Cox model) revealed that the instantaneous dose rate (p = 0.05), and the age (p = 0.04) were the two independent factors influencing the incidence of IP. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study including only the patients transplanted with ABMT conditioned with CY alone and STBI or FTBI concluded that instantaneous dose rate and age significantly influenced the incidence of IP, whereas sex, body weight, and fractionation did not.

Parenchymal pineal tumors: a clinicopathological study of 76 cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify factors that could lead to optimization of the management of pineal parenchymal tumors (PPT) which remains equivocal and controversial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In order to determine factors that influence PPT prognosis, a series of 76 consecutive patients from 12 European centers with histologically proven tumors was retrospectively reviewed. The clinical records and material for histologic review were available in all cases. Follow-up was achieved in 90% of cases. RESULTS: According to WHO classification, there were 19 pineocytomas, 28 intermediate and mixed PPT, and 29 pineoblastomas. According to a four-grade institutional classification, there were 11 Grade 1, 27 Grade 2, 20 Grade 3, and 18 Grade 4. Surgical resection was attempted in 44 patients, whereas 30 had biopsy only. In one case, diagnosis was made at autopsy and in another on spinal deposits. Forty-four patients were irradiated following surgery, 15 patients received chemotherapy. Forty-one patients were alive (median follow-up: 85 months); 9 patients died perioperatively; 26 patients relapsed. Univariate analysis showed a good outcome correlated with age above 20 years, tumor diameter less than 25 mm, and low-grade histology. Multivariate analysis confirmed histology and tumor volume to be significant independent prognostic factors. The extent of surgery and radiotherapy had no clear influence on survival. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the prognostic features of PPT and may help to determine treatment strategies based on radiologic and pathologic characteristics.

Possibility of conservative local treatment after combined chemotherapy and preoperative irradiation for locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate the outcome and the possibility of breast conservation therapy for patients with locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer after primary chemotherapy followed by external preoperative irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between April 1982 and June 1990, 97 patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic and noninflammatory breast cancer were treated. The median follow-up was 93 months from the beginning of treatment. The induction treatment consisted of four courses of chemotherapy (doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil) followed by preoperative irradiation (45 Gy to the breast and nodal areas). A fifth course of chemotherapy was given after irradiation therapy. Three different loco-regional approaches were proposed, depending on the tumoral response. In 37 patients (38%) with residual tumor larger than 3 cm in diameter or located behind the nipple or with bifocal tumors, mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed. Sixty other patients (62%) benefited from conservative treatment: 33 patients (34%) achieved complete remission and no surgery was done but additional radiation boost was given to the initial tumor bed; 27 patients (28%) who had a residual mass less than or equal to 3 cm in diameter were treated by wide excision and axillary dissection followed by a boost to the excision site. After completion of local therapy, all patients received a sixth course of chemotherapy. A maintenance adjuvant chemotherapy regimen without anthracycline was prescribed (12 monthly cycles). RESULTS: The 5-year actuarial loco-regional relapse rate was 16% after radiotherapy alone, 16% following wide excision and radiotherapy, and 5.4% following mastectomy. The 5-year loco-regional relapse rate was significantly higher after conservative local treatment (wide excision and radiotherapy, and radiotherapy alone) than after mastectomy (p= 0.04). After conservative local treatment, the 5-year breast conserving rate of patients with loco-regional disease-free status was 84%. For all patients included in this study, the 5-year breast-conserving rate of those who were loco-regional disease-free was 52%. In multivariate analysis, the possibility of breast conservative treatment was significantly related to the initial tumor size and age (more conservative treatment for tumor size < 6cm and age < 50 years). Five- and 10-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates were 80, 69, 73, and 61% respectively. Five- and 10-year overall survival rates were not influenced by the local treatment (conservative vs. nonconservative local treatment, p = 0.9). On the other hand, local failure significantly decreased the 5- and 10-year overall survival rates (p , 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, three factors had a significant impact on overall survival and disease-free survival: tumor response after induction chemotherapy, initial tumor size, and clinical stage. Arm lymphedema was noted in 12.5% (8 out of 64) of the patients treated with axillary dissection and in 3% (1 out of 33) without axillary dissection. Cosmetic results were satisfactory in 79% of patients after wide excision and radiotherapy and in 71% of patients treated by radiotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Induction chemotherapy followed by preoperative irradiation may permit the selection of some patients with locally advanced breast cancer for conservative treatment. However, the impact of this treatment modality on long-term survival remains to be established.

Cataractogenesis after total body irradiation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic factors and the ophthalmologic follow-up on cataract formation following total body irradiation (TBI) prior to bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1980 and 1992, 494 patients were referred to our department for TBI prior to BMT. The mean age was 32 +/- 11 (median: 32, range: 2-63) years and the male to female ratio was 1.6 (304:190). The majority of patients were treated for acute leukemia (lymphoblastic, n = 177, 36%; or nonlymphoblastic , n = 139, 28%); 80 (16%) for chronic myeloid leukemia, 60 (12%) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 23 (5%) for multiple myeloma, and 15 (3%) for other malignancies. Two hundred and fifty-four (51%) patients were grafted in the first complete remission (CR), 118 (24%) in second CR. Allogenic BMT was performed in 210 (43%) patients, and autologous BMT in 284 (57%). Methotrexate combined to steroids (n = 47, 22%) or to cyclosporine (n = 163, 78%) was administered for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis. In 188 patients (38%), heparin was used in the prevention of veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver. Furthermore, steroid administration was registered in 223 (45%). The conditioning chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide (Cy) alone in 332 (67%) patients. Total-body irradiation was administered either in single dose (STBI; 10 Gy in 1 day, n = 291) or in six fractions (FTBI; 12 Gy over 3 consecutive days, n = 203) before BMT. The mean instantaneous dose rate was 0.0574 +/- 0.0289 Gy/min (0.024-0.1783). It was < 0.048 Gy/min in 157 patients (LOW group), > or = 0.048 Gy/min and <0.09 Gy/min in 301 patients (MEDIUM group), and > or = 0.09 Gy/min in 36 patients (HIGH group). RESULTS: When considering all patients, 42 (8.5%) patients developed cataracts after 13 to 72 months (median: 42 months) with a 5-year estimated cataract incidence (ECI) of 23%. Thirty-three (11.3%) out of 291 patients in the STBI group, and 9 (4.4%) out of 203 patients in the FTBI group developed cataracts with 5-year estimated incidences of 34 and 11%, respectively (p = 0.0004). Seven (19.4%) out of 36 patients in the HIGH group, 33 (10.9%) out of 301 in the MEDIUM group, and 2 (1.2%) out of 157 in the LOW group developed cataracts with respective 5-year cataract incidences of 54%, 30%, and 3.5% (HIGH vs. MEDIUM, p = 0.07; MEDIUM vs. LOW, p = 0.0001; HIGH vs. LOW, p < 0.0001). On the other hand, patients who received heparin as prophylactic treatment against VOD of the liver had less cataracts than those who did not receive (5-year ECI of 16% vs. 28%, respectively; p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of 5-year ECI according to age, sex, administration of steroids, GvHD prophylaxis, type of BMT, or previous cranial radiotherapy in children. Multivariate analysis revealed that the instantaneous dose rate (p = 0.001), and the administration of heparin against VOD (p = 0.05) were the two independent factors influencing the cataract incidence, while age, fractionation, and use of steroids were not. Among the 42 patients who developed cataracts, 38 had bilateral extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation, and only 4 (10%) developed secondary cataracts in a median follow-up period of 39 months. CONCLUSION: Among the abovementioned TBI parameters, high instantaneous dose rate seems to be the main risk factor of cataract formation, and the administration of heparin appears to have a protective role in cataractogenesis. On the other hand, ionizing radiation seems to have a protective effect on posterior capsule opacification following extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

Single-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy: a dose-response analysis of arteriovenous malformation obliteration.

PURPOSE: Stereotactic radiotherapy delivered in a high-dose single fraction is an effective technique to obliterate intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM). To attempt to analyze the relationships between dose, volume, and obliteration rates, we studied a group of patients treated using single-isocenter treatment plans. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From May 1986 to December 1989, 100 consecutive patients with angiographically proven AVM had stereotactic radiotherapy delivered as a high-dose single fraction using a single-isocenter technique. Distribution according to Spetzler-Martin grade was as follows: 79 grade 1-3, three grade 4, 0 grade 5, and 18 grade 6. The target volume was spheroid in 74 cases, ellipsoid in 11, and large and irregular in 15. The targeted volume of the nidus was estimated using two-dimensional stereotactic angiographic data and, calculated as an ovoid-shaped lesion, was 1900 +/- 230 mm3 (median 968 mm3; range 62-11, 250 mm3). The mean minimum target dose (Dmin) was 19 +/- 0.6 Gy (median 20 Gy; range: 3-31.5). The mean volume within the isodose which corresponded to the minimum target dose was 2500 +/- 300 mm3 (median 1200 mm3; range 75-14 900 mm3). The mean maximum dose (Dmax) was 34.5 +/- 0.5 Gy (median 35 Gy; range 15-45). The mean angiographic follow-up was 42 +/- 2.3 months (median 37.5; range 7-117). RESULTS: The absolute obliteration rate was 51%. The 5-year actuarial obliteration rate was 62.5 +/- 7%. After univariate analysis, AVM obliteration was influenced by previous surgery (p = 0.0007), Dmin by steps of 5 Gy (p = 0.005), targeted volume of the nidus (< or = 968 mm3 vs. >968 mm3; p = 0.015), and grade according to Spetzler-Martin (grade 1-3 vs. grade 4-6; p = 0.011). After multivariate analysis, the independent factors influencing AVM obliteration were the Dmin [relative risk (RR) 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.5; p < 0.0001] and grade distribution according to Spetzler-Martin (RR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7; p = 0.010). Delayed complications were observed in eight patients. The 5-year actuarial rate of delayed complications was 7.4%. CONCLUSION: After stereotactic radiotherapy delivered in a single high dose using a single-isocenter technique, the success rate for complete obliteration is independently correlated to Dmin but does not seem to be influenced by Dmax and the targeted volume of the nidus.

Combination of photon and proton radiation therapy for chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base: the Centre de Protonthérapie D'Orsay experience.

PURPOSE: Prospective analysis of local tumor control, survival, and treatment complications in 44 consecutive patients treated with fractionated photon and proton radiation for a chordoma or chondrosarcoma of the skull base. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between December 1995 and December 1998, 45 patients with a median age of 55 years (14-85) were treated using a 201-MeV proton beam at the Centre de Protonthérapie d'Orsay, 34 for a chordoma and 11 for a chondrosarcoma. Irradiation combined high-energy photons and protons. Photons represented two-thirds of the total dose and protons one-third. The median total dose delivered within the gross tumor volume was 67 cobalt Gray equivalent (CGE) (range: 60-70). RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 30.5 months (range: 2-56), the 3-year local control rates for chordomas and chondrosarcomas were 83.1% and 90%, respectively, and 3-year overall survival rates were 91% and 90%, respectively. Eight patients (18%) failed locally (7 within the clinical tumor volume and 1 unknown). Four patients died of tumor and 2 others of intercurrent disease. In univariate analysis, young age at time of radiotherapy influenced local control positively (p < 0.03), but not in multivariate analysis. Only 2 patients presented Grade 3 or 4 complications. CONCLUSION: In skull-base chordomas and chondrosarcomas, the combination of photons with a proton boost of one-third the total dose offers an excellent chance of cure at the price of an acceptable toxicity. These results should be confirmed with a longer follow-up.

Linac radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations: results in 169 patients.

PURPOSE: To present the SALT group results using Linac radiosurgery (RS) for AVM in 169 evaluable patients treated from January 1990 thru December 1993. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Median age was 33 years (range 6-68 years). Irradiation was the only treatment in 55% patients. Other treatment modalities had been used prior to RS in 45%: one or more embolizations in 36%, surgery in 6%, and embolization and surgery in 3% patients. Nidus were supratentorial in 94% patients, infratentorial in 6% patients. Circular 15 MV x-ray minibeams (6-20 mm) were delivered in coronal arcs by a GE-CGR Saturne 43 Linac. Patient set-up included a Betti arm-chair, a Talairach frame. Prescribed peripheral dose was 25 Gy on the 60%-70% isodose (max dose 100%). Arteriographic results were reassessed in December 1997 at 48 to 96 months follow-up. RESULTS: The overall obliteration rate (OR) was 64% (108/169). AVM volumes ranged from 280 to 19,920 mm(3), median 2460 mm(3). OR was 70% for AVM

Local recurrences and distant metastases after breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy for early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To identify predicting factors for local failure and increased risk of distant metastases by statistical analysis of the data after breast-conserving treatment for early breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1976 and December 1993, 528 patients with nonmetastatic T1 (tumors < or = 1 cm [n = 197], >1 cm [n = 220]) or T2 (tumors < or = 3 cm [n = 111]) carcinoma of the breast underwent wide excision (n = 435) or quadrantectomy (n = 93) with axillary dissection (negative nodal status [n-]: 396; 1-3 involved nodes: 100; >3 involved nodes: 32). Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy to the entire breast via tangential fields. Patients with positive axillary lymph nodes received 45 Gy to the axillary and supraclavicular area. Patients with positive axillary nodes and/or inner or central tumor locations received 50 Gy to the internal mammary lymph node area. A boost dose was delivered to the primary site by iridium 192 Implant in 298 patients (mean total dose: 15.2+/-0.07 Gy, range: 15-25 Gy) or by electrons in 225 patients (mean total dose: 14.8+/-0.09 Gy, range: 5-20 Gy). The mean age was 52.5+/-0.5 years (range: 26-86 years) and 267 patient were postmenopausal. Histologic types were as follows: 463 infiltrating ductal carcinomas, 39 infiltrating lobular carcinomas, and 26 other histotypes. Grade distribution according to the Scarff, Bloom, and Richardson (SBR) classification was as follows: 149 grade 1, 271 grade 2, 73 grade 3, and 35 nonclassified. The mean tumor size was 1.6+/-0.3 cm (range: 0.3-3 cm). The intraductal component of the primary tumor was extensive (EIC = IC > or = 25%) in 39 patients. Tumors were microscopically bifocal in 33 cases. Margins were assessed in the majority of cases by inking of the resection margins and were classified as positive in 13 cases, close (< or = 2 mm) in 21, negative (>2 mm tumor-free margin) in 417, and indeterminate in 77. Peritumoral vascular invasion was observed in 40 patients. Tamoxifen was administered for at least 2 years in 176 patients. At least six cycles of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy were administered in 116 patients. The mean follow-up period from the beginning of the treatment was 84.5+/-1.7 months. RESULTS: First events included 44 isolated local recurrences, 8 isolated axillary node recurrences, 44 isolated distant metastases, 1 local recurrence with synchronous axillary node recurrence, 7 local recurrences with synchronous metastases, and 2 local recurrences with synchronous axillary node recurrences and distant metastases. Of 39 pathologically evaluable local recurrences, 33 were classified as true local recurrences and 6 as ipsilateral new primary carcinomas. Seventy patients died (47 of breast carcinoma, 4 of other neoplastic diseases, 10 of other diseases and 9 of unknown causes). The 5- and 10-year rates were, respectively: specific survival 93% and 86%, disease-free survival 85% and 75%, distant metastasis 8.5% and 14%, and local recurrence 7% and 14%. Mean intervals from the beginning of treatment for local recurrence or distant metastases were, respectively, 60+/-6 months (median: 47 months, range: 6-217 months) and 49.5+/-5.4 months (median: 33 months, range: 6-217 months). After local recurrence, salvage mastectomy was performed in 46 patients (85%) and systemic hormonal therapy and/or chemotherapy was administered to 43 patients. The 5-year specific survival rate after treatment for local recurrence was 78+/-8.2%. Multivariate analysis (multivariate generalization of the proportional hazards model) showed that the probability of local control was decreased by the following four independent factors: young age (< or = 40 yr vs. >40 yr; relative risk [RR]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-5.8, p = 0.0002), premenopausal status (pre vs. post; RR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4-6, p = 0.0048), bifocality (uni- vs. bifocal; RR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.6-2.8,p = 0.018), and extensive intraductal component (IC <25% vs. IC > or = 25%; RR: 2.6, 95% CI: 13-5.2, p = 0