Current and projected gaps in the availability of radiotherapy in the Asia-Pacific region: a country income-group analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer incidence and mortality is increasing rapidly worldwide, with a higher cancer burden observed in the Asia-Pacific region than in other regions. To date, evidence-based modelling of radiotherapy demand has been based on stage data from high-income countries (HIC) that do not account for the later stage at presentation seen in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to estimate the current and projected demand and supply in megavoltage radiotherapy machines in the Asia-Pacific region, using a national income-group adjusted model. METHODS: Novel LMIC radiotherapy demand and outcome models were created by adjusting previously developed models that used HIC cancer staging data. These models were applied to the cancer case mix (ie, the incidence of each different cancer) in each LMIC in the Asia-Pacific region to estimate the current and projected optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate (ie, the proportion of cancer cases that would require radiotherapy on the basis of guideline recommendations), and to estimate the number of megavoltage machines needed in each country to meet this demand. Information on the number of megavoltage machines available in each country was retrieved from the Directory of Radiotherapy Centres. Gaps were determined by comparing the projected number of megavoltage machines needed with the number of machines available in each region. Megavoltage machine numbers, local control, and overall survival benefits were compared with previous data from 2012 and projected data for 2040. FINDINGS: 57 countries within the Asia-Pacific region were included in the analysis with 9·48 million new cases of cancer in 2020, an increase of 2·66 million from 2012. Local control was 7·42% and overall survival was 3·05%. Across the Asia-Pacific overall, the current optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate is 49·10%, which means that 4·66 million people will need radiotherapy in 2020, an increase of 1·38 million (42%) from 2012. The number of megavoltage machines increased by 1261 (31%) between 2012 and 2020, but the demand for these machines increased by 3584 (42%). The Asia-Pacific region only has 43·9% of the megavoltage machines needed to meet demand, ranging from 9·9-40·5% in LMICs compared with 67·9% in HICs. 12 000 additional megavoltage machines will be needed to meet the projected demand for 2040. INTERPRETATION: The difference between supply and demand with regard to megavoltage machine availability has continued to widen in LMICs over the past decade and is projected to worsen by 2040. The data from this study can be used to provide evidence for the need to incorporate radiotherapy in national cancer control plans and to inform governments and policy makers within the Asia-Pacific region regarding the urgent need for investment in this sector. FUNDING: The Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) Regional Office (RCARP03).

Radiotherapy for benign diseases in Turkey: a patterns of care survey of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TROD 05-002).

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the patterns of radiotherapy (RT) care in cases of benign diseases in Turkey. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was sent to all radiation oncology (RO) departments in Turkey. The number of patients treated for benign disease between 2015 and 2020 was requested. A list of benign conditions was given, and information on the number of patients per disease, single and total doses prescribed, weekly fractions, radiation type, energy, and device was requested. RESULTS: Of the 138 RO departments, 29 (21%) responded. The data received concerned 15 (52%) university, 10 (34%) public, and four (14%) private hospitals. A total of 130,846 patients were treated with RT in these departments. Of these patients, 6346 (4.85%) were treated for benign conditions. The most common benign diseases treated with RT were meningioma (35%), plantar fasciitis (19%), schwannoma (16%), arteriovenous malformation (11%), and pituitary adenoma (7%). Most centers performed RT for paraganglioma, heterotopic ossification, vertebral hemangioma, and Graves' ophthalmopathy, but none treated arthrosis. Wide variations were observed across the departments. Radiosurgery for intracranial pathologies was performed intensively in four centers. By contrast, RT for plantar fasciitis was predominantly treated in five centers, one of which had more than 1000 patients. CONCLUSION: The ratio of patients who underwent RT for benign diseases in Turkey among all patients who underwent RT was 4.85%. The common pattern of RT in 72% of patients was radiosurgery for intracranial benign diseases, followed by low-dose RT for plantar fasciitis in 19%.

Evaluation of the effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) techniques on survival response in cell lines with a new radiobiological modeling.

BACKGROUND: The optimal radiobiological model, which assesses the biological effects of novel radiotherapy techniques that concurrently modify multiple physical factors, has not yet been defined. This study aimed to investigate the impact of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) on cellular response in head and neck cancer and melanoma models. METHODS: Clonogenic analysis, DNA double-strand break analysis, apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis were performed on cancer stem cell models, cancer models, and normal tissue cell models to assess radiation sensitivity. RESULTS: The segmented radiation approach used in IMRT applications enhanced radiosensitivity and cytotoxicity in the cancer models, while changes in dose rate had varying effects on cytotoxicity depending on the tumor cell type. VMAT increased cellular resistance, favoring treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The biological processes were influenced differently by dose rate, IMRT, and VMAT depending on the tumor cell type. The selection of the most appropriate technique is crucial in representing new radiotherapy approaches. The obtained data can serve as a model to address clinical questions in daily practice. The integration of non-standard outcomes with standard applications should be considered in clinical settings.

Preoperative radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy in extremity soft tissue sarcomas: long-term results of a single center.

PURPOSE: To assess oncological outcomes of patients receiving neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities. METHODS: Patients who were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy-3 cycles of mitomycin/doxorubicin/cisplatin (MAP) or 2-4 cycles of doxorubicin/cisplatin (AP)-followed by surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rates were estimated, and prognostic factors were identified. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2017, a total of 108 patients were included. Median ages were 43 years and 51 years for patients receiving MAP and AP, respectively. The 5­year local relapse-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were 94.1, 63.6, 75.3, and 71.9%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant predictors were identified as follows: de novo or R1/R2 resected tumor on admission before RCT (p = 0.017; hazard ratio [HR] 0.112, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.019-0.675) and R0 resection after RCT (p = 0.010; HR 0.121, 95% CI 0.024-0.598) for LRFS; female gender (p = 0.042; HR 0.569, 95% CI 0.330-0.979) and liposarcoma histology (p = 0.014; HR 0.436, 95% CI 0.224-0.845) for DFS; liposarcoma histology (p = 0.003; HR 0.114, 95% CI 0.027-0.478) and AP regimen (p = 0.017; HR 0.371, 95% CI 0.165-0.836) for DSS; age ≤ 45 years (p = 0.043; HR 0.537, 95% CI 0.294-0.980) and liposarcoma histology (p = 0.006; HR 0.318, 95% CI 0.141-0.716) for OS, respectively. CONCLUSION: An increased risk for local failure seems to exist for patients with relapsed tumor on admission and having positive surgical margins after neoadjuvant RCT. Intensity of chemotherapy influenced DSS but not OS, which could be due to younger patients receiving MAP.

Primary extranodal lymphoma of the glands. Literature review and options for best practice in 2019.

Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (EN-NHL) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies that involve numerous entities with significant difference in terms of tumor site locations, prognostic factors, biology expression, and therapeutic options. In the literature, many EN-NHL types were reported from limited series which only allowed narrow views for elucidating prognostic factors and defining the role of loco-regional therapies in the era of new systemic and biologically targeted therapies. The Rare Cancer Network (RCN), an international multidisciplinary consortium, has published a number of reports on several EN-NHL sites which included many gland locations. In this review, we will focus on the recent literature for a selected number of EN-NHL types in both exocrine and endocrine gland locations. We aim to provide renewed and clear messages for the best practice in 2019 for diagnosis, histopathology, treatments, and also their prognostic implications. We believe that better understanding of molecular and genetic characteristics of these particular diseases is crucial for an appropriate management in the era of personalized treatment developments.

Role of consolidative radiation therapy for patients with mediastinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era.

BACKGROUND: The most common subtype of aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphomas is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Mediastinal DLBCL is a distinct entity with unique clinical, pathologic, and genetic features and accepted as a subtype of DLBCL. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients treated with consolidative radiotherapy (RT) after rituximab-containing chemotherapy for mediastinal DLBCL regarding treatment outcomes and relapse patterns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with the diagnosis of mediastinal DLBCL who were treated at the Ege University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2014 were evaluated. All patients received 2-10 cycles of rituximab-containing chemotherapy schedule (mostly CHOP). RT was delivered to a total dose of 30.6-45 Gy with 1.8 Gy daily fractions in 4-5 weeks. The irradiation fields were designed by using involved lymphatic site technique. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 53 years (range, 18-85 years). Ann Arbor clinical stage at diagnosis was as follows: 8 patients (19%) at Stage I, 20 patients (47.6%) at Stage II, 7 patients (16.7%) at Stage III, and 7 patients (16.7%) at Stage IV. The median follow-up period was 47 months (range, 7-96 months). Complete response was obtained in 27 patients (64.3%), partial response was obtained in 14 patients (33.3%) across all stages. Estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were, respectively, 84% and 77% for all patients, 100% and 92% for the patients without residual disease after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The response to chemotherapy is the most important factor affecting both OS and PFS. The role of consolidative RT is not clear in the rituximab era due to the lack of phase III trial. However, available literature shows that consolidative RT may still have a role in mediastinal DBLCLs.

Outcome and prognostic factors in 110 consecutive patients with primary uterine leiomyosarcoma: A Rare Cancer Network study.

OBJECTIVE: Primary uterine leiomyosarcomas (ULMS) are rare, and the optimal treatment is controversial. We aimed to assess the outcome and prognostic factors in a multicenter population of women treated for primary ULMS. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of 110 women treated in 19 institutions of the Rare Cancer Network (RCN). Inclusion criteria consisted of a pathology report confirming the diagnosis of ULMS, aged 18-80 years, complete International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage information, complete information on treatment, and a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Local control (LC) and locoregional control (LRC), overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was implemented using the log rank test, and multivariate analysis using the Cox model. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery. Seventy-five patients (68%) received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), including brachytherapy in 18 (16%). Seventeen patients (15%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 58 (range, 6-240) months. Five-year OS and DFS rates were 50% and 34%, and LC and LRC rates were 88% and 72%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, independent favorable prognostic factors were younger age, FIGO stage I, small tumor size, previous uterine disease, and no vascular invasion for OS and DFS. FIGO stage was the only favorable factor influencing LRC. Adjuvant local or systemic treatments did not improve the outcomes. Eight patients treated with RT presented a grade 3 acute toxicity, and only one patient with grade 3 late toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: In this large population of primary ULMS patients, we found good results in terms of LC and LRC. Nevertheless, OS remains poor, mainly due to the occurrence of distant metastases. An early diagnosis seemed to improve the prognosis of the patients. Adjuvant local or systemic treatments, or more aggressive surgical procedures such as the Wertheim procedure, did not seem to impact the outcome.

Recommendations for the treatment of children with radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): A position paper from the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS-LMIC) and Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (PODC) working groups of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP).

Pediatric radiotherapy is a critical part of pediatric oncology protocols and the quality of the radiotherapy may determine the future quality of life for long-term survivors. Multidisciplinary team decision making provides the basis for high-quality care. However, delivery of high-quality radiotherapy is dependent on resources. This article provides guidelines for delivery of good quality radiation therapy in resource-limited countries based on rational procurement and maintenance planning, protocol development, three-dimensional planning, quality assurance, and adequate staff numbers and training.

SIOP PODC Adapted treatment guidelines for low grade gliomas in low and middle income settings.

Effective treatment of children with low grade glioma (LGG) requires a functioning multi-disciplinary team with adequate neurosurgical, neuroradiological, pathological, radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities and personnel. In addition, the treating centre should have the capacity to manage a variety of LGG and treatment-associated complications. These requirements have made it difficult for many centers in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) to offer effective treatment and follow up. This article provides management recommendations for children with LGG according to the level of facilities available.

The role of radiotherapy in local control of nonextremity Ewing sarcomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of radiotherapy and the prognostic factors affecting local control in nonextremity Ewing sarcomas. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2011, 44 patients with nonextremity Ewing sarcomas were treated with radiotherapy. Tumor localizations were pelvis in 23, spine in 13, thoracic region in 5, and cranium in 3 patients. Tumor size was ≥8 cm in 56.8% of patients. Distant metastases were present in 19 of the patients at the time of diagnosis (43.1%). All patients were treated with 12 weeks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and radiotherapy (45-54 Gy) or radiotherapy alone (54-64.8 Gy). Radiotherapy was applied due to microscopic residue (R1) in 5 patients after the operation and macroscopic tumor in 39 patients (macroscopic residue [R2] and nonresectable tumor). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 49 months (range 9-195). Local failures developed in 7 patients (15.9%) and local control at 5 years was 81.4%. Local recurrence was detected in 6 patients (6/38) who did not have residual tumor after RT. Progression was detected in 1 patient (1/6) who had residual tumor. All those patients with local failure experienced further distant metastases. Possible prognostic factors such as age (≤17 vs >17), tumor localization, tumor volume (≤8 cm vs >8 cm), and M status at diagnosis (0 vs 1) were not related to local control. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy, either alone or adjuvant to surgery, provides local control in 80% of nonextremity Ewing sarcomas and plays an important role in treatment.

Successful Treatment With Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy in a Child With Isolated Cutaneous Relapsed AML.

A 9-year-old girl diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia M4 developed isolated cutaneous relapse. She was given chemotherapy including idarubicin, fludarabine, and cytarabine. Although she developed very severe pancytopenia, increase in the number and size of the lesions was seen. Total skin electron beam therapy was applied to the skin lesions for a total of 18 Gy. All lesions responded to total skin electron beam therapy, some of them completely disappeared. After resolution of the skin findings, she underwent bone marrow transplantation from her matched brother. Twenty-six months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation she is alive without any event.

Long-term outcome of patients with spinal myxopapillary ependymoma: treatment results from the MD Anderson Cancer Center and institutions from the Rare Cancer Network.

BACKGROUND: Spinal myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) are slowly growing ependymal gliomas with preferential manifestation in young adults. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with MPE treated with surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and/or chemotherapy. METHODS: The medical records of 183 MPE patients (male: 59%) treated at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and 11 institutions from the Rare Cancer Network were retrospectively reviewed. Mean patient' age at diagnosis was 35.5 ± 15.8 years. Ninety-seven (53.0%) patients underwent surgery without RT, and 86 (47.0%) were treated with surgery and/or RT. Median RT dose was 50.4 Gy. Median follow-up was 83.9 months. RESULTS: Fifteen (8.2%) patients died, 7 of unrelated cause. The estimated 10-year overall survival was 92.4% (95% CI: 87.7-97.1). Treatment failure was observed in 58 (31.7%) patients. Local failure, distant spinal relapse, and brain failure were observed in 49 (26.8%), 17 (9.3%), and 11 (6.0%) patients, respectively. The estimated 10-year progression-free survival was 61.2% (95% CI: 52.8-69.6). Age (<36 vs ≥36 y), treatment modality (surgery alone vs surgery and RT), and extent of surgery were prognostic factors for local control and progression-free survival on univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, treatment failure of MPE occurred in approximately one third of patients. The observed recurrence pattern of primary spinal MPE was mainly local, but a substantial number of patients failed nonlocally. Younger patients and those not treated initially with adjuvant RT or not undergoing gross total resection were significantly more likely to present with tumor recurrence/progression.

Prognostic significance of bcl-2, c-myc, survivin and tumor grade in synovial sarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the prognostic value of bcl-2, c-myc and survivin in synovial sarcoma cases and to evaluate the relationship between the conventional morphological findings with prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, we evaluated 81 synovial sarcoma cases referred to our tertiary tumor center during a period of 20 years. We applied bcl-2, c-myc and survivin immunohistochemically and investigated the relationship with prognosis for those 65 cases with follow-up. The relationship between the conventional morphological findings (mitosis, necrosis, grade) with prognosis was also investigated. RESULTS: Five-year disease free survival rate was 44% and ten-year progression free survival rate was 38%, reflecting the aggressive behavior of synovial sarcoma. Tumor grade (according to FNCLCC) was the most significant prognostic input in this study. We obtained a significant difference between grade II (40 cases) and grade III (24 cases) group regarding progression-free survival and overall survival (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). Grade II was divided into two groups according to mitotic index and necrosis (grade IIa and IIb) and there was a significant difference between them regarding prognosis (p=0.013 for progression free survival, p=0.003 for overall survival). There was a significant relationship between bcl-2 negative plus focally weak positive cases (9 cases) and focally strong cases (21 cases) and diffuse strong cases (35 cases) (p=0.042 and p=0.016 respectively). There was a significant relation between c-myc negative cases (25 cases) and nuclear positive cases (17 cases) regarding overall survival (p=0.043) and between c-myc negative cases and cytoplasmic positive cases (23 cases) regarding progression free survival (p=0.05). The relation between survivin and prognosis was not significant. CONCLUSION: Tumor grade was the most significant prognostic parameter in this study. The grade IIa group (with less than 10 mitoses in 10 HPF, without necrosis) had a better prognosis than both the grade IIb and III groups. The grade IIb group was closer to grade III regarding the prognosis. Bcl-2 and c-myc (nuclear and/or cytoplasmic) immunohistochemical positivity had prognostic value but this finding has to be confirmed by large series.

Radiotherapy capacity in European countries: an analysis of the Directory of Radiotherapy Centres (DIRAC) database.

Radiotherapy is used for cure or palliation in around half of patients with cancer. We analysed data on radiotherapy equipment in 33 European countries registered in the Directory of Radiotherapy Centres (DIRAC) database, managed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. As of July, 2012, Europe had 1286 active radiotherapy centres. The average number of teletherapy machines per radiotherapy centre ranged from 1·2 to 7·0 in different countries. Nordic countries, the UK, the Netherlands, and Slovenia all have large centres with four to ten teletherapy machines. Most western and southern European countries have several small centres with one or two machines, with few larger centres. The fragmentation in radiotherapy services that prevails in many European countries might affect the economic burden of radiotherapy and its quality. Eastern and southeastern European countries need to expand and modernise their radiotherapy equipment.

Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the salivary glands: a multicenter Rare Cancer Network study.

PURPOSE: Involvement of salivary glands with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is rare. This retrospective study was performed to assess the clinical profile, treatment outcome, and prognostic factors of MALT lymphoma of the salivary glands. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirteen member centers of the Rare Cancer Network from 10 countries participated, providing data on 63 patients. The median age was 58 years; 47 patients were female and 16 were male. The parotid glands were involved in 49 cases, submandibular in 15, and minor glands in 3. Multiple glands were involved in 9 patients. Staging was as follows: IE in 34, IIE in 12, IIIE in 2, and IV in 15 patients. RESULTS: Surgery (S) alone was performed in 9, radiotherapy (RT) alone in 8, and chemotherapy (CT) alone in 4 patients. Forty-one patients received combined modality treatment (S + RT in 23, S + CT in 8, RT + CT in 4, and all three modalities in 6 patients). No active treatment was given in one case. After initial treatment there was no tumor in 57 patients and residual tumor in 5. Tumor progression was observed in 23 (36.5%) (local in 1, other salivary glands in 10, lymph nodes in 11, and elsewhere in 6). Five patients died of disease progression and the other 5 of other causes. The 5-year disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were 54.4%, 93.2%, and 81.7%, respectively. Factors influencing disease-free survival were use of RT, stage, and residual tumor (p < 0.01). Factors influencing disease-specific survival were stage, recurrence, and residual tumor (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this report represents the largest series of MALT lymphomas of the salivary glands published to date. This disease may involve all salivary glands either initially or subsequently in 30% of patients. Recurrences may occur in up to 35% of patients at 5 years; however, survival is not affected. Radiotherapy is the only treatment modality that improves disease-free survival.

Validation of the Turkish versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 modules in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To test the validity and reliability of The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core (QLQ-C30) and breast cancer module (QLQ-BR23) for Turkish breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 127 patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) enrolled to this prospective study. EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules applied to patients before initiation of RT and at follow-up period. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: Questionnaires' were found reliable and valid for Turkish breast cancer patients. Six of the 8 multi-item scales of QLQ-C30 had a high reliability (Cronbach's ? >0.7); where physical functioning and pain scores were less reliable (Cronbach's ? of 0.66 and 0.68 respectively). In the QLQ-BR23, 3 of 5 multi-item scales were reliable; less reliable were breast and arm symptoms scale (Cronbach's ? of 0.65 and 0.61 respectively). In our analysis the most determinative subscales of QLQ-C30 on global health was emotional functioning followed by fatigue, role functioning and appetite loss (respectively p=0.002, p=0.01; p=0.03 and p=0.08). Among QLQ-BR23 scales systemic therapy SIDE effects, future perspective and upset by hair loss subscales had high impact on global health status (respectively p=0.006; p=0.01 and p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules are reliable and valid tools to assess quality of life of Turkish breast cancer patients.

The essential role of radiotherapy in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma: a study from the Rare Cancer Network.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective multicenter study was performed in 180 patients with MCC treated between February 1988 and September 2009. Patients who had had surgery alone were compared with patients who received surgery and postoperative RT or radical RT. Local relapse-free survival (LRFS), regional relapse-free survival (RRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were assessed together with disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were male and 101 patients were female, and the median age was 73 years old (range, 38-93 years). The majority of patients had localized disease (n = 146), and the remaining patients had regional lymph node metastasis (n = 34). Forty-nine patients underwent surgery for the primary tumor without postoperative RT to the primary site; the other 131 patients received surgery for the primary tumor, followed by postoperative RT (n = 118) or a biopsy of the primary tumor followed by radical RT (n = 13). Median follow-up was 5 years (range, 0.2-16.5 years). Patients in the RT group had improved LRFS (93% vs. 64%; p < 0.001), RRFS (76% vs. 27%; p < 0.001), DMFS (70% vs. 42%; p = 0.01), DFS (59% vs. 4%; p < 0.001), and CSS (65% vs. 49%; p = 0.03) rates compared to patients who underwent surgery for the primary tumor alone; LRFS, RRFS, DMFS, and DFS rates remained significant with multivariable Cox regression analysis. However OS was not significantly improved by postoperative RT (56% vs. 46%; p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: After multivariable analysis, postoperative RT was associated with improved outcome and seems to be an important component in the multimodality treatment of MCC.