Extramural vascular invasion as an independent prognostic marker in locally advanced rectal cancer: propensity score match pair analysis.

BACKGROUND: In rectal cancers, presence of extramural vascular invasion on MRI (mrEMVI) is associated with poor survival. The independent influence of mrEMVI in the presence of other prognostic factors has not been previously analyzed using match pair analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive 92 patients having mrEMVI at presentation treated between January 2016 and December 2018 were matched with 92 patients (1:1) without mrEMVI. Matching parameters were T stage, mesorectal fascia involvement, and tumor differentiation. The presence and absence of mrEMVI were correlated to outcomes. An event was defined as locoregional failure or distant metastasis or poor response to chemoradiation rendering the rectal tumor as inoperable. RESULTS: At 3 years, in the mrEMVI-positive cohort, 59% had an event and in the mrEMVI-negative cohort, 45% had an event (p = 0.026). Local control was 90.2% (12recurrences in 122 who underwent surgery), two recurrences in the mrEMVI-positive cohort and ten patients in the mrEMVI-negative cohort, which missed statistical significance (p = 0.06). Distant metastasis-free survival was significantly worse in the mrEMVI-positive cohort versus the mrEMVI-negative cohort (58.2% vs. 69.4%) (p = 0.022). Similarly, Overall survival was significantly inferior in mrEMVI-positive cohort compared to the mrEMVI-negative cohort (57% vs. 72.4%) (p = 0.02). The multivariate regression analysis confirmed the independent predictive value of mrEMVI.  CONCLUSION: Extramural vascular invasion detected through MRI is an independent risk factor for distant metastasis in the locally advanced carcinoma rectum. Aggressive treatment regimens like total neoadjuvant treatment should be considered in these cases pending randomized control studies.

Update to the structured MRI report for primary staging of rectal cancer : Perspective from the SAR Disease Focused Panel on Rectal and Anal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To review existing structured MRI reports for primary staging of rectal cancer and create a new, freely available structured report based on multidisciplinary expert opinion and literature review. METHODS: Twenty abdominal imaging experts from the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR)'s Disease Focused Panel (DFP) on Rectal and Anal Cancer completed a questionnaire and participated in a subsequent consensus meeting based on the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method. Twenty-two items were classified via a group survey as "appropriate" or "inappropriate" (defined by ≥ 70% consensus), or "needs group discussion" (defined by < 70% consensus). Certain items were also discussed with multidisciplinary team members from colorectal surgery, oncology and pathology. RESULTS: After completion of the questionnaire, 16 (72%) items required further discussion (< 70% consensus). Following group discussion, consensus was achieved for 21 (95%) of the items. Based on the consensus meeting, a revised structured report was developed. The most significant modifications included (1) Exclusion of the T2/early T3 category; (2) Replacement of the term "circumferential resection margin (CRM)" with "mesorectal fascia (MRF)"; (3) A revised definition of "mucinous content"; (4) Creation of two distinct categories for suspicious lymph nodes (LNs) and tumor deposits; and (5) Classification of suspicious extra-mesorectal LNs by anatomic location. CONCLUSION: The SAR DFP on Rectal and Anal Cancer recommends using this newly updated reporting template for primary MRI staging of rectal cancer.

Evaluation of quantitative imaging parameters in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Functional imaging such as 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), 18F-fluoro-misonidazole (F-MISO)-PET/CT, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) can assess complex biological phenomena in tumors reflecting underlying disease biology. The aim of this prospective observational study was to correlate quantitative imaging parameters derived from pretreatment biological imaging such as FDG-PET/CT, F-MISO-PET/CT, and DW-MRI with each other and with clinical outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with definitive radio(chemo)therapy. METHODS: Twenty patients with pharyngo-laryngeal cancers underwent pretreatment biological imaging. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated on axial planning CT (GTVCT). Quantitative FDG-PET/CT parameters included maximum, mean, minimum standardized uptake values (SUVmax-FDG, SUVmean-FDG, SUVmin-FDG); metabolic tumor volume (MTV); and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). F-MISO-PET/CT parameters included hypoxic tumor volume (HTV); maximum, mean, minimum SUV; and fractional hypoxic volume (FHV). Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) was derived from DW-MRI. RESULTS: There was moderately strong positive correlation (r=0.616, P=0.005) between GTVCT and MTV. HTV derived from F-MISO-PET/CT at 3-hours (HTV3hrs-F-MISO) showed strong positive correlation with GTVCT (r=0.753, P<0.0001) and MTV (r=0.796, P<0.0001) respectively. ADCmean showed strong positive correlations with SUVmean-5hrs-F-MISO (r=0.713, P=0.021) and SUVmin-5hrs-F-MISO (r=0.731, P=0.016) respectively. A moderate negative correlation (r=-0.500, P=0.049) was observed between ADCmean and MTV. At a median follow up of 44 months, the 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of loco-regional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival were 53%, 43%, and 40% respectively. Larger volume of primary tumor (GTVCT>22cc and MTV>7.9cc) and increasing hypoxia (HTV3hr-F-MSO>4.9cc) were associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Functional imaging represents an attractive and non-invasive modality to assess complex biological phenomena in solid tumors. Larger tumor volume and increasing hypoxia emerged as putative prognostic imaging biomarkers in HNSCC.

Prospective Phase II Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Mandibular Preservation in Upfront Surgery With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery in Operable Oral Cavity Cancer.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to explore the potential role and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in tumor shrinkage and resultant mandibular preservation in oral cancers compared with conventional surgical treatment. METHODS: This study was a single-center, randomized, phase II trial of treatment-naive histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity with cT2-T4 and N0/N+, M0 (American Joint Committee on Cancer, seventh edition) stage, necessitating resection of the mandible for paramandibular disease in the absence of clinicoradiologic evidence of bone erosion. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either upfront surgery (segmental resection) followed by adjuvant treatment (standard arm [SA]) or two cycles of NACT (docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil) at 3-week intervals (intervention arm [IA]), followed by surgery dictated by postchemotherapy disease extent. All patients in the IA received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and patients in the SA were treated as per final histopathology report. The primary end point was mandible preservation rate. The secondary end points were disease-free survival and treatment-related toxicity. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were enrolled over 3 years and randomly assigned to either SA (34 patients) or IA (34 patients). The median follow-up was 3.6 years (interquartile range, 0.95-7.05 years). Mandibular preservation was achieved in 16 of 34 patients (47% [95% CI, 31.49 to 63.24]) in the IA. The disease-free survival (P = .715, hazard ratio 0.911 [95% CI, 0.516 to 1.607]) and overall survival (P = .747, hazard ratio 0.899 [95% CI, 0.510 to 1.587]) were similar in both the arms. Complications were similar in both arms, but chemotherapy-induced toxicity was observed in the majority of patients (grade III: 14, 41.2%; grade IV: 11, 32.4%) in the IA. CONCLUSION: NACT plays a potential role in mandibular preservation in oral cancers with acceptable toxicities and no compromise in survival. However, this needs to be validated in a larger phase III randomized trial.

Addition of short course radiotherapy in newly diagnosed locally advanced rectal cancers with distant metastasis.

AIM: To study the outcomes of patients presenting with locally advanced rectal cancers with distant metastasis (mLARC), treated with short course radiotherapy (SCRT). METHOD: Between May 2012 and August 2015, 70 patients diagnosed with mLARC, treated with SCRT (25 Gy/5#) and three to six cycles of CAPOX chemotherapy (CT), were assessed for surgical feasibility for the primary and metastatic sites. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients could complete the planned SCRT and three to six cycles of CT. Response rate and disease control rate for the primary was 68% and 97%, respectively. Radiologically, CRM became free in 44 (72%) patients out of 61 initially involved. Fifty-two (74%) were planned to receive treatment with a potentially curative intent and 18 (26%) with palliative intent. Of those treated with curative intent, 34 (65%) underwent primary tumor resection (PTR). Successful intervention for metastatic disease was done in 27 (52%) patients. At a median follow up of 43 months, the median overall survival (OS) for patients undergoing PTR was 36 months versus 12 months for those in which the tumor was still unresectable or had distant progression (P < .001). Of the operated patients, 56% were alive at the end of 3 years. The median pelvic recurrence free survival was 29 months. Symptom control in the form of pain and bleeding control was observed in 80%. CONCLUSION: The addition of SCRT to CT in mLARC can downstage the primary tumor to undergo surgery, thereby, achieving better loco-regional control and survival. It achieves good palliation in patients unable to undergo surgery due to extensive primary or metastatic disease.

Watch and Wait Approach After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer: Initial Experience in the Indian subcontinent.

Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) that have a complete clinico-radiological response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT) can be offered nonoperative or watch and wait (W&W) management. This study assessed the compliance and outcomes of such patients at our institute. Thirty-six patients with locally advanced low-lying rectal cancers treated between December 2013 and November 2018 and had a near-complete clinical response (ncCR) or complete clinical response (cCR) after completing NACRT and were reluctant to undergo surgery were included. They were followed up at 3 monthly intervals with a combination of pelvic MRI, digital rectal examination, and sigmoidoscopy. Twelve weeks after chemoradiation, 24 (67%) patients had cCR and 12 (33%) had ncCR. All the 36 patients were kept on the W&W protocol. At a median follow-up of 35 (range 17-72) months, six (17%) patients developed local regrowth, one from the cCR group, while five were from the ncCR group. Four of the six patients underwent surgery for local disease (three had sphincter preserving resections and one had abdominoperineal resection), and one of these also had liver metastatectomy. Two of the six patients refused surgery, giving a compliance rate of 94.5%. Three of the 36 patients (8%) had distant metastasis, one had liver metastasis, one had leptomeningeal metastasis, and the third who refused surgery at regrowth developed lung metastasis. Thus, of the 36 patients on the W&W protocol, organ preservation rate was 80%. Local regrowth free DFS was 92.4%, and OAS was 96% at 3 years. W&W approach after cCR and ncCR to NACRT in LARC is acceptable with reasonable compliance and with good outcomes.

Imaging and Management of Rectal Cancer.

High-resolution phased array external magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the first investigation of choice in rectal cancer for local staging, both in the primary and restaging situations. Use of MRI helps differentiate between those with good prognosis, which can be offered upfront surgery and the poor prognostic cases where treatment intensification is needed. MRI identified poor prognostic factors are threatened or involved mesorectal fascia, T3 tumors with >5 mm extramural spread, those with extramural vascular invasion, pelvic sidewall nodes and mucinous tumors. At restaging, use of MRI helps evaluate response and an MR tumor regression grading system is being evaluated. Complete response seen on clinical examination and endoscopy, needs confirmation on MRI using both T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted sequences to justify a "watch and wait" approach. In this subset of patients, MRI also plays a role in monitoring and detecting early regrowth. In those with partial response, MRI helps define surgical margins and can be used as a roadmap to decide between sphincter preserving surgeries and radical sphincter sacrificing surgeries; pelvic exenteration and pelvic sidewall lymph node dissection. Poor responders on MRI may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Use of MRI thus helps in individualizing treatment in rectal cancer.

Rectal cancer lexicon: consensus statement from the society of abdominal radiology rectal & anal cancer disease-focused panel.

Standardized terminology is critical to providing consistent reports to referring clinicians. This lexicon aims to provide a reference for terminology frequently used in rectal cancer and reflects the consensus of the Society of Abdominal Radiology Disease Focused Panel in Rectal cancer. This lexicon divided the terms into the following categories: primary tumor staging, nodal staging, treatment response, anal canal anatomy, general anatomy, and treatments.

Can CRM Status on MRI Predict Survival in Rectal Cancers: Experience from the Indian Subcontinent.

To determine the role of MRI as a predictor of circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement. To study the impact of CRM status on MRI on recurrence and survival, in correlation with pathology. Analysis of a prospective database was performed over a period of 1 year. All patients with adenocarcinoma of rectum were included in the study. The MRI at presentation for all patients irrespective of stage (MRIT), pre-NACTRT MRI (MRI1) for patients with locally advanced tumours, and post-NACTRT MRI (MRI2) of these patients were analysed separately. The status of CRM on MRI was compared to that on histopathology and as a predictor of recurrence and survival. Two hundred twenty-one patients were included with a median follow-up 30 months. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were 50%, 65.46%, 5.63%, 96.95% and 64.85% for MRIT; 50%, 55.32%, 5.97%, 95.12% and 55.03% for MRI1; and 77.78%, 63.29%, 10.77%, 98.04% and 64.07% for MRI2, respectively. On multivariate analysis, pathological positive margin alone predicted a poor overall survival (OS) whereas involved CRM on pathology and MRIT predicted poorer disease-free survival (DFS) and local recurrence. Pre-treatment and post-treatment MRI scans have a moderate sensitivity, specificity and accuracy and a high negative predictive value to predict CRM status on pathology. Pathological CRM status is the only factor to impact OS, DFS and LR on multivariate analysis. CRM status on MRI at presentation (MRIT) does impact DFS and local recurrence but not OS.

Dose escalated concurrent chemo-radiation in borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancers with tomotherapy based intensity modulated radiotherapy: a phase II study.

BACKGROUND: We report the response and outcomes of borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (BRPC & LAPC) patients treated with dose escalated neoadjuvant intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). METHODS: Thirty newly diagnosed patients with BRPC (n=18) and LAPC (n=12) (NCCN criteria V 2.2.12) were accrued in this prospective study from 2008-2011. All patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT) using Helical Tomotherapy (dose of 57 Gy over 25 fractions to the gross tumor volume (GTV) and 45 Gy over 25 fractions to suspected microscopic extension) along with weekly gemcitabine. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (50%) had a partial response. A complete metabolic response (CMR) on PET was seen in 9 patients (30%). Among BRPC, 9 patients (50%) were surgically explored and 7 underwent R0 resection (39%). The median follow up of surviving patients was 85 [interquartile range (IQR): 64.5-85.8] months. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 13 months for BRPC and 8.8 months for LAPC. The median overall survival (OS) was 17.3 months for BRPC and 11.8 months for LAPC. Among patients undergoing R0 resection, the median PFS and OS was 27 and 35.5 months respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dose escalated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy is feasible and can downsize some tumors resulting in surgery in about 39% of the BRPC.

A randomized phase 3 trial comparing nimotuzumab plus cisplatin chemoradiotherapy versus cisplatin chemoradiotherapy alone in locally advanced head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Because the addition of nimotuzumab to chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer improved outcomes in a phase 2 study, the authors conducted a phase 3 study to confirm these findings. METHODS: This open-label, investigator-initiated, phase 3, randomized trial was conducted from 2012 to 2018. Adult patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who were fit for radical chemoradiation were randomized 1:1 to receive either radical radiotherapy (66-70 grays) with concurrent weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m2 ) (CRT) or the same schedule of CRT with weekly nimotuzumab (200 mg) (NCRT).The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); key secondary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS), duration of locoregional control (LRC), and overall survival (OS). An intent-to-treat analysis also was performed. RESULTS: In total, 536 patients were allocated equally to both treatment arms. The median follow-up was 39.13 months. The addition of nimotuzumab improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.89; P = .004), LRC (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.89; P = .006), and DFS (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55-0.92; P = .008) and had a trend toward improved OS (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.65-1.08; P = .163). Grade 3 through 5 adverse events were similar between the 2 arms, except for a higher incidence of mucositis in the NCRT arm (66.7% vs 55.8%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of nimotuzumab to concurrent weekly CRT improves PFS, LRC, and DFS. This combination provides a novel alternative therapeutic option to a 3-weekly schedule of 100 mg/m2 cisplatin in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who are treated with radical-intent CRT.

Systemic chemotherapy and short-course radiation in metastatic rectal cancers: A feasible paradigm in unresectable and potentially resectable cancers.

BACKGROUND: The optimal use and sequencing of short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) in metastatic rectal cancers (mRCs) are not well established. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of mRC patients receiving SCRT followed by palliative chemotherapy between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016, in Tata Memorial Hospital. Patients were classified as having "potentially resectable" disease (local and metastatic) or "unresectable" disease at baseline based on prespecified criteria. RESULTS: A total of 105 consecutive patients were available for analysis. The median age of patients was 48 years (range: 16-62 years), and 57.1% were male patients. Signet ring histology was seen in 13.3% of patients. The most common site of metastases was liver limited (29.5%), nonloco-regional nodes (12.4%), and lung limited metastases (9.5%). Chemotherapeutic regimens administered were capecitabine-oxaliplatin (70.5%), modified 5 fluorouracil (5 FU)-leucovorin-irinotecan-oxaliplatin (10.5%), and modified 5 FU-leucovorin-irinotecan (8.6%). Targeted therapy accompanying chemotherapy was administered in 27.6% of patients. About 42.1% of patients with potentially resectable disease and 11.1% with the unresectable disease at baseline underwent curative-intent resection of the primary and address of metastatic sites. With a median follow-up 18.2 months, median overall survival (OS) was 15.7 months (95% confidence interval: 10.42-20.99). Patients classified as potentially resectable had a median OS of 32.62 months while patients initially classified as unresectable had a median OS of 13.04 months (P = 0.016). The presence of signet ring morphology predicted for inferior mOS (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: SCRT followed by systemic therapy in mRC is a feasible, efficacious paradigm for maximizing palliation, and achieving objective responses. The classification of patients based on resectability was predictive of actual resection rates as well as outcomes. Signet ring mRC show inferior outcomes in this cohort of patients.

Non-radiation occupational hazards and health issues faced by radiologists - A cross-sectional study of Indian radiologists.

CONTEXT: Radiologists as a group face unique occupational health hazards among which musculoskeletal injuries, chronic eye strain, and others are yet to receive adequate attention. Constant mental strain due to demanding turnaround times and work pressures may lead to burnout and depression. These combine to decrease overall work satisfaction and productivity. AIMS: To study the prevalence of various health issues faced by radiologists in India and to assess whether specific demographic and occupational factors are associated with an increased risk. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study conducted as a voluntary anonymous electronic survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 36-item survey was sent to radiologists through email and social media. All respondents who completed survey were included in the study. Questions regarding workload, repetitive stress injuries, eye strain, burnout, and so on were asked. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test was used to test significance of correlation (P < 0.05). RESULTS: In all, 383 radiologists completed the survey. A high prevalence of repetitive stress injuries, chronic eye strain, depression, and burnout was found. Significant correlation was found between repetitive stress injuries and burnout. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT) related issues and work overload were the most common causes of high stress levels. Radiologists whose practices followed ergonomic design showed significantly less prevalence of neck pain. CONCLUSION: Radiologists in India have a high prevalence of repetitive stress injuries, chronic eye strain, and burnout, along with unique mental stressors such as PCPNDT-related issues.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in rectal cancer patients: Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) rectal cancer disease-focused panel (DFP) recommendations 2017.

PURPOSE: To propose guidelines based on an expert-panel-derived unified approach to the technical performance, interpretation, and reporting of MRI for baseline and post-treatment staging of rectal carcinoma. METHODS: A consensus-based questionnaire adopted with permission and modified from the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiologists was sent to a 17-member expert panel from the Rectal Cancer Disease-Focused Panel of the Society of Abdominal Radiology containing 268 question parts. Consensus on an answer was defined as ≥ 70% agreement. Answers not reaching consensus (< 70%) were noted. RESULTS: Consensus was reached for 87% of items from which recommendations regarding patient preparation, technical performance, pulse sequence acquisition, and criteria for MRI assessment at initial staging and restaging exams and for MRI reporting were constructed. CONCLUSION: These expert consensus recommendations can be used as guidelines for primary and post-treatment staging of rectal cancer using MRI.

Results of a phase II randomized controlled clinical trial comparing efficacy of Cabazitaxel versus Docetaxel as second line or above therapy in recurrent head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cabazitaxel has shown activity in squamous cancer cell lines and in taxane resistant cell lines. Hence we planned a phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy of cabazitaxel against Docetaxel in recurrent head and neck cancer, post first line treatment. METHODS: This was a phase 2, investigator initiated, randomized controlled trial of Docetaxel (75 mg/m2) versus Cabazitaxel (20 mg/m2), in patients with head and neck cancer with ECOG performance status 0-2 who have been exposed to at least one line of chemotherapy, involving a sample size of 92 (46 per group)(CTRI/2015/06/005848). Disease control rate at 6 weeks was assessed and compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The disease control rate at 6 weeks was better in the Docetaxel arm over the cabazitaxel arm (52.3% versus 13.6%, p = 0.017). The median progression free survival was 21 days (95% CI 5.28 to 36.72 days) in the cabazitaxel arm versus 61 days (95% CI 21.39 to 100.60 days) in the Docetaxel arm (HR-1.455, 95% CI 0.919-2.304, p = 0.100). The median overall survival was 115 days (95% CI 74.04 to 155.95 days) in the cabazitaxel arm versus 155 days (95% CI 148.6 to 161.40 days) in the Docetaxel arm (HR-1.464, 95% CI 0.849-2.523, p = 0.170). CONCLUSION: Docetaxel had a superior disease control rate at 6 weeks compared to cabazitaxel.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Approach for Intersphincteric Resection-Results from a Tertiary Cancer Center in India.

The study aims to compare open intersphincteric resection (OISR) with laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (LISR) in terms of short-term oncological and clinical outcomes. This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database including all the patients of rectal cancer who underwent intersphincteric resection (ISR) at Tata Memorial Centre between 1st July 2013 and 30th November 2015. Short-term oncological parameters evaluated included circumferential resection margin involvement (CRM), distal resection margin involvement, and number of nodes harvested. Perioperative outcomes included blood loss, length of hospital stay and 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality. Chi-square test was used to compare the results between the two groups. Thirty nine cases of OISR and 34 cases of LISR were included in the study. Median BMI was higher in LISR group; otherwise, the two groups were comparable in all aspects. There were no conversions in LISR group. CRM involvement was seen in four patients (10%) in the conventional group compared to none in the LISR group. Median hospital stay was comparable between the two groups. Laparoscopic ISR is safe and can be performed with low conversion rate in selected group of patients.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Gynecological Malignancies: Role in Personalized Management.

Gynecological malignancies are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women and pose a significant health problem around the world. Currently used staging systems for management of gynecological malignancies have unresolved issues, the most important being recommendations on the use of imaging. Although not mandatory as per the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics recommendations, preoperative cross-sectional imaging is strongly recommended for adequate and optimal management of patients with gynecological malignancies. Standardized disease-specific magnetic resonance imaging protocols help assess disease spread accurately and avoid pitfalls. Multiparametric imaging holds promise as a roadmap to personalized management in gynecological malignancies. In this review, we will highlight the role of magnetic resonance imaging in cervical, endometrial, and ovarian carcinomas.

A tertiary care experience with paclitaxel and cetuximab as palliative chemotherapy in platinum sensitive and nonsensitive in head and neck cancers.

BACKGROUND: The combination of paclitaxel and cetuximab (PaCe) has led to an encouraging response rate in Phase 2 setting with limited toxicity. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of this regimen in our setting in platinum sensitive and nonsensitive patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of head and neck cancer patients treated with weekly PaCe as palliative chemotherapy between May 2010 and August 2014. The standard schedule of cetuximab along with 80 mg/m2 of weekly paclitaxel was administered till either disease progression or withdrawal of patient's consent. The toxicity and response were noted in accordance with CTCAE version 4.02 and RECIST version 1.1 criteria, respectively. The response rates between platinum sensitive and nonsensitive patients were compared by Chi-square test. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival method and log-rank test was used for comparison. Cox proportional hazard model was used for identification of factors affecting PFS and OS. RESULTS: One Hundred patients with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range: 46-56 years) were included. Forty-five patients (45%) were platinum insensitive, whereas 55 patients (55%) were platinum sensitive. In platinum insensitive patients and sensitive patients, the response rates were 38.5% and 22.2%, respectively (P = 0.104), whereas the symptomatic benefit in pain was seen in 89.5% and 71.7%, respectively (P = 0.044). The median PFS in platinum insensitive and sensitive patients were 150 and 152 days, respectively (P = 0.932), whereas the median OS was 256 days (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 168.2-343.8 days) and 314 days (95% CI: 227.6-400.4 days), respectively (P = 0.23). Nineteen patients (19%) had grades 3-4 adverse events during chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Weekly paclitaxel combined with cetuximab has promising efficacy and good tolerability in the palliative setting in advanced head and neck cancer in both platinum sensitive and insensitive patients.