ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study analyzes cases in which electronic brachytherapy (eBT) led to acceptable treatment plans in cervical cancer. Findings were compared with dosimetry values obtained in 192Ir-based treatments according to the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) and the disease stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients with cervical cancer from two centers. The patients were treated with 192Ir based on MRI. It was possible to use interstitial needles via an Utrecht-type applicator. Dosimetry was simulated using eBT and the parameters D90 and D98 (HR-CTV) and D2cc, D1cc, and D0.1cc (bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon) were evaluated. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison. The overall cohort of patients was analyzed, as were the sub-cohorts based on stage (FIGO stages I+IIA, IIB and III-IV). Finally, the dosimetry of the eBT plans was evaluated, and the plans obtained were classified as "good", "acceptable", or "poor". RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the eBT and 192Ir plans for D98 (HR-CTV), D1cc and D0.1cc (bladder), and D1cc and D0.1cc (sigmoid colon). A total of 31 cases (64.6%) were considered good, seven (14.6%) were considered acceptable, and 10 (20.8%) were considered poor. For volumes <30 cc, all the plans were good or acceptable; for volumes >30 cc, 54.3% were good, and 71.4% were good or acceptable. By stage, eBT plans for patients with stage IB-IIA disease were good in 100%, whereas those for patients with stage IIB were good in 70.6% and III-IV disease were good in 50%. CONCLUSIONS: eBT provides appropriate dosimetry for treatment of cervical cancer in selected cases.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Brachytherapy/methods , Electronics , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Organs at Risk , Radiotherapy Dosage , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/radiotherapyABSTRACT
AIM: To establish consensus guidelines for a safe clinical practice of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy (BT). BACKGROUND: APBI with interstitial multicatheter BT has proved to be effective in the treatment of early stage breast cancer. This paradigm shift in the approach to early breast cancer conservative treatment, along with the existing controversies on the clinical practice of APBI, prompted the Spanish Brachytherapy Group (GEB) of the Spanish Societies of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) and Medical Physics (SEFM) to address BT APBI in a consensus meeting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prior to the meeting, a survey with 27 questions on indication, inclusion criteria, BT modality, implant technique, image guidance and simulation, CTV and OAR definition, dose prescription and fractionation, dose calculation, implant quality metrics and OAR dose constrains was distributed. Items not reaching a level of agreement of 70% were discussed and voted during the meeting. RESULTS: 26 Institutions completed the survey, 60% of them perform APBI procedures. The analysis of the survey showed consensus reached on approximately half the questions. An expert panel discussed the remaining items; thereafter, a voting established the definite consensus. CONCLUSIONS: This document summarizes the consensus guidelines agreed during the meeting of the Spanish Brachytherapy Group SEOR-SEFM. Institutions with BT facilities available should offer interstitial BT APBI as a treatment option to patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Institutions willing to implement interstitial BT APBI are encouraged to follow the consensus guidelines established herein.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo. La recaída local en el carcinoma de mama precoz puede quedar limitada a la zona próxima al tumor, por lo que puede no ser necesario irradiar la mama entera (WBI), que es, actualmente, el tratamiento conservador estándar. Métodos. Se ha revisado la literatura buscando los trabajos aleatorizados de las distintas modalidades de irradiación parcial acelerada para una puesta al día. Resultados. La irradiación intraoperatoria en sesión única ha dado resultados inadecuados con electrones (estudio ELIOT) por una selección inapropiada de los pacientes. El estudio TARGIT con Rx de 50kV en sesión única añadiendo WBI cuando se demuestran factores de riesgo resulta eficaz cuando se administra durante la primera cirugía conservadora, y no en un segundo tiempo. Los sistemas intracavitarios con balón o similar dan buenos resultados a corto plazo, pero se debe tratar de usar múltiples canales para reducir las complicaciones. Las técnicas de irradiación parcial con radioterapia externa 3D pueden aumentar ligeramente las complicaciones locales, no así la radioterapia de intensidad modulada, y en ambos casos resultan eficaces, pero debe esperarse más tiempo y un mayor número de pacientes para confirmarse. La braquiterapia intersticial con multicatéter se ha demostrado igual de eficaz que la WBI y con menos complicaciones. Conclusiones. Hay pacientes con cáncer de mama de bajo riesgo que no requieren WBI. La irradiación parcial acelerada es equivalente, especialmente con técnica intersticial multicatéter, y probablemente con otras técnicas que requieren más seguimiento, con menor dosis de irradiación a pulmón y corazón, por lo que debe ofrecerse como alternativa a la WBI en casos seleccionados (AU)
Objective. Local relapse in early breast carcinoma may be limited to the area around the tumour. Consequently, whole breast irradiation (WBI), which is currently the standard conservative treatment, may not be required. Methods. We reviewed the literature through a search for randomized trials of the different types of accelerated partial breast irradiation in order to provide an update. Results. Intraoperative irradiation with electrons in a single session (ELIOT study) provided suboptimal results due to improper patient selection. The TARGIT trial reported that 50kV x-rays in a single session, with the addition of WBI in patients with risk factors, was effective when administered during the first conservative surgery, rather than in a second intervention. Intracavitary balloon or similar systems offer good short-term results but attempts should be made to use multiple channels to reduce complications. Partial irradiation techniques with 3D-external beam radiation therapy, except for intensity-modulated radiotherapy, may slightly increase local complications. Both are effective, but this finding requires confirmation in studies with a longer follow-up and more patients. Multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy has been demonstrated to be as effective as WBI and has fewer complications. Conclusions. Some patients with low-risk breast cancer do not require WBI. Accelerated partial breast irradiation is equivalent, especially with the multicatheter interstitial technique, and probably with other techniques requiring more follow-up, and delivers a lower radiation dose to the lung and heart. Accelerated partial breast irradiation should be offered as an alternative to WBI in selected patients (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/radiotherapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy/methods , Risk Factors , Brachytherapy/methods , Risk Groups , Carcinoma in Situ/radiotherapyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the effectiveness of interstitial high dose rate brachytherapy as a single fraction boost to the surgical bed in patients with breast cancer undergoing conservative treatment. The comparison was with the alternative of electron boost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1999 and December 2000, we conducted a prospective study of 84 patients with infiltrative breast carcinoma treated with conservative surgery, with free margins. This was followed by external radiotherapy to the breast of up to 46 Gy and one application of brachytherapy with needles inserted into the surgical bed, and administering 7 Gy to 90% with high dose rate (HDR). RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 43 months, only one patient had therapeutic failure in the implant area, and local control was 98.5%. Another patient had a 2nd tumour in a different quadrant and 3 developed metastasis. Survival at 5 years was 98.7%. Acute toxicity was minimal, with excellent or good cosmetic appearance in 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Brachytherapy with high dose rate as single fraction boost in conservative treatment of breast carcinoma is simple, fast, well tolerated, with excellent local control, good cosmetic appearance, and with minimal late-onset toxicity.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/methods , Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Mastectomy, Segmental/methods , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/mortality , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Prospective Studies , Radiotherapy DosageABSTRACT
Introducción. Evaluamos la eficacia de la sobreimpresión del lecho quirúrgico con braquiterapia intersticial de alta tasa de dosis, en fracción única en pacientes con cáncer de mama, tratadas con tratamiento conservador, como alternativa a la sobreimpresión con electrones. Material y métodos. Entre abril de 1999 y diciembre de 2000, hemos realizado un estudio prospectivo sobre 84 pacientes con carcinoma infiltrante de mama sometidas a cirugía conservadora, con márgenes libres, seguida de radioterapia externa sobre la mama hasta 46 Gy y una aplicación de braquiterapia con agujas en el lecho quirúrgico, dando 7 Gy al 90% con alta tasa. Resultados. Con un seguimiento medio de 43 meses, sólo una paciente ha recaído en zona de implante siendo el control local del 98,5%. Otra paciente presentó un segundo tumor en un cuadrante distinto y tres desarrollaron metástasis. La supervivencia a 5 años es del 98,7%. La toxicidad aguda ha sido mínima, con estética excelente o buena en el 95%. Conclusiones. La braquiterapia con alta tasa en fracción única, como sobreimpresión en el tratamiento conservador del cáncer de mama, es bien tolerada, sencilla y rápida, consiguiendo un control local excelente, con buen resultado estético y una mínima toxicidad tardía
Introduction. We evaluated the effectiveness of interstitial high dose rate brachytherapy as a single fraction boost to the surgical bed in patients with breast cancer undergoing conservative treatment. The comparison was with the alternative of electron boost. Materials and methods. Between April 1999 and December 2000, we conducted a prospective study of 84 patients with infiltrative breast carcinoma treated with conservative surgery, with free margins. This was followed by external radiotherapy to the breast of up to 46 Gy and one application of brachytherapy with needles inserted into the surgical bed, and administering 7 Gy to 90% with high dose rate (HDR). Results. With a mean follow-up of 43 months, only one patient had therapeutic failure in the implant area, and local control was 98.5%. Another patient had a 2nd tumour in a different quadrant and 3 developed metastasis. Survival at 5 years was 98.7%. Acute toxicity was minimal, with excellent or good cosmetic appearance in 95%. Conclusions. Brachytherapy with high dose rate as single fraction boost in conservative treatment of breast carcinoma is simple, fast, well tolerated, with excellent local control, good cosmetic appearance, and with minimal late-onset toxicity
