Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Analysis of Uncommon Variants of Glioblastoma: An Analysis of 196 Cases.

Objectives: Different variant of GBM has been reported viz. Epithelioid Glioblastoma (GBM-E), Rhabdoid GBM (GBM-R), Small cell GBM (GBM-SC), Giant cell GBM (GBM-GC), GBM with neuro ectodermal differentiation (GBM-PNET) with unknown behavior. Materials: We conducted a systematic review and individual patient data analysis of these rare GBM variants. We searched PubMed, google search, and Cochrane library for eligible studies till July 1st 2016 published in English language and collected data regarding age, sex, subtype and treatment received, Progression Free Survival (PFS), Overall Survival (OS). Statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS) v16 software was used for all statistical analysis. Results: We retrieved data of 196 patients with rare GBM subtypes. Among these GBM-GC is commonest (51%), followed by GBM-R (19%), GBM-PNET (13%), GBM-SC (9%) and GBM-E (8%). Median age at diagnosis was 38, 40, 43.5, 69.5 and 18 years, respectively. Male: female ratio was 2:1 for GBM-E, and 1:3 for GBM-SC. Maximal safe resection followed by adjuvant local radiation was used for most of the patients. However, 6 patients with GBM-PNET, 3 each of GBM-E, GBM-SC received adjuvant craniospinal radiation. Out of 88 patients who received chemotherapy, 64 received Temozolomide alone or combination chemotherapy containing Temozolomide. Median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 9 and 16 months. In univariate analysis, patient with a Gross Total Resection had significantly better PFS and OS compared to those with a Sub Total Resection [23 vs. 13 months (p-0.01)]. Median OS for GBM PNET, GBM-GC, GBM-SC, GBM-R and GBM-E were 32, 18.3, 11, 12 and 7.7 months, respectively (P = 0.001). Interestingly, 31.3%, 37.8% of patients with GBM-E, GBM-R had CSF dissemination. Conclusion: Overall cohort of rarer GBM variant has equivalent survival compared to GBM not otherwise specified. However, epithelioid and Rhabdoid GBM has worst survival and one third shows CSF dissemination.

Consensus guidelines on management of oral potentially malignant disorders.

Oral cancer is usually preceded by oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and early detection can downstage the disease. The majority of OPMDs are asymptomatic in early stages and can be detected on routine oral examination. Though only a proportion of OPMDs may transform to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), they may serve as a surrogate clinical lesion to identify individuals at risk of developing OSCC. Currently, there is a scarcity of scientific evidence on specific interventions and management of OPMDs and there is no consensus regarding their management. A consensus meeting with a panel of experts was convened to frame guidelines for clinical practices and recommendations for management strategies for OPMDs. A review of literature from medical databases was conducted to provide the best possible evidence and provide recommendations in management of OPMDs.

Demography, patterns of care, and survival outcomes in patients with salivary duct carcinoma: an individual patient data analysis of 857 patients.

Aim: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy. The optimal treatment protocols are debated. Methodology: A systematic search and individual patient data analysis of published cases of SDC was performed. SPSS v21 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Data of 857 patients available. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the entire cohort 42 months and 24 months. Nodal involvement, males, primary size >5 cm, androgen receptor (AR) negativity significantly worse OS. Patients with surgery had a favorable median PFS (p = 0.000) and OS (p = 0.077). Patients with adjuvant radiation had better PFS (30 vs 18 months; p = 0.077). Conclusion: SDC has modest survival. Surgery and adjuvant radiation should be advocated for all patients. AR expression appears prognostic for survival.

Rosette Forming Glioneural Tumor Treated with Conformal Radiation.

Rosette forming glioneural tumors (RGNT) are a rare type of low-grade brain tumor included in 2007 in WHO classification. Given the benign nature of the disease, a complete surgical excision has been considered optimum. However, a handful of cases have reported the locally aggressive nature of RGNT. In addition, radiation may also be considered for a tumor located in areas where surgical excision is difficult. We present a similar case, where surgical risk was weighed against resection and we treated the patient with conformal radiation.

Impact of surgery and adjuvant treatment on the outcome of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma: a systematic review and individual patient's data analysis of 206 cases.

BACKGROUND: Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma (EOSC) is an aggressive malignancy of the sebaceous gland. Surgery is considered the cornerstone of treatment, but there is lack of clarity about extent and adjuvant treatment. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and analysis of individual patient data of all published cases of EOSC to look into demography, pattern of care, importance of type of surgery, and other adjuvant treatment and survival outcome. A search of PubMed and Google Scholar was done with the key words sebaceous carcinoma, extraocular sebaceous carcinoma, and Muir-Torre syndrome till December 2017. The data were compiled in an Excel chart and analyzed using SPSS IBM software. RESULTS: Data of 206 patients were retrieved. Median age at presentation was 65 years (range: 11-96 years). Surgery was performed in all except 13 patients. Of these 13, eight were deemed inoperable for extensive disease, and five had metastatic disease. Median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 84 months (95% CI: 10-158 months) and 92 months (95% CI: 59-126 months). Univariate analysis revealed significantly poor survival for patients with a metastatic disease, regional nodal metastasis, and those with Mohs micrographic or incomplete surgery. CONCLUSION: EOSC is a disease of elderly patients with good prognosis. Complete surgery with regional lymph node dissection is standard treatment. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy is debatable but can be considered in patients with incomplete surgery or high-risk factors.

Dual partial arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy: The game changer for accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated tumor cavity boost in early breast cancer - A comparative dosimetric study with single partial arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy.

INTRODUCTION: In a previous study, we demonstrated clinical and dosimetric feasibility of single partial arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for accelerated hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to lumpectomy cavity for early breast cancer. In this dosimetric study, we compared dual partial arcs versus single arc. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients for treatment with hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy with SIB using VMAT were planned with single partial arc in an earlier study, initial result of which is published elsewhere. The comparative dosimetric plan was created using two partial arcs. Skewness and kurtosis test, Paired Student's t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were applied for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most planning targets are better achieved with dual arc technique. Coverage of planning target volume (PTV) whole breast (PTVWB) and PTV lumpectomy cavity (PTVBOOST) was significantly improved with dual partial arc without significant difference in conformity index and homogeneity index. Dual arc improved dosimetric parameter significantly. Mean dose (Dmean) and maximum dose (Dmax) of whole breast PTV as well as Dmax of PTVBOOST; ipsilateral and contralateral lung Dmean, Dmax, 5 Gy volume (V5); contralateral lung Dmean, Dmax, V5; Heart V25 and V18; Dmean of 5 mm thickness skin; Dmean and Dmax of ribs; and Dmean and Dmax of contralateral breast were improved with dual arc. CONCLUSION: This is first of its kind study establishing the advantage of dual partial arcs in the current context. Dual partial arcs improved dosimetry over single partial arc. Significant dose reduction can be achieved for multiple crucial organs at risk.

Can Chemotherapy be Integrated with Brachytherapy in Locally Advanced Carcinoma Cervix- A Proof of Principle Study.

Introduction: Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women in India. Chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced carcinoma cervix. Chemotherapy is not given on days of brachytherapy due to the fear of increased toxicity though studies supporting or refuting it are limited. We intended to study feasibility of adding chemotherapy to brachytherapy with assessment of acute toxicity and response rates. Methods: 29 patients of locally advanced carcinoma cervix (FIGO IIB to IIIB) were assigned to receive either three sessions of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy alone or HDR brachytherapy with concurrent chemotherapy of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin after completion of external beam radiation with concurrent Cisplatin. Patients were assessed for compliance of treatment, toxicity and response rates at three and six months. The p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Fischer's exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results: 15 patients were assigned to the standard of care arm and 14 patients to the experimental chemo-brachytherapy arm. The median number of cycles of chemotherapy possible with brachytherapy was two (Range: 1 -3). At three months after treatment all patients except one patient in each arm had a complete response. There was two acute grade 3 hematological toxicity and two acute grade 3 or higher gastrointestinal toxicity in the experimental arm but none in the standard arm. The experimental arm had a statistically higher incidence of acute grade 3 and 4 toxicity than the standard arm (p=0.042). Conclusions: Chemo-brachytherapy is associated with higher acute toxicity with comparable response rates. Small patient numbers and short follow up impedes us from providing conclusive evidence.

Impact of adjuvant therapy on survival in patients with myoepithelial carcinoma: A systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 691 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Myoepithelial carcinoma (MEC) is an extremely rare low grade salivary gland neoplasm [1-4]. A surgical resection is considered as corner stone of therapy. Role of adjuvant therapy is not clear. METHODOLOGY: We performed systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 691 patients to look into the impact of adjuvant therapy and different prognostic variable for MEC. RESULTS: Data of 691 individual patients were retrieved from 340 publications. Median age of presentation was 56 years (Range: 0-103 years) with a trend of increasing incidence for increase in age. Major salivary glands (36.4%) were the commonest sub-site followed by minor salivary glands, skin and soft tissue, and breast. Median PFS and OS of entire cohort was 48 months (95% CI: 30-65 months) and 167 months (95% CI: 82-251 months). In univariate analysis A R0 resection was associated with significantly better PFS and OS. Median PFS and OS were significantly worse for patients with tumour size >5 cm compared to smaller tumours and for patients with a mitotic index >10/10 high power field (hpf) compared to lower mitotic index. Adjuvant radiation was found to reduce loco-regional recurrence. Adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy both were associated with negative impact on survival in univariate analysis. This negative impact on survival was lost in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: MEC appears to be a low grade malignancy with good survival outcome. A R0 resection should be the standard of care. Adjuvant radiation should be considered for patients with adverse risk features to improve loco-regional disease control.

Demography, patterns of care and survival outcomes in patients with malignant tumors of trachea: A systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 733 patients.

BACKGROUND: Malignant tumors of the trachea (MTT) account for 0.01-0.4% of all cancer cases. The rarity of the tumor along with different histologies makes it is a great challenge on how to optimally treat tracheal tumors and most of the available data is from small retrospective data series. We performed a systematic review and individual patient data analysis to evaluate the patterns of care and survival outcomes in patient with MTT. METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive search in Pub Med and Google scholar was done to find all possible publications related to malignant tumors of the trachea. The data on patient demograpphy, treatment, survival and recurrence pattern of individual patient was collected from the published data and was entered in a predesigned proforma. Progression free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS] was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of documented progression and death respectively. Kaplan- Meier method was used for survival analysis and uni-variate analysis was performed using log rank test. SPSS v16 was used for all statistical analysis. RESULTS: 733 patients were included in this analysis. The most common histology was adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The gender ratio was 4.43: 1[male: female] in patients with SCC while it was 0.85:1[male: female] in ACC. Smoking and age >50 years were associated with worse OS. The estimated median overall survival for entire cohort was 96 months. Survival was significantly better in patients with ACC than in patients with SCC [165 vs. 14 months, p < 0.001]. The use of definitive surgery was associated with a significantly better survival of 180 months when compared to 48 months with radiation as local therapy, [p < 0.001]. The radiation dose used also affected survival in patients with SCC with a better median OS of 24 months in patients who recieved more than 60 Gy vs 6 months in whom the dose was less than 60 Gy although not statistically significant (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: ACC and SCC are the most common MTT. ACC has better prognosis compared to SCC. Surgery seems to provide better outcomes than radiation for ACC and sarcoma. Role of definitive radiotherapy versus surgery in SCC needs to be further studied.

Developing institutions for cancer care in low-income and middle-income countries: from cancer units to comprehensive cancer centres.

Global cancer centres operate across different sizes, scales, and ecosystems. Understanding the essential aspects of the creation, organisation, accreditation, and activities within these settings is crucial for developing an affordable, equitable, and quality cancer care, research, and education system. Robust guidelines are scarce for cancer units, cancer centres, and comprehensive cancer centres in low-income and middle-income countries. However, some robust examples of the delivery of complex cancer care in centres in emerging economies are available. Although it is impossible to create an optimal system to fit the unique needs of all countries for the delivery of cancer care, we summarise what has been published about the development and management of cancer centres in low-income and middle-income countries so far and highlight the need for clinical and political leadership.

Patterns of care and survival outcomes in patients with an extraventricular neurocytoma: An individual patient data analysis of 201 cases.

INTRODUCTION:: Extraventricular neurocytoma is a rare neuronal tumor arising outside the ventricles. However, because of its rarity, its optimum treatment remains undefined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We intended to perform an individual patient data analysis to examine the patterns of care and prognostic factors involved in the treatment of extraventricular neurocytomas. PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were searched with the following MeSH terms: "Neurocytoma, Extra ventricular neurocytoma, Spinal neurocytoma AND treatment, Survival" to find all possible publications pertaining to EVN. RESULTS: From 108 publications, we retrieved 201 patients of extraventricular neurocytoma. Their median age was 30 years (range: 0.6-78 years). Sixty seven patients were in the pediatric (age ≤20 years) age group. There was a bimodal age distribution. Surgical details were available for 132 cases, and 51.5% underwent a gross total resection whereas 41.7% underwent a subtotal resection. Adjuvant radiation was used in 40% cases. For the entire cohort, the median progression free survival was 77 months (53.3-100.7). However, we could not find an impact of any of the prognostic factors on survival. CONCLUSION: An extraventricular neurocytoma is a very rare disease with varied presentations and different sites of origin. Gross total resection remains the standard of care. Adjuvant radiation may be used for salvage. However, radiation therapy after subtotal resection of an atypical neurocytoma may be administered.

Pattern of care and impact of prognostic factors on the outcome of head and neck extramedullary plasmacytoma: a systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 315 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck extramedullary plasmacytoma is a rare localized plasma cell neoplasm. We intended to perform this review of the published literature to assess the demographic profile, pattern of care and survival outcomes. METHODS: Two authors independently searched PubMed, Google search and Cochrane library for eligible studies from 1950 till July 1, 2016, published in English language. RESULTS: Median age of the cohort was 57 years (range 11-85). Site-wise distributions were paranasal sinuses 22.3% (70), nasal cavity 17.5% (55), nasopharynx 10.8% (34). Median size of SEMP was 3 cm (range 0.3-12 cm). Treatment distribution was radiotherapy (RT) in 52% (164), surgery (S) 19% (60), chemotherapy (C) 5% (16), S + RT 23.49% (74),CRT 1.9% (6), S + C 0.6% (2), S + RT + C 0.95% (3).Radiation was used as a modality in 78.4%(247), surgery in 44.1%(139), chemotherapy in 4.8%(15). Median radiation dose used was 45 Gy with range 20-61 Gy. Median overall survival (OS) was 40 months (range 0.5-298). Median local progression-free survival was 36 months (range 0-298). Median myeloma relapse-free survival was 36 months (range 0.5-298). Five- and 10-year OS was 78.33 and 68.61%. Five-year cause-specific survival (CSS) and 10-year CSS was 90.15 and 83.31%. Five-year LPFS was 94.78%, and 10-year LPFS was 88.43%. Five-year myeloma progression-free survival was 84.46%, and 10-year myeloma PFS was 80.44%. The factors associated with risk of local relapse were site of disease (sinonasal), secretory EMP, type of treatment received (surgery + RT > RT alone > surgery on univariate analysis). Risk factors for myeloma relapse were coexisting diseases, site of disease (sinonasal), bony erosion, size of lesion > 5 cm and type of treatment received on univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that combined modality S + RT is superior compared to uni-modality in preventing local recurrence. Radiation dose of 45 Gy is optimal. Nodal irradiation has no impact on local recurrence.

Effect of Surgery, Adjuvant Therapy, and Other Prognostic Factors on Choroid Plexus Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Analysis.

PURPOSE: The optimal treatment of patients with choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient information to determine the effect of surgery, adjuvant therapy, and other prognostic factors for CPC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed using the following MeSH terms to find all possible reports on CPC: choroid plexus tumor; choroid plexus carcinoma; choroid plexus carcinoma AND treatment; and choroid plexus carcinoma AND survival. We performed an individual patient data analysis to assess the strength of the potential associations between different variables and the outcomes for patients with CPC. RESULTS: Data from 284 patients were retrieved from 89 studies. The median patient age was 2 years, with 26% patients diagnosed in the first year of their life. Of these 284 patients, 52.8% had undergone gross total resection (GTR) or near total resection. The median follow-up period for the entire cohort was 10.8 months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13 months (95% confidence interval 8.14-17.8). PFS was better for patients >aged 5 years and those who had undergone GTR. The median overall survival (OS) was 29 months (95% confidence interval 16.3-41.7). OS was better for patients aged >5 years, those who had undergone GTR, those who had received adjuvant treatment, and those with a parenchymal tumor site. CONCLUSIONS: CPC is an aggressive tumor, with a median PFS of 13 months and median OS of 29 months. All patients should undergo maximal safe resection, because GTR is associated with improved survival. The use of adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy were also associated with improved outcomes.

Pattern of care and impact of prognostic factors in the outcome of ameloblastic carcinoma: a systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 199 cases.

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare locally aggressive odontogenic neoplasm. These tumors are most commonly found to arise from mandible. Because of rarity, there is limited information about the clinical behaviour of such patients. We intended to perform this review of published literature to assess the demographic profile, pattern of care and assess survival outcomes. Two authors independently searched PubMed, Google search, and Cochrane library for eligible studies from 1950 until July 1 2016 published in English language. Data of 199 patients were retrieved from 94 publications for statistical analysis. Median age of the entire cohort was 49 years (range 7-91 years). The analysis revealed that a clear twofold higher incidence in male with male-to-female ratio was 2.4:1 (140:57). Mandible was found to be the commonest tumor location in 66.7% (n = 132) cases followed by maxilla (31.8%) (n = 64). The present analysis revealed that median PFS of 57 months (95% CI 39-120 months) with 5- and 10-year PFS was found to be 47.88 and 29.48%, respectively. Median OS for the entire cohort which was 122 months (95% CI 96-153 months) with 2- and 5-year OS for the entire cohort was 87.16 and 69.08%, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients with an R0 resection were found to have a favourable survival. In addition, patients with localized disease and younger age were found to have a better survival. Adjuvant radiation did not confer any survival advantage. The present analysis revealed excellent outcome for patients treated with an R0 resection. Older patients with high-risk factor may benefit from adjuvant radiation. Role of chemotherapy needs to be evaluated.

Indian Council of Medical Research Consensus Document for the Management of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (High Grade).

This consensus document is based on the guidelines related to the management of Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma (High grade) in the Indian population as proposed by the core expert committee. Accurate diagnosis in hematolymphoid neoplasm requires a combination of detailed history,clinical examination, and various investigations including routine laboratory tests, good quality histology section (of tumor and also bone marrow aspirate/biopsy), immunostaining, cytogenetic and molecular studies and radiology investigations. The staging system used for adult high grade lymphomas is based on the Ann Arbor system and includes various parameters like clinical, haematology, biochemistry, serology and radiology. Response should be evaluated with radiological evaluation after 3-4 cycles and at the end of treatment based on criteria including and excluding PET. Treatment of high grade lymphomas is based on histologic subtype, extent of disease, and age of the patient. Autologous stem cell transplantation after high dose chemotherapy is effective in the treatment of relapsed NHL. Newer RT techniques like 3 dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can significantly reduce radiation doses to surrounding normal tissues in lymphoma patients. Patients should be followed up every 3 to 4 months for the first 2 years, followed by 6 monthly for the next 3 years and then annually.

Patterns of care and survival outcomes in patients with astroblastoma: an individual patient data analysis of 152 cases.

BACKGROUND: Astroblastoma (AB) is a rare tumor with significant dilemma regarding diagnostic criteria, behavior, and optimum treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Google Search, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies with the following search words: astroblastoma, high-grade astroblastoma, and anaplastic astroblastoma till July 1, 2016, published in English language and collected data regarding age, sex, site of disease, pathological grade, treatment received, and survival. RESULTS: Data of 152 patients were retrieved from 63 publications. Median age was 16 years (range 0-71). Females were affected twice more frequently than male (70.3 vs. 29.7%). Tumors were most commonly located in the frontal (39%) followed by parietal lobe (26.7%). Fifty-two and 25% of the patients had headache and seizure at presentation, 76.3% of the patients underwent a gross total resection, 41 out of 89 had a high-grade tumor, and 56 patients received adjuvant radiation with a median dose of 54 Gy (range 20-72). Adjuvant chemotherapy was used in 23 patients. Temozolomide was the most common drug used in 30% of the patients. A combination of cisplatin, etoposide with vincristine, or ifosfamide was used in 17%. Median follow-up duration was 37 months (range 1-238). Median progression-free survival and OS were 36 and 184 months, respectively. Patients with a higher-grade tumor had significantly worse OS with HR 5.260 and p = 0.001. Forty patients experienced local progression. Sixty-five percent patients underwent surgery while 50% underwent radiation as salvage. CONCLUSION: AB has two distinct grades with higher-grade tumors having significantly poor survival. Maximal safe surgery followed by adjuvant radiation and temozolomide should be advocated for these tumors.

Accelerated hypofractionated adjuvant whole breast radiation with simultaneous integrated boost using volumetric modulated arc therapy for early breast cancer: A phase I/II dosimetric and clinical feasibility study from a tertiary cancer care centre of India.

BACKGROUND: Hypofractionation has become standard of care after Breast Conserving Therapy (BCT) in many European and few others western countries. Though still debatable, tumor cavity boost is routinely practised in our centre. Hypofractionation is not yet the current standard of practice in Asian countries. Employing hypofractionation and simultaneous integrated boost to lumpectomy cavity with conformal technique is not the current practice in this region. Hence the study was performed to see whether accelerated hypofractionation and simultaneous boost can be combined using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in treating early breast cancer (EBC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Female patients with EBC treated by whole breast radiation and boost were treated simultaneously to a dose of 40.5Gy and 48Gy in fifteen fractions over three weeks to entire breast and tumor cavity respectively with VMAT. Dosimetry including target coverage, OAR (organ at risk) sparing and acute radiation toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients were treated. Planning target volume (PTV) coverage and OAR sparing were mostly satisfactory. Mean volume of PTVWB and PTVBoost were 786.18cm3 and 228.9cm3 respectively. Mean Dmean to PTVWB and PTVBOOST were 41.9Gy and 49.1Gy respectively. Dmax to PTVWB and PTVBOOST were 127.56% and 110.67% respectively. Ipsilateral lung mean dose and V20 were 13.92Gy and 21.53% respectively. V40 and V25 of heart were 0.17% and 2.25% respectively. All patients are disease free after a median follow up of two years. Most acute toxicities were Grade1. Only two patients out of ten developed Grade 2 skin reaction during radiation. Early cosmesis using Harvard cosmesis scale is good to excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated hypofractionated RT using SIB-VMAT is a clinically feasible technique with acceptable initial result. Initial results are encouraging. MINI ABSTRACT: Simultaneous integrated boost with accelerated hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy is a novel approach. Patient selection and technical considerations are of paramount importance. The present study describes successful implementation of this approach.

Patterns of care of cervical cancer in the elderly: A qualitative literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the uterine cervix is the fourth most common cancer worldwide among women. However, there is limited data about elderly patients with cervical cancer and gross underrepresentation of elderly patients in clinical trials. Hence, the optimal therapy of such patients is not well formulated. METHODOLOGY: We conducted this systematic review of evidence to assess patterns of care in elderly patients with cervical cancer. RESULTS: A total of 17,338 publications are reported in PubMed until July, 2016 pertaining to cervical cancer. Out of these, only 24 publications (full length papers or meeting proceedings) reported about clinical outcomes of elderly patients with cervical carcinoma. These publications report data from as early as 1949 to the present. In these publications, out of 14,479 patients aged ≥60years of age, 11,279 (77.89%) received external beam radiation. Concurrent chemotherapy has been used in 11 publications. Brachytherapy usage has been reported in 19 publications. In a few studies, brachytherapy was not used because of fear of toxicity. Overall, low dose rate (LDR) was the most common modality, followed by high dose rate (HDR). The authors have showed technical reasons (48.7%), comorbidities (69.4%) and patient refusal (38.3%) as causes for not delivering brachytherapy. Five-year overall survival (OS) has been found to be inferior to the non-elderly cohort and ranges from 27%-69% for elderly patients compared to 58%-75% in the non-elderly population. An 11% 5year OS has been reported for patients treated with suboptimal radiation dose compared to 74% in those treated with chemo radiotherapy followed by brachytherapy. CONCLUSION: Gross underrepresentation of patients above 65years in clinical trials has resulted in treatment dilemmas in the elderly. Newer advances like immunotherapy, hypoxic modifiers, image guided radiation, image guided brachytherapy are promising approaches to reduce treatment complications and optimize outcome in elderly patients in cervical cancer.