Lymph node ratio influence on risk of head and neck cancer locoregional recurrence after initial surgical resection: implications for adjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if lymph node ratio is associated with locoregional recurrence for patients with oral cavity or laryngeal cancer treated with initial surgical management. METHODS: The study included 350 patients with oral cavity (73%) or laryngeal cancer (27%) who underwent initial surgery. All analyses were multivariable, adjusting for primary site, pathologic prognostic factors, and adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: Lymph node ratio was significantly associated with locoregional recurrence, in which each 1% increase in lymph node ratio had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for locoregional recurrence of 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.042; p = .05). Lymph node ratio was also associated with OS, in which each 1% increase in lymph node ratio had an adjusted HR for death of 1.028 (95% CI, 1.012-1.045; p = .001). CONCLUSION: Adjusting for pathologic factors and adjuvant therapy, lymph node ratio was found to be an independent prognostic factor for locoregional recurrence and overall survival (OS). Patients with lymph node ratio ≥20% are at high risk of locoregional recurrence and death, and may be considered for adjuvant chemoradiation.

A retrospective analysis of tumor volumetric responses to five-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy for paragangliomas of the head and neck (glomus tumors).

BACKGROUND: Skull base paragangliomas (SBP) are locally expansile tumors that can be treated with stereotactic radiotherapy with favorable results. This report describes the results of 31 patients with SBP treated with CyberKnife radiotherapy delivering a total dose of 25 Gray in five fractions. METHODS: All patients treated with five-fraction CyberKnife radiotherapy at a single institution were identified between 2007 and 2013. Tumor volumetric analyses were performed to assess responses to radiotherapy. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 24 months with a range of 4-78 months. Local control and overall survival were 100%. Of the 20 patients who presented with tinnitus, 12 reported improvement (60%), of whom 6 reported complete resolution. There was a 37.3% reduction in tumor volume among all patients (p = 0.16). On subset analysis of patients with ≥24 months of follow-up, tumor volume decreased 49% (p = 0.01). The rate of grade 1-2 toxicity was 19%, with no grade 3 or worse toxicity. CONCLUSION: A five-fraction CyberKnife-based stereotactic radiotherapy approach is safe and efficacious for the management for patients with SBP. Our findings suggest the potential use of this strategy as a definitive or salvage treatment option for SBP.

Accuracy of computed tomography for predicting pathologic nodal extracapsular extension in patients with head-and-neck cancer undergoing initial surgical resection.

PURPOSE: Nodal extracapsular extension (ECE) in patients with head-and-neck cancer increases the loco-regional failure risk and is an indication for adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). To reduce the risk of requiring trimodality therapy, patients with head-and-neck cancer who are surgical candidates are often treated with definitive CRT when preoperative computed tomographic imaging suggests radiographic ECE. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of preoperative CT imaging for predicting pathologic nodal ECE (pECE). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study population consisted of 432 consecutive patients with oral cavity or locally advanced/nonfunctional laryngeal cancer who underwent preoperative CT imaging before initial surgical resection and neck dissection. Specimens with pECE had the extent of ECE graded on a scale from 1 to 4. RESULTS: Radiographic ECE was documented in 46 patients (10.6%), and pECE was observed in 87 (20.1%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 43.7%, 97.7%, 82.6%, and 87.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of radiographic ECE increased from 18.8% for grade 1 to 2 ECE, to 52.9% for grade 3, and 72.2% for grade 4. Radiographic ECE criteria of adjacent structure invasion was a better predictor than irregular borders/fat stranding for pECE. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic ECE has poor sensitivity, but excellent specificity for pECE in patients who undergo initial surgical resection. PPV and NPV are reasonable for clinical decision making. The performance of preoperative CT imaging increased as pECE grade increased. Patients with resectable head-and-neck cancer with radiographic ECE based on adjacent structure invasion are at high risk for high-grade pECE requiring adjuvant CRT when treated with initial surgery; definitive CRT as an alternative should be considered where appropriate.

Breast reconstruction and post-mastectomy radiation practice.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to explore the perspectives and practice of radiation oncologists who treat breast cancer patients who have had breast reconstruction. METHODS: In 2010, an original electronic survey was sent to all physician members of the American Society of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Research Institute-Breast Cancer Studies Group in the United Kingdom, Thai Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Swiss Society of Radiation Oncology, and Turkish Radiation Oncology Society. We identified factors associated with radiation oncologists who treat breast cancer patients with reconstruction performed prior to radiation and obtained information regarding radiation management of the breast reconstruction. RESULTS: 358 radiation oncologists responded, and 60% of the physicians were from the United States. While 64% of participants agree or strongly agree that breast image affects a woman's quality of life during radiation, 57% feel that reconstruction challenges their ability to deliver effective breast radiation. Compared with other countries, treatment within the United States was associated with a high reconstruction rate (>/= 50% of mastectomy patients) prior to radiation (p < 0.05). Delayed-immediate reconstruction with a temporary tissue expander was more common in the United States than in other countries (52% vs. 23%, p = 0.01). Among physicians who treat patients with tissue expanders, the majority (60%) prefer a moderately inflated implant with 150-250 cc of fluid rather than a completely deflated (13%) or inflated expander (28%) during radiation. Among radiation oncologists who treat reconstructions, 49% never use bolus and 40% never boost a breast reconstruction. United States physicians were more likely than physicians from other countries to boost or bolus the reconstruction irrespective of the type of reconstruction seen in their clinic patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Great variation in practice is evident from our study of radiation treatment for breast cancer patients with reconstruction. Further research on the impact and delivery of radiation to a reconstructed breast may validate some of the observed practices, highlight the variability in treatment practice, and help create a treatment consensus.

Radiation field design and patterns of locoregional recurrence following definitive radiotherapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Locoregional control is associated with breast cancer-specific and overall survival in select women with breast cancer. Although several patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics have been shown to contribute to locoregional recurrence (LRR), studies evaluating factors related to radiotherapy (XRT) technique have been limited. We investigated the relationship between LRR location and XRT fields and dose delivered to the primary breast cancer in women experiencing subsequent locoregional relapse. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We identified 21 women who were previously treated definitively with surgery and XRT for breast cancer. All patients developed biopsy-result proven LRR and presented to Emory University Hospital between 2004 and 2010 for treatment. Computed tomography (CT) simulation scans with XRT dose files for the initial breast cancer were fused with (18)F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET)/CT images in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format identifying the LRR. Each LRR was categorized as in-field, defined as ≥95% of the LRR volume receiving ≥95% of the prescribed whole-breast dose; marginal, defined as LRR at the field edge and/or not receiving ≥95% of the prescribed dose to ≥95% of the volume; or out-of-field, that is, LRR intentionally not treated with the original XRT plan. RESULTS: Of the 24 identified LRRs (3 patients experienced two LRRs), 3 were in-field, 9 were marginal, and 12 were out-of-field. Two of the 3 in-field LRRs were marginal misses of the additional boost XRT dose. Out-of-field LRRs consisted of six supraclavicular and six internal mammary nodal recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Most LRRs in our study occurred in areas not fully covered by the prescribed XRT dose or were purposely excluded from the original XRT fields. Our data suggest that XRT technique, field design, and dose play a critical role in preventing LRR in women with breast cancer.

Impact of internal metallic ports in temporary tissue expanders on postmastectomy radiation dose distribution.

PURPOSE: Temporary tissue expanders (TTE) with an internal magnetic metal port (IMP) have been increasingly used for breast reconstruction in post-mastectomy patients who receive radiation therapy (XRT). We evaluated XRT plans of patients with IMP to determine its effect on XRT dose distribution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Original treatment plans with CT simulation scans of 24 consecutive patients who received XRT (ORI), planned without heterogeneity corrections, to a reconstructed breast containing an IMP were used. Two additional treatment plans were then generated: one treatment plan with the IMP assigned the electron density of the rare earth magnet, nickel plated neodymium-iron-boron (HET), and a second treatment plan with the IMP assigned a CT value of 1 to simulate a homogeneous breast without an IMP (BRS). All plans were prescribed 50 Gy to the reconstructed breast (CTV). RESULTS: CTV coverage by 50 Gy was significantly lower in the HET (mean 87.7% CTV) than in either the ORI (mean 99.7% CTV, P<.001) or BRS plans (mean 95.0% CTV, P<.001). The effect of the port was more pronounced on CT slices containing the IMP with prescription dose coverage of the CTV being less in the HET than in either ORI (mean difference 33.6%, P<.01) or BRS plans (mean difference 30.1%, P<.001). HET had a less homogeneous and conformal dose distribution than BRS or ORI. CONCLUSION: IMPs increase dose heterogeneity and reduce dose to the breast CTV through attenuation of the beam. For optimal XRT treatment, heterogeneity corrections should be used in XRT planning for patients with TTE with IMP, as the IMP impacts dose distribution.

Patterns of extralaryngeal spread of laryngeal cancer: thyroid cartilage penetration occurs in a minority of patients with extralaryngeal spread of laryngeal squamous cell cancers.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal preservation programs for patients with advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have generally excluded patients with T4 disease. The accuracy of preoperative imaging in evaluating thyroid cartilage penetration and extralaryngeal spread (ELS) has previously been questioned. Clinically, SCC spread into noncartilaginous structures may have less of a functional impact when compared with thyroid cartilage penetration. The current study was designed to characterize and quantify the routes and frequency of ELS. METHODS: A total of 103 laryngectomy specimens with preoperative contrast-enhanced neck computed tomography scans were coded according to the observed extent of disease by pathological and radiological data. Previously irradiated tumors or those of pyriform sinus origin were omitted. Routes of spread were categorized as anterior (thyroid cartilage penetration), posterior (arytenoid cartilage destruction and thyroarytenoid space widening), inferior (conus elasticus penetration), and superior (base of tongue, thyrohyoid membrane or thyroid notch penetration involvement). RESULTS: Sixty-three cases of ELS were identified. Anterior spread by thyroid cartilage penetration occurred in 44% of all instances of ELS, followed by both inferior and posterior spread each representing 33% of ELS cases. Superior spread occurred with a frequency of 24%. CONCLUSIONS: Although thyroid cartilage penetration is a common route of ELS of glottic and supraglottic SCC, ELS into surrounding structures with thyroid cartilage penetration was found to occur in only 44% of the cases of ELS in the current study. As illustrated, advanced SCC spreads in a variety of pathways. Once these patterns are better understood and identified at the time of initial evaluation, subgroups of patients with ELS who may still be candidates for laryngeal preservation may be identified.

Adult head and neck soft tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcomes of adult patients with head and neck soft tissue sarcomas. METHODS: Review of 39 patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone (6 patients) or combined with surgery (33 patients) with curative intent between December 1966 and February 2003. Follow-up for living patients ranged from 1 to 21 years (median, 8.7 years). RESULTS: Five-year outcomes were as follows: local control, 78%; distant metastasis-free survival, 85%; cause-specific survival, 69%, and overall survival, 63%. Three of 6 patients (50%) treated with definitive RT were locally controlled compared with 27 of 33 patients (82%) treated with surgery and RT. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately two thirds of patients with head and neck soft tissue sarcomas are cured with RT alone or combined with surgery. Local recurrence is a significant mode of treatment failure. Outcome is influenced by tumor extent, histologic grade, and resectability.