Clinical experience in pediatric neuroblastoma intensity modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the numerous publications of dosimetric comparison of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus conventional radiotherapy in pediatrics, few data exist regarding the clinical use of IMRT and its potential late effects. PROCEDURE: Pediatric neuroblastoma patients treated between November 2008 and October 2010 with IMRT were reviewed. Treatment plans, clinical, laboratory and radiological data at the last follow up date were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen patients received IMRT. The mean age was 4.9 ± 2 years. The radiation dose ranged from 21 to 25.5 Gy with a mean dose of 24.06 Gy. The mean liver dose was 9.81 Gy. The V8 of the liver was 51 ± 20%, and the V15 of the liver was 21 ± 12%. V18 of the right and left kidneys were 32 ± 27% and 23 ± 18% respectively. The minimum and maximum vertebral point doses were 12.82 and 24.87 Gy respectively. The IMRT treatment was well tolerated in terms of acute toxicity. At 26 month follow up, second malignancy and skeletal asymmetry were not noted, and the liver and the kidney functions showed no significant abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IMRT in pediatric neuroblastoma confers higher target conformality with better sparing of the kidneys and it did not show any considerable short term side effects.

Intracranial germ cell tumors: a single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are not a common disease. We reviewed the experience of a single institution to determine the variables that affect treatment outcome. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective review of patients with the diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors treated in a single institution (KFSHRC) during the period from March 1985 to December 2007. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with the diagnosis of intracranial GCT were recorded in the KFSHRC Tumor Registry during the period from 1985 to 2007. Seven patients with a pineal region tumor treated as germinomas in the earlier years without a tissue diagnosis were excluded. This retrospective study was restricted to the remaining 50 patients with a tissue or marker diagnosis: 31 germinomas and 19 non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs). RESULTS: The 10-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were 87%, 88% and 96% for patients with germinoma, with a median follow-up of 4.5 (range 2-17) years, compared with 26%, 29% and 46% for patients with NGGCT with a median follow-up of 3 (range 1.5-13) years. For NGGCT, variables favorably influencing OS were younger age (< 16 y vs ≥16 y, P=.01), higher radiation dose (>50 Gy vs ≤50 Gy; P=.03) and later year of diagnosis (>1990 vs <1990 P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Tissue diagnosis of GCTs is mandatory prior to treatment except for patients with elevated markers. In germinoma, localized radiotherapy (RT) for M0 patients may be adequate. Long-term follow-up is needed to define the benefit of adding chemotherapy. For NGGCT, the use of combined modality treatment and RT dose ;gt;50 Gy are important factors that influence the outcome. Second-look surgery and resection of residual/ refractory tumors is always recommended.

Cone beam CT for organs motion evaluation in pediatric abdominal neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To quantify the organ motion relative to bone in different breathing states in pediatric neuroblastoma using cone beam CT (CBCT) for better definition of the planning margins during abdominal IMRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-two datasets of kV CBCT for 9 pediatric patients with abdominal neuroblastoma treated with IMRT were evaluated. Organs positions on planning CT scan were considered the reference position against which organs and target motions were evaluated. The position of the kidneys and the liver was assessed in all scans. The target movement was evaluated in four patients who were treated for gross residual disease. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 4.1 ± 1.6 years. The range of target movement in the craniocaudal direction (CC) was 5mm. In the CC direction, the range of movement was 10mm for the right kidney, and 8mm for the left kidney. Similarly, the liver upper edge range of motion was 11 mm while the lower edge range of motion was 13 mm. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of daily CBCT we may be able to reduce the PTV margin. If CBCT is not used daily, a wider margin is needed.

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of zoledronic acid in bony metastatic bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Zoledronic acid treatment reduces the incidence of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with bone metastases from breast, lung, and urologic cancers including prostate and renal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zoledronic acid on SREs in patients with bone metastases from bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with bone metastases from bladder cancer who were receiving palliative radiotherapy were randomized to placebo or zoledronic acid (4 mg intravenous monthly) for 6 months. RESULTS: The patients (n = 40) were evenly distributed between the two treatment groups, and the baseline demographics of the two groups were similar. The follow-up varied from 8 to 65 weeks (median 24 weeks). Compared with patients receiving placebo, those receiving zoledronic acid had a lower mean incidence of SREs (2.05 +/- 1.0 vs. 0.95 +/- 0.9, respectively), and a larger proportion did not experience an on-study SRE (2 vs. 8 patients, respectively). Zoledronic acid also prolonged the median time to first SRE compared with the placebo (16 vs. 8 weeks, respectively). Multiple event analysis of SREs revealed that zoledronic acid decreased the risk of SRE development by 59% (hazard ratio 0.413). Zoledronic acid also increased the 1-year survival rate compared with placebo (36.3 +/- 11.2 vs. 0%, respectively). Zoledronic acid was generally well tolerated in our patient population. CONCLUSIONS: Zoledronic acid therapy decreased the incidence of SREs and improved the 1-year survival rate of patients with bone metastases from bladder cancer, potentially through its anticancer activity.

Palliative spleen irradiation: can we standardize its technique?

PURPOSE: To explore the pattern of practice of palliative splenic irradiation (PSI) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients referred for PSI during the time period from 1990 to 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the three most common planning techniques (two parallel opposing, single direct field, anterior and lateral fields). RESULTS: Eighteen patients who received PSI were identified. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as CML and 5 as CLL. The mean age of the patients was 44 (+/-16) years and the majority were men (60%). Spleen enlargement was documented in all cases. The single direct anterior field was the most commonly used technique. The dose per fraction ranged from 25 cGy to 100 cGy. The total dose ranged from 125 cGy to 1200 cGy and the median was 200 cGy (mean 327 cGy). There was no significant difference between CML and CLL patients regarding the dose level. Three out of 5 CLL patients and only one out of 13 CML patients received re-irradiation. All patients showed subjective improvement regarding pain and swelling. There was a significant increase in the hemoglobin level and a significant decrease in the WBC count. The single direct field shows variations in the dose from 56 to 102%; however, it is the simplest and the best regarding the dose to the surrounding normal tissues especially the kidney and the liver. CONCLUSION: PSI has a significant palliative benefit. Although the most widely accepted technique is the 2 parallel opposing anterior-posterior fields, single anterior field is also considered as a suitable option. Higher doses are needed for CLL patients compared to CML patients.

Time-trend in epidemiological and pathological features of schistosoma-associated bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the different emerging trends in the features of bladder cancer along 17 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 17-year period (1988- 2004), 5071 epithelial bladder cancer patients underwent radical cystectomy at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt. The time was divided into 3 time periods to detect changes of the clinicopathologic features of patients in these periods. RESULTS: There was a significant progressive increase in the patients' age with time and decrease in squamous/transitional ratio, with transient increase in male predominance during the 2nd time period. Moreover, there was a decrease in the well differentiated (grade 1) tumor (p<0.001) and an increase in the frequency of pelvic nodal involvement (p<0.001). Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients were significantly older than those with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (p<0.001). Progressive increase of age with time was evident in TCC, SCC and adenocarcinoma patients. Male to female ratio changed significantly in TCC and SCC. CONCLUSION: Time trend was confirmed with relative decrease in frequency of SCC and increase of TCC with changes in their pathological details. The differences between their characteristics and that of the Western countries are decreasing.

Overdose problem associated with treatment planning software for high energy photons in response of Panama's accident.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify dose distribution errors by comparing actual dose measurements with the calculated values done by the software. To evaluate the outcome of radiation overexposure related to Panama's accident and in response to ensure that the treatment planning systems (T.P.S.) are being operated in accordance with the appropriate quality assurance programme, we studied the central axis and pripheral depth dose data using complex field shaped with blocks to quantify dose distribution errors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multidata T.P.S. software versions 2.35 and 2.40 and Helax T.P.S. software version 5.1 B were assesed. The calculated data of the software treatment planning systems were verified by comparing these data with the actual dose measurements for open and blocked high energy photon fields (Co-60, 6MV & 18MV photons). RESULTS: Close calculated and measured results were obtained for the 2-D (Multidata) and 3-D treatment planning (TMS Helax). These results were correct within 1 to 2% for open fields and 0.5 to 2.5% for peripheral blocked fields. Discrepancies between calculated and measured data ranged between 13. to 36% along the central axis of complex blocked fields when normalisation point was selected at the Dmax, when the normalisation point was selected near or under the blocks, the variation between the calculated and the measured data was up to 500% difference. CONCLUSIONS: The present results emphasize the importance of the proper selection of the normalization point in the radiation field, as this facilitates detection of aberrant dose distribution (over exposure or under exposure).

Shielding for scattered radiation to the testis during pelvic radiotherapy: is it worth?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of external shielding of the testis during pelvic radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen patients, receiving radiotherapy to the pelvis with the lower border of the field at the obturator foramen, were randomly selected. A 5 half value layer cerrobent shield was positioned at the inferior border of the field. The dose to the testis was measured with and without the shield. Observations were made regarding the reflex cremaster contraction and phantom measurements were done at different distances from the perineum. RESULTS: The mean radiation dose to the testis for patients receiving treatment with no shield was 7.4cGy (1.3) and it was 5.7cGy (-/+2.5) for patients with external shield, this difference was statistically significant by the paired t test p<0.0001. This accounted for a 22 % decrease in the dose received by the testis. The position of the testis with the contraction of the cremaster muscle and the dartos fascia after manipulation of the testis during diodes placement changed up to 3.5 cm (mean 1.5). Phantom measurements showed 37% increase in the dose with 2cm change in the position of the testis to the pelvic direction. CONCLUSION: External shield at the inferior border of the pelvic field is a simple, easy reproducible, convenient shielding method. Clam-shell scrotal shield is not free of drawbacks, but still its benefits overweigh its harms and should be used with caution.

Long-term results of primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder: a report on 192 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical presentation and treatment end results of primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, and to determine the significant independent prognostic factors that determine this outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 3659 patients who underwent cystectomy, 192 had adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, with a relative frequency of 5.2%. Most of these patients (68.2%) presented in late stages (P3 + P4). The incidence of pelvic lymph nodes involvement was 25.5%. Mucinous adenocarcinoma was reported in 28 patients (14.6%), papillary in 20 (10.4%), signet ring in 14 (7.3%), while not otherwise specified was reported in 130 (67.7%) in the cystectomy specimens. RESULTS: Mucinous and signet-ring histologic subtypes showed increased frequency of high stages and high grades, and more nodal involvement than the papillary and not otherwise specified. All patients were treated with radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy with (69 patients) or without (123) postoperative radiotherapy. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 46 +/- 4% for all patients with adenocarcinoma. Postoperative radiotherapy improved the disease-free survival significantly. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for the postoperative radiotherapy group was 61 +/- 6% compared to 37 +/- 5% for the cystectomy alone group (P = 0.002). Local control rate was significantly improved from 53 +/- 7% for cystectomy alone to 96 +/- 3% for postoperative radiotherapy patients (P = 0.00001). Distant metastases were the leading cause of death in the postoperative radiotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations provided by retrospective studies, it could be concluded that postoperative radiotherapy improved the disease-free survival through its effect on local control. The disease-free survival independent prognostic variables were tumor stage, postoperative radiotherapy, nodal involvement, and adenocarcinoma subclassification. These factors, except the adeno-subclassification, were also found to determine the local control rate. On the other hand, the independent prognostic factors for distant metastasis were lymph nodal involvement, stage, and adeno-subclassification.