The prognostic value of FIGO staging defined by combining MRI and [18F]FDG PET/CT in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

The last version of the FIGO classification recommended imaging tools to complete the clinical assessment of patients with cervical cancer. However, the preferable imaging approach is still unclear. We aimed to explore the prognostic power of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (ceCT), and [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography ([18F]FDG-PET)/CT in patients staged for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC, FIGO stages IB3-IVA). Thirty-six LACC patients (mean age 55.47 ± 14.01, range 31-82) were retrospectively enrolled. All of them underwent MRI, ceCT and [18F]FDG-PET/CT before receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy. A median dose of 45 Gy (range 42-50.4; 25-28 fractions, 5 fractions per week, 1 per day) was delivered through the external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) on the pelvic area, while a median dose of 57.5 Gy (range 16-61.1; 25-28 fractions, 5 fractions per week, 1 per day) was administered on metastatic nodes. The median doses for brachytherapy treatment were 28 Gy (range 28-30; 4-5 fractions, 1 every other day). Six cycles of cisplatin or carboplatin were administered weekly. The study endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Metastatic pelvic lymph nodes at MRI independently predicted RFS (HR 13.271, 95% CI 1.730-101.805; P = 0.027), while metastatic paraaortic lymph nodes at [18F]FDG-PET/CT independently predicted both RFS (HR 11.734, 95% CI 3.200-43.026; P = .005) and OS (HR 13.799, 95% CI 3.378-56.361; P < 0.001). MRI and [18F]FDG-PET/CT findings were incorporated with clinical evidences into the FIGO classification. With respect to the combination of clinical, MRI and ceCT data, the use of next-generation imaging (NGI) determined a stage migration in 10/36 (27.7%) of patients. Different NGI-based FIGO classes showed remarkably different median RFS (stage IIB: not reached; stage IIIC1: 44 months; stage IIIC2: 3 months; P < 0.001) and OS (stage IIB: not reached; stage IIIC1: not reached; stage IIIC2: 14 months; P < 0.001). A FIGO classification based on the combination of MRI and [18F]FDG-PET/CT might predict RFS and OS of LACC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Post-operative flank irradiation using conformal versus highly conformal radiotherapy techniques for paediatric renal tumours: Results from the French registry PediaRT.

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional conformal RT (3D-RT) techniques are gold standard for post-operative flank radiotherapy (RT) in paediatric renal tumours. Recently, highly conformal RT (HC-RT) techniques have been implemented without comparative clinical data. The main objective of this multicentre study was to compare locoregional control (LRC) in children treated either with HC-RT or 3D-RT techniques. METHODS: Patients treated with post-operative flank RT for renal tumour registered in the national cohort PediaRT between March 2013 and September 2019 were included. Treatment and follow-up data, including toxicities and outcomes, were retrieved from the database. LRC was calculated, and dose reconstruction was performed in case of an event. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included. Forty patients were treated with HC-RT and 39 with 3D-RT. Median follow-up was 4.5 years. Three patients had locoregional failure (LRF; 4%). HC-RT was not associated with a higher risk of LRF. Three-year LRC were 97.4% and 94.7% in the HC-RT and 3D-RT groups, respectively. The proportion of planning target volumes receiving 95% or more of the prescribed dose did not significantly differ between both groups (HC-RT 88%; 3D-RT 69%; p = .05). HC-RT was better achieving dose constraints, and a significant mean dose reduction was observed in the peritoneal cavity and pancreas associated with lower incidence of acute gastrointestinal toxicity. CONCLUSION: LRF after post-operative flank RT for renal tumours was rare and did not increase using HC-RT versus 3D-RT techniques. Dose to the pancreas and the peritoneal cavity, as well as acute toxicity, were reduced with HC-RT compared to 3D-RT.

Technological advancements and future perspectives in breast cancer radiation therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is still one of the most common tumors worldwide and radiation therapy has a central role in the oncological pathway. Several technological options are now available with the aim to improve therapeutic index, target definition, and patient selection. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we summarize current available technologies in the management of breast cancer. These advances can support the prescription of postoperative partial breast cancer treatment and preoperative stereotactic partial breast irradiation. Moreover, image-guided radiotherapy is crucial for high-quality radiation treatments. Additionally, the recent development of hybrid magnetic resonance linear accelerator can impact target volume outline procedure, adaptive planning and radiomics. Finally, artificial intelligence represents the new frontier in medicine, supporting clinicians in target definition, patient selection, and treatment planning. EXPERT OPINION: In patients with breast cancer the overall level of evidence about new technologies is still low even if some advances are potentially very interesting to further development.

Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Metastasis-Directed Therapy Guided by Positron Emission Tomography: Does the Tracer Matter?

The superior diagnostic accuracy of [68Ga]Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen-11 (PSMA) ([68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11) compared to [18F]F-Fluorocholine Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in Prostate Cancer (PCa) is established. However, it is currently unclear if the added diagnostic accuracy actually translates into improved clinical outcomes in oligometastatic PCa patients treated with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET-guided metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). The present study aimed to assess the impact of these two imaging techniques on Progression-Free Survival (PFS) in a real-world sample of oligometastatic PCa patients submitted to PET-guided MDT. Thirty-seven oligometastatic PCa patients treated with PET-guided MDT were retrospectively enrolled. MDT was guided by [18F]F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in eleven patients and by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in twenty-six. Progression was defined as biochemical recurrence (BR), radiological progression at subsequent PET/CT imaging, clinical progression, androgen deprivation therapy initiation, or death. Clinical and imaging parameters were assessed as predictors of PFS. [18F]F-Fluorocholine PET-guided MDT was associated with significantly lower PFS compared to the [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 group (median PFS, mPFS 15.47 months, 95% CI: 4.13−38.00 vs. 40.93 months, 95% CI: 40.93−40.93, respectively; p < 0.05). Coherently, the radiotracer used for PET-guided MDT resulted in predictive PFS at the univariate analysis, as well as the castration-resistant status at the time of MDT and the PSA nadir after MDT. However, in the multivariate analysis, castration resistance and PSA nadir after MDT remained the sole independent predictors of PFS. In conclusion, in the present proof-of-concept study, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 provided higher PFS rates than [18F]F-Fluorocholine imaging in oligometastatic PCa patients receiving PET-guided MDT. Although preliminary, this finding suggests that enlarging the "tip of the iceberg", by detecting a major proportion of the submerged disease thanks to next-generation imaging may favourably impact the oncological outcome of oligometastatic PCa treated with MDT.

Multiple systemic treatment options in a patient with malignant tenosynovial giant cell tumour.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumour (TGCT) is a group of rare soft tissues neoplasia affecting synovial joints, bursae and tendon sheaths and is classified as localized type or diffuse type. The diffuse type (TGCT-D), also known as 'pigmented villonodular (teno)synovitis' is characterized by local aggressivity, with invasion and destruction of adjacent soft-tissue structures, and high local recurrence rate. Radical surgery remains the standard therapy while adjuvant radiotherapy may help to control local spread. Malignant TGCT is characterized by high rate of local recurrences and distant metastasis. Few cases of malignant TGCT and very few evidences on systemic therapies are described in the literature, so, to date, no systemic treatment is approved for this rare disease. We report the case of a malignant TGCT patient treated with many different systemic therapies, including chemotherapy and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, and performed a review of the literature on the systemic treatment options of this rare tumour.

Radiation-Induced Moyamoya Syndrome in Children with Brain Tumors: Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Over the last decades, significant advancements have been achieved in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors as a result of radiation therapy (RT). With the increasing diffusion of this treatment, iatrogenic damage to cerebrovascular tissues contouring the radiation target volume has become the subject of debate, especially radiation-induced moyamoya syndrome (RIMS). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed on the association between moyamoya vasculopathy and cranial irradiation in children. Large case series of patients with moyamoya were analyzed and clinicoradiologic data were collected reviewing pediatric patients treated with RT for primary brain tumors at our institution. RESULTS: The risk of developing RIMS is higher in younger children, in patients with optic pathway glioma, and in those receiving higher radiation doses. Headache is the most common presenting symptom and cerebral infarction is frequent. The preferred surgical techniques were pial synangiosis and encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis. In our case series, surgical revascularization led to neovascularization, with clinical improvement or stability in all patients. Medical therapy did not significantly affect the clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients receiving involved field RT for the treatment of brain tumors have an increased risk of developing RIMS. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical revascularization play a pivotal role in decreasing the clinical impact of this complication. The use of new techniques, such as the intensity-modulated RT, and the increasing dose saving for the organs at risk, are essential to prevent iatrogenic vasculopathy. The combination of appropriate medical therapy and surgery will improve patient management and clinical outcome.