Cardiac complications of radiation therapy.

AIMS: To present an overview of cardiac complications arising from radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline the (February 2004) and Embase (1974 to February 2004) searches of the medical literature relating to the cardiac complications of radiotherapy were conducted. RESULTS: Radiation damage may affect the pericardium, myocardium or coronary vasculature, and consists of fibrotic or small vessel damage. Cardiac complications are a particular problem with radiation treatments to the mediastinum and breast, especially when greater than 65% of the heart is irradiated. Most of the literature relates to the treatment of Hodgkin's disease, as patients with this disease tend to be young and live long enough to manifest late cardiac complications. Pericarditis, angina, myocardial infarction and arrhythmias are the most frequent causes of morbidity, with myocardial infarction being the most common fatal complication. The incidence of ischaemic heart disease does not increase rapidly until 10 years from treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Much of the evidence relates to the use of outdated radiation therapy equipment and techniques. Today's patients almost certainly have a lower risk of cardiac complications. Cardiac complications are probably under-reported, as they occur long after cured patients have been discharged from follow-up.

Solitary bone plasmacytoma: management of isolated local relapse following radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is the prime treatment modality for solitary plasmacytomas of bone (SPB). Although local control rates are excellent, progression to multiple myeloma is frequent, albeit with varying latency. Local failure in the absence of dissemination is rare and thus management is poorly documented. We discuss such a patient who presented 3 years after local radiation for a pelvic SPB and review the relevant literature. Radiation doses, portals employed and prognostic factors that may predict progression to myeloma are discussed. This report shows that an isolated recurrence of SPB in a previously irradiated field was successfully treated with orthopaedic surgery. This resulted in good pain relief and mobility for the patient, who remains free of disease 6 months after operation.

Sensitivity of the Jamar Dynamometer in detecting submaximal grip effort.

Twenty-two people with no extremity disability were tested in a standard fashion using the Jamar Dynamometer to establish their maximum grip strength. Each participant was asked to grip first right-handed then left-handed three consecutive times. The directions were reexplained so that each participant would give a consistent, less than optimal effort; three trials right and three trials left were recorded. The standard deviations of each set of these trials were calculated for both right and left hands. These standard deviations were then tabulated as scores for 44 trials of 22 patients, both hands, for maximal and submaximal efforts. These scores were then compared, maximal versus submaximal, using a paired t-test. We found no statistical difference in the two groups in comparing the variability of results. Therefore, the current protocol for Jamar testing can allow a patient to make a consistently submaximal effort, resulting in a false apparent loss of grip strength.

The role of radiotherapy in carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus: an audit of the Mount Vernon experience 1980-1989.

All 244 patients with carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus registered at the Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treatment during the decade from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1989 have been audited. We have made a detailed analysis of 110 (45%) with localized disease considered unsuitable for surgery, who completed treatment solely by radiotherapy. The median survival of this group of patients was 8.2 months (range 0.2-54 months). Dysphagia was improved by radiotherapy in 77.3% of cases, the median duration of relief was 24 weeks (range 0-208 weeks) and was maintained until death in 40%. Life table analysis showed that radical compared with less than radical regimens of radiotherapy gave significantly superior relief of dysphagia. This result is unlikely to be due to case selection.

Experience with CHART.

Continuous, hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy (CHART) has been used at the Mount Vernon Cancer Treatment Center since January 1985. Patients with head and neck tumors and those with locally advanced non-oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus have formed the large majority of the 263 patients treated. Early reactions in the mucosae of the mouth and pharynx have been pronounced, but all have healed, while those in the skin have been less severe than with conventional radiotherapy. An unexpected late morbidity was radiation myelitis in four patients, but in other tissues including the skin, mucosae, the connective tissues, and the salivary glands, late changes appear reduced compared to those after conventional radiotherapy. In 92 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the major sites in the head and neck region, of whom 71 were in Stages T3 and T4, a complete regression at the primary site and nodes was achieved in 90%. This can be compared with 62% in similar patients previously treated with curative intent at Mount Vernon between 1980 and 1985; the difference was maintained in follow-up (p = 0.003). Of 76 assessable patients with non-oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus, a complete radiological response has been achieved in 40%, compared to 12% in a retrospective group; again the difference has been maintained in follow up (p = 0.0001). A 1-year survival of 60% can be compared to 40% in the retrospective group and a 2-year survival of 29% compared to 12% (p = 0.01). With a reduction of permitted dose to the spinal cord, CHART gives promise for improvement in tumor control and a reduction in late morbidity. These promising results have led to multi-center randomized controlled clinical trials in carcinoma at the head and neck and in non-oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus. In these studies, CHART is being compared with conventional fractionated radiotherapy.

An audit of head and neck cancer treatment in a Regional Centre for Radiotherapy and Oncology.

All patients with head and neck cancer attending the Regional Centre for Radiotherapy and Oncology at Mount Vernon hospital during the 8-year period from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1987 have been included in this review. The 545 patients presenting a new primary carcinoma without evidence for metastasis outside the locoregional area, who were treated primarily by radiotherapy are the subject of this present audit. The characteristics of the patients, of the tumours and of the treatment given have been related to outcome. Early tumours (T1 and T2 which were node-negative) showed a complete response (CR) rate of 94% whereas more advanced tumours (T1 and T2 with palpable lymph nodes) showed a CR of 59%. The probability of local tumour control at 5 years was 77% in those without nodes and 20% in those with nodes. For more advanced disease (T3 and T4 tumours), initial CR was 72% in node-negative disease and 32% when the nodes were positive. At 5 years, the probability of local tumour control fell to 37% and 0 respectively. CR, freedom from recurrence and survival were statistically significantly related to T stage, N stage and site of primary tumour. The results compare favourably with those reported by other institutions. The development of medical audit and its influence on treatment policy are considered.

Continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the head and neck region.

Shortening of the overall duration of radiotherapy would reduce the possibility repopulation of tumor during treatment. Most clinical trials of such accelerated radiotherapy have incorporated a split course to improve normal tissue tolerance. Any interruption, however, even for the week-end, may allow repopulation to occur. A scheme of radiotherapy has been used during which treatment was given 3 times per day on each of 12 consecutive days without interruption for the week-end. In a pilot study a significant improvement in survival and local tumor control has been achieved in 48 patients with head and neck tumors when comparison was made with a previously treated group. A randomized controlled clinical trial is planned.

Gastro-intestinal malignancy in association with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome--three further cases.

Whether a relationship exists between the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) and gastrointestinal (GIT) malignancies remains unclear. We here present three further cases of GIT malignancies in young patients with the PJS.

Conservative excision and radiotherapy for early breast cancer--an acceptable alternative?

The Westminster Hospital treatment policy for operable breast cancer is presented in this paper and particular attention is paid to its technical aspects. The techniques of tumour lumpectomy, radical external beam irradiation and local boosting therapy with iridium implantation are described in detail. Our initial results with this approach are encouraging and will shortly be reported. In view of this and the obvious advantages of breast conservation we hope that techniques similar to this will be adopted by others working in this field.

A trial of high-dose 5-fluorouracil with razoxane or adriamycin in the treatment of advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract.

Thirty-four patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract have been treated with high-dose 5-fluorouracil modulated by concomitant allopurinol therapy, in combination with either razoxane or adriamycin. These regimens offer no advance over current treatment.

Angioneurotic oedema and urticaria following hydrocortisone--a further case.

It is still not commonly realized that immediate hypersensitivity reactions to hydrocortisone can occur. A rare case is reported which illustrates the need for caution when using this drug in atopic subjects. Ideally, parenteral hydrocortisone should only be used where facilities for resuscitation are available.