Evaluation of treatment outcomes and tolerability in older patients with rectal cancer treated with radiotherapy accompanied by the G-8 geriatric score: TROD13-003 multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The choice of treatment for rectal cancer often differs in older and younger patients, with the rate of radiotherapy use lower among older adults. In our daily practice, when evaluating a frail older patient with rectal cancer, we usually choose to give less treatment. This may be due to concern that the patient will not be able to tolerate radiotherapy. The Geriatric 8 score (G8GS) is a guide to evaluating treatment tolerability as it relates to frailty in older adults with cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes and tolerability in older patients with rectal cancer treated with radiotherapy (RT) accompanied by G8GS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 65 and older with stage I-III rectal adenocarcinoma who were treated with RT and had a G8 evaluation were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Prognostic factors related to G8GS were calculated using Chi-square and logistic regression tests and survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier test using the SPSS v24.0 software. All p-values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 699 patients from 16 national institutions were evaluated. The median age was 72 years (range 65-96), and the median follow-up was 43 (range 1-190) months. Four hundred and fifty patients (64%) were categorized as frail with G8GS ≤14 points. Frail patients had higher ages (p = 0.001) and more comorbidities (p = 0.001). Ability to receive concomitant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy rates were significantly higher in fit patients (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in terms of grade 3-4 early and late toxicity for both groups. Cancer-related death was higher (p = 0.003), and 5- and 8-year survival rates were significantly lower (p = 0.001), in the frail group. Age and being frail were significantly associated with survival. DISCUSSION: Radiotherapy is a tolerable and effective treatment option for older adults with rectal cancer even with low G8GS. Being in the frail group according to G8GS and having multiple comorbidities was negatively associated with survival. Addressing the medical needs of frail patients through a comprehensive geriatric assessment prior to radiotherapy may improve G8GS, allowing for standard treatment and increased survival rates.

Radiotherapy Results in Locally Advanced Sinonasal Cancer: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology, Head and Neck Study Group 01-005.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the treatment outcomes and related factors in locally advanced sinonasal cancer across Turkiye. METHODS: Twelve centers participants of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology Head and Neck Study Group attended the study. One hundred and ninety-four patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy between 2001 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Acute and late toxicity were recorded per Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events V4.0. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years and 70% were male. The majority of tumors were located in maxillary sinus (59%). Most of the patients (%83) had T3 and T4A disease. Fifty-three percent of patients were in stage 4A. Radiotherapy was administered to 80% of the patients in the adjuvant settings. Median 66 Gy dose was administered in median 31 fractions. Chemotherapy was administered concomitantly with radiotherapy in 45% of the patients mostly with weekly cisplatin. No grade ≥4 acute and late toxicity was observed. The median follow-up was 43 months. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival (OS); locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS); distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 61% and 47%; 69% and 61%; 72%, and 69%, and 56% and 49%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, several factors demonstrated significant influence on OS, such as performance status, surgery, and lymph node involvement. Moreover, surgery was the key prognostic factor for LRFS. For DMFS, lymph node involvement and surgical margin were found to be influential factors. In addition, performance status and lymph node involvement were identified as significantly affecting PFS. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the authors obtained promising results with IMRT. Performance status, lymph node involvement, and surgery emerged as the primary factors significantly influencing OS.

Adverse risk factors for salvage radiotherapy outcomes after radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate salvage treatment approaches and treatment outcomes in high-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: In this retrospective, multicenter study, 272 patients who underwent salvage radiotherapy (RT) ± androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for recurrent prostate cancer after RP between 2007 and 2021 were analysed. Univariate analyses of time to biochemical and clinical relapse after salvage therapies were conducted using Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests. Multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to determine the risk factors for disease relapse. RESULTS: Median age was 65 (48-82) years. All patients underwent salvage prostate bed RT. Pelvic lymphatic RT was performed in 66 patients (24.3%) and ADT was included in 158 (58.1%) patients. The median PSA value before RT was 0.35 ng/mL. The median follow-up time was 64 (12-180) months. 5-years bRFS, cRFS, and OS were 75.1%, 84.8%, and 94.9% respectively. In multivariate cox regression analysis; seminal vesicle invasion (HR 8.64, 95% CI 3.47-21.48, p < 0.001), pre-RT PSA higher than 0.14 ng/mL (HR 3.79, 95% CI 1.47-9.78, p = 0.006), and ≥ 2 positive pelvic lymph nodes (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.11-5.62, p = 0.027) were found to be unfavorable prognostic factors for bRFS. CONCLUSION: Salvage RT ± ADT provided 5-years biochemical disease control in 75.1% of patients. Seminal vesicle invasion, ≥ 2 positive pelvic nodes and delayed administration of salvage RT (PSA levels higher than 0.14 ng/mL) were found to be adverse risk factors for relapse. Such factors should be taken into account during the decision process on salvage treatment.

A multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated in IMRT era from a nonendemic population: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology Head and Neck Cancer Group Study (TROD 01-001).

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a nonendemic population. METHODS: In a national, retrospective, multicenteric study, 563 patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy at 22 centers between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS: Median age was 48 (9-83), age distribution was bimodal, 74.1% were male, and 78.7% were stage III-IVA. Keratinizing and undifferentiated carcinoma rates were 3.9% and 81.2%. Patients were treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (48.9%), or radiotherapy combined with induction chemotherapy (25%) or adjuvant chemotherapy (19.5%). After 34 (6-78) months follow-up, 8.2% locoregional and 8% distant relapse were observed. Three-year overall survival was 89.5% and was lower in patients with age ≥50, male sex, keratinizing histology, T4, N3 and advanced stage (III-IVA). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NPC in Turkey have mixed clinical features of both east and west. Survival outcomes are comparable to other reported series; however, the rate of distant metastases seems to be lower.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Adrenal Metastases: A Multi-Institutional Review of Patient Characteristics and Outcomes - Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology SBRT Group Study (Trod SBRT 10-004).

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to report the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for adrenal metastasis in a retrospective multi-institutional cohort. METHODS: The outcomes of 124 patients with 146 adrenal metastases who underwent SBRT within 11 years (2008-2019) were retrospectively evaluated. Survival outcomes were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and their effects on survival, local control (LC), and toxicity outcomes were analyzed by log-rank and multivariate Cox regression methods. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years. The most frequent primary tumor site was the lung, followed by the gastrointestinal system and breast. The adrenal gland was the only metastatic site in 49 (40%) patients. Median biologically effective dose (BED)10 was 61 Gy. The overall LC rate was 83%, and it was positively correlated with the BED10 and fraction dose. The 1- and 2-year local recurrence-free survival, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 79% and 69%, 83% and 60%, and 31% and 12%, respectively. OS significantly improved with non-lung cancer and <4-cm lesion and PFS with a fraction dose ≥8 Gy, BED10 >65 Gy, and an isolated adrenal metastasis. Fourteen patients reported an acute toxicity, and late toxicity was observed in 3 patients, including one grade 5. CONCLUSION: A satisfactory LC rate was achieved for adrenal metastasis via SBRT. A higher BED10 and fraction dose were positive prognostic factors for tumor control. However, the main problem is DM in these patients, and systemic treatment options are needed to be improved.

Temporary Implant Irradiation: Survey of Turkish Society of Radiation Oncology Breast Cancer Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the clinical approach of radiation oncologists during the treatment of patients with breast reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey was emailed to 105 active members of the Turkish Radiation Oncology Society, the Breast Cancer Study Group. The factors associated with radiation oncologists and their current practice was identified. RESULTS: Fifty radiation oncologists (47.6%) responded, and most of the responders (83%) were physicians who treated >50 new breast cancer patients annually. The majority of the physicians worked in academic hospitals and had more than 15 years of work experience. The early reconstruction rate was noted to be low among patients with mastectomy (<10% of the mastectomy patients) (p<0.05). Early implant irradiation with temporary tissue expander was noted to be a more common procedure. The majority of the respondents (68%) preferred to irradiate an inflated implant (20% total, 80% partial). In addition, 22% of the physicians declared that they routinely used bolus and that 60% of them used it only for patients at a high risk of local recurrence factors. CONCLUSION: It can thus be concluded that variations exist between experienced radiation oncologists and others. Hypofractionation is not yet commonly practiced for patients with reconstruction in Turkey. A concrete consensus can be helpful to create a homogeneity in treatment decisions and practical applications.

Influencing Factors on Radiotherapy Outcome in Stage I-II Glottic Larynx Cancer-A Multicenter Study.

Background and Purpose: Larynx cancer represents one of the most frequently diagnosed head and neck malignancies, which is most often confined to the glottic area. The aim of this study was to report the oncological outcome and identify prognostic factors in early-stage glottic squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy. Material and Methods: Patients (n = 761) diagnosed and treated in 10 centers between 1990 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Probabilities of loco-regional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) were calculated and possible prognostic factors were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The median follow-up was 63 months (range: 2-243). Three hundred and sixty-four, 148 and 249 patients had cT1a, cT1b, and cT2 stage I-II disease, respectively. Five and 10-years LRC/OS rates in the whole cohort were 83/82% and 80/68%, respectively. Three patients developed distant recurrences. In univariate analysis, male sex (HR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.47-11.37; p < 0.01), T2 vs. T1a (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.08-2.43; p = 0.02) and anterior commissure involvement (ACI) (HR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.38-2.45; p < 0.01) were associated with impaired LRC. In multivariate analysis, male sex (HR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.44-11.17; p < 0.01) and ACI (HR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.01-2.28; p = 0.047) remained poor prognostic factors. No relation of treatment technique and biologically equivalent dose (BED) to oncological outcome was identified except for higher BED10(L = 25; T = 1) yielding better LRC in T1a tumors (p = 0.04) in univariate analyses. Conclusion: Our results highlight the negative impact of ACI on tumor control. A less-expected finding was the impact of sex on tumor control. Further research is needed to validate its prognostic value and investigate any related biologic or behavioral factors, which may be modified to improve oncologic outcome.

Comparison of changes in renal function with dosimetric parameters in gastric cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to analyze kidney damage using glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and dynamic renal scintigraphy (DRS) compared with dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters in gastric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two gastric cancer patients treated with postoperative chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. Student's t test was used to compare pre- and posttreatment GFR and creatinine values. The relative contribution of the left and right kidney in DRS results was expressed as left-to-right ratio (L/R), and the percentage of initial and control participation ratio difference was calculated. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to compare the percentage difference of L/R ratio with DVH parameters of each kidney. RESULTS: In DRS analysis, decrease in left kidney cortical function was observed in one patient. V5-V10 of the left and bilateral kidneys were significantly associated with GFR decline. None of the DVH parameter was significantly associated with L/R ratio. However, the V15 and Dmean of the bilateral kidney were significantly correlated with greater decrease in L/R ratio in seven patients whose posttreatment DRS period was > 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Decline in renal function, even with current renal constraints, was observed. Minimization of V5, V10, and V15 and mean dose (Dmean) to the kidney should be considered.

Long-term treatment results in soft tissue sarcomas of the thoracic wall treated with pre-or-postoperative radiotherapy--a single institution experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long term results among patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thoracic wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients who were treated with pre-or postoperative radiotherapy between December 1980-December 2007, with a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma of the thoracic wall were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The median age was 44 years (14-85 years) and 15 of them were male. A total of 50% of patients were grade 3. The most common histologic type of tumor was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (26.9%). Tumor size varied between 2-25 cm (median 6.5 cm). Seventeen of the cases had marginal and 9 had wide local resection. Four cases received preoperative radiotherapy and 22 postoperative radiotherapy. Six of the patients with large and high grade tumors received chemotherapy. Median follow-up time was 82 months (9-309 months). Local recurrence and metastasis was detected in 34.6% and 42.3% of patients, respectively. Five- year local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were 62%, 38%, 69%, and 76% respectively. On univariate analysis, the patients with positive surgical margins had a markedly lower 5-year LC rate than patients with negative surgical margin, but the difference was not significant (43% vs 78%, p=0.1). Five-year DFS (66% vs 17%) and DSS (92% vs 60%) rates were significantly worse for the patients who had high grade tumors (p=0.01, p=0.008 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor grade and surgical margin are essential parameters for determining the prognosis of thoracic wall soft tissue sarcoma both in our series and the literature.