Pan-Canadian Survey of Radiation Oncology Professional Involvement in Global Oncology Initiatives in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

PURPOSE: Canadian radiation oncology professionals have a strong history of involvement in global oncology initiatives worldwide. This pan-Canadian survey-based study was conducted to determine the current level of engagement of Canadian radiation oncologists (ROs) and medical physicists (MPs) in global oncology initiatives and broaden the development of these activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The survey was designed to characterize current levels of engagement of Canadian ROs and MPs in global oncology initiatives. The survey was open from March 2019 to April 2020. It was disseminated to all Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology and Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists members with two subsequent email reminders. RESULTS: Survey responses were received from 40 (93%) of the 43 Canadian cancer treatment centers that offer radiotherapy. At least one RO responded at 34 centers (79%) and one MP from 34 centers (79%) with some overlap. A response was received from a total of 93 participants, 47 ROs and 46 MPs. Of all survey participants, 58% reported some experience with global oncology. Nineteen percent of the participants surveyed were currently directly involved in short- or long-term projects, more than half of which have opportunity for additional staff involvement. The projects spanned 26 countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. Quality improvement and capacity building accounted for 27% and 20% of initiatives, respectively. The most common area of engagement was in direct treatment care, accounting for 56% of the projects. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the landscape of involvement of Canadian ROs and MPs in global oncology initiatives. The study also highlights areas of opportunity for broadening international participation and collaboration as it relates to global oncology for Canadian radiation oncology professionals.

Noninferiority of Hypofractionated vs Conventional Postprostatectomy Radiotherapy for Genitourinary and Gastrointestinal Symptoms: The NRG-GU003 Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: No prior trial has compared hypofractionated postprostatectomy radiotherapy (HYPORT) to conventionally fractionated postprostatectomy (COPORT) in patients primarily treated with prostatectomy. Objective: To determine if HYPORT is noninferior to COPORT for patient-reported genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms at 2 years. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this phase 3 randomized clinical trial, patients with a detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA; ≥0.1 ng/mL) postprostatectomy with pT2/3pNX/0 disease or an undetectable PSA (<0.1 ng/mL) with either pT3 disease or pT2 disease with a positive surgical margin were recruited from 93 academic, community-based, and tertiary medical sites in the US and Canada. Between June 2017 and July 2018, a total of 296 patients were randomized. Data were analyzed in December 2020, with additional analyses occurring after as needed. Intervention: Patients were randomized to receive 62.5 Gy in 25 fractions (HYPORT) or 66.6 Gy in 37 fractions (COPORT). Main Outcomes and Measures: The coprimary end points were the 2-year change in score from baseline for the bowel and urinary domains of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite Index questionnaire. Secondary objectives were to compare between arms freedom from biochemical failure, time to progression, local failure, regional failure, salvage therapy, distant metastasis, prostate cancer-specific survival, overall survival, and adverse events. Results: Of the 296 patients randomized (median [range] age, 65 [44-81] years; 100% male), 144 received HYPORT and 152 received COPORT. At the end of RT, the mean GU change scores among those in the HYPORT and COPORT arms were neither clinically significant nor different in statistical significance and remained so at 6 and 12 months. The mean (SD) GI change scores for HYPORT and COPORT were both clinically significant and different in statistical significance at the end of RT (-15.52 [18.43] and -7.06 [12.78], respectively; P < .001). However, the clinically and statistically significant differences in HYPORT and COPORT mean GI change scores were resolved at 6 and 12 months. The 24-month differences in mean GU and GI change scores for HYPORT were noninferior to COPORT using noninferiority margins of -5 and -6, respectively, rejecting the null hypothesis of inferiority (mean [SD] GU score: HYPORT, -5.01 [15.10] and COPORT, -4.07 [14.67]; P = .005; mean [SD] GI score: HYPORT, -4.17 [10.97] and COPORT, -1.41 [8.32]; P = .02). With a median follow-up for censored patients of 2.1 years, there was no difference between HYPORT vs COPORT for biochemical failure, defined as a PSA of 0.4 ng/mL or higher and rising (2-year rate, 12% vs 8%; P = .28). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, HYPORT was associated with greater patient-reported GI toxic effects compared with COPORT at the completion of RT, but both groups recovered to baseline levels within 6 months. At 2 years, HYPORT was noninferior to COPORT in terms of patient-reported GU or GI toxic effects. HYPORT is a new acceptable practice standard for patients receiving postprostatectomy radiotherapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03274687.

Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the endocervix: Potentially overcoming resistant behavior with surgery.

Objective: Gastric-type adenocarcinoma of the endocervix (GAS) is a rare form of human papillomavirus-independent cervical cancer commonly described as an insidious disease bearing a poor prognosis. Based on scarce data, uncertainty persists pertaining to its oncologic management. Method: All cases of well-differentiated GAS treated at our institution from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed. Clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests results and oncologic outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank test were performed to compare survival curves between patients with tumors confined to the cervix (group 1: up to stage IB3) versus locally advanced or metastatic (group 2: stages II to IV). Results: Cervical cytologies and biopsies yielded low detection rates (38 and 42% respectively) leading to 87% of patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease at diagnosis. Median overall survival (OS) was 40.0 ± 15.9 months with a clear dichotomy in survival when comparing patients with disease confined to the cervix to those with higher stages (respectively 59.0 vs 12.0 months, p = 0.047). None of the 5 patients initially managed with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) responded to treatment but fortunately 3 of the latter achieved remission after surgery. Conclusion: Well-differentiated GAS did not show favorable response to chemotherapy and radiation. Surgical resection seems to be a cornerstone in the management of this disease, as all patients who achieved remission were treated with surgery, either upfront or after suboptimal response to CCRT. We suggest considering aggressive upfront surgery when feasible. If CCRT is selected to avoid upfront exenterative procedures, rapid evaluation of tumor response is recommended.

Role of 18F-choline and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in combination with magnetic resonance imaging in brachytherapy planning for locally advanced cervical cancer: A pilot study.

Background and purpose: This pilot study aims to describe the advantages of combining metabolic and anatomic imaging modalities in brachytherapy (BT) planning for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and to evaluate the supplementary value of Fluoro(F)-Choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in comparison to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in this setting. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort of six patients with LACC was included in this study. Each patient underwent BT planning CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and both FDG and F-Choline PET/CT scans on the same day, with BT applicators in place. Patients were treated according to the standard of care. Metabolic target volumes (TV) were generated retrospectively and compared with the anatomic volumes using Dice coefficients and absolute volume comparison. Results: The threshold at which the metabolic and anatomic volumes were the most concordant was found to be 35% maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) for both PET/CT scans. Amongst the six patients in this cohort, three in the FDG cohort and four in the F-Choline cohort were found to have more than ten percent ratio of excess (increase) in their MRI gross tumor volumes (GTV) when incorporating the metabolic information from the PET/CT scans. However, no significant changes were needed in the high risk-clinical target volumes (CTVHR) for both PET tracers. Conclusions: FDG and F-Choline PET/CT scans can substantially modify the BT GTV on MRI, without affecting the CTVHR. F-Choline is potentially more informative than FDG in assessing residual TV, particularly in cases with significant post-radiation inflammatory changes.

A Case of Radiation-Induced Aortitis in a Patient With Cervical Cancer.

Radiation-induced aortitis is a rare but potentially serious complication of radiotherapy. We report the case of a 46-year-old female with a history of cervical cancer who developed radiation-induced aortitis following two courses of concurrent chemoradiation. The patient was asymptomatic, and the condition was detected during a routine follow-up positron emission tomography (PET) scan. The patient was referred to rheumatology for differential diagnosis, which ruled out non-radiation-induced aortitis. The condition was managed conservatively, and a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan showed resolution of the aortitis but the progression of aorto-iliac fibrosis. The patient was then started on prednisone, which led to a regression of the aorto-iliac vessel thickening.

PSMA-PET/CT-Guided Intensification of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (PSMAgRT): Findings of Detection Rate, Effect on Cancer Management, and Early Toxicity From a Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly integrated in prostate cancer management because of its diagnostic performance. We sought to evaluate the effect of PSMA-PET/computed tomography (CT)-guided intensification of radiation therapy (PSMAgRT) on patient outcomes. Here, we report secondary trial endpoints including the rate of new lesion detection, effect on prostate cancer management, and treatment-related toxicities. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this phase 2 cohort multiple randomized controlled trial across 2 institutions, men with prostate cancer planned for RT were randomly selected for PSMAgRT across 4 strata: oligometastatic, high risk (Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment ≥6 or cN1), salvage post-RT, and salvage postprostatectomy (RP). Primary endpoint was failure-free survival at 5 years, with analysis pending further follow-up. Secondary endpoints included new lesion detection yield of PSMA-PET/CT, acute and delayed toxicities, effect on prostate cancer management, and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03525288, companion to registry NCT03378856. RESULTS: Between May 2018 and February 2021, 262 patients were enrolled and randomized. Nine patients were later excluded (5 control, 4 PSMAgRT), leaving 253 patients for analysis (23 oligometastatic, 86 high risk, 16 salvage post-RT, and 128 salvage post-RP). New lesions were detected in 45.5% of oligometastatic, 39.5% of high risk, 14.3% of salvage post-RT, and 51.6% of salvage post-RP. Overall, PSMA-PET/CT led to intensification of RT in over half of patients (52.0%), with minimal intensification of systemic therapy (4.0%). With a median follow-up of 12.9 months, this intensification was associated with 3 attributable grade 3+ events (2.5% of patients undergoing PSMAgRT) but no difference in the rate of grade 2+ events attributable to RT compared with controls (43%, both arms). CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized trial, PSMA-PET/CT led to intensification of RT in more than half of patients. Longer follow-up is required to determine whether this intensification translates to effect on cancer control and long-term toxicity and health-related quality-of-life outcomes.

The Montreal split ring applicator: Towards highly adaptive gynecological brachytherapy using 3D-printed biocompatible patient-specific interstitial caps.

Purpose: The addition of interstitial (IS) needles to intra-cavitary (IC) brachytherapy applicators is associated with improved outcomes in locally advanced cervical cancers involving parametrial tumor extensions. The purpose of this work was to validate a clinical workflow involving 3D-printed caps for a commercial IC split ring applicator that enable using IS needle trajectories tailored to each treatment. Material and methods: A dedicated software module was developed in this work allowing users to design patient-specific IS caps without knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) software. This software module was integrated to 3D Brachy, a commercial software developed by Adaptiiv Medical Technologies Inc. For validation of the workflow, CAD models of ground truth caps with five IS needle trajectories were designed with Fusion 360™, 3D-printed, assembled with a split ring applicator, and CT-scanned with radio-opaque markers. 3D Brachy was then applied to generate a replica based on trajectories reconstructed from the radio-opaque markers. A comparison between ground truth and replicated IS needle trajectories was done using intersection points with planes at the level of the cervix (z = 0 cm) and a representative needle depth (z = 3 cm). Results: Prototypes of interstitial caps 3D-printed in both BioMed Amber and BioMed Clear SLA resins were tested to be functional both pre- and post-sterilization for IS needles with obliquity angles ≤ 45°. Distance-to-agreement at z = 0 cm and 3 cm as well as deviations in pitch and yaw angles of the five IS needle trajectories were found to have mean values of 3.3 ±2.1 mm, 7.3 ±2.0 mm, 2.9° ±2.3°, and 7.0° ±7.0°, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical workflow for image-guided adaptive cervical cancer brachytherapy using the Montreal split ring applicator was validated.

Corrigendum: MRI-guided focal or integrated boost high dose rate brachytherapy for recurrent prostate cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.971344.].

Prognostic Assessment of Interim F18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Esophageal Cancer Treated With Chemoradiation With or Without Surgery.

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate if the F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F18-FDG PET) response after two weeks of chemoradiation for locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer (staged Tumor (T) 3 and/or Nodes (N)+ Metastases (M) 0) was linked to the pathologic response for patients undergoing surgery, to disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods Between March 2006 and September 2017, 40 patients were prospectively enrolled in our study, gave written consent, and had PET scans performed before treatment and after two weeks of chemoradiation. One patient did not undergo his two-week PET without informing study coordinators and was excluded from analyses. Results The median age at diagnosis was 62 years. Seventy-two percent of patients had N+ disease. Median OS for the entire group was 24 months. Five-year overall survival was 17%. Survival curves for patients with no PET response, minor PET response, or good PET response overlapped and were not statistically different. For the 25 patients who underwent surgery, the positive predictive value (PPV) of the PET response relative to the pathologic response was 75% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 62%. In study patients, the crude recurrence rate was 68% and there was no correlation between PET response and DFS. Conclusion In our study, interim PET response after two weeks of chemoradiation for locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer was not predictive of outcome or pathologic response. Based on our data and current literature, interim PET should not be used to alter treatment (whether to escalate neo-adjuvant treatment or omit surgery).

MRI-guided focal or integrated boost high dose rate brachytherapy for recurrent prostate cancer.

Background and purpose: Locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy merits an effective salvage strategy that mitigates the risk of adverse events. We report outcomes of a cohort enrolled across two institutions investigating MRI-guided tumor-targeted salvage high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT). Materials and methods: Analysis of a prospective cohort of 88 patients treated across two institutions with MRI-guided salvage HDR-BT to visible local recurrence after radiotherapy (RT). Tumor target dose ranged from 22-26 Gy, using either an integrated boost (ibBT) or focal technique (fBT), delivered in two implants over a median of 7 days. Outcome metrics included cancer control and toxicity (CTCAE). Quality of life (QoL-EPIC) was analyzed in a subset. Results: At a median follow-up of 35 months (6 -134), 3 and 5-year failure-free survival (FFS) outcomes were 67% and 49%, respectively. At 5 years, fBT was associated with a 17% cumulative incidence of local failure (LF) outside the GTV (vs. 7.8% ibBT, p=0.14), while LF within the GTV occurred in 13% (vs. 16% ibBT, p=0.81). Predictors of LF outside fBT volumes included pre-salvage PSA>7 ng/mL (p=0.03) and interval since RT less than 5 years (p=0.04). No attributable grade 3 events occurred, and ibBT was associated with a higher rate of grade 2 toxicity (p<0.001), and trend towards a larger reduction in QoL sexual domain score (p=0.07), compared to fBT. Conclusion: A tumor-targeted HDR-BT salvage approach achieved favorable cancer control outcomes. While a fBT was associated with less toxicity, it may be best suited to a subgroup with lower PSA at later recurrence. Tumor targeted dose escalation may be warranted.

Image-guided Raman spectroscopy navigation system to improve transperineal prostate cancer detection. Part 2: in-vivo tumor-targeting using a classification model combining spectral and MRI-radiomics features.

SIGNIFICANCE: The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) are limited by a lack of intraoperative information to accurately target tumors with needles for biopsy and brachytherapy. An innovative image-guidance technique using optical devices could improve the diagnostic yield of biopsy and efficacy of radiotherapy. AIM: To evaluate the performance of multimodal PCa detection using biomolecular features from in-situ Raman spectroscopy (RS) combined with image-based (radiomics) features from multiparametric magnetic resonance images (mpMRI). APPROACH: In a prospective pilot clinical study, 18 patients were recruited and underwent high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Multimodality image fusion (preoperative mpMRI with intraoperative transrectal ultrasound) combined with electromagnetic tracking was used to navigate an RS needle in the prostate prior to brachytherapy. This resulting dataset consisted of Raman spectra and co-located radiomics features from mpMRI. Feature selection was performed with the constraint that no more than 10 features were retained overall from a combination of inelastic scattering spectra and radiomics. These features were used to train support vector machine classifiers for PCa detection based on leave-one-patient-out cross-validation. RESULTS: RS along with biopsy samples were acquired from 47 sites along the insertion trajectory of the fiber-optics needle: 26 were confirmed as benign or grade group = 1, and 21 as grade group >1, according to histopathological reports. The combination of the fingerprint region of the RS and radiomics showed an accuracy of 83% (sensitivity = 81 % and a specificity = 85 % ), outperforming by more than 9% models trained with either spectroscopic or mpMRI data alone. An optimal number of features was identified between 6 and 8 features, which have good potential for discriminating grade group ≥1 / grade group <1 (accuracy = 87 % ) or grade group >1 / grade group ≤1 (accuracy = 91 % ). CONCLUSIONS: In-situ Raman spectroscopy combined with mpMRI radiomics features can lead to highly accurate PCa detection for improved in-vivo targeting of biopsy sample collection and radiotherapy seed placement.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of QTc Prolongation in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Brachytherapy.

QTc prolongation is linked to Torsade de Pointes, sudden cardiac death, and overall cardiovascular mortality. 754 prostate cancer patients undergoing brachytherapy were analyzed, prolonged QTc was defined as ≥450ms. A prolonged QTc was more frequent (10.1 vs. 5.1%, p = 0.040) in patients with high-risk cancer than in low to intermediate risk patients. The absolute QTc-time was correlated with age (r = 0.125), neutrophil count (r = 0.130) and negatively correlated with the testosterone level (r=-0.205). Treating physicians should be aware of this and monitor the QTc during ADT to possibly decrease cardiac morbidity/mortality in these patients who are more likely to require ADT.

A single-center, multidisciplinary experience with radium-223 dichloride in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate several clinical and biochemical parameters, including palliative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to predict survival in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with radium-223 (223Ra). METHODS: We tested known and possible prognostic parameters, including palliative EBRT, both prior and concurrent to 223Ra. Logrank test (Kaplan-Meier method) and Cox regression analysis were used to predict overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were treated with 223Ra; median age was 72 years. Median OS was 9.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.4-10.6) months. By univariate analysis (log-rank test), baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-1 (p=0.001), ≥5 cycles of 223Ra (p<0.001), baseline hemoglobin (Hb) ≥120 g/L (p <0.001), baseline total alkaline phosphatase (tALP) <110 U/L (p=0.001), and any prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline at week 12 (p=0.013) were associated with increased OS. EBRT prior and/or concurrent to 223Ra showed a trend (p=0.051) towards inferior OS by univariate analysis only. By multivariate analysis, significant factors were PS 0-1 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.94, 95% CI 1.3-2.9, p=0.001), Hb ≥120 g/L (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9, p=0.011), and absence of docetaxel use prior to 223Ra (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.08-3.22, p=0.026). With baseline Hb, tALP, and ECOG PS, we were able to divide patients into three groups with different median OS (months): 23.0 (95% CI 12.8-33.2), 8.0 (95% CI 6.7-9.3), and 5.0 (95% CI 3.1-6.9) for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that 223Ra therapy can result in an OS of close to two years in carefully selected patients. Earlier administration of 223Ra therapy to fitter patients with mCRPC should be tested.

Performance of an integrated multimodality image guidance and dose-planning system supporting tumor-targeted HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Advances in high-dose-rate brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer hinge on improved accuracy in navigation and targeting while optimizing a streamlined workflow. Multimodal image registration and electromagnetic (EM) tracking are two technologies integrated into a prototype system in the early phase of clinical evaluation. We aim to report on the system's accuracy and workflow performance in support of tumor-targeted procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, we evaluated the system in 43 consecutive procedures after clinical deployment. We measured workflow efficiency and EM catheter reconstruction accuracy. We also evaluated the system's MRI-TRUS registration accuracy with/without deformation, and with/without y-axis rotation for urethral alignment at initialization. RESULTS: The cohort included 32 focal brachytherapy and 11 integrated boost whole-gland implants. Mean procedure time excluding dose delivery was 38 min (range: 21-83) for focal, and 56 min (range: 38-89) for whole-gland implants; stable over time. EM catheter reconstructions achieved a mean difference between computed and measured free-length of 0.8 mm (SD 0.8, no corrections performed), and mean axial manual corrections 1.3 mm (SD 0.7). EM also enabled the clinical use of a non or partially visible catheter in 21% of procedures. Registration accuracy improved with y-axis rotation for urethral alignment at initialization and with the elastic registration (mTRE 3.42 mm, SD 1.49). CONCLUSION: The system supported tumor-targeting and was implemented with no demonstrable learning curve. EM reconstruction errors were small, correctable, and improved with calibration and control of external distortion sources; increasing confidence in the use of partially visible catheters. Image registration errors remained despite rotational alignment and deformation, and should be carefully considered.

DEVIL, VAAD and vLSC constitute a spectrum of HPV-independent, p53-independent intra-epithelial neoplasia of the vulva.

AIMS: We aimed to characterise a large cohort of non-invasive, human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53-independent verruciform lesions, such as 'vulvar acanthosis with altered differentiation' (VAAD), 'differentiated exophytic vulvar intra-epithelial lesion' (DEVIL) and 'verruciform lichen simplex chronicus' (vLSC). METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 2008 to December 2020 we retrospectively identified 36 eligible patients with verruciform non-invasive lesions (n = 36) and collected clinical, histological and follow-up parameters. Verruciform non-invasive lesions occurred at a median age of 71 years, with a median follow-up of 33.5 months. Clinically, pruritus was only reported in patients with VAAD (n = 3, 21%). Lesion colour was significantly different across categories (P = 0.028). Apart from the histopathological criteria already known to distinguish these entities (hypogranulosis, epithelial pallor and low-magnification architecture), no other significant criteria were discovered and significant overlap was observed, particularly between VAAD and DEVIL. Patients with vLSC trended towards longer survival without recurrence compared to VAAD and DEVIL (P = 0.082), but showed comparable invasion-free survival interval (P = 0.782). Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) associated with either VAAD, DEVIL or vLSC displayed similar clinical, histopathological and biological parameters. In non-invasive precursor lesions, stromal oedema was associated with invasion (P = 0.015) and remained so upon Cox regression analysis (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our study of HPV and p53 independent non-invasive verruciform lesions of the vulva highlights significant clinical, histopathological and biological overlap between VAAD, DEVIL and vLSC, suggesting that these pre-invasive lesions should be viewed as a spectrum. We also show that stromal features such as oedema might play an import role in progression to invasion.

PSA outcomes and late toxicity of single-fraction HDR brachytherapy and LDR brachytherapy as monotherapy in localized prostate cancer: A phase 2 randomized pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the PSA outcomes and the late patient's reported health related quality of life (HRQOL) and toxicity after single-fraction High-Dose-Rate brachytherapy (HDRB) and Low-Dose-Rate brachytherapy (LDRB) for prostate cancer. METHODS: Men with low and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer across 3 centres were randomized between monotherapy brachytherapy with either Iodine-125 LDRB or 19 Gy single-fraction HDRB. Biochemical outcomes were evaluated using the Phoenix definition, PSA nadir and absolute PSA value <0.4 ng/mL. Toxicities and HRQOL were recorded at 24 and 36 months. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were randomized, 15 in the LDRB arm and 16 patients in the HDRB arm. After a median follow-up of 45(36-53) months, 3 patients in the HDRB arm experienced biochemical failure (p = 0.092). Nineteen Gy single-fraction HDRB was associated with significantly higher PSA nadir compared to LDRB (1.02 ± 0.66vs 0.25 ± 0.39, p < 0.0001). Moreover, a significantly larger proportion of patients in the LDRB group had a PSA <0.4 ng/mL (13/15 vs 2/16, p < 0.0001). For late Genito-Urinary, Gastro-Intestinal, and sexual toxicities at 24 and 36 months, no significant differences were found between the 2 arms. As for HRQOL, the IPSS and EPIC-26 urinary irritative score were significantly better for patients treated with HDRB over the first 36 months post-treatment (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively), reflecting superior HRQOL. CONCLUSION: HDRB resulted in superior HRQOL in the irritative urinary domain compared to LDRB. PSA nadir was significantly lower in the LDRB group and a higher proportion of patients in the LDRB group reached PSA <0.4 ng/mL.

Oncologic outcomes in the era of modern radiation therapy using FIGO 2018 staging system for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: The recently published ASTRO cervical cancer guidelines recommend the use of modern radiotherapy. Imaging is now incorporated in the updated FIGO 2018 staging with a new stage IIIC. This study aims to evaluate the oncologic outcomes and predictors of survival using FIGO 2018 staging in a cohort of patients treated in an era of high-precision image-guided radiotherapy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 216 adult cervical cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy between 2010 and 2018. Eligible patients had non-metastatic cervical cancer treated at a single academic institution. All patients had pre-treatment MRI and CT/PET. Treatment protocol consisted of external beam intensity-modulated radiotherapy and 3D image-guided brachytherapy. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. Multivariate cox proportional-hazards model was performed to identify potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 50 and median BMI was 26.4 kg/m2. Median follow-up time was 44.3 months. Five-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival and loco-regional disease-free survival rates were 76.8%, 68.5% and 82.6%, respectively. FIGO 2018 showed better OS discrimination compared to FIGO 2009 classification. OS was increasingly worse with positive pelvic and para-aortic nodes (p < 0.001). In a multivariate prediction model, performance status (p = 0.044) and FIGO 2018 classification (stage III p = 0.016; stage IVA p = 0.010) were predictors of mortality; FIGO 2018 classification (stage III p = 0.003; stage IVA p = 0.001) was a predictor of any recurrence; MRI tumor diameter (p ≤ 0.001) and nodal metastases (p = 0.024) were predictors of loco-regional recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of state-of-the-art imaging in cervical cancer staging and in radiotherapy planning leads to good loco-regional control rates, however distant recurrence remains an important issue. FIGO 2018 staging better reflects patient prognosis, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies for stage IIIC cervical cancer.

The Clinical Significance of Bone Mineral Density Changes Following Long-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Localized Prostate Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: Long-term androgen deprivation therapy has been associated with decreased bone mineral density in men with prostate cancer. Some evidence suggests that there is no impact on fracture risk despite this bone mineral density loss. Our study aimed to quantify changes in bone mineral density in men with high risk prostate cancer on long-term androgen deprivation therapy and calcium and vitamin D supplementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone mineral density analysis was conducted for localized high risk prostate cancer patients enrolled in the phase III randomized trial PCS-V (Prostate Cancer Study 5), comparing conventional and hypofractionated radiation therapy. Patients received 28 months of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist and calcium and vitamin D supplementation (500 mg calcium BID+400 IU vitamin D3 BID). The areal density and T-scores (spine, femoral neck and total femur) at baseline and 30 months of followup were extracted, and the absolute change was calculated. Clinical bone density status (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis) was monitored. RESULTS: The lumbar spine, femoral neck and total femoral bone mineral density were measured for 226, 231, and 173 patients, respectively. The mean percent change in bone mineral density was -2.65%, -2.76% and -4.27% for these respective sites (p <0.001 for all). The average decrease in bone mineral density across all sites was -3.2%, with no decline in bone mineral density category in most patients (83%). Eight patients (4%) became osteoporotic. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a mild decline in bone mineral density, the change in clinical bone mineral density category remained low with long-term androgen deprivation therapy. Consequently, calcium and vitamin D supplementation alone may suffice for most localized prostate cancer patients on long-term androgen deprivation therapy.

Quality of Life: A Prospective Randomized Trial of Palliative Volumetric Arc Therapy Versus 3-Dimensional Conventional Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: Volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) is a radiation therapy (RT) technique that spares normal tissues from high and intermediate RT doses but increases the volume of tissues receiving low doses of RT compared with 3-dimensional conformal RT (3DCRT). We hypothesized that palliative VMAT would reduce the detriment to patient quality of life (QOL) compared with palliative 3DCRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This phase 2 trial randomized patients to palliative RT using VMAT or 3DCRT to 1 painful site of metastatic disease in the trunk. Treating physicians could choose 8 Gy in 1 fraction or 20 Gy in 5 fractions to stratify randomization. The primary endpoint was the change in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) global health status QOL subscale at 1 week after RT. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess the relationship of patient QOL over time with other factors. RESULTS: From July 2014 to November 2017, 37 patients who underwent 3DCRT and 32 patients who underwent VMAT were randomized into the study. Median overall survival was 9 months. Overall pain responses to RT were equivalent (P = .53) between the techniques. Patient compliance in returning QOL questionnaires was 94%, 81%, and 69% at baseline, 1 week after RT, and 1 month after RT, respectively. At 1 week after RT, change in global QOL was not significantly (P = .31) different between VMAT versus 3DCRT. At 4 weeks after RT, VMAT induced significantly (P = .049) less global QOL deterioration than 3DCRT did. Patients who underwent VMAT maintained better physical (P = .012), role (P = .041), and social (P = .025) functioning, but they reported more diarrhea symptoms (P = .017) than in the 3DCRT group. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative VMAT and 3DCRT did not differ in their ability to control pain; however, palliative VMAT induced fewer QOL detriments than 3DCRT did at 4 weeks after RT.

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and brachytherapy in endometrial cancer with gross cervical involvement: a CHIRENDO research group study.

BACKGROUND: Historically, radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy has been offered to patients with endometrial cancer who have gross cervical involvement; however, this approach is known to carry considerable morbidity. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy has been proposed as an alternative treatment but has been poorly studied to date. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the locoregional control rate associated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 30 patients with endometrial cancer with gross cervical involvement treated between May 2006 and January 2016 was performed. Eligible patients were those aged >18 years with non-metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma and gross cervical disease treated with curative intent at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal. Treatment protocol consisted of pelvic neoadjuvant radiotherapy and high-dose rate brachytherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: The median age was 60 (range 37-82) and median body mass index was 32 kg/m2 (range 16-55). Twenty-four (80%) patients were diagnosed with a positive cervical/endocervical biopsy. Clinical staging confirmed 36.7% (n=11) as stage II, 20% (n=6) stage IIIB, 30% (n=9) stage IIIC1, and 13.3% (n=4) stage IIIC2. Seventy-seven per cent (n=23) of patients had an endometrioid histology. Locally advanced disease was identified by imaging alone in six patients. Rates of parametrial, adnexal, vaginal, and nodal invasion were 10% (n=3), 6.7% (n=2), 13.3% (n=4), and 43.3% (n=13) at diagnosis, respectively. All patients completed pelvic radiotherapy (13.3% extended field) and 90% received brachytherapy. Twenty per cent (n=6) of surgeries were performed using minimal invasive technique. On surgical specimen, 63.3% (n=19) had complete cervical response, 90% (n=27) had negative margins, and 10% (n=3) had residual nodal involvement. Median follow-up time was 62 months (range 1-120). Six recurrences were identified; all except one involved distant failure, and two with locoregional failure. Five-year locoregional control rate, disease-free, overall, and disease-specific survival were 90.5%, 78.5%, 92.6%, and 96.2%, respectively. Two patients (6.7%) had grade 3+ acute radiation-related complications (all grade 3). Grade 3+ post-operative morbidity was noted in 2 (6.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy offers good locoregional control with low treatment-related morbidity in patients with endometrial cancer with overt cervical involvement.